Chapter 11 of 22
Chapter 6: Part 2 - The Arrival of the Greatest Danmei Film
6 min read1,537 words
This type of other-worldly beauty should only act in such a perverted and ugly role once in his lifetime, fragile yet decisive, a heart and body filled with wounds, a tyrannized beauty inside and out.
However, Liu Qichang knew that it was unlikely for Jin Yanliu to accept a Danmei role, so he had just been trying his luck.
When the script had been handed over, it was ruthlessly yet expectedly rejected.
This film was pretty special, with many characters, a magnificent imagination, and expensive setup. If he couldn’t invite big stars or famous actors, then the investors would not dare to invest too much money, and in turn, the production could only be crude at best. Like this, wouldn’t it be better not to shoot this drama? Recently, Liu Qichang had begun to think of giving up.
So when he received Jin Yanliu’s call, he was particularly excited.
“Director Liu,” Jin Yanliu greeted him with a smile.
Liu Qichang parked the car by the entrance, got off the vehicle hastily, bowed, and shook Jin Yanliu’s hand.
Previously, he had always seen him on the screen. Now that Liu Qichang saw the star in person, he found that Jin Yanliiu was much taller than expected. Under the sunlight, with his fair skin and crimson hair, he was truly a dazzling and honorable flower of the mundane world. His infamous pair of eyes were especially striking, beautiful and divine.
Liu Qichang’s heartbeat accelerated.
The moment Jin Yanliu smiled, he felt his goosebumps rising.
The golden sunshine on the spring willow* was so charming that it made people want to explode.
*TL note: 金日照春柳- I think this is a quip on Jin Yanliu’s name, but I might be wrong, so correct me if you know what this should mean. 金-Jin (gold) 日照-sunshine 春-spring 柳-Liu(willow)
So damn handsome.
Handsome, and also mega-rich.
The villa in front of him was covered with many glazed green bricks on its exterior. There was an old pine with luxuriant branches at the front of the courtyard, covering most of the vestibule, and a chill would brush over when one passed by. Upon entering the villa, Liu Qichang saw an eight-meter-high ceiling in the front hall, a waterjet mosaic floor. The living room was even more luxurious and spacious, with full-length windows on both sides and a view of the backyard containing a swimming pool and garden through the transparent glass. Adding up the front and back yard should probably result in over a thousand square tiles.
And this is the Banshan villa area, where celebrities gather and one inch of land equaled to an inch of gold.
Rich, handsome, and famous enough; this was the pride of heaven not just in name, but also in reality.
Jin Yanliu went straight to the point and talked directly about the issue of copyright.
<<Into the Devill>>’s copyright was in the hands of Liu Qichang. When he first heard Jin Yanliu’s proposal of buying this drama, he had been a little resistant. However, when he heard Jin Yanliu talk about his general plan, the director felt his blood boiling in excitement.
He and Jin Yanliu had the same type of dream.
He wanted to produce an unprecedented Danmei film, one so beautiful that it would shake the heavens.
“I don’t want any share of the profits,” Jin Yanliu said. “Just do what I say, and I’ll give as much money as you need and want.”
Wealth was a strong asset.
Liu Qichang thought he was dreaming.
He not only was invited by Jin Yanliu, but he had also actually gained the support of a god of wealth.
He was excited to the point of tears. “Don’t worry. With you here, this film is sure to explode in popularity.”
Jin Yanliu smiled and shook Liu Qichang’s hand. “Then let’s do it.”
Ever since Cheng Fei found out about Jin Yanliu’s ambitions to act in <<Into the Devil>>, he couldn’t continue to relax in his honeymoon abroad any longer. When his wife saw his drifting attention and gloominess, she directly kicked him back into the country.
“Is he really going to receive <<Into the Devil>>?” Cheng Fei was sweating profusely, blowing furiously at the air conditioner vents.
Fatty Xiao and the others were sitting squarely in the conference room. “… It seems real enough… The crew had already begun preparations.”
Cheng Fei brushed back his hair and placed his phone onto the table. “What’s wrong with him?”
