novelraw Chapter 108 Counterattack
Chapter 108 Counterattack
Hong Kong, late at night.
Li Jun's flight landed in a downpour.
Outside the plane window, rain cascaded down like a waterfall, and the runway lights blurred into a hazy patch of light in the rain.
As the plane struggled to brake on the slippery runway, several suppressed gasps rang out in the cabin.
"Dear passengers, due to weather conditions, the shuttle bus service may be delayed..."
The flight attendant's voice came over the loudspeaker.
Li Jun unbuckled his seatbelt, and as soon as he turned on his phone, messages flooded in like a tidal wave.
Missed calls from Yuan Tao, Linda, Chen Yongren, and several other unknown numbers.
He first opened Yuan Tao's voice message:
"The trending topic has climbed to third place, and it's about Nicholas Tse's dark history."
The video has been edited, retaining only the part where he took action; all the provocative shots at the beginning have been cut.
Nicholas Tse's management company issued a statement, but netizens were not convinced.
"Huayi Media has made a move. Several marketing accounts simultaneously released press releases implying that the casting of 'Bodyguards and Assassins' was not careful and that it used artists with tainted reputations."
"I can't get through to Nicholas Tse himself; his agent said his phone is switched off."
Li Jun listened to each of the points one by one, and then dialed Chen Yongren's number.
"Mr. Li, have you landed?"
"Just arrived."
Where is Nicholas Tse now?
"He stays indoors at his home in Repulse Bay."
Chen Yongren lowered his voice.
"I asked around and found out that the video was taken by a henchman who worked at a brothel in Lan Kwai Fong back then. It was supposed to be settled privately, but someone dug it up."
That henchman is currently in Thailand and cannot be contacted.
"From Huayi Qian?"
"pretty close.
The timing is too coincidental, and those marketing accounts that are stirring up trouble all have long-term partnerships with Huayi.
Chen Yongren paused.
"There's one more thing. I've made some progress on the matter of the team behind the scenes being poached, which you asked me to investigate."
"explain."
"The art team assistant officially resigned yesterday."
Before leaving, I made a copy of our scene design draft.
Chen Yongren's tone was gloomy.
"Three of Master Cheng's apprentices are leaving his stunt team; they were all poached by Huayi with three times their salary."
Li Jun closed his eyes as the rain pounded against the dome of the airport terminal, creating a dense sound.
"Ah Ren, two things."
He opened his eyes, his voice calm.
"First, find that henchman and get him to come forward and clarify the truth, no matter what method you use. Money is not an issue."
Second, those who resigned should be held accountable according to their contracts, especially the one who stole the design drafts; a lawyer's letter should be sent to him.
"Understood. But what about Nicholas Tse..."
"I'm going to find him."
After hanging up the phone, Li Jun dragged his suitcase into the rain.
Outside the terminal, taxis lined up in a long queue, their windshield wipers swishing wildly across the windows.
On his way to Repulse Bay, he sent a text message to Nicholas Tse:
"I'll be at your house in half an hour. Open the door."
No reply.
The car moved slowly in the heavy rain; the streets were severely flooded, and the tires made a splashing sound as they cut through the water.
Li Jun looked out the window, his view blurred by rain, and recalled a line from the script:
"In chaotic times, everyone is like a clay idol."
No matter how glamorous the surface, a rain shower will reveal its true colors.
Forty minutes later, the car stopped in front of a seaside villa in Repulse Bay.
Li Jun didn't bring an umbrella, so he walked to the door in the rain and rang the doorbell.
After waiting for about a minute, the door opened.
Nicholas Tse stood inside the door, wearing a black hoodie and sweatpants, his hair disheveled, and his eyes bloodshot.
He didn't speak, but stepped aside to let Li Jun in.
The villa was dark, with only a floor lamp on.
Several empty wine bottles were on the coffee table, and the ashtray was piled high with cigarette butts.
"sit."
Nicholas Tse's voice was hoarse as he slumped onto the sofa.
Li Jun didn't sit down, but stood in front of him:
"Is the video real?"
"real."
Nicholas Tse twitched the corner of his mouth.
"Three years ago, in Lan Kwai Fong, a few drunk foreigners were harassing Chinese girls. I couldn't stand it and I took action."
Why wasn't this exposed back then?
"The other party was in the wrong, so they settled the matter by paying compensation privately."
I also lost money and signed a confidentiality agreement.
Nicholas Tse picked up the cigarette case on the table, shook out a cigarette, and lit it.
"I didn't realize I had a backup."
