Chapter 114: Sister Shang And The Story Of Four Men
The setup of a film crew depends on the scale, some are fast and some are slow; if everything goes smoothly, the normal speed is about three or four months.
If it’s a large crew, preparing for half a year, or even longer, is very normal.
《Xing Ni》 counts as a large crew, and it’s even personally handled by Chi Ye and Jin Xia; the two lacked experience before, but fortunately, they have Aunt and Director Liu’s team to cooperate and help, but to start filming, it will take at least another month.
During this period, it’s prepare, prepare, and prepare again.
And Chi Ye, because of 《Circulation》, has an additional task of cooperating with drama promotion.
Half a month later, Director Zhang gave notice that 《Circulation》 has officially passed review and is already discussing schedule issues with Ku Ying Platform.
—The Summer Slot competition is particularly fierce, and 《Circulation》’s rating has been A+ from the start; facing several S+ big investments, striving for a suitable schedule obviously requires a lot of kung fu.
Of course, these are games between the film producer and the platform; for Chi Ye, at this moment, his drama promotion tasks can begin.
After confirming that 《Circulation》 has passed review, earliest this month or latest next month, the first announcement he chose was the old friend Mango TV’s newly launched S+ slow variety show from a while ago—Mushroom House》.
This season’s 《Mushroom House》 has fewer resident guests than before, but heavyweight guests Mom Wen and her son Ba Sa have joined, plus the popularity from previous seasons, and Teacher Huang’s Breaking Bad reboot fame, it’s the top variety show resource in the industry recently.
Chi Ye hasn’t appeared since 《Voice of Nature》, almost two months, so taking advantage of this drama promotion, he needs to show his face and maintain his popularity.
“How’s Teacher Shi’s OST recording going?”
Chi Ye simply packed his things and asked Xiao Liu.
“…Too explosive, sounds great.”
Xiao Liu originally wanted to say that Teacher Shi’s solo OST was a bit overwhelming Chi Ye, but when the words reached her mouth, she definitely didn’t dare say it out loud, just kept nodding.
“That’s good.”
Chi Ye glanced at her sideways: “You’re also a fan of Teacher Shi now?”
“…I’ll always be your die-hard fan, Chi Ge.”
“I don’t need die-hard fans.”
Chi Ye shook his head.
“Ah?” Xiao Liu was stunned.
“I want gold fans.” Chi Ye said with a laugh: “Gold ground into powder is still gold, very valuable.”
Xiao Liu: “…”
She helped pull up Chi Ye’s suitcase and then followed him out the door.
Chi Ye thought for a moment and asked: “The list of Summer Slot competitors I asked you to make, is it done?”
“Almost, this year’s Summer Slot has all major platforms fighting for S+ market share; I’ll send you the specifics to your email later.”
“Okay.”
Chi Ye got in the car, but his mind was on the situation of 《Circulation》’s “competitors” this time.
From 2017 onward, Internal Entertainment Circle entered the Three Major Platforms era… In recent years, Mango TV has risen, barely counting as Four Major Platforms.
Each of these Four Major Platforms has one or even several capital giants and local satellite TV backing them, firmly controlling most of the market and traffic in Internal Entertainment Circle.
From January to December, to complete the platform’s KPI data, the Four Major Platforms are all rivals to each other, all opponents, pouring oil on each other in competition, which has long been a consensus in and out of the industry.
Each side’s fans are delighted to see it, always watching the Four Major Platforms’ drama during hot slots.
And in this year’s schedules, besides the first Spring Festival Slot after the new year, the Summer Slot is the most competitive.
The reasoning is easy to understand: students are on vacation, audience numbers surge; in previous years, every Summer Slot exploding one or two traffic stars was the most watched “big event” in and out of the industry.
Casual fans expect their main idol to ascend.
Top streamers in the industry fear more competitors.
These years, everyone’s overall level isn’t great, but competition is getting more involuted.
“No one sees our 《Circulation》 as an opponent.”
On the way to the airport, Chi Ye looked at this year’s Summer Slot “competitor list” compiled by the team on the tablet.
All “old acquaintances”.
Spy War blockbuster 《Deep Sea》, rating S+, broadcast platform: Kiwifruit.
Leads: Chu Han Zhou, Jin Wei（ Above ranking by birthday, no precedence）!
Female-oriented big IP adaptation 《Meng Xi Yuan》（Original name Female Emperor）, rating S+, broadcast platform: Penguin Video.
Leads: Shang Youshu, Jiang Cheng, and Peach Crown Prince, Cool Crown Prince, Mang Taizi.
Finally, Ji Hemming, who was hit by the “selecting concubines” storm a while ago but was proven no solid evidence of “rumor-mongering”, fully backed by Yue Na, and that quasi-first-tier little flower whose dad is a deadbeat who quietly paid back taxes, starring in the modern idol drama 《Deng Ji Feng Chui Qi》.
Rating also S+, broadcast platform on Ku Ying.
These three S+ are the big dramas the Three Major Platforms are pushing to compete this year, also pre-broadcast hits, the most watched works by outsiders.
