During my years at China Entertainment

Chapter 762 My relationship with you has run its course and I'm furious. Please bear with me, sister.
The seven-day Spring Festival holiday has flown by, but the films released on the first day of the Lunar New Year are still competing fiercely.

After six days of competition, Ning Hao's "Breakup Buddies" topped the Spring Festival box office charts with a total of 5.68 million yuan, far ahead of the competition!
Meanwhile, "Dragon Blade," which was originally ranked second, seems to be losing momentum and is almost overtaken by "From Vegas to Macau II."

The former reported 4.06 million, while the latter reported 3.82 million, and the gap is visibly narrowing.

There's no way around it; compared to "Dragon Blade," films like "From Vegas to Macau II," which are primarily family-friendly, are clearly more suited to the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year season, and their strong staying power is to be expected.

Of course, the one with the strongest upward momentum is not "From Vegas to Macau II", but the critically acclaimed "Wolf Totem".

In just six days, its box office has surpassed 3.5 million yuan, truly a remarkable comeback!

Some industry insiders even predict that, given its current strength, it might just overtake the previous two films at any time!
However, there are cases of word-of-mouth reversal, as well as negative examples of word-of-mouth collapse, such as "Zhong Kui: Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal," which failed to stabilize its box office.

After raking in 1.48 million yuan at the box office in 3 days, another 3 days have passed, but it has only earned 81 million yuan, with the daily revenue being cut in half.

Industry insiders predict that the film's final box office gross will be around 300 million yuan.

As the holiday came to an end, the first film to be eliminated from the Spring Festival lineup emerged – "Somewhere Only We Know," directed by Xu Cairen.

The film was released on the 10th, aiming to seize the initiative in the Spring Festival film season. Unfortunately, the producers overestimated Kris Wu's appeal, or rather, overestimated the potential of the young fan base.

In just half a month, the film's daily revenue dropped to zero, and it was completely abandoned by theaters.

However, it must be admitted that the explosive power of fan-driven films is indeed strong. In just 15 days, this film actually grossed 2.6 million yuan!
Although this figure is far from the 5 million figure previously touted by the production company.

But without a doubt, for a low-budget romance film with a production cost of only around 40 million, it is already quite impressive!

Especially for the investors behind it, it not only means making a profit, but also signifies a fact: "Creating stars" is that easy, and "making movies" is that simple!
As the movie became a huge hit, the internet was flooded with press releases about Kris Wu.

What "new generation film and television superstar", what "acting skills are lacking, but good looks can make up for it", what "Wang Shuo praised Wu Yifan's heaven-defying looks"?
Even Feng Xiaogang chimed in, saying, "With the support of two top stars, Wu Yifan and Li Yifeng, 'Mr. Six' is bound to break 15 billion at the box office!"

Honestly, Wei Jin was speechless as he scrolled through the news online.

The Beijing elites are really going all out to promote Wu Yifan, they've even abandoned all sense of decency.

However, this also represents a trend: the era of young heartthrobs and popular celebrities has arrived, and they are about to take center stage!

"Boss, China Film Group has arrived."

Upon hearing Lao Zhu's reminder, Wei Jin turned off the industry news on his phone, got out of the car, and walked towards the familiar building in front of him.

To be honest, Wei Jin still can't figure out what Pei Kang meant by that phone call. During the Lunar New Year, he said he wanted to celebrate Pei Kang's success, and in the small auditorium of China Film Group. What a joke!

When they achieved the European Grand Slam and even won the Oscar for Best Picture, they weren't this enthusiastic.
"We can't rush into making our own new film, can we?"

Filled with questions and speculations, Wei Jin entered La Peikang's office amidst a chorus of greetings, as he was a frequent visitor there.

Wei Jin was surprised to find Han Sanping there when he opened the door, which made him even more confused. Even if it was his new film, it shouldn't have attracted the joint attendance of two former chairmen of China Film Group!
"Wei Jin, sit down. It's been a month since we last met. Congratulations on adding another Silver Bear trophy to your collection."

La Peikang greeted Wei Jin with a smile and invited him to sit down. He then added, "Although this congratulations is a bit late, I don't want to bother you during the Spring Festival. You don't mind, do you?"

Wei Jin waved his hand, "La Dong is joking, how could that be, haha."

"Yes, I gave the instructions when I came to the company this morning. Today, we should follow the reception protocol."

"That's great! To be honest, this is the first time I've ever had a celebratory drink at China Film Group. I'll have to eat a lot later."

La Peikang chuckled upon hearing this, raising an eyebrow at Han Sanping. "Chairman Han, did you hear that? He's talking about you, hahaha."

"You little rascal, you used to freeload off China Film Group back in the day. Now that I'm retired, are you trying to bring up old grudges with me?"

