China Entertainment’s rescue plan is hard to come by

Chapter 994 Instant Karma [Two Chapters Combined]

On the morning of October 14th, in the banquet hall of a five-star hotel in Beijing.

The press conference held by Huayi Brothers to announce the release date of "Personal Tailor" was a grand event.

On the huge poster backdrop, the smiling faces of the main actors, including Ge You, Bai Baihe, Li Xiaolu, and Zheng Kai, were particularly eye-catching, and the slogan "December 19th, Smile and Welcome the New Year" was also very impactful. The audience was filled with media, their cameras and microphones clicking.

Wang Zhonglei, dressed in a suit and tie, wore a smile. Feng Xiaogang, on the other hand, was dressed in casual attire with his own distinctive style. He sat in the center of the main creative team, calm and composed, exuding the demeanor of a great director.

Since the Chinese film industry began its market-oriented reforms, major film and television companies have been paying more and more attention to film promotion, especially in recent years, with the argument that promotion is more important than filming.

A well-known film producer even stated directly within the industry, "No matter how well a film is made, it's useless without promotion; no matter how bad a film is made, as long as the promotion is effective, it will still be a box office hit."

With the market-driven expansion of the film industry, box office revenue has gone from requiring extensive advertising to break the 100 million mark, to now easily reaching 300 million, 500 million, and even exceeding 2 billion in total box office revenue.

Many insiders believe that the benefits of industry and national development are largely due to film promotion.

They spared no effort in investing funds in advertising.

There are press conferences for the production team's establishment, the start of filming, the wrap-up, the release date announcement, and finally, the premiere ceremony and box office celebrations. They practically want to have reporters on the sidelines reporting on the film as it's being shot, promoting it all the way through.

Feng Xiaogang's "Personal Tailor" is a prime example; it's been featured in the entertainment section every few days, almost as if it wanted to run an advertisement on the evening news.

The first half of the press conference proceeded as planned: exciting clips were shown, the main creators shared anecdotes from filming, and discussed their original intentions for returning to comedy.

Feng Xiaogang spoke eloquently, his words brimming with confidence in the work:
"Personal Tailor is meant to give everyone a laugh at the end of the year, but within that laughter, there are also things we want to say. Please rest assured, the flavor is still the same."

The audience reacted enthusiastically, especially when they saw Ge You's familiar "Ge-style humor," with constant laughter and applause. Some even whispered cheers: "Feng's comedy is back!" "With Ge You, it's a sure thing!" "This is the movie we've been waiting for for the Lunar New Year season!"

I wonder if they were hired shills beforehand!
During the Q&A session, the initial questions all revolved around the film itself: plot highlights, actor collaborations, box office expectations, etc. Feng Xiaogang and producer Wang Zhonglei handled them with ease, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

However, just as the press conference was drawing to a close, a reporter sitting in the back row wearing a badge indicating he was from an online media outlet suddenly raised his hand and, after being signaled, asked:
"Director Feng, I apologize for asking a question unrelated to film. Many netizens are very curious about the recent rumors regarding the selection of the Spring Festival Gala director, and many are hoping that you could take on the role of chief director and bring some new changes to the Gala. I wonder if you have received a formal invitation from CCTV? Or, to put it another way, are you personally interested in directing the Spring Festival Gala?"

The question caused a brief silence, followed by a slight commotion and whispers.

Other media reporters present immediately perked up their ears.

This is an unexpected hot topic!

The person in charge of Huayi's press conference frowned slightly and was about to go on stage to interrupt, but was unexpectedly rejected by Feng Xiaogang.

All eyes were focused on Feng Xiaogang's face.

Instead of being displeased, he showed a smile that was both expected and somewhat reserved.

He adjusted his posture, picked up the microphone, and spoke in a relaxed, even slightly teasing tone:
"My dear reporter, how am I supposed to answer that question? Your information network is truly impressive!"

He paused, as if choosing his words carefully, but the characteristic "little cannon" spirit—reckless yet full of confidence—was already there.

"The Spring Festival Gala, as everyone knows, is the 'New Year's Eve dinner' for Chinese people all over the world. It is of great significance and carries even greater responsibility." He set the tone first, then changed the subject, "To be honest, there has indeed been some contact and communication with CCTV, and the leaders have their own considerations. This matter is not yet finalized, so we can't rush it and need to be cautious."

These words caused an uproar among the reporters in the audience, who all raised their hands.

"Director Feng, are you telling the truth?"

"Let me tell you a couple more things, Director Feng!"

"What stage has your agreement with CCTV reached? Are there any disagreements? Can you elaborate?"

Feng Xiaogang grinned, showing his teeth.

