In the entertainment industry, the silly system claims it's the immortal realm.

Chapter 98 Two Women and One Man

In Bangkok in June, it's so hot that even the dogs don't have the energy to bark.

That morning, the film crew had just set up their equipment when the roar of a motorcycle came from the alleyway.

Eight modified Honda scooters blocked the entrance to the film set, their exhaust pipes belching black smoke.

The leader was a Thai man in his early thirties, wearing a floral shirt open, revealing a tattoo on his chest that was difficult to decipher.

He was followed by a dozen or so young men, some carrying steel pipes, others smoking cigarettes, their eyes darting over the female members of the film crew.

Chen Acai's expression changed, and he whispered to Wei Yi, "Zhalun, the local bully."

Zhalun propped up his motorcycle, swayed over to Chen Acai, and spoke in Chaoshan dialect with a heavy Thai accent: "Acai, you guys are filming here, why didn't you say hello to me?"

Chen Acai forced a smile and handed him a cigarette: "Brother Zhalun, we're just filming for a few days and then we'll leave—"

"How many days will it take to film?"

Zhalun didn't accept the cigarette, tilting his head to look at the equipment laid out in the alley. "So many machines, such a huge setup, so many people, it might not even take a month to finish filming, right?"

He held up five fingers. "Fifty thousand baht per month. We can choose not to pay; we'll collect it ourselves."

Wei Yi sat behind the monitor, picked up his iced coffee, took a sip, and his expression didn't change much.

He had never seen such a thing, but he had heard of it.

Yes, this situation no longer exists in China, or rather, it is very rare now.

But I've heard that this kind of thing is commonplace in Hong Kong.

It would be news if such a thing didn't happen.

Now that we've gone abroad, these little devils have suddenly appeared.

"Didn't we already pay protection money?"

Wei Yi said softly to Chen Acai.

Of course, it wasn't for the person in front of him, but for a local deputy director whom Chen Acai knew.

Moreover, since the start of filming.

Indeed, there are more than two local police officers patrolling the area every day.

To this end, the production crew would prepare two extra boxed meals and two extra drinks for them every day.

Wei Yi suddenly realized that the two local police officers had disappeared.

Chen Acai smiled wryly: "The situation here is not as good as it is in China. There are five or six deputy directors alone, and this Zhalun is another deputy director's man."

"However, Director Wei," Chen Acai quickly patted his chest to assure him, "you don't need to worry, I'll call someone right now to come and kick them out!"

Just as Chen Acai was about to take out his phone, someone next to him dialed a number before he could.

The man was Chow Yun-fat's assistant, a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses. The call had already been connected.

He wasn't speaking Mandarin, but Chaoshan dialect. His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear: "Mr. Kunchai, Brother Chow is filming here. A few kids came to the door, and he wants to collect some tea money."

Chow Yun-fat strolled over and smiled at Wei Yi. "Khun Chai is the president of the local Chinese Chamber of Commerce, a friend of mine. Khun Chai is his local name; his Chinese name is Lin Guobiao, and his ancestors were also from Chaoshan."

The scenes for the rascal were finished today, and I have to catch an afternoon flight back home.

Unexpectedly, he was able to show off his skills in front of Wei Yi before returning to China, which made Fa Ge very happy.

Others may not know, but Chow Yun-fat knows exactly how influential this young man is in the international fashion world!

As for Chow Yun-fat, he is now a leading figure in the international fashion world.

Many major European and American brands are now contacting him, wanting him to be their spokesperson, and wanting to film movies with him.

Before anyone knew it, Chow Yun-fat had become the most prominent male star in Hong Kong's international fashion scene.

This is why Zhou Runfa arrives immediately every time Wei Yi calls him.

Putting aside everything else, just from this point alone, Lanzi Fa was very willing to show off in front of Wei Yi.

"Thank you, Brother Fa," Wei Yi said with a smile.

Wei Yi himself doesn't particularly like some of Chow Yun-fat's actions and personality traits.

But Fat Tsai's actions and personality are always downward rather than upward.

Now, people have never been hostile towards him; on the contrary, they have always been very kind to him.

You can't hit someone who's smiling, so of course you have to give them face.

"It's no big deal," Chow Yun-fat said happily, waving his hand.

Less than twenty minutes.

A police car and a Mercedes-Benz were parked at the entrance of the alley.