Han Sanping chuckled and retorted to Wei Jin, but before he could retort, he raised his wrist and suggested, "It's about time, let's go."

"Okay, I am a bit hungry."

Wei Jin still remembered that the last time he came to the small auditorium of China Film Group was when Han Sanping retired, and he introduced La Peikang to him, Ye Ning, Lao Wang and others.

I wonder what we'll be talking about this time?
"Wei Jin, you said the new project would be finalized before the new year. What's the current status?"

La Peikang knew that Ren Zhonglun would be personally leading the team to Berlin this year, and if things weren't finalized soon, those old fogies might beat them to it.

"Yes, the script has been finalized, but it won't start until I finish another project I'm working on. I estimate it will be in the second half of the year."

Wei Jin was still waiting; he knew that things weren't going to be that simple.

"That's good."

La Peikang nodded without asking further, but Han Sanping was curious, "I wonder what genre it is this time? Sci-fi? Action? Mainstream?"

"A hardcore sci-fi film!"

While answering, Wei Jin recalled his conversation with Guo Fan in the office last year before submitting "Bad Genius" for review.

Originally, he intended for the latter to direct the "Wandering Earth" project.

Unfortunately, after reading the script, Guo Fan hesitated because the initial budget was as high as 5 million, and he lacked confidence.

Therefore, Wei Jin stopped worrying about his new film and decided to just stick with this one, figuring he could always leave the sequel to Guo Fan.

"Great! Sci-fi movies are good, hard sci-fi movies are even better! Speaking of which, you haven't made a sci-fi movie in years, you really should, haha."

La Peikang and Han Sanping both had beaming smiles on their faces. A science fiction film from the Wei and Jin dynasties—whoever was involved knows all about it.

Moreover, a hard science fiction film means a high investment, which perfectly fits their blockbuster strategy!

However, after their initial excitement, La Peikang and Han Sanping exchanged a glance, both revealing a hint of hesitation in each other's eyes.

Finally, after a moment's deliberation, La Peikang spoke.

"Wei Jin, you were in Berlin before the New Year and missed many meetings, but the leaders of the General Administration praised 'Operation Mekong' highly, as did 'The Taking of Tiger Mountain'."

Previously, when people mentioned "mainstream themes," their first reaction was that they were dry, boring, didactic, and forced to impose values. But these two films changed that, achieving both critical and commercial success.

Wei Jin didn't interrupt. He listened to La Peikang's rambling, knowing that they were about to get to the main topic.

"So what the above means is that this kind of landmark patriotic film must win awards so that it can set an example for the industry."

Upon hearing this, Wei Jin recalled what Teacher Jiang had said earlier, as well as the unspoken message from La Peikang at the celebration banquet for "Operation Mekong," and understood the purpose of this dinner.

So he nodded decisively, "No problem. 'The Taking of Tiger Mountain' has been submitted for the Golden Film Award, and 'Operation Mekong' will also be submitted for the Huabiao Award." La Peikang and Han Sanping were stunned for a moment, then looked at each other, and the former spoke.

"Wei Jin, you should understand what I mean. You must win all the major domestic awards, including the Golden Rooster Award."

"Snapped!"

The sound of chopsticks hitting the table wasn't loud, but it was clearly audible in the private room. This was the first time Wei Jin had put down his chopsticks since the start of the meal.

“La Dong, you should know about my grudges with them. I will never participate in the Golden Rooster competition. If you are here to act as a mediator, then there is no need for you.”

La Peikang opened his mouth, but for a moment he didn't know what to say. At this moment, Han Sanping spoke up to smooth things over.

“Wei Jin, it’s not that Director La wants to be a lobbyist, but the bureau has put pressure on us with tasks. China Film Group’s position is what it is, so please understand.”

"Okay, I understand. You've conveyed the message. Let's eat. The food is so good, it'll get cold if we don't eat it soon."

Seeing Wei Jinzhen eating by himself, La Peikang was stunned. No, why are you not following the rules?
Han Sanping, however, wore a wry smile. Wei Jin's reaction at this moment was exactly the same as when he was notified to participate in the Huabiao in 09!
You're the one who notified me, and I'm not cooperating!
Han Sanping spread his hands toward La Peikang, indicating that he was powerless to help.

La Peikang remained silent for a long time, and only continued after Wei Jin picked up his drink and took a sip: "Wei Jin, we guessed that you would have this attitude, but you should understand the meaning of the mission."

So there are some things I need to make clear. Yes, you and Jinji don't get along, and you have the right and reason to ignore them, or even openly confront them, without any problem.

At least have some consideration for the reputation of the relevant departments! Ask yourself honestly, has the bureau ever wronged you in any way over the years? You need to consider the bigger picture.”

Listening to La Peikang's lecture, which had a slightly "fatherly" tone, Wei Jin was genuinely getting impatient.

