Chapter 84: School Starts

The next morning, Tu Honggang walked out of the police station, holding his waist and limping. It wasn't because he was injured, but because anyone who squatted like that for a whole night wouldn't be able to stand it.

He stretched his legs for a long time before he finally recovered, then took out his phone to call Wu Yu. It was only after a long while that the other side answered:

"Hello, Brother Tu, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Your brother has practiced, cleaning up a few little bastards is easy!"

Tu Honggang said heroically, but then hurriedly asked:

"Brother, I haven't asked you yet, you can drive, right?"

Wu Yu naturally understood his thoughts:

"Yes, the car is fine, it's parked downstairs at my place. Do you want me to send it to you now?"

"No rush, no rush, just send it to me when you have time in these two days."

As soon as Tu Honggang heard the car was fine, he breathed a sigh of relief. His newly bought car was shiny, and he was treasuring it!

On the other side, after Wu Yu hung up the phone and hadn't turned back yet, a charming body had already stuck to his back, her skin fair and smooth.

Li Xiaoran wrapped her arms around Wu Yu from behind, rested her chin on his shoulder, and asked: "How is Brother Tu?"

"He's fine. You could hear his voice just now, right? Full of energy." Wu Yu shook his phone and put it aside, then pecked the beautiful face stuck to his ear again.

Li Xiaoran giggled, kissed him too, and then bit Wu Yu's ear and said:

"Am I better or is she better?"

Wu Yu naturally understood who she was talking about, but in front of Li Xiaoran, he wasn't a fool:

"You are better!"

"Then who do you want?"

Li Xiaoran asked directly. She had always been a straightforward character.

Wu Yu didn't dare to answer this question easily. He turned it around in his mind, and a flash of inspiration asked back:

"Then you tell me, Lin Yueru and Zhao Linger, who do you choose?"

He knew that Li Xiaoran liked both of them very much, and she definitely couldn't bear to part with either one.

Li Xiaoran pouted and patted him, giving him a look of disdain: "You think this is playing a game!"

"I just love playing games with you~"

After Wu Yu finished speaking, he turned over and blocked her mouth again.

A moment later, the bed, which had seen better days, made a creaking sound again.

I don't know how much time passed, but the room returned to calm.

Li Xiaoran lay on Wu Yu's chest, revealing a large area of snow-white skin. After her breathing calmed down, she pinched him, her eyes filled with water:

"Are you a donkey? Don't you know how to get tired?"

"Sister, you know I'm a snake." Wu Yu chuckled.

Li Xiaoran naturally knew, but it took her a moment to understand that he had something in his words. She kicked him lightly with her foot and scolded:

"Shameless~"

At this time, I don't know whose stomach growled. Wu Yu immediately took the initiative to get up: "I'll go cook."

Li Xiaoran looked at Wu Yu's tall back, snorted lightly, and thought to herself that this little brat had grown capable, his heart had become wild, and he wanted everything. Sooner or later, she would pry him over!

However, towards this brother who grew up playing with her, she had a bit more tolerance like a sister in her heart, feeling that he still had a childish nature and didn't want to force him too tightly. It had been so many years, could he still escape from her palm?

Wu Yu hummed a little tune while cooking. He didn't know how Tu Honggang was, but he was refreshed now. You have to know that Li Xiaoran studied dance. Plus that figure, it was really top-notch!

At the same time, a screening meeting of China Film Group had just ended. It wasn't anything else, it was "The Night of the Comet."

Although the old China Film Group is not the behemoth it would be in a few years, it is also the only distribution company that can achieve nationwide distribution. The helmsman at this time is not Han Sanping; he is currently still the factory director of the Tao Jingying Studio.

When Wu Yu returned in July, he had already contacted China Film Group, but after dragging it out for a month, the screening meeting for "The Night of the Comet" was only held in August.

"Let's all talk about it, how is it? Are you interested?"

These people are long-term people who deal with movies, so there wouldn't be a situation where they couldn't understand.

"Hard to say, a bit hard to grasp."

"This film is a bit strange. There has never been this type in the country before!"

"It really doesn't look like a domestic film. It feels like it was filmed by imitating the foreigners' set, and some novel theories were brought in. I think it's quite interesting, at least the suspense is quite in place."

"I also think it's quite novel, but I'm afraid that with such new things, the audience won't be able to stand it!"

