Chapter Summaries

After returning to China, Wei Jin settled into school and studio work while buying an apartment with Zeng Li and selling Buried Alive’s rights to China Film Group. In April, he visited the Chinese Paladin set at Hengdian, met the cast and crew, and treated them to dinner.

• Wei Jin gave his Silver Bear trophy replica to his school, declined to give a speech, and bought a new apartment near the North Fourth Ring Road while keeping his lease on 501.
• Wei Jin moved into the new apartment with Zeng Li and put it in her name, while his studio hired Li Na and arranged vocal coaching for Huang Bai.
• Wei Jin continued publishing his novel and let Chen Zhiming handle studio investments, while selling Buried Alive’s rights to China Film Group for three million yuan.
• Wei Jin agreed to visit the Chinese Paladin set at Hengdian after Chen Zhiming said Shanghai Tangren had invited him.
• Miss Cai and director Li Guoli welcomed Wei Jin, who met the cast, recognized Liu Yifei as his schoolmate, and apologized after his teasing embarrassed her.
• Wei Jin watched filming beside Li Guoli and invited the production crew to dinner.

At dinner with Tangren’s crew, Wei Jin reassured them that Chinese Paladin had a strong chance of success because it adapted a popular game, while explaining that a hit still needed a good script and production. Back at his hotel, he decided that a low-budget youth romance could be a suitable first commercial film.

• Wei Jin discussed Chinese Paladin’s prospects with Director Li Guoli and argued that the game’s established audience gave the drama strong potential.
• Wei Jin told Miss Cai that popularity alone could not guarantee success without a strong script, capable actors, a professional director, and polished production.
• Liu Yifei’s mother apologized for her earlier reaction, and Wei Jin reassured her and advised that Liu Yifei focus on television roles while developing her acting.
• Wei Jin declined Tangren’s arrangements and returned to his hotel after dinner.
• Wei Jin considered the limited cinema infrastructure and decided that a low-budget youth romance would suit his first commercial film.

Wei Jin published his youth novel "You Are the Apple of My Eye" and arranged for Li Jian to sing its companion song. The national sports lottery center then abandoned plans to offer betting on the 2004 UEFA European Championship, derailing Wei Jin’s venture, though he still had a backup plan.

• Wei Jin told Zeng Li that he planned to turn his youth novel into a film and promote it with a song of the same title.
• Shen Haobo published Wei Jin’s novel "You Are the Apple of My Eye" as a single volume and offered him a 12 percent royalty.
• Wei Jin asked Huang Bai to introduce him to Li Jian, who agreed to sing the song after reading the lyrics, score, and novel.
• Wei Jin and Li Jian agreed that Wei Jin would retain the song’s copyright while Li Jian received performance rights.
• Wei Jin learned that the national sports lottery center would not offer betting on the 2004 UEFA European Championship, but he still had a backup plan.

Wei Jin’s UEFA European Championship bet earned his offshore company $430 million, while Buried Alive became a box-office success and his studio’s finances grew substantially. After reviewing the studio’s investments and 91 million yuan in available funds, Wei Jin planned to build a production team and gain influence through cinema chains.

• Wei Jin’s bet on Greece winning the UEFA European Championship paid off, leaving his offshore company with $430 million after taxes.
• On July 1, the media reported Buried Alive’s overseas-rights sale, and Wei Jin received calls from industry figures seeking collaboration and recruitment.
• Buried Alive opened on July 3, earning 7.2 million yuan in its first two days and reaching 21.9 million yuan after nine days.
• Wei Jin reviewed the studio’s revenues, investments, and expenses, finding 91 million yuan available on its books.
• Wei Jin decided to seek graduates for a production team and considered investing in cinema chains to increase his influence in the industry.

Wei Jin hired Xiang Wenlong to lead Qingtian Capital and directed the new company to pursue investments in literature websites, gaming, and cinema chains. On his twenty-first birthday, Zeng Li gave him a Cartier watch, and he gifted her the script for World's Finest, with her cast as Shangguan Haitang.

• Buried Alive ended its theatrical run with 35.82 million yuan, while House of Flying Daggers drew controversy over its story and the assault on Wang Bozhao by Zhang and Xie sparked an industry-wide uproar.
• Wei Jin met investment professional Xiang Wenlong, whose views on the cultural and entertainment industry aligned with his, and hired him.
• Wei Jin established Qingtian Capital with 50 million yuan in registered capital, and Xiang Wenlong's team began investigating literature websites, gaming, and cinema chains.
• On Wei Jin's twenty-first birthday, Zeng Li decorated their home, cooked dinner, and gave him a Cartier watch.
• Wei Jin gave Zeng Li the script for World's Finest and told her she would play Shangguan Haitang, then she dressed seductively for him that night.