The police car door opened first, and Major Phishit, the First Deputy Chief of Police of the Bangkok Police Department, personally got out of the passenger seat.

He was wearing a crisply ironed uniform with a walkie-talkie clipped to his waist. His gaze swept over Zhalun, and Zhalun immediately bent over.

The Mercedes door then opened.

The president of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Kunchai, walked out with a cigar in his mouth. He was in his sixties, his hair was neatly combed, and he wore a jade ring on his hand, so green it seemed to drip water.

"Zhalun." Khun Chai said a few words in Thai, his tone was not harsh, and he spoke with the gentleness of an elder speaking to a younger person.

But Zhalun's face had turned from white to red, then from red to green, and his hands were clasped together above his head, his forehead almost touching his knees.

After Kunchai finished speaking, he patted Zhalun on the shoulder.

Zhalun straightened up, turned to Wei Yi, and bowed deeply.

The young men behind him also bowed, and the steel pipe had long since disappeared.

"Director,"

Although Zhalun can speak Chaoshan dialect, it has a heavy Thai accent, but his attitude is as sincere as a primary school student being punished by the teacher: "We were blind, we were wrong. We are willing to stay here and watch over the equipment for the crew free of charge until your filming is over. As compensation for the offense."

Wei Yi stood up and placed the iced coffee next to the monitor.

The experts are easy to deal with, but the underlings are a real pain.

He understood this back in China. Since the local tyrant had backed down, there was no need to push him to the brink.

"No need for compensation." He looked at Zhalun. "If you're willing to work, I'll pay you. At the local rate. If you do a good job, you'll get a bonus after filming."

Zhalun paused for a moment, then bowed again: "Thank you, Director."

Wei Yi turned to Chen Acai and said, "Register them, and pay them their daily wages according to the local farm management standards."

Chen Acai nodded repeatedly and took out his notebook to write down names.

Those thugs lined up and called out their names, more obedient than elementary school students doing morning exercises.

Wei Yi then stepped forward with a smile and, accompanied by Chow Yun-fat and Chen A-cai, had a close conversation with the two local bigwigs.

He even became related to Kunchai, also known as Lin Guobiao.

After chatting for a while, it turned out that Lin Guobiao's ancestors and Wei Yi were from the same town.

Even one of his cousins ​​was a distant cousin of Wei Yi.

Because Wei Yi belonged to the younger branch of the family in his hometown, he was the great-uncle of the younger branch.

Despite his young age, he is actually quite senior in the clan, and many people who are already grandfathers have to call him uncle.

Adding this layer of connection, along with Chow Yun-fat's superstar status and Wei Yibei's status as a renowned director from a major northern country.

Lin Guobiao immediately became his sworn brother.

In the afternoon, Liang Jiahui's assistant brought over several cases of iced soda, saying that Brother Hui had treated the whole crew to it.

Wei Yi took the bottle and noticed a smiley face drawn on the cap with a marker.

"Is your brother Hui so free?"

The assistant waved his hand with a smile: "Brother Hui said that Paihao's soda wasn't cold enough, so he made us make a special trip to the supermarket."

They filmed a night scene that evening.

Zhalun arrived on time with his underlings, one of them carrying a plastic stool and sitting at the alley entrance, more dedicated than the security guards hired by the film crew.

Chen Acai brought over a bowl of kueh teow, which Zhalun took and slurped down. After putting down the bowl, he said to Chen Acai, "Acai, tell the director that no one will bother him in Bangkok's Chinatown area from now on."

When Chen Acai returned and relayed the information, Wei Yi, who was watching the replay of the film, nodded upon hearing this: "Understood."

The next morning, not long after the film crew started work, Xiao Wang rushed over in a panic with his laptop.

"Boss! Something's happened!"

Wei Yi took the computer.

The screen displays the front page of a local Thai tabloid.

The title was in both Thai and English: "Chinese Director Keeps Two Actresses as Lovers? The Three Enter and Exit a Hotel Together."

The accompanying image is a screenshot from the hotel elevator surveillance footage, showing Fan Binbin and Gao Yuanyuan entering Wei Yi's room at around 10 PM and 11 PM respectively.

Xiao Wang was sweating profusely: "Who leaked this surveillance footage? Should we sue the hotel?"

Wei Yi read the newspaper from beginning to end, his tone indifferent: "The photo is alright, at least we can recognize it."