"Who has the backup?"
"I don't know. It could be someone who was there at the time, or it could be someone else."
He exhaled a puff of smoke.
"The rival".
"Huayi?"
"Maybe."
Nicholas Tse raised his eyes and looked at Li Jun.
"Director Li, I admit it. Fighting was wrong of me, but I don't regret it."
In that situation, you would have hit them too.
Li Jun remained silent for a moment, then sat down opposite him.
"What did your agency say?"
"Let me issue an apology statement, and then keep a low profile for a while."
Nicholas Tse gave a wry smile.
"They even suggested that I withdraw from 'Bodyguards and Assassins'."
What do you think?
Nicholas Tse didn't answer immediately, but instead took a few deep drags on his cigarette.
Smoke swirled in the dim light.
"Director Li," he suddenly asked.
"What will you do if I quit now?"
"Find someone else."
Li Jun put it bluntly.
"But it's hard to find an actor more suited to silence than you."
"What if I don't withdraw, and the public outcry continues to escalate, affecting the film's release?"
"That's my business."
Li Jun looked at him.
"You only need to answer one question: Do you still want to play this role?"
Nicholas Tse was stunned.
He thought Li Jun would ask "Can you act?" or "Should I act?", but he didn't expect it to be "Do you want to act?".
"think."
He heard himself say it.
"I fucking want to act so badly."
I've trained myself to the point of exhaustion these past few months, not so that I could quit now.
"That's fine then."
Li Jun stood up.
"Training will proceed as usual tomorrow. I'll handle the video issue."
"How will you solve this?"
Nicholas Tse also stood up.
"Now the whole internet is cursing me, saying I'm violent and have bad character."
Even if they clarify, their image is ruined.
"Then let's reshape our image."
Li Jun walked to the window and drew back the curtains.
Outside the window, the downpour gradually subsided, and a crack appeared in the clouds, allowing moonlight to filter through.
"The character Shen Mo is inherently a person with a stain on his reputation."
Li Jun said this with his back to him.
"He was a deserter, his hands were stained with blood, and he did things against his conscience in the chaos of war."
But in the end, he chose the most difficult path.
If audiences can't even accept a flawed hero, then they don't deserve to watch a good movie.
Nicholas Tse stood there, the cigarette in his hand burning to the end, scalding his fingers.
"Director Li."
He said in a low voice.
"You're gambling."
"From the moment I decided to make this film, I was gambling."
Li Jun turned around.
"I'm betting that the audience still has an appreciation for aesthetics, and that the market can still tolerate flawed characters."
I'm betting that this industry can leave something behind beyond just generating traffic.
He paused:
Are you going to bet or not?
Looking at the director in front of him, who was even younger than himself, Xie Tingfeng suddenly remembered what Li Jun had said when they first met.
"I don't want a star, I want an actor."
At the time, he thought those words were a bit pretentious. Now he understands.
"bet."
He threw away the cigarette butt.
"I'll bet you."
"it is good."
Li Jun picked up his coat.
See you at the training ground at eight o'clock tomorrow morning.
As he reached the door, Nicholas Tse called out to him:
"Director Li."
"Um?"
"Thanks."
Li Jun nodded and pushed open the door to step into the night.
The rain stopped, and the air was filled with the moist scent of the sea.
At 7:50 a.m. the next morning, Li Jun arrived at the Kwun Tong training base on time.
Unexpectedly, Nicholas Tse had already arrived and was warming up in the fitness area.
He saw Li Jun, nodded, and continued stretching without saying a word.
Lin Jiadong then came in and was visibly startled when he saw Xie Tingfeng, but quickly regained his composure and quietly walked to the side to prepare.
At 8:00 sharp, Master Cheng started the class on time.
Today we practiced the basic grip and footwork for short sword fighting.
Nicholas Tse trained with great dedication, repeatedly correcting each movement, and his training clothes were quickly soaked with sweat.
During a break in training, Lin Jiadong leaned close to Li Jun and whispered:
"Director Li, how's things going with Xie Sheng?"
"It's being processed."
Li Jun handed him a bottle of water.
"Focus on your training and don't let it affect you."
"I was not affected."
Lin Jiadong shook his head.
"I just think Huayi's actions were too dirty."
Using such methods to harm people is unethical.
"In this industry, authenticity is a luxury."
"But we can't have no bottom line."
Lin Jiadong muttered something, then seemed to remember something else.
"By the way, is the new female student, Song Tie, arriving this afternoon?"
