Huayu02 started by making films.

The class ended quietly in a silent "written exchange" between the two. The bell had barely rung, and the teacher had just left the classroom when Han Yi, before he could even stand up, was swarmed around by his classmates.

"Han Yi, are you really going to make a movie?"

"That's not the point. Du Zhezhen picked up the equipment from the photography department this morning! Yi-ge, is Jiang Wen and Jiang Wu really the lead actors?"

"Aren't you afraid of ending up like Rikutaro from the directing department next door, being sidelined?"

Amidst the cacophony of voices, Han Yi belatedly realized that casting the Wen and Wu brothers in the roles was a mistake.

Damn it, these two guys stole all the limelight.

He quickly stood up and pressed his hand down, saying, "Even if I said yes, you probably wouldn't believe me. You'll understand once the film is released."

Before the words were even finished, Chen Chen's seemingly small frame suddenly erupted with astonishing energy. Like a nimble fish, she squeezed through the crowd and grabbed Han Yi's wrist: "Quick, let's go!"

The two rushed out of the classroom and ran all the way to the corner of the corridor before stopping. Chen Chen leaned against the wall, his chest heaving, slightly out of breath, but he raised his face and said half-jokingly:

"Han Yi, you're already this famous before you've even become a director? I saved your life today, so tell me, how are you going to thank me?"

Seeing that Han Yi didn't respond, she followed his gaze and looked down, only to find that his eyes were fixed on the spot where she had placed the pomelos. Chen Chen's cheeks flushed instantly, both embarrassed and annoyed: "You're just copying those people from the directing department! Hey, snap out of it! Is it pretty?"

Han Yi shook his head, looking disgusted. "Don't compare me to them. I, Han, have studied the Spring and Autumn Annals. Besides, you're not my type. Don't overthink it."

After saying that, he subconsciously touched the tip of his nose and cursed inwardly: An eighteen-year-old body is so easily impulsive; just looking at it makes it hard to control myself.

Chen Chen burst out laughing at his feigned seriousness, and the awkwardness from before vanished. "You read the Spring and Autumn Annals? I read the Zuo Zhuan!" she teased with a smile.

The two chatted and joked for a while, and the long-lost campus atmosphere made Han Yi's mood lighten up. After chatting for a few more minutes, they said goodbye and joined the flow of people leaving get out of class.

With only one class in the afternoon and nothing else to do, Han Yi took a taxi to the Media Management Office of the State Administration of Radio and Television to apply for a "Radio and Television Program Production and Operation License." The staff told him that the paid-in registered capital of an individual business owner could not be less than 300 million yuan. He immediately burst out laughing.

"What kind of studio is this...?"

Han Yi walked out of the glass doors of the broadcasting station, feeling a sense of helplessness. He had originally planned for his short film to be shortlisted for Cannes, and after selling the copyright in May, he could use the studio to handle the accounting and legally reduce taxes. He never expected that reality would give him such a blow first.

He turned around and went into the mobile phone store next door, bought a phone, a Bird S689—the fighter jet of mobile phones. He also got a SIM card, and then took a taxi back to school.

......

At 8 p.m., Han Yi sat at his desk in the bedroom and started doing the math: 21,000 yuan for film, 5,000 yuan for Du Zhe, and 4,000 yuan for himself; 4,500 yuan for rent today, 2,500 yuan for a cell phone, 200 yuan for a phone card, plus other miscellaneous expenses, totaling 34,000 yuan. He still had 266,000 yuan left from mortgaging the house.

"This is tough... I haven't seen any income yet." With a soft sigh, Han Yi closed his notebook and went to bed.

The following day, Saturday.

Inside the rented apartment in the Jimenli residential complex, filming officially began for "I'm glad you're dead now." The room was bustling with activity, filled with lively figures.

Du Zhe found a red cloth and solemnly covered the Arri 535 camera, then turned to Han Yi and smiled, "Director Han, why don't you lift the curtain? Although we don't have a formal opening ceremony, we still want to give this Arri camera a proper ceremony. It may be small, but it has all the essential parts!"

Han Yi laughed loudly: "Old Du, you always manage to come up with something new for me."

After saying that, he walked to the camera, lifted the red cloth, and raised his voice, "I hereby announce—the filming of 'I'm Glad You're Dead Now' has officially begun! Now, let's all introduce ourselves, ladies first. Chen Chen, you start."

Chen Chen blushed slightly when she was called out. She stepped forward and said in a clear voice, "My name is Chen Chen, and I am a makeup artist on the film crew."

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Bin bowed slightly and said, "My name is Zhao Bin, you can just call me Xiao Zhao. I'm in charge of props."

Gao Qiang chuckled sheepishly, "My name is Gao Qiang, just call me Da Gao. I'm in charge of the lighting."

Du Zhe interjected, "My name is Du Zhe. Those older than me call me Xiao Du, and those younger call me Lao Du. I'm the cameraman for the film crew."

Looking at the eager faces before him, Han Yi said, "My name is Han Yi, and I'm the director of this short film."

Jiang Wen was clearly infected by the youthful and energetic atmosphere. He walked to the center and his deep voice rang out: "My name is Jiang Wen. I have no other identity here, just an actor. I play the second male lead, Wu Tian."

Standing to the side, Jiang Wu, with a shaved head and clean-shaven beard, said in a deep voice with a fierce look on his face, "I am Jiang Wu, just like my brother, my role in the crew is just an actor. I am the male lead, Wu Bai."

"By the way, you can just call me Chenchen," Chen Chen added.

After some introductions, the group gradually became acquainted. Chen Chen opened his makeup case and began applying makeup to the Wenwu brothers; Du Zhe bent down to fiddle with the equipment, making final adjustments; and Xiao Zhao checked again to make sure all the props were complete.

Da Gao noticed that Han Yi was carrying a bulging sack out of the inner room and was secretly gesturing to each person's height behind their back.

"Director Han, what are you doing?" Da Gao asked curiously.

"We'll need it for the first scene." Han Yi weighed the sack in his hand. "The script says 'the corpse is dragged away by the male lead.' I'm wondering whether to stuff it with cotton or find someone to lie down inside."

Da Gao readily took the sack and held it up to himself: "Director Han, let me do it. I'm lightweight, Teacher Jiang Wu can definitely carry it."

"He's someone who wants to improve," Han Yi thought to himself, then turned to Jiang Wu, who was getting his makeup done, and asked loudly, "Senior brother, is it alright to weigh over 100 pounds?"

"Take it easy, Director Han, just you wait and see."

Having received a reply, Han Yi walked up to Jiang Wen, who was already in makeup, and began to explain the scene to him: "Brother Jiang Wen, when you hear a noise, push the door open. The door can only be pushed open halfway, so you only need to show half of your body. I will have the lighting give you a half-light, half-dark effect."

Jiang Wen nodded, took the storyboard from Han Yi, looked at it carefully, and said, "I know your script is very detailed... Wow, this storyboard is also quite good, it's about 30% as good as mine."

Han Yi covered his face, silently complaining in his heart: "Jiang Wen, you really love to joke. Do you really think I haven't seen your stick figure storyboards?"

He chuckled and said, "I'd be content if I had even a third of your directing skills, senior brother."

Jiang Wu had finished his makeup by then. Han Yi directed everyone to their positions: "Let's go through this scene once. Lao Du, don't turn on the camera, but keep track of the camera positions. Treat it like a rehearsal. The two actors, go over your lines."