The director starts by learning from the abilities of renowned directors.

Chapter 155 The Billion-Dollar Box Office Club

On October 20th, the film "Breakup Buddies" held a press conference in Beijing. The theme of the press conference was "Women's Flowers and Men's Love". Director Ning Hao appeared at the press conference with eight female leads. As a press conference featuring an all-female cast, "Breakup Buddies" also released its first "Women's Zone" trailer.

Because the press conference was themed around women, lead actors Huang Bo and Xu Zheng were not present.

According to the plan, the crew will also travel to Shanghai on the 23rd to make an appearance with an all-male cast.

As the screenwriter and producer, Shen Qing also appeared at the press conference to support the film.

The so-called eight female leads are:

Gao Yuanyuan plays Kang Xiaoyu, Zhao Liying plays Zhou Lijuan, a small-town punk girl, Guli Nazha plays Si Qing, a tall and beautiful woman, Dilireba plays Si Qing's lesbian girlfriend, Ma Su plays the eldest sister-in-law Sasha, Mao Xiaotong plays a spicy girl from Hunan Province, Li Yitong plays Dongdong, an Avatar girl, and Tan Songyun plays Xiaobei, Dongdong's best friend.

Before the press conference officially began, a piece of news, seemingly out of nowhere, started circulating in a small circle at the event, and all eight leading actresses and director Ning Hao heard it.

The same news can evoke completely different feelings in different people.

"Have you heard? Seven out of these eight leading ladies have slept with Director Shen Qing!"

For the female protagonists who actually slept with Shen Qing, they only know that they slept with Shen Qing, and they don't know about others. And who is the woman Shen Qing didn't sleep with? It's probably the one Shen Qing didn't like, right? The ugliest one?

In the hotel's VIP lounge, the eight women looked at each other, their eyes filled with doubt and curiosity.

Gao Yuanyuan sat in her chair, her gaze sweeping over the other seven leading ladies present. She was over thirty years old, and her parents kept urging her to get married and have children as soon as possible. Of the seven women present today, six would be her direct competitors.

Zhao Liying was playing on her phone in a corner. She wasn't really concerned about whether there were six other women who had slept with Shen Qing today. Her real threat wasn't there; the two women who weren't present were the ones Shen Qing was most likely to choose as his official wives.

Naza is young and inexperienced, and has no intention of vying for the position of the main wife. Marriage is a distant prospect for her. She is already very satisfied with her current life and is happy to continue living like this.

Upon hearing the rumors, Rouba's face slowly turned red. She didn't need to know whether others had been with Shen Qing or not; she knew for sure that she hadn't been with Shen Qing—but here today, was she the only one who hadn't been with Shen Qing?

Her feelings for Shen Qing were quite complex. Shen Qing was a top director, a bigwig in the entertainment industry, and also her boss. He was also quite handsome. To say that she had never been attracted to him would be self-deception. Before today, she was both expectant and apprehensive about Shen Qing, very conflicted. She looked forward to having a relationship with a man like Shen Qing, but if he really pursued her, she felt that she might be at a loss.

If he really pursues her, she should just close her eyes and let things take their course. If he doesn't pursue her, it's actually fine to stay as things are now.

But now the situation has changed. Of the eight actresses present today, Gao Yuanyuan and Ma Su are not actresses under his company. He pursued both of them, but not her, who is under Jumei Entertainment. If he really pursued her, would she reject him?

Does he think I'm not good-looking? Does he prefer someone like Naza?

She and Gulnazar are so similar in terms of their backgrounds. Gulnazar has already starred in "Sewing Machine Band," and the box office is already approaching 4 million.

The billion went, and what about her? She only played a few minor roles.

"When are you going to start pursuing me? I can't just hand myself over to you, can I?"

Mao Xiaotong had only recently become Shen Qing's girlfriend, and now she was curiously looking at the other beauties, feeling a little uncomfortable. The young girl still harbored the fantasy that Shen Qing had broken up with everyone else, turned over a new leaf, and would only be with her.

Li Yitong had been with Shen Qing for a long time and had long since given up on any fantasies. Even someone as famous as Fan Bingbing had dragged her into bed to serve Shen Qing in order to please him. What reason did she have to have any desire to possess Shen Qing exclusively? It was good enough if life could continue like this.

Tan Songyun's face turned as red as Dilireba's.

She and Shen Qing are really not together! During the filming of "About Time," she did have a kissing scene with the boss, Shen Qing, and at that time she did fantasize about whether she would be reserved or just give in if he pursued her. However, the boss didn't make any further moves. Later, she comforted herself by saying that the boss was respecting her, but now, after hearing that she might be the only one among the eight leading ladies present who hadn't been with the boss, she couldn't help but start to doubt herself—did the boss think she was ugly?

Ma Su's heart warmed. Others might be puzzled, but she wouldn't. She didn't know what other people's situations were, but she knew that she definitely hadn't been with Director Shen Qing. She, Ma Su, couldn't be special; others would think she wasn't charming!

