Full-time actor

"I finally got home, let's talk less about work!"

Shen Xiaoqin brought over a plate of shrimps in a bad mood and glanced at Chen Yu who was still talking about a movie at the table.

But the next second, he smiled and said to Liu Yifei: "Xixi, eat more later. Look how thin you have become."

"..."

The expression changed so quickly that Chen Yu couldn't help but complain.

Are you sure this is your biological mother?

Well, it seems that many prospective mothers-in-law treat their daughters-in-law like this.

After marriage...it’s hard to say.

"Thank you, aunt!"

Liu Yifei called out sweetly, picked up the chopsticks and took the lead in picking up a piece of prawn and stuffing it into Chen Yu's mouth.

Well, my girlfriend is still reliable.

Although Shen Xiaoqin looked disgusted, she was actually very happy inside.

However, Liu Xiaoli, who had just sat down, recalled the scene she had seen at home before, and felt mixed emotions.

She never objected to her daughter's relationship with Chen Yu, and in her heart she even treated Chen Yu as her own child and believed that he was the best candidate for son-in-law.

He is capable and enterprising, and I like him very much.

But she is her daughter after all, and the two have not officially married yet. From a mother's perspective, she naturally doesn't like Liu Yifei's behavior. She has never been married, so she has to be reserved.

"Just eat properly. You don't have the right manners when sitting. Pay attention to your image!"

Liu Xiaoli couldn't say it directly, so she had to beat around the bush.

This can be regarded as a disguised reminder to the two of them to pay attention to their private matters, and it does not mean to blame them.

"Oh!"

"Got it, Mom~~"

Liu Yifei quickly made a face at Chen Yu.

How could she not understand what her mother said... It was obvious that the two of them had gone a little too far in their passion just now.

But before that, Chen Yu was busy filming abroad, and she had been single for a long time, so she wanted to stick with him every day after he came back.

"?"

Shen Xiaoqin was a little confused and glanced at Chen Yu.

Chen Yu just focused on eating.

The atmosphere at the table was a little weird, and it was not until a while later that she suddenly woke up.

Could it be that this kid...had already returned?
Thinking of this, she immediately picked up her chopsticks and tapped Chen Yu: "Be serious too, don't be dishonest as soon as you come back!"

"Xixi is a good girl, don't bully her!"

"How can I..."

Chen Yu had an innocent look on his face and was just busy eating.

Liu Yifei covered her mouth and laughed secretly, whispering in Chen Yu's ear: "It's over, from now on I can only do it secretly-"

"What are you talking about?"

Liu Xiaoli stared at Liu Yifei for a long time.

"Nothing, nothing..."

Liu Yifei waved her hands, and Chen Yu quickly tried to smooth things over: "Auntie, we are discussing the next arrangements!"

"I was busy filming recently and didn't spend enough time with Yifei. This time I came back and decided to stay a little longer and take Yifei out to play..."

These words really touched Liu Xiaoli's heart.

Once Liu Yifei has free time, she stays at home all day watching TV, playing games, and reading novels. She never goes out.

Surprisingly lazy.

Liu Xiaoli told her about it more than once, but it was of no use.

"Well, you do need to rest after work, and don't get too tired!"

Liu Xiaoli smiled at Chen Yu.

"Double standards~~"

Liu Yifei said softly that she felt her future mother-in-law would treat her better.

The two families spent the dinner in laughter.

***
The next day, Chen Yu stood under the steel structure dome of the Bird's Nest, watching the safety ropes around the workers' waists drawing arcs high up.

He looked up to avoid the falling welding sparks. The sparkling points of light were like stars hanging in the sky like a galaxy.

"Brother Yu, this way please."

The security team leader trotted over and handed over the pass, the metal lanyard still carrying body temperature.

Chen Yu hurriedly took the pass and hung it around his neck, then nodded slightly to express his thanks.

Walking through the venue where the floor screen was being debugged, the giant LED matrix suddenly lit up with a blue and white porcelain pattern, and a blue and white halo spread over the hem of his suit.

Chen Yu stopped and stared at the flowing porcelain patterns on the ground. Liu Yifei's muttering this morning rang in his ears: "How beautiful it would be if the opening ceremony had blue and white porcelain elements..."

She always comes up with the most amazing ideas without realizing it.

"Chen Yu!"

A hoarse voice from smoke penetrated the noise of construction. Zhang Yimou stood in front of the three-dimensional sand table, wearing a safety helmet. He looked like a terracotta warrior, which was very interesting.

"Director Zhang!"

Chen Yu turned his head when he heard the voice, and inadvertently noticed the new gray hair on his temples, which seemed to be a lot more than he remembered.

It seems that preparations for the Olympics are indeed very time-consuming and laborious.

It is said that during the Olympics, Zhang Yimou, as the chief director, slept only two or three hours a day.

