A widower's entertainment

Chapter 412 [Characters] (Please Subscribe)
Hong Kong.

Leslie Cheung didn't expect Lam Yau-shing to write the script for "Infernal Affairs 2". Although he had heard Xu Feng mention that he wanted to try to make a sequel to "Infernal Affairs", he didn't expect Xu Feng to get the script for "Infernal Affairs 2" so quickly.

Of course, Leslie Cheung was even more surprised that Xu Feng would want him to play the villain Ni Yongxiao in the movie "Infernal Affairs 2".

Of course, after reading the script for "Infernal Affairs 2", Leslie Cheung admired Lam Yau-shing's excellent story and did not think that Ni Yongxiao was the villain.

Because for an actor, when portraying a character, the character itself cannot possibly perceive itself as a villain.

Leslie Cheung had to admit that the character Ni Yongxiao, written by Lam Yau-shing, was very complex and quite challenging. In fact, in his opinion, this seemingly biggest villain in "Infernal Affairs 2" was not a villain at all, but a truly good person.

Just like in the script, on the night Ni Kun was killed, Ni Yongxiao immediately found his half-brother Chen Yongren and said, "Dad just passed away. Before he died, he instructed that if he died, all his children should be notified."

Ni Yongxiao, this seemingly gentle and refined man, made only three phone calls while he was out buying a few packs of cigarettes. He then thwarted the attempted betrayal of four of the Ni family's top executives, smoothly inherited his father's business, and left the police empty-handed after a tiring night of manpower.

In the food stall that Ni Kun frequented during his lifetime, Ni Yongxiao reminisced about his father: "He often said, 'What goes around comes around.'" This line is the Ni family motto.

The first time this phrase appeared was when Ni Yongxiao's sister comforted everyone: "Dad always said that if you go out to do something, you'll have to pay the price sooner or later. He only got into trouble now, so he's actually lucky."

If Ni Kun could know this from beyond the grave, he would never have imagined that the Ni family would "pay back" so thoroughly. Han Chen, who was originally the most loyal to the Ni family, ended up killing his entire family—his wife, his son, his daughter, and his granddaughter. Even more tragically, the only surviving member of the Ni family, Chen Yongren, who took his mother's surname, betrayed the Ni family by providing information to his father's killer, Huang Zhicheng, all in order to appear as a "good person."

Leslie Cheung looked at the character Chen Yongren in the script. This young Chen Yongren, who only wanted to be a good person, became increasingly selfish, caring only about being a "good person" for himself, and grew more and more inhuman. Even his father's killer, Huang Zhicheng, felt so guilty that he dared not face him, dared not find him, dared not speak to him for two years, yet he was still gathering intelligence, ready to betray the Ni family at any moment. If it weren't for his instinctive act of shielding Ni Yongxiao from the bullet fired by Liu Jianming's car, if it weren't for his instinctive act of running over to catch the wounded Ni Yongxiao, if it weren't for his instinctive act of staring with venomous eyes at Huang Zhicheng, who killed his father and brother, if it weren't for these things, I would have thought he was no longer human. No human being is so wooden and cold-blooded.

Tragically, drawing parallels to the plot of the first Infernal Affairs film, Leslie Cheung never managed to become a "good person" before his death.

This is why Leslie Cheung felt that Ngai Wing-hau was actually a good person. The meticulous Ngai Wing-hau had long since discovered Chan Wing-yan's undercover identity and used it against him.

Even knowing that Chen Yongren was an undercover agent, Ni Yongxiao did not betray his own brother. He believed that killing Luo Jixian, who had been an undercover agent in the Ni family for seven years, would serve as a wake-up call for his younger brother. He believed that revealing Huang Zhicheng as their father's killer would rekindle their blood ties. He believed that since the police had not contacted his brother for two years, his brother had returned to the Ni family and understood his good intentions.

Every word Ni Yongxiao spoke to his younger brother was so earnest and full of human warmth—

Why are you so reserved around me?

"My third uncle said you did a good job."

Have you ever thought about coming home to help?

"I know you don't want people to know about your relationship with the Ni family."

"But we are brothers, that's a fact that can't be changed."

"It's my daughter's birthday this Sunday. I'd like you to come home and visit."

"You really don't like talking to me?"

"Actually, I've rarely stayed in Hong Kong these past two years, so today is a rare opportunity for the whole family to gather together."

