Chapter Twenty-Four: Everything I “Heard” Was Merely Hearsay

"Three-seven!"
"Two-eight."
"Why are you so insistent on this 'two-eight'?"
"My dear Sister Hong, aren't you twenty-eight this year? It's for good luck."
"Who asks for luck like that!"
Sister Hong was truly torn between anger and laughter. Ma Xun knew the crux of the matter lay in the film.
"Let's focus on discussing the film instead."
Sister Hong took the bait.
"What genre do you think we should shoot?"
"Oh, so you really have no idea in mind?"
"Who says I don't? I’ve been acting all this time, haven't I?"
Sister Hong clearly lacked confidence, which was quite amusing.
Ma Xun smiled. "Well, even if it's a spur-of-the-moment idea, tell me what you're thinking."
"How about a grand historical epic?"
Good heavens, she really dared to suggest that.
"Sister Hong, if you had a great script for a historical epic right now and went out looking for investment, I’d like to see who would dare to bet on you, Director Chen Hong."
"Oh! Ma Xun, don't go too far."
The sofa was too small, so the two were lying on a rug in the middle of the floor. Offended by Ma Xun's words, she pinched him. One wondered if she had ever heard of Yunnan folk songs—she certainly knew how to pinch.
Ma Xun had to get serious. "Costume historical epics are indeed a fine genre, but it's genuinely hard to make money unless you can bring in overseas investment. You know that, don't you?"
"I know, but isn't that the mainstream in the Mainland right now? Besides, I met a few people while transferring in Hong Kong."
"Who?"
"Jiang Wen, Xu Qing, and Yuko."
From the way she addressed them, one could easily tell who she was closer to. Ma Xun immediately deduced a film.
"The Emperor's Shadow?"
"Yes."
Sister Hong felt relieved. *The Emperor's Shadow* hadn't been released yet, and most of the filming had taken place at the Xi'an Film Studio. The investment, moreover, was from Hong Kong. The fact that Ma Xun guessed it instantly showed how well-informed he was. In this day and age, there were no internet search tools, and yet Ma Xun had this mysterious background. Sister Hong concluded that he was truly extraordinary.

In truth, Ma Xun guessed it because there was no shortage of gossip surrounding that film—especially concerning the Hong Kong boss who invested in it. But he dropped the subject, sensing what she was really after.
"Sister Hong, are you looking to secure a large investment to film a blockbuster?"
"Who wouldn't want that?"
"But at the end of the day, isn't the point of making films to make money?"
"But the current film market in the Mainland isn't good; even blockbusters struggle to turn a profit."
"My suggestion is, since you've only just started as a director, why not keep your feet on the ground and start with a smaller production?"
"What you say makes sense, but it sounds a bit pathetic to tell people that."
That sounded strange. Ma Xun picked up on something. "Sister Hong, did something happen in Hong Kong to upset you?"
That question hit the nail on the head. "Hmph! That flirtatious woman, acting all high and mighty!"
Oh? There was gossip! Ma Xun was immediately interested, gently brushing a lock of her hair.
"That Xu Qing? How did she offend my Sister Hong?"
It was as if she were waiting for that very question; Sister Hong poured it all out.
"I was having a small gathering with friends, and she was there acting like a peacock showing off its feathers! We were discussing future development, and she was there acting like she owned the place. The movie hasn't even been released yet, and she’s already acting like an international film queen, hmph!"
Ma Xun listened with growing delight. If he’d had some peanuts, sunflower seeds, and mineral water, it would have been perfect.
"Ma Xun, why are you just listening? Give me your take!"