"Yes, you can show her around and help her get acquainted with the environment."
"clear."
After the morning training session ended, Li Jun received a call from Yuan Tao in the director's room.
"Two pieces of news, one good and one bad."
"Let's start with the bad stuff."
"The bad news is, we can't find that henchman."
The people in Thailand replied that he left his residence three days ago, and no one knows where he went.
Yuan Tao's voice was heavy.
"Huayi may have already taken him into custody."
"What's the good news?"
"The good news is that we've found the girl who was harassed back then."
Yuan Tao's tone was enthusiastic.
"She is currently working in Shenzhen and is willing to come forward as a witness."
She said she remembered it clearly: the foreigners attacked first, and Nicholas Tse fought back to protect them.
Li Jun's spirits lifted:
"Is she willing to testify publicly?"
"I'm willing, but on one condition: I won't show my face or use my real name."
"Sure. Have her record a video, blurring her face, but making sure her testimony is clear."
Also, what about the bar's CCTV footage from back then? Is it still possible to find it?
"The bar closed down three years ago. I'll try to check the security camera footage."
"As soon as possible."
Li Jun glanced at the time.
"Also, contact a few reliable media outlets and prepare press releases. Once all the evidence is gathered, release them all at once."
"clear."
Yuan Tao paused.
"There's one more thing. Do you want to come back early for Zhang Liangying's concert?"
"What's wrong?"
"Wang Zhonglei also got a ticket, a VIP seat."
Yuan Tao said.
"I suspect he's up to no good."
Li Jun frowned:
"How did he get the ticket?"
"Sponsor channel."
The concert was sponsored by a jewelry brand that has a long-term partnership with Huayi Music.
Yuan Tao sighed.
"Linda only found out yesterday, and there wasn't time to change seats."
"Okay. I'll be back the day before the concert."
After hanging up the phone, Li Jun walked to the window. On the training field, Xie Tingfeng was still practicing extra, repeatedly practicing thrusting, parrying, and blocking with a short knife against a sandbag.
That figure was lonely, yet stubborn.
Li Jun looked at it for a few minutes, then took out his phone and dialed a number he thought he would never call.
After ringing a few times, the other end answered; it was a woman's voice, with a lazy laugh:
"Director Li? What a rare guest."
"Ms. Fan," Li Jun said, "do you have time to talk?"
---
That afternoon, Li Jun met Fan Bingbing at a coffee shop in Beijing's Guomao area.
She was dressed very casually today, wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap, and a regular trench coat, but sitting in the corner, she still attracted a lot of attention.
"Director Li contacted me about Nicholas Tse's matter?"
Fan Bingbing took off her sunglasses and got straight to the point.
"Yes, and not entirely."
Li Jun ordered two Americanos.
"What do you think Wang Zhonglei's purpose is in making this move by Huayi?"
"It's simple, I'll make you feel bad."
Fan Bingbing stirred her coffee.
He didn't care whether Nicholas Tse was a bad person or not, nor did he care what the truth was.
What he wants is public pressure to force you to replace him, or at least to tarnish the project's reputation.
"What if I don't change it?"
"Then you'd better be prepared for a tough battle."
Fan Bingbing looked at him.
"I know Wang Zhonglei. He either doesn't do anything, or he does it thoroughly."
"Xie Tingfeng is just the beginning. Next, there might be Zhang Ziyi, your behind-the-scenes team, and even Zhang Liangying."
Li Jun tightened his grip on the cup.
Why are you telling me all this?
he asks.
Fan Bingbing smiled, but there was a complex meaning in her smile:
"Because I hate being used as a pawn."
"What do you mean?"
"Wang Zhonglei contacted me."
She said softly.
"They wanted me to play the female lead in 'Storm 1905,' and the offer was very generous. But I refused."
Why?
"Because the script is bad."
Fan Bingbing spoke directly.
"And I want to see how far you can go."
Li Jun looked at her, taking a serious look at this woman who had been navigating the ups and downs of the entertainment industry for many years. There was shrewdness and ambition in her eyes, but also a rare clarity.
"Miss Fan."
He spoke slowly.
"If I want to ask you for a favor, what price would I need to pay?"
"That depends on what kind of work it is."
Fan Bingbing leaned forward and lowered her voice.
"If it's about me pleading with Wang Zhonglei on his behalf, forget it. He won't listen to me. But if it's something else..."
She paused:
"for example..."
She paused, gestured up and down with her hand, and looked at Li Jun with a charming smile.
Li Jun was silent for a moment:
"I won't answer."
