novelraw End of Chapter 127
End of Chapter 127
End of Chapter 127
At 10 a.m., the sky over Central, Hong Kong, was so overcast it looked like it was about to press down.
Kent Chan chose the conference hall on the top floor of the International Finance Centre as the venue for the press conference.
The glass curtain wall offers a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour, but today the fog is so thick that only a blurry outline of Kowloon on the opposite shore remains.
Li Jun stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window backstage, looking down at the cars that looked like ants.
On mobile phone screens, major news apps are pushing the same breaking news: "Xinghui Capital has filed a formal complaint against Huayi Film & Television for financial irregularities, alleging misappropriation of over 50 million yuan in project funds."
The accompanying photo is of Kent Chan at the press conference.
He was wearing a dark gray suit and stood in front of the podium, with a large screen behind him displaying a dense array of bank transaction screenshots.
Wang Zhonglei's name was not mentioned, but every flow of funds pointed to Huayi's top decision-making level.
"Director Li, there are five minutes left."
The assistant whispered a reminder.
Li Jun nodded and straightened his suit cuffs.
This suit was sent to me by Linda yesterday by Zhang Liangying. It's dark blue and well-tailored.
He recalled their phone call the previous night.
Will you be nervous tomorrow?
Zhang Liangying asked.
"meeting."
Li Jun confessed.
"Yes. This war has been going on for too long; it's time to end it."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Zhang Liangying asked, "What do you want to do after this is over?"
Li Jun thought for a moment: "Get a good night's sleep first. Then I'll take you back to Chengdu and we'll have hot pot."
Zhang Liangying smiled, her warm laughter coming through the receiver: "Okay. I'll be waiting."
"Action!"
The assistant's voice brought Li Jun back to reality.
He took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and walked into the conference room.
The flashbulbs went off instantly.
Hundreds of reporters from various media outlets sat in the audience, their cameras and microphones set up in the back row.
Kent Chan has finished speaking and is now answering questions.
Upon seeing Li Jun, he nodded and vacated the center of the podium.
Li Jun stopped and adjusted the height of the microphone.
Good morning, friends from the media.
His voice came through the speakers and was very steady.
"First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Kent Chan and Starway Capital for their efforts in upholding industry standards."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room: "Over the past few months, the film 'Bodyguards and Assassins,' as well as I personally, have experienced a lot of controversy and challenges."
Some people questioned whether we were hyping things up, some questioned our motives, and some even fabricated evidence to try to discredit us.
But standing here today, I want to say, the innocent will remain innocent.
The audience was quiet, with only the sound of camera shutters clicking.
"Film is an art, and it's also a business."
Li Jun continued.
"As art, it requires the creator's true understanding and reverence;
As a business, it requires the integrity and standardization of its operators.
Both of these points are indispensable.
He tapped the screen behind him. The screen switched to behind-the-scenes footage of the filming of "Bodyguards and Assassins".
Xie Tingfeng crawled in the rain, Zhang Ziyi sang opera on the city wall, Lin Jiadong trembled as he raised his knife at the dock, and Cheng Guoqiang repeatedly instructed the martial arts movements—
"This film took more than eight months from preparation to filming."
Li Jun's voice gained warmth.
"We encountered many difficulties—actors getting injured, scripts being leaked, public opinion attacks, and financial pressure."
But we all made it through. Why?
He turned off the video and looked back at the audience: "Because I believe. I believe good works deserve to be continued, I believe the truth will eventually come out, and I believe this industry still has a bottom line."
A reporter raised his hand, but Li Jun waved his hand, indicating that it wasn't over yet.
"Today, Huayi's financial problems have been exposed, which is not the outcome we wanted to see."
He spoke slowly.
"We are releasing this evidence not for revenge, but to serve as a warning that this industry needs regulation, transparency, and for all practitioners to abide by the rules."
He paused, then emphasized, "So here I am officially announcing: all accounts of 'Bodyguards and Assassins' will be made public from today."
Every expenditure and every penny of income can be verified on the official website.
We are willing to accept supervision from the entire society.
The audience erupted in uproar.
This is the first time in the Chinese-language film industry that film project accounts have been made public.
"Director Li!"
One reporter couldn't help but stand up.
"Aren't you afraid of causing a backlash from the industry by doing this?"
"I'm not afraid."
Li Jun answered very decisively.
"If you don't even dare to make your accounts public, what kind of artistic pursuits are you talking about? What kind of professional responsibility are you talking about?"
"What about Huayi Brothers?"
"Huayi's problems should be determined by the law and regulatory agencies."
Li Jun said.
"We'll just do our own thing."
Another person asked, "Director Li, I heard that you and singer Zhang Liangying are dating. Is that true?"
This problem came suddenly.
Li Jun was silent for two seconds, then nodded: "It's true."
The entire venue erupted in cheers. Flashbulbs went off like crazy.
Could you elaborate?
The reporter pressed for further details.
Li Jun thought for a moment, then gave a faint but genuine smile: "Zhang Liangying is an excellent musician, as well as a brave and sincere person."
We met at work and became friends through difficulties.
