novelraw Chapter 64 1998, really something!
Chapter 64 1998, really something!
Returning to the luxury suite at the Peninsula Hotel in New York from CBGB.
Seeing Natalie Portman remain silent the whole way and seem a bit "red-faced," Li Shuo, thinking things were about to go wrong, wanted to say something.
But to my surprise, Natalie's side in the system is even offering a lottery!?
So you weren't angry after all... Okay then!
So I just watched quietly as she went back to her hotel room, packed her things, and left in a hurry with a flushed face!
After closing the door, Li Shuo found it amusing; she hadn't gained much advantage in that brief verbal exchange.
This future Harvard psychology whiz doesn't seem to be entirely at ease when faced with "California avocados."
However, Li Shuo knew very well that Jessica Alba was by no means the naive and innocent girl she appeared to be.
In addition to her identity as an actress, she will also become the co-founder of "Honest Company," aiming to build a maternal and infant product business empire valued at over one billion US dollars.
Li Shuo shook his head, not thinking about it any further, and decided to draw the reward first.
At this moment, it wasn't just Natalie in his consciousness; there were a total of three lottery notifications.
It seems that Sammi Cheng's side is starting to exert its influence.
The album promotion provided by Li Shuo, including "Eyebrows Dancing" and "Exclusive Audition," along with the pre-album promotion of "Lifelong Beauty," has undoubtedly created a strong trend with the concerts that have begun in Asia.
What's strange is Shuqi? What has affected this older sister this time?
Li Shuo's attitude towards her was simply to use her to obtain rewards from the system, and then give her corresponding returns. It was a simple matter of each getting what they wanted.
Let's see what we can get this time!
On a whim, I selected to confirm the extraction.
After waiting a while and looking at the results, he first filtered out the "useless things".
However, he also discovered something inside that was a bit perplexing.
Is this useful or useless?
[Smith Wesson Model 629*1 (from "Léon: The Professional")]
Looking at this flamboyant silver .44 Magnum revolver... I still can't put the system items back once I take them out!
This thing can't be used lightly... It's not okay in the US, and it's definitely not okay to go back to China!
What are you doing, system?!
After calming himself down, Li Shuo looked at the useful reward.
[The White Swan's Technique in Female Ballet: Mastery (from "Black Swan")]
Um... I guess it's a useful ability? This is the ballet skill I had before I went mad, but this female dancer...?
[Chen Style Tai Chi: Three Moves Learned Secretly (from "Tai Chi: From Zero to Hero")]
I remember now... The original Chen Zhen who suddenly passed away before his rebirth, and Liang Xiaolong, who played the Fire Cloud Evil God in "Kung Fu Hustle," both secretly learned the "Three Tricks" of Chenjiagou in this movie, and were able to defeat the Tai Chi kung fu of the character who played the old martial arts master of external martial arts.
[Embalmer Character Card (from "Midnight Slow Train")]
This is weird... Do you expect me, currently in the US, to build a Gundam? That's really unnecessary...
[US$160 million in bearer bonds (from Hero)]
I love this simple and straightforward way of giving money... I wonder what will happen when their rank is promoted in the future! Tsk tsk tsk...!
A Ferrari F355 Spider with a consecutive Hong Kong Island license plate (from the TV series "Marry a Rich Man").
Ugh... I really want to turn 18 soon so I can drive!
[Thor's height (from the movie "Thor")]
Li Shuo checked the information immediately... and it really was the height reward he had been looking forward to... Could it be that the system is really so ordinary that it doesn't give out any extraordinary abilities?
Then I pondered this for over an hour...
I don't know when, but I ended up in the bedroom on the big bed where Natalie used to sleep.
It smells pretty good... I drifted off to sleep.
The next day
Completely captivated by Li Shuo's description of "Time Warner's global partnerships and channels," Maezawa Yusaku eagerly followed him to the Time Warner headquarters, which is still located in Rockefeller Plaza, New York.
When he finally stood in the hall of fame of this media "giant", Maezawa was extremely excited!
With such a powerful backer, it is undoubtedly a huge benefit to his planned import and delivery business of audio-visual products targeting Japan.
Even the company name that Li Shuo came up with, "Start Today," is just what I wanted!
Taking advantage of the situation, Li Shuo invoked his own law firm, Gang Tyre, and had lawyer Evan Carter sign a preliminary cooperation framework agreement with Yusaku Maezawa.
There's still plenty of time, let's first persuade him to start this company together...
Later, Li Shuo will guide the team to develop e-commerce concepts ahead of time... At that point, the creation and construction of ZOZO will have less to do with him.
