Chapter 140: Leverage Your Advantage (Request Monthly Tickets, Request Rewards)

Liu Tianxian rolled her eyes, too lazy to argue with Jiang Jianzhu, and pulled Fang Hong away, unable to stand her spreading baseless rumors here.

Others aren't as dumb as she is.

Jiang Jianzhu watched the two walk away, her face dark with anger; she'd thought she could stir up trouble for Liu Tianxian.

I didn't expect that man to be like a freeloader, not putting up any resistance at all.

Fang Hong saw Liu Tianxian's expression—her face seemed charged with killing intent.

That night, Liu Tianxian's suite.

Liu Tianxian wore black-rimmed glasses and a gray-blue shirt, the ugliest kind.

Fang Hong stood behind her, applying ointment to the back of her head.

"Done." Fang Hong put away the ointment.

Liu Tianxian fastened a small-animal hairband, smoothed her hair to the back, then punched her lower back and waist—she was exhausted from filming stunt scenes on wires.

"Don't take what Jiang Jianzhu said today seriously—it's all nonsense."

"I won't take it seriously. If I can't even tell right from wrong on something this small, then we deserve to be torn apart."

"Hey, you're so self-absorbed—we're not even together yet, how can we be 'torn apart'?" Liu Tianxian turned to face him.

Fang Hong leaned forward, slowly drawing his head close, staring intently at her.

"Bang!"

Liu Tianxian slammed her forehead into his.

"I said I had a hard head—you've got one harder than mine." Fang Hong rubbed his forehead.

Liu Tianxian's hairband was crooked; she took it off, fixed her hair, and put it back on, teasing: "I can't match your hard head—you're like you've trained Iron Head Art."

She meant how Fang Hong never backed down from anything—he'd do whatever he set his mind to, no matter what.

Fang Hong fell silent, then returned to the earlier question: "Do you have a grudge against Jiang Jianzhu?"

"No. She's just like that—can't stand it when others do well."

Liu Tianxian rarely spoke ill of others, but with Fang Hong, she didn't care.

She twisted her stiff neck: "Can you massage? Give me one."

"Of course—I'm great at it."

Fang Hong got excited, stood up, and offered the sofa: "Lie down—this way I can fully leverage my advantage."

"You've got advantages too? Aren't you just full of strengths?" Liu Tianxian joked, relaxed and playful.

"Look at you—we're both decent people. Don't say vulgar things like that. I don't like hearing it." Fang Hong put on a righteous gentleman's face.

"You're putting on an act—I know you too well!"

Liu Tianxian grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, warning: "Don't you dare touch me randomly."

Then she lay down anyway—letting this man massage her!

"How can I massage without touching? You're so great—why don't you massage me? See if you need to touch."

Fang Hong was stubborn—he wouldn't massage if he couldn't touch; there was no such thing as a free lunch.

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll find someone else." Liu Tianxian said.

"Wait—I need to wash my hands. A little ceremony matters." Fang Hong dashed to the bathroom.

Liu Tianxian propped her head on one hand, watching his back—she looked utterly clueless.

"Come on!"

Fang Hong reappeared, wiping his hands: "I'm strong—I'll go easy on you."

"Mm!"

Liu Tianxian lay down, her curves perfect, especially her ass—very lifted.

Fang Hong plopped his butt right on top of it—soft, bouncy, thrilling; it'd be even better if she were naked.

When would he ever get to take off her pants?

"What are you doing?" Liu Tianxian turned her head—what's wrong with you, sitting on my ass?

"Better leverage."

Fang Hong said, then pinched her neck.

"Ow ow, gentler!" Liu Tianxian's voice turned soft, a little pleasure, mostly pain.

That spot was already injured.

"Massage requires Yin-Yang Harmony—force must balance soft and hard, sustained motion, top to bottom, outside to inside, front to back. But since we're male and female, I'll skip the front—this is a proper massage, after all."

Fang Hong pressed and kneaded across Liu Tianxian's back—her skin and flesh were so soft, every touch a pleasure.

But he didn't touch her neck again.

For all his confident talk, he didn't know how to massage at all—he'd never practiced, only seen it done.

Liu Tianxian knew Fang Hong wasn't skilled—she felt it immediately; he was miles away from a professional.

But seeing how eager he was, she let him have his way!

Listening to him ramble, Liu Tianxian closed her eyes and asked: "Fang Hong, besides me, who else do you talk this much to?"

"Talk too much? I don't feel like I do." Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian smiled faintly—probably he didn't even realize why he talked so much to her.

Normally, Fang Hong spoke little to others—if annoyed, he'd snap back with one line; even with close friends, he kept it to the point.

But with her, he had endless idle chatter.

Maybe this was what loving someone looked like.

