Chapter 282

When Mr. Xiao heard that "And Then There Were None" had been scheduled for daytime slots at Daye Media cinemas, he was very surprised and asked:

"Since it can be shown in major cinemas, does that mean your investment costs can be recouped?"

Sui Lingfang said very cautiously, "It's not certain. If we can maintain three screenings a day, there's a high probability we can recoup them, but if the performance is poor and it gets cut to two screenings a day, it's hard to say."

Three screenings a day versus two screenings a day—it looks like a difference of only one screening.

But that one missing screening is one screening across all Daye cinema chains nationwide!

The Daye cinema chain has at least a thousand locations in the country, and the box office revenue that each screening can generate is astonishing.

Otherwise, those popular summer blockbuster films wouldn't be fighting for cinema schedules every single day.

During prime time slots, the number of screenings a film has is equivalent to how much revenue it generates.

The time netizens have to watch movies is limited, and some netizens don't even have a specific goal when watching movies; instead, they go to the cinema and buy tickets on the spot.

In other words, whatever movie the cinema arranges, that's the movie they watch—it's that simple.

After hearing Sui Lingfang's explanation, Mr. Xiao waved his hand and said, "Since that's the case, I won't interfere with the cinemas in popular cities. I'll book 20 screenings in my hometown tomorrow; consider it support for Chenxi's first investment. I hope you won't let me down."

Sui Lingfang said with immense excitement, "Thank you for your support, Mr. Xiao!"

Mr. Xiao laughed and said, "Your eye for selecting films this time is good. More than one friend has told me that 'And Then There Were None' could become a niche dark horse miracle, with higher buzz than popular films."

After all, he is a president.

Money isn't important.

Saving face is what's important.

Although "And Then There Were None" doesn't earn as much as popular films, at least it has a good reputation!

Sui Lingfang's eyes darted, and she whispered again, "Mr. Xiao, I also want to tell you one more thing: 'And Then There Were None' has received an interview notice from a foreign magazine, and it is highly likely to go overseas!"

This matter has already been decided; what hasn't been confirmed is the filming time, but saying it to coax the boss is absolutely no problem.

Mr. Xiao was indeed coaxed into being very happy. "Going overseas? Not bad. Chenxi Entertainment is doing better and better. How about this..."

He pondered for a moment and said, "The day after tomorrow, I'll also book 20 screenings for you. You can distribute those tickets as fan benefits; if they want to go see it, they can!"

Sui Lingfang said enthusiastically, "You got it, Mr. Xiao!"

After Sui Lingfang hung up, she was met with Deng Zexu's look of shock.

The conversation between Sister Fang and Mr. Xiao just now had not been hidden from him.

Deng Zexu couldn't help but ask, "Is your president going to book out the cinemas?"

Sui Lingfang held up two fingers: "20 screenings booked for tomorrow, and another 20 screenings the day after!"

Deng Zexu blinked, unable to calculate it for a moment. "How much money does this have to cost?"

Assuming a screening hall can seat 150 people, and a single ticket for "And Then There Were None" is 30 (without discounts), one screening hall is 4,500 yuan.

Booking 40 screenings, that's 180,000!

This one move drops 180,000, and it's a drop regardless of cost, just to boost the box office.

Deng Zexu couldn't help but exclaim, "Your Mr. Xiao is truly extravagant, worthy of the name God of Wealth."

Sui Lingfang said nonchalantly, "180,000? That's just a grain of rice Mr. Xiao casually scattered."

Deng Zexu thought to himself that Chenxi Entertainment has deep financial resources, and he can continue to cooperate with them in the future.

Regardless of how the production team is, at least cooperating with them, one won't have to fear running out of money halfway through filming!

Jin Li was currently filming "Leisurely Slow Life" and didn't know that "And Then There Were None" had once again secured daytime screenings; she doesn't play with her phone during filming.

In the evening.

They gathered together to watch TV, and what was playing was the recent big hit "Great Sheng Dynasty."

I don't know how Chenxi Entertainment managed to secure the advertising placement for "Great Sheng Dynasty," or if this was a targeted audience placement, but during the commercial break, they actually saw the advertisement for "And Then There Were None"!

Sanyuetian and the others were originally talking about how Ji Qinglian's performance in this drama was good, but upon seeing this ad, the most lively Chen Lin couldn't help but ask:

"Sister Jin Li, I scrolled past your 30-second hanging scene. How on earth was it filmed back then? It looks very real!"

As soon as this question came out, everyone looked over, and even Qiguan Mingzhu put down her hand and stopped eating fruit.

Yan Xingdong said, "I was very shocked when I saw it back then."

Luo Yi: "That expression of struggle doesn't look fake."

Gu Cheng: "Can post-production special effects complete such delicate changes in expression?"

Jin Li thought for a moment and revealed the filming details to the outside world for the first time.

"You think it's real because I filmed it for real."

