Chapter 458: It is not that I prefer chrysanthemums among all flowers, but there are no more flowers after this one blooms

Just as Ning Hao said, when the association people inquired at the General Administration and learned that *Bottom-Tier Girl* had indeed been filed and registered to participate in the Golden Horse Awards, confirming the media reports, the persuasion calls came.

These old men knew their relationship with Wei Jin was not good, so they entrusted the school side to act as an intermediary.

What is quite interesting is that the intermediary happened to be Teacher Cao.

Because these old men all knew that their mentor Tian Zhuangzhuang would definitely not help pass the message, and Dean Zhang, who once had a favor to Wei Jin, had already retired, while other teachers such as Jiang Wei, Zhang Jiandong, and others were too lazy to wade into this muddy water.

Only Teacher Cao, who maintains a good relationship with the Golden Rooster and also cooperates happily with Shanhe Media, has this qualification and is willing to make this trip.

However, Teacher Cao was quite straightforward; he got straight to the point and stated first that he was only delivering a message and did not represent his personal opinion.

"Fine, Teacher Cao, I'll give you face, let me hear it first."

"It's like this, they also know that there is no room for maneuver regarding *Bottom-Tier Girl*, but *Once Again* meets the entry standards for next year's Golden Rooster, so they hope you can express your stance."

"Hehe, Teacher Cao, do you think *Once Again* has any hope of winning an award?"

Wei Jin's words directly silenced Cao Baoping; he himself also knew clearly that the Golden Rooster award is not easy to win.

First discuss relationships, then discuss seniority, and finally look at the quality of the film; this set of unspoken rules has stumped many great directors.

As far as Cao Baoping himself is concerned, if it weren't for his background in the academy and his naturally better connections, I'm afraid it wouldn't have been so easy to win an award.

What's more, the subject matter of the film *Once Again* itself makes it not very easy to win awards, and I'm afraid the plans of those old guys are going to fall through.

"Alright then, I've delivered the message anyway, don't blame me."

"Teacher Cao, you are too serious. Let's not mention this; has the casting for the film been completed?"

"Hmm, it's basically decided. I'll come to your office in two days to talk in detail, and we also need to communicate about the shooting schedule and such."

"Good."

Since her birthday, Jing Tian and Gao had taken their assistant and the female bodyguard arranged by Wei Jin, traveling all the way from Shudi into Tibet, detouring through Qinghai, and then rushing to Xiyu; it took more than twenty days, and they finally returned to Beijing.

The moment Wei Jin received the news, he rushed to Dongshanshu.

In the living room, looking at Jing Tian, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, Wei Jin pulled her into his arms, greedily breathing in the young girl's body scent.

Jing Tian didn't speak either, just leaning quietly in Wei Jin's arms, feeling each other's body temperature.

After a long while, Wei Jin reached out to cup the girl's pretty face, looked at it carefully, and felt a bit of heartache.

"Tian Tian, I told you not to go to Xiyu. Look at you, you've tanned."

The skin of the 'Wealthy Flower' is definitely the best among all of Wei Jin's women; now that it's half a shade darker, her aura has dropped a notch.

But Jing Tian didn't care much, rubbing her smooth forehead against his stubble that he hadn't had time to groom, and giggled: "Brother, I'm fine, I'll be better after resting for half a month. You didn't see Gao; she's almost become a piece of charcoal, haha."

"Hmm? Is it that exaggerated?"

"Really, you don't know, she's really so silly."

Jing Tian pulled Wei Jin to sit on the sofa and chatted about what she saw and heard on the road, and the latter also chimed in from time to time, acting as a straight man to her jokes.

But as they chatted, the two leaned closer and closer, and their breathing became heavier and heavier.

Looking at Jing Tian's slightly flushed pretty face, Wei Jin lowered his head and kissed her proactively.

"Mmm."

Tasting the beauty's red lips, Wei Jin became somewhat lost in it.

This kiss didn't stop until both of them were almost unable to breathe. Jing Tian's pretty face was as red as blood, and she pulled Wei Jin straight to the snow-white big bed on the second floor, where a card game was underway.

Jing Tian had a pillow under her lower abdomen, her knees bent at a 60-degree angle, and her thighs slightly parted to the sides; this height was just right for today's card game.

At this moment, Jing Tian was sweating slightly on both sides of her nose, and her exquisite pretty face showed an alluring flush. Her occasionally furrowed brows indicated that she was thinking about tonight's card game; she really couldn't see any hope of winning.

Behind her, Wei Jin had his knees against the edge of the bed, his hands gripping her full and elastic buttocks, playing cards one after another; every time, it made her somewhat unable to resist.

Fortunately, Wei Jin also knew the principle of long-term development and did not drain the pond to catch the fish. When he sensed that the smoothness in his hands was becoming somewhat taut, he decisively played his trump card, forcefully declaring himself the winner of this card game.