After hearing the rumors, director Ning Hao couldn't make some of the jokes he had planned. Some lighthearted jokes were fine to tell others, but not appropriate to tell the seven women—but aren't they all Shen's women anyway? Stand up, okay? We two will be in charge of creating a lively atmosphere when we go on stage!

Ning Hao was extremely curious, but he couldn't actually ask.

He glanced around, his gaze finally settling on Ma Su.

Of the eight leading ladies, only Ma Su and Gao Yuanyuan are not actresses under Jumei Entertainment. Gao Yuanyuan is the true female lead of "Breakup Buddies". Recently, the TV series "Let's Get Married", newly invested by Shenqi Film and Television, just finished filming. In this drama, Gao Yuanyuan is still the female lead. This is obviously Shen Shixiong promoting Gao Yuanyuan. So if the rumors are true, then the woman who is not Shen Shixiong's woman today is most likely Ma Su.

The moment Ning Hao's gaze locked onto Ma Su, she immediately sensed it, thinking, "Does Director Ning Hao know that I'm the only woman who isn't Director Shen Qing's woman?"

As the time drew near, Shen Qing entered the hotel's VIP room with her assistant, Shen Ying. Instantly, everyone's eyes turned to Shen Qing, making her momentarily stunned.

Shen Qing offered Ning Hao a few words of encouragement, and before long, the press conference officially began.

In the hotel lobby, a giant poster for the film "Breakup Buddies" hung in front of the entrance. Director Ning Hao and the eight leading actresses took to the stage one after another. Shen Qing

He was seated in the first row below the stage, surrounded by leaders from the Film Bureau, heads of film and television associations, sponsors of the film's product placement, the film's behind-the-scenes creators, and media reporters.

At the start of the press conference, when host Meng Fei asked Ning Hao about his expected box office for "Breakup Buddies," Ning Hao said, "Before 'Breakup Buddies,' my best achievement was 'Crazy Racer,' which ultimately grossed over 100 million yuan. The screenwriter for 'Breakup Buddies' is my senior, Shen Qing. As far as I know, none of the works that Shen Qing has written in the past two years have grossed less than 400 million yuan."

As he spoke, he looked down at Shen Qing in the audience.

Reporters turned their cameras around, flashing their spotlights incessantly. Shen Qing shook her head, indicating that she didn't know either.

Ning Hao continued, "Both 'Our Times' and 'Back to 20' were written by my senior brother Shen and directed by other directors. The former ultimately grossed 4.39 million yuan, and the latter grossed 4.63 million yuan. My own box office was around 1 million yuan. My senior brother's screenplays are guaranteed at least 4 million yuan. With my 1 million yuan plus my senior brother's 4 million yuan, I hope to get 5 million yuan at the box office this time."

The host, Meng Fei, stepped off the stage and handed the microphone to Shen Qing, inviting her to say a few words. Shen Qing replied, "1+4 doesn't necessarily have to equal 5; it can also equal 10."

Meng Fei asked, "Director, do you mean that 'Breakup Buddies' will break 10 billion at the box office?"

Shen Qing nodded: "I've already seen the movie. It's just as funny as 'Lost in Thailand.' It's a very exciting comedy film."

Meng Fei returned to the stage and said to Director Ning Hao, "Director Ning, did you hear that? Your senior brother Shen said you have a chance to join the 10 billion yuan box office club this time."

"Then I'll take your kind words, Senior Brother!" Ning Hao clasped his hands in a fist salute to Shen Qing on the stage.

Shen Qing, a senior student, actually used "Lost in Thailand" to promote "Breakup Buddies," something Ning Hao hadn't expected. Actually, he himself felt that "Breakup Buddies" was no worse than "Lost in Thailand," but he truly never dreamed that "Breakup Buddies" could be promoted by "Lost in Thailand."

It grossed 15 billion at the box office.

It would be more accurate to replace Xu Zheng with Senior Brother Shen Qing himself.

Ning Hao is confident that the box office will reach 500 million, but he doesn't dare to dream of 1 billion. If the box office is good, he might have a chance to get 600 or 700 million? But he really doesn't dare to think about anything more.

Ning Hao felt that Shen Qing's personal endorsement that it was no worse than "Lost in Thailand" was worth 1 million yuan in box office revenue. He would give the media reporters more travel expenses later, and Shen Qing's evaluation must be reported.

Meng Fei asked who were in the billion-yuan box office club.

"There's only one right now," a reporter said.

Everyone present looked at Shen Qing. If there was only one, then without a doubt, the answer was Shen Qing.

As the press conference ended and the leaders and reporters left one after another, Shen Qing's assistant, Shen Ying, pulled him aside and whispered in his ear...

He said, "Brother, there's a rumor going around today that seven out of the eight leading ladies here have slept with you."

Shen Qing's smile froze.

Who's so bored as to spread such rumors? What do they mean by "eight female leads and seven lovers"? What do they take Shen Qing for? Wei Xiaobao?

