Chapter 264: 《influenza》 And The Spring Festival Slot
“What am I tricking you about? Hurry up and go!”
Someone nearby pushed Jiang Mou, but Jiang Mou was still muttering: “No, no… I didn’t commit a crime, why are you arresting me? I didn’t commit a crime…!”
“Economic crime is also a crime.”
After the leader finished speaking, he didn’t bother arguing with Jiang Mou anymore and waved his hand to signal to take him away.
“Chi Ye! Chi Ye! If you play like this… you’ll get karma! The way you’re treating me… I’ve helped you so much, you’re too ruthless! You won’t die a good death!!”
Jiang Mou’s dumbfounded nerves finally seemed to react at this moment, and he started cursing loudly, wanting more people to know about Chi Ye’s “evil deeds”.
——It didn’t work.
Because this clubhouse all belonged to Chi Ye, the others had already left, and the private clubhouse had excellent soundproofing. No matter how loudly Jiang Mou shouted, it had no effect.
As for him going in and talking nonsense… what did that have to do with Chi Ye?
First, the person he contacted wasn’t Chi Ye himself, and second, even if it was Chi Ye himself, Chi Ye was just “chatting” with him, without crossing any boundaries.
So, from the moment Jiang Mou chose to blackmail Chi Ye, his outcome was sealed…
Of course, no one knew if Chi Ye had prepared for it long ago, because judging by the timing, Jiang Mou had actually “walked right into the trap” as soon as he entered the clubhouse. The nearby police shouldn’t have arrived so quickly.
This matter would require Jiang Mou a long time to figure out.
Right now, he was completely done for, becoming the second “old acquaintance” that Chi Ye had sent inside after Ge Shuang.
That very evening, the hot search and news of Jiang Mou being arrested on the spot and taken down had already exploded across platforms and the internet. While people inside and outside the industry were shocked and found it unbelievable, they also had a feeling of “that’s so like you”.
Given all the things Jiang Mou had done before, and the money he owed and scammed… it would be strange if he didn’t get caught.
More importantly, Jiang Mou had a prior record, so this was his second time going in.
Not surprising at all, not surprising at all. If others got caught, everyone would be shocked. After all, in Internal Entertainment Circle, even if there were feuds, at most it was a collapse of persona. Their “life” in the second half could still be guaranteed.
But for people like Jiang Mou and Ji Hemming who were directly sent inside… they were basically completely finished once they came out.
“This guy is too ruthless in handling things, not leaving anyone a way out.”
Capital City, a certain family courtyard.
Xu Yingying sat on the sofa, pear blossom with rain: “You’ve all seen it, right? That’s Chi Ye’s style of doing things. I got schemed against this time, but what about next time? Next time it’ll be you.”
“I’m telling you, don’t gloat over my misfortune. Although we all have our own little schemes usually, at the critical moment, don’t you know how to choose?”
Around her sat several prominent big shots from the Beijing Circle, many of whom rarely showed their faces. Even Mom Wen’s ex-husband was there.
These people were different from the so-called “big shots” Chi Ye had dealt with before, because the ones he dealt with were propped up by them.
This propping up was not only in film and television resources and money, but also in background and political factors.
At this moment, Xu Yingying was a mess of snot and tears, the “elegance” of a Film Circle Big Flower gone, replaced only by hatred for Chi Ye as she recounted his “inexcusable” deeds.
——Jiang Mou’s incident caused a huge shock in the entire Internal Entertainment Circle, and at the same time, everyone’s attitude toward Chi Ye immediately became ambiguous and uncertain.
To be honest, ever since Chi Ye left Yue Na, his methods could indeed be called “ruthless to the end”. Although from his standpoint, it was normal and no problem.
But from others’ perspective, they still felt he was too ruthless. The Entertainment Industry had serious feuds, and the fierce ones might even involve criminal liability… but you always go straight for people’s second half of life… who could tolerate that?
Others’ feuds at most ruined careers, while you ruined people’s second half of life…
“This kid is indeed a bit reckless and too arrogant in handling things.”
At the head seat, Mom Wen’s ex-husband frowned: “I don’t really understand the current Entertainment Industry… is everyone playing like this now?”
