Actor: Thank you.

The following evening, in the president's office.

dong dong dong...

Faint sounds of impact could be heard coming from inside the house.

Zhang Ziyi happened to arrive at the office door and heard the commotion, then saw her assistant, Zhao Dandan, standing guard outside.

"Don't go in."

She tried to knock on the door, but her assistant raised her hand to stop her.

"what?"

"I need to speak with the boss," Zhang Ziyi said.

He spoke in a very easygoing and polite manner, as if he were talking to a friend.

The person close to the boss is someone you shouldn't mess with.

The key issue is that we can't beat them.

"Brother Zhang Yuan is busy and it's inconvenient for him," the assistant replied matter-of-factly.

I don't care what international star you are, you're nothing special in front of my boss.

"Is it inconvenient?" Zhang Ziyi listened for a few more moments.

The rhythmic pounding sounds could still be heard from inside.

In addition to the thumping sound, there were also occasional "slap slap slap" sounds.

It sounds like someone is slapping something with their hand; it's probably meat...

inconvenient.

Zhang Ziyi pondered for a moment, her eyes darting around.

Yoshi!

"Oh...I understand!"

Who's inside?

"Pretty exciting," the man inquired with a sly grin.

The boss is in good health. He just had a day of meetings and still has the energy to play this game.

That makes sense, considering it's in a prime location in the capital, looking out at the brightly lit night scene.

Riding a BMW must feel incredibly satisfying!

Zhang Ziyi recalled the expressions on Zeng Li and Yuan Quan's faces when they talked about Zhang Yuan at the previous class reunion.

I was filled with awe and respect.

It's rated three stars by Michelin and Black Pearl, and is a must-eat for female celebrities in the Chinese entertainment industry.

They're all classmates, and they can do it, so why can't I?

I may take it and carry it with me!
Even if it's not about competing for resources, just having fun is fine too.

"Tell me about it?"

"Are you from the company?"

"Which one?"

"Pretty, or with a good figure?"

Zhang Ziyi wanted to continue chatting about gossip and try to get closer to her assistant.

This trick works very well among women.

If she were to meet Guan Xiaotong, they would already be considered god-sisters.

"Get her in here!"

A roar came from inside the room.

The assistant made way without saying a word or showing any expression.

"Let me in..." Zhang Ziyi thought for a moment.

It's not impossible for the two of them to fly together.

It's nothing more than that.

However, someone who is "on par" with me must be at least an award-winning actress.

I wouldn't be happy to hang out with interns.

Thinking of her, I walked inside.

Hurry up and go, the assistant then closed the door behind him.

Zhang Ziyi squinted, her eyes quickly scanning the area.

Nobody here?

Nobody can make this noise?
Could it be...

She glanced at the boss's desk again.

A proper solid wood executive desk.

Zhang Yuan didn't like it; he thought it was old-fashioned and unsophisticated.

But Cheng Hao said back then that he was so composed.

For a big boss, fashion isn't the most important thing; you're a celebrity, and everyone knows you're fashionable.

Those who come here to discuss business with you are either subordinates or business partners; you need to leave them with a stable first impression.

He thought that Shandong women were used to "official banquets" and liked that kind of food.

Anyway, this kind of table is very big, and it has guardrails on the legs.

He sat in the back, and someone was hiding underneath him; unless you got close, you couldn't see them.

So Zhang Ziyi quickly looked at his desk with a smile.

Zhang Yuan frowned deeply.

"First of all, none of them are pretty or have good figures."

"You have nothing to do with either of those things."

"Secondly, you get over here."

Let her check if anyone is around.

The curtains were all drawn.

"If you dare to slander your superiors, defame your leaders, or talk nonsense in the company, you will bear the consequences," Zhang Yuan warned.

Zhang Ziyi quickly waved her hand.

Why are you making those loud thumping and slapping noises when no one's around...?

Now that we're closer, we can see that Zhang Yuan's forehead and cheeks are a little red.

Zhang Yuan looked at Zhang Ziyi with annoyance. He couldn't entirely blame her for having such thoughts.

After all, she had been in this industry since she was under twenty, and her values ​​as an adult were deeply intertwined with it.

She must have seen this kind of thing quite a few times.

In the old days of coal mine owners, it wasn't uncommon for them to grab a woman's head and start having sex as soon as they met her.

It is only because information has become more transparent and open in the internet age that people have become more restrained.

Let me tell you one thing.

