Chapter 319: Many Bed Scenes, Stop the Project

Hong Kong, Emperor Group headquarters.

Huo Wenxi was wearing a black professional suit, with a pencil skirt reaching only three inches above her knees, her shapely, slender calves wrapped in flesh-colored stockings; her entire person exuded an extremely refined temperament, not losing in the slightest to those celebrity artists.

At this moment, she was bowing slightly, reporting on work to Boss Yang.

"Boss, Shi Nansheng has replied. For *The White Storm* and *Storm*, we can obtain a 20% investment share, priced at 20 million each."

Hearing this number, Boss Yang raised an eyebrow.

"The premium isn't high, but this share is far too small."

"Shi Nansheng explained that the 20% was held back by Wei Zong's side."

Hearing Huo Wenxi's explanation, Boss Yang couldn't help but sigh inwardly; Wei Jin was truly willing to spend to help Fan Bingbing go public.

Thinking of this, Boss Yang felt it necessary to cultivate Wen Yongshan with care and deepen the relationship between the two sides.

"Recommend A Shan to audition for these two films, and you should also spread some rumors."

Although the boss hadn't finished speaking, Huo Wenxi understood instantly; this was about borrowing the tiger's skin to wave the banner, creating the illusion in the Hong Kong circle that "Wen Yongshan is Wei Jin's captive in Hong Kong."

But thinking of Wei Jin's influence, Huo Wenxi felt a bit worried.

"It's just, will this offend Wei Sheng?"

Upon hearing this, a smile appeared on Boss Yang's face.

"No, it's Hong Kong, after all; there's just a lot of entertainment gossip." —— The bun-faced girl did not expect that in just three days, she would receive an interview notice from Starry Sky Culture.

With a nervous heart, she stepped into Shanhe Building for the first time, and after guidance from the receptionist, she arrived smoothly at the director's office of Starry Sky Culture.

"Director Zhang, hello, I am Zhao Liying, here for the interview."

"Mm, hello, please sit."

Zhang Xu looked up at the girl before him; she was another one like Wan Qian, coming to make her way alone.

Before the interview, Zhang Xu had already conducted a simple background check; whether it was Jiang Xuerou or Xu Zheng, who had worked with her, or other crews on her resume, the evaluations of this young girl were all very good.

Additionally, in terms of appearance, this girl also possessed a great advantage; although in terms of features she could not be considered stunningly beautiful, this kind of sweet-looking artist was exactly what the company lacked.

Therefore, Zhang Xu did not intend to beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

"Miss Zhao Liying, I have basically understood your situation; in principle, there is no problem with signing."

Watching the expression of surprise appear on the girl's face, Zhang Xu changed the subject.

"It's just, your contract with Huayi hasn't expired yet, has it?"

"Director Zhang, it's like this: Huayi doesn't pay much attention to small artists like me. As long as I don't renew within the notification period, it counts as an automatic termination, so..."

Seeing the girl's nervous appearance, Zhang Xu immediately waved his hand and said with a touch of self-deprecation.

"I am a person who fears trouble, and I don't want to cause trouble for Wei Zong. Do you understand what I mean?"

Hearing this, Zhao Liying instantly thought of Yang Mi, one of the Four Dan Actresses from back then.

It was said that she also signed with Starry Sky Culture only after her contract with Rongxin Da expired; it seemed this was indeed a consistent tradition of the company.

Zhao Liying's hanging heart couldn't help but settle, and she immediately said with a firm face.

"Director Zhang, I understand. I will go and get the procedures settled in these few days." —— After Lu Yang received the script for *Saving Mr. Wu* that Wei Jin had revised, his efficiency in action was very high; after all, he hadn't directed a film for over a year, and his hands were already itching.

Just as the script passed the review and before the storyboard had even begun, he took the initiative to call the actor he had his heart set on.

He prepared to make the first call to Liu Tianwang; after all, for a top male star like the latter, schedules were usually very tight—didn't he already refuse *Thieves* before? Looking through the numbers saved in his phone, Lu Yang felt a bit of emotion; he was truly worthy of being a superstar who had remained popular for thirty years—his conduct and handling of affairs were truly impeccable.

At the time, he was just a nobody just starting out, yet at a cocktail party, Liu Tianwang had taken the initiative to exchange business cards with him; it was truly like a spring breeze.

Withdrawing his thoughts, Lu Yang pressed the call button, and after a few busy signals, the other side connected.

"Hello, Director Lu?"

"Hey, Hua Ge, it's me. Is it convenient to talk now?"

"Mm, convenient. Please speak, Director Lu."

"Hua Ge, is your schedule busy for the second half of the year?"

Lu Yang estimated his own progress and set the start date for the second half of the year.

