[Chapter 503: Vivian Chow Rises to Fame, Xu Qing's Farewell]
In the music market, You'll Be In My Heart continued to shatter sales records. Following two consecutive days on April 29th and 30th, when sales surged past 800,000 copies combined, daily numbers slightly tapered off.
On May 1st, sales hit 362,000 copies, bringing the three-day total to an astounding 1.169 million -- setting the fastest record ever to surpass 1 million sales.
May 2nd brought another 347,000 copies sold. On May 3rd, 328,000 units moved, followed by 305,000 on May 4th.
Though the daily sales numbers steadily declined, the single still crushed all competition. In fact, any single day's sales exceeded the total sales figures of most Billboard chart-topping singles.
After only six days, total sales soared past 2.149 million copies, smashing the fastest-to-2-million benchmark -- a milestone few singles in history had reached.
Universal Records was awash in celebration from top to bottom. President Daniel couldn't stop grinning every day.
That's what happens when a true boss makes a power move -- utterly earth-shattering. The only hitch now was that the production capacity of the pressing plants couldn't keep up.
Even with full output from all partner pressing factories, they could barely meet North American demand. Overseas markets had to be put on the back burner for the moment.
This delay ignited fierce complaints from Universal's overseas subsidiaries. Their constant calls and urgent demands nearly overloaded Daniel's phone line.
Though slightly irksome, Daniel's heart was filled with joy. The single was already a colossal hit, and bigger successes awaited with the full album release.
It seemed there was no worry over this year's earnings -- they were bound to explode spectacularly. Daniel wondered if it was time to start envisioning Universal's next upgrade, after all, this was a vision laid out by the big boss himself.
He felt he couldn't simply wait around. He needed to take the initiative -- press the boss to speed up production on the other music videos and get the album released as soon as possible.
Beyond that, maybe he could push the boss toward hosting a concert. Remarkably, despite how long the boss had been in the industry, he had never held a live show. If it went smoothly, the buzz and profits would be off the charts.
---
Meanwhile, in the movie market, Police Story 4: First Strike showed strong box office results in its second week.
Despite several new releases siphoning away some theater slots, the film's ticket sales held surprisingly steady. Over the three-day second weekend, Police Story 4: First Strike took in $14.31 million, earning second place.
The weekend's box office champion was Paramount's new thriller Primal Fear, which raked in $19.36 million during its debut weekend.
During the following four weekdays, attendance dipped sharply with a modest $7.53 million in total.
After two full weeks, North American box office for Police Story 4: First Strike nearly touched $50 million, standing just short at $49.71 million.
Starting May 3rd, the hot summer blockbuster season officially kicked off, with Hollywood's heavy hitters rolling out one after another.
That weekend, Warner Bros. launched Executive Decision while Disney released the tearjerker Up Close and Personal.
With demand for Police Story 4: First Strike waning, theater allotments were slashed to just 550 screens.
The numbers validated the distributors' judgments: even on the weekend of May 3rd and 4th, Police Story 4: First Strike barely cracked $1 million daily.
Still, the overall performance was impressive, surpassing $52 million, with six more weeks scheduled for release. A total $60 million box office seemed well within reach.
...
As Police Story 4: First Strike soared, Vivian Chow and Jackie Chan's profiles in North America rose dramatically, with countless opportunities flooding in.
Vivian Chow, already riding the wave due to her position as Linton Anderson's official girlfriend, saw her popularity turn from superficial buzz to genuine star power.
Her status skyrocketed, cementing her as a second-tier Hollywood actress. She flooded her agent with offers for commercials and endorsements, each more lucrative than the last.
Jackie Chan's gains were even more pronounced. Starting from VHS and TV introductions, gaining niche popularity from last year's Rumble in the Bronx, this blockbuster success firmly anchored him in Hollywood.
He now ranked alongside emerging second-tier male stars. From this point forward, Jackie's future kung fu comedies would have no shortage of Hollywood backing. If he didn't mind playing supporting roles, many Hollywood studios would welcome him to star in their films.
However, due to his skin color and Hollywood biases, no studio had yet crafted a custom project specifically for him.
Meanwhile, Vivian Chow wrapped up her promotional tour and returned to Los Angeles.
Busily lining up business appointments, she eagerly awaited Linton's return, planning a grand surprise.
---
On the morning of May 5th, Linton, Xu Qing, their bodyguards, and assistants boarded a private jet loaded with 150 bottles of Vitality Pills and 2,500 bottles of Beauty Pills, en route back to Los Angeles.
Perhaps it was the awareness of their imminent separation, or the urge to capture one last moment of reckless freedom. Once the plane leveled above the clouds, Xu Qing shed her usual restraint and quietly led Linton into the lounge.
As soon as the door closed, the tension between them burst. Xu Qing's kisses were urgent, hungry, and full of emotion, her hands tracing the lines of his body as if trying to memorize every inch. Linton responded in kind, their movements quickly growing wild and breathless.
What began as tender affection turned into something fierce and consuming. They made love with unrestrained passion -- a clash of longing, desire, and sorrow intertwined. Xu Qing met him with fire, every touch carrying both love and pain, every breath a mix of pleasure and heartbreak. It was as if she was pouring her entire soul into this embrace.
Their bodies moved in sync, the rhythm rising and falling with the plane's steady hum. Xu Qing's tears mixed with sweat, yet she never faltered -- her passion only deepening as emotion overtook reason. It was raw, desperate, and beautiful, a storm neither wanted to end.
When it was over, silence filled the cabin. Xu Qing rested against Linton's chest, her breathing uneven, eyes glistening in the dim light. He brushed a strand of hair from her face, unsettled by the intensity she had shown.
After all, it was just a goodbye -- not a final farewell.
Why all the tears and melodrama?
Haven't Vivian Chow, Michelle Reis, Izumi Sakai, Noriko Sakai, and Akina Nakamori all gone through similar farewells?
From his notorious philanderer viewpoint, it was hard to comprehend.
Still, he found himself surprisingly affected, his heart touched with rare tenderness and reluctant sadness.
Linton patted Xu Qing's perky curves and said, "Baby, don't be sad. I'll come see you in July."
"Really? Don't trick me," Xu Qing's expression brightened instantly.
"Of course. You'll come travel with me then, and you'll plan the itinerary."
"Okay! It's a deal."
...
Speaking of which, not long ago, Aunt Kelly personally flew to Hong Kong to chair the beauty pageant's judging panel. She eliminated any external interference and conducted the contest openly, fairly, and with full transparency.
They selected 40 winners who had now entered a rigorous three-month training program.
Linton planned to check in on the quality and progress of these new recruits. Anyone falling short or harboring doubts would be weeded out early.
...
The private jet landed at Los Angeles International Airport.
Xu Qing glanced back repeatedly. Ultimately, she boarded her international flight to Beijing with a wistful heart.
*****
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