Chapter 504: Giving My Sister a Full-Body SPA

It is well known that there are few good things among entertainment agencies, but to reach the level of Tianyu is extremely rare.

Since its establishment in 2004, Tianyu has experienced at least a dozen artist contract termination disputes, and dragging their own artists to court is a common occurrence.

The reason for this is nothing more than Tianyu's "overlord" contracts, which exploit artists too severely; as long as there is a suitable opportunity, no artist wants to break free, and the likes of Zhang Jingying, Zhou Bichang, and others are no exception.

Although Wei Jin is also a capitalist, it is impossible for him to have a favorable impression of such a company.

Even other agencies in the circle, when mentioning Tianyu, are either disdainful or gnash their teeth.

If it weren't for the backing of Mango TV and holding considerable resources, with this style of conduct, Tianyu would have long since vanished from the circle.

"So, that's why you previously rejected the Zhang Han they recommended?"

Ceng Li recalled the phone call Wei Jin received in North America and asked thoughtfully.

"Uh, that's not entirely the reason."

Wei Jin tightened his hold on the great beauty in his arms and then explained in detail.

When Wei Jin was attending the Golden Horse Awards, the female guests for the variety show *Flowers and Youth* had already been finalized.

In addition to Liu Yifei, Shu Chang, Rouba, and Hu Jing, the final spot was given to an artist from their own company—Yang Xue, who was intent on retiring.

This sister is too "Buddhist"; she doesn't fight or scramble in the company and just lies flat. Zhang Xu had to rack his brains to get some resources suitable for her.

As for the last two male guest seats, there weren't many age-appropriate male artists in the company, and not all artists are willing to participate in variety shows. After all, Shanhe Media is not short on film and television resources, so the spots were released.

However, although the company's own artists didn't care for them, the appeal of this variety show to outside artists was not small at all.

On one hand, the quality of Shanhe Media's variety shows is guaranteed, and they provide a significant boost to an artist's national popularity.

On the other hand, judging by the status of the female guests, participating in it can be considered an indirect elevation of one's own status.

Perhaps one could also gain some connections, as the time spent together wouldn't be short.

Therefore, the competition for the seats among outside artists was quite fierce. Tianyu, as a subordinate unit of Mango TV, had previously recommended their artist Zhang Han to participate.

Honestly, Zhang Han's development over these years has indeed been good, especially after dating Zheng Shuang, who exploded in popularity with *Meteor Shower*; he absorbed a wave of traffic, and his popularity is quite strong.

From a commercial perspective, Zhang Han should be somewhat helpful to the program.

It's just that this guy is a "legal-trouble artist," and Wei Jin doesn't think much of him. When he received the call in North America, he had Zhang Yipei reject him.

In the end, among many resumes, Zhang Yipei selected Wang Yanlin and Han Dongjun, who both came from the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

In her words, one is responsible for being funny, and the other is responsible for being beautiful—a perfect match.

As for whether Mango TV would have any objections, that is absolutely not the case. After all, Shanhe Media is the "boss" (the client) when it comes to variety shows, which is also the reason why the people from Tianyu were so enthusiastic tonight.

"Is that so? By the way, I heard from Jingjing that they start recording after next week, and it's for 20 consecutive days all at once?"

"Mm."

Wei Jin nodded, then looked at Ceng Li's confused expression and explained with a smile: "Li Jie, unlike traditional outdoor variety shows that record one episode at a time, this travel variety show focuses on a full 24-hour recording process. The total recording cycle is determined based on the itinerary."

"According to the Variety Department's plan for this Europe-North America trip, it will indeed take about 20 days. After the entire itinerary is recorded, post-production editing will be done according to requirements."

Besides, the reason it was scheduled for this time is that the preliminary arrangements indeed require a lot of time, and it is also to showcase the Christmas atmosphere abroad.

"That sounds quite exhausting. I wonder if Jingjing will be used to it."

Watching Ceng Li's unnecessary worrying, Wei Jin felt both speechless and envious of the friendship between her and Hu Jing; such best friends are truly rare in the entertainment circle.