A complete workaholic!
"My boy, I haven't seen you for a few years. Not only did you win the Berlin Golden Bear, Cannes Palme d'Or, and Venice Golden Lion, but I heard that you even used the Golden Globe as a teacup?"

"Isn't it that the Golden Horse Awards can pique your interest?"

Zhang Yimou waved his hands repeatedly and pointed at Chen Yu teasingly.

Chen Yu was just missing a Golden Horse Award, and this is specifically referring to Zhang Yimou.

In the field of Chinese entertainment, a young cultural symbol has finally emerged that can make the Chinese people stand up straight.

"Please don't treat me badly."

Chen Yu smiled and walked forward, handing over a lozenge that Liu Yifei had secretly put into his pocket this morning: "When you were directing movies, I was still in kindergarten!"

He deliberately modestly turned around and praised the difficulties of his predecessors. The detail of a throat lozenge made Zhang Yimou's smile lines at the corners of his eyes deepen a little.

"Alright, alright, let's not waste any more polite words. We're about to start debugging a device. Let's see how it works."

As soon as he finished speaking, the circular screen slowly switched to the test screen, and a large number of virtual images of blue and white porcelain flooded across the sand table like a tide.

Zhang Yimou led Chen Yu to the backstage, took off his glasses, put on a solemn expression, and looked at Chen Yu: "For the theme song singing this time - Celine Dion was originally considered, but the Olympic Committee voted unanimously to use their own people."

Chen Yu's Adam's apple moved slightly.

The memories of his past life were like a rewound film. He clearly remembered how exciting the effect was when the song "You and Me" resounded throughout the venue.

"Although there are differences in the plans for solo or duet, no matter what, this singer must represent the face of the new era and sing in a different style!"

Zhang Yimou suddenly pressed his shoulder, his palm still warm from the cigarette:
"Chen Yu, as the perfect choice for the singer, you will definitely let the world see a different oriental beauty in the future, right?"

Zhang Yimou pointed out the window, where a phalanx of martial arts actors were moving in sync, their white clothes billowing like waves in the spring breeze.

Chen Yu looked at the stainless steel globe model being hoisted, the sunlight reflecting off the metal surface creating fascinating shadows. He suddenly realized that the mission of the reborn was not only to rewrite history, but also to protect these invaluable cultural treasures.

"Don't worry, Director Zhang, I will follow the arrangements of the Olympic Committee and let the world hear the voice of the East!"

Such high-sounding words made Zhang Yimou smile: "This is not the first time we have cooperated. I know what you are like!"

Zhang Yimou stroked his chin and said softly, "Let's work together to hold a unique opening ceremony!"

"Ok!"

The virtual blue and white porcelain pattern flows on the circular screen, projecting the shadows of the two people into an ink painting of varying depths.

"The concept of creating this theme song is to let the 5,000-year-old civilization speak."

Zhang Yimou knocked on the edge of the sand table, and the stainless steel earth model suddenly lit up with LED light strips like star tracks: "But how can we make the world understand——"

"Drip drip!"

The shrill sound of an alarm interrupted their conversation.

Twenty meters in the air, the blue and white porcelain projection device that was supposed to be suspended was tilting at a dangerous angle, and eight steel cables were stretched into pale straight lines under the sunlight.

Chen Yu's pupils suddenly shrank, and the news headline in his past life about an accident that resulted in three workers being seriously injured suddenly flashed before his eyes.

"Cut off the power to Zone C!"

The instructions he blurted out were three or more seconds faster than the security guard.

Under Zhang Yimou's astonished gaze, Chen Yu picked up the console intercom and said, "The third set of pulley buckles are offset by 15 degrees. Evacuate the personnel below immediately!"

While the operator was frantically inputting instructions, Chen Yu had already quickly climbed up the maintenance ladder.

He tightened the loose safety valve with his bare hands with such skill that he didn't look like an actor.

When the projection device landed smoothly and the staff quickly inspected it, Chen Yu discovered a bloody cut on the palm of his hand.

Zhang Yimou handed over the handkerchief silently, frowning: "It's okay..."

He hesitated as he looked at Chen Yu who was being bandaged and the worker who was being rescued. "It seems that this version of the plan still needs to be improved. Do you have any good ideas?"

Chen Yu ignored the pain in his palm, frowned and thought, and suddenly pointed to the unactivated starry sky track design on the floor screen: "What if we add a few galaxy light bands here? The singer walks from the end of the starry sky, triggering constellation special effects along the way..."

Zhang Yimou couldn't help but lose his concentration, and his pen left ink spots on the draft plan.

This was exactly the backup idea he had hidden in the third draft!

He looked at the young man in front of him with suspicion: "Where have you seen similar designs?"

"The day before yesterday, I passed by the park and saw children flying kites, which gave me the idea."

Chen Yu lied without changing his expression.

This version of the plan in his previous life was the one Zhang Yimou was most optimistic about, and he was full of countless expectations.

