[Chapter 495: Police Story 4: First Strike Premiere, Xu Qing Joins the Harem]
Next, Linton spent four more days focused on peacefully refining the Vitality Pills. With his Celestial Presence-stage cultivation and the help of advanced machinery, he could easily produce 3,000 pills a day. Over four days, he had refined a total of 12,000 pills -- enough for three months of sales.
Despite his busy schedule, he still found time to accompany Xu Qing to stroll through the estate's private gardens and enjoy the fresh air. Every night was a world of intimacy shared just between the two of them.
During this ten-day slice of paradise, combined with daily nourishment from Linton's essence, Xu Qing seemed to revert to her twenties. She blossomed with radiant beauty, exuding charm and vitality like never before.
In that time, she also picked out her own villa and office space. With the help of housekeeper Erica, she decorated everything with warm, thoughtful touches. She even selected a young assistant named Winter Wang to support her. This almost fairy-tale-like lifestyle had them both utterly captivated.
---
April 20th arrived, and Linton had to fly with Xu Qing to Los Angeles. This afternoon marked the premiere of Police Story 4: First Strike, starring Jackie Chan and Vivian Chow.
This film was Vivian Chow's first major blockbuster, so naturally, Linton felt compelled to support it. Besides, Vivian Chow had been calling him every day lately, urging him to return.
Back in December during the holiday season, Police Story 4: First Strike had already released across Asia, igniting a massive box office frenzy. Hong Kong alone grossed over HK$60 million, with mainland China adding more than 40 million yuan. The total Asian box office exceeded HK$260 million, roughly $30 million in U.S. dollars.
Golden Harvest Studios invested officially $5 million, but in reality only put in $1 million. To rake in such an astounding return was considered a windfall -- and the European rights were yet to be sold.
The European film market typically followed North America's lead; if the movie did well in the U.S., the Cannes Film Festival would almost certainly yield lucrative licensing deals.
Jackie Chan's past two blockbuster hits, Rumble in the Bronx and Police Story 4: First Strike, had both dominated Asia. He had become a bona fide Asian super star. With Rumble in the Bronx performing well in North America and Europe, if Police Story 4: First Strike could match that success, Jackie would smoothly rise to global superstardom.
Vivian Chow leveraged Police Story 4: First Strike to boost her career, ascending to the top ranks of Asia's hottest film stars. In that climate, Golden Harvest Studios, Jackie Chan, and Vivian Chow all eagerly hoped the film would smash it in the North American market.
Jackie had even arrived in Los Angeles over ten days early to meet Vivian Chow. Under Linton Films' distribution team's direction, they were involved in nonstop promotional events.
Since the Oscars last month, Vivian Chow's revelation as Linton's girlfriend catapulted her fame higher than ever. The buzz amplified interest in Police Story 4: First Strike.
To put it in concrete terms, her recent business deals started at $200,000 per engagement, while endorsement contracts fetched at least $1.5 million each. In just over two weeks, she earned more than $15 million -- excluding the $10 million endorsement deal secured through Linton.
This clearly showed the immense commercial power of being Linton's official partner. Unfortunately, her deals were all short-term, mainly a year at a time -- which reflected the problem of hype without substantial body of work.
Her most notable credits were still limited to a supporting role on ER and two songs that had reached the Billboard Top 100. Without strong, consistent projects, the industry didn't trust her long-term potential -- only her current heat.
Advertisers offered $1.5 million for one-year contracts but demanded reduced rates of $1 million annually for multi-year deals, the going rate for a rising second-tier star. Vivian Chow and her agent, smartly, took the more lucrative short-term deals.
Breaking out of this cycle would require steady delivery of quality roles and releases. That explained why she was so invested in Police Story 4: First Strike's promotion -- even in the crucial money-making phase, she fully committed to the publicity push.
---
Besides introducing Xu Qing to the other ladies upon returning to the estate, Linton also needed her to handle practical matters in Los Angeles.
First, opening a bank account to receive the $10 million endorsement fee was essential. There was also a photo shoot scheduled for Vitality and Beauty Pills advertisements.
