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Chapter 530 The Twelve Zodiac Animals

Same night.

While drinking with stuntmen, Jackie Chan overheard one of them talking about the script for "Crazy Stone".

"I heard that Stephen Chow has recently gotten involved with that mainland guy Cao Sheng and got a script called 'Crazy Stone.' I heard that he sent out audition invitations to a lot of people in the mainland today, but not many people in Hong Kong received audition invitations. Hehe, it seems that Stephen Chow is determined to make it in the mainland."

The person who said this was a martial arts instructor from the Cheng family troupe.

In the first half of this year, Jackie Chan focused his energy on his new album and didn't film much, so the members of his stunt team who worked with him were relatively free.

To appease them, Cheng Long often drank and ate with these martial arts masters, always treating them generously, and tonight was no exception.

He never expected to hear such news tonight.

Cheng Long hadn't reacted yet.

Another martial arts instructor chimed in, "Sing Jai? I heard everyone in the industry calls him Master Xing now. You still call him Sing Jai? He's investing in and directing his own projects now, things aren't like they used to be!"

Another martial arts performer chuckled and chimed in, "Crazy Stone? Sounds like an action movie script, bro! Have you seen the script?"

The last question was directed at Jackie Chan.

In the Cheng family troupe, everyone is used to calling him Big Brother.

Cheng Long frowned slightly, then immediately relaxed and shook his head, saying, "No! Stephen Chow's style is all comedy; this script was probably tailor-made for him."

The martial arts instructor who spoke first frowned and retorted, "Brother! You're also a comedic type! Besides, aren't you on good terms with that mainland guy? Shouldn't you have seen this script first?"

Cheng Long glanced at him sideways, "What do you mean, 'mainland boy'? We're all compatriots. You know Cao Sheng is my friend, and you still call him that? Don't say that again!"

"Yes! Okay! Okay! I'll remember that, brother."

……

About ten minutes later.

Cheng Long excused himself to go to the restroom, and dialed Cao Sheng's number at the restroom door.

Unfortunately, no one answered the phone.

I called twice, but no one answered.

Cheng Long put down his phone in frustration and paced back and forth outside the restroom, frowning.

Last year, he acted in several films, which was quite prolific.

Last year, he not only starred in "Rush Hour 2", but also starred in "The Hunger Games" written by Cao Sheng, as well as "The Accidental Spy" and "The Tuxedo", which will be released this September.

But what about this year?

It's almost June, and he still hasn't been on set.

He devoted all his energy to his new album, "Really, I Put My Heart into It," which features 12 songs and includes collaborations with artists from various countries, such as Sammi Cheng, Norika Fujiwara, and Lee Soo-young. He had a lot of fun singing and playing around, and he especially enjoyed singing duets with beautiful women.

However, he knew very well that singing was just icing on the cake for him.

Their core audience is in the film industry.

But nearly half the year has passed, and he still doesn't have a single decent film project in hand.

Not to mention that his martial arts instructors from the Cheng family troupe were getting impatient, he himself was also getting a little anxious.

Although his film "The Hunger Games" will be released this summer, and "The Tuxedo" will be released in September.

But what about the end of the year? What about next year?

If we don't make movies this year, there probably won't be any movies released by the end of this year or next year.

This was hard to accept for him, as he prioritized his career above all else.

The Chinese film industry needs me, Jackie Chan, and the world film industry also needs me, Jack Cheng.

I can't let my fans down!

……

11:44pm late at night.

Cheng Long, who had just returned to his residence, received a message from Cao Sheng.

"Brother, you called me? Sorry, I was typing at the time. Did you need something?"

Upon receiving Cao Sheng's text message, Cheng Long, who had just entered the living room, plopped down on the sofa and immediately dialed Cao Sheng's number.

"Hey? Cao Sheng, you just saw I called you? You haven't been writing all this time, have you? Is this how you spend your nights?"

Compared to Cheng Long's vibrant nightlife, Cao Sheng's nightlife was indeed quite dull.

Huizhou.

Cao Sheng, who had just come out of the study, smiled and said, "Well, my nightlife is writing! Most writers write at night; the computer is our only companion at night."

Jackie Chan: "Tsk tsk, you're living such a miserable life. Even ascetics don't work day and night like you guys. How about this! Why don't you take some time to come to Hong Kong recently? I'll treat you to a good time and relax, okay?"

Cao Sheng chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I'd like to, but it's not possible right now."

Jackie Chan: "Why?"

Cao Sheng: "Because I have a new book going on sale soon, I'm under a lot of pressure! I have to write tens of thousands of words every day, and I don't have time to relax at all."

