Chapter 387: Nazar is Always Prepared

By mid-January, the news of Zhang Yimou's signing hadn't even lasted two days before it was dominated by another headline.

Following Wei Jin, the country's second billion-yuan director has been born!

"Mojin: The Lost Legend has been in theaters for 27 days, with a box office of 1.08 billion yuan. Director Wu Ershan has successfully joined the Billion Director Club!"

"Mojin: The Lost Legend's bet has succeeded; Shanhe Media's share of the box office has reached 46%, setting a domestic precedent!"

"Director Wu Ershan, who previously directed the film Soap Opera, won the International Critics' Award at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea, as well as the Best Director award at the Geneva International Film Festival in Switzerland, and subsequently directed..."

Major web portals, Weibo, and other media were flooded with reports about Mojin: The Lost Legend and Wu Ershan.

Even Beijing Film Academy joined in on the excitement, posting a brief profile of Wu Ershan directly on their official website.

"Director Wu Ershan is an outstanding graduate of our school's 1994 Director Department, and his representative works include..."

Shanhe Media also posted congratulations on Weibo, with many of their artists following suit; after all, a billion-yuan director is incredibly attractive to artists.

Having just finished the roadshow and arrived at Shanhe Building, Xu Laoguai felt a sudden sense of urgency as he looked at the company's Weibo post.

Although his box office numbers hadn't been particularly dazzling before, he could at least hold his own as a member of the Million Club, and with his seniority, he considered himself the top general of Shanhe Media.

But now, with the company having newly signed Zhang Yimou and having a billion-yuan director like Wu Ershan, his position could be described as precarious.

"I can only hope Flying Swords of Dragon Gate continues to soar at the box office."

Pulling his thoughts back, Xu Laoguai walked step by step toward Wei Jin's office with his long, thin legs.

In the office, Wei Jin expressed his satisfaction as he looked at the script Xu Laoguai handed over.

As a boss, he was incredibly happy that his tool man could exercise his own subjective initiative.

After a quick flip-through, Wei Jin gave his answer.

"Director Xu, there are no problems with the script; let's proceed according to this."

Although the Detective Dee series wasn't exactly a massive critical hit, its box office performance was still quite good, and since two years had passed since the first one, it was time to start the sequel.

"Send the script for review first; we'll launch the project once the budget is out."

Wei Jin thought his arrangement was excellent, but he didn't expect that Xu Laoguai had already made preparations.

"Um, President Wei, I've already finished the budget."

Speaking of this, Xu Laoguai laughed at himself.

"Ever since I got back from Cannes last year, I've been pondering the script. In my spare time, I just went ahead and finished the budget, including the storyboards; I've got it all done."

Wei Jin was momentarily choked up; he had forgotten that Xu Laoguai's efficiency wasn't actually bad at all, and he immediately asked, "What's the budget?"

"President Wei, the production cost is 120 million, which includes..."

Having been at Shanhe Media for so many years, Xu Laoguai had gradually adapted to Wei Jin's style—the bonuses you're owed won't be shorted, but for things you aren't owed, it's best not to let your imagination run wild.

So he had been very meticulous with this budget, and he believed that if any other Hong Kong director had done it, it would have at least reached 150 or even 200 million.

Wei Jin had no objections to this figure; he remembered that the box office for Shendu Longwang had exceeded 600 million, so even accounting for marketing costs, breaking even would be no problem at all.

"Good, Director Xu, then you can start the pre-production preparations."

Xu Laoguai nodded, then tentatively asked:

"Then, President Wei, do you have any requirements regarding the cast?"

"It's best to use the original cast for the sequel; as for the other roles, you can ponder those yourself."

"Understood, President Wei. Um, has the Extended Key for Flying Swords of Dragon Gate come down yet?"

Currently, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate had been in theaters for 12 days, with the box office having just broken 500 million, maintaining a daily box office of around 30 million; the goal of 800 million shouldn't be a problem.

But when it came to 1 billion, Xu Laoguai didn't have much confidence.

Yet, since Wu Ershan had already become a billion-yuan director, he also wanted to earn that honor.

Therefore, whether the extension could be successful was truly important to Xu Laoguai.

"There's no news yet, but I estimate the chances are quite high; let's wait a bit longer."

Wei Jin wasn't just offering comfort; not to mention the seven production companies, just the influence of China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group alone meant there likely wouldn't be any major surprises regarding this extension.

"Alright, then let's wait a bit longer."

Just as Wei Jin expected, he received a call from Han Sanping the next day.

"Wei Jin, the extension has been approved, but the Bureau only granted 10 days. Are you confident? If you aren't, I'll apply to Director Tong again; the new key hasn't started production yet anyway."

