Jiang Li had a few relaxing days. She mostly stayed in Ruiyuan and occasionally went out for a stroll, leading a casual and comfortable life.
She called Sister Chen a few times in the middle and roughly learned about the current progress of the domestic release of Embroidery Girl.
"Currently, the domestic expectations for this movie are growing like a snowball. Every day, there are people flooding Weibo, demanding its introduction. The pressure from fans on the domestic market is quite significant."
Sister Chen laughed. "Many people are looking forward to your Embroidery Girl. I reckon the attendance rate won't be low when it's released."
Jiang Li listened silently, waiting for what she would say next.
"The information I've got so far is that the domestic approval has passed. Now they're arranging the screening schedule. All the new movies during the Spring Festival will make way for ours."
"Isn't this a bit unreasonable?" Jiang Li pointed out the key issue.
The Spring Festival period has always been a great time for movie box - office surges. It's not uncommon for a movie to achieve a box - office record of 100 million yuan a day. Even a half - day delay in release could be a huge loss for a movie.
Sister Chen was also aware of this. "So we've sent people to handle it. We hope we won't make any enemies. But if we do end up with grudges, there's nothing we can do."
The entertainment industry has always been like this. Resources and opportunities are all about seizing. Or it's a battle of capital. The stronger the capital behind someone, the better the resources they have.
In this world of the survival of the fittest, talking about fairness is as naive as children playing house.
Those with the ability and capital have the right to make decisions.
"Anyway, we've already made quite a few enemies before," Jiang Li said with a smile. "I don't mind adding a few more."
Sister Chen laughed along. "Once it's released in China, it will be simultaneously released in several Asian countries like Japan and South Korea. It should have a great response. We might even have a chance to win some international awards with this opportunity."
"Sister Chen, we're all on the same side. There's no need to paint a rosy picture for me, right?"
"When have I ever lied to you?" Sister Chen more or less understood Jiang Li's feelings. "I know you lack confidence in yourself, but you should also trust the judges' eyes."
Jiang Li was sitting on the sofa. Xiao Yanyi had gone out early in the morning. She picked up an apple from the coffee table and took a bite. "It's not that I lack confidence in myself. It's just that this movie is too controversial."
The leading actress of Embroidery Girl, Zhou Ruoying, was a highly tragic character.
She used her own experience to reproduce how a weak woman in a war - torn era had her self - esteem shattered, her beliefs crushed, her chastity trampled on, and everything she had taken away.
In the end, both her soul and body were broken. She would even instinctively use physical actions to please and flatter the customers who came to enjoy her.
She did this just to survive, but her soul was pure.
She still deeply loved her husband, but everything was beyond her control.
Such a character setting, although real and vivid, was hard for people to accept.
Putting a controversial character on a controversial actress, it's no wonder she would be attacked all over the internet.
"There will always be opposing voices, and they will get louder as the movie gets more popular. I'm afraid a lot of media will take the opposite stance. It's hard to say whether the movie or I will be boycotted first."
"Don't worry too much," Sister Chen comforted her. "The theme of this movie is very profound. As long as the audience watches it with their hearts, they will surely understand the meaning the characters and the story want to convey."
"At worst, we can use some means," Sister Chen said meaningfully. "I'm sure General Manager Xiao will support you."
He wouldn't let her become a target of public criticism.
Jiang Li lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, and said with a smile, "I've been through so many storms in the past two years. These gossips seem so ordinary in comparison."
She was now more calm and composed than before. "Moreover, some storms must be experienced. Zhou Ruoying had to go through them, and so do I."
After listening, Sister Chen was silent for a while.
After a long time, she sighed with emotion, "Lili, you've grown up."
---
As expected, the movie was approved quickly in China, and the screening schedule was also very favorable. The premiere was on Chinese New Year's Eve.
Sister Chen specifically arranged the road shows after the Spring Festival so that the actors could enjoy a peaceful New Year.
Jiang Li bought New Year's goods and went back to the Sheng family for the reunion dinner on Chinese New Year's Eve.
Cheng Yingchun had been busy preparing the ingredients for the New Year's Eve dinner before the Spring Festival and had tired her legs and feet. On the thirtieth day, she didn't have the strength to do anything and could only watch the nanny bustling around.
"I'm getting old and useless," Cheng Yingchun sighed helplessly, patting her knees. "I don't know if I'll be able to walk in a couple of years. I should ask Acheng to buy me a wheelchair."
Jiang Li couldn't bear to hear her say such things. She went over and hugged her arm, smiling. "You've been over - worried. When the temperature rises in spring, your legs and feet will regain their strength. You'll be more energetic than me then."
"You're such a sweet - talker," Cheng Yingchun pinched her nose and was amused by her.
Seeing the snow falling outside, Cheng Yingchun sighed again, "This is probably the last snow of this year. Spring will come after it passes."
After saying that, she told Sheng Shuocheng and Sheng Jingxi to go to the yard to sweep the snow.
It should have been the nanny's chore, but at this moment, it had become a family fun. Jiang Li supported Cheng Yingchun and stood by the window, watching the two, one big and one small, sweeping the snow outside.
Sheng Jingxi was not very patient. After a while, he wanted to throw away the broom and come in, but was stopped by Sheng Shuocheng, who told him to sweep that area clean.
Cheng Yingchun usually didn't watch much TV, but now she was concerned about her movie. "The movie is out. Is everything okay?"
Jiang Li was startled and then nodded with a smile. "I'm quite famous, and I have a lot of fans. Everything is going smoothly."
As the saying goes, one should only report good news to the elders. Facing the kind - hearted elder, she never told Cheng Yingchun about her worries, in order not to make her feel distressed. Young people should have their own responsibilities.
In fact, Sister Chen had called her specifically today, telling her not to read entertainment news or those so - called expert box - office predictions. She should just accompany her family peacefully during the New Year.
She was obedient and turned off her phone early.
Cheng Yingchun held Jiang Li's hand, with a smile on her face and wrinkles gathered together. "Your mother used to act in plays when she was young. At first, she was very inexperienced. Some people disliked her acting and threw eggs at her on stage, which made her come to me crying."
"She finally mustered up the courage to act again, but then people asked for a refund, saying that she wasn't cut out for acting plays."
Jiang Li listened attentively. "What happened later?"
"Later, I asked her if she wanted to give up. She said she couldn't bear to. Although she didn't have much talent, she loved this profession, and love could overcome all difficulties."
Jiang Li quite agreed with this.
"Lili, you mustn't hide anything from Grandma. Tell me, being a star is much harder than being a stage actress, isn't it?"