Actor: Thank you.

Following the instructions of his boss Zhang Yuan, Yang Siwei put a drafted official letter into his briefcase and drove to Huayi's office building.

Take the elevator after entering.

The moment the elevator doors opened, the fat woman sniffed.

A sense of oppression washed over us.

She remained outwardly calm, but she was thinking to herself.

This is what my boss did...

A listed company that was admired by thousands a year ago has now become the target of public criticism.

A few months earlier, when she met Huayi Artists, they all had a confident and spirited demeanor.

Looking at this office now, it has a rather tense and uneasy feeling.

As expected, you should never offend Zhang Yuan; there's no benefit in it.

However, Yang Siwei shook his head at the unfortunate task assigned to him today.

From now on, Zeng Jia shouldn't be allowed to do these kinds of jobs that invite criticism.
However, the fat woman was also cunning; she specifically asked someone and chose a time when the other party's boss was not around.

After handing the documents to the president's secretary, he quickly slipped away.

To avoid getting criticized.

"I really don't understand why the boss would do this if he knew the other party wouldn't agree."

"And he even agreed to Ning Hao's request."

"It's easy to pretend to be a good person, but if you break your promise, wouldn't it be even worse?"

That evening, she received a call back from her secretary.

As expected, the secretary looked distressed and said that the boss had seen the document, but firmly rejected the company's proposal.

Yang Siwei knew that "firmly vetoed" was a nicer way of putting it.

They were being polite by not tearing up the documents and throwing them in my face.

Call Zhang Yuan to report.

He said he understood.

He can handle the rest himself; he doesn't need to worry about it anymore.

"I bet the Wang brothers will be furious when they see this document."

That's an absolutely correct judgment.

When Xiao Wang returned to the company and saw the document, he threw it on the ground.

"Think beautifully!"

He may be a bad person, but he's not stupid.

He saw right through Zhang Yuan's thoughts and plans.

I've already finished eating, and now you're jumping out to play the good guy?
The other party understood immediately.

At this moment, Zhang Yuan jumped in to help Ning Hao, and Director Ning will never forget it. He will definitely work for him from now on.

This means that Huayi has lost a promising director.

Hua Yi's plan is to put the "No Man's Land" project on hold for now, given the current difficulties, and keep Ning Hao in check.

He watched the film and felt that the work itself wasn't problematic.

The reason for arguing and suppressing the other party now is so that we can use this as an excuse to force them to "pay back their debts" once the company has recovered.

Then I can just get him to help me film the movie.

Now you want to get him out of there?
He remembers your kindness.

If we not only praise you, but you become a saint, then aren't we completely the villains?
Zhang Yuan not only wins over Ning Hao's heart, but also uses him as a "role model," while also undermining Hua Yi's prestige.

Killing two birds with one stone? You're dreaming!
The other party, of course, disagreed.

And I've already thought it all out: I won't agree, I won't respond, I'll hold onto the contract, what can you do about it?
As long as I don't give in, you won't be able to achieve your goal!
You're too green to try and pull this on me!

Then it bit down hard.

Zhang Yuan had heard that Xiao Wang had told those around him that he would absolutely not give up on the contract with Ning Hao.

Big Head also heard about it and called him to inquire.

Zhang Yuan offered some words of comfort, saying that as long as you believe in yourself, there won't be any problems.

Even after hearing his assurance, Ning Hao remained uneasy. He looked at the golden orchid Zhang Yuan had given him on the display case at home, which shone brightly in the sunlight, and the worries in his heart seemed to fade a little.

Zhang Yuan then met with director Zhang Meng.

"Teacher Benshan often mentions you," Director Zhang said politely.

The two parties agreed to meet at a Northeastern Chinese restaurant in Beijing.

Sweet and sour pork, braised pork slices, stir-fried tofu with green peppers, stewed pork bones with pickled cabbage...

Looking at the pile of fancy dishes on the table, Zhang Yuan's thoughts were drawn to the distant black soil of Northeast China.