“Your older sister, older brother, and younger brother have all done legitimate work, so I think you should go home and help.”

"Everything Dad did was for this family, and so did I. I hope you will be too."

"No matter what mistakes they made, they are still our elders. You still have a lot to learn from them."

"The Labor Sports Association is hosting a homecoming banquet tonight, and all of our CPPCC candidates will be there. If I succeed this time, our Ni family can finally hold our heads high!"

……

As Leslie Cheung read the script, for some reason, the more he read, the more charming Ni Yongxiao became. Especially when Ni Yongxiao finally collapsed into Chen Yongren's arms, he saw the bugging device he least wanted to see. He looked at his brother with difficulty and confusion, a tear falling down his cheek. His wounded expression seemed to be asking, "Why?"

What else could he hope for? He immediately used all his strength to flip the bug over and cover his brother's clothes with it.
Leslie Cheung was truly moved. After pondering for a long time, he couldn't help but say to his manager, Sister Chen Shufen, "Sister Fen, what do you think of me agreeing to play the role of Ni Yongxiao in 'Infernal Affairs 2'?"

Chen Shufen was somewhat surprised to hear Zhang Guorong's words and asked, "Are you sure you want to act in this movie?"

“I’ve also read the script. Although it’s very good, it will definitely be compared to the first one. If you take on this role and don’t do it well, it will also drag you down.”

Of course, another reason is that, no matter what, Ni Yongxiao is still a villain from the audience's perspective.

"You know that this character is actually a villain."

Leslie Cheung shook his head and said, "I don't think this character is a villain. In the story of 'Infernal Affairs,' the line between police and criminals is very blurred, like the line between black and white. I think this role is very challenging."

According to Leslie Cheung, the death of Ni Yongxiao, written by Lam Yau-shing at the end of the script, was very meaningful. He did not think that Ni Yongxiao was angry or died with his eyes open because he discovered the bug in Chan Wing-yan's shirt. If that were the case, he would not have turned the bug over as if to cover up for Chan Wing-yan.

Leslie Cheung even began to wonder what expression Ni Yongxiao should have when he died.

Ni Yongxiao's ending should be empty, sorrowful, and seemingly resigned. He is deeply wounded, which gives the impression of escaping this tragedy. He can no longer experience anything afterward. He can stop thinking, stop worrying, and stop living, managing, and striving for a dream that turns black into white with his originally gentle voice now tinged with deep sighs. As Leslie Cheung's manager, Chen Shufen naturally understands Leslie Cheung's thoughts very well and is genuinely interested in the character of Ni Yongxiao in the script of "Infernal Affairs 2." After thinking for a moment, she said, "If you really want to take this role, then of course it's up to you. However, you still have 'He's a Woman, She's a Man' to film after this."

Leslie Cheung was naturally aware of this matter. After thinking for a moment, he said, "It depends on when Xu Feng is filming 'Infernal Affairs 2.' If my schedule is right, I'll take the role. If not, I'll have to miss it."

Upon hearing Leslie Cheung's words, Chen Shufen couldn't help but say, "If they knew what you said, they might ask to wait for your schedule before starting filming."

Leslie Cheung smiled and said, "He wrote this script really well. He can make a sequel and prequel so wonderful. He's really amazing."

"Didn't he say before that he would write a good script and a good role specifically for you? It wouldn't be this 'Infernal Affairs 2,' would it?"

When Zhang Guorong heard Chen Shufen's words, she shook her head and said, "No, Xu Feng told me that it was her who suggested it."

Originally, Leslie Cheung thought he didn't know when he would have the opportunity to work with Lam Yau-shing, but now he didn't expect it to happen so soon. Of course, in Leslie Cheung's opinion, it is very good to have this opportunity to work together. After all, he thinks that the role of Ni Yongxiao is very challenging. It is a type of role that he has never played before, so this opportunity is quite good.

Of course, Leslie Cheung would have had some suspicions that the script was written by Lam Yau-shing.

……

Leslie Cheung's agreement to play the role of Ni Yongxiao in "Infernal Affairs 2" surprised Lam Yau-shing, as it was something he hadn't expected.

However, Lam Yau-shing naturally felt that this was the best thing for "Infernal Affairs 2". After all, Leslie Cheung is now a superstar in Hong Kong and even Asia. His appearance in "Infernal Affairs 2" would guarantee the film's box office performance. Of course, more importantly, Leslie Cheung's acting skills are also quite outstanding.

