Volume Two: Shadows of the Past, Chapter Seventy-One: Still Too Young After All!

Chen Jing did not immediately reject Zhang Qishan’s well-intentioned advice, nor did he voice any rebuttal. He simply looked at Zhang with a faint smile.

Seeing that Chen Jing remained unmoved, Zhang Qishan explained earnestly, "A-Jing, it’s not always the case that a movie will earn more at the box office just by releasing it during a peak holiday period. Sometimes, choosing a different time to reduce competition can actually result in higher earnings."

Chen Jing nodded. He understood that what Zhang said was fact, but unfortunately, he had to release *SPL: Kill Zone* as soon as possible. This was not only because the May Day holiday was a golden window for films, but also because he had no intention of pausing to wait. He was already planning to move on to his next project; if *SPL* were delayed, it might conflict with his upcoming film. Therefore, Chen Jing would rather face the cutthroat competition of the May Day season than postpone his release date.

"Director Zhang, I know you have my best interests at heart. But I am very sorry; I have decided to release my film during the May Day holiday," Chen Jing said, looking at Zhang Qishan with sincerity. "I don’t mind telling you, regardless of how this film performs at the box office, I am already planning to start on my next one."

Zhang Qishan looked at Chen Jing in surprise. "You’re planning to shoot your second film already? Why not wait until the final box office numbers for your first one are in? If the results are good, you certainly won’t lack investment for your next project."

Chen Jing shook his head with a smile. "No, I don’t lack investment right now."

Zhang Qishan frowned, looking at Chen Jing in bewilderment. He truly could not comprehend Chen’s mindset. Who in their right mind would worry about having too much investment? He really was just too young.

Sighing, Zhang Qishan said, "Fine, I won’t try to persuade you further. As long as you’ve thought it through, A-Jing. But I still have to tell you: while it’s not always true that slow work produces fine results, you must still put your heart into the preparation to make a good movie."

In truth, Zhang Qishan suspected that Chen Jing lacked confidence in his own debut, which was why he wasn't waiting for the box office results before pushing ahead to the next project. Consequently, Zhang did not think highly of Chen’s rush to start a second film. He felt that Chen should learn from the failure of his first endeavor and reflect properly before attempting another. However, since it was Chen’s own money and investment, there wasn't much more he could say.

"I understand, and I appreciate the reminder, Director Zhang. I will make sure I am well-prepared before shooting the second one," Chen Jing replied. He understood that Zhang was acting out of kindness; even if the older director didn't think much of his film, the concern was genuine, and Chen acknowledged that.

"Hmm, so you’ve already decided what you want to film next?" Zhang Qishan asked, clearly intrigued.

Chen Jing smiled. "Yes, the script is already prepared."

"Oh? Whose script? What genre is it?"

"Hehe, it’s a script I wrote myself. It’s a martial arts film, I suppose."

Hearing that Chen had written the script himself, Zhang Qishan was stunned. He looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. "You can write screenplays too?"

"Uh... I suppose... yes," Chen Jing admitted, feeling a bit sheepish.

Zhang Qishan was speechless. What was that supposed to mean? Could he write or not? He shook his head, feeling that Chen Jing was being far too flippant about filmmaking. He had initially enjoyed their time on set and thought Chen was a fascinating person, but now he felt that Chen was being far too idealistic.

Specialization was key; if something wasn't in your field of expertise, there was no need to force it. Even a director like himself, with years of experience, wouldn't dare claim he could write a professional screenplay. How could Chen Jing dare to use his own amateur script to make a movie?

"This film you’re about to release—don't tell me you wrote that script, too?" Zhang Qishan suddenly recalled and sought confirmation.

Chen Jing nodded; there was nothing to hide.

Seeing the nod, Zhang Qishan was left speechless again. Very well, it seemed Chen Jing really had no concrete plan for his debut. Zhang had originally intended to check out how Chen’s film turned out, but he had now completely abandoned that thought.

