This celebrity became even more popular after being exposed of having multiple girlfriends
Chapter 503 - 362_2

Chapter 503: Chapter 362_2

Although Lin Qingyue can return tonight, he needs to handle matters with the crew, so he won’t be here.

Moreover, while chatting in the morning, he told Lin Qingyue he would attend this cocktail party. If Lin Qingyue were coming, he would have told him.

"Yes, Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang are here too," Yang Rongfa nodded.

Wu Mu thought for a moment; these two are top-level directors in the industry, on the same tier as Lin Xueming, belonging to the industry’s top-tier figures.

But he didn’t expect to make friends with these big directors seeking resources, so he didn’t care about them.

But with Lin Xueming here, it’s appropriate to go and greet him.

"I’ll go greet Director Lin," he said straightforwardly, heading towards the small lounge.

"Director Lin is there too; will you go say hi?" Yang Rongfa leaned over and whispered.

As he spoke, he pointed his finger towards the small lounge next to the main lounge.

The small lounge seems to be a place for regular private meetings, decorated with partitions in the middle, unable to see the full view, only knowing it’s smaller than this side.

Then there are sofas placed closer together, with many people sitting there chatting.

Director Lin?

Wu Mu thought for a moment and immediately knew it was Lin Qingyue’s father, Lin Xueming.

Although Lin Qingyue could return tonight, he still needed to handle matters with the crew, so he wouldn’t be here.

And he had told Lin Qingyue in a morning chat that he would attend this cocktail party, so if Lin Qingyue was coming, he would have told him.

"I’ll go greet them," he nodded.

With Lin Xueming here, he certainly had to go greet him.

"The bosses of Light Shadow Media and Yahua Film and Television, along with Directors Tang and Xie are also there," Yang Rongfa whispered again.

Light Shadow Media, Yahua Film and Television?

Even Wu Mu, who wasn’t involved in the industry, knew these two companies. If Yang Rongfa’s company belongs to the mid-tier within the industry, these two are truly upper-tier.

Not only are they publicly listed companies, but they also consistently produce big films every year and have artist management businesses, boasting many stars and famous figures.

No need to explain about these two companies.

Regarding Directors Tang and Xie?

Being particularly mentioned by Yang Rongfa, they certainly aren’t simple figures.

Wu Mu thought for a moment and immediately knew who they were.

They were Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang.

On the same level as Lin Xueming.

All of them are senior figures in the industry who have long achieved fame and status.

So all the big names are over there.

He and Yang Rongfa walked towards the small lounge.

As they got closer, they could see the situation in the small lounge.

Lin Xueming was indeed there, sitting on a central sofa, holding a wine glass and seemingly talking.

He was surrounded by many people, two of whom looked like bosses, along with several middle-aged men standing beside them, evidently artist managers.

There was Director Tang Wei wearing a cotton cloth cap, evidently trying to cover something, but it’s hard to hide his bald head. And Director Xie Chunfang, whose name contains ’Fang,’ but who is tall and large, taller than everyone present.

And...

Wu Mu paused in his steps.

A woman, roughly in her forties, dressed in a black fitted suit and wearing a pearl necklace, was whispering and laughing with someone beside her, appearing elegant and dignified.

Lin Qingyue’s mother is here too?

This was his first time meeting Lin Qingyue’s mother in person. Previously, when visiting Lin Qingyue’s house, he never encountered her.

However, Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, was a seasoned actress from the last generation in the industry, and he recognized her from pictures.

Wu Mu paused and then continued forward.

After taking two steps, he encountered another acquaintance.

On the edge of the small lounge was a man in his thirties, holding a plate in one hand, leaning forward as if listening intently to Lin Xueming.

It’s Geng Wei.

The initial boss of Xiao Yi Company, who wanted to sign him but was rejected, and then became enraged and wanted to blacklist him.

But Wu Mu didn’t care much about him, continuing to walk forward without stopping.

As he got closer, he could hear Lin Xueming’s voice, "This year’s film market situation is alarming. The official data from the National Film Bureau hasn’t been released, but I already got detailed data from their director, Cao Guang. This year, the total annual box office for the film market is 42.5 billion, a 21% decline compared to last year’s level."

Lin Xueming’s serious tone paused as he saw Wu Mu approaching.

Not just him, everyone in the small lounge noticed.

People in the lounge had varied expressions; some artists who seemed to be there just to blend in had slightly surprised faces, apparently wondering why they saw him, this rare guest.

The bosses of two major industry companies and directors Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang glimpsed at him without paying much attention.

Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, initially seemed unresponsive, but after her gaze paused on Wu Mu’s face for half a second, she appeared to recognize him.

And... Geng Wei.

Upon seeing Wu Mu, Geng Wei’s face visibly darkened, and when Wu Mu’s gaze swept past, he forced a false smile.

Wu Mu certainly didn’t mind him, merely glanced at him and moved on.

This indifferent attitude undoubtedly made Geng Wei’s face even gloomier.

"The total number of viewers this year has also dropped significantly—10.1 billion compared to last year’s 12.99 billion, a decrease of nearly 3 billion. Compared to 2019, it’s even worse. In 2019, the total box office was 64.2 billion, a 33.9% decline. Five years have passed, and our total film box office not only didn’t increase but has consistently declined."

After a brief pause, Lin Xueming continued talking as he glanced at Wu Mu.

Wu Mu didn’t mind, standing at the edge of the small lounge.

"In fact, this level is even lower than ten years ago in 2015. In 2015, the total annual box office was 44 billion. Our industry’s overall revenue has directly reverted to the level of ten years ago. Such an appalling figure is very much worth reflecting on by us filmmakers, to consider the causes of this result."

Lin Xueming discussed the issue of film market contraction.

This has indeed been a trend in recent years—annual decline in the film market, not leading to the prosperity many anticipated but rather regressing to the level of ten years ago.

Due to the stark and exaggerated data, not only was there no growth, but it actually declined over a decade. This undoubtedly made the relevant industry insiders present feel a chilling coldness, with a touch of heaviness on everyone’s face.

Falling box office numbers are a significant concern, regardless of whether they are bosses or celebrities.

If the decline continues, how many more years can they make money in the industry?

Tang Wei continued after Lin Xueming, "The issues raised by Director Lin are also things I’ve often pondered this year. Why do audiences no longer enjoy movies? Why have people started to avoid spending money at the cinema?"

Wu Mu remained patient, standing and listening.

However, Lin Qingyue’s mother didn’t make him wait for long, as she took the initiative to beckon him.

Wu Mu gently walked over from the edge.

Sitting on the sofa, Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, raised her head slightly to look at him, speaking softly, "It’s Wu Mu, right?"

Wu Mu nodded, "Yes, hello Aunt Du."

"You know me?"

"Director Lin told me about you." Wu Mu habitually referred to Director Lin, and the other Director Lin glanced at him.

"Why isn’t she here?"

"She has to handle matters with the crew and can’t make it."

Du Lan’s attitude was unexpectedly amiable to Wu Mu.

Like a regular elder, she chatted with Wu Mu.

As they chatted briefly, a jewelled lady sitting on the sofa interjected, "Alan, aren’t you going to introduce him to us?"

Du Lan smiled, "Does he need an introduction with such a distinguishable face?"

Nonetheless, she introduced Wu Mu, "Wu Mu, this is Yao Ping, the wife of Boss Ji from Light Shadow Media."