Rebirth 1983: Building My Business Empire
Chapter 437 - Chapter 437 Chapter 426 is scheduled

Chapter 437: Chapter 426 is scheduled Chapter 437: Chapter 426 is scheduled In this era, the cost of making a film was roughly between 2 to 3 million Hong Kong Dollars, and if it were on the higher side, it would be about 4 to 5 million. Even the most expensive film made by Nie Jingting didn’t exceed two million eight hundred thousand. The film Lu Jiaxin made cost five million eight hundred thousand, which was exceptionally high; with careful budgeting, it could’ve been enough to make two films.

Nie Zhan asked, “When is this film scheduled for release?”

Lu Jiaxin replied, “According to Tian Pengyu, people prefer to watch family-friendly films during the New Year, so if we release our film during the New Year holidays, it would be at a disadvantage.”

Nie Zhan said, “Our film isn’t a tragedy, so it could be released during the New Year holidays too.”

The female protagonist of the film, Ming Xia, is strong and independent, and she also strives to maintain the fairness and justice of the law. The film can inspire ordinary people, so releasing it during the New Year holidays wouldn’t be an issue.

Lu Jiaxin, having come from a future era, knew the importance of the timing of a film’s release. Some films of high quality failed at the box office because of an ill-timed release, clashing with more competitive films.

After some thought, Lu Jiaxin said, “We are not professionals after all. Let’s show the finished film to the people from the cinema chains and then listen to their opinions.”

At the same time, it was necessary to find out which films were scheduled for release during the 1987 New Year holidays. Lu Jiaxin had watched most of the high-quality films from Hong Kong, but she wasn’t sure about the exact release dates of these films.

After executives from Princess Bao and Jiahe had seen the finished film, they felt it was competitive and could be released during the New Year holidays with no problems. However, when Lu Jiaxin learned that the New Year holiday lineup included films like “Dragon Brothers and Tiger Brothers”, “Prison Storm”, and “Wealth Forces People”, she gave up on the idea. She had confidence in her own film, but there was no need to compete for box office sales with so many other quality films during the New Year holidays.

After some consideration, Lu Jiaxin called Tian Pengyu over to discuss setting the release date on Valentine’s Day. “Legally Blonde” had a sweet romance that could completely be used for promotion.

After watching the finished film, Tian Pengyu, upon hearing her suggestion of using the lead characters’ romance as a selling point, asked in amazement, “In the end, Fendi and Lin Rui go their separate ways. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate to release the film on Valentine’s Day?”

There were several reasons for the main characters’ breakup: one was that the male lead’s prestigious family didn’t accept the female protagonist’s background; another was the difference in their ideals–the female lead wouldn’t compromise and couldn’t continue with the relationship.

Lu Jiaxin asked, “Does our drama have a sweet romance?”

“Yes, it does?”

“Did they break up because of a third party entering the relationship?”

“No.”

“Then that’s fine. Being in love doesn’t necessarily lead to marriage; as long as they were sweet and happy while in love, that’s enough. So promoting it this way wouldn’t be deceiving the audience.”

Tian Pengyu felt her ideas were too modern and immediately relayed their conversation to Nie Zhan, “Third Master, Miss Lu’s way of thinking is somewhat risky!”

People were still speculating whether Miss Lu would be able to enter high society by marriage, yet all she thought about was love, without any consideration of marriage. Third Master, it was uncertain whether his sincere feelings would be misplaced.

Nie Zhan replied calmly, “It’s quite normal for her to have such thoughts. Didn’t you also not think about marriage at the age of eighteen?”

Tian Pengyu felt that Nie Zhan was too deeply invested. Sigh, people were wrong about the Third Master being an icy man; he was a man of deep affection.

That evening, Nie Zhan invited Lu Jiaxin to dine at a newly opened Cantonese restaurant, “The New Year is coming up soon, and since Madam Guh is not here, I will keep you company for New Year’s.”

