Chapter 32: "Rumors," Ma Xun's Debut Film

From crest to trough. Just like life itself, full of ups and downs. Feel it with your hands. That is a powerful life force. That is dazzling youthful vitality. That is the proactive, ambitious drive to never fall behind.

"Actually, you don't need to be so concerned about Gao Yuanyuan."

"Hearing you say that, I know I'm right."

Hao Lei brushed away Ma Xun's large hand, wearing a look that said: I won't be fooled.

Ma Xun shook his head helplessly. While he wouldn't claim to fully grasp the inner workings of this girl Hao Lei's mind, he could make a fair guess. She was definitely a bit jealous of Gao Yuanyuan. Otherwise, why would I, her photographer, be here recording her youth? Ma Xun admitted that her youth was top-tier. Naturally, he couldn't help but try to guide her.

"What I mean is, you are you, she is she; you are both independent souls."

But Hao Lei had her own thoughts—or, as they say, she was quite headstrong.

"I won't believe the sweet talk of you men."

"How so? I don't think I've ever lied to you."

"You haven't yet, but that doesn't mean you won't in the future."

"That's a bit harsh."

"No, not at all. Have you ever seen Gao Yuanyuan when she's about to cry?"

"This..."

"On the playground, we were filming a scene. She was being punished for puppy love, and so many boys were watching. She was just about to cry, hadn't even started yet, and I saw so many of the boys lose their composure."

Hearing this, Ma Xun laughed. That was indeed very Gao Yuanyuan. He remembered that later, during the filming of *Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre*, Su Xiaohu mentioned in an interview that whenever he saw Gao Yuanyuan in that state of almost-crying, he immediately felt that rejecting Zhou Zhiruo would be a grave sin.

And now...

"So, what do you think?"

Hao Lei glanced at Ma Xun and replied, "I admit, if I were a man, I'd like Gao Yuanyuan too."

"There you have it." Ma Xun continued to persuade her, "She has her strengths, you have your characteristics; there's no need to decide who wins or loses."

Hao Lei said with unusual calmness, "I'm not trying to win or lose."

"Then what do you want?"

"I can't control who you like, but for these four years, you cannot ignore me."

What a clear-headed view of the world. Ma Xun smiled and nodded, "Don't worry about that. I saw your potential; otherwise, do you think just anyone can be 'my person'?"

This statement fully demonstrated Ma Xun's high-handed attitude, yet it also made Hao Lei feel much more at ease.

"Just four years." Her subtext was: In these four years, I will become a big star.

Ma Xun laughed, "Aren't you afraid you won't be able to leave me after four years?" There was a hint of provocation in his tone.

Hao Lei replied, "No matter what, I will leave you." She left half the sentence unsaid: Even if I fall in love with you.

Ma Xun didn't speak; he just nodded, "Very good. With that spirit, you are destined to become a big star!"

Hao Lei felt steady in her heart. She really wasn't trying to compete with Gao Yuanyuan. In fact, she quite enjoyed their sisterly dynamic in *Hear Me*. Yuanyuan was like her little sister—relying on her, clinging to her. But sometimes, she needed this little sister too. Regardless, just looking at the script, the film was excellent. Hao Lei was even more certain: this guy Ma Xun was her only hope for fame. He was her only chance. How could she not hold on tight?

It's just... what kind of name is Ma Bangde? Do you really think you're 007?

Actually, Hao Lei couldn't understand. Ma Xun had to hide his identity. Not for any other reason, but at least he couldn't let Sun Donghai find out. Otherwise, how would Sister Hong be able to act conveniently in the future? The copyright business was Ma Xun's most important venture at the moment. There were many things to be done in the future. Of course, he couldn't tell Hao Lei about this. Better to just keep guiding her.

***

Oh, she climbed up on her own. Alright then...

...

In the hospital ward, a young girl had just regained consciousness.

"I'm sorry, I am truly sorry."

"It's not your fault. It's that I didn't hear the alarm."

"No! It's my fault! I..."

"You were so busy with work, how could you have expected such an accident?"

"I..."

"Look at you, you haven't even taken off your makeup..."

The older sister couldn't help it anymore and hugged the girl, crying. The two of them had just been communicating through sign language. Silent and soundless. Even now, as the older sister wept, the sound was barely audible. The girl on the hospital bed was the younger sister; although they were embracing, it looked more like the older sister throwing herself into the younger sister's arms. The younger sister seemed more mature, not only forgiving the older sister but constantly comforting her.

This scene... was captured by our photographer, Ma Bangde. He even used a very special camera angle, quietly zooming in on the younger sister in the hospital bed. Because in this part of the plot, the younger sister appeared more mature, more like the older sister. But regardless, Gao Yuanyuan and Hao Lei were embracing. This scene was destined to become a classic moment of sisterly affection.

