Entertainment: I am the peak

Chapter 766 Guests
Huanxi Media's accusation that "The Wandering Earth" acted as both judge and player is obviously unreasonable.

Because Autumn Pictures doesn't have the power to be both referee and player during the Spring Festival season.

Which cinema chain isn't a powerful entity? Although China Film Group and Wanda Cinemas are the producers of "The Wandering Earth," when faced with the real profits of the Spring Festival film season, will they listen to you?

During the Spring Festival season, every company wanted 30% of the screenings, but none of them got it. Currently, the company with the most screenings is "Pegasus" at 20.9%, followed by "The Wandering Earth" at 20.7%.

Before the film's release, there was no way that the 0.2% difference could be overcome in the fall.

"As the longest-running film in the Spring Festival season, 'The Wandering Earth' was at a disadvantage in terms of screenings, but it still managed to occupy 20.7% of the market share. This was thanks to the preview screenings that allowed word-of-mouth to spread in advance, which made theater managers see the potential of 'The Wandering Earth'."

"The competition for the Spring Festival film season is always fierce, and it's not surprising that everyone is going all out. But instead of making unfounded accusations, we should look at what the other side did right. The two teams behind 'The Wandering Earth' toured 52 cities in a month. If we include online interactive activities, 'The Wandering Earth' held more than 80 promotional events in a month. According to Chen Zhixi, vice president of Autumn Pictures, the 'Wandering Earth' crew will start the second round of nationwide roadshows on the second day of the Lunar New Year. The slogan for this round of roadshows is 'Battle of 100 Cities.' Audiences and cinemas can certainly see this dedication and hard work."

Around 8 p.m., Liu Yifei posted a picture of her family's New Year's Eve dinner on Weibo, wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

Five people, ten dishes, a table full of food.

"Come on, let's have a drink." Mr. Li raised his glass. "This meal was hard work for both of you mothers. And another thing is, I hope that you two will work hard and add another member to the family next year."

"Oh dear, we're talking about this again."

Liu Xiaoli, however, was very supportive of her in-laws: "We have everything we need, except for people. Your mother and I have prepared so much money, we can't just leave it unsent, can we?"

Liu Yifei, ever the sarcastic one, retorted, "How much money did you prepare?"

"Don't worry about that," Liu Xiaoli patted her daughter, refusing to reveal anything.

The family ate and chatted happily. Although they were very unhappy that Li Qiutang had to leave on the second day of the Lunar New Year to do publicity, it was his job and there was nothing they could do about it.

The Spring Festival Gala programs became background noise.

The Spring Festival film season officially kicks off on the first day of the Lunar New Year!

The eye of the typhoon, however, was calm. Li Qiutang felt no pressure at all that day, sitting comfortably at home receiving visiting friends.

Tong Liya brought her son to pay New Year's greetings. The little guy is 3 years old and at the age where he runs around everywhere. Liu Yifei couldn't even hold him when she tried to pick him up.

With the support of Autumn Pictures, Chen Sicheng has set up his own studio, Yitong Productions, and become his own boss.

In the fall, he was given further authority, and the cooperation between the two sides became more equal.

Chen Sicheng is very ambitious in his career and is not content to be just a director. He also imitates the "Towering Tree" project of Autumn Pictures and Ning Hao's "Bad Monkey 72 Transformations" project, intending to support new directors and make his school of thought branch out.

Qiu Tian also supports him in doing so, and is not worried that he will steal her business. More people and more funds entering the newcomer support program will greatly benefit the entire industry. Qiu Tian's vision is not so small.

Chen Sicheng currently has three projects in hand: "Detective Chinatown 3," which he directed himself; "Sheep Without a Shepherd," which he supported a new director to make; and the web series of the same name, which will further develop the world of "Detective Chinatown."

"You've expanded this business quite a bit," Li Qiutang said. "Are you managing to keep up?"