Qiguan Mingzhu was the first to react and said loudly, "Filmed for real? You mean, you really hanged yourself?!"

The others were also shocked.

Because the film's official blog had never revealed this to the outside world, many people thought it was synthesized with post-production special effects.

They didn't expect it to be filmed for real!

There were many sharp-eyed netizens in the comments who said that Jin Li had really hanged herself, and it was even used for promotion because of this.

But every time such remarks appeared, there would be a large group of netizens who didn't believe it, thinking it was post-production synthesis.

Even when the behind-the-scenes footage was brought out, clearly showing it was a real hanging, there were still many people who didn't believe it.

Those netizens said quite righteously, "The official side never personally stated whether it was real or synthesized! If it were real, they would have admitted it long ago; why would they cover it up and not say anything? Now it's all relying on netizens to promote it, and the official side hasn't said a word, so it's not real!"

No, the behind-the-scenes footage has already been released for you; whether it's real or synthesized, can't you tell?

The reason why they didn't say anything is that facts speak louder than words!

Just as the topic reached this point, Jin Li decided to respond to the netizens' doubts through this variety show and personally admit that it was filmed for real, without synthesis.

She would only respond this one time.

After all, one can never wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep.

Gu Cheng asked, "How did you summon the courage to do that at the time?"

"Yeah, Sister Jin Li, aren't you afraid that some accident might happen?" Chen Lin also asked.

Yan Xingdong: "The danger of this kind of scene is too high. If the body suddenly fails or something goes wrong, it could very likely lead to a tragedy."

Luo Yi raised his hand: "My point of concern is a bit special. When filming this scene, did the crew buy you insurance?"

Jin Li shook her head: "No insurance was bought. At the time, I didn't think it would be filmed for real for so long."

She recalled, "Originally, I intended to use a stunt double, but I felt a stunt double wasn't very good. My manager was also on set, so I first convinced her to let me film for two or three seconds to try."

She smiled mischievously: "I knew the crew would definitely agree, but my manager might not necessarily be willing."

Chen Lin said quickly, "That's right. If it were our Brother Guang, any request that might involve danger would not be allowed for us to touch. For example, last time there was an aerial stunt; we could actually do it, but Brother Guang absolutely refused."

Yan Xingdong hurriedly covered Chen Lin's mouth, afraid he would reveal more details.

You have to know that the next sentence Brother Guang said was—

"If you really want to film aerial stunts, you have to buy insurance at the hundred-million level, and at the same time, you have to pay more!"

That organizer was frightened by the huge insurance policy and the price increase.

Brother Guang's price increase was not low; for that aerial stunt of less than ten seconds, he tripled the appearance fee.

If you want to talk about which manager is the most shrewd, it has to be Black-hearted Guang!

Jin Li continued: "That scene was my wrap-up scene; once filmed, it was a wrap. Afterward, I only needed to film the few scenes where the judge ends his life, and that was the wrap for the whole drama.

Everyone was waiting, and I didn't want to delay their time, and I also felt I could try it myself.

After trying for a few seconds, I felt it wasn't enough, so I convinced my manager to set a secret signal. When I couldn't bear it, I would specifically make a certain movement, and they would come to save me, and that's how the behind-the-scenes footage you scrolled past on the internet came to be."

Gu Cheng's expression was solemn: "It was a one-take afterward, without repeated re-filming?"

Jin Li nodded in affirmation: "Yeah, after trying the scene for a few seconds, the official filming was a one-take."

Chen Lin gasped: "You are really decisive and straightforward; your psychological endurance is very strong!"

The others couldn't help but give Jin Li a thumbs up.

Asking themselves, they wouldn't necessarily be able to be so straightforward and decisive.

Everyone knows that the more dangerous a scene is, the better it is to film it all at once.

But in the process of filming, it's rare to get it right in one take; instead, it's repeated grinding.

More often than not, those dangerous scenes are ground out frame by frame, and after filming, one could lose half their life.

Jin Li belongs to the type who gets it right in one take during official filming, which is rather uncommon.

From this, it can be seen that she was truly in a state of extreme tension at the time, leaving no retreat for herself, completely immersed in the performance, only then could she express the emotions of despair and death so quickly.

Qiguan Mingzhu exclaimed, "No wonder that segment of yours was deified; I felt horrified even when I watched it."

She patted Jin Li on the shoulder and said affirmatively, "Although I didn't see you having acting talent before, but now... to be honest, even if you win a Best Actress award this year, I wouldn't be surprised."

Jin Li chuckled and patted Qiguan Mingzhu's hand away: "How could it be that easy? I'm still very far off!"

The evening interaction was not opened for live streaming by the program team.

But this discussion was very valuable.

The director was already rubbing his hands, determined to add all kinds of exclamation and shock emojis to this segment.

After the evening filming ended and the program team turned off the cameras, the director suddenly received a call from Sui Lingfang.

