Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 12 Cunning and the Five-Win Situation

The room was very quiet.

Only Zu Feng's heavy, seemingly impenetrable breathing could be heard.

He took deep breaths to calm himself down.

My eyes stung as I pondered the plot.

This script is pretty awesome.

For many years, he hadn't seen such a straightforward movie script from China.

It avoids the narrow-mindedness and limitations of petty intellectuals, presenting a narrative from the perspective of victims of World War II in a generous and open manner.

The description is cruel.

Narrative awakening.

Zu Feng almost vomited when he saw the enemy dismantling propriety, righteousness, benevolence, wisdom, and trustworthiness.

The stuff this screenwriter wrote is just too Japanese.

That hypocritical description, combined perfectly with all the loose ends revealed earlier, is simply brilliant!

Cui Xinqin kept an eye on the two of them but didn't say anything. In fact, when she first read the script, Cui Xinqin had already put herself in Zu Feng's shoes.

As a member of the star class, Zu Feng has his own unique temperament. He took the entrance exam for Beijing Film Academy three times.

On the third occasion, it was precisely because of his sincerity when applying that Cui Xinqin made an exception and admitted Zu Feng, which can be described as overcoming all opposition.

Now, when Cao Zhongzhen and Zu Feng sat face to face, Cui Xinqin dared not utter a sound.

The characters in the play were terrified.

Cui Xinqin almost never interferes with her students' choices, but simply offers her silent support.

She always felt indebted to Zu Feng and had some regrets about him.

The "elder brother" of the star class is the secretary of the Youth League branch, who is conscientious and diligent.

But while his classmates were already shining in the entertainment industry, he could only go back and forth between school, preparing lessons for students, and had no opportunities.

Sometimes Cui Xinqin wonders if she ruined him by letting him get into the Beijing Film Academy.

Fortunately, he married a good wife, who was also a "Zhang Yimou Girl" (a term referring to actresses discovered by director Zhang Yimou).

He starred in "To Live".

His wife was in a superior position, and as a teacher, he knew Zu Feng's suffering; he desperately needed this opportunity.

And now, his student Cao Zhong is about to become a director.

He brought a very suitable role to his former student Zu Feng, which truly relieved Cui Xinqin of a long-standing worry.

This can be considered a kind of inheritance.

Cui Xinqin thought to herself.

Sometimes I think, is it lucky that she has Cao Zhong under her command?
Both of them were deep in thought.

Zu Feng finally opened his eyes. He sighed, his tone filled with respect:

"Director, I'm worried I won't act well."

Cao Zhongdao said, "There's no need to act. You can put yourself in the shoes of your own ancestors, use your childhood, and use the Nanjing dialect you're most familiar with to try and recreate a period of your life."

I believe that at some point in your life, you must have thought about that period of history. Just put your most genuine emotions, your most genuine fear, and your most genuine shock into that context.

Zu Feng no longer hesitated; he was just being polite, but he still said tactfully:

"I'm not lying, I really like this character, but it's definitely not for the sake of making a name for myself in history. I'm not worthy of that."

Cao Zhong patted Zu Feng on the shoulder:

"I understand you, senior brother."

You did it all for the memory of our shared bloodline, for the connection between the Yangtze River and the Qinhuai River, for the misty rain of the Six Dynasties reflected in Xuanwu Lake and Zijin Mountain, for the turbulent life behind the century-old signboard of Xinjiekou.

Zu Feng swallowed hard.
"You're exaggerating. I'm not that noble. It's just that for me, the fact that the director chose me is already a recognition of my abilities. Besides, it's a film of this kind, and I really couldn't refuse."

"Then, is that settled?" Cao Zhong asked. "We'll sign the contract anytime."

Cui Xinqin coughed twice and asked, puzzled, "The process isn't right. Shouldn't you talk to your senior about the pay?"

"Teacher, what are you saying? This is my own senior brother, and he is going to perform a story about our ancestors, which is about showing the spirit of a tiger crouching and a dragon coiling."

"My senior colleague exudes elegance; how could he possibly be tainted by the stench of money? The crew can provide plenty of salted duck in their boxed lunches; let him savor the taste of Nanjing."

"what?"

Cui Xinqin was taken aback.

