Chapter 693: Sister Run's Price

For some films, the filming process is an ordeal.

For some films, the filming process is a secret pleasure.

This has to do with the film's plot content.

For instance, many young male actors with a "chuunibyou" soul find it particularly exhilarating to film such "chuunibyou" scenes.

Liu Shixiong could not resist the temptation of spending one billion in a month.

What kind of peerless, exhilarating film is this?

Immediately, right away, now... just let me film the spending!

At this very moment, he has not yet realized how much he will have to sacrifice in this film.

He only feels that just thinking about it is exciting.

The early preparation work for *Hello Mr. Billionaire* is actually very simple.

Because quite a few actors are of the same lineage as those in *Charlotte Troubles*.

As for Hua Jiaqun's side, he encountered a small setback.

He will personally play the male lead, Li Wen, in *Peerless*.

The female lead, Ruan Wen, has also been finalized; the actor is named Ceng Lili, who is a former Miss Hong Kong with excellent temperament and figure.

On Earth, Ruan Wen was played by Zhang Jingchu.

Perhaps the deepest impression many viewers have of her is her performance in *Disciple*.

This Ceng Lili is quite close to Zhang Jingchu in terms of image and temperament.

However, when it comes to employing people, Luo Mo does not like those with too much of a dark history or excessive scandalous news.

In this regard, Ceng Lili is actually quite good.

Now, the only person in the main cast who has not been finalized is the character of the "Painter," Li Fusheng.

This actor must be able to suppress Hua Jiaqun in every aspect, including aura.

After reading the script, a person immediately popped into Hua Jiaqun's mind.

This actor is named Xu Gangsheng, and he is considered a legendary figure in the Hong Kong entertainment industry.

Nowadays, he is 58 years old and in a semi-retired state.

In his early years, Xu Gangsheng's acting career was relatively bumpy.

It is not that his acting skills were poor or his image was bad, but rather that many actors found it difficult to act alongside him.

He was too tall.

In that era when most male actors were only just over 1.7 meters or even 1.6 meters tall, his height of over 1.8 meters was a bit too prominent.

When filming a scene with an opponent, everyone would be at daggers drawn in the camera frame.

Outside the camera frame, Xu Gangsheng would be doing the splits.

He had to spread his legs to lower his height and act against the male actor opposite him.

However, not all situations could be solved this way; sometimes, one has to be fully in the frame, right?

Moreover, in Hong Kong, being a male lead right after debuting was definitely a stroke of luck; in that era, most people climbed up bit by bit.

A supporting actor like Xu Gangsheng was certainly not liked by the male leads.

It wasn't until a TV series that required a tall, handsome male actor with a powerful aura that he became an overnight sensation.

That year, thanks to this drama, Xu Gangsheng became famous throughout Hong Kong.

To be precise, he became famous throughout Asia.

He was not only popular in Hong Kong, but also exploded in popularity in the Mainland and Baodao, and was incredibly popular in Japan and South Korea as well.

In that era, there was no "Korean Wave" invasion; the "Hong Kong Wave" swept across all of Asia.

After Xu Gangsheng seized this opportunity, he acted in another hit TV series and then dove headfirst into the film industry.

He was relatively lucky, and he chose the right path, so he did not end up like Fa Ge on Earth, who was once reduced to "Box Office Poison."

You must know that on Earth, Fa Ge, who played the "Painter" Li Fusheng, had his films flop one after another in his early years; many investors would avoid the name Zhou Runfa as if it were a plague and refused to invest money.

It was not until he and Zhang Guorong and others filmed the movie *A Better Tomorrow* that he completely turned things around, and he even won the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actor, which was also his first Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actor title.

As for Xu Gangsheng of Blue Star, not only did he have a smoother career in the film industry than Fa Ge, but he is also the male actor who has won the Best Actor award the most times in Blue Star's Hong Kong.

In Hua Jiaqun's heart, he is the best candidate for the "Painter" Li Fusheng, or rather, the only candidate!

