Chapter 99

Having received a positive answer.

Li Luo opened the script and began to read it seriously.

Its core was still the same old story of enemies falling in love and killing each other. Just like the movie title 'Ai You Lai Sheng', the male and female leads couldn't be together because of hatred, and both fell under a ginkgo tree after being shot.

The two made a pact to meet again in the next life.

But as time flowed, one became a ghost, and the other already had a next life.

Cold tea is easy to refill.

But once the fate is broken, the pact from the previous life can never be renewed.

Reading through the whole thing, it was just a regret.

The script's text was understated, yet it told a story of a love between human and ghost that never ended.

The story was good.

But from a commercial perspective, it had no value.

The thin script was quickly read through.

Li Luo closed it.

"How is it?"

Yu Feihong asked impatiently: "Do you like this story?"

"Yeah."

Li Luo hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

However, he tapped the script with his finger again, frowning as he asked: "Is this the A-Jiu, bandit, monk, and ghost you mentioned last time?"

"That's right."

Yu Feihong was somewhat excited, saying rapidly: "I encountered this story six years ago, and I fell deeply in love with it at the time, so I bought the film adaptation rights last year."

"This is the third version of the script, just finished."

"When I first met you."

Pinching Li Luo's thigh, she bit her lip: "I felt you were quite suitable. Later, this image became clearer and clearer, so I want you to play the role of A-Ming."

"I am A-Jiu."

"Can it be filmed?"

Li Luo flipped through the script again: "If I remember correctly, ghost stories can't be filmed, right?"

For any movie of this type.

In the end, either someone is mentally ill, or everything is man-made.

Anyway, such an awesome thing as a ghost.

Is not allowed to exist.

"You don't need to worry."

Yu Feihong said confidently: "I chose to film it, so of course I have the certainty that it can be released."

Whoa~

The way she said that, she really had confidence.

"Okay."

Li Luo flipped through a few more pages casually and nodded: "Since you want to film it, then invest two or three million and give it a try. Let me know in advance when the time comes, and I'll clear my schedule."

"The salary is easy; just give me a symbolic one yuan."

The person in front of him was someone who wasn't short of money.

Originally, his plan was to gain a firm foothold in the television field and then find a way to break into commercial films.

Although it wasn't quite the same as his own plan.

But since Feihong was his close friend, he would just accompany her to test the waters.

"One yuan?"

The last sentence almost made Yu Feihong's jaw drop.

Let alone the male lead.

Hiring an extra for a day costs more than that.

"Who are we to each other."

Li Luo winked at her, his palm rubbing gently on her thigh: "I've already earned you, do I still need to earn your money? The saved salary can be invested into the production costs."

"When filming starts, you won't have to be tied down."

The naked words made Yu Feihong's earlobes flush with a hint of crimson.

She felt inexplicably moved in her heart.

"I don't need you to save money for me; just give you what should be given."

She looked at Xu Qing, who was seriously playing mahjong, let Li Luo's big hand do as it pleased, and said proudly: "What can two or three million do? I plan to pull in an investment of thirty to forty million."

"I must film a good movie."

"Thirty or forty million?"

Now it was Li Luo's turn to be dumbfounded, and he couldn't help but touch her forehead.

It wasn't hot.

Why was she spouting nonsense.

"What are you doing?"

This movement attracted the attention of the few people playing mahjong, scaring Yu Feihong into slapping his hand away.

"What's wrong?"

"Hmm?"

Xu Qing and Jiang Wen asked one after another.

"Sister Qing."

Li Luo couldn't directly talk about Yu Feihong, so he could only hint indirectly: "When we filmed 'Xiao Ao Jianghu', what was the total investment for that drama?"

Just reading the script, it could be said to be a pure romance film.

An art film.

The commercial value inside was pitifully small.

Moreover, the market for such pure romance art films in the country is extremely small, and spending millions to film it might even result in a loss.

Spending thirty or forty million to film it.

That's crazy!

Most importantly, he had never even heard of this movie. For a movie with an investment of thirty or forty million, he didn't have the slightest impression of it, so one could imagine its box office results.

The extremely high probability was that it would flop to the ends of the earth.

"The external publicity said forty million."

Xu Qing tapped the table with a mahjong tile and pondered: "It should actually be around thirty-five million; I'm not clear on the specifics."

Li Luo spread his hands toward Yu Feihong at the right moment.

The meaning was self-evident.

'Xiao Ao Jianghu' hired many stars, had all kinds of big scenes, and was filmed on location everywhere; such a big production only cost thirty-something million. How could she dare to spend that much money on this romance art film?

And both he and she were without any box office guarantees.

No matter how you calculate it, it's a money-losing deal.