She taught me a lot, such as perseverance and purity.
I am very grateful to her, and I cherish this relationship.
"Will you make public appearances?"
"meeting."
Li Jun said.
"We'll face everyone together once the movie is released and her tour ends."
But not now. Right now, we all have more important things to do.
The press conference lasted for an hour.
Li Jun answered all the questions frankly, directly, and without avoiding any sensitive topics.
At the end, applause rang out again.
Kent Chan walked over and patted him on the shoulder: "Well said. Especially the part about making the accounts public, it was bold, but very courageous."
"It was Liangying who gave me the inspiration."
Li Jun said.
"To win, you must win openly and honestly."
Kent Chan laughed: "You two are a perfect match."
As Li Jun walked out of the conference hall, his phone vibrated.
It was a message from Jane Zhang: "I'm watching the live stream. You look great in that suit."
And I've remembered everything you said.
Li Jun replied, "Wait for me to come back."
BJ Huayi Headquarters.
The atmosphere in Wang Zhonglei's office was so oppressive it felt like it was about to explode.
Several executives sat on the sofa, heads bowed and silent.
Wang Zhonglei stood by the window, his back to everyone, the cigar in his hand already burned out.
The television was still replaying clips from Li Jun's press conference.
"Public accounting," "Acceptance of supervision," and "Industry standards"
These words.
It pierced his heart like a knife.
"Mr. Wang..."
The finance person spoke cautiously.
"The people from the bureau are already on their way."
Wang Zhonglei did not turn around.
He simply stubbed out the cigar in the ashtray.
"Li Jun..."
He spoke in a low voice, his voice filled with hatred.
"How dare he treat me like this."
"Mr. Wang."
The most important thing now is to deal with the inspection.
Another executive echoed this.
"We need to find a way to make up for that 50 million shortfall."
"repair?"
Wang Zhonglei turned around, his eyes bloodshot.
"Where can I get the loan? The bank won't give me a loan anymore."
Investors are all withdrawing their funds, and even my old contacts aren't answering my calls!
He grabbed the teacup on the table and smashed it on the ground.
Porcelain shards flew everywhere.
The tea water seeped into the carpet, leaving a large stain.
Everyone was too scared to speak.
Wang Zhonglei walked to his desk, placed his hands on the surface, and breathed heavily.
He looked at the group photo on the table, taken on the tenth anniversary of Huayi's founding. He stood with the top stars, directors, and investors at the time, looking very proud and confident.
Only three years have passed.
His phone rang. He glanced at it; it was an unfamiliar number. After hesitating for a moment, he answered it anyway.
"Feed?"
"Wang Zhonglei?" It was a young man's voice on the other end, very cold.
"Do you remember who I am?"
Wang Zhonglei frowned: "Who are you?"
"Three years ago, you promised me 500,000 yuan as hush money."
The other person laughed.
The laughter was full of sarcasm.
"I gave you the money, but you had my leg broken."
Do you remember?
Wang Zhonglei's expression changed: "You—"
"I'm at the police station entrance now."
"I have records of your money transfers from back then, as well as recordings of you ordering people to do things to you."
"Tell me, should I go in?"
"What do you want?"
Wang Zhonglei gritted his teeth.
Five million.
Cash. Within today.
The other party was very straightforward.
"Otherwise, you can expect to be punished for all your crimes."
Wang Zhonglei held his phone, his hand trembling.
He was furious; everyone was kicking him while he was down, and even a nobody like him dared to blackmail him.
"General Manager Wang"
The secretary pushed the door open and came in.
His face was pale.
"The police have arrived."
Wang Zhonglei closed his eyes. When he opened them again, all that remained in his eyes was exhaustion.
"Let them in," he said.
Hong Kong, 7 p.m.
When Li Jun returned to the set, the final scene was being filmed.
This is a small ending to the film—a silent man sends the revolutionaries onto a ship bound for Southeast Asia, stands alone on the dock, and watches the ship sail away.
A light rain was falling, and the bloodstains on his face had been washed away by the rain, but the scars were still there.
There are no lines, only expressions in their eyes.
Nicholas Tse stood there, his back to him, lonely yet upright.
The camera slowly zooms in, giving him a close-up of his face.
Rain streamed down his cheeks, indistinguishable from tears.
But his eyes were calm, a sense of relief after completing his mission.
The boat disappeared into the rain and mist.
He turned and slowly left the dock.
The steps were slow, but firm.
"Cut!"
When Li Jun uttered this word, his voice was choked with emotion.
The entire venue was silent for a few seconds, then erupted in cheers.
Everyone—actors, staff, and even media visiting the set—was applauding, hugging, and shedding tears.
Nicholas Tse stood there, seemingly still immersed in the role. Cheng Guoqiang walked over and hugged him tightly: "Good lad! You're done acting!"
Zhang Ziyi also came over, her eyes red: "Mr. Xie, congratulations on wrapping up filming."
Lin Jiadong stood on the periphery of the crowd, wanting to go forward but feeling embarrassed.
