Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 279 Big Brother Long is actually a supporting character! Of course I'm going to win!
"Impossible! A romance movie has already surpassed 1000 million views?"

"Little sister, calm down."

"How can this be?"

Zhang Ziyi simply couldn't believe it—a romance film, a film with a relatively small budget, and a male lead who was so ugly.

Surprisingly, the box office has already surpassed 1000 million!
A Hollywood blockbuster like "Rush Hour 2," with an all-star cast and superstars in the lead roles.

But it lost at the box office!
Is this reasonable?

Is this reasonable???

What's even more baffling is that the movie was still in the preview screening stage, wasn't it?

The preview screenings alone have grossed over ten million, that's simply impossible!

Zhang Ziyi really couldn't understand this problem.

Her brother is more intelligent.

"Don't worry, there's definitely something going on here. We should figure it out first."

Zhang Ziyi calmed down after hearing what the eldest brother of the Zhang family said.

But there's more to come.

"Oh, right, about that dinner party tonight..." said the eldest brother of the Zhang family.

Zhang Ziyi immediately nodded, "Go! Of course I'll go!"

New Pictures, the company behind "Hero," has finally finalized the project today.

This is a blockbuster film, and today a large sum of money came in.

Of course we should have a dinner party!

The standards can't be too low, otherwise people will say that Zhang Weiping is nothing!
So, the new plan is to hold a banquet tonight.

Our main creative team for this blockbuster film—everyone who could come—came, along with industry bosses and all sorts of connections.

As for reporters... please don't disclose that information publicly.

If you know someone there, you can introduce them to participate.

This approach is very much in line with Zhang Yimou's consistent style.

Our great director Zhang always makes sure to keep his films a secret!
His secrecy was that I did keep it a secret, but basically many reporters knew about it.

When Zhang Yimou's new film starts shooting, it will definitely be reported in the newspapers, and there will certainly be various reports.

However, the specifics of how it was filmed are not to be disclosed to others.

That's how it is; Zhang Yimou's secrecy is quite interesting.

It's important to know that someone was following him and filming a documentary about the entire process of Zhang Yimou making the film.

Zhang Ziyi and that girl were actually quite familiar with each other.

Let's not talk about that. Tonight's banquet is just a dinner party.

Zhang Ziyi made up her mind: I will definitely go!

……

Are you coming to dinner tonight?

"I'd better not go."

"why?"

"I... I'm afraid to see that Miss Zhang."

Why are you afraid of her?

"It's, it's..."

"Hehe, you, fine, if you don't want to go, then don't go."

The banquet had already begun, and Ma Xun remained at the center of attention.

Many business owners in the industry came over to get to know him or offer him a toast.

After all, he had just spent 5000 million on the film "Hero".

That's incredibly impressive.

Even if the money wasn't his own, he still managed to raise it.

Any boss understands this, which makes it even more impressive!

Putting aside the matter of how awesome he was, as Ma Xun drank and chatted, he couldn't help but think of Yuanyuan.

I asked Yuanyuan if she was coming before I came.

She was a little embarrassed.

But at least the real reason was stated.

I'm afraid of having a direct confrontation with Zhang Ziyi.

It's obvious that Yuanyuan squeezed out Zhang Ziyi.

But in Ma Xun's eyes, this was nothing at all.

I am the boss, I am a major investor.

Is it a problem if I put someone in this movie?
It's nothing to Ma Xun, but Yuan Yuan is a bit... well, she's a bit proud. She had a grudge against Zhang Ziyi before, and she's afraid she can't win a fight against her.

Yeah, that's probably it.

In fact, Ma Xun will definitely be arranging a role for "Hero".

Upon closer inspection of the film, it becomes clear that actors like Jet Li, Tony Leung, Dao Ming, Maggie Cheung, and the bullet... are all unable to move.

Only the character "Broken Sword's Maid" is animated.

Therefore, if Ma Xun wanted to place his own people in a position, this was the only option he had.

And this character is actually a maid... that's right, Bingbing didn't want to play the role.