Fan Bingbing chuckled and took a business card out of her bag, pushing it towards her.
"This is the contact information for the person in charge of my studio. Also..."
She pulled up a photo on her phone and handed it to Li Jun.
The photo shows a man's profile as he drinks in a bar. The resolution is low, but his face is still visible.
"This is the security captain of that bar in Lan Kwai Fong back then; he was very likely the one who took the video."
Fan Bingbing said.
He is now a security manager at a casino in Macau.
If your people can't find that henchman in Thailand, you can try looking for him.
Li Jun took the phone and examined it carefully:
How did you get this photo?
"I always have some connections in this industry."
Fan Bingbing put her sunglasses back on.
"Director Li, this industry is very small. Sometimes helping others is helping yourself."
She got up to leave, but after taking two steps, she turned back:
"By the way, I'll be going to Zhang Liangying's concert too. See you then."
Watching her slender figure disappear through the door, Li Jun held the business card, feeling a heavy weight in his hand.
There is no such thing as unearned kindness, but there is help that can be clearly priced.
This is better than most situations.
Over the next three days, Li Jun traveled back and forth between Beijing and Hong Kong twice.
Nicholas Tse's public relations crisis is escalating, but training has not stopped.
Master Cheng, on the contrary, increased the intensity, and he put it very directly:
"The worse you are now, the more you need to train to look good."
When the movie comes out, its quality will speak for itself.
Nicholas Tse accepted all the recommendations and practiced until he was exhausted every day, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Lin Jiadong is adapting, and so is the new female student Song Tie.
This girl is a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama and has solid basic skills, but she is a bit rigid like an academic.
Teacher Zhou is helping her "hatch" her shell. Her method is simple and brutal: she makes her act out a hysterical crying scene, shattering all her composure.
On Zhang Ziyi's side, the contract was officially signed.
The additional investment from Starway has also arrived.
Chen Zeshi is very efficient and has already contacted several overseas distribution companies. Their feedback is better than expected. Zhang Ziyi's international reputation has indeed added a lot to the project.
But the shadow remains.
On the fourth night, Li Jun received a call from Chen Yongren, who sounded excited:
"Mr. Li, we found him! The security captain from Macau is willing to testify that the video was edited and that the other party started it all along!"
"How much did he ask for?"
"Five hundred thousand, in cash."
Chen Yongren paused.
"But he said that in addition to money, he also wanted us to guarantee his safety."
Huayi also contacted him and threatened him to shut up.
"Give him the money, and his safety will be guaranteed."
Li Jun said decisively.
"Make him record a video, write a written testimony, and sign and affix his fingerprint."
Also, have you obtained the video of the girl's testimony in Shenzhen?
"I got it, and it's very clear."
"it is good."
Li Jun glanced at the calendar.
"Tomorrow is the day before Jane Zhang's concert. All the evidence will be released at 8 PM."
We'll have it first published on three mainstream media outlets, then push it across the entire internet.
"clear."
After finishing all that, it was already 11 p.m. Li Jun stood in front of the hotel's floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the night view of Beijing. His phone screen was lit up; it was a message from Zhang Liangying:
"Tomorrow is the final rehearsal. Do you want to come watch?"
He replied:
"Come on. What time?"
"3 PM. Shall we have dinner together afterward?"
"it is good."
Just as I was about to turn off the lights and go to sleep, my phone vibrated again. It was Tang Yan.
"Are you asleep?"
"not yet."
"I've finished filming my scenes in Hengdian. I'm going back to Beijing tomorrow."
She paused.
"A concert...can I go?"
Li Jun stared at the message, his fingers hovering over the keyboard for a long time.
Finally, he replied:
"Linda still has tickets; I'll have her save one for you."
"Thanks."
The conversation ended simply. But Li Jun knew that something was changing.
Tang Yan has finished filming in Hengdian and is about to return to Beijing, to this real world with Li Jun, Zhang Liangying, and all the complicated relationships.
He wasn't prepared for how to face it.
The next day at 3 p.m., at the National Centre for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.
When Li Jun arrived, the final rehearsal had already begun.
On stage, Zhang Liangying was singing "Shu Road Ballad," with the symphony orchestra creating a magnificent yet poignant atmosphere behind her.
Today she is wearing the first outfit of her performance, a dark green velvet dress with a simple cut, which makes her skin look as white as jade.
Her hair was styled in an updo, revealing her long, slender neck, which was adorned with a pearl necklace that Linda had borrowed from a French antique dealer; it was said to be a piece from the 1920s.
