Chapter 291: Yang Mi's Seductive Dance: A New Record

Shanhe Building, Chairman's office.

"Director Jiang, thank you for your hard work."

Wei Jin looked at the slightly thin Jiang Xuerou before him and said, "The TV series *Zhen Huan Zhuan* has finally wrapped up after half a year, right after National Day."

"What are you saying, President Wei? This is just part of my job."

Jiang Xuerou knew very well that as a newcomer suddenly placed in a high position, there would surely be those who were unconvinced. Therefore, for this first major project she took on, she followed the production team the entire time, being extremely cautious for fear of any slip-ups. Fortunately, the task was finally completed successfully.

"Have you communicated with Shanhe Ink? Roughly how long will post-production take?"

"I already communicated with them a few days ago; it will take about 6-7 months."

Jiang Xuerou's tone carried a hint of a sigh. For a TV series with an investment of nearly 100 million, including post-production, the production time exceeded a year. Then, waiting to choose a suitable time to air and recoup the funds—the entire cycle was simply too long. A project like this would be impossible for Zhouyi to handle.

"Hmm, I originally wanted to let you rest for a few more days, but the screenwriting department has come up with a few good scripts, and I want you to be in charge of them."

Seeming to realize there was a suspicion of exploiting employees, Wei Jin paused and added a sentence.

"Of course, this time you just need to do the overall coordination work; leave the specific tasks to the project team."

"No problem, President Wei. Only when I have work to do do I feel fulfilled."

Jiang Xuerou had a strong career drive, and besides, she had rested enough these past few days.

"I wonder what kind of projects these are?"

"Two scripts adapted from novels: one is a youth campus drama, *Hello, Old Times*, and the other is a historical political drama, *Eastern Palace*. You can also read the novels first to get a preliminary impression of the character images, which will facilitate the casting later."

In his past life, after graduating in 2013, Wei Jin had hardly watched any television, only occasionally watching a few web dramas during the pandemic, so the TV scripts in his mind were quite limited.

Coupled with his limited energy, it was impossible for him to write TV scripts personally, so he could only hoard the copyrights of some novels that would become hits, looking forward to adapting them later.

Thanks to the early layout of Qidian and Jinjiang, the copyrights hoarded by Shanhe Media could be described as vast as smoke, such as *Joy of Life*, *Nirvana in Fire*, etc., all of which had already been pocketed.

As for which novel to prioritize for adaptation, Wei Jin did not interfere. After years of development, the Shanhe Media screenwriting department naturally had their own logic for judgment.

These two scripts were adapted from the novels of the same name by female-oriented writers Bayue Changan and Fei Wo Si Cun. Although Wei Jin had not read them in his past life, he had heard the names, and their reputation was quite good; they were considered decent projects.

"Okay, President Wei, I will arrange it as soon as possible."

In the film market, *Passengers* was still aggressively reaping box office returns, as if it had returned to the time when *Aftershock* occupied all the screens—dominating alone.

It broke 500 million in 10 days of release, setting the record for the fastest to break 500 million.

It broke 600 million in 13 days of release, breaking the fastest record set by *Aftershock*.

More importantly, this film relied entirely on Wei Jin's appeal and the well-produced special effects; there was no such thing as buying out all the seats, and there was no occurrence of an entire screening room filled with colleagues from the same unit. It was all audiences spontaneously buying tickets to enter the cinema; it was truly terrifying.

Using "corpses strewn across the field" to describe the October release window was no exaggeration; *Passengers* was truly stepping on piles of corpses.

Film companies in the industry just watched it start its peerless reaping mode in the film market, yet they couldn't muster a shred of jealousy; the data was simply too terrifying, and there wasn't even a possibility of catching up.

At the same time, Shanhe Media sent the casting requirements for *Love is Not Blind* to major companies in the industry.

This made many stars and artists breathe a sigh of relief; as long as there was fair competition, there was finally an opportunity.

Unfortunately, they didn't know that Xue Xiaolu, as a teacher at Beijing Film Academy, had already been spoken to by school leaders many times these past few days.

Although she was somewhat dissatisfied with the school's interference, Xue Xiaolu was still willing to take care of Beijing Film Academy students in her heart. In this way, unless they performed extremely brilliantly during the audition, it was highly unlikely to be the turn of actors from other schools.

The auditions for *The Flowers of War* began. Under Ceng Jia's encouraging gaze, Yang Mi walked into the audition room full of anticipation.

Ten minutes later, Yang Mi came out with a blank expression.

"Mimi, how was it?"

Ceng Jia was quite concerned about Yang Mi's career. Both parties had already agreed that if a studio were to be opened, the two of them would be partners.

"Jia Jie, the situation is not optimistic. Although Director Zhang didn't say it, I feel that I probably wasn't chosen."

