Chapter 357: The Celestial Immortal Wants to Sing and Make Merry Every Night: A New Record

Wei Jin's films are always the focus of attention within the industry.

When the casting requirements for *Bottom-Tier Girl* were sent out to the industry, the vast majority of stars and artists turned their gaze toward it.

The role of the male lead, the tutor, has quite a significant amount of screen time, and the age range of 25-35 happens to be the golden age for male actors; many have a premonition that this competition will be extremely fierce.

The role of the female lead's mother has relatively much less competition.

Although Wei Jin has relaxed the age requirement to 35-45, female stars under 40 rarely consider playing a mother's role, as they still want to continue playing young.

Therefore, most of those submitting resumes this time are television actors, or rather, actresses without much fame.

It's just that Wei Jin didn't expect that the role of the little female lead, who only appears for a few minutes, would be favored by so many people.

Even Teacher Jiang called to try and pull some strings.

"Teacher Jiang, this girl couldn't possibly be your secret love child, could she?"

Over the phone, Wei Jin began to tease this teacher of his.

"You brat, you start spouting nonsense as soon as you graduate, don't you? This is the daughter of an old friend of mine, and well, she has some connection to those people. I was just afraid that because of what happened before, you wouldn't give her a chance."

Upon hearing this, Wei Jin nodded; it had only been a few days since the *The Patriot Yue Fei* incident, so it was not wrong for a parent to be cautious.

"Well, Teacher Jiang, I've already sent out the casting requirements, and the one you recommended doesn't quite meet the height requirement."

"Hey, just give her a chance to audition. It's not like I could influence you, the great director, on your casting, right?"

Hearing this, Wei Jin felt relieved; he was truly afraid that Old Jiang would make some incredible promise.

"Alright then, I've got it in mind, I'll notify you when the auditions are held."

Hanging up the phone, Wei Jin pressed his temples.

Being in this circle, no matter who you are, there is no way to avoid social obligations.

It is just that at his current status, he possesses absolute autonomy.

Shaking his head, Wei Jin was just about to go online to surf for a while when a knock on the door sounded.

"Come in."

Wei Jin looked at Guo Fan, who walked into his office, feeling somewhat surprised.

"Why are you here again, kid? Is there a problem that Chen Xi can't handle?"

"No, President Wei, I was thinking that since it's my first time directing a film, I'm still not quite sure about things, so I learned to make a storyboard script first. Would you like to take a look?"

Guo Fan smiled and handed over the prepared script materials with both hands; this feeling of being trusted was quite good.

"Alright, let me see."

Wei Jin was quite satisfied that his employee was so proactive; he took the materials and began to read.

A few minutes later, Wei Jin closed the materials; he had to admit that some people are naturally suited for this line of work.

Although, from Wei Jin's perspective, the storyboard in his hand could only be considered standard, for a student not from the Director Department to achieve this level on his first try was already quite impressive.

"It's fine, just go ahead according to this."

Receiving an affirmative answer, a smile finally appeared on Guo Fan's face; his late-night cramming over the past few days had finally yielded results.

"Okay, President Wei, I'll go prepare now."

"Mm, go ahead."

After dismissing Guo Fan, Wei Jin started looking for some entertainment online.

Several films, including *White Snake* and *Reign of Assassins*, actually went to participate in the South Korea Busan Film Festival.

They had hoped that at this Busan Film Festival, not only was the chairman the Taiwan director Yang Fan, but there was also the Mainland China actress Jiang Wenli as a judge, so they could at least win a small award and find some consolation.

As a result, they returned in defeat amidst a chorus of sighs, and the internet was full of mockery.

"A bad film is a bad film; the Koreans aren't so easily fooled."

"Don't they know that aesthetics have no borders? They've embarrassed us all the way abroad."

Regarding this whole affair, Wei Jin really didn't know what to say.

One word: incredible!

Films are always a scarce resource within the circle.

Therefore, whether it's the Film Bureau's official website or the entrance to the Film Bureau, there are always people keeping watch.

Guo Fan's new script had just been submitted when it was already known to several long-term partner companies in the industry.

At the Enlight Media headquarters, the secretary hurried into the office to report to Wang Changtian.

"Chairman Wang, the people below report that someone from Shanhe Media has gone to the Film Bureau."

Upon hearing this, Wang Changtian immediately perked up and took out his phone to dial.

"Brother Wei, what project is it this time? Don't forget your big brother, haha."

The secretary watched from the side as their chairman spoke on the phone with a face full of smiles; anyone who didn't know better would have thought he was talking to some high-level leader.

A few minutes later, Wang Changtian hung up the phone with a look of joy on his face.