Since she had taken private leave to come to the U.S. for only 25 days, time was tight -- the shoot had to finish quickly.
...
On the flight, Linton brought up the topic of private jets he'd recently ordered for his other girlfriends. Now that Xu Qing officially joined his harem, she deserved the same treatment.
"Baby, I just ordered private jets for the other girlfriends not long ago. Once we're back in Los Angeles, I'll get one for you too."
"Private jet? Like this one?"
"Same brand, but a more advanced model. The latest version can fly 7,500 miles nonstop -- enough to cross the Pacific directly from L.A. to Beijing."
"Darling, did I hear that right? One jet per girlfriend? That must cost a fortune."
"About $25 million each, with annual operating costs around $2 million."
"Wow, that's extravagant!"
"No worries -- I've got the money."
"But even if you get me one, I won't use it. There are no private jets available back home, and I can't fly it to Beijing. I'm only here a short while. So, let's skip it for now."
"Alright. When you go back, check it out. If it becomes feasible there, I'll get you one then."
...
Returning to the estate around 11 a.m., most of the residents were out on business or promotional work, except Sophie Marceau, Cristiana Reali, and Monica Bellucci, who rested due to pregnancies.
Linton formally introduced Xu Qing to the four of them, plus housekeeper Amy. She received a warm welcome.
Xu Qing chose her own room and was assigned a female bodyguard-driver, giving her enough freedom to shop for a private car.
Regarding buying a villa in Los Angeles, she said she wasn't considering it for now -- maybe later.
---
At 4 p.m., Police Story 4: First Strike premiered spectacularly at the Universal Amphitheatre's roundhouse theater.
On the red carpet, Linton walked arm-in-arm with Vivian Chow in an intimate display -- his first public appearance since the Oscars, naturally making headlines.
After the walk, the press swarmed them.
"Linton, when will your Beauty and Vitality Pills hit the market?" asked a reporter from Hollywood Gossip Daily, a friendly face.
"Linton, with 20 girlfriends, how do you keep up every night? Isn't that hard on your body?"
"You have 20 girlfriends, yet America is a monogamous country. Who will you marry? What about the others? Don't you feel morally conflicted?"
All the questions were unrelated to the film, some quite pointed. But Linton, a veteran, answered smoothly.
"For the Beauty and Vitality Pills, we've already secured a storefront on Beverly Rodeo Drive. Renovations are underway, and we plan to open May 6th. Now, today is the premiere of Police Story 4: First Strike, starring Jackie Chan and Miss Vivian Chow -- please give the film your full coverage. Thank you."
...
With Linton present, along with the buzz around the Beauty and Vitality Pills, media exposure that night and the next morning was guaranteed.
The movie itself was excellent -- action sequences thrilling, comedic fight scenes inventive, and Jackie Chan's performance all-out. Vivian Chow's role was fierce and captivating.
Combined with solid promotion and Vivian Chow's current heat, plus Jackie's fan base, the prospects were bright.
After Rumble in the Bronx and with Linton Films pushing his previous work onto North American TV, Jackie had gathered a significant following.
Most importantly, this was a slow season with few strong competitors. The distribution team had secured a massive launch -- 2,500 screens.
After the screening, during a press interview, Linton gave the film high praise and boldly predicted North American box office earnings would top $50 million.
...
After the premiere, Linton skipped the post-event banquet. With Vivian Chow and a group of girlfriends who attended the premiere, he returned directly to the estate -- after all, it was Xu Qing's first day there.
That evening, Xu Qing truly experienced what Linton had described: the love and camaraderie among girlfriends.
Twenty stunning women from around the world flocked around her, a spectacle that genuinely overwhelmed her.
Fortunately, they all warmly embraced her, helping her fit smoothly into their sisterhood.
At the party, under Madonna's guidance, Xu Qing shed any lingering shyness and blended right in, immersing herself in the vibrant festivities.
The joyous group singing carried on through the night without pause...
*****
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