Chapter 260: New Artists, Nominations, and the Threesome with the Sisters

Ever since she obtained the role in *Mojin: The Lost Legend*, Wan Qian had sent an expression of interest in signing with Starry Sky Culture, and only recently did she finally receive a response.

What Wan Qian did not know was that the reason for the long wait was that Zhang Xu was conducting a background check; Starry Sky Culture could not afford any slip-ups under his watch.

At ten o'clock in the morning, Wan Qian arrived at the Shanhe Building right on time; that's right, Starry Sky Culture still operated out of this location.

This was Wan Qian's second time here; it was right here that she had auditioned for *Mojin: The Lost Legend*.

After confirming the visit with the front desk, she was directed by an administrative staff member to a small meeting room, where several people were already waiting inside.

Wan Qian knew that these people were likely there to sign contracts just like her.

Before long, she saw a young man walk in with a beaming smile, greeting another girl.

"Yezi, I've got it sorted on my end. From today on, I'm a person of Shanhe Media—no, Starry Sky Culture. Haha."

"Brother Long, don't just laugh. How is the contract?"

The girl asked somewhat eagerly; this was likely the thing every artist cared about most.

"Well, I can't say. Everyone's contract might be different. When you have your face-to-face, President Zhang will talk to you in detail. I can only say it's very flexible; Senior Brother still takes good care of us."

The two chatted as if no one else were around. From the sparse information, Wan Qian gathered that both of them were graduates of the Beijing Film Academy.

Shortly after, a staff member walked in and asked the people in the room with a gentle attitude:

"May I ask who is Wan Qian? President Zhang would like to see you."

Wan Qian stood up, responded, and then followed them to another office.

"President Zhang, hello."

It was Wan Qian's first time meeting Zhang Xu, and she was slightly reserved.

"No need to be formal, Miss Wan. Did you not bring an Agent or an Assistant?"

Generally speaking, even if mature artists don't have an agency, they should have a relevant team. Zhang Xu was truly surprised that Wan Qian had come all alone.

"No, President Zhang. My previous company only signed a record contract, and it has now expired."

"Hmm, no worries. The company will provide you with all of that. Come to think of it, you all from the Shanghai Theatre Academy really have a connection with me; Yang Rong and Lei Jiayin were both signed by me. In the blink of an eye, it's already been four years."

Watching the middle-aged man across from her begin to reminisce, Wan Qian could only smile.

After chatting for a while longer, Zhang Xu took out a document and placed it in front of Wan Qian.

"These are several different types of management contracts for mature artists. We respect the artist's choice; you can take a look first."

Wan Qian opened the document, and her first reaction was: This is so humane? No wonder that young man from the Beijing Film Academy looked so happy earlier.

Starry Sky Culture's contracts were indeed very humane. The document in Wan Qian's hand contained three-year, five-year, and eight-year contracts.

Of course, the shorter the term, the fewer opportunities the company had to make money from the artist, so the commission percentage was higher; the percentages corresponding to the three contracts were 50%, 40%, and 30%.

Even so, Wan Qian was very satisfied. Starry Sky Culture's management contracts were definitely the best in the industry.

After pondering for a moment, Wan Qian had her answer.

"President Zhang, I choose the five-year contract."

The supplementary clause for the five-year contract was that after being promoted to A-list status, one could apply to set up their own Studio and could also strive for a public listing with the group's assistance; this temptation was simply too great.

"Alright then, can you sign today?"

"Yes, I can."

"Good, go directly to the Legal Department to sign in a moment."

As Zhang Xu spoke, he stood up and extended his right hand.

"Then, welcome Miss Wan Qian to Starry Sky Culture." ——On the evening of February 2nd, a piece of news ignited the entire entertainment industry.

"Excerpt from the Oscar Academy Daily:

The Mainland film *Forever Enthralled* directed by Chen Shiren, the Hong Kong film *Prince of Tears* directed by Yang Fan, and the Taiwan film *No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti* directed by Leon Dai, all unfortunately failed to be selected and did not receive an Oscar Best Foreign Language Film nomination."

"Excerpt from the Oscar Academy Daily:

The film *The Hunt*, directed by Chinese director Wei Jin and starring Matt Damon, has received nominations for this year's Oscar Academy Awards.

The nominated categories include: Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, and other four major awards!"

The film circle was indeed in an uproar; to be precise, the entire film and television industry was stunned by the news coming back from Hollywood.

Three years ago, when Wei Jin won the Best Foreign Language Film award, everyone thought Hollywood had opened up to China. As it turned out, in these three years, 9 directors from the two sides of the strait and three regions had all failed with their 9 works.

Including Wei Jin's previous loss at the Golden Globe Awards, the circle had defaulted to the idea that Hollywood had closed its doors again.

But Wei Jin, after three years, had once again campaigned for the Oscars, and upon arrival, he received nominations for four regular categories. This indicated that it wasn't that Hollywood wouldn't open its doors, but that the other directors weren't good enough. The shock brought by this contrast was too great.

Before dawn had even broken, the internet was already arguing heatedly.