"Hmm, it's hard to say right now. Jiahe's *Storm* has already contacted me, and they expect to start filming in early August. Also, I have a film at the end of October; that's roughly how it's arranged..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yang felt relieved; his film wouldn't take two months to shoot, and if he concentrated Liu Tianwang's scenes, it wouldn't even take a month.

"That's no problem. It's like this: I have a film on hand with a good script, but there are many bed scenes, and I'd like to invite you to play the male lead."

Liu Tianwang, who was listening to the call, was stunned. Many bed scenes? Could it be a film like *Lust, Caution*? Liu Tianwang's brain spun rapidly; over these years, whether it was Wei Jin, Shanhe Media, or Jiahe, the cooperation had been very pleasant. Reasonably and emotionally, if the schedule was suitable, he shouldn't refuse Lu Yang's invitation.

But from the bottom of his heart, he was unwilling to take on this kind of film.

"Hello, Hua Ge? Are you there?"

"Oh, sorry, Director Lu, please go ahead."

"Hua Ge, the script is like this..."

After listening to Lu Yang's description, Liu Tianwang couldn't help but laugh or cry; this script really did have many bed scenes.

"Director Lu, I have no problem here. I'll wait for your notification."

"Good." —— China Film Digital Production Base, *Dixing Yinxing* filming set.

Looking at the image on the computer, Wei Jin nodded. With the coordination over these days, the filming progress was getting faster and faster; Cheng Long's scenes were expected to finish in another week.

"Cut, this take is good. Everyone, take a break."

Taking advantage of the break, Wei Jin was just about to smoke a cigarette when Guo Fan walked over.

"How is it? More rewarding than staying in North America, right?"

Wei Jin's tone carried a tease. Guo Fan had been participating in the post-production of *Pacific Rim* in North America and had been full of reluctance when he first received the call to return. However, over the ten-plus days since joining the crew, he clearly had developed a great interest in this method of filming.

"Mm, I didn't expect that we could already achieve this level."

Guo Fan's tone carried a bit of emotion; what he had learned in books had already fallen behind quite a bit. Wei Jin shook his head upon hearing this, denying it:

"No, we still can't achieve this level. Whether it's the equipment before your eyes or the dynamic camera equipment, the IRIS System from Bot&Dolly, they are all provided by foreign countries. What we can do is merely use them with slight proficiency. The industrialization of domestic films still has a long way to go."

After a sigh, the cigarette reached its end; Wei Jin stood up, went behind the special effects computer, picked up the megaphone, and shouted.

"All units prepare, next take."

"Action"—on April 22nd, *Ip Man 3* was released.

Benefiting from the fan base established by the previous two installments and the scheduling support from major theater chains, the film raked in 26.4 million in box office on its opening day, and a cumulative total of over 87 million in its first three-day weekend.

In terms of word-of-mouth, it hit a new high, with a rating as high as 7.8 on Yinxiang Net, far exceeding the first two films.

Many fans commented that this film returned to life itself; there wasn't so much national hatred or personal vendettas, nor was there an invincible hero, but it merely depicted the people and events around Ip Man, yet it appeared very realistic.

The media has already given its predictions: *Ip Man 3* is very likely to set a new height, and even has the potential to break 500 million at the box office.

Seeing the momentum of the film, Shanhe Media and the Emperor Group side also began to increase promotional resources and expand roadshow screenings.

It was just that what Wei Jin didn't expect was that this guy Zhen Zidan actually stirred up trouble again.

"President Yang, do you mean that Zhen Zidan does not intend to participate in the subsequent roadshows?"

Wei Jin only felt his head buzzing; what was this guy trying to do? "Yes, this loser's explanation is that the word-of-mouth for *Ip Man 3* is already stable, there is absolutely no need to worry about the subsequent box office; on the contrary, for *Guan Yunchang*, he didn't participate in the promotion from the very beginning, and now, both in terms of emotion and reason, it is time to arrange his schedule for that side."

After hearing President Yang's explanation, Wei Jin really didn't know what to say; Zhen Zidan was nearly fifty years old, did he have no brain? Did he want to keep the scales balanced? Did he never think that he would end up offending both sides? Wei Jin felt a bit weary; some people were truly like mud that couldn't be plastered onto a wall, and he immediately made a decision in his heart.

"President Yang, since that is the case, let him be; the *Ip Man* series should also come to an end."

President Yang on the other end of the phone panicked instantly; he was just calling to communicate and vent, but he didn't want to stop this profitable cash cow, so he hurriedly spoke to explain.

"President Wei, leave the matter to me; even if I have to tie him up, I will..."

"President Yang, there is no need; besides *Ip Man*, there are many other profitable projects, but I don't intend to cooperate with this person anymore, that is all."