There were clearly only five guys there today —

"director."

Ma Su walked towards Shen Qing.

There's an unwritten rule in the entertainment industry: whichever director is the most important on set, everyone else will directly call them "Director." Ning Hao is the director of "Breakup Buddies." If Shen Qing weren't here today, everyone would directly call Ning Hao "Director." But since Shen Qing, a superstar, is here, everyone automatically calls Ning Hao "Director Ning" or "Director Ning Hao."

"What's up?"

"I greatly admire the director and would like to invite him to dinner."

"The timing wasn't right today, but there will be other opportunities in the future."

"director."

Ma Su smiled and leaned close to Shen Qing's ear, lowering her voice to say, "I heard that it's just one step away from being perfect. Director, don't you feel any regret?"

"Those are all rumors, don't believe them."

Seeing that Shen Qingzhen didn't mean it, Ma Su stopped trying to embarrass herself, said goodbye to Ning Hao and the others, and left.

Gao Yuanyuan also came over.

"I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to visit the set. What do you think of the show?"

Shen Qing was referring to Gao Yuanyuan's new drama, "Let's Get Married," which had just finished filming recently.

"This drama is great, it suits me perfectly." Gao Yuanyuan looked up at Shen Qing and whispered, "The title is really good."

"Right, we did think about getting married at first," but then we thought "we" was more intimate. "We" doesn't necessarily include the obedient person, but "us" definitely includes the obedient person.

Gao Yuanyuan had no interest in listening to Shen Qing's pedantic remarks, so she said goodbye and left first.

Zhao Liying came over again.

"You're really busy."

She couldn't help but make a comment.

Shen Qing said, "Take some time to read the script of 'Princess Agents' more often."

"Mmm," Zhao Liying responded.

Next year's Golden Eagle TV Festival will select a new Golden Eagle Goddess, and this year will be the first time the choice will be made by audience voting. The online voting, which opened just four days ago, attracted 150,000 participants and accumulated 600,000 valid votes. Liu Shishi and Yang Mi, known for their roles in "Scarlet Heart," are among the top contenders.

Directly competing with "Palace", Liu Shishi ultimately gained immense popularity for her role as Ma'ertai Ruoxi in "Scarlet Heart" and became the first Golden Eagle Goddess elected by the public.

In this timeline, both "Scarlet Heart" and "Palace" aired a year earlier than in the original timeline. Yang Mi, who was born in 12, has a chance, but it may not be very certain. The popularity of "Palace" has already passed.

The remaining candidates are Shuangzi and Tang Yan. Shen Qing will then film "Princess Agents" to boost Zhao Liying's popularity. He can accept either Yang Mi or Zhao Liying succeeding, but it would be best if Shuangzi didn't win. As for Tang Yan, Shen Qing has no objection to Tang Yan, but of course, it would be best if his own woman were chosen.

The first Golden Eagle Goddess in this timeline, Liu Yifei, was his; the second, Xiao Lu, was not; the third, Liu Shishi, was his; and the fourth, whether it was Yang Mi or Zhao Liying, was also his.

Shen Qing suddenly had the idea of ​​seducing Li Xiaolu, but he quickly suppressed the thought.

Zhao Liying also left, and Li Yitong said goodbye before leaving as well.

"Boss."

Tan Songyun also came over to say hello.

Shen Qing nodded and said, "Go back early."

"oh."

Tan Fengyun's anxious heart was shattered.

Rouba also walked towards Shen Qing. Before Rouba came over, Nazha was still silent. As soon as Rouba moved, Nazha followed.

"Sister Rouba, you go first."

Naza stood beside the two of them.

Rouba said, "I'm going back to Shanghai tomorrow."

Shen Qing nodded.

Naza said, "Rouba is going back to Shanghai tomorrow? That's a pity. It would be great if you were studying in Beijing too, then we could see each other more often."

Rouba smiled.

Naza smiled too.

Strangely enough, Shen Qing had so many women, but he didn't feel anything from those other women. Only this one, the one most similar to her, made her feel a little uncomfortable. She couldn't explain why. Maybe it was because subconsciously she felt that when she was the only one in her category, she became somewhat scarce in Shen Qing's eyes? If there were two other beauties in the same category, she would be more replaceable.

Shen Qing chatted with Ning Hao for a few more minutes, then called Mao Xiaotong to leave together.

Shen Qing had previously thought of giving her an apartment, and luckily Yun had time today, so she took care of it.

However, Shen Qing hadn't yet told Mao Xiaotong why she had asked her assistant to keep her alive.

After the two got into Shen Qing's business car, Shen Qing told Mao Xiaotong about the matter. Mao Xiaotong first asked if it was a gift from the company.

Did anyone else have such a thing? When she learned that it was a gift from Shen Qing personally, she waved her hands repeatedly, saying that she couldn't accept such an expensive gift for no reason.

"They are all mine; how can they be considered worthless?"