Chapter 208: Jin Xia: Adding Some Sweetness For “older Sister”!
Chi Ye slapped the Beijing Circle in the face again.
This “explosive” news gradually spread in the industry. The drama circle aside, the film circle was buzzing with discussion.
Already off the crew, Sister Shang, who wanted to “wander” and travel for a while to properly compensate herself after working for two months, specially called, softly inquiring about Chi Ye’s situation.
Sister Shang indeed has good relationships in the industry. Although over the years, she hasn’t achieved much in the internal entertainment film circle, she still knows a few friends.
Chi Ye said it was fine. Seeing him say that, Sister Shang tossed out a line: “Don’t call me within two months, or I’m afraid you won’t hold back.”
Then hung up the phone.
Sister Qianzi didn’t call, because she has no connections in the film circle, and due to age issues, she currently can’t access the film circle yet. She only helped forward the Big Shot’s official release announcement on Weibo… using her own account.
But according to the little assistant who later stepped forward on her own, she specially explained that because she was a Chi Ye fan, she secretly used Sister Shi’s account to forward the Weibo post, as it would have more influence… one man’s meat is another man’s poison.
And as one of the “parties involved,” the Beijing Circle, after receiving Chi Ye’s “response,” similarly said nothing, only dropping a line at a certain dinner party: “Fuck him up.”
The atmosphere in the industry recently inexplicably gained a bit of gunpowder scent.
But Chi Ye didn’t have much leisure to pay attention to these things.
Early April, the Girl wrapped up. Mid-April, Influenza officially started shooting in Taipei.
This day.
Chi Ye raised his hand to check his watch, frowning: “She wouldn’t be playing me, right? Superficially accepted the script, but secretly stood me up on purpose, ‘revenge’ on me?”
Keke beside him was speechless, only hesitating: “She probably wouldn’t… be that childish, right?”
“You’re right.”
Chi Ye also felt Keke made sense.
But then again, mentally ill people doing strange things isn’t surprising, so can’t judge by common sense.
And Sheng Ning taking the Influenza script did indeed have some twists.
That day, after Chi Ye and Keke talked, Keke contacted Sheng Ning’s management team the next day.
The result was they were stunned for a full three or four days, like shocked by the news, and only five days later did Sheng Ning’s team reply: “Sister Ning doesn’t accept intimate scenes.”
After Chi Ye learned of this situation, while feeling this old woman had some self-awareness, he also started preparing to join the Influenza crew for work.
The Big Shot’s release date is June 20th. Chi Ye won’t be able to shoot for long before having to run the Big Shot’s roadshow + publicity and distribution, so this time joining the crew is mainly to adapt to the new environment, as well as bond + observe the crew’s operations.
—Influenza is a big crew. Train to Busan has much larger investment. Starting with a 300 million investment big crew, it’s the first true big production in Chi Ye’s “career.”
No actor doesn’t want to act in big productions. If it’s a big production exploding in genre, special effects, and story quality on all three fronts, even more reason to act in it.
Sheng Ning’s ambition is beyond anyone’s imagination, but her temper is too bad. Continuing to stay in the drama circle acting ancient idol dramas and modern idol dramas feels purely like wasting her life and time.
At her current level, she wants to go even higher, to stand taller— she’s famously good at reading scripts. She likes the Influenza script, otherwise she wouldn’t have flown straight to Taiwan to “meet” Chi Ye back then.
Perhaps this is the reason she agreed to take this role… Of course, not ruling out that after seeing no intimate scenes, the “ethical” barrier was gone, or she was “shocked” by Chi Ye’s change in “attitude.” In any case, the mentally ill woman stood at the Influenza crew’s doorway this day.
Chi Ye saw this patient. She wore a beige trench coat, tall yet slender figure, a pair of phoenix eyes beautiful and extremely intimidating. At the first sight of Chi Ye, she asked: “When do we start?”
“…You need pregnancy makeup. Don’t you want to adapt to the props first?”
“Adapted for a week before coming… Adapted for half a month before you refused to sell me shares.”
Chi Ye: “…”
This was Chi Ye’s first real normal contact with Sheng Ning. He suddenly discovered—this woman was completely different from his impression.
