Chapter 514: Professor Wei Battles Professor Zeng: Adaptation of a Major Case

Feedback from the school came very quickly; before the holiday had even ended, the school office called to invite him back for a meeting.

After some consideration, Wei Jin did not refuse, and on the first day after the holiday, he went to Beijing Film Academy in person.

On the way, Wei Jin took the time to pay attention to the film market.

He noticed that during the New Year holiday, several films had seen varying degrees of growth.

Due to the nature of it being a comedy, the daily box office for *Lost in Thailand* remained stable, firmly holding at over 60 million, unshakable, and the current box office had already reached 348 million.

Meanwhile, *Dixing Yinxing* continued to refresh the box office records of the domestic film market, pushing this figure up to 1.612 billion.

*Chinese Zodiac* performed decently; relying on the holiday, its box office rose against the trend. As of now, the film had been released for 13 days, and the box office had reached 558 million.

Of course, there were also negative cases; that film *The Guillotines* was very lackluster, and the New Year holiday couldn't save it either.

After two weeks of release, the box office was still only over 70 million, and the theater chains had already removed its screenings today.

This also formally announced that yet another blockbuster had fallen in the New Year Slot.

On the other hand, Wang Jing's *The Last Tycoon* actually rebounded against the trend; over three days, it raked in over 20 million in box office, and the total box office had now surpassed 130 million.

However, losses were still inevitable; it was just a matter of how much would be lost in the end.

Netizens were all joking that making the right choice was truly important.

With two films released, Cheng Long had raked in over 2 billion at the box office, which was even more terrifying than Ge You back in the day.

Yet, the two films Huang Xiaoming had combined for barely over 200 million; this number was truly too ugly.

Thinking of the diligent emperor Huang Xiaoming, who shot seven or eight films a year, Wei Jin could only sigh:

"I'm afraid only when *American Dreams in China* is released will the Sect Leader be able to take off the 'box office poison' hat."

"Warmly congratulate our school's Director Department outstanding graduate Wei Jin for his new film's box office setting new records!"

Returning to school again and looking at the long, bright red banner at the school gate, even though it was writing about his own achievements, it still made Wei Jin feel a bit of Shame.

Especially since there were movie promotional posters standing under the banner, as well as several juniors helping to hand out flyers, it made him feel inexplicable, and he had to instruct the driver to stop, intending to find out what was going on.

"Wow, who is this? The latest Maybach, so stylish."

"Are you stupid? You don't even recognize Senior Brother Wei's car?"

Yang Caiyu made a snide remark, then watched the vehicle slowly come to a stop, her eyes lighting up, and she ran straight over to greet Wei Jin, who had lowered the car window.

"Senior Brother Wei, hello, I am Yang Caiyu from the 2011 class of the Performance Department."

Looking at the girl in front of him with a face full of smiles, who looked very much like Liu Xiaoli, Wei Jin smiled: "Hello, I'd like to ask, what are you all doing here?"

"*Dixing Yinxing* refreshed the record, and media reporters came over to interview, so we were chosen to come and do reception and promotional work."

"So that's how it is."

Wei Jin nodded; this should be some background interviews. It made sense for the media to come to the school since they couldn't find him.

"Senior Brother Wei, you are so amazing. I've watched the movie twice; it was truly shocking."

Yang Caiyu smiled, the dimples on her face appearing unconsciously, and her big eyes were filled with undisguised admiration.

"Yes, yes, yes, it's really good; we all went to watch it."

The few students who were still stunned on the side also reacted, gathered around, and nodded repeatedly like chicks pecking at rice.

It seemed that only in this way could they show their high respect for Wei Jin, the great director and big boss who had already become the glory of Beijing Film Academy.

"Thank you all for your support, and thank you for your hard work. I have things to do, so I'll be going first. Goodbye."

Although Wei Jin was not a celebrity, his status as an internationally renowned director and the head of the largest entertainment group in the domestic entertainment industry was much more attractive to the school's students than the stars and artists in the circle.

The Maybach had only stopped for a short while, and many students were already looking over here frequently, and some of the bolder ones had already gathered around.

Wei Jin didn't want to be watched like a giant panda, so he could only instruct the driver to drive into the school.

Watching the Maybach leave, many students showed expressions of regret.

"What a pity, I didn't even have time to introduce myself."

"Hey, why do you think Senior Brother Wei came to school? Could it be that he is also going to attend the afternoon event?"

"That's impossible, right? Senior Brother clearly doesn't know about this..."

"Ah, Senior Brother looked at me several times just now. Does he have a good impression of me?"

"Xu Xiaolu, do you have any shame? Senior Brother was clearly looking at me."

Watching the few friends responsible for the promotion bickering, Yang Caiyu showed disdain. With looks like yours, what kind of daydream are you having? In broad daylight, Senior Brother Wei might not even look at you.

