Chapter 232: Trouble at the Film Festival

Just as netizens thought that Mingsha City was about to brew up another big film and TV project, at a star-rated hotel in Ningshi City, Qing Province, Ding Xiaoping’s face turned an awful shade. His fists clenched so tightly that veins popped, and his eyes nearly burst into flames.

“What? Not coming?!”

Bang! With one final, furious punch, Ding Xiaoping slammed his fist onto the coffee table.

“President.”

Bai Ming hesitated to speak.

At that moment, he wasn’t sure what to say.

Ever since noon, calls had been coming in one after the other from second- and third-tier actor agents who had already confirmed their attendance. They reported that their artists suddenly felt unwell and couldn’t make it to the film festival.

One or two might be understandable, but as the sorry phone calls kept coming one after another, it was clear what was happening.

Some probably felt that the film festival was no longer worth attending, while others were likely planning to secretly audition for a role in Haofang Culture’s next ancient costume light comedy.

No other reason.

Haofang Culture’s projects either boast sky-high ratings or smash box office records – a role in one of them could make an actor an overnight sensation.

In contrast, the film festival was really just a chance for actors to show up on the red carpet. They wouldn’t get awards – only serve as background for the winners! When you really think about it, it might as well be better to try your luck in Mingsha City.

If one managed to land a role in Haofang Culture’s next period drama, not only would the new show’s release attract attention, but the very moment Haofang Culture announced the cast, sparks of buzz would fly.

Sometimes stars need a breakthrough role, not just a film festival.

If it were him,

perhaps he would make the same choice!

“Are these actors planning to sever ties with the Director Association forever? If our directors don’t use them, how will they get work? Call them and warn: if you don’t show up this time, you’re done for!”

“Can the Director Association not manage Haofang Culture? Or can’t they control these actors either?”

Ding Xiaoping suddenly looked up sharply.

Although the ‘absence’ of these second- and third-tier actors didn’t affect the film festival’s schedule, a film festival with only leads and no supporting roles just wouldn’t work! The leading flowers need green leaves to complement them! Good grief – the audience in the seats were all winners. This festival was bound to become a joke.

“President, maybe you should calm down a bit,”

Bai Ming bit his lip.

A director has some say in casting, but ultimately, the financiers make the final call. If they decide on an actor, there’s nothing anyone can do. Some actors really aren’t afraid of the Director Association’s blacklist.

“Calm down? How can I calm down when this happens?”

Ding Xiaoping was on the verge of a breakdown.

“But…”

“You call them now and tell them exactly where the Association stands!”

Ding Xiaoping said through gritted teeth.

“Alright, alright!”

Seeing Ding Xiaoping’s determined stance, Bai Ming fell silent and turned to leave the room.

After all, he was just a deputy. He had to follow the orders of the top boss.

After Bai Ming left,

Ding Xiaoping, sitting on the sofa, grew increasingly furious. Grabbing a water cup from the table, he downed a hearty gulp before muttering to himself,

“Fine! Since you’ve messed up my film festival, if I can’t ruin your Cultural Expo, I’ll write my name backwards!”

Ten o’clock in the evening.

At Jinlong Ancient City in the southwest, the place was bustling. Many street-side bars lit up with decorative lanterns to attract customers, infusing the ancient city with a quirky modern vibe.

At the scenic office building,

in the Chairman’s office, Chairman Niu Hongchang casually lit a cigarette.

“Over in Mingsha City, another IP has become a social media hotspot – and incidentally, it’s torpedoed the film festival.”

After a brief pause,

Niu Hongchang shot a sour, envious look at Deputy Director Zhang Si.

Although the preparations for the Cultural Expo had drawn plenty of tourists to Jinlong Ancient City, a viral IP hot spot was something all scenic spots only dream of.

Even a tiny photo sculpture can make headlines when it perfectly matches a tourist’s face.

Not to mention this kind of buzz!

All in all, the scenic spot was set to rake in a fortune.

“The film festival is utterly doomed now. The internet is flooded with news about A Chinese Odyssey and Haofang Culture’s second period drama casting. No one’s even talking about the film festival anymore.

Netizens argue that a film festival without the A Chinese Odyssey or Longmen Inn crews is pointless – it’s enough to watch it on TV.

And that’s not all – there are already reports that many second- and third-tier stars have bailed on the festival!”

Opposite his desk, Deputy Director Zhang Si nodded in agreement, looking thoughtful.

“That’s why we need to be extra cautious. We can’t let Mingsha City’s sub-venue steal the spotlight from our main event at Jinlong Ancient City! I’ve seen plenty of netizens remarking that Mingsha City has cordoned off large areas with metal sheets.”

After a moment of silence, Niu Hongchang straightened up.

“Deputy Director Zhang, I was just about to mention this. Judging by the film festival fiasco, Mingsha City is petty and vengeful. They do things on a whim, regardless of connections. This time, we snagged twenty-five performance slots, and they’re obviously not happy about it.”

At the mention of stealing the spotlight, Zhang Si’s brow furrowed with worry.

In the past, they never paid much heed to Mingsha City, thinking that by focusing on films and TV, it actually benefitted them. But after experiences with Xianjian and A Chinese Odyssey, they’re truly on edge.

Especially when they heard that Mingsha City had cordoned off an area even larger than the one used for the Qingming Scroll exhibit – that was no joke.