Lu Jiaxin didn’t refuse, “Of course I hope so, I’m just afraid Elder Mr. Nie won’t agree.”

According to the traditions of her hometown, it’s customary to visit the graves on New Year’s Eve. Guh Lanlan’s and Mrs. Lu’s graves had been moved here, so she would definitely follow tradition. Moreover, she moved to a new house this year, and according to custom, she needs to spend New Year’s in the new house as well.

Nie Zhan said with a smile that it wasn’t a problem, “I’ve already asked Grandfather. He said that if I don’t accompany you, you would have to spend New Year’s alone, which would be cold and cheerless.”

Lu Jiaxin thought Old Master Nie was quite open-minded, but this also had to do with her own strength. If it were someone like Kang Huijuan, the situation would not be as polite.

Thinking of Kang Huijuan, Lu Jiaxin asked curiously, “I remember you mentioned last time that your grandfather wanted Nie Jingshu to get a divorce. Did he agree?”

Nie Zhan nodded, “Nie Jingshu has agreed, but Kang Huijuan hasn’t, and the matter is still at a standstill.”

However, with the second brother’s agreement, it wouldn’t be a long drag.

Lu Jiaxin, how astute she was, grasped it immediately, “What leverage does she have? Is it on Nie Jingshu, or on Nie Corporation?”

Nie Zhan laughed, “You’re overestimating her. If she had something on Nie Corporation, she wouldn’t have made the foolish move of letting Nie Jingshu hide and shirk his responsibilities.”

“Jiaxin, my grandfather doesn’t have requirements regarding social status; he only wants us to find partners who are smart, capable, and have good character. Kang Huijuan is narrow-minded and likes to stir up trouble. Grandfather has been dissatisfied with her for a while now, just turning a blind eye because of the three children. However, the hotel incident crossed Grandfather’s bottom line, so he wants them to divorce.”

Someone like Kang Huijuan who can’t differentiate between close and distant relations, any family elder would be unwilling to tolerate. Old Master Nie managed to tolerate for seven years, thanks only to her being ‘productive’ and not causing trouble outside.

Lu Jiaxin, feeling gossipy, asked, “If Kang Huijuan disagrees, does that mean the divorce won’t happen?”

Nie Zhan smiled and said, “Grandfather has taken back all the properties under Nie Jingshu’s name, and the family fund’s annual allowance has also been stopped. Within a year at most, Kang Huijuan will not be able to bear it.”

“Isn’t it a mistake to say she’ll suffer? Isn’t it your second brother who’ll suffer? A young master born with a golden spoon, can he endure the hardship of struggling for a living?”

Nie Zhan shook his head, “My second brother is the type who takes life as it comes; as long as he has a place to eat and live, he’s fine. On the contrary, Kang Huijuan is very picky about her food, clothes, and daily needs, spending at least one hundred thousand a month. The idea of reverting to a life with just two or three thousand each month is unbearable for her.”

Lu Jiaxin understood; this was the old saying, “It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality.” “Do you know? My sister-in-law, although she doesn’t say it out loud, every time she mentions you and your family, her face shows worry.”

“Why?”

Lu Jiaxin said with a smile, “Of course because the Nie family is a wealthy family, she’s worried that I might be wronged after marrying into your family. But with your aunt’s temperament, it’s hard not to be wronged as her daughter-in-law.”

Nie Zhan did not deny this, not to mention Kang Huijuan; even the elder sister-in-law, who was so nice, had not been spared from criticism and lectures, “Don’t worry about this. I’ve lost my temper twice before, so she won’t give you any dirty looks.”

Lu Jiaxin said, “Unless it’s necessary, I won’t be going to the Nie Family Old Mansion.”

“You still have to go during festivals, but other than those times, if you don’t want to go, then don’t.”

Lu Jiaxin was very satisfied with his answer, but still sighed, “It’s really tough to be a wife in a wealthy family; without some skills, even after having and raising children, one can still be cast out the door.”