"I think it's worth a try. Now the domestic suspense films on the market are all about solving cases, everyone is tired of watching them!"

Speaking of domestic suspense films, they actually had a glorious period. The movie "405 Murder Case" released in 1980 was the first detective film in Chinese film and television. As soon as it was released, it caused a huge sensation. Not only did the box office income exceed 100 million, becoming the box office champion of the year, but it also accumulated a record of over 100 million viewers.

In the 80s, many large-scale, high-quality thriller and suspense films were born, such as Li Shaohong's "Silver Snake Murder Case," which was one of the best-selling films of the year and also set the highest copy record for the Tao Jingying Studio that year.

But by the 90s, as the review became stricter, domestic suspense films were stuck in the case-solving theme, which also led to audience aesthetic fatigue, and the road became narrower and narrower.

Therefore, after this screening meeting just now, "The Night of the Comet," a new type of suspense film completely different from the market, really made these people's eyes shine.

But they also had many concerns, worrying that the market wouldn't be able to accept this thing, and those with low cultural levels might not be able to understand it after watching it.

At this time, the distribution person in charge of the Magic City took the lead in raising his hand: "I want 10 copies!"

The distribution rights of the old China Film Group are still divided by provinces and cities, and then scattered down to the cinema lines of various cities.

Everyone looked at him in unison: "Old Feng, are you sure? Aren't you afraid of smashing it in your hands?"

The cost of one copy is at least 8,000 yuan. If he wants it, it must be deducted from his own funds. If no one watches it, it will be smashed in his hands.

Old Feng smiled and said: "Hehe, it won't be smashed, this movie has a gimmick. When the time comes, I will mark the 18-year-old Berlin Jin Xiong director and the Sydney Film Festival Best Film in a big way. Do you think it's eye-catching?"

"His short film Jin Xiong doesn't have enough weight, right? And don't mention the Sydney Film Festival, even I haven't heard of it!"

"Is a short film Jin Xiong not a Jin Xiong?

Besides, how many movie audiences understand these awards?

Don't worry about Berlin or Sydney, these are all big international cities. As long as you hang the name of winning foreign awards, plus the promotion of science fiction films, it will make them feel powerful. Our Magic City people eat this set, only 10 copies, absolutely won't lose money!"

When everyone heard it, it made sense. They were not making false propaganda, and it wasn't their fault that the audience didn't understand.

"Then I want 5 too."

"I'll take 3, go back and test the water first."

"70 copies!" Wu Yu listened to the number reported to him by China Film Group, quite surprised in his heart.

To be honest, he didn't have any expectations for the domestic box office of "The Night of the Comet." Anyway, he had already made a lot of money by selling copyrights abroad, and he didn't expect to earn much domestically at all. He thought it would be good to have ten or twenty copies distributed in the North China region, but he didn't expect it to far exceed his expectations.

"Yes, Wu Dao, your movie won an award abroad after all, and it's a novel thing like science fiction, so it's still worth watching. Wu Dao, do you have any views on film distribution?"

After hearing this, Wu Yu pondered for a moment, then said:

"Then I suggest putting more into cinemas with many students, especially college students, who are the most suitable audience. It just so happens that college is about to start."

"Well, you're right, we will consider it as appropriate."

After Wu Yu hung up the phone, he had a little more expectation in his heart. He couldn't control the distribution after handing it over to China Film Group, but it seemed there were surprises for now.

70 copies is really not a small number. Film distribution and screening in this era cannot be compared with later generations at all. Unless it is a movie like Cheng Long's, it is impossible to achieve large-scale release.

They are all broadcast in provincial capital cities first, and then continue to be released to the suburbs and the next level of prefecture-level cities. Of course, if the first round of response is good, the scale of screening will naturally be expanded immediately, and other cinema lines will urge for copies.

The Magic City region is economically developed and has many colleges and universities, so it can naturally accommodate 10 copies.

In addition, I have to say that the total box office scale of the country in '96 is twice that of 2000, and the audience has not yet fallen to the bottom of the beginning of the century.

Wu Yu and Li Xiaoran were inseparable at her house for several days, and he didn't leave reluctantly until school started.

Beijing Railway Station, the crowd was bustling. Ceng Li carried her suitcase and walked to the bus station.

Although the railway station in '96 was far from as exaggerated as it would be decades later, there were quite a few people now that it was the start of school season.

