1994: I Became a Literary Master in America

Chapter 126 Breaking Through the Defense!

Chapter 128 Breaking Through the Defense!

Originally, Xu Shengjie planned to wait until the Emperor was discharged from the hospital before going to the editing room to start post-production.

But after only four days, Theron couldn't hold back any longer.

She insisted on being discharged from the hospital!

The cost of five thousand is too much to bear.

After examining her again and confirming that there were no major problems, the doctor reluctantly approved her discharge request.

However, it is important to rest and avoid strenuous activity.

He'll need crutches for at least a month.

Come back for a check-up in a month.

However, Theron felt it was unnecessary; another checkup would just incur additional expenses.

Moreover, Xu Shengjie called Manny to take care of her. Although Manny was not a professional, she had learned martial arts and medicine from Master Mai, so she had no problem with physical therapy and conditioning. She was also somewhat skilled at pulse diagnosis and could make excellent medicinal cuisine.

Four thousand eight hundred dollars a month.

At first, Theron disagreed, but with Xu Shengjie's insistence and Mrs. Maritz's persuasion, she finally agreed.

"I will pay you back this money."

"Take good care of yourself and get well soon. I'll make a movie just for you as a way of settling the score."

"You're too cruel!"

Charlize Theron is a newcomer, but she still earns at least $70,000 to $80,000 for a single film.

As a result, Xu Shengjie said, "So you're not planning to pay me for the next movie, is that what you mean?"

Of course, she knew Xu Shengjie was joking.

However, the dissatisfaction still needs to be expressed.

What if he really doesn't pay me?

"What's your next project?"

"Don't ask anymore, you'll find out when the time comes. Your task now is to take good care of your health."

"Don't let 'Lola' be nominated for Cannes next year. If you go there on crutches, the news reports will definitely say something like: 'Actress Charlize Theron's career is fading; after filming 'Lola,' she is suspected of being disabled and is highly likely to leave the film industry.'"

"Pah!"

Theron was so angry that her face turned red.

Manny and Mrs. Maritz laughed so hard they almost fell over.

Susanna called on Friday.

She eventually negotiated the price down to 680,000 yuan, a reduction of 100,000 yuan from the original price.

It's always the women who haggle over the price—according to Susanna, she inquired about the apartment on this floor.

The listed price is 82, which is quite reasonable considering Sarah previously mentioned 78.

The problem is that it's an unfinished apartment. Although it's large, it's on a lower floor than the surrounding buildings, so many people who saw it rejected it. Furthermore, the Tribeca community has only been developed for about four years, and the expected "golden triangle" effect hasn't yet materialized. Plus, New York's housing market is generally sluggish this year, making it difficult to sell.

Xu Shengjie's expression of interest in purchasing the property was an unexpected boon for the real estate agency.

The real estate agent was naturally eager to close the deal as quickly as possible, as it was crucial to her sales performance. So, she contacted the original homeowner and, after much persuasion, managed to lower the price to 68.

Susanna said: If Xu Shengjie wasn't in such a hurry, she could have found a way to lower the price to around 600,000.

That's enough, my aunt!

68 already makes me feel like I got a bargain.

So Xu Shengjie called Jessica on Saturday and signed the contract as quickly as possible.

On Monday, Xu Shengjie will go to the bank to complete the transfer procedures, and the subsequent process will be handled by lawyer Jessica.

The rest was to communicate and exchange ideas with Kevin and entrust him with completing the design.

It's definitely not possible to move in by the end of the year!

It's even possible that we won't be able to move in until next year.

After all, renovation is a big project, and ventilation is also important.

Xu Shengjie suddenly realized that even if he bought the house, he wouldn't be able to move in immediately, which disappointed him somewhat.

"How about you stay at my place?"

Theron suggested.

"May I?"

Xu Shengjie's eyes lit up.

Theron rolled her eyes at him. "I want to live with my mother. I'm a patient, and Gilda won't feel comfortable letting me live alone."

"I see!"

To be honest, Xu Shengjie was a little disappointed.

However, it is still a possible solution to the problem.

The apartment Charlize rents is on Sixth Avenue, near Koreatown.

Actually, Koreans can be quite boisterous!

However, making do is not an impossible thing.

He's been going crazy these past few days—Niha, influenced by her brother Ashish, has been harassing him relentlessly.

He got home at 1 a.m. yesterday, and this little girl was still awake; she almost sneaked into his room.

If she succeeds—

The consequences were unimaginable to Xu Shengjie.

After all, at this time, Americans still held onto their traditional values.

Many things are hidden beneath the surface, and what is revealed is only the tip of the iceberg.

Therefore, the overall moral system of society has not collapsed and still exists, far from being as crazy and unbelievable as it will be twenty years later.

However, Xu Shengjie still dared not let his guard down.

Early Sunday morning, he secretly moved into Theron's apartment with his luggage.

On Monday, he drove straight to the film studio.