“No matter how busy he is, it’s because he’s willing to do it.” Tong Liya clearly couldn’t control Chen Sicheng. “He’s not even home today; he’s out of town.”

Liu Yifei said, "He's not in Yanjing. Go there. Don't leave him to spend the New Year alone in another city."

"I also said I would bring the child to visit him, but he wanted me to stay in Yanjing with my parents." There's nothing I can do about it; that's how it is in the film and television industry.

After chatting for a bit, Tong Liya called her son, who was chasing the dog, home and scolded him, "You'll learn your lesson after I scratch you once."

He also said to Li Qiutang and Liu Yifei, "Our son is too naughty, especially at this age. If we don't keep an eye on him, he might get into trouble. Duoduo, I'm leaving."

Liu Yifei tried to slip a red envelope into Tong Liya's son's pocket, but Tong Liya refused.

"It's not for you, it's for the child." Liu Yifei tucked the red envelope into the child's arms and pinched his cheek. "Come visit often in the future."

"Say thank you, sister."

"Hey, you're taking advantage of me," Liu Yifei laughed. "Call me Auntie."

After seeing Tong Liya off, before she could even sit down, Shu Chang arrived. Shu Chang was surprised to see Li Qiutang at home.

"What's so strange about that? Where else would I be if I wasn't home for the New Year?"

"Aren't you keeping an eye on 'The Wandering Earth'?"

"Why should I stare at it? It's just sitting in the movie theater. Do you think I'm going to go to the movie theater to check tickets for people?" Li Qiutang took out a few more cups and poured water for Shu Chang.

"Did you see it?" Liu Yifei asked her best friend.

"No, I'll go see it tonight. Does your company offer complimentary tickets?"

Li Qiutang laughed in exasperation: "There's a limit to being stingy. I didn't ask you to book the whole theater for me and you still want free tickets?"

Shu Chang said, "Renting out an entire venue during the Spring Festival is so expensive."

"look."

The group laughed.

Shu Chang added, "I need to save up for my dowry."

Shu Chang could speak fluently without hesitation.

However, this statement is not entirely wrong; her family background was very difficult, and she had to rely on herself for everything.

But Liu Xiaoli understood the implication and affectionately took Shu Chang's hand, asking her, "Do you have a target in mind? Tell me, and I'll help you with it."

Seeing Shu Chang's hesitant expression, Liu Yifei guessed what was going on. Her gossipy nature was piqued, and she leaned closer, saying, "What's there to be embarrassed about?"

“Exactly, exactly.” Li Qiutang sat closer as well; these were the kinds of things people talked about during the New Year.

Shu Chang stubbornly refused to budge: "Let's talk about it later. It's still far from certain, and I'm feeling very confused."

“You should talk about what’s bothering you, so we can give you some advice,” Liu Yifei said enthusiastically.

"That's it."

Shu Chang still refused to talk about it, and Liu Xiaoli didn't force her: "Just know what you're doing, and take care of yourself."

Shu Chang clearly had something to do today. She mentioned her cousin, Juanjuan, with whom she had no blood relation: "Do you still remember her?"

"Your talkative sister?" Liu Yifei knew her, but Li Qiutang didn't.

Liu Yifei said, "The one who played Nezha."

"Song Zuer, right?"

"Yes," Shu Chang said. "I went abroad to study for the first two years, but didn't make a name for myself. Now I'm back studying at the Film Academy. Before the New Year, I found out about how we're family and should look out for each other."

Shu Chang is a popular young actress, so it's perfectly normal for her "relatives" to have designs on her.

“But I know that while they say they want me to look after you, they actually want to meet you and Yifei and invite you to dinner.”

"There's no need for dinner," Li Qiutang said without much thought. It was something that Liu Yifei and Liu Xiaoli couldn't say, but he could.

"I'm letting you know in advance so you can handle it if we run into each other again."

“Just do your own thing, what else can we do?” Li Qiutang said.

Having encountered this kind of thing many times, Li Qiutang didn't have much to say.

(End of this chapter)