Chapter 539: Investment and Begging, Deadline and Scheduling

The next day, Wei Jin headed to the company feeling refreshed, reminiscing about the taste of the little girl in black silk stockings all the way.

Must say, the long, beautiful legs from long-term exercise, once wrapped in black silk, felt simply incredible.

As expected of a celestial being, there was still plenty of room for development.

Just as he entered the lobby, Wei Jin saw Zhang Wen and another little girl chatting excitedly about something.

It had been a long time, and seeing this salty fish of an old employee, Wei Jin felt quite close, so he couldn't help but move a little closer.

"Ah, hello, President Wei."

"Hello, President Wei."

Zhang Wen reacted like a child who had done something wrong after being discovered, quickly putting her phone behind her back, but soon realized she hadn't been scrolling on her phone, looking quite funny.

"Hmm."

Wei Jin nodded kindly and then asked curiously, "What were you chatting about just now?"

"No... nothing..."

The two girls shook their heads quickly to deny it. This was work time, and although the boss was smiling, who knew if they would be punished? Capitalists were all cold-blooded and ruthless.

"Don't worry, I won't punish you."

Looking at Wei Jin's smiling assurance, Zhang Wen couldn't suppress the urge to share gossip. "President Wei, Director Feng is ranting again..."

Following Zhang Wen's explanation, Wei Jin learned that the "San Ya Feast" from the beginning of the month had unknowingly spread to the entertainment industry.

A group of actors, stars, and industry insiders were all posting their itineraries, indicating they hadn't been to San Ya.

But the crew of Feng Dapao's *Personal Tailor* was miserable; they happened to be filming there, and several actresses were being chased and questioned.

Unable to bear the harassment, they also came out to post their hotel room cards, but this obviously had no persuasiveness.

Forced into a corner, Feng Dapao came out to stand for them himself, ranting and raving with netizens—simply bizarre.

After hearing the fun, Wei Jin kept his word, kindly bid farewell to the two front-desk girls, and went straight to his office.

Just as he had his secretary brew tea, the front desk reported that a guest had arrived. Wei Jin knew it must be the Jin Yukun that Mentor Tian Zhuangzhuang had mentioned.

Regarding Jin Yukun's situation, besides what he learned from his mentor, Wei Jin had also arranged for the company to do some background checks.

Come to think of it, this person's experience was a bit interesting. In 2003, he applied for the Literature and Directing Departments at the Beijing Film Academy, only to fail both.

Subsequently, forced by life, he did small business for a year, then heard that the Beijing Film Academy was going to recruit an auditing class, but unfortunately, the quota was limited, and he missed out on the Beijing Film Academy again.

Afterward, he started from scratch at the TV station in Wei Jin's hometown, from recording and holding the boom pole to logistics and tea, while reading various theoretical books to enrich himself.

Perhaps he was truly suited for this line of work. In less than a year, Jin Yukun created column dramas for the local TV station in Chang'an, and in the following three years, he planned and produced dozens of column dramas.

In the local circle of Chang'an, he could be considered to have made a name for himself.

However, this person always insisted on his original intention. In 2008, after being admitted to the advanced study class of the Photography Department at the Beijing Film Academy, he resolutely gave up the connections and career he had accumulated at the Chang'an TV station and chose to enroll.

After graduation, he stayed in Beijing, filming promotional videos and advertisements to make a living while burying his head in creation, insisting on his dreams.

After settling down for a few years, he finally had a script he liked.

"Hello, President Wei."

Just as Jin Yukun's information flashed through Wei Jin's mind, a tall man wearing glasses knocked on the door respectfully and walked in.

"Hello, please sit."

Seeing Jin Yukun was a bit restrained, Wei Jin greeted him to sit on the guest sofa and instructed the secretary to brew tea.

"Your situation, my mentor has already told me. Did you bring the script?"

"Brought it, brought it. President Wei, you are an expert in scripts, please correct and guide me."

Jin Yukun wiped the sweat from his palms on his sides, took out the script from his already somewhat worn briefcase, handed it over with both hands, his attitude very respectful.

Although he was only one year younger than Wei Jin, in terms of their achievements, the difference was simply heaven and earth.

Wei Jin wasn't surprised and started flipping through the script simply after taking it.

However, after just two minutes, Wei Jin's expression became serious.

Honestly, people like Jin Yukun were a dime a dozen in the entertainment industry. Wei Jin had originally just been giving his mentor face, but unexpectedly, there was a real surprise.

This script, titled *Heart's Secret*, was actually *The Coffin in the Mountain* that Wei Jin had seen in his previous life—a crime suspense film with excellent word-of-mouth.