After hearing what she said, the director was very surprised: "Are you sure the movie tickets you bought are nearby?"

Sui Lingfang: "Sure. Our Mr. Xiao booked 20 screenings in the city where the filming location is, and one of them is quite close to you."

The director pondered: "What's your idea?"

Sui Lingfang smiled: "Director, free sponsorship of movie tickets for you, providing the filming venue—are you interested in doing a special plan?"

The director raised his eyebrows, thought for a moment, and didn't give a definite answer: "We'll take the tickets and the venue, but we won't necessarily go—is that okay?"

Sui Lingfang said readily: "No problem!"

After the director hung up the phone, he called Zhang Guang and talked about this matter.

After Zhang Guang finished listening, he smiled: "Sui Lingfang is quite smart. The 'And Then There Were None' crew found her for promotion, and she doesn't miss any opportunity to promote."

Director: "So should we go?"

Zhang Guang said readily: "It's not a bad thing for artists to have a good relationship; just let them go and play. Besides, we also have an artist who is a former member of Pink Girls, so this kind of relationship should still be maintained."

Director: "Okay, I'll see how to do it when the time comes."

On the second day of "Leisurely Slow Life" recording, the artists began to experience the entertainment projects inside the hotel.

This hotel is famous for its "hot spring vacation," and in summer, it also opens water parks and other swimming pools; every season, many tourists come to experience it.

Unlike the summer swimming pools that need to be opened during specific time slots, the hot spring pools are open every day, and even in summer, one can experience them.

The hotel has a total of 33 open hot spring pools of various sizes, 10 private hot spring pools, 5 dry and wet steaming areas, and dozens of heated stone slabs for tourists to rest.

Coming to this hotel in winter would make people enjoy it even more.

After comprehensive discussion, even though it is summer now, everyone still wanted to experience hot springs with different effects.

Everyone appeared wearing bath towels, wrapped tightly, putting an end to the netizens' thieving desire to see swimwear.

While soaking in the hot springs, the stars didn't forget to review, picking up the phones placed on the side to record their thoughts.

After soaking in the hot springs, they came to the traditional activity project—playing ping pong!

Everyone knows how to play ping pong, but the skill level is at a rookie level, and none of them are professionals, so at this time, they often resort to underhanded tricks.

Chen Lin played against Qiguan Mingzhu, and he shouted to boost his momentum, "Watch my outer spin serve! Ma-li-ma-li-hong!"

The preparatory movements were flashy, and only after more than ten seconds did he serve a ball, which was then quickly returned by Qiguan Mingzhu with a fast short ball.

"Point!"

Qiguan Mingzhu clenched her fist slightly.

【Hahaha, Xiao Lin, this set of yours won't attract anyone's attention!】

【So I said, no matter how flashy, it's better to practice the basic movements (doge)】

【I'll play you until you cry! No, better save some face and let one point go. Why didn't you let a point go? No, I let one go, how would I know they couldn't even receive this ball!!!】

Chen Lin didn't see the barrage, but he became more courageous with every setback, continuing with all kinds of flashy moves.

But the effect was poor; almost every time he was quickly countered by Qiguan Mingzhu, though Chen Lin also reacted quickly to hit it back.

Both of their athletic nerves were not bad, barely managing to play back and forth, it's just that the background noise was a bit noisy.

Compared to this group, the group of Jin Li and Gu Cheng was very quiet.

The two were not flashy, both playing seriously, their expressions a bit serious, neither giving way to the other.

In terms of intensity, this group was actually the most fierce.

Other groups might have done it for the sake of the program's effect, but this group was truly engaging in competition.

【They've already played three games, Gu Cheng won two and Jin Li took one; Jin Li's stamina is about to run out】

【It's already very good; I thought the half-season queen would be withered by the second game, but now she actually held on to the third game!】

【The battle is so intense, come on Jin Li!!】

The netizens in this live streaming room were all watching the match very seriously.

And the last group of members' match had a very strange style.

Luo Yi played slowly, and Yan Xingdong suppressed his temper, returning slowly.

Two young people actually played the fast-paced ping pong into an elderly ball game project.

Their expressions were calm and composed, and their movements were so serene—

If the enemy doesn't move, I don't move; if the enemy moves, I still don't move.

The netizens in the live streaming room were all deeply impressed.

【I firmly believe that to be able to press the ball speed so slowly, they also have some skills!】

【Ping pong is indeed a health-preserving project!】

【I really want to let Chen Lin play against them; one is flashy, the other is leisurely】

【Is there a punishment for the loser? Can we vote online? Can we count both people in this group as losers (doge)】

The director didn't know if he lived online all the time.

He listened to the netizens' suggestions, and when one of the groups reached the sixth game, the program team immediately announced:

"Only two games left, please note, only the last two games left! Whichever group completes the seventh game last will be the loser, and intentionally losing will also be the loser!"