Chapter 50 Well Done! That Mountain Becomes a Key Project!

"That Mountain, That Dog, and That Man is an exceptional piece of work!"

"For a long time, we have overlooked many outstanding grassroots postal workers. Year after year, they delivered mail in the remote mountain areas, bringing the warmth and news of loved ones to the mountain folk..."

In truth, many people in later generations remained unaware of certain realities from 1997.

Back in those years, the postal system was still remarkably powerful.

The postal service and telecommunications had not yet been separated.

The telecommunications referred to here meant the telecom sector.

In other words, the future major telecom operators... Of course, calling them that might not be entirely accurate, but understanding it that way sufficed.

Moreover, it was also mentioned in That Mountain, That Dog, and That Man.

There was a significant reason why a son would inherit his father's post: a mail carrier, no matter how one looked at it, was still a state cadre.

Mark that well—a cadre, not just an ordinary state-owned enterprise employee.

Naturally, the novel was a work of the 1980s.

Policies had undoubtedly shifted by now, but the position was still far from ordinary.

Ma Xun remembered that the postal and telecommunications services were separated around 1998.

At present, the postal system truly wielded immense clout.

This explained why Sun Donghai had immediately shaken his head when Ma Xun mentioned wanting to approach people from the postal system earlier.

On one hand, he believed that a film like That Mountain could never turn a profit.

On the other hand, people within the postal system were notoriously difficult to access.

Naturally, Sun Donghai had chosen to play dumb.

Yet now, shortly after Ma Xun's return to the capital, the project had successfully connected with the postal system.

Furthermore, the postal authorities had published numerous articles.

Not only did they lavish praise on both the film and the novel, but they also declared their intention to establish a role model.

Previously, too little care had been shown to grassroots postal workers in the mountain regions.

Now, that oversight was being rectified.

Upon receiving this news, Sun Donghai was dumbfounded.

He immediately placed a call.

"Brother, you are truly incredible! You even have connections in the postal system?"

"Well, naturally! When I came to you before, I was showing you respect."

"Indeed, indeed! That is why I always say we are brothers."

"However, regarding this project..."

"I understand, I won't meddle this time. But over in Hong Kong..."

Envy dripped from every word Sun Donghai uttered, yet Ma Xun could still read between the lines.

He remained deeply pessimistic about a film like That Mountain.

Ma Xun could only sigh at the truth that things were easily accomplished when one had backing.

Xu Qing possessed formidable connections; her father had merely dropped a few casual words to the right people.

And just like that, every obstacle vanished.

No wonder that fellow Liu Bo had schemed and plotted to stir up so much trouble.

Still, Sun Donghai was no fool.

While the film currently enjoyed considerable momentum, the heavier the official involvement, the harder it truly became to turn a profit.

Ma Xun naturally had his own unique profitability strategy, which he could not possibly reveal to Sun Donghai at the moment.

As for the trouble brewing in Hong Kong...

Ma Xun chuckled. "That fellow Lung Wu isn't as easily manipulated as before, right?"

At those words, Sun Donghai let out an exclamation of surprise on the other end of the line.

"Brother, you are simply divine! Affairs thousands of miles away, and you speak of them as if you witnessed them with your own eyes. Exactly, Lung Wu is indeed different from before. While the usual pleasantries remain, when it comes to splitting the profits, not only is he stingy, but his attitude is rigid! Damn it! Has his face changed the moment he returned to Hong Kong?"

"It's not that I'm divine," Ma Xun said, not out of false modesty. "My friend, you really need to keep yourself better informed about the situation overseas."

"What about overseas?" Sun Donghai grew even more bewildered.

Ma Xun smiled and said, "You haven't forgotten Black Mask, the film I mentioned to you earlier, have you?"

"Oh, I remember now."

"That film exploded in popularity overseas, and I estimate his copyright earnings from Lung Wu's end exceed ten million US dollars."

Ten million US dollars?