Jackie Chan: "???"

After a moment of surprise, Jackie Chan said, "Oh, I see! You've worked hard. Oh, by the way, I heard you collaborated with Stephen Chow? You wrote a script for him called something like 'Crazy'?"

Cao Sheng went upstairs and felt a little hungry. He went into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator door, and looked to see what food was inside.

Upon hearing Cheng Long's question, Cao Sheng smiled and said, "Yes, that's true. He came to Huizhou specifically to ask me for a script, and I happened to have a comedy script on hand, so I showed it to him. He said he liked it, so I let him use it. What? You want a comedy script too?"

Jackie Chan: "Hehe, of course! I've been really free lately! Can you write me a good script? Preferably one that can be turned into a co-production, how about it? Write one for me? When you have some free time later, I'll take you out for some fun!"

Cao Sheng was amused.

She also said she would take him out for a good time.

He saw the wrapped dumplings in the refrigerator, casually took out a box, and placed it on the stove. "Big brother! Stop messing around! I've been really busy lately, serializing two novels at the same time, one of which is going to be released soon. I've been so busy I haven't even had time to go out for some fresh air. Besides, do you think you're short of movie roles? If you really want a script, wait until I'm done with this busy period, okay?"

Jackie Chan: "No way! You're busy, but I'm really free lately! I spent the first half of the year working on my new album and didn't film a single movie. Now that the album is finally finished, I really don't have any suitable scripts on hand. Could you please find some time to write one for me so I can keep myself busy? Please, please!"

"Huh? Really? You've been busy with your album all year? You're releasing an album?"

Cao Sheng picked up a stainless steel soup pot with his right hand, preparing to fill it with tap water, put it on the stove to boil, and use it to cook dumplings later.

I was suddenly taken aback by what Cheng Long said.

He knew that Jackie Chan could sing, and it seemed that he had sung quite a few songs in the original timeline as well.

But he really didn't know that Jackie Chan had released an album.

They even spent half a year making an album.

He originally thought that Jackie Chan's albums only included the theme songs he sang for movies, and that he didn't sing songs specifically for releasing albums.

Jackie Chan: "Ha, what are you saying? Why can't I release an album? You haven't heard me sing before, have you? I've been learning Peking Opera since elementary school! Singing opera is my basic skill, so singing is very simple for me!"

Cao Sheng chuckled softly upon hearing this.

He could sense the frustration in Cheng Long's tone.

After thinking for a moment, Cao Sheng said, "So, you really need a script?"

Jackie Chan: "Yes, we need it! We need it! We really need it! The sooner the better!"

Cao Sheng recalled some of Jackie Chan's films from his original timeline, and for some reason, he suddenly thought of the movie "Chinese Zodiac". He remembered that in his original timeline, Jackie Chan filmed "Chinese Zodiac" around 2010.

At that time, Cheng Long was nearly 60 years old and showed signs of aging.

Although the filmed version of "Chinese Zodiac" was also very good.

But he's getting on in years, so his movements aren't as spectacular as they were in his younger days.

When Cao Sheng watched this movie, he felt quite regretful that Jackie Chan hadn't made it sooner.

The movie "Chinese Zodiac" holds special significance for the Chinese people.

The loss of the twelve zodiac animal heads at the end of the Qing Dynasty is a source of pain for all Chinese people, representing a period of humiliation in history.

Returning the twelve zodiac animal heads to their homeland is the common wish of all Chinese people.

Therefore, this film has captivated the hearts of countless Chinese people since its inception.

pity……

When Jackie Chan filmed it in the original timeline, he was already past his physical prime.

And now?
Cao Sheng wants to start filming this movie ten years earlier.

Cheng Long, born in 1954, is now 48 years old.

For an average person, 48 years old is considered old.

But for Cheng Long, who is naturally strong, sang Peking Opera and practiced acrobatics from a young age, and later practiced martial arts, 48 ​​years old is still his prime.

His physical condition is still excellent.

“Alright! Brother, since you put it that way, I’ll take some time to write one for you soon.”

Cao Sheng solemnly made a promise.

Cheng Long, oblivious to the unusual tone in Cao Sheng's voice, exclaimed happily, "Really? Great! Great! Once you've finished writing it, and when you have some free time, come to Hong Kong, and I'll treat you to a good time! I promise I'll arrange everything perfectly for you—the food, the entertainment!"

Cao Sheng chuckled slightly; it was that same promise again.

"Okay! That's settled then. Give me half a month, and I should be able to finish writing it for you."

