Chapter 278: Returning Home, Good Days End, Sister Shang Full Of Expectations
“Strange, why do I suddenly feel a chill behind my back… Is something bad about to happen…”
Cannes.
Chi Ye hung up the phone call with Jin Sui and suddenly felt a strange unease in his heart, always thinking that Jin Sui’s visit this time might bring bad luck to the originally smooth “Cannes trip”.
“Is it because I’ve been too tired lately? If you’re too tired, just rest.”
Keke advised from the side.
During this period, Chi Ye could be said to be busy like a spinning top.
Because he was both the lead actor of 《Influenza》 and the investor of 《Influenza》, other actors could rest after interviews, but he still had to muster his energy to attend the next negotiation cooperation.
For this reason, Chi Ye greatly reduced the time spent with Empress Dowager, which made the little drama queen a bit dissatisfied.
“It’s fine, it has nothing to do with being tired, I just feel like something dirty is coming.”
Chi Ye muttered, then said: “Are we done with everything? The day after tomorrow we go back once everything is done, there are a pile of things to handle back home.”
“Yeah… almost, all the details are settled, I’ve already booked your ticket.”
Chi Ye nodded and looked out the window full of Western style, in a good mood.
This Cannes trip was a transformation and progress for both him and the 《Influenza》 project.
《Influenza》 got the international admission ticket here, and he also successfully “broke through” thanks to 《Influenza》, showing his face a little.
This was crucial for his future development in the international film industry.
From the current development trend, even if 《Influenza》 cannot be released in the mainland, it should at least not lose money…
Of course, he had already received the “signal” from Empress Dowager, and…
Even without Empress Dowager’s signal, judging from the “sensation” 《Influenza》 caused in Cannes this time, it no longer seemed difficult for 《Influenza》 to be released in the Spring Festival slot.
“Let’s go, pick up Aunt… Once the final wrap-up work is done, we’ll return to the country to prepare for the mainland release.”
“Okay.”
……
The investors of 《Influenza》 had already negotiated almost everything with various partners in this week, and having Jin Sui come over was also because Jin Sui was one of the investors of 《Influenza》. To be honest… Chi Ye Studio’s scale was still too small—compared to those big groups.
It was more like a company serving Chi Ye alone, plus Teacher Shi who usually wanted to stay hidden.
Guang Ying Shi Meng was different; it was not only one of Hong Kong’s top entertainment companies but also had some unspeakable background, and the major distributors cooperating with 《Influenza》 were all very willing to connect.
In fact, when Aunt originally received the feedback from the post-screening reaction of 《Influenza》, she couldn’t wait to fly over, but Chi Ye said to wait first and asked her to help contact the mainland cinema chains.
Yes, Chi Ye had never given up on the mainland market from beginning to end. Apart from the domestic cinema chain people in charge who were already eager to see Chi Ye, Jin Sui herself had negotiated Hong Kong, Taiwan, and most of the mainland cinema chains for 《Influenza》 during this time.
Just waiting for the green light from above, and 《Influenza》’s scheduling would follow immediately.
“If you want to follow, just follow, why keep pulling a long face?”
Outside the airport, Jin Sui tucked the hair from her forehead behind her ear, noticing Brother Jin Ming’s unpleasant expression for the Nth time.
She also raised her eyebrow: “Still putting on airs with me?”
“This visit is firstly out of concern for the progress of the 《749 Bureau》 project, as one of the investors, we have high hopes for it; secondly, looking forward to discussing development plans with the main creator team, pooling wisdom and strength to jointly push the project to higher quality and level.”
“6, discussing the money-losing plan, you’ve even gotten a feeling for losing money.”
“?”
Jin Ming’s expression was a bit displeased, emphasizing: “The successful practice of the 《Influenza》 project this time provides us with extremely valuable strategic insights.”
“Based on this, we plan to expand the business territory with an international vision, intending to carry out forward-looking marketing layout in the overseas market, and selectively hire multiple experienced partner institutions to jointly build a cross-regional resource integration and operation system, aiming to open up a new growth pole in the global market landscape.”
Jin Sui: “Brother, are you serious?”
“Of course.”
Jin Sui: “……Brother, you’re too good to me.”
Jin Ming: “?”
Aunt turned and sighed: “I really hope what you said is true. Since you’re here to take the life of 《749 Bureau》… to see 《749 Bureau》, then just go directly to their side, don’t meet Chi Ye or Xia Xia, okay?”
