Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 743 Jing Tian, ​​from Smoking to Acting! The Lunar New Year Film "The Laughing Swordsman" Failed Right from the Start!
"No, no, I can't take it anymore..."

"Oh?"

"Well, oh well... you win."

"What do you mean by 'calculate'? If I win, I win."

"Fine, you win! Humph!"

Jing Tian rolled her eyes at Ma Xun, her face flushed, but in reality, she really couldn't hold on any longer.

This guy is so amazing.

Ma Xun simply dismounted and then took a cigarette from the bedside table...

"Stop smoking!"

"What? You're still planning to control me?"

"That's right, that's right, it's bad for your health."

"Haha... what do you know? This is called a post-coital cigarette."

"Hmph!... Um, how about I try some too?"

"Do you even understand how to smoke?"

"How will you know if you don't try!"

Curiosity truly is the driving force behind human development. Even a beautiful girl like Jing Tian has become extremely interested in this after-sex cigarette and is eager to try it out.

Ma Xun doesn't actually smoke much; he's not really addicted. As for the fact that smoking relieves stress, when he used to work at a certain company, a senior executive would come to a meeting, and he would finish a whole pack of cigarettes in one short meeting.

Therefore, Ma Xun was just indulging in a little bit of fun.

Now Jing Tian wants to give it a try... Hehe, let her try!

"That's true. You might play this type of role in the future, so this can be considered as mastering a new skill."

"Don't think I've never smoked before!"

"real or fake?"

"Well... I used to steal my dad's cigarettes when I was little, I tried it."

"That's all?"

"Well... there are some too."

"Ha ha……"

It's quite amusing how Ma Xun teases Jing Tian like this.

Since everyone is an adult, there's nothing wrong with giving it a try. So, Ma Xun handed Jing Tian a cigarette and then lit it for the beauty.

Next, a demonstration was given.

"So handsome..." Jing Tian thought to himself, and then tried to strike a pose.

But the way it's displayed...

"look by youself."

"Hey, why are you taking my picture?"

"What's the big deal? It's just smoking a cigarette."

"You're so mean!"

Looking at himself smoking, Jing Tian couldn't help but criticize Ma Xun, but it seemed that he was indeed lacking something and not as carefree as Ma Xun.

Ma Xun put down the V8 and said with a smile, "Don't underestimate smoking. There are many classic smoking scenes in film history. In other words, if you can act this action well, it might quiet down the voices that question your acting skills."

Jing Tian couldn't help but nod in agreement, but this kind of thing... probably requires a lot of practice, right? Does he have to become a chain smoker?
Then the gain outweighs the loss.

Actually, what Ma Xun said is absolutely right. First of all, we must emphasize that smoking is harmful to health. However, many actors' smoking scenes have indeed become classics in film history, adding to the actor's reputation.

For example, the one in "Resident Evil", the fat cat Zheng Zeshi, and Bao Qiang.

In the later era of short videos, Baoqiang was able to maintain his popularity because of that smoking scene; his acting skills are truly outstanding.

As for how their conversation turned to acting after the cigarette incident, it was clear that their discussion was somewhat rambling and lacked a clear focus.

However, their previous in-depth exchanges had already exhausted them, so their casual chatting now was actually a good thing.

However, the conversation wasn't entirely casual.

"So, in the end, you still think my acting is bad?"

"Do you think you're a good actor?"

"I...I...but I still managed to get roles in 'The Forbidden Kingdom' and 'The Warring States'!"

"Haha... Don't you know how you received it?"

"Ugh! Can't you say something nice?"

"Oh, haven't you heard that good medicine tastes bitter but cures the disease, and honest advice is hard to hear but beneficial to conduct?"

"This... could it be that..."

"If you can't even handle a few words from me now, what will you be like when countless netizens criticize you after 'The Warring States' is released?"

“This, this… is different.”

Jing Tian knew in her heart that she was just making excuses, but she also felt that what she said was not wrong, because what Ma Xun said about her was different from what other people said about her.

I just don't know if Ma Xun actually understands this.

Forget it.

The good news is that they finally got to talk about the movie "The Warring States".

However, Jing Tian brought up a seemingly unrelated topic first, "That old slut surnamed Lin... you can't be serious, you're not even letting someone like that go?"