Gao Yuanyuan leaned over for a look, her cheeks puffed out in anger: "How could they be so outrageous? This is clearly filming, how could they—"

She suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

Upon reflection, I realized that I had indeed been sleeping in the same room with him for some time now. Fan Binbin was also there.

Strictly speaking, what the tabloids said wasn't entirely made up.

Her voice gradually lowered, and her face flushed slightly.

Fan Binbin, on the other hand, was much more composed. She glanced at the headline and scoffed, "That's it? I thought you could write something more interesting."

Wei Yi opened his laptop and pushed it in front of Gao Yuanyuan: "Just post a blog entry."

Gao Yuanyuan blinked: "Send what?"

Post whatever you normally post.

Gao Yuanyuan thought for a moment, then moved closer to the computer and started typing. Fan Binbin leaned over to look, and as he watched, the corners of his mouth curled up in a smile.

When the blog post was published, a photo was attached:

The three of them were squatting on the set eating boxed lunches, with identical boxed lunches in front of them.

Wei Yi was reaching for the chicken leg in Fan Binbin's lunchbox with his chopsticks when Fan Binbin, protecting the lunchbox with one hand and making a gesture as if to hit him with the other, looked fierce but had a smile at the corner of his eyes.

The caption was just one sentence: "The crew's boxed lunches were delicious, thanks to Director Wei for treating us. PS: He steals our chicken legs every day."

""

Gao Yuanyuan has a large following on her blog. The comment section exploded within half an hour of this post being published.

"Hahaha, Director Wei, why did you steal the chicken leg?!"

"Three people squatting by the roadside eating boxed lunches is so down-to-earth."

"The tabloids' rumors are disgusting; I support Yuanyuan in defending her rights!"

"Wait, isn't that hand next to her Fan Bingbing's?"

"You have a sharp eye upstairs! Fan Binbin is guarding her food! That chicken leg must be delicious!"

With Lin Guobiao's efforts, local Chinese netizens flooded the tabloid's website with angry comments, which spread from Bangkok all the way to Chiang Mai.

Less than a day later, the tabloid editor personally visited with a flower basket to apologize, followed by a local TV reporter carrying a camera.

The editor-in-chief, a middle-aged, overweight man wearing a gold chain, clasped his hands together in a gesture of respect, his sincerity bordering on exaggerated: "Mr. Wei, our reporter accepted bribes, and we have already fired him. To express our apology, our newspaper is willing to publish three pages of color GG in 'Detective Chinatown' free of charge for a week."

Wei Yi glanced at the flower basket, then at the sweat on the editor-in-chief's forehead.

It was hot, and this fat man, wearing a suit, had come all the way from downtown Bangkok; his shirt collar was already soaked with sweat.

"No need, GG. Just don't send this kind of thing again."

The editor-in-chief breathed a sigh of relief, bowed again, and left with the TV reporter.

Before leaving, the reporter glanced back at Wei Yi, hesitated for a moment, and asked in a low voice, "Director Wei, may I take a picture of you? We'd like to include it in our news report."

Fan Binbin and Gao Yuanyuan, who were eating boxed lunches behind Wei Yichong, raised their chins and said, "In the picture too."

That evening, a short news item was broadcast on Bangkok's local television news—

Chinese director and two actresses eat boxed lunches on the streets of Bangkok, revealing the real life of a film crew.

In the scene, Wei Yi is squatting by the roadside, with Fan Binbin and Gao Yuanyuan sitting on either side of him. The three of them have identical boxed lunches in front of them.

The news comment section was filled with comments like "down-to-earth," "so cute," and "this is what a real film crew's daily life is like."

Gao Yuanyuan was watching TV on her hotel bed when she saw this news and laughed so hard she rolled around on the bed.

Halfway down, Fan Binbin slapped him on the butt: "If you roll any further, you'll fall off."

Gao Yuanyuan, clutching her buttocks, turned around and glared at her: "Why do you love hitting people just like him!"

"Because she can't beat me, she can only beat you."

Wei Yi's voice came from the bathroom, accompanied by the sound of the shower.

"Hmph!" Fan Xiaopang snorted, got up and walked towards the bathroom. "I'll drain you dry! Bingbing, come here, let's go together!"