"Damn, as expected of Wei Jin, four nominations, including Best Film. If he wins this, it would truly be a first for the Mainland..."

"To the person above, you haven't been online long, have you? Three years ago, Wei Jin already set the precedent. Director Wei is awesome!!!"

"There is no harm without comparison. I feel bad for Chen Shiren for a minute."

"Wei Jin is awesome. I don't have high expectations; just winning Best Director is enough."

"To the person above, you call that not having high expectations? Why not just win Best Film? It's impossible for a Huaxia person to win Best Director, I said it."

"F*** your mother, you sheepdog. Do you dare to post your address? I, your grandfather, will reward you with fifty military floggings offline."

"To the person above, is this military flogging legitimate?"

Wei Jin's private Weibo and Shanhe Media's official Weibo were also "overcrowded" at this time.

The congratulations, teasing, and flattery from people in the circle were like a pouring river, threatening to drown him.

It was the first time Wei Jin felt the terror of Weibo; three years ago, it wasn't this crazy.

At this moment, under his Weibo, there were dense messages, over ten thousand of them from midnight to morning, and they were still increasing.

Quite a few people in the circle were using Wei Jin's Weibo as a chat room; it was simply absurd.

In the early morning, he even made it onto the fifteen-second morning news; after all, he already had a track record of successfully campaigning for the Oscars.

Coinciding with the approach of the art school entrance exams, his alma mater, the Beijing Film Academy, naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity to hype it up, updating the news on their official website and Weibo simultaneously: "Congratulations to our school's 2002 Director Department outstanding graduate Wei Jin for successfully entering the four Oscar Academy Award nominations with the foreign language film *The Hunt*. Wishing him success in his Oscar campaign!"

The news of the Oscar nominations completely ignited the entire entertainment industry in just one day. — Inside the Chairman's office at Shanhe Building.

"Junior brother, congratulations! Four nominations, that is truly earth-shattering."

Ning Hao's tone carried three parts emotion, three parts congratulations, three parts envy, and one part hard-to-detect jealousy.

"Heh, just luck. Besides, whether I can actually win the award is still an unknown."

Wei Jin was already accustomed to it; he had received so many congratulations these past few days that he was almost numb to them.

"By the way, what brings you here today?"

"Hey, you're already charging toward the Oscars; I have to at least try to mingle with the European Big Three. Where is that script you mentioned?"

Wei Jin nodded, walked to a hidden wall safe in the office, and took out a script.

Ning Hao was a bit stunned: "You just keep this in your office? Is it safe?" Wei Jin was amused: "Senior brother, this isn't some top-secret document. It's not like it's going to attract the FBI to blow it up with dynamite, right?"

It wasn't that Wei Jin was being arrogant; his office was at the absolute highest level of security in the group. Not only was there 24-hour surveillance, but the doors and windows were made of security materials, the door lock was the hardest type of password lock to crack at present, and the safe's anti-theft rating was definitely not inferior to that of a banking institution. There was truly no need to worry about safety.

"I was the one lost in the situation, haha."

Ning Hao laughed at himself. Aside from directors with ulterior motives, who the hell would be bored enough to steal a script? As long as one paid attention to confidentiality, there was indeed nothing to worry about.

"Alright, don't mind me. I'm going to read the script for a while."

Ten-odd minutes later, Ning Hao closed the script, his face showing a sense of wanting more.

"Incredible. The approach is indeed similar to mine. How exactly is your brain wired?"

"How about it? Confident now?"

For the script *The Great Buddha*, Wei Jin didn't dare guarantee a major award at the European Big Three, but winning a secondary one wouldn't be a problem.

"Heh heh, I can't wait."

Ning Hao was also in a good mood now, feeling more and more that staying behind was a wise choice. Then, as if remembering something, he said with a touch of emotion: "You still need awards to back you up. Look at how much prestige Zhang Yimou has; the two major academies in Beijing have opened their doors wide for him. Tsk tsk."

The open auditions for *Hawthorn Tree* over the past two days had caused a huge sensation in Beijing. Before the arts exams had even begun, arts examinees from all over the country had already gathered at the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama.

"It's normal. Zhang Yimou is skilled at coaching newcomers. For students and arts examinees, this is a golden opportunity to reach the top in one step. Naturally, the schools have to provide every convenience."

Wei Jin could understand; no one would forget how Zhang Ziyi became famous back then.

She was just an unremarkable, ordinary student in the Central Academy of Drama Class of 96, and in the eyes of her homeroom teacher Chang Li, Zhang Ziyi was at most of average aptitude.

But sometimes opportunity is truly more important than talent. Zhang Yimou chose her and created the International Zhang of today. This is also the reason why countless people break their heads and sharpen their wits to charge into the circle—as long as there is one opportunity, one can change their fate.

"But junior brother, if you start a new film and hold open auditions like this, the treatment and specifications the schools give you will definitely be no worse than Director Zhang's, haha."

"I'll pass. Coaching newcomers is too mentally draining. I can't learn that style of Director Zhang's. It's better to use mature actors; it saves effort and worry."

Thinking of Liu Yifei during *Those Years*, the corners of Wei Jin's mouth curled into a bitter smile; that slap was still fresh in his memory.

