Chapter 234: Little Milk Cat
《Lonely and Brilliant God: Ghost》.
This is another weapon Chi Ye uses to maintain his disparity popularity after 《Xing Ni》.
Because the route he takes is different from Yu Yan’s, the team and he himself had planned early on for a career model driven by works + endorsements, with movies elevating star power and TV series maintaining super-high disparity status, not purely a pure traffic route with a thin foundation.
The downside of doing this is that during his work collaborations, he is bound to lose a large batch of fans due to drama promotion, marketing, or even genuine feelings.
But the benefits are also obvious: the fan combat power of the washed fans will be stronger, with “loyalty” MAX.
And after so long since the 《Xing Ni》 storm, most in the industry now see clearly the unique route Chi Ye takes.
So, many young actors are now imitating him, and there are even “explosive” young actors pushed hard by the three major platforms and various capitals, seizing the market gap that Chi Ye “gave up” and frantically nibbling away at his popularity traffic.
For example, recently Yue Na launched a new top streamer named Xiao Zhan.
When Chi Ye first heard this name, he was quite surprised and almost thought Xiao Yan’s dad from 《Battle Through the Heavens》 had been reborn and traveled to reality…
The reality is not so; Xiao Zhan is also from a boy group, with explosive momentum, adding many variables to the recently settled mainland young actor landscape.
The disparity traffic is gradually fading, younger young actors are coming fiercely, and the film circle naturally holds hostility toward him…
Chi Ye’s career has reached this point and has entered a bottleneck period.
But he is not anxious, because currently 《Girl》 and 《Influenza》 have both wrapped up, 《Ghost》 is about to start shooting, and as the saying goes, with inventory in hand, laugh at the mad dogs.
“How is the 《Ghost》 film crew setup going?”
Sitting in the car, blowing the night wind, Chi Ye asked Keke.
“The film crew team is found, still the old team from 《Xing Ni》, but…”
Keke glanced at Chi Ye through the rearview mirror, probing: “Who is the female lead exactly?”
“Didn’t tell Pliers?”
Chi Ye was stunned, then reacted: “Oh, too many things lately, busy and forgot.”
Keke: “…”
“Chi Ge, same old rules, after 《Ghost》 starts shooting, you can only shoot a short segment first; our movie is going on National Day slot.”
Chi Ye checked the time: “How’s your discussion going? Fixed on the 1st?”
“…Yeah.”
“Competition is quite intense.”
Chi Ye frowned.
…
《Those Years, The Girl We Chased Together》 was finally scheduled for October 1st this year, National Day slot.
Many people, including Chi Ye himself, actually felt a bit unsure inside.
Because the National Day slot is one of the hottest slots within the year, with competitors including domestic blockbusters and various overseas imported special effects films, the competition is very fierce.
But that said, 《Girl》’s investment and cast lineup may be the weakest in the National Day slot, but…but its “meaning is different.”
—It is Chi Ye’s first true protagonist movie after winning Golden Rooster Best Supporting Actor and 《Xing Ni》.
In 《Big Shot》, no matter how big Chi Ye’s halo is, he is just a solid second lead villain, not the protagonist male lead.
But in 《Girl》, Chi Ye is the solid male lead, first lead…um, Sister Shang was indeed overshadowed by Chi Ye; she keeps her word, her temper is good to the extreme…
In this situation, the opportunity to test whether Chi Ye can carry the box office and how much he can carry is right out in the open.
In 《Girl》, the most famous are Chi Ye and Shang Youshu, and Shang Youshu’s movie performance is very poor, so without Wu Zhenyu and the Hong Kong team, can the first male lead drama fully handled by Chi Ye Team replicate the miracle of 《Big Shot》?
This time, there is no 《Magic City Fortress》 as a foil.
Moreover, after last year’s 《Fleet of Time》 dog blood baptism and scam, audience movie fans already have some degree of PTSD toward youth films.
From last year to now, mainland has produced at least five or six small budget youth bad movies, clearly after Jin Sui made money, other investors got jealous and started blindly following the trend.
It’s always like this every time, nothing new.
Chi Ye’s current star power and status dictate that 《Girl》 must go out with a bang, with only two results—either explosively hot or a resounding flop.
As long as it’s even a little mediocre, for current Chi Ye, it’s mediocrity and failure.
“Everyone’s under a lot of pressure lately.”
Keke parked the car downstairs at the hotel, opened the car door for Chi Ye, and then said: “Chi Ge, if you can’t, just couple up with Sister Shang, it’s for money, nothing embarrassing.”
Chi Ye: “?”