She finally managed to get rid of the role of Jin Suo and won the Best Actress award, so how could she possibly play such a maid again?

Then let's not go back.

Then there's Jingwen... She felt that Yuanyuan would be better suited to play the role.

After all, this is a good opportunity, and Jingwen is about to be promoted to a higher level.

"50 First Dates" is currently not just doing well, it's doing exceptionally well!

So, let's just leave it at that.

Furthermore, Ma Xun's recommendation clearly states this.

Yuanyuan previously won the Best Newcomer Award at the Berlin Film Festival.

Isn't this the best proof of our strength?

The people I, Ma Xun, arrange are capable, have awards, are reasonable and well-founded, and I also have money!
Ma Xun has both substance and appearance.

Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou naturally had nothing to say to each other.

But, that Zhang Ziyi…

She is coming.

Looking at Ma Xun, his gaze was incredibly complex.

Ma Xun simply responded with a simple smile.

We can't treat each other like strangers.

At that moment, the banquet began.

Today's attendees are mainly Uncle Daoming, Jet Li, and Bullet... Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung haven't arrived yet; I heard they're abroad.

It’s nothing.

Zhang Weiping gave a very impressive speech.

Then it was Ma Xun's turn.

Ma Xun spoke simply, and soon handed the floor back to Zhang Yimou.

After all, he, the great director, is the core of this film.

Originally, this banquet was just a casual affair; everyone was just chatting and getting to know each other.

Or, it could simply be exchanging business cards.

If we really want to take things further, that will happen after the banquet.

But then, Ma Xun noticed that Zhang Ziyi was looking at him with a very peculiar gaze.

After the two stared at each other for a few seconds, the woman left her seat.

Of course, the banquet had entered a rather chaotic state at this moment, free yet disorderly, yet everyone seemed to have their own purpose.

Never mind, Ma Xun understood what Zhang Ziyi meant.

He made an excuse to go to the restroom, and Ma Xun followed him.

Soon, the two of them appeared on the balcony.

It's a place where you can talk to someone.

"Ms. Zhang, what would you like to talk about?"

Ma Xun's initiative in speaking up was a rather gentlemanly gesture. Zhang Ziyi's expression was somewhat unfriendly. "Mr. Ma, why are you always picking on me?"

Ma Xun just laughed at that question.

Out of curiosity, I asked, "Why do you think that?"

"Because that's what you've always been doing!"

Zhang Ziyi felt confident.

From her perspective, that's probably true.

Ma Xun made a thoughtful gesture before saying, "I swear to money, I have never targeted you."

"You still won't admit it?" Zhang Ziyi was furious. "Take this role for example, why did you snatch it away?"

Ma Xun laughed, "I didn't steal it. Did anyone say this role was yours?"

This question, like a spear, pierced directly into Zhang Ziyi's heart.

That's right, nobody has said that.

It's estimated that she was originally planned to play that role, but Ma Xun spoke up, so...

No, we should still rob it!

"You just won't admit it! If you won't even admit something like this, how can you call yourself a big boss?"

She is in a hurry.

Ma Xun's smile deepened. "Ms. Zhang Ziyi, I brought in 100 million yuan in investment for this film. So, I'll arrange for one of my people to play a supporting role. Do you see any problem with that?"

Wow, that's a really sharp question!

Zhang Ziyi was momentarily stunned.

Yes, they got 100 million, what did you, Zhang Ziyi, get?
Honestly, this brought Zhang Ziyi to her senses.

She was a little confused just now; or rather, the fact that her role had been 'stolen' had clouded her judgment.

But there's still one problem!
"Then let me ask you, how could Rush Hour 2 possibly lose to your film?"
As a big boss, what exactly have you been doing?

This question...

Ma Xun's expression changed immediately, and his tone became much colder, just like his face.

“Ms. Zhang, let me remind you, we’re not that close. If you say that, I can sue you for defamation.”

These words startled Zhang Ziyi, and she visibly flinched.

