Chapter 24: What kind of talk is this?

"I suggest we tentatively schedule the release for the summer season. In other words, I want the final cut of 'Love is Not Blind' to be completed by July at the latest, leaving one month for promotion and distribution."

Xu Ming's statement caught everyone off guard, leaving them puzzled.

"Isn't that too rushed?" a representative from Orange Sky Entertainment hesitated.

"It is February 13th. My plan is to have it finished by July 13th; five months is plenty of time for a film," Xu Ming stated firmly.

Compared to Hong Kong cinema, where "Young and Dangerous" was shot in a total of fourteen days, this production schedule was generous. Even in his previous life, "Love is Not Blind" only took forty-seven days to shoot.

As for why he was pushing for the summer slot instead of the original November "Singles' Day" release, it was because Xu Ming knew how vulnerable the competition in the summer of 2009 would be. By avoiding the Hollywood blockbusters in July—like "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs," and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"—the landscape in August would be dominated by domestic films.

Even a film like "The Treasure Hunter," released on July 30th, managed to rake in 102.5 million in box office, and films like "Overheard" and "Sophie's Revenge" both exceeded 90 million. Not to mention the abysmal "The Machine Girl" or "The Empire of Silver," which failed to earn back its actors' salaries with its 6.6 million box office.

Looking at these underachievers, Xu Ming felt confident: I can definitely do better than that.

In his past life, "Love is Not Blind" grossed 350 million even in the obscure November slot. Placing it in this summer's lineup would be like a heavyweight champion entering a retirement home. Moreover, the total domestic box office in 2009 was 6.206 billion, while in 2011 it hit 13.115 billion—more than double. To replicate the original miracle two years early, he had to secure a better release window. It was simple: the cake is fixed, and if he wanted a bigger slice, he had to snatch it from others.

"I still stand by my word: I will follow Teacher Xu's arrangements entirely." The representative from Sohu Entertainment took his side completely.

"I don't think this is appropriate. The summer competition is too fierce, and our film lacks an advantage in terms of star power," Liu Shuangping argued. This time, he wasn't targeting Xu Ming; he was simply playing it safe.

"I am the biggest card this production has. The longer we wait, the more the influence of 'Not Short of Money' will fade. Using our current momentum guarantees a baseline for the film. Placing it in the summer is about fighting for the ceiling of its potential. I believe our film can succeed, and I am convinced of it. Surely you aren't here just to earn some pocket change, right?"

Xu Ming scanned the three investment representatives in the room. He didn't hide his ambition; film investment was a gamble, but for him, everyone at the table was playing with their cards face up.

"I vote in favor. This spirit of 'the snake swallowing the elephant' is exactly the style Orange Sky Entertainment has always stood for," the Orange Sky representative said. They had the stomach to invest in mega-budget films like "Red Cliff" and "The Warlords" when the domestic market was still immature.

The rest turned their gaze to Liu Shuangping. He gritted his teeth and said, "I abstain."

*Tsk, such a lack of nerve.*

Xu Ming, who had been prepared for a debate, waved his hand boredly. "It's settled then. Get the promotion funds ready; leave that to Sohu. Notify Director Teng to speed up the casting process. Let's aim to officially start filming in March."

"Don't forget, there's still a performance at the Liu Laogen Stage in March," Liu Shuangping reminded him.

"Don't worry, it won't affect anything." Xu Ming felt no pressure—isn't it just juggling multiple roles? It was an experience every popular artist would eventually go through. He had managed to secure a degree of freedom; anyone else with his current fame would have already become a non-stop money-making machine.

***

March 1st.

Chang'e 1 successfully landed at the designated lunar impact site, marking the successful conclusion of the first phase of the lunar exploration project. People of the time could hardly imagine that this project would eventually reach a fourth phase, that Chang'e would go up to the sixth mission, and that foreign space agencies would be begging China to let them join. In the entertainment industry, however, there was little major news.

***

Inside the hotel room, Xu Ming was shirtless, his lean, muscular body glistening with sweat. He used his final bit of strength before collapsing onto a soft, curvaceous form.

*When will the world be at peace? Is the universe infinite? Why must humanity always kill itself?* He fell into a sage-like state of desirelessness, contemplating the philosophy of life. *The seven emotions and six desires—what do they have to do with me?*

A pair of jade-like hands wrapped from behind his back to his chest, tracing circles.

"I asked my uncle to keep an eye out. It really is time to cook some soft-shelled turtle soup to help you recover," Guan Tingna whispered, blowing into Xu Ming's ear.

"What are you saying? What is this talk?" Xu Ming's face flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead as he argued. He launched into a series of incomprehensible excuses—"rehearsals have been busy," "the media agency arranged commercial appearances and endorsements," "only the ox that works itself to death..."—which only made the beauty behind him giggle.

He couldn't exactly tell her that Xiao Song Jia had arrived in Beijing two days ago to join the crew, could he? That would be asking for trouble. Besides, he hadn't expected that at twenty, he would struggle to keep up with this kind of marathon.

"Fine, fine, I know. This isn't your usual performance; you were just a bit tense today." Guan Tingna soothed him like a child, then added, "Teng Huatao is impossible to work with on 'Love is Not Blind.' He won't even give me a role with lines. Can you talk to him for me?"

Xu Ming knew that anyone willing to befriend him while knowing there was no future in it... surely wasn't just looking for pure love. Having other ideas was only natural. He didn't mind. He pondered, "The film has a lot of eyes on it, and I've only just become popular. It's not easy to interfere with casting. Just wait; when a suitable project comes along, I'll keep an eye out for you."

He had done a few commercial appearances and endorsements recently, splitting the profits 50/50 with the agency. That money was just sitting in his account like waste paper, and he was considering investing in a film project to gradually build the blueprint for his own entertainment company.

"I knew you were the best. Here, a reward for you." Guan Tingna moved like a serpent, winding her way downward...