Chapter 38: It’s Bound to Be a Hit! "Hear Me" Surpasses 10 Million Views!

"Hey, this movie is actually pretty good."
"The story is quite touching..."
"I feel like the cinematography is great; it has such a warm, cozy vibe."

Ma Xun really couldn't tell if Gao Yuanyuan’s heart was in turmoil, but the audience’s feedback was what he cared about most right now. This film, "Hear Me," was his first-ever movie. To be honest, there were still many regrets. He had no choice; he had made concessions based entirely on the existing conditions. In this day and age, he didn't dare to invest too much money into a film. Otherwise, he would end up just like the Chen brothers.

However, although the budget was tight, he had spent it where it mattered most. He hadn't skimped on the cameras or the film stock. In fact, because he had been recruited by Sister Hong to be the cinematographer early on, he had been sure about this aspect from the very beginning. That was why he could transition into the role of cinematographer seamlessly. The visuals of a film never lie. You don't need to be an expert or a scholar to tell whether a film has had money spent on its production—even ordinary moviegoers can see it.

Sitting in the theater, Ma Xun was satisfied with the visual effects. But because so much was spent there, other areas had to be compressed. The actors' salaries were manageable, but details were cut wherever possible. Chen Kun, who played the male lead, was initially presented as a food delivery courier. In the original version, he rode a scooter—a very popular mode of transport in Taiwan. Since the setting had changed, well, he would just ride a "Twenty-Eight" heavy-duty bicycle! He had picked one up at a second-hand market for 30 yuan. Ma Xun had even haggled with the shop owner, knowing full well that in the Northeast, such a bike was worth at most 20 yuan. The shop owner’s source for the bike was questionable, and Ma Xun’s bargaining skills had left the man sweating. And so, the film’s mode of transportation was settled.

Later on, the audience would discover that he wasn't just an ordinary delivery boy; his family owned the restaurant. The owner was played by Ms. Li Qiming. Hey, you have to admit, with a voice like hers, it would be a real waste if she didn't run a restaurant. Her fee wasn't high either, which saved another chunk of the budget. They also needed a father figure, which Ms. Li solved by bringing in a regular acting partner.

Then there were other things. There were scenes in the original script that would have definitely cost a lot of money. For instance, the two leads riding together on a scooter. With their "Twenty-Eight" bicycle, they saved money again. Filming scenes on a motorcycle is technically difficult and dangerous at high speeds, but with a pedal bike, they couldn't go fast anyway. They rented a small van and filmed it as if they were shooting a wedding, and the result turned out quite well.

Hao Lei sat on the back rack of the bicycle, while Chen Kun pedaled until he was dripping with sweat. She slowly wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against him. That sense of youthful, innocent love—it really came through!

Then there was the sincere bond between the sisters. Gao Yuanyuan’s character wanted Hao Lei to stop worrying about her and instead pursue her own love boldly. Deep sisterly affection is a common theme in many movies, but this time it was different because there was no sound between them. This silent interaction, seen now, felt even more powerful than dialogue. Ma Xun noticed some female audience members crying at this point. They were even trying their best to hold it in, afraid that the sound of their sobbing might disturb the sisters on screen. For Ma Xun, this was the ultimate compliment. It was safe to say that "Hear Me" was already a success.

But what about the ending? A story is only as good as its conclusion. Ma Xun was even a bit anxious, desperate to see the audience’s final reaction.

Finally, the film reached its conclusion.
"Even if you chase her back, what can you do?"
"Ah, you mean the girl who can't hear?"
"That's the one—the one who is hardworking, optimistic, cute, kind, gentle, so good to her sister, and good to everyone..."
"Yeah."
Clearly, the male lead had used every beautiful adjective he knew for the girl he loved. The audience couldn't help but laugh; it was so warm and funny.

And the parents' reaction...
"Oh, dear, why don't we sign up to learn sign language one of these days?"
"Yes, yes, I’ve been wanting to learn, too."
"You... you agree?!"
"Well..."
"Aha! Mua! I love you! I love you both to death! You are the best parents in the world!"
The boy was overjoyed. He kissed his parents and dashed out to hop on his delivery bike. His parents laughed until they were in tears. At the same time, the audience in the theater was doing the same. They had just been laughing, and now there were tears in their eyes. Someone once said that happiness is always infectious. In that moment, the film and reality became one.

