novelraw Chapter 114 Wishing everyone a Happy New Year
Chapter 114 Wishing everyone a Happy New Year
The next morning at seven o'clock, Li Jun was woken up by a phone call in his hotel room.
It was Yuan Tao, his voice urgent: "Li Jun, something terrible has happened."
"What is it?"
"A recording has surfaced online; it's... a conversation between you and Zhang Liangying."
Yuan Tao's voice was trembling.
"The content was about the hype surrounding the film and the concert being bundled together, and it was said in a very unpleasant way."
Li Jun sat up in bed and turned on his computer.
Hot search first:
#Zhang Liangying and Li Jun's Private Conversation Exposed#
Clicking on it leads to an audio file with highly provocative accompanying text:
Exclusive! Private conversation between director Li Jun and actress Zhang Liangying of "Bodyguards and Assassins," revealing the truth behind the so-called artistic collaboration and the capital speculation behind it!
Li Jun clicked on the audio.
It was his and Zhang Liangying's voices; the background was very quiet, like in a private space.
His voice:
"At the Shanghai show, you will sing 'Returning Boat,' which is a crucial step in linking it with the film."
Zhang Liangying's voice:
"Is this really a good idea? Won't the audience think it's too deliberate?"
His voice:
"I can't worry about that now."
Wang Zhonglei is pushing too hard; we must use an even louder voice to drown him out.
His voice then came through:
"Transformation and publicity are not mutually exclusive. Let's create momentum first, and deal with the rest later."
The audio abruptly ends here.
Li Jun closed his eyes.
This conversation took place between him and Zhang Liangying in her apartment before he left Beijing.
However, it was edited, taken out of context, and its original meaning was completely distorted.
The comments section is exploding:
"It was obviously just a publicity stunt! What's with the pretense of being an artist!"
"Zhang Liangying's public image has collapsed; all her talk of musical dreams is just business."
"Li Jun is disgusting; he treats female singers like tools."
Boycott "Bodyguards and Assassins," boycott Zhang Liangying!
Li Jun called Yuan Tao back:
"The audio has been edited; the original words were not like that."
"I know!"
"But who believes that now? Wang Zhonglei's move was too vicious; he directly labeled you as a publicity stunt couple, turning the movie and concert into a game of capital!"
"Does Zhang Liangying know?"
"Linda just told her that she's not feeling well right now."
Li Jun hung up the phone and immediately called Zhang Liangying.
It rang several times before she answered; her voice sounded like it was coming from a great distance.
"Xiaojun..."
"Listen," Li Jun interrupted her.
"That recording was edited; it was part of Wang Zhonglei's conspiracy."
"Don't do anything or say anything right now, just wait for me to come."
"But."
"No buts."
Li Jun's tone left no room for argument.
"Trust me, I'll handle it."
"Um."
Zhang Liangying's voice was very soft.
I believe you.
After hanging up the phone, Li Jun stood by the window, watching the morning traffic in Shanghai.
The sunlight was beautiful, but it couldn't reach his heart.
Wang Zhonglei's move was indeed ruthless.
It's not spreading rumors, but rather using real recordings to edit together a false truth.
The destructive power of such a truthful hypothesis is far greater than that of a pure rumor.
He must fight back, and quickly.
The phone rang again; this time it was Wang Zhonglei.
"Good morning, Director Li."
Wang Zhonglei's voice was tinged with laughter.
"Ms. Zhang's concert last night was a great success. How about it, are you satisfied with the effect of this publicity stunt?"
Li Jun gripped his phone tightly:
"Wang Zhonglei, you're ruthless."
"Hey, what are you saying? I'm just showing the audience the truth."
Wang Zhonglei smiled.
"How about it? It's not too late to admit defeat now."
"Give me the 'Bodyguards and Assassins' project, and I can guarantee that Zhang Liangying's music career will not be affected."
"What if I don't?"
"Then you just wait and see."
Wang Zhonglei's voice turned cold.
"This is just the beginning."
More truths will be revealed in the future.
Do you think audiences will believe a director who will stop at nothing to create hype, or a director who perseveres for their cinematic dreams?
The phone hangs up.
Li Jun put down his phone, went to the bathroom, and splashed cold water on his face.
The man in the mirror had bloodshot eyes, a messy stubble on his chin, and a bruise on his forehead from an accidental bump yesterday.
He looked like a loser.
But his eyes weren't dead yet.
He picked up his phone and called Kent Chan:
"Mr. Chen, I need some money."
"How many?"
Five million.
"What's it for?"
"Buy the truth."
Li Jun said.
"If Wang Zhonglei can buy editing with money, I can buy the original soundtrack with money."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Kent Chan said:
Send me your account number, it will arrive in two hours.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Chen Zeshi paused for a moment.
"Director Li, if we lose this round, the loss will be more than just one movie."
"I know."
After hanging up, Li Jun dialed Chen Yongren's number again:
"Ah Ren, two things."
First, I need to find the person who edited the recording, no matter what method they used; I want the original recording.
Second, thoroughly investigate all of Wang Zhonglei's financial transactions over the past three months, especially large cash transactions.
"clear."
Chen Yongren asked.
"Mr. Li, shouldn't we...?"
"Isn't that too harsh?"
Li Jun took over the conversation.
"Ah Ren, he struck first. If we're going to fight, let's fight to the end."
"it is good."
After finishing these tasks, Li Jun changed his clothes and prepared to go out to find Zhang Liangying.
But then the doorbell rang.
Tang Yan was standing outside the door.
She was wearing a simple white shirt and jeans, without makeup, and her hair was tied in a ponytail.
When she saw Li Jun, she smiled, but the smile seemed tired.
"May I come in?"
She asked, still holding a USB drive in her hand, which surprised Li Jun.
Li Jun stepped aside to let her in.
Tang Yan sat down on the sofa, and Li Jun poured her a glass of water.
"I saw the news."
Tang Yan took the water glass but didn't drink it. "Is that recording real?"
"Edited."
"I knew it."
Tang Yan breathed a sigh of relief, then looked up at Li Jun.
"Do you know who did it?"
"Wang Zhonglei".
Tang Yan placed the USB drive he was holding on the table.
"are you sure?"
"Sure."
Li Jun sat down opposite her and glanced at the USB drive on the table.
"What, do you have other news?"
"This contains some internal documents that a former senior executive of Huayi Company kept privately."
"Some of them are about 'Bodyguards and Assassins' and you."
Li Jun stared at the USB drive but didn't immediately grab it.
"Where did you get this?"
I found it at the door this morning.
Tang Yan said something that surprised Li Jun: she had indeed found it at the door.
Tang Yan was very indignant.
"He went too far this time. Using methods like editing and recordings has crossed the line of commercial competition."
She paused, then spoke even softer:
"I don't want to see you lose."
Li Jun looked at her.
This girl, who was once as pure as a blank sheet of paper, now has complex shadows in her eyes.
"Tang Yan".
he asks.
"Do you know what's in here?"
"have no idea."
Tang Yan shook his head.