Chapter 167: The Advancing Jing Tian and New Projects

The aftershocks of the incident are still ongoing; the boss of Emperor Group has been left utterly frazzled during this period. There is no help for it, as several of the artists he was heavily promoting have all become embroiled in it.

This includes his godson, Xie Feng, who has invisibly had a hat placed upon his head—and one gifted by a good brother at that.

The media that followed were even more speculative, and quite a few actresses under Emperor Group were also dragged into it; for a time, all sorts of news was flying everywhere.

However, Emperor Group's reaction was also very swift; they reported it to the police directly, and the relevant content was banned immediately.

Although the previous events were confirmed, the paparazzi have no new evidence, so they truly do not dare to write recklessly anymore.

However, those few artists have truly suffered damage to their reputations, and their star paths have dimmed. Huo Wenxi even called Wei Jin directly, hoping the latter would step in to pull them up.

She proposed letting A Jiao appear in Jiahe's new project, and was even willing to provide sponsorship fees, asking only for a positive role to salvage her image.

Regarding this, Wei Jin expressed that he was powerless; the public's inherent impressions are very difficult to change. No matter what roles they play, the moment the audience sees their faces, they will think of the photos and be instantly pulled out of the story.

Soon, companies in Mainland China also reacted; Orange Sky terminated all notices for its female artists in Hong Kong, among whom was Tang Yan.

No one dares to guarantee whether this storm will involve their own artists.

The Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild even called on all talent agencies to manage their artists' computers and cameras; it is simply ridiculous.

The most miserable one is Chen Shiren; it is truly a disaster from out of the blue. *Mei Lanfang* has been filming for a long time, and Ajiao's scenes are not few. They can only rush the work overnight, cut scenes, and revise the script; it is unknown whether the finished film will be affected. — "Wow, Yuan Yuanjie is truly beautiful."

Jing Tian was nestled comfortably in Wei Jin's arms, eating snacks while watching a television series.

*Let's Get Married* has already aired on CCTV-1. Wei Jin did not expect that this time it would be CCTV taking action again.

However, the price offered this time was not low—1.2 million per episode—which can be considered very sincere. Moreover, the film procurement Department Head privately revealed a bit of news: since the new century, the marriage rate has not been high, and the higher-ups intend to boost the national view on marriage and love; only by airing this kind of television series on CCTV can it have influence.

Therefore, in the past two years, many family and marriage dramas have appeared in the television market, such as *Golden Marriage*.

"But did you really write the script, Brother Wei Jin?"

"I did, why?"

Stroking Jing Tian's delicate body with both hands, Wei Jin chatted in a desultory manner.

"I just feel the script doesn't make sense. Yuan Yuanjie is so beautiful, how could she not get married? The audience won't believe it either."

Vaguely sensing a dangerous aura, Wei Jin's hands could not help but pause.

"Ahem, I just think that for things like marriage, it depends on fate. It's not that if your conditions are good, you will definitely meet the right person."

"Then Brother Wei Jin, do you think Yuan Yuanjie can meet the right person?"

Realizing the young girl is becoming harder and harder to deal with, Wei Jin plans to go to the school after the new year to see how exactly they are teaching; how did my pure and cute Da Tiantian become so smart? "That, I'm not sure. Why don't you call and ask?"

Wei Jin countered her; if he can't even handle an eighteen or nineteen-year-old girl, how can he survive in the entertainment industry? "Alright, I haven't seen Yuan Yuanjie for a long time either. How about we have a meal together tonight?"

Jing Tian's words put Wei Jin in a bit of a bind; if they really meet, he cannot guarantee whether they will tear into each other.

"Ahem, Tiantian, our world for two—how would it look to let others get involved? Next time, ah, next time."

Sensing Wei Jin's retreat, a faint, imperceptible smile appeared on Jing Tian's face; her status is, after all, the highest.

"By the way, Tiantian, what are your arrangements for the Spring Festival?"

"I have to go home for the New Year, I probably won't be back until after the New Year. How about you, Brother Wei Jin?"

"I don't plan on going back this year; I'll stay in Beijing and handle some things along the way." — In early February, Jiahe announced this year's new film plan: *Bodyguards and Assassins*, a big production that blends classic commercial elements such as period costumes, martial arts, suspense, history, and legends, with an investment as high as 100 million.

This is the first project since Wei Jin took charge of Jiahe, and for a time, it attracted the attention of many peers in the industry.

Han Sanping also called to ask about the investment: "Such a big project, do you really plan to do it yourself?"

