Chapter 121 New Year's Eve
Song Ci tilted his head to the side, staring lazily at the big screen, and asked Liu Rong to his left: "Sister Rong, what blockbusters are coming out during the Spring Festival this year?"
Liu Rong understood what the chairman meant, thought about the schedule and the film lineup, and introduced to Song Ci: "There are two movies that need attention, which may be the main competitors of Night Club.
One is "Huo Yuanjia" starring Kung Fu Emperor Jet Li, which also happens to premiere today.
There is also "The Savage Secrets" directed by Hong Kong director Wang Jin and starring Zhang Baizhi and Gu Juji, which is scheduled to be released on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
During the Spring Festival, the main schedule of cinemas will be tilted towards these two films, and the others are small-budget films, which will be adjusted according to the specific attendance rate. "
Song Ci nodded slightly. Not to mention the status and box office appeal of the Kung Fu Emperor, all theaters have to give him face and "Huo Yuanjia" will definitely be the first in the screening schedule.
As for "The Savage Secret", the female lead Zhang Bozhi was also the leader of the jade girls before the photo-gate incident and had a certain box office appeal.
It is understandable that Liu Rong tilted the screening schedule towards these two films based on the market. Although "Nightclub" is produced by Tengda Culture, Southern Cinemas also need to make money and it is impossible for them to support it regardless of cost.
The golden dragon logo of the Film Bureau flashed on the big screen, followed by the orange "Tenda" logo of Tengda Culture. After the announcement information such as the production team flashed one by one, the movie "Night Club" officially began to be screened.
Song Ci also calmed his mind, sat up straight, and watched Liu Shishi's big screen debut attentively.
I also took the opportunity to compare it with the "Night Club" in my previous life to see how good Xu Zheng's directing skills are, and whether I was forcing things by supporting him to become a director a few years in advance against all odds.
Although "Night Club" is a low-budget production without fancy special effects and thrilling twists and turns, it still has a lot to offer the audience.
The plot of this movie is very compact. The story takes place in a convenience store and the time span is only one night. The high concentration of space and time makes the plot dense and the rhythm brisk.
It also uses multi-line narrative techniques. Although there is a clear main story line, it is actually divided into several small stories with rich plots. The multi-line narrative technique makes the film seamless.
As the screenwriter of "Nightclub", Song Ci optimized and modified some plots based on the previous version, avoiding some thunder points, making the overall development of the story more reasonable and more natural in logic.
The script is already more rigorous and excellent than the previous one. As long as Xu Zheng's shooting is not sloppy, it should be an excellent low-budget movie that wins big with a small investment, and a good first battle for Tengda to enter the big screen.
As the plot gradually unfolded, some viewers were infected by the humorous lines in "Nightclub" and laughed happily.
Song Ci watched the film very seriously and could feel that Xu Zheng had put a lot of effort into filming "Night Club". The pictures were vivid and coherent, and the directing was very professional.
The character he played, He Sanshui, fits the character's personality traits very well, and the banter and bickering with other characters are also handled just right.
As expected, he was one of the few men in the country who could carry the box office in his previous life. He really has a talent for comedy.
My childhood sweetheart played the female cashier in the film. Although her acting skills were a little immature, she was generally decent and did not hold back the other actors.
Before they knew it, the movie was already halfway through, having been shown for more than an hour. Song Ci recognized Xu Zheng's directing skills, and commented to Zhang Zhao:
"Director Xu Zheng is okay. He has signed a contract with the company to direct five films. We can give him more responsibilities later. He is very talented in making comedy films."
"Mr. Song, you have a keen eye for talent." Zhang Zhao truly admired his boss. When Song Ci suggested that Xu Zheng direct and act in the film, he thought his boss had taken the wrong medicine.
"Nightclub" premiered today. With Zhang Zhao's appreciation ability, he can naturally see that Xu Zheng's filming is indeed remarkable.
As the old saying goes, there are many good horses but few good horse trainers. It seems that many people in the entertainment industry lack an opportunity.
Zhang Zhao thought again, the boss must have some unique qualities to be able to achieve such a big business at such a young age. His ability to judge people alone is something that others cannot match.
Soon more than half an hour passed. Song Ci calculated the time and found that the movie would end in about ten minutes. In order to avoid being surrounded by people again, he decided to go ahead.
Taking out his cell phone, the theater was dimly lit. Song Ci squinted his eyes, stared at the small screen and began typing, sending a message to his girlfriend.
"Shishi, I'm going to leave first. Wang Shan is driving downstairs to pick me up. Do you want to go back with me?"