If he asked anyone else to play the role, he would feel regret, as they would absolutely not be able to achieve the effect that Xu Gangsheng could produce.

After all, if Xu Gangsheng were to play the role, his sense of oppression upon appearing would be absolutely invincible. As the leader of a criminal gang, he could not be more suitable.

It is just a pity that Xu Gangsheng announced his retirement from acting four years ago.

Getting him to come out of retirement to act is a very difficult thing.

Even though Hua Jiaqun has a decent personal relationship with him, he was flatly refused the first time he contacted him.

Xu Gangsheng did not even ask about the specific details of the project; he only said that he really does not film anymore, and it would be the same no matter who invited him.

Hua Jiaqun also knew that getting him to come out of retirement was not an easy task, but if he invited him to go sea fishing, he would likely come.

In recent years, everyone has been unable to see Xu Gangsheng's active figure on the big screen at all.

However, many people can encounter him when they go sea fishing.

Upon hearing "sea fishing," Xu Gangsheng gladly accepted the invitation.

But the two had a prior agreement: Hua Jiaqun could not bring up the matter of inviting him to film a movie again.

Hua Jiaqun agreed immediately, and then on the day of the sea fishing, he brought his wife, Liang Xinyi, along.

—I'll shut up and let my wife do the talking. jpg.

After all, I am me, and my wife is my wife.

Although we are husband and wife, we are also independent individuals, and one must respect human rights.

The entire sea fishing process could be said to have had a particularly good atmosphere.

Hua Jiaqun himself was also skilled at sea fishing, even more so than Xu Gangsheng.

Xu Gangsheng belonged to the type who was both unskilled and loved to play.

During the casual chat, as the president of the Hong Kong Film Workers Association, wouldn't it be appropriate for me, Hua Jiaqun, to talk about the current awkward situation of Hong Kong films?

Regarding this, Xu Gangsheng also expressed his worries.

As an old veteran, he still hoped that Hong Kong films could develop better and better.

In the process, he also touched upon the development of Mainland films.

Not only have they caught up from behind, but they have also developed really well in these past few years.

Like the film "Dying to Survive", Xu Gangsheng expressed that he was very shocked after watching it.

This was the best Mainland film he had seen in recent years, bar none.

Hua Jiaqun immediately followed up: "Then if Luo Mo took the script for 'Dying to Survive' and invited you to come out of retirement, would you act in it?"

"That would be a bit tempting," said Xu Gangsheng.

At this moment, he still did not know that Hua Jiaqun's script was written by Luo Mo.

Finally, he brought it up himself, asking Hua Jiaqun what he planned to film for his next new project.

"A Crime subject, called 'Peerless', about making counterfeit money; it needs to be basically restored in the film. My team has already almost made US dollars that can pass for the real thing," said Hua Jiaqun.

This team was truly very talented; it would be a pity if they didn't go to jail.

Upon hearing this, Xu Gangsheng was startled.

"You must have put in a lot of effort to get the Approval Certificate for this, right?" he said.

"I... I suppose so?" Hua Jiaqun answered not very confidently.

Getting an Approval Certificate was a piece of cake for Luo Mo.

But wanting to cooperate with Luo Mo was not an easy task.

It must be said that because the subject of "Peerless" had a very strong gimmick, Xu Gangsheng also became a bit curious.

Hua Jiaqun was telling him the story content on the side, and he was also listening very patiently.

Hearing the end, he felt that the name "Peerless" was very interesting.

His personal interpretation was as follows:

The first layer of meaning, of course, is that the Painter's technique is peerless in the world.

The second layer of meaning is that the leads each play two roles, but in reality, one is fictional. There are no two people at all, only one, so, it is—Peerless!

"A very interesting film," Xu Gangsheng commented.

"Let me guess, which Hong Kong screenwriter wrote it," said Xu Gangsheng.

This film had such a strong Hong Kong flavor and high quality; it must have come from the hands of a master.

As it turned out, he guessed three names, and Hua Jiaqun shook his head at all of them.