He got out of the car leisurely and walked toward the hotel, saying at the same time: “#Well-known Trademark#?”
Keke was stunned, then burst out laughing.
“Sister Shang doesn’t need CP, Sister Shang only wants happiness… Get in touch with her later, prepare to run publicity and distribution.”
“Okay.”
“That’s it.”
After the two briefly finished, Chi Ye walked into the elevator upstairs, arrived at his room doorway, and just as he was about to open the room door, he suddenly glimpsed at the end of the suite corridor lobby, two familiar figures sitting on the sofa.
One of the figures was already leaning her head on another woman and falling asleep.
Chi Ye paused, walked over there, puzzled: “Why are you here?”
Sister Mi, sitting straight and not daring to make the slightest movement, looked up expressionlessly: “Waiting for the dog.”
Chi Ye: “?”
“Waiting for me?”
He naturally took the seat, then checked the time: “Shouldn’t she be asleep long ago at this hour? If there’s something, talk tomorrow; how are you taking care of Xia Xia?”
Sister Mi glanced sideways at Jin Xia, who was quietly sleeping leaning on her shoulder.
Her sleeping appearance was very quiet, without any snoring, her posture leaning on Sister Mi, looking very casual yet still carrying a straight feeling, her sleeping posture extremely “elegant.”
Chi Ye knew the Empress Dowager must be treating here as a “bed.”
“Xia Xia said she wants to change to the same schedule as you.”
Sister Mi looked up at Chi Ye: “You must have saved the galaxy in your previous life.”
Chi Ye calmly: “I think so too.”
Sister Mi: “…”
“Then let’s go, I’ll take you back.”
Seeing the Empress Dowager sleeping like this, Chi Ye came over to reach out and help.
“No, don’t touch.” Sister Mi tensed up, lowering her voice: “Xia Xia sleeps lightly, any big movement will wake her.”
“If she wakes, she wakes.”
Chi Ye started talking nonsense.
Sister Mi glanced at him: “Don’t you know she has morning temper? She’ll get mad if she wakes.”
“…Ah? Really?”
Chi Ye really didn’t know this.
To be honest, the Empress Dowager usually shows only her “good” side when interacting with Chi Ye; even in 《Jian Ni》, living together every day, she would get up long ago, get everything ready, before meeting Chi Ye.
So, Chi Ye actually doesn’t know much about private Jin Xia.
Sister Mi looked at Chi Ye: “Can’t you see I’m not daring to move at all now? I’ve been holding for an hour and a half…”
Chi Ye: “…”
He was puzzled: “No way, how could Xia Xia be like that.”
“…She only shows you her good side; can you stop being so fearless?”
Chi Ye paused, then nodded: “Then what to do?”
Sister Mi was silent for a moment, looking like she really couldn’t hold on now, and could only say: “We’ll go slow; you carry her.”
“Okay.”
Chi Ye tiptoed over, passed through under the Empress Dowager’s little leg bend from Sister Mi’s already stiff arms, the other arm gently around her slender back, then slightly exerted force, princess-carrying her up.
“So light?”
He was surprised, but Sister Mi hurriedly “shh”ed, mouthing: “Don’t talk.”
Chi Ye nodded, just about to walk, but suddenly felt Jin Xia in his arms turn her head slightly, burying into his chest, mumbling: “So hot, I want 24°.”
Chi Ye’s body stiffened, Sister Mi whispered softly: “Xia Xia, it’s already 24° now…”
“No, no…”
“…”
Seeing Chi Ye still standing there, Sister Mi gestured to him: “Go, she’s not awake.”
“Making it so tense.”
Chi Ye muttered, carrying the Empress Dowager with Sister Mi toward the room.
“Don’t come in first; I’ll adjust the temperature, in ten minutes, carry her in.”
Sister Mi gently opened the room door and instructed Chi Ye.
Chi Ye: “…Really need 24 degrees?”
“What else?” Sister Mi paused, then glanced at him: “Xia Xia used to think 24° was a bit cold.”
Chi Ye was stunned.
“But you like it.”
Chi Ye fell silent: “Stop, I’m a dog.”
“…6.”
Sister Mi wanted to laugh but didn’t dare, went in to start preparing various “pre-sleep setup rituals” for Jin Xia.
Chi Ye stayed at the doorway, found a “sheltered” spot, lowered his head to carefully examine the sleeping Empress Dowager.
Her usually familiar delicate little face now looked very peaceful, messy chestnut long hair slightly disheveled, pressed against her porcelain-white little face.