It told the story of a series of strange events triggered by a corpse that appeared inexplicably in a remote village.

The story was simple, but Jin Yukun's narrative technique was very special. He told this simple story through different perspectives, and until the very last moment, the full picture of the story was always shrouded in mist.

"The script is very interesting, a bit of the Coen brothers' flavor."

After closing the script, Wei Jin gave his evaluation.

"Yes, President Wei, I especially like the Coen brothers. In fact, this script also borrowed from your narrative technique in *The Invisible Guest*. That film is too classic; I've watched it over and over many times, it's filmed too well..."

Wei Jin knew very well that Jin Yukun's words were mostly polite, so he turned to ask the core question.

"For this film, what is your budget?"

"President Wei, I have a detailed budget here, please take a look..."

Jin Yukun was slightly excited. Wei Jin being able to care about the budget proved that the script had basically passed, so he immediately took out a stack of materials from his briefcase.

Yesterday, from Tian Zhuangzhuang's mouth, Wei Jin already knew that this script didn't have a large investment, but seeing the 2 million budget, he was still greatly surprised.

Enlight Pictures being able to make *Sad Fairy Tale* for 3 million was because they had strong connections in the circle, and the crew, equipment, and so on were almost all ready-made.

But for a newcomer like Jin Yukun, wanting to shoot a film for 2 million was truly squeezing every aspect to the extreme.

In this way, it would inevitably affect the quality of the film.

"Make the budget a bit looser. This script is very good. 2 million definitely won't shoot the best effect. Since we are doing it, we must do it well..."

Wei Jin's fingers tapped on the sofa armrest, paused:

"How about this, Lu Yang and Ning Hao, for their first films, I invested 6 million each. For this one of yours, it will be the same. I hope you can also be like them and become famous in one battle."

"Thank you, thank you for your support, President Wei."

At this moment, this Mongolian man, Jin Yukun, had somewhat red eyes, just nodding continuously.

In fact, in his heart, he had already regarded this project as his last indulgence, and even discussed with his wife that if there was no opportunity, he would truly accept his fate and work hard to support his family.

But he didn't expect Wei Jin to support and value him so much.

Honestly, *The Coffin in the Mountain* had good word-of-mouth, but Wei Jin really didn't remember what splash its box office performance made. However, with Shanhe Media's investment, he believed it should have a different result than in his previous life. Anyway, with a 6 million investment, breaking even shouldn't be a big problem.

After arranging for Jin Yukun to go to the legal department to sign the contract, Wei Jin didn't stay in the company long and directly instructed the driver to drive to China Film Group. The scheduling of several films was already imminent.

At China Film Group, a large number of filmmakers came in and out almost every day, either to run connections or to pull investment.

When Wei Jin arrived, he even felt a bit crowded.

But looking at several familiar faces among them, a look of disdain appeared on his face.

How many years had it been, and this group of people was still counting on China Film Group's support funds to eat? This damn thing had been eaten to waste.

Wei Jin even felt that, according to the nature of this group of people, perhaps this support fund had been monopolized.

"Senior Brother, you finally came."

Just as he walked to the corner, he bumped into Han Jianv head-on, giving Wei Jin a big fright.

"What do you mean, were you waiting for me?"

"Hmm, I'm about to start my graduation play. Old Han won't give me a back door, and I don't look down on those old, outdated equipment at the Qingying Factory. Hearing him say you were coming today, I just waited for the rabbit."

Han Jianv was not polite at all, with a bit of playfulness on her face. "How about it, Senior Brother, support my work?"

"Fine, no problem. Are you shooting a feature film or a short film?"

Wei Jin agreed very readily. How much money could a graduation project cost?

"A short film. Even that Zhao Yanzi only directed films after acting for so many years. I'd better be conservative. Anyway, it's just to get a graduation certificate."

Wei Jin couldn't help but laugh or cry upon hearing this. Old Han's daughter really had ideas, but he was too lazy to correct her. Being a screenwriter and producer was also quite good, so he nodded and said:

"Fine, contact Chen Xi directly. The crew, equipment, and things you need to use, she will arrange them."

"Thank you, Senior Brother, love you!"

Wei Jin didn't expect Han Jianv to actually be a fan of Korean culture, making a heart shape with her thumb and index finger.

"Fine, don't let Old Han hear you say that, otherwise he'll have to fight me to the death..."

"Hee hee..."

"Wei Jin, I've caused you trouble."

Han Sanping obviously knew that his daughter staying here was just to beg for favors.