"Are you comfortable?" Fang Hong asked.

"Pretty good—just a bit more pressure would be better," Liu Tianxian said.

"This force is still too light," Fang Hong thought; this much was enough—more would tire him.

To anyone who didn't know, Liu Tianxian's words sounded like the two of them were having sex!

Fang Hong increased his pressure, pressing upward from below; Liu Tianxian let out a soft "yīng" of pleasure.

That sound made Fang Hong barely able to hold himself.

"Use more force," Liu Tianxian said.

Fuck, is this a woman? Fang Hong wiped sweat from his forehead and increased his grip.

He'd never felt it before—he'd always been the one enjoying it. Now he realized massage was tiring work. This job wasn't easy.

"Ah!" Liu Tianxian couldn't help crying out.

That cry made Fang Hong's blood and qi churn.

"Hold it like that, hmm!" Liu Tianxian said, then let out another loud, sultry cry.

Fang Hong's face flushed red; he pushed harder, his blood and qi surging even more.

"You can get off now—you're pressing right into me," Liu Tianxian rose and flipped the man off her.

It felt intentional.

Fang Hong sat on the floor, wiped sweat, utterly exhausted.

Liu Tianxian looked relaxed; seeing his state, she teased: "Real man, tired?"

"Not tired!" Fang Hong shook his head.

Liu Tianxian giggled—he was just saving face.

She got up, poured him a glass of water, and handed it to him: "Drink."

Fang Hong took it, sipped: "It's cold."

"To cool your fire," Liu Tianxian said.

Who ever cooled fire like this? Fang Hong drank the icy water; the heat in his dantian instantly subsided by half.

Liu Tianxian pulled out a few tissues and wiped the sweat from his face: "You should exercise more."

"No time," Fang Hong had no such leisure.

"You're qi-deficient—how can you skip exercise?"

"Who says I'm qi-deficient? Want to experience it yourself?" Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian gave him a reproachful look—she was being serious! She wanted this man to be healthy, not just focused on work and her, but also on himself.

Fang Hong had stayed with the crew for two days; on the third day he left—his "Big Man" crew was still shooting.

A man shouldn't linger too long in a woman's arms—career comes first.

"Today's your birthday. I don't know what to give you—you have everything. So I'll just say: happy birthday," Fang Hong said.

"Last year you did the same—you're saving money again," Liu Tianxian laughed.

She didn't want gifts from him—his thought was enough. She was just teasing.

"Money's vulgar. What matters is my sincere heart," Fang Hong patted his chest.

"Where is it? Let me see," Liu Tianxian joked.

"I'll dig it out for you."

"Don't talk nonsense."

Liu Tianxian slapped him: "Go on, hurry back. You're both director and lead—you can't be away from set too long."

Fang Hong nodded, got in the car, and started the engine.

"Wait."

Liu Tianxian walked up, wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed her face to his, and whispered: "Be careful on the road."

"You be careful too while shooting."

Fang Hong felt her cheek was smooth and wonderful.

After this parting, both plunged into intense filming—nearly half a month would pass before they saw each other again.

After all, dating shouldn't mean abandoning work.

Of course, they called each other every day; somehow, this had become a habit.

"Beijing Meets Seattle" had finished its run in August, with a total box office of 396 million yuan, just shy of 400 million.

Box office revenue: 97.81 million yuan. After deducting 20 million yuan in investment costs, profit was 77.81 million yuan.

It didn't earn as much overseas as "The Purge 1," which, after over a month in theaters, surprised everyone by breaking 111 million USD.

But that was it—third and fourth weeks saw minimal box office elsewhere; only North America kept it afloat, earning 71.96 million USD alone.

Total box office: 111 million USD. Revenue: 27.75 million USD. After deducting 3 million USD in production costs, profit was 24.75 million USD—170 million yuan in profit!

The two films brought Yutu around 240 million yuan.

In half a year, Yutu had nearly earned 800 million yuan—over 600 million of that from overseas, just over 100 million from domestic markets. And these figures were still on paper—money hadn't been collected yet.

Making films for foreigners was still the way to make money.

At this rate, the planned 1 billion yuan investment would soon cover the deficit.

But it was already September—three months to cover the deficit was difficult, since "The Conjuring" was still in production.

This film wasn't as simple as the previous two—it had a larger budget and more complex shooting.

In mid-September, after over a month of filming, "Big Man" was essentially complete; follow-up reshoots and final touches were handled by deputy directors Guo Fan and Wen Muye.

The wrap party was arranged by the crew; after finishing his scenes, Fang Hong returned directly to Beijing.

Fang Hong rushed back to Beijing because "The School of the Rich" still hadn't passed censorship.

It had been under review for two or three months, rejected multiple times—any fool knew there was something fishy going on.

(End of Chapter)