ebookslot Chapter 99 Jealousy
Chapter 99 Jealousy
Chapter 98 Jealousy
Zhang Jun was unaware that Liu Yifei had written him into her diary and even praised him for being handsome, since he didn't keep a diary.
In a press interview after the premiere, he confidently stated, "Focusing on the story and emotions are the key points for me when making films."
I believe that a compelling story can keep audiences sitting in a movie theater for more than two hours.
This was the first time the film's stars had seen the entire film since filming wrapped. Even from a subjective perspective, they felt the film was of excellent quality.
Andy Lau was very satisfied with this, after all, he gave up his film salary in exchange for the investment opportunity of his film and entertainment company.
Hong Kong media criticized him for being foolish, but in his view, his choice was absolutely correct. After watching the film screened at the premiere, Andy Lau became even more convinced of his decision.
So, in an interview with the media, he said, "This is the first time I've seen the finished film since I finished shooting it. I'm very happy; the final product is excellent."
When asked by the media to predict the box office, Andy Lau thought for a moment and said, "It should at least make a hundred million!"
That's quite an audacious statement, considering that these days, very few films break 100 million yuan at the box office. If this film does, Zhang Jun will officially join the 100 million yuan box office club.
Zhang Ziyi, however, has a different perspective.
Zhang Ziyi was more interested in Zhang Jun as a person than in the movie itself.
In his first three films, Zhang Jun proved his ability to handle low- to medium-budget films, while "Reign of Assassins" demonstrates his capabilities in big-budget productions.
This shows that Zhang Jun already possesses the qualities of a top-notch director.
More importantly, compared to Zhang Yimou and Chen Gezi, Zhang Jun is young and handsome. In Zhang Ziyi's eyes, he is simply the perfect partner.
However, upon seeing Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan surrounding Zhang Jun, Zhang Jun couldn't help but frown.
Clearly, despite her hints for so long, Zhang Jun still didn't seem to notice, which showed that he really wasn't interested in her.
However, Zhang Ziyi wasn't bothered by it; with her fame and influence, she had no shortage of projects. Fan Bingbing and Zhang Jun had an ambiguous relationship, but Zhang Jun still made her his supporting actress.
This shows that in Zhang Jun's mind, his work is more important than anything else.
He will definitely come looking for me if there are suitable roles and scripts in the future, so there's no need to worry about whether I can be Zhang Jun's partner.
After the premiere, Zhang Ziyi approached Zhang Jun and said, "Director Zhang, I think this film has a very good chance of success; a box office of 100 million yuan is not a problem!"
Zhang Jun was also full of confidence: "One hundred million is not enough to earn. Andy Lau said that his company will be in charge of the distribution in Hong Kong, and we will participate in the profit sharing."
Selling the rights in other regions should be about right. You have a lot of connections in Hollywood, so help us find a company in Hollywood for this film.
Zhang Ziyi said she would take care of it, since she only received five million yuan in salary for the film, and the rest was converted into investment.
The more copyrights she sells, the more she will receive in return, and naturally she will put in her best effort.
Yang Mi was also going back and said goodbye to Zhang Jun.
"Should I take you home?" Zhang Jun asked.
Yang Mi glanced at Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan, who were eyeing her menacingly not far away, and shook her head.
"No, I'll go back by myself. It looks like your two beauties are about to fight."
Zhang Jun smiled and said, "Judging from your tone, it sounds like you're jealous."
Yang Mi transformed into a wry smile, retorting, "I didn't!"
Zhang Jun pulled Yang Mi into his arms and planted a passionate kiss on her lips.
The kiss came suddenly, catching Yang Mi off guard, and her face turned bright red. After they separated, she gasped for breath, looking left and right, thankfully no one had noticed her.
She glared at Zhang Jun, but Zhang Jun laughed and said, "Feeling better?"
"satyr!"
Yang Mi said this, but she felt a sense of relief, which showed that she was still highly valued by Zhang Jun.
When they got back that evening, Fan Bingbing got into Zhang Jun's car without hesitation. Gao Yuanyuan, not to be outdone, got in from the other side.
"Why did you come up here?" Fan Pangbing asked with a smile, but his words were actually loaded with meaning.
Gao Yuanyuan retorted, "Ah Jun said he wanted me to go home with him."
