Chapter 843
Before Elena became involved, he never imagined his movie would receive this kind of attention. Screaming fans, media coverage, and a red carpet event that actually felt like a real premiere.
He had begun seeing Elena as his lucky charm.
Not only did her presence bring attention, but her involvement also attracted DX Productions' support. And after Li Meiran heard the cinematic version of Phantom of Your love along with the other pieces in the film score, even he began showing strong interest in the project.
The producer once asked Li Meiran why he suddenly cared when he had previously ignored all attempts of communication.
Li Meiran's answer had been simple.
"It was the music you sent me," he said. "When I listened to it, I could almost hear my mother's anguish again. With music like that, I believe you will do a good job depicting my mother's story."
That alone was worth everything.
In the producer's heart, all the blessings falling upon the film were because of Elena Zhang.
Even if the film failed at the box office, he would still be proud.
Before they entered the theatre, he pulled Elena aside and spoke to her sincerely.
"Thank you for everything, Elena."
Elena looked at him and shook her head.
"Sir, this is your film," she said. "I should be the one thanking you for giving me this opportunity."
The producer smiled, still feeling deeply grateful.
Then, together with the entire team, they entered the movie theatre.
None of them knew it yet.
But this night, this premiere, this moment of warmth and hope…
Was only the beginning.
The first step of a legend.
After the film finished playing on the massive screen, the theatre fell into a strange kind of silence.
Not the calm silence of boredom.
It was the silence that came after devastation.
Not a single row remained untouched.
No matter where one looked, there were trembling shoulders, reddened eyes, and hands pressed over mouths in a desperate attempt to hold back sobs. The air itself felt heavy, thick with grief, as if the sorrow from the film had seeped out of the screen and settled into every corner of the room.
"Strong Yet Broken" was, in the simplest terms, a painfully depressing movie.
From the first scene to the last, an overwhelming sense of desolation wrapped itself around the audience like cold fog. Yet despite the suffocating darkness, there was always something else woven into it.
Hope.
Not bright hope.
Not the kind that shines.
But the kind that survives.
A fragile thread that refuses to snap, no matter how much agony pulls at it.
That thread was what kept everyone watching, unable to look away even when it hurt. Every scene struck like a blunt blow to the heart, and the background music only sharpened the pain further, pressing on emotions that were already stretched to their limit.
And when the story finally reached its tragic ending, it didn't feel like closure.
It felt like a wound being torn open.
Yet somehow, it was also a release.
A relief.
A bitter exhale after holding one's breath for far too long.
As the final moments played out, the theme song "Phantom of Your love" rose through the theatre, and the dam finally broke. Many people couldn't hold it in anymore. Wails echoed openly. Some covered their faces. Some clutched their Schatzd ones. Some simply cried like children, their grief raw and unrestrained.
It was as if the entire audience had attended a funeral.
Not of a person.
But of a life.
When the credits rolled, nobody immediately stood up. People needed time. Their emotions were so intense that they almost felt tangible, like a thick, viscous cloud hanging in the air. It felt as if one could taste sorrow on the tongue.
Eventually, when the audience calmed down enough to breathe properly, the production crew and cast gathered at the front of the theatre.
They stood in a line facing the viewers.
Of course, Elena stood among them.
One by one, they spoke into the microphone, sharing their experiences working on the film. Their voices were still trembling, not because of nerves, but because the film had stirred something in them too. Some of the actors wiped tears from their cheeks as they thanked everyone for coming.
The director bowed deeply.
The producer looked as if he could barely contain his emotions.
Even the newcomers, who had never experienced such a premiere night before, seemed stunned at the audience's reaction.
The premiere ended successfully.
Soon after, Elena, JJ, and the rest of the team headed to the private after-party celebration.
It wasn't extravagant.
There was no loud music, no flashing lights, no drunken chaos.
It was only a quiet buffet meal held in a private restaurant room, warm and comforting compared to the bitter winter outside. Plates of food were laid out neatly, and soft conversation filled the space.
Yet even in that calm setting, tears continued to appear.
Not from sadness this time.
But from accomplishment.
From relief.
From the strange bond that forms when people suffer through the same storm together and somehow come out the other side.
Everyone spoke about their memories working on the film. They laughed at the difficult moments, sighed at the exhausting ones, and grew quiet whenever they remembered the painful scenes they had created.
During the party, Li Meiran's wife gently led him toward Elena.
When Elena saw him approaching, she stood immediately. Her posture was respectful, her expression sincere. After learning about his story, she admired him not only as an athlete but also as a human being.
His disability did not make him weak.
It made him stronger than most.
"Miss Zhang," Li Meiran said, his voice calm yet heavy, "I want to thank you for your contribution in bringing my mother's story to life."
He paused, his hands tightening slightly as if he was holding onto something invisible.
"To tell you the truth," he continued, "I was unhappy at first when I found out people wanted to make a film about her life. I thought it would disturb her eternal rest. I thought it would reopen wounds that should remain closed."
Even though his eyes were closed, Elena felt as if he could see her clearly. His words carried a sharpness and intensity that made the entire room feel quieter.
"But when the producer sent me the theme song, Phantom of Your Love, and some of the music from the film score," Li Meiran said, his voice lowering, "I swear… I felt my mother's presence again."
His throat moved as if he swallowed something bitter.
"At that moment, I knew this film wasn't disturbing her. It was honoring her. It was a memorial to the life she lived. Your music brought back a piece of my mother."
He bowed his head slightly.
"So thank you."
Elena's eyes softened. She felt her chest tighten, as if her heart was being squeezed.
"Sir Li," she said gently, "it's an honour. Truly. Thank you for giving us your blessings for this film. Your mother was a very strong woman. Despite her tragic fate, I'm sure she will inspire countless people through this story."
Li Meiran nodded slowly.
"Yes," he said. "Just like the title. She was strong… yet broken."
A faint tremor entered his voice, and for the first time, the invincible Paralympian sounded like nothing more than a son.
"The ending she chose causes me pain," he admitted, "and it will follow me for the rest of my life. But she is still the strongest woman I have ever known."
His fingers clenched.
"Her broken strength will live forever through this film."
Those words lingered in the air, heavy and sacred.
The night eventually drew to a close.
One by one, the guests left the after-party, stepping out into the cold winter streets with hearts still trembling. Everyone carried a giddy feeling of accomplishment, but also a strange emotional exhaustion, like they had survived something together.
But deep down, they all knew.
This wasn't the end.
It was only the beginning.
*
Even though the film season around this time wasn't as crowded as the summer blockbuster months, "Strong Yet Broken" still faced fierce competition.
Other indie films fought for the same limited audience.
Popular mainstream movies dominated the cinemas.
And the big-budget productions swallowed up most of the attention.
Compared to them, the line-ups for "Strong Yet Broken" were pitiful.
On opening day, only a small number of people showed up.
During the first week, the numbers were barely a drop in the ocean compared to the crowds gathering for the major films.
Yet slowly, quietly, something began to change.
Word of mouth started spreading.
Critics published reviews.
Some called it "unbearably painful."
Some called it "a masterpiece."
Some wrote that the film felt like being drowned in grief, but that it was also strangely beautiful.
More and more people began to buy tickets.
The star power of Elena Zhang and Li Meiran helped draw public interest. Even those who weren't originally interested in indie films began to wonder what kind of story could move people so deeply.