Chapter 263: The Value Of A Quality Idol, Rise’s “brotherly Bond”
《Mars Rescue》’s film crew set up and selected locations, ultimately settling on the Qaidam Basin in Qingjiang Province.
It features yardang landforms, deserts, and saline-alkali land, with a simulated Mars base already built, suitable for showcasing space exploration scenes.
Additionally, there are sea routes in XJ, Ningxia, and the Gobi.
Especially the XJ Hami sea route, with red rock layers and wind-eroded landforms that have strong visual impact; NASA once studied its geological structure to compare with the Mars environment.
The entire film crew spanned several provinces and cities from site selection to setup, traveling across the country’s vast lands from south to north, finally choosing several mild environments.
Among them, setting up many scenes was very difficult because 《Mars Rescue》 involves mostly desolate, uninhabited scenes that still need to feel like the “Mars surface.”
Under normal circumstances, few people live here, so supplies and various equipment, as well as the daily life of the entire film crew, all need to be ensured.
Just this alone cost quite a few resources, not to mention special effects and preparations in other aspects.
It can be said that 《Mars Rescue》 is indeed a rare big production in Chi Ye’s filming career; in his current resume, only 《Influenza》 can compare.
But 《Influenza》 is more thrilling and tense than visually impactful, so this setup for 《Mars Rescue》 also gave Chi Ye an unprecedented fresh feeling.
—Other film crew members, as well as Guo Feng’s team, felt the same.
“To make this project work well this time, you’ve worked hard during this period.”
In the meeting room.
Chi Ye looked at Guo Feng, who had clearly lost a lot of weight, and did not stint on his attitude.
He just likes talent, especially this kind of “passionate” talent that really gets things done.
“…I just want to start work soon now.”
Guo Feng licked the corner of his mouth and unexpectedly urged the “boss” in reverse: “President Chi, hurry up and shoot that 《Ghost》… How can an idol drama compare to our project… The meaning and achievement are completely different.”
Chi Ye: “Huh?”
“Really, you really should take a look; the environment over there is particularly great.”
A “abnormal” light flickered in Guo Feng’s eyes: “We went to Eastern Xinjiang, summer temperatures of forty or fifty degrees… That weather was so refreshing; the thesis defense just pulled out would dry immediately. Can you understand that feeling?”
Chi Ye: “…I don’t want to understand.”
“You really should understand it!”
Guo Feng was about to describe the thesis defense drying process when Chi Ye waved his hand to interrupt: “I’ll let Peng Chen and Sister Shang go if there’s a chance; they should both like this environment.”
Guo Feng: “…”
“President Chi, also, about the female lead issue, I have some ideas here.”
Seeing that Chi Ye didn’t want to talk more about this topic, Guo Feng thought that although President Chi is now somewhat of a capital, he… still couldn’t shake off the idol burden of being an unrivaled top streamer.
What’s so good about being a top streamer?
Steadily making sci-fi films isn’t more prestigious than being a top streamer?
He felt President Chi’s head had a problem; although an unrivaled top streamer seems infinitely glamorous and really is, but… but it has no meaning! This label, besides making people think you’re awesome with high popularity, what other special meaning does it have?
—Better to hide in Eastern Xinjiang observing thesis defense drying a single hair!
He pulled out a new list, indicating he actually already had his favored “female leads”…
Um… Actually, 《Mars Rescue》 is a thorough “main male protagonist” movie, with no traditional female lead or second female lead… but it’s still a movie, so some roles have to be assigned.
And as the first sci-fi blockbuster he handled since entering the industry, Guo Feng was of course very invested.
Besides the male lead already set as Chi Ye, he had his own positioning and choices for other roles, including various female roles.
Chi Ye was a bit surprised; he didn’t expect Guo Feng to have prepared even this, the task he just assigned a while ago…
He took the list and glanced at it, instantly dumbfounded.
“Teacher Zhang… Ling Bingbing… and Ning Mo… even Luo Nini is on here… Buddy, are you treating me like God? Where am I supposed to find these people for you?”
Guo Feng was full of frankness: “They’re all quite suitable.”
“Wallet isn’t quite suitable.”
Chi Ye shook his head decisively.
No need to say more about Teacher Zhang; Ling Bingbing… um… a big flower not inferior to Teacher Zhang; Ning Mo slightly less, but still a solid top big flower in the film circle; the last Luo Nini… isn’t from internal entertainment but overseas Chinese, famous both overseas and domestically, a super first-tier with even higher star power than Teacher Zhang and the others…
Chi Ye felt Guo Feng’s brain was a bit off; not talking about star power and funds, just his own relationship with Ling Bingbing, or even Teacher Zhang… would they come just because asked?
