Chapter 313: Yuan Yuanjie Gets Jealous, Encounters an Ambush

Cheng Long's new film, *Chinese Zodiac*, held a media press conference in Beijing.

This is the Big Brother's 101st film, and also the first action film he has written, directed, and starred in himself after a ten-year hiatus.

Previously, through media press releases, word was leaked that *Chinese Zodiac* had an estimated production budget as high as 300 million, and the production team had even formulated a filming plan across 8 countries and regions to more realistically showcase the local customs and culture.

Once the news broke, the industry was shocked.

"Junior brother, Huaxia really is making big moves this year."

Ning Hao squeezed through the crowd to Wei Jin's side and said.

"Indeed, seven or eight films."

Wei Jin said casually; currently, the focus of the big and small Wangs is still on the film side, but once the real estate side shows improvement, it is feared they will veer off course.

While chatting with Ning Hao, Wei Jin looked around; Cheng Long and Huaxia's face is still quite significant, as many well-known figures in the industry came to show their support.

Huang Xiaoming was bringing Yang Ying around to network; it was clear that the Sect Leader really intends to settle down.

Before long, Cheng Long walked over with a young woman.

"Director Wei, Yuanyuan, Director Ning, thank you for coming to show your support."

"Big Brother is too polite, it's only right."

After some conversation, Wei Jin learned that this young woman was a new disciple Cheng Long had taken on, formerly a national athlete, and this time she would play the second female lead in *Chinese Zodiac*, which could be considered a meteoric rise.

One must know, in the circle, there are not only Jin Girls, Mou Girls, and Star Girls, but also the term Dragon Girls.

"It's a pity Yuanyuan is too gentle; my action films don't suit her, otherwise I would really like to collaborate once more, haha."

The two had collaborated on *Baby Project* many years ago, which could barely count as having some history, and Gao Yuanyuan replied with a smile.

"I am also looking forward to collaborating with Big Brother again; there will be opportunities in the future."

Cheng Long naturally knew this was a polite remark, and immediately turned to Wei Jin.

"Director Wei, about when will you enter the set?"

"Big Brother, the project preparation is currently going very smoothly. Two weeks from now, you will need to enter the base for training, lasting half a month. Once the training is over, we can start filming."

"Good, I'll wait for your notification."

After the event ended, Wei Jin took Gao Yuanyuan back to the Yanjiao Villa.

After a bout of passion, Wei Jin entered his "sage mode" and browsed information online.

The follow-up news about Mo Xiaobei came out; Beijing Film Academy rejected the person, and Shanghai Theatre Academy turned around and accepted them.

When Shanghai Theatre Academy accepted the interview, although they didn't mention Beijing Film Academy once, the tone of mockery was very thick.

"Mo Xiaobei's performance is full of spirit; they are a very talented comedic actor, and their experience with film crews is extremely rich, so their improvisation was excellent."

"For such a good seedling with ability, potential, and dreams, Shanghai Theatre Academy will absolutely not miss out. We never look at appearance when recruiting!"

A single sentence about "never looking at appearance" directly put the lid on this art exam controversy; Beijing Film Academy won't be able to wash this off.

Fan Bingbing's film *Guanyin Mountain* was released. Thanks to the screening support from Shanhe Cinema Line, the box office performance was quite good. It reached 10.8 million on the first day, and the following two days were both over the ten-million mark. For the first three days of the weekend, the box office reached 34 million.

Compared to the 7 million investment, this film has already achieved profitability.

As the saying goes, if you have results, you have status in the industry. These past two days, news about the director Li Yu on the internet has suddenly increased; it really is incomparably realistic.

Just as Wei Jin was feeling sentimental, a voice suddenly sounded from behind him.

"What are you looking at?"

Gao Yuanyuan walked over wearing silk pajamas, and combined with the flush that had yet to fade from her face, she was truly incomparably seductive.

However, upon seeing the computer page, Da Meiyuan's pretty face instantly clouded over.

"What? Still think there aren't enough people at home? This vixen, you plan to bring her home too?"

These words were truly heart-piercing. Wei Jin wanted a quick meal, but he didn't plan on bringing Fan Bingbing home. He instantly stood up and hugged Da Meiyuan's slender waist, which could be held in one hand, to show his loyalty; after all, when Gao Yuanyuan gets jealous, she is even more difficult to deal with than a young girl.

"Yuan Yuanjie, where are your thoughts wandering? I'm just looking at the film's box office."

"Really? With her vixen-like appearance, you aren't tempted?"

Wei Jin held the beauty tightly, their entire bodies almost pressed together, looking affectionately at the bright and moving Da Meiyuan.

"Truer than real gold. These wild flowers, at most, count as foot-washing maids. Yuan Yuanjie, you are the true Imperial Consort."

While speaking, Wei Jin pressed his lips onto Da Meiyuan's soft, tender lips, and a pair of large hands began to wander over the silky, smooth pajamas.