At the climax of the song, her voice was like a sharp sword cleaving through chaos, her high notes clear and bright.
Li Jun stood in the shadows at the back, listening quietly.
After the rehearsal ended, the conductor and orchestra members applauded.
Zhang Liangying bowed, and when she raised her head, her gaze fell on Li Jun, and she smiled.
She lifted her skirt and stepped off the stage, running to him:
"How is it?"
"very good."
Li Jun rarely showed a smile.
"It was better than the last rehearsal."
"real?"
"real."
Li Jun said earnestly.
"Especially the transitions in the second verse, which were handled more naturally."
You've found your rhythm.
Zhang Liangying's eyes sparkled, but then she became a little nervous:
"The performance starts tomorrow, and my heart is racing again."
"normal."
Li Jun said.
"Being nervous means you value it."
The two walked side by side backstage.
In the corridor, staff members bustled about, moving musical instruments, adjusting lights, and checking procedures.
The air was thick with the tension of an impending battle.
At the entrance to the dressing room, Zhang Liangying suddenly stopped:
"Xiao Jun, thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?"
"Thank you for everything during this time."
She said softly.
"My mother's surgery, the concert preparations, and your continued belief in me."
"It's what I should do."
No, it's not.
Zhang Liangying shook her head.
There is nothing in this world that is "should be done". If you do it, I will remember it.
She looked at him, her eyes clear and earnest.
"I know you're under a lot of pressure right now, with a ton of things going on at the movie studio."
But you never missed one of my concerts.
Li Jun didn't know what to say, so he simply raised his hand and ruffled her hair.
"Nonsense. Go change your clothes. What do you want to eat tonight?"
"hot pot."
Zhang Liangying's eyes lit up.
"Spicy, the spicier the better."
"OK."
As he watched her walk into the dressing room, the smile on Li Jun's face gradually faded.
He walked to the fire escape and lit a cigarette. His phone vibrated; it was a message from Yuan Tao:
"All evidence materials are ready, and media relations are complete. The release will be at 8 PM sharp."
"What's going on with Wang Zhonglei?"
"Nothing for now, but he went to CCTV this afternoon, probably to discuss promotional cooperation for 'Storm 1905'."
Li Jun glanced at the time: 4:20 PM.
There are still more than three hours before the public outcry begins.
There are still twenty hours until Zhang Liangying's concert.
There are 37 days left until the official start of filming for "Bodyguards and Assassins".
Every single event is a battle.
We chose a Chongqing-style hot pot restaurant for dinner. In the small private room, the red oil broth was bubbling, and the aroma of chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns rose from the pot.
Zhang Liangying changed into casual clothes, her hair still damp from washing.
As soon as she sat down, she couldn't wait to start cooking the tripe. It was so spicy that she kept gasping for breath, but her chopsticks kept going.
"Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."
Li Jun poured her a glass of plum juice.
"I'm starving! I was so nervous at lunchtime I didn't eat anything."
Zhang Liangying took a big gulp of her drink before she could recover.
"By the way, has the matter with Nicholas Tse been resolved regarding your movie?"
"We'll resolve this tonight."
"How do we solve this?"
Li Jun briefly explained the plan. Zhang Liangying listened and remained silent for a while.
I've heard of Wang Zhonglei before, back when we were competing.
She cooked a slice of beef in the broth.
"He's ruthless and has a keen eye, but he's too opportunistic. He's the same way with music programs; he only promotes artists who can make money immediately, regardless of their long-term development."
"He's got his sights set on movies now."
"Because movies make more money."
Zhang Liangying hit the nail on the head.
"Besides, making movies is more prestigious and elevates one's status more than making music. That's what he cares about most."
Looking at her, Li Jun suddenly realized that she had grown faster than he had imagined in the past six months.
She's no longer just a girl who sings on stage.
"Beautiful."
he asks.
"If one day Wang Zhonglei came to you and offered you a high price to act in a film, would you go?"
Zhang Liangying paused for a moment, then shook her head:
"I'm not going."
Why?
"Because I don't want to be controlled by him."
She said it very decisively.
"When my mother was sick, I witnessed how terrifying capitalism can be."
Money can save lives, but it can also take them. The path I choose to walk is my own decision.
That was a very firm statement. Li Jun smiled:
"You're starting to sound more and more like me now."
"One is influenced by one's surroundings."
Zhang Liangying smiled, but her eyes were serious.
"Xiao Jun, I know you're under a lot of pressure, but I believe you can get through it."
