Chapter 277 - Treating the Premiere as If It Were Nothing!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Upon hearing Tang Anqi’s question, Li Nianwei gave a slight smile, and her beautiful looks made Tang Anqi as a woman stunned as well. “I’m sorry, I can’t reveal the exact reason. Lao Deming, Director Lao, will explain afterward.”
As expected, seems like there would be a big announcement today!
Though Tang Anqi didn’t get a direct answer to her question, at least she already got to know that perhaps even “The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber: Pugilistic World” public premiere would only be a small portion of today’s event. The real highlight would definitely be that mysterious piece of news after the event!
Li Nianwei stood on the stage and made a few poses for pictures, and the scene finally calmed down slightly.
The host, Wang Yong from Tianjin Variety Channel of Tianjin TV Station who had been invited, was also the host for that God-level Planning program. He stood on the platform, smiled and said, “Miss Nianwei is truly our nation’s goddess, each action and movement from her has the aura of a superstar.” After he’d flattered Li Nianwei, he carefully asked, “Miss Nianwei, will Young Master, one of the main shareholders, come today?”
Young Master Hong Dali was like a God of Fortune who had landed from the sky. Everything he did was a huge legend.
Wang Yong had been made completely despondent by Hong Dali the previous time. Thus, this time, he had to get to the bottom of things first. Or else, if he was caught by surprise and Hong Dali appeared at the scene again to say “I just wanted to squander,” that would be too interesting…
“Young Master has other matters today, so he can’t come.” Li Nianwei smiled as she shook her head. “I can’t disclose the exact details.”
It’s good that he isn’t coming…
Wang Yong heaved a quiet sigh of relief. If Young Master were to come, he was afraid that he wouldn’t be able to control the scene, and now that he would not be coming, he could finally be at ease. Then, he cleared his voice and started to give the opening speech.
“All respected guests, gentlemen, ladies, all film lovers, greetings! After a series of twists and turns, the premiere of the greatly anticipated “The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre: Pugilistic World” starts now!”
The typical opening speeches would normally be full of long-winded nonsense, and Wang Yong naturally would not miss out on this chance of getting the spotlight. “After a series of major changes, all the members of the ‘The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre: Pugilistic World’ crew went through various hardships and challenges, with unimaginable obstacles along the way. In the midst of this journey, there were also quite a number of changes in the roles…” As he mentioned this, Mu Zixiao chicly waved his hand and continuously nodded his head to signal his acknowledgment. Liu Mingxin, Handsome Liu, who sat below, did not know whether to cry or laugh. “Look at how proud the brat is, but I’ve heard that his Kungfu has really improved by quite a bit.”
Just then, Wang Yong continued, “Fortunately, ‘The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre: Pugilistic World’ gained the great support of Young Master Hong Dali. Currently, the quality of the film as a whole improved by leaps and bounds compared with its previous quality. After all, the saying that ‘Young Master’s productions must be of top-quality’ is definitely not just empty words! Now, let’s invite Director Lin Hao to express his thoughts!”
This type of speech was normally as long-winded as ever. Lin Hao had originally planned to prepare a half an hour speech, but upon recalling that Hong Dali had always hated long-winded people, after he took the microphone, he gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and said just one sentence. “I’m thankful for Young Master Dali’s support! Thank you, everyone! I’ve finished my speech!”
There was instantly a thunderous round of applause below!
Lin Hao’s popularity had instantly increased by tenfold, and there was even someone who took out his phone and posted on Weibo: “Director Lin Hao is the best director that I have ever seen. His speech is short and clear cut, I give him 32 likes!”
Upon witnessing the reaction of the crowd below, Lin Hao was very satisfied as he hurriedly stood up and bowed to the crowd.
Just then, Ling Xiaoyi’s phone suddenly rang. Lin Hao was just preparing to sit down when Ling Xiaoyi suddenly lowered her voice and said, “Director Lin, it’s a call from Young Master.”
“Young Master has called!” Lin Hao exclaimed in surprise and immediately took the phone and answered the call.
Upon hearing that it was a call from Young Master, the crowd was silent for a moment, with only sounds of slight breathing.
That was Young Master Hong Dali who had created countless wonders, who wouldn’t be curious about what was happening?
Tang Anqi excitedly took out her pen and noted furiously. “A mysterious call from Young Master, seems like there’s going to be the latest progression of things!”
In the meantime, Lin Hao lowered his voice and said, “Young Master, you have something to tell me?” His voice sounded extremely humble, even uncertain, as he was so excited that even his voice started to tremble. He’d witnessed the power of Young Master Hong Dali many times, so he naturally had to take it seriously.
“Ah, there’s a small matter, um,” Hong Dali’s voice sounded from the receiver, and it could be heard by those seated in the first few rows. “Are Geezer Wang and Old Xiao at your side? I don’t have their numbers. If they’re over there, ask them to come immediately to the fourth floor of Chenhui Building!
Lin Hao was instantly shocked, as he anxiously stomped his foot. “Young Master, it’s the premiere of ‘The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre: Pugilistic World’ today, can you ask them to go over later…”
“Premiere?” Hong Dali’s voice was rather unconcerned. “So what? It can still go on without the two of them. Ask them to come over right now, I’m the one that has a truly urgent and big issue here! Hurry up!”
All the reporters at the scene were immediately soaked in cold sweat.
This Young Master was truly reckless. What matter would be more important than a movie premiere? Looks like they’d better write an article with the heading “Reckless Young Master Treats Premiere As If It Were Nothing!”