There are many other second-tier, third-tier upcoming stars’ new dramas coming online, like 《Circulation》, but attention is not as high as these three, belonging to the second or even third echelon.
Chi Ye is very dissatisfied with this status quo.
He feels he should do something… like peng ci, forcibly binding to these three major S+.
This operation saves publicity and distribution costs secondarily; more importantly, it gives the audience an impression—turns out 《Circulation》 is also S+!
Of course… industry convention, not just dramas and movies, even the so-called Four Little Flowers, Four Great Young Actors, what dual hits dual top streamers, Four Little Ones three green robes… aren’t they all bound this way?
What rivals competing? All fucking for that bit of popularity and boosting status.
“Have the publicity team help me think of some nasty tricks, I’ll peng ci them.”
Chi Ye had an idea in mind and spoke bluntly.
Xiao Liu: “…Okay, got it.”
The two were silent all the way until arriving at the airport; Chi Ye ended his chat with Empress Dowager, then remembered something: “Oh, by the way, Sister Shang and Pliers… they’re both running announcements now, right?”
“Yeah, Sister Shang is at 《Mushroom House》 right now… Plier… Jin Wei’s side, not sure.”
Xiao Liu paused, couldn’t hold back: “Heard… they’ve already started fighting.”
“Ah?”
Chi Ye was stunned.
Started fighting?
……
Shang Youshu’s 《Meng Xi Yuan》 crew, started fighting.
“Pre-broadcast fight”.
Here we need to talk about the original work issue of 《Meng Xi Yuan》.
The original work of 《Meng Xi Yuan》 is adapted from a top IP on a certain female-oriented site; the original isn’t called 《Meng Xi Yuan》, it’s called 《Female Emperor》.
From the name, it’s clear it’s the most market-welcomed big female lead ancient idol drama in the past decade.
But if it were just an ordinary ancient idol drama, even S+, it absolutely wouldn’t attract this much attention.
To achieve “pre-broadcast fight”, drawing attention from outside the industry even inside, 《Meng Xi Yuan》 naturally has its unique features.
Its unique feature is—it has four male leads!
Yes, one female lead, four male leads, no second male, third male, fourth male, only male protagonists!
Anyway, all four male leads say this in their young actor promotions.
Even 《Meng Xi Yuan》’s lead cast is:
【Leads: Shang Youshu, Jiang Cheng】
【Special Leads: Peach Crown Prince, Cool Crown Prince】
【Strength Leads: Mang Taizi】
Look, no supporting actors, everyone is a lead.
Four male protagonists, but only one female protagonist, who is no worse than Sheng Ning, the most prominent in Four Little Flowers—Shang Youshu.
The four crown princes are instead unpopular stars, upcoming emperors.
Even the so-called “male lead one”, Penguin’s Crown Prince Jiang Cheng, though he dreams of being a top streamer, is now just a second-tier star.
So what happens when this combo collides?
Female top streamer + four crown princes, the four crown princes started fighting before the drama even aired!
Just yesterday, on the night of 《Meng Xi Yuan》 poster’s official announcement, Jiang Cheng, who claims to be the only male top streamer of 《Meng Xi Yuan》, subtly released press releases dissing the other three crown princes, saying they “lack lead-carrying ability”.
And he had his team release his “acting highlight shot” on set, switching fifteen emotions in one second eye acting, hot search term—#Jiang Cheng solos all acting highlights of Meng Xi Yuan》#
Second male Peach Crown Prince was furious; though same crown prince, he’s different from the other three, he’s mixed in the film circle!
Um… all supporting roles, poor reputation.
But like Jiang Cheng claiming top streamer, he also always claims to be a movie star; filming 《Meng Xi Yuan》 this time is just descending to help the poor.
So, the next day in an interview, he subtly mocked: “Traffic actors don’t understand performance.”
Then bought hot search #Textbook eye acting crush, switching twenty emotions in one second#
Just right, five more than male lead one Jiang Cheng!
The remaining two crown princes have less capital than them, but aren’t undeserved.
Fourth male Mang Taizi has the weakest strength, goes straight “binding” route, doesn’t compete with the other three crown princes, but overtakes on bend, targeting straight at 《Meng Xi Yuan》’s only big female lead Sister Shang.
Playing binding, interviews, Weibo, crazily hinting sugar, saying “I’ve been sister’s fan since childhood, like sister the most”.
Third male Cool Crown Prince says nothing, just uses money to buy black press releases on the other three, releases appearance comparison charts.
#Meng Xi Yuan》 four male protagonists, three are big ugly guys#
Um…
Chi Ye flipped through the various hot search terms dominating the hot search list for two days, only feeling chaos, too chaotic.
This drama now highlights one trait—everyone’s a crown prince, who’s afraid of whom?
“Sure enough, they started fighting.”
He put down his mobile phone, thinking of that once gossip-loving fairy girl.
“My Sister Shang loves gossip the most, didn’t expect one day she’d eat her own gossip; she must be very happy now, right?”
……
Shang Youshu is not happy at all now; she feels like she’s about to die, tormented to death by her “four male protagonists”.
《Mushroom House》, the latest season’s southern recording location, in a certain mountain village.