"Han Dong, this is Jiahe's first shot; I have to show my strength. You shouldn't get involved."

Regarding Han Sanping, Wei Jin also has a bit of a headache; he is just like a dog-skin plaster, impossible to shake off.

"Then what plans do you have for this year? You are young, don't lose your drive."

"There are no plans for the moment; if there are, I won't forget you, Han Dong." "I'm warning you, you are a great director, don't go making some low-budget films; be careful of being laughed at by the industry."

"Why care about them? Everyone is making blockbusters, but I haven't seen them make much money."

"..."

Wei Jin's words choked Han Sanping so much that he had nothing to say. The one who loves making blockbusters most is him, and the key is that he really hasn't made any money; he couldn't even retort, feeling quite stifled. — Hanging up Han Sanping's call, Wei Jin began to think about the company's development.

In his past life, Wei Jin didn't know much about the entertainment industry, but he knew that after the Olympics, the film market began to gradually prosper. In a few more years, films with 500 million or 1 billion in box office will be the norm; it is time to cultivate new directors.

In fact, for the past few years, Wei Jin has been scouting for qualified "tools," but to be fair, there really aren't any qualified ones right now. Ning Hao's efficiency is low and his style is singular; there are many scripts in Wei Jin's mind that he cannot film.

Picking up the phone, Wei Jin called the film production department: "Tell Wu Ershan to come to my office."

Soon, a Mongolian man with a very high hairline pushed the door and entered.

Wu Ershan joined the company last year; come to think of it, he is actually Wei Jin's senior.

Since graduating from Beijing Film Academy in '98, Wu Ershan's development has been unsatisfactory; he basically just shot commercials to make a living.

In '04, he wrote and directed his first film, *Soap Opera*. Although it won the "International Critics' Award" at the South Korea Busan International Film Festival, it did not bring any changes to his situation.

In '07, under the suggestion of his teacher at Beijing Film Academy, he joined Wei Jin's company and followed two television projects, but he always had a film dream.

Therefore, upon being summoned by Wei Jin this time, he appeared somewhat emotionally agitated.

"President Wei, you were looking for me?"

"Director Wu Ershan, sit."

Wei Jin really didn't know how to address him, so he simply called him by his full name.

Looking at this man with an honest face, Wei Jin also lamented that people have different fates. In his past life, he naturally had heard of his great name—the *Fengshen Trilogy*, a pitfall with no limits.

It is said that this guy got carried away after becoming famous and made some inappropriate remarks; Wei Jin doesn't know if it's true or not. Things in the entertainment industry are truly hard to distinguish.

However, these things have not happened yet at this moment; Wei Jin cannot target a person now for future crimes, can he? Therefore, he didn't have any particular ill will toward him. Besides, he is eating under Wei Jin's banner now; if he really had any ulterior motives or was biased, he could be suppressed with a backhand, and he wouldn't be able to stir up any waves.

"Are you getting used to the company?"

"It's quite good. The income is much higher than when I was working on my own, it's just..."

Thinking of the treatment he has received over the past half-year, Wu Ershan is very grateful to Wei Jin; at this moment, this Mongolian man is still very simple and honest.

"It's just that there isn't much work, and I always feel like I'm eating for free..."

"Don't be anxious; the reason I called you over this time is that there is work."

While joking, Wei Jin handed the script to him.

"Th-this... President Wei, what do you mean..."

It was no wonder Wu Ershan was stuttering; although he had mentally prepared himself, seeing "Painted Skin 2" on the cover still made him unable to help but feel excited, as the predecessor was a box office champion after all.

"Director Wu Ershan, don't get happy just yet. I'll give you half a month to draw the storyboards first, then bring them to me to take a look."

It had been over two years since "Painted Skin", and it was time to release a sequel; as for the sequel, Wei Jin had never had any intention of directing it himself.

"I have seen your work, and you have a certain level of attainment in visual color and storytelling, but after all, this is an investment of tens of millions, so I need to know the sequel you have conceived in your mind before I can feel at ease handing the project over to you."

Wei Jin was very clear that the same script would definitely produce different results when filmed by different directors; he wanted to see Wu Ershan's ideas before making a final decision.

"Understood, President Wei. I will definitely work on it with care, and I will definitely do it well..."

Wu Ershan understood Wei Jin's meaning at this moment; even so, this was still giving him a huge opportunity. One had to know that this was a project worth tens or even hundreds of millions, so being tested was only normal.

Leaving Wei Jin's office, Wu Ershan was both anxious and excited, wishing he could start working immediately.

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