MC Bookstore Chapter 34 Role Playing
Chapter 34 Role Playing
Christmas Eve, midnight.
There were only a few audience members at the Lisheng Theatre, and they were sitting in pairs, clearly couples.
On the big screen, a video is playing of Andy Lau, who plays Wah-dee, riding a motorcycle with Wu Chien-lin, who is wearing a wedding dress, on a deserted road at midnight.
As Wong Ka Kui's singing began, it added a touch of melancholy to the scene.
Later, Andy Lau abandoned Wu Qianlian at the church entrance and rode off to seek revenge.
Watching Ng Man-tat, who played Tai-bo in the movie, clutch his stomach, covered in blood, laughing as he retreated, and finally collapsing in a pool of blood with Wah-dee.
Only Wu Qianlian remained, barefoot, holding up the hem of her wedding dress, stumbling and chasing after Hua Di in the direction he had left.
As the end credits rolled, Tang Long and Liu Jialing both breathed a sigh of relief.
"The film 'A Moment of Romance' was quite well-made, so why did it only gross a little over ten million at the box office?"
"You think it's too low?"
"It's not low, the box office of 'The Blade' is higher than itss."
Upon hearing this, Tang Long's forehead immediately creased with annoyance, and he couldn't help but squeeze the bowl he was holding tightly.
Liu Jialing winced in pain, then smiled and begged for mercy:
"Ouch, stop pinching me, I was just kidding."
"You're so cheeky. Don't forget you're also the female lead in 'The Blade'."
After joking around for a while, Tang Long explained:
"A box office of over 12 million Hong Kong dollars is not low. The reason you think it's low is because top-grossing films have such a strong box office dominance."
With both "God of Gamblers" and "God of Gamblers II" grossing over 40 million, "A Moment of Romance" seems underwhelming at 12 million.
However, it should be noted that its box office performance has already placed it among the top 20 films in Hong Kong's box office rankings this year.
Moreover, the film performed exceptionally well at the overseas box office, creating a sensation in South Korea comparable to that of "A Chinese Ghost Story" in its early days.
At this time, "A Moment of Romance" had been released for more than a month and its box office had exceeded 12 million.
The movie is nearing its end, and theaters are only showing it at midnight now.
"That means Director Wang Tianlin has made enough money for his retirement."
"Who can blame them for raising such outstanding sons and apprentices?"
This year, Wang Tianlin officially retired. In order to raise a pension for his mentor so that he can enjoy his later years in peace.
His son, Wang Jing, along with his apprentices Ringo Lam and Johnnie To, decided to make a movie together and give the money they earned as a token of their appreciation to their master.
Initially, Ringo Lam proposed making a biography of Wang Tianlin, but it was rejected by Wong Jing and Johnnie To.
Rather than making a purely homage-inspired art film, it would be better to make a truly successful and well-received movie, ensuring that the profits actually reach the mentor.
That's how the classic film "A Moment of Romance" came about.
Even more than 30 years later, this film is still called the bible of love.
"Your contract with TVB will expire in another week, right?"
"That's right, I have to thank you for this, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get away so easily."
Last time, she was just testing Tang Long's attitude. She didn't expect him to actually ask his uncle Tang Jia for help and mention his contract to Shao Daheng.
Because "The Blade" earned him several million, Shao Daheng gave Tang Jia face and greeted Fang Yihua.
Although Fang Yihua did not make things difficult for Liu Jialing, she arranged a lot of appearances for her during this period, keeping her busy from morning till night.
They even made her play a supporting role to newcomers, trying to squeeze every last drop of value out of her.
This left Tang Long with no time to go on dates with her.
I don't know if Fang Yihua had a change of heart, but she didn't schedule any work for her in the last week.
The two had just finished exercising together that evening and, on a whim, decided to go see a movie.
This was the first time the two of them had watched a movie together like a couple.
"What are your plans after leaving TVB?"
"Like you, I don't plan to sign with a company anymore. I've built up some connections over the years, so I'll try to get on more film sets."
"As long as you have a plan, that's fine."
Tang Long did not suggest that he be affiliated with Tangde Film Industry.
Firstly, he didn't want to get involved with Liu Jialing in any work-related interests;
Secondly, Tangde Film & Television is essentially an empty shell; whether it's affiliated with another company or not makes no difference.
"By the way, don't forget me if you find a suitable role in the future."
Liu Jialing grabbed his kneading hand and said in a sweet voice.
I used to think Tang Long was a promising talent, but I never expected his potential to materialize so quickly.
Now they can collaborate with Ng See-yuen and Tsui Hark, and their prospects are even better than mine.
"Don't worry, I won't forget you."
"You didn't even think of me this time with 'New Dragon Gate Inn'."
"New Dragon Gate Inn" is undoubtedly a high-quality project in the industry, attracting a lot of attention.
Many people are vying for roles in the film, and even the male lead, for whom Tang Long had already signed a contract, is being eyed by others.
"I didn't have much say in this movie. If I hadn't been the screenwriter and hadn't decided on the male lead early on, my role would have been taken away by someone else."
"Then you should think of me more often in the future; I can play many roles too."
Liu Jialing understood the situation of "New Dragon Gate Inn" and she was not deliberately being unreasonable.
But the thought of leaving TVB and having no one to rely on in the future makes her feel anxious.
Unconsciously, she developed a greater sense of dependence on Tang Long, who was able to produce resources.
"Alright, go back now. Filming for 'New Dragon Gate Inn' starts tomorrow, so get some rest."
"You've lit the fire so I can go rest?"
Liu Jialing immediately realized that she was still holding onto the angry dragon, and her pretty face blushed.
"Jialing, do you see that couple in the corner?"
Following Tang Long's directions, they saw a woman straddling a man's lap.
Through the blur, she could still see that the woman was sitting restlessly, twisting and turning.
"I saw it," Liu Jialing said in a low voice.
"Then you sit down too."
"The movie's almost over, Ah Long, let's go home."
"There are still a few minutes left in the movie. If I hurry, I should be able to finish before it ends."
Seeing that she was about to speak again, Tang Long picked her up and, while adjusting the trajectory of the bullet, said:
"Oh, don't waste your time, you're driving me crazy."
Seeing this, Liu Jialing had no choice but to obediently cooperate with him.
Perhaps it was because she was in a dimly lit place like a movie theater that her heart was beating even faster.
"You can support yourself with your hands on the back of the chair; that way you won't get so tired."
"Oh dear, Jialing, even if Beyond's theme song is really good, don't sing along so loudly! Hold it in place!"
Before Liu Jialing could react, a piece of silk fabric was stuffed into her mouth during the bumpy ride.
A faint smell assaulted her senses, and just as she was about to vomit, the jolts became even more violent.
She couldn't help but mentally swear at Tang Long.
When the two came out of the Lisheng Theater, they looked a little disheveled. They looked at each other and smiled.
Liu Jialing found herself becoming increasingly inseparable from Tang Long.
She had never experienced this thrilling, heart-pounding sensation before.
"There's no CCTV in the theater, is there?"
"I've already asked. Closed-circuit television is so expensive. How could a theater be willing to install one in the screening room?"
Tang Long dared to try it precisely because he knew there were no surveillance cameras; he didn't want to be broadcast live.
"Oh, so you had this planned all along."
"Sister Jialing, we need to try different scenarios and roles to work together more smoothly."
"So what kind of scene and characters are you going to design for me next time?"
"How about the cabin crew or flight attendants?"