"Me too, I often hear Uncle Benshan talk about you."

This person has collaborated with Zhao Benshan on many sketches in recent years.

The collaboration between screenwriter He Qingkui, who previously contributed many classic works, and Gao Xiumin has faded since her passing.

This is also one of the reasons why Teacher Zhao's performance on the Spring Festival Gala has declined in recent years.

He Qingkui also doesn't collaborate with other artists because his older brother sees through things very well.

I only collaborate with Uncle Benshan, and I will always be a first-rate screenwriter.

When you collaborate with other artists, you become a second-rate or third-rate screenwriter.

Therefore, it is better to have none than to have something of poor quality.

The same principle sometimes applies to the partnership between actors and directors.

"First of all, thank you very much for being willing to help us with this film." Zhang Meng has the magnanimity typical of people from Northeast China.

"But what?" Zhang Yuan replied with a direct smile.

"But your image... I don't doubt your ability. I watched 'Shanghai Dreams,' and you portrayed a worker very well."

"It's just that the workers in Northeast China have a slightly different temperament from those in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan."

There is a clear factionalism and local protectionism in the film and television industry.

As a native of Northeast China, Zhang Meng prefers to cast actors from Northeast China when making films about Northeast China.

Zhang Yuan didn't answer, but instead pushed back his chair and stood up.

"Don't..." The director thought he was angry and was about to leave.

The investment fell through as soon as he left.

Zhang Yuan simply stood in the open space of the private room, then took a deep breath and composed himself.

His eyelids drooped, and he looked a little listless.

My back isn't very straight, but it's not hunched either. My posture is just more relaxed, and my pelvis is slightly tilted forward.

Before putting his hands in his pockets, he pressed his hair down, making his bangs fall flat.

His entire demeanor immediately plummeted.

It's not the deliberately sassy kind of dejection, but rather a kind of dejection tinged with helplessness.

I haven't watched those Northeastern TV dramas and skits for nothing these past few days.

Zhang Meng glanced at him and realized that the other person had definitely got the temperament right.

"I think the male protagonist is in a very repressed state."

After demonstrating his skills briefly, Zhang Yuan sat down again and clinked glasses with the other person.

He could certainly assertively say, "I don't care what you think, I care what I think."

I'm an investor, so whatever I say goes.

But that would be pointless; the director's enthusiasm and motivation would drop significantly, ultimately affecting the final product.

I still need talk therapy.

"It's not just the repression in family and marriage, but also the repression in life and work."

"And sexual repression."

Sexual repression... in fact, most middle-aged Chinese people experience it, regardless of gender.

It is an extension of the traditional Chinese culture of humility and modesty.

Don't say that older women play fancy tricks; that's a minority.

Generally speaking, it's clear that the further back in time a girl comes from, the more diverse and open-minded she becomes.

The story of "The Piano in a Factory" is set in Northeast China in the early 90s. The specific location is not mentioned, but it is probably in places like Anshan or Tieling.

People of this era were relatively conservative compared to later generations.

In addition, the male protagonist is separated from his wife and is about to divorce.

Although he has a lover, the female lead, he has never dared to confront her because of his daughter.

He was a middle-aged man from Northeast China, feeling aggrieved and resentful.

All his actions were introverted, quite unlike the spirited young man he once was.

But it wasn't so bad that we couldn't survive.

It's in the middle; you have to get the balance right.

In some ways, the male protagonist is quite fortunate; at least he has women who like him despite being divorced, and he's surrounded by a group of brothers.

After discussing his views on the role, Zhang Meng's opinion softened a bit.

He had always thought Zhang Yuan was the kind of big star who only acted in commercial films, but after getting to know him, he was a bit surprised.

He has depth of thought; although he is not from Northeast China, he can understand what is happening in the Northeast.

The doubts about his place of origin and identity gradually dissipated.

