Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 509, Section 507: My 2003
The wind stopped and the rain stopped.

Wang Sheng patted Fan Xiaopang's smooth back, his tone languid afterward: "Alright, get ready. It's almost noon, let's go eat."

Fan Xiaopang reluctantly raised her head, giving him a flirtatious glance. While tidying her messy clothes and hair, she said coquettishly, "It's all your fault... your clothes are all wrinkled."

Despite saying that, her eyes were full of satisfaction and charm. The grievances and anxieties she had felt earlier because of the "child" seemed to have been temporarily washed away after this enjoyable "in-depth exchange".

The two did not linger at the Jingxin Building.

Return to your residence.

They quickly rinsed themselves off and changed into comfortable, casual clothes.

Fan Xiaopang shed her glamorous attire, wearing a simple cashmere sweater and slim-fitting trousers, appearing less dazzling as a star and more gentle and domestic.

Wang Sheng, on the other hand, wore his usual dark casual attire, exuding a low-key and composed demeanor.

Lunch was at a members-only private Chinese restaurant, hidden deep in a hutong, with a quiet environment that ensured absolute undisturbed surroundings.

As the exquisite dishes were served one by one, Fan Xiaopang's appetite seemed to improve. While eating the dishes in small bites, he finally had the mood to talk about his experiences in Hollywood over the past few months.

"The pace over there is indeed fast, and there are many rules, but the crew as a whole is quite professional." Fan Xiaopang stirred the soup in his bowl with a silver spoon. "Director Katherine (Katherine Hardwicke) has great ideas and grasped the vulnerability and resilience of the character 'Bella' very accurately. It's just that the English lines are still a bit difficult, but fortunately, we prepared for a long time in advance..."

Wang Sheng listened quietly, nodding occasionally. He knew the effort Fan Xiaopang had put in: overcoming the language barrier, adapting to the culture, and proving himself in a completely new industrial system—it was no easy feat.

“Brother Sheng,” Fan Xiaopang put down his spoon, leaned forward slightly, his eyes sparkling with expectation and a hint of uncertainty, “Do you think… Twilight will really be a hit? I always feel that kind of love story between a vampire and a high school student is a bit… too fantastical?”

Wang Sheng picked up a piece of stir-fried asparagus with his chopsticks and said confidently, "Yes, it will. And it will be very popular."

He looked at Fan Xiaopang with a deep gaze: "Don't underestimate the youth market, especially the spending power of young girls on romantic fantasies."

This 'ordinary girl and supernatural handsome guy' setting, coupled with the element of forbidden love, precisely hits a huge unmet need.

If you portray 'Bella' well, you'll have grasped a key to unlock the global youth market.

He paused, then added, "New Line is taking this project very seriously, and they'll provide a lot of follow-up promotional resources. All you have to do is cooperate with the global promotion after the movie's release and establish your image as 'the most beautiful face in the East'."

Wang Sheng's words seemed to carry an undeniable prophetic power, instantly dispelling the last trace of gloom in Fan Xiaopang's heart. A bright smile bloomed on her face, and she nodded vigorously: "Yes! I will definitely cooperate!"

As long as her career continues to rise and she gains international recognition, then... there are some things she still has time and opportunities to strive for. At this moment, she has just felt satisfied, and is encouraged by the bright future that Wang Sheng has outlined, temporarily suppressing her anxiety about vying for favor and succession.

After lunch, seeing that it was still early, Fan Xiaopang playfully asked to go see a movie.

"Kung Fu Hustle has been out for so long, and I haven't had a chance to watch it properly! Everyone says the special effects are amazing, I want to see it, Sheng-ge, will you come with me?"

Wang Sheng agreed without much hesitation.

The two then took a car to a nearby high-end cinema belonging to the "China Film Grand Cinema" chain.

The cinema manager had already been notified and respectfully led them to a reserved prime spot in the largest IMAX theater. After serving them drinks and snacks, he quietly withdrew to ensure absolute privacy.

On the giant screen, the bustling atmosphere of Pig Cage Alley is palpable.

