Chapter 266: Mobile Phone Gate: The Age of Young Girls

The script for *The Great Robbery* has passed censorship; it seems the elders really do like this kind of "prodigal son returns, upright and heroic" content.

Zhong Lifang is truly worthy of her marketing background; she took advantage of the buzz to proactively leak quite a bit of news to the media, bringing attention to Xiaoma Pentium.

"The film *Golden Robbery*, the script has already passed censorship."

"Commercial blockbuster director, Ning Hao's new film, 50 million investment, production companies include Shanhe Media, Bad Monkey Studio, and Xiaoma Pentium."

With this, the news that Xiaoma secured an investment share in Ning Hao's new film also spread throughout the industry.

No one expected that after so many companies came knocking a while ago, it would be Xiaoma Pentium, which had just stepped into the film production industry, that had the last laugh. —— Several major domestic directors are opening new films one after another, and Xu Laoguai has also joined in. Wei Jin did not expect that a flash of inspiration from two months ago would result in a script so quickly.

"President Wei, regarding the script, your skills are strong, could you help take a look?"

In the office, Xu Laoguai's attitude was even more respectful than before; the shock of two Oscar Little Golden Men was truly too great.

Wei Jin did not decline either. After years of training, he wouldn't dare say how good his original scripts are, but he does have some knack for distinguishing good scripts from bad ones, as well as adaptation ability.

After taking the script, in less than two or three minutes, Wei Jin saw the crux of the matter.

"Director Xu, is this script of yours inherited from *New Dragon Gate Inn*?"

Speaking of *New Dragon Gate Inn*, that is truly a classic. Wei Jin doesn't even know how many times he watched it in his past life; it can be said to have brought the advantages of Hong Kong-style martial arts films at their peak to the extreme, and it can be called a monument of martial arts cinema.

"Yes, my own screenwriting ability is limited, and I couldn't find a suitable subject for the time being, so I just put new wine in an old bottle."

Xu Laoguai did not shy away from it; everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, and screenwriting is indeed not a direction he excels in.

Wei Jin nodded upon hearing this. Although it was a borrowed shell, the core characters were all changed, so it was still very different from the original film. It could be seen that Xu Laoguai had put in the effort, but this screenwriting ability was indeed a bit lacking.

"Director Xu, are you planning to take the 3D special effects route with this script?"

Although the script in his hand did not yet have a name, Wei Jin knew this was that film rumored to have no plot and rely entirely on special effects—*Flying Swords of Dragon Gate*.

"Yes, the inspiration *Avatar* gave me is that I must do 3D; the visual impact it brings to the audience is too strong."

Wei Jin was a bit speechless. Xu Laoguai is going to push special effects to the extreme. However, there is no problem with winning through visual effects, but the premise is that you have to tell your story clearly.

After some deliberation, Wei Jin spoke up.

"Director Xu, to be honest, your script has significant problems. The main issue is that the script lacks a core; the characters lack a key mission in everything they do in the story. Secondly, there are too many subplots, but they don't contribute much to driving the plot, making them redundant. Then there is the character motivation..."

Listening to Wei Jin's eloquent opinions, Xu Laoguai did not expect that the script he had carefully prepared would have so many loopholes, and he couldn't help but feel a bit fortunate at this moment.

After about ten minutes, Wei Jin stopped. He could see that Xu Laoguai did not have the ability to perfect the script.

"Director Xu, do this: take the script to the screenwriting department later, communicate what you want to express to them, and let them fill in the specific details. I believe it will be much faster." —— Time entered the end of March, and the science fiction film *Future Police*, starring Liu Tianwang, was officially released.

Perhaps to ride the coattails of the hype, the producers, not knowing where their confidence came from, actually shouted the slogan of benchmarking against *The Martian*.

However, the audience is not stupid. The production cycle of *The Martian* was nearly two years, while this film's cycle from start to finish was only four months. What are they using to benchmark against it?

The opening day box office of 6.9 million explained a lot; this was still out of respect for Liu Tianwang.

The film's word-of-mouth was also shattered; the Yinxiang Net rating was 4.2, and netizens were even mocking it to the extreme.

Didi V: "Wang Jing, it's fine to make bad movies, but don't try to associate yourself with Wei Jin; you are simply lowering the standard of an Oscar Director!"

Yi Dai~Marco: "It's completely pseudo-sci-fi, knock-off special effects, and a cringeworthy plot. With an investment of 200 million, this is what you show me?"

Jun Tian Xi Zi: "Liu Tianwang, I beg you, don't take these kinds of trash scripts anymore. A ten-year fan is kneeling and begging."

Looking at the comments online, Wei Jin could only shake his head. Liu Tianwang is going down the path of a workaholic and won't turn back, but his reputation is likely to plummet.