Zhang Yimou had met a Hong Kong director a few years ago when he was filming.

Zhang Yimou often works non-stop, demonstrating amazing physical stamina.

But there are also times when I get tired, exhausted, and my inspiration runs dry.

That Hong Kong guy kept recommending that Zhang Yimou use "brain-shaking pills," saying that they would give him energy and creativity.

Even top-tier directors like Zhang Yimou have people desperately urging him to take drugs.

If you're a minor actor or director, you can't get into the industry if you don't use drugs; they'll blacklist you.

Zhang Ziyi is very lucky to have met Zhang Yimou, a director with relatively sound values.

At this moment, Zhang Yuan suddenly thought of Jun'er.

Jun'er told him that his company rule was that male leaders' offices must be completely transparent and curtains could not be drawn.

When reporting on work, if there is a member of the opposite sex present, at least two or three people should accompany them; they should not enter the room alone.

Zhang Yuan guessed that he must have heard or seen something.

But then I thought about it again, and he graduated from Wuhan University, so it makes sense.

The rhythmic sounds in the room just now, and the redness and swelling on his face, were actually signs of him "self-harming."

He slammed his head against the table, bumping his forehead against a solid wood table.

He kept talking as he bumped into them.

"Let you be so reckless!"

"Serves you right for showing off!"

"I'm sending you to the Great Wall!"

He got so worked up that he raised his head and slapped himself hard on the back of his head several times.

clap clap clap...

"That damn foreigner got a brilliant idea!"

"I'll teach you to play tricks again!"

I regret it!

Why do you think I would bring foreigners to the Great Wall?

They really got a brilliant idea from Tours, this "idea king".

Seeing the Great Wall makes me want to take amazing photos.

Wanting to make a blockbuster, I thought of the fact that I bought the rights to Godzilla, and that there are monsters in Pacific Rim.

Then why not make a Chinese version of a monster story?

Combined with the Great Wall, an iconic structure that is one of the eight wonders of the world.

After hearing this, he was stunned for about ten minutes on the Badaling Great Wall before he came to his senses.

So you're going to make "The Great Wall"?
Even at this point, he could only feel a tremor in his heart.

They are still trying to find a way to make amends.

But things got even worse when the meeting started the next day.

Because Zhang Yimou is here!
Tours: I really want to see Zhang Yimou!
These were the requests they made before they came.

They specifically called Zhang Yimou over for a meeting to discuss the matter.

The fact that others are willing to cooperate is largely due to Zhang Yimou's influence.

There was no other way; the foreigners just recognized him.

Then the problem arose.

Tuer: I have an idea. I want to make a movie about the Great Wall, a Sino-US co-production, with stars from both countries. What do you think? (Clever expression)
Zhang Yimou: It's a deal, double happiness is coming!
I love taking amazing photos.

This is my specialty.

And I really want to do a Sino-US co-production.

I didn't have Teacher Liu's life, but I caught Teacher Liu's illness.

Upon hearing that he could collaborate with Legendary Pictures and film with a Hollywood crew, Zhang Yimou was extremely excited.

Zhang Yimou: I want to make a movie that's a Sino-US co-production. Isn't that a bold move?

The film is a Sino-US co-production centered around the theme of the Great Wall.

When he said that, Tull, Smith and the others were very excited!

Everyone thought, "Wow, that's amazing!"

Zhang Yuan wanted to persuade him to give up.

But they were all very excited!
They've already started discussing whether to invite Leonardo DiCaprio or Tom Hanks.

I'm so excited!

Zhang Yuan: Oh my god.

"Director Zhang, if we do it this way, the cost will be staggering."

He quickly came up with an excuse.

"Moreover, this design is very large, and the script will be very difficult to handle."

"I am confident that I can do it well." Zhang Yimou said with great ambition.

"This is my wish: to make a film with a Chinese theme, that is in line with the world, and that will shock Hollywood!"

"But the 'Hero' movies have already achieved that."

"Hey, that's different!" Zhang Yimou waved his hand repeatedly.

Then he started rambling on and on.

Speaking of which, Zhang Yimou is considered Zhang Yuan's "senior".

Because he won the Best Actor award at the 2nd Tokyo International Film Festival. That's right, Zhang Yimou is still a Best Actor winner.

He won the award with the play "Old Well".

In the TV series "Keep Cool" back then, he and Zhao Benshan both had cameo roles, but they performed better than the lead actor Jiang Wen.