"Hmm, it shouldn't be a problem; after all, there's still the Spring Festival."

Wei Jin had the answer after a quick calculation; don't let Han Sanping's casual tone fool you, if he really had to re-apply, it would be a huge hassle.

However, Wei Jin estimated that if they were really short by a small amount, the various production companies would likely resort to some underhanded tactics.

Like buying out screenings, or lowering prices, or talking to theater chains about scheduling.

"Alright, I'll listen to you. By the way, Wei Jin, thanks for the matter regarding Jia-nv."

Wei Jin almost couldn't keep up with this sudden leap in thought, then answered with a smile.

"Hey, Chairman Han, why be so polite? She's my junior sister after all, haha."

"Fine, I won't stand on ceremony with you, but did you forget she's a graduate student in the Director Department? You arranged for an executive producer..."

"Chairman Han, you can't blame me for that; my junior sister herself prefers screenwriting and production, and she even said she couldn't take in the classes in the Director Department."

On the other end of the phone, Han Sanping's face grew darker the more he heard.

"No matter how much she likes it, she still needs a graduation project, right? What is she supposed to do with zero experience?"

"Fine, I understand what you mean, Chairman Han. Next time I'll arrange for her to be an executive director, that'll do, right? But I have to tell her it was your idea; you can go deal with the headache yourself, haha."

"Hmph, you think I'm afraid she'll turn the world upside down? Let's leave it at that."

After hanging up, Wei Jin thought about it; since Old Han had some ideas about Lost in Thailand before, arranging for his daughter to join the crew could be considered indirect participation, right? "Haha, I wonder what expression Old Han will have when he finds out."

The seven production companies announced the Film Bureau's document to the public at almost the same time.

"Following an application, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate has received a 10-day extension key!"

Looking at the document with the red seal on Weibo, some companies in the industry felt a sense of relief.

"It's a good thing it's only 10 days; at least a path to survival was left."

"This time, the 1 billion gambling agreement with the theater chains will likely succeed again; the production companies are going to make a killing!"

"Truly, the strong remain strong."

Regarding this, the theater chains silently accepted it, because no matter what, it was a win-win situation.

The happiest were the vast audience and fans; online, the praise was almost one-sided.

"Very good, it shouldn't be hard to buy tickets for the giant screen halls next month."

"I support the extension; maybe the ticket prices will even drop."

On the 14th, Wei Jin attended the premiere of The Viral Factor.

Accompanying him was Nazha. Two days ago, The Palace began airing, with a premiere viewership rating of 1.4.

Although it couldn't compare to Empresses in the Palace and Snow Sword Stride, this result was definitely not bad.

Therefore, Nazha was about to enter the second and third rounds of promotional activities and wouldn't be able to accompany her family during the Spring Festival.

In view of this, Wei Jin, this "sugar daddy," naturally had to make up for her homesickness.

Perhaps because she was too young, Nazha specifically dressed more maturely today, wearing a red tight-fitting dress, with bright red lips and pearly white teeth.

Stepping into a pair of mid-calf white leather boots, paired with high-transparency black silk stockings, she truly had a bit of a mature woman's charm.

"President Wei, welcome and thank you for your support."

Coming to greet him was the beautiful mature woman Huo Wenxi, who currently oversaw all of Emperor Motion Pictures' business in Mainland China.

"Sister Mani, you are too polite; you are still as moving as ever."

"President Wei really knows how to joke; I'm already 40 this year, haha."

Huo Wenxi covered her mouth and laughed, the charm of a mature woman rushing toward him.

"President Wei, would you like to go over and chat?"

Wei Jin took a look; most were directors or artists from the Hong Kong circle, so he shook his head.

Compared to making small talk with people he wasn't familiar with, Wei Jin preferred to chat more with the bright-eyed, pearly-toothed, and charmingly mature woman before him.

Huo Wenxi was also happy to do so; after all, compared to other guests, Wei Jin's importance was definitely number one.

"President Wei, for this year's new projects, please continue to look after Emperor Motion Pictures."

Perhaps seeing that Wei Jin was in a good mood, Huo Wenxi began to harp on the same old tune again. It wasn't her fault, as Emperor Motion Pictures was truly having a hard time this year.

"Sister Mani, when the project launches, I will consider it."

To be honest, the cooperation with Emperor Motion Pictures had always been quite pleasant, but the way Boss Yang invested so lavishly, just counting on Shanhe Media to cover the bottom line, was too unrealistic.

Two days ago, The Great Magician, co-produced by Emperor Motion Pictures and Bona, was released.

