Chapter 566: New Equipment for Old Guns; A Short Separation is Better Than a New Marriage

The premiere of *Shendu Longwang* concluded, leaving only the public release in two days; the cast and crew have also begun a new round of variety show promotions, with a large number of roadshow events to follow.

Meanwhile, in the outside world, Guo Jingming and his fans are still battling with people in the film industry and film critics; the two sides are like needles against wheat awns, unable to determine a winner for the time being.

As for Wei Jin, he has begun to set his hand to the post-production work of *Star Luck*.

Perhaps because it is his first film, carrying intense personal emotions, he feels there is not much that needs to be cut; it all seems quite good.

"Help me keep a complete version; I want to save it for myself."

Wei Jin believes that Liu Yifei should like this gift; after all, it is a very beautiful and unforgettable memory.

He also decides that in the future, the films of the other ladies in the inner palace will also be held to this standard.

"Don't worry, President Wei, absolutely no problem."

Regarding this request from Wei Jin, the editors can roughly guess the intention and readily agree.

"Mm, next, I will have to trouble everyone to work with me."

"You are too polite, President Wei, we will follow your lead."

Regarding their boss's film, the editors immediately summoned their full attention.

*Swords of Legends*, which had been bustling for several months from the announcement of its project to the casting hype, has finally started filming, and media reports can be described as overwhelming.

"The large-scale ancient costume fantasy drama *Swords of Legends*, controlled by Huarui and co-invested by Guangxian, CCTV International Television Corporation, Jiaxing Studio, and others, starring Yang Mi, Li Yifeng, Ma Tianyu, Dilraba, and others, officially started filming at Hengdian World Studios this noon."

"After a 5-year hiatus, Yang Mi once again stars in a xianxia drama; *Swords of Legends* is expected to surpass the *Chinese Paladin* series."

"At the opening ceremony, facing questions from reporters, Yang Mi refused to answer questions related to *Tiny Times*."

"."

In the eyes of the industry, this xianxia drama adapted from a game possesses all the elements of success.

Coupled with the luxurious lineup of producers, a large number of artists in the circle spontaneously liked and reposted these messages on Weibo.

However, looking at these reports, Miss Cai feels very unbalanced in her heart.

She never expected that in just a few years, Yang Mi would actually be able to invest in such a large-scale production.

"Leaning on Wei Jin, she really has stepped onto the fast track."

After sighing, Miss Cai withdraws her gaze and calls for her Assistant.

"Tomorrow *The Patriot Yue Fei* will premiere; remember to send out more press releases for Shishi and stir up the heat."

"Understood, President Cai."

After waving her hand to dismiss the Assistant, Miss Cai falls into deep thought.

"It seems the plan for going public needs to be accelerated."

Wei Jin did not expect that he had just seen Jia Kezhang attend the premiere two days ago, and today he saw him on the headlines.

*A Touch of Sin*, which won the Oscar Best Screenplay at this year's Cannes Film Festival, has been banned.

You must know, this film is not an underground film; it was only after properly obtaining the Dragon Mark that it went abroad to participate in the Cannes Film Festival.

It was hard enough for them to win an award, and the release date was even set for the National Day Slot, but now it is banned just like that?

"Senior brother, you don't even know how perfunctory the given reasons are—something about reflecting reality, bloody violence; what the hell were they doing earlier? Those people in the censorship department have simply become a joke."

When Lu Yang arrived at Shanhe Ink, he started complaining to Wei Jin.

"So what is the situation now?"

Wei Jin is also somewhat speechless; when it won the award, Jia Kezhang even publicly declared that this would be his highest-grossing theatrical film.

Regarding this, Wei Jin is in full agreement. After all, the realistic-themed film starring Bao Qiang and Jiang Wu is impeccable in terms of acting and all other aspects.

Of course, the most important thing is that Jia Kezhang's own box office record is very low, making it really simple to break.

But who would have thought he would encounter such a thing?

"What can be done? It is said they are lobbying the higher-ups."

Lu Yang clicks his tongue in lament while handing over a stack of materials.

"Senior brother, the storyboard for *Slaying Dragon 2*; the efficiency is high enough this time, right? I haven't rested for a single day."

Lu Yang, that funny guy, starts chattering again; Wei Jin is too lazy to pay attention and starts flipping through it directly.

After about a few minutes, he closes the materials; Lu Yang's grasp of martial arts is as consistent as ever.

"Mm, let's just go with this. As for the actors, I won't interfere this time; you can handle it yourself."

This film has almost no female characters, and Wei Jin is too lazy to put in that effort.

Lu Yang nods: "Fine, then once the script passes censorship, I will invite people to audition."

"Mm, you handle it."

Just after dismissing Lu Yang, Wei Jin's phone rings; looking at the caller ID, a smile cannot help but appear on his face. The next day.

