Deceiving Chinese Entertainment Industry for Thirty Years 48

Chapter 48: Seeing Xu Qing Again, Utilizing Xu Qing!

Kang Jianmin was already a successful Chinese filmmaker. He wasn’t some lazy, good-for-nothing. As the factory director at Xiao Xiang Film Studio, he genuinely oversaw the production of several excellent films. It wasn’t just *That Mountain, That Man, That Dog*. He also strongly supported the later *National Anthem*. The films were good, but what about the money? He didn’t see a dime!

In Ma Xun’s memory, *That Mountain, That Man, That Dog*’s success in Japan had been a huge shock to Chinese filmmakers. In that island nation, they really knew how to market a film. They promoted the author first, building his fame. After the release, they heaped praise upon it, with countless film celebrities offering positive reviews. Later, they even put the movie poster in Japanese post offices. Seriously, were those Japanese postmen any harder working than the father in the movie?

The father in the movie walked for three days, covering over 200 miles of mountain roads! He did it on foot! Yet, those island nation postmen had the audacity to say: “The father in the film is the representative image of our postmen!” What the hell! They were blatant liars! Even better at deception than I, Ma Xun!

And it didn’t end there. Later, they even released commemorative stamps! Liu Ye became so popular in Japan because his face was on a Japanese stamp. Decades later, many people in that island country still sent letters. A stamp was roughly equivalent to a 3.5-inch floppy disk (back then). Also, the Iwapo Cinema was special. They only screened masterpieces, and their screenings lasted a long time, usually a year or two.

This was a series of flawlessly executed small moves, each one positively impacting the film’s box office. How could it not be successful?

There was another detail. Chinese filmmakers only saw this whole marketing strategy in 2002! In other words, at the beginning of the next century, Chinese filmmakers were still shocked by the lengths their Japanese counterparts went to for a single film.

It was 1997. The understanding of the film market among mainland Chinese filmmakers was still at an infant stage.

After Ma Xun’s conversation with Kang Jianmin, he had a feeling: I, Ma Xun, am about to deliver a devastating blow!

Ma Xun only suggested promoting the original novel first to make the author famous. Look at Kang Jianmin’s expression; he had no concept of marketing!

Such a situation… was Ma Xun angry? No! Wasn’t this a great opportunity?

Now, *That Mountain, That Man, That Dog* was in his hands. Let him try a series of flawlessly executed small moves! He was sure he could make this film a hit domestically! Japan was also a target, but this time, he wouldn’t let Japanese distributors reap such huge profits!

In fact, Ma Xun had already begun. Getting Kang Jianmin to promote the novel and its author, Peng Jianming, was his opening move! The subsequent talent show to find a “Xiangjiang Girl” was the second move! Unbeknownst to many, Ma Xun had already made two moves. But was that enough? Of course not!

How did the Japanese do it? They put the movie poster in post offices! He would do the same. Ma Xun planned to do something with the postal system – a collaboration or some kind of event. The father in the movie actually had a real-life counterpart—a postman from the mountainous region. But this required connections. So, Ma Xun approached Sun Donghai.

“Ah? The postal system? Bro, I really can’t help you with that. I don’t know anyone there.”

“Sun Donghai, haven’t you forgotten how you used to brag? Saying you knew everyone in the *da yuan* (military compound)?”

“Bro, I… I was wrong, okay? I admit my mistake. But there are so many *da yuan*, you know, I don’t know everyone.”

“Then brag less in the future.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll brag less. By the way, you’re also from a *da yuan*, so why don’t you find someone yourself?”

Damn it! This time, Sun Donghai not only wouldn’t help but also seemed to doubt Ma Xun’s *da yuan* background. Not good!

“Fine! I’ll handle this myself! When it becomes a hit, don’t be envious!”

Ma Xun’s words were tough, but he was actually a bit insecure. Fortunately, Sun Donghai didn’t think much of it, just chuckled. Clearly, he didn’t believe a film like *That Mountain* could make money. This guy was heading south to share the profits from *Shanghai Bund*. And Sun Donghai still had a thing for Zhong Zhen’s… breasts.

Ma Xun certainly wasn’t going. The cast of *Officer, I Want You* held no appeal for him. Unless Dragon Five produced a film with the cast of *Jade Maiden Heart Sutra*. And it couldn’t be directed by Big Mouth Qi.