Wei Jin didn't expect that just for a meeting, the school would mobilize such a big formation.

The vice president, the deputy secretary, the vice dean of the Performance Academy... all of them were high-level officials.

It could be seen that the school's sincerity was very sufficient, and Wei Jin didn't dawdle; after pondering for a while, he asked about the teaching arrangements.

"You don't need to worry about this. Your title will be affiliated with the Academy, rather than a secondary college like the Director Department or the Performance Department, so there will be fewer courses..."

"In other words, it doesn't involve professional courses, just participating in electives or large lectures, right?"

"Correct. You can choose from these courses. The start time and the number of class hours can be decided by yourself; it won't delay your career. In addition, if there is anything else in the industry, the school will also try its best to help."

With the vice president speaking to this extent, Wei Jin had no reason to refuse again, so he immediately nodded and said: "Okay, let's settle it like this."

Hearing Wei Jin's answer, the school leaders present all showed smiles on their faces; after pestering him for so many years, they had finally succeeded.

"Then let's get the paperwork done during this time..."

Wei Jin was shocked when he heard this. Since when was the school so efficient? "Dean, there's no need to be in such a hurry, right? I'm going to North America soon..."

"It doesn't matter. You don't need to worry about the paperwork; just prepare the materials. As for the process, it takes a bit of time. It needs to be submitted by May, and the results will come out at the end of the year. By this time next year, you can take office, Professor Wei."

The few leaders had an expression of "it's in the bag," afraid that he would go back on his word, which made Wei Jin feel a bit funny, so he could only nod: "Okay, I'll listen to the Dean."

After finalizing the major matter, Wei Jin accompanied the school leaders for a meal, and during the meal, they chatted about this year's art exam work.

Last month, the three major academies all announced this year's admissions brochures, and tens of thousands of candidates had already flocked to the capital, but the situation was not optimistic.

Central Academy of Drama announced that although the new campus had been built, in order to ensure the quality of teaching, the Performance Department would still not expand enrollment; it would still be two classes, no more than fifty people.

Although Beijing Film Academy had repeatedly expanded enrollment, even counting the vocational classes, there were only 105 spots. Compared to the huge art exam army, the combined spots of the two academies couldn't even be considered a drop in the bucket.

During this period, many insiders with children, relatives, or friends have already taken action, pulling strings and finding paths everywhere; after all, money in the entertainment industry is truly too easy to earn.

It's just that Wei Jin didn't expect the school leadership to ask him directly if he had any "promising prospects" he could recommend to the school.

This sounded a bit blunt, but upon reflection, it was within reason.

As the face of Beijing Film Academy, Wei Jin's treatment would absolutely not be lower than Zhang Yimou's; back then, even Zhou Dongyu could be directly earmarked by the school, so when it came to him, it would naturally be no exception.

This method of connecting through interpersonal, nepotistic, and interest-based relationships has already become the norm in the industry.

"Dean, you know me; I've never liked using newcomers, and I rarely pay attention to agency business, so I don't have any ideas for the time being."

"Fine, before the art exams, if you have any ideas, you can tell the school. The school absolutely trusts your eye, haha."

"Little Jin, congratulations. From now on, I'll have to change how I address you to Professor Wei, hehe."

Perhaps due to the educational philosophy of the Central Academy of Drama, Ceng Li has always had an inexplicable obsession with tenure; otherwise, she wouldn't have prioritized getting a tenured position immediately after graduation in her past life, and in this life, she chose to teach and nurture students even after having already reached the height of popularity.

Therefore, upon hearing the news from Wei Jin, Li Jie's face was filled with genuine surprise.

However, the great beauty, who had just finished bathing, with skin as tender as if it could drip water and a body emitting an alluring fragrance, was truly intoxicating to Wei Jin; he couldn't help but reach out to wrap his arms around the beauty's slender waist, pulling her forward with force until the two were pressed together.

At the same time, his hands wandered back and forth over her silky, smooth pajamas, and a playful smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Hehe, Teacher Ceng has been teaching and nurturing students for so many years and is still an Associate Professor. What virtue or ability does this Wei have to become a professor the moment I arrive? I am truly ashamed, ah."

"Slap!"

Ceng Li swatted away Wei Jin's hand that was making mischief on her chest and rolled her eyes at him with annoyance: "I'm talking about serious business. With you acting like this, how are you supposed to be a role model for others?"

"Eh, Teacher Ceng, that statement is incorrect. An ancient saying goes: 'Food and sex are human nature.' When a husband and wife engage in intimacy, how is that not serious business?"

After speaking, without waiting for Ceng Li to say more, Wei Jin scooped her up horizontally and strode toward the bedroom.

