Chapter 218: The Vice Principal Alliance

In the night, the city's skyscrapers glowed with neon, and pedestrians formed a flowing scene along the streets.

Traffic raced along the highways like streams of colored ribbons.

The business car soon pulled up to Fang Hong's front door.

Liu Tianxian glanced out the window, then at the man sleeping against her shoulder, and didn't disturb him.

People who've drunk alcohol tend to be sleepy, and this man never had a good tolerance anyway—he's been rushing filming day and night for the past one or two months, truly exhausted.

Don't be fooled by Fang Hong seeming to let others direct—he's worn out coordinating the crew and teaching her acting.

The car soon pulled up to Fang Hong's front door, and the door opened automatically.

Liu Tianxian shrugged her shoulder, looked down, and softly called: "We're here. Go inside and sleep."

Fang Hong blinked sleepily, glanced at the dark outside, stepped out in one stride, then turned back: "Drive safely."

As he turned to leave, Liu Tianxian leaned forward toward his face—he instinctively tilted his head back.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you drunk and out of your mind?"

Liu Tianxian scolded him, gripped the car roof handle with one hand, leaned forward again, and kissed his lips.

Soft lips met—Liu Tianxian kissed passionately; Fang Hong snapped to attention, wrapped his arms around her delicate body and took control.

Both had drunk alcohol; the scent of liquor mingled with their own breaths, blending in their mouths.

That scent, that taste, intoxicated them.

The driver sat in the front seat, it was still night, his view couldn't see exactly how they were kissing—only that they were kissing.

One was outside the car, one inside, the car body blocking the side.

As they kissed, Fang Hong's hands grew restless, groping wildly along her back.

It was May; they wore light spring clothes, her skin felt soft and wonderful.

"Stop!"

Liu Tianxian panted, unable to bear his touch.

Besides, there was someone outside—it wasn't appropriate.

Fang Hong wasn't done—he cupped her face and kissed deeply into the black mole on her cheek.

Liu Tianxian closed her eyes in pleasure—she didn't kiss during the day because there were too many people, and daylight made it look bad.

That assistant had followed her for a long time and was harmless; it was night now, when one could let down their guard.

In truth, she had her own needs, her own reactions—when this man touched her, she easily responded.

Fang Hong's lips lingered on that mole, then pulled away; he stroked her small head: "Go rest well—you've worked hard too."

"Mm, you too!" Liu Tianxian now seemed a devoted little wife.

Fang Hong turned and walked toward the house; after two steps, he turned back—Liu Tianxian hadn't moved, so he waved at her.

Liu Tianxian waved back.

Fang Hong took two more steps, turned again—she still hadn't left—so he urged: "Go already!"

"I want to see you go in," Liu Tianxian was just as clingy.

"Then I won't go—I'll wait until you leave."

Fang Hong turned to face her, standing still.

They stared at each other, locked in a standoff—you won't leave, neither will I.

In the honeymoon phase, sometimes you act like an idiot.

Liu Tianxian couldn't help laughing at Fang Hong's foolishness: "Fine, I'm going—hurry inside."

"You don't have to go. Come to my place, be my mom's daughter-in-law." Fang Hong grinned.

"We'll see what you're made of."

Liu Tianxian smiled, waved, then closed the car door.

Fang Hong smiled sweetly and walked into the house.

Recently, Split has been in global release for three weeks; in its third week, it ranked second in North American box office with $14.58 million.

First place was The Avengers—this film swept globally, earning over $600 million in North America alone and over $1.5 billion worldwide.

But this film released earlier—in early April—while Split came out at the end of April, nearly a month apart.

There was some impact, but negligible, and the two films were of different genres.

Currently, Split's total North American box office has reached $98.7 million, global box office over $140 million, a true dark horse.

"Horror and thriller remain the biggest surprise in the North American film market—and the global film market!" reported the New York Post.

"The entire film is just watching James McAvoy shift from one personality to another—thankfully, his acting was strong enough to make the film a hit," reported The Guardian.

Split's script, beyond its twists upon twists, relies entirely on the actors' performances.

Just that acting alone was enough to make the box office explode.

On Split's IMDB, ratings have consistently exceeded 8.6, making it a film with excellent word-of-mouth.

This time, Yu Xian finally made a well-received film—his previous horror films were universally panned.

Even on China's Douban, it holds a 7.4 rating! Of course, there are good reviews—and bad ones: overseas netizens commented: "The film portraying dissociative identity disorder as violent criminal behavior is highly inappropriate—the protagonist is a violent psychopath who doesn't even spare little girls."

One netizen rebutted: "The film clearly labels itself as a thriller! If you're blind, don't go online."

There are water armies and Heizi abroad too! This film, though released for three weeks, still generates massive buzz, its box office momentum unbroken—if nothing unexpected happens, it will easily surpass $200 million.

This has already exceeded Universal's expectations; the collaboration with Zhonghua has succeeded once again.

After all, Zhonghua makes money, and Universal makes even more.

Currently, $140 million in global box office means roughly $35 million for Zhonghua; against a $9 million investment, revenue exceeds $20 million.

$20 million will continue to be allocated to the Tesla stock plan.

The purchase of $100 million worth of Tesla stock over the six-month period is complete; now we wait to see how Meng Jun spends all this money. Spending money isn't easy, but having no money is even harder.

Keep the remaining funds on hold and see if we can invest in Fifty Shades of Grey; also keep an eye on Nvidia stock—Fang Hong remembers that this year's second half saw Nvidia's stock hit its lowest point.

Yu Xian, you must work harder—this filming is moving too slowly, and many things remain unfinished.

Far away in North America, Yu Xian was on set, communicating with a white director: "OK, OK!" Then he sneezed. "It's not even cold—which girl is missing me?" he muttered.

