Chapter 84: The Mentor's Admonition and Jiang Shuying's Red Carpet Debut

Bidding farewell to the teachers, Wei Jin arrived at the Graduate School. Just as he reached the door of the Department Head's office, he saw several old men and women coming out. Not recognizing them, Wei Jin had no choice but to stop and stand to the side to let them pass.

"You are Old Tian's new student? Wei Jin?"

An elderly woman who looked somewhat kind asked. "It is me. Greetings, teachers."

Hearing the tone of their speech, Wei Jin knew they were of the same generation as Tian Zhuangzhuang. Regardless of whether they were actually teachers, addressing them this way was certainly not wrong.

"This student of Old Tian's is truly remarkable. He won a Silver Bear in his sophomore year and has been shortlisted for Cannes again this year. The younger generation is truly formidable."

An old man standing nearby spoke up.

Tian Zhuangzhuang stood to the side, wearing a smile, and did not speak.

"You teachers are too kind; it is all thanks to the school's good teaching."

Wei Jin's humble expression made the group think even more highly of him.

"A young person who is neither arrogant nor impetuous—very good. Old Tian, we will be going now."

Watching them walk away, Tian Zhuangzhuang turned and returned to his office.

"Come in and sit."

Tian Zhuangzhuang had begun serving as a graduate advisor as early as 2003 and was promoted to Department Head of the Director Department last year, so Wei Jin was not unfamiliar with this mentor and was not particularly reserved, sitting down as instructed.

"Teacher, who were those people?"

"Some old friends from the past, all from the arts circle. They came to visit me and happened to learn about some of your affairs."

Tian Zhuangzhuang did not dwell on this topic and instead began to show concern for Wei Jin's film.

"How much confidence do you have in this nomination?"

"I wouldn't dare claim I'll win a major award, but for a secondary one, it shouldn't be a problem."

Wei Jin had already spoken quite confidently, but he was not just spouting nonsense; this subject matter truly had great potential.

"Hmm, I have read your script; it has a very good chance. You are still young; you shouldn't miss any opportunities at the European Big Three."

As an older-generation director, Tian Zhuangzhuang still held a strong obsession with the European Big Three.

However, Tian Zhuangzhuang was also very satisfied with this student; he could write and direct, his level was not low, and crucially, his achievements in commercial films were also quite striking.

"Yes, I understand, Teacher. By the way, regarding the incident last time, I must thank you."

Wei Jin was referring to the attack, for which Tian Zhuangzhuang had helped run around.

"Isn't that what a teacher should do?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang did not take it to heart, but immediately switched to a serious expression.

"However, things are not as they used to be. This industry is full of temptations everywhere. You are so young and have already begun to stand out; you must never indulge in wealth or lust, especially in matters of the heart."

Wei Jin felt a bit sheepish upon hearing this. The truth was, this matter made the people who stepped in to help very awkward—it turned out the whole thing was caused by petty jealousy.

"Additionally, in this circle, you must unite with those around you. Attend more industry events when you have time; don't give people cause for gossip."

Tian Zhuangzhuang was advising him not to be antisocial and not to hog all the benefits for himself.

"Teacher, I understand. By the way, I heard that Zhao Yanzi also chose you as her advisor this time?"

He had learned of this from Teacher Jiang, and Wei Jin did not want to be associated with her.

"Ah, that is true. She chose me herself; I am still considering it."

Tian Zhuangzhuang did not immediately keep up with Wei Jin's train of thought.

"Teacher, I think it is right for you to consider it; after all, there are other advisors at the school."

Since the matter was not yet a foregone conclusion, Wei Jin did not mind putting in a bad word for Zhao Yanzi.

Tian Zhuangzhuang, standing to the side, finally caught on—this kid was telling him not to hog all the fame. But he was right; if two such famous students both joined his tutelage, wouldn't that be hogging the spotlight? Seeing Tian Zhuangzhuang looking thoughtful, Wei Jin stopped talking and instead took a document out of his bag.

"Teacher, please take a look at this script."

After taking it, Tian Zhuangzhuang put on his reading glasses and began to look it over. After a long while, he spoke:

"Hmm, the structure is clear, the theme is explicit, and the logic is sound. It is a good script, though the core of its expression is a bit shallow."

"Teacher, you are joking. If it were any deeper, I fear it wouldn't pass censorship."

Wei Jin naturally knew that the script for *Search* could be mined for a deeper core, but there was no need; he was not someone pursuing art. "That is true. You are different from them; you have your own path."

Tian Zhuangzhuang sighed with some emotion; this student was completely different from those Sixth Generation Directors who specialized in filming national trauma and marginalized society.

Wei Jin naturally did not want to dwell on this topic and immediately said:

"Teacher, are you interested in directing this script?"

