Chapter 46: The Single Dog's Plight
During its first week of release, new world grossed 31 million at the box office in the mainland.
In Hong Kong, it earned 24 million at the box office, directly surpassing infernal affairs' first-week gross of 20.76 million in 2002.
Yang Shoucheng threw a grand celebration banquet.
Hong Kong film celebration banquets are usually held one week after the film's release.
This is due to the difference in box office revenue sharing models between Hong Kong and the mainland.
Major film companies like Emperor Entertainment Group and Media Asia sign agreements with cinemas for four major holiday periods each year: Spring Festival, Easter, summer vacation, and Christmas.
Typically, in the first week, 60% of the box office goes to the production company, and 40% goes to the cinemas.
Therefore, the higher the box office in the first week, the greater the profit for the production company.
Yang Shoucheng invited him to Hong Kong for the celebration banquet, but Li Chen politely declined.
The preparation work for the painted skin crew was complete, and he had to depart for Silver River.
On the last day of the month, Miss Liu called from The Return of the Condor Heroes crew.
"Do you know what day it is today?" Miss Liu's cheerful voice came over the phone.
"What day? It's not your birthday yet, is it?" Li Chen feigned ignorance.
"You think hard, I'll give you three chances!" Miss Liu said, her tone displeased.
Chinese Paladin had already been released in Taiwan for a week, and its ratings were very high.
Miss Liu didn't believe Li Chen didn't know that today was the mainland Premiere of Chinese Paladin; she had reminded him before.
Li Chen stopped teasing her and laughed, "I remember now, it seems Zhao Ling'er is going to subdue demons in Shanghai today."
Miss Liu laughed, "That's more like it. Remember to stay by the TV tonight, I'll be calling to check."
"You're too cruel, Yifei!"
"What do you mean?" Miss Liu's tone changed again.
"You and Hu Ge are showing off your affection and spreading dog food on TV!"
"You're making me sit in front of the TV as a single dog and ship a couple! Isn't that cruel?"
Miss Liu giggled on the other end of the phone. Besides 'shipping a couple,' she didn't understand the rest.
She understood everything else; someone was jealous...
After a long while, she said, "What 'spreading dog food' or 'single dog' nonsense, you just talk rubbish."
Miss Liu then thought of something, her face flushed, and she lowered her voice.
"If someone is envious of Hu Ge, for 'those years,' he, he can play the male lead."
Li Chen was stunned; this was blatant temptation!
However, he hadn't expected Miss Liu to inadvertently reveal his inner plans.
Li Chen teased, "Aren't you afraid people will say I'm preying on you?"
"Get out of here, what 'preying on,' that sounds awful. Who else do you want to prey on?" Miss Liu feigned anger.
Li Chen laughed, "Alright, alright, just kidding. I'll be by the TV on time tonight."
"painted skin will start filming next month. Once the scenes in Silver River are done, we'll move to Hengdian World Studios. I'll come visit the set."
"Who cares if you visit the set?" Miss Liu hung up the phone, her words not matching her true feelings.
Her bright smile made it clear to anyone that Liu Yifei was in a joyous mood today.
The crew of The Return of the Condor Heroes even thought it was because Chinese Paladin premiered today.
Ever since Tang Yan signed with Rongchen Film and Television, she moved out of the school.
She moved into the welfare housing arranged by the company for its artists.
That evening, when Chinese Paladin aired, Luo Jin and Tang Yan also stayed by the TV.
Tang Yan still couldn't quite believe it: "Is Director Li and Liu Yifei really in that kind of relationship?"
Luo Jin sat on the sofa, embracing Tang Yan, and said with a confident smile,
"Absolutely, otherwise I wouldn't be at ease with my girlfriend making a living under Director Li."
Tang Yan leaned on Luo Jin's shoulder and sweetly smiled,
"You're so petty, I told you Director Li doesn't have that kind of intention towards me."
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, the main cast of painted skin departed for Silver River.
Director Yang from Ningxia Film Studio personally came to the airport to pick up Li Chen.
He also took the opportunity to promote Ningxia Film Studio's Zhenbeibao at the painted skin launch conference, killing two birds with one stone.
There were also many fans at the airport to greet them, mostly for Gu Tianle.
The group fought their way out of the crowd, and two cars sped away, leaving dust in their wake.
The initial crew members had already arrived a week ago.
Zhou Xun had just attended the Premiere of "Still beautiful" (Beauty Remains).
This film would go head-to-head with Zhao Yanzi's "Lover's Knot" (A Knot in the Heart) on Valentine's Day.
Beauty Remains premiered on the 13th, and A Knot in the Heart on the 14th.
Zhou Xun's personality was unrestrained and unpretentious; she said whatever came to mind.
In front of everyone in the car, she directly posed a soul-searching question to Li Chen.
"Director Li, you didn't come to the Premiere of Beauty Remains! Did you secretly go to her side?" Zhou Xun laughed.
Gu Tianle, Zhou Zhaolong, and Zhao Wenzhuo all looked at Li Chen, smiling without interjecting.
