Chapter 137: Young People, Don

After finishing this scene, the crew packed up their equipment and dispersed.

Fang Hong stood beside the sink in the restroom, watching Liu Tianxian wash her face, holding her facial cleanser and towel.

"Give it here!"

Liu Tianxian splashed water on her face, her tone distinctly annoyed.

Fang Hong handed her the facial cleanser: "You're the one who said you'd act, and told me to go ahead—how is this my fault?"

"Did I say it was your fault? Did I say anything at all?"

Her face was covered in white foam, making her expression unreadable.

Fang Hong's earlier behavior had left her feeling uneasy—it was too real, nothing like acting, as if he truly were that kind of person.

"Your actions and demeanor clearly blame me." Fang Hong said.

"You're really good at interpreting things—why don't you go interpret the Bible?"

Liu Tianxian rinsed the facial cleanser off her face, her skin smooth and fresh again.

She snatched the towel from Fang Hong's hand, wiped her face: "What? Gone mute?"

"Dare I speak? Say one word and you shoot back ten." Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian smirked slightly—she'd just been venting. She dried the water from her face, swept her long hair back, and studied herself in the mirror.

"Tell me, is my face beautiful?"

"Beautiful as hell."

Fang Hong stared into the mirror, staring at the mirror.

Liu Tianxian wrapped her arms around Fang Hong's neck, pulling him close—their two faces reflected in the mirror.

She tapped her cheek: "Go ahead, kiss me."

"No kiss!" Fang Hong refused.

"Huh? That's not like you—you used to be different." Liu Tianxian was surprised.

"I don't like charity." Fang Hong said.

"Kiss if you want, don't if you don't—so picky."

Liu Tianxian smiled, clearly proud: "Let's go, back to the hotel."

They returned together to the hotel where the crew was staying; the crew now had money and had booked Liu Tianxian a five-star suite.

At the door, Liu Tianxian leaned against it from inside, Fang Hong stood outside.

Facing each other, Liu Tianxian said: "I'm going to sleep!"

Fang Hong grunted, but didn't leave.

"Go back, get some rest." Liu Tianxian said, then moved to close the door.

Fang Hong shoved his hand against the door, leaned in to kiss her.

Liu Tianxian pressed her palm against his chest: "Didn't you say you wouldn't kiss?"

"I don't like charity—but I like coercion." Fang Hong said, pulling her close to kiss her.

Liu Tianxian resisted, pressing hard against him, smirking: "But I don't like being coerced."

Hearing this, Fang Hong froze, his expression darkening.

"I like coercing others too."

Liu Tianxian said, pulled him inside, slammed the door shut with a bang, pinned him against the door, and kissed him full on the lips.

Very aggressive. Very wild.

Fang Hong kept his eyes open, feeling like the "receiving" one.

Fine, let him be the receiver—enjoy it first, then think. He wrapped his arms around her waist, slowly moving upward, toward her chest.

"Slap!"

Liu Tianxian broke away, swatted his hand: "Greedy hands."

"I couldn't help it!" Fang Hong mumbled, secretly cursing—he'd been so close.

"Alright, you can go now. Young people, don't stay up late." Liu Tianxian opened the door, signaling he could leave.

"Let's chat a bit longer." Fang Hong wasn't satisfied.

"Chat your head off—every day you chat, where do you even get all these topics?" Liu Tianxian kicked him out.

She'd kissed him already—still greedy.

She knew exactly what Fang Hong wanted!

Fang Hong was frustrated—he should've kept his hands to himself. Maybe then he could've kissed longer, even stuck out his tongue.

He'd forgotten what Liu Tianxian's saliva tasted like.

………

In the past two weeks, The Purge 1 has been released in 44 countries worldwide; its North American opening weekend box office reached $36.37 million, with a global total of $49.32 million, ranking third on the box office chart.

The first and second spots are held by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Captain America.

But The Purge 1 isn't in the same league as those popcorn blockbusters—it's an R-rated horror film.

Its success stems from its premise: twelve hours of lawless slaughter sparked audience interest and discussion.

Simply put, it's pure gimmick and morbid curiosity.

Yet its critical reception is surprisingly terrible: 32 Western media outlets gave it an average score of just 42 out of 100—below passing.

ThePlaylist gave it 83: "Cleverly made, terrifyingly inventive."

San Francisco Chronicle gave it 75: "Imperfect, but with some surprising highlights."

Variety gave it 50: "Boring and dull."

Miami Herald gave it 25: "This movie isn't just stupid—the pretentious, convoluted setting is outright annoying."

The New York Daily News gave it a 20-point rating: "There's no sense of horror at all."

Media reviews were mixed, but it was undoubtedly a flop, since netizens were also trashing it.

Under this atmosphere, box office revenue plummeted in the second week—only $16.7 million in North America, and even steeper drops elsewhere globally.

Total global box office over two weeks: $72.49 million! Passing $80 million was no problem, but hitting $100 million would be difficult.

But Fang Hong was satisfied—he'd only invested $3 million, so it was pure profit.