"They're here, they're here!" Gao Yuanyuan immediately dropped her laptop and followed Fan Xiaopang excitedly, giggling and shouting, "Yes, we're united against a common enemy! We're determined to turn him into a spineless coward!"

"Hmph, all show and no substance! I'm not afraid of taking on two opponents at once. Come on, bring it on, I'll take it all!"

When this news reached China, Wei Yi informed Li Yi and asked him to handle the matter in the same direction.

Li Yi chuckled on the other end of the phone, "Boss, what are you saying? After seeing her blog, Teacher Gao's PR team will naturally know what to do. It's not my turn to step in yet."

Sure enough. Just one day later, the comment section of Gao Yuanyuan's blog on Sina Blog in China had completely reversed.

Marketing accounts that were previously sharing tabloid news have all deleted their posts and apologized.

A few stubborn individuals persisted, only to be relentlessly attacked and criticized by netizens for three days and three nights before finally slinking away and closing their comment sections.

Two more days passed. Chen Acai received a phone call, and his expression suddenly became subtle.

"Director Wei, Mr. Sonthi, the Director of the Thai Film Bureau, wants to visit the set this afternoon."

Wei Yi raised an eyebrow. The director of the Thai Film Bureau—that's quite a high-ranking position.

When he was filming in China, only Han Sanping would occasionally come to the set, and that was only because Han Sanping had invested his own money.

"What do we need to prepare?" Chen Acai asked.

"No need. Just film it however you want."

He's just a minor leader in a small, uncivilized country.

I'm a renowned director from a major country!

At 3 p.m., a black Toyota minivan quietly pulled up at the entrance of the alleyway leading to the film set.

Director Sonti, in his early fifties, wore a white short-sleeved shirt and had no entourage or reporters, only his driver waiting in the car.

If Chen Acai hadn't received a call beforehand, no one would have noticed that the middle-aged man standing at the alley entrance, looking inside with his hands behind his back, was the head of the Thai film industry.

Wei Yi is filming a major scene.

Wang Baoqiang ran wildly through the alley, pursued by three thugs.

The cameraman ran alongside, carrying a Steadicam, the camera shaking just right. Wei Yi sat behind the monitor, his fingers tapping lightly on his knees to keep time.

This scene was filmed three times.

Wang Baoqiang was running at full speed in every scene, sweating profusely, leaving a white mist of sweat in front of the camera.

After the third take was finished, Wei Yi called "Cut".

Director Sonti walked in from the alley entrance, stood behind the monitor, watched the playback, and nodded slightly.

He didn't disturb Wei Yi and stood there for the entire afternoon.

Filming continued until dusk, with the final scene being a monologue by Leung Ka-fai.

Qin Feng stood on the dock by the Chao Phraya River and spoke a long deduction into his phone.

Liang Jiahui's voice wasn't loud, but every word rang out clearly in the twilight. In the distance, a cruise ship slowly passed by, its lights lighting up one by one.

"Click. That's it for today."

Wei Yi stood up and stretched.

Director Sonti finally spoke, his English carrying a slight British accent, likely honed during his studies abroad: "Mr. Wei, I've seen your last film. I saw it on set today. I must say—the lighting and shadow effects you created in the back alleys of Chinatown are something I can't even see on a Hollywood set."

Wei Yi turned around and looked at him.

I thought to myself, "Of course."

Hollywood is at best among the best in the world.

I'm blessed with a system boost, like I've got a cultivation cheat code!

Director Sonti extended his hand, his tone sincere: "For your next film, if you'd like to film in Thailand again, the location fee will be waived. The tax refund will be increased to the highest level. Furthermore, he paused, "Regarding subsidies, I can help you apply for the highest level of 8% of the total investment."

Wei Yi was taken aback.

Foreign film crews typically receive subsidies of three to five percent in Thailand.

This was something Chen Acai had said, and he checked it afterward and it was indeed true.

Hollywood production teams, on the other hand, can occasionally earn six to seven percent of the budget.

After all, it's Hollywood.

Eight percent is a very, very small percentage.

"Director Sonti, this condition—"

"These conditions are usually only given to Hollywood," Director Sonti laughed, picking up where Wei Yi left off. "But the people who can bring this kind of quality to our Bangkok film deserve Hollywood treatment. So your film can also enjoy these conditions, but the location fee is out of the question, since you've already paid for it."