Her side face against Chi Ye’s chest, corners of her mouth slightly upturned, probably dreaming of something happy.
Um…neck a bit itchy…
Chi Ye felt the warm yet even breathing constantly surging into his collar, and that pair of diamond chip earrings occasionally brushing his neck, cool and icy, like tickling him.
“Usually so quirky, so quiet when sleeping.”
Chi Ye chuckled, then his collar suddenly felt hot.
It was the Empress Dowager suddenly rubbing deeper into his neck nook, her watery lips unconsciously pouting, lip gloss smudging a peony petal on his collarbone—so soft.
Chi Ye’s body stiffened, Adam’s apple moving slightly, unconsciously hugging the Empress Dowager tighter.
Jin Xia seemed to feel Chi Ye’s “force,” humming comfortably, hugging Chi Ye tightly in return, whole body nestled in his arm bend, curled up like a milk cat melted by sunlight.
“…Spoke wrong, so many little movements even when sleeping, not honest.”
Chi Ye’s throat was a bit hoarse.
—If only Sister Mi dropped dead right now.
Unfortunately, Sister Mi’s body is very healthy.
Ten minutes later, he got the “signal,” carried the Empress Dowager into the bedroom, then…then there was nothing for him, Sister Mi guarded him like a thief, handling everything herself.
Chi Ye: Wishing your future husband is a three-seconder, you’ll be happy, Sister Mi.
Click.
Half an hour later, everything was settled, Sister Mi carefully closed the room door, turned and smiled at Chi Ye: “Can’t wait for me to, huh?”
Chi Ye: “No.”
Sister Mi surprised: “Why don’t I believe it?”
“Remove ‘can’t wait’ and ‘huh.'”
Sister Mi: “…”
She wasn’t angry, just explained: “Not today.”
Chi Ye was stunned, then nodded: “You have something for me?”
After helping settle the Empress Dowager just now, he was planning to leave, but Sister Mi stopped him.
“Yes.”
Sister Mi nodded, stared at Chi Ye for a while, surprisingly admitting: “None of us have Xia Xia’s good eye.”
Chi Ye: “?”
“Back then only she believed in you; I remember I was very resistant to her contacting you, giving you 《Xing Ni》, no one else believed in you, no one thought you could get this far.”
Chi Ye sensed something off, eyed her: “What exactly do you want to say? Spit it out.”
“…What you said on Weibo today, is it real?”
Chi Ye was startled, didn’t react.
“Second collaboration.”
Sister Mi reminded irritably: “Not just mentioning it casually? Then continue working with other little flowers?”
Chi Ye “ah”ed, realizing Sister Mi’s “intent.”
Sure enough.
Sister Mi thought, then said: “Can you bear to give up your current traffic?”
Chi Ye: “Get to the point.”
“Second collab with Xia Xia, shoot a movie.”
Chi Ye was silent.
“No way?” Sister Mi looked at him: “Have you no conscience?”
Chi Ye eyed her: “Need you to say it?”
Sister Mi was dumbfounded.
“Even without you saying, I’d already written the notebook, Sister Mi, you just worry blindly.” Chi Ye yawned: “Anything else? If not, I’m going.”
Sister Mi: “…You still have a heart.”
“Not much, just enough to give.” Chi Ye wagged his finger, chuckled and turned to leave.
And Sister Mi staring at his back, was quite satisfied with Chi Ye’s “initiative” this time…um…she usually not only takes care of Jin Xia but is also her agent, so seeing Chi Ye’s “price” now different, of course she’s a bit anxious.
Also dissatisfied with Chi Ye’s “passivity.”
—Since 《Xing Ni》, Chi Ye has entered the film circle career-wise, but Jin Xia has not much progress…those little hot commodities are still fawning over Xia Xia eagerly…you’re not even in line.
Xia Xia hasn’t acted yet!
“Heh, little bastard is getting more arrogant…”
Sister Mi spat darkly, turned and walked into the outer suite.
…
After the Golden Rooster Awards, Chi Ye’s “price” is indeed different.
Mainly, his self-baking “brand” has finally been noticed and known by everyone; even if can’t collaborate, everyone thinks his scripts are still very appealing.
So from the second day, various companies and investors in the industry continuously send script invitations to Chi Ye Studio, with prices at the top industry level.
Even top big companies like Yue Na, Hua Yi, Tai Yang, secretly had people “proxy-send” collaboration invitations.
But Chi Ye, with an inside mole, shot back on the spot to the Yue Na rep: “Want the script? Let Young President Liu and Great President Liu turn themselves in first; even after, no script for you.”