Ma Xun secretly felt lucky. *I’ve got the magic touch!* Ms. Li hadn't played in "Water Margin" yet, nor had she become the infamous "Nanny Rong." Otherwise, this scene wouldn't have had the same effect.

Back to the movie. When the male lead brought the girl back...
"This is Yang Yang, the one I told you about."
"Oh, so this is her..."
"Quick, quick, have a seat."
The boy’s parents, usually very outgoing people, were now quite awkward. They were trying their best to keep smiles on their faces, their tone and attitude carefully doting on the girl. And then, the key moment: the father took out something like a calendar. He flipped it over, and it had words written on it. First, an introduction, and then...
"We are very happy you are here."
They were just too adorable. The next lines on the calendar were...
"He is also very hardworking, optimistic, and cute..."
Good grief, they had repeated the exact same words from earlier. The girl looked at them with delight, while the boy was so embarrassed he wanted to find a hole to crawl into. It was funny, yet heartwarming. Until...
"When are you two getting married?"
When that line came out, the boy nearly collapsed. "What are you doing!"
"Oh, what's wrong?"
"We haven't even..."
"How do you know she won't say yes if you don't ask?"
The family of three was about to start arguing. But then!
"I do."
The girl finally spoke in front of the boy. And that first sentence was "I do." In that instant, thunderous applause erupted throughout the theater. Certainly, all the female audience members were moved, and even among the men, quite a few were shedding tears. It hadn't been easy, but the truth had finally been revealed. After so many mishaps and misunderstandings, two people who loved each other had finally overcome all obstacles to be together.

The film ended there. Of course, there were some "post-credits" scenes—still frames that looked like photographs. The younger sister participated in a competition, continuing to strive for Olympic gold. The older sister got married. Wearing a wedding dress, she still sat on the back of the "Twenty-Eight" bicycle. It was romantic. Even if they didn't balance well and tipped over, the photos captured the whole process of their tumble. The audience could still see the happy expressions on their faces.

This final "photo" treatment satisfied the audience immensely, and their applause grew even louder. It was the finishing touch. Happiness is like that—it doesn't need much description. These photos were enough. In truth, the reason it was filmed that way was—to save money! Ma Xun, seeing the audience's reaction, was incredibly happy.

...

The movie was over. Gao Yuanyuan hadn't said a word during the final act.
"This film..."
"I’ve already seen it before."
"You performed well."
Gao Yuanyuan hadn't expected Ma Xun to say something like that. She had realized long ago that the feeling of watching a movie with someone is completely different. She had been worried that Ma Xun wouldn't say anything nice, but now... Gao Yuanyuan didn't dare look at him, afraid he would see how happy she was. That would be giving too much away.

The two walked out with the crowd. Many female audience members were still wiping their tears. Some male viewers had already emerged.
"Oh, stop crying."
"It was really touching."
"It didn't look like a Qiong Yao drama to me."
"It’s different! This one is warm and happy."
"Can happiness be eaten like a meal?"
"All you ever think about is food!"
"Well, let me ask you, are you hungry? If you are... want to go get some Kentucky Fried Chicken?"
The way he said it made both Ma Xun and Gao Yuanyuan burst into laughter. The guy probably did it on purpose, as his girlfriend was also giggling. So...
"Let's go get some of that Kentucky Fried Chicken, too."
Ma Xun’s words made Gao Yuanyuan lose her composure.
"You are so bad!"
Gao Yuanyuan laughingly gave Ma Xun a couple of light shoves. But she couldn't win against her boss; Ma Xun took her by the hand and headed to the nearest store. Gao Yuanyuan didn't have a mirror, or she would have seen the smile on her face. It was beautiful.

...

After this screening, Ma Xun felt secure. *My movie is definitely going to be a hit!* And reality didn't disappoint him. The empty Beijing film market soon brought Ma Xun good news. A little over a week after "Hear Me" was released, the box office had already surpassed 3 million! With other regions still screening it, shortly after entering December, "Hear Me" had already broken 10 million in box office revenue! And Ma Xun hadn't even spent 1 million to make the whole film...