Chapter 754: Round and Smooth
The capital city has entered winter in December, and the weather has become even colder after a light snowfall a few days ago.
The four seasons in the north are often more distinct, with changes in temperature as well as the duration of day and night.
The days are longer in the summer, and the sun usually sets at 8 p.m., while in the winter, it gets dark around 6 p.m.
After the premiere, the creative team of "The Accidental Murder" has started a roadshow across the country. Gu Wei has a rare opportunity to stay in the Beijing company for a long time to handle some year-end affairs.
In the afternoon, in the office, Gu Wei was looking at some data reports submitted by the finance department.
This year is another year of harvest for [Weiming World].
At the beginning of the year, the science fiction masterpiece "The Wandering Earth" was released, and it ended up being a great success at the box office and well-received, with a super high box office of 5.084 billion yuan, second only to "Wolf Warrior 2" to become the runner-up in the domestic movie box office rankings.
This science fiction film cost a total of 450 million RMB to invest, and according to the investment ratio, it brought nearly 800 million RMB in net profit to Gu Wei and Wei Ming Tian Xia.
This was followed by the three TV series "Sito" which was launched in March, and "The Untamed" and "The East Palace" which were broadcast during the summer season.
"Sito" and "The Untamed" are web dramas. Although they are very popular, the overall revenue is not as exaggerated as "Eternal Love" and "Princess Agents".
Especially for "The Untamed" and "Ming Tian Xia", the copyright fees sold were not too high.
The main reason is that before the show was broadcast, the two leading actors Xiao Zhan and Zeng Shunxi were still unknown. Even if the quality of the TV series was good, it would not be possible to sell it at a very high price, and it could only be considered a small profit.
However, when filming "The Untamed", Gu Wei's main purpose was to promote two young top stars.
Xiao Zhan and Zeng Shunxi, the two new idols who became popular in this year's gay-themed dramas, are the real cash cows.
As long as they don't collapse due to personal reasons, the two of them will be able to bring in at least 1 billion in revenue to the company in the next three years.
"Eastern Palace" is also one of the hit TV series this year. It is broadcasted on the Internet and TV stations, with various ratings reaching full points and rich copyright fee income.
The three TV series brought a total of 1.5 billion in revenue to Weiming Tianxia, which was a huge profit overall.
Next was "Better Days" released in October, with a final box office of 2.386 billion yuan, and Gu Wei's share of the box office was about 400 million yuan.
[The Accidental Murder] is currently in theaters and will not be released until next month. The box office revenue will be calculated based on next year's data.
In 2019, the main income of "Wei Ming Tian Xia" came from these three TV series and two movies, in addition to income from the agency. The artists under him also generate considerable profits for the company every year.
Although the income is quite good, Wei Ming Tian Xia's expenses this year are also not low.
At the beginning of the year, the filming of two movies, "Life Events" and "Detective Chinatown 3", and a TV series "Joy of Life" began.
The production cost of "Detective Chinatown 3" was as high as 100 million US dollars, and "Wei Ming Tian Xia" as the main investor took most of it.
As for some TV dramas and movies produced by other companies, there are also quite a few that Weiming Tianxia has participated in, but Weiming Tianxia is not the main controller and the investment ratio is not high. Unless the movies sell well, the income will ultimately be limited.
At around 4 p.m., Gu Wei finished processing the last document and left the company early.
He has an appointment today, so he won't be late if he comes out early.
"Wear more clothes when you go out, it's cold outside today."
In a luxuriously decorated villa in Beijing, Liu Yifei was about to go out with a small bag in her hand when she heard Liu Ma's instructions from behind.
"Got it~"
"Gu Wei is such a jerk. I asked him to come over for dinner, but he insisted on eating out. Does he think my cooking skills are not good?"
"Mom~
Gu Wei might feel a little awkward coming to our house, and we used to often have dinner out when we were free, so it's normal."
As she spoke, Liu Yifei had already put on a pair of black long boots, took the lavender down jacket from the hanger beside her, put it on and was about to go out.
Liu Xiaoli hesitated for a moment.
"Will you be back tonight?"
"Ahem, where else can I go if I don't come back? Of course I came back.
I’ll be back after dinner.”
Liu Yifei didn't expect her mother to ask this, so she replied and pushed the door open and left.
A private restaurant in a remote location with beautiful scenery on the Second Ring Road.
Liu Yifei got off the car at the destination, wearing a hat and mask, and walked to a private room inside under the guidance of the waiter.
Pushing open the door of the private room, the lights in the room were bright. A dark solid wood round table was placed in the middle. The surrounding decorations were exquisite and distinctive. Gu Wei was sitting directly opposite the door, holding a menu and looking at it.
Seeing Liu Yifei come in, Gu Wei raised his head and showed a sunny smile.
"Xixi, you're here~"
"How long have you been here? Am I late?"
Liu Yifei closed the door casually, then took off her mask and hat, took off her down jacket and hung it on the hanger next to her.