But then Ma Xun said, "Alright, since you asked, I'll mercifully tell you."

My first question to you is, whose movie is *Rush Hour 2*?

This question is so simple.

Zhang Ziyi replied immediately, "Of course it's Jackie Chan's movie! It's Jackie Chan's signature movie, what's the problem!"

Ma Xun chuckled, "I'm pretty sure now. You wasted your time in school. No wonder you were last in Class 96."

These words made Zhang Ziyi extremely uncomfortable. He was furious about this!

That's right, it really is last place.

There's no way to refute it.

Ma Xun didn't give her a chance to refute, "If you had any professional skills, you could see that in this Rush Hour 2, the eldest brother is just a supporting character."

Yes, the cast list says he is the main character.

Have you ever seen a protagonist like him?

That black guy is the real protagonist!

A series of words left Zhang Ziyi speechless.

That’s right!

Anyone who has seen Rush Hour 2 will have this feeling: the eldest brother, Lung, is at most one of the main characters.

In fact, he has quite a few supporting roles.

We're just talking about the movies. If we're talking about publicity, then Hollywood studios really know how to play the game.

They definitely put their eldest brother, Long, first.

But actually?
In fact, this kind of situation is not unique to one or two places.

Later, in "Around the World in 80 Days," the eldest brother, Long, was just a supporting character.

But for publicity, we'll still use him for publicity.

In Rush Hour 2, the eldest brother, Lung, is still the lead actor, and his name is listed first.

But when it came to "80 Days," they simply stopped acting altogether, and the white actors were put first.

It seems……

"Rush Hour 2 is just a Hollywood movie."

It turns out that the "who" Ma Xun was referring to was Hollywood.

By the time Zhang Ziyi arrived here, she had already roughly understood the situation.

Ma Xun then added, "A Hollywood movie might not necessarily get a high box office in China."

This movie originally reduced the eldest brother's role, so isn't it normal that the box office was bad?

What else do I need to do?
I don't have to do anything!

Okay, this is definitely a lie to Zhang Ziyi.

However, Zhang Ziyi was already on the verge of collapse.

"You, you won."

Give up?

But then, Zhang Ziyi gritted her teeth and said, "Ma Xun, I've heard some legends about you. What if I said, I mean, I... I asked you to do it?"

These words clearly indicate that she was going all out.

Ma Xun admitted that he was surprised, after all, Zhang Ziyi had indeed achieved very impressive success in the future.

But this matter...

Ma Xun waved his hand gently, as if plucking the strings of a zither, and Zhang Ziyi let out a soft murmur, covering her chest with both hands.

Ma Xun leaned over and whispered in her ear, "I have many women, and every one of them has a better figure than you."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Only Zhang Ziyi remained, seemingly frozen in place.

……

To be fair, Zhang Ziyi's face is quite striking.

From a photographic perspective, he has a natural cinematic face.

That's really true. Zhang Yimou is a cinematographer himself, and he's really good at casting.

Unfortunately, Ma Xun really wasn't interested in her figure.

But he did say everything he needed to say.

I'm dealing with a Hollywood movie!

Moreover, the dragon element in the movie itself is downplayed.

In fact, Ma Xun already remembered that Rush Hour 2 did not perform well at the Chinese box office.

It's really terrible.

It seems that there are only over ten million in mainland China.

Many movie fans later complained about it.

Why doesn't the eldest brother, Long, seem like the main character?

Because it wasn't like that to begin with.

Therefore, I'm definitely going to win!

When Ma Xun returned to his small courtyard...

It made a creaking sound.

Yuanyuan is swinging on the swing under the grape trellis.

"You scared me half to death, coming so late at night."

"Have it?"

At this moment, Yuanyuan was dressed lightly, like a delicate orchid in summer, elegant and fragrant, yet her eyes were like water, full of desire.

Ma Xun really liked it.

He gently kissed her, and Yuanyuan blushed shyly.

after that……

Yuanyuan was hung on the shelf for over an hour...

(End of this chapter)