Who said this top flow is crazy! This top flow is awesome!

Chapter 278 Returning Home, Good Days Over, Sister Shang, on Whom High Hopes Were Expected

"Strange, why do I suddenly feel a chill down my spine... Is something bad about to happen...?"

Cannes.

After hanging up the phone with Jinsui, Chino suddenly felt a strange chill in her heart, as if Jinsui's visit this time might bring misfortune to her otherwise smooth "Cannes trip".

"Have you been too tired lately? If you are, take a rest."

Coco tried to persuade him from the side.

During this period, Ikeno was extremely busy.

Because he was both the lead actor and investor in "Flu," while other actors could rest after their interviews, he had to force himself to stay focused and attend the next round of negotiations.

As a result, Ikeno spent significantly less time with the Empress Dowager, which displeased the little drama queen.

"It's nothing, it has nothing to do with being tired, it's just that I feel like something dirty is coming over."

Chino muttered something before saying, "Is everything done? We'll go back the day after tomorrow. There's still a bunch of things to take care of back home."

"Hmm... almost, all the details have been finalized, and I've already booked your ticket."

Ikeno nodded, looking out the window at the Western-style view, in a good mood.

This trip to Cannes was a transformation and a step forward for both him and the "Flu" project.

"Flu" secured its international entry ticket here, and he also successfully "broke through" with "Flu," making a brief appearance.

This was crucial for his future development in the international film industry.

Judging from current trends, even if "Flu" cannot be released in mainland China, it should at least not lose money...

Of course, he had already received the Empress Dowager's "signal," and...

Even without Karl Lagerfeld's signal, judging from the "sensation" that "Flu" caused at Cannes this time, it seems that it is no longer difficult for "Flu" to be released during the Spring Festival.

"Let's go pick up Auntie... After we finish the final work, we'll go back to China to prepare for the film's release in mainland China."

"it is good."

……

The investors of "Flu" have reached a pretty good agreement with various partners this week. They invited Jin Sui over because Jin Sui is also one of the investors of "Flu". To be honest, the current scale of Ikeno Studio is still too small compared to those big groups.

It's more like a company that serves only Chino, plus Teacher Shi who usually wants to disappear.

Unlike other companies, Light & Shadow Dreams is not only one of Hong Kong's top entertainment companies, but also has a certain unspeakable background. Several major distributors who collaborated with "Flu" were very willing to contact them.

Actually, my aunt was eager to fly over after the feedback on "Flu" was released, but Ikeno told her to wait and asked her to help contact theaters in mainland China.

Yes, Ikeno has never given up on the mainland market. Putting aside the various theater managers in China who are eager to meet Ikeno, he has already secured contracts with most theaters in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China for "Flu" during this period.

Once the authorities open the floodgates, screenings of "Flu" will immediately follow.

"If you want to come along, then come along. Why keep making that long face?"

Outside the airport, this year, after tucking her hair behind her ears, she noticed for the nth time that Brother Lao's face looked unpleasant.

She raised an eyebrow in return: "Are you still putting on airs with me?"

"This visit was made on the way here for two reasons. First, I am concerned about the progress of the '749 Bureau' project, as one of the investors, I have high hopes for it. Second, I look forward to discussing development plans with the creative team, pooling our wisdom and strength to jointly promote the project towards higher quality and higher level."

"6. Let's discuss how to lose money. We've even gotten used to losing money."

"?"

Jin Ming looked somewhat displeased and emphasized, "The successful implementation of this 'Influenza' project has provided us with extremely valuable strategic insights."

"Based on this, we plan to expand our business with an international perspective, carry out forward-looking marketing layout in overseas markets, and select several senior partner agencies to jointly build a cross-regional resource integration and operation system, in order to open up a new growth pole in the global market landscape."

This year: "Brother, are you telling the truth?"

"of course."

This year: "...Brother, you're so good to me."

Jinming: “?”

Auntie then sighed and said, "I really hope what you said is true. Since you've come here to take the life of 'Bureau 749'... to see 'Bureau 749', then just go directly to their side and don't meet with Ikeno Natsumi, okay?"

Jinming was furious and abandoned all pretense of literary flair: "Jinsui, what do you mean by this?!"

