Chapter 410: Qipao Assassin, Blacklisting Yang Mi

Perhaps it was because the reversal of the previous "Stabbing Sect" incident came too quickly, or perhaps it was because Wei Jin's "Let the Bullets Fly" argument had struck a chord with the public.

Most celebrities and artists did not immediately take sides, and netizens were mostly watching from the sidelines and making jokes.

Some netizens even suggested letting Zhen Zidan and Zhao Wenzhuo have a fight, and whoever won would be the one to listen to.

Believe it or not, this suggestion gained the approval of many netizens; after all, both were martial arts actors, and using their fists to speak was absolutely fine.

That was until Shu Qi appeared.

She wrote a short essay, supporting and assisting Zhen Zidan without any concealment.

"Zidan is a person who is extremely dedicated and loves his work. He is serious about everything, just wanting to present every frame perfectly to the audience, doing his role well, and making the film well. Moreover, he is a great big brother, a great actor, and a great man without any complaints. I believe it is absolutely not his problem!"

Subsequently, a large number of Hong Kong and Taiwan stars and artists began to weigh in, strongly supporting Zhen Zidan. Wang Jing, Wong Pak-ming, Chen Kexin and his wife, and Ren Dahua followed suit. By comparison, the reaction from Mainland China stars and artists was a bit slower, but they immediately followed up as well.

Although Yang Mi was filming in Seattle, she also directly supported Zhao Wenzhuo on Weibo.

"I have worked with Brother Zhuo on 'Dawangdang', and I believe in his character!"

As a veteran senior among Hong Kong actors, Hong Jinbao also accepted an interview with reporters.

"You can do it, keep it up. Some people are just so famous that their brains have gone numb."

Although he did not say it explicitly, everyone knew that Hong Jinbao was supporting Zhao Wenzhuo.

Afterwards, many Mainland and Hong Kong artists began to follow suit. Qin Lan, Zuo Xiaoqing, Xu Jiao, Eason Chan—the entire entertainment industry was arguing incessantly.

Time entered mid-March, and the Film Bureau announced a new batch of approved scripts, with "Left Ear", "Hidden in the Dust", and "Big Shot" prominently on the list.

A total of three scripts meant that shortly after the New Year, Shanhe Media was about to launch new projects again. The media naturally scrambled to report on it, and the circle suddenly became lively.

The situation with "Left Ear" did not attract much attention from the industry; after all, it was a transition work for a TV drama director. Although it was adapted from a bestseller, the investment was not large, and the prospects were not clear.

But "Hidden in the Dust" and "Big Shot" were different.

The former was a script by Wei Jin, an award-chasing film directed by Zhang Yimou himself, and many actors with a thirst for awards were looking forward to it.

The latter was a new film by Wei Jin, the number one person in domestic films and the holder of box office records; it could be said that no one in the circle did not want to act in it.

And what was rare was that, according to the script, the female lead did not have many scenes, so most likely those Jin Girls would not be appearing, which meant there was a high possibility of auditions.

It didn't keep everyone waiting too long; Shanhe Media released the project information for "Hidden in the Dust" at the first opportunity.

When they saw that the male and female leads had already been decided, who knew how many people sighed in frustration.

"Zhang Yimou just joined Shanhe Media, how did he learn this trick of internal appointments?"

"I admit that Ceng Li and He Bing are both good actors, but to just decide it like this, isn't it too hasty?"

"Now we can only see if Wei Jin's film will have open casting, but it feels very difficult..."

Unlike the actors who were concerned, industry companies were more eager to participate in Wei Jin's projects; after all, in terms of money-making ability, there was no one in the circle who could surpass him.

Wei Jin became busy in an instant, with several companies he frequently collaborated with calling one after another.

China Film Group, Wanda, Enlight Media, Bona, Huayi, Emperor Group, Shanghai Film Group, Western Film Group... even LeTV, Xiaoma, and Stellar Mega wanted a piece of the pie.

But Wei Jin's project didn't need so many people, so in the end, he only picked China Film Group and Wanda, and politely declined all the others.

After ending the phone bombardment, Wei Jin called for Chen Zhiming.

"Lao Chen, get the detailed budget done as soon as possible. Also, the preliminary preparations can begin."

"Alright, President Wei."

Chen Zhiming nodded, then asked a question.

"By the way, President Wei, should your director's fee be included?"

"Include it, try to make the cost over 100 million."

Wei Jin didn't say this to cheat the other investors, but just to meet the investment cost agreed upon with the theater chains and get a higher box office share.

"Good, I'll get right on it."

After sending Chen Zhiming away, Wei Jin paid attention to the news online and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh.

Just yesterday, Mainland director Tan Bing held a press conference; he was the original screenwriter and director of "Ultimate Decoding".

