A widower's entertainment

Xinghua Hutong, Beijing.

Zhang Wei was also quite surprised. Lin Youcheng had actually written a movie script for his daughter, Lin Zhaomei. He knew that Lin Zhaomei was currently studying directing at the Beijing Film Academy, and that her previous short film, "Destiny," had won the Best Short Film Award at the Berlin Film Festival.

He had also seen the short film; it was quite well-made, and the two lives of those who took the college entrance exam in the film were very shocking.

In his view, Lin Youcheng's original story was quite extraordinary, and now it was a movie script he was writing for his daughter, so this script must be extraordinary as well. Naturally, he was very curious about what kind of story Lin Youcheng planned to write for his daughter, Lin Zhaomei.

Especially now that Lin Youcheng is unwilling to publish it in the form of a novel, lest it lack surprise after publication, this naturally makes Zhang Wei even more curious.

"Youcheng, what is your story about?"

Lin Youcheng smiled when he heard Zhang Wei's words and said, "It should be considered the life story of a kind young man. He will encounter some special things on the road of life, including love."

Undoubtedly, the entire literary world is well aware that although Lin Youcheng is skilled at writing many types of stories, his greatest strength lies in love stories. His two novels that won the Mao Dun Literature Prize, "Strange Tales of the Human World" and "Atonement," while containing other themes, also focus on love.

Hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Zhang Wei naturally became even more curious, wanting to know what kind of special things this kind young man in Lin Youcheng's story would encounter.

Lin Youcheng didn't hide anything and chatted with Zhang Wei about the story.

Without a doubt, when Zhang Wei heard Lin Youcheng recount the general plot, he instantly understood the special nature of Lin Youcheng's story and was quite shocked.

"Youcheng, the story you wrote is truly remarkable!"

Zhang Wei was well aware that some of the events here were even more intense than the short film "Destiny" that Lin Zhaomei had previously filmed. Although both were about destiny, and the incident of being impersonated in the college entrance examination was already quite dark, when he heard Lin Youcheng talk about the mine and the strange sales incident, he felt that they were even more cruel.

Zhang Wei said with some emotion, "This story won't be easy to film!"

Although Zhang Wei hadn't seen the complete story script either, after listening to Lin Youcheng's explanation, he felt it would be very difficult to film.

However, Zhang Wei thought of the short film "Destiny" that Lin Zhaomei had previously filmed, which was a story about human destiny. In his opinion, Lin Zhaomei might be very suitable to film this story.

Lin Youcheng smiled. Of course he knew this story wouldn't be easy to film, but so what if it wasn't? Anyway, as her father, he would have the funds to support his daughter, Lin Zhaomei.

Just like before he even thought of writing this script, he had already given Columbia Pictures a brilliant idea for "Final Destination," and the copyright fee for that outline alone was enough for Lin Zhaomei to make the movie. Moreover, even if it wasn't enough, he, as her father, could invest more.

After all, his company isn't a domestic film production studio. This company has always been making money. Not to mention the copyright fees and the money earned from TV series, there's also the box office revenue from the movie "The Sixth Sense." All of this gives him a lot of confidence. Even if his daughter uses up a lot of film and spends a lot of money, he, as her father, can support her.

Whether it's one film or two, he can support his daughter, Lam Siu-mei, in making the films.

It's worth noting that the reason he founded Huayi Film and Television Company in the first place was, to some extent, for Lin Zhaomei.

"It doesn't matter. We'll know whether it's easy to shoot or not after we shoot it."

Lin Youcheng remained calm and unconcerned, instead saying, "It all depends on whether Dao Zhaomei is willing to film this story."

Upon hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Zhang Wei couldn't help but say, "I've seen Zhao Mei's short film 'Destiny,' which was very well made. The film conveys a sense of compassion, and I think Zhao Mei is very suitable to direct this story."

Lin Youcheng smiled and said, "It's fine for her to decide."

Zhang Wei nodded as well.