He neither fully admitted to receiving a formal invitation nor outright denied it. Instead, he cleverly guided public opinion with a vague attitude of "it is true but still in progress."

Although his words were humble, the confidence he exuded, the sense that "who else but me?" and the implication that he was being "communicated with" and "considered" sent a strong signal to the media reporters present.
"I, Feng Xiaogang, am the most popular and most likely candidate to be the director of the Spring Festival Gala, and things are moving in that direction."

In response to questions from reporters in the audience, he added a meaningful remark:
"I can't say anything else, but I can say that I'm personally very willing to serve the national audience, but the premise is that there has to be an environment where I can put my ideas into practice. Otherwise, just being a figurehead is pretty meaningless, right?"

These words were impeccably worded and packed with information. They not only elevated the status of the Spring Festival Gala and the speaker's own position, but also implied that the speaker "has ideas" and needs a "good environment," giving the impression of "passing on a message" to CCTV through the media.

The reporters on the scene were excitedly taking notes.

This is practically a bombshell! Although it hasn't been officially announced, Feng Xiaogang's attitude is practically the same as an official announcement. It's just a matter of openly admitting it.

The press conference ended, and it didn't take long for the news to spread across the entire internet.

#Feng Xiaogang seemingly admits to being in contact with the Spring Festival Gala#
#Feng Xiaogang talks about the requirements for directing the Spring Festival Gala#
The popularity of topics such as these began to rise rapidly.

Netizens' comments exploded:

"As expected of Director Feng! He's reliable!"

"With the 'Little Cannon' on the scene, he might just be able to add some exciting content to the Spring Festival Gala!"

"I support Director Feng! It's much better than what CCTV itself produced!"

"Director Feng is right. If you go there without real power, you'll just be taking the blame."

"It seems the director for the Spring Festival Gala is really close to being decided? Is Director Feng just warming things up in advance?"

"Anyone can do it as long as it's not the same group from last year! Director Feng at least has fame and works!"

Public opinion almost unanimously leans towards believing that Feng Xiaogang will soon serve as the director of the Spring Festival Gala, and expresses support for his "outspokenness" and "demand setting".

In the simple understanding of most netizens, as long as it's not those "old faces inside" who specifically define the educational significance of the Spring Festival Gala for them, any outside director with some fame, no matter how many songs they can sing, as long as they bring a little bit of novelty, it won't be any worse than it is now.

In the afternoon, back at the company, looking at the comments online, especially those saying "Support Director Feng," "The will of the people," and "Looking forward to Xiao Gangpao breaking the monotony of the Spring Festival Gala," Feng Xiaogang, sitting in the lounge scrolling through his phone, felt incredibly comfortable, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

"See? The eyes of the masses are still sharp." He said to Wang Zhonglei beside him, his tone full of pride. "Everyone is hoping for some new changes. CCTV is under a lot of pressure."

He even smugly imagined that with the added prestige of being the "Spring Festival Gala director," the box office prospects for "Personal Tailor" would be even brighter.

Defeating Sun Yi and becoming the box office champion again during the Lunar New Year season might not be impossible.

However, some things are just that unpredictable.

Just as he was smugly thinking that perhaps he could use this wave of public opinion to get Hu Weimin to work harder and negotiate even better terms, like making three visits to Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage, so as to highlight his own importance as Feng Xiaogang!

CCTV's official channels, including its website and Weibo account, announced the "cooperative" director for this year's Spring Festival Gala with lightning speed. There was no prior notice or preparation.

Netizens discussing Feng Xiaogang's remarks, and media outlets still processing the press conference information, were suddenly bombarded with the same brief message pushed by various platforms:
[Official Announcement] Renowned Chinese director Sun Yi will serve as the chief director of the 2014 CCTV Spring Festival Gala.

The following is the main text:
"In order to innovate the Spring Festival Gala concept, attract outstanding creative talents, and create a cultural feast for the New Year's Eve that is joyful, peaceful, novel, and warm, with the approval of higher authorities, CCTV-2 has officially hired the famous director Mr. Sun Yi as the chief director of the 2014 Spring Festival Gala."

"Director Sun Yi has achieved remarkable success in the fields of film, television, music, and scriptwriting, possessing a high level of international vision and innovative spirit. We look forward to him bringing new vitality and creativity to the Spring Festival Gala. Currently, the preparation work for the gala has officially started from the date of this announcement."

Below the text was a half-body photo of Sun Yi in formal attire.

Silence!

Then came an explosive chain reaction.

No, wait! Isn't it Feng Xiaogang?
He said it himself!
your sister! !

The media were on edge.

