This celebrity became even more popular after being exposed of having multiple girlfriends-Chapter 611 - 417_2

After Su Meng finished her call, she opened the front passenger door next to Wu Mu and sat down.

After confirming the address she wanted to go to, Wu Mu was curious: "Aren’t you from Shen City? How come you are here."

Su Meng shook her head, "I am from Shen City, but my family also has a house here in Beijing."

She paused, a rare smile on her face, "We were just in the venue too, my friends almost covered their ears when your first song played."

Wu Mu laughed heartily, "That has nothing to do with me; there was nothing wrong with my singing."

Wu Mu chatted with Su Meng casually, quickly taking Su Meng home to a large courtyard house in the Upper City District, not far from the Forbidden City.

Hmm, confirmed, another Heavenly Dragon People.

Wu Mu was quite surprised, although judging from her daily words and deeds, it was apparent that Su Meng’s family should be quite wealthy.

But didn’t expect them to be this wealthy.

This courtyard house alone is estimated to cost at least

The host was temporarily unavailable, Yang Rongfa asked, "Many famous directors and company owners from our industry are here today. Do you want me to introduce you to them?"

For a normal person in the industry, this is an opportunity.

It’s always good to know more people.

However... remembering the experience at the previous banquet, Yang Rongfa wisely chose to ask first.

Wu Mu shook his head, "No..."

But halfway through shaking his head, his gaze swept over to the silhouette of a person in a small parlour near the main hall, which was obscured, and he slightly paused.

"Is Director Lin here too?" Wu Mu asked Yang Rongfa.

The Lin Director he mentioned was not Lin Qingyue, but Lin Qingyue’s father, Lin Xueming.

Although Lin Qingyue could return tonight, she needed to handle crew affairs and wouldn’t appear here.

And since he had talked with Lin Qingyue in the morning about attending this banquet, if Lin Qingyue also came, she would definitely have mentioned it to him.

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

Wu Mu’s mind turned; these two are also top-tier directors in the industry, on the same level as Lin Xueming.

However, he wasn’t aiming to make friends with these top directors for resources, so he wasn’t concerned about the two of them.

But since Lin Xueming was here, it wouldn’t be appropriate not to greet him.

"I’ll go and say hello to Director Lin." He directly walked towards the small parlour.

"Director Lin and the others are there, do you want to go and say hello?" Yang Rongfa leaned over and whispered.

While speaking, he pointed his finger toward the small parlour next to the main hall.

The small parlour seemed to be a place for daily private meetings, separated by decorations, obscuring the full view, but it was visibly smaller than this side.

Some closer sofas were placed there, and many people sat there chatting.

Director Lin?

Wu Mu quickly realized it was Lin Qingyue’s father, Lin Xueming.

Though Lin Qingyue was to return tonight, she still needed to manage affairs with the film crew and wouldn’t be here.

Plus, he talked with Lin Qingyue in the morning about attending this banquet, if Lin Qingyue were coming, she would inform him for sure.

"I’ll go say hi." He nodded.

With Lin Xueming there, he certainly had to greet him.

"The bosses of Light Shadow Media and Yahua Film and Television, alongside Director Tang and Director Xie, are also here," Yang Rongfa whispered again.

Light Shadow Media, Yahua Film and Television?

Even if Wu Mu didn’t engage much with the industry, he knew of these two companies; if Yang Rongfa’s company belongs to the middle tier of the industry, these two are definitely upper-tier.

Not only listed companies, but they also consistently produce large-scale films every year and have artist management businesses, handling multiple stars and big names.

These two need no further explanation.

As for Director Tang and Director Xie?

Worthy of Yang Rongfa’s special mention, they couldn’t be simple figures.

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

Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang.

Directors of the same caliber as Lin Xueming.

All of them are senior figures in the industry, achieved and renowned, with status and fame.

All the big names are over there, huh.

He walked with Yang Rongfa toward the small parlour.

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

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

Surrounded by many people, two who obviously had the air of bosses, alongside middle-aged men standing who appeared to be actors.

Director Tang, trying to cover his balding head with a cotton beret. Xie Chunfang, with "Fang" in his name, yet towering over everyone else present.

And...

Wu Mu paused his steps.

A woman around her forties, dressed in a black fitted suit and wearing a pearl necklace, was laughing softly as she chatted with someone nearby, appearing elegant and dignified.

Lin Qingyue’s mother was here too?

This was his first time seeing Lin Qingyue’s mother in person; prior visits to Lin Qingyue’s house always missed her presence.

However, Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, was a renowned actress from the previous generation in the industry, and he recognized her from photographs.

After a brief pause, Wu Mu continued walking forward.

Just a couple of steps more, and he encountered another familiar person.

In a more peripheral spot in the small parlour, a man in his thirties holding a plate, standing upright as if listening intently to Lin Xueming.

It was Geng Wei.

The initial owner of Xiao Yi Company, the one who wanted to sign him, then got frustrated and tried to blacklist him after being refused.

Yet, regarding this person, Wu Mu was indifferent, not pausing his steps as he continued walking forward.

Getting closer, he could hear Lin Xueming’s voice, "This year’s film market situation is dire; the National Film Bureau’s official data isn’t released yet, but I’ve received details from their director, Cao Guang. The annual total box office this year is 42.5 billion, a 21% decline compared to the same period last year."

Lin Xueming paused his serious words, having noticed Wu Mu’s approach.

Not only he but others in the small parlour noticed him too.

The guests in the parlour had varied expressions; some stars and artists who seemed only there for the scene looked slightly surprised, seemingly curious about seeing such an unexpected guest.

The two heads of major companies and Director Tang and Director Xie glanced briefly and then gave little further attention.

Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, initially didn’t seem to react, her gaze pausing on Wu Mu’s face for half a second before appearing to realize something.

Also... Geng Wei. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

Seeing Wu Mu, his face visibly darkened, and when his eyes met Wu Mu’s sweeping gaze, his smile was stiff and somewhat forced.

Wu Mu, of course, didn’t mind him, merely glanced and moved on.

This indifferent attitude undoubtedly darkened Geng Wei’s expression even more.

"The total number of movie viewings also saw a notable decline. This year witnessed 1.01 billion viewings, down from last year’s 1.299 billion, nearly 300 million fewer. Compared to 2019, the decline is even worse; the total box office in 2019 was 64.2 billion, a 33.9% drop. After five years, our total film revenue hasn’t increased but instead has declined year after year."

After a slight pause, Lin Xueming continued his speech, even as he glanced at the afternoon wood.

Wu Mu wasn’t concerned and stood at the edge of the small parlour.

"It’s even at a lower level than ten years ago in 2015, when the annual box office was 44 billion. Our entire industry’s revenue has directly reverted to levels from ten years ago. Such shocking numbers should make us film people reflect deeply on what causing these results."

Lin Xueming discussed the topic of film market shrinkage.

Indeed, this has been the trend in recent years, with the film market consistently declining annually, failing to achieve the widely anticipated boom, and instead slumping back to a decade ago.

The data is overwhelmingly stark and exaggerated; not only did the industry fail to grow over the past ten years, but it regressed, sparking a chilling sentiment among the closely related industry insiders present, everyone wearing a slightly heavy expression.

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