Chapter 526: An Insurmountable Mountain: Killing the Heart

The first weekend of February had just passed, and the eyes of the entire film industry were focused on the headlines of the media.

"The domestic sci-fi blockbuster *Dixing Yinxing* has officially ended its theatrical run, reporting a box office of 1.812 billion; a new box office record is born!"

"After half a year, *Dixing Yinxing* has once again pushed the film market box office record up by nearly 300 million, and the industry is ushering in high-speed development."

"1.812 billion, will this be the ceiling for domestic films? Or will it become an insurmountable mountain for other directors?"

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The entire internet was full of praise; the Weibo accounts of China Film Group, Wanda, and Shanhe Media were all posts about *Dixing Yinxing*. Even Aerospace Science and Industry issued a rare announcement:

"Congratulations to *Dixing Yinxing* for breaking the box office record. The space station in the film is still science fiction for now, but in the near future, it will certainly be realized. Aerospace Science and Technology Group will always shine and give its all for the motherland's aerospace cause, with unwavering determination."

Good heavens, once this announcement came out, the prestige instantly rose, making people feel a sense of spirit involuntarily.

As expected, Wei Jin received quite a few congratulatory calls and WeChat messages on his end.

After waiting to reply to them one by one, Wei Jin took the time to pay attention to the domestic film market.

I have to say, film series are indeed impressive; despite changing the lead actor multiple times, *Skyfall* still had an eye-catching box office performance domestically.

Currently, the film has been released for nearly two weeks, and the total box office has already approached 300 million, which can be considered the best result in the history of this series.

On the other hand, *Cloud Atlas*, produced and directed by the Wachowskis, starring Tom Hanks, and featuring Zhou Xun and Zhu Zhu, did not perform too well.

Although it grossed over 70 million at the box office over the first four days of the weekend, the daily revenue was falling every day and could not stabilize at all; it is feared that it will become cannon fodder in the subsequent Spring Festival Film Season.

"Xiao Jin, I feel this film is actually quite good, it's quite brain-burning; is it a case of being unsuited to the local environment?"

Ceng Li, who had just blow-dried her hair, hugged Wei Jin's neck from behind, looking at the phone screen with some confusion.

Wei Jin reached out, pulled the fragrant beauty into his arms, and explained: "Li Jie, the domestic version was cut by about forty minutes, what do you think?"

Ceng Li understood as soon as she heard this. For this kind of sci-fi brain-burning film, let alone cutting forty minutes, even if it were cut by a few minutes, the audience might not understand it. Now that it can have this box office, it is likely mostly due to the special effects.

"What a pity, Young Master Zhou sacrificed so much..."

"Haha."

Wei Jin was amused by Ceng Li's words, "With that washboard figure of hers, I'm afraid the audience has no interest either."

"You really are mean."

Ceng Li rolled her eyes at Wei Jin and got up, intending to go to bed.

Looking at the rounded, perky buttocks under the beauty's thin pajamas, Wei Jin walked up, hugged her from behind, and his hands wandered up and down involuntarily, frantically testing the waters between the snow-capped mountains and the valleys.

"Li Jie, the big heroine of 1.8 billion, how do you plan to thank me..."

Wei Jin's hand skills were excellent, and coupled with the heat coming from her hips, the big sister's face quickly flushed, her body seemed to lose its strength, and she bit her red lips and pouted: "I really have no way to deal with you..."

After saying this, the beauty turned around and squatted down, giving Wei Jin infinite tenderness and warmth. Perhaps it was really because the New Year was approaching, there were a lot of fresh things in the entertainment industry.

A post titled 【 *Farewell My Concubine* was not filmed by Chen Shiren!】 instantly went viral on the internet, causing a huge uproar.

The post was full of conspiracy theories, and the content could be described as killing the heart.

"The only works Chen Shiren can bring out are 1983's *Yellow Earth* and 1993's *Farewell My Concubine*.

*Yellow Earth* was the first collaboration between Chen and Zhang, and although the director's credit was Chen Shiren, it was clearly Zhang Yimou's style.

As for *Farewell My Concubine*, it was Chen Huaikai who used his own influence to pull together the most luxurious production team and actors at the time, and in his final days, taught his son how to film hand-in-hand, eventually treating the naming rights as an inheritance to help Chen Shiren get on the horse..."

Inside and outside the circle, there was an uproar. Previously, netizens only questioned and mocked Chen Shiren's ability, but this post denied Chen Shiren's achievements from the root.

Regardless of whether it was true or false, this post had completely spread, spreading wildly.

A large number of netizens believed this post because Chen Shiren's film level had been going downhill for more than ten years, with countless bad reviews and rotten films.

It is really hard to imagine, a Palme d'Or director, is this really his level?

