Chapter 60: The Rebellious Phase

"Cut! That's a wrap." Zhang Yimou took off his hat and used it to fan himself. Though it was only March, it felt like the middle of summer to him.

Directing Jackie Chan and Liu Jing put immense pressure on him; it was definitely not a pleasant experience.

"Kid, not bad moves you've got there," Jackie said, jumping down from the stage, followed closely by Liu Jing.

"So-so," Liu Jing muttered, feeling completely drained as if his soul had been sucked out of his body. Even the donkeys of the production teams didn't work this hard.

"Just a minor scratch. Back in my day..." Jackie started rambling again.

While filming a scene for *Rush Home*, a flying piece of debris had grazed Liu Jing's shoulder.

At the moment, Liu Jing was shooting a commercial for Aido VCD. One million per spot—he was worth that much now.

Jackie was the brand ambassador, and the manufacturer had hired Zhang Yimou to direct the new promotional video. It was Jackie who had recommended Liu Jing to them.

*Home Alone 3* had been released on December 12th, grossing over ninety million dollars worldwide. Liu Jing received a reward of over eighty thousand points of entertainment aura.

He calculated carefully: the system hadn't taken a ninety percent cut, but rather converted the US dollars directly into RMB as the base.

With a box office of over ninety million, the base was over ninety thousand points. Since he was the top billed lead, the coefficient was 90%, resulting in just over eighty thousand points.

The box office in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia reached over twenty million dollars. Such high earnings in these regions were largely due to Liu Jing. Everyone wanted to see what kind of a twist the kung fu kid would bring to the new little prankster.

The film didn't disappoint. Liu Jing's fame reached new heights, earning him the title of the "Best Child Star."

Lately, his commercial offers were coming in so fast his hands went numb. As long as the price was right, he turned no one away.

Aside from the deals negotiated by Win's side, there were recommendations from Jackie, Wong Jing, Jet Li, and Stephen Chow.

Being in debt felt like selling oneself into servitude. Until it was fully paid off, he felt utterly uncomfortable everywhere.

Even without Zhang Min urging him, he wanted to pay back the money as soon as possible.

Back in August, he had borrowed twenty-four million from Zhang Min.

Auntie had registered Qinshi Capital, and their first investment was Kingsoft. Ten million in cash plus Zhang Min's endorsement were exchanged for a 20% stake.

Liu Jing was very satisfied with the name Qinshi Capital; this company would be his personal piggy bank in the future.

After nearly half a year of internal strife, Marvel finally reached a conclusion.

Ronald Perelman's conspiracy failed, and Jim Shooter didn't succeed either. Ultimately, Avi Arad from the toy company ToyBiz took over Marvel.

Through Jim Shooter's maneuvering, the publishing house's debt of over two million dollars was converted into a stake of just over three percent.

Auntie's partners were somewhat dissatisfied because Jim Shooter failed to take the top spot. Liu Jing had Auntie step forward to pay the publishing house fourteen million to absorb those shares.

Following the restructuring, Liu Jing held an 8.1% stake in Marvel, held on his behalf by Auntie, and the publishing house established a long-term partnership with Marvel.

"Big Brother Jackie, Teacher Yimou, Brother Liu Jing, the banquet has been prepared. This way, please," the manufacturer's representative hurriedly walked over.

***

"I've already told Lao Hu, we need to fly to the US to reshoot some scenes. I'm truly sorry," Jackie said with a laugh, wrapping his arm around Zhang Yimou's shoulder. "Director Zhang rarely comes to Hong Kong, you guys must host him well. Don't let his thin frame fool you; he's a very formidable guy."

Liu Jing shooting commercials with Jackie was truly squeezed in between gaps in their schedules.

*Rush Home* started filming in early December, and production was nearing its end.

The Hong Kong sequences were scheduled for the very last days. It was right after finishing those scenes that they squeezed in time for the commercial.

Liu Jing started school last September, stayed there for half a month, and then immediately asked for an indefinite leave.

Shooting commercials, running around for quick cash, training with the crew, and promoting *Home Alone 3*—he hadn't had a single moment to rest over the past six months, staying busy even through the Lunar New Year.

Lately, every commercial he accepted started at one million.

He roughly calculated that he had generated over thirty million in revenue over the past six months, but after company cuts and taxes, what landed in his pocket was less than ten million.

Liu Jing couldn't help but sigh. He had expected the company to lose money in its fifth year, but he had severely underestimated capitalists.

"Then let's meet again next time," Director Zhang said politely.

"Director Zhang, goodbye. If I have time, I'll visit your set," Liu Jing waved.

"Goodbye," Director Zhang didn't even want to reply.

