Seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune, I became a legend in the entertainment industry by avo

Chapter 207 Old Master Lan's Heartache

"What's wrong?" Zhang Qilin asked anxiously.

The participation of several veteran artists from the Beijing People's Art Theatre is key to the play's widespread success.

Mr. Lan is highly respected at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, and his interpretation of the characters is profound and unique. If he could participate in the play, it would undoubtedly add a lot of color to the play.

"He didn't agree," Ren Ming sighed. "I went there twice in person. The old gentleman was nice, but when it came to the role, he just smiled and didn't say anything. I asked him if he had any ideas about the script, and he said no, and asked about his schedule—"

Zhang Qilin fell silent.

Ren Ming looked at Zhang Qilin: "If the old gentleman is unwilling, no one can force him, but for the role of Sun Chengzong, apart from Elder Lan, I can't think of anyone else who can handle it."

"Did he mention any conditions?" Zhang Qilin asked.

"No," Ren Ming shook his head, "It's just not that. I don't know where to begin. He said it wasn't because of the script, it wasn't because of his schedule, and it wasn't because of his health. I really can't figure it out."

Zhang Qilin thought for a moment, then stood up: "I'll go think of a way."

Ren Ming looked at him and simply nodded.

After leaving director Ren Ming's office, Zhang Qilin went straight to Pu Cunxin's office without stopping.

Pu Cunxin was reading documents when he saw Zhang Qilin enter, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He put down the documents in his hand and asked calmly, "What is it?"

Zhang Qilin stood across the desk and explained the situation.

After listening, Pu Cunxin didn't rush to speak.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then slowly said, "I understand Teacher Lan's temper. If he doesn't agree, he must have his reasons. Just talking about it won't work."

"But he won't say what the problem is, so I can't solve it," Zhang Qilin said, looking at Pu Cunxin with a wronged expression. "This play has an investment of tens of millions, and it's considered a key project of the theater. With Teacher Lan in charge—"

Zhang Qilin didn't finish speaking, but Pu Cunxin understood what he meant.

This is the only play produced by the theater this year, with an investment of 20 million yuan.

"Qin Liangyu" is not well-known, and if it wants to gain wider recognition, it really needs a veteran like Teacher Lan to oversee it.

He thought for a moment, took a black bag from the cabinet, and said to Zhang Qilin, "Let's go, it's time for me to go see the teacher."

Half an hour later, the two stood at the door of Lan Tianye's house.

Lan Tianye was still wearing that plaid shirt, standing at the door, slender and upright.

"Cunxin's here," Lan Tianye said with a smile. "Xiao Zhang's here too."

"Hello, Teacher Lan," Zhang Qilin greeted politely.

The old man stepped aside to let him in: "Come in."

A faint aroma of tea wafted through the room.

The jasmine on the windowsill is in full bloom, its small white flowers hidden among the green leaves, unassuming yet filling the room with fragrance.

Upon entering the room, Pu Cunxin skillfully warmed the cups and poured the tea, then chatted briefly about the theater's recent situation.

A few minutes later, he opened the black bag, took out the apron, and shook it open.

"Please sit here, the light is good," he said, moving the chair to the window.

Lan Tianye obediently sat down.

Pu Cunxin tied the apron around his neck and picked up a comb and scissors.

"Click, click."

The sound of scissors rang out in the quiet living room, and strands of hair fell onto the apron.

Pu Cunxin chatted with the elderly man while cutting his hair.

Zhang Qilin listened from the side.

The two chatted and eventually started talking about filming.

"It was filmed in 1990," Lan Tianye said with a hint of helplessness. "I played Jiang Ziya, and you've probably all seen it."

Zhang Qilin nodded.

That is one of Lan Tianye's most well-known roles.

"When we were filming that movie," the old man said calmly, "when I entered the costume room, all I saw were brightly colored clothes and shiny plastic headdresses. I felt a pang of sadness. That wasn't the 'Investiture of the Gods' I had in mind."

Zhang Qilin listened attentively.

Pu Cunxin also stopped getting his hair cut.

Lan Tianye's voice remained low: "Investiture of the Gods is an ancient Chinese myth. Although the characters in it are myths, most of them are real people from history. Adding so many fancy decorations would destroy the simple and ancient feeling."

"Commercialization is not inherently bad, but I strongly object to using commercialization to damage its cultural connotations and artistry."

Lan Tianye was silent for a while: "Back then, I always thought that when I had the means, I would definitely restore it according to the shape it was unearthed in—later, when the means were better, I was already old."

The old man couldn't help but sigh as he said this.

Zhang Qilin understood that Mr. Lan's repeated refusals stemmed from his concern that the costumes and props for the play would disrespect history in pursuit of commercialization.

Zhang Qilin said softly, "Teacher Lan, we are currently working on the costumes and props for the play 'Qin Liangyu,' and they are all restored according to historical records."

Lan Tianye looked at Zhang Qilin for several seconds and asked, "Are the costumes and props for your film all historically accurate?"

"It's in the midst of production," Zhang Qilin nodded earnestly. "If you have time, you can go to the site to take a look. Every single item has its origin and is based on historical research."

Lan Tianye was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "You little comrade, you've done your homework very well."

