Chapter 284: Premiere
The police action film Blue Pupil, starring the popular celebrity Nangong Ying, premiered on Christmas Day, December 25th. It broke one hundred million in its first six hours and reached two hundred and ten million on its first day. The box office continued to soar, and its reputation continued to ferment. The film scored 9.4 on Maomi and 7.7 on Douzi. The film had an all-star cast, including many A-list celebrities from the entertainment industry, all of whom were both talented and good-looking.
Chenghe had put a lot of effort into this film, with an investment as high as one hundred and fifty million. The cast was mostly composed of Chenghe’s popular stars, who were willing to be supporting actors to highlight this rising star, Nangong Ying. And Nangong Ying had indeed worked hard to respond to her seniors, never complaining of being tired or complaining on set, always working hard to film. Ninety percent of the action scenes in the film were performed by her alone. She basically didn’t use a stunt double.
Coupled with the extensive early publicity and the fact that Nangong Ying had stirred up a topic on Weibo, the film’s attention was quite high. Previously, people were still a little worried. After all, the film market in the past few years had mainly targeted the male film market. The market for female-led films had only slowly developed in recent years. The audience was worried that this new star, Nangong Ying, would not be able to carry the box office, but the facts proved that she absolutely could.
Under the halo of Chenghe, this action film actress had completed her transformation beautifully, contributing gorgeous and elegant action scenes in the film. And her acting was very good, without any awkward scenes. The box office on its opening weekend reached over seven hundred million, which was quite terrifying. This result was expected to break Nangong Ying’s film career box office record of 1.842 billion from Storm Chronicle. Industry insiders analyzed that the film’s final box office was expected to reach 2.5 billion.
Nangong Ying’s transformation this time was quite successful. She once again told people that even without filming period dramas, she could still carry the box office. Without a doubt, the winner of this Christmas season was her, Nangong Ying.
At the same time, people were also posting questions online: they were both new generation actors, both young people, so why was the box office of Nangong Ying’s starring films so high, while the box office of those so-called young fresh meat and starlets could never reach Nangong Ying’s level? They were both new generation, so why was Nangong Ying’s acting not awkward at all, while their acting was so awkward it was to die for? Making people switch channels every minute?
But in any case, Nangong Ying had already won. The success of the movie once again brought her into the public eye. Although everyone had mixed reviews of this movie, some said it was a purely entertaining movie with no depth, while others said the story was wonderful, the characters were likable, and it was so memorable that they couldn’t help but watch it a second and third time. But in the end, there were more good reviews than bad.
“Actually, the success of this movie is not my credit alone, but the credit of the entire crew. I am very grateful to everyone. I was able to film well because everyone was helping me. This transformation for me…”
During the interview, Nangong Ying talked about her work experience and thanked the actors she had worked with. In short, she said all the right things on the surface. When evaluating the movie, she also just said that she had done her duty as an actress, and the biggest credit should go to the director. It had to be said that her performance on the surface was too good, which made her seniors very comfortable watching her.
“Miss Nangong, I heard that your contract with Chenghe is only for four movies. Does that mean that after you finish filming one more movie with Chenghe, your contract will expire? Does that mean that your cooperation with Chenghe will end here?”
A reporter asked one of the most pointed questions, and also a question that many people wanted to know.
Indeed, everyone was interested in Nangong Ying’s future development. Nangong Ying’s contract with Chenghe was only for four movies. Once it expired, it would mean that she would no longer cooperate with Chenghe. But her current achievements were all thanks to Chenghe’s promotion. No matter which movie it was, it was inevitable that it would be stamped with Chenghe’s label.
“In fact, I have renewed my contract with Chenghe for one movie, which means I have no intention of leaving Chenghe yet, and I will continue to cooperate with them in the future. But if there is a good script, I may also consider cooperating with others.”
She had revealed in advance that she had a renewed contract with Chenghe. Her tone was also quite neutral, without any personal emotional bias. This was also what Chenghe wanted to see.
Anyway, the renewal was something Chenghe would have to announce sooner or later.
And as for the fact that Chenghe had spent 30 million on a high salary to renew her contract for one movie, she didn’t say. The outside world generally thought that Chenghe’s salary for her was between 3 and 5 million.
…
Yu Linna turned off the live stream. Out of sight, out of mind. Recently, Nangong Ying’s exposure was getting higher and higher, and her popularity was also getting stronger and stronger. She might be heading to a higher place. Even if she didn’t want to see her, Nangong Ying was too popular. Opening a webpage would bring up an advertisement for Nangong Ying. She thought that it would be impossible to avoid her in the short term.
After returning to the dorm, Yu Linna’s life returned to normal. She worked when she should work, and worked hard when she should work hard. Just like before. And she hadn’t fallen behind in her studies either. She was very good at her professional knowledge. She had been good at studying since she was young, and she had never been worried about her academic performance.
“Linna, I drew a new manga this time. Quick, take a look for me.”
“Mmm.”
Her life in the dorm was the same as before, completely unchanged. If there was any change, it was that Bai Ya and Su Ziyan from the dorm next door came to visit more often, and they often asked her for things like Air-sensei’s autograph. Yu Linna didn’t want to bother with them.