Soon, the phone vibrated, and Liu Shishi replied with a text message: "You go first, dear. There will be a reporter interview after the movie ends. Director Xu will treat everyone to a midnight snack after the show. I won't go back with you."
"Then be careful and don't play too late."
"Don't worry, dear."
"Lao Zhang, Sister Rong, I have something else to do, so I'll leave first." After Song Ci and Liu Shishi sent text messages to each other, he said hello to the two of them and prepared to get up and leave.
Zhang Zhao, who had come back to his senses from the movie, said hurriedly, "Then I'll see you off, Mr. Song."
Seeing this, Liu Rong persuaded, "President Zhang, you are the host today. The movie premiere will be over soon, and you have to stay here to entertain the guests. I have something else to do and need to leave first, so I can see the chairman off."
Zhang Zhao thought about it and realized that he really couldn't get away, so he said helplessly, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Mr. Liu. Mr. Song, please forgive me for not treating you well today."
Song Ci patted Zhang Zhao on the shoulder and said with a smile, "We are all family, there is no need to be so formal. I wish "Night Club" a big box office success, and I'll see you again after the New Year, Lao Zhang."
"Thank you for your good words!"
Song Ci left in a graceful manner. When he walked past the front row, he happened to see Liu Shishi who was also sitting in the first row.
The two of them were in perfect sync, their eyes met in an instant, and each other's eyes were full of tenderness and affection.
Song Ci and Liu Rong returned the same way. While waiting for the elevator, Liu Rong remembered the eye contact between the boss and Liu Shishi just now, and couldn't help asking: "Boss Song, you seem to really like Liu Shishi."
Liu Rongjiu lived in the south and only came to Peking occasionally for meetings or business trips. Although he knew that Liu Shishi was the boss's girlfriend, he had also heard some gossip about the chairman.
But after all, I don't work at the group headquarters, and news is delayed. Those rumors are vague and it is hard to tell whether they are true or not. I couldn't help but speak just now.
Speaking of Miss Liu, Song Ci couldn't help but smile gently: "I like her very much. Shishi and I have been childhood sweethearts for more than ten years. We have spent our youth together. I plan to get engaged to her after I graduate from college, and get married when her career is more stable."
Liu Rong is also a veteran of the company and joined Tengda earlier than Zhang Yong. Song Ci had taken Liu Shishi to company meetings before, and several senior executives knew about their relationship, so Song Ci had nothing to hide from her.
Liu Rong looked at her boss who had fallen in love, and could not help but sigh that fate was wonderful. One was a successful and famous Peking University talent, and the other was a little-known actor in the entertainment industry.
These two people who seem to have nothing in common are actually childhood sweethearts. With the chairman's appearance and wealth, he can definitely find a girl who is both talented and beautiful, and whose family background is better than Liu Shishi's.
It is said that marriage is the grave of love. Generally, young people in their 20s are at the age when they are most playful. However, my boss has already planned to enter the marriage hall with his girlfriend. It turns out that love really has no logic at all.
Liu Rong, who is middle-aged and used to seeing couples separate, suddenly feels that he believes in love again and sincerely sends his blessings:
"You and Miss Shishi are a perfect match, a talented couple. I congratulate you in advance. I will definitely ask you for a glass of wedding wine when the time comes."
Liu Rong congratulated Song Ci and made him smile: "Of course, we will invite you to the wedding banquet."
The indicator light came on, and the two stepped into the elevator and returned to the parking lot.
In the elevator, Song Ci thought about what Liu Rong had reported on the way here, and expressed his well-thought-out thoughts:
"Sister Rong, I have carefully thought about the matter you mentioned when you came here. I feel that now is not the right time. Let's put it aside for now."
Seeing Liu Rong's puzzled expression, Song Ci explained: "After all, Baoli Culture is a state-owned asset. Although it is facing difficulties in operation now, it is far from being at the end of its rope.
Moreover, with the support of the giant Poly Group, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. I think the other party can at least hold on for another two years. It will not easily sell its assets unless it is absolutely necessary. "
Hearing the boss's consideration, Liu Rong's eyes flashed with disappointment: "I was too impatient. I also heard that Baoli Group was preparing to divest its non-performing assets, and I thought this was a good opportunity to expand the company!
If the company can acquire some of Baoli Culture's assets and take over the two cinema chains of Shenlong and Vanward, it can definitely become the largest media company in China."
Although Song Ci was also attracted by Baoli Culture, it was not easy to acquire state-owned assets, especially when it involved a super state-owned enterprise like Baoli Group.
A word of comfort: "The timing is unknown, but opportunities always come to those who are prepared. Sister Rong, you can keep an eye out."
