Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
At the same time, on the other side of the ocean, Merika, Hollywood
The third Round Table Conference.
“James, how are the box office sales at the Heavenly State?” Asked a low voice seated in the north. In order to compete against “The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre: Pugilistic World” in the box office, Hollywood had already held three Round Table Conferences. They seemed to be making a mountain out of a molehill.
However, orders from the top must not be disobeyed. Their main objective this time was to go up against Pugilistic World while it was screening, so the better “Air-Raid of the Trump Cards” did at the box office, the higher its chance of decreasing Pugilistic World’s box office takings. They had no choice but to take it seriously.
James stared at his laptop, his face all smiles. “Right now, we have already crossed five million in box office takings, and the amount is still increasing fast. I believe it’s possible. Today’s box office taking can easily cross the eight million dollar mark! Haha, it’s already quite good that this movie which we have invested seven million into can have such amazing results.”
They invested seven million dollars, but the movie had already hit the eight million dollar mark at the box office. It was actually an achievement to be proud of.
The faces of all in the meeting room broke into smiles at James’ announcement. Someone said, “Yes, it’s really not bad. If the current situation persists, the final box office takings should be around fifteen million dollars.”
Someone else said, “Yes, in this case, I think the box office takings for the opening day of their Pugilistic World will definitely not be high. Hehe, they invested twenty million into Pugilistic World. If box office takings don’t even hit ten million, I’d imagine Hong Dali’s face will look really bad.”
Thomas laughed hysterically. “I can almost see Hong Dali’s defeated expression, haha! Going up against Hollywood, hmph, how can we let him gain the upper hand? He might have exceptionally good luck, but luck has no say in box office takings!”
A third person said, laughing, “That’s right. Let’s see what expression he will have this time. We will stick to this tempo and go all out against the Heavenly State’s film industry. As long as it’s an epic film, we will definitely compete against them in the box office. We will continue until they are willing to loan us Big Turtle.”
Everyone laughed. James suddenly asked, “But, according to the World Film Protection Regulations, will the Heavenly State allow us to continue doing that? To be honest, I found even this one time unbelievable.”
A fourth person said, laughing, “We have already established contacts with their side. It cost us quite a sum of money. There’s an old saying in the Heavenly State—money can make the devil do your work. So, dear James, there is no need for you to worry about any of that.”
James said vehemently, “That’s great! This time, let us win the fight beautifully!”
…
Heavenly State, State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television
A middle-aged man in his fifties sat with the Bureau Chief of the National Security Bureau on the sofa. He chuckled as he said, “Keke, Bureau Chief, Hollywood has invested quite a big sum of money this time. Ten million Merikan Dollars, hehe. What plans do you have, Bureau Chief?”
The Bureau Chief took a sip of tea and answered casually, “Since they came forward first to offer us money and jump into the grave themselves, there’s no reason for us not to accept it. Keke, I guess they still do not know what kind of opponent they are going up against this time. I expect they will be in for a little surprise when the time comes.”
The middle-aged man asked cautiously, “But Bureau Chief, are you so sure that things will go smoothly on our side? I had actually planned to stagger the opening of the two movies. Pugilistic World is an epic production that’s rare these days. I have previewed the movie, and it has pretty good special effects and animations. However, if it were to go head to head against a Hollywood blockbuster, the chances of success are at most fifty-fifty. In the off chance that it should fail…”
The minister calmly said, “Keke, you are still underestimating Hong Dali’s scope of influence. Have you heard of the saying we have in Tianjing City now.”
The middle-aged man was surprised. “Oh, what saying?”
The Bureau Chief chuckled and said slowly, “The saying is rather interesting. Even if you were to question the validity of 1+1=2, you should definitely not question Hong Dali’s luck.”
Puuuuu!!! The middle-aged man spat the tea in his mouth out and asked, shocked, “That powerful? However, box office sales are not something that can be settled with just luck alone!”
The minister said, chuckling, “Just wait and see. Hehe. Up till now, I have not seen anyone who has ever gone up against Hong Dali and end up unscathed.”
The middle-aged man agreed. “Keke, that’s true. That’s for sure. Oh yes, Bureau Chief, the ten million Merikan dollars…”
The Bureau Chief took the bank card from the middle-aged man and said, “Hong Dali will probably need some funds in the near future, let us privately sponsor him with this ten million dollars. Haha.”
“Deal! I shall sit and watch, then. Let’s see what our lucky mascot can cook up this time!”
…
6th of July, 1:00 PM.
The first wave of excitement from “Air-Raid of the Trump Cards” had barely died down before the second wave of madness descended.
The location of the charity auction, Mingjing Building. Level 18, Penghui Films Operations Office in Tianjing City, Premiere Screening of “The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre: Pugilistic World.”