When Stephen Chow's character, Ah Sing, with his messy hair, tries to impersonate a member of the Axe Gang but repeatedly blunders, the theater erupts in laughter.

Fan Xiaopang also watched with great interest, frequently laughing uproariously at the nonsensical scenes.

However, as Wang Sheng watched the struggling little man on the screen, his thoughts drifted away. The shifting light and shadow of the film reflected on his serene face.

Kung Fu Hustle is undoubtedly a success, a perfect fusion of the essence of Hong Kong films and the capabilities of the mainland film industry.

The laughter in the theater right now, and the recognition it will soon gain in the North American market, both prove this point.

But Wang Sheng knew that this was almost the last dazzling afterglow of Hong Kong films.

Stephen Chow, this name represents the pinnacle of comedy in an era of Hong Kong films.

After "Kung Fu Hustle," Stephen Chow's output as a director will decrease dramatically, spending years honing his craft.

The 2008 film "CJ7" took a heartwarming turn, attracting attention but also generating considerable controversy; the 2013 film "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons" marked the beginning of a new adaptation of the IP, revealing a different creative focus; the 2016 film "The Mermaid" achieved commercial success with its environmental theme, but it failed to recapture the pure authorial spirit and genre exploration of the "Kung Fu Hustle" era.

Subsequent films such as "Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back" and "The New King of Comedy" received mixed reviews and failed to recapture the former glory.

In a way, "Kung Fu Hustle" is like the last dazzling afterglow of the golden age of Hong Kong films.

After entering the new century, with the market center shifting northward, talent drain, and a lack of innovation in genre films, Hong Kong films, though not completely extinct, have passed their era as the absolute mainstay of Chinese-language entertainment culture.

《无间道》系列（2002-2003）在警匪类型上的巅峰造极之后，港产片整体呈现出一种在合拍片框架下寻找出路的状态，虽偶有《窃听风云》系列（2009-2014）、《寒战》系列（2012-2016）等佳作，但再也无法复制八九十年代那种百花齐放、引领潮流的盛况。

Standing at this turning point, "Kung Fu Hustle," with its extremely high level of completion and authorial style, became a glorious ending to Hong Kong films and an insurmountable peak.

What Wang Sheng did was simply use his foresight and capital to give this afterglow a push at its most brilliant moment, making its light shine even brighter and its reach even further.

Whether it's "Shaolin Soccer," which has grossed over $200 million worldwide, or "Kung Fu Hustle," which is about to be released in North America and is highly anticipated by New Line Cinema, he has simply provided a broader stage and more ample resources for geniuses to shine to their fullest potential.

"Brother Sheng, that last move, the Tathagata Palm, was so cool!" As the movie ended and the lights came on, Fan Xiaopang was still immersed in the visual shock, excitedly pulling his arm.

Wang Sheng snapped out of his thoughts and smiled slightly: "Yes, it's not bad."

Stepping out of the cinema, the winter sun slanted down, carrying a touch of cool warmth.

Wang Sheng looked at the bustling crowds and traffic on the street, feeling completely at peace.

The end of the screening of "Kung Fu Hustle" seemed to bring a perfect end to his eventful year of 2003.

Listing on the stock exchange, becoming the richest man in China, a box office miracle, international expansion... everything went according to plan, and even exceeded expectations.

……

Back at my accommodation, outside the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, the night view of Beijing resembled an overturned galaxy, its brilliance stretching to the horizon.

Perhaps it was the atmosphere in the office during the day that stirred up certain emotions, or perhaps it was Fan Xiaopang's deep-seated sense of urgency to "not fall behind" that resurfaced, or perhaps it was simply the natural flow of desire.

As soon as they entered, with the main lights off and only the ambient lighting emitting a hazy glow, Fan Xiaopang turned around and hugged Wang Sheng. He tilted his head back, his gaze intense, and with a hint of reckless allure, he took the initiative to kiss him.

This time, unlike his eagerness to prove himself in the office, and unlike the temporary relaxation after lunch, Fan Xiaopang was exceptionally focused, even... greedy.

She did everything she could to flirt with and please him, wishing she could completely melt the man in front of her into her body.

(End of this chapter)