As for awards in directing and cinematography, that goes without saying.

I've won so many awards in China—the Hundred Flowers Awards, the Golden Rooster Awards, the Huabiao Awards, and the Hong Kong Statue of Liberty—that I never want to win again.

Tired.

Berlin Silver Bear, Golden Bear; Venice Silver Lion, Golden Lion

He has never won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, only the Jury Prize for "To Live", so he is aiming for Cannes with "Coming Home".

Zhang Yimou's strategy is to alternate between making one award-winning film and another that makes money.

The remaining ones are the Brussels Film Festival, the Zimbabwe Film Festival, the Waaldorid Film Festival, and the Valladolid Film Festival.

He won every award he was eligible to receive.

He has never won an Oscar or a Golden Globe, except in North America.

Zhang Yimou is the kind of player who grinds to get all the achievements, and he's not convinced.

He treats movies like a way to boost his earnings.

That's why he's so ambitious!
In terms of artistic ambition, Chen Yimou alone surpasses the combined ambitions of both Chen Yimou and Feng Xiaogang.

Now that a Hollywood production company has offered to collaborate and is willing to involve Hollywood stars, it's a great opportunity to break into the Oscars and Golden Globes. How could he possibly miss it?

"When you were filming 'The Flowers of War' last time, you replaced Bale with Cage to save money."

"The domestic box office is okay, but it doesn't receive recognition from North American audiences and awards."

"I've always regretted this matter," Zhang Yimou said, bringing up the old story again.

Zhang Yuan thought that even if Bell were to come, people wouldn't approve.

But we can't say for sure what hasn't happened yet.

He simply believed that the problem wasn't with him, but with the actors and the scale of the filming.

Zhang Yimou is a stubborn guy; once he gets into a tantrum, he won't listen to reason.

Tours, meanwhile, "stirred things up," saying they would provide financial and logistical support, not only in finding actors but also in helping to find a top-notch visual effects team, and in charge of North American distribution and award campaigns.

He heard it, and put on a mask of pain.

The Hong Kong people who participated in the video conference also had a positive view of the project and repeatedly expressed their approval.

Most importantly, when Lao Han heard about this, he slammed his fist on the table.

It would be great if the US and China could work together; we should learn from North American technology!

This has once again touched on the old man's penchant for grandstanding.

In the end, he was the only one in the company who opposed the plan, while everyone else agreed.

Uh... Level 10 pain.

That's why he locked himself in his office and "self-harmed".

My goodness!
If I were to film this, how much money would I have to pay in compensation?
There's no doubt they'll lose hundreds of millions.

And it's not just a matter of losing a hundred or two hundred million.

The total losses could reach hundreds of millions of US dollars!

One of the most famous tragedies in the history of Chinese cinema.

I can't knowingly walk on a mountain full of shit.

But now everyone thinks it's a "gold mine".

A mountain drenched in molten gold can also be considered a golden mountain.

He's so worried, his brow is practically wrinkled.

"Boss, a cigarette."

At this moment, Zhang Ziyi, being perceptive, quickly picked up the cigarette case and lighter on the table to light it for him.

But she was being a bit too enthusiastic; she lit it herself with her mouth before handing it to him.

"Change to another one." Zhang Yuan waved his hand.

What are you worried about?

Zhang Ziyi participated in part of today's meeting, but she was not involved in matters related to the Sino-US co-production.

"Don't meddle."

He's too lazy to talk, and he can't even confide in anyone.

It seems that geniuses are always so lonely and out of step with others.

"What do you want? Tell me quickly, and then go home and rest," he replied, annoyed.

“I’ve contacted the Central Academy of Drama and reached out to my teacher, Mr. Chang Li.”

Upon hearing the name, Zhang Yuan looked up.

Chang Li is a female teacher, but she deserves the title of "teacher".

Not only Zhang Ziyi and others, but Chen Baoguo was also taught by her.

He is a professor at the Central Academy of Drama, a master's supervisor, and enjoys special allowances from the State Council.

Officially recognized as possessing both moral integrity and artistic talent.

Zhang Ziyi, who is not very cultured, couldn't even meet the arts-related liberal arts requirements when she took the entrance exam for the Central Academy of Drama.

Chang Li took a liking to her and applied for exemption from the academic exams for her.

"I remember the old lady retired?"

"My students are all over the world," Zhang Ziyi said proudly. "Many of those working within the university are also her students or juniors."

"I understand. I'll come with you to meet him another day so I can pay my respects to the senior."