"So, Mr. La, haven't I made my position very clear? I will personally bring 'Operation Mekong' to next year's Huabiao (a traditional memorial service). I think that should be enough to explain things to the Bureau, right?"

The Golden Rooster Award is a film award jointly organized by cultural circles, associations, and local governments, and is essentially the same as the Golden Film Award; while the Huabiao Award is a government award organized by the Film Bureau, representing Chinese films.

Although the influence of the Huabiao (ornamental column) has indeed not been as great as that of the Golden Rooster in recent years, so what? Did the Wei and Jin dynasties really lack this "rooster"?!

"Or is it that some leader specifically named me and insisted that I participate in the Golden Rooster Awards?!"

"."

Wei Jin's questioning plunged Han Sanping and La Peikang into a brief silence. How could a leader, with his art of speaking, be so blunt?

"What about 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy'?"

Hearing La Peikang's continued questioning, Han Sanping sighed, while Wei Jin put down his chopsticks and tore off a tissue to wipe his mouth.

“Chairman La, if you really care about that chicken, you might as well register it under the name of China Film Group. Shanhe Media will not participate, interfere, or know anything about it.”

As he spoke, Wei Jin stood up. "By the way, Mr. La, thank you for the hospitality. The food was very good."

After leaving those words, Wei Jin turned and left the private room, gradually disappearing from La Peikang and Han Sanping's sight.

"Sigh, you shouldn't have kept asking."

Han Sanping picked up the wine glass on the table and downed it in one gulp. He had a bad feeling that the relationship between Wei Jin and China Film Group might be coming to an end.

"Ok?"

Han Sanping guessed correctly; Wei Jin really didn't intend to continue cooperating with China Film Group, or rather, even if he did continue, he could only further reduce the scope of cooperation.

The reason is simple: as Ren Zhonglun said, La Peikang is too smooth, lacks responsibility, and has too much of a politician's nature.

Dealing with this kind of person is really exhausting. Wei Jin has had enough of working with them for over a year!

After leaving China Film Group, Wei Jin did not return to the company. Instead, he instructed Lao Zhu to drive to Ziyu Huafu, Yan Danchen's residence in Beijing.

Since deciding to have a child six months ago, this woman has stopped taking on acting roles and has devoted herself to recuperating her health, at most doing some peripheral press releases.

Wei Jin occasionally stays overnight here, but the frequency is indeed quite low. It's been two or three months since the last time. She's very irritable today, so this is a good opportunity to nourish her.

Upon arriving at the destination, I entered the password to open the door. As soon as I entered the house, I saw Yan Danchen practicing yoga in the living room, and her movements were quite standard.

Upon seeing Wei Jin arrive, Yan Danchen's beautiful eyes were filled with surprise and joy. She immediately rushed forward without even bothering to maintain her position.

"Junior, you're here~~"

With a warm, soft body in his arms, Wei Jin cupped the beauty's buttocks, which were tightly wrapped in yoga pants, and touched them. They were soft and elastic.

I have to say, the person who invented this thing really knows what they're doing!
"Senior, did you miss me?"

Yan Danchen stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around Wei Jin's neck, and breathed softly, "Yes, I want to."

"Then, where did you think of that? I need to check carefully."

As he spoke, Wei Jin's hands began to wander, eliciting a coquettish scolding from his older sister, "Hmm~~ naughty little brother, are you already trying to do something bad as soon as you arrive?"

"Hey, senior, you're mistaken. Confucius said that food and sex are human nature, so how can they be bad? Besides, your body is very honest, don't you believe me?"

With a body in her thirties, Yan Danchen didn't need to look at him; just smelling the man's scent made her unable to resist.

She bit her red lips, her eyes sparkling, and said coquettishly, "Good little brother, let me go take a bath first~~"

"Don't rush, let your little brother have a taste of sweetness first. Later, we'll give him a proper wash, inside and out."

After saying that, Wei Jin lowered his head and kissed the beauty's red lips, his large hands becoming even more unrestrained.

Under Wei Jin's smooth combo, Yan Danchen had no ability to resist at all, and her whole body was limp and dizzy, allowing him to do as he pleased.

When the kiss ended, Yan Danchen realized that she had been taken to the bathroom, and most of her clothes had been removed, leaving only thin yoga pants that stubbornly clung to the back of her knees.

"Senior, it's your turn now."

Wei Jin unbuttoned his clothes with one hand and placed the other hand on Yan Danchen's shoulder with a slight force, causing the latter to bend down.

With gentleness, Wei Jin broke all the seals and quickly pulled the beauty up again.

"Hmm? Are you feeling unwell?"

Seeing the surprise and confusion on the beautiful woman's face, Wei Jin smiled and said, "No, senior sister, it's just that I'm a little short-tempered today. Please bear with me."

(End of this chapter)