Actually, Lin Youcheng is quite looking forward to seeing how Leslie Cheung's version of Ni Yongxiao will be.

Lin Youcheng knew that Leslie Cheung was going to star in Ni Yongxiao's film, which clearly shows that "Infernal Affairs 2" is also very attractive to some extent.

When Lin Youcheng received a call from Leslie Cheung, he naturally discussed the character Ni Yongxiao with her.

“I really didn’t expect you to agree to act in this movie, but I believe you will play the role well.”

"Also, I have to tell you that this is not the script and role I promised to write for you before."

Lin Youcheng also told Leslie Cheung that this script and role were not the ones he had previously agreed to.

Clearly, these were the words that Lin Youcheng had said to Leslie Cheung before. He still remembered them. Leslie Cheung was also very happy. Lin Youcheng's words to him in the courtyard were not just casual pleasantries, but something he had really remembered.

On the other end of the phone, Leslie Cheung laughed and said, "Then I look forward to the good scripts and good roles you will write for me later."

To be honest, Leslie Cheung himself wasn't entirely sure at first that Lam Yau-shing would write a script and role specifically for him. Although he had some expectations and had talked about it with Anita Mui, he wasn't sure. Now that he heard Lam Yau-shing mention it again, Leslie Cheung naturally knew more clearly that Lam Yau-shing really had agreed to it.

Leslie Cheung, on the other hand, would not urge Lam Yau-shing to write a script and a role for him. He would simply express his anticipation and also say that he would do his best to play the role of Ni Yongxiao.

Lin Youcheng is not worried that Leslie Cheung will ruin the role of Ni Yongxiao. On the contrary, he is looking forward to Leslie Cheung's version of Ni Yongxiao, who is a true acting talent.

In addition, Lam Yau-shing was also thinking about what kind of role would be suitable for the good script and good role he had promised Leslie Cheung.

Thinking about Leslie Cheung's tragic fate, Lam Yau-shing felt that it would be wonderful if there were a script and a role that could change Leslie Cheung's tragic choices.

Of course, that role might be a long time from now, and before that, he could have other collaborations with Leslie Cheung.

Just like with "Infernal Affairs 2," it's not like he and Leslie Cheung only collaborated on one script and one role.

……

News of a sequel to "Infernal Affairs 2" has surfaced in Hong Kong, naturally generating considerable buzz in the Hong Kong film industry. The fact that Leslie Cheung is rumored to be joining the cast of "Infernal Affairs 2" has undoubtedly increased the film's anticipation.

Given that the first "Infernal Affairs" film was already quite successful, audiences in Hong Kong were already eagerly anticipating what kind of story the sequel would tell. Now that Leslie Cheung is starring in the film, the curiosity has only grown stronger.

Obviously, no one noticed that this time, "Infernal Affairs 2" was not only produced by Chanson Film Company, but also co-produced by another film company called Huayi.

The main concern now is how the script for "Infernal Affairs 2" written by Lam Yau-shing will turn out. It's hard to know how the script for "Infernal Affairs 2" will be written in such a short time. After all, the first "Infernal Affairs" was a classic. I wonder if releasing a sequel now will tarnish the reputation of Lam Yau-shing, an internationally renowned screenwriter.

In particular, there have been reports in Hong Kong about Lin Youcheng from the mainland, such as two more film scripts being developed in collaboration with Hollywood's Universal Pictures. This means that two other scripts written by Lin Youcheng have been bought by Hollywood. Under such circumstances, it is unknown whether the quality of the script for "Infernal Affairs 2" will be greatly compromised.

After all, many people believe that the first film, "Infernal Affairs," is already a classic, and if the story of the sequel is not good, then it would be better not to make it at all.

Of course, Hong Kong film companies are well aware that with the first film's box office success, they naturally wouldn't miss out on a sequel. So, it's not surprising that they're making a sequel now; on the contrary, it's only natural.

Especially since the screenwriter for the second installment is still Lam Yau-shing, and they also brought in superstar Leslie Cheung, naturally many industry insiders are looking forward to "Infernal Affairs 2".
Of course, if the sequel turns out bad, these film industry professionals won't care about Lin Youcheng's status as a mainland screenwriter; they will still criticize him. Of course, we'll only know for sure after the film is released.

(End of this chapter)