Although Wei Jin emphasized on the phone that this was a low-budget sci-fi film directed by a newcomer, and although the director, Guo Fan, was an unknown Graduate Student from the Beijing Film Academy's Management Department, Wang Changtian was still willing to take a gamble just for the hype of a Wei Jin script; regardless of winning or losing, it was the best opportunity to strengthen their relationship.

What's more, the eye of this kid Wei Jin was famously accurate; Ning Hao, Lu Yang, Wu Ershan, Cao Baoping, and others were all concrete examples.

Wang Changtian believed that Wei Jin wouldn't ruin his own reputation as a gold-medal screenwriter, so he would just follow along blindly.

Withdrawing his thoughts, Wang Changtian immediately spoke to the secretary.

"We've taken this project. It's a three-million investment; go notify President Li and have her go over to handle the coordination."

"Understood, Chairman Wang."

After finishing the day's work, Wei Jin took the time to visit Liu Yifei; he hadn't "flipped the little girl's name tag" in nearly a month.

Just as he entered the villa, he saw Liu Yifei and Shu Chang chatting happily in the garden, with a quiet little girl sitting to the side—it was the one who played Xiao Nezha.

"What are you chatting about?"

Hearing Wei Jin's voice, Liu Yifei was pleasantly surprised; without caring about Shu Chang or Xiao Nezha, she threw herself directly into the man's embrace.

"Brother, why are you here? Changchang and I were just chatting about things in our class group chat."

"Oh? Is there anything fun going on?"

Wei Jin pulled the young girl onto his lap, looked up at Shu Chang and the other, and noticed the latter looked a bit unnatural.

"It's nothing much, just that Yan Yan suggested going to visit the set of Luo Jin's new drama."

Wei Jin nodded; he then remembered that Liu Yifei and Luo Jin were classmates.

"Is it that *Gone with the Wind*? I heard it started filming at the end of last month."

"Hm? You know about it too, Brother?"

Looking at Liu Yifei's slightly silly expression, Wei Jin pinched her pretty face.

"What are you saying? He is an artist at my company; how could I not know?"

"I know that, of course, but aren't you managing too much? Do you really know the arrangements for so many artists?"

"That's not it, it's just that I happened to know he took this role."

Wei Jin then began to explain.

Perhaps to return to his identity as an actor as soon as possible, Luo Jin hurriedly took on this drama after finishing the recording for this season of *Keep Running*. At first, the production team intended to give him the second male lead, and Luo Jin himself agreed to it; after all, in dramas from Shanhe Media, he had always played the second male lead.

But how could Zhang Xu agree? Don't look at Luo Jin as not being the most prominent among the company's artists, but with the boost from *Keep Running*, his national popularity was in no way inferior to the popular young actors in the country.

So Zhang Xu took action personally and clearly told the production team that unless it was the first male lead, Luo Jin would not appear in it.

Perhaps the production team also considered Luo Jin's level of popularity, or perhaps they wanted to build a good relationship with Shanhe Media, so they finally agreed to this proposal.

It is worth mentioning that the female lead of this drama happened to be Tang Yan.

When he learned about this from Zhang Xu, Wei Jin also had to sigh that fate is truly mysterious; perhaps their good relationship started right here? "So that's how it is."

After listening to Wei Jin's explanation, Liu Yifei and Shu Chang nodded, then looked at each other, thought of a question, and asked in unison.

"Then what about the originally scheduled male lead?"

"What else could happen? He'll play the second male lead."

Wei Jin did not shy away; regardless of status or background, the originally scheduled Hong Kong artist could not compare to Luo Jin and had to swallow his pride. Such things are too common in the industry.

"That's true, it's good to have a background."

Listening to Shu Chang's sigh, Wei Jin remembered something.

"By the way, how did you get into the 2002 acting class group?"

"Ah?"

Being asked out of the blue, Shu Chang was a bit stunned, then began to explain.

"Xixi and I attended class reunions several times, so they just pulled me into the group."

Speaking of this, Shu Chang pulled Xiao Nezha over to introduce her to Wei Jin.

"Director Wei, I almost forgot to introduce you; this is my cousin."

Then she turned her head toward the young girl, "Zu Er, hurry and greet him."

"Brother Wei Jin, hello."

The young girl gave a sweet smile and acted very politely.

"Hello."

Wei Jin nodded in response; no matter what the future holds, she is still just a child right now.

After a few pleasantries, Shu Chang tactfully took Xiao Nezha and said goodbye.

Seeing the third wheel leave, Liu Yifei decisively pulled Wei Jin into the house and headed straight for the second floor.

