Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 247 The First Drink

After receiving the invitation, Zhang Yan hesitated for a long time before finally deciding to join in the fun.

Anyway, it's just a lecture; it's not like he, with his superficial knowledge, is going to give a presentation.

Before going to the capital, he contacted Tao Hong as usual, but strangely, Tao Hong did not call him back, and even after he arrived in the capital the next morning, he did not contact him at all.

Shouldn't this be true?
Could something have happened?

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Yan called Liu Xiaoqing's mobile phone.

"Oh, Mr. Zhang, what made you think of calling me?"

Upon hearing Zhang Yan introduce himself, Liu Xiaoqing's voice immediately became several degrees sweeter, and she laughed, "I've been eagerly anticipating these past two months, hoping that President Zhang could come to the set to give me some guidance."

"Sister Xiaoqing is joking."

Zhang Yan got straight to the point: "I sent Tao Hong a pager yesterday, but she hasn't called me back yet, so I wanted to ask Sister Xiaoqing what's going on with her."

"Uh~"

Liu Xiaoqing hesitated for a moment before chuckling, "It's nothing serious, it's just that a few scenes just wouldn't go well, and some of the young actors kept getting distracted, so Jiang Wen got annoyed and demanded that the crew temporarily cut off all traffic to the outside world."

Things were clearly not as simple as she made them out to be, otherwise she wouldn't have hesitated.

Furthermore, it's understandable to ask actors to eliminate external interference due to filming difficulties, but it's a bit unreasonable to ask the entire crew to do so.

Zhang Yan tentatively asked, "When will this ban be lifted?"

"It shouldn't take more than a few days."

Liu Xiaoqing then said, "Mr. Zhang, is there something important you need to discuss with Tao Hong? If it's convenient, I can pass on your message."

"It's nothing serious."

Zhang Yan casually made up a reason: "Isn't it because next spring we're planning to go to the Central Academy of Drama, Beijing Film Academy, and Shanghai Theatre Academy to try our luck with campus recruitment? I wanted to ask her about the promising students in the third and fourth years of the Central Academy of Drama while I'm in Beijing."

"You've come to the capital?!"

After he finished explaining his reasoning, Liu Xiaoqing seemed to have only grasped this one key point, and her breathing became rapid.

After a while, Liu Xiaoqing said, "President Zhang, let's have dinner together tonight. Let Jiang Wen treat you to a meal to apologize. I'll bring Tao Hong along so you can talk to each other in person."

"This……"

Zhang Yan pretended to be embarrassed and said, "I already have an appointment with Feng Xiaogang tonight."

Feng Xiaogang had just finished filming a couple of days ago, and Zhang Yan did indeed ask him to meet, but they didn't mention having dinner together that evening.

At this point, deliberately bringing Lao Feng into the mix was simply to use him as a shield to help smooth things over and liven up the atmosphere.

Unsurprisingly, Liu Xiaoqing said without hesitation, "Then let's go together. We're all brothers, and Jiang Wen also wants to learn from Director Feng."

hang up the phone.

Zhang Yan was 80% certain that something had happened to the "Sunshine" crew, and it was something serious, so serious that even the stubborn Jiang Wen had to back down.

It's worth noting that Liu Xiaoqing made Jiang Wen apologize last time, but nothing ever came of it, which shows that Jiang Wen isn't so easily subdued.

Is it that the funding chain has completely broken, or...?

Forget it, there's no point in daydreaming here. Let's wait until we meet tonight to talk about it.

Chen Ximi had lunch at Shi Tiesheng's house, and she seemed noticeably more cheerful and confident than before.

Shi Tiesheng remarked with emotion, "As expected, variety shows have a greater impact. I have been working in the literary world for so many years, and the number of letters I have received from readers is less than the number Xi Mi has received in the last two months."

"There are still a few love letters."

Chen Ximi covered her mouth and said, "Tiesheng has been jealous for several days. I said I wanted to burn it, but he wouldn't agree and insisted on replying to each and every letter."