The way they addressed each other was so intimate, which suggested that her relationship with Zhang Jun was quite special.
Both women knew perfectly well that the relationship between Gao Yuanyuan and Zhang Jun was not simple. However, Fan Bingbing felt more aggrieved because she had arrived first, and Gao Yuanyuan was a third party who had interfered.
Gao Yuanyuan also had her reasons: "Zhang Jun and I were mutually attracted. Besides, you two aren't in a romantic relationship; you're just temporary partners. Who's more noble than the other?"
So when Zhang Jun finished his social engagements and got into his car, he saw two women staring at each other, the atmosphere tense and on the verge of conflict.
He was quite calm and unperturbed.
Because he had been drinking, he had his assistant Gao Yan drive while he squeezed between the two women.
Seeing the scene that resembled a battlefield, Gao Yan felt a little flustered, and at the same time, she remembered a saying: "The entertainment industry is really chaotic."
However, Zhang Jun paid her a good salary and she was highly valued, so Gao Yan kept herself out of the public eye and just drove quietly.
Zhang Jun, with his arm around a woman's waist, said, "I'm afraid you'll start fighting, so I'll act as a shield."
The two women glared at Zhang Jun in unison, because this situation was all caused by this man.
Can't you be a little more focused?
Zhang Jun also had something to say: it was all consensual, and I didn't let you down. Besides, I'm a very loving person, and I can't bear to see any beautiful woman miss out on me and then look heartbroken.
Gao Yan drove fast and steadily, making her way home under the long nightlights.
In the back seat of the carriage, Zhang Jun had his left arm around Fan Pangbing and his right arm around Gao Yuanyuan. The two women turned their heads toward the car window, refusing to look at each other.
The atmosphere was so tense it could freeze you to death.
Zhang Jun seemed oblivious, and even yawned.
"Are you tired?"
Fan Bingbing finally spoke, her voice carrying a deliberate gentleness.
"You've had so many social engagements tonight, I'll give you a shoulder massage when we get back."
"I had my assistant go to your favorite restaurant and have them make you some soup."
Gao Yuanyuan replied quickly, "Now is the perfect time to go back and drink."
After they finished speaking, they both looked at Zhang Jun, waiting for the referee.
Zhang Jun leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed and said slowly, "Drink the soup first, then get a massage, and then it'll be time to sleep."
Fan Bingbing glared at him, while Gao Yuanyuan secretly smiled.
The car turned into the residential area and parked downstairs.
When Gao Yan handed the keys to Zhang Jun, she glanced at the two women in the back seat, whispered "Goodnight, boss," and quickly left.
They looked as if they were afraid of being affected by something.
The three went upstairs and opened the door.
The house was lit by a warm yellow light, and a potted green ivy sat on the shoe cabinet in the entryway, growing vigorously.
The living room was very clean and tidy. Several magazines were open on the coffee table, including celebrity photos and the latest monthly issue of Science Fiction World, which featured the latest chapter of Zhang Jun's "The Martian".
The story is currently at the point where the living quarters explode, and the novel has received widespread acclaim.
Fan Bingbing deftly took out her slippers from the shoe cabinet. They were pink and had bunny ears.
She bought this when she went shopping last time. She deliberately bought a childish style, saying that she wanted to "keep a girlish heart".
Gao Yuanyuan glanced at the slippers, her eyes darkening, but she said nothing. Her assistant had already brought the soup, along with the casserole dish, which was quite a burden for the young girl.
She lifted the lid of the clay pot, and the rich aroma of chicken soup wafted out, with a layer of golden oil floating on top.
"I'm going to change my clothes first," Fan Bingbing said as she walked towards the bedroom.
"etc."
Zhang Jun called out to her, "That's my bedroom."
"I know."
Fan Bingbing turned around and smiled meaningfully.
"I'm going to get my pajamas; I left them here last time."
Zhang Jun rubbed his temples, walked to the computer in the living room, sat down, and pressed the power button.
The CRT monitor made a few buzzing sounds, and the screen lit up with blue light. This computer was built last year; it's considered top-of-the-line, but it still takes a minute or two to boot up.
Taking advantage of the moment, he got up and poured himself a glass of water.
