Chapter 433: Wei Jin, Try Acting with Her

Time has entered the latter part of November.

In the film market, *Tai Chi 2* has completely fizzled out.

After three weeks of release, the box office has barely crossed 70 million, and the single-day box office has already fallen below one million.

Huayi has already decisively given up, focusing entirely on preparing for the premiere of *1942*, while also building momentum for *Chinese Zodiac*.

"Everyone knows that Cheng Long is a legend among Chinese filmmakers. Any film he participates in signifies a classic. This New Year Slot, *Chinese Zodiac* will surely bring everyone unparalleled surprises!"

People in the industry are joking that when it comes to ability, Wang Zhonglei might not rank high, but when it comes to having a thick skin, he is definitely in the top three.

To think he just acted like a turncoat and then carried on as if nothing happened—who can compare to that?

Just at this time, the first blockbuster of the New Year Slot, and also the last Hollywood blockbuster of the year, *Life of Pi*, was released.

Judging from the data released by the cinema chains, with all other films performing poorly, the screening rate for Li An's *Life of Pi* is as high as 35%, which is quite astonishing.

What amazes the industry most is that even with such a high screening rate, the film is still hard to get tickets for, especially the IMAX auditoriums, which actually have long lines on weekdays.

Everyone in the industry has a premonition that once the first-day box office and word-of-mouth come out tomorrow, the box office for *Life of Pi* might soar, and the screening rate will rise further.

One must know that the New Year Slot is a battlefield, and the competition is quite fierce; films of poor quality can hardly survive.

And a head film like *Life of Pi* will create a strong siphon effect, leaving absolutely no room for other trash films to survive.

As for Wei Jin, he set off just three days before the awards ceremony.

The rest of the crew had no objections to this.

Whether it was Xu Yajun, Jiang Shan, or Zhang Songwen, they all belong to the low-key, powerful actor type and do not seek exposure on the red carpet.

As for Bai Yu and Jing Tian, both are still filming with the crew and simply do not have that much time to waste on the red carpet.

After noon, the group arrived at the airport, and the reporters lying in wait instantly surrounded them.

"Director Wei, are you confident about the Golden Horse Awards this time?"

"Man proposes, God disposes," Wei Jin responded with a smile.

"Teacher Jiang Shan, what about you? You have won the Feitian Award, the Huading Award Award Award Award Award Award for Best Actress, and the Best Supporting Actress award at the Shanghai International Film Festival. Are you confident this time?"

"Hmm, if I get it, it is my fortune; if I lose it, it is my fate. Let everything follow its course, hehe."

"Teacher Zhang Songwen, you are going to the Golden Horse this time..."

After dealing with the long-winded reporters, the group quickened their pace and walked inside.

Because many pedestrians had gathered around, wanting autographs and photos, it would be a bit bad if they blocked the way here.

On the private jet, Wei Jin admired the scenery outside the window; the weather was indeed quite good.

After the initial shock, the main creators came back to their senses and began to chat; after all, it was a three-hour journey, so there was no need to rest.

"Xiaobai, how is the filming of *About Time* going? It's been almost a month, right?"

As the company's training teacher, Zhang Songwen was quite familiar with Bai Yu, so he asked curiously at this moment.

"Teacher Zhang, we are only about halfway through filming."

"How does it feel?"

"Not bad, the script is quite good. First love, Precious—my character has quite good luck with women, haha."

"Not bad, then you must seize the opportunity; perhaps among the actors you're working with, there is someone suitable for you."

Bringing up this topic, Jiang Shan instantly perked up; after all, those in the know understand that playing matchmaker is almost an instinct for middle-aged women.

"Hehe, teachers, you don't know yet, but this kid, last time he went to the Beijing Film Academy for promotion, he caught the eye of a girl..."

"Really? Boss Wei?"

Zhang Songwen and Xu Yajun, two men with thick eyebrows and big eyes, also perked up.

"I don't know if they have confirmed their relationship yet, but I heard from Guo Fan that the little girl often comes to visit the set."

After Wei Jin finished speaking, he teased the somewhat embarrassed Bai Yu: "Right, Xiaobai?"

"It's not like that, Boss Wei. She is a friend who came to visit the set of *iPartment 3*."

"Oh? If you say that, then I know who it is. A Beijing Film Academy graduate, visiting the set of *iPartment 3* actors, hahaha."

"Xiaobai, you've confessed without being asked, haha."

Not only did Wei Jin laugh, but Xu Yajun and Zhang Songwen followed suit, and Jiang Shan even had a motherly smile on her face.

In the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, three hours passed quickly, and the plane landed.