Wei Jin puts down his work and instructs Lao Zhu to drive to the airport.

Compared to Ceng Li and Da Meiyuan, who spend more time taking care of children in Beijing—where Wei Jin can go back to accompany them when he has time—Jing Tian has been too busy during this period.

Announcements, endorsements, magazines, commercials, and so on; she can be described as not having a moment to rest.

For more than a month, Wei Jin has barely seen the young girl.

Therefore, after receiving the girl's call yesterday, he promised to spend these days accompanying her well.

With a sense of anticipation, Wei Jin arrives at the airport and finds that the flight has just landed.

Taking advantage of the waiting time, he pays attention to the film market.

As expected, *Tiny Times* has completely collapsed.

Starting from the sixth day, the daily box office has fallen below 30 million, and on the seventh day, it dropped even further to 20 million.

Yesterday was the eighth day, and the daily revenue was already less than 15 million, with a total box office of 336 million.

The rating on Yinxiang Net has also slipped further, falling to 4.6 points.

According to this situation, let alone 1 billion at the box office, there is absolutely no hope for 800 million, and whether it can even cross the 500 million threshold is still up in the air.

On the other hand, that film *No Man's Land* by Ning Hao has reached 368 million in box office after 28 days of release.

It is a pity that the 400 million mark cannot be reached, as the daily box office has already fallen below one million.

Meanwhile, that film *Badges of Fury* from Enlight Media is doing alright; after two weeks of release, the box office has broken the 300 million mark, closing at 308 million, with a high chance of breaking 400 million.

However, that film *Blind Detective* starring Liu Tianwang is quite miserable, with a first-day box office of only 18.6 million, and the attendance rate released by the theater chains is extremely low.

This means that the subsequent box office will not be optimistic either.

Wei Jin noticed that from early this morning until now, Liu Tianwang has already posted several Weibo messages to apologize to fans and audiences.

He stated bluntly that the negative reviews for *Switch* were entirely his own fault, having nothing to do with others or other films, and asked everyone not to deliberately target *Blind Detective* and the cast members; unfortunately, it was of no use.

To put it bluntly, with a 3.2 rating for *Switch* on Yinxiang Net, Liu Tianwang has already created a repellent effect, and an apology is not enough to fix it.

"Sigh, this wave for Hua Ge is tough; I only hope he can truly learn his lesson this time."

After a sigh, Wei Jin took out his phone and posted a Weibo message, calling on everyone to go to the cinemas to support *Shendu Longwang*.

In no time at all, Wei Jin saw quite a few acquaintances in the industry reposting the message, as if they had been guarding their phone screens the whole time.

Wei Jin did not know that, as the biggest thigh in the industry, countless artists had set message notifications for his Weibo, just to support him at critical moments. After all, the big boss might not remember who reposted, but he would likely notice who did not.

The ways of the world in the entertainment industry are truly everywhere.

"Boss, Miss Jing has arrived."

Lao Zhu's voice pulled Wei Jin back from his phone screen; opening the car door, he saw Jing Tian, who had disguised herself, pushing her suitcase and walking over with her Assistant.

The girl was wearing a tracksuit on her upper body and slim-fit jeans on her lower body, paired with sneakers, looking full of vitality.

Wei Jin walked up and pulled the girl tightly into his arms, greedily breathing in her scent. Beijing, Haidian Theater.

Wei Jin and Jing Tian, having left the airport, were now sitting in the audience, watching the performance by Mahua FunAge on stage.

It must be said that this *Goodbye Mr. Loser* by Mahua FunAge is very well done; the performance style is relaxed and funny, most of the actors' acting is on point, and even the lighting, sound effects, costumes, and props are all of a high standard.

Thus, the audience's feedback was also quite good; the venue was packed, and there were even many audience members who arrived late and couldn't find good seats, choosing to enjoy the performance from the aisles.

During the nearly three-hour performance, almost no audience members left early; even if they had to hold their bladders, they held on until the end.

And Jing Tian, sitting beside Wei Jin, despite having seen it several times already, was still laughing until she was doubled over.

After the performance ended, Jing Tian pulled Wei Jin to the backstage, intending to act as an intermediary, but unexpectedly, someone cut in.

"Welcome, President Wei, for coming to inspect."

The young director of Mahua FunAge, Yan Fei, greeted Wei Jin with a proper attitude.

The person before him was both a company shareholder and a world-renowned great director, as well as the chairman of the largest cultural and entertainment group in the industry; no amount of respect would be too much.

"Of course, also welcome Tian Tian for coming to show support, haha."

"Oh my, Director Yan, why are you being so polite?"

Jing Tian has frequently visited Mahua's theater troupe over the years and is very familiar with the group of actors and management.

After some pleasantries, Yan Fei took the initiative to introduce the personnel of this performance to Wei Jin.