You're not like Wang Zhonglei; you have principles when it comes to doing things.
People with principles may go slowly, but they go far.
The hot pot was bubbling away, and the steam blurred their faces.
Li Jun suddenly remembered many years ago, when he was still in Chengdu, he ate hot pot with a group of friends. It was just as lively and full of life.
At that time, he hadn't thought about making movies, hadn't thought he would meet so many people, and hadn't thought that life would push him to this position.
But now that we're here, we have to stay.
"Beautiful."
He said.
"Sing your best at the concert tomorrow. Don't overthink it, just focus on singing what you want to say to the audience."
"Um."
Zhang Liangying nodded and picked up another piece of tripe for him.
"You too, watch it carefully tomorrow. Give me your feedback after you've watched it."
"must."
After finishing their meal, the two walked out of the hot pot restaurant. A cool evening breeze blew by in Beijing.
Li Jun glanced at his phone; it was 7:40.
Twenty minutes left.
"I'll take you back."
He said.
"No need, Linda has sent a driver to pick me up."
Zhang Liangying pointed to a black minivan parked on the side of the road.
"Go home and get some rest. Don't be late tomorrow."
"Won't."
Zhang Liangying took a few steps, then turned back; her eyes shone brightly in the night.
"Xiaojun."
"Um?"
"come on."
After she finished speaking, she turned and got into the car. The car merged into the traffic, and its taillights quickly disappeared into the night.
Li Jun stood on the street, opened his phone, and watched the time tick towards eight o'clock.
7:55.
He sent Yuan Tao a message:
"Are you ready?"
"Everything is ready."
7:59.
Li Jun walked to a relatively quiet corner and opened Weibo.
It's exactly eight o'clock.
Three news items popped up simultaneously:
Exclusive: The truth behind Nicholas Tse's scandal video revealed; those involved recount the scene.
Witness testifies: Nicholas Tse acted to protect women back then.
"Bar security captain clarifies: Video maliciously edited; full surveillance footage released."
Li Jun clicked on the first article. It was quite long and included three videos:
The testimony of the Shenzhen girl, the statement of the Macau security captain, and a blurry but clear bar surveillance video.
The article is written with restraint, but the facts are clear:
Nicholas Tse did indeed resort to violence, but there was a reason for it, and the other party provoked him first.
The confidentiality agreement from back then has also been exposed, proving that this matter was resolved privately.
The tone of the comments section is beginning to shift:
"So that's how it is. Nicholas Tse is quite a man after all."
"What's wrong with protecting women? I would have done the same."
"The person who edited this video is disgusting; they're ruining someone's life!"
"Support Nicholas Tse, a real man!"
Li Jun scrolled through the messages one by one, then exited and opened the trending topics list.
The hashtag #NicholasTseActsHeroism# is rising at a visible rate.
Ten minutes later, Nicholas Tse's management company released an official statement, clarifying the facts and announcing that Nicholas Tse would donate his salary from his next film to establish a "Women's Safety Assistance Fund".
This is a brilliant move; it both responds to public opinion and elevates the overall situation.
Li Jun sent Nicholas Tse a text message: "Did you see that?"
A few minutes later, the reply came:
"I saw it. Thank you, Director Li."
It only has four words, but that's enough.
Li Jun put away his phone and looked up at the night sky.
The night sky in Beijing is rarely starry, but tonight, a few stubbornly shine.
We won the first battle.
But the war is not over yet.
He hailed a taxi, and on the way back to the hotel, his phone started vibrating again.
This time it's Kent Chan:
"Director Li, well done. But Wang Zhonglei won't let this go easily, so be prepared."
"I know."
"Also, I'll be attending Zhang Liangying's concert tomorrow."
Later I'd like to talk to you about the coordinated promotion of the film and her concert.
Bundled advertising. Li Jun frowned:
"Mr. Chen, as I have said, Liangying's music career is independent."
"I know, but isn't mutual benefit a good thing?"
Chen Zeshi's voice was calm.
"Her concert needs exposure, and our film needs pre-release hype."
Besides, don't you think the folk songs she sang from the Republican era fit the atmosphere of the movie perfectly?
Li Jun remained silent.
Let's talk tomorrow.
Kent Chan hung up the phone.
As the car drove along Chang'an Avenue, Tiananmen Gate stood solemn and dignified in the night.
Li Jun leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.
There's another tough battle ahead tomorrow.
Zhang Liangying's concert, Wang Zhonglei's attendance, Chen Zeshi's suggestion, and Tang Yan's return.
