novelraw Chapter 125 Returning to the boat
Chapter 125 Returning to the boat
Chapter 125 Returning to the boat
In the footage, Nicholas Tse's performance certainly reached the level he desired.
The brilliance of humanity shining through in dire circumstances is the core of this film.
My phone vibrated; it was a message from Yuan Tao: "Huayi has some new developments involving funding issues. I'll call you back when it's convenient for you."
Li Jun's heart sank.
He walked to a relatively quiet corner and dialed Yuan Tao's number.
"What's going on?"
Yuan Tao recounted the events.
As Li Jun listened, his expression grew increasingly cold.
"Those transaction records are fake."
He said after listening.
"The director's fee is in contract, and every expenditure is recorded."
"You can check with Kent Chan."
"I know."
Yuan Tao said.
"But the problem is, these screenshots have already spread online."
Wang Zhonglei contacted several financial media outlets and tried to steer the issue towards industry unspoken rules.
Now some netizens are starting to have doubts.
"What do you suspect?"
"I doubt your motives for making the film."
Yuan Tao paused.
"Some people say that the success of 'Love is Not Blind' was just luck, that you don't know anything about making movies, and that you just wanted to make money."
Li Jun laughed, but his laughter was cold!
"Then they should come and see today's filming."
"Li Jun, now is not the time to be stubborn."
Yuan Tao's voice was very serious.
"Wang Zhonglei is fighting on multiple fronts: smearing you, smearing Liangying, and suppressing us commercially. We must fight back."
"How do we retaliate?"
"Chen Zeshi discovered that Huayi had three projects with significant funding gaps, and they may have misappropriated investors' money."
Yuan Tao lowered his voice.
"If this evidence can be confirmed, Wang Zhonglei's problem won't just be a matter of being disgraced; he might have to go to jail."
Li Jun remained silent.
The rain pattered against the awning, making a dense sound.
"Yuan Tao".
He spoke slowly.
"What are we doing all this for?"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.
"To win."
Yuan Tao finally said.
"And also to prove that we are right."
"What is correct?"
Yuan Tao thought for a moment.
"That's right, people who work hard should not be bullied."
That's right, good movies shouldn't be squeezed out by bad ones.
That's right, this industry should have some ethical standards.
Li Jun looked at the lights on the dock in the distance.
The lights blurred in the rain, like clusters of indistinct spots of light.
"Then let's do it."
He said.
"But there is one rule: you cannot break the law."
We cannot become like Wang Zhonglei.
"clear."
After hanging up the phone, Li Jun stood in the rain for a long time.
The rain was cold, but it could make you feel refreshed.
He recalled that when he first started preparing for this film, Chen Yongren asked him a question: "Mr. Li, why do you insist on making this? It's expensive and laborious, and there's no guarantee it will work."
What was his answer at the time?
He said, "Because I wanted to film it."
A very capricious answer.
But now that I think about it, maybe that was the most truthful answer.
I took the photos because I wanted to.
Because I met these people—Tse Ting-Fung, Zhang Ziyi, Lin Jiadong, and Zhang Liangying—I wanted to work with them to make this happen.
It's that simple.
"Director Li."
A voice came from behind.
Li Jun turned around and saw Zhang Ziyi.
She had just finished work, wearing the cheongsam from the play with a thick coat over it.
The makeup artist was removing her makeup, but she came over first.
"Miss Zhang hasn't gone back yet?"
"Let's go right away."
Zhang Ziyi looked at him.
"I heard the filming went smoothly today?"
"Yes, we've wrapped up that scene with Nicholas Tse."
"That's good."
Zhang Ziyi paused.
"Director Li, there's something I want to say."
"you say."
"I've been in this industry for twenty years and I've seen too much infighting."
Zhang Ziyi's voice was very calm.
She looked at Li Jun: "Can you keep going?"
Li Jun met her gaze: "Yes."
"Then keep going."
Zhang Ziyi smiled.
"I'll treat everyone to dinner on the day the movie is released."
After saying that, she turned and left.
The hem of the cheongsam brushed against the wet ground, leaving a shallow water mark.
Li Jun watched her walk away, then took out his phone and booked the last flight to Guangzhou that night.
Guangzhou Gymnasium, 9:40 PM.
Zhang Liangying stood on the side of the stage, where she could hear her own heartbeat.
The audience below was a sea of people, their glow sticks forming a starry sky.
This is the last song of the night, "Returning Boat".
As the intro began, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Then they went on stage.
The light shone on her, making her moon-white cheongsam glow with a warm luster.
She walked to the center of the stage and took the microphone.
"The last song."
she says.
"Dedicated to all those who brave the storms."
The music gradually intensifies.
She spoke.
The sound seemed to drift from a great distance, gentle and soft.
When she sang the chorus, she let her voice flow freely.
As she sang the last line, "On a moonlit night, on a short pine ridge, someone is waiting for me in the distance," her gaze unconsciously swept across the audience.
Then it stopped.
In the corner of the third row sat a man wearing a hat.
The brim of her hat was pulled low, but she recognized the silhouette.
It's Li Jun.
He really came.
Zhang Liangying's voice trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.
She continued singing, but her eyes remained fixed in that direction.
The song was over. Thunderous applause erupted.
She bowed, and as she stood up, she saw Li Jun clapping.
They clapped very loudly.
Tears welled up, but she held them back.
She bowed again, then turned and stepped off the stage.
As soon as she entered the backstage area, Linda rushed up and hugged her: "That was amazing! Liangying, that was your best performance tonight!"
Zhang Liangying smiled, but her eyes were searching for something.
"He's waiting for you in the lounge."
Linda said knowingly.
Zhang Liangying walked quickly towards the lounge.
Pushing open the door, Li Jun was indeed inside.
He leaned against the wall, looking exhausted, but smiled when he saw her.
"You sang very well."
He said.
Zhang Liangying closed the door and walked up to him. The two looked at each other, neither of them saying a word.
Then she reached out and touched the raindrops on his face.
"Did you get caught in the rain?"
"Yeah, just came from the film set."
"Have you got a meal yet?"
"not yet."
Zhang Liangying took a thermos out of her bag: "I had my assistant prepare this. It's chicken soup, still warm."
Li Jun took it, opened it, and a wave of hot air rushed out.
He took a sip, and a warm sensation traveled from his throat all the way to his stomach.
"Thanks."
He said.
Zhang Liangying sat down next to him, and the two leaned against the wall side by side.
"Yuan Tao told me about Huayi."
Zhang Liangying said softly.
"What are you planning to do?"
"Counterattack."
Li Jun said.
"But not in their way."
"What do you mean?"
Li Jun turned to look at her.
"We must win, but we must win cleanly."
Zhang Liangying looked at him.
The man looked tired, and his eyes were bloodshot, but his gaze remained firm.
"Xiaojun."
she says.
"If—I mean, if we lose this time, will you regret it?"