Huayu02 started by making films.

After some back and forth, Han Yi finally got through the crisis. He walked out of the Film Bureau's gate, where the sun was shining brightly.

Sunlight falls on my shoulders, making me feel like a free man.

Looking at the empty road, Han Yi shouted, "Lu Taro! I..."

After shouting, he started making phone calls to call for more people.

After making a few phone calls, Han Yi went straight to a unit. He submitted the prepared complaint letter and the video he had taken in Anxia Village, thus completing the complaint process.

……

By the end of July, the Venice Film Festival had officially announced its nominees for this year's festival.

The news sent shockwaves through the entire entertainment industry.

This year's film festival has actress Gong Li serving as the jury president, and only two Chinese-language films have been selected for the main competition: one is "Beautiful Time" directed by Taiwanese director Chang Tso-chi, and the other is "Selaginella" directed by Han Yi.

In addition, two Chinese-language films, "Spring in a Small Town" and "Public Toilet," were shortlisted for this year's newly established "Going Against the Current" section.

After the list was announced, almost all eyes in the industry were on Han Yi.

At this moment, Han Yi was waiting for Chen Chen at the station. His cell phone kept ringing incessantly. He answered two calls at first, but then the ringing became more and more frequent, showing no signs of stopping.

He happened to see Chen Chen walk out of the station, so he simply unplugged his phone battery. On the way back, the two snuggled together and whispered sweet nothings, their affection palpable.

Back at their lodgings in Jizhou, Han Yi didn't even bother to cook; he immediately became intimate with Chen Chen.

After a passionate encounter, Chen Chen, feeling weak all over, got out of bed and went into the bathroom. Han Yi, still wanting more, followed her in and began the second round.

As the wind and rain subsided, Han Yi embraced Chen Chen and drifted off to sleep.

Not long after, Chen Chen's phone rang on the bedside table. She reached for it, spoke a few words softly, and then held the receiver to Han Yi's ear:

"Who is it?"

"Jiang Wen!"

"Oh, it's senior brother. What's up?"

"Come over and have a drink."

"I'm not going, I want to sleep."

"Tong Ju is here too."

Han Yi snapped out of his daze and immediately said into the phone, "Where are you? I'm coming right away."

"My brother's family."

The other party hung up the phone after speaking. Han Yi lightly kissed Chen Chen's lips, got up to put on his clothes, and asked:

"What do you want to eat tonight? I'll bring it back for you from outside."

Chen Chen buried her face in the blanket and mumbled, "Peking duck."

"Okay, you can go back to sleep."

It was the same place as last time, but this time Han Yi didn't bring Moutai; instead, he brought two bottles of Wuliangye.

It was Jiang Wu who opened the door. He was wearing an apron and politely welcomed Han Yi inside. When he saw the wine in Han Yi's hand, he scolded, "You're here, why did you bring anything?"

Han Yi smiled and said, "Senior brother, I've never tried this wine before. Let's have a taste together today."

Upon entering the living room, one sees Jiang Wen and Han Shanping sitting around the table, cigarettes in their hands, discussing something.

"Where's Director Tong? Wasn't he supposed to be here?" Han Yi asked, somewhat puzzled.

"If I didn't say that, would you have come? I've called so many times and you haven't answered," Jiang Wen said with a laugh.

Han Yi sat down at the table and couldn't help but complain, "I think my phone number has been leaked. A bunch of strangers called me this morning, and my phone kept vibrating."

Han Shanping took the dishes that Jiang Wu brought and said, "Who told you to be the most popular person in the film industry this year? First Cannes, and now Venice. So many eyes are on you."

"Isn't there Zhang Yimou's 'Hero'?" Han Yi casually mentioned.

Mentioning this, Han Shanping's face darkened slightly. He had originally intended to cooperate with Zhang Yimou and Zhang Dapao to advance this project, but Zhang Dapao turned around and partnered with Hong Kong's Elite Entertainment Company, firmly grasping the project in his hands.