Liu Rong nodded. She would always be ready and wait for the right opportunity. If she completed the acquisition of Baoli Culture, she would be qualified for promotion.
The elevator arrived at the parking lot. "Don't you need me to take you there, Mr. Song?"
Song Ci waved her hand and took a step forward. "I asked the driver to pick you up, and the car is parked in front. Sister Rong, Happy New Year!"
After the premiere of "Nightclub", as the Spring Festival approached, the bustling Beijing New Year Market was decorated with lights and filled with the joy of the New Year.
Song Ci and Liu Shishi were walking hand in hand among the dazzling stalls, happily buying New Year's goods.
When passing by a stall selling Spring Festival couplets, Liu Shishi picked up half a pair of couplets with great interest, stretched out her hands, and pulled the couplets diagonally from her ears to her waist.
He poked his little head out and asked with a smile: "Yi Yi, how about this Spring Festival couplet? It feels full of blessings."
Song Ci looked up and saw the couplet that read: "May blessings, wealth, luck and fortune flourish, and may the family, people and career prosper." Simple and auspicious blessings.
Nodding lovingly: "I'll listen to you and buy this."
The bright red spring couplets set off Miss Liu's fair and tender face. When she heard her boyfriend agree, she immediately said to the boss happily, "Take this one, boss, and help us wrap it up."
"Great!" The boss was overjoyed after making another deal. He carefully rolled up the Spring Festival couplets and handed them to the customer.
The two continued to stroll around, enjoying the warmth and beauty of the New Year holiday.
When they came to a stall full of colorful lanterns, Liu Shishi shouted excitedly: "Wow, those lanterns are so beautiful, honey, I want them."
"Forget about the lantern. You are a grown-up girl now, why are you still playing with lanterns?"
"No, no, I just want you to buy it for me, one by one."
Liu Shishi gently shook her boyfriend's arm, her eyes full of anticipation. Her slightly pouty mouth was like a delicate flower, making people want to kiss her.
Song Ci looked at Miss Liu tenderly, smiled and scratched her delicate nose. He felt helpless and doted on his girlfriend's childishness, so he could only compromise: "Okay, okay, I'll buy it for you."
"Yi Yi, you're the best!" After saying that, Liu Shishi looked around and seeing that no one was paying attention to them, she shyly gave her boyfriend a light kiss on the cheek.
Miss Liu's eyes sparkled like bright stars, her face full of happiness and sweetness. In front of Song Ci, she was like a spoiled child, releasing her naivety and cuteness to the fullest.
Because 2006 is the Year of the Dog, Song Ci picked out the most festive puppy lantern for his girlfriend and planned to hang it in Liu Shishi's home to add to the festive atmosphere.
Song Ci gazed at Miss Liu, who was smiling sweetly and holding a small lantern in front of him, and suddenly recalled the interesting things that happened to them when they were little.
She and I held hands and carried small lanterns as we visited the lantern festival. It turned out that without realizing it, we had so many beautiful memories together!
Liu Shishi looked around and was dazzled by the choices at the various stalls. She wanted to buy some of every New Year's good she saw.
In front of a stall selling candies and dried fruits, Liu Shishi, a foodie, had no resistance to the delicious food in front of her and was busy picking out some of her favorite snacks.
While helping his girlfriend pack the candies into the bag, Song Ci asked, "By the way, Shishi, I forgot to ask you, how was the first day box office of Night Club?"
Excluding "Nightclub", there were seven other movies released during the 2006 Spring Festival, including "Huo Yuanjia", "Savage Secrets" and "King Kong", and the competition was very fierce.
When talking about the movie, Liu Shishi's pretty face flushed with excitement, and she said excitedly:
"Director Xu told me that the box office of Nightclub on the first day was 4.28 million, second only to Fearless, starring Jet Li. It also has a good reputation and the total box office is expected to be no less than 50 million."
Song Ci felt the same way and said happily: "Congratulations, my Shishi will also be a 50 million box office heroine in the future, and her career will officially set sail."
Liu Shishi showed a hint of pride on her face, but she still said modestly: "It's mainly thanks to Senior Brother Qiao. "Wulin Waijia" is still being broadcast on CCTV, and he is so famous now.
Plus, Yan Nijie also starred in the film, so many people went to see the movie just for them, and I also benefited from it.”
After buying the candies, the two continued walking around the market, buying some fruits and small decorations until the shopping bags became heavier and heavier and they could no longer lift them.
Song Ci and Liu Shishi returned home with a full load, ready to welcome a warm and sweet Spring Festival.
(End of this chapter)
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