Huayu02 started by making films.

Han Yi's gaze was fixed on the drawing of Nezha committing suicide with his sword.

What kind of eyes were those?

A seven-year-old child, yet his eyes were filled with innocent sorrow. His gaze was fixed on the distance, his eyes sharp and resolute, containing both anger at the oppression of the powerful and a firm determination to sacrifice himself to protect the people.

Han Yi was so engrossed in the painting that he slowly stepped forward, stretched out his right hand, and peered through the glass as if trying to grasp the deeper meaning within it.

"Big Head, what do you see in this painting?"

Lei Datou scratched his big head, not understanding for a moment what Han Yi was asking.

Han Yi lowered his hand and smiled, "Just kidding, it's okay if you can't answer."

After saying that, he took out a pencil and paper from his shoulder bag, squatted down in front of the glass and began to write and draw.

He recalled the eyes of the leader of the three dragons launched by Shanghai Animation Film Studio in 2025, which were exactly the same as those of Nezha in front of him.

Half a century has passed, but Shanghai Fine Arts Institute still can't forget those eyes.

In no time, a lifelike dragon appeared on the paper. Lei Datou leaned over for a look: "Director Han, I never knew you had this skill! Not only are you a great director, but your drawing is amazing too!"

He gave a thumbs up.

Han Yi put away the pencil and patted him on the shoulder: "These are the basic skills of a director—camera direction, character development, color control—you need to know a bit about all of them. Come on, let's find some paint and color this dragon!"

"Dragon? Director Han, it looks more like a snake to me." Lei Datou followed up, puzzled.

"Whatever, if you say it's a dragon, then it's a dragon; if you say it's a snake, then it's a snake."

The two arrived at the central courtyard of the Shanghai Fine Arts Factory. Han Yi found an old man with a stall, bought a box of paints for five yuan, and started painting on the stall.

"Young man, what are you drawing?" the old man asked, feigning ignorance.

Han Yi didn't even look up: "Old man, what do you think this looks like? By the way, why are you allowed to set up a stall in the factory? How much is the stall fee here per month?"

The old man laughed: "I've spent most of my life in this factory. Why do you think I can set up a stall? It's because I'm short of living expenses. I thought that during the National Day holiday, some parents would bring their children to visit, so I sold some paint to earn some money."

He was very talkative. One moment he was staring at Han Yi's drawing in deep thought, and the next he was chatting with Lei Datou, asking, "Why is his head so big?"

Not long after, Han Yi finished coloring the painting, laid it flat on the stall, and sighed, "Old man, take a look, what exactly did I paint?"

Yan Dingxian picked up the sketch and examined it closely: "Those eyes look so familiar. I feel like I've seen them somewhere before?"

Han Yi then looked up and saw that the old man selling paint was the art director who participated in "Havoc in Heaven" and "Nezha Conquers the Dragon King", and the only living animation master among the Iron Triangle.

He quickly bowed his head: "Mr. Yan, what brings you here? I never expected to meet the director of Nezha here, I...I'm so happy!"

It wasn't that Han Yi couldn't get an erection, but rather that the great man in front of him was simply not suited to be a villain.

Yan Dingxian put down the sketch and looked at Han Yi carefully: "The look in your eyes is so much like Nezha's. You're talented, young man. Are you studying art?"

Han Yi replied respectfully, "Professor Yan, my name is Han Yi. I study at the Beijing Film Academy. I haven't formally studied painting."

"Does the Beijing Film Academy still teach animation art now?"

"No, Mr. Yan, I'm just imitating your Nezha painting. Please excuse my poor work."

Yan Dingxian waved his hand, but his tone turned serious: "Imitate? How many people can imitate my paintings well!"

After saying that, he pulled Han Yi towards his studio: "I still have the original Monkey King manuscript that Lao Wan left me. Can you imitate it and let me see?"

"Mr. Yan, hey, I'm just doodling, please slow down, don't fall!"

Han Yi quickly followed, not daring to let the old man exert any more effort. The two entered the art studio.

Han Yi stared at the original manuscript of the Monkey King from "Havoc in Heaven" on the table, his mouth watering.

Seeing his expression, Yan Dingxian smiled and said, "Draw this Sun Wukong. If it satisfies me, I'll give you the original."

"real?!!!"

