Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 674 Dilraba's Little Honey? The First 5 Million Yuan Movie is About to Be Born!
The night is deep.

Hong Kong is always very lively as the Lunar New Year approaches.

Ma Xun is very familiar with this place, even though Hong Kong also celebrates the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year.

However, the Gregorian New Year is also highly valued here.

Many people even feel that the Gregorian New Year is more important, and they will go out and have a good time all night.

Naturally, many places will prepare various activities for this New Year. Almost all bars in Hong Kong will arrange various festivities on New Year's Eve.

It seems to be that movie called "The Longest Nite," Ma Xun couldn't quite remember which movie it was, but he remembered that Mr. Liu, a Hong Kong citizen, had a movie where he had a final battle with his opponent on New Year's Eve.

What's interesting about this battle is that the director also arranged for an eagle to fly out, the kind that's on the American flag.

This clearly has some special meaning.

Ma Xun didn't want to offer any special interpretations, but that's how it was filmed.

And now, 2010 is very close.

Hong Kong is bustling again.

Looking at the bustling night view outside the window, Ma Xun's thoughts were somewhat jumbled.

Just then, a notification sound came from the computer behind me, indicating that someone had logged on.

"Congratulations, my Mr. Ma, you really did a fantastic job this time!"

These words sounded somewhat sarcastic, but Ma Xun just smiled.

"My international film queen, why aren't you asleep so late?"

International Film Queen?

That's right, the person who connected with Ma Xun was Gong Li.

They hadn't seen each other for a while, and this time, the international film queen started the video call in this way, clearly indicating that she was talking about "Inception".

And this one doesn't sleep...

"I am in France."

Oh, then there's no problem. It's daytime there.

Then, Ma Xun said something.

"Then I wish you a smooth peeing experience in the morning."

Isn't this too strange?
But actually, this is a reference from a Stephen Chow movie.

"It went smoothly, thank you." Gong Li clearly understood the joke, and even rolled her eyes at Ma Xun.

In fact, Gong Li was feeling quite uncomfortable inside; she really wanted to laugh.

Whether Ma Xun noticed or not, this guy continued, "Are you connecting with me now because you're planning to come over during the Chinese New Year?"

What are you doing here?

"Let's do it."

Damn, that's really direct.

Even Gong Li, an international film queen, was barely able to keep her composure.

To be fair, Ma Xun's suggestion is not problematic, after all, Gong Li is still at her peak.

It hasn't even been a year since "Curse of the Golden Flower" was released.

In this movie, her pair of breasts seemed like they were about to explode at any moment.

Moreover, Ma Xun was also very clear about the level of this woman's desires.

This suggestion is indeed quite reasonable.

Right now, Gong Li clearly wants to talk about movies.

"That kind of thing can happen anytime, but right now a great opportunity is right in front of you."

Gong Li's words had a preachy tone.

Ma Xun laughed, "You mean Inception broke 5 million?"

Gong Li nodded in the laptop.

Ma Xun then continued with a laugh: "Do you think the movie 'A Simple Noodle Story' poses a significant threat to me?"

That's the key question!

It's a film by Zhang Yimou.

Gong Li's face clearly showed displeasure upon hearing this.

Ma Xun, being quite eloquent, continued with a smile, "So it seems you care about me more."

Good guy!
This guy is really good at flirting with just one sentence!
It should be said that, judging from her age, Gong Li is indeed an old woman.

However, she is no ordinary old woman; she is an international film queen, and her physical condition is absolutely superb.

As the saying goes, "Thirty is like a wolf, forty is like a tiger."

Ma Xun really knows how to play the game.

"Seriously!" Gong Li said with a more serious expression, "But this is really a very good opportunity. For a domestic film to gross 5 million yuan at the box office is a huge breakthrough for the entire market."

Moreover, I've heard rumors that you once semi-publicly declared that you would defeat Hollywood blockbusters.

This is a golden opportunity to win head-on.

But you're still in Hong Kong?

It really is…

I can't continue the story there.

Ma Xun simply spoke up for her, saying, "The movie 'A Simple Noodle Story' is coming on strong, but in my opinion, it's nothing to worry about."

This……

Gong Li was truly shocked. Other movies are one thing, but this one... a movie with such a powerful cast.

"Do you really think this film is inferior to your movie?"

This question is really not very sophisticated, but it also shows that Gong Li doesn't really believe it.

Ma Xun seized the opportunity without hesitation, "Then how about we make a bet?"

"What are you gambling?"

"You decide what to bet, and we'll bet."

"Alright! Let's bet!"

Gong Li agreed immediately, but didn't say what the bet was.

So, could it be because she's already willing to believe what Ma Xun said?
That's right, Ma Xun will definitely win.

And this "A Simple Noodle Story" is nothing to worry about!
The bet was made, and Gong Li was immediately taken offline.

Interestingly, the answer will be revealed soon, at least Ma Xun knows very well.

……

Ma Xun was well aware of the situation regarding the movie "A Simple Noodle Story".

But some people genuinely don't know, or rather, don't want to know.

"High screen time! High screen time is a must!"

"What's wrong with exceeding 7%?"

"Yes! We must push it to the highest point!"

Le Shi has been incredibly busy lately with the film "A Simple Noodle Story," and Jia Yueting has been using all his connections.

To support this movie.

In short, if this film "A Simple Noodle Story" is successful, we should definitely thank Lotte and Mr. Jia.

Zhang Zhao still has the task of recruiting Zhang Yimou, but he can't do it openly right now.

This might actually be a great help to his work.

Never mind, let's release this movie!
Go and destroy Ma Xun's "Inception"!
As a result, on its first day of release, "A Simple Noodle Story" was allocated more than 7% of the screenings!

That's right, history has been made again!