Wei Jin secured China Film Group's investment and distribution support for Those Years, then arranged an open audition after the film passed review. He also gave Jiang Wei the television script The Infiltrator to direct, and the chapter ended with the audition notice drawing intense interest from actors and students.

• Wei Jin met Han Sanping, who agreed that China Film Group would invest three million for a thirty percent stake in Those Years and handle publicity and distribution.
• Wei Jin discussed casting and cinema business with Han Sanping, then collected a list of interested graduating students from Zhang Jiandong.
• Wei Jin offered Jiang Wei the script for The Infiltrator, and Jiang Wei agreed to direct it and begin preparing the crew.
• China Film Group notified Wei Jin that Those Years had passed review, allowing approval and casting to proceed.
• Wei Jin Fengliu Studio announced open auditions for Those Years on September 9, and Wei Jin refused requests for special treatment.
• The audition announcement prompted a rush of interest among industry artists and film-school students, while the novel gained sales.

Wei Jin held auditions for the female lead and second female lead, meeting several actresses with connections to him and the industry. Yan Danchen impressed him enough to be entered for the female lead, while he left the other candidates awaiting decisions.

• Wei Jin began the crowded auditions and marked Hu Jing's résumé as pending after she tried out for the second female lead.
• Fan Bingbing auditioned for the female lead, but Wei Jin said her beauty was too striking for the innocent school belle; they exchanged phone numbers.
• Yan Danchen demonstrated her understanding of the character and performed a scene, after which Wei Jin wrote her name in the female lead's slot.
• Liu Yifei auditioned at her mother's suggestion, but Wei Jin thought her acting still needed polishing and told her to wait for word.
• Gao Yuanyuan auditioned for the female lead and asked Wei Jin whether he still wanted to rent the apartment; he said yes, and the auditions continued.

Wei Jin finalized the cast for his film, chose Liu Yifei as the female lead, and began filming at a middle school in Huairou. After the crew settled into working together, Liu Yifei asked Wei Jin for feedback as the production moved toward more demanding scenes.

• Wei Jin chose Qiao Zhenyu, Lei Jiayin, and Lam Tze-chung for the male roles, Hu Jing for the second female lead, and, after Zeng Li's advice, Liu Yifei for the female lead.
• Wei Jin called Liu Xiaoli to tell her Liu Yifei had won the role, then informed Gao Yuanyuan and Yan Danchen; Yan Danchen agreed to appear as a teacher.
• On September 19, Wei Jin held a commencement ceremony, answered reporters' questions, and began reviewing the script with the cast and crew.
• Wei Jin filmed at a middle school in Huairou, where the principal waived the location fee and arranged for students to appear as extras; Wei Jin also hired the first members of his studio's production team.
• After the cast and crew had grown more comfortable together, Liu Yifei asked Wei Jin how she had been performing, and he praised her while advising her to prepare for later emotional scenes.

Director Wei Jin struggled with Liu Yifei’s acting until he provoked a strong emotional reaction from her during a private coaching session. Liu Yifei soon found her footing on set, and filming sped up.

• Wei Jin repeatedly stopped Liu Yifei’s scene because she could not bring out the required emotion, then told Liu Xiaoli that her performance was delaying the production.
• Liu Xiaoli asked Wei Jin to help Liu Yifei get into character, and he arranged to speak with her alone that evening.
• Wei Jin pushed Liu Yifei to imagine her mother controlling her life until she angrily slapped him and burst into tears.
• Wei Jin told Liu Yifei to remember the emotion she had felt, and she nodded before leaving with Liu Xiaoli.
• Over the next few days, Liu Yifei’s performance improved and filming moved ahead more quickly.

Wei Jin wrapped filming You Are the Apple of My Eye, finished post-production, and secured a December 3 release date after the film passed review. The movie was set to enter the New Year season against major releases by Feng Dapao and Stephen Chow.

• Wei Jin completed the final scene with Qiao Zhenyu and announced that filming had wrapped in early November 2004.
• The crew celebrated at the hotel, where Wei Jin encouraged Lei Jiayin to pursue serious acting and promised to consider him for future roles.
• Wei Jin spent several days with Gao Yuanyuan before leaving the hotel and handling the film's editing and score himself.
• On November 12, Wei Jin showed the finished film to Han Sanping, who judged that it should pass review and discussed release dates with him.
• Wei Jin chose December 3 despite competition from A World Without Thieves and Kung Fu, and China Film Group announced the date a week later after the film passed review.