"Of course not. I just arrived and ordered some dishes. Is there anything else you would like to eat?" Gu Wei handed the menu to Liu Yifei and pointed out the dishes he had ordered.
“Sure, they’re all my favorites.”
Gu Wei smiled and said, "We've known each other for so many years, I probably have some idea of what you like to eat."
"Haha, no need for more, just a vegetable salad will be fine."
After Liu Yifei finished speaking, Gu Wei called the waiter in and ordered more dishes. Soon, the dishes they had just ordered filled the table in front of them.
"When I came out, my mom complained, saying that if I didn't come to her house to eat, I might think her cooking was bad."
Liu Yifei sat next to Gu Wei, wearing a black and white striped sweater and a blue headband on her head. She had delicate features, fair skin, and a calm and peaceful temperament.
"How could that be? Didn't I tell you last time? I feel embarrassed to always go to your house to disturb my aunt, and I always feel a little restrained in your house~"
"Next time you come to my house, explain it to my mom."
Liu Yifei said as she picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth.
This braised pork with dried bamboo shoots is her favorite dish. The braised pork is juicy, with alternating fat and lean parts. Paired with dried bamboo shoots, it has a rich taste and she feels very satisfied every time she eats it.
"What have you been busy with recently?" Gu Wei also picked up some food and started eating. The two of them had become so close over the years that they were very casual about eating together.
"I've been pretty idle lately. After filming Mulan, I basically had no work. I stayed in the US for a while, and after returning to China, I shot for two magazines and participated in a few events for endorsements."
Liu Yifei was not idle while talking, and picked up some shrimps and pork ribs.
"No wonder~" Gu Wei turned around and looked at the other person.
"No wonder?" Liu Yifei asked in confusion, holding chopsticks in her mouth.
Gu Wei laughed and said, "No wonder you look a little plumper today than last time. It seems your face has become rounder, Xixi."
"You said I was fat!" Liu Yifei said dissatisfiedly, but she did not stop eating at all.
“She’s not fat, she’s a round and beautiful girl.
The aesthetic standards in the entertainment industry today are actually a bit distorted. Everyone likes fair, young and thin people. Many female stars make themselves skinny in order to look good on camera. I don’t like that.
You look just right like this, a very healthy beauty!" Gu Wei praised with a smile.
"Hmph! Who asked you to like it?" Liu Yifei said arrogantly, but she was satisfied with what Gu Wei said in her heart, and the corners of her mouth raised slightly.
"I haven't had much work lately and haven't paid much attention to my body shape.
Plus, I was working out a lot while filming Mulan, and after I stopped exercising, I quickly gained weight."
Liu Yifei explained that she was aware that she had gained some weight recently, and that people around her, including her mother, had told her about it.
It’s just that she has a very casual personality and doesn’t want to control her weight too strictly unless it is required for filming.
She was thinking, "As long as I'm happy, it's none of your business whatsoever!"
“I haven’t congratulated you on your movie’s box office success yet!
The performance in [Better Days] was really good, and I think it should be no problem for him to win a few acting awards for his role as Xiaobei."
"Thank you~"
Liu Yifei then said with emotion: "When I first worked with you on [Blade Master], I never thought that you would make such rapid progress in film later on.
Now, not only is he topping the box office, his acting is also becoming more and more sophisticated."
“It’s just talent and hard work.
When we were filming "Blade of the Assassin," you should have seen how hardworking and ambitious I am!" Gu Wei boasted without blushing.
"Hehe~ I didn't see you trying hard, but I did see you dating on the set.
After filming "The Sword of Assassination", you found a girlfriend. You are quite hardworking in relationships."
"Forehead
Xixi, do you have any work arrangements next?"
Gu Wei changed the subject somewhat awkwardly. He had worked with Liu Yifei in his first film since his debut, and the two had been in contact and maintained a friendship since then. They knew each other very well, and she knew a lot about him.
Liu Yifei continued to eat: "Let's see, it hasn't been decided yet.
There are some projects contacting me at the moment, but the team suggested that I wait until "Mulan" is released, so I haven't accepted any roles for the time being.
I don't plan to keep myself too busy. From now on, I will only be in one or two dramas a year at most, and spend the rest of my time traveling and reading."
Gu Wei nodded: "It's good to slow down the pace, it suits your personality.
Remember what I told you before?"
"You mean filming a TV series?
I thought about it too, and what you said makes sense.
Before [Mulan], I actually took on a film called [The Records of Nanyanzhai], and it was actually quite comfortable to return to the familiar field.
And you?
What are your plans for future work?"
"I have a new movie that will start shooting in Taipei in a few days."
"Taipei?
Why do you want to shoot there?" Liu Yifei asked curiously.
"Because the story takes place in Taiwan, it would be best to choose a local location."
Liu Yifei rolled her eyes and said, "I see. Is it similar to Detective Chinatown? The background must be set outside, otherwise it won't pass the review in China."
