novelraw Chapter 123 Talk 1
Chapter 123 Talk 1
Let's talk about Chapter 123
"Yes, he's a singer."
Linda said with a smile.
"But you, the singer, actually clashed with a big shot in the entertainment industry today."
They both laughed.
As she laughed, Zhang Liangying suddenly remembered something: "Sister Linda, is there any news from Tang Yan?"
Linda's smile faded: "No. Her phone is off, and I can't reach her agent either. I'm a little worried."
At the same time, at Kwun Tong Pier in Hong Kong.
When Li Jun rushed back to the film set, it was already four o'clock in the afternoon.
As the sun sets, it turns the sea into a golden hue.
Filming is in full swing.
Today is Zhang Ziyi's first scene after joining the crew. Bai Yulan is backstage at the stage, applying makeup in front of a mirror, while outside comes the chaotic sound of revolutionaries being chased.
Zhang Ziyi had already put on makeup and was wearing a moon-white cheongsam when she sat in front of the mirror.
The lighting technician was adjusting the lighting, and Teacher Zhou was explaining the scene to her.
Upon seeing Li Jun, Zhang Ziyi looked up and smiled, "Director Li, how did the press conference go?"
"good."
Li Jun sat down next to her.
"Ms. Zhang, I'm sorry to have you in such a rush on your first day on set."
"It's okay."
Zhang Ziyi looked at herself in the mirror.
"This role is worth taking."
She paused, then suddenly asked, "How is Miss Zhang?"
Li Jun was taken aback for a moment: "It's alright. How did you know—"
"The news is out."
Zhang Ziyi took out her phone.
"Zhang Liangying's questioning of Wang Zhonglei is now circulating all over the internet. She's quite brave."
"Yes, she is very brave."
Zhang Ziyi turned to look at Li Jun: "Director Li, do you know why I took this role?"
Why?
"Because I see my younger self in you."
Zhang Ziyi said.
"It's not about talent, it's about that drive. Even though you know how dirty and shady this industry is, you still want to make something clean."
She stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sea outside: "I've been famous for so many years, acted in many movies, and earned a lot of money."
But sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night, I ask myself, what have I left behind?
Are those box office figures?
Still those awards and trophies?
She turned to look at Li Jun: "The role of Bai Yulan may not win me an award, nor will it make me more famous."
But she made me feel that I was still acting, not just playing Zhang Ziyi. That was enough.
Looking at her, Li Jun suddenly understood why she could become an international superstar.
It wasn't because of her beauty, nor because of her luck, but because she still had that fire in her heart.
"Miss Zhang."
He said.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Zhang Ziyi smiled.
"Just focus on making good movies. Shut up those who want to see you fail."
Filming begins.
Zhang Ziyi sat in front of the mirror, picked up an eyebrow pencil, and gently began to draw her eyebrows.
A commotion arose outside as the extras arranged by Cheng Guoqiang began creating the effect.
Her fingers paused for a moment, but then continued.
After finishing her eyebrows, she picked up her lipstick and carefully applied it in front of the mirror.
Throughout the entire process, her expression remained calm, but her eyes conveyed a thousand unspoken words.
She portrayed with remarkable skill the stubbornness to maintain elegance amidst chaos and the vulnerability to preserve dignity in the face of danger.
"Cut!"
Li Jun called for a stop. The set fell silent.
Zhang Ziyi looked up from the mirror and asked Li Jun, "How is it?"
Li Jun gave a thumbs up: "Perfect."
Zhang Ziyi smiled, a smile that conveyed a sense of relief and ease.
After finishing work, Li Jun watched the playback on the monitor. Zhang Ziyi walked over and stood behind him to watch it together.
"here."
She pointed at the screen.
"I blinked too fast. One more take would be even better."
Li Jun looked up at her: "It's already very good."
"It can be even better."
Zhang Ziyi was very persistent.
"Director Li, I'm not here to just coast along. I want this role to be a representative work that I can be proud of in my acting career."