"They come to the mainland to film on location, shoot movies on the mainland, and use Hong Kong and Taiwan actors, but they deliberately exclude mainland production studios."

Han Shanping's tone carried a hint of resentment, "If it weren't for the development of the domestic film market, I would have already..."

Han Yi glanced at him, thinking to himself, "Is Third Master really that short-tempered? Is he targeting me?"

By this time, all the dishes had been served, and Han Yi opened the Wuliangye liquor he had brought and poured glasses for everyone. The group raised their glasses in a toast, and the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

Eat with them less often in the future, otherwise Han Yi, being the youngest, will inevitably have to turn the tables on the fish head at the dinner table.

The Wuliangye liquor was smooth and mellow on the palate. After a few rounds, Han Yi, emboldened by the alcohol, brought up the topic:

"Mr. Han, are you still interested in Cannes?"

Han Shanping, holding his wine glass, glanced over: "The Golden Palm?"

Han Yi nodded and continued, "I have a script that I plan to start filming in the second half of the year, with the goal of winning the Palme d'Or next year."

He paused, then added, "It's a long Palme d'Or."

The three people at the table had different expressions, but their eyes all fell on Han Yi.

Han Shanping spoke first: "What kind of subject matter? Will it pass censorship?"

Jiang Wen was even more direct: "Han Yi, do you need my help?"

"Are there any roles I can play?" Jiang Wu then asked.

"The script is based on a true story in France, and I plan to make it a Sino-French co-production." Han Yi looked at Han Shanping and made a surprising statement:

"Mr. Han, times have changed. A good movie doesn't guarantee an award. How about China Film Group invests in it? We don't need much money from you; I'm just borrowing the name."

"What's the budget?" Han Shanping asked.

Han Yi replied: "Ten million US dollars. If China Film Group is short of funds, they can just take the title without investing. We'll discuss revenue sharing after the film is imported to China."

In 2002, ten million US dollars was considered a low-budget production overseas, but in China, it was equivalent to more than 80 million RMB, enough to make many directors envious.

Han Shanping stared at the young man before him, his heart churning with emotion. He directly asked:

"Do you have connections with the production company in France?"

"You don't need to worry about that."

Han Yi smiled enigmatically, "That Palme d'Or for short films I didn't win for nothing." He continued, adding insult to injury:

"A Sino-French co-production, with two male leads, one spot for a French actor, and the other reserved for a mainland Chinese actor. Would China Film Group do it?"

"Let's do it!"

Han Shanping was provoked by this sharp edge; how dare this young man speak like that? He put down his wine glass and slammed his hand on the table: "I'll even sell all of China Film's funds!"

As expected of the bandit leader, his decisiveness is truly remarkable.

Han Yi smiled and said, "China Film Group doesn't have to cover all the funding. Two million will do, just to show our support. However, I need you to come with me to France."

"That's easy."

Han Shanping readily agreed, "After the Venice Film Festival ends, we'll head straight from Italy."

After a satisfying meal, Han Yi got up to take his leave.

Before leaving, he specifically instructed Jiang Wu to clear his schedule for the second half of the year.

Jiang Wu readily agreed, while Jiang Wen, standing to the side, watched with predatory eyes.

After politely declining Han Shanping's offer to drive him home, Han Yi hailed a taxi. On the way, he bought a Peking duck, planning to continue his lovemaking with Chen Chen when he got back.

The car stopped at the Jimenli residential area. Han Yi paid the fare, got out of the car, and walked towards his own building entrance.

In the darkness, he noticed a car parked at the intersection, its engine still running, emitting a low hum in the quiet summer night.

"In this sweltering heat, why isn't the car turned off..." Han Yi muttered to himself, "Even a fool could guess what the people inside are doing."

He had just stepped upstairs when the car door suddenly opened, and a woman's hand reached out and forcefully pulled him into the car.

"Ouch...I..."

Han Yi was caught off guard and felt dizzy.