Actor: Thank you.

"Hi……"

A long sigh, unique to middle-aged men, echoed from the dining room of the large courtyard house.

What is the sigh of a middle-aged man?
Heartache, helplessness, frustration, disappointment... these negative, but not extremely negative, emotions are always mixed in the lives of middle-aged people.

Unlike young people, who have clear-cut likes and dislikes and are so extreme.

In the years when all the sharp edges have been worn away, even sighs are uttered with caution.

After Ning Hao finished sighing, Zhang Yuan handed him a glass of wine.

I'm not drinking Moutai today; nothing else tastes right now.

Niulanshan Erguotou, 52 degrees.

This spicy and stimulating flavor is just what can relieve the worries of someone with a big head.

"You have a good eye!"

After struggling for a while, Big Head finally managed to squeeze out this sentence.

It's said that Zhang Yuan is good at reading manuscripts.

Earlier, Ning Hao had been wondering why Zhang Yuan didn't submit his proposal, even though it was a good one.

His reason at the time was that the subject matter was risky.

Ning Hao thought to himself, "They've already filmed 'Kekexili,' so what risks are there in my poaching-themed film?"

And they were all protected by China Film Group.

My brother used to be so daring, there was nothing he wouldn't dare to do, why did he chicken out on this?

He simply believed that their relationship had come to an end and it was time to switch allegiances.

After much negotiation, we finally partnered with Huayi. The terms they offered were quite good, but they also had many demands.

They especially like to insert ads.

He's done this before with "Crazy Stone" and "Crazy Racer," but this time he wants to make an "artistic" film with less "contamination."

After much deliberation and negotiation, we finally turned down most of the product placements.

Let's indulge in a bit of artistic flair!
Unexpectedly, I've already pooped, and I've finished!

It's important to know that Huayi is now a publicly listed company.

Listed companies are required to review their financial statements.

So from the moment it went public, Huayi immediately transformed itself from a company that relied on personal connections to a financial company.

Many employees at Huayi are already whispering that the boss seems to have changed.

The topics discussed in meetings are becoming increasingly sophisticated and high-level, but the works themselves are being mentioned less and less.

After spending more time with Ma Yun, this is how she talks...

So this raises the question: what was the cost for Ning Hao to turn down product placement?
He was full of vigor then, but now he's covered in dust and grime.

Because he had just been scolded by Xiao Wang.

I'm not just describing it; I really got a scolding.

They said he seriously affected the company's financial statements, and that he would be held responsible if the stock price plummeted because the film couldn't be released.

Big Head thought to himself, "Can I take responsibility?"
I'm not included when we eat meat, I'm not included when we drink soup, and I'm even asked to wash the dishes. But if a dish breaks, I have to pay for it.

This led to a verbal altercation with the other party.

I didn't take any shares from Huayi. You are an investor, that's true, but I also have my dignity.

Do I want my show to be unable to play?

When the child is sick, am I, the biological father, more anxious, or are you, the kindergarten owner, more anxious?
In fact, the kindergarten was in a hurry because the children's illness was affecting the kindergarten's profitability.

Big Head has grown more magnanimous; he's no longer the small-time director he once was, and he dares to argue his points.

Then... the other party pulled out a contract and threw it in front of him.

"If the film is not released on time and exceeds the deadline, you will have to pay compensation."

"If the film's box office revenue doesn't reach the minimum threshold, you'll lose money."

"The film faces legal risks due to your personal issues, and you will still have to pay compensation!"

This is the price of not inserting advertisements: a more stringent contract.

Ning Hao had great confidence in his abilities and signed the contract with complete confidence.

Because the rewards are also very generous.

Zhang Yuan listened to his words, pursing his lips and remaining silent.

Isn't doing this too hurtful to him?

He did some thinking, and after calculating, it seemed like it was all my fault.

They didn't invest in him, and in the end, they made him cooperate with Huayi.

Huayi's contract is so harsh, with a gambling element, that it seems she's become addicted to gambling with herself.

I opened Pandora's box for them in advance.

Ning Hao is now facing pressure not only that his works cannot be released.

He didn't even know how to change it.

They also have to deal with contractual pressure from Huayi.

Listed companies value efficiency. I'm waiting for the rice to be cooked, and for your movie to be released and become a box office hit, so that more people can buy my stock.

Do you think I'm just making a pittance off your box office earnings?
There's no faster way to make money than in the financial markets.

"He also suspects that you and I conspired to plot against Hua Yi!" After finishing his drink, Ning Hao poured himself another full glass.

No need for urging anyone to drink; they just down their drinks with gusto.

"If we're upright, we have nothing to fear," Zhang Yuan reassured him.

"But you can't stop some people from having crooked minds!" Big Head said angrily.

They rejected me from multiple perspectives, including my work and my character.

And what do you mean by me and Zhang Yuan teaming up?

Did I sell myself to Huayi?
You're just an investor, that's my brother!
They even gave me and my son golden orchids.

While listening to his advice, he didn't eat much food, but he downed several bottles of liquor.

"How can you go home like this, acting like a drunkard?"