Looking at her earnest eyes, Li Jun nodded: "Okay, I'll add another one tomorrow."
After Zhang Ziyi left, Cheng Guoqiang came over and handed Li Jun a cigarette.
"Nicholas Tse is in great shape today."
Cheng Guoqiang said.
"The scar on his forehead hasn't healed yet, but he insists on not using concealer, saying it looks more real this way."
Li Jun took the cigarette and lit it: "Where's Lin Jiadong?"
"There has been progress."
Cheng Guoqiang exhaled a puff of smoke.
"That kid is training like crazy now. He practices for two extra hours every day after work. He says he can't hold the team back."
Li Jun looked at the staff packing up equipment in the distance.
The setting sun cast long shadows of them, which intertwined on the dock.
This production crew has grown from just a few people to over a hundred.
From being ignored to gaining nationwide attention. From being plagiarized and smeared to making a comeback.
It hasn't been an easy journey.
"Master Cheng."
Li Jun said.
"Thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?"
Cheng Guoqiang smiled.
"I get paid to do the work."
"That's not the reason."
Li Jun shook his head.
"It's because you believe in this project and believe I can make it well."
Cheng Guoqiang was silent for a moment, then said, "Mr. Li, I've been in this industry for thirty years. I've seen too many directors and too many projects."
Some succeeded, some failed.
But there aren't many like you who, despite having the option to take a shortcut, choose the most difficult path.
He paused for a moment, then said, "So I want to see if this path is actually viable."
Li Jun looked at the sea.
The sun had completely set, leaving only a dark red glow on the horizon.
"It will work," he said.
"Definitely."
At 9 p.m., Li Jun returned to the hotel. His phone rang as soon as he entered his room.
It's Tang Yan.
Li Jun answered the phone. It was quiet on the other end; he could hear soft breathing.
"Tang Yan?"
"Um."
Tang Yan's voice was very soft.
"I watched the press conference. You win."
"We've won for now," Li Jun said. "How about you?"
"I am fine."
Tang Yan paused.
"Wang Zhonglei should be suspicious of you."
"What do you suspect me of?"
"I suspect you have an inside contact."
Tang Yan said.
"He has already sent people to investigate all those people at Huayi who have access to those materials."
We'll find out who it is within three days at the latest.
Li Jun nodded. He was very grateful to the person who had helped him in his time of need, but he didn't know who it was or what their purpose was.
"I booked a flight to France for tomorrow morning."
Tang Yan said.
"A film festival invited me to be a judge. I didn't want to go at first, but now it's perfect."
"How long will it take?"
"I don't know. Maybe a month, maybe longer."
Tang Yan's voice sounded somewhat unsteady.
"Tang Yan".
He finally said.
"I'll come find you after I finish filming the movie."
"it is good."
Tang Yan smiled, a tired yet relaxed laugh.
"By the way, please tell Zhang Liangying I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?"
"I'm sorry, I was hostile towards her before."
Tang Yan said.
"She's a good girl, braver than me."
You all need to take good care of yourselves.
After saying that, she hung up the phone.
Li Jun stood by the window, holding his phone, and didn't move for a long time.
Outside the window, Hong Kong's night view is as dazzling as a galaxy. This city is always bustling, always busy, always has people coming and going.
Tang Yan is leaving.
The girl who once left a mark on his life wanted to leave his world in this way.
My phone vibrated again; it was a message from Zhang Liangying: "Have you arrived in Hong Kong? Is everything going smoothly?"
Li Jun replied, "Arrived. Everything went smoothly. How are you?"
"I'm listening to the recording of today's press conference. Suddenly, I feel like I'm not so scared anymore."
"That's good."
"Xiaojun."
Zhang Liangying sent another message.
"After the movie is finished filming, after my tour is over, let's—have a proper talk, okay?"
Li Jun stared at the message, his fingers hovering over the keyboard for a long time.
Finally, he replied, "Okay."