Chapter 268: 《ghost》 Wrap-up, Eve Of The Spring Festival Slot
Shang Youshu, known in the industry as Sister Shang, likes gossip, watching the drama, shipping CPs, reading some ambiguous romance and art films, posting emo captions and such.
Shi Jinwei doesn’t like it.
So she somewhat “can’t accept” Sister Shang’s habit of frequently teasing her.
【Sis, Chi Ye is right next to me, he can see the chat history.】
Shang Youshu: 【Cut it out Weiwei, how could you possibly let Chi Ye see, you’re so stubborn.】
Shi Jinwei: 【……】
Sis is too smart sis, how can you be so smart?
【You definitely didn’t talk to Xiao Chi properly, otherwise how could he reject someone as beautiful, pretty, and ethereal and graceful as me?】
Sister Shang sent another message, still sharp and “clever”—perfectly guessing everything happening on site.
Shi Jinwei was silent for a moment before replying: 【Ethereal and graceful means, even fairies poop too?】
【……Weiwei, when did you become so worldly too.】
【Alright, no more talk, today I’m going to “check in” again at the Seine River Bank… By the way, how exactly did Xiao Chi write Confession Balloon here back then? How come I didn’t smell it…】
Shi Jinwei glanced at the message, put away her mobile phone, feeling an indescribable envy or envy in her heart…
Why can Sister Shang be so free and easy, she really wants to be like Sister Shang, shoot one movie and rest for a year, not even attending the biggest New Year’s Eve Gala at year-end… Can she possibly do that in this lifetime?
No, she can’t, because she’s “worldly”, um… she really is a worldly person.
At this moment, the worldly person Shi Jinwei is about to take the stage with the even more worldly Chi Ye to sing— this New Year’s Eve Gala, the two have a chorus track, serving as a pre-heat for Ghost.
……
Meanwhile.
At the Seine River Bank, a breeze filled with thesis defense flavor brushed over Sister Shang’s long hair. Sister Shang originally wanted to be artistic for a bit, but sensing the mixed smell of various excrement, after silently enjoying it for a while, she still put on her mask, covering her flawless pretty little face.
“So, he wrote Confession Balloon in this kind of environment.”
The assistant next to her “couldn’t take it anymore”: “Sis, weren’t you right there watching Chi Ye sing it to Jin Xia back then? You were one of the first audience members.”
Sister Shang’s mood inexplicably felt a bit un-pretty, sighing: “Back then I only thought it was ordinary.”
Assistant: “…I remember you were shipping like crazy back then.”
“You don’t get it.”
Sister Shang said wistfully: “I want to go back to that time, and then…”
“And then what?”
“And then ship it all over again.”
Assistant: “…”
She saw that if she didn’t “disturb” Sister Shang, the other would probably stay artistic for another half hour, so she hurriedly reminded her: “Sis, didn’t you promise Chi Ye to help him connect with the cinema chain? Our appointed time is almost up, let’s go.”
“Sigh, what ability do I have for that.”
Who knew, upon hearing this, Sister Shang became even more emotional: “I’m such trash, him entrusting this to me means he doesn’t care much about it himself, being late, just be late then.”
Assistant: “…Sis, stop talking, or I’ll bash my head and die right in front of you.”
“You, you’re too impatient.”
Sister Shang spoke with “double meaning”, then slowly turned: “Let’s go, go meet them… hope I won’t get kicked out.”
That’s right, although Sister Shang really doesn’t have much connections and relationships, at most during her peak popularity before, she participated in an overseas co-production blockbuster, if one had to say… she does know some film producer cinema chains here.
But… how to put it… can only say acquaintances at best, not even friends.
In normal situations, Sister Shang would absolutely not agree to this kind of thing, because it’s almost 100% guaranteed to fail, promising someone and then not getting it done, with Sister Shang’s personality, she would feel very guilty and embarrassed.
So, better not to promise at all.
But, the “trouble” Chi Ye encountered this time is a bit big, and when she heard Chi Ye wanted her to by the way go see the person in charge of a few nearby cinema chains, looking into his eyes, she agreed without much hesitation.
By the time she reacted and wanted to back out, it was already too late.
How to put it…
The usually laid-back Sister Shang ultimately decided that this time, even if it meant “giving her life”, she would properly “help” Chi Ye.
