Chapter 117: Brainwashing Music and the Ambition of Artists

At the end of October, *Temptation of Going Home* aired on Mango TV and Modu TV. Thanks to the reputation of Wei Jin Fengliu Film and Television Company in the industry and the word-of-mouth among the audience, the premiere ratings were very eye-catching.

The premiere ratings on Mango TV broke 5 directly, and the premiere ratings on Modu TV also reached 3.8. One must know that the plot hadn't even unfolded in the first two episodes.

At the same time, the news that the two stations had joined forces to secure the premiere rights at a price of 1.6 million per episode was also announced, and for a time, the entire film and television industry was shocked.

This broke the record for domestic television dramas. One must know that the current general price for domestic dramas is no more than 500,000 per episode, and even a hit drama like *Drawing Sword* was only 650,000. The previous highest record was *Lurking*, which was only 800,000. This sudden doubling simply dropped the jaws of major television stations and industry companies.

When Wei Jin saw this news on set, he also felt fortunate. It was a good thing Mango TV hadn't announced the previous bet-on agreement for *My Love from the Star*. One must know that if that drama were converted to a per-episode price, it would be as high as 2.6 million per episode; it would have made these industry companies die of jealousy.

However, subsequent developments made these companies have to marvel at Wei Jin's prowess.

As the plot unfolded, the ratings for *Temptation of Going Home* continued to rise. The concurrent ratings for the Golden Eagle Theater on Mango TV successively broke 6 and 7, firmly holding the top spot for the period and leading by a wide margin, with a local audience share as high as 23%.

Even Modu TV, which usually couldn't rank in the top five in national ratings, turned things around this time thanks to this drama. Its concurrent ratings broke 5, aggressively charging into the top three nationwide, second only to CCTV, and its local audience share reached 28%. One has to admit that the people of Shanghai still love this kind of melodramatic family ethics drama.

At this point, even the most obtuse people had to admit that Wei Jin Fengliu Film and Television Company already possessed the production capability to continuously output hit television dramas, and no one dared to underestimate its achievements and prestige in the field of television dramas anymore.

So much so that *Beauty's Rival in Palace*, which had just finished post-production, and *Zhu Xian*, which had just wrapped up, already had television stations coming to fight over them.

Time came to mid-November, and the temperature in Meng Province was already very low. Many crew members who had never been here before exclaimed that they couldn't take it.

Fortunately, the crew was well-prepared; there were plenty of military coats, cold-weather gear, and windbreakers.

Since the Golden Eagle Festival, Wei Jin had continued to push forward the filming of the fight scenes. Thanks to the help of the previous intensive training, everyone was quite familiar with their own routines and positioning. What needed to be polished was the facial expressions and eye acting during the filming process. The overall filming progress was quite smooth, and the filming tasks at the Huairou Film and Television Base had already been completed.

Coming to Meng Province this time was to film the exterior scenes, which were the large-scale scenes for the final showdown, and also the final scene of the entire movie.

Inside the Red Mountain Army Horse Farm, a scene had just ended.

"President Wei, drink some hot water. This weather is really cold."

Bai Bin performed her duties as an assistant competently, thoughtfully handing over a thermos.

"Xiaobai, are you getting used to following me? The environment here is too poor; it's a bit unfriendly to girls."

Wei Jin looked at his assistant's flushed little face and felt some pity. A delicate girl, having been blown by the wind for several days, her face was almost chapped.

"It's alright, I can adapt, President Wei."

Although Bai Bin wasn't used to the weather here, looking at the boundless grassland, the psychological enjoyment allowed her to overcome her physical discomfort.

Wei Jin nodded and said no more, then immediately picked up the megaphone: "All departments prepare, check the props and horses. You must pay attention to safety."

In an instant, the relevant crew members all moved. Soon, everyone signaled that they were ready, and Wei Jin issued the command: "Action."

The new filming task began again: "For all the pain I've persisted in for love, for all the wounds I've persisted in for hate. I can no longer tell if love and hate are just like this..."

Hearing the mobile phone ringtone of a passerby outside the private room, everyone in the room laughed.

Today was a gathering for several artists from Wei Jin Fengliu Film and Television Company. The few of them had been getting along quite well since joining the company; mainly, the company's resources were sufficient, so there wasn't any particularly fierce competition to speak of.

Everyone was usually busy with their respective crews, so it was rare to have the opportunity to all be in Beijing. Yang Xue, who was the oldest, suggested that everyone get together and exchange ideas.

"Sister Rong, this drama of yours is really popular! You've been on *Happy Camp* twice already, right?"

Zhang Li was a bit envious. One must know that Mango TV's ace variety show was very realistic; whoever was popular got to go on it.

When *Temptation of Going Home* was being promoted, Yang Rong had already been on it once. Later, after the drama aired and the ratings were extremely high, plus there was a lot of discussion online, she was invited to participate again.

Clearly, she had joined the company at the same time as Yang Rong, but in the blink of an eye, the other person had become the second female lead in a hit drama. Who could she reason with about this?

"It's mainly because President Wei writes the script well. I don't know how he comes up with such melodramatic plots."

Facing her company colleagues, Yang Rong was still quite humble; she also knew she had taken a great advantage.

Since the drama aired, Mango TV's peak ratings had already broken 8, and Modu TV's had also broken 7. Yang Rong estimated that once the subsequent revenge plot unfolded, the ratings might even break 10. She sincerely felt that Wei Jin was amazing.