The appearance of this post can be said to have perfectly answered this question.

Faced with the questioning, Chen Shiren was furious and immediately arranged for the company to send a lawyer's letter.

He stated bluntly that the vast majority of the cast of *Farewell My Concubine* were still alive and could be confronted face-to-face. He warned the rumor-mongers to delete the post immediately and apologize, otherwise legal means would be taken, and so on.

Not only that, Chen Shiren's company website also rebuked the major media outlets that forwarded this post, stating that as an opinion platform, failing to investigate, being irresponsible, and wantonly creating trouble was a shameful act of wasting public resources... They almost shouted the classic quote, "A person cannot be shameless to this extent."

As a big director in the circle, once Chen Shiren spoke, countless stars and artists in the circle, as well as the cast and crew of *Farewell My Concubine*, jumped out to support, back, and refute the rumors on the internet.

Although the post was eventually deleted, the matter still caused a big stir because netizens had determined the truth of the matter.

There were many discussions on the internet, and some even ran to Wei Jin's Weibo to ask for his opinion. Even Chen Xi was full of gossip and ran over to ask during a break in the filming.

"It doesn't matter how I see it; once the seed of doubt is planted, it is very difficult to pull it out, unless Director Chen films another high-level work. It doesn't necessarily have to catch up to the Palme d'Or of *Farewell My Concubine*; a secondary award from the European Big Three would do."

Listening to Wei Jin's light and breezy explanation, Chen Xi pursed her lips: "Boss, do you think the European Big Three are child's play? How could it be that easy?"

"Then there is no way. If he doesn't break the situation, he will never be able to escape this questioning in his life."

Seeing that Chen Xi still wanted to say something, Wei Jin interrupted her directly: "Alright, hurry up and finish the task; it's almost New Year."

"Oh, boss, work-life balance is important. You are a Fast Gunner, no problem, you have to believe in yourself."

Wei Jin: "0.0"

The premiere of *Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons* was very grand; after all, this was a film by Zhou Xingxing, an existence that brought its own box office and fans.

Perhaps because he really wanted to enter the film and television industry, Boss Ma actually attended the premiere in person. It was very clear that this was to extend an olive branch.

Regarding this, Zhou Xingxing accepted it readily. For him, it didn't matter who the partner was, as long as they didn't delay him from making money.

Even when facing big capital, Zhou Xingxing's rare emotional intelligence came online, and he started a flattery mode on the spot.

"*Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons* is perfect, but the only regret is that Boss Ma did not play the Sun Wukong!"

Boss Ma was also not polite at all: "Director Zhou asked me to play the Sun Wukong, and I didn't agree, not because I didn't like it, but because my schedule was too full and the salary was too high.

In fact, I agree with his ideas very much; it is so imaginative. Although I am not a professionally trained actor, I feel that like the Sun Wukong, I am an existence that dares to fight and roar at the sky..." However, Boss Ma still had some self-awareness and did not continue to steal the spotlight, and the interview on stage returned to the right track.

Perhaps it was because Wei Jin had repeatedly raised the ceiling of film box office, when faced with reporters' questions about box office expectations, Zhou Xingxing appeared full of confidence.

"Since *CJ7*, I have been polishing the script for more than two years. From the project initiation to the start of filming, to the later special effects polishing by Shanhe Ink for more than half a year, and now to the release, it has been more than two years again.

I believe the audience will see my sincerity, and I also believe that the film's box office will definitely have a new breakthrough..."

"Then do you have the confidence to surpass *Lost in Thailand*?"

Once the reporter spoke, everyone looked at Huang Bai, because in this place, only he could speak without any reservations.

"Of course, I think there is a lot of hope; after all, it is Director Zhou's *Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons*, hahaha."

That evening, the media's front pages were occupied by the premiere of *Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons*.

"Boss Ma of Ali appears at the *Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons* premiere, highly praising the film."

"Zhou Xingxing sharpens his sword for four years, *Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons* is full of sincerity!"

"1 billion Golden Horse Best Actor Huang Bai jokingly says that *Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons* box office is expected to surpass *Lost in Thailand*."

In just two or three days, several films set to be released during the Spring Festival Film Season all held their premieres in Beijing.

Yang Mi had high expectations for *Seattle*, shouting out a box office goal of 600 million in front of reporters; she wanted to move upward one step at a time.

Zhang Ziyi was not to be outdone; three years ago, the first film she produced, *Sophie's Revenge*, achieved over 100 million in results, and now the second installment was here.

Carrying the momentum of *The Grandmaster*, Zhang Ziyi shouted the slogan that the box office for *Sophie's Revenge 2* would double, breaking 200 million.

