Huayu02 started by making films.

In early April in the capital, the nights were still cold.

Han Yi was hunched over his desk in the bedroom, writing and drawing, with a strong cup of tea beside him. The radiator on the wall gleamed warmly in the dim light.

After the day's events, the script for the new film was completely finalized in his mind—it would be called "Selaginella".

This is a story about a woman's struggle to survive in dire circumstances from childhood to adulthood: disliked by her family, deceived after leaving home, assaulted, and subjected to all kinds of abuse... In the end, she struggles to survive only with the last bit of survival instinct that makes her human.

In a sense, it's like a remake of "To Live." But the difference is that Fugui was once the only male in his family, lived a life of luxury, and experienced some sweetness in his life. The female protagonist in "Selaginella," however, sees almost no light at all from beginning to end.

"But in my script, where exactly is the female lead's hope? Should we add some details?"

Han Yi leaned back in his chair, muttering to himself as he looked at the manuscript, "Barefoot doctor? Don't be ridiculous, that was a scene I added myself; hospital doctor? In that place, they don't even exist..."

He thought for a moment, put the notebook on the table, and sighed, "This thing definitely won't pass censorship. Whatever, I'll just start filming after I sell the short film next month. At worst, it'll be banned; anyway, you can't make money making commercial films these days."

Han Yi's thinking wasn't without merit. "Hero" hadn't been released yet, and the domestic film industry hadn't yet entered the era of box office earnings exceeding 100 million yuan. Even then, how many people could truly make money from filmmaking? Like Feng Xiaogang, who climbed his way up from a mere art designer, he only managed to barely break 100 million yuan thanks to the fame of stars like Liu Cixin and Ge You, the positive word-of-mouth accumulated over years of New Year's film seasons, and the full support of Huayi Brothers.

Han Yi looked down on the paltry director's fee, and the box office revenue sharing was utter nonsense. Producers and distributors could make their books look like they were losing money, and theaters would steal box office revenue. Trying to make a name for oneself through this path was too difficult.

The only way out right now is to win awards: attend the three major European film festivals and sell the film.

He pondered for a moment, then picked up a pen and wrote on a piece of paper: "Sell films in Cannes in May, come back to shoot 'Selaginella,' and aim for Venice in September."

With the plan roughly finalized, Han Yi began to consider the casting of the lead actors.

The female lead has two main age segments: the first is her childhood when she was a child working on the farm at home during elementary school, which is a very short segment, about five minutes long; the second is her growth segment from when she left home to work at the age of sixteen until she ran away at the age of twenty.

He wrote down a shortlist of potential actors on a piece of paper (ranked from most popular to least popular):

Liu Yifei: /Drop it off. It's April 2002 now. She's probably getting "scolded" by Chen Ji in "The Story of a Noble Family." Besides, she's only fifteen years old. She's too old to play a child, and too young to play an adult. Her acting skills are still being honed. Her current overall ability can only be described as "a little bit impressive."

Halfway through writing, Han Yi slapped himself hard across the face and yelled, "Han Yi, what are you thinking? How could a goddess like her possibly be interested in a movie that can't even pass censorship? Besides, she has a super rich sugar daddy. What do you have left besides a handsome face?"

Calming down, he took a sip of strong tea and continued writing.

Shu Chang: She should be in the "Secret History of Xiaozhuang" crew now, almost finished filming, and then she should seamlessly transition to "The Story of a Noble Family". Like Liu Yifei, maybe she hasn't been scolded by the director.

But how old is she now? Oh right, four months younger than the one above. We could consider inviting her to audition. After all, she debuted as a child star, so she has acting skills. With a little training, she can be used. Her overall ability is "very popular".

Ziyi: Just drop it! He's off to Hollywood now. Han Yi, what are you doing?! 'Hero' should be almost finished filming, are you going to challenge Yimou to a duel?!

Han Yi slapped himself again and wrote four words after Ziyi: "No comment".

Tangtang: That's ridiculous! They're only getting into the Central Academy of Drama in the second half of the year, where are we going to find someone now?! They're 19 this year, which is the right age, but they have no acting skills. After all, they're the "shame of the Central Academy of Drama," so their overall ability goes to "Little La."

Da Tian Tian (Oh Yeah V): She's even younger, only 14 years old. She should be practicing folk dance at the affiliated middle school of Beijing Dance Academy. As for acting skills, there's no point in even discussing them. Considering her future development, let's put her in the same tier as Liu Yifei. Her overall ability is "medium-high".

Yang Mi (who will be older in the future?): 16 years old, debuted as a print model in Ruili, and should already be signed with Shao Hong of Rongxinda. She's the right age. But how to find someone? Considering the nostalgia factor of the Legend of Sword and Fairy series, let's put her at the same table as Shu Chang. Overall ability is rated "Mid-tier".

Han Yi, biting the tip of his pen, suddenly thought, "I can go find Tian Zhuangzhuang! I almost forgot about that; he and Shao Hong seemed to have a past."

continue:

Shishi (I thought you wouldn't write about me): 15 years old, a few months older than Liu Yifei, currently studying ballet at the Beijing Dance Academy. Her first TV series, *Feng Ying Yue He*, is still two years away. The nickname "Blind Sister" hasn't even been given yet. To add a line from poetry, "Beauty lies in the bone, not the skin." Considering the several TV series she'll be filming for Tangren Media in the future, let's rank her alongside Yang Mi. Overall ability: "Mid-tier."

Xiao Dao: 15 years old, debuted in 2006 through Yahoo! Search Star, and should still be in his third year of junior high school in Langfang, 15th Ring Road outside Beijing. He's the right age, but we can't find anyone. Overall ability: "Unable to evaluate".

Pear: Manchu (cannot be selected). Directly drop/drop.

Jingzi: 24 years old. She should be filming "Young Zhang Sanfeng" now; she's the right age, but can't find a film set. Overall ability: "Unable to evaluate." By the way: I like Gao Xiaoqin.

Hailu: This is even worse. You're a professional widow actress. My leading lady was forced into this role. Goodbye.

Mintao: Same as above.

Tingzi: 27 years old. During winter break, Han Yicai rewatched "Don't Talk to Strangers" on TV at home, and her acting was okay. However, she should be filming "Let Love Come Again" now, so even if we find her, she can't come. Crossed out.

Tongzi, Xinyu, the fountain—all of them are outdated!

Wearing floral clothes: This person is not to be trifled with, just cross them out.

Dan Chen: The most beautiful Chang'e should be acting in the idol drama "Across the Street" now, but I can't find her.

Mother Earth: She's too old to be invited.

Xu Qing: That won't work. I'm afraid Han Yi won't be able to control himself.

Lanzi: "The Love Story of the Tang Dynasty" is good, but it's not suitable for "The Cypress".

Saint Yi: Her path is not one I should follow.

Han Yi stopped writing around 11 p.m., looked at the whole thing from beginning to end, and then realized what he had written.

"There's no one suitable. Either they can't afford to hire anyone, they're too old, or we can't find anyone."

Han Yi muttered under his breath, walked to the window and opened it. A cold wind brushed against his cheek, and he couldn't help but shiver. He slapped his forehead and said, "How could I forget about those two Bingbings?"

He returned to the table and continued writing:

Li Bingbing: 29 years old, age is a direct pass. Is she currently signed with Huayi Brothers or Wang Jinghua? Not suitable.

With a soft sigh, Han Yi began to write down the last name.