"Me? You want me to direct this script?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang was quite surprised to hear this. He had thought Wei Jin was just bringing the script for his guidance, never expecting him to have designs on him. However, the script was indeed good. After some thought, Tian Zhuangzhuang made a decision.

"Hmm, I am actually quite interested. Very well, I will take this script, but you must not interfere."

"How could I? Leaving it to you, Teacher, I am a hundred percent at ease. However, you must leave the female lead to me."

Seeing Tian Zhuangzhuang agree to direct, Wei Jin felt a weight lifted off his mind; he finally had an answer for Yuan Yuanjie.

"You, what am I to say about you? Is it that same female star?"

Seeing Wei Jin nod, Tian Zhuangzhuang could only sigh: "Alas, the infatuation of youth. Very well, very well."

Wei Jin did not have much more to say, chatted with his mentor for a while longer, and then rose to take his leave.

Time quickly arrived at April 27th. At five in the afternoon, Wei Jin appeared at the premiere of *Lost on Journey* with Jiang Shuying.

Wei Jin had originally intended to come alone, but Zhang Xu suggested arranging for a company artist to walk the red carpet to increase exposure for the newcomer.

Since she was his own artist and it was a way to introduce her to industry companies, Wei Jin agreed.

This premiere was not a grand affair; it was held at the Beijing flagship store of Shanhe Cinema.

As the image of Shanhe Cinema in the Beijing region, this theater was top-tier in the industry in terms of equipment, environment, and decoration, and it was also equipped with IMAX and a D Hall, representing a significant investment.

At this moment, at the entrance of the cinema, many media outlets had already gathered, staking out the interview area and the red carpet.

This was Jiang Shuying's first time walking a red carpet. Her hand, hooked through Wei Jin's, was somewhat stiff, not only because she was about to face the reporters' cameras, but also because the person accompanying her was her own boss.

Today, Jiang Shuying was wearing a rose-red V-neck floor-length gown; not only did it make her waist appear exceptionally slender, but her proportions also looked remarkably balanced.

When she received the gown provided by the company, Jiang Shuying was a bit stunned; it didn't seem to match her style, and upon learning it was Wei Jin's request, she once wondered if her boss had other intentions.

Jiang Shuying had always felt that she was suited for a pure and innocent style of dress; whether at school or at the company, she maintained this style.

But after the stylist dressed her up according to Wei Jin's suggestion, looking at herself in the mirror, Jiang Shuying had to admit that her boss's aesthetic was indeed very high-class.

Sure enough, when Jiang Shuying walked onto the red carpet arm-in-arm with Wei Jin, countless lights flashed before her eyes, and she vaguely heard many reporters asking who she was, which stirred a sense of satisfaction in Jiang Shuying's heart; so this was how wonderful it felt to be in the spotlight.

It was no wonder Jiang Shuying was obsessed with this feeling; since her debut, she had only filmed one television drama, and it hadn't even aired yet, making her almost a complete newcomer in the industry, otherwise she wouldn't have traveled alone from Shanghai to sign with Wei Jin Company.

Seeming to notice that Jiang Shuying was a bit nervous, Wei Jin patted her hand, walking unhurriedly along the red carpet and frequently smiling and greeting the media around them.

With Wei Jin setting the example, Jiang Shuying followed suit; with a smile on her face, she held up her long skirt with one hand and walked elegantly along the red carpet, waving to the reporters from time to time, feeling as if the short ten-meter red carpet walk had taken a lifetime.

Arriving at the interview area, many media reporters had already extended their microphones, asking, "Director Wei, may I ask who the female companion beside you is? Is she your girlfriend?"

The media were somewhat excited, as Wei Jin had not yet publicly acknowledged a girlfriend.

"This is Jiang Shuying; it is not as everyone has guessed, she is an artist from our company."

Being able to have an opportunity to help his own artist gain exposure, Wei Jin did not mind introducing her a bit more.

The media were somewhat disappointed upon hearing this, and seeing there was no scandal or gossip to ask about, they turned the topic to the movie.

"Director Wei, may I ask how much you think the movie's box office will be?"

"Of course, the more the better; conservatively, I think it can reach one hundred million."

As soon as Wei Jin said this, the media were all a bit surprised; one had to know that Wei Jin never made empty claims, could he really be that optimistic?

Watching her boss talk confidently while facing the reporters' interview, and then looking at herself being ignored by everyone, Jiang Shuying secretly made up her mind that she must carve out a career for herself in the entertainment industry.

Seeing that some media still wanted to ask questions, Wei Jin stated bluntly that they should wait until after watching the movie, and led Jiang Shuying into the hall.

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(End of this chapter)