Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

The Promise flopped!

Despite grossing nearly 20 million yuan on its opening day, reaching 21 million yuan on its second day, and 75 million yuan in its first four days, the film grossed over 100 million yuan in eight days, breaking six records for Chinese-language films.

Records for preview screenings, opening day box office, opening weekend box office, single day box office, single film single screening box office, and the shortest time to break 100 million!

But after just the first weekend, the box office took a sharp turn for the worse, with the daily increase in box office revenue plummeting from nearly 20 million to around 10 million.

Despite the impact of piracy, the main reason was the collapse of the reputation of "The Promise".

Experts and institutions predict that "The Promise" may only gross 200 million yuan at the box office.

For a typical film, 200 million in box office revenue is not a small amount.

However, for "The Promise," which has an investment of 3.5 million yuan, even with the revenue from the pre-roll ads, it is destined to suffer a serious loss.

Zhao Yanxi guessed that Han Sanping must be having a bit of a headache right now...

But the media reporters didn't want to miss out on the hot topic of "The Promise," so they contacted executives, big names, and directors in the industry, wanting to get their opinions on "The Promise."

Zhao Yanxi also received many interview invitations, but he declined them all.

Not only him, but others in the industry also tacitly chose to remain silent this time.

When "The Promise" was at the top of the box office, even though it didn't receive good reviews, many people still came out to criticize it.

For example, Han Han wrote a short essay titled "Zhang Yimou, whom we have always misunderstood, and my thoughts after watching 'The Promise'";

Sun Yunxiao also stood up to criticize, saying, "While 'The Promise' is good, it is not suitable for children."

But when "The Promise" really failed at the box office, no one dared to speak up.

Everyone knows that Director Chen and Han Sanping are like a volcano about to erupt, and no one dares to light it.

......

Chen Kaige's face was ashen as he stared at the newspaper in front of him.

Both directors are graduates of the Beijing Film Academy. After "You Are the Apple of My Eye" grossed over 100 million yuan, the Beijing Film Academy officially announced its congratulations on its website.

When "The Promise" was released, the Academy did almost nothing and was subjected to a barrage of criticism, with no support from the Academy.

However, after Zhang Yimou's "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles" was released, the old professors in the academy did not hold back their praise.

"This is Zhang Yimou's comeback film. It's not that there's anything wrong with him making commercial films, but rather that this film has completely reached the level of his previous art-house films!"

"I spent three years on this, pouring my heart and soul into it, but these people have no idea!"

"Kai Ge,"

A pair of gentle hands embraced Chen Kaige from behind, like a mother comforting a child, and Chen Hong held Chen Kaige in her arms.

"It's their problem if they don't understand. Don't be sad because of their ignorance. We need to cheer up! The Oscars are waiting for us!"

"We must win the Oscar and show them who the greatest director in the country is!"

......

Yang Siwei told Zhao Yanxi that the agent had recommended several properties, which she thought were good and wanted him to take a look at them in person.

"These buildings were all built in the last two years. Although they are a bit far from the city center, their location near the Beijing Film Academy makes them particularly suitable for film and television companies..."

During the agent's introduction, Yang Siwei would occasionally add a few words—she had already done her homework on this information beforehand.

As Zhao Yanxi listened to everyone's explanations, she also flipped through the documents. Most of the properties had already been delivered, so there was no need to worry about them being abandoned.

Besides, under the emperor's nose, such risks should be much lower.

For at least the next twenty years, Beijing will remain a city with a net inflow of population. The economy will develop rapidly, and housing prices will rise even faster. These are not problems at all.

Moreover, due to its excellent location, many colleagues in the cultural and film industry gather nearby, and it is not far from the residence of Ning Hao and his wife.

"This is definitely worth considering."

Transactions involving hundreds of millions or even millions cannot be finalized after only looking at one or two places.

The office building hasn't been finalized yet, but Zhao Yanxi's villa has already been arranged.

His goal was clear—he wanted to buy a house in Qingcui Garden and become neighbors with Xiao Liu.

With such a clear purpose for home purchase, as long as the funds are in place, real estate agents can handle the transaction, transfer of ownership, and certificate processing procedures with extremely high efficiency.

The villas were all fully furnished, and Zhao Yanxi wasn't picky about the environment, so she moved in immediately.

No matter what, it's much more comfortable than the tiny 20-square-meter single room I rented in the previous timeline, and the studio I live in this life.

"XiXi, I bought a house and moved! Please come visit when you come back to Beijing!"

"Okay, which neighborhood did you buy in?"