Jackie Chan: "OK! OK! I'm waiting for your good news."

……

call ended.

Cao Sheng was boiling water and cooking dumplings, his hands busy, but his expression was a little unfocused. He was recalling the plot of the movie "Chinese Zodiac".

His education from elementary school was actually very successful.

He would never forget his student days, when he was learning about modern Chinese history and saw in the history book that the Qing Dynasty's policy of closing the country to the outside world caused China to stagnate, while Europe, America and Japan at the same time began industrial transformation. In particular, when he saw the many humiliating acts committed by the Qing Dynasty in the late period, the sense of humiliation that arose in his heart was something that he could not shake off for decades afterward.

It was the humiliating history of the late Qing Dynasty recorded in history books that left him puzzled from childhood when he saw Qing Dynasty dramas frequently appearing on television.

He couldn't understand why so many TV dramas would be made to glorify the corrupt Qing Dynasty.

I can't understand why, in China's 5,000-year history and with so many dynasties, they insist on making TV dramas about the Qing Dynasty.
I can't understand why some people my age like watching these Qing Dynasty dramas? Or why they're interested in discussing princesses and princes?
Now, he has the opportunity to make his voice heard.

He wanted to write a good film, "Chinese Zodiac," so that viewers would remember the corruption, isolationism, and disastrous consequences of the Qing Dynasty as depicted in history books.

It will let the audience know that the comprehensive backwardness and humiliation of modern China were all brought to them by the Manchu Qing Dynasty.

Every Chinese person living in modern times is a victim of the corrupt Qing Dynasty.

……

After eating dumplings, I went to wash up and take a shower.

Cao Sheng lay on his bed in the bedroom, but found that his mind was full of thoughts related to the movie "Chinese Zodiac".

I wasn't sleepy at all.

"Ding dong!"

Suddenly, his phone, which he had forgotten to silence, rang.

He picked up his phone and saw a message from Ajiao: "Brother Caosheng, I miss you. Asa and I will come to Huizhou to see you tomorrow. Are you happy?"

Cao Sheng frowned; it wasn't that he had lost interest in the two of them.

Rather, he's been very busy lately.

The new book will be available soon.

I just agreed to write a script for Jackie Chan tonight. He wants to write a good script for "Chinese Zodiac," so he will definitely have to put in a lot of thought and time.

Furthermore, Fan Jinshuo has already said that after auditioning for "Crazy Stone," he will come to Huizhou to see him.

Now Ah Jiao and Asa are coming to see me too?

Why don't you just split me in half?
"I'm very busy lately, can you come again in a while?"

Cao Sheng replied.

A moment later, Ah Jiao replied: "But we really miss you, we can't wait any longer. We've already bought the plane tickets and packed our luggage. It's okay! You go about your business, we won't disturb your work, don't worry!"

Cao Sheng was speechless.

Will your presence disturb my work?

I just can't believe it!
Even if I manage to squeeze in a few meals with you guys, it will still take up a lot of my time!

"Come back next month!"

Cao Sheng replied in the hope of persuading her.

Ah Jiao: "We can come again next month, but we'll definitely come this month, don't worry! We absolutely won't disturb your work, it's settled then! Good night!"

Cao Sheng: "..."

……

That night, Cao Sheng suffered from insomnia until after 3 a.m. before finally drifting off to sleep.

Before falling asleep, my mind was filled with thoughts about the Chinese Zodiac.

……

Starting the next day, he readjusted his daily work schedule.

In the morning, I wrote "Cultivation Chat Group"; in the afternoon, I wrote "Chinese Martial Arts Chronicle"; and in the evening, I wrote the script for "The Twelve Zodiac Animals".

Reason reminded him that "Cultivation Chat Group" was about to be released, and he didn't have enough manuscripts on hand. He should spend more time and energy on this book recently, otherwise, it would be difficult to ensure that it would be at the top of the new book monthly ticket chart in the month of its release.

If he can't hold onto the top spot on the monthly ticket chart for new books, and if another book dethrones him, voices in the industry predicting his downfall will likely emerge.

For example: The Central Plains can't tolerate even a little bit of gray!
For example: Zhongyuan Yidianhui has finally passed its peak!
and many more.

Once such voices emerge, they will influence many people's opinions of him, and it will be difficult to change those opinions later.

but……

Just like he said to Jackie Chan: Brother, how can you not need to make movies?

Jackie Chan's "downtime" in film won't last long.

If the script for "Chinese Zodiac" isn't written and sent out quickly, Jackie Chan might accept other film offers at any time.

(End of this chapter)