novelraw I'll just look at Chapter 40, I won't go in!
I'll just look at Chapter 40, I won't go in!
The rapidly receding neon lights flickered on and off in the back seat of the car, reflecting off Shu Qi's beautiful face.
Although she was looking out the window, she found the conversation in the row in front of her quite interesting.
But it's puzzling... Director Wong Jing seems easygoing and amiable on the surface, but in reality, he has extremely high standards and is very proud.
It's truly rare for someone to value this young man so much after just meeting him today.
Li Shuo then began to explain his ideas.
"My idea is that, in the first phase, we should shoot a videotape movie."
He held up one finger.
"Using the lowest possible cost, we'll film the core stories of 'Ye Jiazi' (Kayako) and the old house, and turn them into videotapes. We won't aim for theatrical release; we'll just distribute them through rentals. We'll let those who have seen them spread the word, and then do some publicity and promotion."
Wong Jing narrowed his eyes and immediately seized on the key point: "You want to use the Japanese V-Cinema model to test the waters based on word of mouth?"
"That's right." Li Shuo nodded.
"What are horror movies most afraid of? Precisely, they're afraid of something as silent and unseen as a ghost. Videotapes are cheap to produce, but their reach is strong, especially in Asia. As long as the content is compelling enough, coupled with well-designed public opinion campaigns, it can spread on its own. By the time everyone in the market is talking about 'Ye Jiazi' (Kayako)..."
As Li Shuo spoke, he couldn't help but think to himself... Today's unexpected success... The box office revenue of the previous film series plus the revenue from VHS DVDs is a low-cost IP that has reaped hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide!
He paused, then stated the crux of the matter: "The second phase is when we take the market response into account and officially upgrade the film version. At that time..."
Wang Jing was listening intently when the car stopped.
The driver turned around and gestured, "Boss, we've arrived at the company."
Wang Jing had no choice but to stop, his face showing a hint of lingering satisfaction.
But there was no other way; the later stages of "Dragon in the Jianghu" were also rushed.
He patted Li Shuo's shoulder hurriedly, and specifically instructed him to send Shu Qi back first, then take Li Shuo back before getting out of the car and leaving.
The car fell silent instantly.
Only the driver, Li Shuo, and Shu Qi in the back seat remained.
The driver started the car again.
The carriage was silent. Shu Qi leaned against the window, seemingly dozing.
Li Shuo was looking ahead, but he kept feeling a faint gaze on the back of his head. When he turned around, Shu Qi had her eyes closed.
This subtle silence lasted all the way.
As the car slowly approached the apartment building where Shu Qi lived, before it had even come to a complete stop, the driver in the front seat suddenly murmured "Huh."
Shu Qi immediately opened his eyes and looked out the window, alert.
At the entrance of the building, there were two or three figures carrying cameras, typical Hong Kong paparazzi.
What made her pupils shrink even more was that a black luxury car was parked on the side of the road, and a middle-aged woman dressed in gaudy clothes and with a plump figure was getting out of the car and looking in her direction. Who else could it be but that persistent Sister Zhen?
"How did she find this place?!"
Shu Qi's heart tightened, and he subconsciously lowered his body.
"Don't stop! Keep going!"
The driver reacted quickly, stepped on the gas, and the car smoothly accelerated away from the intersection.
Still shaken, Shu Qi immediately picked up the phone and dialed Wang Jing's number.
After a long wait, no one answered.
That's when I remembered he didn't bring his phone into the editing room.
Holding the phone, my fingertips turned slightly white.
The paparazzi were alright, but Sister Zhen and her people blocked the area downstairs, which was beyond her expectations.
Going home was impossible, so going to a friend's place? But there was no reliable place to go on Hong Kong Island at that time.
"Um..." Li Shuo's voice came weakly from the front row.
"How about you find a hotel to stay in for the night?"
A hotel? That might not be safe...
Shu Qi raised her head, opened her mouth, but didn't say anything.
Li Shuo sighed inwardly as he looked in the rearview mirror.
This is really troublesome, but it seems like another opportunity to offer help and goodwill?
Oh, right?!
He suddenly remembered that he seemed to have a reward card lying in his system warehouse that he had never had a chance to use.