"It's a secret~"

Zhao Yanxi sent the message with a smile, his gaze drifting towards the large villa where Liu Yifei lived not far away. Just imagining the surprised and curious expression on her face when she discovered he was her neighbor made him smile involuntarily.

Bright moon, you once illuminated my past life, and now you illuminate this journey as well.

Now that we're so close, when will I be able to hold you in my arms?

......

Island nation, inside a hotel.

Liu Yifei was dressing up in front of the mirror, looking youthful and beautiful like a delicate little princess.

"Style your hair like an adult, and wear a smart suit..."

Listening to her daughter humming, Liu Xiaoli said irritably, "Who do you want to see?"

"Hehe, who else could it be but Grandma and Uncle?" Liu Yifei smiled mischievously. "Didn't they say that Uncle and Aunt would be coming back for Chinese New Year this year? I'm so looking forward to it!"

"Hehe, let's see if I believe you or not."

"I'm your good daughter, how can you not believe me!"

"A daughter is a daughter, whether she's obedient or not is another matter," Liu Xiaoli said with a cold laugh. "Alright, hurry up and pack your things."

"If you miss your flight, your lover will be getting impatient!"

"What lover? Mom, you're being really mean!"

......

Beijing Capital International Airport, departure gate.

Zhao Yanxi, wearing a woolen coat and a mask, was hiding behind the crowd with a newspaper in her hand.

There are two airports in China where reporters are stationed year-round: one in Beijing and the other in Shanghai.

Although there are fewer reporters at the VIP channel, most celebrities do not choose it—after all, there is a subtle symbiotic relationship between celebrities and reporters.

While paparazzi sometimes lack boundaries and cause trouble for celebrities, it is precisely because of their reporting that stars can maintain their popularity and buzz. No matter how big a star is, if they disappear from the public eye for a long time, their popularity will inevitably decline.

Therefore, many celebrities will explicitly stipulate in their contracts that they must go through the regular channels when accepting endorsements, in order to maintain a certain level of exposure.

Shortly after Liu Yifei's flight landed, Zhao Yanxi spotted the mother and daughter in the crowd.

Liu Yifei was wearing a simple off-white down jacket, with a few strands of dark hair falling from her woolen hat. Large sunglasses covered half of her face, but could not hide her pure and ethereal beauty.

"It's Liu Yifei!"

"Fairy Sister!"

"Yifei, may I ask you a few questions?"

The reporters quickly gathered around.

With the help of their assistants, Liu Yifei and Liu Xiaoli politely declined the interview and hurriedly walked out.

The reporters followed closely behind until they walked out of the airport terminal, at which point they gradually dispersed.

"Over here—" Zhao Yanxi called softly, raising her hand.

Liu Yifei looked up at the sound, a glint of light flashing in her eyes. The corners of her lips unconsciously turned up, and she jogged towards him.

After not seeing each other for two months, Zhao Yanxi could not suppress her excitement and subconsciously opened her arms as if to hug her.

He had just raised his hand when he remembered that Liu Xiaoli was still beside him. But before he could retract it, a soft, warm figure gently bumped into his arms. The familiar fragrance of gardenias wafted through the air, instantly filling his heart.

Zhao Yanxi instinctively tightened his arms around her and whispered in her ear, "Qianqian, I miss you so much."

"Me too."

Liu Xiaoli, who was standing to the side, immediately frowned.

"cough."

"Cough cough—"

"Cough cough cough!"

Zhao Yanxi only separated from Liu Yifei a moment before she was about to have an attack.

Liu Yifei winked playfully at her mother, chuckled, turned around, opened the car door, and got into the passenger seat. Zhao Yanxi then took the large suitcase from her assistant and neatly put it into the trunk.

Liu Xiaoli and her assistant sat in the back row, her tone distant yet gentle: "Yan Xi, thank you for your trouble. You're so busy, yet you still made a special trip to pick me up at the airport."

Zhao Yanxi glanced at Liu Yifei's bright smile and couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth: "Auntie, you're too kind. I don't actually have much to do at the end of the year."

He paused, then chuckled, "I happen to have some free time tonight, and I've got nothing else to do anyway."

Liu Yifei raised her eyebrows – "Idle? How could Director Zhao be idle?"

After seeing the mother and daughter off at their doorstep, Liu Xiaoli smiled and said goodbye, "Thank you for your hard work, Yanxi. It's getting late, so we won't keep you any longer. Go home and get some rest."

"Okay," Zhao Yanxi replied, then looked at Liu Yifei, "Goodnight, Qianqian. Shall I pick you up tomorrow to come to my house?"

"Okay!" She nodded emphatically. "I'll get up early tomorrow, try to be up by ten!"

"Diligent people are particular~"