All the reporters below were whispering to each other, while Tang Anqi had obviously got an idea of what was going on. Now she was in a dilemma—should she think of a way to follow Mu Zixiao to Chenhui Building or stay here for the rest of the premiere?
Just then, Mu Zixiao had already stood up, and the short Geezer Wang also followed. Time didn’t wait for anyone. Tang Anqi gritted her teeth and instantly shoved her name card and camera to Yang Chao and the other person, as she whispered, “I’ll follow Mr. Mu Zixiao to take a look. I’ll have to trouble the two of you to help me take more shots—pictures will do, and it would be better if you could record the entire event!”
Yang Chao said in surprise, “Do you trust me that much?”
Tang Anqi smiled and said, “We’re all Young Master’s admirers, I have faith in your character!”
“OK, no problem! I guarantee that I’ll complete the mission!” Just the words “Young Master’s admirers” made Yang Chao beam with delight. “After you’ve returned, I’ll treat you to a meal. By then, you must tell me the latest news—I want insider news!”
“Of course!” Tang Anqi made an OK sign and hurriedly followed them out.
Tang Anqi left while following Mu Zixiao and Geezer Wang. On the other hand, the reporters in the hall were still confused. They’d never seen anyone leave during a movie premiere before. However, thinking from another angle, it didn’t matter that they’d left. Anyway, they could write more about goddess Li Nianwei later on and that would be a hot topic too—Of course, those reporters admired Hong Dali more now. This Young Master really had a mind of his own.
“Ask them to hurry up and come over. I’ll hang up now!” Hong Dali directly hung up the call.
A reported seated nearby pouted disdainfully, saying, “Young Master is taking this movie premiere too lightly. I even feel that maybe this movie would not be as spectacular now. He’s really treating this as nothing!”
Liu Mingxin smiled as he jabbed Ling Xiaoyi beside him and said, “What’s Young Master Dali busy with again? It’s so important?”
Ling Xiaoyi nodded and said, “Maybe Miss Chuyin has invented something new again. With Young Master’s usual playful character, he wouldn’t like attending such an event. I just didn’t expect that he would call for Mu Zixiao and Geezer Wang.”
“Chuyin’s side?” Liu Mingxin gently touched his chin. “Looks like there must be a new invention again. Why don’t we go and take a look as well?”
“This…” Ling Xiaoyi glanced at the stage. “Forget it, it shouldn’t be a problem since Miss Nianwei is here. Let’s go now, then.”
Thus, Ling Xiaoyi and Liu Mingxin left quietly as well.
Upon seeing the two of them exiting from the place, Liang Yifeng and Tai Yajing looked at one another and stealthily followed as well.
Upon seeing that they had left, Ling Yi, Du Xinzhen and the rest lowered their voices and discussed among each other. “It must be that Brother Dali had come up with something fun again. Shall we go and take a look as well?” “That should be fine, but the movie here…” “Anyway, it isn’t only today. There are still a few more sessions, there’s no need to rush!” “That makes sense, then let’s leave as well!”
Thus, this group of mates left silently as well…
Director Lin Hao who was standing on the platform had his entire forehead and face brimmed with sweat instantly. Just this phone call had caused the number of people at the scene to decrease by so much—Hurry up and start the main program, or there’ll be no one left later on! Thus, Director Lin Hao firmly nodded his head. “The movie premiere starts now!”
Very quickly, all the lights in the hall were switched off, and a mild fluorescent light shone from under the projector.
Those who were left in the hall were almost all film lovers and reporters, and they had waited for more than two months just for today. Everyone’s eyes were glued to the big screen, and they were nervous and anticipating. It was completely silent.
Firstly, the beginning of the film showed Penghui Films. After that, mountains, rivers, pavilions, terraces, and the other ancient sceneries were all displayed on the screen. The prelude of the song that brought Li Nianwei to fame, “Lightning Pursuit,” sounded from the speakers. Subtitles: Producer: Lao Deming, Director: Lin Hao.
The music producer, Ding Chengzhi, stood gleefully on the platform. The improvisation of this song was a work that he was most proud of!
Just then, the music became faster, and the images started to switch as well. An ordinary small sect was destroyed by people from the Pugilistic World. More than ten martial artists started killing people indiscriminately, and there was only a child hiding in a large water vat, crying as he watched what was happening around him…
Just then, the subtitles continued to flash, and the names of two people were impressively displayed in the center—
Scriptwriter: Hong Dali, Martial Arts Coach: Wang Daoming.
There was instantly a commotion among the reporters. Hong Dali, needless to say, that was definitely the Young Master that had been up to much stuff recently! This name sounded too typical and silly, but when people mentioned it now, the first thing they thought was that saying—
“Dali creates miracles!”
Instantly, discussions started below. “Young Master as the scriptwriter, this movie would definitely not be bad!” “No wonder Director Lao was so certain. With Young Master backing him up, of course, he needn’t worry!” “Yes, yes, even ‘Unexpectedly’ that was filmed with just tens of thousands of yuan had become so popular, this movie would definitely be a good one!” “Of course, Young Master’s productions must be of top-quality, this is definitely not just a mere slogan!”
By then, the prelude of the film had finished, and there was a rough introduction about the background of the film—the sect which the protagonist Duan Wuji belonged to was destroyed during his youth. He was the only survivor out of the entire 58 sect members. Along the way, he went about solving various types of mysteries and trained in martial arts in order to seek revenge. Finally, he became the top martial arts expert in the Pugilistic World.
Then, the subtitles showed eight big words—The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre: Pugilistic World!
The main part of the film officially started, and everyone diverted their attention back to the film.