novelraw Chapter 128 Victory
Chapter 128 Victory
Chapter 128 Victory
Hong Kong has entered the height of summer.
The day after the triumphant return of "Bodyguards and Assassins," Li Jun held a celebration banquet in the banquet hall of a hotel in Central.
More than 200 people were present, including members of the production crew, investors, media, and friends from the industry.
Under the crystal chandelier, the champagne tower reflected a dazzling light.
Nicholas Tse arrived very early; the scar on his forehead had faded into a light pink mark.
He was wearing a casual suit, no tie, and was talking to Cheng Guoqiang by the window.
Zhang Ziyi arrived half an hour late, wearing a long red dress. She had just finished an endorsement event for an international brand and rushed over.
Lin Jiadong was a little reserved, hiding in a corner, but his eyes were shining. This was the first time he had attended a celebration banquet of this caliber.
Li Jun stood at the door to greet guests, with Zhang Liangying by his side.
She wore a pale white dress today, her hair was loosely tied up, and the platinum ring on her ring finger occasionally sparkled under the light.
Are you nervous?
She asked softly.
"A little."
Li Jun admitted it.
Why?
"Because everyone here is one of our own."
Li Jun said.
"The expectations of our own people carry more weight than the applause of strangers."
As they were talking, Kent Chan arrived.
He looked exceptionally energetic today, and upon seeing Li Jun, he patted him forcefully on the shoulder: "Good lad! You've made the Chinese people proud!"
"Mr. Chen, you flatter me."
Li Jun shook hands with him.
"Without your support, we wouldn't be where we are today."
"Let's skip the formalities."
Chen Zeshi smiled and turned to Zhang Liangying.
"Miss Zhang looks beautiful today."
When are you going to your wedding?
Zhang Liangying blushed: "Mr. Chen—"
"It'll be here soon."
Li Jun took over the conversation and put his arm around Zhang Liangying's shoulder.
"I'll definitely invite you then."
Before the celebration banquet officially began, Li Jun took the stage to deliver a speech.
He held a microphone in his hand, looking at the familiar faces in the audience.
"We held our launch ceremony here eight months ago."
He spoke, his voice tinged with emotion.
"It was raining heavily that day, and the backdrop was soaked. I said, making movies is never an auspicious thing."
Someone in the audience laughed; it was a member of the film crew who was present that day.
"At the time, I never imagined that eight months later, we would be standing on the red carpet."
Li Jun continued.
"I never imagined that this movie would bring about change for so many people."
He paused for a moment: "Nicholas Tse crawled through mud nine times for a role, leaving scars on his face. He said the scars were his silent medals."
The camera focused on Nicholas Tse, who raised his hand to touch the scar on his forehead and smiled.
"Zhang Ziyi turned down two commercial films to play a singer whose role wasn't the most prominent."
She said she didn't want to repeat herself.
Zhang Ziyi raised her glass in a toast, tears welling in her eyes.
"Lin Jiadong waited for more than ten years and finally got a role that people can remember."
He said he had learned more in the past few months than he had in the previous decade or so.
Lin Jiadong lowered his head in embarrassment, but his back remained straight.
"And there's Master Cheng Guoqiang, who's sixty years old and still personally takes the stage;
Teacher Zhou meticulously helped the actors refine their lines, word by word.
Master Li from the art department traveled all over the country in search of a piece of old fabric —
Li Jun's voice choked with emotion: "It is the efforts of all of you that gave this movie its soul."
So today's celebration banquet belongs to everyone.
He raised his glass: "A toast to film. A toast to everyone who has contributed to film."
Everyone stood up and raised their glasses: "To the movie!"
Halfway through the banquet, Yuan Tao quietly pulled Li Jun aside.
There are two things.
He lowered his voice.
"First, there has been progress in Huayi's case. Wang Zhonglei has made up for some of the funding, but there is still a shortfall of 12 million."
The prosecutor's office has filed charges, and the trial will be held next month.
Li Jun nodded calmly: "And the second one?"
"The second item."
Yuan Tao's expression became complicated.
"An American producer wants to meet you and says he wants to buy the adaptation rights to 'Bodyguards and Assassins' and make an American version."
Li Jun was stunned: "The American version?"
"Yes. They said they were drawn to the theme of ordinary people and a great era in the story and wanted to transplant it to the background of the American Civil War."
Yuan Tao took out a business card.
"Here's his contact information, if you're interested—"
Li Jun took the business card, looked at the English name and title on it, and remained silent for a long time.
What do you think?
Yuan Tao asked.
"I have no idea."
Li Jun spoke frankly.
"It feels a bit strange that the film is being sold for adaptation rights before it has even been released in the country."
"But this is internationally recognized."
3
Yuan Tao said.