Upon hearing this, Sun Donghai immediately understood.

"Holy shit! So that's why this fellow has bounced back! No wonder his attitude changed completely! Asshole!"

Ma Xun had known about this all along.

In a sense, Black Mask had saved Lung Wu.

While one could not claim the film single-handedly rescued everything, it unquestionably relieved Lung Wu's financial pressures immensely.

The Asian financial crisis was looming right ahead, and many heavyweight tycoons in Hong Kong were suffering greatly.

Needless to say, a producer like Lung Wu, who relied entirely on the film industry, felt the pinch even more acutely.

Yet Black Mask had achieved an unexpectedly massive breakthrough overseas.

Although Lung Wu could not enjoy the complete dividends, he at least secured a substantial percentage.

The film's overseas box office had reached approximately 600 million Hong Kong dollars.

At the most conservative estimate, Lung Wu could pocket 100 million.

Naturally, this was money earned strictly from overseas copyrights, meaning Lung Wu would not partake in many of the subsequent residual profits.

After all, the overseas copyrights had been bought out.

Even so, that 100 million was an absolute godsend for Lung Wu.

This also explained why Lung Wu's later attitude toward Jet Li was entirely different.

Bringing his thoughts back to the present.

"Just tell me how much Lung Wu plans to give us."

"That street-runner said two million at most."

"I suppose that will have to do."

"Brother, you're not actually going to let it go at that, are you?"

"Damn it! How could I let it go? Do you take me for some pushover made of clay?"

"Heh heh, I knew my brother would have a way."

"Let's find an opportunity to knock this Hong Kong Fifth Brother down a peg."

"How?"

"Why are you so slow? Is Fifth Brother the only brother in Hong Kong? Do the other brothers not exist?"

"Oh, I see."

"Figures like Raymond Wong or Jimmy Heung... Aren't they all eager to head north to the mainland?"

"Good! I'll get right on it."

With that, the two hung up the phone.

Sun Donghai went off to busy himself by courting other Hong Kong heavyweights.

Meanwhile, Ma Xun was acutely aware in his heart.

Lung Wu had definitely recovered his footing now, and wanting to completely manipulate him in the future would certainly require some effort.

Recruiting other tycoons probably wouldn't be enough on its own.

Yet for now, Ma Xun did not have any better tactics at his disposal.

It mattered little, however. While Lung Wu had rebounded, Ma Xun's own strength was also on the rise.

Therefore, the impact would be minimal.

As for Sun Donghai's pipe dream of pursuing Sister Gigi, the probability of that happening was now extremely low.

Opportunities to deal with Lung Wu would surely present themselves in the future.

When that time came, he would simply turn up the pressure on that fellow.

The call concluded, and Ma Xun turned his attention back to the project on his desk.

Before long, however, his Taotie beast-mask door knocker chimed once more.

Who could it be?

"Oh my! Ma Xun, I would never have guessed."

"Sister Chen, what game are you playing this time?"

The moment Chen Hong stepped inside, she threw her arms around Ma Xun's neck.

Affection was fine, but her words carried a distinct edge.

"Tell your older sister, did you really sleep with that little slut Xu Qing?"

How did she find out?

Naturally, Ma Xun could not admit to it, instantly turning his acting skills up to maximum.

"Sister Chen, what are you talking about? I don't understand a word!"

"Still playing dumb with me?"

"What am I playing dumb about?"

"You still won't confess?"

"Nothing happened, what is there for me to confess? Am I that kind of person?"

"Pfft! As if I don't know what kind of person you are!"

"Sister Chen, with what you're saying... do you have any evidence?"

"You want evidence? Hehe... That Benz at the airport earlier, whose could it be if not yours?"

This...

It seemed he could no longer gloss over it.

Sister Chen continued, "And now this film, That Mountain, That Dog, and That Man, has suddenly become a priority project for the postal authorities. Could all of this be mere coincidence?"