Gao Yuanyuan was serving soup with very gentle movements. The steaming chicken soup was poured into a white porcelain bowl, sprinkled with a few goji berries and chopped green onions, making it a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.
She brought it over and placed it on the dining table, saying softly, "Drink it while it's hot."
Zhang Jun took the bowl, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it, and drank it.
The warm liquid slid down my throat, instantly warming my stomach. The soup was indeed well-made; the chicken was tender and the medicinal herbs had just the right flavor, neither too strong nor too weak.
"It's delicious," he said.
Gao Yuanyuan smiled, a smile filled with satisfaction. She walked behind Zhang Jun, placed her fingers on his temples, and gently massaged them.
Fan Bingbing saw this scene when she came out of the bedroom.
She had changed into that silk nightgown, deep purple, with spaghetti straps, which made her skin look even whiter. Her hair was down, and she had removed her makeup, leaving only a thin layer of lipstick on her face.
This outfit is clearly meticulously designed, exuding a慵懒 (yōnglǎn, meaning languid or lazy) yet alluring vibe.
She walked to the dining table, pulled out a chair, sat down, and watched Zhang Jun drink his soup while resting her chin on her hand.
"Is it good?" she asked.
"It's delicious." Zhang Jun said without looking up.
"Then I'll cook it myself next time."
Fan Bingbing said, "Although I don't cook often, I'm willing to learn for you."
Gao Yuanyuan pressed her fingers slightly on Zhang Jun's temple because she had bought the soup, not cooked it herself.
Zhang Jun put down his bowl and sighed contentedly, "No need, I can't bear to let you cook and turn into haggard housewives. Your fans will blame me."
Both women looked at him, and smiles unconsciously crept onto their lips.
"The computer is on." Zhang Jun got up, walked to the computer, and sat down. "Let's see what the news says."
Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan exchanged a glance; this was the first time tonight that they didn't look at each other with hostility. They both walked to the sofa and sat down, separated by a cushion.
Zhang Jun opened Internet Explorer and went directly to the entertainment section.
The headline has been updated.
Sohu News wrote: "Live coverage of the star-studded premiere of 'Reign of Assassins'; Zhang Jun's new work receives critical acclaim."
"Reporter Wang Meng reports from Beijing: At 7 p.m., the highly anticipated period martial arts film 'Reign of Assassins' held its grand premiere at Chengxin Cinema in the CBD."
Director Zhang Jun appeared with the full cast, including Andy Lau, Zhang Ziyi, Fan Bingbing, and Wang Xueqi.
Dozens of celebrity guests, including Chen Kun, Sun Li, Deng Chao, Gao Yuanyuan, Liu Yifei, and Uncle Benshan, attended the event, making the red carpet a dazzling spectacle and one of the most luxurious premieres of the year.
Reporters at the scene observed that starting at 4 p.m., a large number of movie fans and onlookers had gathered in the red carpet area outside the cinema.
Many movie fans held up signs that read "Go Director Zhang Jun!" and "Looking forward to 'Reign of Assassins'!", creating a lively atmosphere.
The red carpet event lasted approximately one hour.
Andy Lau and Zhang Ziyi made their grand finale appearance as the male and female leads, eliciting screams from fans.
It is worth mentioning that director Zhang Jun himself also walked the red carpet and interacted with the audience on both sides of the red carpet. He even paid for drinks for the entire audience out of his own pocket, and this approachable act won cheers.
The film was screened in its entirety for the first time. The audience reacted enthusiastically, exclaiming during the action scenes and remaining quiet and focused during the dramatic sequences.
When the lights came on at the end of the screening, the audience erupted in applause that lasted for three minutes.
In a subsequent media interview, Zhang Jun stated: "Reign of Assassins is a new attempt for me in the martial arts genre. Emphasizing the story and emotions are the key points I focus on when making films."
I believe that a compelling story is what keeps audiences sitting in a movie theater for over two hours.
Lead actor Andy Lau is full of confidence in the film: "This is the first time I've seen the finished product since filming, and the quality exceeds my expectations. Box office? It should easily make a hundred million!"
It is reported that "Reign of Assassins" will officially hit theaters nationwide on June 28th. Industry insiders analyze that the film has the potential to become a box office bomb this summer.
Zhang Jun scrolls down to read the related reports below.