Yang Mi thought of Zhang Yimou's requirements and felt somewhat helpless.

Both pure and seductive, with charming eyes and a graceful gait; she had to have the charm of a courtesan while also having the dignity and generosity of a lady from a noble family. It was simply making things difficult for people. Was there something wrong with this old man?

"Forget it, if the east doesn't light up, the west will. Perhaps *Love is Not Blind* will have a good result."

Ceng Jia's words made Yang Mi's heart stir. Now that Zhang Yimou's film was completely out of the question, she must not miss that play from the company.

"Jia Jie, you go back to the set first and help me ask for another day off."

Ceng Jia understood Yang Mi's meaning in an instant; this was to pull strings.

"Hmm, I will arrange it."

At the same time, Tangren Media in Shanghai.

Looking at the soft and well-behaved girl before her, who had just signed her name on a 15-year long-term contract, Miss Cai was already overjoyed. Was this girl too easy to fool? "Very good, Rouba, welcome to Tangren."

"Thank you, President Cai."

Rouba was also very happy in her heart. She was only a freshman, and she already had an agency, and there would be opportunities to appear in the company's hit TV series later. She could already imagine the scene of becoming popular throughout the entertainment industry in the future, just like her senior Liu Shishi.

"There is a welcome banquet tonight, and all the company's artists will attend. You can also get to know them."

"Really?"

Rouba was still a young girl after all. Being able to see the stars on TV, she was still a bit excited like a passerby, not to mention she really liked Hu Ge. Which girl didn't have a "white moonlight" in her heart? "Of course, Tangren is a harmonious big family, and you will definitely integrate quickly."

"Hmm~~" — Shanhe Building, in the office.

Wei Jin typed the last character in the computer document, stood up, and stretched.

In two days, he finally finished this script.

*Whiplash* was an art film, and choosing suitable actors was very important, but so far, Wei Jin had no ideas in his mind.

Shaking his head, Wei Jin lit a cigarette and was just about to clear his mind when an unexpected call came in.

"Station Chief Ouyang?"

"President Wei, it's like this..."

Hanging up the phone, Wei Jin shook his head. With the arrival of the internet era, the ratings of major TV stations had been hit hard, and Mango TV was no exception.

Station Chief Ouyang had taken a fancy to Shanhe Media's variety show production capabilities and had come to seek cooperation. After pondering for a while, Wei Jin had an idea in his mind, and then he scribbled on the paper. In a short while, a creative concept was formed, but the filling of specific details would have to be left to the variety department.

Picking up the phone, Wei Jin called the administrative secretary.

"Notify Zhang Yipei to come see me."

Zhang Yipei is the newly hired Deputy Director of the Variety Department at the company, having just started this month.

This person has a somewhat legendary background; she graduated from the Foreign Languages School of Central South University's Railway Campus in 1997 with a degree in English, and crossed over into the television industry in 1999.

In 2000, she served as a director for large-scale entertainment events and concerts at the Hunan Culture and Sports Channel, as well as the Producer for "I Love Cupid."

In 2001, she joined the Hunan Economic Television Station, and in 2002, she planned and produced the most explosive entertainment talk show, "Yue Ce Yue Kai Xin."

In 2008, she served as the Chief Producer for Mango TV's "Tian Tian Xiang Shang." This variety show, created by the original team from "Yue Ce Yue Kai Xin," became an instant hit upon airing, and Zhang Yipei also became a popular producer at Mango TV.

Unfortunately, good times didn't last. With the airing of "The Voice" in October 2008, because the two shows aired at similar times, the ratings for "Tian Tian Xiang Shang" plummeted, truly being rubbed into the ground.

Perhaps unwilling to accept such a failure, after the first season of "The Voice" ended last year, Zhang Yipei issued a military order to the senior management of Mango TV, promising to regroup and pull the ratings back up.

Sure enough, under her bold reforms, the ratings for "Tian Tian Xiang Shang" rose all the way, and at its peak, it could even go toe-to-toe with "Happy Camp."

Unfortunately, she was fated to face this tribulation; "Keep Running" was launched, once again suppressing the well-developing "Tian Tian Xiang Shang" completely.

Subsequently, it entered a vicious cycle, with "Tian Tian Xiang Shang" being crushed in turns by two of Shanhe Media's ace variety shows.

Last month, with the finale of the second season of "Keep Running," Zhang Yipei also submitted her resignation to Mango TV.

When Wei Jin was out promoting, he learned of this news from He Laoshi and immediately sent someone to recruit her, promising her the position of Deputy Director of the Variety Department, finally bringing her into his fold.

After all, this woman is very capable, and she has unique insights and understanding regarding variety shows; Shanhe Media is in need of such talent.

Handing this project to her to be in charge can also be considered helping her hold her head high at Mango TV.