A battle between a Beijing Film Academy guest professor and a Central Academy of Drama incumbent associate professor unfolded. Although the teaching quality at the Central Academy of Drama is quite good, it ultimately could not rival the fame of Beijing Film Academy; Associate Professor Ceng eventually fell under the "teaching whip" of Professor Wei, crying several times throughout the night.

Early the next morning, Wei Jin set out feeling refreshed, preparing to attend the launch press conference for *New Police Story 2013*.

This was the first time Wei Jin had seen all the actors; he didn't expect that, besides the leads, there would be an old face among the supporting cast.

"I come from an action actor background, and I have always had a good impression of actors with real Kung Fu Hustle."

Just as Cheng Long was about to help with introductions, Wei Jin smiled and interrupted him, "Big Brother, there's no need to introduce this person. I know him; he worked with Lu Yang three years ago on *Eye for an Eye*."

The person Cheng Long intended to introduce was Wu Yue, a national Wuying-level athlete just like Li Lianjie and Zhao Wenzhuo.

"Oh?"

Cheng Long was slightly taken aback; he wasn't familiar with low-budget productions in Mainland China, and at that time, Lu Yang wasn't famous yet.

"It's like this. I still have to thank President Wei for giving me the opportunity back then. It's a pity that I haven't been able to develop much over these years; I am truly ashamed, hehe."

Listening to the self-deprecation in Wu Yue's words, Wei Jin also felt a bit moved.

The *Eye for an Eye* of that time couldn't be called a massive hit, but at the very least, it was a film that broke 100 million at the box office; it was surprising that it hadn't allowed Wu Yue to make a breakthrough in the film industry.

Instead, it was only after he went back to film the TV series *Journey to the West* last year that he gained some popularity, which is truly a pity.

"It doesn't matter. There are fewer and fewer action actors who can really fight now; there will be opportunities to stand out."

Speaking of this, Wei Jin paused and shared some internal company news: "If nothing goes wrong, in the second half of next year, Director Lu Yang will launch *Slaying Dragon 2*. Teacher Wu Yue, keep your schedule open."

A look of obvious surprise appeared on Wu Yue's face, and he hurriedly bowed: "Thank you, President Wei, thank you."

"You're welcome. If you want to thank someone, thank Director Lu Yang, haha."

As he spoke, Wei Jin couldn't help but laugh.

Wu Yue really did have to thank Lu Yang—thank him for having too few works and the company having few scripts suitable for him. Having been idle for a few months, this fellow had dug out *Eye for an Eye* again to let the screenwriting department struggle with a sequel.

"By the way, remember to keep it confidential for now."

"Okay, I understand. Thank you, President Wei."

After chatting with Cheng Long for a while longer, the press conference began.

Normally, as a newcomer to film, Gao Ye's status was much lower than that of Cheng Long and Lei Jiayin, and she shouldn't have had much room to shine in such an setting.

But she was lucky; *Sealed with a Kiss* was currently airing, so the topics the media brought up were second only to Cheng Long.

However, this was no surprise; with the addition of Hu Ge, the premiere ratings for this drama were quite good, reaching as high as 1.47%, with a viewership share approaching 10%.

Currently, having only aired for 4 days, the ratings were already climbing toward 2%. It might not be a massive hit, but it could definitely be called a high-quality work.

Since after New Year's Day, Wei Jin had already received several calls from Miss Cai, all of which were to express her gratitude.

Regarding this, Wei Jin could only say she lacked sincerity; was she not even going to use the honey trap anymore?

On stage, Gao Ye was still answering reporters' questions.

This girl was quite experienced; she didn't talk too much about *Sealed with a Kiss*, but instead expressed that as this was her first time participating in a major film production, she had much to learn from her seniors... Her words couldn't be called flawless, but they were at least commendable.

"President Wei, honestly, before you let her be the female lead, I was a bit worried. Now it seems that was just unnecessary worrying, hahaha."

Ye Ning recounted his mental journey half-jokingly and half-seriously. Wei Jin didn't mind; after all, it was a real investment of money.

After the press conference ended, that man surnamed Ma in the white shirt from the GA Department's publicity division pulled Wei Jin aside to bring up an old matter again.

There was no help for it; the results of *Gravity* were truly enviable. As the person in charge of publicity, he naturally wanted to score some political achievements.

"Director Ma, I actually do have an idea, but I don't know if the timing is appropriate."

"Oh? What is the specific situation? Tell me first."

"Last year—no, the year before last—that major case during National Day, is there a possibility of adapting it now?"

Director Ma pondered for a moment, understood what Wei Jin was referring to, and after some deliberation, gave his answer.

"In principle, the case has been sentenced, so it shouldn't be a big problem. However, to be safe, it's better to wait until after the execution. It will be more convenient to collect the materials then."

Wei Jin wasn't in a hurry himself, so he nodded immediately.

"Good."

(End of chapter)