If this movie has so many screenings, then other movies will definitely have to be cut.

Therefore, this definitely dealt a blow to Inception.

Jia Yueting wanted this effect, and he really put in his all!
Therefore, I must attend the premiere of "A Simple Noodle Story".

Naturally, the premiere of the film "A Simple Noodle Story" was scheduled for a Friday. In December, the weather in Beijing was still quite cold.

However, female celebrities always have to wear a dress in order to look beautiful.

Quite a few female celebrities were present, including Zhang Ziyi and Bingbing.

"This movie is definitely going to be a hit."

"I'm not so sure."

"You, how did you..."

Is it a crime to think that way?

Zhang Ziyi and Bingbing are currently engaged in a strange power struggle.

Although they are still collaborating on films, whenever there is a 'space', such as during interviews when only Zhang Ziyi or Bingbing are present, they avoid each other.

The two of them would never let an opportunity slip by and would try to outwit each other.

For example, Zhang Ziyi would say... Walking the red carpet is something you have to have a good body of work or be invited to do.

Wow! That's really something!

With just these words, you don't even need to think; you can almost instantly guess who they're talking about.

So, what about Bingbing?

Whenever she has the same opportunity, she will say that some people have already proven to us that the outside world is not so good, and the moon is not so round in foreign countries.

Listen to this!

Do we even need to guess?
Goodness, these two are really going head-to-head.

The fact that they were able to form such a successful partnership shows how capable they are.

However, the two of them still have to maintain a semblance of civility.

It's best to keep things quiet about arguments.

I absolutely have to attend the premiere of "A Simple Noodle Story".

However, the downside is that sometimes men will also get involved in the tearing.

Where is Ma Xun?

"He seems to have something to do, so he won't be coming."

"Heh heh... This guy talked a good game back then, but look at him now, tsk tsk tsk..."

Whenever Jia Yueting gets the chance, he makes sarcastic remarks. And sure enough, he said something quite hurtful in front of Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou.

Fortunately, Zhang Weiping and Zhang Yimou are currently riding high, as the cinemas have been very accommodating to them by scheduling so many screenings.

That's fantastic!

And so, the premiere of "A Simple Noodle Story" began.

What is this movie about?

Upon seeing this, everyone realized... although they already knew that this movie was Zhang Yimou's adaptation of the Coen brothers' "Blood Simple".

This movie is a classic of dark humor.

But now it seems... this tastes wrong!

One minute it's Northeast Errenzhuan (a type of folk opera), the next it's Northwest oil-splashed noodles.

What's the situation?
Where's the Blood Maze?
What about dark humor?
It's humorous, but you can't tell it's that dark; it's more like a rainbow!
Yes, that's a very accurate description, because the actors in the movie wore clothes that were very colorful and chaotic.

In fact, the filming location is a well-known Danxia landform, a place with many colors.

Looking at it this way... dark humor is definitely not dark at all.

What about the Coen brothers' style?

I can't tell!

This, this, this...

Even knowledgeable professionals can tell that this film is doomed.

But after all, this is Zhang Yimou's film, and it deserves applause from within the industry.

Zhang Ziyi actually frowned as she watched, but she still applauded.

Bingbing didn't say anything, but she had a pretty good idea of ​​what was going on.

So, the film will be released the following day, Saturday.

The situation with this film...

After its release, "The Three Robberies" did indeed achieve a remarkable 6000 million yuan in box office revenue on its opening day!

However, its reputation collapsed!
"What the hell is this?"

"Is this a Zhang Yimou movie?"

"My God! This is a total rip-off!"

"What happened to the promised adaptation of the Coen brothers' Blood Simple?"

"Zhang Yimou! You're a complete bastard!"

The internet was flooded with angry comments!
Moreover, by the afternoon, moviegoers had already voted with their feet.

Since Inception is still showing in theaters, everyone should go see it if they can.

It's Sunday now, and let's take a look at the statistics.

Good guy!
The attendance rate for "Inception" suddenly skyrocketed!
Normally, with a high number of screenings, a movie's occupancy rate of 10% would be considered excellent.

Looking at Saturday's single-day attendance rate, it surged to 60%!

Although the impact of a single day's occupancy rate on the overall occupancy rate is currently very limited.

But if this continues, then Inception reaching a 30% attendance rate shouldn't be a problem!

Given this situation, can theaters that are giving "A Simple Noodle Story" a high number of screenings still hold up?

……

"Ha... Congratulations in advance!"

What are you congratulating me on?

"You're definitely going to win."

"Oh, it's no big deal."

It wasn't Gong Li, but Cherie Chung.

Her congratulations were, of course, because she felt that "A Simple Noodle Story" shouldn't put any pressure on "Inception".

From the perspective of Sino-US co-productions, Inception now has a real chance to be the first to break the 5 million yuan box office mark!

That's quite an achievement... Ma Xun might become the new king of the Lunar New Year film season.

Of course, it's not decided yet, and... um?

Ma Xun stopped talking to Cherie Chung because he had received some information.

It was sent by Dilraba, and this time it's a bit strange.

Should we send him to a hotel?
Why is this?

Shouldn't she be living with Yang Mi and the others?

There must be something wrong with that!
Go for it!

Hong Kong is not big.

Ma Xun soon arrived at the hotel mentioned in Reba's text message, and after he arrived at Reba's room and knocked on the door...

The door opened.

Automatic?
Ma Xun simply went inside to take a look...

Dilraba and her girlfriend are playfully fighting on the bed.

What's the situation?
To be fair, Ma Xun should have clarified some things, but...

Alright, Ma Xun stopped wasting words and simply yanked off his tie.

Right? Why think so much?
Join the battle!

"Ah You……"

"How could this be possible..."

(End of this chapter)