“Go home? What home?” Ning Hao waved his hand. “I don’t even dare to go home. I’m inexplicably in debt now. How can I face my wife and kids?”

"Alright, enough complaining, we still have things to do."

"What are your plans next?" Zhang Yuan asked, resting his chin on his hand after eating a peanut.

"Let's change it."

"Submit for review again."

Big Head leaned back in his chair, his breath coming in barely a whisper.

"Is there enough time?"

Hearing this question, he was so worried that his brain was about to explode.

"So I don't plan to go home. I'll be working overtime every day and night to edit the video and see if it passes review again."

What if we still fail?

"Don't curse me, okay!" This guy got up and slapped him on the shoulder.

Then it fell silent again, and after a long while it spoke again.

"Do you think it will pass censorship?"

"Have you seen Zhao Benshan's skit, 'Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow'?" Zhang Yuan didn't answer him directly.

"There are two lines of dialogue in it."

"The spring breeze of reform blows in, and the Chinese people are invigorated. The Gulf region is quite troublesome, with the US and Britain ganging up to bully people."

"The situation abroad is quite chaotic, with constant infighting. Today the cabinet is ousted, tomorrow the prime minister is fired. After the financial crisis, there's the impeachment of leaders. Looking at the world situation, the scenery here is much better."

Ning Hao nodded, then shook his head.

"What do you mean?"

"What I mean is, if you want to make commercial films in the future, always remember these two phrases."

"Uncle Benshan told you more than ten years ago what Chinese audiences really like to watch." Zhang Yuan spread his hands.

"I'm not talking about the next film, I'm talking about this one."

"Oh, then there's no hope."

Ning Hao: ...

Upon hearing Zhang Yuan "sentence him to death," Ning Hao fell silent once again.

Send him away and let him do his work; it's all for nothing anyway.

However, today's meal wasn't arranged by Zhang Yuan; rather, he was the one who proactively sought out Zhang Yuan.

If you're upset, talk to him about it.

Since they've come to us, they've come to treat us as friends, so we can't just sit idly by.

You have to take responsibility for both killing and burying people; that's what it means to help someone to the very end.

……

A day or two later, before I knew how things were going with Ning Hao, another director came knocking on my door.

"Hello, you two."

Zhang Yuan invited two acquaintances to sit down.

One of them was Pang Hong, the director of the Ningbo Film Studio, with whom he had a long-standing feud.

The other one is director 523, whom I met not long ago.

And now, the new script for "Painted Skin 2" has been released, and the director has found 523.

The other party then came to our door with the documents.

It's not just the script, but also the design drafts for scenes, characters, costumes, art concept books, shooting plans, and so on.

Because Zhang Yuan has gone from being the lead actor in the first film to becoming one of the investors in the second film.

These things definitely need to be reviewed by myself.

Zhang Yuan served them fine tea and snacks, chatted casually with them, and even had his assistant take them on a tour of the courtyard.

At his request, Zhao Dandan had already memorized a very stiff tour guide script, specifically for entertaining guests. About an hour later, Zhang Yuan came to the courtyard and, with a serious expression, found the director and producer.

"I've looked through it roughly, and there are some parts I'm not satisfied with."

He was being very polite; there were very few things he said that were satisfactory.

The two of them exchanged a glance.

Zhang Yuan keenly noticed this.

Zhang Yuan knew that Pang Hong was kind on the outside but ruthless on the inside.

Of course, he didn't look very friendly either.

He's the kind of person who always steps in to act as a peacemaker and resolve conflicts.

As for how the conflict arose, don't ask!
This guy has long been dissatisfied with his "domineering" behavior, which has existed since the first movie.

So this time they found 523, who is easier to control, to be the director.

At this time, 523 had not yet released any major works and was considered a relative newcomer.

Naturally, they have to depend on the producer.

In this way, they can unite to control Zhang Yuan and suppress his power.

At least these two think so.

"Oh, what's wrong with you?" Pang Hong asked knowingly.

"According to the current script, I am the second male lead."

“How could that be!” Pang Hong immediately replied, “You are definitely the male lead; no other male actor has more scenes than you.”

“That’s right, that’s true.” Zhang Yuan said as they walked and talked.

"But I can't really be called the male lead either."

What's wrong?

The current script is basically a "two-person show" featuring two female leads.

And Zhang Yuan is that fan...

He said he was the second male lead because there was no first male lead.

I can't mention the name of the guy who seems more like the male lead than me.

Actually, the initial design for the first film was two dragons and two phoenixes.

However, after he got rid of the international star Dan, the screen time shifted more towards him.

After the first film was released, a large number of fan fiction works featuring the two female leads appeared online, which inspired Pang Hong.

Audiences love watching the two female leads!

Then give them more screen time.

You can also take a beating to the male lead.

This turned Zhang Yuan into a tool.

The second part is set in the context of the three reincarnated individuals continuing their previous relationship.

However, the main storyline revolves around the entanglement between the two female protagonists, who swap bodies and hearts, eventually merging into one.

The original main plot, which revolved around the male protagonist Wang Sheng, has been changed to a three-way balance: you love me, I love you, and we understand each other.

If you film it like this, it's better than anything else if Xiaowei and Madam Wang live a good life.