"Brother, take my advice, you absolutely must invest in '749 Bureau'... By the way, besides '749 Bureau,' there's also Shen Bin and Ma Li's film for this year's Spring Festival, and Han Han and Chen Sicheng's project... You should invest in all of them..."

"No, it's too late to invest now. How about this, bro, you should get a marketing partnership and help them promote their projects. These are all hot projects. Try to find connections to get involved. I guarantee you'll make money."

"..."

Hearing this today, he was furious and embarrassed.

He wasn't stupid; he naturally understood what his sister meant by those words.

"Don't push your luck this year. I've succeeded before!"

This year, he nodded sincerely: "I agree with that."

"...Okay, then I'll submit my paper to 'The Flu.' I'm going to help promote our own people..."

Why are you so malicious?

Jinming: “?”

Didn't you say I have a good eye for investment?

"If you dare touch 'Influenza,' I'll fight you to the death. If you have any conscience at all, you shouldn't be here now, bringing bad luck to our project that's about to explode!"

Jinming was furious after what he was said, and pointed at his younger sister: "Fine, fine, you'll regret this!"

"I really hope I'll regret this someday."

"……snort!"

He didn't say anything more today. He had originally wanted to shamelessly go with his sister to take a look, but the commotion caused by the "flu" outbreak in 156 countries was really too big, making him extremely eager to check it out.

But after his sister's relentless "attacks," he suddenly felt bored.

Forget it, it's just a movie, I won't go.

He simply couldn't believe that without Chi Ye and Jin Sui, he could keep going like this!

……

"It's important for people to know their own limitations. Sis, I think you should also have some self-awareness. I feel like I won't be able to invite Xiaochi to participate in variety shows anymore. I can't help it, so don't look for me."

at the same time.

Inside a hotel in Cannes.

Shang Jie was completely naked, lying happily in bed, talking to her agent on her phone while scrolling through a newly updated anime series, all the while sipping her milk tea.

"Is it really that serious? Are you saying you're quitting the Chinese entertainment industry?"

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 did invite Koike, but he said he didn't have time." The manager remained silent.

While the entire industry was paying close attention and discussing the takeoff of Ikeno and "Flu", Shang Jie's company, Yihe Sunshine Entertainment, located in China, was paying attention to something else.

—Before Cannes, Shang Jie had discussed it with Shi Jinwei, and the two of them even specifically asked about Chi Ye's variety show schedule.

Jardine Sunshine isn't a big company in the Chinese entertainment industry, and its background is average, but it's good because it's a small company with good people. It's the company that Shang Jie signed with since her debut and has stayed with her ever since.

This time, Jardine Matheson is preparing to collaborate with Mango TV on an S+ variety show project, but because the company itself has no prior experience in the variety show field, Mango TV is not interested – for film and television, look to the three major TV stations, for variety shows, look to Mango TV.

As the leading variety show platform in the Chinese entertainment industry, Hunan TV has launched countless top-tier variety show projects within a year.

To be honest, I don't really have many thoughts about collaborating with Yihe Sunshine.

Finally, Yihe Sunshine brought up the "same frame" of Shi Jinwei and Shang Youshu, which piqued the interest of Hunan TV. However, due to scheduling conflicts, it was unlikely that Sister Pliers would be a regular cast member, so... their interest was greatly diminished again.

Then, at someone's suggestion, the manager suddenly played a "trump card"—the SSR+ level "Ikeno Card." This card immediately attracted the attention of many TV stations.

Hunan TV, which was originally uninterested in the project, suddenly became very active and began to frequently contact Jardine Sunshine.

—Ikeno is such a useful card.

Yihe Sunshine was very moved. As for Mango's suspicion that Yihe Sunshine lied to them... that's impossible. Shang Youshu and Chi Ye have such a good relationship. If Sister Shang is a regular on the show, how could Chi Ye not come?

If they really weren't coming, Jardine Matheson wouldn't have said anything. Since they've said this, it means they've already made a private deal, and the TV station just needs to wait and enjoy the traffic.

Ok…

The negotiations didn't go well.

To be precise, it was Shang Youshu, on whom Jardine Matheson had placed high hopes, who once again fell before Chi Ye.

"That can't be right, I just don't believe it. Did you really put your heart into it?"

The agent asked suspiciously, "How many times did you ask them?"

"...once."