Zhang Qilin's heart stirred, so he added fuel to the fire: "Teacher Lan, when I have the ability in the future, I will definitely remake 'Investiture of the Gods'."

After hearing this, the old man lowered his eyes and remained silent for a long time.

When she looked up again, her clear, bright eyes shone with light: "Come here."

Zhang Qilin took two steps forward.

Lan Tianye reached out and gently patted his arm.

"You young man," Lan Tianye said softly, "you've got some nerve."

Zhang Qilin didn't reply; he just stood there quietly.

"I'll go check out that studio you mentioned," Lan Tianye said, looking at him, "to see if it's really as you say. As for 'Investiture of the Gods'—"

The old man smiled, a smile that carried the gentle kindness of an elder: "I'll wait for your news."

Zhang Qilin stood still and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Teacher Lan."

Lan Tianye waved his hand and looked at Pu Cunxin: "Cunxin, you've done a good job teaching this student."

Pu Cunxin smiled, picked up the comb again, and continued to cut the old man's hair.

After getting their hair cut, the two made an appointment with Grandpa Lan to visit the production site the next day, and then left.

After leaving Lan Tianye's house, Pu Cunxin walked in front, with Zhang Qilin following behind.

As he entered the parking lot, Pu Cunxin suddenly stopped.

"What you just said, was it a spur-of-the-moment idea, or had you thought about it beforehand?"

Zhang Qilin thought for a moment and answered truthfully, "It was a spur-of-the-moment decision."

Pu Cunxin turned to look at him: "Do you know how much it would cost to remake 'Investiture of the Gods'?"

"I don't know," Zhang Qilin honestly shook his head, "but it's definitely more than 20 million."

"Much more," Pu Cunxin said irritably. "You said that in front of Elder Lan. If you can't keep your word, let's see how you handle it."

Zhang Qilin said earnestly, "Teacher Pu, I didn't think about ending it. I just felt that the old man had regrets, and I wanted to help him complete them if I had the ability."

"I know that what Teacher Lan cares about is whether there is anyone in this industry who is willing to maintain the most basic reverence for history, culture, and the audience."

"When I said I wanted to remake 'Investiture of the Gods,' I wasn't just making empty promises. I wanted to tell him that this sense of awe is something our generation holds in our hearts."

It's also there.

Pu Cunxin stared at him for a long time.

Pu Cunxin turned and walked forward: "But let me make this clear from the start, if the costumes and props aren't as good as you say, I'll be the first to object, even without Elder Lan saying anything."

"Don't worry," Zhang Qilin followed, "those things are really being made, and every single one has a source."

After returning, Zhang Qilin contacted Dong Qiyu to explain the situation.

The next morning, Zhang Qilin and Pu Cunxin drove to Lan Tianye's house.

"Teacher Lan, please get in the car."

Zhang Qilin opened the back door and helped Lan Tianye bend down to sit inside.

After a drive of more than an hour, we arrived at the studio where costumes and props were made.

Dong Qiyu was already waiting at the door.

Upon seeing Lan Tianye get out of the car, she quickly went to greet him and bowed slightly: "Hello, Teacher Lan, I am Dong Qiyu, in charge of costumes, makeup and props for this project."

Lan Tianye glanced at her, then at her clothes, and nodded slightly: "Your clothes are quite interesting."

"It's the everyday attire of women in Jiangnan during the late Ming Dynasty," Dong Qiyu explained with a smile. "The fabric is Songjiang cloth, dyed indigo."

Lan Tianye nodded in satisfaction.

If the things you wear are so particular, then the things made from them should be just as good.

"Teacher Lan, please come in."

Dong Qiyu led the three of them into the factory.

The moment he pushed open the door, Zhang Qilin smelled a mixed odor.

The aroma of wood, the slight spiciness of tung oil, and the faint alkaline scent of starched fabric.

The factory was very spacious and divided into several areas.

Lan Tianye had just stepped into the factory when he suddenly stopped.

In the very center of the factory stood a complete suit of bright armor.

It wasn't the kind of shiny plastic armor you often see on film sets, but real iron armor.

Each of the armor plates is hand-forged, with a cold, dark sheen on its surface.

The plates were joined together using tanned cowhide leather, following the weaving method of mountain armor, with each plate overlapping the others, fitting together perfectly.

The breastplate on the chest was a single circular iron plate, engraved with cloud patterns and tiger head designs.

A cluster of crimson plumes stood atop the helmet, and the ear flaps on both sides were turned up, revealing the leather lining inside.

The entire suit of armor stood on the wooden frame, like a silent general.

Lan Tianye slowly approached and placed his hand on the edge of the breast protector.

"Is this... real iron?" he asked.

"Yes," Dong Qiyu walked to the side, her voice tinged with pride, "The armor plates are made of cold-forged iron, according to the craftsmanship standards of Ming Dynasty military equipment. We checked the records in 'Wubei Zhi' and 'Tiangong Kaiwu' and tried our best to restore every process."

Lan Tianye remained silent.

His hand moved from the breastplate to the shoulder armor, feeling the gaps between the iron plates.

"How heavy is this suit of armor?" he asked.

"The whole set weighs about 42 pounds," Dong Qiyu replied.

"Forty-two jin," Lan Tianye repeated.

He turned around and looked at the display shelf next to him.

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