All of these will converge on one stage.
And he had to stand there and watch everything happen.
The moment the lights went out in the National Centre for the Performing Arts Concert Hall, Zhang Liangying stood by the side of the curtain and could hear her own heartbeat.
It wasn't tension, but a kind of almost excited clarity, like the last few seconds of life when the world becomes exceptionally clear.
Her first outfit for tonight was a dark green velvet gown with a minimalist cut, featuring only a subtle embroidered pattern on the side of her waist that would only be faintly visible under the lights.
Her hair was styled in a low bun, and her pearl earrings swayed slightly with her breath.
The makeup was done by a French makeup artist that Linda specially hired, emphasizing the contours of her brow bone and cheekbone so that her features would have a sculpted three-dimensional look when the stage lights shone on them.
"Take a deep breath."
Linda whispered in her ear.
"Remember, you're here to share music, not to take an exam."
Zhang Liangying nodded, her fingers unconsciously stroking the hem of her skirt.
The velvet feels warm to the touch.
She looked down at the audience.
The audience seats were like a dark sea in the dim light, with only a few faces vaguely discernible in the VIP seats. Li Jun was in the center of the first row, next to Yuan Tao and Linda in their reserved seats.
A little further away, she saw Kent Chan, and... Wang Zhonglei.
As expected, Wang Zhonglei arrived, dressed in a dark suit, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed posture, and whispering to a bespectacled man next to him.
Zhang Liangying recognized the man; he was a well-known music critic, famous for his sharp tongue.
Her gaze continued to move, then stopped.
In the third row, near the aisle, sat a girl wearing a baseball cap.
The brim of the hat was pulled low, but Zhang Liangying recognized the jawline; it was Tang Yan.
She's here.
Zhang Liangying felt a slight tremor in her heart, a feeling she couldn't quite describe.
"One minute left."
The stage manager gave a quiet reminder.
Zhang Liangying withdrew her gaze and closed her eyes.
The words Li Jun said last night echoed in my ears:
"Don't overthink it, just focus on singing what you want to say to the people in the audience."
What she wanted to say...
The pale face of his mother on the hospital bed after surgery, the melody repeatedly polished in the Chengdu recording studio late at night, the look in Li Jun's eyes when he said "People with principles go far" in the hot pot restaurant, and the countless mornings spent in the vocal practice room.
All of these will become the sounds of tonight.
When the lights came on again, she opened her eyes, her gaze now clear and bright.
The commander stepped onto the stage, and applause erupted.
She lifted her skirt and walked step by step to the center of the stage.
The sound of high heels clicking on the floor could be clearly heard in the silent concert hall.
Stand still and bow.
When she looked up, her gaze swept over Li Jun.
He nodded slightly to her, a very subtle gesture, but it was enough.
As the first note flowed from the symphony orchestra, Zhang Liangying took a deep breath and began to speak.
Li Jun was sitting in the first row and could clearly see every subtle expression on Zhang Liangying's face.
She was in better shape tonight than in any rehearsal.
The control of her voice, the expression of her emotions, and even her stage presence and body language all conveyed a sense of ease.
In the first half, the classical adaptation segment, she displayed the rigor of an academic approach.
The adaptation of "Spring River Flower Moon Night" added a coloratura section, which was extremely difficult, but she handled it with ease, and her high notes were clear and bright like silver bells.
The applause lasted for a long time during halftime.
Zhang Liangying bowed and left the stage. When Li Jun saw her turn around, a small patch of the velvet on her back was soaked with sweat.
"How is it?"
Yuan Tao leaned closer and asked.
"very good."
Li Jun said, but his gaze was fixed on the VIP seats.
Wang Zhonglei was talking to the music critic, and both of them looked very serious.
"I just heard Wang Zhonglei tell that music critic that the original compositions in the second half are the key."
Yuan Tao lowered his voice.
He said that Zhang Liangying's foray into classical art was just a gimmick, and the real test was her own work.
Li Jun remained silent.
He knew Wang Zhonglei was right.
At the start of the second half, Zhang Liangying changed into her second performance outfit: a moon-white modified cheongsam made of heavy silk, which shimmered like flowing water as she moved.
Her hair was let down and loosely tucked behind her ears.
She first sang three original songs in collaboration with the composer.
The melody is modern, but the arrangement incorporates traditional Chinese instruments such as the guqin and xiao, creating a listening experience that is both classical and contemporary.
Her singing style also changed accordingly, becoming less academically structured and more personalized.
