novellhall Chapter 249 I Want to Donate a Car [5000]
Chapter 249 I Want to Donate a Car [5000]
Chapter 249 I Want to Donate a Car (Jackie Chan's Birthday Banquet) [5000]
After finishing breakfast, Chen Xun returned to his study.
He needs to call Jackie Chan.
This can't be delayed; Marvel is waiting for a response.
The phone rang a few times before being answered.
"Feed? Chen Xun?"
Jackie Chan's voice is very distinctive, with its unique energy and accent: "What made you think of calling me?"
"Brother, there's something I'd like to talk to you about."
Chen Xun got straight to the point: "Marvel has a new project, 'The Ancient One: Shadow of Vishanti,' which is a prequel to the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One."
"There's a master character in the story, with a significant role. He's the guide for the Ancient One, and he cultivates in XZ. I think you'd be perfect for the part."
.
"Oh? A Marvel movie?"
From Jackie Chan's end came the sound of pages turning, as if he were looking for something: "Send me the script to take a look?"
"I've already sent it to your email, just now."
"Okay, I'll see later, but—"
Jackie Chan paused for a moment, then said, "I'm turning sixty this year, my birthday is coming up soon, and I'm preparing for a birthday party. Would you like to come? We can chat in person."
Chen Xun's heart skipped a beat: "When is the birthday party?"
"Next Saturday, in Hong Kong, I'm inviting old friends. It'll be a simple meal and chat."
Jackie Chan added, "By the way, let me make this clear beforehand: I'm not accepting gifts. If anyone brings a gift, I'll auction it off on the spot, and the money will be donated to charity!"
"clear!"
Chen Xun smiled: "I will definitely be there."
After hanging up the phone, he opened his email and sent the script summary again.
Then he walked to the window and looked down at the garage.
That Dodge Challenger is still parked there.
This was a gift from Vin Diesel when filming wrapped on Fast & Furious 5. It was a custom-made model with a modified engine, making it drive like a beast.
Chen Xun rarely drives.
First, I don't have time; second, it's too conspicuous.
But Jackie Chan said he wouldn't accept gifts.
He thought for a moment, then smiled.
Okay, then let's donate it for charity.
However, he doesn't plan to tell you in advance.
We'll decide based on the situation once we get there.
If Jackie Chan really insists on not accepting gifts, he will say on the spot that he will donate a car to add some entertainment value to his birthday party.
[Project Assessment Update]
[Key Supporting Actor's Mentor: Contact with Target Jackie Chan Has Been Established]
[Note: Jackie Chan's international influence and action choreography experience will significantly enhance the project's commercial value.]
That evening, Sangjie said at the dinner table, "Chen Xun, your speed in learning hand gestures is very abnormal."
Chen Xun paused for a moment while picking up food with his chopsticks.
"I'm not saying you cheated."
Sangye took a sip of soup: "But your body seems to have memorized those movements long ago. I've only seen this twice before, once with my master and once with my senior brother. They are both old monks who have been practicing for decades."
"Then I—"
"You may have had a past life."
"Or, in modern terms, genetic memory, collective unconsciousness, or something like that, you are destined to connect with this set of hand gestures."
Dorjee kept his head down and ate his meal, not daring to look up.
Zhuoma laughed: "Uncle, don't scare him. Maybe he just has a natural talent?"
"To be this talented is also a matter of fate."
Sangjie looked at Chen Xun: "Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you something a little more advanced. But you must remember, hand seals are not just gestures, they are the unity of mind, intention, and energy. If your gestures are correct, but your mind isn't in it, it's still useless."
"clear."
Training continued at six o'clock the next morning.
Sanjay taught the third mudra: the Breath of Vishanti.
This one is more complex and requires a specific breathing rhythm and meditative state.
Imagine you are a hollow bamboo.
Sanjay sat cross-legged, his hands forming a mudra on his knees: "The energy flows in from the top of your head, through your spine, and out from your fingertips. Don't control it, just guide it."