Just as she stood still at the bus station, she felt the suitcase in her hand lighten. Thinking she had encountered a thief, she subconsciously tightened her grip. There were really quite a few thieves at the railway station in this era.

But when she turned her head to look, a tall and handsome figure was standing beside her, holding her suitcase with his hand, showing her a bright smile. It was none other than Wu Yu.

"How did you find me?" Ceng Li asked in surprise.

"Your sister told me." Wu Yu chuckled.

He had called her home several times before and it was her sister Ceng Yu who answered, so he bribed her verbally.

"Let's go, I'll send you. Look at the people at this station, I don't know how long it will take to squeeze onto the bus."

After saying that, Wu Yu picked up her suitcase and left. Ceng Li complained in her heart that her sister was talkative, but still followed behind Wu Yu.

A moment later, Wu Yu brought Ceng Li to a car parked on the street and put her things in.

While putting things in, he introduced: "BJ Jeep 212, the great man sat in this 20 years ago. I just bought it, strictly speaking, it should be the company's."

Ceng Li just looked at it and didn't say much.

Wu Yu could also find that after meeting him this time, Ceng Li was much colder, probably wanting to keep her distance from him.

However, he didn't care. He was mentally prepared. After getting in the car, he continued to talk eloquently:

"I filmed a low-budget movie, earned some money, and opened a company called Miracle Pictures. Thinking that in the future, when filming movies, cars, cameras, and these things can't always use other people's, so I just bought a bunch. The car was just picked up two days ago, and today it just happened to be used to pick you up, just right."

Ceng Li just listened quietly to Wu Yu's chatter, feeling a bit complicated in her heart.

When she was at home, she kept telling herself that she should draw a line with Wu Yu, keep her distance, and start a new life when she arrived in Beijing.

"Drawing Sword" became popular a while ago and spread to their hometown. One day after she came back, she found that the copy of "Drawing Sword" on the bedside table was gone. She was so anxious that she later found out it was taken by her sister Ceng Yu to read, and almost had a quarrel with her. In fact, she knew at that time that she still couldn't forget, so she could only comfort herself in her heart that they would just be friends in the future.

But after seeing Wu Yu today, she found that her heartbeat would still accelerate, she would still feel sour, and she still followed him ungratefully, just listening to him talk about what he saw and heard abroad, listening to him talk about things that happened during filming, listening to him talk about how happy his father was after "Drawing Sword" became popular...

Wu Yu didn't drive into the Central Academy of Drama, but stopped on the opposite side of the road. After taking her things off the car, he looked at Ceng Li and asked softly: "Can I send you over?"

Ceng Li looked at Wu Yu and saw his somewhat cautious appearance, and her heart softened again, thinking that it should be no big deal for a friend to send her over, so she nodded.

Seeing this, Wu Yu grinned, then carried her things and took her across the road.

In the girls' dormitory, Zhang Ziyi was chatting with Qin Hailu, whom she had just met. Seeing a beautiful girl enter the dormitory, she immediately walked over happily to greet her:

"Hello, my name is Zhang Ziyi, you are Ceng Li, right? I remembered you when I was in the third test that day, you are really beautiful!"

"Hello, I am Ceng Li~"

Zhang Ziyi had the unique familiarity of Beijing people. Just as she wanted to continue saying something to Ceng Li, she saw another tall and handsome boy walk in, carrying a suitcase behind Ceng Li. After seeing her, he nodded and smiled:

"Hello everyone."

After Zhang Ziyi and Qin Hailu saw Wu Yu, they immediately stopped what they wanted to say and just smiled politely.

After Wu Yu put down the suitcase, he said to Ceng Li: "Pear, then I'll go first. If you have anything, contact me. If you are not familiar with the school, you can also look for Duan Long."

Seeing Ceng Li nod, he turned his head and smiled politely at Zhang Ziyi and Qin Hailu:

"You chat, goodbye~"

After Wu Yu left, Zhang Ziyi hurriedly walked to the door to look. After seeing him go downstairs, she ran back to Ceng Li's side, excitedly holding her hand:

"Ceng Li, your boyfriend is really handsome!"

Qin Hailu beside her also leaned over: "Ceng Li, you should be the first one in our dormitory to have a partner, you have to tell us!"

Ceng Li was stunned, but still explained: "He is not my boyfriend, we are just ordinary friends."