However, the saddest one is Han Sanping. China Film Group invested quite a bit in this film, and it is likely to be a bloody loss.

At the same time, the films to be released in April also began their grand publicity campaigns.

Lu Yang also brought *Brotherhood of Blades 2* and started a national promotional mode. After all, it was his first time directing such a large production. He wouldn't dare say the box office would be dazzling, but at least it shouldn't be too much worse than the first one, right? Among the many film news items, Wei Jin saw the figure of *Du Lala*, and the director was none other than Xu Cairen, who had always wanted to "eat" him.

Regarding this woman, Wei Jin couldn't describe what his impression was. Anyway, she is very capable; since her debut, she has never lacked noble people to promote her. Unfortunately, he doesn't like too many "fellow travelers," so he could only respectfully decline. —— The casting for *The Great Robbery* began, but perhaps out of habit from doing low-budget films, Ning Hao lobbied the actors from his previous films one by one for low-pay or even zero-pay cameos.

When Wei Jin had some free time and arrived at the casting site, he saw Huang Bai complaining.

"Haozi, I am a dignified Best Actor coming to cameo, are you really shameless enough to not pay a cent?"

Huang Bai said this with righteous indignation. Having won the Golden Horse Best Actor last year with *Cow*, he at least has some status in the film circle. Ning Hao wanting to get a free ride is indeed too stingy.

"Old Wei, you came just in time, help me judge this."

Seeing Wei Jin, Huang Bai began to nag and complain.

"This guy is too stingy. He actually said at worst he'd add a chicken leg to my boxed lunch. I'm a Golden Horse Best Actor, and I'm being dismissed with just a chicken leg?"

"Bozi, with our relationship, isn't talking about money hurting our feelings? Haven't I thought of you whenever there's a good thing? Didn't we eat sand together for two months? This is a friendship forged in life and death; is money that important?"

Ning Hao smiled and patted Huang Bai on the shoulder, playing the emotional card.

"Go to hell. You still have the nerve to mention *No Man's Land*. I really had the worst luck of my life following you back then."

Wei Jin could see that regardless of whether Huang Bai was complaining or not, he had already been handled by Ning Hao.

"Senior brother, how is the situation now?"

"The auditions are almost done. And don't say, that Lei Datou from your company, his temperament and image are actually quite a good fit."

Wei Jin nodded. The lead of this script needs to have a bit of a rascal/hoodlum vibe, but also the aura of an honest man. Lei Jiayin is indeed very suitable.

"But senior brother, you still have to pay the salary normally. They are artists and rely on this to eat." "That won't do. If I don't pay the lead, where would my reputation go? Haha."

It's not that Ning Hao suddenly became generous; it's just that the few he collaborated with before had already saved him several million. Moreover, this is the first time collaborating with Lei Datou, so it's not easy to "cut" him.

After a bit of chatting, Ning Hao continued to audition other roles. Huang Bai had nothing to do, so he started shooting the breeze with Wei Jin.

"Old Wei, have you seen those photos? All sorts of beauties, it really looks like choosing a concubine..."

Although the words were nonsensical, Wei Jin immediately understood what Huang Bai meant. This matter had been making a huge stir over the past two days.

The favorite concubine of Yu Pangzi from Bona, Jin Qiaoqiao, had her phone lost, triggering a major earthquake.

A large number of text messages from intermediaries and photos of her accompanying people for drinks were exposed, completely tearing off the fig leaf of the entertainment industry.

"What's there to see? They are all third-tier or lower-class actors or models, or students from art colleges. With your status as the Bitter Love Song King and Golden Horse Best Actor, if you just move your fingers, wouldn't there be a whole bunch?"

Huang Bai is not lecherous, he just likes to gossip and is always prying into these things. Wei Jin was teasing him on purpose.

"Hey, hey, Xiao Ou and I are very loving; these things shouldn't be said. I just didn't expect the circle to be so rampant; it's actually formed an industrial chain."

"Hi, what's this? You haven't seen anything more exaggerated."

Seeing Huang Bai's thirst for knowledge, Wei Jin's attribute of enjoying being a mentor began to awaken, and he explained in detail to him about South Korean girl groups, Taiwan starlets, and Hong Kong young models; the entertainment circles in these places played much wilder games than the domestic entertainment industry. ——Wei Jin did not expect that, not two days after he finished chatting with Huang Bai about South Korean girl groups, Lee Soo-man brought Girls' Generation to Huaxia, and accompanying them was Executive Park from CJ Entertainment.

In the spacious office, nine women of various figures stood respectfully to one side, while three men sat on the guest sofa in a triangular formation.

"Mr. Wei, YoonA and the others are about to start their Asian tour, and they came early specifically to pay you a visit. If you have any leisure time, it would be great if you could go to the venue to give them some guidance; I believe they would be very happy."