"You're talking about Feihong's movie, right?" Jiang Wen, with a cigar in his mouth, shrugged: "If you want to achieve an effect, you have to spend money."

Talking about budgets with Jiang Wen is like talking nonsense.

When this guy films movies, he is also a master of squandering.

Li Luo remembered a little anecdote: when filming the movie 'Let the Bullets Fly', because Jiang Wen liked the red soil of Yunnan Province, he forcibly hauled several truckloads of red soil from thousands of miles away to Guangdong Province to pave the ground.

"Don't care about the money."

Yu Feihong shook her head and said nonchalantly: "I just want to film the story in my heart and let those who like it appreciate it."

"Right."

Jiang Wen gave a thumbs up: "You have to have this attitude when filming movies."

That's right.

That's the attitude.

It made the investors of his 'The Sun Also Rises' bleed in their hearts.

"Sister Feihong."

Li Luo didn't want to complain about that guy, so he looked at Yu Feihong again: "Why don't you find a male lead with box office appeal? This kind of thing is not a joke; you must consider it carefully."

But he also forgot.

The person in front of him was also an extremely willful person.

"Just say whether you'll act or not."

Yu Feihong was a bit puffed up and said crisply: "Don't talk to me about investment and box office; I just want to film this story. You are the male lead I have chosen; it's as simple as that."

Everyone else knew her personality.

Seemingly soft and weak.

In reality, she had her own opinions, and the other party also had the ability to squander.

"I'll act."

Li Luo couldn't laugh or cry, and he extended his palm: "Whatever you say, I'll act; after all, you are also my sister."

Rich and willful, this woman insisted on jumping into the pit.

What else could he do.

Just play along!

"That's more like it."

Yu Feihong high-fived him in agreement with satisfaction.

With the matter settled, she spread out the script again and talked enthusiastically about how each scene would be filmed, wanting to restore the style of the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China as much as possible, with everything striving for perfection.

Li Luo also understood why such a large investment was needed.

When filming starts.

If you insist on obsessing over details to death.

The expenses naturally flow out like water, and you can't stop them.

Since persuasion was useless.

He could only try his best to act well when the time came. The money would likely be lost; it was just a question of how much. He would just treat it as earning a reputation.

The two discussed the script, while over there, people were shouting and playing cards.

Everything seemed harmonious.

"By the way."

Li Luo nudged to the side and asked in a low voice: "What does Brother Yu Dong do?"

"Bona."

Yu Feihong said nonchalantly: "He does distribution."

Li Luo finally realized who the other party was. Yu Dong, the Bona boss, was indeed doing distribution now, but later he slowly dabbled in investment, production, and other fields, growing into an industry giant.

This senior.

Was indeed worth getting to know well.

Night fell.

The group called out to go to the kitchen and wrap dumplings.

The sound of laughter and chatter echoed throughout the small courtyard.

The internet world was changing.

Driven by waves of popularity, Li Luo's vote count successfully overtook the others, reaching first place.

Not giving Huang Haibing's fans a chance to turn the tables.

Just a few days later, the crew announced that they would begin contacting the list of actors fairly, justly, and openly voted for by everyone, starting from the highest vote count to the lowest.

Reporters also captured the scene of Li Luo and He Qun chatting happily in a coffee shop.

And blocked him for a short interview.

"Yes."

"I really like the character Zhang Danfeng."

"Mr. Liang Yusheng shaped him to be very flesh-and-blood, a true scholar and a chivalrous hero; this is a huge challenge for me. Of course, I hope to have the opportunity to play Zhang Danfeng."

"However, the specific situation depends on them; it's not up to me."

"I hope to have this honor!"

"Thank you to the fans for voting for me; I hope I won't let everyone's expectations down."

"Competitors?"

"There is no competition; everyone wants to contribute to domestic dramas. Brother Haibing is a good actor, which makes me feel a lot of pressure, but I still have confidence; this is the strength given to me by the fans."

"'Yi Tian Tu Long Ji'?"

"Yes, yes, yes, the specific broadcast time depends on the production company's arrangement; I am also looking forward to seeing the finished product."

"Which female character do you like?"

"Of course I like them all, hahaha, just kidding."

"'She Diao Ying Xiong Zhuan'?"

"Teacher Zhang Jizhong is my guide; I congratulate him on the high ratings of his new drama, and of course, I would like to cooperate if there is an opportunity."

After this report came out.

The 'Ping Zong Xia Ying' crew also released an announcement online for the first time, stating that they would follow the wishes of the drama fans, that the actor for Zhang Danfeng had been confirmed as Li Luo, and that they hoped to bring a good show to the vast audience.

There were protests.

But they were quickly drowned out by news releases from various websites.