Chen Xun closed his eyes and followed along.
This time, he sensed a distinct difference.
A subtle feeling.
As he coordinated his hand gestures with his breathing, it felt as if something was truly flowing within his body—warm, slow, like lukewarm water flowing through his veins.
He held it for five minutes.
When he opened his eyes, he found Sanjay staring at him.
"You stopped breathing for thirty seconds just now."
Sanjay said.
Chen Xun was taken aback.
He didn't feel short of breath just now; on the contrary, his breathing was smoother than ever before.
"It's not a bad thing!"
Sanjay rarely smiled: "You've entered a meditative state. Although it's shallow, being able to enter a meditative state on your first try shows that your mind is calm."
Dorje stood to the side, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.
He has practiced for three years, but has not yet entered a meditative state.
After training, Chen Xun went back to his room to take a shower.
Hot water poured over his back, and he recalled the feeling from just now.
The warm, flowing feeling was very similar to the sensation of guiding the Breath of Vishanti in the dungeon, only much weaker.
Does some kind of energy really exist in the real world?
It's just not as obvious as in the dungeon?
Over the next few days, Chen Xun practiced hand seals with Sang Jie every morning at six o'clock, and his progress was frighteningly fast.
By the fifth day, he had learned twelve basic hand gestures, and he could enter a meditative state with each one in coordination with his breathing.
Dorjee went from initial shock to numbness, and now he's gotten used to it.
Anyway, Chen Xun is a genius, and I am just an ordinary person, so I can't compare.
Zhuoma, on the other hand, was quite happy.
Every day, he would take a small notebook to record Chen Xun's progress, saying that this was valuable research material that could be used to write a paper later.
On Saturday morning, Chen Xunfei flew to Hong Kong.
He didn't bring much luggage, just a backpack containing a change of clothes and a script.
He kept the keys and related documents for that Dodge car in a separate folder and carried them with him at all times.
Jackie Chan sent a car to pick him up.
The driver was a man in his fifties, not very talkative, but drove steadily.
The car drove to a long-established hotel in Kowloon, unassuming but with a good reputation.
The birthday party was held in the top-floor banquet hall, which was indeed simply decorated.
There was no red carpet, no huge posters, just simple round tables, ten people at each table, twenty tables in total.
When Chen arrived, quite a few people had already come.
He glanced at them and saw that they were all familiar faces.
Veteran directors and actors from the Hong Kong film industry, several major producers from mainland China, and members of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team.
"Chen Xun!"
Jackie Chan saw him and strode over, dressed in a simple white shirt and black trousers, looking very energetic: "Welcome, welcome!"
Happy birthday, big brother.
Chen Xun hugged him.
"Thank you! Come, let me introduce you—"
Jackie Chan took him on a tour, where he met many senior figures.
Everyone was very polite to Chen Xun, after all, the 1.4 billion box office of "Guardians of the Galaxy" speaks for itself, and he is currently the most popular Chinese face in Hollywood.
Before the banquet began, Jackie Chan pulled Chen Xun to stand near the entrance of the banquet hall, waving to everyone like a parent introducing their child: "Come, come, this is Chen Xun, the hottest Chinese actor in Hollywood right now. He just starred in 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' which earned him 1.4 billion!"
This opening statement was repeated more than ten times.
Chen Xun's face was frozen from smiling.
But you still have to be polite and shake hands with everyone.
The first one to arrive was Andy Lau.
Andy Lau was dressed casually today, in a dark blue jacket, his hair neatly combed. He walked over and hugged Jackie Chan first, then turned to Chen Xun, extending his hand: "Chen Xun, right? I've seen your movies; the slum car chase scene in 'Fast & Furious 5' was really well done!"
At the moment of shaking hands, Chen Xun saw a golden attribute ball fall from Andy Lau's body:
[Dedication +10]
Chen Xun absorbed it quickly.