"You couldn't possibly guess it," Hua Jiaqun said directly.

"Oh?" This made Xu Gangsheng a bit surprised, and he said: "Could it be a Newcomer?"

"I... I suppose so?" Hua Jiaqun felt that in the field of Hong Kong films, Luo Mo could be considered a novice.

"Then I would like to know his honorable name," said Xu Gangsheng.

"It's Luo Mo," Hua Jiaqun didn't keep him in suspense.

"What!?" The hand Xu Gangsheng used to hold the fishing rod trembled slightly.

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

A film with such a heavy Hong Kong flavor actually came from the hands of a Beijing person!?

Liang Xinyi on the side immediately said: "Brother Sheng, would you like to reconsider?"

Hua Jiaqun spread his hands and said: "Hey, I didn't say that."

— "Integrity".

The sea fishing ended, and everyone dispersed after being wined and dined.

Xu Gangsheng did not agree directly, but said he would consider it further.

After hearing these words, Hua Jiaqun was so excited that he called Luo Mo that very night.

Hearing how happy he was, a few words popped into Luo Mo's mind: "You are happy too early."

In his view, the script for "Peerless" would make Xu Gangsheng waver, but it was definitely not enough to move Xu Gangsheng.

You have to know, he was not in a semi-retired state now, but in a state of complete retirement from acting.

Not taking many roles and coming out of retirement to act are two different things.

He had been retired from the film industry for over four years.

With his level of Legend, his influence was certainly still there.

If he came out of retirement to act, it would certainly cause a terrifying sensation.

After all, he was one of the men who stood at the top of Asia back then.

But precisely because of this, he would be more picky about the script.

It's not that "Peerless" isn't good; it's that the reason the Painter Li Fusheng is best played by Xu Gangsheng is that this role seems tailor-made for him.

Just like on Earth, as long as Fa Ge puts on a trench coat, that feeling comes instantly.

If Xu Gangsheng were to act in this film, it would be very easy.

But there would not be any breakthrough.

It wouldn't have mattered if he had acted before retiring from the screen, but now, it would be a bit inappropriate.

Luo Mo felt that the only gain for Hua Jiaqun this time was that it could be seen that Xu Gangsheng had not decided to stop acting for the rest of his life.

Having been retired for over four years, perhaps he was feeling a bit restless too.

"Then, everything becomes simple."

"In his heart, just add a little more weight to the scales."

Luo Mo asked Hua Jiaqun to act as a go-between; he wanted to send another script to Xu Gangsheng.

Yes, it is the one also starring Fa Ge—*Let the Bullets Fly*!

Back then, it had taken some effort for Jiang Wen to invite Zhou Runfa to star in it.

It's just that Luo Mo hadn't finished writing this script yet.

He would just send it over once it was finished.

"I suppose this Brother Sheng wouldn't refuse to take a look at my script, right?"

—*Confidence*.

Just at this moment, Luo Mo received a WeChat message.

He opened it and saw it was from Ning Dan.

"Are you in Xicheng?" Ning Dan asked.

"Yeah," Luo Mo replied.

Don't forget, this large flat in Xicheng that Luo Mo owns was bought from Ning Dan, and she lives right above Luo Mo.

"Come have a drink? With Xu Chujing," Ning Dan said.

As Luo Mo's career has gone better and better, and he has become busier and busier, the number of times these two former drinking buddies have had a drink together has become fewer and fewer.

"Jing flew to Beijing this afternoon; is something the matter?" Luo Mo said.

Ever since he and Xu Chujing got together, Ning Dan had rarely taken the initiative to invite him upstairs.

Intuition told him that she must have encountered some trouble.

"You could say that," Ning Dan said.

"Alright," Luo Mo agreed, then sent a WeChat message to Xu Chujing to tell her that Ning Dan had something to talk to him about.

Then, he took off his pajamas, changed into some casual clothes, put on a pair of slippers suitable for outdoors, and took the elevator upstairs.