It was Wei Jin's first time seeing Shen Teng and Ma Li offline; the two were indeed very funny, and their banter was very smooth.

As for the big guy Allen, he was a very quiet person in private, basically just maintaining a smile.

"Director Wei, you are a great director; could you give some comments on today's performance?"

As soon as Shen Teng said this, everyone including Yan Fei, Ma Li, and Allen looked at Wei Jin.

"The overall effect is very good, full of laughs, and I think it can definitely be moved to the big screen."

"Really!?"

Shen Teng's tone was the most exaggerated, and the other actors were also somewhat excited.

Although everyone loves stage acting, if they could really transition to the film industry, who would refuse? "Hmm, Director Yan can do some preliminary preparations first, and we can discuss the specifics with President Zhang at the company when the time comes."

"Good, good, President Wei, I will arrange it as soon as possible."

Yan Fei took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

In fact, when Shanhe Media acquired the shares, there was an agreement to this effect: to help Mahua FunAge complete its transition to film at an appropriate time.

After all, the audience for stage plays is too small; even with Mahua FunAge's popularity, a single performance doesn't earn much money.

The key is that the actors perform one show after another, and their bodies cannot take it.

And now, they had finally heard about the launch of the film project.

In the whole circle, who doesn't know Wei Jin's eye for talent? Projects he favors are definitely worth doing.

This time, perhaps Mahua FunAge will be trading up.

In the evening, Wei Jin and Jing Tian returned to Dongshanshu.

As soon as the two arrived in the room, Jing Tian kissed him impatiently, as if she wanted to pour all her longing into this kiss.

Feeling the young girl's heart, Wei Jin reached out one arm to wrap around her waist, responding passionately.

The two kissed all the way, gradually moving from the entryway to the bedside, their clothes scattering on the floor.

A short separation is better than a new marriage, and it was no different. When the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped, Wei Jin carried the girl to the bathroom to relieve her fatigue, his hands wandering wantonly over her skin, which was as smooth as lard and flawless as white jade.

And the girl leaned lazily in his arms, quietly enjoying their world for two.

After a long while, Jing Tian raised her head and asked curiously, "Brother, are you really going to turn that stage play into a movie?"

"Hmm, I had this plan a long time ago."

From the time Wang Zixuan started as an Assistant, Wei Jin had been keeping an eye on this destined role for her.

Now that the stage play has been performed for over a year, its popularity is more than enough; it is time to give her a boost.

It was just unexpected that Jing Tian, this little girl, was actually quite interested in the project.

"Tian Tian, are you saying you want to play the role of the school beauty?"

Jing Tian nodded: "Yeah, I've rehearsed with Brother Teng and the others, it should be no problem."

"Uh..."

Seeing Wei Jin hesitating, Jing Tian rolled over, straddled his lower abdomen, and pouted her little lips.

"What's wrong? Brother, do you think I don't look like a campus belle?"

Wei Jin reached out to cup her milky-white, firm, and perfectly shaped breasts, smiling as he said: "How could that be? North of the equator, Tiantian is the most beautiful! With your qualities, let alone a campus belle, being the nation's sweetheart is well within your reach."

"Hee hee, Brother, it's not as exaggerated as you say."

Faced with the man's praise, even though she was confident in her beauty, Jing Tian still felt a bit shy, but it was clear she was very pleased.

"Then Brother, what do you think if I were to play the role?"

Meeting the girl's expectant gaze, Wei Jin pulled her closer into his arms and shook his head: "Tiantian, it's not a question of whether you can act it well, but that your status is no longer suitable for such a role."

Hearing this, Jing Tian was slightly stunned, then immediately understood.

Indeed, given her current level of fame, playing a campus belle would be a bit beneath her status.

After all, both the production budget and the production team were unknown; not to mention her management team, even the brands she endorsed would have objections.

Thinking of this, Jing Tian felt a bit dejected.

Seeing the girl's expression, Wei Jin whispered a few words into her ear, and she instantly became excited.

"Brother, is that for real?"

"Of course it's true, when have I ever lied to you?"

"Mua, Brother, thank you, mua."

After receiving the girl's sweet kisses, Wei Jin wore a smile on his lips as his hands wandered upward.

"Tiantian, how many times have I told you, when you express gratitude, you must be sincere."

Jing Tian bit her red lips and gave him a flirtatious look: "Bad brother, you only know how to bully—mmph!"

The girl couldn't finish her sentence, as her red lips were already sealed by Wei Jin, and even the sensitive parts of her delicate body were under constant attack.

After a long, wet kiss, a flush had appeared on Jing Tian's exquisite face, and the mist in her eyes seemed even thicker than the steam in the bathroom.

At this point, there was no need for Wei Jin to urge her; the girl voluntarily lowered her fair, swan-like neck, and with her warmth and tenderness, she fiercely enveloped him. (End of chapter)