[A one-year long-term rental suite voucher for a five-star hotel on Hong Kong Island; hotel selection is randomized upon system pickup. (From the TV series "A Perfect Match")]
"I'll try anything, even if it's a long shot." A thought struck him, and he chose to use it.
[Hotel randomly selected: The Peninsula Hong Kong Island. The top-tier "Peninsula Suite" in the new wing has been confirmed. Usage rights have been generated; the host can simply contact the hotel with their identity and VIP number to request access.]
The Peninsula Hotel? Li Shuo blinked, then looked at the long list of services listed after the hotel information, including butler service, car rental, dining, etc.
He gathered his thoughts and turned his head.
"Sister Shuqi, if you don't have a safer place to go for the time being... I happen to have a relatively reliable hotel to stay in."
Shu Qi stared at him in astonishment, her eyes filled with scrutiny and doubt.
A young man she had just met took her to a hotel; this didn't sound much better than Sister Zhen's dinner invitation.
Li Shuo understood her gaze and immediately added.
"Don't get me wrong. I mean, I'll arrange to take you there, I'll just take a look, I won't go in!"
Hmm? Something's off about what he said...
"...Where?" Shu Qi asked in a low voice, which was tantamount to acquiescing.
The main problem is that she really didn't have a better option at this point.
"Wait a moment, let me make a call and arrange it."
Li Shuo didn't answer directly. He glanced at the driver and said, "Sir, please pull over to the side of the road for a moment."
Then, he dialed a number according to the system information.
Shu Qi only heard him give a name and a set of numbers, then ask for a private itinerary, look out the window, give an address, and hang up.
Not long after the car was parked on the side of the road, a black Rolls-Royce Silver Spur quietly glided to the side.
Li Shuo got out of the car and opened the door for Shu Qi.
Shu Qi looked at Li Shuo in surprise, then at the car in front of her that symbolized ultimate luxury. She gritted her teeth and lowered her head to get in.
Speechless all the way.
The car finally arrived at its destination, and Shuqi immediately recognized it as the Peninsula Hotel.
Instead of stopping at the hotel's main entrance, the car drove directly into a private underground parking garage.
The car door opened, and a middle-aged man dressed in a well-tailored tuxedo and with a refined demeanor was already bowing and waiting.
"Good evening, Mr. Li, and madam. I am your personal butler, Robert Chen. Welcome to the Peninsula Hotel. The Peninsula Suite is ready for you both. Please follow me."
There was no reception desk or registration; led by Robert Chen, they took a private elevator directly to the upper floors.
When the heavy double doors were pushed open, even Shu Qi, who had already seen some of the world, took a slight breath.
The room, which appears to be over 300 square meters, features a stunningly high double-height living room that offers a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour at night, exuding both luxury and tranquility.
"The master bedroom is on the second floor, and the guest room is on the first floor. All amenities have been replaced and replenished, and 24-hour butler service is available. As per your request, Mr. Li, we will not disturb you."
After a brief introduction, Robert Chen politely withdrew and closed the door.
The world fell silent instantly.
Shu Qi stood in the center of the living room, her tense nerves suddenly relaxing, leaving her feeling exhausted and embarrassed.
Li Shuo touched his nose and walked to the sofa.
"Are you hungry? You can order something to eat."
Shu Qi shook her head and sat down on the single sofa furthest away from him.
She first curled her legs up as usual, and then, almost as if venting her frustration, she rubbed the heels off her sandals.
Because of the subconscious tension and restraint just now, the toes of those feet were slightly curled up. In the soft light of the living room, you could see a faint pink tinge showing through the relaxed toes and joints.
Holding a cushion, she looked out the window and said something seemingly out of the blue.
"Thank you for today."
"It's nothing, just a coincidence," Li Shuo said, scratching his head.
Silence spread once again.
Shu Qi suddenly realized... Didn't you say... you were just going to look and wouldn't come in?!
Just as she was relaxing and thinking about getting rid of a troublesome matter, she inexplicably thought of the horror story Li Shuo told her today... the crawling Ye Jiazi (Kayako), the black cat, Xiao Xiong... and then she looked at the stairs leading to the second floor of the room.
Shu Qi is rambling on and on without any beginning or end.
"The room is so big...why don't you stay tonight?!"
Li Shuo looked completely bewildered.