Hope it won’t backfire, Buddha bless, amen…
……
Influenza since it wants to take the global premiere international route, naturally needs to have international connections… Cannes Midnight Screening is an excellent stage.
But before stepping onto this stage, layouts regarding cinema chain investors in other countries also need to proceed in parallel.
Currently, Chi Ye isn’t too worried about Influenza’s market in Southeast Asia.
—Influenza is a blockbuster co-produced by Mainland and Taiwan.
Plus his own current influence in the Southeast Asia region, ever since Influenza was confirmed for Cannes Film Festival, cinema chain investors from Taiwan, Hong Kong, as well as Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and other regions/countries have already sold partial copyright.
Among them, scheduling from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea are all the highest, but scheduling in other regions/countries varies.
So, release in the Southeast Asia market is no problem, but the level and amount of scheduling will depend on how well Influenza performs at this Cannes Film Festival.
Everyone is watching, seeing Professor Chi, who has been “rampaging” in Asia, making his first foray into the international market, how much recognition and liking do overseas movie fans have for him?
To be fair, currently, the West’s impression of Chi Ye is still stuck on his singer identity from Full Firepower and Blue and White Porcelain.
His film identity recognition is approximately zero.
This is a “major project” starting from scratch, very long, and seems 100% bound to fail, because prior China, except for a few successful overseas Chinese big stars like early Bruce Lee, no one has really made a name internationally.
And even those few, were for various reasons… like Hong Kong not returned yet at the time, etc.
So, developing this “market” is very important. Chi Ye heard Sister Shang was going there for travel, plus Sister Shang said herself she knows quite a few person in charge of cinema chains, so he casually mentioned it.
What he doesn’t know is that Sister Shang does know them, and said so wanting to help Chi Ye, but how much she can help, no one knows.
January 1, 2027, New Year’s Day.
This year’s New Year’s Eve Gala ended smoothly, Chi Ye and Shi Jinwei returned to the Ghost film crew for the final stage of reshoots.
The overall production cost of the Ghost film crew is actually slightly higher than Xing Ni back then, not because its special effects are better than Xing Ni, but its plot requires the film crew to constantly switch between domestic and overseas locations, the cost during this period alone is astronomical.
So its filming time is also very long, Xing Ni took no more than three months, but Ghost took nearly four months, and still needs some stage of reshoots.
January 15, less than a month from this year’s First Day of Lunar New Year, Ghost finally ushered in its wrap-up scene.
……
To save the human bride Zhao Luohe hit by a out-of-control vehicle, Zhao Ji came before Zhao Luohe, resolutely “personally” pulling out the “Sword of Destiny” from his own chest.
In this instant, the curse was broken, his power as an eternal ghost god dissipated, meaning he would welcome true, complete death.
Form and spirit both destroyed, no longer any possibility of reincarnation.
Although Zhao Luohe was saved, as the human bride and direct associate in pulling the sword and breaking the curse, she paid a huge price, losing all memories about the ghost god.
Her life seemed reset, back to that 18-year-old summer before encountering the ghost god.
She remained optimistic and resilient, but always felt a vital puzzle piece missing from her life that couldn’t be put into words, often feeling lonely inside.
She lived a long and fulfilling life, becoming an excellent screenwriter, creating many heartwarming stories.
However, that inexplicable sense of emptiness deep inside always accompanied her.
Every year when the first snow falls and maple leaves turn red, she would travel alone to Quebec, Canada, sitting on that famous bench, as if waiting for someone, yet forever waiting in vain.
Zhao Luohe didn’t know what she was waiting for, but that waiting became part of her life.
Until… that day.
Elderly Zhao Luohe, after completing all her life journey, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren.
Her soul left her body, not immediately heading to reincarnation, but in the netherworld, she felt a strong, irresistible summons.
She walked through a maple forest, arriving at that pure white void space.
There, a figure she had forgotten for an entire lifetime, yet long engraved in her soul, was quietly waiting for her.
Zhao Ji wore the black coat from their first meeting, with a calm and serene temperament, a familiar smile at the corner of his mouth.
“Look, it’s first snow again.”
Zhao Luohe’s soul suddenly became clear in this moment, all sealed memories surging back like tidewater.