When Nicholas Tse saw him, he waved him over and then gave this supporting actor, who had been working hard silently, a hug: "You've worked hard."
Lin Jiadong's tears fell instantly.
He has been acting in TVB dramas for over a decade, and never before has a drama made him so invested and so moved.
Li Jun walked to the center of the crowd.
Everyone automatically made way for them.
He looked at the people he had spent more than eight months with: Xie Tingfeng's scar on his forehead, Zhang Ziyi's hoarse voice, Lin Jiadong's rough hands, Cheng Guoqiang's gray hair, and all the staff's tired but bright eyes.
"Everyone."
He spoke, his voice not loud, but everyone could hear him clearly.
"Bodyguards and Assassins has wrapped up filming."
The applause rang out again and lasted for a long time.
After the applause subsided, Li Jun continued, "Thank you all for your hard work over the past eight months."
We've been through so much. Some people got hurt, some were doubted, some left, some betrayed. But in the end, we stand here, having finished this film.
He paused, his gaze sweeping across each face: "I don't know if this movie will be successful, if it will be liked by the audience, or if it will leave a mark on film history."
But I know we did our best.
We made the film we wanted to make with the utmost sincerity. That's enough.
Some people started wiping away tears.
"so."
Li Jun raised his voice.
On behalf of the production team, thank you everyone. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project.
No matter what the future holds, I will always remember this experience.
He bowed deeply, at a ninety-degree angle.
Everyone bowed in response.
After the ceremony, the song "Long Live Friendship" played, a tradition for Hong Kong film crews wrapping up filming. Everyone held hands, formed a circle, and swayed gently to the music.
Li Jun stood in the center of the circle, watching all of this, and his eyes finally welled up with tears.
My phone vibrated. It was a message from Jane Zhang: "Happy wrap-up. I'm waiting for you in Chengdu."
Li Jun replied: "Wait for me."
Three days later, Chengdu.
It was already 10 p.m. when Li Jun walked out of Shuangliu Airport. A light spring rain was falling, and the air was filled with the damp scent of earth.
Zhang Liangying's car was waiting at the exit.
Upon seeing him, she got out of the car and ran over, without an umbrella.
The two embraced in the rain.
They used a lot of force, as if they wanted to meld each other into their bodies.
"You've lost weight."
Zhang Liangying touched his face.
"You've lost weight too."
Li Jun wiped the rainwater off her hair.
In the car, Zhang Liangying handed him a thermos: "My mom made chicken soup, said it's to help you recover."
Li Jun took it; the temperature was just right. He took a sip; it was fresh, fragrant, and rich—the taste of home.
The car drove towards the city center. Outside the window were familiar street scenes: teahouses, hot pot restaurants, and plane trees in old residential areas.
Looking at all this, Li Jun suddenly felt that the fatigue of the past eight months had vanished at this moment.
"Huayi Arts Center."
Zhang Liangying said softly.
"We have the results."
"How so?"
"Wang Zhonglei is under investigation, and Huayi's stock has been suspended."
Zhang Liangying paused for a moment.
"I heard he privately raised money to cover part of the shortfall, but there's still a 20 million deficit he can't fill. He might have to go to jail."
Li Jun remained silent. This was not the ending he wanted, but it was the path Wang Zhonglei had chosen.
"Li Jun".
Zhang Liangying turned to look at him.
"Don't you think we're being too harsh?"
"Won't."
Li Jun shook his head.
"We are just telling the truth."
As for the outcome, it was of his own making.
He held Zhang Liangying's hand: "Moreover, we gave him the opportunity to choose."
Before the press conference, I asked Kent Chan to pass on a message to him: as long as he stopped, we could not release that evidence.
But he refused.
Why did you refuse?
"Because he felt he could still win."
Li Jun looked at the rain outside the window.
Some people won't admit defeat until the very last moment.
The car was parked downstairs at Zhang Liangying's house. The rain was still falling, but it had lessened a bit.
The two sat in the car, neither of them in a hurry to get out.
"What are your plans for the future?"
Zhang Liangying asked.
"Post-production for the film will take about three months."
Li Jun said.
"Then there's the promotion, the release. What about you?"
"I still have two more tour shows, in Guangzhou and Shenzhen."
"Then I want to rest for a while." Zhang Liangying leaned on his shoulder.
"I'm so tired."
"Then let's rest."
Li Jun put his arm around her.
"I'll stay with you."
The two sat there, listening to the rain and each other's heartbeats.
After a long silence, Zhang Liangying whispered, "Xiao Jun, do you regret it?"
"Regret what?"
"I regret making this movie, I regret fighting with Wang Zhonglei, and I regret being with me."
Li Jun looked down at her. The car lights were dim, but her eyes were bright.
No regrets.
He said it with absolute certainty.
"If I could do it all over again, I would still make the same choice."
Why?
"That's why I was able to meet you."
Zhang Liangying smiled, but her smile was tinged with tears. She leaned in and kissed him.
A very light kiss, but very earnest.
"Li Jun," she whispered in her ear, "I love you."
Li Jun hugged her tightly: "I love you too."
The rain was still falling, but the world inside the car was warm.