Zhang Ziyi immediately said: "You still say it's not! I remember clearly when I was in the third test, he was helping you hold the IV bottle all the time. Can ordinary friends treat you so well?"

Qin Hailu took the exam in the Bincheng test area, so she didn't know. Hearing this, gossip light immediately flashed in her eyes: "What's going on? Tell me quickly!"

Zhang Ziyi immediately chattered and told everything that happened in the examination room at that time. The two girls chatted while smiling and looking at Ceng Li, with an expression of "you still don't confess," which made Ceng Li feel quite helpless in her heart.

Wu Yu was in a good mood. A good start, keep it up!

However, he didn't return to Tao Jingying Academy after driving, but came to the railway station again.

An hour later, at the exit of the railway station, Jiang Qinqin was carrying a bag and walking, while a boy beside her kept saying something to her with a smile, making her very impatient.

But the next moment, after seeing Wu Yu standing not far away, her face immediately bloomed like a flower. She let go of the suitcase in her hand and ran excitedly, throwing herself into Wu Yu's arms.

This scene made the boy who was pestering her just now stand still. After seeing the two of them kiss in public regardless of shame the next moment, he was completely disheartened, his waist and back slumped down, and he left dejectedly.

Wu Yu picked up Jiang Qinqin's suitcase and asked with a smile: "Who was that just now?"

Jiang Qinqin giggled and said: "Just a boy sitting opposite me on the train. He could talk, talking all the way, like a little loudspeaker!"

"It seems our Qinqin's charm hasn't diminished!" Wu Yu gently scraped her nose with his finger.

"I don't care!" Jiang Qinqin said proudly, raising her chin, and then took Wu Yu's arm.

"Eh, you bought a car!"

"Yes, is it a surprise?"

"I remember seeing this Jeep on TV when they were patrolling before!"

"Well, it used to be military, now it's popularized for civilian use."

Jiang Qinqin chatted happily about various interesting things at home all the way, her mouth didn't stop, and she didn't realize that she had also become a little loudspeaker.

Wu Yu didn't have any scruples this time and drove directly into Tao Jingying Academy. This wasn't a luxury car, just a Beijing Jeep worth tens of thousands of yuan, which wasn't showing off wealth.

After sending Jiang Qinqin away, Wu Yu just returned to the dormitory when he saw Chen Er lean over, his face shining with a smile:

"Brother Chen, I just saw a student come to the freshman dormitory over there, with seven parents sending him!"

Wu Yu raised his eyebrows and asked:

"Is it from the acting class?"

"Seems like it, look, that room."

Wu Yu walked in the direction Chen Er pointed. He was quite curious about which future star this mama's boy was.

Just as he walked to the door of that room, he heard the voice of a middle-aged woman inside:

"Can this place be lived in? Just a few wooden boards and an iron frame. Look at the room, let alone air conditioning, there isn't even a fan. And this room is opposite the toilet, wouldn't it be smoked to death all day! Why don't you apply for a change of dormitory for Huang Xiao Ming?"

Got it, Wu Yu didn't need to look to know who this was. It turned out to be the Huang Teacher!

"Exactly, Huang Xiao Ming, if it doesn't work, let's go back to Island City to find a job, isn't it better than suffering here?" Another middle-aged woman also followed.

Wu Yu leaned his body and looked inside, just happening to see Huang Huang Xiao Ming wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and jeans. At this moment, he looked impatient, stomped his feet, pushed a middle-aged couple, and said in the Island City dialect:

"Mom, you stop managing it! People will laugh at me in a while, you hurry up and leave!"

"What are you in a hurry for? Look at how messy your room is, you have to tidy it up for you!"

Just as Huang Huang Xiao Ming wanted to say something, he saw Wu Yu poking his head in at the door. Thinking it was a new roommate coming, he hurriedly switched to a smile and smiled at him, especially pure, without any greasiness.

Seeing this, Wu Yu nodded and smiled at him, then turned and returned to the dormitory. It was really interesting. I didn't expect Huang Huang Xiao Ming at this time to be a little mama's boy who longed to escape from family discipline.

Wu Yu rubbed his chin while walking. Speaking of which, he had seen most of the people in the '96 class of the Central Academy of Drama three months ago during the third test. He hadn't seen the '96 class of Tao Jingying Academy, which was no less famous than them. Should he go see what these stars looked like when they just entered school? ===== CHAPTER 85 =====