"Chairman Han is too polite. Junior Sister can be considered a company employee, and *Lost in Thailand* sold well, but she didn't get a dividend. Now it's just making up for it, haha..."

Han Sanping didn't say much more. A short film of tens of thousands or over a hundred thousand really didn't need to be polite with Wei Jin, but he soon sighed.

"Wei Jin, please take care of Jianv in the future..."

"Chairman Han is joking. With you here, where would it be my turn..."

Speaking of this, Wei Jin suddenly stopped, looking at Han Sanping, his eyes slightly condensed: "Chairman Han, has it already been decided?"

"Hmm, it was decided at the meeting last month. My age will be up in September, it's time to retire..."

Han Sanping's tone was a bit lonely, and a bit self-deprecating: "If I don't retire, how can the people below come up?"

Wei Jin was startled. Han Sanping was 60 years old this year, already at the legal retirement age.

The administrative rank of the head of China Film Group was not low, at the department level, but rules were rules. Even if Han Sanping had made huge contributions to the development of the industry over the years, he still couldn't break the precedent.

"But I won't retire immediately. It should hold until around next year's Spring Festival."

Hearing this, Wei Jin understood. The higher-ups should still have considerations, arranging a six-month handover process, which could be considered a transition.

"Don't worry, Chairman Han, I will take good care of Junior Sister. However, what do you plan to do in the future?"

Starting from *Those Years*, Wei Jin had been dealing with Han Sanping. At that time, Old Han was still the Vice Chairman and General Manager of China Film Group, and they had known each other for nearly 10 years.

Over the years, although Old Han often begged for favors, he was indeed impeccable toward Wei Jin, helping to resolve quite a few troubles in the open and in secret.

Old Han hadn't said this, but Wei Jin knew it very clearly and was also very grateful in his heart.

"Hi, they say it's retirement, but how can it be that easy? I guess they will let me hang a consultant title, and I will continue to shine and heat up in the industry. No leisure for me, hehe..."

Old Han, who was a bit disappointed just now, now became energetic again. As expected of a big shot who held one side, his psychological quality was extremely strong.

"Then congratulations to Chairman Han, still in the film industry you love most. However, since it's a hanging position, hanging two more doesn't exist. Regarding my previous proposal, what does Chairman Han think?"

Han Sanping narrowed his eyes, looked at Wei Jin, remembered the joke from back then, and nodded slowly: "I will consider it carefully."

Afterward, both of them tacitly didn't continue to discuss this topic and turned to chat about other things.

"Chairman Han, there is one thing that needs to be discussed with you."

"Hmm, go ahead."

"Hmm, Warner has ideas. They want to put *Edge of Tomorrow* in late December. What do you think?"

"This is a good thing. The New Year slot is a popular slot globally..."

Speaking of this, Han Sanping suddenly reacted and laughed: "What? Are you worried that I'm about to retire and have no drive, or are you worried that I can't withstand the pressure?"

"Hehe..."

Wei Jin was a bit worried about this. Although Old Han had been in the industry for decades, the principle of "when people leave, the tea goes cold" applied everywhere.

Especially since he had already decided to retire, Han Sanping had absolutely no need to add trouble to himself. After all, putting such a behemoth into the New Year slot, the voices of resistance would definitely not be small.

But Wei Jin obviously underestimated Han Sanping's boldness. He saw the latter smile and say: "Wei Jin, *Edge of Tomorrow* is the last co-production film I'm leading anyway. Just follow their plan. Putting it in the New Year slot, we must leave some thoughts for the industry, right? Hahaha..."

Looking at the still domineering "Zuoshandiao," Wei Jin was slightly lost in thought, then nodded: "Fine, I'll listen to Chairman Han."

Han Sanping didn't say anything more, but took the schedule directly from the drawer and handed it over.

"Here, choose the schedule yourself."

Wei Jin wasn't polite either, took the schedule, and started flipping through it seriously.

Only then did he realize that there were quite a few familiar names: *Switch*, *Tiny Times*, *American Dreams in China*, *Badges of Fury*, *No Man's Land*... After thinking for a while, Wei Jin made his choice, picked up the pen from the pen holder on the table, wrote and drew on the schedule, and then handed it to Han Sanping. The latter took it and looked, his eyebrows raised.

"Good heavens, you are doing one film a month again. But you've even scheduled next year's Spring Festival slot. Isn't it too early?"

"Hehe, Chairman Han, at worst, soldiers come to block, water comes to cover. I'm not afraid."

"Good, having known each other for so many years, I appreciate this drive of yours. Don't lose it in the future."

"Don't worry, Chairman Han, I won't lose it!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 540 =====