Chapter Thirty-Two: The Premiere

Idle time always passes in a flash. Because the investment shares and the salary for "So Young" had not been finalized, Zhang Qianjun could neither abandon China Film Group to go it alone nor scrape together the fifteen million required for sole funding. Consequently, the project was truly shelved. Various companies and actresses, seeing that neither China Film Group nor Solar System Film & Television made any move after Xin Yiwu posted on Weibo, eventually lost interest after a period of persistent pestering.

After Kan Qingzi finished filming "Watching the Sky," she had no new projects. Her next role as the vicious female antagonist in "Brilliant Life" would not begin filming until the start of next year, leaving her with a six-month gap. Before she was with Zhang Qianjun, she would have worried herself bald, but now that she had someone to lean on, she didn't mind much. Aside from binge-watching dramas and variety shows at home every day, she spent her time choosing accessories for her Porsche 911.

Although other companies sent Zhang Qianjun casting offers, they were either roles as second leads meant to serve as stepping stones for their major artists, or invitations from low-budget, unprofessional crews. He wasn't surprised; after all, he had just debuted this year, had only one film to his name, and wasn't signed to any agency. Which fool of a major company would proactively seek him out to be a lead? Thus, he began signing up for classes and reading books to make up for his lack of formal acting knowledge.

One day in late August, the two "salted fish" were lying in bed. Kan Qingzi was showing him a new "artifact" she had chosen. Zhang Qianjun took one look and was so terrified his entire body stiffened.

"This is absolutely out of the question. Are you trying to get yourself killed by sticking this on?"

Kan Qingzi pouted. "Why not? Didn't you say I could decorate it however I wanted?"

Zhang Qianjun raised his voice. "That doesn't mean you can stick glass onto the steering wheel!"

Kan Qingzi hurriedly explained, "It’s not glass; it’s Swarovski crystals. Look at the photos online—sticking them in two circles around the Porsche logo looks so pretty."

Zhang Qianjun felt utterly helpless. "Qingbao, do you know what’s in the center of the steering wheel?"

"The car logo, obviously!"

"On this picture of a Porsche covered in diamonds, can you not see the large 'AIRBAG' letters underneath the logo? That’s where the airbag is. When a car crashes, the sensor inside ignites gunpowder to release a massive amount of gas, which is the only way to deploy the safety airbag. In other words, the airbag is designed to explode. You’re sticking glass on top of it—are you in a hurry to die? Even if it doesn't kill you, disfiguring your face would be child's play. Do you know what a Claymore mine is?"

Kan Qingzi shook her head, looking a bit frightened.

"Then you’ve seen those 'double-kick' firecrackers when you were a kid, right? Sticking crystals on the steering wheel is like taping a bundle of firecrackers to a layer of glass shards and then detonating them right against your face!"

Kan Qingzi muttered, "But I saw so many people online doing it, especially with Mercedes-Benzes. They look so beautiful once they're finished."

Zhang Qianjun scoffed, "They certainly won't look beautiful when they're dead after an accident."

After repeatedly stressing the point and finally dissuading Kan Qingzi from her death-wish idea of bedazzling the steering wheel, Zhang Qianjun received a long-awaited call from his teacher.

"Qianjun, are you in Beijing?"

"Yes, I am. What is it, Professor Xiang?"

"You’ve been selected as an outstanding student representative. I want you to give the student speech at this year’s freshman orientation."

"Me? Give a speech? Who’s providing the script?"

Professor Xiang laughed immediately. "If you're the one speaking, you obviously have to prepare the speech yourself."

"Then I’d rather not be the outstanding student representative. Professor Xiang, I really can't write a speech. Why don't you have the school arrange for some senior students from the Department of Literature? Isn't that their specialty?"

The two of them bantered for a while before Professor Xiang insisted he must show up on Monday, August 29th.

After hanging up, Zhang Qianjun felt a wave of sentimentality. It had been a year and a half since his rebirth. He had earned fifty million, could make another two hundred million if he was willing to sign with a company, and had a beautiful girlfriend. Even if he retired from the industry now, he felt he had already gotten his money's worth. Unfortunately, the people around him wouldn't let him retire; he could only keep moving forward, keep succeeding.

On Monday, he went to school and droned through a speech, catching glimpses of Nazha and Zhou Dongyu. Perhaps because he had been living with his girlfriend for over two months, his heart remained completely calm; he had none of the urges to pursue Nazha that one might see in a web novel.