It must be said, the temptation of the Hupu Goddess is truly hard to resist. Before long, Wei Jin had stripped the beauty clean, and simply began to exercise in the study.

"Woo woo woo~~ little bastard, slow down~~~"

"As you command, my lady."

It must be said, the efficiency of government agencies is just low.

The meeting that Han Sanping mentioned before the New Year, saying it would be held after the Lunar New Year, was only arriving late now that it's almost late March.

The scale of this meeting was very high, with the second and third-in-command of the General Administration attending in person.

Wei Jin sat under the stage, bored, watching a group of highly qualified university professors and old men from associations take turns on stage to express themselves.

"Last year, the total national box office exceeded 12.4 billion, which means the film market is booming. This is a very good sign. Everyone present must continue to work hard and strive to create even better results this year."

"It is worth noting that our overseas results are not ideal. In view of this, the first thing to solve is the issue of overseas coverage breadth. If we can use global distribution channels, we should try our best to do so, allowing domestic works to open up foreign markets and increase the breadth of film and television works."

"When producing film and television content, our domestic production companies must have a long-term perspective, possess an international vision, and take into account the different aesthetics of Eastern and Western audiences. Only then will it be conducive to opening up overseas markets and reverse-exporting Huaxia Culture."

Wei Jin, sitting under the stage, felt his head ache just listening. These experts speak of data with great logic, but their suggestions leave people confused.

Eastern and Western ideologies are different; how could it be so easy to open up overseas markets? As for an international perspective, that's even more bullshit. Domestic audiences' viewing habits haven't even been cultivated well yet, and they are already dreaming of pleasing foreign audiences? Have they forgotten the fate of so many co-productions? Half a day passed so boringly; if he had known, he would have been better off sleeping in at home with Yuan Yuanjie.

After the meeting ended, Wei Jin hurried to escape, fearing that some leader might get a sudden whim and want to chat with him.

Just as he returned to the company, Wei Jin ran into Jiang Xuerou coming to report on work.

"Director Jiang, is this the script you picked out? Isn't there too many?"

Wei Jin looked at the seven or eight scripts in his hand, feeling somewhat helpless. Jiang Xuerou's ambition is too strong; two film crews have just gotten on the right track, and she has already returned to the screenwriting department to select scripts for new projects.

"President Wei, why don't you screen them again? But keep at least two; the company currently has two teams idle, it's too wasteful."

Jiang Xuerou swore that during the time of *Zhou Yi*, she had never fought such a wealthy battle.

"Mmm."

Wei Jin flipped through the scripts in his hand, picking and choosing, then pulled out two and placed them on the table, pointing at them. "Let's go with these two."

Jiang Xuerou looked up: *Agent Princess* and *Heart Surgery*.

"For this *Agent Princess*, let's change the name. This kind of web-novel title isn't very easy to sell as a drama. Since it's a female-led drama, let's name it after the female lead: *Chuqiaozhuan*."

"Understood, President Wei."

Jiang Xuerou followed his lead; after all, the company already had *Zhen Huan Zhuan*, so the name *Chuqiaozhuan* was quite fitting.

"However, President Wei, the pre-production for these two dramas will likely take quite a long time."

Wei Jin nodded upon hearing this. The preparation for period dramas naturally took longer, and for the medical drama *Heart Surgery*, the hurdles with relevant departments would also need to be cleared, which would not be quick.

"I understand. Don't worry about the schedule; take it slow and make sure the preliminary work is done thoroughly."

"Understood, President Wei."

Just as she was about to leave, Jiang Xuerou remembered something else.

"President Wei, the post-production for *Zhen Huan Zhuan* and *Snow Sword Stride* is expected to be finished this week. Should we organize a screening?"

"Sure, you take the lead in organizing it. If I have time, I will attend."

"Understood, President Wei."

Inside the Stellar Mega office.

"Director Chen, are you truly confident?"

The investment for the film *Wu Xia* exceeded 150 million, so Qin Hong had to be cautious regarding the choice of the release slot.

But Shanhe Media had almost swept up all the major hot slots, which forced Stellar Mega into a head-on confrontation.

And Chen Kexin had just chosen the Summer Slot at China Film Group to go up against *The Raid*.

"Rest assured, President Qin. It is true that Lin Chao-xian is skilled at action scenes, and it is an industry consensus that Wei Jin's scripts are good, but I know *The Raid* very well. It has a production budget of 20 million, and the lead actor Wu Jing has no real drawing power. In my view, it is nothing to fear at all."

A faint smile played on Chen Kexin's lips, his words full of confidence. He was a major Hong Kong director who had been famous for over a decade; when Lin Chao-xian was still working as an assistant to Chen Jiashang, he was already directing films independently. How could he be afraid of a younger generation? Wei Jin's script was indeed good, but so what? Was *Wu Xia* not his own meticulously crafted work of ingenuity? "President Qin, you can rest easy. Whether looking at production costs or the cast, we hold a huge advantage. Furthermore, *Ip Man 3* is about to be released, and Zhen Zidan's drawing power is bound to reach a new level. I am confident in a box office of 500 million."