He withdrew his hand, his tone becoming serious: "Mr. Wei, our Thai Film Bureau has always hoped to attract more outstanding international directors to film in Thailand. I've seen your film; it's not the kind of film that comes to Thailand, shoots a few temples, and then claims to have filmed in Bangkok. Your film is excellent."

After seeing Director Songti off, Chen Acai's voice was filled with emotion.

"Director, I've counted it three times."

He looked up at Wei Yi and said, "Just the tax refund alone saved us almost two million. Add the 8% subsidy, and it's almost ten million in total."

Wei Yi took the calculator and glanced at it.

"Send an email to the domestic authorities." He handed the calculator back to Chen Acai. "Have Li Hua inform Master Han that the budget for Detective Chinatown can be increased by another ten million."

This will generate a significant amount of additional subsidies.

However, this wasn't because Wei Yi wanted to embezzle the money from the Thai locals.

He would then have his newly acquainted cousin, Lin Guobiao, deliver the money to Director Songti.

It's about reciprocity, exchanging favors.

Wei Yi knows a lot.

the next day.

Filming continues.

However, around 2 p.m., a sudden downpour hit Bangkok.

Large raindrops began to fall without warning, pattering against the awning, and within minutes the water had risen above ankle level.

The crew scrambled to salvage the equipment, with stagehands carrying machines and running under the eaves.

The monitor was still on. Wei Yi took off his clothes and covered the machine with them, standing there in the rain to make sure the monitor wouldn't get damaged.

Rainwater streamed down his hair, revealing his well-defined muscles and his eight-pack abs gleaming in the rain.

Fan Binbin jumped out of the van and ran this way, holding an umbrella.

Her high heels splashed water as she stepped into the puddle, but she didn't care. She rushed straight to Wei Yi and held the umbrella over his head.

Almost at the same second, Gao Yuanyuan ran out from the other side, holding another umbrella to shield his head.

The two umbrellas collided.

Rain poured down the umbrella ribs, soaking Fan Binbin's left shoulder and Gao Yuanyuan's right shoulder at the same time.

"You know it's raining and you're still standing outside, are you stupid?" Fan Binbin spoke first, her voice louder than the rain.

"Exactly," Gao Yuanyuan replied, wiping the water off her face, only to find that she couldn't get it completely clean.

The two men, one on the left and one on the right, sandwiched Wei Yi in the middle.

Rain dripped down through the gaps between the two umbrellas, and the air was filled with the smell of shampoo.

Fan Binbin's is jasmine scented, while Gao Yuanyuan's is gardenia scented.

Wei Yi looked around and then reached out to pull both umbrellas towards himself.

"Let's go back."

The three of them huddled under two umbrellas as they walked back, their six legs wading through the puddles. Fan Binbin's high heels sank into a puddle, and she swayed as she grabbed Wei Yi's shoulder for support.

Gao Yuanyuan grabbed her other arm, and the three of them staggered into the alleyway.

Inside the car, driver Xiao Wang had just turned on the windshield wipers when he looked up and saw this scene.

A man, two women, two umbrellas, staggered through the three-meter-wide alley.

Fan Binbin was cursing and swearing, Gao Yuanyuan was laughing, and Wei Yi was sandwiched in the middle, arguing with her but also laughing.

Xiao Wang silently put away his camera, retreated to the driver's seat, and stared straight at the steering wheel, pretending he hadn't seen anything.

He felt that he might be a driver for a long time to come—just pretend he didn't see anything he shouldn't have seen.

The car door opened, and three people, soaking wet, squeezed in.

As Fan Binbin got into the car, he kept muttering, "Why did this rain start so suddenly? Is the Bangkok weather forecast just for show?"

Gao Yuanyuan huddled in the back row, drying her hair with a tissue, and said with a smile, "That's just how it is in the tropics. I once traveled to Singapore, and it rained seven times in one day—"

The two started talking about the weather, from torrential rain to typhoons, and from typhoons to floods.

Xiao Wang started the car and glanced at it in the rearview mirror.

Wei Yi sat in the middle of the back seat, with two women drying their hair on either side of him. Occasionally, they would reach across him and hand him a tissue, and they had already started discussing where to eat later.

Xiao Wang looked away and drove the car out of Chinatown.

The rain in Bangkok comes and goes quickly, and a faint, almost transparent rainbow can be seen on the windshield after the wipers have swept across it.