And after filming...

"I was actually out on a date with a boy."

"That's nothing."

"Really?"

"Even if the younger sister knew, she would understand the older sister, and perhaps even be happy for her."

"But in this fire, the smoke might have hurt my sister's lungs. What if the swimming competition is affected?"

"That's nothing, either. I think the sister can distinguish between what's primary and what's secondary."

"What's primary and secondary?"

"Although the younger sister wants to win the competition, I think she would hope for her sister's happiness even more."

"You..."

"Sister Hao, what's wrong?"

"You guy, you're quite talented."

"Huh? Really? Everyone says my acting is terrible, you know that."

"What does that have to do with anything? You can understand this character, and that's already very good. Most people can't do that."

"Really?"

"Of course. Oh, stop it now."

"Ha! My Sister Hao."

After filming, Hao Lei and Gao Yuanyuan were chatting like sisters, and as they talked, they ended up hugging. This plot easily fostered a feeling of mutual reliance between them. Even in reality, it was bound to have an impact. Especially since Yuanyuan knew exactly why her "sister" hadn't returned—because she was out on a date with the person she liked. And this... seemed to have a huge overlap with reality. It was so strange.

And this scene... the photographer Ma Bangde quietly recorded it as well.

Film stock, 1500 yuan a box. It really wasn't cheap. Does our director know? Sister Hong was watching from the side, just smiling with pursed lips. Even if she knew, what of it? In any case, the money was all his, Ma Xun's.

...

Time in 1996 didn't actually move very fast. But it kept moving forward nonetheless. October arrived quietly. When Ma Xun realized this, he was somewhat surprised. Fortunately, he hadn't been idle; he hadn't let any of his businesses slip. *A Chinese Odyssey* on CCTV-6 was a hit.

The subsequent *Royal Tramp* and *Fist of Legend* were also hits. CCTV was very satisfied. However, they still felt the price of the copyrights was a bit too high. Understood. It was negotiable. Ma Xun didn't mind selling them again.

Of course, the most important thing was *Hear Me*. He had completed the film. It felt like it had been done in a blur. And he wasn't just the photographer. Sister Hong, as a director, was too much of a novice. Many things required Ma Xun's assistance. That was fine; it was his film anyway. Thinking carefully, he was also the screenwriter. Therefore, this film was entirely his.

This gave Ma Xun a special sense of achievement. Because in his future life, he had never had such an opportunity. To direct a film like this—it absolutely allowed the film to be filled with his personal style! For the minor director Ma Xun of the future, this was purely a luxury!

And now, I have perfectly hidden myself behind the scenes. Director Sister Hong is just my puppet. Even if she becomes a great director later on, that would be a beautiful thing. Just imagine: the world-renowned director Chen Hong, in private, has to kneel before me, Ma Xun... Awesome!!!

Well, the movie hasn't even been released yet; this guy Ma Xun needs to pull himself together. The filming was done, and post-production wasn't difficult. It was mainly editing and the soundtrack. For the soundtrack, he just looked for royalty-free music. This time, he chose to cooperate with the Beijing Film Studio, which had plenty of such scores on hand. You could say they were readily available.

Next, it was time for the release. For a film release nowadays, you first had to print the film. In the era of celluloid, you sold copies. The cost of one copy was 600 yuan, and the base price to sell to a cinema was 10,000 yuan. When a new film is released, if it has a big pedigree, you can hold a "bidding."

Currently, in our domestic film market, it was basically done city by city. This meant the producers would choose to target a specific city. They would first talk to the cinemas in that city; some cities had their own theater circuits. Everyone would negotiate, and if it seemed viable, they would hold a bidding. Whichever cinema liked the film would pay a high price to win the bid. That was how the Guanglu Cinema had bid for *A Chinese Odyssey*—gaining the right to show it first. They made a fortune. That theater on Zhongjie Street had long queues back then.

Now, Ma Xun left the negotiation and bidding with cinemas and theater circuits to Sister Hong. This was the right choice. Sister Hong had really acted in many films and had many friends in the circle. She was absolutely qualified for this work.

But, an unexpected situation arose.

"Come with me to Guangzhou for a trip."

"What for?"

"To attend the premiere of *The Emperor's Shadow*!"

"This..."

"You must come! Of course, you can come with Sun Donghai."

Sister Hong's tone on the phone made Ma Xun smile. Xu Qing must have been peacocking in front of Sister Hong again. Might as well go; Ma Xun wanted to see it too. *The Emperor's Shadow*... there was plenty of gossip to be had there...