However, to be honest, Zhang Wei still found Lin Youcheng's story quite unbelievable. In fact, in Zhang Wei's opinion, Lin Youcheng's story of life and fate was full of suffering and despair, but the ending was still beautiful.

Zhang Wei couldn't help but think of Yu Hua's novel "To Live," a story that was filled with suffering and sorrow until the very end, after all, in the end, only Fugui and his ox remained.

Zhang Wei was naturally also looking forward to Lin Youcheng finishing the script as soon as possible. He was even curious about what would happen if Lin Zhaomei actually made the movie.

Even though Lin Youcheng's script for "Our Millionaire" is not yet finished, there are already rumors that Lin Youcheng has a very good script, but it is written for his daughter Lin Zhaomei.

Regardless of whether they are directors or not, people here are naturally curious.

Especially renowned directors like Chen Aige and Zhang Yimou would naturally be curious.

Chen Aige took her film "Temptress Moon" to the Cannes Film Festival this time, but it didn't bring any results. Naturally, Chen Aige was a little disappointed. Hearing that Lin Youcheng was writing a good script, she was naturally curious. Even though she knew that the script was written for Lin Youcheng's daughter, Lin Zhaomei, Chen Aige still came to ask about it.

Chen Aige then came over to chat with Lin Youcheng, wanting to know about the notebook Lin Youcheng had. She smiled and said, "Youcheng, I heard you wrote a notebook for your daughter?"

Lin Youcheng nodded and said, "Yes, this is her first feature film."

Chen Aige knew that Lin Youcheng was indeed planning to give the script to his daughter, Lin Zhaomei. He wasn't too surprised, although he was also curious about what kind of script it would be. However, since Chen Aige already knew that he didn't have much hope for the script, he didn't say anything more. Instead, he said, "I didn't expect that the film 'Temptress Moon' wouldn't have won anything at the Cannes Film Festival."

"Winning an award is largely a matter of luck. If the judges don't have anyone they like, or if they have other favorite films, the result will be different."

Chen Aige listened to Lin Youcheng's words and naturally knew that this was the truth, but he was still somewhat disappointed.

The film *Temptress Moon* didn't win any awards, and although it will be released later, Chen Aige is already thinking about what kind of stories he wants to tell next. He naturally doesn't want to be without good films to win awards after *Farewell My Concubine*. He's still young and very confident he can continue making films and winning awards. Especially after director Hou Xiaoxian from Taiwan won the Palme d'Or at Cannes with *The Devotion of Suspect X*, and then won the Golden Lion at Venice with *Amour*, he naturally hopes to win another major award at one of the three major film festivals.

Like Hou Xiaoxian, his film "Goodbye South, Goodbye" also failed to win any awards.

Chen Aige looked at Lin Youcheng and said, "Youcheng, we must have the opportunity to cooperate again in the future!"

Chen Aige naturally hopes to collaborate with Lin Youcheng again. Lin Youcheng's screenwriting skills are beyond question. He is the only person in China to have won two Oscars and is truly the number one screenwriter. Naturally, Chen Aige also hopes to collaborate with Lin Youcheng again.

It's well known that films that collaborate with Lin Youcheng often win awards. For example, Hou Xiaoxian collaborated with Lin Youcheng on the film "Love," and Li Shaohong collaborated with Lin Youcheng on the film "The Reader." Now, he knows that Li An is filming Lin Youcheng's "Human Tales." He thinks that with Li An and Lin Youcheng working together, this film will definitely be very exciting.

It's worth noting that he also really liked the story of "Human Wonders" and had wanted to make a movie about it, but the conditions didn't allow it, so he made "Atonement" instead.

Fortunately, the film "Atonement" also won two major awards at the Cannes Film Festival and has always been considered a classic film, which made him very gratified, because he personally liked the story of "Atonement" very much.

Upon hearing Chen Aige's words, Lin Youcheng naturally smiled and nodded, saying, "Of course."

Chen Aige wasn't the only one asking Lin Youcheng; Tian Zhuangzhuang was also very curious.