The content of the press conference was to denounce the "Special Identity" crew, or rather, the spearhead was pointed directly at Zhen Zidan and Lei Yaoliang.

Tan Bing detailed the relationship between "Ultimate Decoding" and "Special Identity", claiming: "The Hong Kong production team bullied Mainland filmmakers, forcibly snatched script ideas, and occupied the film project."

At this moment, not only was the internet in an uproar, but the entire circle was in chaos.

If the previous "Zhen-Zhao Dispute" was just a clash of connections between two action actors, it had now escalated into a direct confrontation between the Mainland film and television circle and the Hong Kong/Taiwan film and television circle.

This was no longer a simple question of "standing with Zhen" or "standing with Zhao", but a question of stance!

Things had really blown up! In the evening, Wei Jin returned to the Yanjiao Villa.

As expected, the virtuous and motherly beauty had long since prepared dinner, waiting for Wei Jin's return.

After dinner, Wei Jin played with Dudu for a while, then gave the little girl a bath and told her a bedtime story.

Approaching 9 o'clock, seeing that Dudu had finally fallen asleep, Wei Jin tiptoed to turn off the light and exited the room.

Returning to the living room, he saw Ceng Li watching TV. He glanced at it, but Wei Jin had no idea what show it was.

"Li Jie, what are you watching?"

As he spoke, Wei Jin sat directly beside the beauty, reaching out to wrap his arms around her slender yet slightly fleshy waist.

"'Hawthorn Tree Forever'."

Ceng Li leaned into Wei Jin's arms, finding a comfortable position.

"Hmm? It was made into a TV drama? How did you think of watching this?"

Lightly sniffing the beauty's hair, Wei Jin asked.

"Oh, I met a student from the Central Academy of Drama at the People's Art Theatre today. We chatted for a bit, and she recommended it to me..."

Speaking of this, Ceng Li paused, then pointed to the TV screen and added, "Look, this girl, she's from the 06 class of the Central Academy of Drama, and she's my fellow townsman too..."

Wei Jin looked up, and good heavens, wasn't this Song Tie, known in the industry as the "Qipao Assassin"? He then became confused again.

"Li Jie, what were you doing at the People's Art Theatre?"

"Oh, wasn't I pondering the script recently? I thought I'd discuss it with He Bing, so I went to find him. It just so happened they had a performance, so I watched one. This girl's performance is quite spirited, so I chatted a bit more after it ended."

Wei Jin nodded. Ceng Li was still very responsible when it came to films; the crew was still in preparation, and she was already discussing roles with the actors she would be playing opposite. Besides, Song Tie's acting skills were indeed quite good among those born after 1985. Yu Manli in *The Disguiser* had left a deep impression on him, but then a doubt arose.

"Li Jie, are you saying this girl is participating in a People's Art Theatre performance? Is she with the People's Art Theatre? I remember she already appeared in *New Dream of the Red Chamber*. What, didn't she sign with a company?"

Ceng Li smiled upon hearing this, "This girl's family background is quite good. They don't want her mixing in the entertainment industry and only agreed to her being affiliated with the People's Art Theatre. According to her, they've been urging her to go home, get married, and have children during this time."

"These parents are sensible people."

"Yes, but because of this, she has also missed many opportunities. If she wants to become famous, I'm afraid it will be difficult."

Ceng Li was now a parent herself, so how could she not know the filth of the entertainment industry? It was just that seeing a good seedling being buried made her feel unbearable, so she rose from Wei Jin's shoulder and said, "Xiao Jin, if there's an opportunity, you could consider her."

"Mm, no problem."

Wei Jin nodded. He was quite appreciative of this girl.

Only, he didn't expect this prompt answer to make Li Jie suspicious instead. Her large eyes rolled around, "Xiao Jin, you wouldn't have taken a fancy to the little girl, would you?"

Wei Jin cried out that he was wronged, "My Li Jie, I only watched her for a while on TV and haven't even met her in person. What kind of thoughts could I have? Why have you become like Yuan Yuanjie?"

Ceng Li also seemed to feel she had been a bit extreme, and her exquisite, pretty face couldn't help but flush red.

"I was just saying."

The shyness of a mature woman made Wei Jin's index finger twitch. He unconsciously stretched out his devilish hand, grasping the 'big orange' through her silk pajamas.

"Li Jie, your suspicion just now caused great trauma to my young heart. Now, how are you going to compensate me, hmm?"

How could Ceng Li not understand the thoughts of the handsome young man before her? She bit her red lips lightly and cast a flirtatious glance.

"What do you want to do? Can a weak woman like me resist?"

Good heavens, his sister was getting better and better at playing around. Seeing this, Wei Jin kissed her without hesitation, and his hands didn't fall behind either.

In no time at all, Ceng Li was like an egg that had been peeled, smooth, tender, and fair, exposed to the air without reservation.

