Rebirth 08: Equipment God

Chapter 372: The New Book Concludes
Finally, when Zhai Da's third novel, "The Severed Finger," had already reached over 100,000 words, his debut novel, "The Long Road of Lü," began its adaptation into a film and television series.

Although the adaptation rights contract has not yet been signed, Zhai Da has always been a man of his word. As long as there are no fatal flaws in the preparation process, the opportunity will eventually be given to Gao Yuanyuan.

Gao Yuanyuan and Brother Hu did not leave immediately. Taking advantage of the rare opportunity, they began to ask Zhai Da for advice on the script.

From pure text to film or television, "adaptation" is inevitable. This is not simply a matter of respecting the original author, but rather the reason why two different mediums have different focuses of expression.

Even if Zhai Da were Cao Zhi reincarnated, Gao Yuanyuan's attitude of kneeling and kowtowing while serving would still have to be changed.

The most typical example is "monologue".

Novels can make full use of this method to describe the characters' psychological states, but movies can't. You can't just keep using voice-over narration, can you? That would be so awkward!

Some psychological activities are destined to be impossible to express through dialogue, so other methods are needed, such as visual metaphors, performances, or adding extra conflict. These things will also affect each other. In the end, the time, place, environment, and characters of a certain plot may have to be changed accordingly, or even some parts may have to be cut.

In addition, the script must be in a format that the director, actors, and staff can understand. It needs to be simplified, refined, and rearranged according to the scene order. Who would act while holding up the original work?

Finally, I'll deduct a discount due to the director's and actors' skill levels.
This is why many fans of the original work feel that the adaptations are completely different from the original films and television series.

Zhai Da had long been prepared for the script to be "changed," but that didn't mean he had no requirements for it. He explained some key points and character logic to Gao Yuanyuan and Brother Hu, and asked them to find a suitable screenwriter to write it.

Incidentally, it also enhanced their understanding of the characters.

For example, Gao Yuanyuan and Brother Hu both need to gain a little more weight. Lin Manman has long-term uremia, and due to edema, she can't look so delicate. As for Lü Tu, he is recovering from surgery and has a detached attitude towards life and death, so he can't control his diet.

Zhai Da even suggested that, if appropriate, the two of them could both have a little bit of a "belly" and show it off briefly in suitable scenes.

This can greatly reduce the audience's preconceived notions about "handsome men and beautiful women" and also increase the chances of winning awards.

Actually, adapting a story into a film or television series is quite interesting, especially when you have enough say in the matter. The more Zhai Da talks, the more ideas he comes up with.

Gao Yuanyuan and Brother Hu are quite serious about their acting careers, and they quietly keep these inspirations in mind.

We talked for about two hours.

After that, Hu Ge had an easier time, only needing to study the role and adjust his schedule, while Gao Yuanyuan had a heavier burden, having to organize events.

As for the director, Gao Yuanyuan gave several options, but Zhai Da looked at them and found them all unfamiliar. Most of the directors he had a good impression of were not yet established or even in the industry in 09, and it was impossible to invite a veteran director for "The Long Road of Lü".

Therefore, Zhai Da was not familiar with any of the names on the list, so he let Gao Yuanyuan make the decision herself, but it would be best if she told him the reasons and analysis process.

Finally, the issue of casting inevitably came up.

Although this was a very complicated process, far beyond what a researcher could explain with just a bottle of cola, Gao Yuanyuan still wanted to hear Zhai Da's opinion.

Aside from the male and female leads, there aren't many supporting characters in the film, which is one of the reasons why this work easily won awards.

The male and female leads have significant screen time, and the subject matter naturally gives them an advantage.

Actually, they were just a few supporting characters, and Zhai Da could have completely ignored them, but unexpectedly, he began to hesitate.

His expression of wanting to speak but not daring to was so surprising that even Gao Yuanyuan was taken aback.

If the director has no objections, why would the supporting actor hesitate? Could it be that Teacher Zhai has a particularly outrageous choice for the role?
In that instant, a lot of thoughts came to mind, including some casting decisions within the industry that seemed to lack critical thinking skills.
Is Teacher Zhai trying to promote some newcomer? A woman? A girlfriend?

It can't be her boyfriend, can it?!

In the end, Zhai Da convinced himself and gave his only advice on casting.

"Could we ask Mr. Fan Wei to play Lin Manman's father?"

Gao Yuanyuan:
Brother Hu:
If you're not Fan Wei, what are you hesitating for? That expression makes me think you're going to mess with some minor celebrity!
Zhai Da asked uncertainly, "Isn't it quite suitable?"

The Zhai family motto: Make Mom happy!
"I'll give it a try."

Although the conversation progressed quickly, they couldn't be kicked out in the afternoon since they had just arrived, so Zhai Da treated the two to dinner that evening.

They will return to Beijing early the next morning. Currently, that city remains the absolute center of the film and television industry, and most resources, actors, and staff have to be sourced from Beijing.

After dinner, Zhai Da stopped paying attention and the group went to their hotel, while Zhai Da returned to Shenzhou Zundi.

After exercising for half an hour under 1.25 times gravity, Zhai Da is now adding more weight to his workout under "high gravity." He feels that his training has been somewhat effective and plans to find time to measure various data.

After taking a shower, Zhai Da sat back down at his desk and opened the notebook containing the manuscript of "The Severed Finger".

He expects the book to be around 25 words long, a new record for his works, and he has already completed half of it.

Today's events gave him a sense of novelty, and his inspiration was stronger than usual.

A work of art is the author's child.

Every stroke of the pen is an extension of the author's inspiration and thoughts; the pen carries the ink, and the ink carries the person.

He will probably never stop writing in his lifetime.

The copywriter who once had no respect for words and only accumulated some knowledge through work has now become a mature writer.

