Chapter 287: Burying the Hatchet

The two sat close together on the sofa, laughing and being affectionate.

Fang Hong had his arm around her waist, his body tilting as if to lean on her; her body was warm and a little plump, very comfortable: "Xiao Feifei, you seem to have gotten a bit chubbier."

"Mm! What do you mean by that?" Liu Tianxian also wrapped her arms around him, keeping her posture from toppling.

She wore a high-necked apricot sweater and casual trousers on the bottom, an outfit that shaped her figure well, giving off an overall gentle and elegant air.

"You've gotten fat," Fang Hong said.

"Have I?" Liu Tianxian lowered her head to look at herself.

"Yes, turned into a chubby one," Fang Hong said, nuzzling against her.

"Get lost!"

Liu Tianxian nudged him with her shoulder—could he say something nice for once.

"Oh my, you're so domineering, I just love it," Fang Hong said in a coquettish voice, clinging to her.

Liu Tianxian was so amused by his antics that she burst into loud laughter, her goose-like giggles carrying far.

She'd been staying home every day lately without going out, and had indeed put on a little weight, but a bit of exercise would slim her back down.

Fang Hong's clingy demeanor now was a complete contrast to his serious look from earlier.

Earlier doing serious business he looked like an adult; now he looked like a child.

Just as the two were being lovey-dovey and laughing, a "knock knock knock" sounded at the door.

"Someone's here, get up," Liu Tianxian gave him a push.

Fang Hong rose and walked toward the door.

Liu Tianxian tugged at her sweater, tidying her clothes and hair, which had been mussed by that man just now.

Fang Hong saw she had finished tidying up, then opened the door.

At the door, Chen Zhixi walked in, saw Liu Tianxian was also there, and greeted her: "Tianxian, you're here too."

"Yes, Sister Chen. We're going to his place for dinner this afternoon, so I'm waiting for him here," Liu Tianxian explained.

Chen Zhixi nodded, understanding the two were meeting the parents—seems like good news wasn't far off, she was really about to become the boss's wife.

Liu Tianxian asked: "Sister Chen, aren't you taking a break for New Year's Day?"

"When would I have time to rest? General Manager Fang doesn't rest, so us workers have to work. I really envy how free you are," Chen Zhixi complained lightly.

Meaning you should rein him in too.

Liu Tianxian smiled: "We're not exactly relaxed either."

The two chatted casually for a bit, rebuilding their relationship—burying the hatchet, so to speak.

At first the two had a good relationship, but earlier when a film was about to be released, rumors suddenly came out about Liu Tianxian and Zeng. Chen Zhixi was very unhappy about it, had scolded Liu Tianxian, and her tone had been quite harsh.

Their relationship had frozen at that point, staying in a lukewarm state ever since. Now that one side had taken the initiative to greet the other, and the other had responded, the past was considered water under the bridge.

After all, so much time had passed, and it wasn't some irreconcilable conflict.

"Is there something you need?" Fang Hong said from the side.

"Oh, Huayi has made a move—they've started doing rebate promotions, a model of bundling cinemas," Chen Zhixi said.

As soon as Huayi made a move, they knew about it; they'd been keeping an eye on them all along, and besides, such a big commotion was impossible to miss.

Rebate promotions weren't anything new in this industry.

"They moved fast. How many rebate points are they offering?" Fang Hong said, sitting down in the sofa area with Chen Zhixi.

Liu Tianxian got up, went to pour two cups of hot tea for them, looking every bit the dutiful wife.

"Not sure. During the Spring Festival period, they'll have to offer at least ten points," Chen Zhixi said, sitting across from them.

At that time cinemas would be working, and staff would be paid two to three times their normal wages. On top of that, with our Now You See Me putting pressure on them, the rebate wouldn't be low.

"What if we put a bit more pressure on them, make them offer a few more points, and spend more on the Propaganda Department budget?" Fang Hong said.

"We can give it, sure—just ramp up the publicity."

Chen Zhixi added: "It's just that recently a lot of cinema chain managers have been calling me, asking if we're really going to release. I feel bad saying we won't."

"They're making money off this too. If we release, it'll be competition—it's a waste of resources. They wouldn't want to see that either," Fang Hong said.

"Right, that's exactly what I'm worried about—messing it up and not being able to wrap things up neatly."

Chen Zhixi looked at the two, then said: "I'm afraid that if Exorcism Chapter suddenly pulls from the schedule, and the cinemas have already arranged staffing, and our film hasn't finished post-production by then, the cinemas will absolutely hate us, thinking we played them."

That was indeed a problem; Fang Hong lowered his head in thought.

In his past life, Xu Guangtou had pulled exactly this stunt—said he'd release during Spring Festival, then didn't, and sold the rights to Douyin.

The cinemas had arranged their staffing, but when they opened there was no film to show—they were completely offended.

From then on, the entire industry boycotted him.

Of course, the reason Fang Hong dared to do this was because he was certain Exorcism Chapter would be released; with the Alibaba-Huayi combination, there was no need to fear him.

This way the cinemas would have a film to show, so the staff wouldn't be working for nothing.

As long as a film was showing, the cinemas wouldn't blame him—instead they'd thank him for getting them so many rebate points.

Because the cinemas didn't want to see two blockbusters competing either—that would be a loss for them too, since there were only so many screening slots; they couldn't add more. Staggering was best, avoiding resource waste and maximizing profits.