And Jing Tian, who lost the game, lay on the bed feeling a bit sad, which could be glimpsed from her constantly twitching delicate body.

The young girl, having recovered her senses, followed the rules of the competition and finished the post-match cleaning work, then lay on Wei Jin's chest, enjoying the lingering charm of the match.

After a long while, Jing Tian seemed to remember something and looked up at Wei Jin's profile.

"Brother, I saw the promotional poster for *Bottom-Tier Girl* at the airport. When will our promotion start?"

"Currently it's just ground promotion. As for the internet, the promotional trailer will be released in a while. The main cast promotion will probably start in the middle of next month."

"Then, Brother, do you think the box office can be higher than *Once Again*?"

Looking at Jing Tian, who was full of desire to win, Wei Jin stroked her head.

"Silly girl, I'm not a god. How can I judge now? If you want better results, then promote it well when the time comes."

"Hmm, I will."

"By the way, Tian Tian, you should know about that project in North America, right?"

"Hmm, Lu Shu told me."

Starlight Splendid is one of Wanda's shareholders; it was expected that Lu Zheng would get the first-hand news, but the fact that the young girl hadn't spoken up for such a long time really made one feel pity.

At this thought, Wei Jin had the answer in his heart.

"Tian Tian, I have already secured the female lead for this film. With your status, there is definitely no problem. Are you willing to take it?"

"Hmm, Brother, I'll listen to you."

Wei Jin looked at the girl's obedient appearance, a playful look appeared on his face, and his large hand slid down from her beautiful buttocks to the middle.

"Tian Tian, tonight I want this little flower."

Jing Tian bit her red lips and nodded gently, "Hmm, Brother, I'll give it all to you."

As the saying goes: It is not that I prefer chrysanthemums among all flowers, but there are no more flowers after this one blooms. As the second weekend of August ended, the film market could be described as having the banners changing constantly.

The newly released *The White Storm* performed quite strongly, with a first-day box office of 28.8 million, successfully carrying the banner for Chinese-language films.

Over the first three days of the weekend, it raked in 88.6 million, which was much sharper than the first week of *Storm*.

The media reports were overwhelming.

"The classic Hong Kong police-crime film *The White Storm*, with a first-week box office approaching the 90 million mark, strongly takes over the Summer Slot!"

"A 500-million-yuan director Chen Musheng's latest masterpiece, a gluttonous feast of justice and evil, fate and choice, brotherhood and duty, passionately presented by Gu Tianle, Zhang Jiahui, Liu Qingyun, and others!"

Crucially, *The White Storm* also has good word-of-mouth online; currently, 7,000 people have provided ratings on Yinxiang Net, with a score as high as 8.2.

Those in the industry know that this score is a bit on the high side, mostly given by viewers who enjoy this type of film, and as the number of viewers increases, the rating will eventually drop. However, regardless, with such a starting point, the final score should not be lower than 7.5.

This means that before several Hollywood blockbusters are released, the box office for this film should be stable.

According to these opening week figures and word-of-mouth, a 300-million-yuan box office for *The White Storm* is absolutely secure, the chance for 400 million is not small, and even 500 million is not impossible to think about.

However, as *The White Storm* eats its fill, other films are affected to varying degrees, with *The Silent War* being the first to bear the brunt.

Before the release of *The White Storm*, its 7-day box office had already reached 120 million, maintaining around 15 million per day.

But following the release of *The White Storm*, over the course of three days, *The Silent War* only brought in 20 million, with its daily box office nearly cut in half.

Even the producers issued a press release stating that the pressure to recoup costs is immense.

By comparison, the impact on *Storm* was much smaller; after all, the film had already been in theaters for over three weeks, and its box office potential was almost exhausted.

Currently, the box office for *Storm* stands at 326 million, with the daily figure having already fallen below 3 million.

However, the reports from Hong Kong media are quite interesting; they do not view these three as being in competition, but rather see them as one entity of Hong Kong cinema, shouting a very high-profile slogan.

"The beginning of the glory of Hong Kong cinema: *Storm*, *The Silent War*, and *The White Storm* occupy half of the Mainland China Summer Slot box office."

Although Mainland China filmmakers are unhappy, they have to admit that August is indeed the world of Hong Kong cinema.

Because there are several more Hong Kong films waiting to be released, including *The Bullet Vanishes*, *The Lion Roars 2*, and others.

Currently, among domestic films, the only one capable of a fight is that *Border Town Prodigal* produced by Xiaoma.

However, affected by the Zhang Mo incident, even with the participation of powerful actors like Sun Honglei and Ni Dahong, the box office situation is likely not optimistic.

"Junior brother, the old guys are all being ambiguous right now, cursing you for not knowing how to read the situation, hahaha."