But in that era, resources were scarce and technology was backward, so such a stunning design was rejected due to budget overruns and the effect would not meet expectations.

It is a regret that many participants will never forget.

Now that I'm reborn, why not restart this much-anticipated plan and bring it to its most magnificent form!
"If we can use holographic projections to replace physical tracks, perhaps..."

Thinking of this, Chen Yu suddenly fell silent, and found that the LED floor screen project on the budget sheet held by the assistant director was 17% less than the number he remembered.

Zhang Yimou sighed and pulled up the financial model. The blue curve fluctuated violently on the screen:
“Do you know why the opening ceremony team has three accountants?”

He tapped the cigarette ash on the edge of the table. "The plan you just mentioned, the holographic equipment alone will eat up the budget of two martial arts formations."

As several commands were issued, the command center suddenly darkened, and the peace dove light array under test cast flowing spots of light on the dome.

Chen Yu took advantage of the light and shadow to peel off a throat lozenge and put it into his mouth. The cool mint taste stimulated his nerves: "What if we keep the core of the plan and change the singing plan to a combination of reality and fiction?"

He grabbed a piece of draft paper, and the flying ink was like moonlight flowing over the water. Soon, a simple diagram was formed: "This is...you plan to use the virtual reality technology that is still in its emerging stage?"

The light in Zhang Yimou's eyes never stopped shining. He couldn't help but be attracted by this bold and unique design.

However, emerging technologies mean risks, and Zhang Yimou still finds it difficult to make a decision.

The pen in Chen Yu's hand gradually slowed down: "Use holographic technology to project virtual chorus members, when the real singer walks to the center of the floor screen..."

He tapped his fingertips lightly, and the three-dimensional model immediately showed the grand scene of starlight gathering:
"Switching to a live solo at this time can not only stimulate visual shock, but also integrate new oriental elements."

Zhang Yimou also quickly grabbed the pen, and his trembling hands couldn't help but draw messy lines on the edge of the draft plan.

Suddenly, he circled the special effects item in the budget table:

"Do you know that the daily maintenance cost of two thousand projectors is enough to hire another martial arts team?"

Chen Yu held onto the shaking sand table and pointed it out: "What if we only let the projected image take up 30% of the shot?"

He hurriedly made a few revisions on the draft paper, and he and Zhang Yimou were like two forwards charging on the football field, competing with each other on a small piece of draft paper.

It was unknown how long it took before the two finally reached a consensus and smiled at each other with relief.

"Okay, okay, let's do it!"

Chen Yu let out a long sigh and caught a glimpse of Zhang Yimou's comment "combination of reality and fiction" on the draft plan, with his handwriting so powerful that it could be seen through the paper.

"it is good!"

"So beautiful!"

At the same time, cheers were heard from the other side of the venue, and the light and shadow of the successfully debugged blue and white porcelain were like moonlight pouring down on the ground.

Chen Yu stroked the draft paper on the table and suddenly smiled:

"Director Zhang thought that if all the martial arts actors suddenly stopped at the climax of the theme song, and the oracle bone script was spelled out with fluorescent silk..."

He used his fingers to draw his ideas on the console, and the afterimages of his fingertips reflected the blue light of the screen.

Zhang Yimou suddenly realized something, slapped his thigh, grabbed the intercom and shouted:
"Art team! Activate backup plan 3 immediately!"

…………

After finalizing the design plan, Zhang Yimou seemed relieved. His mouth was almost grinning from ear to ear. He grabbed Chen Yu's hand and kept shaking it: "Going to Hollywood is really different!"

"Haha, Director Zhang, I actually have something to talk to you about!"

"Oh?"

Zhang Yimou frowned and glanced at Chen Yu: "What's the matter?"

"Movie viewing party!"

"I'm planning to take part in this year's Venice Film Festival with my new film as director, so I'd like to hear your advice and invite you to give it a look..."

Chen Yu said softly.

Zhang Yimou was stunned for a moment: "The movie you directed? Oh, I remember now!"

Zhang Yimou had read the news about Chen Yu's debut work and couldn't help but laugh: "Okay, when will it be? I have to ask the Olympic Committee for half a day off!"

"It's okay. When you are free, I have invited several directors and film viewers from Europe..."

"Well, I'll send you a message tonight, okay?"

Zhang Yimou thought about it and said to Chen Yu.

He should actually know by now that he is the chairman of the jury of this year's Venice Film Festival.

Generally, the chairman of the jury of a film festival is invited half a year in advance.

And Chen Yu also knew what role Zhang Yimou played this year.

"Okay, I'll wait for your reply then!"

Chen Jin said casually, but Zhang Yimou narrowed his eyes at Chen Jin, wanting to see if this boy knew some inside information.

The two of them understood each other tacitly, and finally Zhang Yimou realized that this kid... came prepared.

He should have known that, that's why he invited me. (End of this chapter)