And Zhao Yuyan had also been busy enough recently. She had brought it on herself, insisting on procrastinating on her manuscript. Now she was desperately rushing it. And because The Rich Man’s Game was about to be broadcast, she had been rushing her manuscript more often. The readers were also happy to find that Air-sensei’s update frequency for The Rich Man’s Game had become much higher.
When she asked Zhao Yuyan about this, Zhao Yuyan just said, “There’s no choice. The animation is about to be broadcast. I can only uninstall the game first.”
And that was indeed the case.
Not just Zhao Yuyan, but Yu Linna’s animation was also about to be broadcast. They were both preparing more manuscripts to attract more popularity when the animation was broadcast.
“Linna, by the way, your animation is about to be broadcast, right? Did the editor ask you to participate in any activities?”
Fang Jiangning took off her headphones and asked.
“Even if they did, I turned them down. I’m too busy. I don’t want to participate.”
“The fans will be very disappointed.”
“It’s fine. Xiao Yanhan isn’t disappointed. She sees me every day.”
“Hey, don’t use me as a shield!”
As the number one fan in the dorm, Shion-sensei’s die-hard fan, Xiao Yanhan was very dissatisfied.
She was no longer a little fan. She was going to become a super fan who would surpass Shion-sensei. And she was super disappointed that Shion-sensei wasn’t attending any events, okay!
She really wanted to see Yu Linna seriously discussing her work in public. She thought it would be very cool. Think about it: a little blonde loli, sitting on stage, with a serious expression on her cute little face, discussing her work. The reporters would surely be thinking, Is this really a novelist? Are you sure she’s not a child star?
“Linna, I already promoted you a bit during my live stream. Thank me.”
“Mmm… treat you to milk tea?”
“Good idea. Then let’s go.”
“Now?”
“If not now, then when? You’re always saying you’re busy. You never go out for drinks with us. I don’t care. We have to go today.”
Yu Linna was helpless and had to agree.
Yu-meizi used her own money to treat everyone in the dorm to milk tea. It had been a long time since she had treated everyone to a meal. Mainly because the recent Yu Linna was too busy and always had to go out. It seemed like everyone in the dorm never saw her anymore.
This time, she wanted to spend more time with her by drinking milk tea. It had been so long since school started, and Yu Linna seemed to be busy with her own things. She rarely went to their dorm activities. Things like going hiking, camping, barbecuing, and eating hot pot, she rarely went. It was only during gatherings, or during class, or when sleeping that they could be together.
More often than not, she was busy with her own things. She often asked her roommates to bring her food in the dorm.
“I say, Linna, when are you free? It’s almost winter break. If we don’t have some activities soon, a whole semester will have passed.”
Fang Jiangning happened to mention this.
The four of them had ordered their respective milk teas in the milk tea shop, chatting and casually bringing up topics. Xiao Yanhan even brought out the manga she had drawn for everyone to see, although no one was very interested.
When Fang Jiangning mentioned this, everyone was silent for a while. Indeed, Yu Linna had been absent from their activities too often. If they didn’t get together soon, they would have to wait until next semester.
“Alright then, you arrange it,” Yu Linna said, sucking on her milk tea.
Xiao Yanhan couldn’t help but think of the phone call she had with her a few days ago. Looking at the calm Yu Linna, she always wondered if the Yu Linna of a few days ago and the Yu Linna now were really the same person. Looking at her now, she didn’t seem to have anything wrong. Xiao Yanhan was a little worried.
“How about we go on a trip during the winter break? The few of us together. I’ll pick the place. You, a big busy person, should find some time to spend with us. Always sitting and working is not good for your cervical spine.”
“Mmm.”
“And, you haven’t been to my house in a long time. My mom said she wants to treat you to a meal. When are you coming over?”
“Mmm… during the vacation?”
“Okay, then it’s settled.”
Xiao Yanhan drank her milk tea, her hand gripping the cup so tightly that she almost squeezed the milk tea out. Seeing how good their relationship was, she was a little jealous.
Fang Jiangning had known Yu Linna the earliest, so it was normal for their relationship to be a little better. But Xiao Yanhan was always unhappy.
She also wanted to spend more time with her.
“Linna, your animation is about to be broadcast soon. I’ve mobilized the fans in the group. We’ve decided to support you. Everyone will organize members to spam Weibo when it’s broadcast!”
“Thanks.”
“I’ve already paid for my membership. I’m just waiting for your animation!”
“Thanks.”
Her answers were always very calm, but everyone knew that she actually cared a lot about the animation.
This was the first time her novel had been animated. She valued this animation more than anyone else. She also hoped that everyone would like her work and support her. Plus, Caibi had been refusing to let her see the finished film, which made her even more worried. But she kept hypnotizing herself, telling herself that everything was developing in a good direction. She was Shion-sensei. She couldn’t fail in her career. She had to succeed. Because she was not allowed to fail.
That’s what she thought.
But what about reality? Who knew?
…
After the end of the month, this year also ended.
A new year arrived, and amidst the anticipation of thousands, Ballad of the Enchantress was about to be broadcast.