As Wei Jin’s New Year release drew skepticism from the media and Huayi, he devised a publicity campaign with China Film Group that used the novel, its theme song, and online discussions to promote Those Years. The campaign spread widely, and the film’s premiere arrived.

• Wei Jin explained his New Year release plans to Teacher Jiang and asked about preparations for The Infiltrator.
• The Wang Brothers and Feng Dapao discussed Wei Jin’s film and dismissed him as no match for their commercial releases.
• Wei Jin proposed promoting the film through book signings, its theme song, and online discussions, and Han Sanping approved a large publicity budget.
• Wei Jin held packed book signings across major cities, signed more than ten thousand books, and sang Those Years for fans in Magic City.
• Online discussions about youth and regret were steered toward the film as its publicity spread across the country.
• The premiere of Those Years finally arrived.

Wei Jin attended the premiere of his film, which received an enthusiastic response and strong media coverage. As he took the cast on a national promotional tour, the film opened to record-breaking box office numbers and made Wei Jin the center of attention.

• Wei Jin met industry figures and actors at the premiere, while the principal cast and crew gathered before the screening.
• After Li Jian sang Those Years, Wei Jin and the cast introduced the film; the audience applauded and cheered when it ended.
• Reporters and critics praised the film, and Wei Jin took the cast on a nationwide cinema tour to build its opening-week audience.
• Han Sanping told Wei Jin that the film earned 9.16 million on its first day, and Wei Jin shared the news with the celebrating cast and crew.
• Wei Jin continued the tour in Magic City as Zeng Li congratulated him and the China Film Group sent box-office updates.
• The film earned 15.21 million on December 4 and 13.85 million on December 5, bringing its three-day opening total to 38.22 million and drawing widespread attention to Wei Jin.

Wei Jin and the cast of "Those Years, the Girls We Chased Together" recorded an episode of "Happy Camp" to promote the film. After sharing stories and playing games, they left Changsha for the next roadshow stop.

• Wei Jin and the cast arrived at Mango Channel in Changsha, where Teacher He welcomed them and reviewed the show’s script with them.
• Wei Jin led the cast onto the stage and introduced the film to the audience.
• Teacher He and the other hosts asked Wei Jin about his career and the film, and he discussed his Berlin Silver Bear and the regrets of youth.
• Qiao Zhenyu and Liu Yifei shared stories about Wei Jin’s strictness during filming, and the cast recounted how they had been chosen for their roles.
• Wei Jin and the cast played games, finished recording, declined Teacher He’s late-night meal invitation, and set off for the next roadshow stop.

After Hu Jing spent the night with Wei Jin, he struggled with guilt over betraying Zeng Li, her close friend, before Hu Jing reassured him. The success of "Those Years" helped Wei Jin complete investments in two literature websites and plan a cinema chain, and the chapter ends with "Kung Fu" releasing on December 23.

• Hu Jing told Wei Jin she would keep their night together secret from Zeng Li, and Wei Jin set aside his guilt.
• After returning to Beijing, Wei Jin learned that Moujiang and Moudian had become more receptive to investment after the success of his film adaptation.
• Wei Jin met the two website founders and completed investments that secured priority copyright rights to their novels.
• Xiang Wenlong reported twelve promising cinema locations, and Wei Jin decided to negotiate for all of them and start renovations after the new year.
• By December 23, Wei Jin had finished handling company business, and "Kung Fu" had been released.

Wei Jin’s Those Years finished its theatrical run at 118 million yuan, and he held a victory banquet that drew major figures from the film industry. The celebration ended with Wang Changtian and Yu Dong courting Wei Jin for future projects.

• Wei Jin arranged a Taiwanese distribution deal for Those Years through Manager Han at China Film Group and negotiated a seven percent distribution fee for his future films.
• Those Years left theaters with 118 million yuan in box-office revenue, and Wei Jin’s studio prepared a victory banquet featuring an ice sculpture of the total.
• Wei Jin and the film’s main creative team thanked the guests before smashing the ice sculpture’s digits together.
• Wang Changtian and Yu Dong praised Wei Jin’s success and invited him to consider Guangxian and Bona for future projects.