Jin Ming was furious, dropping the formal language: “Jin Sui, what do you mean by this?!”
“Brother, listen to my advice, you must invest well in 《749 Bureau》… Right, besides 《749 Bureau》, Shen Bin and Ma Li’s movie for this Spring Festival slot, and Han Han and Chen Sicheng’s project… invest in all of them…”
“No, it’s too late to invest now. You… Brother, do some marketing cooperation now, help them promote. These are all hot projects, find some connections to participate, guaranteed to make you money.”
“……”
Jin Ming listened and became furious with shame.
He wasn’t a fool, naturally understanding what his sister meant by these words.
“Jin Sui, don’t bully me too much, I’ve succeeded before too!”
Jin Sui nodded sincerely: “I acknowledge that point.”
“……Fine, then I’ll invest in 《Influenza》, I’m planning to help promote for our own people…”
“Why are you so malicious?”
Jin Ming: “?”
“Didn’t you say my investment vision is good?”
“If you dare touch 《Influenza》, I’ll fight you. Jin Ming, if you have any conscience, you shouldn’t come over at this time to bring bad luck to our project that’s about to explode!”
Jin Ming was completely angered by her words, pointing at his sister: “Fine, fine, fine, don’t regret it!”
“I really hope there’s a day I regret it.”
“……Hmph!”
Jin Ming didn’t speak again. He originally wanted to shamelessly follow his sister to see what was going on with 《Influenza》 in 156 countries; the buzz was indeed too big, making his heart itch.
But after his sister’s relentless “criticism”, he suddenly felt bored.
Forget it, just a movie, not going then.
He didn’t believe that without Chi Ye and Jin Sui, he could keep flopping!
……
“People should know themselves, Sis, I think you need some self-awareness too. Feels like we won’t be able to invite Xiao Chi to variety shows anymore. I’m out of ideas, don’t come to me.”
At the same time.
In a certain hotel in Cannes.
Sister Shang was completely naked, comfortably lying in bed, holding her mobile phone to talk to her agent while swiping through a newly updated anime, sipping milk tea without stopping.
“Is it that exaggerated? Not mixing in internal entertainment anymore?”
The agent on the other end of the phone raised an eyebrow: “Shang Youshu, did you not put your heart into this matter?”
“No, I really invited Xiao Chi, but he said he had no time.”
The agent fell silent.
Just as the entire industry inside and outside was frequently turning heads and hotly discussing due to Chi Ye and 《Influenza》’s takeoff, at Shang Youshu’s company Sunshine Entertainment in the domestic scene, they were paying attention to another matter.
—Before Cannes, Sister Shang had discussed with Shi Jinwei, and the two even specifically asked Chi Ye about his variety show schedule.
Sunshine Entertainment wasn’t a big company in internal entertainment, with average background, but it had the advantage of being small and good people; it was the company Sister Shang signed with since debut and continued until now.
This time, Sunshine Entertainment was preparing to cooperate with Mango on an S+ variety show project, but because the company had no prior involvement in the variety show field, Mango TV wasn’t interested—film and TV look to the big three, variety shows look to Mango.
As the number one variety show leader in internal entertainment, Mango TV had countless top variety shows greenlit within a year.
To be honest, they really didn’t have much interest in cooperating with Sunshine Entertainment.
In the end, Sunshine Entertainment brought out Shi Jinwei and Shang Youshu “appearing together”, which piqued Mango TV’s interest a bit, but due to schedule reasons, Sister Qianzi wanting to be a regular wasn’t very possible, so… the interest dropped greatly again.
Then, no one knows whose suggestion, Sister Shang’s agent side suddenly played the “royal flush” SSR+ level “Chi Ye card”. Once this card was out, it instantly drew attention from many TV stations.
Mango TV, which was originally uninterested in this project, suddenly became proactive and started frequent contact with Sunshine Entertainment.
—Chi Ye this card is really useful.
Sunshine Entertainment sighed deeply. As for Mango suspecting Sunshine Entertainment of deceiving them… impossible, Shang Youshu and Chi Ye have such a good relationship, for a show where Sister Shang is regular, Chi Ye wouldn’t not come?
If he really doesn’t come, Sunshine Entertainment wouldn’t say it. Since they said it, it means they’ve already privately settled it, and the TV station just needs to wait to happily reap the traffic.
Um…
Not settled.