Han Yi's eyes widened in shock: "Really for me? The original artwork of the Monkey King? You can't lie to me!"

"Really!" Yan Dingxian exclaimed energetically, then threw out another bait, "I'll give you one of the original Nezha drawings too!"

"Oh my god... I'll get it!" Han Yi nodded emphatically.

These were conditions that no one could refuse. If it weren't for his sense of morality, Han Yi would have loved to rob the entire art studio.

He composed himself and decided to use an unconventional approach. This version of the Monkey King, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, was already the pinnacle of his art, unparalleled before or since. To impress Elder Yan, he had to find a different path.

"Should I choose the Sun Wukong from 'Super God Academy' or the Sun Wukong from 'Monkey King: Hero Is Back'? Damn it, neither of them can beat the original!"

After thinking for a moment, Han Yi picked up a paintbrush. It should be the one that Master Yan often used; the handle had developed a patina from handling it.

I started by sketching the basic outline of Sun Wukong in "Monkey King: Hero Is Back," then refined the contours and sculpted his face. The eyes were of utmost importance. And of course, most importantly, there was his golden cudgel.

Han Yi's fingers flew across the paper, lava forming armor and flames becoming robes. In no time, a different Sun Wukong leaped onto the page.

Yan Dingxian stood by and watched, thinking to himself, "Could this kid be lying to me? Can the Beijing Film Academy really produce a student like this?"

"Mr. Yan, please take a look. Are you satisfied?" Han Yi put down his pen.

Yan Dingxian nodded: "Are you really from Beijing Film Academy?"

Han Yi said helplessly, "Really, it's the Literature Department of Beijing Film Academy."

"Are you Han Yi, the one who was banned?"

"Mr. Yan, you still follow the entertainment industry?"

"It really is you."

Yan Dingxian rubbed his bald head. "Xiao Ren mentioned you when he came to the factory for a meeting a couple of days ago. He said the Beijing Film Academy has produced another banned director. What, are you planning to switch to making animated films?"

"Mr. Yan, what are you thinking? I just came out for the National Day holiday and stopped by to visit the place where I watched cartoons when I was a kid."

"I see." Yan Dingxian nodded, then asked, "Now that you've seen it, what do you think?"

Han Yi scratched his head, his finger seemingly pointing casually to the original manuscript of "Havoc in Heaven" on the table: "Shanghai Fine Arts Film Studio, truly lives up to its reputation!"

Yan Dingxian smiled, took out the original artwork of "Nezha Conquers the Dragon King" from the cabinet, pulled out one sheet, and handed it to Han Yi along with the Monkey King on the table:

"Are you afraid that this old man won't keep his word?"

Han Yi took it and saw that it was the one depicting Nezha's suicide. He looked at Old Yan, smiled sheepishly, and said nothing.

"Alright, go out now. Take those two sketches with you."

"Okay!"

Han Yi took the drawing paper for "Monkey King: Hero Is Back" from the drawing board, carefully put the three original manuscripts into his shoulder bag, and then strode after him.

As he left the studio, he glanced back at the furnishings, his heart itching with desire, and muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear:

"My darlings, I'll come back and take you home when I have the chance."

Yan Dingxian escorted Han Yi and Lei Datou to the factory gate, and before leaving, he gave them special instructions:

"Xiao Yi, so what if you're banned? It's no big deal. If you ever want to make animated films again, you absolutely have to collaborate with Shanghai Animation Film Studio, understand?"

Han Yi thought for a moment about his BNP Paribas account balance and nodded in agreement: "Don't worry, Mr. Yan, if that day ever comes, I'll definitely come to you first."

"Great! The future belongs to you young people, keep up the good work!"

Yan Dingxian offered a few words of encouragement, then turned and walked back to the factory. His slightly unsteady gait made Han Yi's heart ache.

China's earliest animated films were produced by the Wan brothers in Shanghai in the 1940s, which led to the establishment of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio.

Leaving aside earlier works, just those from the last twenty years: *Calabash Brothers*, *The Adventures of the Sloppy King*, *Shuke and Beta*, *Lotus Lantern*, *The Monkey King Conquers the Demon*...

For some reason, Chinese animation gradually faded into obscurity in the new century. Is it because this generation of veteran artists is coming to an end?

It's worth noting that even Hayao Miyazaki has visited this land on a pilgrimage.