—*Convenience*.

After pressing the doorbell, Ning Dan, wearing loungewear, opened the door.

Behind her was that "mixed breed" of a Husky and a Corgi named 【Follow】.

—A Huskorgi.

I have to say, the genes of these two dog breeds are both quite strong...

Seeing Luo Mo, whom it hadn't seen in a long time, the dog immediately wagged its tail excitedly and even lifted its short little legs, trying to paw at Luo Mo.

After Luo Mo greeted it, he looked at Ning Dan.

Run Jie was wearing simple loungewear, the loose-fitting kind, but it still couldn't hide her proud figure.

Those full, moist lips were slightly curled up at the moment, with a smile on her face.

However, between her brows and eyes, a hint of fatigue could be seen.

"She's encountered trouble," Luo Mo said in his heart.

"The wine has already been decanted," Ning Dan said to Luo Mo.

"Alright," Luo Mo smiled.

He actually didn't know how to appreciate wine; he just drank it blindly.

When he was slightly tipsy, Luo Mo finally asked about Ning Dan's recent situation.

In Ning Dan's beautiful eyes, there was a slight haziness.

She lifted her eyelids, glanced at Luo Mo, leaned halfway against the back of the chair, and said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to do galas in the future."

"Hm?" Luo Mo frowned slightly.

Previously, with his help, hadn't the large-scale holiday galas that Ning Dan directed all hit record highs in ratings and online data?

This woman, who takes her career very seriously, was once ambitious and even wanted to become the first variety show director in history to direct the Spring Festival Gala.

You have to know, looking across the entire Blue Star Huaxia, no one with a background as a variety show director has ever directed the Spring Festival Gala.

"What's going on? Tell me specifically," Luo Mo said.

Ning Dan was actually also struggling with whether or not to tell Luo Mo about these things.

She ultimately decided to speak because she had been able to reach this point step by step in terms of galas, and Luo Mo deserved great credit; his efforts were involved.

Although Run Jie didn't say it very bluntly, Luo Mo still roughly understood what was going on.

At CCTV, the newly appointed director in charge of galas had developed ulterior motives toward Ning Dan.

This woman is a Non-Marriage Advocate and apparently also part of the DINK (Double Income, No Kids) crowd; in the eyes of many people in high positions, isn't this the type most suitable to be a mistress?

She doesn't want to get married, and she won't use a child to threaten her way up.

—She's too moist!

Of course, this director outwardly puts on the posture of a suitor, claiming that his relationship with his wife has actually long since broken down and that he is already preparing for a divorce.

For this New Year's Eve Gala, Ning Dan also participated in the competition for General Director.

The final result, naturally, was that she wasn't chosen.

Since you value your career so much, then I will use your career to threaten you.

You have to hit a snake in its seven-inch mark, right?

Right, beautiful snake.

I want to beat you until you obediently stick out your snake tongue for me.

Then, he fed Ning Dan a pipe dream, indicating that even for the Spring Festival Gala, his opinion was extremely important at the station.

Woman, can I not win you over with this?

After Ning Dan finished speaking, she swirled the wine glass in her hand, then downed the red wine inside in one gulp.

She was in a very bad mood.

This was not the first time she had experienced something similar.

She felt that among this batch of competitors, she was the one with the most ability.

Clearly, based on ability, it should have been her, yet there were always people who wanted her to pay a little extra price.

Throughout the entire process, Luo Mo kept petting the dog, not saying a word.

After a while, he looked up at her, then glanced at the time on his phone and said:

"I'm going to the balcony to make a call."

Seeing him stand up, Ning Dan parted her full lips, wanting to ask something, but was interrupted by Luo Mo.

And his words made Ning Dan open her mouth wide.

"He is only a director, it's a good thing he isn't the station head."

"We are quite lucky."

(PS: Per the editor's Requirement, continuing the update notice: This chapter was updated on August 20th at 18:35, the next chapter is expected before 8:00 PM tomorrow.)

(End of chapter)