But if Exorcism Chapter also pulled from the schedule, and the cinemas had arranged staffing, yet you had no film to give them—that would really offend people.

So this strategy was a double-edged sword; mishandled, it could push him to the opposite side of the cinemas.

That was also why Fang Hong told no one—only a few trusted insiders knew, for fear of leaks that would prevent the film from being released.

Even the post-production people wouldn't know whether the film was finished, because each of them only worked on a small piece of it.

One person does a small piece, another does a small piece, and finally a senior team puts the finished product together.

So those at lower levels had no way of knowing whether the film's post-production was done. Liu Tianxian just sat quietly beside them, watching Fang Hong think.

She generally didn't voice opinions on such matters.

"Do we have a finished film?" Fang Hong looked up.

"Yes, *American Dreams in China*." Chen Zhixi said.

"If Huayi pulls theirs, arrange this film for the theaters. We can't let them come to work for nothing. Have the Propaganda Department plan ready ahead of time."

Fang Hong added, "Of course, if *Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons* doesn't pull theirs, then we leave them be."

If *Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons* gets scared into pulling theirs; or if word gets out that *Now You See Me*'s post-production isn't done, pulling theirs would actually be a counter-move against them.

You said it had to hit the Spring Festival release — you handle it!

Then Jade Rabbit would give *American Dreams in China* to the theaters for screening, so the theaters wouldn't be left without a film, and we wouldn't offend them.

But if *Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons* screens, there's no need to give *American Dreams in China* to the theaters.

Actually they're just overthinking it. Jack Ma would never back down.

Still, being cautious is good.

"I thought so too." Chen Zhixi was just giving Fang Hong a heads-up — she had actually been planning to handle it the same way.

Once the two finished their arrangements, it was already afternoon. The three of them stood up and headed out. Not many people were at the company — most were already on holiday, with only a skeleton crew staying behind.

It was also time to leave early.

In the elevator, Fang Hong stood in the middle. Liu Tianxian looped her arm through his and, looking past him, invited, "Sister Chen, why don't we all go eat together?"

"No need, I've already got food at home."

Chen Zhixi declined politely. Seeing the state the two of them were in, she teased, "I won't disturb your little family then."

"We're still just dating right now." Liu Tianxian glanced at Fang Hong, seeing his expression remain unchanged.

Chen Zhixi rested her hand on Fang Hong's arm and, looking past him, laughed, "Then you'd better hurry up. Our Principal is quite a catch — there's a whole bunch of young girls at the company who like him. There's even one called Ouyang Xue, an 18-year-old girl who asked me if the Principal has a girlfriend."

"Oh my, he's that popular? All the little girls like him." Liu Tianxian laughed prettily.

"You bet." Chen Zhixi said.

Hearing this, Fang Hong couldn't help but straighten his back, feeling quite pleased with himself.

Liu Tianxian noticed and tightened her grip on his arm.

The two women chatted and laughed as if the man between them didn't exist. They only parted ways with a wave once they reached the underground garage downstairs.

Chen Zhixi had long since changed her car — she'd switched to an Audi.

Fang Hong pulled open the door of Liu Tianxian's Ferrari and got into the driver's seat. Liu Tianxian, as usual, took the passenger seat.

Generally, if Liu Tianxian had driven over, they'd take her car so she could drive it back at night.

Outside was a vast white expanse, snow piled along the roadside, and there was no traffic — it was a holiday, after all. The two of them chatted on and off as they drove.

Suddenly, the phone in Fang Hong's pocket rang.

"Help me answer it — should be my mom calling." Fang Hong said.

"Oh!"

Liu Tianxian leaned over and reached her hand into his trouser pocket. She reached in a bit too far and bumped into some unknown firm object.

This made her hand pause, her expression freeze.

Fang Hong turned to glance at her: "What is it?"

"Nothing."

Liu Tianxian pulled out the phone, a blush spreading across her cheeks. She froze on the spot, recalling what she'd just touched.

Fang Hong gave her a half-smile and glanced at her again: "Answer it — it's been ringing forever."

"Oh!"

Liu Tianxian let out a soft breath, steadied herself, swiped the phone screen, and held it to her ear: "Hello, Auntie."

"It's Feifei!" Xu Liyun was delighted to hear that voice — the two of them must be together.

"Yes, is there something you needed?" Liu Tianxian said politely.

"I was just asking when you'll be back — I've made dinner." Xu Liyun said over the phone.

"We're already on our way, we'll be there soon." Liu Tianxian said.

"That's good, drive carefully."

Xu Liyun offered a reminder, and the two hung up.

After the call, Liu Tianxian held the phone without moving, spacing out again.

"Help me put the phone back in my pocket." Fang Hong said.

Liu Tianxian looked at the phone, then at his trouser pocket, pinched the top of the phone, and moved it toward his pocket.

As she neared the pocket, her movements suddenly became cautious, as if there were a flood or a fierce beast inside, some kind of monster.

"What are you doing?" Fang Hong glanced over.

"Put it back yourself." Liu Tianxian tossed the phone at him, and it landed right at his crotch, hitting something it shouldn't have.

"Shit!" Fang Hong gripped the steering wheel with both hands, nearly jumping out of his seat.

"Sorry, sorry!"

Liu Tianxian quickly grabbed the phone back.

(End of Chapter)