A warm current entered his body, seemingly containing a lot of filming experience from Hong Kong and mainland entertainment film sets, which Chen Xun absorbed.
Andy Lau truly lives up to his reputation as a workaholic in the Chinese entertainment industry; the very first attribute he displayed was a testament to his dedication.
"Brother Hua, you flatter me."
Chen Xun humbly said, "I've been watching your shows since I was a child."
"Don't be so polite!"
Andy Lau smiled sincerely: "Film it well, bring glory to the Chinese people!"
He patted Chen Xun on the shoulder and then went to greet the others.
Chen Xun watched his retreating figure, feeling the newfound experience from filming on set that had been added to his mind.
This attribute ball is quite useful.
Looking around at the various famous actors from mainland China and Hong Kong, Chen Xun was filled with anticipation.
He had a feeling that there would be a lot of attribute balls at the birthday party tonight!
The second person to arrive was Chow Yun-fat.
Chow Yun-fat was dressed in a gray Zhongshan suit today, wearing his signature sunglasses, and walking with a confident stride.
He first bumped fists with Jackie Chan, then looked at Chen Xun: "You're a handsome young man!"
He took off his sunglasses and extended his hand: "I took my daughter to see your 'Guardians of the Galaxy' three times, and she's a fan of Groot now."
[Lens Relaxation +12]
Another golden attribute orb has dropped!
Chen Xun quickly absorbed the information and felt that he had gained a lot more experience in dealing with complex scenes, and he felt more relaxed than ever before.
He felt much more relaxed.
Even the slight nervousness I felt upon arriving at Jackie Chan's birthday party vanished after absorbing the attribute ball.
The banquet hall was getting more and more crowded.
Chen Xun saw Tony Leung.
He sat quietly in the corner, holding a glass of water, his eyes still holding that deep sense of melancholy.
He didn't come over to greet him, but just nodded to Chen Xun from a distance.
Chen Xun nodded in response.
Then he saw a purple attribute ball fall from Tony Leung's body.
[Eye expression +8]
Chen Xun felt a slight warmth around his eyes, and his vision seemed to become a little clearer.
He blinked and looked at the mirror in the distance.
His eyes seemed to have become much deeper.
"Chen Xun!"
Someone else called him.
This time it was Donnie Yen, dressed in a black tracksuit, walking with a powerful stride.
He walked straight up to Chen Xun, extended his hand, and said, "My daughter is a fan of yours and insists I sign this!"
[Rhythm of Movement +15]
Another golden attribute ball.
Chen Xun felt the effects very clearly after absorbing it.
A surge of heat rushed to my limbs, as if my muscle memory had been activated.
Chen Xun subconsciously made a slight hand movement and found that his speed and coordination had improved significantly.
"Brother Dan, I'm your real fan."
Chen Xun frankly said, "I've watched 'Ip Man' several times."
"polite!"
Donnie Yen pulled a small notebook and pen from his pocket: "Here, sign this, I'll report back!"
After Chen Xun finished signing, Donnie Yen looked at it, then put it away with satisfaction: "I heard you're going to make a Marvel sorcerer movie? A lot of action scenes?"
"There are some hand seals and close-quarters combat elements."
"Then it needs to be designed carefully!"
Donnie Yen became interested: "A sorcerer's fighting style can't be like a martial artist's. It needs to have an ethereal quality, but it can't be too unsteady. If you need help, just say so. I know a few good action designers!"
"must!"
Another new connection!
The banquet officially started.
When Jackie Chan took the stage to speak, he repeated his usual line: "I don't accept gifts, I only accept blessings."
Laughter filled the audience, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Chen Xun was seated at the main table, with Jackie Chan to his left and Andy Lau to his right.
This spot is a bit too conspicuous!
He could feel a lot of light coming from him.
The dishes served at the banquet were a very traditional Cantonese banquet.