《Meng Xi Yuan》 crew this time came as a group to 《Mushroom House》, planning to stay two days; yesterday was already one day.
Shang Youshu sat listlessly on the steps of the small courtyard; she’d never felt time drag on so much.
—The latest development now has evolved to male lead one Jiang Cheng’s team releasing new clip—his “dedication highlight shot” on set, single-handedly easily swinging the “halberd” he uses in the drama, and casually laughing: “This spear should be around forty or fifty jin.”
The clip leaked, fans flooded the squares brushing “Jiang Cheng’s halberd in Meng Xi Yuan》 is actually real” “Brother so manly” “Jiang Cheng single-handedly swings fifty jin halberd effortlessly”.
Popularity exploded high, second male Peach Crown Prince saw and immediately followed up, throwing out his “sixty jin swinging knife” video.
Third and fourth males saw sixty jin out, looked at their own skinny frail bodies, decisively gave up this marketing.
Then netizens raised doubts—
Trivia: In 《Romance of the Three Kingdoms》, Guan Gong’s weapon Green Dragon Crescent Blade weighs 82 jin, Dian Wei’s double halberds total 80 jin, and the heaviest Lu Bu, height 9 chi, about over two meters, Square Heaven Halberd weighs 100 jin.
And by Han dynasty unearthed measurement 1 jin = 16 liang calculation, roughly Han 1 jin equals modern 222 grams.
In other words, Green Dragon Crescent Blade now 36.4 jin, Dian Wei double halberds total 35.5 jin, Square Heaven Halberd about 44.4 jin.
Jiang Cheng single-handedly swings over 50 jin “halberd”, Peach Crown Prince starts at 60 jin… true reborn fierce generals!
At this moment, the two 《Meng Xi Yuan》 reborn fierce generals are huffing and puffing together carrying a bag of grain that’s not even fifty jin.
You ask why they’re doing this job?
This morning they came together, Teacher Huang saw this hot search and proactively directed: “You guys have such great strength, go carry grain, one bag less than 100 jin, easy for young lads.”
So now Shang Youshu and others came to the granary.
Jiang Cheng and Peach Crown Prince two “peerless fierce generals”, let alone carrying 100 jin grain, even together 50 jin is a bit strenuous, and the camera keeps on them, making their faces purple.
If it were Peng Chen here… he’d probably overexert and shit himself.
Shang Youshu reminisced about a few months ago, crazily gossiping Voice of Nature》 through the screen.
Back then, iced cola with fried chicken… um… occasionally once is fine, right?
So happy.
Why did I come here to watch them imitate Peng Chen?
Peng Chen’s “height” is already unmatchable for them; don’t they know?
Um… heard Chi Ye is coming today; will he bring new gossip?
Thinking of the message just from the program team, Shang Youshu’s low mood improved a bit, sullenly continuing to stare at the two arguing fierce generals ahead.
“Use strength with your left hand! You’re unloading all the force on me like this!”
Jiang Cheng has a slimmer build, not that tall… in fact, all four male protagonists of 《Meng Xi Yuan》 are both skinny and ugly.
Here ugly isn’t just temperament, but combined face and build judgment.
Because these four are capital-pushed resource persons; except Arthur who’s passable, the other three none meet appearance or build standards.
If you talk their specific looks, not hard to look at, just purely ugly.
Typical Internal Entertainment Circle’s now most popular “ancient idol ugly male” skinny chicken boys.
At this moment, Peach Crown Prince saw Jiang Cheng actually say that to him, furious: “…You single-handedly swing fifty jin, still afraid of this bit of unloading?”
Jiang Cheng: “Does sixty jin need unloading?”
“You…”
The two, mindful of the live camera, didn’t say anything too harsh, but faces clearly bad.
Click.
The small courtyard’s room door was pushed open, Chi Ye carrying his suitcase walked in, immediately saw the two red-faced thick-necked, exclaimed: “Oh, aren’t these the two ‘reborn fierce generals’ who fist-fight Lu Bu, foot-kick Guan Gong.”
Everyone: “？!”
Shang Youshu’s eyes lit up, stood up, patted her butt, curious: “You… how did you come here?”
“Hm?”
Chi Ye also surprised, looked back, then at this granary: “Isn’t this Mushroom House?”
“No, this is the granary… Mushroom House is ahead, we’re doing a mission now.”
Shang Youshu walked over, delighted: “You join us too!”
“Oh?”
Chi Ye turned back, sized up Shang Youshu again, asked: “They’re carrying grain, what are you doing?”
“I’m doing accounting.”
“Alright, I’ll do accounting, you go help them carry.”
Shang Youshu: “Ah?”
Chi Ye turned back to look at the four crown princes again, really couldn’t hold back, shook his head: “This is… 《Snow White and the Four Dwarfs》 drama promotion?”
Shang Youshu: “…”
Jiang Cheng and the other crown princes furious.
But the others not familiar with Chi Ye, Jiang Cheng shouted: “Chi Ye, come help!”
Help my ass, I’m not a fierce general.
Chi Ye didn’t linger, waved hand walking away: “I’ll go check in first, or if over time, program team will deduct my pay.”
“Bye bye, you guys keep it up.”
