Chapter 68: Wei Jin Becomes the Most Coveted Prize for Chinese Female Stars

On January 15, the box office for *Painted Skin* exceeded 360 million, officially topping the domestic box office charts. It has already finished its run in Hong Kong, with a box office reaching 54 million, making it the 2005 annual box office champion in Hong Kong.

Wei Jin has been praised to the heavens within the industry, but recently, Wei Jin has been acting very low-key and rarely makes appearances, which has the media outlets wanting to interview him gnashing their teeth in frustration.

Meanwhile, *The Promise* has been in theaters for a month, but its box office is only 130 million. Chen Shiren launched a wave of forced face-saving, bluntly stating:

"No one will be able to understand *The Promise* within five years."

However, it is said that the overseas rights for *The Promise* sold quite well, with news claiming the transaction price exceeded 20 million USD. If true, the investors haven't lost too badly.

At this moment, Wei Jin is curled up on the sofa with Ceng Li watching *My Own Swordsman*. Ceng Li lets out "hehehe" laughs from time to time, which completely doesn't match her image as a cold and aloof beauty.

The company also invested in this show, but the filming took so long that Wei Jin had almost forgotten about it.

The price the television station paid for this show wasn't high, but Wei Jin doesn't care; as long as the rights are in his hands, it will be a bargain once video websites rise to prominence.

Holding the beauty in his arms, Wei Jin suddenly realized that Li Jie is turning 30 this year; time really flies.

"Li Jie, we've known each other for two and a half years, right? How come you haven't changed at all?"

Ceng Li was also a bit surprised to hear this. Hu Jing had asked her this same question while on the set of *My Love from the Star*, but she had thought it was due to the makeup team at the time and didn't think much of it.

*My Love from the Star* officially wrapped up filming a few days ago and is currently in post-production. Sun Hao has high hopes for this show and is handling every detail personally, which makes Wei Jin very gratified.

This show is only 30 episodes long, yet it took nearly three months to film from start to finish, mainly because Ceng Li took such long leaves of absence in the middle.

"I don't know either. Maybe it's because I've always been in a good mood, so my state looks good."

"By the way, Li Jie, I've prepared an award-chasing script for you. You know, to be a great artist, one is not qualified without awards to their name."

Without dwelling too much on the question, Wei Jin stuffed the script he had long prepared into Ceng Li's arms and took the opportunity to cop a feel.

Ceng Li felt a bit moved upon hearing this; this man still remembered her dream, and she immediately opened the script to read it.

"This script is written really well, and the content it expresses is very profound, but can I act it well?"

This script is what Wei Jin prepared to use to charge at this year's Cannes Film Festival. The female lead's performance has great tension, and the age is appropriate; it's just right for Ceng Li to rack up some awards.

"You have to have confidence in yourself. Start studying the script and understanding and immersing yourself in the character from now on. We'll start filming around mid-March, so there's enough time for you to adjust your state."

Wei Jin's status is high enough now that as long as he films the movie and sends it to Cannes by May, it will basically be shortlisted. He doesn't have to be like that time in Berlin, where he still had to contact the selector to watch it in advance.

"Alright then, I will definitely thoroughly digest the script and the character over these two months. Thank you, Xiao Jin."

Ceng Li is actually aware of Wei Jin's affairs, but what can she do? She cannot leave this man.

"Li Jie, I heard that to show gratitude, one should at least show..."

Wei Jin's large hands climbed onto Ceng Li's peaks unconsciously. Ceng Li rolled her eyes at him and lay back on the sofa. On the afternoon of January 16, the official website of Wei Jin Fengliu Film and Television Company announced the latest project information:

*Time-Space Cohabitation*, total investment 20 million, Director: Wei Jin; Screenwriter: Wei Jin; Female Lead: Gao Yuanyuan; Male Lead: Lei Jiayin; Supporting roles: several.

*Room*, total investment 10 million, Director: Wei Jin; Screenwriter: Wei Jin; Female Lead: Ceng Li; Others to be determined. Seeing that the female leads for both projects had already been decided, many female artists felt sour. Wei Jin's movies, and female lead roles at that, were just snatched up so quietly? These two women's methods are truly brilliant.

