Chapter 151: Well-Known, Spy War *The Message*

Chen Nuo started his days of returning to school to study, and his daily schedule was full. He didn't live on campus, but in a high-end apartment rented by Qi Yuntian.

It was between the studio and the school, not far from either side. The rent of 4,000 a month was definitely expensive in Beijing at this time. But the security was in place, which could prevent the prying eyes of paparazzi, so it was worth the money.

Because he wasn't living alone, Janice Man also enrolled in a pre-exam cram school at Beijing Film Academy. That's right, it was the one he attended before.

Under Li Er's arrangement, she studied anonymously, and no one knew her relationship with anyone.

Every day, the two drove to school together and drove home together.

Except for needing to play hide-and-seek with paparazzi every day and avoiding people's eyes, the little life was sweet, especially during the few days Xia Xia Yehe came, which was even sweeter for Chen Nuo.

By January, the smoke of war between several films in 2007 began to permeate.

Chen Nuo didn't know if Poly Poly Huayi was too confident, but they really didn't believe in evil and followed them to be released during the Spring Festival. This forced *Protégé* and *Call for Love* to announce an early release, being released on January 7 and January 14 respectively.

It was considered to have caught a gap period before the Spring Festival.

You know, there was no such thing as a Spring Festival file at this time. There were not many films for the 2007 Spring Festival, mainly a pattern of 2 domestic films plus 2 Hollywood blockbusters.

*Crazy Stone* was undoubtedly the weakest among them, and its 2 million publicity fee was not taken seriously by any company.

However, no one discovered that for some reason, in every corner of the Internet, large or small, regardless of what forum, under the hot posts, there were some replies related to *Crazy Stone*.

Especially after the media preview on January 23, behind various posts related to the film, some people would inexplicably mention this film.

Even if there was a post talking about the artistry of *The Xiao Shenke Redemption*, someone would inexplicably say: "I think *Crazy Stone*, which will be released on the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, is also a story about salvation, similar to *The Xiao Shenke Redemption*. I watched the preview a few days ago, it's really too good."

Most people felt that these posts were written by lunatics who learned to go online, but some people started to become curious about this film.

The final trump card came.

On the day after the premiere, when Janice Man publicly appeared holding Chen Nuo's wrist, the media was full of news about the premiere of *Crazy Stone*.

This caused the sound of broken cups in Wang Wang Zongjun's home.

"How dare Chen Nuo!"

Wang Wang Zonglei threw a blue and white porcelain teacup on the ground, his face twisted, and roared, "Hyping scandals is one thing. How old is he? Appearing in public like this, fuck his mother, does he know how many fans he will lose? Is it worth it for a film with a cost of a few million?"

Wang Wang Zongjun's face was as heavy as water, saying: "What are you panicking about, what are you making a fuss about? It's Chinese New Year! Why are you throwing cups in my house?"

Wang Wang Zonglei said angrily: "Brother, I'm angry! That dog bastard Chen Nuo, he's actually a lunatic. He was photographed in Taiwan, we all thought it was stolen by paparazzi, now it seems he was premeditated, he was creating momentum for today!"

Wang Wang Zongjun sneered: "Then don't worry. He hurts the enemy by a thousand and loses eight hundred, and we have no way to deal with him. But if he thinks he can get a lot of box office by hyping with scandals, he is very wrong. Audiences buy tickets to enter the theater to watch the movie!"

Wang Wang Zonglei nodded fiercely and said: "Brother, you are right. In the end, movies are about quality. We invested 130 million in this film, it doesn't even compare to a fraction of ours, it's a dead end no matter what tricks it plays!"

It seemed that the Wang brothers were right. The initial screening ratio of most cinemas across the country on the first day of the Lunar New Year was roughly 30% for *The Banquet*, 20% each for Hollywood's 007 and *Night at the Museum*, 15% for *Crazy Stone*, and 15% for two other low-budget films combined.

Although this was already an amazing achievement. At least in the eyes of the people at China Film Group, using only 2 million in publicity fees and finally achieving such an effect, Chen Nuo's Internet publicity strategy was undoubtedly a great success, and those Internet water armies were really easy to use.

50 cents for a post, how many posts can 1 million buy? How many Internet forums are there? During this period, as long as you are a netizen who goes online, no one doesn't know the name *Crazy Stone*.