At least, she didn’t “seem” like Shi Jinwei. Sister Qianzi wouldn’t be so direct.
And…
Nor so swift and decisive.
Hm… In terms of business ability, Sister Qianzi really is “little Sheng Ning.”
“My team needs to move in. Tell me when the props are ready. Can start shooting anytime.”
After Sheng Ning said this, she strode into the crew, not exchanging any other words with Chi Ye at all.
“…I appreciate this professional attitude… Why are you looking at me like that?”
Chi Ye suddenly noticed Keke’s teasing gaze.
He frowned and scolded: “Look at you, put you out to get promoted, and you’ve gone wild. Always sarcasm at me for what?”
“…Chi Ge, I didn’t say anything.”
Keke wagged her finger, smiling: “Just… just feel like, you know, in some ways you’re actually quite like Sheng Ning.”
Chi Ye: “?”
“Both personalities too tough.”
Keke’s precise evaluation: “You’re actually even ‘tougher’ than her, you know?”
“But while you’re tough, you rationally analyze, and finally comprehensively consider pros and cons for appropriate compromise… Tough, but not rigid brainless tough.”
Chi Ye silent for two seconds: “Just say I’m calculating.”
After saying that, he paused, looking at Sheng Ning’s back: “…She is too.”
“Said that way, we really fucking are alike, huh.”
Keke: “…”
“What are you spacing out for? Female lead arrived, let’s start work.”
Chi Ye waved his hand, and the Influenza crew officially entered the operation phase.
…
Influenza is a classic doomsday disaster survival film.
Background set in Taiwan. Male lead Zhang Lin is a financial executive at a Shanghai company on the mainland, 32 years old this year, frequently traveling between the mainland and Taiwan.
He’s a refined egoist, good at speculative operations, often teaching his 5-year-old daughter “no need to give seats to old people,” a “cold-blooded” financial elite.
His wife is a nurse at Taiwan General Hospital （already divorced）.
He has a pretty cute, elf-like daughter. Daughter has a kind personality, often secretly practices her mom’s favorite song because she misses her mom, preparing to perform it for mom on her birthday.
Though young, she’s very sensible, disappointed in her father’s irresponsibility to the family, often saying: “This is why mom left us.”
On daughter’s birthday, Zhang Lin in Taipei originally promised to take her to Kaohsiung to see mom, but bought duplicate gifts because of work busyness.
To make up to his daughter and his inner guilt, Zhang Lin departed from Taipei, boarding the high-speed train “Island Circle Star” from Taipei to Kaohsiung.
Unexpecting… A virus named “Influenza” broke out from a Taiwan lab, half the island gradually falling.
This train to Kaohsiung isn’t to “reunion,” but to “doomsday.”
After the Golden Melody Awards, Chi Ye had contacted several top big companies in Taiwan, plus Jin Sui’s connections, so mobilizing various public resources was easier than imagined.
Of course… Possibly also because Taiwan’s standards are indeed looser, plus Chi Ye’s current influence in Taiwan, they opened a small green channel.
The film’s route stops: Taipei → Taoyuan → Hsinchu → Taichung → Tainan → Kaohsiung （final stop）.
Time span: Dawn breaking → Nightfall （tense 12 hours throughout）
From initial 【virus outbreak, train departure】, to 【sealed space bloody hunt】, 【midway stop—despairing platform】, then 【traversing hellish cars】, and final 【Kaohsiung—hope or trap?】.
With train stops as axis, car passengers’ varied states as spring, the film tense to suffocation throughout, every scene needing lots of “special effects” and group extras as “zombies.”
Along the way, male lead Zhang Lin meets pregnant woman Li Ya （played by Sheng Ning） and her husband Ma Qiang, and other train passengers with different destinations but same misfortune, unfolding a game of humanity, Region （Mainland, inland）, bloodiness.
Chi Ye was very excited. After immersing in the Influenza crew for a few days, he was extremely excited.
This was a feeling absent from his previous shoots. That big crew atmosphere, subject matter, and various “big scenes” gave him a fresh sensation.
Making him a bit reluctant to go promote the Big Shot…
But of course he still had to go.