Lee Soo-man's attitude became increasingly respectful. He knew very well in his heart that, despite being the so-called Godfather of Asian idols, in front of the man before him, he was simply not enough.

The recent incident of Han Geng running back to his home country had caused a huge uproar, and the reputation of SM had been greatly affected; simple management business was truly insufficient to support the development of SM.

Although they had collaborated on many television dramas with Wei Jin over the years, the predicament of SM could not be changed overnight, and Lee Soo-man was desperate to solidify the cooperative relationship between the two sides.

"President Lee is too polite. I have also just returned to the country, and there are many company affairs, so I won't be going to the concert."

Wei Jin politely declined. To see a live performance of Girls' Generation, did he really need to go to a concert? "That is truly a pity."

Lee Soo-man also felt his idea was a bit whimsical; which chaebol in South Korea would go to support a performer's concert? However, he quickly thought of a new idea.

"There are still some days until the concert, why not let a few of them stay by your side, and please, Mr. Wei, give them some guidance on their performance."

Wei Jin exclaimed, "Good heavens," is this guidance serious? However, as his eyes swept over the lightly dressed members of Girls' Generation, he was indeed somewhat moved, but with so many people, he was afraid he wouldn't be able to provide enough "guidance."

However, if a delicacy is delivered to one's door, wouldn't it be a disservice to their sincerity not to taste it? Wei Jin had to reluctantly agree; in order to promote friendly relations between Huaxia and South Korea, he was truly racking his brains.

Seeing Wei Jin agree, a look of joy appeared on Lee Soo-man's face, and Executive Park also revealed a smile that all men understood; the three of them had no qualms at all about the girls standing behind them.

This is the naked rule of the entertainment industry!

"Then I wonder, what is the purpose of Executive Park's visit this time?"

Seeing Wei Jin turn his gaze toward him, Executive Park straightened his sitting posture; after all, he was here to seek cooperation this time.

"Mr. Wei, it is like this: CJ hopes to reach a film cooperation with your company."

"Aren't our two sides already cooperating?"

Wei Jin was a bit confused; the distribution in South Korea over these years had basically been handed over to CJ.

"Ahem, Mr. Wei, CJ also has its own film production company, and we hope to reach a cooperation in film production."

Seeing Wei Jin was a bit confused, Executive Park explained that although CJ Entertainment was one of the four major distributors in South Korea, as early as 2003, they had established a subsidiary specifically for film production business.

The achievements of Inception and Avatar made South Korea see the market potential of Huaxia, and they naturally wanted a piece of the pie; after all, the local South Korean film market had basically been conquered by Hollywood, and if South Korean production companies did not seek a way out, they would really just be waiting to die.

"So, you mean to make a Huaxia-South Korea co-production?"

Wei Jin understood their meaning, but shouldn't they be looking for China Film Group for this kind of thing? "Yes, but regarding the project, we hope that Mr. Wei can take the lead."

Executive Park's meaning was very clear. It wasn't that there hadn't been Huaxia-South Korea co-productions over the years, but they basically hadn't made any waves, and the box office in both countries was not very ideal. Wei Jin was their best choice; after all, the slogan "Produced by Wei Jin, must be a boutique" had already become famous in South Korea.

"Hmm, let me consider this matter."

"Of course, CJ maintains the greatest sincerity and sincerely hopes that Mr. Wei can give us a chance." ——As the host, with friends from afar visiting, Wei Jin naturally had to do a good job of reception, and this aspect was naturally handled by the administrative department of Shanhe Media.

After the simple dinner ended, Wei Jin brought three members of Girls' Generation to a new villa.

"Taeyeon, no need to be nervous; look, YoonA and Jessica are very happy."

There were too many members of Girls' Generation, so Wei Jin could only taste them in batches. As the leader, Taeyeon was naturally the first choice; she had to set an example for her teammates.

"Hee hee, Taeyeon, Oppa is a very good person."

YoonA spoke up to comfort her teammate. Not to mention the president's orders, from her own heart, she also hoped to satisfy Wei Jin and then receive more protection for herself.

Ever since she got into Wei Jin's bed, Lee Soo-man had not arranged for her and Jessica to serve those chaebol executives for years, so she naturally had to hold onto this thigh tightly.

A girl group that grew up in South Korea could not possibly have never experienced this, and Taeyeon quickly let go of her reserve.

Wei Jin, who had experienced the "Assistant foursome," had long since prepared props; otherwise, it would be impolite to keep the beauties waiting too long.

This night, the three South Korean beauties felt the shocking impact from the vast Huaxia; it was truly heavy, powerful, and swift. Today's first update.

(End of this chapter)