Chapter 548: Uninvited guest, Liu Yifei's gratitude

As the number one person in the Chinese film circle, Wei Jin's new project could be said to have had the green light all the way. A few days after the script passed the review, he obtained the filming permit, and the filing information was publicized on the Film Bureau's official website.

"Film: *The Fault in Our Stars*; Genre: Literary romance film.

Producer: Shanhe Media, Red Star Dock.

Producer: Chen Zhiming; Director: Wei Jin; Screenwriter: Wei Jin;

Starring: Wei Jin, Liu Yifei; Other actors: To be determined."

As soon as the news came out, the circle exploded again.

Just as Zhou Xun said before, in a literary romance film, passionate scenes and kissing scenes were definitely indispensable. No one in the circle had thought that Wei Jin would let a "Jin Girl" star in it.

After all, any normal man couldn't accept it; didn't you see how several pairs in the circle were broken up like this?

Therefore, many female stars were still waiting for audition notifications. Who would have thought that Wei Jin would actually use this move? Honestly, there were quite a few directors in the circle who wrote, directed, and acted in their own films; Jiang Wen, Zhou Xingxing, Cheng Long, and others had all had such experiences.

But most of these people were actors who eventually transformed into directors.

Who would have expected that a director like Wei Jin, who was professionally trained, would actually go into battle himself?

This completely belonged to being dark under the lamp!

By now, all companies and actors in the industry finally realized it belatedly.

This play was prepared by Wei Jin for himself and Liu Yifei from the very beginning.

The big actresses and powerful actors who had previously inquired about the roles all revealed some unwillingness, but in the end, it could only turn into a sigh.

However, the internet was lively, especially Liu Yifei's fans, who were even more overjoyed.

But more netizens were curious whether this meant the Jin Girl hegemony competition had come to an end.

"This is the first time Wei Jin has acted, right? Male lead, Liu Yifei really won."

"What are you talking about? In *Time-Space Cohabitation*, he and Jing Tian already played a husband and wife. My big Jing Tian is the true palace; understand the Golden Horse Best Actress?"

"If you want to argue like that, my big Li Jie has something to say; understand the Cannes Best Actress? Understand the 1.8 billion big heroine?"

"My big Gao Yuanyuan... damn, my big Gao Yuanyuan has been offline for almost a year. Wei Jin, you dog thief, you start with chaos and end with abandonment..."

"Isn't that just right? Take Yuanyuan away!"

For a time, the fans of several families were almost fighting each other to the death.

Time flew by, and it was mid-May. The film market was in another state.

Because of the special supply film, *Iron Man 3* was inevitably affected.

Since the holiday, the box office drop had been quite large. Currently, it had been released for 10 days, and the box office had barely crossed the 600 million mark, which couldn't be compared to its previous violent performance.

Although the market had been released, several domestic films had basically passed their strong period, and their performance wasn't particularly good.

*SPL: Sha Po Lang* had been released for two weeks, and the box office had broken the 400 million mark, reaching 468 million, and the single-day box office had fallen to around 15 million.

Lu Yang, who finished the roadshow, came to Wei Jin's office with some grievance on his face.

"Senior brother, our word-of-mouth is very good, Bao Qiang's Feng Yuxiu is quite eye-catching, and Zhao Wenzhuo's fight scenes have also won quite a bit of praise, but damn it, we just can't catch up with *So Young*, and we're always a bit short."

Wei Jin understood what he meant. According to the current situation, *SPL: Sha Po Lang*'s goal of a guaranteed 500 million shouldn't be difficult to achieve, but it was estimated that there was no possibility of reaching the 700 million figure Lu Yang mentioned.

And that *So Young*, although the word-of-mouth wasn't very good, the box office performance was indeed eye-catching. In half a month, the box office had reached 520 million, and the single-day box office was still maintained at around 10 million.

According to the current data, *So Young* breaking 600 million had basically become a foregone conclusion, and there was even a great possibility of winning the domestic film box office champion for the May Day period.

The media had even put the title of the number one female director in the country on Zhao Yanzi, and the key was that she didn't refuse, accepting it happily, which seemed a bit floating.

The one who was just as prominent as Zhao Yanzi was the Beijing Film Academy; the two domestic films leading the charge in the film market were all directed by their own students.

So much so that the school's official website almost had to refresh the film's news every day.

But for Lu Yang, who had debuted for many years, this couldn't be considered a compliment; after all, losing to a newcomer was really embarrassing.

"Look at it openly, it's a fan film. As long as it's not too bad, the box office won't be bad. People are consuming nostalgia; we just need to be steady. If we lose this time, we'll just find it back next time..."

Speaking of this, Wei Jin looked at Lu Yang with deep meaning: "And there's still more than half a month; who knows, there might be some changes?"