“Everyone is playing like that? No, it’s just him playing like this. Little Ji was the one he sent inside. I heard that after serving time domestically, he still has to be deported back to Canada to continue serving… I almost got sent inside too, and lost so much money…”
Xu Yingying looked at her “Big Brother”: “Bro, you can’t ignore this. He’s bullying people relentlessly…”
“……I heard about him from Li Juan, but it’s not that serious, right?”
Big Brother hesitated: “At most, just call him over and have a good talk. No need for such a big fuss, right?”
“Bro, this really isn’t as simple as you think.”
Director Feng coughed lightly and said: “This Chi Ye isn’t just about personal grudges. He’s now grabbing our market and meat… and unwilling to share with us. He’s released two movies, and we’ve already lost so much money.”
“I feel like he has a bit of Chen Sicheng’s vibe back then, but he’s even more selfish than Chen Sicheng. Chen Sicheng at least knew to share the cake, but he wants to eat all the meat himself. What good could come from that?”
Big Brother fell silent upon hearing this.
“Bro, 《749 Bureau》 is going to release on the First Day of Lunar New Year this year. You’ve invested quite a bit in this project. I heard his movie also wants to schedule… This time is different from before. The investment in the movie he’s leading is not low… If we hesitate a bit, we’ll lose billions, even tens of billions.”
After speaking, Big Brother fell into deep thought.
Seeing him like this, the others stopped talking and waited for his decision.
Because Chi Ye’s funds and team were gradually taking shape, the tricks used against ordinary artists or top streamers trying to break into the Film Circle no longer worked——this was a fact they finally realized after the Golden Eagle Festival, where Xu Yingying, a Big Flower, was outright “destroyed” by Chi Ye.
Of course, without strong connections, even with all those conditions, Chi Ye couldn’t have achieved this.
So, to truly take down Chi Ye, they had to strike at his most sensitive and vulnerable spot. Only then could they kill with one blow and kick him out instantly.
And one of the Beijing Circle old big brothers with sky-high background was their reliance.
If Chi Ye was now relying on the initial 《Full Firepower》 《Blue and White Porcelain》, Five Seals Golden Melody Awards, and a series of incident labels, plus a good private relationship with a certain current leader, even getting approval for several sensitive movie topics.
Then this Beijing Circle old big brother was an even more terrifying big shot, enough to influence the “rise and fall” of any artist or company… although he himself might not do it, because the impact would be too bad.
But as a true “heavenly palace” person, a “founding shares” descendant, Big Brother was obviously one of those capable of making Chi Ye’s career “instantly collapse”.
“……If he’s not obedient, he does need a knock on the head.”
After a long time, Big Brother stood up and looked at the others: “I’ll ask around later. I heard his new movie’s topic is quite sensitive. How did the script get approved back then?”
Hearing this, everyone’s hearts settled——it was done.
……
Time flew by in a flash.
A month later, time entered late December, and the major Satellite TV platforms’ grandest New Year’s Eve Concerts of the year were about to begin.
Chi Ye was still a hot pick this year, but because 《Xing Ni》’s explosive traffic had lasted over a year, and this year he had no TV Series airing. Although he made decisive progress in movies, the saying “drama popularity, film elevates status” still held truth.
Without a new drama to “sustain popularity”, and after several “over-the-line” incidents with Empress Dowager, Chi Ye lost quite a few fans. His popularity and traffic had actually dipped slightly compared to last year.
But none of that mattered. What mattered was that it had been a full year since he became an Unrivaled Top Streamer. At this time last year, the major Satellite TV stations went all out to invite Chi Ye, and the same scene was repeating this year.
Last year, Chi Ye ultimately chose East Satellite TV because of 《Xing Ni》. After that, East Satellite TV became the biggest winner at year-end, not only dominating the New Year’s Eve Gala, but 《Xing Ni》’s broadcast even propelled them to the top of local Satellite TV stations.
Although it was brief… those times were beautiful.
So, this year’s East Satellite TV offered a high “price” again——if Chi Ye came, he would still keep the grand finale spot, plus get a program beforehand, and the grand finale performance would be extended to over ten minutes.
Mango TV, seeing this, also offered high treatment. The two first-tier big Satellite TV stations were now competing fiercely.
But Chi Ye didn’t have much mind to pay attention to this situation.
Because 《Ghost》’s filming had now entered the latter half, expected to wrap up around early January.