Mid-May, about a month after Influenza started shooting, Chi Ye received the third urging from Director Chen and Jin Sui’s side, finally stopped Influenza shooting, preparing to return to the mainland for the Big Shot’s publicity and distribution.
Meanwhile.
Outside the Influenza crew, Jin Xia bit her straw, blinking peach blossom eyes, other hand’s fingertip unconsciously rubbing the packaging bag’s edge.
She specially curled her hair today, applied lemon-flavored lip gloss, even secretly sprayed two pumps of the internet-recommended “man-slayer perfume”—though now she suspected if the scent was too strong like a walking perfume billboard.
What brand is it, not as flavorful as gutter oil!
“Sister Mi, how do I look in this state?”
She tiptoed peeking, then shrank back, pondered half a bit, turned, lifted her snow-white little chin, signaling Sister Mi to praise her.
Sister Mi: “…Pretty.”
“No sincerity.”
“…Chi Ye likes.”
“Good then.”
Sister Mi: “…Not going in yet?”
“Mm… Sheng Ning’s inside too, gotta think how to ‘face’ her.”
The Empress Dowager muttered, but soon straightened her little waist, puffed her little face, hands behind back, walked in.
…
Some internal film screening.
Beijing Circle, Northwest Circle, Shanghai Circle big gathering.
Among them, Beijing Circle though not as strong in recent years, undoubtedly still holds absolute initiative in the internal entertainment film circle—if can’t control, then “absorb” more “excellent” people.
“Brothers, what say you?”
Director Yang sat in the lounge, smoking, smugly laughing: “Everyone says it’s good!”
“…Why do I feel they’re saying it insincerely.”
Director Lu wondered if his observation was off: “Lao Mouzi and their expressions didn’t look like they thought it was good.”
“Pfft, they’re big directors now, not the camera guy from before, definitely got airs.”
Another sarcastically: “Guoshi, sounds imposing.”
“No, what the hell is that Nu Fa Chong Guan he shot? That thing worth calling 500 million investment… Embezzled 490 million, spent 10 million renting a courtyard for sitcom?”
“Haha.”
Laughter roared in the lounge.
In the corner, Yu Yan, Peng Chen, Ling Han and other Beijing Circle pushed young actors and little flowers didn’t dare laugh.
One, Guoshi really can’t be offended. Two… Yu Yan and Peng Chen fine, but Ling Han felt that Magic City Fortress… really didn’t seem that great.
Is she the only one thinking that?
Older Sister not here, she felt embarrassed to say more. Looked beside, Yu Yan sitting quietly there.
Hm… Yan Ge really the handsomest. His movies, everyone says good, probably her own issue then.
“Can advance pre-sale time beyond estimate. This feedback can’t be wrong. Old Yang, waiting to drink your 5 billion box office celebration wine! Surpass Wolf Warrior 2, just around the corner!”
Here, the big shots had decided to advance Magic City Fortress pre-sale time.
Movie release: offline roadshows, program appearances for hype; online pre-sales, sneak previews, release etc. various processes.
Normal commercial films pre-sale usually about a week ahead, sneak previews per film producer; top blockbusters like Nu Fa Chong Guan even start pre-sale box office nearly a month early.
Of course, due to different publicity schemes, this pre-sale mode isn’t template.
Like Magic City Fortress, super blockbuster not inferior to Nu Fa Chong Guan, even surpassing it, most anticipated “Chinese sci-fi film pioneering blockbuster” by Chinese movie fans in recent years. After this movie, heralding Chinese films entering “world-class” era.
But film producer for “secrecy” hype, pre-sale only one week ahead, somewhat conservative.
And from today’s “movie viewing feedback,” one week ahead too petty.
Then…
“Advance to half a month!”
Director Lu schemed: “Our movie destined to go down in film history. Gotta build reputation, not like Lao Mouzi shamelessly pre-sale a month early, all sorts of sneak previews.”
“Indeed, half a month ahead, I say yes.”
Director Feng nodded too.
“…” Director Yang thought, suddenly smiled: “Half a month ahead… Anyway advancing, no difference those days. Directly advance to same as Big Shot pre-sale time… He’s mad? Thinks mixing in drama circle we can’t touch him?”