Senseless.

Cao Zhong looked at Cui Xinqin.

"Teacher, although this is the first time my senior brother and I have met, we hit it off immediately. I feel like he is the Lao Jin I wrote about, the Lao Jin who would sacrifice himself for righteousness. I understand my senior brother. How could he allow the funds for this movie not to be used wisely, right, senior brother?"

Cao Zhong looked completely harmless and took it all for granted.

Cui Xinqin was numb.

So you asked me to help you find people just so you could get something for free?
You're really something! Zu Feng was stunned for a moment, then laughed in exasperation, patted his leg, and...

"Actually, I do care; people from Nanjing are very meticulous."

Zu Feng looked into Cao Zhong's eyes, which were filled with sincerity and genuine emotion.

"However, I hate trivial haggling. I can sign a contract for the role of Lao Jin for free, and I can even cooperate with all your activities."

But I hope you'll put your all into making this film.

...For Nanjing.

I was furious.

Cao Zhong nodded, his expression turning serious, his eyes filled with solemnity and determination.

"Senior brother, I can't offer you much in terms of salary right now because I've tried to keep all the costs of this movie to a minimum. But since you've said this much, and you're considered one of my trusted team members, I'll try to get you a small share of the profits, just a little bit. However, this is a private contract between us, so please don't make it public."

I can't guarantee anything else.

But for this film, I will overcome all obstacles, no matter the difficulties; the film will surely be made.

Zu Feng was a little surprised, not expecting such an unexpected bonus: "Call me anytime for my signature."

"Then thank you, senior brother. But since Teacher Cui is here today, I'll be frank with you. I need to use your reputation to trick a few more people into participating in this movie for free. Cough cough... I mean, I'm looking for a few people to participate in this movie for low pay."

Zu Feng: ...

Cui Xinqin: ...

The two exchanged a glance, their pupils contracting slightly.

Zu Feng wondered if he had been tricked. He had first said he would get no pay, and then said he would try to get a share of the profits. Was he just trying to make it hard for him to refuse his next request?

The key point is, you didn't specify how many points it would be divided into!

Cui Xinqin was surprised to see what the child was talking about in front of her.
She was shocked.

Let alone whether they are young or not,

Cui Xinqin was somewhat confused about whether Cao Zhong was even human.

Could it be that I've already gone to Mei Ting and Hai Qing's place, and now you're not going to pay me?

Cui Xinqin suddenly shuddered.

This child is so young, yet he's mastered differentiation to an unparalleled degree?

The key is that you shouldn't put me in a pocket.

She was a little panicked.

"I'll take that script back and study it first?"

After Zu Feng nodded in agreement, he decided to escape the trouble first.

He could feel that the air was cold.

After Zu Feng left, Cui Xinqin tapped the table.

"Cao Zhong, you are young but cunning. You do things under my name, but have you ever thought about how this will affect my reputation?"

If word gets out, outsiders will think I'm on your side, which is fine. But some people will think I have some vested interest in this, which doesn't sound good.

Cui Xinqin cares a lot about feathers.

Cao Zhong was still young, and Cui Xinqin worried that someone might say she had instigated him.

"Teacher, please calm down."

Cao Zhong stood up and massaged Cui Xinqin's shoulders.

"Teacher, think about it, the fact that they are willing to give you face shows your status at Beijing Film Academy, which is a win-win situation."

I will convince them, and they will admire your student for being able to write such a script. It's a win-win situation.

Even if rumors really spread that you're supporting me, it shows that you care about students and treat people sincerely, which is a win-win-win situation.

If the movie becomes a huge hit, the teachers will be like second parents to them, which is a win-win-win situation.

The teacher is well aware of the content of this movie. Even if we don't say that the ancestral graves are blessed, at least the family tree will benefit from it, which is a win-win-win situation.

Teachers have been in this field for so many years, why should they care about those trivial opinions?

You're like Qin Shi Huang touching an electrical wire – you've won so much you're numb!

So teacher, don't worry about it too much.

Cui Xinqin found it very pleasant to listen to.

I just inexplicably felt that something was wrong.

But I couldn't react in time.

A few question marks slowly appeared in my mind.

???

(End of this chapter)