HuaYu: A Great Director Starting with Dream of the Red Chamber

"Bang!"

Several beer mugs collided violently, splashing beer everywhere.

"Let's do it! Anyone who doesn't is a coward!"

Wang Hao was unusually excited tonight, his slicked-back hair hanging down his forehead, his face flushed red, as he raised a mug of draft beer.

After yelling, he tilted his head back and started guzzling water down his throat.

"Hey, drink slowly..."

Ding Xiaoxiao raised her hand to try to persuade him, but seeing that beer had already dripped down Wang Hao's chin and all over his body, she turned around to grab a tissue, and for a moment she was flustered.

Wang Hao let out a long, drunken hiccup, his eyes bloodshot.

He slammed the wine glass heavily on the table.

"That felt so damn satisfying! You guys didn't see Huang Jiawei's face today. I've been holding back this pent-up frustration at Ogilvy for two years, and now I can finally let it all out!"

Li Yan listened to his venting without saying anything, but simply reached out and patted him on the back.

I graduated from one of the top three film schools in the United States, but I suffered all kinds of difficulties in Hollywood just because I am Chinese.

The first night I sat in the director's chair, I got completely drunk, just like him.

But back then, I was all alone, with the stray dogs around me being the only companions...

Wang Hao at least still has a bunch of friends.

I could sit with him at a dirty roadside stall near Dongzhimen, on a greasy bench, eating barbecue and drinking beer.

He envied his former self.

However, having traveled to this point in time, I guess I've made some friends, I suppose.

Not only Wang Hao, but everyone at the table was a little excited, even ecstatic.

"Junior brother, we really nailed this day!"

Zhang Qiang lit a cigarette, refilled Li Yan's drink, and rolled up his sleeves to show off to everyone:

"You guys didn't see it, but when that old devil Yamada bowed to Li Yan, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end! It was truly inspiring!"

Ding Xiaoxiao was struggling with the lamb hoof in her hand, her mouth glistening with oil. Hearing this, she looked up, wiped her mouth, and stared at Li Yan with bright eyes:

"Director, tell me, how did you feel at the time? Did you think you were incredibly handsome?"

Li Yong had been drinking with Zhou Pangzi from the post-production department, and now he joined them.

"Of course! If it were me, I'd definitely do a performance of 'The Great Return to the Court'."

Having said that, he actually strained his voice and belted out a Duan Erhuang:

"Having been ordered by the King to conquer the North Sea, we have returned victorious to the capital."

After they finished shouting, not only their table, but also strangers around them joined in the commotion, clapping and cheering.

Li Yan took a bite of the freshly grilled lamb kidneys, and only after he finished showing off did she reply:

"Didn't Brother Hao say it was a sure win? He knows Ogilvy so well, what's there to be afraid of? Let's just go for it!"

Zhang Qiang nodded, picked up his beer, and looked at his brothers who were in high spirits:

"Brother Hao's plan is our confidence, but when it comes down to it, it's Li Yan who has to step up! Come on, let's all toast Director Li."

"Senior brother, are you trying to flatter me to death? Are you planning to kill me to save on a red envelope?"

Li Yan jokingly raised his glass:

"We're all on the same side, so let's not say anything more and just wait patiently for Boss Zhang to give out red envelopes!"

"Bang!"

The beer mugs collided once again.

Although Ding Xiaoxiao was drinking orange juice, she had the loudest voice:

"Red envelope...send a red envelope..."

Zhang Qiang laughed and cursed, "We'll release it right after we finish filming; nobody gets left out!"

After finishing this round of drinks, he patted the table again, drawing everyone's attention:

"Once GG is online, let's put in even more effort and make sure the follow-up is done perfectly. I'll be responsible for asking Canon for an even bigger bonus then. Don't let us down!"

"Long live the boss!"

They cheered loudly.

Ding Xiaoxiao stuck out her tongue and whispered to Li Yan:

"This pie-in-the-sky promise is a classic example of the ugly face of capitalists..."

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the crowd dispersed.

Li Yan returned to his rented room in Dongba at almost 11 p.m.

Although he had drunk quite a bit, his mind was still relatively clear.

I quickly took a shower to wash away the smell of smoke and alcohol before finally lying comfortably in bed.

He picked up his phone, looked at the number "Boss Yang" in his contacts, and smiled.

This girl is definitely not asleep yet.

Quickly typed out a short message:

"The proposal has been approved. Get ready to film! Boss Yang, just you wait for the big fire!"

Click to send.

Less than a minute later, the phone rang.

"Li Yan, you son of a bitch! What's wrong with you in the middle of the night?"

The voice coming through the receiver was Yang Mi's signature sweet, soft voice. From the background, it sounded like she was blow-drying her hair, making a whooshing sound.

"What, as the director, I have an obligation to notify the lead actress to adjust her schedule and prepare to join the crew, right?"

Li Yan switched the phone to a different earpiece and leaned lazily against the headboard.

"Still joining a production? Do you even have a script before joining?"

Yang Mi's voice instantly rose eight octaves: "I told you to send it to my email a couple of days ago, it's been days now, are you kidding me?"

"The script? Didn't I already send it to you?"

"Besides the two storyboards I requested the other day, what else is in your email?"

"Those two are the script."

"ha?"

Yang Mi laughed in exasperation and turned off the hair dryer.

"Dude, do you think I'm just an extra?! I'm the female lead, and you only let me appear in two pictures? And that's barely five seconds in total?"

"Look, you're in such a hurry again."

Li Yan grabbed a pillow, propped it against his back, and began to deceive:

"Five seconds is enough! Any longer and no one will watch, any shorter and I won't remember..."

"We want to make those five seconds a moment that a man will never forget."

"This is a scene that will instantly capture the hearts of any teenager, student, office worker, or gamer who sees it for just five seconds!"

……

Yang Mi held her phone, sat cross-legged on the sofa, and the words of her complaint stuck in her throat.

The scene Li Yan described was too tempting.

Especially for her now, she desperately needs a memorable moment.

Just like Gao Yuanyuan's "Qingzui Lozenges"!

"And..." Li Yan continued in a relaxed tone when he saw that she hadn't said anything for a while, "This is from the boyfriend's perspective, you know."

"So?" Yang Mi asked instinctively.

"So, when you're facing the camera, you should act like you're facing your first love, your boyfriend..."

"By the way, do you have a boyfriend? If not, I don't mind making a small sacrifice and letting you experience what it's like to be in his shoes."

"Pah, shameless!" Yang Mi's cheeks flushed slightly as she spat. "Who wants to project themselves onto you? Dream on!"

"No matter who you're imagining, in these five seconds, I want everyone who sees you to immediately recognize that you're looking at him on the other side of the screen, and that he is your boyfriend."

After painting a rosy picture for Yang Mi, Li Yan also took the opportunity to boast about his achievements:

"This job is quite difficult. If it weren't for our relationship, I wouldn't have put in so much effort!"

"Tch~"

Yang Mi gave a soft hum, a smile playing on her lips:

"You're smart to know what's good for you! I'll get Li Shaohong on board as soon as possible, and then I'll come to you with the contract. But let me make this clear: if I don't achieve the results you want, I'll smash your windows!"

"No problem. Get some rest early these days, get plenty of energy, and get rid of those dark circles under your eyes. Otherwise, I won't have to go through all that trouble to treat you."

"Get lost! You're the one with dark circles under your eyes. I'm hanging up!"