Shi Tiesheng laughed heartily and said proudly, "I guess I've played the role of a protector of flowers for once."

The three later discussed "A Native of Beijing in New York," and how, thanks to Zhang Yan's modifications, the show caused a much greater sensation than in its historical counterpart.

The scene between Jiang Wen and the black-clad woman, in particular, was a hot topic among ordinary people, but it caused a collective breakdown among the big fans, who flooded YS with protest letters. Because many of the protesters were influential elites, YS almost considered canceling the show, but it eventually finished airing despite some hiccups.

"I also received some letters at that time."

Zhang Yan laughed and said, "Some of them wrote letters full of curses, while others mocked my fondness for Black women and suggested that I go to Africa to fulfill my dream."

We finished lunch chatting and laughing.

Zhang Yan first went to the location of the symposium to scout out the venue, and then drove to Feng Xiaogang's house.

Upon entering, I saw Feng Xiaogang dressed in a suit and trousers, looking quite presentable, clearly having just returned from some important occasion.

Upon seeing Zhang Yan, Feng Xiaogang grinned and said, "You've really screwed over our production center again this time. Director Zheng even got splashed with stinky ink, and they said that since he likes black aunties, he might as well change into a black outfit."

That was said with schadenfreude.

The higher-ups didn't trust Feng Xiaogang and insisted on appointing Zheng Xiaolong as the lead director, which made Feng Xiaogang very angry. Now he can finally vent his anger.

Zhang Yan placed the toys and candy he had brought on the table and asked, "How is our daughter recovering?"

"pretty good."

Feng Xiaogang's smile faded slightly, and he subconsciously glanced at the room, a hint of unease on his face.

It seems that a lot has happened at home in the two days since he came back.

After all, even an upright official finds it difficult to settle family disputes, so Zhang Yan didn't provoke him further. Instead, she asked about the filming of "Forever Lost My Love".

Feng Xiaogang said, "Everything else is fine, but the male lead is not as easy to use as Jiang Wen and Ge You—it's not that their acting is bad, it's just that something feels missing."

"Save that for tonight. Jiang Wen will be happy to hear it."

"Evening? Jiang Wen?"

Feng Xiaogang was somewhat surprised: "Didn't you two break up? When did you get back together?"

"Today is the first drinking party hosted by Jiang Wen."

Zhang Yan shrugged and said, "But I'm worried he's setting a trap. You'll come with me tonight, and you'll have to watch my signals."

"You're really good at reading people. I'm the best at reading people's expressions in my life." Feng Xiaogang said, leaning forward slightly and whispering, "Is there something wrong with his film crew?"

"What, you've heard the rumors too?"

“No, but Jiang Wen isn’t one to back down easily.” Feng Xiaogang said, then waved his hand and said, “Let’s not talk about him for now. Let’s get back to my movie. This is my first time trying something new. Do you have any ideas on how to help promote it and boost the box office?”

"Have."

Zhang Yan nodded seriously, then shook his head and said, "But I don't want to help with this."

Feng Xiaogang immediately understood: "Because of Wang Shuo? You two don't have any conflict, right?"

"There's no conflict. I just don't want to be met with indifference. My method requires manpower, effort, and saving face—it's all about Wang Shuo, haha."

"Alright, I'll figure it out myself then."

Feng Xiaogang sighed and suddenly asked, "If you had the chance to get rid of that 'Little Wang Shuo' title, what price would you be willing to pay?"

"Haven't I already taken it off?"

Zhang Yan spread his hands and said, "Look at how many newspapers and media outlets still mention my nickname 'Little Wang Shuo' when they talk about me now?"

"I mean completely remove it, and the media and public opinion might even reverse that."

"What do you mean?"

Zhang Yan looked at Feng Xiaogang suspiciously: "You might as well put it more clearly."

"Now is not the time."

Feng Xiaogang, however, kept everyone in suspense: "We'll talk about it in detail when the time is right."

(End of this chapter)