Chapter 582: Waiting for a Price to Sell: Chanting a Poem

Early the next morning, Wei Jin arrived at the company feeling refreshed, only to see the downstairs area surrounded by media reporters.

Without needing to ask, Wei Jin knew these people had all come for the matter regarding *Operation Mekong*.

Unfortunately, even though there was a resolution, Wei Jin would certainly keep his mouth shut until the dust settled, and these reporters were destined to get no answers.

Refusing to accept interviews, Wei Jin made his way to his office and first checked on the situation in the film market.

With all sorts of distractions these past few days, he really hadn't had the time to pay attention.

But he hadn't expected that—he didn't know until he looked, and once he looked, he was shocked.

Last Friday, *Mad 2* and *One Night Surprise* were released simultaneously, signaling the complete start of the chaotic battle for the August Summer Slot and the Qi Xi Festival slot.

Yet, contrary to Wei Jin's expectations, just after the Qi Xi Festival had passed, a full three films were already being eliminated from the game.

The first was *Young Style*; after 12 days of release, it had grossed 23.6 million, but its single-day box office had already fallen below 100,000.

Although the cinema chains hadn't pulled it yet, it was only retaining the minimum number of screenings, effectively out of the running early.

However, the production cost for this film was less than five million, so even counting marketing and distribution, it had definitely broken even. That is why there were quite a few press releases for Dong Zijian at the moment; it seems Wang Jinhua had put in quite a bit of effort.

If *Young Style* at least broke even before being eliminated, then *A Moment of Romance* and *Mad 2* were truly too miserable.

Both films were aimed at the Qi Xi Festival slot, but just after the festival passed, they were forcibly pulled from theaters by the chains, having been released for less than a week.

*A Moment of Romance* was released for 6 days, ultimately grossing 12.6 million.

According to the revenue split, the producers would get no more than five million, which likely wasn't even enough to cover the promotion and distribution costs.

Gao Shu Qun's fifty-million production cost was a total loss, plain and simple! The latter was even more miserable; after 5 days of release, the box office was only 1.36 million.

And the person even more miserable than the producers or directors of these two films was Huang Xiaoming.

He could be said to have set a precedent: two films starring him failed to stay in theaters for even 15 days.

One must know that a 15-day release period for a commercial film is considered an unspoken understanding between cinema chains and producers.

And for these two films to be abandoned like this, it could only mean one thing: the films were rotten to the core! To the point that the cinema chains didn't even want to give them the most basic face!

As the absolute male lead of both films, this wave for Huang Xiaoming had completely squandered the drawing power he had worked so hard to build up with *American Dreams in China*.

"Tsk tsk... It might be a bit difficult to collaborate in the future."

After sighing with emotion, Wei Jin continued to browse downward.

Although it had been diverted by films released during this period and its screenings had dropped to 28%, *About Time* remained very strong in its box office performance, supported by explosive word-of-mouth.

Over these five days, it had raked in another 134 million at the box office, especially yesterday on Qi Xi, where the single-day box office actually surged to 30 million again.

Currently, after 12 days of release, the box office had reached 436 million.

Although several more films were set to be released in the coming week, based on the current daily box office of around 20 million, *About Time* had already completed its goal of being the August hegemon ahead of schedule.

And *Tiny Times 2* lived up to its name as a fan film, grossing 172 million over 6 days and directly recouping its costs.

But if one looked at the single-day box office separately, one would find that its data was decreasing every day.

Even though yesterday was the Qi Xi Festival, the daily revenue had already fallen below 20 million.

Looking at this trend, let alone breaking 500 million, it wouldn't even be possible to catch up to the performance of the first installment.

And without Fan Bingbing's participation, *One Night Surprise* performed very ordinarily; Tang Nvxing really didn't have the power to carry a box office.

After 5 days, the box office for *One Night Surprise* only reached a little over 34 million.

However, the production cost for this film was only a little over 20 million, so it seemed there shouldn't be much of a problem breaking even.

Just as Wei Jin was about to continue flipping down, Chen Xi knocked on the door and walked in.

"Boss, the budget for *Operation Mekong* is out: 240 million. The specific details are all here; take a look."

As Chen Xi spoke, she handed over the budget documents, never once asking about the review process from beginning to end.

In her view, this was simply an insignificant trifle for the boss.

Wei Jin likewise offered no explanation, took the budget sheet, and began to read through it carefully.

"Fine, have someone arrange to send the script again."