“Brother Yanliu hasn’t been acting normal recently.” Fatty Xiao began. “I think he probably ran into some situation, just that…”
His words were half-finished when the conference room burst open, and Jin Yanliu entered enthusiastically, smiling brightly at everyone. “You’re all here, huh.”
He wore a Hawaiian-styled floral shirt, but not only did it not feel exaggerated and flashy(but without substance), it actually highlighted his youthfulness. The sunlight from a nearby window spilled in, and a pane of light just so happened to shine on Jin Yanliu’s red hair.
Cheng Fei was shocked into a daze as his eyes laid upon the red hair.
“Brother Yanliu.” Fatty Xiao and the rest of the participants in the conference hurriedly stood up to greet him.
Jin Yanliu smiled as he gently nodded and pulled over a chair to sit down. “Since everyone’s here, then let’s just begin the conference, shall we?”
“When did you dye your hair?”
Fine, this wasn’t the most essential point.
“Are you sure you want to play in <<Into the Devil>>?” Cheng Fei asked.
Jin Yanliu replied, “Sit down first. I’ll explain slowly.”
In truth, he didn’t have anything good to say. If he said that he still had half a year left before his body was taken over, it would be useless, and they would all think he’s a lunatic.
He could only say that he really liked this drama and also really liked the role of Mu Huaying.
After the meeting, Cheng Fei went to the balcony for some fresh air.
Jin Yanliu smiled a bit and walked over with some cigarettes and a lighter.
The sunset was just right outside, with half of the sky lit in a fiery red. The vast stream waves in the distance were visible, and the ferry whistled as it slowly passed by. A summer breeze brushed past, taking most of the irritable heat with it.
Jin Yanliu passed over a cigarette and also took one for himself.
The wind was a bit strong, so he turned his back and leaned on the balcony, smiling as he gazed at Cheng Fei.
“I don’t know just what’s wrong with you,” Cheng Fei said. “Did you have a seizure?”
Jin Yanliu’s smile didn’t falter, his face reflecting the crimson light of the clouds. His eyes were clear with gorgeous shades of color, exposing a beauty as brilliant as the summer flowers.
He breathed in a breath of smoke and replied, “It’s nothing really. Just that I suddenly felt how short life is and wanted to go crazy at least once before my death… I transferred a sum of money to each of you.”
Cheng Fei spoke, “Received it. Transferring so much money, do you not want to live anymore?”
Jin Yanliu chuckled again, then turned around, his hands in his pant pockets. Holding the cigarette in his mouth, he tilted his head up against the wind.
It was useless to be sad. He could never escape this f*cked up life anyways.
But the more helpless he is, the more determined he will be. That’s probably how his nature is.
“It’s the first time I’m investing in a film, so I’m afraid that all my money will be lost. I’ll give you guys more salary beforehand so that when the time comes, you won’t have to drink the northwest wind with me.**” He said to Cheng Fei, “It’s going to be a tough battle, so prepare yourselves and fight with me.”
**TL note: 喝西北风 – to go cold and hungry
“Did you discuss with Beiyang yet about you receiving this film? Did he agree?” Cheng Fei asked.
Jin Yanliu replied, “He’s been busy recently. I don’t need to bother him with my life.”
Cheng Fei took a drag on his cigarette and said, “I knew it. If he knew, he definitely wouldn’t let you act so haphazardly.”
“Actually, shooting a Danmei film isn’t as scary as you might think. You guys have such terrible acceptance skills; if I let go of my self-restraint in the future, how will you guys take it?”
“How much more do you have to let go?” Cheng Fei rebutted.
Jin Yanliu didn’t reply, only chuckling gently.
I’ll free my self-restraint to the point of your tears, he thought.
In the middle of the night, someone on an anonymous forum
said, “Shocking news! The highest level*** is going out to sea****!”
***TL note: In this context, it means those at the apex of the world (example: rich, handsome, top celebrities)
****TL note in case anyone forgot: to enter the sea= to take a plunge. Example: leaving a secured job to enter prostitution.
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