"Alright, Li Jie, Jing Jie is a grown woman, why do you need to worry about her? Besides, the production team has arranged everything. At most, it'll just be a bit tiring; it's nothing compared to our roadshow this time."

"Mm, that's true. Flying back and forth this time really wore me out."

Perhaps because she had a bit to drink tonight, Ceng Li rarely showed her "little girl" side, her alluring red lips slightly pouting, which made Wei Jin's index finger twitch, and his hands couldn't help but climb the peaks.

"You've worked hard, Li Jie. Tonight, let me, this director, properly reward our great contributor."

After speaking, Wei Jin crouched slightly, exerted strength in his arms, swept the beauty up in a princess carry, and strode toward the bedroom.

Ceng Li lay flat on the snow-white bed, her rounded, slender legs held by Wei Jin at the inner bends of her knees and pressed forward, her whole body appearing as if folded in half.

After a night of rest, Wei Jin brought a radiant Ceng Li back to Beijing to attend the premiere of *Chinese Zodiac*.

"President Wei, Ms. Ceng, congratulations."

Wang Zhonglei came out personally to greet them, though the smile on his face was somewhat stiff.

"You are too polite, Wang. I wish *Chinese Zodiac* a huge box office success."

Wei Jin congratulated him with a smile, unconcerned.

The first half of the entire New Year Slot had been completely devoured by *Gravity*.

Especially after the Golden Globe Awards were announced, the film's box office actually rose against the trend, returning to the high point of 80 million, once again breaking the record for the fastest to surpass 700 million at the box office.

This was not good news for the several films set to be released later; it would be strange if Wang Zhonglei had a good expression.

"Thank you. Please come in, the two of you; everyone is waiting."

"Mm, alright."

Wei Jin didn't stand on ceremony, holding Ceng Li's hand as they walked into the venue.

It must be said that Cheng Long has enough face; there were many guests in the venue, almost all the big names in the entertainment circle had come, and there were quite a few foreigners he had worked with who came to show their support—it was truly impressive.

However, when Ceng Li and Wei Jin appeared, the many stars and artists who were socializing at the scene came over one after another to greet them.

"Director Wei, Li Zi, congratulations on the great success of *Gravity*."

Zhang Ziyi walked over holding a wine glass, wearing a white evening gown that revealed her figure, swaying gracefully.

Regarding this classmate of hers, she was both envious and jealous.

"Thank you, and I wish your *The Grandmaster* a great success as well."

Wei Jin didn't chat with her much. Ceng Li, on the other hand, wasn't very familiar with these kinds of occasions, though she was more at ease when with acquaintances. With Wei Jin left alone, even more people came to toast him—Li Bingbing, Fan Bingbing, Xu Cairen, and others came to greet him one after another.

However, they were all "big flowers" (top-tier actresses) in the circle, and they had a tacit understanding not to bump into each other, which made Wei Jin, who wanted to see a scene of catfighting, feel a bit disappointed.

There were many highlights at today's premiere, and a short film themed around Cheng Long receiving the Guinness World Record for "Most Stunts Performed by a Living Actor" was played at the scene.

Speaking of this honor, Cheng Long was very emotional: "Actually, the footage reviewed here—I was afraid when I was filming it back then, but I am very glad I did it all those years ago. These shots left on film are eternal. Every time I was injured before, I survived safely; I wonder if I really have such good luck..."

Speaking of this, Cheng Long paused, but no one expected that he would actually joke about his own death.

"Sometimes I wonder, if I died like Li Xiaolong or James Dean, I would surely become a legend, and Chinese Zodiac, as my final work, would also be recorded in film history."

Honestly, those in the entertainment industry are all somewhat superstitious, especially the actors from Hong Kong.

Thus, as soon as Cheng Long finished speaking, his wife Lin Fengjiao, whom he had invited to help out and who had been retired from acting for 30 years, immediately spoke up to scold him:

"Are you crazy?"

However, the guests at the scene could all feel the importance Cheng Long placed on this film.

After chatting about many interesting anecdotes during the filming process, the feature film finally began to play.

Everyone in the circle knows that Cheng Long's films are never short of women, and in most cases, they are beauties.