From the content of that phone call with Director Tong yesterday, Wei Jin knew he couldn't continue to be rigid, otherwise, there would be no tacit understanding in this "transaction."

However, his goal had been achieved, so this didn't count as backing down.

"Also, you can start preparing the project filing documents."

"Okay."

*Operation Mekong* remained a key focus of attention within the industry; everyone wanted to know how this matter would eventually end.

But just at this moment, a piece of gossip spread through the industry that made everyone unable to hold back a laugh.

It was said that Chen Shiren wanted to replicate the original cast of *The Forbidden Kingdom* and invite Cheng Long and Li Lianjie to star in his first martial arts film.

Regarding this, the industry didn't find it strange, because Chen Shiren had always liked using Hong Kong and Taiwan stars.

However, the result was very surprising: Cheng Long and Li Lianjie both politely declined one after the other.

Now, Chen Shiren's face couldn't hold up.

One must know that as a Palme d'Or-winning director, almost no one in the entire film and television circle across the strait had ever refused him.

"Very normal. Chen Shiren is clearly still living in past glories and overestimated his own drawing power. Given the Waterloos he's encountered in recent years, Big Brother and Li Lianjie probably have psychological shadows."

Wei Jin joked with Lao Chen with a smile, though in his mind, he thought of Li Tianwang from back then.

His performance in *Forever Enthralled* was indeed quite good, but unfortunately, he met a director who liked to indulge in self-obsession and couldn't grasp the plot, wasting his acting skills.

"Yeah, that's true. It's said that these days Director Chen is contacting other Hong Kong and Taiwan stars again. I wonder who will be tricked this time, hahaha."

As the chief steward of Shanhe Media, Chen Zhiming didn't have that kind of superstition about Chen Shiren, especially since *Monk Comes Down the Mountain* was clearly a rushed project, and the probability of it being a rotten film was high.

"By the way, Lao Chen, how is the communication with the Baoshi government going?"

Chen Zhiming had already formed the written materials for the film studio idea over the past ten days or so, and Wei Jin felt there was absolutely no problem.

The only concern was that the selected Baiyangdian already had a film base in existence.

Or rather, it couldn't be called a film base; it just had some building complexes in the style of the War of Resistance period, as well as a 5A-level scenic spot—Gazicun.

Because the original *Little Soldier Zhang Ga* was filmed on location here. If Shanhe Media wants to develop this place, this part is impossible to bypass, which is why Chen Zhiming has been communicating with the local government these past few days.

"President Wei, although there hasn't been a clear statement yet, based on my judgment, the possibility of them accepting is extremely high."

Speaking of this, Chen Zhiming explained the basis for his judgment: "After I visited and investigated, I discovered that their operations are very crude and basically running at a loss; the annual maintenance funds are not a small sum."

"So if we are willing to take over, I think the local government should be happy to see it happen; right now, they are probably just waiting to sell at a good price."

"Fine, continue to follow up, but don't be too eager. You can reveal the Wanda project to them; if someone else builds a film studio of over 5,000 mu first, the title of 'Oriental Hollywood' won't fall to Baoshi."

Wei Jin does not care about this title; whether a film studio can be revitalized does not depend on gimmicks, but on whether film crews move in and whether it can form a brand effect.

And Shanhe Media and its numerous allies can satisfy this point.

But for the local government, this title has value, and it can even be said to be a very glorious political achievement.

Chen Zhiming clearly also understood this principle and immediately gave a thumbs up.

"Haha, President Wei, your move is brilliant. At the next meeting, I must properly put them on the spot."

"Hehe."

*The Patriot Yue Fei* lasted for over a month and finally wrapped up a few days ago.

Relying on an eye-catching average viewership rating of 2.67 and a peak breaking 3, the broadcast rights for the second and third rounds also sold very well.

A total of 9 television stations cumulatively offered a price of 2.25 million per episode.

Calculating it out, the total revenue for this 60-episode costume drama is approaching 200 million.

The several major producers can be said to have made a fortune; when Wang Changtian called, that smile was almost overflowing through the phone.

Fan Bingbing was the same, sending many seductive photos to Wei Jin again.

However, Wei Jin had no time to pay attention; compared to the intangible temptation of Fan Bingbing, Liu Shishi's gentleness was more substantial.

Inside the bedroom of Xishan Villa, Wei Jin was seen with his hands behind his head, leaning against the headboard, calm and composed.

That pretty face, filled with a tranquil temperament, was already covered in a flush.