Sighing silently, Zhang Qishan proposed, "Tell you what, A-Jing. There is a press conference for my film the day after tomorrow. You should come; since you have a role in my movie, you can help with the promotion, and perhaps we can see if we can help promote your film while we're at it."

Chen Jing was taken aback, then quickly expressed his gratitude. "Thank you so much, Director Zhang, for giving me this opportunity." He knew how generous it was to allow someone else to promote their own film at a press conference dedicated to a major director's work. Especially coming from someone of Zhang Qishan’s stature, whose promotion events were in a completely different league, riding the coattails of such a high-profile event would provide a significant boost to his own film’s visibility.

"It’s nothing, a small matter," Zhang Qishan waved him off.

After chatting for a while longer, Zhang Qishan rose to leave. Chen Jing walked him to the office door, where they happened to bump into Lin Xi, who was just coming in.

"Are you leaving, Director Zhang?" Lin Xi asked.

Zhang Qishan smiled at her. "Yes, I have to go deal with some matters regarding the film release. No rest for the weary! I’ll take my leave now, Director Lin."

"Understood."

After Zhang left, Lin Xi and Chen Jing entered the office.

"What did you talk about with Director Zhang?"

Chen Jing shrugged. "He invited me to attend his press conference the day after tomorrow, and said I could promote our film there if possible."

Lin Xi looked surprised. "That’s great! We should definitely take advantage of the spotlight on his film to promote ours."

"I could, but I don't intend to promote our film there," Chen Jing said calmly. He hadn't wanted to reject Zhang Qishan’s face-saving offer on the spot, so he had simply agreed.

"Why?"

"Although Director Zhang is kind enough to help, it is still his film's promotional event. Our movies are being released in the same window. How could I possibly feel comfortable using his press conference to promote my own work?"

Lin Xi thought for a moment and agreed. "Fair enough. You handle it as you see fit."

Changing the subject, Lin Xi moved on to business. "By the way, the preliminary investigation into our screening schedule has come back."

Chen Jing looked at her with interest. "And? What are the results? How many theaters are willing to give us screen time?"

Lin Xi sighed. "The situation isn't particularly optimistic. Many theaters are willing to book us, but for the May Day holiday period, they are only offering us midnight screenings or the very first morning slots."

Chen Jing frowned. "Are there no theaters willing to give us daytime slots?"

Lin Xi shook her head. "Almost none. There are quite a few movies releasing on May Day, and it’s very hard for us to secure a daytime slot."

Chen Jing fell silent. Lin Xi looked at him, feeling helpless. In truth, this result was expected. Chen Jing was a newcomer with no reputation in the industry, and even if this weren't his first film, it would be a struggle.

The May Day lineup was fierce. There were blockbusters like the Hollywood monster movie *Abyss Devourer* and the sci-fi flick *Alien Wars*, Disney’s animated feature *Cute Sprites*, and domestically, besides Zhang Qishan’s *Bloody Battle at Gushan Ridge*, there were two other major films by renowned directors: the martial arts epic *Sword Quest* and the comedy *Where Am I From?*. On top of those, there were several other films by obscure directors like Chen Jing.

With so many films, there simply wasn't enough screen space. Theaters naturally prioritized films with established names to ensure profit.

Chen Jing understood the logic, but he needed a way to increase his screen share.

"I can intervene with the theaters owned by Jingrun Entertainment to increase our slots, but for other theaters, we’ll have to wait until after the release and see how the ticket sales go before we can demand more," Lin Xi suggested. She could only influence her own company's circuits; she could approach others, but it would be complicated.

Chen Jing knew Lin Xi’s position and didn't want to force her hand, nor would that solve the root of the problem. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Sister Xi, how about this: tell all the theaters that for the May Day period, if they are willing to give our film daytime slots, we will increase their share of our box office profits by one-third, or even half."

Lin Xi stayed silent, weighing the feasibility. Under these desperate circumstances, it seemed to be a viable strategy.