Seeing his casual way of eating and his generous way of drinking, I felt that he still had a bit of a Northeastern character in his bones.

Zhang Yuan values ​​this film highly because Director Zhang previously had a work called "Big Ears Bring Good Fortune".

This drama laid the foundation for the male lead, Mr. Fan Wei, to become a top-tier actor in China.

Although it didn't win a major award, Fan Wei's performance was absolutely award-winning. Zhang Meng also brought up some other things, including that Koreans would be brought in to assist with the filming, especially the post-production.

It was also in the drama "Big Ears Bring Good Fortune" that he had already worked with the Koreans, and it was a very pleasant experience. The Koreans were of great help to him in terms of camera language and post-production editing.

So, due to path dependence, they still want to ask the Koreans for help.

That's why Korean actresses are in this movie.

However, the old man's decadent style of video was quite suitable, so Zhang Yuan did not refuse.

He left the casting and finding of actors to the other party, saying that he only needed to take a look.

After the general agreement was finalized, Zhang Yuan instructed the finance department to transfer 200 million yuan as start-up capital to the other party.

The system is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

Zhang Yuan thought that the Northeast must be freezing cold at this time of year.

He also told the director that he would put more effort into his styling.

I don't shave my beard or cut my hair anymore, and I have to starve myself to look thinner so I'll look older.

The hairstyle should be the kind that's not styled, like you just brush it a few times after waking up.

He can't be this sloppy right now; he still has two press conferences to attend.

First, they held a press conference for "Ip Man 2".

The large poster depicts two contrasting images: his profile and that of Mickey Rourke.

In Hong Kong, they even ran a nonsensical advertisement titled "Ip Man vs. Whip Lock".

After all, the Expendables and Iron Man 2 had already been released during the previous summer season, and both films grossed over 100 million US dollars worldwide, so Mickey Mouse had become a familiar face in China.

Theaters are more willing to screen your film because it has Hollywood stars.

"How was it working with an international superstar?"

"Very good, the other party is very professional."

Is this a sign that the Ip Man series is taking an international approach?

"I think we should focus on serving the domestic audience first."

Zhang Yuan answered all kinds of questions in a very "business-like" manner, and he was already very adept at handling these questions.

Jiang Zhiqiang's side said that the company has already contacted the cinemas and will maintain at least 35% of the screenings in the first week of release.

Therefore, he is not worried about the box office performance of this film.

Compared to the serious atmosphere here, he was much more relaxed when he switched to Jiang Wen's "Let the Bullets Fly".

I am not the lead actor, nor am I the main character at the press conference.

Jiang Wen took the lead and pulled his wife along.

Neither Ge You nor Zhou Runfa were present.

They did find a body double for Chow Yun-fat to impersonate him.

The reporters, upon hearing Jiang Wen shout "Please welcome Brother Chow!", raised their cameras and snapped away.

But when the person came up, everyone felt something was wrong.

The vibe isn't right; he doesn't have Chow Yun-fat's superstar aura.

Somewhat disappointed, he put down the camera.

The cameras were not raised again until he appeared.

The reporter's emotions were also stirred up.

He also matched Jiang Wen's personality, speaking in a more "violent" manner.

"Zhang Yuan, what kind of movie do you think 'Let the Bullets Fly' is?"

A reporter from CCTV's "Princess Six" asked a question.

Zhang Yuan took the microphone.

"First of all, I think director Jiang Wen is a director and actor with a lot of ideas."

"His works are worth watching repeatedly; they have depth."

"And my personal evaluation of this play is..."

"This is the most awesome film I've ever made."

When Jiang Wen heard him bluntly say "awesome," she grinned and gave him a thumbs up.

That's right, that felt great!
I'm going to make awesome movies.

"You mean... this is the best movie you've ever made?" Amidst the laughter of the crowd, the reporter was a little confused.

Zhang Yuan doesn't usually talk like this.

"No, no, no, it's good, it's awesome."