Engaging in this kind of backroom operation.

It was very realistic and very cruel, but life is just like that. As the ultimate beneficiary, Li Luo no longer accepted any interviews regarding the casting.

Getting the role was enough.

There was no need to jump out and show off randomly.

For the next period, he stayed at home to study the script and the original novel, carefully pondering the character's personality.

With the addition of the 'Thousand-Faced Man' skill.

He became even more handy in refining personality traits.

The character Zhang Danfeng belongs to the talented scholar-type hero, with a prominent family background, outstanding appearance, and talent. He is unrestrained in his conduct; when the mood strikes, he can load a cart of good wine and drink heartily with others.

When the mood strikes, he can also weep bitterly.

He doesn't care about others' opinions.

His mind is broad, and he can keep the suffering of the people in his heart, giving up national hatred and family grudges for it.

That kind of poetic charm of singing instead of crying is not easy to act; he could only strengthen the scholarly spirit of Zhang Cuishan and then fuse in some unrestrained energy.

Next, it would depend on the director's requirements.

The calendar turned a page.

2002 quietly departed, and a brand new 2003 followed.

After saying goodbye to a group of familiar friends, Li Luo packed his luggage and headed to the Zhuozhou Film and Television Base.

Zhuozhou is not far from Beijing, with a driving time of only four hours or so.

He directly chartered a taxi to come over.

He would have to transfer to Ningxia for filming later, and driving himself would be purely looking for trouble.

Don't look at it as just a county-level city; Zhuozhou's foundation is quite profound. It is rumored that the Yellow Emperor and Chi You fought in the wilderness here, hence the name. Liu Xuande and Zhang Yide were also from Zhuozhou.

It's a place where heroes are born; no problem there.

The early filming of 'Ping Zong Xia Ying' took place here.

The cold wind howled, and snowflakes danced everywhere.

White smoke rose continuously from the roadside stalls, and bursts of fragrance wafted over. Li Luo couldn't help but lower the window a bit: "Master, please drive slower. What is that? It smells so good."

"We've already arrived in Baoding; what else could it be."

The Beijing taxi driver didn't forget to add a comment before continuing: "Donkey meat fire-baked buns!"

"Want to try some?"

After several hours, Li Luo's stomach was empty.

And smelling this scent.

He really couldn't take it.

Even if he would arrive at the hotel soon, he had to have a bite first.

"I'm not hungry."

The driver swallowed his saliva and brought the vehicle to a stop near the stall.

This trip was worth two days of normal driving.

Beijing men are particular; they don't do that kind of eating and taking stuff.

"Master."

Sticking his head out the window, Li Luo waved at the vendor: "Is it donkey meat fire-baked buns?"

"Two yuan each, five yuan for three." The bald vendor in an apron chopped quickly with a kitchen knife and shouted loudly: "How many do you want, young man?"

"Give me two for five yuan."

Li Luo took a banknote from his wallet.

Eating at a roadside stall now can basically be done for 1.5 yuan, but considering it's donkey meat.

This price isn't expensive either.

"How many do you want?"

The vendor skillfully bagged them for someone else.

"Two for five yuan." Li Luo repeated patiently.

"Two yuan each, five yuan for three." The bald vendor tightened his grip on the knife handle and looked at him expressionlessly: "How many do you want exactly?"

"I just want two for five yuan."

Li Luo was also confused by the back-and-forth and handed over the money directly.

"You guys are really a pain to talk to." The taxi driver couldn't watch anymore, stuck his head out and shouted: "Just want two fire-baked buns, put meat in each one according to the five-yuan amount."

The dense sound of chopping rang out, clearly carrying a bit of anger.

It made Li Luo and the driver look at each other in dismay.

After a while, he stared blankly at the donkey meat fire-baked bun in his hand; the crispy bread was stuffed full of bright red donkey meat.

The meat was so much, and the bun so big, he couldn't fit it in his mouth in one bite.

Steam rose.

The rich fragrance poured straight into his nasal cavity.

"Let's go."

He shoved one into the hand of the taxi driver who kept declining, bit into his own with a crunch, and comfortably felt that crispy, fragrant, soft, and rotten sensation.

As the two chewed with effort, they soon arrived at the hotel designated by the crew.

After settling the fare, Li Luo took out his heavy suitcase.

Just as he was about to walk into the hotel.

At that moment, a black Toyota commercial vehicle suddenly rushed onto the porch and stopped abruptly in front of him.

The wind from the vehicle, wrapped in snowflakes, hit him with a clatter.

"How the hell are you driving?"

Li Luo was so startled his hand trembled, and he looked at the fire-baked bun that had fallen to the ground, his face full of annoyance.