Internet moguls are being held hostage by the entertainment system!

Chapter 405 Meng Ziyi, the "Prodigy" of the Chinese Entertainment Industry
The National Day film season ended on October 8th.

During the seven-day holiday, the total box office revenue of the film market exceeded 30 billion yuan, an increase of 10% compared with 26.29 billion yuan in the same period of 17, and the number of moviegoers increased by 25% year-on-year.

"The Journey Home" topped the box office charts with 12.9 billion yuan, and with the box office revenue from its premiere on the 30th, the film's cumulative box office has reached 14.5 billion yuan.

The film ranked second, "Project Gutenberg," grossed 6.2 million yuan in seven days during the National Day holiday, less than half the total box office of "The Long Way Home."

The gap between the two not only further confirms the Matthew effect in the film market, but also makes film and television companies in the industry begin to pay attention to Datang Pictures' production strategy.

A movie doesn't need big-name stars; as long as the subject matter is good and the content is of high quality, it can be a box office hit!

After the holiday, on weekdays, "The Journey Home" still maintained a daily box office of 50 million yuan until mid-October, when it gradually decreased due to a drop in popularity.

On the morning of the 28th, when the news that "The Road Home" had surpassed 30 billion yuan at the box office was sent to Chen Xiu's mobile phone, he was giving Meng Ziyi "precautions".

"Remember, you mustn't ask Nicholas Tse about Faye Wong!"

What would happen if I asked?

Looking into Meng Ziyi's clear and innocent eyes, Chen Xiu pursed her lips, knowing that she was simply curious and had no ill intentions...

"If we ask, Tse Ting-fung won't do anything, but it's a rather impolite topic, so it's best if we don't bring it up."

"Oh, okay, then I won't ask."

Meng Ziyi nodded and made a mental note of it.

She's just not usually one to think things through, but she's quite mindful of politeness and taboo topics.

After explaining this matter, Chen Xiu added, "You absolutely mustn't ask about Zhang Baizhi's affairs!"

"This definitely can't be mentioned!"

"Well, that's all."

"Then I'll go learn to cook! When I'm done, I'll come back and cook for you."

Meng Ziyi smiled happily, showing no signs of nervousness from recording a variety show, only a longing to learn how to cook.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiu simply smiled and nodded, then saw Meng Ziyi out and got into another car to go to the company.

……

"Chef Nic" is a lifestyle outdoor food variety show co-produced by Yinghuang Entertainment and Blueberry TV, with Nicholas Tse serving as both chef and host.

According to the original plan, there was no arrangement for "Chef Nic" to be filmed in Beijing.

However, considering the cooperation between Datang Pictures and Yinghuang, the recording of the program was adjusted accordingly, and the first episode was arranged to be held at Chengfu Banquet Hall at No. 38 Nanchang Street in Beijing.

The place's reputation can be summed up in one sentence: the founder cooked for that person and hosted foreign guests.

When the recording began, Xie Tingfeng, now in work mode, began his introduction to the camera while cooperating with the staff carrying the camera.

"Today, we're going to a very famous restaurant, and we're also going to meet a very popular and beautiful actress..."

"Hello! Brother Feng, you're here!"

Before Xie Tingfeng could finish speaking, Meng Ziyi's voice was picked up by the cameras and the staff of the "Chef Nic" program.

The camera pans to the two vermilion gates of the Cheng family banquet hall, where Meng Ziyi, dressed in a khaki oversized denim jacket, shorts, a beige short-sleeved undershirt, and brown suede boots covering her entire calves, is standing and waving to the crowd.

Seeing the unfamiliar actress in front of him, Xie Tingfeng, who had already been greeted by Chen Xiu and Huo Wenxi, also showed his more approachable side.

"Hello, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"I just arrived too, my car is still parked in the back!"

Nicholas Tse's expression suddenly changed. He thought to himself: Is this the right answer? Shouldn't he have said: It's okay, I haven't been here long either? What's with the car still parked in the back?

Meng Ziyi seemed unaware that there was something wrong with what he said and continued, "Um, Brother Feng, are you going to teach me how to cook today?"

"Correct."

Given Meng Ziyi's words, Xie Tingfeng's answer became more conservative.

The next second, he realized that his conservatism was not wrong.

"Great!"

Meng Ziyi clapped her hands and said happily, "You're such a good cook, you can definitely teach me, so I can cook for my boyfriend!"

"Uh-huh??"

Xie Tingfeng stared blankly at Meng Ziyi and said bluntly, "Is this something that can be said?"

"Can't you tell me?"

Meng Ziyi's eyes remained clear and pure as she thought that she hadn't mentioned Wang Fei or Zhang Baizhi, so why couldn't she even say that?
Xie Tingfeng pursed his lips, having already guessed who Meng's boyfriend was from Meng's "fearlessness" and Chen Xiu's private messages of care.

To prevent Meng from talking too much and affecting the recording of the show, Xie Tingfeng decided after thinking it over to quickly end the topic and change the subject.

"Um, judging from the literal meaning, shall we go in first?"

"Okay! I asked the waiter, and there's no one else here today."

"hehe."

Nicholas Tse responded with a smile, but inwardly he thought helplessly: How could there possibly be anyone else?
After an unexpected exchange of pleasantries, Meng Ziyi followed Xie Tingfeng into the Cheng family banquet hall, where a group of staff carrying equipment filled the small courtyard.