Before long, a professional woman in her early forties with a digital perm knocked on the door and walked in.

"Mr. Wei, you were looking for me?"

"Yes, it's like this. I have a new creative idea in my hands that needs the Variety Department to refine. I want to hand this project over to you to be in charge."

While speaking, Wei Jin handed a handwritten sheet of paper to Zhang Yipei, who took it and looked: "I Am a Singer."

Beijing, inside the Golden House.

Yang Mi is wearing a palm-sized white tube top on her upper body, a black 7B mini skirt on her lower body, paired with high-transparency black silk stockings, and red high heels on her feet. She is twisting her body to the music with a charming and seductive expression on her face, looking like a nightclub girl.

At this moment, she has a curse she really wants to say; this man is too good at playing new tricks, actually preparing so many props himself.

Wei Jin is sitting on the sofa at this time, quietly appreciating Yang Mi's dance moves and the temptation brought by her occasionally pressing her body against him; he feels it is quite interesting.

The duration of a song is not long. As Yang Mi dances, she has already straddled Wei Jin, occasionally rubbing her Dharma Treasure against his face.

Lifting the short skirt, Wei Jin placed his hands on the woman's perky buttocks, patting and kneading them through the black silk.

With a heavy strike from the man, Yang Mi knows it is time for the main course, and she lowers herself down.

"Hiss."

Feeling the signal transmitted, Wei Jin is very satisfied; after all, one can treat the eldest brother poorly, or the third brother poorly, but one must absolutely not treat the second brother poorly.

Regarding Yang Mi's intentions, Wei Jin naturally knows them clearly. As a female-led film, "Love is Not Blind" has had too many people calling him these days to pull strings.

However, the character setting of the heroine Huang Xiaoxian is that of an "ordinary-looking" sharp-tongued girl. Apart from her glib tongue, which fits the character, Yang Mi doesn't seem to match anything else.

But looking at the woman still working hard beneath him, Wei Jin finds it hard to refuse. After some thought, he has an idea.

"This character doesn't quite match your image."

As soon as the words fell, Wei Jin sensed some dissatisfaction, so he added another sentence.

"I will say a word to Teacher Xue, but whether you get selected depends on your own performance. However, with your Beijing Film Academy graduation and your current status, it shouldn't be a big problem. When you audition, remember to cover up your chest."

This type of low-budget film feeds on the dividends of the subject matter, so it doesn't require much acting skill. Besides, Yang Mi's acting is still quite spirited now, unlike later on, where she acts with the same routine for everything, forming a performance pattern.

"Woooooo."

Wei Jin actually understood; she is thanking him.

"Thanking me with your mouth, the sincerity is too small. Now let me see your acting skills."

While speaking, Wei Jin kneaded the woman's Dharma Treasure. Although he is not directing this film himself, helping Teacher Xue test the actress's acting skills in advance should be no problem, right? Yang Mi took the opportunity to get up and adjust her direction. Yang Mi knows that the formal scenes are about to begin—just as Wei Jin enjoys the violent tearing of the stockings, the headlines of major portal websites are being refreshed.

"Lasting 16 days, the sci-fi romance film 'Passengers' has broken 700 million in box office, setting a new record for domestic films!"

"With single-day box office still over 20 million, 'Passengers' is expected to break the one billion mark!"

"'Passengers' has been released for 16 days, with a global box office of 278 million USD!"

For a time, the industry was in an uproar. Although everyone knew that 'Passengers' breaking the record was a high-probability event, no one expected it to be so unstoppable.

The film circle, the entertainment circle, and the internet are all discussing it heatedly.

"The domestic film market is truly getting bigger and bigger. It's been less than two months, and Director Feng's record has already been refreshed."

"Director Wei is truly terrifying. He just lost the record for 'The Martian' and immediately took it back with 'Passengers.' I'm afraid all future records will have to be guarded by him."

"That's not necessarily true. There are more and more blockbusters now. Maybe this record will only last two months; isn't 'If You Are The One 2' coming out soon?"

In Hong Kong, a group of filmmakers looked at the Mainland China film market, which they previously looked down upon, erupting with such beautiful results, and none of them felt very good inside.

How did the once incomparably glorious Hong Kong cinema fall to such a state?

Since signing CEPA with Mainland China in 2003, many Hong Kong films have been introduced to the Mainland over these years, but when calculated, let alone making big money, there are few that can even simply turn a profit.

The most profitable Hong Kong-produced films are almost all from Golden Harvest and Emperor, but the copyrights are all in Wei Jin's hands; strictly speaking, they don't count as local Hong Kong films at all.

Watching their former "poor relatives" living better and better lives, the Hong Kong filmmakers couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Go north. If we continue to guard this one-acre-three-fen plot of land in Hong Kong, everyone will have to wait for death."

Today's second update (End of chapter)