Sister Hong finally realized something was off. Ma Xun coughed twice, shaking off his "gossip-monger" mode. He couldn't help it—it was just too good! A beautiful woman telling the story was not only something to listen to, but something to watch, and even something to play with.
He couldn't keep this up forever, but he had figured everything out, and he already had a plan.
"Sister Hong, don't be angry. *The Emperor's Shadow* is indeed a blockbuster, and Xu Qing is a woman of significant connections; even I have to be three parts cautious of her."
That phrasing... Ma Xun had truly mastered the art of bluffing. His "three parts cautious" was brilliant! Xu Qing was a true "courtyard child," and from a very powerful diplomatic background at that. Not all courtyards were created equal, and hers was far above the rest.
Ma Xun's words translated to: *I am cautious of her, but only by three parts.* In one sentence, he had placed himself on the same level as a legitimate "red third generation."
Sister Hong's reaction was even more interesting. She gave a light huff... which meant she was actually pleased. *Only three parts cautious.* Ma Xun's background really was impressive!
Ma Xun saw the subtle change clearly. He continued with a smile, "Besides, I heard she has an unspeakable relationship with a big boss in the cultural circle."
Sister Hong's eyes widened. "Oh? Who is that?"
She was dying for the gossip, but Ma Xun knew he couldn't let her have it all yet. He had to keep her on the hook.
"That involves someone's personal privacy, and I've only heard rumors. It's better not to say. Besides, the man is married, sigh..."
Good heavens! Sister Hong felt as if a thousand ants were crawling in her heart.
"Ma Xun, tell me..."
Being left with half a story was agonizing! Sister Hong showered him with affection, using every bit of her feminine charm.
But he couldn't spill it all!
"Sister Hong, I only heard this; it really involves privacy, and as I said, I have to be cautious of her. But this should be enough, right?"
Sister Hong felt helpless, but she knew that was all she would get. Xu Qing certainly had a massive background, and now she understood why she was so arrogant. She had connections, she starred in a historical epic, and now she was tangled up with a big boss. She was wealthy, powerful, and just waiting for the film's release to soar!
"No wonder that... she's so overbearing!"
Even without the full story, Sister Hong had satisfied her curiosity.
Ma Xun knew that Xu Qing was a "princess" by nature. To say she was truly malicious would be unfair; she was just naive, easily deceived, and prone to wearing her emotions on her sleeve.
Ma Xun wasn't making it up. The married man was Liu Bo. That guy had pulled off a massive scam that embarrassed the domestic cultural circles—a "rare ancient book" that was fine in itself, but the idea of floating a company on the stock market based on a single book was mind-boggling. Yet, Liu Bo had actually pulled it off and had that affair with Xu Qing.
Later, there were many versions of their story online—some saying they met in early 1998, others in 1997, or even 1994. Regardless of the version, Ma Xun wasn't going to let Sister Hong have the full story. When the scandal eventually broke, she would surely believe that Ma Xun had the ability to foresee the future, and that his background was even more formidable!
Looking at Sister Hong now, she was completely bewitched. It was time for Ma Xun to present the "solution."
"I've heard a bit about *The Emperor's Shadow*, and I don't think much of it."
Sister Hong loved hearing that.
"Really?"
"I shouldn't say too much."
"I understand. Then we..."
"Sister Hong, think about it: if we make a small-budget film that performs better at the box office, then next time you meet Xu Qing..."
Right! Then, you little brat, would you still dare to be so arrogant in front of me?! Sister Hong had already imagined the scene.
"But what kind of film?"
"Can it really beat a costume blockbuster?"
"Do you not trust me, Sister Hong?"
"Of course I do, but... oh, Ma Xun, do you already have an idea?"
"Actually, I thought of a story a while ago."
"Tell me."
"I passed by a small restaurant and saw a deaf-mute girl signing to a delivery boy. I thought, what if a love story blossomed between them?"
"A romance? Great! Low investment!"
"The deaf-mute girl is one of two sisters. Her older sister is a swimming star who dreams of the Paralympics. Get it? The girl isn't actually deaf-mute; the boy misunderstood her, but the misunderstanding is only cleared up at the very end..."
"Great! That story is so interesting!"
The more she heard, the more she liked it. Ma Xun watched her expression—of course she liked it! This was *Hear Me*. It was a charming film, and he already had two "deaf-mute" girls in mind. As for the boy...
"Ma Xun, you're amazing."
"Oh? You want a... 'stiff' one?"
"You're so bad!"
...
Summer, on campus. Everyone stood together in their school uniforms.
"Wow, so beautiful."
"They really do stand out."
"Quiet, quiet, we're starting."
Gao Yuanyuan and Hao Lei stood together in their summer high school uniforms. It was beautiful—exactly what everyone imagined high school to be. But during a break, Gao Yuanyuan spotted a small bottle.
Chanel No. 5!
How did she...
Gao Yuanyuan tried to tell herself that Hao Lei must have bought it herself. Then, someone arrived.
"Sister Hong, what brings you here?"
"I heard you were filming, and I wanted to scout for actors."
"That would be wonderful."
Sister Hong? When Chen Hong appeared on the set of *Seventeen-Year-Olds Don't Cry*, it drew cheers from the students. She was famous, after all. Was she really here to scout?
"Oh, these two look quite good."
She picked them just like that? Gao Yuanyuan and Hao Lei were set. It was too simple, yet it seemed fine. Both girls were surprised.
Chen Hong was direct: "I see a lot of potential in you both. Why don't you sign with my company?"
At those words, both Gao Yuanyuan and Hao Lei thought of Ma Xun. But she wasn't done.
"That boy over there is quite handsome too."
Chen Kun?
Good heavens, Sister Hong had settled the main cast of *Hear Me* in a single trip.