Roast goose, steamed grouper, abalone, fish maw soup —
Chen Xun continued collecting attribute balls while eating.
Shaking hands with Sammo Hung: [Absorb Attribute Orb: Aura Control +10]
Chatting with Eric Tsang: [Absorb Attribute Ball: Comedy Rhythm +8]
Toasting with Wu Jing: [Absorb Attribute Ball: Tough Guy Image Enhancement +12]
Most surprisingly, he chatted with director Tsui Hark for ten minutes about the film's visual style and actually received a "Director's Mindset +15" bonus.
This is a huge windfall!
News of Chen Xun's appearance at Jackie Chan's birthday party was also posted online.
There's even a photo of Chen Xun sitting at the main table.
It immediately became a trending topic on Weibo.
Fans have dug up a list of some of the celebrities who attended: "My friend works at the hotel and said he saw Andy Lau, Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung, Donnie Yen—half of the entertainment industry was there!"
"Chen Xun went too! There are photos to prove it!"
"Please provide photos!"
"[Image] This photo was taken at the entrance. Although it's blurry, you can still recognize Chen Xun and Jackie Chan shaking hands."
"Is Chen Xun really that powerful now? That he can get into a situation like this?"
"Nonsense! Guardians of the Galaxy grossed 1.4 billion, and he's currently the most popular Chinese actor in Hollywood. Why can't he go?"
"But he's only 27 years old. Doesn't he feel out of place sitting at the same table with those big shots?"
"Actions speak for themselves, understand?"
Some critics also emerged: "He's just trying to ride the coattails of Jackie Chan's birthday. It's normal for him to show his face."
"Couldn't make it in Hollywood, so he's coming back to cling to a big shot?"
"The comments upstairs are so sour they're making my teeth hurt. Chen Xun needs to suck up to someone powerful? He's powerful enough as a person, okay?"
"Hilarious! A few movies made him famous and he's got a big head. Does he really think he's an international superstar?"
Jackie Chan is still speaking on stage.
Chen Xun felt his phone vibrate.
It was a message from Robert.
The image above contains screenshots of online opinions.
Chen Xun clicked on it and saw that there were also screenshots of posts from the forum.
Was Chen Xun getting a little too cocky attending Jackie Chan's birthday party?
The main post was quite long, but the core point was:
Chen Xun, a 27-year-old young man, is on equal footing with those big shots in the entertainment industry, which does not conform to the traditional Chinese hierarchy of seniority. There must be someone supporting him behind the scenes.
A classic conspiracy theory.
The replies below erupted in a heated argument: "The original poster is an old fogey. What era are we living in? Why are you still talking about seniority?"
"Chen Xun has successful works and box office hits, why can't he go?"
"But he's relatively inexperienced; those big shots have been around for decades."
"Hilarious! Box office results speak for themselves. What's the point of having a long and successful career if the box office flops?"
"Just wait and see. With his high-profile attitude, he'll inevitably stumble sooner or later."
Chen Xun smiled and simply turned off his phone.
The banquet then moved to its most exciting part: the charity auction.
Although Jackie Chan stated that he would not accept gifts.
But many of the people present were friends of more than ten years, so it would be inappropriate to come empty-handed.
After Jackie Chan finished speaking, the lights in the banquet hall dimmed by half, and spotlights shone on the stage.
"Next up is the highlight of the evening: the charity auction!"
Jackie Chan stood in the center of the stage, holding a microphone, with the large screen behind him lighting up and displaying the logo of the "Dragon Heart Charitable Foundation".
"I said I wouldn't accept gifts, but some old friends still brought them. We'll auction them off on the spot, and all proceeds will be donated—not a single penny will be kept!"
Applause erupted from the audience.
The first person to go on stage was Zhao Benshan.
The comedy master was dressed very formally today, in a dark gray Zhongshan suit, holding a scroll in his hand. He still walked a little unsteadily, but had a strong presence.