On the snow-white bed, a pair of people were rising and falling rhythmically.

The cyclical movements continued for who knows how long, until at a certain moment, the two embraced each other tightly.

Sensing that the girl in his arms was no longer twitching slightly, Wei Jin knew she had descended from the clouds, then rolled over and leaned against the headboard.

"Ah, it leaked onto the bed."

The young girl exclaimed while grabbing paper to deal with the traces, then took the opportunity to lower her head and clean the man up.

Before long, Liu Yifei, having finished the cleanup, began to lie on Wei Jin's chest, enjoying their time together.

"By the way, Yifei, why did Shu Chang bring that child over today?"

Hearing this, Liu Yifei looked up at the man and did not hide it.

"Brother, Changchang wanted to secure an audition opportunity for that girl."

Wei Jin understood immediately; as expected, it was for that young actress.

"Was it Shu Chang's idea, or did that family egg her on to come?"

"Hm... probably a bit of both."

Liu Yifei thought for a moment and answered; honestly, she didn't have any ill feelings toward that child.

It was just that when they were together, she felt she was too mature, lacking any of a child's innocence and playfulness, as if she had been instilled with worldly-wise thoughts from a young age, making her seem a bit snobbish.

"Brother, do you think she is suitable?"

"Hm... looking purely at her appearance, she is quite suitable. Tell Shu Chang to bring her along when the audition happens."

Xiao Nezha was born in '98; her age and height were quite suitable for playing the young female lead. It was just an audition opportunity anyway, so Wei Jin naturally wouldn't refuse Liu Yifei's request.

But whether she could seize the opportunity in the end would depend on the audition.

But this did not affect Wei Jin asking for a favor; his hands wandered over the girl's delicate body, his face wearing a playful expression.

"Yifei, this time it's for your sake; don't you plan to show some appreciation?"

As he spoke, Wei Jin's hands began to knead; the perky buttocks, toned from long-term exercise, indeed felt excellent.

"Mm~~ Brother, how do you want me to show it?"

Facing the man's teasing, the little flame in Liu Yifei's heart began to burn again; after all, she had been "vacant" for almost a month, and heaven knows how she had managed to endure it.

She swore that from now on, she would never again say anything about telling men not to come; singing and dancing every night was the true way to go.

Thinking of this, without waiting for the man to answer, Liu Yifei took the initiative to move downward, parted her red lips, and cheered Wei Jin on.

"Mm, Yifei is truly sensible."

While stroking the girl's hair, Wei Jin uttered his praise.

It had to be said that long-term development had been highly effective; Liu Yifei's skills were becoming increasingly proficient.

After a moment's work, the young girl rose and sat in the card-playing position, beginning to take the initiative to play her cards.

Very soon, the rhythmic sound of card-playing echoed in the room—just as Wei Jin and Liu Yifei were caught up in their passionate encounter, the headlines of major portal websites were refreshed.

"Lasting 18 days, the ensemble crime action blockbuster 'The Thieves' has raked in 1.019 billion in box office, setting a new record for domestic films!"

"With daily box office still over 25 million, 'The Thieves' breaking the record for reclaiming the box office championship from 'Avatar' is inevitable."

"'The Thieves' has been in theaters for 18 days, with a global box office of 258 million USD!"

"According to official CJ data, the number of viewers in South Korea has already exceeded 6.82 million, successfully topping the annual list for all of South Korea."

In an instant, the entire industry was completely boiling over!

Although there had been a premonition, the fact that 'The Thieves' broke 1 billion in just 18 days was still unimaginable to the industry.

One must know that 'Passengers' breaking 1 billion was due to the bonus of an extended run, but this time, 'The Thieves' broke through purely on its own strength.

More crucially, the film still had a full dozen or so days left in its theatrical run!

Would it really, as the media reported, directly move away the great mountain that was 'Avatar'? After the shock came joy and excitement! Looking back at Wei Jin's successive feats of breaking box office records, the industry discovered that each time, he raised the box office range for domestic films by quite a lot.

Starting with 'Painted Skin', a large number of films entered the 100-million era.

Starting with 'The Martian', domestic films ushered in the 300-million box office era.

Starting with 'Passengers', domestic films stepped into the 500-million era.

Then, after 'The Thieves', will there still be 1-billion box office films and directors appearing in the market?

The answer is affirmative!

The next day, even the Film Bureau personally entered the fray and issued a press release:

"Congratulations to 'The Thieves' for breaking 1 billion in box office; congratulations to the domestic film industry for truly stepping into the 1-billion box office era!"

All filmmakers began to look forward to the day 'The Thieves' moves away the great mountain! (End of this chapter)