Among the three, two were action stars, skilled in fighting.
One was acting in the mainland for the first time, and his Mandarin needed improvement.
Tang Yan smiled and defended Li Chen: "Sister Xun, you've misunderstood Director Li."
"Director Li didn't even go to the Premiere of Beauty Remains, so how could he go to A Knot in the Heart?"
"You are the lead actress of painted skin, you're one of us."
Li Bingbing listened nearby, feeling a little uneasy.
Zhou Xun was the only actress Director Li had personally invited for this film.
She herself had only gotten the role through an audition.
However, whether it's a mule or a horse, you have to lead it out for a run; only after acting together can one truly see the difference.
Li Chen gave Tang Yan a thumbs up: "China's good employee!"
"Oh, oh, oh, could the rumors outside be true? Are you two really involved?" Zhou Xun asked, full of gossip.
She showed no formality with Li Chen.
Tang Yan glanced at Luo Jin, who just smiled and didn't respond.
It was Li Chen who, after scanning the group and seeing everyone looking at him with curiosity,
Laughed and cursed, "Why are you all so gossipy too? Tangtang is taken, don't talk nonsense!"
"Instead, it's you, with your passionate love, when are you going to bring your significant other to meet us?" Li Chen teased.
Zhou Xun, seeing the fire turned on her, was not shy.
She said magnanimously, "That's just a matter of a word from you, Director Li."
The next day, Fan Xiaopang's big news exploded, directly hitting the headlines of various entertainment sections.
The photos of the mandarin ducks swimming in Sanxia were exposed, finally confirming this 'Bing-Bing' romance.
For a time, the public marveled at what Fan Xiaopang saw in the other person.
The popularity of the two lead actresses of Beauty Remains and A Knot in the Heart, Zhou Xun and Zhao Yanzi, was suppressed by Fan Xiaopang.
Today's Fan Xiaopang was no longer the Jin Suo maid by Zhao Yanzi's side.
Every move she made captivated the media's lenses.
Fan Xiaopang's response was also quite intriguing: he should be like a book, one that would take a lifetime to read completely.
Sometimes he's like a father, sometimes he's like a friend, sometimes he's even like an older brother.
Li Chen couldn't help but retort, "Who exactly do you want him to be like? Anyone would suffer from personality dissociation!"
However, he didn't know if someone was intentionally trying to smear Fan Xiaopang.
The photos depicted Fan Xiaopang as big and burly, with a plump bottom and belly.
This was truly at odds with the charming and glamorous image Fan Xiaopang usually presented to the public.
Miss Liu's Chinese Paladin achieved a viewership rating of 11%.
Hu Ge, a Shanghai Theatre Academy student who previously had virtually no works, became an overnight sensation.
The opening scene of painted skin required filming in the desert.
Li Chen aimed to complete the opening scene within three days.
Logistical support for filming in this location was simply too inconvenient.
Li Chen planned to let Wu Ershan do more of the filming to lay a good foundation for painted skin 2, while he would simply supervise.
First scene:
A troop of soldiers slowly approaches in the distance.
The camera zooms in on Gu Tianle's face, dusty and grimy, with a close-up of his cracked lips.
This indirectly shows the harsh environment of the desert.
Second scene:
Zhou Xun's first appearance.
The camera moves from top to bottom, from far to near, focusing on the only Xiao Wei within the large tent.
It must be said that Zhou Xun is indeed a gifted actress.
Li Chen only told her his requirements.
She was able to provide Li Chen with the desired result based on her own understanding.
A simple movement of retracting her body and turning her leg.
It perfectly showcased her advantages to the fullest.
Li Chen didn't know if Zhou Xun had practiced in private.
But in this one scene, Zhou Xun played to her strengths.
Although she didn't have ample breasts, a plump bottom, or a mesmerizing face.
She could still portray a unique fox spirit with her petite and exquisite figure and lively eyes.
Gu Tianle suddenly bursts into the tent, and the delicate Zhou Xun, startled, wraps herself up. The human and the demon meet for the first time in the desert.
Cut!
"Sister Xun, excellent. You portrayed the fox spirit, or rather, the fox fairy, exactly as I wanted."
"Fragile and helpless, sexy and alluring, naive and innocent, ignorant of the world."
"Making one feel a strong desire to protect and possess her." Li Chen praised Zhou Xun.
Zhou Xun smiled confidently, "Piece of cake."
Tang Yan watched, engrossed. Li Bingbing hadn't come.
She insisted on coming along; she didn't want to miss the opportunity to learn from the seniors.
The male actors present also nodded in approval of Zhou Xun's performance in this scene.
Tang Yan smiled from the side, "Sister Xun, you acted so well."
"Even as a girl, watching you, I feel you portrayed a character so pitiable."
Zhou Xun laughed heartily, "Sister will teach you a few tricks another day."
Li Chen also laughed, "Tangtang, you don't need to envy her. She's a natural talent, blessed by heaven."
Begging desperately for continued reads, family, I thank you again.