Of course, Tian Zhuangzhuang doesn't want to direct the film himself, because he is currently banned from making movies and has no opportunity to direct. However, because of the TV series "The Great Song Dynasty Forensic Examiner" that he previously collaborated on with Lin Youcheng's company, Tian Zhuangzhuang has some ideas. Even after being banned from making movies, he can still serve as a producer and guide the filming of the movie.

Tian Zhuangzhuang also did not expect that Lin Youcheng's script would be so powerful.

If it weren't for the fact that he's currently banned from filming, he would really love to film this story.

"Youcheng, you are really amazing."

Lin Youcheng smiled and said, "Don't say that."

Tian Zhuangzhuang waved his hand and said, "I don't admire anyone else, but I admire you! I think the 'Palace of Desire' you told Shao Hong about earlier is particularly good and very suitable for her to film."

Clearly, Li Shaohong had also spoken with Tian Zhuangzhuang about the story of "Princess Taiping" and had shared some of the suggestions Lin Youcheng had given him.

Tian Zhuangzhuang also felt that Lin Youcheng's suggestion was quite good, because for Li Shaohong, such a story would have more conflict and would be more suitable for Li Shaohong to develop.

Now that Lin Youcheng has talked about the notebook he's currently writing, he has only one word in his heart—"I'm impressed!"

He truly deserves to be called the number one screenwriter in China!

This was Tian Zhuangzhuang's true thought. He smiled and said, "This story is so exciting. If you need my help in any way later, just let me know."

Lin Youcheng smiled and nodded when he heard Tian Zhuangzhuang's words. He knew that Tian Zhuangzhuang was speaking from the heart and really wanted to help film this story.

With school out for break, Lin Zhaomei naturally went home. She had already heard that her father was writing another movie script, which he planned to make into her first feature film. This undoubtedly made Lin Zhaomei very excited.

After all, her father, Lin Youcheng, had won two Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay. There are very few people in the world, let alone in China, who have won two Academy Awards.

Lin Zhaomei has always been very aware of her father's great achievements in the film industry. Naturally, she also hopes to make good films and become a feature film director in the future. In particular, her father has told her that she must study hard and make good films in the future. He will prepare scripts for her. Now her father is indeed writing scripts for her. How could Lin Zhaomei not feel excited and expectant?

Especially since her father refused other directors and wanted to keep the story for her, Lin Zhaomei was deeply moved.

She knew this was what her father had said before, that he would write a notebook for her.

Of course, after Lin Zhaomei read her father's unfinished script and talked with him, she suddenly felt a sense of pressure.

Because she didn't know if she could film this story well.

The story written by my father, Lin Youcheng, is so impactful and shocking!
Especially since her father is in this movie, just like in the original "Human Wonders," he intends to hide a plot point in this film, which naturally puts a lot of pressure on her.

Because "Strange Tales of the Human World" is her father's representative work, and it even won the Mao Dun Literature Prize, if she doesn't adapt the script of "Our Millionaire" well, she will really ruin her father's good story.

Lin Zhaomei naturally felt pressured, because she knew very well that this story was quite remarkable.

"Zhaomei, don't feel pressured. Whenever you want to shoot this story, just start shooting. At worst, it's just practice. Just like shooting a short film, there will always be a first time when shooting a feature film."

Lin Youcheng naturally knew that his daughter Lin Zhaomei felt some pressure about filming the story of "Our Millionaire". In his heart, Lin Zhaomei was naturally more important, so he said directly: "Don't worry about messing it up. Anyway, your father has the funds to support you."

Lin Zhaomei was deeply moved as she listened to her father, Lin Youcheng's, words.

Because she knew very well that every word her father, Lin Youcheng, said was from the heart.

Even if she were given a superb script like "Our Millionaire," which could even be considered Oscar-worthy, as a practice piece for her feature film debut, her father would not have any objections. On the contrary, he would strongly support her and would not worry about the film losing money.

Lin Zhaomei looked at her father, Lin Youcheng, and said with a smile, "Dad, thank you!" (End of Chapter)