Hey, the second half of this sentence even borrows the emphasis style from Hong Kong's TVB.

Ma Xun burst into laughter, "You look quite cute when you're jealous."

That's... he said I'm good-looking.

Jing Tian was caught in a dilemma by Ma Xun, so he had no choice but to ask, "What exactly did you two talk about?"

This was a somewhat private question, but Ma Xun didn't mind.

"You've noticed that we're talking about the Lunar New Year film season, so I'll just get straight to the point."

I predict that Zhu Yanping's "A Chinese Odyssey" will definitely be a terrible movie.

However, I'm confident I can make money off this terrible movie.

what?
Ma Xun's words were quite strange, but Jing Tian was no ordinary person; she immediately realized that his words sounded familiar.

"Like 'The Forbidden Kingdom'?"

Fortunately, Jing Tian's memory is not bad. She remembered that Ma Xun also rated "The Forbidden Kingdom" as a bad movie, but Ma Xun still made money from it.

but……

"This time is different. The competition in this year's Lunar New Year film season is so fierce that it will be difficult for this film to get much box office revenue."

Yes, the previous "The Forbidden Kingdom" was bad, but that was because the story was rather lazy, a pure Hollywood formula. However, the action scenes were still very successful, and it also had two kung fu superstars in it.

But things are different now. The biggest star of "A Chinese Odyssey" is of course Uncle Benshan, but Uncle Benshan's box office influence is only so-so. He dominates the television field, but he is not so good in movies.

And they weren't even major actors, just cameos at best.

As for Xiao Shen, he is popular, but last year's "A Simple Noodle Story" was enough to traumatize movie fans.

Well, the problem is coming.

"Then how will you make money?" Jing Tian was so confused.

Ma Xun chuckled and pinched the skin, saying, "Anyway, I have ways to make money, and you can't explain it to me."

They just don't plan to say it.

Jing Tian covered his chest with his hands and complained, "You're so mean! You didn't even tell people."

Ma Xun has always been a man of iron will; no matter how much a beautiful woman begs him, it's no use. So, he simply shakes his head.

But Jing Tian immediately thought of something, "Right, what about our 'Warring States'?"

The meaning is clear: Ma Xun, you said that "The Warring States" is also a bad movie, but is there any chance of making money? Ma Xun shook his head again.

Jing Tian's pretty face fell. "What? There's not even a chance to make money like this?"

Yeah, even if this movie is terrible, you're still the awesome Ma Xun, right? You have a knack for making money off many films, but this "Warring States" just...

"Is it really that bad?" Jing Tian asked in a weak, low voice.

Ma Xun laughed heartily, "Anyway, I can't do anything about this film. As for the others, we'll see if Zhang Zhao can come up with a solution."

Ma Xun didn't completely rule it out, but in reality, he knew very well that this film was beyond saving no matter who came to it.

But since the girl in my arms is already like this, I can't be too harsh on her, right?

Even if that's the truth.

So, now...

"I'm ready."

"Huh? What does that mean?"

"Hey hey hey..."

Jing Tian kissed Ma Xun on the lips again; it seemed that their conversation had given them renewed energy.

……

"Three blockbuster movies? But if we do it like this, won't it be..."

Mr. Jia couldn't say he was dissatisfied with what had been discussed in the previous meeting, but it seemed to be lacking something.

Zhang Zhao was quite shrewd; he immediately said, "Actually, there's another one."

"what?"

"The Silver Empire".

"Oh, right, there's this one too! But wouldn't that make the competition even fiercer?"

Accountant Jia also realized the seriousness of the problem.

The competition in this year's Lunar New Year film season is fierce!

Zhang Zhao smiled and said, "In terms of the release schedule, there are at least four release dates in December, and if you include Christmas, there are actually five."

Previously, when everyone was vying for a release during the Lunar New Year holiday season, the main competition was over the last three points.

Around December 15th, 23rd, and 31st.

Since our situation is different this year, then we can make a change, that is to say…

Accountant Jia immediately interrupted, "Let's release 'The Laughing Swordsman' at the beginning of the month! Let's fool them properly!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhao exclaimed with immense admiration, "Boss, that's brilliant!"