It's just that no one expected that Big Brother could actually design a plot like doing the splits to grab a key; it was truly awesome and fully considered the actress's own physical conditions.

However, Wei Jin has to admit that Big Brother Cheng Long really gave it his all for this film.

Putting the plot aside for a moment, just this level of professionalism is simply heaven-defying!

For this film, Cheng Long alone took on a total of fifteen roles, including producer, executive producer, director, lead actor, screenwriter, action director, and cinematographer; it is simply terrifying.

After the film ended, when asked about the box office target, Cheng Long looked at Wei Jin and Ceng Li in the audience with a smile.

"I hope its box office can be like Gravity, which I starred in, sweeping through the storm and striving to break 1 billion!"

The premiere of Chinese Zodiac was very successful and occupied the entertainment headlines that day.

And 60-year-old Big Brother Cheng Long has once again embarked on a promotional tour; his energy is truly vigorous.

Leaving the premiere, Wei Jin and Ceng Li returned to Yanjiao Villa.

Just after opening the door, they saw 3-year-old Dudu sitting obediently on the sofa with her grandmother, watching TV intently.

However, hearing the sound of the door opening, Dudu turned her little head, saw Wei Jin and Ceng Li, a flower-like smile appeared on her face, and she jumped off the sofa with a 'whoosh', running over on her short legs.

"Daddy, Mommy, you're back!"

Wei Jin squatted down, opened his arms, and took his daughter into his embrace, then stood up and spun around, drawing a burst of giggles from the little one.

"Dudu, have you missed Daddy these days?"

"I have, mua!"

The little one tilted her head and gave Wei Jin a sweet kiss, then looked at Ceng Li, her big eyes blinking as she said, "I missed Mommy too."

After speaking, she opened her arms, wanting Ceng Li to hold her; after the latter took her, the little one showered her mother with kisses.

"Eh, Dudu is so well-behaved, mua."

Ceng Li praised her and also kissed Dudu on her delicate little face.

"But Dudu, have you listened to Grandma at home these days?"

"Mm-hmm, Dudu is very obedient, right, Grandma?"

Ceng Li's mother walked over with a kind smile, touched Dudu's little head, and gave her affirmation: "Mm, Dudu is very obedient and is the best little baby."

"Mom, thank you for your hard work."

There was some apology in Wei Jin's smile; back when the child wasn't born yet, this mother-in-law was a bit fierce, but over the past two years, she had long since become like family.

"It's not hard work, I know you two are busy with important matters, but from now on, you should still spend more time with the child."

Hearing this, Ceng Li immediately promised: "Mm, Mom, don't worry, I don't have any arrangements for the future, I will spend time with Dudu properly."

"Mm, that's good."

The mother-in-law's words reminded Wei Jin of the instructions from another mother-in-law.

After dinner, Wei Jin went to the garden and dialed a number.

"Hello, Xiao Jin, what made you think of calling me?"

Wei Xingbang on the other end of the phone was clearly quite happy; the father and son were both people who didn't like to express themselves much, usually just sending messages, and phone calls were indeed rare.

"Cough, Dad, do you have any classes at school recently?" Wei Jin said with a guilty conscience.

"Of course I do, but only one or two classes a week, what's the matter?"

"Mm, if it's convenient for you, could you come to Beijing in the next few days?"

"What exactly is the matter?"

"Mm, it's like this, Dad, listen to me..."

Wei Jin gritted his teeth and revealed everything about Da Meiyuan and Liu Yifei; after all, since he was already here, it was impossible to only see one family.

As expected, if not for the phone between them, Wei Jin estimated he would have already been pinned to the ground and beaten by old Comrade Wei.

However, upon hearing that Da Meiyuan was already pregnant and waiting to give birth in North America, old Comrade Wei couldn't continue speaking.

After a long silence, old Wei only left behind the words "I'll come in a few days" and hung up the phone; one could imagine his mood was quite complicated.

Hanging up the phone, Wei Jin wiped away cold sweat, then his mood improved, and humming a little tune, he turned and walked into the house. (End of chapter)