They’re not pliers.
Moreover… even setting aside past grudges and positions, everyone’s schedules are booked for years; Chi Ye believed he didn’t yet have the ability to summon and dismiss this group at will.
“This won’t work… Go back and rethink it; I’ll give you some candidates too… Let’s leave it at that for now.”
Seeing Guo Feng still wanting to babble, Chi Ye knew if he didn’t leave today, he could drag him into discussing casting all day.
He immediately waved his hand, indicating he had other things to do.
“…President Chi, you don’t understand 《Mars Rescue》.”
“Yes, yes, you understand it best.”
Chi Ye waved his hand and walked out of the meeting room.
《Mars Rescue》 is still some time from starting filming; he still needs to finish shooting 《Ghost》 first before joining the group; additionally… off-site matters need wrapping up.
A week has passed, and Xu Yingying’s tax issues have completely exploded in internal entertainment—relevant authorities, after verification, announced that several companies under Xu Yingying had evaded taxes totaling up to nine hundred million.
The news broke, and internal entertainment shook instantly.
The once high-and-mighty first-tier big flower in the film circle “fell” almost overnight; all her starring movies, TV series, even songs were removed; various partners came out to urgently distance themselves.
As for already aired works and variety shows, those that could be censored were censored; those that couldn’t were simply taken off air.
In short, this incident was huge; a string of artists in internal entertainment have been exposed for tax issues recently, drawing attention from above, preparing a major crackdown.
And among this, Chi Ye’s “out of place” stance and “advance tax payment” undoubtedly became a landmark positive example.
That evening, CCTV Channel 1 even personally named and praised Chi Ye’s past “behavior.”
【Upholding Responsibility to Set Industry Example—Thumbs Up for “Quality Idol” Chi Ye’s Lawful Tax Payment Deeds.】
【Recently, the much-watched “top streamer” artist Chi Ye, due to the “borrowing money to pay taxes” incident, has once again sparked social hot discussion. As one of the entertainment industry representative figures with tens of millions of fans, Chi Ye has always upheld the concept of “tax payment is glorious, law-abiding is fundamental,” using actual actions to exemplify the social responsibility of new era literary workers…】
The lengthy article was reposted by many blue V major media.
At this point, Chi Ye has been thoroughly “judged” in this incident; contrasting his central media praise are Xu Yingying, Chu Luan Yu, Qu Qingqing, and other artists, as well as Yue Na Group’s tax evasion, named and criticized.
In an instant, the industry was in turmoil; a generation of big flower was thus “played to death” alive by Chi Ye.
Meanwhile, Chi Ye himself not only had no issues but reinforced his “quality idol” persona and label with several more buffs.
The film circle instantly quieted down; the three major platforms fell silent; while many top streamer peanuts and middle-aged actors watched sidelong, they all suddenly became extremely low-key—at this sensitive time, they indeed needed to keep a low profile for a while.
Internal entertainment, lively for so long, also needed to “keep low-key.”
—Jiang Mou did not keep low-key.
The day after central media named and praised Chi Ye, Jiang Mou called Chi Ye; the two met at a private clubhouse, location chosen by Chi Ye.
Upon meeting, Chi Ye had team members search Jiang Mou… focusing on the back area, even bringing various detection devices, making Jiang Mou’s face displeased.
“What do you mean by this? I told you I didn’t hide anything.”
“Your reputation precedes you; have to guard against it.”
“…Satisfied now?”
“Get to the point.”
Team members left, leaving only Chi Ye and Jiang Mou in the room.
Jiang Mou stared at Chi Ye’s familiar yet strange face across; he seemed really changed… um, changed, though the face was still that privileged one, but his expression changed, demeanor changed, even his eyes more steady and confident, as if hiding a brilliant starry river, making one feel inferior at a glance—
Redness really nourishes people.
Jiang Mou sighed inwardly, his face lost its smile, and he asked directly: “Where’s the money you promised me?”
Chi Ye looked at him: “Wasn’t it given to you? You should have received it.”
“Not enough.”
Chi Ye raised an eyebrow: “What do you mean?”
The now properly dressed Jiang Mou spoke bluntly: “Captain got named and praised by central media, having a great time lately… You’re a quality idol, unrivaled top streamer, you say…”
“I helped you so much; what you promised back then is a bit short, right?”
Chi Ye was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed: “So how much more do you want?”
Jiang Mou stared at him for a while before saying: “One hundred million.”
Chi Ye tilted his head and sized him up: “If I give you one hundred million, do you dare take it?”