A pair of almond eyes, subtle and aesthetic, were filled with a thousand charms, and her alluring red lips were being lightly bitten, as if in the next moment, countless sweet words were about to be whispered.

After the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased, Liu Shishi thoughtfully finished the cleanup work, then leaned against Wei Jin's embrace, satisfied and lazy, quietly enjoying the beautiful afterglow.

After a long while, Liu Shishi seemed to have remembered something, and her snow-white arm suddenly reached toward the headboard.

"Shishi, what's wrong?"

"Oh, I just remembered, Director Lin's *Unbeatable* is going to be released tomorrow. I didn't have time to attend the premiere before, so I have to help promote it."

Wei Jin nodded; the young girl received quite a bit of care from Lin Chao-xian on the set of *Witch*, so she should help show her support.

This film was produced by Bona, and the cast gathered first-tier Hong Kong and Taiwan actors like Zhazha Hui and Peng Yuyan, as well as Li Feier, Mei Ting, and others from Mainland China.

The premiere had also invited Wei Jin, but unfortunately, it happened to coincide with his script being under review, and he had no time to be gawked at.

However, judging from subsequent media reports, the reviews were quite good, but it was scheduled for the mid-August slot, and it is unknown how much the final box office results will be.

Speaking of which, since *The Raid* the year before last, Lin Chao-xian became the first Hong Kong director with a 400 million box office, and these past two years he has been infinitely glorious.

Not only did numerous production companies in Hong Kong extend olive branches, but even Bona sent him an invitation to sign, only for Lin Chao-xian to refuse them all.

However, despite not signing, Lin Chao-xian was almost never refusing when it came to taking on films and collaborating.

In just over a year, he successively filmed Emperor Motion Pictures' *The Viral Factor*, Golden Harvest's *Witch* and *The Raid 2*, and this *Unbeatable* from Bona.

Wei Jin even heard that after the post-production of *The Raid 2* ended, Lin Chao-xian had already accepted another film contract from Emperor Motion Pictures, truly a top-tier workaholic.

Thinking of this, Wei Jin lowered his head and glanced at Liu Shishi, who was editing Weibo.

This young girl hasn't had any works since *Witch*, and it's been over a year.

"Shishi, you haven't accepted any other film contracts, have you?"

"No, what's next are just some commercial announcements."

Liu Shishi, having finished editing her Weibo, put down her phone and answered casually, but she quickly reacted to the meaning behind the man's words and looked up at Wei Jin with some surprise.

"Brother, are you going to arrange a film for me again?"

"Mm, I have an idea, but I still have to see how your English is."

The efficiency over at Warner is quite good; the budget for *Interstellar* has already come out, and they have scheduled to come over later this month to discuss the share.

The role of the second female lead in this film is not small, and it doesn't require much acting skill; Liu Shishi can fully handle it, and with her current status as one of the Four Dan Actresses, it won't drag the project down.

It's just that if her English level isn't up to par, Wei Jin can't help it.

"Brother, I have been practicing English these past two years; daily conversation should be no problem."

Liu Shishi understood the implication, suppressed the excitement in her heart, and began to communicate with Wei Jin in English.

She is very glad that, starting from *Pacific Rim*, she has been consciously improving her English level.

Although she cannot speak as fluently as Jing Tian or Liu Yifei, compared to the Level 4 standard she had just after graduation, it is already significantly higher.

Now, it finally has a place to be put to use.

"Mm, not bad, barely qualified, but you still need to practice more."

After listening, Wei Jin gave his evaluation, then reached out to stroke the girl's firm and perky buttocks, explaining: "Shishi, it's not that I'm being strict; the investment in this co-production project is not small, and since it's your first time participating, so..."

The four words "co-production project" completely confirmed Liu Shishi's thoughts. She didn't care at all about Wei Jin's "barely qualified" evaluation, but instead promised solemnly: "Brother, I understand. I will push away all subsequent arrangements and ask a private tutor to help me improve properly; I definitely won't let you down."

Looking at the girl's appearance, the corners of Wei Jin's mouth rose slightly, and his face carried a hint of mischief.

"Shishi, we can practice well tonight; later, remember to sing English songs."

Understanding the meaning in Wei Jin's words, a flush appeared on Liu Shishi's fair, pretty face: "Brother, I will follow your lead."

After speaking, the girl slowly lowered her fair swan-like neck.

"Mm... very good."

That night, Liu Shishi recited poetry in English for the first time, which greatly increased Wei Jin's interest, and the two of them played almost all night. (End of chapter)