That night, the sofa in the Yanjiao Villa suffered a great deal. The next day, Wei Jin arrived at the company feeling refreshed.

Just as he reached the front desk, he heard Zhang Wen and another young girl chattering about gossip again.

"What are you talking about? Let me be happy too?"

The sudden voice gave the two a start, but seeing Wei Jin's smiling appearance, he seemed to be in a good mood, and the heart Zhang Wen had been holding in her throat couldn't help but drop.

"President Wei, if you knew this gossip, I'm afraid you wouldn't be happy."

Wei Jin became interested upon hearing this, "Oh? What do you mean?"

"Last night, someone from Hong Kong called out to ban those Mainland China artists who spoke up for Zhao Wenzhuo, and Yang Mi is among them."

These words from Zhang Wen caused Wei Jin's brain to crash instantly.

Ban Yang Mi? Has the Hong Kong Circle lost its mind? Yang Mi hasn't even worked in the Hong Kong Circle; what the hell are they banning her for?

Or do they think their hands are long enough to reach into Mainland China to ban Starry Sky Culture's artists? Is this trying to bully me for having dull blades? Do they really think it's ten years ago? "What about the Hong Kong actors who spoke up?"

"Uh, they didn't mention them."

"Tsk tsk, this is really double-standard as hell."

Shaking his head, Wei Jin said no more and walked straight toward his office.

Watching Wei Jin's retreating back, Zhang Wen felt a bit regretful; she had thought she would see her boss show off his power again.

Does the Hong Kong Circle have the ability to ban Yang Mi? The answer is, of course, no.

Then why would they shout such slogans? Actually, it's not hard to understand; it's nothing more than still being immersed in past glories.

It's the same logic as children fighting; seeing they are about to lose, they shout, "I know so-and-so," or "I'll call so-and-so to teach you a lesson."

Strictly speaking, it's just empty talk. Within the circle, even Yang Mi herself probably wouldn't take it to heart.

But that doesn't stop Wei Jin from being a petty person.

He hadn't intended to participate in this "Zhen-Zhao Dispute" because, in terms of right and wrong, the matter couldn't be clearly untangled, but since the Hong Kong Circle wants to keep yapping, then he'll give them a taste of their own medicine.

Entering the office, Wei Jin called Lu Yang, but he didn't expect this guy to still be sleeping in.

After a round of criticism over the phone, Lu Yang arrived at Wei Jin's office around ten o'clock.

"Senior brother, what's the matter, so early?"

Looking at this guy in a T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops, Wei Jin said irritably, "I called you over to tell you that for the righteous character in *Kung Fu Hustle*, I plan to invite Zhao Wenzhuo. What do you think?"

Honestly, Wei Jin could have decided on casting entirely on his own, but since it was Lu Yang's project, basic respect had to be shown.

"Just from the perspective of appearance and martial arts skills, there's definitely no problem."

Lu Yang had previously served as the Executive Director of *Brotherhood of Blades* and had witnessed Zhao Wenzhuo's skills. Hearing this, he compared it to the image of Xiahou Wu in his mind and didn't raise any objections, but then he became a bit puzzled.

"But senior brother, didn't you say to let the bullets fly for a while? What if..."

"Let them fly my ass. Yang Mi just posted a Weibo and was clamored to be banned by the Hong Kong media. If I don't give them a taste of their own medicine, this group of people probably won't see the situation clearly."

"Besides, compared to Zhen Zidan, I am more willing to trust Zhao Wenzhuo's character. Furthermore, do I need to seek their opinion on what actors to use?"

Seeing Wei Jin's firm attitude, Lu Yang had no objections. In fact, he was quite fond of Zhao Wenzhuo playing this role, so he nodded.

"Alright, senior brother, I'll listen to you."

"Fine, hurry up and get the storyboard done. Don't sleep in every single day. Get out of here."

After dismissing Lu Yang, Wei Jin fell into deep thought. Regarding this decision, he was not acting on impulse.

The "Zhen-Zhao Dispute" is different from the "Stabbing Sect" incident; the latter was about right and wrong, while the former is about stance.

Currently, no film and television company in Mainland China has come out to speak up because everyone is afraid of intensifying the incident and causing the higher-ups to intervene and slap them with a label of "affecting unity."

But Wei Jin is merely inviting Zhao Wenzhuo to appear in a film; he is neither targeting the Hong Kong Circle nor banning anyone. Plus, it's a Golden Harvest project, so no one can find fault with it.

Withdrawing his thoughts, Wei Jin was just about to draw the storyboard for *Big Shot* when his phone rang unexpectedly.

Looking at the caller ID, Wei Jin was a bit puzzled. Didn't they talk on the phone just a few days ago?

"Hello, President Shi?"

"President Wei, something has happened."

(End of chapter)