Sina Entertainment: "Exclusive film review of 'Reign of Assassins': A new possibility for martial arts films – a delicate balance between commerce and art."
"After the success of three consecutive modern-themed films, young director Zhang Jun has taken on the ancient costume martial arts genre for the first time and delivered a surprising result."
"Reign of Assassins" not only continues his consistent storytelling skills, but also demonstrates a maturity beyond his years in action design and aesthetic presentation.
The most commendable aspect of the film is its combination of literary and martial arts skills.
In the action scenes, Chin Ka-lok's action design abandoned the exaggerated "flying and escaping" style popular in recent martial arts films, returning to real weapon clashes and close combat, with each fight scene serving the characters and plot.
The final battle in the pagoda, in particular, is a five-minute-long fight amidst the collapse. The complexity of the staging and the precision of the editing make it a benchmark for action scenes in recent Chinese martial arts films.
His skill is even more evident in the dramatic scenes.
Zhang Jun uses a lot of everyday details—borrowing and returning umbrellas, cooking in the kitchen, pulling out the wrong beard—to portray the relationship between Zeng Jing (played by Zhang Ziyi) and Jiang Asheng (played by Andy Lau), this special couple.
This delicate emotional buildup makes the final scene of entrusting each other with their lives all the more moving.
In terms of acting, Zhang Ziyi demonstrated excellent control, portraying the restraint and gentleness of a retired assassin with distinct layers.
Andy Lau subverts his image, portraying a simple and honest character with a hidden secret; Fan Bingbing's portrayal of Ye Zhanqing is mad and ruthless, unforgettable; Wang Xueqi's Wheel King is sinister and insane, sending chills down your spine with just a few glances.
"Reign of Assassins" proves that Zhang Jun is not only a master of low-to-medium budget comedies, but also capable of handling large-scale period dramas.
More importantly, it offers a new approach to the increasingly formulaic Chinese martial arts films: maintaining commercial entertainment value while not abandoning in-depth exploration of characters and emotions.
If we had to nitpick, the pacing in the middle of the film was a bit slow, and the scenes of some supporting characters could be shortened.
Overall, however, *Reign of Assassins* is one of the most well-made Chinese-language commercial films so far this year.
Upon seeing this, Zhang Jun's lips curled into a smile.
Anyone would be happy to see praise, but he knew that the media was the media and the audience was the audience, and often the audience and the media felt differently.
He then clicked on the Tencent News report, which contained interviews with the main creators.
"During the interview after the premiere of 'Reign of Assassins,' director Zhang Jun frankly admitted to reporters about the box office performance."
When we were filming, we had already decided to tell the story well first, and leave the rest to the audience.
This period martial arts film, with an investment of 70 million yuan, is Zhang Jun's largest production to date.
The film boasts a star-studded cast including Andy Lau, Zhang Ziyi, Fan Bingbing, Wang Xueqi, Lu Yi, and Li Shuangbing. The action choreography is handled by Chin Ka-lok, a renowned action choreographer from Hong Kong, and the music is composed by Zhao Jiping.
During the interview, Andy Lau appeared very confident. When asked by a reporter whether it was risky for him to forgo his film salary and choose to invest and share profits, Andy Lau laughed and said:
I have high hopes for Director Zhang and for this story. Now that I've seen the film, I'm even more convinced that I made the right choice.
Zhang Ziyi commented on the film from a female perspective: "The female characters in 'Reign of Assassins' are all three-dimensional, not just decorative figures."
Zeng Jing's resilience and Ye Zhanqing's madness each possess their own strength and destiny.
This is quite rare in modern martial arts films.
When talking about the filming process, Fan Bingbing admitted that she suffered a lot: there was a scene where she was buried alive, and they actually smeared her face with wet soil. After filming, she could still find mud in her ears for a week.
But seeing the final product, I felt it was worth it.
In his concluding remarks, director Zhang Jun stated that martial arts films are a traditional strength of Chinese-language cinema, but in recent years some have fallen into formulaic patterns.
What "Reign of Assassins" aims to do is to tell a story that can resonate with today's audience while preserving the essence of martial arts.
Success or failure will be revealed on June 28th.
It is also reported that "Reign of Assassins" has been confirmed for a simultaneous release in Hong Kong and Taiwan, with negotiations underway for other regions.