But the real highlight is the three songs she wrote and composed herself.
When the first song, "Shu Road Ballad," began to play, Li Jun sat up straight.
The prelude is a symphony simulating the sound of wind and echoing mountains, followed by a sample of a Sichuan opera high-pitched singing.
When Zhang Liangying spoke, there was a wildness in her voice that he had never heard before:
"The road to Shu is difficult, more difficult than ascending to heaven..."
She doesn't use bel canto or popular singing, but rather a style somewhere in between, emphasizing the beginning of each word while gently lingering at the end.
When she sang "But I see sad birds crying in the ancient trees, the male flying and the female following, circling among the trees," her voice choked with emotion, but her breath was as steady as a rock.
Li Jun noticed that several music academy professors in the front row were subconsciously leaning forward.
The second poem, "Returning Boat," is more intimate, depicting a traveler's longing for home.
The melody is simple, but the harmonic arrangement is extremely complex. Zhang Liangying's voice appears and disappears amidst the waves of the symphony, like a small boat searching for its way home in the night.
When singing that line
"On a moonlit night, by a short pine ridge, someone is waiting for me in the distance."
At that moment, her gaze naturally fell on Li Jun.
It happened in an instant, quickly moving away, but Li Jun caught it.
Something stirred within him.
The last song was "Sound and Light," which she wrote specifically for this concert.
Without any intro, she began singing a cappella:
"I sing in the darkness, waiting for a ray of light."
The voice was very soft, almost like a whisper.
Then the symphony slowly joins in, gradually increasing in volume, like the dawn light slowly illuminating the world.
The lyrics of this song are about the relationship between singers and the stage, and how the voice becomes light, illuminating both oneself and others.
At the climax of the song, Zhang Liangying's voice was completely unleashed, and the ability to resonate with the audience, honed from the Super Girl stage, was fully displayed at this moment.
She wasn't performing for the audience; she was inviting them into her world.
There was a two-second silence in the concert hall when the last note fell.
Then, thunderous applause erupted.
Zhang Liangying stood on the stage, the lights shining on her, her moon-white cheongsam soaked with sweat and clinging to her body.
She was slightly out of breath, her eyes were glistening, and there were tears, but they didn't fall.
She bowed, once, twice, three times. The applause never stopped.
Li Jun stood up and applauded.
He saw that Yuan Tao's eyes were red and Linda was wiping away tears.
Over at the VIP section, Kent Chan was also applauding, his expression one of genuine appreciation.
Wang Zhonglei was also clapping, but his face was expressionless, and his eyes were deep, as if he was thinking about something.
The encore song was "The Moon Shines Over the Nine Provinces," and Zhang Liangying changed into the simplest outfit—a white shirt, black pants, and stood barefoot on the stage.
There was no symphony orchestra, only a piano accompaniment.
She sang very softly, as if she were lulling a child to sleep.
The concert hall was so quiet you could hear someone breathing.
As the song ended, she bowed, then looked up and spoke her first words of the night into the microphone:
"Thank you for coming to listen to me sing."
The backstage area after the performance was a scene of chaotic celebration.
Flowers, hugs, tears, flashing lights.
Zhang Liangying was surrounded by people, receiving congratulations.
Li Jun stood on the periphery of the crowd and did not squeeze in.
He saw that Tang Yan had also arrived, holding a bouquet of white lilies, standing at a distance.
Zhang Liangying saw her, walked through the crowd, and the two embraced.
Tang Yan whispered something in her ear, and Zhang Liangying laughed, a genuine laugh.
Li Jun turned around, intending to go find Yuan Tao to discuss the next steps, but was stopped by Chen Zeshi in the corridor.
"Director Li, the performance was a great success."
Chen Zeshi handed him a cigar.
"Ms. Zhang's performance tonight exceeded expectations."
"Thanks."
Li Jun did not accept the cigar.
"Regarding Mr. Chen's previous mention of bundled advertising, I think we can discuss the details."
"No rush, let's talk tomorrow."
Kent Chan smiled.
"However, there's something I'd like to remind you of first. Wang Zhonglei just had a long chat with several media people in the VIP room."
I heard them talking about originality and borrowing.
Li Jun's eyes sharpened:
"What does he want to do?"
"It's hard to say, but given his style, he won't let Zhang Liangying transition so smoothly."
Kent Chan patted him on the shoulder.
"Get ready."
After Chen Zeshi left, Li Jun stood there, his face darkening.
At this moment, Linda rushed over, her face pale:
"Li Jun, something's happened."