The group quickly arrived at "Datang Light and Shadow Culture Company," where Xie Wenyuan personally greeted them.
Xie Wenyuan was once a renowned director, but he hasn't directed films or television series in a long time, instead focusing on behind-the-scenes work and operations, becoming a well-known producer and distributor in China. The company has multiple investors backing it, ranking among the top in China and possessing deep connections with Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. It's rumored that there are cross-shareholdings with foreign entertainment groups.
Even Lao Zhu didn't know the specifics, only that Xie Wenyuan was essentially just a spokesperson.
But he could already make decisions on most matters, especially regarding regular filming projects; his word was law.
The claim of not having projects for a long time didn't mean the company wasn't producing anything. The company, along with its various subsidiaries and studios, were actively involved in various film, television, and animation projects, encompassing both large and small screens, as well as online films and dramas, flourishing across the board.
The "no project" specifically refers to Xie Wenyuan's own planned direction: a large-scale ancient costume fantasy production. They had indeed been searching for a project for one or two years, but hadn't found anything particularly satisfactory. They had even purchased some related IPs and had their screenwriters create original scripts, but ultimately none of them passed review.
The book "Chu Ge" also initially failed to pass review, only starting to seem to find its footing after Lao Zhu intervened with investment.
So there's no need for so much review, investigation, or research; many things only require a key person to have a thought…
It was clear that Xie Wenyuan and Lao Zhu were quite familiar with each other, so there wasn't much formality, and they went straight to Xie Wenyuan's office for tea.
After everyone took their seats according to their roles as host and guest, Xie Wenyuan personally brewed the tea and leisurely said, "To be honest, you haven't been involved in this industry for so many years, and suddenly you're putting in so much effort… What's your relationship with Mr. Chu?"
Lao Zhu smiled: "A close friend despite the age difference."
Xie Wenyuan was slightly taken aback.
He genuinely assumed it was some kind of illegitimate child, thinking Old Zhu was trying to promote his nephews and nieces. He was surprised to receive the answer of "a close friend despite the age gap," as no one would use such a term to describe a true nephew or niece.
He glanced at Chu Ge and Qiu Wuji with some regret, and sighed, "You really don't want to debut, Mr. Chu and Ms. Qiu?"
Old Zhu chuckled, "I said no."
"What a pity." Xie Wenyuan said seriously, "Don't misunderstand, I'm not asking these questions to refuse you. On the contrary, I'm very much looking forward to you two acting."
"Huh?" Chu Ge asked curiously, "We've never studied acting at all."
"That's not important." Xie Wenyuan waved his hand, "How many of these young idols do you think can act? Innocence is all they need. Their acting will rely on a blank expression, their lines will be just 'one, two, three, four,' fight scenes will have stunt doubles, everything else will be done in post-production."
Chu Ge: "..."
Qiu Wuji: "..."
Chu Ge said, "My age doesn't match Chu Tiange's either, he's a teenager..."
Xie Wenyuan continued waving his hand, "He can play a child even in his twenties or thirties, we can just change the ages in the original story."
Chu Ge: "..."
"Oh, right," Mr. Chu probably wouldn't want to change it like that. Xie Wenyuan poured Qiu Wuji a cup of tea. "And Miss Qiu? Mr. Chu's age might not be suitable, but Miss Qiu is perfect. Her image and temperament are almost like Qiu Wuji stepped right out of the book, even her name is the same." Chu Ge coughed. "It was originally written based on her." This is putting the cart before the horse.
However, everyone thinks that's how it is.
Qiu Wuji isn't as charming and innocent in front of outsiders as she is in private with Chu Ge. From the moment she entered, she sat quietly beside Chu Ge, not saying a word, her expression aloof, her gaze somewhat indifferent as she surveyed her surroundings. It was a natural wariness and vigilance born of being in "someone else's territory," something cultivated over millennia that can't be changed.
Her image and temperament really are like Qiu Wuji from the book; as for authority and imposing presence, that kind of thing usually only requires a change of clothes.
She met Xie Wenyuan's gaze and said coldly, "I won't act."
Just two words, that's it.
Xie Wenyuan twitched his cheek. "If you knew them, you'd say you're Chu Ge's assistant and girlfriend; if you didn't, you'd think you were my boss."
Isn't this Qiu Wuji himself?