Zhang Jun closed the webpage and leaned back in his chair.
The living room was quiet, with only the hum of the computer fan. Fan Bingbing and Gao Yuanyuan had both finished reading the report, and neither of them spoke.
"How is it?" Zhang Jun asked.
"The evaluation is very high." Fan Pangbing spoke first, his tone filled with a sense of pride.
"Media predictions are also quite accurate."
Gao Yuanyuan chimed in, "It seems the industry is very optimistic about it."
Zhang Jun got up, walked to the window, and drew back the curtains. The city of Beijing was still brightly lit late at night, and in the distance, the tower cranes at the China World Trade Center Phase III construction site were illuminated with warning lights, like still stars in the night sky.
"That's not enough," he said.
Both women looked at him.
"The positive reviews from the media are just the first step."
Zhang Jun turned around and leaned against the windowsill: "The real test is the audience, those who pay money to buy tickets to go to the cinema."
They don't analyze camera language, they don't evaluate narrative structure; they just say "good" or "bad."
He walked back to the computer, sat down again, and opened a document.
That was the final draft of the publicity plan for "Reign of Assassins," filled with dense text and data.
Target screening rate of 35% in the first week of release, estimated box office for midnight screenings, roadshow arrangements in various cities, TV broadcast time slots, online promotional events —
"It will be released on June 28th, just a few more days."
Zhang Jun looked at the screen: "The publicity department can't slack off these next few days. We need to build up word-of-mouth, maintain the buzz, and fight for more screenings."
He spoke with such focus that it quieted both women down.
At that moment, what they saw was not a man navigating relationships with women, but a director, a creator, someone who wanted to bring his work to market.
Fan Bingbing stood up first: "I'm going to take a shower."
Gao Yuanyuan also stood up: "Then I'll go back first."
The two reached a rare understanding: tonight was not the time for jealousy or rivalry.
Zhang Jun nodded: "Be careful on the road."
Gao Yuanyuan put on her coat and glanced back at him as she reached the door. Zhang Jun happened to be looking over and understood what the woman was thinking.
He walked over and hugged her: "You don't have to leave."
Gao Yuanyuan shook her head: "I was already impulsive tonight. When we're alone together, you can do whatever you want."
The meaning was clear: she didn't want to do anything fancy at this time and in this setting.
Zhang Jun didn't force her. He gave Gao Yuanyuan a French kiss that left her breathless, and then saw her off.
When Fan Bingbing came out of the shower, Zhang Jun was already sitting in front of the computer. She walked over while drying her hair, hugged him from behind, and rested her chin on his shoulder.
"Still busy?"
"Um."
Zhang Jun responded and asked, "Tired?"
"A little."
Fan Bingbing leaned against his chest: "But I'm happy to see that the movie is so good and that the media reviews are so high."
Zhang Jun smiled, twirling his fingers through her hair: "This is just the beginning."
"I know."
Fan Bingbing looked up at him, her eyes sparkling under the lights: "But I'm just happy, Zhang Jun. You will become the most amazing director, I believe it."
She said it very seriously, without any coquetry or flattery, just as if stating a fact.
Zhang Jun looked at her for a few seconds, then lowered his head and kissed her lips.
Go to sleep.
He patted Fan Bingbing's shapely buttocks: "We have to get up early tomorrow."
"And you?"
"I still have some work to take care of."
Fan Bingbing nodded and went to sleep.
Zhang Jun is under great pressure. The investment in "Reign of Assassins" was 70 million yuan, and with the marketing and distribution costs, the total cost is close to 90 million yuan.
According to the typical revenue-sharing ratio for domestic films, the box office needs to reach more than 250 million yuan to break even.
A box office of 250 million yuan was an astonishing figure in 2006. Last year, only three domestic films grossed over 100 million yuan.
Fortunately, this type of film relies on more than just box office revenue. While foreign film distributors are still interested in period epics, making money overseas is the main way to go.
My phone vibrated.
Zhang Jun picked it up and saw a text message from Yang Mi: "I'm safely back at the dorm. I read the movie report, it was great."
come on."
He smiled and replied, "Go to bed early and study hard."
Yang Mi was very dissatisfied: "Master, stop reading! I'm paying attention in class!"