He could never forget the first time he met Liu Jing: "Director Zhang, I'm Liu Jing. I heard you and Big Sister Gong Li have a good relationship, and I admire her a lot. Can you introduce us so I can go visit her on set?"

If the other person hadn't been a child, Director Zhang would have cursed him out right then and there.

Of course, if Liu Jing hadn't been a child, he wouldn't have spoken that way either.

As soon as they left the set, Jackie teased, "Kid, he probably never wants to see you again."

"Why?" Liu Jing asked, puzzled. I'm so cute, and I was so enthusiastic towards him, constantly praising Gong Li in front of him. Shouldn't he be happy?

"He and Gong Li broke up. What do you think?" Jackie patted Liu Jing's shoulder with an expression that said 'good luck.'

He hadn't realized it at first, but by the time he noticed the issue, it was already too late, and he never found a chance to warn him.

Liu Jing was dumbfounded. "When did that happen? Their relationship was still fine when we were shooting *Flirting Scholar*."

"The year before last or last year, I'm not entirely sure. Didn't you know?" Jackie smirked.

Liu Jing let out a moan, feeling like he was about to die of embarrassment. No wonder every time he praised Gong Li in front of Old Mouzi, the man would pull a long, dark face and refuse to take up the topic.

Liu Jing had previously thought Director Zhang was just introverted. Most directors were probably like that, rarely speaking of anything outside of filmmaking—with the exception of Fat Wang.

He genuinely had no idea about this. For the past two years, his attention had been entirely focused on writing books and the internet, leaving him no time to read newspapers. Over the past six months, he had been so busy that even his book updates had stopped.

Online, people only discussed ancient history and modern politics, never entertainment gossip.

"You're supposed to be a big brother..." Liu Jing wore a look of aggrieved indignation.

***

"I thought you knew," Jackie said with an innocent expression.

"Goodbye," Liu Jing waved. What kind of useless big brother was this? He was nothing more than a trap master.

"Kid, focus on acting properly from now on, and stop thinking about trying your hand in the music industry," Jackie advised earnestly. Remembering certain scenes, he couldn't help but shiver.

In *Rush Home*, there was a scene where Liu Jing, right before being kidnapped, sang at the top of his lungs inside a car.

The director's intent was to use song to express joy and vent a sense of freedom.

However, the song Liu Jing sang shocked everyone—it was truly atrocious. Instead of cutting it, the director actually rewrote the script around how terribly out of tune the singing was.

Outside of filming, Liu Jing often sang, giving Jackie the mistaken impression that this kid was going to try entering the music scene. After all, nowadays actors couldn't compete with singers in terms of popularity.

"Have a safe flight," Liu Jing replied without turning back. That guy's singing wasn't anything special either.

Jackie needed to fly to Los Angeles for reshoots, but Liu Jing didn't; his parts in *Rush Home* had already wrapped.

He had earned plenty of money and finished filming most of his projects, so he planned to go back to school and rest for a while.

"That big brother of yours has no sense of propriety; don't you dare learn from him." Auntie and the driver were waiting for him by the door. The moment Liu Jing settled into the back seat, he heard Auntie's warning.

Human relationships were indeed a wondrous thing. He had collaborated with many big stars, but he got along best with Jackie.

Jet Li was too serious, Andy Lau was too proper, Fat Gor was too hypocritical, Stephen Chow was too eccentric; only Jackie and Fat Wang were easy for him to talk to.

Auntie didn't have a very good impression of Jackie because earlier that morning, the man had followed Liu Jing's lead and called her "Auntie."

She was only thirty years old—was the guy implying she looked old?

"I heard Xixi has been in a weird mood lately and often fights with Sister Li." Liu Jing fastened his seatbelt, his expression full of exhaustion.

Auntie felt a pang of heartache. Everyone had advised Liu Jing not to push himself so hard, especially Teacher An, who had issued strict orders forbidding him from taking on so many commercial deals.

Yet the mountains were high and the emperor was far away; once Liu Jing arrived in Hong Kong and abroad, Teacher An's strict orders were as good as farts.

Auntie gently massaged Liu Jing's temples with her slender fingers. "Eleven or twelve-year-old girls, it's a normal phase."

"Xixi has entered her rebellious period; this household can't function without me. Without my guidance, she'll stray onto the wrong path sooner or later." Liu Jing closed his eyes to enjoy the massage while letting out a sigh.

Auntie paused for a moment. The boy really considered himself an authority figure now. For a teenage girl not to be rebellious—that would be abnormal. There was no way to explain these things to Liu Jing.

She let out a soft chuckle. "Oh! Big Boss, when is your own rebellious period going to start? When are you going to walk the straight and narrow?"