Hanging up the phone, Wei Jin walked into the filming set with a calm expression; in his view, there were so many projects that dropping one had absolutely no impact, at least he wouldn't have to have his mood affected every few days.

Looking toward Cheng Long, a smile appeared on Wei Jin's face.

"Big Brother, your scenes are estimated to end within three to five days, how do you feel?"

"Director Wei, this filming has opened my eyes; domestic sci-fi films can still be shot like this, no wonder your box office results are so good, it's truly impressive."

Speaking of this, Cheng Long gave Wei Jin a thumbs up, then grinned and laughed.

"However, this collaboration is probably the highest salary I've ever received; less than 20 days, 8 million USD, I even feel embarrassed, haha..."

Looking at Cheng Long's somewhat comical appearance, Wei Jin laughed in surprise; although he was self-deprecating about receiving too much pay, wasn't he also hinting that the script's screen time was too little? Big Brother was truly not simple.

"Big Brother, if you really feel bad about it, just come and help with cameos in my future films, haha..."

"No problem, Director Wei, just say the word and I'll be there whenever you call, haha"—on the other side, President Yang, who had hung up the phone, had a terrifyingly gloomy expression.

"Boss, is President Wei really going to stop this project? But this series still has great potential to be tapped."

Huo Wenxi was a bit confused; according to the nature of Hong Kong, for this kind of series, not filming seven or eight installments to rake in money would be a disservice to these results.

"Stop it."

President Yang used his hand to adjust the frames on the bridge of his nose, forcibly suppressing his anger.

"Don't pay attention to that loser anymore; if Wei Jin says stop, then it stops..."

President Yang knew very well in his heart that the copyright for the *Ip Man* series was in Wei Jin's hands, and the Emperor Group had no possibility of bypassing him.

It was just that at the thought of having to stop the *Ip Man* series, President Yang's heart was bleeding.

Although the Emperor Group launched many projects every year, this series was definitely the most profitable one at present, especially this third installment; the box office was very likely to exceed 500 million, and what a huge profit that would bring to the Emperor Group?

Unfortunately, it was all the fault of that loser for not knowing what was good for him!! "Keep the news confidential for now; the next direction for promotion should lean toward Zhang Jing."

"Boss, I understand."

Tapping his fingers on the office desk, President Yang was thinking rapidly about his next cooperation with Wei Jin.

"Mani, continue to negotiate the copyright for *SPL: Sha Po Lang*; it must be acquired."

"Alright, Boss."

Just as Huo Wenxi was about to leave the office, President Yang added another sentence.

"Mani, in the future, for films produced or invested in by the company, I don't want to see this loser."

"Alright, Boss, I understand."—As one of the European Big Three, the reputation of the Cannes Film Festival faintly exceeds that of Venice and Berlin, and every time it is held, it attracts the eyes of the whole world.

In the previously announced shortlist, all Chinese-language films were wiped out, and the media felt regretful for quite a while, but unexpectedly, just at the last moment of nominations a few days ago, Chen Kexin's *Wu Xia* actually fought its way in.

"Director Chen Kexin's period blockbuster *Wu Xia* will enter the Midnight Screenings section of the Cannes Film Festival!"

"New films by directors like Lou Ye and Jia Zhangke have been confirmed to miss this year's Cannes Film Festival; *Wu Xia* may become the sole representative of Chinese-language films."

For a time, *Wu Xia* seemed to have become the savior of Chinese-language films.

StarMe and Chen Kexin naturally would not give up such a good opportunity and directly stated in a high-profile manner.

"Martial arts films have always been our specialty and have always been highly regarded overseas; this time, the copyright transaction for *Wu Xia* is very likely to set a new record..."

Everyone knows that Hong Kong directors love to brag, and netizens were not going to indulge them, directly starting to mock them.

"Laughing to death; a Midnight Screenings section, and they talk as if they're going to win the Palme d'Or."

"People from a small place, with no experience; they probably only know about the Hong Kong Film Awards."

During a break in filming, Wei Jin saw the news online and couldn't help but shake his head.

Martial arts films are indeed a Huaxia specialty, but nowadays they are no longer popular in the overseas market; including the pre-sale for this *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate*, Wei Jin was not very optimistic.

However, perhaps because for this *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate*, the other investors enjoy all the copyright revenue, the other production companies were quite active in selling the copyright, and Yu Dong from Bona even intended to go along personally to build momentum for *Flying Swords of Dragon Gate*.

Regarding this guy's enthusiasm, Wei Jin knew it clearly; although Bona is listed on the Nasdaq, the current market performance does not meet expectations at all, and Yu Dong is planning to use this opportunity to show off his strength to the outside world.

Withdrawing his thoughts, Wei Jin called the crew to prepare for the next scene. (End of this chapter)