"It's Jackie Chan's 60th birthday, and I'm thinking about what to give him."
Zhao Benshan stood in front of the microphone, speaking in a thick Northeastern accent, which made the whole room laugh: "Giving money is too vulgar, giving cars is too much for you, brother, you have plenty of cars, giving watches is too, brother, you have plenty of watches too, but then I thought, we're cultured people, we should give something cultured!"
He slowly unrolled the scroll.
A close-up appeared on the big screen.
It is a piece of calligraphy, neat small regular script, copied from the Heart Sutra.
The handwriting is steady and powerful, and every stroke reveals skill.
"I wrote this last night, staying up until 2 a.m.
Zhao Benshan said, "I'm getting old, my eyesight is failing, and writing small regular script is difficult. But I have to put my heart into wishing my elder brother a happy birthday!"
The audience fell silent.
Jackie Chan took the scroll, examined it carefully, and his eyes reddened slightly: "Brother Benshan, this gift is too much!"
"It's not heavy!"
Zhao Benshan waved his hand: "It's just a small token of my appreciation. Everyone has seen the charity work my brother has done over the years. If this calligraphy of mine can fetch a few dollars and help the children, then it's all worth it!"
The auctioneer takes the stage.
Starting bid: 200,000 RMB.
"Three hundred thousand!"
Andy Lau was the first to hold up a sign.
"Four hundred thousand!"
Chow Yun-fat followed.
"Five hundred thousand!"
"Six hundred thousand!"
Bidding prices climbed steadily.
Chen Xun sat at the main table, feeling a mix of emotions.
This is no longer a purely charity auction; it's a way for industry bigwigs to express their respect for Jackie Chan and to give each other face.
Finally, this Heart Sutra painting was auctioned off to a mainland entrepreneur for two million yuan.
"Congratulations!"
Jackie Chan hugged Zhao Benshan: "Thank you, Brother Benshan, I appreciate your kind gesture!"
The second item was donated by Jiang Wen.
When the director and actor came on stage, he was carrying an old-fashioned suitcase and wearing a dark gray long gown.
"This is the costume that Mr. Ge You wore when filming 'Gone with the Bullets,' and this box was custom-made by the props department."
Jiang Wen speaks frankly: "Now that the film is finished, these things are just sitting there anyway, so why not use them to do good deeds?"
He unfolded his costume.
It's a long gown in the style of the Republic of China era, made of very fine material, with delicate subtle patterns on the collar.
Starting bid: 100,000.
"Two hundred thousand!"
"Three hundred thousand!"
The bidding wasn't as intense this time.
It wasn't a handwritten message like Zhao Benshan's, but it still fetched 800,000 yuan at the auction.
The third, the fourth —
Some directors donated their treasured film reels, some actors donated autographed sneakers, and some producers donated luxury watches.
Jackie Chan personally introduced each item in the auction and expressed his gratitude to the donors.
Halfway through the auction, the total amount raised had already exceeded 30 million.
On the stage, the auctioneer is introducing a jade ornament.
Chen Xun got up and went backstage.
Jackie Chan was talking to his staff when he saw him and paused, "Chen Xun? You—"
"Brother, I'd like to donate something too."
Chen Xun handed over the folder: "That Dodge Challenger has all the paperwork."
Jackie Chan flipped through the folder, looked up at him, and asked, "This car is very meaningful to you. Are you really going to donate it?"
"A real donation!"
Chen Xun nodded: "Doing charity work is better than leaving it to gather dust in the garage."
Jackie Chan stared at him for a few seconds, then patted him hard on the shoulder: "Good! You're a true friend!"
He turned to the staff and said, "Next, get in Chen Xun's car!"
After the jade ornament was auctioned off, the auctioneer received a notification, cleared his throat, and announced: "The next item is a bit special—it's a car!"
A photo of the Dodge Challenger appeared on the big screen.
The car features a streamlined body design and Vin Diesel's autograph on the hood.