Unaware that he was about to fall from a "newly rich" figure in Japan to a "high-class part-time boss," Masashi Masashi was overwhelmed with emotion and immediately announced that he had left the band and would fly back to Japan to fully prepare for the company's establishment.
Say goodbye to this little Japanese life.
Li Shuo and Evan Carter stood in the hallway.
Just then, the door to a conference room next door was suddenly pushed open, and a slightly overweight middle-aged man with messy curly hair and round-framed glasses walked out.
His face was filled with barely suppressed anger and frustration, and he was muttering short sentences starting with F under his breath.
He saw the two people in the corridor, paused for a moment, composed himself, lowered his head, and walked away sullenly.
"That's the director, Peter Jackson," Evan Carter said casually, following Li Shuo's gaze.
The latter was struck by a sudden realization: memories of this New Zealand director flooded back; he had made many classic films.
Moreover, the "mockumentary" filming technique pioneered by Li Shuo's "The Blair Witch Project" was later used by the director in his science fiction film "District 9".
Evan Carter gave Li Shuo that classic "Do you want to know?" lawyer look.
Li Shuo responded with a speechless look that seemed to say, "You're here again."
Evan chuckled. "Okay, I was just kidding. This time it's free! The news's going to spread pretty quickly anyway."
He lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret.
"He's reached an agreement with Miramax to launch a mega-project to bring 'The Lord of the Rings' to the big screen. He's been visiting various film studios these past few days seeking collaborations; it seems..."
He glanced in the direction Peter Jackson had disappeared.
"The start was quite unfavorable."
Li Shuo immediately recalled!
It was not just unsuccessful; in 1998, almost all major Hollywood studios were pessimistic about the Lord of the Rings project.
They considered it too costly and too risky, an "impossible mission."
This was not only a common industry attitude, but also the direct reason that Miramax eventually sold the rights.
It is widely believed in the industry that Tolkien's novels are "unadaptable," too complex and lengthy, and that fantasy is considered "poison" for the mainstream market.
Fear of cost, and director Peter Jackson's vision of making two or even three films in a row.
The total budget was estimated to be hundreds of millions of dollars, which was an astronomical figure at the time, comparable to the gamble of "Titanic".
Therefore, everyone is worried that failure will result in losing everything.
Ultimately, none of the Big Six companies were included. New Line Cinema snatched up this huge opportunity, while Miramax withdrew, retaining only profit-sharing rights, but still made a fortune.
Wait! Li Shuo's eyes suddenly lit up!
Box office success is guaranteed, awards abound... This is not just about money, but also a great opportunity to quietly elevate one's "status"!
Most importantly, aren't I standing right here in Time Warner right now?
I could easily use the "Li Studio Global" studio affiliation here to reach out to and participate in investments!
"That's good news, Evan."
Li Shuo suppressed the excitement in his eyes, smiled, and patted himself, the lawyer, on the shoulder.
"Let's go, I'll treat you to a big meal."
Evan Carter smiled too; as a partner at a top law firm, he knew how to switch between rigorous work and necessary socializing.
"A big meal? I'll have to think about it... How about Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse? It's near Rockefeller Plaza. Their 26-ounce bone-in Kansas City-style steak and lobster macaroni and cheese are always a treat that makes my wallet clench."
He raised an eyebrow, implying that the place wasn't cheap.
"Tch~ Your wallet's tight? Fine... it's settled then."
Li Shuo readily agreed.
As the two walked toward the elevator, Li Shuo slowed his pace.
"Evan, there's a personal matter I'd like you to keep in mind. That director Peter Jackson from earlier, I'd like you to get closer to him and become friends."
Evan Carter glanced sideways?
"Making friends? What kind of friends?"
"A friend who stays in touch and offers helpful advice when needed."
Li Shuo's eyes were serious.
"I need you to keep me informed of his progress on that Lord of the Rings project, especially after the setbacks he encountered with the 'Big Six'."
"and then?"
Evan pressed further, knowing it wasn't that simple.
Li Shuo smiled mysteriously, and at that moment the elevator doors opened with a "ding".
"If he really goes around to the six major institutions and comes up empty-handed, and is feeling his lowest... then contact me."
"After contacting you?" Evan followed him into the elevator.
The elevator doors slowly closed, reflecting the images of the two people.
"At that time, I will tell you a 'message,' conveying 'hope' to him at the most opportune moment. As for now, it's a secret that cannot be revealed."
After speaking mysteriously, Li Shuo secretly sighed to himself.
1998, that was really something!