The group of ten or so people pushed their suitcases and walked out of the airport.

This was Wei Jin's second time coming here; the first time was 6 years ago, when he won Best Film and Best Actress here.

"Hello, Boss Wei."

Following the sound of the call, Wei Jin saw the staff members the company had sent over in advance.

After the group converged, nearly 20 people marched imposingly out of the airport, where six of the latest Mercedes 350s stood like loyal guards.

After the group got into the cars, they headed straight for Yilan, Taiwan—the host location for this Golden Horse.

At this time, some local media near the airport seemed not to have reacted yet, only seeing some Mainland China counterparts with their shutters flying.

"Which big tycoon from the Mainland was that just now?"

"You're ignorant. That is the Palme d'Or and Golden Bear winner, the Oscar-winning director Wei Jin and members of the *Bottom-Tier Girl* crew."

The Sina reporter on the side was popularizing science while complaining about the Taiwan counterparts.

In no time at all, the media reports appeared on the internet.

"Mainland director Wei Jin arrives at the Golden Horse today, bringing the four leads of the *Bottom-Tier Girl* crew!"

"Due to filming commitments, the lead actress of *Bottom-Tier Girl*, Jing Tian, was unable to accompany them..."

Wei Jin was still in the car when he received a call.

"Hua Ge, I just landed and your call came in. You're very well-informed, haha."

"Haha, there are quite a few reporters at the airport, so whoever comes can't escape. But you've come a bit late this time; according to the rules, I have no way to host you..."

"Isn't that being too polite, Hua Ge?"

Wei Jin understood perfectly; after the opening ceremony, as a member of the Pingshutuan, one was not allowed to meet with nominees in private and had to wait until the afternoon of the closing ceremony.

"However, Li Dao An has already prepared a welcome banquet at the hotel to greet you on my behalf."

"Then many thanks to Hua Ge for the arrangements."

Not long after hanging up the phone, the motorcade arrived in Yilan County, and through the window, Wei Jin could already see a large number of film festival promotional posters and banners.

The motorcade stopped at the hotel entrance, and Wei Jin and his party got out, meeting Li An head-on, with many industry insiders and media reporters from Taiwan nearby.

"Welcome, Director Wei and everyone, to the Golden Horse, you've had a long journey."

Many reporters only then suddenly realized that someone who could make Li An come to greet them in person was truly no ordinary person.

It turned out to be the youngest Palme d'Or and Golden Bear winner from Mainland China, a great Oscar-winning director, and a hegemon of the Mainland entertainment industry. "Li Dao, you are too polite."

Wei Jin greeted him, and the subsequent crew members also offered their regards.

"Director Wei, let's go; many peers here are waiting to catch a glimpse of your demeanor." Li An offered a moderate compliment.

"I'll follow the host's lead; today I'll listen to Li Dao's arrangements, haha."

At the welcome banquet, glasses clinked, and it was exceptionally lively.

Li An, sitting in the seat of honor, raised his glass.

"This toast is to wish Director Wei and all the friends who have received nominations a bountiful harvest at the awards ceremony in a few days!"

Wei Jin also raised his glass and responded with a smile: "Thank you, Li Dao, I am also looking forward to it."

The rest of the group also raised their glasses in thanks.

Originally thinking it would just be casual chatting and reminiscing, he didn't expect Li An to bring up an unexpected topic.

"The organizing committee found me a few days ago; barring any accidents, I will be the chairman of the Golden Horse Awards Pingshutuan next year."

"Oh? Then congratulations to Li Dao in advance."

After Wei Jin offered his congratulations, the others followed suit in unison.

"Congratulations, Li Dao."

Li An looked at Wei Jin with a smile: "Director Wei, if there are suitable works next year, I hope you will continue to support us. Of course, if not, why not come and be an award presenter for once?"

These words left Wei Jin not knowing what to say for a moment; after a pause, he shook his head and laughed: "Li Dao, whether it's competing or presenting, the time is too far off; I can't promise anything for now, please forgive me."

"Haha, that's true, it was my abruptness; let's talk about it next year then."

Li An laughed at himself, then immediately greeted everyone with a smile: "Come, everyone, try this newly served local specialty dish."

"Good, I haven't tasted Taiwan's specialties for many years."

"Then Director Wei should come visit often in the future, haha."

The welcome banquet continued, except for Xiaobai, who had little experience and kept trying various dishes.

The others, such as Wei Jin, Jiang Shan, and Xu Yajun, were all pondering Li An's words just now.

According to Golden Horse custom, most of those invited to be award presenters are winners from the previous year.