“Eh, this idea…”
Everyone stunned, then amazed one by one: “Good one. Old Yang, wouldn’t have thought if you didn’t say. That little bastard Chi Ye has a movie too!”
“Heard Sheng Ning acting his new movie… Laughable, does that icon have brain issues? What was her relationship with Chi Ye before? If she acted TV series with him, I’d admire her flexibility, but movie…”
“Neither has brains. Maybe sleeping with Chi Ye at night now. Fuck… Set on Big Shot’s pre-sale day. Tell the industry folks, we’re fucking him up, what can he do!”
For a moment, everyone “fired up.”
Indeed, since last time Chi Ye “publicly” rejected them—not like Peng Chen relaying this time. Face-conscious Beijing Circle lost all face, gave him two “opportunities” and he still wouldn’t come. Quite a loss!
So Director Feng drunk that day dropped: “Fuck him up!”
But this “fuck him up,” how exactly… No one considered… After dropping the line, selectively forgot.
Hm… Awkward. But current Chi Ye holds absolute influence in drama circle. Film circle and drama circle always had a wall… So if Chi Ye doesn’t enter film circle, want to touch… Can’t. At least currently, no one in drama circle refuses “Professor Chi.”
But this Big Shot release, their “advance pre-sale”… Opportunity delivered to door. Everyone ate plenty frustration from Chi Ye before, how not happy?
Do it, do it, do him in! Let people know, offend Beijing Circle, no good end!
In the corner, Yu Yan heard this news, heart stirred too.
—Opportunity came.
He thought so.
…
Inside Influenza crew.
“Teacher Jin Xia treating everyone to pearl milk tea!”
“Translation: Drink milk tea!”
“Haha.”
“Thanks Teacher Jin Xia!”
Jin Xia visiting the set, Influenza crew both shocked and delighted—Qian Songyi’s current popularity in Taiwan not less than Professor Chi’s.
Of course, what excited them more was “gossip.”
“Qian Songyi” visiting “Professor Chi,” what big news?
If island media knew, probably instantly “swarm” the Influenza crew.
“This one’s Teacher Chi’s… This one’s mine, this one’s mine too, this one for aunt’s company actors, this one…”
In the distance, Jin Xia’s brought “milk tea truck” being divided by film crew members, while she specially kept a big box, took out a cup of the healthiest milk tea “airlifted” from Shanghai, into “her own field.”
Then, other named actors in the crew.
Then, she pulled out a cup specially added ten times sugar “perverted sweet” milk tea, bouncing said: “This one’s Sheng Ning’s! For Sheng Ning to replenish sugar!”
Sister Mi: “…”
“You… what flavor is this…”
Here, Chi Ye heard the commotion, already walked out, but just surprised for a second, nose caught a distinct fragrance, surprised: “Specially sprayed?”
“…” Jin Xia saw him come, immediately straightened her waist, glared at him, then puffed little face: “Teacher Chi, I’m unhappy.”
Chi Ye: “Then don’t be happy.”
“…”
“Tell you later…”
Jin Xia casually tiptoed, picked up a milk tea casually, handed to Influenza’s second male lead, Taiwan actor Ma Feng: “Teacher Ma, this one’s yours.”
“Yo, thanks, Qian Songyi. My daughter loves you so much!”
Teacher Ma flattered, he’s a bit shorter than Chi Ye but sturdy build, former boxer, Taiwan entertainment’s “big brother specialist,” currently signed to Jin Sui’s Guang Ying Shi Meng.
“No no, thank Teacher Chi.”
Jin Xia didn’t hide it at all. After saying, before shocked wide-mouthed Teacher Ma could reply, peeked at the back again.
Chi Ye puzzled: “What you looking for?”
“Where’s Sheng Ning?”
Chi Ye startled, turned back: “Her? She… probably doing makeup.”
“I’ll go see her.”
Jin Xia finished, glanced at Chi Ye again, lowered voice, sneaky like a dog: “Go see ‘older sister.'”
Chi Ye stunned, looking at her: “Ah?”
“Hmph hmph, you don’t worry, just watch my performance!”
Jin Xia hmphed, smugly hands behind back, headed to Sheng Ning’s makeup room.
Has outline, single
