It's a very old but well maintained building outside of Shanghai. It's like one of those martial arts schools in old chinese movies. Right now, Alex is fighting with a 50 year-old man. There are students there watching the fight.
The fight started 15 minutes ago and there was still no result. Not because they were equals but because Alex was not fighting seriously. The oldman's name was Qing Hu and he was considered one of the best in China. Alex was improvising copying Qing Hu's techniques.
"Stop it, the result is obvious right ?" Qing Hu said with an embarassed smile.
Alex nodded with a smile. All the students thought that Alex stopped the fight because he can't win. Alex didn't care. He was not that petty to humiliate a master for a victory.
"Thank you for sparing me from embarrasment, Mr.King." Qing Hu said when they were alone.
"Oh, I thought you didn't recognize me." Alex was surprised since American movies were not that often released in China in 1980s for that matter even in 1990s.
"Normally I wouldn't. But my granddaughter is living in America and she is a big fan of yours. But you are different from the photos." Qing Hu explained.
"What can I say other than Growth Spurt ?"
"And you were only 15 this year?"
"Hm..Hmmm" Alex nodded.
"It's quite remarkable really. Who's your master?" Before Alex can say anything he interrupted " Sorry, its a personal question and as a fellow martial artist you have your own secrets. But I've never seen this style of martial art. It's like it was created purely for killing."
And Qing Hu was right. Alex's master said that his martial arts give up defence and focus entirely on offence. 'Best offence is the good defence' was his master's motto.
"And most importantly I don't have anything to instruct you. You mastered it perfectly." Qing Hu said with a look admiration.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Alex sighed hearing those words. After a brief conversation Alex left there.
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It's been two months since that incident in Milan,Italy. Sometimes Alex think about Monica and their night. Though he felt guilty about that but couldn't deny that it was a pleasurable experience. Maybe they will meet again someday and that day Alex hoped that both of them will greet each other as friends.
Most of the time Alex thinks about Kim. He sends a postcard from every palce he visited. Alex thinks that this distance was necessary for both of them .
"Empire of the Sun" finished its run with a worldwide total of $301.4 million with $156.3 million coming from domestic market.
"Billy Elliot" finished its run with $92.7 million domestically and $102.5 million from overseas for a worldwide total of $195.2 million.
"Stand by me" which was released in July i.e, two months before, grossed $31.2 million domestically and $44.2 million internationally for a total $75.4 million worlwide. Analysts believe its worldwide gross will definitely touch $150 milllion mark.
With eight consecutive superhits Alex established his status as the bonafide international superstar. He has the international mass appeal and each of his films grossed more internationally than domestically, which was a record in 1980s.
And the films produced by Phoenix studios in 1983 "The Terminator" and "Splash" were declared as hits.
Because of the increased quality brought by doubling its budget "The Terminator" was on its way to gross $100 million domestically. And so was "Splash" which was a great improvement upon its original version because of the casting of 'Michelle pfeiffer', which proved to be a perfect choice.
The profits of all these films combined with profits from TV shows and his other business interests increased his bank balance to $262.7 million after paying all the taxes and bills.
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While travelling through China Alex decided which was going to be his next film. Its hoing to be his first action film "The Karate Kid". Alex wants to mix the elements of both the 1984 and 2010 versions. It's the best film to establish his market in China.
On October 2nd, 1983, Alex got a call from Alfred , his bodyguard, saying that Kim was in trouble. With a trembling heat Alex ended his trip and was on his way to USA in the next flight.
Image result for the karate kid 1984 dvd back cover [http://www.freedvdcover.com/wp-content/uploads/The_Karate_Kid_2010__R2-front-www.GetCovers.net_.jpg]
[http://www.rivest.no/film/cover/thekaratekid.jpg]