"Senior brother, do you mean *American Dreams in China* will divert the flow?"

"Hmm." Wei Jin nodded.

*American Dreams in China* still had a week before release. The cinema side ultimately had to look at the strong single-day box office situation to arrange screenings. In comparison, *SPL: Sha Po Lang*'s advantage was greater, and perhaps there was a possibility of a counterattack.

"Alright, I called you over today because there's something to tell you. *The Fault in Our Stars* is estimated to start filming at the end of the month. When the time comes, you come and be my assistant director."

Wei Jin wanted to act in it himself, so he inevitably needed someone to hold the camera. Lu Yang had previously filmed *Thieves* with him, and they were relatively tacit, so he was the only choice.

Lu Yang also understood this point and didn't resist, nodding immediately.

"Good."

Leaving the company, Wei Jin ordered Lao Zhu to drive to Liu Yifei's house.

Compared to film dubbing work, the dubbing of animated films was simpler, because one only needed to maintain the tone and context, without needing to pinch the time to match the lip movements.

Therefore, the dubbing work for *Frozen* only took five days to finish.

However, as an internationally renowned female star, Liu Yifei also had quite a few foreign brand endorsements, and she participated in several activities of the brands, which delayed her return to the country until today.

It was just that Wei Jin didn't expect that as soon as he arrived at the villa garden, he would actually see someone unexpected.

"President Wei, long time no see. It's really a coincidence today, hahaha..."

Looking at Chen Jinfei in front of him, Wei Jin's thoughts couldn't help but drift to Fangfeiyuan 8 years ago.

At that time, this man could be said to be high-spirited, while he himself had only just begun to show his face in the circle.

But now, Chen Jinfei was like the sun setting behind the western hills, his face full of vicissitudes, while he himself was in his prime and at the height of his career.

In just eight short years, the identities of the two sides had become completely unequal. The encounters of life were truly mysterious and unparalleled.

"President Chen, it has indeed been a long time."

Wei Jin, who had come back to his senses, answered meaningfully. He could guess that Chen Jinfei should have something he wanted to chat about with him.

"Old Chen, don't stand at the door. Wei Jin, come into the house quickly. Auntie made your favorite food tonight..."

Liu Xiaoli on the side greeted.

Chen Jinfei also reacted immediately. No matter what thoughts he had, this wasn't the time to speak, so he hurriedly nodded and said: "Yes, yes, yes, look at me, I forgot as soon as I was happy. President Wei, please."

Chen Jinfei's behavior made it seem as if he were still the owner of this house, but at least he was Liu Yifei's godfather, so Wei Jin maintained respect on the surface and nodded with a smile.

"President Chen, please."

Inside the villa restaurant, a "family banquet" was underway. Wei Jin and Liu Yifei sat side by side on one side of the dining table, while Liu Xiaoli and Chen Jinfei sat on the other side, looking really like a family of four.

It had to be said that Liu Xiaoli's craftsmanship was indeed good, and the taste of Sichuan cuisine was becoming more and more authentic, but just as Wei Jin expected, Chen Jinfei had indeed come with a purpose.

Perhaps because he wasn't very familiar with Wei Jin, in the end, it was Liu Xiaoli who threw out a brick to attract jade.

"Wei Jin, Old Chen has a project in his hands, and I don't understand it very well. Why don't you help refer to it?"

Wei Jin put down his chopsticks and nodded: "Then please let President Chen introduce it."

"President Wei, it's like this. A friend of mine opened a film and television company in Yunnan, and the scale is quite large. He came into contact with a Hollywood project..."

Chen Jinfei had obviously prepared a draft, and for nearly half the time, it was his lecture time.

What Oscar Best Actor joining, what Skywalker starring... "President Chen, if I didn't understand wrong, you hope Yifei will play the female lead, and then we will invest together?"

"Yes, with President Wei's investment and Xixi's joining, the project will definitely succeed."

Chen Jinfei said with a smile, and then added another sentence, "Of course, if President Wei can direct it himself, that would be even better, haha..."

"Hehe, President Chen might not know, but since I debuted, I have never taken on external projects."

"Understand, understand, I was just mentioning it casually..."

Chen Jinfei also knew that he was wishful thinking, so he hurriedly rounded it off with a smile, and then looked at Wei Jin with some expectation: "Then what does President Wei think of this project?"

"Hmm... honestly, the information I have now is too little, and I can't judge for the time being. How about this, President Chen, I'll give you an answer tomorrow."

Although he didn't believe Chen Jinfei could come into contact with any good projects, Wei Jin had to give Liu Xiaoli and Liu Yifei some face; even if he refused, he had to have reasons.