"Thank you, go home soon."

"Please give my greetings to Mr. Sa Beining."

Let her go home and be intimate with Xiao Sa.

"no!"

Zhang Yuan felt he could no longer "self-harm".

When something like this happens, you need to find friends to talk to and cheer yourself up.

After much thought, I realized I needed to find a discreet and sensible person to keep quiet.

So I called Sister Qian.

"Hey," he asked quietly, "Sister-in-law, is Brother Qian home?"

"You're not home, what do you want?"

The two of them were playing with the children at Tianjingdihua.

Zhang Yuan threw down his phone and rushed to Lixian by car.

When we arrived, Brother Qian had already set up the skewers, started stewing the chicken, and was making cold dishes.

"Brother's here."

Where is my apprentice?

"His mother went to coax him to sleep."

"It's just the two of us eating."

You have to admit that Brother Qian is a very shrewd person.

I knew something must have happened when I heard he came all the way from Wangjing.

If it's urgent, I'll tell you over the phone.

If they didn't come to the suburbs, there must be some unspeakable reason.

"What happened?"

After a few rounds of drinks, the two of them squatted down beside the vegetable garden, each holding a roll of toilet paper.

Brother Qian's cold dishes are still as smooth as ever.

"I have some worries."

"You were caught by another woman?"

Zhang Yuan: ...

Can't you think of me in a better way?

"Just kidding, you're quick-witted, what worries could you possibly have?"

Brother Qian half-praises and half-questions.

"There's a project that everyone else is optimistic about, but I'm not."

“This is a complicated matter, involving many people. I can’t make the decision on my own, and I can’t go against everyone.”

The owner of Legendary Pictures proposed including the film as part of the collaboration in the contract.

"I understand. You think it's wrong, but others think it's right."

"If you don't listen to me, I'll be left all alone, right?"

"almost."

Brother Qian took a drag of his cigarette.

"Sometimes, everyone makes mistakes, but if you are the only one who is clear-headed, you will be treated as an enemy."

"It's better to go with the flow and wait until everyone realizes they're wrong before helping to resolve the issue together, instead of making sarcastic remarks."

"That way, people will actually recognize you."

Zhang Yuan listened and pondered.

There are many things going on inside the crosstalk club, and Brother Qian must have felt that something was wrong.

But he certainly won't tell.

If a real problem arises, he'll either act as if it's none of his business, or if they're on good terms, he'll lend a hand.

So, regardless of whether they're still here or have left, there are plenty of people who have clashed with Teacher Guo.

But when it comes to Brother Qian, no one curses; everyone speaks highly of him.

“That’s called being open to good advice,” Zhang Yuan replied.

"more or less."

"Wait a minute... I'm the boss, what if there's a loss?"

Who will take responsibility?

"Then I don't know. It seems your matter is too big, and my ideas may not be useful."

Brother Qian has once again taken a step back and started speaking tactfully.

After they finished squatting, they went back to the table to continue eating.

Zhang Yuan picked up his chopsticks and paused for a moment.

"Did you pick the cucumbers for this cucumber salad from the vegetable patch we were just squatting in?"

"hold head high!"

Without hesitation, Brother Qian replied.

"I personally fertilize all the fertilizers; there are absolutely no pesticides used."

“It’s not like we have pesticides, but it’s better if we do.” Zhang Yuan’s mask of pain deepened.

After eating and drinking for a while, I drifted off to sleep.

I got up the next morning.

The thought of having to meet with the legendary people in the afternoon, and that the conversation would inevitably turn to the Great Wall, gave him a headache.

Step outside and breathe in some fresh air.

I saw Brother Qian, who was up early, wearing a straw hat and a tank top, watering the vegetable garden.

A gourd cut in half is used to scoop water; it is also called a ladle.

All-natural, made without plastic.

Zhang Yuan glanced at the vegetable patch; it was a bit too natural.

Without making a sound, they quietly watched as Brother Qian scooped out water, one ladleful at a time, to nourish the vegetable garden.

The chirping of insects and birds in his ears gave him a sense of having stolen half a day of leisure.

I don't want to think about anything, I just sit there, it's quite relaxing.

But as he looked at it, his eyelids twitched.

I repeatedly observed Brother Qian's actions of sprinkling water.

Splash, splash.

Water was scooped out of the bucket and spilled all over the ground.

He lit a cigarette, as if he were thinking of something… (End of Chapter)