In the office, Ning Hao couldn't help but tease Wei Jin as soon as he saw him.

"They're people with one foot in the grave, they can only wag their tongues; I can't even be bothered to pay them any mind."

Speaking of this matter, Wei Jin felt a bit speechless. Perhaps in the eyes of that group of old men, having one film participate in the Golden Horse Awards and another in the Golden Rooster Awards is a win-win situation, but in his view, it feels more like an order and an act of charity.

Damn it, look at how the credibility of the Golden Rooster has collapsed; yet they still put on such a high-and-mighty posture—who are they showing that to?

"By the way, you came over this time because you're planning to set off for the start of filming, right?"

"Yeah, everyone has already been gathered in the conference room, just waiting for you to go over and say a few words."

Wei Jin thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright, I'll go meet everyone. By the way, how long is the expected shoot?"

"According to the plan, about 2 months."

"Good, you handle the progress yourself."

Between the questions and answers, the two had already arrived at the conference room.

Wei Jin looked up and saw that the main creative team, including Shu Chang and Producer Chen Xi, were all there.

"Where are the people from Xiaoma? Is Zhong Lifang not going this time?"

"You don't know? Xiaoma has been busy acquiring Digital Domain lately, and Zhong Lifang has been abroad during this time. Besides, their share isn't large, so they didn't arrange a producer this time."

"Oh? Is that so? Is it already at the final stage?"

Wei Jin really didn't know about this. Ever since news of Xiaoma's negotiations broke last year, he had already dumped all his shares in Digital Domain.

After all, the technology, equipment, and staff that were worth poaching had long since been poached; keeping the shares in his hands was just waiting for a sucker to take the bait.

As for holding onto the shares to squeeze Xiaoma later? Wei Jin considered himself incapable of such things, even if he had long coveted Zhong Lifang.

"Yeah, it's probably just a matter of these one or two months."

Wei Jin nodded, ended the topic, and then looked at everyone in the conference room.

"The filming location this time is very far, and the conditions are relatively tough, but everyone can rest assured about the logistics; Shanhe Media will do its best to make it the best. When we return after wrapping up, I will personally host a welcome banquet for everyone."

Although it was a speech devoid of substance, it still drew rounds of applause from the scene; after all, many people knew that for this casting, Wei Jin was the main recommender.

Without delay, Ning Hao took the crew to the airport that afternoon, heading to Qiannan.

"Director Ning Hao, actor Chen Jianbing, and others, along with a group of staff from Shanhe Media, headed to Qiannan today. After two years, Ning Hao battles in commercial film again!"

"It is estimated that the film *A Cool Fish* is about to start filming!"

At the same time, Wei Jin also received Cao Baoping in his office.

"Teacher Cao, you really are punctual; you said two days, and it's two days, haha."

After personally pouring a cup of tea for Cao Baoping, Wei Jin and he sat down on the sofa in the reception area.

"Since it's dragged on for so long, we still have to seize the time. The list is here, take a look first."

After responding with a smile, Cao Baoping handed over a document. Wei Jin took it and looked, his eyes widening into circles.

"Good heavens, Teacher Cao, this is a big cast. Did they all agree?"

It's no wonder Wei Jin was surprised, because in the past, Cao Baoping's films rarely used such a powerful cast of actors, but this time, even the supporting roles were at worst second-tier actors; it could be called luxurious.

"Yes, although they are supporting roles, the *Dearest* project, after all, has a semi-charitable nature. Several actors have a very strong willingness themselves, and Director Zhang is also very supportive."

Listening to Cao Baoping's explanation, Wei Jin thought for a moment and understood.

The entertainment industry is a Vanity Fair; status represents fame, and social evaluation also represents fame. Participating in the *Dearest* project is indeed helpful for them.

"That's good, the stronger the cast, the greater the help for our film, and it can also help those families more."

Cao Baoping nodded, "Yes, I was also based on this consideration. Come to think of it, this can be considered the film with the largest investment cost and the strongest cast I have ever directed..."

Wei Jin smiled slightly and added, "Teacher Cao, not only that, the box office will also be the highest."

"Alright, then I'll take your word for it, hahaha..."

Cao Baoping became a 300-million-yuan director last year and was very glorious at school, but unfortunately, not long after, the title of "Number One Student at Beijing Film Academy" was taken away by Xue Xiaolu, so he was also very concerned about the box office.

"By the way, Wei Jin, I have already communicated the actors' schedules in advance. I plan to start filming in two weeks. What do you think?"

"No problem, let's go with Teacher Cao's idea. We'll hold a launch press conference in advance, and as for the cast, we'll announce it then."

Cao Baoping thought for a moment, understood Wei Jin's meaning, and nodded.

"Fine, let's do it that way."

(End of chapter)