Are you wondering why I'm looking for you?
The elderly Mrs. Jiang across from me had slightly red and swollen eyes, but seemed to be in good spirits. When she asked the question, she had a kind smile on her face, just like an ordinary neighbor.
Shang Yechu couldn't read any thoughts from that person's face, so she could only nod honestly: "Director Yi said it's about the script, right?"
"Yes and no." Jiang Shang Nongchao took a sip of tea and suddenly asked, "What do you think of the movie 'The Mute Woman'?"
How should I answer that?
Shang Yechu wanted to bring up Ji Juntao's "I was forced" argument, but instinctively, she swallowed it back.
"I really like this movie." Shang Yechu finally chose to answer from the bottom of her heart, "I think it's a good movie."
Jiang Shang Nongchao Sheng gently blew on the tea, his smile becoming more genuine: "I knew I wasn't wrong. The way you were in the movie didn't seem like you were being forced to film it."
Shang Yechu felt extremely uncomfortable after Jiang Shang Nongchaosheng's words. This old lady really didn't know how to talk—even if she understood, was it appropriate to say such things to his face?
"This movie has received very high praise online," Jiang Shang Nong Chao Sheng sighed softly.
That's absolutely true. "The Mute Woman" has received extremely high praise; its Greenban rating immediately upon release was an impressive 8.5, the highest among all films released during the National Day holiday.
High praise but low box office is the norm for art films. Lots of praise, but few people buying tickets—this is true for countless films. Jiang Shang Nongchao's words didn't offer Shang Yechu much comfort.
Shang Yechu lowered her eyes and smiled, "Teacher Qi Ming's acting skills are excellent, and I have benefited greatly from them."
"How's the box office?" Jiang Shang Nong Chao Sheng asked again.
"The box office on the first day was 1.66 million, and it rose a little on the second day to 1.85 million." Shang Yechu reached out and stroked his teacup. "Yesterday it dropped again to 1.46 million."
Once the National Day holiday is over, it will probably be completely gone. Ji Juntao has stopped drinking coffee these past few days and switched to honey grapefruit tea, probably to reduce internal heat.
Jiang Shang Nongchao nodded, ceasing the discussion about box office revenue. A pair of eyes behind his glasses flickered, lost in thought.
Shang Yechu didn't really want to sit face-to-face with Jiang Shang Nongchaosheng like this. In front of this old lady, Shang Yechu always felt uneasy, as if she would be seen through by her if she wasn't careful.
Jiang Shang Nongchaosheng suddenly asked, "Have you ever read the book 'The Heavenly Gang Star-Slaying Sword'?"
Shang Yechu paused slightly: "I really don't have that. I think I've heard of it somewhere before."
Shang Yechu told half a lie. *The Heavenly Star-Slaying Sword* is a very old martial arts novel, now largely unknown due to its bizarre and fantastical plot. Shang Yechu knew of the book because some criticized it for borrowing elements from *The Phoenix Plays with the Dragon*. There were even rumors that the author of *The Heavenly Star-Slaying Sword*, Jiang Chao, was actually Jiang Shang Nongchao Sheng.
This is all old news from decades ago. Shang Yechu is unaware of the truth and shouldn't make any rash judgments.
Jiang Shang Nongchaosheng was quite frank: "You don't need to worry about my feelings. I did write 'The Heavenly Gang Star-Slaying Sword.' The old guys in our circle all know that."
It turns out that "Phoenix Playing with Dragon" is not the only work by Jiang Shang Nong Chao Sheng!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