Gu Wei smiled and said, "Xixi, you are getting smarter and smarter, almost.
Part of it is because of this consideration, and part of it is because the prototype of the protagonist in this movie is Taiwanese."
Speaking of this, Liu Yifei became even more curious.
“The prototype is Taiwanese?
Are you going to make a biographical film?"
Gu Wei shook his head and told her a brief account of the plot of "Zhou Chu Eliminates the Three Evils".
Liu Yifei widened her eyes in surprise after hearing this: "This film of yours really won't pass review in China.
Why did you think of making this kind of movie? Is your image suitable for playing a crazy murderer like this?"
"You underestimated my acting skills, didn't you? You just praised my acting skills."
"Your acting is good, but you're a little too handsome. Your image doesn't match this kind of murderer. If Wang Baoqiang played the role, it would be more appropriate."
Liu Yifei knew Baoqiang. They had filmed "Detective Chinatown 2" together. She had also seen "A Touch of Sin" directed by Wang Baoqiang and was deeply impressed by the ruthless robber and murderer in the film.
"With makeup, if I grow a beard, darken my face, and thin out my hair, I can be a crazy killer!"
As he spoke, Gu Wei narrowed his eyes and looked at Liu Yifei with a murderous look.
".What you said is true. It should be okay to pretend to be ugly on purpose." Liu Yifei imagined the image described by Gu Wei.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing how you'll perform as this crazy murderer.
You've always played police officers and special forces soldiers before. Is this your first time playing a villain? "
"Chen Guilin is not a completely bad guy, but of course he is not a good guy either. Just like the name of the movie, he is 'Zhou Chu', one of the three evils, but also the hero who eliminated them. He is a very complex character. He represents 'idiocy', which is confusion but also persistence and perseverance."
These words made Liu Yifei feel a little itchy.
“Is there a role suitable for me?”
Gu Wei shook his head.
"There's only one main character in the movie—Chen Guilin. The others are supporting roles, and there aren't any female roles suitable for you."
Liu Yifei said regretfully: "What a pity, this must be a very interesting movie"
The two of them ate and chatted, telling each other about each other's work and life in recent times. Gu Wei would share some fun and interesting things he encountered during filming.
Liu Yifei would also complain to Gu Wei about things that bothered her in life and work.
After listening carefully, Gu Wei will give her some constructive advice.
The two became friends after knowing each other, and this was the way they got along for many years, making them feel very comfortable with each other.
It was getting dark outside and we were almost done with dinner.
Liu Yifei put down her chopsticks and touched her slightly bulging belly.
"I've eaten so much again. I have to exercise now. If I keep going like this, I'll get fat to death."
Gu Wei raised his hand to look at his watch.
"It's still early, and this place is pretty close to my house. Do you want to come over and sit for a while?"
Liu Yifei was a little moved after hearing this, and then she remembered what her mother asked her before she left.
"what?"
"Watch a movie, have a glass of wine, whatever.
It's been a long time since we last met. Don't you want to stay with me for a while longer?" Gu Wei asked with a smile.
“Who misses you?
What's your relationship with me? Why should I miss you?" Liu Yifei said in a soft voice.
Her relationship with Gu Wei was quite complicated. They were just ordinary friends at first, but as time went by, their relationship became closer and closer. However, because of Gu Wei's playboy personality, she never praised that relationship.
On New Year's Eve in 2018, during the filming of "Time Raiders", the two of them crossed the line because the night view was so beautiful.
Later, Liu Yifei simply gave up, since she had always liked Gu Wei.
However, although her relationship with Gu Wei has taken a step further, she still has her own persistence.
Gu Wei doesn't want to fall in love, and she won't ask for anything. She is Liu Yifei, and she will never bow her head to someone, nor will she give in.
If she really fell in love with Gu Wei, she would definitely not be able to stand all the romantic interests around him, and Gu Wei would not give up either.
If you can go forward, you can also retreat, so she didn't care even though she hadn't seen Gu Wei for more than half a year this year. She just asked him out for dinner when they were both free, just like before.
"Even though you don't miss me, I still miss you, Xixi.
By the way, have you seen the film “Manslaughter” that I produced? You can watch it in my private cinema at home.”
"Well, let's go see a movie."
Liu Yifei wanted to refuse in her mind, but her mouth agreed involuntarily.
Before meeting Gu Wei, I was an independent woman who didn't care about anything. But after meeting him, I found it really difficult to refuse his invitation.
After saying this, Liu Yifei silently cursed herself for being useless.
"I'm going to the movies and will be home right after. I've already told my mom."
Gu Wei was unaware of the conflicting emotions in her heart and said with a smile, "Let's go back now. I happen to have a few bottles of good wine in my house in Courtyard No. 1 of the Embassy. My parents put them there when they were here with me during the New Year, and we didn't finish them.
We can open a bottle and try it when we get back."
(End of this chapter)
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