Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 231, "Rumble in the Bronx," is released.

Hong Kong, the Heung family mansion.

"Director Wang, you and Cao Jian have gotten into this mess over a woman. Why don't you stop fighting for my sake?"

Xiang Huaqiang, holding a glass of red wine and with his legs crossed, said to Wang Jing, "When two tigers fight, one will surely be injured. If you lose, it won't be good for your reputation."

"This brat is going too far! Everyone in Hong Kong knows that Ah-Zhen is mine, yet he dares to steal her. This is intolerable!"

Wang Jing was now in a difficult position.

Everyone in the industry knows that his woman was stolen and he was slapped in the face. How could he tolerate that?

Besides, Cao Jian wants to fight me? Who does he think he is?

"Director Wang, there's a saying going around in Hong Kong these days: 'No matter how popular you are, can you be more popular than Cao Jian?' This kid has not only made several blockbuster movies, but also gained recognition through several hit TV series. Now even old ladies on the street know him. I think you should just let it go. Next time I'll throw a party, and you two can make up."

Ever since Mrs. Xiang visited the set of "Forbidden City Cop" last time, she has said that Cao Jian's acting skills are not bad at all.

Therefore, Charles Heung really wants to collaborate with Cao Jian on more films so that he can make more money.

"If he apologizes to me, I can forgive him."

Wang Jing now just wants to save face.

In the entertainment industry, face is very important.

He felt utterly humiliated by Cao Jian, a newly minted director.

"You, is it really worth it for a woman?"

Seeing how stubborn this director, with whom he had worked for many years, was, Xiang Huaqiang didn't bother to persuade him.

However, deep down, he already harbored some resentment towards Wang Jing.

I've already said all this, don't you want to give me any face at all?
But we still need to consider our relationship over the years. Besides, Wong Jing is Win's Entertainment's go-to director, while Cao Jian is just a collaborator.

Seeing that Wang Jing remained silent, he asked, "I heard that Cao Jian's 'Rumble in the Bronx' is going to be released in a couple of days. The film cost more than 100 million Hong Kong dollars. How much do you think it will do at the box office?"

"Just wait and you'll lose money."

Wang Jing coldly laughed and said, "The Hong Kong film market is only so big. Even if you include the mainland, the box office will not exceed 100 million. To break even, you'll still be short by more than half."

Speaking of box office numbers, Wang Jing was a little proud.

In this year's Hong Kong film box office rankings, "God of Gamblers 2" has firmly secured the top spot with over HK$52 million.

Even Rumble in the Bronx will likely struggle to break this record.

Thinking of "God of Gamblers 2," he recalled the image of Chingmy Yau in red, holding a card in her mouth, and felt another pang of heartache.

"I've heard that 'Rumble in the Bronx' will also be released in the United States, and with Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, it's really hard to say what the final results will be."

In fact, Xiang Huaqiang also wanted to see Cao Jian's true strength.

If this movie is a big hit, I can increase my investment in movies in the future.

Of course, this only applies to Cao Jian's films, not Wang Jing's.

"The United States, haha."

When Wang Jing heard about this country, he gave a disdainful smile.

Americans watch Hollywood blockbusters, so why would Chinese films do well at the US box office?

Cao Jian is dreaming.

While "Rumble in the Bronx" was being promoted, the Hong Kong film and television industry was also very interested in the film.

This is the most expensive film ever made in Hong Kong history.

Golden Harvest Films was also very nervous, fearing that it might lose money if it didn't do something right, so it increased its promotional efforts.

Cao Jian, however, remained relaxed, unconcerned about the various speculations in the newspapers and the hype surrounding his holiday celebrations with Wang Jing.

Fortunately, he had appeased the jealous women around him some time ago, and they didn't react excessively to his current situation with Qiu Shuzhen.

Her husband's womanizing ways are practically famous in the entertainment industry.

First it was Vivian Chow, then Zhu Yin, and now it's Chingmy Yau.
Some girls even considered creating a scandal with Cao Jian, as this would be an opportunity to increase their popularity.

With best-selling albums, outstanding acting skills in film and television dramas, and the ability to direct, there's a saying circulating in Hong Kong these days: "No matter how popular you are, can you be as popular as Cao Jian?"