"And the copyright fees aren't low; enough for you to make your next movie."
Li Jun put the business card into his pocket: "I'll think about it."
Back in the banquet hall, Zhang Liangying was chatting with Zhang Ziyi.
Both women had drunk some wine; their cheeks were slightly flushed, and their laughter was crisp and clear.
Upon seeing Li Jun, Zhang Ziyi smiled and asked, "Director Li, what are you planning to film next? Do you have any ideas?"
"not yet."
Li Jun sat down next to her.
I want to rest for a while first.
"Of course."
Zhang Ziyi nodded, then turned to Zhang Liangying.
"Liangying, what are your plans for the future?"
Zhang Liangying thought for a moment and said, "I want to make a completely original album. I'll rearrange and record the songs I sang during the tour."
"Just say so if you need help."
Zhang Ziyi is very sincere.
"I also have some friends in the music industry."
"Thank you, Sister Zhang."
The conversation between the three was interrupted by a round of applause.
It turns out that Nicholas Tse was encouraged by everyone to go on stage and sing.
Unable to refuse, he picked up the microphone and cleared his throat.
"I'm not a good singer."
He said with a smile.
"Don't blame me if you mess up the performance."
Then he started singing "The Moon Shines Over the Nine Provinces," the song Bai Yulan sang in the movie.
The tune was a bit off, but the singer was very earnest.
The audience laughed at first, then quieted down, and finally hummed along.
Looking at Xie Tingfeng on stage, Li Jun suddenly recalled the first time he met him—the man smoking in the Repulse Bay villa with tired eyes, a stark contrast to the relaxed, smiling man singing now.
Movies have changed many people.
Including himself.
The celebration banquet ended at 1 a.m.
After seeing off all the guests, Li Jun and Zhang Liangying were the last to leave the hotel.
The night breeze carried the unique salty smell of the harbor.
"Tired?"
Li Jun asked.
"Not tired."
Zhang Liangying leaned on his shoulder.
"I'm very happy. Seeing everyone so happy makes me happy too."
The two strolled slowly along the seaside promenade.
In the distance, the lights of the Star Ferry create golden ripples on the surface of Victoria Harbour.
"Yuan Tao told me about the American adaptation."
Li Jun suddenly said.
What do you think?
"I have no idea."
Li Jun stopped and looked at the lights on the opposite bank.
"So, what exactly is a movie?"
Zhang Liangying thought for a moment and said, "For me, movies are about creating dreams. Creating a dream that allows people to temporarily forget reality."
"What if someone else takes this dream, changes the background, the characters, or even the ending, is it still the same dream?"
"still."
Zhang Liangying said.
"Because the core of dreams hasn't changed—those parts about courage, sacrifice, and love—they can move people in any country and any era."
Li Jun looked at her.
Her eyes shone brightly in the moonlight.
"Do you want to sell it?"
Zhang Liangying asked.
"I want to, but I don't want to."
Li Jun is very honest.
"I want to because it's a form of recognition, but I don't want to because it feels like giving my child away."
Zhang Liangying laughed: "Then let's not rush to make a decision. Let's wait until the movie is released and see how the audience reacts."
"Um."
They continued walking. When they reached the vicinity of the Avenue of Stars, Zhang Liangying suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, my mom called yesterday and asked when we're going back to Chengdu."
"When do you want to go back?"
"Next month."
Zhang Liangying said.
"Wait until I finish recording the first song of my new album."
"it is good."
Li Jun put his arm around her shoulder.
"I'll stay with you."
One month later, in Chengdu.
In Zhang Liangying's living room, Li Jun sat face to face with her mother for the first time, officially as her boyfriend.
Mrs. Zhang was a gentle middle-aged woman with gray hair but bright eyes.
.
She made tea for Li Jun, then sat on the sofa opposite him and carefully examined him.
"I was so grateful to you when I was sick last time, Xiao Jun."
Liangying's mother is now full of energy.
"I heard from Liangying that you're a director?"
Zhang's mother spoke up.
"Yes, Auntie."
"Making movies must be tough, right?"
'
"It's alright, I'm used to it."
Mrs. Zhang nodded, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Liangying has always been a strong-willed child. Her father passed away early, and I raised her alone. When she participated in competitions and suffered grievances, she would never say anything, but would just hide away and cry."
She paused for a moment, then continued, "But when she called me to talk about you, her voice was full of laughter. I knew then that she had met the right person."
O
Li Jun felt a warmth in his heart: "Thank you for your trust, Auntie."
I don't trust you.
Zhang's mother is very direct.
"Liangying has a good eye for people."
Zhang Liangying came out of the kitchen with fruit and blushed upon hearing this: "Mom—"
"Just telling the truth."