However, in the box office competition on the first day, the comparison between *Crazy Stone* and *The Banquet* seemed to be exactly as the Wang brothers said, *Crazy Stone* was indeed no match.

The first day's box office statistics came out, and Wang Wang Zonglei, who was spending the New Year at Wang Wang Zongjun's house, couldn't help laughing out loud: "11 million first-day box office, let's see how they die. Brother, how much did *Crazy Stone* get?"

Wang Wang Zongjun couldn't help but reveal a smile, "They are actually not bad, with Chen Nuo creating momentum for them, they got 4 million on the first day, and in the end, it should be no loss."

Wang Wang Zonglei chuckled: "4 million on the first day, with Chen Nuo's fame, and playing so many tricks, it only got this much box office in the end. Brother, is it enough to break the halo on him?"

Wang Wang Zongjun nodded: "Should be about the same. When the wall falls, everyone pushes. This time I want to see how many people will stand on his side."

The next day at noon, Wang Wang Zonglei was entertaining outside. When he remembered the box office, he called Wang Wang Zongjun to ask, but found that the tone there was a bit unhappy: "We sold more than 9 million yesterday."

Wang Wang Zonglei smiled: "Brother, the drop isn't big, why does your tone still sound dissatisfied?"

Wang Wang Zongjun said lightly: "Chen Nuo and the others sold more than 6 million yesterday."

When Wang Wang Zonglei was on the phone, he was holding a flamboyant woman in his hand. Hearing this, his hand tightened, and the woman screamed: "Wang Zong, you pinched me!"

"Get out!"

Wang Wang Zonglei stood up abruptly and asked: "Brother, their box office actually rose? What's going on?"

Wang Wang Zongjun's tone was still very calm: "What are you in such a hurry for? How old are you, still so unable to hold your breath? The Spring Festival holiday is seven days, today is only the third day, yesterday was only the second day, watch slowly. Don't go out and spend time drinking and having fun these two days, call more to contact the theater lines in various places, and ask more about the scheduling. Do you know?"

Wang Wang Zonglei's face turned red and blue, and he said with hatred: "I know."

……

……

On the third day of the Lunar New Year, following the tradition from last year, Chen Nuo's family of three spent the holiday at home before heading to Jingcheng to pay their New Year visits. Meanwhile, Wen Wen Yingshan returned to Hong Kong for the holiday after the premiere.

Zhang Yi had moved into a new home by then, having bought a large three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment near the Third Ring Road, moving his parents from their cramped courtyard house into a bright, clean high-rise apartment with an elevator.

Zhang Yi's parents, who had originally looked a bit aged, actually looked much younger now.

Pan Pan Chengrong and Chen Bi had not met Zhang Yi's parents last year, but upon meeting this time, both sides were quite warm. Pan Pan Chengrong still remembered the dumplings they had eaten in the courtyard the year before last. As they wrapped dumplings and chatted, listening to Zhang Yi's parents talk about which countries Zhang Yi had taken them to last year and what they had seen, it was quite lively.

Furthermore, that guy Zhang Yi had actually brought Li Yu home for the New Year.

Zhang Yi, Li Yu, and Chen Nuo chatted in the study about the new movie Zhang Yi was currently filming, "The Blind Man's Spring."

Once the study door was closed, before Zhang Yi could even speak, Li Yu couldn't hold back: "Chen Nuo, you talk some sense into him. If he keeps going like this, we're never going to finish filming this movie."

Chen Nuo asked in surprise, only then learning that the initial investment for "The Blind Man" was 8 million, which was definitely a massive production for an art-house film.

But from filming in June to November, they hadn't even finished half the movie, and the money was already gone. Several investors had to inject another 5 million, bringing the total investment to a staggering 13 million.

The key was that as of now, the funds were almost exhausted again, yet 30% of the filming progress still remained.

Zhang Yi's expression turned unpleasant: "It's the New Year, don't say such buzzkill things. If it really comes down to it, I'll put in my own money."

Li Yu lowered her voice: "Do you think that's realistic? Zhang Yi, how much money do you have to put in? It's not like I haven't filmed movies, and it's not like I haven't invested my entire net worth into making a film. But like you, this is just obsession! Have you counted how many times you redo a single shot? I have. On average, you film every shot over a dozen times. Forget Gao Gao Yuanyuan—I'm about to be driven crazy by you!"