Since Chengfu Banquet only has three private rooms, in order to meet the needs of filming, the group was led into the largest room by the waiter, and then the food service began immediately.

Sitting down and watching the exquisite dishes being served one after another, Meng Ziyi asked, "Shall we eat first and then learn how to cook?"

"That's right! We should first taste the chef's skills, and then try to replicate a few dishes and ask him for his feedback."

"Great! Now I can eat without worry. I didn't dare to eat too much of the dishes Teacher Huang made before."

"..." Xie Tingfeng stared blankly at Meng Ziyi, thinking: Are all celebrities in the Chinese entertainment industry this outspoken now?
After Meng Ziyi finished speaking, it took him two seconds to realize that there was something wrong with what he said.

Seeing Xie Tingfeng's speechless expression, she quickly tried to salvage the situation, saying, "I didn't mean that Teacher Huang's cooking is bad, I just said that professional chefs cook better..."

"Aren't you sure you won't offend people by saying it so directly?"

"No, I often say that on the show."

"...Let's eat something first."

Xie Tingfeng pointed to the dishes that had already been served, hoping that Meng Ziyi would eat more and talk less.

The dishes at Chengfu Banquet were indeed excellent. With Xie Tingfeng's introduction, the various creative and classic dishes were both fun and delicious, such as cappuccino spicy crab soup, Marshal Montgomery shrimp, classic braised pork, and grilled cod...

Finishing the dishes is the highest form of recognition for a chef.

Nicholas Tse probably felt that simply introducing the characters would make the show boring, so he took the initiative to start a new conversation with Meng Ziyi, who was eating.

"Did you know that in the past five years, the people who have been on 'Chef Nic's Taste of the World' the biggest eaters have all been girls?"

"Wow? Your show has been running for five years, it's really popular!"

"..."

Xie Tingfeng felt he was speechless a lot today, but Meng Ziyi's words always seemed to come from the heart, not that she was pretending to be stupid.

Faced with someone who is genuinely a bit simple-minded, rather than pretending to be stupid, Nicholas Tse couldn't bring himself to be angry with her.

He could only give an awkward smile and explain, "Yes! I've been running this show for five years. If you're interested, you can look up the content from the previous seasons."

"I remember the last time I saw your movie was during the Spring Festival of 14. My whole family went to see 'From Vegas to Macau,' but we didn't go to see 'The Monkey King,' which my dad likes."

"Thank you."

"I heard there was a second and third installment, but I haven't watched them yet. Are you still the lead actor in them?"

"His~~"

Nicholas Tse gasped, feeling that Meng Ziyi's problem was even more troublesome than the paparazzi in Hong Kong.

What upset him even more was that he could get angry at paparazzi, but when it came to Meng Ziyi... he didn't seem to feel angry at all.

Nicholas Tse gave a wry smile, but could only patiently answer Meng Ziyi's question: "I didn't act in the last two films, but Chow Yun-fat did."

"Oh, I recently went to see 'Project Gutenberg' with my boyfriend, and I thought it was pretty good."

Whenever Meng Ziyi mentions her boyfriend, a sweet smile always appears on her face.

Even Nicholas Tse, a man nearing forty, felt like he was shipping a couple on the spot.

However, he also knew he couldn't delve any deeper into this topic.

Did you know that Chow Yun-fat's AK-wielding pose in "Project Gutenberg" was actually a tribute to Mark Gor?

Who is Little Ma?

Meng Ziyi looked at Xie Tingfeng with a puzzled expression, indicating that he had never heard of this person.

Nicholas Tse smiled helplessly and said, "Little Ma is a character in 'A Better Tomorrow,' which was also starring Chow Yun-fat. This movie is from a long time ago, so it's normal that you don't know it."

"Forehead……"

Meng Ziyi frowned slightly, thinking very seriously about the information in the movie.

Xie Tingfeng waited for a while, and seeing that she really couldn't remember, he was about to smooth things over when Meng Ziyi gave him a surprise.

"Because of love, I love; gentleness cannot withstand manipulation."

"What are you doing?"

"Sing! Is this the theme song from the movie 'A Better Tomorrow' that you mentioned?"

"I haven't heard it before, would you like to sing it again?"

Meng Ziyi stared in surprise, looking at Xie Tingfeng with an even more puzzled expression than before.

"How could you not have heard this before? Isn't this your song?"

"My song???"

Nicholas Tse's mouth was so wide open it could almost fit an egg, and his eyes were wide open to an unprecedented degree.

Meng Ziyi replied matter-of-factly, "That's right! Because of love, we love; fate can't be controlled—isn't that just like your song?"

After listening to it a second time, Nicholas Tse finally figured out the answer based on the lyrics. But why was Meng Ziyi able to abandon the melody and sing it in a completely different style?

Nicholas Tse touched the small braid on his head, already feeling that today's variety show episode was the biggest challenge he had encountered in recent years, but he still wanted to prove himself.

"This song isn't sung like that. It should be: Because of love!! So love! Tenderness can't withstand manipulation."

"Because of love, I love; gentleness cannot withstand manipulation."

"That's not how it works. Why do you sing in such a monotone?"

"Huh? Isn't that how it is?"

Meng Ziyi stared intently at Xie Tingfeng.

They stared at each other for two seconds before Nicholas Tse realized he was still recording a program...

"Never mind, let's go cook."

(End of this chapter)