Could it be that I’m aging prematurely?

Carrying this sentiment, he went back to verify things with his girlfriend, only to find that his body was working perfectly fine—the two of them even unlocked several new positions through their cooperation.

It wasn't until early September that he received a call from Director Wang of China Film Group.

"Qianjun, it's officially set for a midnight premiere on September 29th. The premiere ceremony will be that afternoon. Get ready to start the promotional activities."

Zhang Qianjun felt every cell in his body pulsating. That feeling was back!

Indeed, a career is the best catalyst for a man.

Backstage at the premiere, Li Yanjing looked at Zhang Qianjun. "Nervous? It’s your first time performing on stage in your life, right?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Zhang Qianjun's mouth. "Glasses-bro, this isn't my first time on stage. My first time was at that small bar in Qiantang. You haven't forgotten, have you?"

Li Yanjing couldn't help but sigh, as if recalling their first meeting the previous summer.

"Mr. Zhang, it's time to go on stage," a staff member reminded him.

Dressed in a dark red suit, Zhang Qianjun walked to the center of the stage as the music began and the spotlight hit him.

*Who put whose soul into whose body?*
*Who turned whose body into a prison to cage themselves?*
*The chaotic world is never short of whispers.*
*Which kind of beauty will invite jealousy?*
*You are not guilty; what is guilty is this world.*
*——————*
*Which rose has no thorns?*
*The best revenge is beauty.*
*The most beautiful bloom is a counterattack.*
*Don’t let anyone change you.*
*You are you, whether you are a he or a she, it’s all fine.*
*Someone will love you with all their heart.*
*The Rose Boy is in my heart.*
*The Rose Boy is in my heart.*

As Zhang Qianjun hit four consecutive high notes, Liu Yifei watched from offstage, her eyes shimmering.

*This person sings unexpectedly well... what a pity.*

As the song ended, applause and cheers erupted. The cast and crew took the stage. As if to contrast with the film's aesthetics, Liu Yifei—who wore red in the movie—was dressed in a long black gown today. Just like in the film, the lead actor and actress standing in the center of the stage remained a constant of red and black.

After the host introduced everyone, he threw the first question to Zhang Qianjun.

"Qianjun is wearing a red suit today. Are you hoping for a box office smash?"

"That is one of the expectations, but I mostly wanted to experience what Yifei felt in the film. Due to the character design, Yifei only had one outfit for the entire movie."

"Since you mentioned Yifei, we are very curious: as this is your first collaboration, what is your expectation for the box office?"

Zhang Qianjun and Liu Yifei exchanged a glance.

Liu Yifei looked at Zhang Qianjun, several thoughts flashing through her mind in a short moment. Finally, she decided to follow her heart. "You say it."

Zhang Qianjun smiled confidently. "With the two of us working together, let's start at five hundred million."

With the death of Zhao Jingzhong, the film drew to a close. As the credits and the ending song played, the theater filled with enthusiastic applause and cheers.

"That was truly a spectacular film. This heart-pounding sensation—let us once again welcome the entire cast and crew of 'Brotherhood of Blades' with the warmest applause! Director Lu Yang, looking at so many passionate audience members here, what are your thoughts?"

Lu Yang took the microphone. "First and foremost, I must give thanks. Thanks to Qianjun; without him resolving the investment, the launch of 'Brotherhood of Blades' would never have happened. Thanks to China Film Group for giving the 'Brotherhood of Blades' crew the greatest support and the best release window. Thanks to screenwriter Chen Shu for helping me realize the vision of the 'Brotherhood of Blades' world. Thanks to action director Sang Lin for allowing the world in my mind to be presented on screen. Thanks to our lead actress, Yifei, for bringing so much attention to this film. Thanks to the three hundred and nineteen crew members for their one hundred and twenty days of hard work. Finally, thanks to all the fans and friends. Because of you, everything we do has meaning. Thank you all!"

After finishing, Lu Yang bowed deeply.

The applause was thunderous. Suddenly, a male audience member shouted from below, "Director, did Shen Lian and Zhou Miaotong end up together in the end?"

Zhang Qianjun took the microphone. "I'll answer that question. Shen Lian is just a simp; Zhou Miaotong's heart will never be with him! Thank you all for supporting 'Brotherhood of Blades'. Thank you!"