Zhang Yi said irritably: "If I'm not satisfied, can I just let it pass? If the final shot looks uncomfortable, what can I do? I can't get past it in my heart, do you understand?"

Chen Nuo understood.

Actually, back when they were filming "The Mute," Zhang Yi had this bad habit, only he was poor then and had no room to mess around. Now that he had money, he started squandering it.

Zhang Yi turned to Chen Nuo: "Chen Nuo, I really regret choosing Gao Gao Yuanyuan now. This woman is basically a block of wood. I really should have chosen Fan Fan Fan Binbing back then! If I hadn't already filmed so much, I'd really want to replace her!"

Li Yu's face turned dark. It looked like if it weren't for the sounds of laughter coming from the living room, she would have started cursing. "Zhang Yi, what did I say back then? During the auditions, I said Fan Fan Fan Binbing was more spirited than Gao Gao Yuanyuan. But you and Li Li Xiaotian insisted that Fan Fan Fan Binbing had too many scandals and would affect the box office, so you chose Gao Gao Yuanyuan. Now that things have reached this point, you're saying this—is there any point?"

Zhang Yi slumped onto a stool, his expression dejected: "No point, but what can I do? Filmed like this, I don't even want to finish it."

This was the personality of an artist. Chen Nuo had been dealing with Zhang Yi for so long that he was long since used to it.

Chen Nuo ignored him and said to Li Yu: "The first time I filmed his movie, for the very first shot, he made me do it four times. I remember Li Li Xiaotian went and scolded him. I think you guys are just being too polite to him now, treating him like some big shot. If you ask me, if he doesn't listen, Sister Li, just slap him across the face; he'll definitely listen."

Zhang Yi laughed and cursed: "Damn it, can you speak like a human being?"

Li Yu also laughed: "Chen Nuo, if only you were on set. Really, why don't you join the crew after the New Year? Aren't you coming for a cameo? How about we give you a producer credit? I feel like you're the only one he'll listen to."

Chen Nuo waved his hand: "A cameo is fine, but anything else, forget it. I did terribly on my final exams this semester, and I'm planning to really catch up in my junior year."

Zhang Yi asked: "Do you have any plans for your next movie?"

Chen Nuo shook his head: "Not yet. I'm planning to take a break. I worked myself to the bone to get into university, and in two years, I've only attended a few months of classes. The school doesn't say anything, but I feel a bit guilty myself."

Li Yu sighed: "No wonder you're doing so well and so smoothly. If you ask me, those popular stars today, if they could learn even a fraction of your ability to know when to push and when to pull back, they could stay popular much longer. Look at that F4... Sigh, people, once they get popular, they get carried away, wanting to grab every bit of money, but they don't know that the public is forgetful."

Zhang Yi laughed: "Yu'er, what you say is really fresh. Let me ask you, across the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, is there any popular male star in his 20s who brings his girlfriend out to wander the world? Is there? Do they dare? Privately they're rotten to the core, but publicly they all pretend to be saints—it's truly disgusting. Nuo-zi, let me tell you, just because you dare to bring Wen Wen Yingshan out for the whole world to see, I acknowledge you as a real man."

Li Yu also laughed: "As a woman, I also have to give you a thumbs up, Chen Nuo."

Chen Nuo said: "Alright, you two stop praising me, or I won't be able to eat my meal later, just waiting to ascend to immortality."

The three of them chatted for a while longer and agreed on the time for Chen Nuo's cameo after the New Year.

A few days earlier than originally planned, right after the Lantern Festival.

Chen Nuo didn't object to the date Li Yu set. He could joke around during the New Year to ease the atmosphere, but some things, sooner or later, had to be faced.

Since Li Yu placed her hopes on him, hoping he would go to the set to talk Zhang Yi around, he, as a friend, should naturally agree.

After finishing the dumplings at Zhang Yi's house and sitting for a while, Chen Nuo's family of three went straight to the Ren Da faculty housing.

Li Er and the others seemed accustomed to having a family from Sichuan come from afar to pay New Year visits at this time every year.

This time, they had somehow prepared a box of bright red chili oil. When Qi Qi Yifei took it out of the fridge, he looked smug, not at all like a Ren Da professor.

"I specifically asked a friend to bring it from Sichuan. When they asked me how spicy I wanted it, I just said 'extra spicy.' They thought I was crazy. Hahaha... Come, Bi, use your chopsticks and taste it to see if it's flavorful enough."