That evening, Wei Jin received a meeting invitation from Fan Bingbing. After pondering for a moment, he replied with a message and drove to a house Wei Jin had named the Golden House.

Not long after entering the house, a knock on the door sounded; Fan Bingbing had arrived.

Wei Jin had learned quite a lot during his two trips to North America and was no longer a simpleton. Before Fan Bingbing could speak, Wei Jin took off his clothes and walked toward the bathroom. Fan Bingbing instantly understood the man's meaning and followed him toward the bathroom, undressing as she walked.

Before long, the two were entangled in the bathroom.

After a great battle, Wei Jin lay in the bathtub, lit a cigarette, and seemed to still be savoring the moment.

Fan Bingbing pressed against Wei Jin's chest and asked, panting slightly:

"Is it really internally decided?"

Wei Jin had thought this woman could really keep her cool, and he chuckled slightly upon hearing this.

"The announcement has already been sent out, could it be fake?"

"Why is it Gao Yuanyuan? Is she really better than me?"

Fan Bingbing was a bit unconvinced. Compared to Gao Yuanyuan, she believed she could make a man more unable to stop.

Hearing this, Wei Jin looked down at the woman who looked so pitiful and thought to himself that it would be great if she didn't have such big ambitions. But after all, he still coveted her beauty, and it was rare for her to ask for something once, so be it.

"Help me get the phone."

Fan Bingbing was startled, then did as she was told.

Watching her wet, glistening body covered in a layer of crystal-clear water droplets, like a water goddess from a myth, charming and alluring, Wei Jin seemed to feel a bit heated again. He took the phone, found a number, and dialed: "Hello, Hunter, for the role of the girl's best friend in *Taken*, help me lock it in: Chinese actress Fan Bingbing."

When Wei Jin was writing the script, he had set up a best friend character. He felt that this was the only way to intensify the girl's determination to travel abroad. As for the age, can't the Fan Bingbing in front of him play younger? Can't she be a maturely dressed best friend?

Hanging up the phone, Wei Jin looked at Fan Bingbing and stroked the woman's head with his still-damp hand.

"A Hollywood project, though the screen time isn't much. Practice your English well during this time."

Sensing the man's actions, Fan Bingbing gave a charming smile.

"Hiss."

Ignoring the man's groan, Fan Bingbing's heart was surging with massive waves at this moment. A single phone call decided a role in a Hollywood project—how much power must this be? What was even more terrifying was that with her not-so-great English, she seemed to hear the person on the other end address Wei Jin as "boss"!

Thinking of this, Fan Bingbing put in even more effort, but the ambition in her heart grew higher and higher. She didn't want to be a passerby anymore; she wanted to keep this man in her grasp!

Just as various media outlets were choreographing the "must-tell" stories between Wei Jin, Gao Yuanyuan, and Ceng Li, on January 17, a piece of news from across the ocean was pinned to the top of the portal websites:

"Hollywood's Summit Entertainment recently announced a new film plan, and will cooperate with the famous director and screenwriter Wei Jin on the crime action film *Taken*."

"Wei Jin will participate in the production as a screenwriter. The initial budget for the film is 30 million USD, and Wei Jin holds a 20% investment share."

"It is worth mentioning that in the cast list released by Summit Entertainment, in addition to the lead actor, Oscar winner Liam Neeson, there is also a special appearance by Chinese actress Fan Bingbing."

In an instant, this news pushed Wei Jin and Fan Bingbing directly to the headlines, and all other entertainment gossip was suppressed.

Female celebrities across the entire entertainment industry went crazy. Without a doubt, Fan Bingbing had found a way through Wei Jin; otherwise, with her current influence, how could Summit Entertainment bypass several international Chinese stars to invite her to participate?

Many actresses were already prepared. Hearing that Wei Jin likes black silk stockings, they must seize him if there is an opportunity, and create an opportunity to seize him if there isn't. For a time, the sales of black silk stockings in Beijing increased greatly. The new book is on the shelves, I implore all book friends to reward me with a subscription and a collection, thank you all!

(End of this chapter)