The meaning behind Li An's words was worth deep thought.

Just as Wei Jin was pondering this, someone else came over to toast.

"President Wei, hello, long time no see."

"Producer Chai, long time no see, your style remains the same."

The person in front of Wei Jin was none other than Chai Zhiping, who had met him once at Wu Dun's dinner party and was known as the mother of Taiwanese idol dramas.

It was just that because of gender reasons, she hadn't participated in the subsequent activities that time.

Come to think of it, Chai Zhiping was a very capable person, having been involved in the film and television entertainment industry since the 80s.

After the new century, she began independent production, successively producing many classic hit idol dramas, such as Meteor Garden, It Started with a Kiss, Corner with Love, and so on.

In recent years, she had also been developing into film production, and that movie Tiny Times was produced by her.

However, Chai Zhiping's greatest talent lay in artist management, especially in being skilled at bringing up young heartthrobs.

The once-popular F4, except for Yan Chenxu who had a slight connection to the entertainment industry, were all amateurs.

Zhou Yuming was a young man who came to accompany a friend to an audition; Wu Jianhao was a fitness coach; Zhu Xiaotian was even worse, just a barbecue seller.

As a result, after her creation, they swept across all of Asia.

Wei Jin was also skilled at promoting people, arguably the biggest backer in the Mainland entertainment industry, professionally helping actresses soar.

In recent years, almost all the up-and-coming young actresses in the Mainland had intricate connections with him, including the hottest new generation star from Hong Kong, Wen Yongshan.

So, what this Taiwanese idol godmother wanted was self-evident.

As expected, after the pleasantries, Chai Zhiping began to introduce the two artists behind her.

"President Wei, these are our company's artists, Chen Bolin and Ke Jiayan."

"President Wei, hello." X2 "Hmm, hello to you both."

Chen Bolin had collaborated with Fan Bingbing on Guanyin Mountain and had also starred in the influential Taiwanese idol drama In Time with You, so he was not exactly an unknown in the entertainment industry.

As for the fresh-faced beauty next to him, the more Wei Jin looked at her, the more familiar she seemed, so he tentatively asked: "Are you the lead actress of Monga?"

"Director Wei, have you seen it too?"

Ke Jiayan was a bit excited; she had been in the industry for many years and only had this one notable work, never expecting that this handsome Mainland director and billionaire in front of her had actually seen it.

"Hehe, I still pay attention to the winning films of the Golden Horse Awards."

This movie Monga was the one that caused a stir when Ning Hao came to present an award back then, with Taiwan forcibly pushing Ruan Jingtian to become the Best Actor.

At the time, out of curiosity, Wei Jin had watched it and had a slight impression of the lead actress.

Chai Zhiping, seeing that Wei Jin seemed interested, hurriedly pulled Ke Jiayan over.

"President Wei, little Ke is quite hardworking, and her acting is good. If there's a suitable role, you should try her out; she has an open schedule at any time and doesn't need a fee."

When Chai Zhiping spoke, a look of reminiscence seemed to flash in her eyes; when they first met, Wei Jin could only be considered a rising star in the Mainland.

Yet who could have imagined that in just a few short years, the man before her would start from nothing to build a massive entertainment empire, achieving numerous successes in commercial box office and award honors, undergoing a magnificent transformation into the undisputed hegemon of the domestic entertainment industry.

For Chai Zhiping, if she could connect with Wei Jin through an artist, it would be a very worthwhile deal.

"Producer Chai is too kind; if there is an opportunity, certainly."

Wei Jin pretended not to understand the hint and nodded perfunctorily.

Honestly, this girl's performance in *Monga* was passable, but her appearance lacked distinct features, making it very difficult for her to become popular.

As for her figure and such, it was not the type Wei Jin favored, so there was absolutely no need to spend any effort.

The welcome banquet ended after eight o'clock in the evening, and after declining Chai Zhiping's invitation for the next round, Wei Jin returned to his hotel room.

Just as he opened the door, a fragrant breeze rushed toward him; it was Wen Yongshan, who had already bathed, changed, and been waiting for a long time.

That film *The Bullet Vanishes* had also secured several nominations this time, and Wen Yongshan had made plans with Wei Jin early on.

"Wei Sheng, I missed you so much~~"

Having not seen each other for half a year, Wen Yongshan could no longer restrain herself; merely breathing in the man's scent made her feel her body beginning to weep.

"Mm, tonight I will satisfy you well."

As he spoke, Wei Jin had already untied the girl's bathrobe, his hands beginning to roam over her fiery, delicate body.

(End of this chapter)