Chen Bi actually took a chopstick to try it, dipped it into the red chili oil, and then licked it, his expression hesitant.

Qi Qi Yifei asked in astonishment: "What? Not spicy enough?"

Chen Bi laughed: "Professor Qi, you don't know. Actually, we Sichuanese usually don't find this kind of chili oil too spicy because it's been stir-fried. True spiciness depends on our Seven-Star Chili..."

Qi Qi Yifei and Chen Bi talked about the differences between northern and southern diets.

Chen Nuo and Qi Yuntian chatted on the side about the box office of "Crazy Stone," both feeling the current trend was good.

If the early momentum and hype were to get a good start, then at this stage, moving forward, it would depend on good word-of-mouth spreading from person to person. Of course, the internet water army wouldn't be taking a holiday; that couldn't stop.

Chen Nuo didn't feel from the bottom of his heart that the cast of "Crazy Stone" in this world was any worse than that "The Banquet" nonsense.

Sun Sun Honglei, Huang Bo, Fan Fan Fan Binbing, Xu Zheng, Huang Lei—compared to Zhou Xun, Ge You, Zhang Zhang Ziyi, and Wu Wu Yanzu, were they really that much worse?

If Director Ning Hao couldn't get more than 20 million at the box office with this cast, Chen Nuo would really consider it a failure.

Besides, the word-of-mouth for "The Banquet" was truly notorious; people in the future called it a ghostly, mournful funeral film.

If "Crazy Stone" couldn't beat that? Then there was no justice in the world.

So, on the first day, when he heard "Crazy Stone" only got 4 million, he felt a bit uncomfortable and had Qi Yuntian call China Film Group to have them work overtime during the New Year to coordinate with theaters to increase screenings.

Even though everyone from Director Ning Hao to Qi Yuntian, and even China Film Group, felt that 4 million on the first day was already pretty good.

When they heard the second-day box office stats and saw they had reached over 6 million, Chen Nuo finally nodded and said listlessly: "It's alright."

Qi Yuntian said speechlessly: "Brother Nuo, it's only been two days and it's already sold over 10 million. It's obvious this movie is going to make money—can't you show a little happiness?"

Chen Nuo chuckled: "How can the sparrow know the ambition of the swan?"

"You..." Qi Yuntian threw a sofa cushion at him.

Chen Nuo caught it and put it behind his back: "Thanks, my back was feeling a bit sore."

Qi Qi Yifei noticed their playful banter and suddenly said: "Xiao Nuo, by the way, I recently read a novel that I think is written exceptionally well. I gave it to Xiao Tian and asked him to tell you about it, to see if we could buy the adaptation rights. But he ignored me. Why don't you take a look now that you have time?"

Chen Nuo smiled: "Sure, Uncle Qi, what novel?"

Qi Qi Yifei excitedly went into the study and brought out a magazine.

Chen Nuo was startled the moment he saw the cover.

Oh, serious literature indeed.

"People's Literature."

Looking past the title, there were four golden characters.

"Lüfeng" (The Message). Mai Jia.

Qi Qi Yifei, fearing Chen Nuo wouldn't understand, explained: "This author, Mai Jia, had a novel before called 'Plot Against,' which was adapted into a film and TV show about spies. It aired in January this year, and I watched it—it was excellent. Many teachers at our school are watching it, calling it a spy-war film."

"This is a new novel he just wrote, also about spies. I think it's even better than 'Plot Against.' I suggest your studio buy the adaptation rights and make it into that kind of spy-war film; it might have a huge market."

Chen Nuo felt that even a second of hesitation would be disrespectful to his identity as a reincarnator, so he nodded: "Then let's buy it."

Qi Yuntian asked in surprise: "You're not even going to look at it?"

Chen Nuo said sincerely: "If you've seen it, that's enough. I trust your eye."

Qi Yuntian paused: "When did I see it?"

"Tonight."

Qi Qi Yifei laughed: "Xiao Chen, I think unless Xiao Tian says it's no good, you should still take a look. After all, I'm just a layman. It's just that when I was reading this novel, the imagery in my mind was very strong, and I felt it was particularly suitable for a movie. But whether it's truly suitable or not, you professionals need to judge for yourselves."

Chen Nuo smiled: "Uncle Qi, I trust your judgment! But... alright, I'll take it back tonight and have a look."

(End of chapter)