This celebrity became even more popular after being exposed of having multiple girlfriends
Chapter 605 - 414_2

Chapter 605: Chapter 414_2

No need to explain these two companies.

As for Director Tang and Director Xie?

If they are mentioned specially by Yang Rongfa, they must not be simple individuals.

Wu Mu thought for a moment and immediately knew who it was.

It’s Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang.

Directors of the same level as Lin Xueming.

All are well-established veterans, with status and fame in the industry.

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 more clearly.

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

Around him sat quite a few people, two of whom had an obvious boss-like demeanor, with several middle-aged men standing beside them who were likely industry artists.

Director Tang Wei, wearing a cotton beret—obviously to conceal something but unable to hide his bald head. Director Xie Chunfang, tall and robust, stood a whole head above everyone else there.

And...

Wu Mu suddenly paused his steps.

A woman, around her forties, dressed in a fitted black suit with a pearl necklace, was quietly chatting and laughing with someone beside her, exuding an air of elegance and nobility.

Lin Qingyue’s mother is here too?

It was his first time seeing Lin Qingyue’s mother in real life. He had never encountered her during his previous visits to Lin Qingyue’s house.

However, Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, was a former generation’s classic movie queen in the industry—he recognized her from photos.

After pausing, Wu Mu continued to walk forward.

But after two steps, he saw another familiar face.

At a peripheral spot in the small lounge, a man about thirty years old was standing with a dish in one hand and listening attentively to Lin Xueming.

It’s Geng Wei.

The original boss of Xiao Yi Company, who wanted to sign him but was rejected, and then attempted to blacklist him in anger.

However, Wu Mu didn’t care much about this person and continued walking forward without stopping.

As he drew closer, Lin Xueming’s voice could be heard, "The situation in the film market this year can be described as alarming. The official data from the National Film Bureau hasn’t been released yet, but I’ve obtained detailed figures from their director, Cao Guang. The total box office of the film market this year is 42.5 billion, which is a 21% decline from last year’s level."

Lin Xueming paused his serious speech upon seeing Wu Mu coming over.

Not only him, but everyone else in the small lounge also noticed.

The expressions of those in the lounge varied. Some stars and artists who were simply there to keep up appearances looked slightly surprised, seemingly wondering why this rare guest was present.

Top company bosses and directors like Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang only glanced briefly and didn’t mind much.

Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, initially seemed unresponsive, but after her gaze lingered on Wu Mu’s face for half a second, realization dawned on her.

And... Geng Wei.

Upon seeing Wu Mu, Geng Wei’s face visibly darkened, and when Wu Mu’s gaze swept over him, he forced an insincere smile.

Wu Mu naturally didn’t care about him, only giving a cursory glance before ignoring him.

This indifferent attitude undoubtedly made Geng Wei’s expression even darker.

"The total number of moviegoers this year also declined significantly. It’s 1.01 billion this year, compared to last year’s 1.299 billion, nearly 300 million less. Compared to 2019, the situation is even more severe. In 2019, the total box office was 64.2 billion, a 33.9% decline. Five years on, our total film box office has not only failed to grow but has decreased annually."

After a slight pause, Lin Xueming did not conclude his speech but, after noticing Wu Mu, continued to speak.

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

"In fact, this level is even lower than ten years ago in 2015, which had an annual total box office of 44 billion. Our industry’s total revenue has reverted to levels from ten years ago. Such shocking numbers, I think, are worth us filmmakers reflecting on what causes led to such results."

Lin Xueming was discussing the topic of the shrinking film market.

This has indeed been the trend in recent years. The film market has been declining year after year. Instead of experiencing prosperity as everyone expected a few years ago, it has reverted to levels from ten years ago.

Because the data is so obvious and exaggerated, the fact that there has been no growth but rather regression over ten years, no doubt causes those in the industry to feel a deep chill, with a touch of gravity showing on everyone’s face.

The decline in box office sales is extremely detrimental to them, whether they are bosses or celebrities.

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

Tang Wei picked up the conversation after Lin Xueming’s words, "The issue Director Lin mentioned is something I’ve also pondered frequently this year. Why do today’s audiences no longer enjoy watching films? Why are people unwilling to spend money on cinema tickets..."

Wu Mu wasn’t in a rush and continued to stand and listen.

However, Lin Qingyue’s mother didn’t keep him waiting long, motioning for him to come over.

Wu Mu gently walked over from the edge.

Sitting on the sofa, Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, looked up at him and calmly said, "Is it Wu Mu?"

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

"You know me?"

"Director Lin mentioned you to me." Wu Mu habitually referred to Lin as "Director." Another Director Lin nearby glanced at him.

"Why didn’t she come?"

"She still has filming matters to handle and can’t get away."

Du Lan’s friendly demeanor surprised Wu Mu a bit.

She spoke with him like an ordinary elder would.

They chatted briefly when a jewel-laden woman sitting on a nearby sofa interjected, "Alan, aren’t you going to introduce us?"

Du Lan smiled, "Does he even need an introduction? He’s so obviously distinct."

But as she said this, she introduced Wu Mu, "Wu Mu, this is Boss Ji’s wife, Yao Ping, from Light Shadow Media."

"Hello, Mrs. Yao," Wu Mu greeted politely.

The woman named Yao Ping glanced at Du Lan and teased, "Why do you call Alan ’Aunt Lan’ but call me ’Mrs. Yao’?"

Wu Mu followed suit, "Aunt Yao."

Just as Tang Wei’s group finished speaking, Du Lan went on to introduce Wu Mu to others one by one.

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When Wu Mu was preparing for his second appearance, the Six-Seven show went live, finally, after a half-hour delay.

In Zhang Li’s small apartment, Zhang Li and Han Yan were undoubtedly already waiting in front of the computer screen.

Originally, they had little interest in the Six-Seven show, and if they were going to watch a show, they’d prefer to watch the one with the stronger guest lineup from CCTV Six-Seven or the more entertaining one targeting the youth, Shacheng Six-Seven.

The Beijing TV Station, being so mediocre, couldn’t really spark much interest.

But if Wu Mu appeared on the show, then it’s different.

As self-proclaimed "anti-fans" of Wu Gou, they couldn’t possibly miss such a show, especially when there’d be some drama.

Han Yan had her comment section open, and as soon as the show refreshed, people flooded the comment section with messages to resist Wu Mu.

Han Yan laughed gleefully at the comments, "Haha, they really haven’t given up. Beijing TV Station is clearly dead set on protecting him by playing dumb, yet they still come over to contribute to the show’s viewership."

Zhang Li also laughed, "After all, it’s already started; they can’t just end it anticlimactically."

Yes, most casual viewers wouldn’t continue following up on this matter, but Xiao Yi’s fans and Wu Mu’s critics, once they’ve jumped in, there’s no way they’d let it end anticlimactically.

---------

Xiao Yi stood under the gray backdrop of the homeland mountains and seas, singing with apparent emotion:

"That year you were my age, young like a naive song."

"But to create that new world of dreams, you turned away and entered the wind and rain in haste."

Hmm?

Du Xingguo subconsciously looked at his granddaughter.

Just this?

Even though he wasn’t a professional, he could tell this person couldn’t compare to the previous performer; even with tuning, the pitch and effect weren’t particularly problematic, but the voice still felt faint and lacked infectiousness.

What was so wonderful about this?