"Good, then I'll wait for President Wei's call."

Chen Jinfei responded with a smile. He knew very well that the current Wei Jin, whether it was his net worth, status, or connections in the circle, was not something he could compare to.

However, as long as Wei Jin could nod, perhaps he would have a day to take off again! "Wei Jin, if you think it's inappropriate, just refuse directly; you don't need to consider me..."

After dinner and sending Chen Jinfei away, Liu Xiaoli spoke immediately. In her heart, her daughter's career was always the first priority.

"Yes, brother, you don't need to be embarrassed."

"Auntie, Yifei, since it's a Hollywood project, I'll know after I inquire about it..."

While talking, Wei Jin took out his mobile phone and called Hunter. It just so happened that it was morning in North America.

The phone rang for a long time before it was connected, and Wei Jin vaguely heard a woman's voice, so he couldn't help but laugh and scold.

"Hunter, it seems my call is not at a good time..."

"Cough, cough, Boss, it is indeed a bit early, but your loyal servant is always on standby. Do you have any instructions?"

"Hmm, there is a project initiated by Hollywood; help me check it..."

Wei Jin immediately told Hunter the situation he had learned. After hearing it, the latter immediately assured: "Boss, don't worry, within half a day, I will find out clearly."

"Hmm, once you find out, send the specific situation directly to my mailbox."

Seeing that it was already past eight o'clock, Wei Jin didn't want to be disturbed by a phone call when he was playing cards with Liu Yifei later.

"Understood, Boss."

Afterwards, Hunter reported on work in passing.

Considering that *Edge of Tomorrow* would be released in late December, *The Hunger Games 2* was planned to be scheduled for late November.

That *Annabelle* was scheduled for early September.

In addition, Summit Entertainment's new film this year, *The Maze Runner*, adapted from the best-selling novel of the same name, had also completed preparations and would start filming in a few days.

"Alright, let's leave it at that."

Hanging up the phone, Wei Jin chatted with Liu Xiaoli about another matter.

"Auntie, I would like to invite you to play the role of the mother in *The Fault in Our Stars*."

Liu Xiaoli obviously didn't expect Wei Jin to bring up the old matter again, and she seemed a bit hesitant: "Wei Jin, can I do it?"

"Auntie, I have considered it carefully. Although you are not a professionally trained actor and there may be some flaws in your acting, the true feelings between you and Yifei can completely make up for it. Perhaps there will be even better results..."

"Yes, Mom, brother is right. You don't need to worry about acting or anything; he is a big director and will definitely be able to train you well..."

Back then, Liu Yifei regretted not being in the same frame as Liu Xiaoli in *Once Again*. This time, she couldn't miss it no matter what, so she helped out from the side.

It was just that these slightly ambiguous words made Liu Xiaoli blush, and she gave her daughter a white look, "Dead girl, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"Oh, Mom, don't care about those details; I really want to act in a movie with you..."

Liu Yifei also knew she had said the wrong thing, stuck out her tongue mischievously, and then held Liu Xiaoli's arm and acted coquettishly.

"I really can't do anything about you..."

Liu Xiaoli touched her daughter's head with some doting, and then looked at her son-in-law, "Wei Jin, then I'll leave it to you when the time comes. If there's anything bad, just say it directly..."

"Auntie, don't worry, playing yourself, the effect won't be bad."

Finalizing Liu Xiaoli's role, Liu Yifei was in a great mood. She took it for granted that this was a surprise Wei Jin had prepared for her.

So, under Liu Xiaoli's helpless gaze, she pulled Wei Jin upstairs, preparing to thank him well.

At this moment, one could see the girl's snow-white lotus-root arms tightly hugging Wei Jin's neck, a pair of slender and plump beautiful legs wrapped around his waist, and her alluring delicate body constantly rising and falling in mid-air.

On that exquisite and unparalleled beautiful face, rosy clouds were everywhere, and the standard phoenix eyes were filled with water mist, obviously having moved feelings under Wei Jin's superb card skills.

However, perhaps because they were at home, Liu Yifei couldn't let go, biting her red lips tightly, not making much sound.

Losing the blessing of background music, Wei Jin felt it wasn't very satisfying, so he raised his head from the whiteness in front of his chest and teased:

"Yifei, I want to hear you sing..."

Although she was moved by Wei Jin's attitude of being responsible to the end, the girl still spat out a few words intermittently.

"Hmm~~ brother~~ don't~~ Mom~~ will hear it~~"

"Fool, if you don't sing, wouldn't Auntie know? How about a little quieter?"

Seeing Liu Yifei not speaking, Wei Jin could only continue to act with his body.

I don't know how long it took, but he finally heard the beautiful singing.

"Oh~ brother~~"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 549 =====