Danny Airo had already rented an editing room for him, and as soon as Xu Shengjie arrived at the editing room, he began a frantic post-production process.

Editing, music composition, and animation production.

The animated elements incorporated into "Run Lola Run" are definitely one of the most outstanding features of this movie.

Lively music, fast-paced shots foreshadowing everyone's fate; frequent animated elements, montage techniques, and numerous rapid camera cuts, all combined with Lola's fiery red, create a breathtaking game—

Moreover, the appearance of animation elements.

This also makes the transition between the three time periods even smoother.

Woody Allen visited twice, calling the animated elements in the film a "gift from God."

"Jeffrey, Sally is so beautiful!"

She's like a natural force—bright, beautiful, and breathtakingly sexy. If I ever have the chance, I definitely want to work with her.

"Woody, get out. You're interfering with my work."

"Jeffrey, have you come up with your 'Canal Street Metro Station' yet? It's fucking number one again this week."

The non-fiction novel is at the top of the list; this is its second week at the top.

Xu Shengjie knew that this guy was after "Canal Street".

You have all this free time, why don't you focus on creating your movie "Everybody Says I Love You" and then hook up with Julia Roberts to star in it?

But he couldn't say that, since Woody Allen was also very kind.

Worried that this was Xu Shengjie's first time editing, they even found Peter Ziner to give him some pointers.

He was one of the editors for "The Godfather Part II," and won the BAFTA Award for Best Editing in 1976, as well as being nominated for Best Editing at the 47th Academy Awards.

He's definitely a veteran, very insightful.

Xu Shengjie also learned a lot from him.

"Woody, I'm really busy right now. I have to go to Vanessa's studio later to work on the score."

"Don't worry about 'Canal Street,' I definitely won't release it anytime soon. Let's consider it after I finish 'Lola,' okay?"

"Jeffrey, you must consider me first."

I can offer you a truly amazing price.

How shocking was it?

"Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely stunning."

To be honest, Xu Shengjie was a little tempted.

In the sixth week after the publication of Buffett and Canal Street, Random House’s promotion reached its peak.

During an interview, renowned literary agent Elaine Coster suddenly launched a scathing attack on Robert.

Jeffrey chose me at the beginning.

I was busy dealing with Danielle's matter at the time and couldn't reply to him in time. As a result, Robert got Jeffrey's information and secretly contacted him behind my back—he disappointed me! I originally regarded him as a father figure, but his behavior is that of a thief, a shameful thief. He stole my Jeffrey Tsu.

Ms. Coster launched into a tirade of profanities.

But instead of causing trouble for Xu Shengjie, she targeted Robert Gottlieb.

Robert is no saint.

He has extensive connections throughout the publishing industry.

After hearing the reporter's account, Robert wore a mocking expression.

"She herself said she didn't think Jeffrey could write any good stories." Actually, Jeffrey initially sent his manuscript and introduction to Coster because of a recommendation from Matteo, the editor of The Source magazine.

But Coster believes that an editor of a Black hip-hop magazine, a Chinese-American writer—

I remember it very clearly. She said that young people nowadays are not down-to-earth at all! Does that sound familiar?

His assessment is very similar to that of Mr. Richard Gere.

I had only read the opening of Buffett's book and thought the young man had a lot of ideas. So I asked her if she was interested. Ms. Coster replied that she would have her secretary return the manuscript later. — Jeffrey did indeed receive a rejection.

Elaine is an excellent literary manager.

She has represented many excellent authors and published many excellent works.

But what I want to say is that with her success, she started to become arrogant—I suspect she hadn't even read *Buffy*, and simply gave up on it because Jeffrey was of Chinese descent. This seems utterly unbelievable to me.

The reporter encountered Xu Shengjie outside the film studio, who was preparing to go and compose the music.

I don't know much about Ms. Coster's matter.

But I did receive a rejection—2Pac and I are good friends; we used to hang out on the streets a lot when we were kids. He came to New York this June and, hearing that I had written a book, he actively helped me find a publishing channel, so he asked Matteo, the editor of The Source magazine, for help. I've never met Mr. Matteo, but I'm extremely grateful for his help.

As for Robert, I was completely stunned when he first called me.

You know, I'm just a 19-year-old kid. I love reading, and I'm a big reader of The New Yorker—so when Mr. Gottlieb came to my door and said, "Kid, I want to be your manager. Your books are wonderful,"

"Sir reporter, tell me, how could I possibly refuse?"

The reporter expressed agreement.

Simply put, Robert's reputation in the publishing industry is too great.

They then went to Brooklyn to interview Matteo, the editor of The Source magazine.

I reckon Matteo has never encountered such a large-scale situation before.

However, after hearing the reporter's question, he immediately replied: "It is true. 2Pac contacted me and said that my brother had written a book and wanted to find a reliable literary manager." My first thought was Ms. Coster.

But I never expected that she would actually—

I may just be an editor for a Black hip-hop magazine, but I've always been devout to literature!