Wang Sheng, shall I leave?

"The role is too small; this definitely won't work."

“But…” The other party still wanted to argue with him, but Zhang Yuan didn’t give him a chance.

"And what kind of design is this?"

He directly flipped through the hand-drawn sketchbook.

It seems that some of the drawings were done by 523 himself.

Among them is his reincarnation as Wang Sheng, renamed Huo Xin, as a general.

It is divided into several parts: everyday wear, military uniform and armor, and a special outfit.

The problem is this unique design.

It was Huo Xin who, in order to express his love and show that he didn't care about a woman's appearance, personally blinded himself, hence the black cloth tied around his eyes.

Zhang Yuan was numb after reading it.

Am I cosplaying as a Demon Hunter?
Am Illidan?
"I'm not satisfied with this look; it's too casual."

Even if you're blind, you have to do things properly.

"Also, don't mix in too many Japanese elements."

“I don’t like Japanese style,” Zhang Yuan said, raising his hand in refusal.

523 wanted to speak, but didn't say it.

Zhang Yuan's reputation as an "anti-Japanese vanguard" is quite well-known.

“It’s not very Japanese in style, is it?” Pang Hong argued.

"To blind oneself for a woman." Glancing at him sideways, she said, "This is a scene from 'Shunkinsho'."

"You just take it and use it directly, and you still say it's not Japanese style?"

"Shunkinsho" is a masterpiece by the famous Japanese director Katsumi Nishikawa.

The lead actors are Momoe Yamaguchi and Tomokazu Miura. What kind of fame do they have? Do you think I'm stupid?

The story ends with the young lady's face, which she was so proud of, being scalded by the nobleman, and she dares not see the male protagonist again.

The male protagonist blinded himself with a needle to show his determination.

This scene was later borrowed by many Japanese films and anime, and it is quite well-known.

Zhang Yuan glanced at some of the scene and costume design drawings.

It has a strong Japanese style.

Besides, 523 himself likes Japanese style, as can be seen from "The Sword and the Laugh".

The film also had Yoshitaka Amano, a renowned Japanese illustrator, serve as its art director.

He did the illustrations and visual designs for classic games and novels such as Final Fantasy, The Heroic Legend of Aslan, and Dragon Slayer.

It's a style that combines Western fantasy with Japanese melancholy.

This style, coupled with the colorful aesthetic of ethnic minorities like 523, and Pang Hong's feeling that "Harry Potter" has been popular in recent years.

This resulted in a bizarre and incongruous art style.

Zhang Yuan felt that it was far less harmonious and unified than the first part.

The first one has that hazy, dreamlike tone.

However, in recent years, it has indeed become popular to go to island nations to "learn from their experience," especially among imperial circles, as if it were all pre-arranged.

"Films with a very strong Japanese style don't sell very well in the country."

Zhang Yuan pointed to the portrait of the female protagonist Xiao Wei's reincarnation, and dotted two dots between his eyebrows. Isn't this a Japanese geisha?

"Have you not seen the faults of 'The Promise'?" Zhang Yuan retorted, using the most tragic example.

Their faces turned pale.

When poet Chen gives an example, it's really hard to refute him.

"Not necessarily," Pang Hong said with a smile. "As an investor, you are naturally entitled to offer your opinions."

"It's a suggestion; whether or not to adopt it is up to the two of you."

If you don't take my advice, I'll keep suggesting it.

"How about this, if you have any ideas, you can give us your suggestions, and then the production team can discuss them together."

Pang Hong thought to himself, "You're good with words, but even as an investor, you don't understand art direction and visual effects."

In the end, we still have to rely on the team we found.

It's not something that can be effective just by saying it casually.

“Okay, I’ll think about it slowly, and you can revise it slowly too.” Zhang Yuan could see the determination in the two of them.

It's alright, see you later.

Anyway, the show is still in the early stages of preparation, so there's no rush.

After the two finished their meal, Zhang Yuan politely saw them to the door.

"It's uncertain whose advice we'll have at that point!"

After Zhang Yuan closed the door, he flicked his sleeve, raising a cloud of dust.

Whether it's Pang Hong or especially 523, I must teach you a lesson.

Otherwise, who knows who will listen to whom in the future?

I refrain from expressing my opinion when I'm on a film set; it's out of respect for you.

If you force me to give my opinion, then it's not a suggestion.

My mood wasn't affected by those two.

Because of the exceptionally high efficiency in Hong Kong, "Ip Man 2" was completed in post-production and editing shortly after filming was finished, and it was ready for submission for review.

I sent a copy to myself.

He was whistling and holding a hard drive.

This isn't a hard drive; it's clearly hundreds of millions in box office revenue.

It was heavy and exuded the fragrance of money.

I was just about to go to the small theater to enjoy the film myself when I received a call from director Zhang Jianya.

"Director Zhang, hello there."

"Hello."

"I have something to tell you." The other party got straight to the point.

"The girl you recommended for the film."

"We have already submitted the information to our superiors."

"That's great, thank you."

"Wait a minute..." the man immediately interrupted, "There's a problem now." (End of Chapter)