"You don't even need to act, you can just go straight to the role..." Chu Ge sighed, "President Xie, what we want is a meticulously crafted drama, not the kind that's all green screen and numbers, right? Besides, we've only just started, why are we already talking about this..."
"It's just that I thought the image was perfect, and from a director's perspective, I couldn't resist." Xie Wenyuan came to his senses and smiled, "To say it's only just started isn't quite right, our progress will be very fast... Actually, many projects are tied to casting decisions from the outset, which Mr. Chu probably doesn't know much about. But as for meticulousness... that's not wrong, let's put this aside for now and discuss it later." Old Zhu watched their argument with a smile, and then interjected, "It seems you take this very seriously? You even have the intention to personally direct it?"
"I am indeed itching to do it." Xie Wenyuan smiled, "To be honest, this involves some internal disputes..." Some management felt that the current economic climate wasn't conducive to big-budget productions; urban light comedies and workplace dramas were cheaper and more profitable, and for period dramas, ancient romance was more suitable. Old Zhu pondered, "They're not wrong..." Xie Wenyuan took a sip of tea and said calmly, "Their perspective on making money certainly has its merits, and I don't want to argue about that. But I always have some thoughts. Besides making money, shouldn't people consider other things? For example... Western fantasy stories are easily understood here, but when will our ancient martial arts and fantasy stories be made known and understood by them?" Chu Ge raised his glass in respect, saying, "A toast to President Xie." Even Qiu Wuji's expression softened considerably; he found the old man more agreeable.
Our fantasy stories are the best, of course! Believe me, I'll show them my flying sword!
Xie Wenyuan accepted the toast without ceremony.
After they finished their tea, Xie Wenyuan refilled Chu Ge's cup: "I've exchanged opinions with the Korean company about this... Their boss is of Chinese descent and has always been very interested in these kinds of things. He said if I do well, he'll try to increase our efforts to promote it in Japan and South Korea."
Chu Ge asked curiously, "Will it be successful? I've heard that some online novels have already been translated into Japanese and Korean, and I know an author who even had a Korean comic adaptation... but he said the market is so-so?"
"So-so, it's just not a good fit... But compared to the West, Japan and South Korea are still closer to us, so understanding fantasy and martial arts isn't difficult. As long as you're willing to put in the effort, you'll eventually succeed; if you're not willing to put in the effort, you'll never succeed."
Old Zhu gave a thumbs up: "Tsk, suddenly you're talking about something grand and lofty things. I never saw you being so idealistic before."
"Ha... I had my own ideals before, and once an ideal is achieved, there's a new one, that's all. Actually, filmmakers have always thought this way, one after another, without stopping."
"Well said." Old Zhu stroked his chin, seemingly lost in thought.
Xie Wenyuan said, "Since this project has these attributes, it sparked my own desire to handle it. Others might not be able to achieve the expression I want. That's why communication with the author is so important." Chu Ge felt more at ease: "Mr. Xie, you're very kind. What can I do to help?"
"First, our initial plan is to release the manga adaptation first, simultaneously translating it into Japanese and Korean versions as a trial. Frankly, the results of this trial will determine the direction of the film and television adaptation, including investment and promotion, and even the choice of actors." Xie Wenyuan's expression turned serious: "I heard you're planning to draw it yourself? This is no joke. If you can't handle it, you should find a well-known studio to do it." Chu Ge glanced at Qiu Wuji.
Qiu Wuji smiled slightly, suddenly dipped his finger in tea, and quickly drew a portrait on the coffee table.
He even drew it backwards, so that Xie Wenyuan could see it directly.
This single move made Xie Wenyuan exclaim, "Eh!" As the portrait was completed, Xie Wenyuan was speechless, his expression incredibly solemn.
The simple tea painting, with just a few strokes, clearly depicted a resolute young man. His features resembled Chu Ge's, but he was younger and more genuine, the sharpness in his eyes seeming to pierce through the table.
"Chu Tiange!" Xie Wenyuan murmured to himself. There was no need to ask; anyone who had seen the original would immediately recall this name.
The painting technique itself was already incredibly moving, a level far surpassing that of ordinary painters. More importantly, there was this strange perfect blend of form and spirit, as if she had seen Chu Tiange herself and was painting a portrait based on the real person.
Even if she had seen him, it was still amazing! No one else had! Why could she immediately recognize him as Chu Tiange?