That profound love, the pain of parting, a lifetime of waiting… made her burst into tears instantly.
She finally showed a brilliant smile like that 18-year-old girl back then, tearful, reaching out to him: “Uncle… I’m back.”
The pure white space slowly dissolved, turning into swirling first snow, just like the day they first met.
The two souls tightly embraced in the snow.
This time, no curse, no separation, only eternal companionship.
The site was utterly silent, only the soundless falling snow.
“…”
The director stared at the embracing figures on the monitor, quietly waiting a few seconds before shouting loudly: “Cut—”
“I announce, Lonely and Brilliant God: Ghost, officially wrapped!!”
“Woo~!!”
“Yay!!”
“Finally wrapped, this drama is longer than Xing Ni.”
Cheers erupted on site.
And Chi Ye immediately changed out of the coat, putting on a down jacket—this mid-January weather, wearing something so thin, it’s really cold.
Opposite, Shi Jinwei let go of Chi Ye, her emotions slightly low.
Ghost’s ending seems like HE, but its core is actually BE, whether second male lead and second female lead, or male lead and female lead, all have a tint of sadness.
In fact Chi Ye thinks the biggest difference between Ghost and Xing Ni is that its ending can’t be simply understood as HE or BE.
Because this ending, while showing love’s fulfillment, also acknowledges destiny’s cruelty, the existence of punishment, and the loneliness of eternal life.
Ultimately landing on cherishing redemption, forgiveness, ordinary love, and the complex exploration of “god’s” mercy（ or willfulness）.
This is its biggest difference from Xing Ni, Ghost’s ending might bring the audience deeper moved feelings and discussion.
On Earth, even after Ghost aired for nearly a decade, there are still countless unsatisfied audience rewatching during first snow every year… perhaps that’s where it surpasses other modern idol dramas.
Overall, Shi Jinwei still really likes this ending, at least… at least better than Girl, Girl’s open ending was really Chi Ye brutally stabbing the audience, paired with those songs, utterly explosive.
No wonder Sister Shang’s emotions were down the whole time back then.
Pool Dog deserves to die!
And Ghost, no matter what, at least “she” ended up together with Chi Ye… together is good, no need to care so much.
Um… though still not as good as Xing Ni’s perfect ending.
“You’re going to prepare for the Cannes Film Festival next, right?”
In the evening, at the wrap-up banquet dinner, Shi Jinwei rarely took the initiative to ask Chi Ye.
This surprised Chi Ye a bit—according to Pliers’ personality, shouldn’t she be cold mocking and sarcastic right now, only then feeling satisfied?
“…I’m just curious.”
Shi Jinwei was a bit awkward, but uncharacteristically didn’t argue with Chi Ye—news about Influenza and Chi Ye’s review being stuck, full investment loss, has intensified as Spring Festival Slot approaches.
Outside the industry it’s still okay, after all it’s just an unreleased movie, aside from Chi Ye fans’ attention, ordinary bystander movie fans don’t have time to “mourn” it daily?
If Influenza can’t release, there’s still 749 Bureau, there’s Han Han, there’s Shen Bin and Ma Li to watch.
Not short one movie.
But inside the industry it’s different.
Because Chi Ye’s previous movie performance were all extremely “dazzling”—profitable and rapidly elevating status.
But this time, total investment is several times that of Girl Big Shot, and with Influenza’s difficult birth involving all sorts of favors and relationships, many are laughing at Chi Ye, especially obvious interest-related parties in the film circle, and even… insiders with no intersection with Chi Ye.
Yes, those with zero dealings with Chi Ye, who even kowtowed and licked during Chi Ye’s peak, seeking cooperation “bystanders”, are more “delighted” about Chi Ye’s Waterloo than even Beijing Circle.
—Not being envied means mediocrity, and Chi Ye in just one short year has developed in the film industry to this extent, money, fame, profit, almost taking it all, who wouldn’t be jealous of Chi Ye?
Just before, Chi Ye was too sharp, everyone eagerly wanted to collaborate, at most chattering privately in their little circles.
But this time is different, this time they really couldn’t hold back, laughed out loud.
—Shi Jinwei is not one of them.
She even once saw messages laughing at Chi Ye in her company’s little circle, and on the spot mercilessly “scolded” two little flowers by name.