The opening credits and production company for Now You See Me have changed; aside from those paying attention, few know how this company's films relate to the earlier Jade Rabbit.

Of course, the copyright still belongs to this company!

But it doesn't matter—no one cares about the copyright later on; most people don't even understand what's going on with it.

That day, Ceng Maojun called Fang Hong again to discuss equity investment—he was truly envious.

"General Manager Ceng, I've been kicked out myself—they even changed the name. Pressuring me won't help!" Fang Hong spoke with heartfelt, earnest persuasion.

"Aren't you friends?" Ceng Maojun said over the phone.

"I thought we were friends before, but before interests, I realized I was nothing at all—if not for you, never mind."

Fang Hong's tone was deeply pained.

If not for Ceng Maojun forcing him, he wouldn't have been kicked out—he could've kept sharing the profits. That's what he meant.

Ceng Maojun understood the pause perfectly and felt not the slightest guilt.

Since the matter couldn't be resolved, he didn't press further: "If you can't get in, fine. But I have another favor to ask."

"You still have another request?"

Fang Hong wailed, utterly wronged.

"Act your part properly! Don't get worked up—it's a trivial matter for you, nothing big." Ceng Maojun said.

"Fine, I'll listen—but I warn you upfront: I'll do my best, don't pressure me." Fang Hong preemptively shut the door.

"You absolutely must handle this."

Ceng Maojun added: "Do you have any good film resources? Give one to Miss Jing."

"Miss Jing? Jing Tian!" Fang Hong confirmed.

"Yes!"

"I'm curious—why not approach the Hong Kong circle? They have stronger production capabilities. Why come to me?" Fang Hong said.

That girl is hard to arrange for—he remembered Jing Tian had spent recent years mingling with Hong Kong circles, either with Fang Long or Yuzhou Dan, or Yuzhou Dan with Fa Ge.

Thinking of Fang Long, he really was overly eager—he'd mentored Liu Tianxian, Jing Tian, Yatai, Liu Haocun, yet lifted none of them.

Of course, one could also imagine how incredibly shrewd Fang Long was in human relations.

"We're also cooperating with Hong Kong, but they say your company has never failed, so they want you to give her a film resource," Ceng Maojun said.

Never failed—so they want him to fail once? Fang Hong didn't say it aloud, only fell silent.

Recently, Your Name in the Same Desk has become a huge hit; earlier, Big Shot and The School of the Good Thief were also excellent—Jing Tian's backers wanting to ride the wave is perfectly normal.

"This isn't my idea—it's from above. I'm not pressuring you; you consider it carefully." Having finished speaking, Ceng Maojun ended the call immediately.

This isn't pressure? It's already killed him.

"F**k you!" Fang Hong cursed into the phone.

He brought Chen Zhixi into this, explained the situation to her, leaving Chen Zhixi deeply troubled.

Wanda is currently at its peak, and Jing Tian's background seems more complicated than just Wanda.

It's as if Wanda exists merely to support her.

"Look for a female role that doesn't affect the plot, requires no acting skill, and ideally has minimal presence," Fang Hong said.

"There is one!"

Chen Zhixi thought for a moment: "One is Now You See Me, the other is Chinese Partners. The former has only one female lead among several male leads, with very weak presence; the latter has one female lead among three male leads, also with weak presence—choose yourself, whether you're willing to give her one."

Fang Hong fell silent, then asked: "Who's directing Chinese Partners?"

"Wen Muye—he's been following you for nearly two years, currently pursuing his master's degree. I think he's capable," Chen Zhixi said.

Fang Hong said nothing, but he'd have to find another assistant director again—his assistant directors had been replaced time and again.

First Yu Xian, then Wang Ran, then Wen Muye, Guo Fan, Chen Sicheng—this progression, isn't he effectively surrounded by disciples and old subordinates, all of whom started as his assistant directors before directing their own films?

"Alright, I understand," Fang Hong nodded.

"There's another thing I need to tell you."

Chen Zhixi added: "Recently, Ceng Aizi held a meeting in the Greater Bay Area and mentioned you. A reporter asked him what he thought about Jade Rabbit's plagiarism of the theme song for Your Name in the Same Desk."

He said Principal really lacks character—he did indeed strike you at the Golden Horse Awards ceremony.

After the scandal broke, he received support from Jiu Ba Dao, Ai Dajin, Feng Kuzi, and others who publicly condemned you—read the online details yourself.

The incident blew up big: Ai Dajin urged musicians not to dub for you; Jiu Ba Dao urged writers not to script for you; Feng Kuzi urged directors to uphold integrity—don't film for you; Ceng Aizi urged organizations and award ceremonies to safeguard the healthy development of film and television—don't award you, only those with moral virtue.

All three regions—Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland—are gathered here; this Aizi has a coordinator's identity.

"Integrity? Virtue?"

Fang Hong laughed, unable to fathom how these two words related to those two men. Your Name in the Same Desk is currently hot, having surpassed 400 million in box office and still screening.

This success has made some envious; combined with the earlier exposure of the United States Jade Rabbit incident—that is, China—it seems someone suspects a connection to you, hence their panic.

Someone behind the scenes has reignited the accusations of literary theft, assault, and song plagiarism—otherwise, in this year of massive scandals, it would've been impossible to stir up again.

Chen Zhixi didn't understand how he could laugh—she added pressure: "These people are forming an Anti-Principal Alliance."

"Anti-Principal Alliance? Anyone joining?" Fang Hong laughed.

"No one has joined yet—everyone's watching. But of course, there's definitely backing behind them," Chen Zhixi said.

"Right now no one's following along — they're all watching and waiting. Of course, there's definitely backing behind the scenes," Chen Zhixi said.

(End of Chapter)

(End of this chapter)