"I actually think this song is written really well; it's too addictive and brainwashing." Yang Xue was still able to maintain a normal state of mind, mainly because Wei Jin had given her confidence. The company's previous productions were all hit dramas. *Beauty's Rival in Palace* hadn't aired yet, but she estimated that after it aired, it would also be all the rage, so she wasn't anxious at all.

"That's true, President Wei's songs are no worse than his scripts. This song is sung by a newly signed artist of the company, seems her name is Yao Beina. It's said she's a professional from the Central Conservatory of Music. I really envy her luck. Just this one song must earn a lot of money, right?"

Jiang Shuying was instead envious of Yao Beina, who had gotten this song.

With so many self-produced dramas in the company, they naturally needed singers to sing the OSTs. Previously, Wei Jin had always favored Zhang Jingying, but although she had terminated her contract with Mango TV, she had formed her own company with her agent and did not accept Wei Jin's recruitment.

After much thought, Wei Jin thought of this talented singer. It just so happened that she had a close relationship with Liu Yifei, and after contacting her through the latter, she joined the company.

"Why envy others? You're not even in the same circle. Chen Xiao, why aren't you talking? Are you afraid that your sisters will eat you?"

Yang Xue decisively stopped Jiang Shuying's topic. How much money was earned shouldn't be their concern, and she turned to tease Chen Xiao, who was eating quietly.

"Sister Xue, I'll just listen to you all chat. I don't really understand."

Chen Xiao's agency contract was signed together with the acting contract for *Zhu Xian*. Zhang Xu naturally wouldn't let go of this "campus heartthrob" from the Central Academy of Drama.

Hearing Yang Xue's teasing, Chen Xiao blushed a little. As the youngest signed artist in the company, his status was really too low.

"Why is the little brother blushing? Is it because you saw your sisters and your heart started racing?"

I don't know if it's because she played too many villains, but Yang Xue now especially liked to tease newcomers, as if she could get great satisfaction from it.

Seeing Chen Xiao stammering and his face turning red, Yang Rong smiled and helped him out: "Alright, stop bullying him. Your *Beauty's Rival in Palace* has been snatched up by CCTV. When is it airing?"

Under the competition of several television stations, *Beauty's Rival in Palace* was finally snatched up by CCTV, though not because the price was the highest.

In fact, CCTV's offer was only 1 million per episode, and even that had already set a record for CCTV's drama purchase price.

The company intended to use this drama to further strengthen its relationship with CCTV, and for a private company's self-produced drama to be able to air on CCTV, this was also a manifestation of strength. What's more, at a price of 1 million per episode, the company had already made a profit, and subsequent earnings wouldn't be small either.

"Oh, what 'mine'? I'm just a villain, not the female lead. But I heard CCTV plans to air it early next year."

Yang Xue appeared humble, but in reality, she was doing a bit of "humble-bragging." One must know that not just any drama could be regarded by CCTV as a grand opening drama for the year.

"Whether it's a villain or not doesn't matter; as long as the character is brilliant. Haven't you seen how popular Sister Rong has become?"

Seeing that Yang Xue, Yang Rong, and even Chen Xiao all had roles with significant screen time, and perhaps in a couple of months they would all be super popular, while she was still playing bit parts, Jiang Shuying felt a bit sour when she said this, and she also had some other thoughts in her heart.

"Yeah, I'm really envious of Sister Rong and Sister Xue. The dramas are all major productions with main roles, and the movies are also co-productions between the company and Hong Kong. I don't know when I'll have a chance..."

Zhang Li also hurriedly spoke up, her face full of envy. When she first joined the company, she felt that it was enough just to be able to show her face, but in less than half a year, her thinking had already changed.

However, this was also normal. Seeing the colleagues around her starting to become popular, anyone would be anxious. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many "plastic sisters" in the entertainment industry. As the saying goes, one fears their best friend lives a hard life, but also fears their best friend drives a Land Rover.

"By the way, Chen Xiao, has there been any word on when *Zhu Xian* will be released?"

Sensing everyone's envy toward her, Yang Rong didn't want to talk more and changed the subject.

"Sister Rong, it's still in post-production. I don't know the specifics either, but it seems it's going to link up with the game side. I guess it'll have to wait for a while. I don't know if it'll be a hit..."

The television series had not yet aired, and as a complete newcomer, Chen Xiao answered honestly while also feeling somewhat apprehensive; after all, it was the first television series he had starred in.

"It will definitely be a hit. This is a project that President Wei is personally overseeing, and with the addition of Liu Yifei and Jing Tian, it will surely be another blockbuster. Just wait to become as famous as Zhen Yu."

Yang Xue vaguely sensed that her boss's attitude toward Jing Tian was somewhat unusual; whenever Jing Tian was involved in a drama, Wei Jin was mostly very confident.

Yang Rong, who was on the side, also nodded repeatedly to show her agreement, which made Chen Xiao feel a bit embarrassed: "Then thank you, sisters, for your kind words. If it really becomes a hit, I will treat everyone to a meal."

"It's a deal then."

Watching the three of them chatting animatedly, Zhang Li and Jiang Shuying felt like mere sidekicks and somewhat regretted coming to the gathering, but this scene planted a seed in both of their hearts.

This seed was named ambition. The second update of the day, I earnestly request all readers to reward me with subscriptions, follow-up reads, and bookmarks. Thank you everyone! (End of chapter)