This flattery combines acting skills with sincerity; it's truly impressive.

Accountant Jia laughed heartily after hearing this, "That's right, that's exactly what I mean... actually, this movie 'The Laughing Swordsman'..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Zhao simply defined it, "It's a terrible movie!"

"Then they'll also be handed over to us for operation."

"We'll just take the money and that's it, as for the rest..."

"The focus is on 'The Warring States' and 'The Silver Empire,' right?"

Although Accountant Jia was asking Zhang Zhao a question, he didn't sound doubtful at all.

Zhang Zhao nodded in agreement, "Boss, brilliant! That's right, I was originally planning to keep this 'Silver Empire' a secret."

Accountant Jia was overjoyed because he felt he was much more awesome than before.

Zhang Zhao's string of flattery not only secured many important matters but also led to their finalization.

At that small meeting, Zhang Zhao was praising "The Laughing Swordsman," but how could he not know in his heart that it was a terrible movie!

Zhu Yanping is already a washed-up director. With his old-fashioned style, he should have been finished long ago!

That's how directors are; as they get older, they fall behind the times. Many famous directors actually have a whole team. To put it bluntly, many older, well-known directors act like domineering lords on set.

They don't do any work; they just stand there pointing and telling the young people to do the work.

A director is a team; if the young people are capable, then it's truly a success.

Unfortunately, Zhu Yanping is utterly worthless, and his so-called team is just a Taiwanese team that always thinks it's amazing and has a sense of superiority, but in reality, it's nothing!
Therefore, "The Laughing Swordsman" is just cannon fodder!

Zhang Zhao had planned this strategy from the very beginning. As for promoting this film, wasn't that a way to go against Ma Xun?

Now, this cannon fodder is about to make its appearance.

As for the other films...

"The Silver Empire is something we need to prepare for seriously."

"It will be around the 23rd, and then it will be Christmas."

"So, before..."

"I estimate that Ma Xun will be in 'The Great Earthquake,' which is actually a film he collaborated on with Feng Xiaogang."

"That's right!"

These two guys devised a plan and thought it was foolproof.

Unfortunately, the world doesn't work the way they thought.

……

"What did you say? Our 'The Laughing Swordsman' will be wiped out early on?"

"I heard from a very reliable person that although Zhang Zhao has been promoting our film, he is definitely up to no good!"

"This... really? Our movie is hilarious."

"Teacher Zhu, this may be funny, but some people are quite cunning."

Lin Xilei's words left Zhu Yanping completely stunned.

"Was Zhang Zhao actually a smiling tiger? But..."

"Teacher Zhu, I'm at a loss too, but I'm just passing on a message, and he might not be able to be very accurate."

"That's...right! He's not a god! How could he be so accurate! Haha..."

Zhu Yanping even tried to comfort himself.

Lin Xilei laughed and said, "That's true, but we should also be on guard."

"Hmm." Zhu Yanping wasn't really sure what to do. His money-grabbing film from last year was heavily criticized, and in fact, "Kung Fu Dunk" was also heavily criticized. "So, what methods can we use?"

Lin Xilei was no longer in a hurry. "How about this? Let's wait until after the preview screening of our film 'The Laughing Swordsman' and then see how things go."

"Well, you have a point."

Zhu Yanping had no choice but to agree.

In fact, Zhu Yanping had no idea that everything Lin Xilei said was taught to her by Ma Xun.

However, what happened next was beyond Zhu Yanping's expectations.

"The Laughing Swordsman" was quickly promoted as the first blockbuster of the Lunar New Year season by many theater managers at a screening meeting.

That means you have to participate; you can't afford not to!
Well... let's go for it, we have no choice but to go even if we have to bite the bullet!
So, on the first Friday of December 2010, "The Laughing Swordsman" was released to moviegoers.

Naturally, a premiere was also held, though it wasn't a large-scale event, but quite a few celebrities attended.

Uncle Benshan brought some members of Zhao Benshan's troupe to lend their support.

Needless to say, Xiao Shen and others will definitely do their best to promote it.

But after the movie actually met its fans...

"What a terrible movie!"

"Holy crap! 'The Laughing Swordsman' is so awkward!"

"A complete waste of time!"

Goodness, the internet is full of criticism!
(End of this chapter)