To be precise, Shang Youshu, on whom Sunshine Entertainment placed high hopes, failed again in front of Chi Ye.
“No way, I just can’t believe it. Did you really put your heart into it?”
The agent asked suspiciously: “How many times did you ask the other side?”
“……Once.”
Sister Shang was a bit guilty and added: “But he’s so busy, once should be enough, right?”
“…Youshu, be honest with me, is it because you don’t want to record, don’t want to work, so you’re being so perfunctory?”
“No, absolutely not the reason.”
“I heard that because of the rumors of 《Influenza》’s domestic release, many cinema chains called your personal number… Why?”
Sister Shang was stunned, equally surprised: “Yeah, why? Why call me? I’m not Chi Ye.”
“Right, really strange.”
“Yeah, strange.”
Sister Shang paused, seeming to feel it wasn’t good to be so perfunctory with her “good sister”, and added: “Weiwei’s phone is exploding too, indeed strange.”
“…” The agent was silent for a moment, then suddenly said: “This time it’s a slow variety show, similar to the Jian Ni program, but longer time than Jian Ni, more expenses than Jian Ni, can go to many places to play, and doesn’t require program effect…”
“Right, several CPs you’ve shipped might come.”
“?”
Sister Shang blinked: “Is that so… Wasn’t it said before to be just an ordinary travel show?”
“If Chi Ye comes, the investment is different.”
“Oh……”
Sister Shang thought for a moment: “Wait, I’ll try again.”
“Can it work?” The agent asked caringly: “Didn’t you say Chi Ye has no time?”
“It’s fine, maybe I didn’t ask clearly.” Sister Shang promised honestly: “Wait for me, I’ll go kneel to Xiao Chi and kowtow a few times, beg him, he should agree.”
“……You’d better put some effort.”
Before hanging up, the agent sighed, earnestly: “Youshu, the film and TV winter is over, but you know our company’s situation, two major shareholders withdrew, it’s really hard to hold on… We need to promote newcomers, this variety show is very important.”
“……Sis, I’ll definitely handle this well for you, just wait.”
Sister Shang guaranteed again: “Leave this matter to me, I’ll definitely get it done for you.”
The agent listened with a chill… always feeling Sister Shang’s words were unreliable.
“No need for you to handle, just be responsible for inviting Chi Ye to be regular. If he comes, everything is not a problem.”
“Um, just relax.”
Sister Shang nodded.
The two chatted a few more sentences before hanging up.
“Aiya… just relax, leave this to me, whether it succeeds or not.”
Sister Shang muttered, but didn’t dare say it in front of the agent… Um… inviting Xiao Chi to the program… how to invite… No wonder the agent is so anxious. If it was Chi Ye before 《Influenza》, there should still be a chance.
But after 《Influenza》… she felt it would indeed take some effort.
—《Influenza》 hasn’t been officially released yet, but the explosive momentum is already visible to the naked eye. With this momentum, even if the quality really doesn’t fit domestic aesthetics… the box office it should have would still be quite eye-catching.
At that time, Chi Ye’s star power should rise further.
Once star power rises, filming fee, schedule, endorsement and all aspects will rise accordingly.
Indeed hard to invite.
“If it really doesn’t work… I’ll bring him newcomers… Last time he said the studio wants to expand into a company, to sign newcomers… If I bring three or four times, it should be fine, right?”
Sister Shang thought for a long time and could only come up with this clumsy method.
She planned to try when Jin Xia is not around another day. As for why wait for Empress Dowager to be absent… she couldn’t say, just felt guilty seeing Jin Xia now, better to avoid.
Escaping is shameful, but indeed useful, this trick works every time, unlike Weiwei that big fool who always charges ahead…
Eh, thinking of Shi Jinwei, Sister Shang’s eyes lit up, suddenly having an idea.
……
Two days later.
Chi Ye and part of the 《Influenza》 main creator team landed in the capital city, officially returning to the country, starting to arrange the mainland Spring Festival slot premiere of 《Influenza》.
And Chi Ye’s first condition in negotiations with all cinema chains was—scheduling.
Whose scheduling?
Of course, our cute and beloved Beijing Circle scheduling that always likes to scheme behind the scenes.
“Get the scheduling done, then talk about the rest.”
That day, Chi Ye walked out of a certain cinema chain headquarters building, talked all day, summed up to just this one sentence.
—He was never a generous person. Since you mess with me, don’t blame me for messing with you to death.
