36: Chen Le, a genius director!

Upon hearing that Zhang Songwen had joined the company, Wang Baoqiang was overjoyed.

He looked at Zhang Songwen, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Teacher Songwen, is this really true?"

Seeing this, Zhang Songwen smiled and nodded.

Subsequently, Wang Baoqiang couldn't contain the smile on his face.

He smiled at Zhang Songwen and said, "Teacher Songwen, that means we'll be colleagues from now on."

The reason for Wang Baoqiang's joy was that with Zhang Songwen joining the company, he could seek his guidance anytime... Soon, half a month had passed since the release of 'lost on journey'.

In that short half-month, 'lost on journey' raked in a staggering 47 million at the box office.

During this period, the name Chen Le had spread throughout the industry; it was now safe to say that almost no one in the circle was unfamiliar with him.

After his previous film 'nightclub', Chen Le had already gained some fame in the industry.

After all, with an investment of 2 million yielding 15 million at the box office, it was already considered a minor hit.

But now, this second film was even more incredible. With a 5 million investment, the box office had reached 47 million in just half a month!

It was simply terrifying!

Not only did the industry buzz with excitement, but even well-known online news and entertainment media outlets were frantically reporting on the box office miracle of 'lost on journey' and its creator, Chen Le.

Sina News: "Chen Le, the Beijing Film Academy Prodigy Creating Box Office Myths!"

Sohu News: "At just twenty-three, Chen Le Writes a Box Office Legend with 'lost on journey'!"

NetEase News: "From Top of His Class in the Beijing Film Academy Directing Department to Box Office Miracle Creator, Chen Le Achieved It with Just Two Works."

Tencent News: "Genius Director Chen Le, Achieving Big with Small Budgets, Creates Box Office Myth with Only Two Films!"

... It wasn't just the media; discussions among netizens were also extremely heated.

"Raking in 47 million in half a month, isn't that money-making speed comparable to a printing press?"

"I'm so envious. At twenty-three, others are writing box office legends, while I'm writing the story of a screw's life."

"After this one movie, this Chen Le must have achieved financial freedom, right?"

"Not just financial freedom. At his rate of earning, he'll make enough money in a few years to last several lifetimes!"

"Truly envious. Turning 5 million into 47 million... I heard the film only took two months to shoot. That's nearly a million earned per day on average. The money comes too easily."

"I want to enter the entertainment industry and act too. This field is just too lucrative."

... Meanwhile, on the set of 'Palace'.

Yang Mi was currently filming.

Yang Mi stood before a well, with a large tree behind it.

Within the palace courtyard, oil lamps stood tall on the ground.

At this moment, she was filming the scene where Character name is about to travel back to the modern era.

All the crew members were ready.

With a call of "Action!", filming began.

"Please, don't come any closer!" Character name spoke, looking at the Fourth Prince, her eyes slightly red and glistening.

The Fourth Prince asked, "Why?"

"If you don't come over, we can just talk like this. If you come over, I will disappear like Consort Liang."

The Fourth Prince continued, "What exactly is going on?"

"Actually, like Consort Liang, I am not from this era."

Character name's tone was very calm as she looked at the Fourth Prince, as if she had already accepted everything. "Our arrival was as accidental as a dream."

"I didn't want to hurt you, nor did I want to hurt the Eighth Prince, but in the end, I hurt both of you."

"I wonder, if my disappearance could end everything, would your brotherly bond return to what it was before?"

Character name's face held a silent pain; the conflict between the Fourth and Eighth Princes caused her great distress.

She didn't want to see them continue to fight, so she felt that if she disappeared, perhaps everything could end.

Director Yu watched from the side, his eyes lighting up. This was exactly the feeling.

They had already filmed this scene several times, and this take's performance was excellent.

The scene continued.

The Fourth Prince looked at Character name, his gaze firm, and shook his head slightly. "Impossible. It can't go back. You are already in my heart."

Character name shook her head. "Fourth Prince, that's how you feel now. But when the sun rises, won't you think that all of this was just a dream?"

"No one clings to a dream with lingering attachment."

"But your brotherly bond, all those years and shared moments, these are indelible."

"I hope everything ends with my disappearance. I hope you can become a good emperor..."

After delivering these lines, Yang Mi looked up at the sky.

"Cut!"

At Director Yu's command, filming ended.

"That's a wrap. This take was very good," Director Yu said with a smile as he walked towards Yang Mi.

At that moment, an assistant also jogged over to Yang Mi's side, handing her a bottle of water.

Yang Mi took the water bottle, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip.

She had filmed this scene so many times that her mouth was dry from saying the lines.

Nearby, Tong Liya also walked over.

Looking at Yang Mi, she grinned and said, "Mi Mi, your boyfriend has been in the spotlight lately. All the major news outlets are covering him; it's impossible to miss. Box office myth, box office legend, Beijing Film Academy's genius Director..."

Hearing Tong Liya's words, Yang Mi felt a surge of happiness inside.

She gently set down the water bottle, a faint, barely noticeable smile of pride curling at the corner of her mouth.

With a hint of playful arrogance in her eyes, she said to the approaching Tong Liya, "Oh? Really? Let me see."

Saying this, Yang Mi took out her phone and pretended to search for news about Chen Le.

In reality, she had already seen it all these past few days. Every time she saw those articles, she couldn't stop smiling.

Upon hearing this, Tong Liya smiled and blinked teasingly. "Well, well, look at that proud little expression. Having a boyfriend really makes you neglect your good sister, doesn't it?"

A blush spread across Yang Mi's face. She pretended to be angry and gave Tong Liya a light push, retorting stubbornly, "What 'neglect you because I have a boyfriend'? Don't talk nonsense. I'm with you every day. Shouldn't it be that I'm neglecting him?"

After speaking, Yang Mi took another sip of water, her eyes filled with unconcealed happiness and joy.

"Right, right, you're neglecting him. I wonder who calls her boyfriend every night to say goodnight and ask for a kiss," Tong Liya rolled her eyes, directly revealing Yang Mi's little secret while teasing her further.

"Yaya, what are you saying, you silly girl? Who calls every night asking for a kiss? Don't you dare spread rumors."

Yang Mi put down the water bottle and made as if to chase and playfully hit Tong Liya.

Although she called Chen Le every day, she definitely couldn't bring herself to say things like asking for a kiss.