This celebrity became even more popular after being exposed of having multiple girlfriends-Chapter 578 - 400_2

Hmm, whether they’re haters or supporters, at least they’ve contributed to the viewership.

Wu Mu smiled and said, "Did your driver bail? Want me to give you a ride?"

Su Meng hesitated slightly, "I’ll let my family know."

"Aunt Qing, you don’t need to come over. Yes, my friend is taking me back. Okay, I got it."

After Su Meng finished the call, she opened the passenger door of Wu Mu’s car and got in.

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

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

She paused, showing a rare smile, "We were just at the venue as well, and my friends almost wanted to cover their ears at your first song."

Wu Mu laughed heartily, "That has nothing to do with me, I sang just fine."

Chatting casually, Wu Mu soon dropped Su Meng off at her home, a large courtyard house in Upper City District, not far from the Forbidden City.

Hmm, confirmed, she’s definitely one of those Heavenly Dragon People.

Wu Mu was quite surprised, although from her daily words and actions, it was clear Su Meng’s family was quite wealthy.

But I didn’t expect them to be this wealthy.

Just this courtyard house alone probably costs at least

The owner couldn’t be seen for the moment, Yang Rongfa asked, "Many big-name directors and company bosses from the industry are here today, would you like me to introduce you to some?"

This would be an opportunity for anyone in the industry.

Getting to know more people is always good.

But... remembering the experience from the previous party, Yang Rongfa wisely chose to ask first.

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

But halfway through shaking, his gaze swept over a silhouette in a small lounge at the edge of the main living room, partially obscured, and paused slightly.

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

He was naturally referring to Lin Xueming, not Lin Qingyue.

Although Lin Qingyue could return tonight, she needed to handle matters with the crew, so she wouldn’t appear here.

Moreover, he had told Lin Qingyue during their morning chat that he would attend this party. If Lin Qingyue were coming, she would have definitely informed him.

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

Wu Mu thought for a moment, these two were also top-tier directors like Lin Xueming, among the upper echelon of the industry.

But he wasn’t counting on gaining resources from these big directors, so it didn’t matter to him.

However, with Lin Xueming here, it was only polite to go and say hi.

"I’ll go greet Director Lin." He directly stepped toward the small lounge.

"Director Lin and they are here; are you going to say hi?" Yang Rongfa whispered as he leaned closer.

As he spoke, he pointed toward the small lounge by the main living room.

The small lounge seemed like a place for daily private meetings, partially obscured by decorations, and appeared smaller from a distance.

There were closer sofas set up, and quite a few people were sitting there chatting.

Director Lin?

Wu Mu thought for a moment and immediately realized it was Lin Xueming, Lin Qingyue’s father.

Since Lin Qingyue would return tonight but had crew matters to attend to, she wouldn’t be here. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

Besides, he told Lin Qingyue during their morning chat that he would come to this party. If Lin Qingyue were also attending, she would have informed him.

"I’ll go say hello." He nodded.

With Lin Xueming here, he should definitely go greet him.

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

Light Shadow Media and Yahua Film and Television?

Even though Wu Mu wasn’t deeply involved in the industry, he knew of these two companies. If Yang Rongfa’s company was considered mid-tier, these two were genuinely top-tier in the industry.

Not only were they publicly traded companies, but they also produced big-budget films annually, along with having artist management divisions and numerous top-tier celebrities under their wing.

These two didn’t need further introduction.

As for Director Tang and Director Xie?

If Yang Rongfa went out of his way to mention them, they couldn’t be just anyone.

Wu Mu quickly figured it out in his head.

It’s Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang.

Directors on par with Lin Xueming.

All well-established figures in the industry, with the status and reputation to match.

Looks like the big shots are all over there.

He and Yang Rongfa walked toward the small lounge.

As they got closer, they could see more clearly the situation inside the small lounge.

Sure enough, Lin Xueming was there, sitting centrally on a sofa, holding a wine glass, seemingly talking about something.

He was surrounded by quite a few people, including two who looked very much like bosses, along with several middle-aged men who seemed like agents managing artists.

There was Director Tang Wei, with his cloth cap obviously trying to cover something, but failing to hide his bald head. And Director Xie Chunfang, who despite having "Fang" in his name, was towering over everyone present.

And then...

Wu Mu paused.

A woman around forty, dressed in a black tailored outfit and wearing a pearl necklace, chatting quietly with the person next to her, appeared elegant and poised.

Lin Qingyue’s mother was here?

This was his first time seeing Lin Qingyue’s mother in person. On previous visits to Lin Qingyue’s house, they had always missed each other.

However, since Du Lan was an old-school movie queen from the previous generation, he recognized her from photos.

After pausing, Wu Mu continued walking forward.

A couple more steps, and there was another familiar face.

In the small lounge, near the edge, a man in his thirties was holding a plate, standing straight as if carefully listening to Lin Xueming.

It’s Geng Wei.

Initially, the boss of Xiao Yi Company wanted to sign him, but after being rejected, became furious and tried to blacklist him.

However, Wu Mu didn’t care much about him and continued walking forward without stopping.

Getting closer, he could hear Lin Xueming speaking, "The situation in this year’s film market is alarming. The National Film Bureau hasn’t officially released the data yet, but I’ve heard the detailed numbers from their director, Cao Guang. The total box office for the entire film market this year is 42.5 billion, a drop of 21% compared to the same period last year."

Lin Xueming’s serious voice paused as he noticed Wu Mu walking over.

Not only him but everyone in the small lounge noticed too.

The people’s faces varied, and some artists’ assistants, obviously there just for the show, looked somewhat surprised, as if wondering why someone unexpected like him was present.

The big shots, including the bosses of the big companies and Directors Tang Wei and Xie Chunfang, just glanced over without much interest.

Lin Qingyue’s mother, Du Lan, initially seemed unresponsive, but after her gaze lingered on Wu Mu’s face for half a second, she seemed to realize something.

And... Geng Wei.

Upon seeing Wu Mu, his face visibly darkened, and when their eyes met, he forced a rigid smile.

Wu Mu, of course, didn’t care about him, just a quick glance and he moved on.

This indifference only made Geng Wei’s face grow darker.

"This year’s total number of viewers also saw a significant drop to 1.01 billion, down from last year’s 1.299 billion, losing nearly 300 million. Compared to 2019, the decline is even steeper. In 2019, the total box office was 64.2 billion, a drop of 33.9%. After five years, not only did our total film box office fail to increase, it’s been declining year after year."

Lin Xueming paused slightly but didn’t stop speaking after seeing Wu Mu; he continued.

Wu Mu didn’t mind, standing at the edge of the small lounge.

"In fact, this level is even lower than ten years ago in 2015, when the total annual box office was 44 billion. Our industry’s overall revenue has reverted to the level of ten years ago. Such alarming figures warrant reflection from us in the film industry. We need to think about the reasons behind this outcome."

Lin Xueming was discussing the contraction of the film market.

This indeed has been the trend for these past years, with the film market declining annually, not reaching the golden age everyone expected a few years ago, rather regressing ten years back.

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