Thus, they parted ways. One went south, the other north. But Ma Xun now felt the pressure. He had to make *That Mountain, That Man, That Dog* a success, and he had to collaborate with the postal system. Otherwise, Sun Donghai might become suspicious. This was going to be difficult.

Ma Xun knew he had two options: find a leader in the postal system and build a relationship, or find someone with even stronger connections. He had neither at the moment. Time to return to the Capital City.

“Sensational! Xu Qing Involved in Affair!”

“According to an insider, Xu Qing is involved with Liu Bo, a close disciple of the renowned Sinologist, Mr. Ji Xianlin…”

“Liu Bo heads a listed company; there were rumors of marital discord…”

On the plane, Ma Xun, having nothing better to do, browsed newspapers and magazines. Hey, he found some gossip. Xu Qing and Liu Bo… still not over? He practically gave her personal tutoring; if she was still with Liu Bo…

Ma Xun smiled, thinking to himself: this foolish woman.

However, looking at Xu Qing’s photo in the newspaper, Ma Xun couldn’t help but recall that night. Her initial provocative advances, then her resistance and struggle. Every expression on her face was unforgettable for any man. And that ultimate embrace…

Forget it, if she remained stubborn, no one could help her.

Sometimes, there’s fate between people. As soon as Ma Xun got off the plane, he saw a large crowd gathering. Following typical Chinese habits – no matter how big the event, first check out the excitement – Ma Xun joined the crowd. He hadn’t gotten close before he saw the woman from the newspaper: Xu Qing! She was surrounded by reporters, with countless onlookers.

“Ms. Xu Qing, are there problems with your relationship with Mr. Liu Bo?”

“Ms. Xu Qing, Liu Bo just announced he’ll be divorcing!”

“Will you marry him?”

Ah? Had this gossip developed so quickly? Ma Xun was just starting to eat this gossip when one of the main players arrived!

“Look! It’s Liu Bo!”

“The male lead is here!”

“What’s he going to do? Try to win her back?”

The reporters were turning into gossip-mongers. Liu Bo walked straight over and grabbed Xu Qing.

“I can’t live without you.”

This…

Ma Xun saw something.

The moment Xu Qing was grabbed, her anxiety reached its peak. She didn’t want to stay. She broke free and quickened her pace. This surprised Liu Bo. In his eyes, Xu Qing had always been a little girl he could manipulate. But now, she was beyond his control. No, he had to chase her!

He chased, she ran. Xu Qing quickly dashed out of the airport doors. To be honest, she was running blindly, standing bewildered at the entrance. To get a taxi at the airport meant queuing. At this moment, Liu Bo caught up, pulling something from his pocket. A diamond ring?! He knelt down, then said earnestly:

“Marry me.”

In that instant, that scene…

Click, click… The reporters rushed forward, thrilled. Liu Bo, you really delivered for us! Flashbulbs flashed incessantly, making Xu Qing even more flustered, but she was alone.

Suddenly, a Mercedes-Benz 320 pulled up, the door opening. The driver said nothing, wearing sunglasses and a mask, concealing his identity. Yet, Xu Qing instantly recognized him as the man who had rendered her speechless that night.

How to choose? The buxom actress slapped away the ring and jumped into the Mercedes.

Roar! The engine roared, and the car sped off, leaving a stunned Liu Bo and a crowd of gossip-mongering reporters. Click, click… They didn’t forget to take pictures. But many reporters immediately noticed a detail.

“The license plate is covered.”

“So we can’t find out who was driving?”

Of course, it was Ma Xun driving. Luckily, he’d parked his car at the airport before leaving the Capital City. After leaving the airport, he found a roadside parking spot, got out, and threw away the thing covering the license plate. After all, he didn’t want a parking ticket. Once back in the car, Xu Qing said,

“Thank you.”

Xu Qing was truly grateful to Ma Xun. This man had saved her. Moreover, Xu Qing had finally seen Liu Bo’s true colors – a jerk who wanted to use her family background!

But Ma Xun’s next words surprised her.

“Don’t thank me yet. I saved you because I need you to do something for me.”

Ah?

Xu Qing sighed inwardly, feeling unlucky. This man also wanted to use her…

Apologies, this chapter is a bit late. Mainly because of some revisions. Please understand. Please follow, please!

(End of Chapter)

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