If Mingsha City pulled off something bigger than our main event, where would Jinlong Ancient City’s reputation stand? “I know! We need to come up with a plan. If Mingsha City wants to cause trouble, where will they strike? They only have five ordinary performance slots.”

Niu Hongchang rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

“Deputy Director Zhang, I suspect Mingsha City can only target us in two areas: the opening performance at the expo or by pushing their film segment during that same timeframe!”

After a pause,

Zhang Si offered his own opinion.

“A film segment? That’s unlikely! The Traditional Culture Expo represents the face of the Long Kingdom, and with Xu Hao’s status in Mingsha City, they wouldn’t pull such a foolish stunt.”

Niu Hongchang shook his head.

“Then it all comes down to the opening ceremony! Haofang Culture really knows how to put together a kick-ass opening performance.”

Zhang Si quickly interjected,

“The opening ceremony…”

For a minute or two, after deep thought, Niu Hongchang’s eyes suddenly lit up with an idea.

“Here’s the plan: Tomorrow, I’ll call the higher-ups and insist that the Cultural Expo’s opening ceremony must center on Jinlong Ancient City. Mingsha City gets just one sweeping panoramic shot to show off its scenery, along with a brief introduction of a few of its performance projects – no full programs from them!”

“Only a panoramic shot for the sub-venue? Niu, will that work? Will the higher-ups agree?”

Hearing Niu Hongchang’s idea, Zhang Si hesitated.

In theory, even a sub-venue in Mingsha City should follow standard protocols.

“Why not? The headliners belong to Jinlong Ancient City, not Mingsha City! Besides, there’s no precedent for a sub-venue at the Cultural Expo.”

Niu Hongchang glared.

“Then…”

“I’ll call the higher-ups tomorrow. That’s the only way to prevent Mingsha City from stealing our thunder.”

“Alright, we’ll do it your way, Niu.”

Unbeknownst to them, just as Jinlong Ancient City was gripped by paranoia, over in Yan City…

In the courtyard of the Ancient Architecture Research Institute’s staff housing, Xu Hao was on a call.

“That Daoist Master wants to personally discuss some issues concerning the temples?”

After listening,

Xu Hao was a bit taken aback.

The call was from Luo Peng. Apparently, after everything was settled for building the temple, he hadn’t followed up at all, assuming Luo Peng and Zhu Qiang had sorted it out.

“The Daoist Master says that he’s got ties with you but none with me!”

In the next moment, Luo Peng’s voice came through again, laden with grievance.

“Heh, all right then. My flight is on the 25th in the morning; I should be in Mingsha City by the afternoon!”

Xu Hao smiled slightly, though he wasn’t entirely reassured by that remark.

In his eyes, this Daoist Master surely considered himself the top man in Mingsha City. Being extra cautious with his instructions meant a lot more than for anyone else. Meeting the Daoist Master was as good as it got – after all, the Daoist Master would soon oversee the temple.

“The 25th? Fine! I’ll let him know right away.”

On hearing this,

Luo Peng let out a long sigh of relief.

“By the way… were there many visitors in Mingsha City today? How did the A Chinese Odyssey zone fare? Any feedback?”

After a pause, Xu Hao asked.

Although he’d seen the box office numbers for the A Chinese Odyssey zone and the online reviews, he wasn’t clear about the on-site situation.

“Brother Hao, the A Chinese Odyssey zone was jam-packed today. Visitors were happy overall, but they did have a few minor complaints. We’re working on them.”

Speaking of the scenic spot’s conditions, Luo Peng’s voice grew louder.

During the day, the A Chinese Odyssey zone alone hosted nearly 10,000 visitors. One can only imagine the total number for Mingsha City.

Revenue naturally far exceeded previous figures.

“That’s good. Now let’s iron out these issues in the coming days. When I get back, I’ll have to focus on Mingsha Academy and Taiyi Hospital; there won’t be time for these extra hassles. Besides, aside from Mingsha Academy and Taiyi Hospital, we also have traditional food performances and royal court ceremonies to prepare!”

Xu Hao glanced at the floor his apartment was on before speaking.

This time, leaving Yan City would likely mean a return either at the end of the lunar year or after the New Year.

“Brother Hao, don’t worry! We’re all well prepared!”

At the mention of overhauling the academy and hospital, Luo Peng’s interest immediately peaked.

“That’s great! Tell everyone to brace themselves – this workload might even surpass that of the Qingming Scroll project.”

Xu Hao exhaled deeply.

“Brother Hao, needless to say, once our construction teams see the cordoned-off area, they’ll be mentally prepared!”

“Mm!”

“By the way, Brother Hao, how are we planning to renovate Mingsha Academy? Are we modeling it after certain historical cultural complexes, or designing it from scratch? Or, do we have any blueprints? Many master carpenters are saying that if there are blueprints, they can start preparing the wood components in advance!”

After a pause, Luo Peng asked further.

“Mingsha Academy is going to be…”

Just as Xu Hao was about to fill Luo Peng in, Li Jue suddenly appeared at the staircase and waved at Xu Hao.

PS: Brothers, tonight’s chapter might be a bit delayed. After much consideration, I’ve decided to post two chapters tomorrow morning. Please forgive the delay, brothers.