"Start filming this year?" The first thing that came to Shang Yechu's mind was "The Heavenly Emperor." "Isn't it going to clash with the release schedule?"
"We've only heard rumors so far, we don't know the specifics yet," Ji Juntao said. "Of course, 'The Heavenly Emperor' is more important. If it clashes with our shows, it won't be easy for CTS to schedule them together. We'll just have to cancel it."
Shang Yechu thought for a moment and agreed: "What's the subject matter? Espionage?"
If it's a spy drama, it's normal for CTS to prefer Shang Yechu.
"I don't know." Ji Juntao shook his head. "I only heard that the male lead from Russia is named something like 'Ski' or 'Vsky'—I can't distinguish Russian names at all, and he's currently serving in the military. Since they've cast a soldier, it's probably a spy movie."
Due to cultural differences, language barriers, and comprehension difficulties, co-productions between the two countries generally don't perform well at the box office unless they have a major intellectual property (IP). This is especially true for Sino-Russian co-productions, which often focus on historical or war-related themes, naturally limiting their audience. They tend to be more politically charged than commercially viable.
In all her life, Shang Yechu had only ever met one Russian, Coach Kang, who had taught her shooting. He had also happened to be a soldier. A burly, white-bearded old man with a menacing face immediately came to mind, and she got goosebumps.
"Right now, 'The Heavenly Emperor' is the most important thing. Just listen to these things and move on." Shang Yechu was still thinking about the few pieces of paper that Ji Juntao had thrown into the trash can. She had spent the whole night writing them. "Is there really no hope for the union?"
"You really won't give up until you're completely convinced." Ji Juntao clicked his tongue repeatedly. "Alright, alright, I give up. I'll give the copyright department a bigger budget and buy a few more novels for you to choose from, okay? So you won't be drooling over other people's screenwriters."
Shang Yechu wanted to say that even buying the rights to a hundred works wouldn't solve the problem if the status of screenwriters wasn't improved. But Ji Juntao had clearly made up his mind, and further discussion was pointless. Shang Yechu could only take one last, reluctant look at the trash can before leaving the office.
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Shang Yechu has a stubborn nature. After setbacks, he never gives up easily and has to keep trying until he is battered and bruised.
Ji Juntao's rejection did not completely discourage her. Shang Yechu returned to her residence, buried herself in the mattress, and began to ponder deeply.
Incidentally, Shang Yechu won't be staying in this apartment for very long either.
Celebrities in the entertainment industry tend to flock to celebrity neighborhoods; once they gain some fame, they all love to move into such neighborhoods. After three years of hard work, Shang Yechu is also about to move into a celebrity neighborhood.
Sixty percent of celebrities (not entertainers) live in Beijing, while thirty percent live in Hengshui. This is a microcosm of the differences between the Beijing and Hengshui celebrity circles.
The Beijing elite circle is full of privileged elites and powerful figures, while the Hengdian elite circle is full of ordinary people from humble backgrounds. Shang Yechu certainly belongs to the latter. Her company has provided her with a place to live in the Ruiwo International residential complex—currently, it's rented. Once Shang Yechu joins the cast of "Tianjun," moving will be on the agenda.
Shang Yechu remained indifferent to the move. Top-tier celebrities rarely spend more than two months a year at home; that place was more like a long-term hotel than a home. No one would be affected by hotel renovations.
To be honest, Shang Yechu was really reluctant to move into a neighborhood where celebrities congregate. Frankly, people in the industry are all colleagues or competitors. After finally getting off work and going home, she still had to see these people all the time, making even leaving work feel like going to work.
But there's no way around it. As her fame grows, Shang Yechu's existence has inevitably impacted, even harassed, her neighborhood. In daily life, the influence of celebrities on ordinary people who don't follow them is almost a public nuisance. It would be unfair if Shang Yechu didn't leave soon.
The scent of freshly aired quilts wafted from the bed. Shang Yechu took a deep breath and buried her face in them.
How can we persuade Ji Juntao?
No, persuading Ji Juntao was never the hardest part. If there was a 60%—no, 50% or even 40%—sureness of the outcome, there was absolutely no need to persuade Ji Juntao. The crocodile would come smelling blood!
Let's rephrase it: how can we increase the success rate of this task?
Shang Yechu instinctively wanted to ask Grandma Hu. The old woman possessed all the wisdom in the world; she would surely point Shang Yechu in a viable path. This idea was quickly rejected. Since the renovation of Happiness Commercial Street, Grandma Hu had been incredibly busy, and Shang Yechu didn't want to add to her burdens.
Shang Yechu thought of Teacher Qi Ming again. But Qi Ming was an actor, and he probably wouldn't easily empathize with the screenwriter's predicament. Speaking of screenwriters, Zheng Bohan naturally came to mind. But he was a top-tier screenwriter…
Many names flashed through Shang Yechu's mind, but he still couldn't make up his mind.
Nothing should be rushed. Besides, with filming for "The Heavenly Emperor" about to begin, Shang Yechu must focus all his energy on it. Those long-term projects can perhaps be postponed.
A wave of dizziness washed over Shang Yechu, who realized she had buried her head in the mattress for too long and was suffocating from lack of oxygen. She quickly sat up.
Filled with resentment, Shang Yechu forced himself to stop thinking about these things, picked up the script of "The Heavenly Emperor," and began to read.
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