Hearing this, Ma Xun could only offer a wry smile. "I knew I couldn't keep anything from you, Sister Chen."

He effectively conceded, though truthfully.

Ma Xun felt a trace of anxiety.

A woman's heart is as deep as the ocean.

If Sister Chen were to harbor jealousy or spite, would it affect their future collaborations?

On such matters, Ma Xun truly lacked certainty.

To his surprise, Sister Chen leaned in and kissed Ma Xun several times.

Her reaction...

"Well done!"

Such a reaction from a refined lady caught Ma Xun completely off guard.

"This time, my involvement is primarily because of this film."

He put on a reluctant front, which only delighted Sister Chen further.

"Tell your sister, was it good?"

"What kind of talk is that? If outsiders heard you, your image would be completely ruined."

"It's just the two of us here, what outsiders? Hehe... It must have been wonderful."

"Ahem... Sister Chen, let's talk business."

In truth, Sister Chen's reaction stemmed from a very simple reason.

"This film is definitely going to be directed by me too, right?"

Understood!

Xu Qing was merely acting in this film.

Whereas Sister Chen had transitioned into directing, and was currently a director on a powerful upward trajectory.

In the context of this film, Sister Chen would not only outrank Xu Qing in status, but she could also tell Xu Qing to do whatever she pleased.

How could Sister Chen not be overjoyed?

Yet Ma Xun had originally calculated that Huo Jianqi was quite suitable to direct the movie.

As for the current situation...

"There were proposals for Huo Jianqi, along with his wife as the screenwriter..."

Hearing this, Sister Chen became even more spirited.

"Ma Xun! You must give it to me instead! I'll be the general director, and Huo Jianqi can be the assistant director."

Yes, it should be done this way!

Ma Xun made his decision on the spot.

"Sister Chen's reminder is timely; we cannot let that couple hijack this entire film."

Indeed, having Sister Chen serve as the general director—even if only in name—was a favorable move.

It would better safeguard their interests.

Ma Xun had previously fallen into a fixed mindset because the original film had indeed been exceptionally well-directed.

Sister Chen was different, however.

Her ability to quickly hit upon this solution stemmed from her previous experience with The Soong Sisters.

That film might have appeared to be a massive, high-investment blockbuster.

In reality, it was also a husband-and-wife production!

Mabel Cheung and Alex Law.

That couple happened to be the exact reverse of Huo Jianqi and his wife: the wife directed, while the husband wrote the screenplays.

Yet Ma Xun's assessment of that particular couple was ruthless:

If investors possessed a Death Note, that couple's names would occupy the very first line.

They were certainly adept at winning awards, but they truly lacked profitability.

Setting them aside, Sister Chen was currently entirely unfamiliar with That Mountain.

She simply asked, "Is Xu Qing the female lead?"

Ma Xun replied casually, "She's getting older now; I originally planned to cast her in the role of the 'mother'."

Given Xu Qing's slightly plump figure at the moment, playing a virtuous wife in the mountains was actually quite fitting.

Upon hearing this, Sister Chen grew even more ecstatic.

She showered Ma Xun with a flurry of kisses.

What was happening here?

Without overthinking it, Ma Xun decisively hoisted Sister Chen's legs up.

...

After searching for a long time, she still could not find her examination registration number.

Bingbing's eyes welled up with tears.

She had failed the admissions for the Shanghai Theatre Academy as well.

She had made it to the secondary rounds at the Central Academy of Drama, and the tertiary rounds at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

People always said that reaching the tertiary rounds meant success was practically guaranteed.

Yet now...

"It doesn't matter! There are still opportunities! There's a talent show for 'Xiangjiang Girls' happening right now!"

Bingbing's mother refused to accept defeat, especially given her daughter's stunning looks.

Those examiners were simply blind!

They would enter the talent show and become big stars all the same!

Bingbing could only nod through her tears.

The talent show had become her final opportunity...