After some thought, Qin Hong accepted Chen Kexin's argument.

He had already seen the schedule at China Film Group: a large batch of imported films in May, *Beginning of the Great Revival* in June, *Transformers 3* in late July, and likely *Pacific Rim* in August. There were no suitable slots after that, so the current choice was the safest one.

Thinking of the old grudges and new hatreds with Shanhe Media, a look of determination appeared in Qin Hong's eyes.

"Good, this battle depends on you."

Wei Jin naturally knew nothing of Qin Hong and Chen Kexin's thoughts; he was currently in his office enjoying his Assistant's new performance.

Watching Wang Zixuan, who was wearing a black silk hip-hugging skirt and a high-waisted slim-fit white shirt, dancing a hot dance, Wei Jin shook his head.

"Zixuan, your waist isn't flexible enough. Is everyone who practices martial arts like this?"

Wang Zixuan stopped her movements upon hearing this and pouted, feeling a bit unhappy; she had prepared this meticulously.

"Um, maybe so..."

"Alright, you aren't very good at this. Better play a tune instead."

Wei Jin leaned his office chair back, and his attentive Assistant quickly slid down.

"Oh."

Just as Wei Jin was feeling the warmth of his Assistant, his phone rang unexpectedly, causing him to frown.

"Hello?"

"Wei, do you remember me? This is Thierry Fremaux."

Wei Jin felt a moment of daze upon hearing this, his thoughts instantly returning to Cannes five years ago.

"Of course I remember. Hello, Mr. Fremaux. Long time no see, how have you been?"

He had received quite a bit of care from this man during his first time at the Cannes Film Festival, so Wei Jin was very polite in his speech.

"I am very well, thank you. I am calling you this time because I heard you have an art-house film. The organizing committee hopes you can bring the work to compete."

"Mr. Fremaux, I am very sorry, but this film is not suitable for Cannes. I won't miss out on it when I have a suitable work in the future. After all, Cannes is where I made my name, haha..."

"That is truly a pity. In that case, the organizing committee formally invites you to serve as a juror for this year's film festival."

Thierry Fremaux offered the film festival's official backup plan; only those without works competing were eligible to be invited as jurors.

"I am truly sorry, Mr. Fremaux. My new film starts shooting next month, and I must devote myself to it entirely. Thank you for the kindness of Cannes..."

Hanging up the phone, Wei Jin felt a bit helpless. According to his heart, he was willing to attend. After all, he had already refused several times, and he ultimately had to give the film festival officials some face, but it was a pity that the timing was truly inconvenient this time.

Withdrawing his thoughts, he looked down at the Assistant who was still silently contributing, and Wei Jin expressed his satisfaction.

"Mmm, Zixuan, good performance. Now it's reward time."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zixuan hurriedly got up and lay on the desk, gently pulling up the hem of her hip-hugging skirt; she had been waiting for a long time.

"Rip."

Somewhat roughly tearing apart the things that were in the way, Wei Jin began to play poker with his Assistant in the office.

"Zixuan, sing a song to liven things up."

Two days later, China Film Group announced the release times for several newly scheduled films.

Looking at the published information, many people in the circle wore playful smiles; they had already smelled the thick scent of gunpowder.

*The Raid* had been scheduled since before the new year. Although it wasn't directed by Wei Jin, the script was provided by him, and the industry tacitly accepted it as Wei Jin's work.

*Wu Xia* was scheduled for July 4th, only four days apart from *The Raid*. Since both were action films and covered almost the same audience, what did this mean? In the eyes of most production companies, this meant Chen Kexin was going to war with Wei Jin, and Stellar Mega was launching a counterattack against Shanhe Media! One was a major Hong Kong director, the other was the youngest commercial director in Mainland China and a box office record holder; one was a traditional, long-established domestic film company, the other was an emerging giant that had been the talk of the town in recent years. For a time, it was full of points of interest.

The media was even more eager to stir up trouble, with all sorts of clickbait news emerging one after another.

"Wei Jin and Lin Chao-xian join forces to battle Chen Kexin!"

"Will *The Raid* leave everyone in the dust, or will *Wu Xia* prove superior?"

"A clash between two generations of action stars: Wu Jing VS Zhen Zidan!"

Looking at the media news, a faint smile played on the corners of Wang Zhonglei's mouth; the overbearing nature of Shanhe Media had long since stirred up dissatisfaction within the industry, and he feared that quite a few people in the circle would be applauding this move by Xingmei.

"Now there's a spectacle to watch; Qin Hong, Chen Kexin, you two had better not drop the ball."

The second update of the day. (End of this chapter)