Currently, Yutu can split $18.12 million, over 120 million RMB—this is only what's available now; the film hasn't finished screening yet.

As for Universal, their earnings were nearly double Fang Hong's—this is just from box office.

For this reason, Universal's Chairman Donna personally called to ask Yutu to make a sequel, and also secured the rights to adapt it into a TV series and a game.

Of course, both parties would share the rights; Yutu still kept its 25% share.

In the United States, Yutu doesn't handle TV series, so Universal would manage it themselves.

The next day, the cast and crew of "The Big Man" resumed filming as usual.

This scene featured Wang Ziwen's character—the Young Master Zhao—making a mistake he couldn't back out of, alarming the elder Wang Ziwen, who ordered Wang Xun's lackey to take the blame.

The scene was shot with great atmosphere; as the old saying goes, dumplings on the cart, noodles off it—only the sharp-minded would understand.

On screen, Wang Zhiwen was shaving Wang Xun's beard, his acting masterful, his lines functioning as narration.

"People, above all, value their dignity. Your father shaved my face for me his whole life, drove my car his whole life—every time we went out, he'd make me look spotless. He said, if you're not clean, you have no dignity; without dignity, you can't face anyone…"

Liu Tianxian, listening to his profound delivery, felt as if she were inside his mind even without watching the visuals—immensely moving.

If only she had such line delivery skills.

"Learn from this," Fang Hong mocked beside her. "Listen to his line delivery—then listen to yours. He's a person speaking; you're a cat meowing."

"Get lost!"

Liu Tianxian slapped him.

Not on the face—on the shoulder. You never hit someone on the face.

Fang Hong stumbled away.

"Come back," Liu Tianxian called.

"You're making me lose face," Fang Hong walked back.

"Who told you to blab so much?"

Liu Tianxian placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, analyze this—why are his lines so good?"

"Ask him yourself. How would I know?" Fang Hong said.

"You were always so good at explaining everything before," Liu Tianxian patted his chest like a buddy. "You could always spin a whole story out of nothing."

"That's in my field. Line delivery? You really need to consult a professional. Go ask him—you might learn something."

"You go ask," Liu Tianxian said.

"Why so timid? That's not like you," Fang Hong looked at her.

"Who's timid? I'm giving you a chance to shine. Go!" Liu Tianxian pushed him.

In truth, Liu Tianxian didn't know the man well and was slightly shy; Fang Hong had thicker skin—that's what she thought.

"Mr. Wang, you've worked hard—your performance is excellent," Fang Hong went up and praised him.

The scene had ended; Liu Tianxian stood behind him.

"Ah, don't say that. I think you're great too—playing villains is more fun," Wang Zhiwen smiled politely, waving his hand.

"I feel my line delivery isn't good. Mr. Wang, could you share why yours is so strong?" Fang Hong glanced at Liu Tianxian behind him.

Liu Tianxian gave him an approving look—good job! "Everyone's demeanor and cultivation differ. I didn't find anything wrong with your lines," Wang Zhiwen said.

Fang Hong spoke normally, with emotion—so it was fine.

But Liu Tianxian had problems.

"Just share your insights on line delivery—I really want to learn," Fang Hong pressed.

"Just practice. No tricks," Wang Zhiwen said.

Practice! Fang Hong knew that. He said: "Share your personal experience—let this junior learn from you."

Wang Zhiwen thought this guy had the thickest skin—he'd already said there were no tricks, yet he kept digging.

Actually, he didn't know how to explain it.

This kind of thing comes naturally—it's a gift.

Wang Zhiwen thought a moment and said: "I won't talk about character understanding or life experience. I'll just say this: control. Control your emotions—even when angry, stay calm."

"That's it?" Fang Hong was surprised.

"That's it," Wang Zhiwen was equally surprised. "You didn't get it?"

"Oh, I get it."

Fang Hong realized asking was pointless—this guy was a natural talent; ordinary people couldn't learn it.

Just like he said himself—he didn't know how to act; he just felt it and acted. No technique, no insights.

Fang Hong glanced at Liu Tianxian; she looked equally helpless.

The two bid farewell to Wang Zhiwen and sat together. Fang Hong said: "Alright, his talent? You can't learn it."

Liu Tianxian stayed silent, unusually quiet.

"Just practice hard. Train your breath—get some power behind your voice. Work on enunciation," Fang Hong added.

"I know!"

Liu Tianxian watched the bustling crew and said: "Your set seems so orderly—I haven't seen anyone mess up or fail at anything."

Earlier, Fang Hong had bragged that his crew constantly gave him headaches, and his temper would flare and he'd yell.

"Since you came, they've all become obedient. It's amazing," Fang Hong lied.

"Nonsense!"

Liu Tianxian patted his leg, and without withdrawing her hand, left it resting on his leg.

Just like that, the two of them chatted quietly and peacefully.

Liu Tianxian was usually this quiet; it was only because she had grown accustomed to being playful with Fang Hong that she seemed lively.

(End of chapter)