This was the “sustain popularity” timing Chi Ye had calculated. The broadcast intervals between 《Xing Ni》 and 《Ghost》 wouldn’t be too long.
Additionally, there was a more important reason taking up most of Chi Ye’s time——《Influenza》’s post-production was complete, now just needing the Dragon Seal to choose a schedule and release.
And as expected, 《Influenza》 should get the Dragon Seal before this year’s New Year’s Eve Gala, then schedule for the First Day of Lunar New Year.
Yes, Chi Ye’s “ambition” was big this time.
Last year, his debut movie seemed scheduled for summer, but was actually a genuine Dragon Boat Festival slot, exploiting loopholes. The second movie was in the National Day Slot, also “relying” on colleagues to stand out.
For the true number one big market Spring Festival Slot of the year… Chi Ye had never touched it.
The reason was simple: if the investment and scale weren’t enough for Spring Festival Slot, scheduling there meant death, no exceptions.
At the same time, the quality of Spring Festival Slot films was the highest overall in Internal Entertainment Circle in a year. The annual box office champion usually emerged from this year’s National Day or Spring Festival.
But this year’s National Day Slot “disaster” was still fresh, so now everyone in the Film Circle was holding their breath. From what Chi Ye knew, Chen Sicheng, Han Han whose project was killed last time, and Shen Bin and Ma Li’s real big production had all chosen this slot.
——These people weren’t trash like the ones from previous encounters. Just in terms of box office appeal, they were absolute top-tier Big Stars in today’s Internal Entertainment Circle.
The audience was also holding their breath. The National Day Slot was so disappointing that except for one small budget youth film, there were few watchable movies… to put it bluntly, the higher-ups, seeing this year’s National Day Slot flop, would order the Film Industry’s “future” to make Spring Festival Slot a success.
“Last Spring Festival Slot I could only air TV Series, this year I finally caught the hottest movie big market.”
A few days ago, Chi Ye had sighed this to Empress Dowager during a chat.
At this time last year, he could only watch the terrifying big market being divided by others. Lao Peng benefited from it, while Chi Ye was still running drama promotion for 《Xing Ni》.
A year later, without 《Xing Ni》 this year, but 《Influenza》 “emerged out of nowhere”.
He had great expectations for this movie——no less than the expectations for 《Xing Ni》 in TV Series.
But…
Now he encountered a trouble he hadn’t anticipated before.
“What did you say? It got sent back?”
Canada, 《Ghost》 film crew.
This day, Chi Ye had just finished a scene when he received Keke’s phone call, a bit surprised: “Did they say the reason?”
“They said the content is too gory and violent. Also, although zombie topics aren’t explicitly banned domestically, it’s… practically the same as banned. Someone up top thinks setting this precedent is very bad.”
“This is a co-production film.”
Chi Ye thought for a moment before asking: “Did the leader say anything?”
“……The leader had me call you to ask if you’ve offended someone.”
Chi Ye: “?”
He was puzzled: “Does that even need asking? The people I’ve offended could probably form a soccer team.”
Keke: “……”
Good that you have this self-awareness.
After roasting, she probed: “Chi Ge, do you think we should tell Xia Xia Jie about this…”
Chi Ye paused, then countered: “Do you think telling her would help?”
“……If her family steps in, it would.”
“If someone can make the leader act like this, the other side must have pulled even bigger strings. Do you think for my career, they’d pay such a huge price?”
Keke fell silent.
Although she knew this too, but… she still wanted to take a shortcut.
Chi Ye didn’t continue the topic.
Reality was quite cruel. His “background” in Internal Entertainment Circle had never truly been Jin Family Home. Jin Family Home had never truly “made a big move” for him. His background was that leader.
But now, the leader seemed a bit “ineffective”.
He was a bit irritated, thought for a moment, then asked: “Did you find out who it is? I mean the person behind it.”
“……I heard it’s Ke Ying.”
Chi Ye was stunned, feeling the name familiar.
Keke paused on the other end, adding: “He’s Mom Wen’s ex-husband.”
“Ah.”
Chi Ye remembered and nodded suddenly: “Isn’t that my ‘former uncle’?”
Keke: “……”
“Wait a sec, let me ask my aunt. By the way, my aunt was just talking to me the day before yesterday, asking when I could let her show off again…”
“Now, I’m going to give her a chance to show off properly in front of me.”