By comparison, Zhen Zidan seemed to be regressing, following the director of *Special Identity*, Lei Yaoliang, to star in the romance film *Together*.

At the premiere, he didn't even dare to shout a box office goal, instead playing coy on site with Ady An, who was more than twenty years his junior.

Each film was gearing up, and the smoke of the Spring Festival Film Season began to spread; it was just unclear how many would survive.

At the same time, Wei Jin utilized his advantage as a Fast Gunner, finishing the location shooting in Nevada the day before Lunar New Year's Eve.

"Francis, for the next few days, I plan to give everyone a break. On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, oh, that is the 13th, we will officially begin shooting the next location."

Francis understood Huaxia culture to some extent, and after working together for this period, she had a new understanding of Wei Jin's speed, so she nodded and replied:

"I have no problem with that, but I need a three-day vacation for the Berlin International Film Festival."

"Of course, this was agreed upon in advance; I will concentrate on shooting other people's scenes then, so don't worry."

Wei Jin responded with a smile, then added with slight sincerity: "Also, I wish you in advance to lift the trophy."

"Haha, then I'll take your word for it, Wei."

Speaking of this, Frances McDormand's face revealed a mischievous smile again: "But Wei, Matt and I are competitors; do you really hope I win the award?"

"Francis, Matt is still young, respect the old and cherish the young, right? He will understand, haha."

Facing this old urchin, Wei Jin also found it amusing, and then he called the crew members to gather together.

"Everyone, according to Huaxia customs, I wish you all a Happy Spring Festival and family happiness here."

After speaking, Wei Jin nodded toward Chen Xi, and the latter immediately took out the prepared red envelopes.

"Happy New Year."

The North American actors who received the red envelopes all felt it was very magical; the film hadn't even wrapped yet, and they already had red envelopes to take. Huaxia's customs were truly wonderful.

Thus, the actors were also shouting:

"Happy New Year!"

Since 2009, Wei Jin hadn't spent the Spring Festival with Ceng Li and Da Meiyuan; now, although they were in a foreign land, the three of them still remembered the madness of that year.

Even Dudu was the crystallization brought about by that time.

To celebrate, Wei Jin and Ceng Li cooked personally, preparing a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner.

It was rare for Dudu to eat food made by Wei Jin, and although the flavor was a bit spicy, the little girl ate very happily.

After the warm dinner, Wei Jin began to reply to messages, because it was already the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year in the country.

After being busy for a while, the family gathered on the sofa and watched the online video of the Spring Festival Gala; the sense of ritual was still necessary.

The general director this year was still Ha Wen.

The opening was very impressive, with 48 CCTV hosts singing in a chorus, directly maxing out the atmosphere of the Spring Festival Gala.

Immediately following, the song programs *Chinese Flavor* and *Chinese Zodiac* transitioned naturally, and the subsequent *Breeze Blowing Through Wheat Waves* and *Spring Blossoms* were quite fitting for the occasion.

The performance programs were not bad, but the language programs, without Old Zhao, were truly unwatchable.

Several sketches started preaching and were not very funny, including those old friends from Happy Mahua, who also didn't produce any highlights.

The crosstalk by Guo Degang and Teacher Yu also didn't make much of a name for itself, and the comment section was mixed.

There was no help for it; the appeal of crosstalk programs lies in the banter, but on the stage of the Spring Festival Gala, many things cannot be joked about, which is a great limitation. With Guo Degang's skill, it was also hard to perform well.

Seeing Guo Degang's apprentice Cao Mou, Wei Jin felt some emotion; he didn't know if the two would fight backstage.

However, there were leaks in the comment section that someone really did fight backstage.

The Taiwan Wang Leehom, who sang *Chinese Zodiac*, slapped The Great Magician Liu Qian twice backstage.

The leaker even told it in a vivid way, saying that Dong Qing was touching up her makeup backstage at the time, and Guo Degang and Teacher Yu were practicing their lines, and they all saw it, but no one asked, and no one dared to stop it. Ceng Li and Da Meiyuan both took it as a joke; after all, in their view, this was the stage of the Spring Festival Gala, and no matter how famous one was, it was impossible to do such a thing.

Wei Jin didn't know if it was true or false, and with his status, it was impossible for him to run over and ask the people participating in the Spring Festival Gala.

However, he did remember that Wang Leehom and Li Guyi seemed to have unfollowed each other since then, and the Magician Liu didn't show his face much on the Spring Festival Gala afterward, so perhaps it really wasn't groundless.

But this didn't have much to do with him; he hugged the two beauties and continued to enjoy the programs of the Spring Festival Gala.

Following the ever-present Teacher Li Guyi leading numerous singers to perform *Unforgettable Tonight*, the Year of the Dragon completely became a thing of the past. (End of this chapter)