"But tell me, is the Berlin International Film Festival getting more and more low-class? *A Simple Noodle Story* was so bad, yet it could actually be shortlisted for the Main Competition Section?"

Ning Hao's tone held some indignation. The European Big Three—doing things this way really lowers the class.

"Film festivals can't escape human connections and favors. This year is the 60th anniversary of the Berlin International Film Festival, and given Zhang Yimou's history with them, it's justifiable."

"But you are also a Berlin favorite. Why weren't you invited?"

"Heh, how do you know I wasn't invited?"

Wei Jin began to lean back tactically. When the Golden Globe Awards ended, the Berlin officials had actually called him, but considering the timing and the fact that he had no work, he had declined.

"Fine, you got to show off again."

"Hahaha." — Beijing, Yanjiao Villa.

"Li Jie, what are your plans for the future? Just staying idle like this?"

Gao Yuanyuan teased the baby in her arms while chatting with Ceng Li in a desultory manner.

Ever since the threesome last year, the relationship between the two had improved a lot, and this wasn't her first time coming over to see Dudu.

"Being idle is quite nice too. Reading books, drinking tea, and taking care of the child every day. Besides, it's not that easy to find a suitable project."

Although she loved acting, Wei Jin had finally managed to lift her onto a pedestal, and Ceng Li still cherished her wings.

"That's true. The higher the status, the fewer suitable projects there are."

Gao Yuanyuan understood this well. She was currently facing this situation too, but she now ran her own Studio and didn't have the pressure of an agency team. Plus, neither of them lacked money, so there was really no need to desperately chase wealth; they could choose the projects they liked as they pleased.

While the two were chatting, Wei Jin brought the dishes out from the kitchen. Today he was the one shouldering the heavy burden; who told him to think about having a threesome? "Two ladies, come and dine."

"Yuanyuan, let's go, let's taste our husband's cooking."

"Li Jie, you really treasure him. Don't come crying for help if he bullies you tonight."

"You dead girl, what are you saying?"

Amidst the laughter, the two sat at the table, and the child was left to be looked after by the nanny, Li Jie.

"What were you two chatting about just now?"

Wei Jin, keeping things balanced, picked up food for both ladies and asked curiously.

Gao Yuanyuan ate while recounting the topic of their conversation.

"Hmm, that's simple. *Empresses in the Palace* is quite good; both of you could try it."

Wei Jin wasn't having a sudden whim. Ceng Li playing Zhen Huan might be a bit of a stretch, but she would have no problem as the Empress. Gao Yuanyuan could actually play Mei Zhuang; their temperaments would definitely match well.

Ceng Li felt a bit moved upon hearing this. Projects recommended by Wei Jin would definitely not be bad, and since it was their own project, it wouldn't count as boosting an outsider's status.

However, looking at Dudu, who was not yet three months old, Ceng Li's maternal love began to overflow again; she couldn't bear to leave the child.

"Forget it, let's wait until Dudu is a year old. Or why don't you try it, Yuanyuan?"

"Hmm, I'll consider it." — Dinner ended, and Wei Jin accompanied Dudu to play for a while. Only after the baby went to sleep did he pull the two beauties toward the bathroom.

Soon, sounds of laughter and play came from the bathroom.

"You dead girl, you have your own, why are you touching me?"

Although they had already had a threesome, this was the first time Ceng Li had been touched by someone other than Wei Jin and her daughter, and she was a little unaccustomed to it.

"Li Jie, how did you get so big after having the baby? It feels quite good..."

Although they were already good sisters, Gao Yuanyuan had a competitive nature, but seeing that Ceng Li was clearly a size larger, she could only unwillingly admit defeat.

"Li Jie, Yuan Yuanjie, shouldn't you two take care of me?"

While the playful antics of beauties were certainly worth admiring, Wei Jin was not about to just be left hanging there.

"Who told you to come in? I want to play with Li Jie, go wash yourself."

Gao Yuanyuan had a haughty look on her face; she still couldn't fully let go in front of Ceng Li.

"Yuanyuan is right, Xiao Jin, go play by yourself."

Seeing Ceng Li and Gao Yuanyuan start rubbing shower gel on each other, Wei Jin could no longer endure it and hurriedly requested to join the fray.

"My two wives, let your husband take care of these things for you."

As Wei Jin spoke, he began to touch the two women; and it must be said, with the shower gel applied, the women's already delicate skin was now even more slippery, the tactile sensation was excellent, and very soon Wei Shiba began to awaken.

Before long, Gao Yuanyuan's body went soft, but not wanting to show it in front of Ceng Li, she could only force herself to endure it.

She just hadn't expected that Ceng Li was far more uninhibited than her, and by now, she was already engaging with Wei Jin.

Seeing that the two were about to begin their battle, Gao Yuanyuan became anxious and hurriedly crouched down to seize the advantageous position; she was determined never to be inferior to others in her life, and tonight she would be the first.

Ceng Li did not mind Gao Yuanyuan's behavior of vying for favor; she knew the man's strength, and tonight the moonlight was thick. First update of the day.

(End of this chapter)