"So, let's set a small goal: with only one week left before school starts, let's get back into focus and finish this article!"

He is very efficient when he has a large block of time.

As she spoke, she looked at Lu Wei, who was bent over her desk, and unconsciously placed her hand on her round, delicate knees: "Our great mathematician, how's your progress? You've been working on that convex function calculation since before summer vacation, for three or four months now, haven't you made any progress yet?"

Lu Wei turned her head and said with genuine admiration, "You are indeed faster than me in every aspect."

Zhai Da:
"Remember what you say now."

Don't give me a hard time then. In the last few days before the new semester started, Zhai Da stayed home and maintained a high level of writing efficiency, working more than 8 hours a day and consistently producing around 10,000 words daily.

Moreover, it refers to 10,000 words in physical literature, not 10,000 words in online literature.

With multiple enhancements, Zhai Da doesn't need to worry about "quality issues" at all; he only needs to seize inspiration and focus on "what he wants to write."

The progress of "The Severed Finger" is getting faster and faster. The smooth strokes of his pen make a rustling sound on his desk every day. Lu Wei, who is next to him, is almost distracted for a moment before Zhai Da turns a page of the manuscript.

The pen of this artsy girl is almost worn out.

Finally, on August 26th, at the end of this unforgettable summer vacation, Zhai Da completed his third work.

But he didn't rush to send it to Lou En. He planned to let it sit and polish for a while before turning his attention to another matter.

Yu Xiaoli and Tang Xiaokui are going back to Dongyang.

At Harbin Taiping Airport, Zhai Da picked Tang Xiao Kui up in his arms. Her delicate dress and taller figure than her peers actually made her look a bit big when he was holding her.

Sitting in Zhai Da's arms, taller than Zhai Da
However, it cannot be ignored that this is still a child under seven years old, and has experienced a major life-altering event.

Therefore, Tang Xiao Kui's attachment to her family is extremely strong, which has both advantages and disadvantages.

Fortunately, being a girl and not having the pressures of life has more advantages than disadvantages.

Tang Xiaokui hugged Zhai Da, her eyes red-rimmed: "Brother, can't I go to school in Harbin? Mom can stay too, so the whole family can be together."

"Hey~ You can't say that."

Zhai Da smiled and wiped away Tang Xiao Kui's tears: "Such a big decision is not so easy to make. You go back first, focus on your studies, there's still plenty of time."

For Tang Xiaokui, primary school alone takes six years, but for Zhai Da, if nothing unexpected happens, he will complete all his undergraduate credits next semester and be able to graduate early.

He had some ideas about which path to take, but had not yet decided.

Tang Xiao Kui buried her head in Zhai Da's shoulder, sobbing intermittently.

Zhai Da instructed, "Listen to your mom at home, and listen to your teachers at school. I'll be going home for winter break."

"Um"

After putting Tang Xiaokui down to say goodbye to Lu Wei, Zhai Da hugged his mother and said, "I'll have someone send that Volvo to Dongyang later, so it'll be easier for you to pick her up from school."

"Don't worry, this way you'll have a car to use when you go back to Dongyang."

Zhai Daxin said that he could use a car anywhere because he could put his car in his pocket.

After half a year of study, Ms. Yu, a middle-aged woman, finally obtained her driver's license. In fact, according to the driving school, she could have started working long ago, but Zhai Da insisted that she could not be taught the standards of a driving school in a small county.

How could he not know how worthless it was? He got it for himself with just two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes.

So I encouraged my mom to continue practicing patiently. During the two months I spent in Harbin, I would occasionally take her to practice on deserted, closed roads.

Ultimately, Ms. Yu passed the test with Zhai Da, rather than with a middle-aged "female shrew".

Female driver, break-in period, first time on the road.

Zhai Da bought a Volvo XC90 for his mother in Harbin. Dongyang was too small to buy a good car, and it would be too troublesome for Yu Xiaoli to handle the car purchase procedures by herself.

With domestic car brands yet to rise to prominence, Volvo is currently the best choice to balance safety and performance. While the XC90 isn't exactly a luxury car, it still costs around 60 yuan, which is quite reasonable.

Yu Xiaoli smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll be careful. I'll wait for you to come back and stay at the new house during winter break."

An unforgettable summer vacation has finally come to an end.

After saying goodbye to their mother and Tang Xiao Kui, Zhai Da and Lu Wei exchanged a glance.

"So it's just the two of us again?"

Lu Wei nodded.

"Sometimes it's lively, sometimes it's quiet; that's just human nature."

But no matter how much time goes by, she's always by my side, and that's enough.

Zhai Da said gently, "It's only natural to set off occasionally and stay here occasionally."

Lu Wei: "It doesn't quite match up and the meaning is also far-fetched."

Zhai Da: "Uh"

Even great writers fear surprise attacks! I'm not some top scholar from seven provinces who's also a general in charge of writing.
Lu Wei tiptoed and gave Zhai Da a quick peck on the lips, revealing a precious, automatic smile: "Let's work hard together in the new semester."

As they were talking, three figures walked towards them.

"President! We've kept you waiting! We're here!"

Zhai Da looked over and smiled, "Welcome back to Harbin. Let's go, I'll take you back to your dorms first, and then we'll go to the research institute together tonight."

The visitor was Ge Qiaoqiao, codenamed "Fortune Teller".
And Qi Lin, codenamed "Airship," and Sun Ting, codenamed "Strawberry Candy," are a pair.

These are his three initial assistants in launching the silicon carbide project.

Like Zhai Da, they were also filled with excitement, witnessing the rise of "Hongtu OS" and the emergence of Zhai Da. How could they not be excited!
They also want to take off with the president!

(End of this chapter)