This film had an investment of 15 million USD and roped in Liang Chaowei, Citizen Mr. Liu, Zhou Xun, Fang Zhongxin, and others; the cast could be described as quite luxurious.

But the first-day result of less than 20 million was undoubtedly a loud slap in the face to the producers.

You have to know that the animated film Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf, released during the same period, had a first-day box office that broke 20 million.

More importantly, the situation for The Great Magician in Hong Kong was also very bad, with less than one million on the first day.

What did this mean? It meant the Hong Kong market could no longer support the box office. In the past, when cooperating with Emperor Motion Pictures, one could still say it stabilized the Hong Kong market, but now the latter couldn't even produce resources of equal value.

The room for cooperation was truly very small.

Huo Wenxi was also clear about this, so she played the emotional card.

"President Wei, you haven't been to Hong Kong for many years; A Shan has been thinking of you."

"Haha, when I have time, I definitely will."

For this premiere, Emperor Motion Pictures didn't pull too many stunts; after a round of interviews, it reached the film screening segment.

To be honest, in Wei Jin's view, Emperor Motion Pictures had put effort into this film.

Whether it was the 200 million investment, inviting the 400 million action director Lin Chao-xian to join, or the cast composed of Zhou Dong, Xie Feng, and others, it could be called a luxurious big production.

Just now, hearing Huo Wenxi's introduction, this film even went to Jordan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Middle East, and other places to film for the sake of realistic scenes.

Lin Chao-xian just accepted an interview and also stated that for one of the street gunfights in Malaysia, they used over ten thousand rounds of live ammunition alone.

In terms of production, they were indeed very diligent.

Unfortunately, after watching the whole film, Wei Jin shook his head; there were simply too many action scenes, accounting for almost 80% of the runtime, which made one's head ache.

Seeing Wei Jin's slight movement, Nazha, like a curious baby, leaned over and asked in a low voice.

"Boss, are you not optimistic about it?"

"Hmm, Lin Chao-xian pursues big scenes too much, and the story plot seems a bit hollow, as if it's fighting for the sake of fighting. To put it bluntly, the characters aren't established, and I'm afraid it's hard for the audience to empathize."

However, these words were only meant to be said in private. Facing the reporters' interviews, Wei Jin still said some polite things, wishing them a big box office success and so on.

Wei Jin did not participate in the subsequent cocktail party segment; for one, he had quit drinking, and for another, he couldn't chat with the Hong Kong artists.

Bringing Nazha back to Golden House No. 2, the young girl very consciously began to provide service.

As for why it was No. 2, there were simply too many female celebrities craving his body, and Wei Jin had to take good security precautions.

Many female celebrities knew the password to the Golden House, and Wei Jin was afraid of it being exposed one day, so he began to set up more private "cannon rooms." In the future, there would be Golden House No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

"Nazha, are you okay? Do you need a pillow?"

Nazha gently shook her head and made two "woo-woo" sounds, indicating she didn't need one. It seemed the softness of the carpet on the floor was quite good.

"Nazha, you performed well; the next part is a bit heavy."

"Woo-woo~~~"

Nazha had no way to refuse the director's requirements. Although it was a bit difficult, she still caught the director's lens.

Dozens of seconds passed, and just when Nazha felt she couldn't hold on anymore, she felt the boss's warm, large hand patting her face, and a sound like heavenly music reached her ears.

"Nazha, this take is passed; next is time for real combat."

Nazha obediently stood up. Because she had been kneeling for too long, she almost stumbled, but fortunately, the director gently caught her.

Nazha was just about to undress, but the director stopped her.

"Nazha, this outfit is the soul of the character."

As the boss spoke, Nazha felt his large hand gently rest on her back; with a nimble flick of his fingers, she felt a chill at her chest—the fastenings had already been undone.

The boss was truly dexterous and skilled at "understanding" clothes.

Just as this thought popped into Nazha's mind, the man's large hand was already pressing down on her back; without a doubt, it was the rear-entry position again.

Tracing up along the girl's black silk stockings, Wei Jin lifted the hem of her skirt and gave a forceful slap to her beautiful buttocks, which were made even more perky by her high heels.

It had to be said that Nazha understood a man's mind very well; today's black silk stockings were the kind with garters rather than pantyhose, which greatly facilitated Wei Jin in undoing the restraints.

Although this caused Wei Jin to lose the opportunity to listen to the wonderful notes brought about by the tearing of black silk.

After a light caress, Wei Jin prepared to begin the next scene.

"Nazha, are you ready?"

"Boss, Nazha is always ready."

Nazha braced her hands on the bed, shook her raised hips, and nodded to signal.

"Oh~~~"

(End of this chapter)