Hong Dali’s classmates, Ling Yi, Du Xinzhen, and the others had already asked Dali for tickets to the premiere.
It must be understood that this was a precious and rare commodity. There were many who pulled all kinds of strings and went through many back doors, as well as ask, beg, flatter and even bribe to lay their hands on tickets for the premiere of Pugilistic World.
The guest list for this premiere was extra hard to fix, mainly because there were many entertainment stars who helped them. All the actors who worked on Pugilistic World, as well as the popular stars on “I Am a Singer” who helped with the soundtrack, would all be present today. The set was very fancy and definitely beyond everyone’s expectations.
The most important thing was, Penghui Films’ President, Lao Deming, might be announcing some earth-shattering news, so earth-shattering that they would be in the entertainment news headlines.
Based on Lao Deming’s position, the news must be very shocking. If it was connected to Pugilistic World as well as Hong Dali’s myriad web of connections, then it would definitely be entertainment news headlines as he claimed. It definitely was not an empty claim.
Ling Yi asked as they were rushing to the venue. “Xinzhen, did Big Bro Dali say if he’ll be here today?”
If Big Bro Dali did not attend the premiere today, it would lose quite a bit of its excitement.
Du Xinzhen gave it some thought. “Let me predict… Who knows? Big Bro Dali always comes and goes as he wishes. Who knows if he will show up today…”
Ji Zhiruo said softly, “I don’t see Young Master Dali’s car procession. I guess he is not here yet…”
Ling Yi shook his head. “Not here yet? That’s a pity.” When they reached the 18th floor where Penghui Films’ Operations Office in Tianjing was located, they were assaulted by a wave of bright camera flashes.
The reporters from all major media were there with full “battle” gear, as well as laptops on their backs and recorders in their hands, blocking off the entrance. The gathered heads totaled at least four or five hundred. The atmosphere was electric, and they were so excited they were almost shoving their microphones into the attending guests’ mouths.
It was lucky Ling Yi and his group were obviously not celebrities. The staff guided them to a passageway off to the side. After all, the red carpet was only for members of the production team, the actors, and other celebrities.
The ground suddenly reverberated with shouts and the crowd pushed forward. A horde of over-excited reporters rushed forward. “Ah!!! Director Lin is here!” Ling Yi and company turned and saw a man with pockets all over, licking a lollipop. It was Director Lin Hao. The old guy had the latest popular singer Jiang Ruoyu on his arm. The two walked down the red carpet together, waving loftily to everyone as a greeting.
Numerous cameras flashed suddenly, the flashes came quicker then raindrops.
“Director Lin, I’m Star Weekly Magazine’s reporter Tang Anqi. Everyone has their eyes on Pugilistic World. Now that it’s about to premiere, can you share with us your thoughts?” Tang Anqi, who was at the gaming fest, had sensed with her sharp intuition that this movie premiere would be big news throughout the country. She had requested, and obtained approval from her superior, for permission to be in charge of this report.
Tang Anqi got there first, followed by the other reporters who came forward in a rush. In the blink of an eye, Lin Hao was surrounded by microphones. His head was glaringly big and looked like a lone bud in the midst of many leaves.
Truth be said, Director Lin was a director and was an important man, but there was no need to for them to get so worked up. However, it did show how much attention Pugilistic World was garnering. Ultimately, what the reporters were interested in was the battle between the locally produced film and the Hollywood blockbuster. They had heard that Hollywood had lined up two movies, “Moment of Screaming” and “Air-Raid of the Trump Cards,” to open against Pugilistic World in the box office. It would not be that easy to handle Hollywood’s display of dominance.
Director Lin was well aware of the inner thoughts of these reporters. He smiled and said, “Today is war, but I have confidence we will win. Thank you.” He then walked slowly down the red carpet with Jiang Ruoyu and autographed a huge poster of Pugilistic World on the wall off to one side. They then left the reporters behind and continued onward.
Numerous reporters called out, “So cool, I like this type of men!”
However, Tang Anqi was obviously much smarter, her mind was much sharper. As she watched the backs of the two, she pondered. “There’s no problem with Director Lin Hao appearing here, but why was he accompanied by Jiang Ruoyu? One is from Penghui Films, the other is from Caiwei Entertainment. They have only worked together on this one film, they should not have such close relations. Is it possible that they have something else going on?
The more she thought about it, the more frightening her thoughts became. There must be some kind of shocking conspiracy going on, she just could not figure out what it was. As she was torn between possibilities, she suddenly saw the President of Penghui Films, Lao Deming, wearing Caiwei Entertainment’s armband on his upper arm. Tang Anqi was so shocked she almost bit her tongue. She muttered blankly, “Impossible… the two companies are already so close?”