However, many people still feel that Cao Jian's investment this time is a bit too big. They share Wang Jing's opinion that the chances of losing money are very high.

On December 4th, just three days after filming wrapped on "Forensic Heroes," "Rumble in the Bronx" premiered in Hong Kong.

It will also be released in mainland China before New Year's Day.

"Honey, please give me a child."

Inside the room, Zhou Huimin was pestering Cao Jian, wanting a child now. She shared Chen Hong's wish to have a son.

Hong Kong is known as one of the Four Asian Tigers in terms of economy, but people still tend to have a preference for sons over daughters when it comes to having children.

Boys are the ones who carry on the family line and ensure the continuation of the family tradition.

"You're not acting or singing anymore?"

Cao Jian embraced her smooth, curvaceous body and laughed, "You weren't very ambitious before."

"I'm quite famous now, so I should retire while I'm still at the peak of my career."

Zhou Huimin pestered Cao Jian: "Besides, Sister Fei has children, so of course I need to have them too. I can earn the money for baby formula myself."

"Haha. Actually, you do have a baby, but you don't need formula."

Cao Jian laughed heartily: "Then it depends on your luck."

As for having children, Cao Jian has already left it to fate. Whoever can get pregnant, she will give birth; it's all up to luck.

After a long and passionate encounter, Vivian Chow, drenched in sweat, asked, "Honey, you were so vigorous today. Aren't you worried at all about the box office of 'Rumble in the Bronx'?"

"What's there to worry about?"

Although the movie is released today, Cao Jian is not worried at all.

This film stars Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, and Vivian Chow.

A kung fu superstar, a senior actress with excellent acting skills in the entertainment industry, and a pure and innocent female idol.

All three of them have box office appeal, and "Rumble in the Bronx" is indeed well-made. It should be able to recoup its costs at least in Hong Kong, mainland China, Southeast Asia, Japan, and other countries.

I shouldn't lose money.

As for making money, the only thing that matters is making money from Knife Joy.

Zhou Huimin said, "An investment of 100 million would require at least 300 million in box office revenue to break even. Do you expect to make money off VCDs?"

"Hehe, just wait and see."

Cao Jian also knows that those who are now pessimistic about "Rumble in the Bronx" in Hong Kong probably have similar thoughts to Zhou Huimin.

A box office of 300 million was still quite a challenge for a film in the 1990s.

Cao Jian was helping his girlfriend conceive, but at that moment, Wang Jing and his wife had just walked out of the movie theater.

"Honey, the look on your face, are you worried this movie will surpass 'God of Gamblers 2'?"

His wife, Ms. Ding, is a gentle woman. Although her husband is a bit of a womanizer, she has always silently stayed by her family's side.

"Hey"

Wang Jing nodded and said, "This film is very good in terms of both visuals and story, especially with Jackie Chan's exciting action scenes. The box office should be quite good."

"Honey, what I admire most about you is that even with people you have conflicts with, you can still give an objective evaluation."

Ms. Ding immediately pointed out Wang Jing's greatest strengths.

"You still understand me."

Wang Jing gently embraced his lover and sighed, "Conflicts are conflicts, but works are works. I still underestimated Cao Jian a bit."

How much do you think this movie will gross?

"It won't be low, but it's hard to say exactly."

Wang Jing shook his head.

Now I just hope it's not ridiculously high, otherwise, I really won't be able to hold my head up in front of Xiang Shi.

"Breaking news! Breaking news! Rumble in the Bronx has surpassed five million in box office revenue on its opening day!"

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, some newsstand owners began hawking their wares to the office workers all over Hong Kong.

They don't usually do this.

But in recent years, all the newsstands in Hong Kong have partnered with YES! and Men's Style magazines.

Each newsstand can make a small profit each week by selling this magazine.

Therefore, seeing that Mr. Cao's "Rumble in the Bronx" is a big hit, he deliberately promoted the film to generate buzz.

Although such hawking cries only appeared at a few stalls, they still attracted people to walk up to the newsstand and buy a copy of the morning paper.

Of course, the largest group here consists of Cao Jian's fans.

"Rumble in the Bronx breaks Hong Kong's single-day box office record on its opening day!"

People were instantly excited when they saw the headline, and then they saw a large number: HK$5.21 million!
(End of this chapter)