Jiang Mou was nervous inside but composed on the surface: “What, are you also internal entertainment black society?”
Chi Ye looked at him seriously and nodded: “Yes.”
Jiang Mou’s expression stiffened.
“Stop looking; this shop is one I invested in recently; the private room has signal jammers, and you have no communication or recording devices on you now.”
Chi Ye crossed his legs: “Give me a sincere price; I’m not Xu Yingying or Qu Qingqing; whatever I promise you, I’ll deliver; if you want more now, I can give it.”
“…Captain, you’re really different now.”
Jiang Mou suddenly sighed, then said anew: “Fifty million, give me another fifty million; I absolutely won’t appear before you again, nor let this matter continue; no one knows you had me target Xu Yingying… They can’t get evidence.”
Chi Ye stared at him: “How do you guarantee?”
Jiang Mou thought, then smiled: “I guarantee with my personal character.”
“If you don’t want to guarantee, just say so.”
“…Really, Captain, believe me; we’re different from others; we used to live together; after all, others are outsiders, but we’re friends, brothers.”
While saying this, Jiang Mou carefully observed Chi Ye’s expression.
Actually, he was quite uneasy inside now, but whenever he thought of Chi Ye’s current status, identity, star power… money earned… he hated, jealous— all from the same group, Chi Ye was the one he bullied in the team back then, but now…
Not even before Chi Ye left Yue Na Group; even at his most obscure time, he was redder than him…
He’s different from Peng Chen; he really envies Chi Ye and Peng Chen, even Ji Zhua Zhang; he feels he’s not much worse than them; they all debuted together, once team members, but now…
Seems only he is doing the worst…
Heard Sister Shen is even acting in the Thai version of 《Xing Ni》 over in Thailand, and relying on her “relationship” with Chi Ye, got the female lead Qian Songyi role.
Only him, out in the world half a lifetime, returned still a beast, with nothing, nothing at all.
This time, risking offending everyone, he was cornered, wanting to earn enough for the rest of his life.
So, when Qu Qingqing approached him he agreed; when Xu Yingying approached he agreed again; finally, when Chi Ye approached, he still agreed…
He only recognizes money, especially Chi Ye’s “money.”
The more the better.
“…Okay, tonight, before eight p.m., I’ll transfer the money to you.”
Chi Ye suddenly spoke.
“Hm?!”
Jiang Mou was stunned, looking at Chi Ye in disbelief, thinking he was hallucinating.
But Chi Ye seemed to have lost interest in talking, stood up, adjusted his collar: “Farewell forever.”
“…You’ll really give me another fifty million?”
Jiang Mou still couldn’t believe it.
Chi Ye turned back, puzzled: “You don’t want it?”
“…Captain, thank you; you’re a good person.”
What a fool, still as easy to bully as ever… hasn’t changed much… just learned to live off a woman’s earnings?
Jiang Mou was ecstatic inside, sincere on the surface: “I’ll absolutely do as I say.”
Chi Ye didn’t reply, turned and walked out of the private room.
Jiang Mou watched his back disappear, originally wanting to leave too, but saw so much food in the private room… all dishes he wouldn’t have dared dream of these years, because this private room was for the Empress Dowager’s favorites, many Shanghai lord’s beloved items.
Many things Jiang Mou had never seen, feeling “high-end” beyond measure.
He hesitated a moment, then sat back down, picked up knife and fork, muttering: “Not eating would be wasteful.”
With that, he lowered his head and wolfed it down, while eating also realizing—this is all stuff Jin Xia loves, right?
Chi Ye ah Chi Ye, you’re just one good face better than me; in everything else, you’re not as good as me!
Ten minutes later, he finished simply, patted his round belly, picked his teeth, walked to the trash can, but remembering Chi Ye said this clubhouse is now his… he threw the toothpick directly on the ground, laughed, walked to the doorway, preparing to leave.
Click.
He opened the private room door, just about to step out.
“Don’t move.”
A voice suddenly rang out.
Jiang Mou was stunned, looked up, instantly dumbfounded in place.
Only to see outside the private room, somehow, several uniformed police officers had appeared.
“Jiang Yi, right? Eaten your fill? If so, let’s go; over a dozen reporters say you’re suspected of fraud and illegal trading… Let’s go.”
The lead one stepped forward, pressed Jiang Mou to the ground: “You sure can run, running for so long.”
Jiang Mou’s eyes wide in shock, muttering: “Chi Ye… Chi Ye… may you die a horrible death… how could you do this to me… you said you’d give me the money… you lied to me!”