Slightly guilty, Sister Shang added, "But he's so busy, one time should be enough, right?"

“…Yushu, tell me honestly, is it because you don’t want to record, don’t want to go to work, that’s why you’re being so perfunctory?”

"No, that's definitely not the reason."

"I heard that because of the rumors about 'Flu' being released in China, many cinemas have called your personal number... Why is that?"

Sister Shang was taken aback, equally surprised: "Yes, why? Why did they hit me? I'm not Chi Ye."

"Yeah, that's really strange."

"Hmm, that's strange."

Sister Shang paused, seemingly realizing that it wasn't right to treat her "good sister" so casually, and added, "Weiwei's phone has been ringing off the hook too, which is really strange."

"..." The agent paused for a moment before suddenly saying, "This time it's a slow-paced variety show, similar to 'See You,' but longer and with a bigger budget. We can go to many more places, and there's no requirement for good show effects..."

"By the way, several of the couples you've shipped might be coming."

"?"

Sister Shang blinked: "Is that so... Didn't you say before that it was just a regular travel variety show?"

"If Ikeno could come, the investment would be completely different."

"Oh……"

Sister Shang seemed to understand something: "Then wait a moment, I'll try again."

"Can you manage?" the manager asked with concern. "Didn't you say Ikeno didn't have time?"

"It's alright, maybe I didn't ask clearly enough." Sister Shang honestly assured me, "Wait for me, I'll go kneel down and kowtow to Xiao Chi a few times, beg him, he should agree to my request."

"...You'd better pay attention."

Before hanging up, the agent sighed and said earnestly, "You Shu, the film and television industry winter is over, but you know our company's situation. With the two major shareholders withdrawing their shares, we are indeed struggling to survive... We need to promote new talents, and this variety show is very important."

"...Sister, I'll definitely handle this properly for you. Just wait and see."

Sister Shang assured her again, "Leave this to me, I will definitely handle it well for you."

The agent was terrified... he felt that what Sister Shang said was unreliable.

"You don't need to handle it. You just need to invite Ikeno to come and stay permanently. Once he's here, everything will be fine."

"Well, don't worry."

Sister Shang nodded.

The two chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up the phone.

"Oh... don't worry, leave this to me. Whether it succeeds or fails, it's all up to me."

Shang Jie muttered something to herself, but didn't dare to actually say it in front of her manager... Hmm... Invite Koike to participate in the program... How should she invite him... It's no wonder the manager is in such a hurry. If it were Ikeno before "Flu", there should still be a chance.

But after "The Flu"... she felt that it would indeed take some effort.

—Although "Flu" has not been officially released yet, its popularity is already evident. Given this momentum, even if the quality does not meet domestic aesthetic standards, its box office performance should still be quite impressive.

At that time, Ikeno's status should rise further.

Once a celebrity rises in status, their pay, availability, and endorsements will all increase accordingly.

It's really difficult to invite them.

"If all else fails... I'll train some new talent for him... He said last time that the studio was going to expand into a company and he needed to sign new talent... I'll train him three or four times, that should be fine, right?"

After thinking for a long time, Sister Shang could only come up with this clumsy solution.

She planned to try it another day when Jin Xia wasn't around. As for why she wanted to do it when the Empress Dowager wasn't there... she couldn't say. She just felt guilty seeing Jin Xia now, so it was better to avoid her.

Escaping may be shameful, but it's definitely effective; it never fails. Unlike that silly girl Weiwei, who always leads the charge...

Hey, thinking of Shi Jinwei, Sister Shang's eyes lit up, and she suddenly had an idea.

……

Two days later.

Ikeno and part of the "Flu" creative team landed in the capital and officially returned to China to begin arranging the premiere of "Flu" during the Chinese New Year season.

The first condition that Ikeno negotiated with all the theater chains was that they wanted to schedule screenings of his films.

Whose screenings should we get?
Of course, it's our beloved and respected Beijing circle that always likes to stir up trouble behind the scenes when it comes to scheduling movies.

"Once the film scheduling is settled, we can talk about other things."

On this day, Chi Ye walked out of the headquarters building of a certain cinema chain. After talking all day, he summed it up with the above sentence.

—He has never been a magnanimous person. Since you've messed with me, don't blame me for messing with you to the death.

(End of this chapter)