"There is a difference between the two. You'll understand why they're so awesome once you see them in the movie theater."

If it weren't impressive, how could it have led to the idea of ​​"making others learn"?

It's been interpreted to an almost equal degree to "Dream of the Red Chamber".

"Since you're so optimistic about this film, do you think 'Let the Bullets Fly' can surpass your own 'Ip Man 2' at the box office?"

Zhang Yuan looked at the reporter.

In Lei's words.

This guy is definitely here to cause trouble!
"Director Jiang Wen and I are friends, so we won't engage in internal strife."

"The two dramas are different in style, and I hope the audience will like them both."

"At the same time, there were also Feng Xiaogang's 'If You Are the One 2' and Chen Kaige's 'Sacrifice'."

Do you think you can surpass them?

Reporters love to stir up trouble, Zhang Yuan thought for a moment.

Since you like big news, I'll give you some news.

"If You Are the One is a very successful commercial film, and I'm really looking forward to the sequel."

"but!"

"I believe that Director Jiang's 'Let the Bullets Fly' will definitely surpass Director Feng's work."

"If not, I'll drag Director Jiang Wen to the Shidu Scenic Area in Beijing for bungee jumping."

"Great!" the reporters shouted, and their flashbulbs went off everywhere.

I love artists who are so straightforward.

"As for Director Chen's work... I can't give an evaluation." Zhang Yuan immediately shut down his microphone and remained silent.

He's saying it's wrong, but it's also saying it's wrong... By saying that, he's essentially saying it's wrong.

The news came out in the newspapers very quickly.

Zhang Yuan said that if the box office of "Let the Bullets Fly" is not as good as "If You Are the One 2", he will jump off a building.

"A male star, under pressure to meet box office expectations, even made a suicide attempt."

"Shocking! If the box office is not good, Zhang Yuan will take dangerous actions."

and also.

"A well-known male star declined to comment on the works of famous directors."

"The history of feuds between famous directors and stars."

Some reporters wrote about it, and Zhang Yuan also publicly stated his position.

Do you think I'm afraid of you?
Come on, real men face things head-on!
It can also generate some buzz and boost the morale of the Lunar New Year film season.

Fan Bingbing called him.

“You and Chen Kaige don’t get along, and you’ve dragged me into this mess.”

"I also acted in 'The Orphan of Zhao'."

"If the box office is bad, is it your fault or mine?" Fan Xiaopang complained in a coquettish tone.

"You should be secretly happy," Zhang Yuan said, completely unconcerned.

"If it weren't for you, I would be even more impolite in my speech."

"Don't you know what kind of poet Chen is? All talk and no action, all bragging and no real ability."

To be honest, Chen's version of "The Orphan of Zhao" is just so-so.

It's just a bunch of celebrities carrying the show, the story's pacing is terrible, and it's not that engaging.

It has a strong background, being invested in by Shanghai Film Studio and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, so it has a grand scale.

Therefore, Zhang Yuan simply refrained from commenting.

When Shanghai Film Group approached him, he had something to say.

"I didn't swear. I feel I'm not qualified to comment on such high-minded people. That's not right."

In a market economy, stop clinging to ancestral glory and using connections to act like a big shot. Let box office results speak for themselves.

The eyes of the masses are discerning; they know whose show is good.

After finishing these tasks, he went to the large courtyard to arrange the banquet.

Ask Cheng Hao to help him find people, and see how many teachers from the Film Association he can invite.

Around 5 p.m., people started coming in.

By around 6 o'clock, more than 70 members of the Film Association had arrived at his home.

He didn't know most of these people, but after today, he would know them all.

The Film Association not only has actors and directors, but also many people who work behind the scenes or do theoretical research.

Many of these people previously sided with Huayi.

But now they all sit around the round table with smiles on their faces, waiting for him, the host, to offer a toast and start the meal.

These people are all willing to come and visit.

Since we can see the future, why not worship it! (End of Chapter)