A group of entertainment reporters frantically forwarded the confirmation while simultaneously frantically replacing their prepared articles about "the Spring Festival Gala director's difficult appointment" or "Feng Xiaogang is expected to take over." Amidst shouts of "cursing," they quickly deleted Feng Xiaogang's name, replaced it with Sun Yi, and then rewrote new analysis reports and news flashes.

The hashtag #SunYi, the chief director of the Spring Festival Gala# quickly rose to the top of Weibo's trending topics list.

Netizens were initially stunned, but once it was confirmed, they became excited.

"My God! It really is Sun Yi! CCTV is serious, they've even put Sun Yi's picture on their official website!"

"Young energy! Looking forward to it! Can you make the Spring Festival Gala as cool as 'Edge of Tomorrow'?"

"Is Sun Yi thirty this year? Can he keep up? But thinking about it, it's kind of exciting!"

"What about Feng Xiaogang? Didn't everyone say he was the most likely candidate?"

"Haha, that's what Director Feng said himself, but now he's been outmaneuvered? This is interesting."

"Sun Yi + Spring Festival Gala, this combination is too magical, but I like it!"

"Hey, do you guys think the fairy sister might go on? Maybe it'll be a husband-and-wife team?"

"You know what, it's true! With Sun Yi and Liu Yifei, this year's Spring Festival Gala has already won half the battle in terms of looks and buzz!"

"Do artists from the 'Starry Sky' genre have a chance?"

"Fuck you!"

Feng Xiaogang broke down completely, and in his anger, he even smashed his favorite purple clay teapot.

Shameful! Utterly shameful!

In the morning, under the spotlight of the press conference, he hinted that he would soon be in charge of the Spring Festival Gala, enjoying the adoration of the media and netizens, and dreaming about how to "reluctantly" and "thrice visit the thatched cottage" to accept the important task.

Before the day was even over, CCTV delivered a cold, official slap in the face with a resounding rebuke! And it was Sun Yi, the person he was most unwilling to accept, who had been overshadowing him for the past few years, who delivered the slap!
CCTV, they don't give them any face at all!

If CCTV knew what he said, they would probably feel quite wronged.

The announcements were all pre-arranged. The station leaders were in a hurry and even had to choose an auspicious day. As soon as the cooperation agreement was signed, the official announcement was arranged immediately.

Who knew that you, who are so good at talking nonsense, would end up bragging to CCTV?

Feng Xiaogang was so angry he was speechless, and his hands started to tremble.

"Hahaha, honey, honey, look at this! 'Director Feng: I've already prepared the script for the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage, CCTV, why aren't you following the script?' 'Sun Yi? Whose subordinate is this?'"

Goose goose goose~~
Liu Yifei sat cross-legged on the living room sofa, holding a tablet computer, laughing so hard she almost fell over.

She had just received the official announcement from CCTV when she saw the comments on Weibo supporting Sun Yi and teasing Feng Xiaogang. Some particularly talented netizens even made memes of it, which made her laugh so hard she almost cried.

Sun Yi glanced at it, and his eye twitched.

He's even in this meme!

"Alright, alright, that's enough. Director Feng really went too far this time, I bet he's holding back his anger right now."

"He'd been keeping it to himself." Liu Yifei wrinkled her nose, her tone tinged with a hint of smugness and undisguised joy. "Who told him to be so confident, acting like he had it all figured out? Now the whole country knows who the clown really is!"

After saying that, she put down the tablet, snuggled up to Sun Yi, hugged his arm, looked up at him with sparkling eyes, and said, "Honey, you're amazing! I knew you could do it!"

"Be kind, Director Feng is quite old."

"I don't care! So what if I'm old? Does being old mean I can say whatever I want?"

Liu Yifei gave a haughty snort.

She was genuinely proud of Sun Yi.

Being the chief director of the Spring Festival Gala is an immense honor, especially since it represents a complete recognition of Sun Yi's abilities and influence.

As his wife, I was naturally honored.

Seeing the girl's heartwarming and protective manner, Sun Yi was at a loss. He couldn't very well scold his own wife because of an outsider.

That would be the most idiotic thing to do.

"Whether it's powerful or not is another matter, but what follows is definitely going to be a tough battle!"

"The contract is signed, and we've secured the rights. Now, it's time to get down to business for the next four months. Whether we can live up to this trust and create something different depends entirely on what happens next."

Sun Yi sighed, but his eyes gleamed with eager anticipation.

"It's okay, honey, I'm here!"

Liu Yifei straightened her chest and slapped it hard.

颤了
Sun Yi: !!!
Liu Yifei: #￣ω￣#
(End of this chapter)