At the celebratory dinner, Wei Jin received toasts from Liu Yifei, Fan Bingbing, and H&R manager Liu, who introduced Sun Li and discussed Drawing Sword. After the dinner, Wei Jin met Fan Bingbing at a private residence, and they spent the night together; she had left by morning.

• Liu Yifei toasted Wei Jin, and he advised her and Liu Xiaoli not to get conceited and to focus on steady progress.
• Fan Bingbing toasted Wei Jin, flirted with him, and arranged to meet him later for advice.
• Manager Liu introduced Sun Li to Wei Jin and told him that filming on Drawing Sword had begun.
• Wei Jin left the dinner with his assistant Li Na and went to a new home he had bought.
• Fan Bingbing arrived after Wei Jin texted her, and the two went to the bedroom together.
• Wei Jin woke to find Fan Bingbing gone and reflected on her skill at navigating the entertainment industry.

Wei Jin chose My Love from the Star as the company’s next drama project and invested in Ning Hao’s film, then recruited him as a contracted director. The chapter left Wei Jin and his friends playing mahjong and discussing recent box-office results and the Golden Horse Awards.

• Wei Jin reviewed the company’s finances and selected My Love from the Star as a benchmark urban idol drama to produce.
• Ning Hao and Huang Bai brought Wei Jin the script for Crazy Stone, and Wei Jin agreed to invest six million yuan.
• Wei Jin offered Ning Hao creative freedom and first-right investment for future projects, and Ning Hao signed a cooperation agreement with Wei Jin Fengliu Film and Television Company.
• Wei Jin, Ning Hao, Huang Bai, and Chen Zhiming played mahjong and discussed Kung Fu, A World Without Thieves, and Wei Jin missing the Golden Horse Awards.

Chinese Paladin premiered in Taiwan and mainland China to strong ratings despite harsh criticism from game fans, while Wei Jin dismissed the backlash as publicity. After dining with the talented Miss Xu, Wei Jin was caught in a misleading paparazzi photo that upset Gao Yuanyuan and prompted Zeng Li to have Hu Jing keep watch over him.

• Chinese Paladin drew strong ratings in Taiwan and then mainland China, while game fans attacked the adaptation and its creators.
• Wei Jin reassured Miss Cai that the online criticism was boosting the series and its ratings.
• The talented Miss Xu invited Wei Jin to dinner to ask for advice about filmmaking and audience tastes, then was photographed adjusting his collar as they parted.
• Gao Yuanyuan confronted Wei Jin over the newspaper photo, and he denied having a relationship with the talented Miss Xu.
• Wei Jin moved back to his own place to avoid further rumors, while Zeng Li asked Hu Jing to keep other women away from him.

Wei Jin spent the Spring Festival with his father before visiting his uncle, where he unexpectedly met the young Jing Tian. After giving her advice about preparing for an entertainment career, he watched her leave and was left reflecting on the encounter.

• Wei Jin returned home and told Wei Xingbang he would leave for Beijing on the fifth, while Wei Xingbang urged him to visit Wei Anguo after the New Year.
• Wei Jin and Wei Xingbang shopped for New Year supplies, shared a meal, and talked about the historical drama Emperor Wu of Han, which Wei Jin's company had invested in.
• On New Year's Eve, Wei Jin celebrated with Wei Xingbang and wondered how to develop his business after building his initial wealth.
• Wei Jin visited Wei Anguo on the second day of the New Year and met Jing Tian, who had come to see his uncle.
• Jing Tian recognized Wei Jin as the director of Those Years and praised the film, then asked him for advice about becoming a star.
• Wei Jin urged Jing Tian to study singing or acting fundamentals, learned that her newly established company was backed by her family, and exchanged phone numbers with her before she left.

Wei Jin traveled to North America and met with Summit Entertainment’s executives to negotiate a partnership. He proposed investing $100 million for a 70% stake in the struggling company, leaving Friedman to consult the other shareholders.

• Wei Jin received Chinese Paladin’s sales breakdown, then left for North America while Zeng Li joined The Infiltrator.
• Hunter met Wei Jin at the airport and took him to Summit Entertainment’s headquarters in Santa Monica.
• Wei Jin presented two scripts, but rejected Friedman’s offer of $5 million for them and demanded an ownership stake in Summit Entertainment.
• Wei Jin proposed investing $100 million for a 70% stake and offering Summit his scripts and priority access to his future films.
• Friedman hurried away to discuss Wei Jin’s proposal with the shareholders, while Hunter and another executive took Wei Jin out for the evening.