Mrs. Zhang smiled.
"Xiao Li, my Liangying is stubborn and sometimes single-minded, so you have to be more tolerant of her."
"I will."
"besides."
Zhang's mother became serious.
"You're all in the entertainment industry, that's a complicated place."
You two need to support each other and not let those messy things affect your relationship.
"We understand."
Zhang Liangying placed the fruit plate on the coffee table and sat down next to her mother: "Mom, don't scare him."
"I'm doing this for his own good."
Zhang's mother patted her daughter's hand.
"Alright, you two chat, I'll go cook. Little Li, stay for dinner tonight and try Auntie's cooking."
Zhang's mother went into the kitchen.
There were only two people left in the living room.
"My mom is very direct, please don't mind her."
Zhang Liangying said softly.
"Won't."
Li Jun held her hand.
"Your mother is very good."
The aroma of my neighbor's cooking wafted through the window, along with the laughter of children chasing and playing.
This is the most ordinary human experience, but for Li Jun, it brings a long-lost warmth.
"Xiaojun."
Zhang Liangying said softly.
"Sometimes I feel like we're dreaming."
Why?
"Because it's so beautiful."
she says.
"The movie was a success, we got together, and our families accepted it."
It's so beautiful it feels unreal.
Li Jun understood her feelings.
The past six months have been like a rollercoaster ride, from the bottom to the top, with too many twists and turns along the way.
Now that everything has calmed down, it's actually unsettling.
"It's not a dream."
He squeezed her hand tightly.
"It's true."
Dinner was a feast. Mrs. Zhang cooked eight dishes and a soup, all authentic Sichuan cuisine.
Spicy chicken, Mapo tofu, boiled fish, and twice-cooked pork were laid out on the table.
"Auntie, you've worked so hard."
Li Jun said.
"It's not hard work."
Mrs. Zhang served him food.
"Eat more, you're so thin."
During the meal, Zhang's mother asked Li Jun many questions, such as how many people were in his family, what his parents did, and what his future plans were.
Li Jun answered each question patiently.
Zhang Liangying listened from the side, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.
This was the first time she had brought a man home, and the first time she had sat down to eat with her mother and lover.
She had only ever seen this scene in her dreams before.
After the meal, Li Jun offered to help wash the dishes. Zhang's mother objected, but couldn't persuade him otherwise.
The sound of running water could be heard in the kitchen.
Zhang Liangying leaned against the door frame, watching Li Jun roll up his sleeves and clumsily but earnestly wash the dishes, and couldn't help but smile.
"What are you laughing at?"
Li Jun turned his head and asked.
"Laughing at you."
Zhang Liangying walked over and took the bowl from his hand.
"Let me do it. You won't get the dishes clean if you wash them like this."
Li Jun didn't let go: "Teach me."
The two stood side by side in front of the pool, one teaching and the other learning.
Their shadows were reflected in the window, intimate and natural.
Halfway through washing, Zhang's mother came in to get something. Seeing this, she smiled and quietly left.
At nine o'clock in the evening, Li Jun said goodbye. Zhang Liangying saw him off downstairs.
"What are the plans for tomorrow?" Li Jun asked.
"I went to the recording studio in the morning, and I'm free in the afternoon."
Zhang Liangying looked at him.
"I have an appointment with Yuan Tao to discuss some matters."
Li Jun said.
"Want to have dinner together tonight?"
"it is good."
Before Li Jun got into the car, Zhang Liangying called out to him, "Xiao Jun."
"Um?"
"Thank you."
She said it seriously.
"Thank you for making my mom so happy."
Li Jun walked back and kissed her on the forehead: "I should thank you for making me feel at home."
The car drove away. Zhang Liangying stood downstairs, watching the taillights disappear around the street corner, then looked up at the light shining from her own window.
That was her home.
And now, Li Jun has also become part of this family.
The next morning, Li Jun met Yuan Tao at a teahouse in Chengdu.
The teahouse is a long-established business, with bamboo chairs, covered teacups, and a through-draft.
They chose a window seat where they could see people coming and going on the old street outside.
"This is the final box office prediction for 'Bodyguards and Assassins'."
Yuan Tao handed Li Jun a document.
"Based on the popularity of the award and the pre-sale data, the industry estimates that the domestic box office will be between 800 million and 1 billion yuan."
Li Jun flipped through the documents without saying a word.
"in addition."
Yuan Tao continued.
"They contacted me again about the American adaptation."
The asking price has risen to five million dollars, and they're willing to give you the title of co-producer.
Five million US dollars, which at the exchange rate at the time was close to forty million RMB.
That's enough to make two medium-budget movies.
What do you think?
Li Jun asked.
From a business perspective, we should accept it.
Yuan Tao is very direct.