Taking Liu Yifei back to Northeast China for the Chinese New Year has sent the entire internet into

Before Fang Yu could put his phone back in his pocket, he heard footsteps behind him.

"Xiao Fang!"

He turned around and looked.

He Zheng had changed into a dark gray casual jacket and was striding towards them.

"Who are you messaging while sitting here?"

He Zheng glanced at his phone and chuckled, teasingly saying:

"His mouth was practically stretched to the back of his head in a wide grin."

"I need to inform my partner."

Fang Yu casually waved his phone screen.

He Zheng rolled his eyes on the spot.

"Alright, I know you have a boyfriend."

"Don't show off in front of me."

As he spoke, he stepped forward and slapped Fang Yu on the shoulder.

"I'm hosting a party tonight."

"Wu Zheng and Lao Liu are both here."

"There's a local private restaurant on the street near the east gate of the film studio; the food is very authentic."

Consider this a welcome-back dinner for you, and also an early celebration.

Fang Yu stood up briskly and brushed the dust off his trousers.

"Since Director He is treating, I have to give him face."

He paused, then added seriously:

"The main thing is to make sure we get our money's worth."

He Zheng smiled.

"Look at you, so pathetic!"

……

7 PM.

Deep in an inconspicuous alley outside the east gate of Xiangshan Film and Television City.

The three characters "Juxianlou" hang above the old wooden door.

The storefront is small, without neon lights or fancy signs; at first glance, it looks like an ordinary little restaurant that has been open for many years.

But once the wooden door was pushed open, a completely different world unfolded inside.

The ground is paved with blue bricks, and several warm yellow paper lanterns hang under the beams.

The bamboo curtains around the room were half-rolled up, creating a quiet and elegant space.

A round table for ten people was placed in the center of the private seating area.

Seven or eight hot dishes were already on the table.

Steamed mandarin fish, braised mandarin duck, clams with scallion oil, salt-baked yellow croaker...

All of them are top-quality local products from Xiangshan.

As soon as the steam rises, the fresh and delicious aroma fills your nose.

Fang Yu's pace immediately quickened by two steps.

Wu Zheng sat in the main seat, with a pot of local aged wine warming in front of him.

Production manager Lao Liu sat opposite, still holding his phone, handling the last bit of wrap-up work before filming wrapped.

As soon as Fang Yu entered, Wu Zheng stood up with a smile.

"They're here."

He took the initiative to pick up the wine pot and fill Fang Yu's cup.

"It was really enjoyable acting with you today."

"It's a pity the movie was too short; it wasn't enough."

Fang Yu held the cup with both hands, receiving it steadily and smoothly.

"Brother Zheng, it's an honor to act alongside you."

"I learned a lot from you today; this trip was a huge success."

That wasn't just polite talk.

Wu Zheng's ability to win three Best Actor awards is definitely not due to luck.

The other person's control over emotions and rhythm in front of the camera is indeed something worth studying.

Old Liu also put down his phone and picked up his wine glass.

"Alright, stop standing there flattering each other."

"Come on, let's have one first!"

Several wine glasses clinked together crisply.

He drank it all in one gulp.

……

Xiangshan aged liquor is smooth on the palate, but has a considerable aftertaste.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the table became quite lively.

Wu Zheng is not usually very talkative, but now that he's had a few drinks, he's become quite talkative.

He pulled Fang Yu aside and told her about his experience as an extra when he first started out in the industry.

Fang Yu listened with great interest.

While listening to the story, they didn't neglect their chopsticks at all.

Xiangshan seafood is truly exceptional.

Especially the braised sea bream.

The sauce is rich and flavorful, the meat is tender and juicy, and the cooking time is just right.

Fang Yu ate with complete focus, one bite after another.

The group drank another round.

Old Liu put down his wine glass and, emboldened by the alcohol, started talking about serious business.

"By the way, Teacher Fang."

He tapped the tabletop lightly twice with his chopsticks.

"Director He has already discussed the theme song for 'A Laughter in the Vast Sea' with me."

The laughter at the table subsided slightly when movies were mentioned.

Old Liu continued:

"My idea is to contact the top-of-the-line recording studio in Beijing next week."

"First, refine the arrangement, then separate the instrument tracks, record the vocals, mix, and master the recording."

"We aim to complete the entire process within a month."

Fang Yu's expression showed some surprise.

"Entering the studio in a week, completing the work in a month?"

Old Liu thought he was complaining about the slow progress, so he quickly explained:

"A month is really not a long time."

"Normally, when creating a theme song for a movie of this caliber, just refining the arrangement details could take up to half a month."

"This is assuming that both the studio and the musicians can be booked smoothly."

"If the schedules clash, the time will have to be postponed."

"No, no, no."

Fang Yu shook his head.

"It's not that I think it's too slow."

He put down his chopsticks and picked up the vintage wine in front of him.

He tilted his head back and downed it in one gulp.

The alcohol burned its way into my stomach.

Fang Yu let out a long breath, and his whole body relaxed.

He wiped his mouth and put the empty cup on the table.

"I just find it too much trouble."

Old Liu was stunned for a moment.

"What do you mean?"

Fang Yu extended a finger and tapped it twice on the table.

"Old Liu, have you ever heard of this term?"

"Let's press on with one burst of energy."

Old Liu nodded, but still didn't understand what this had to do with the recording.

Fang Yu raised his hand and tapped his chest.

"We finished filming those scenes this afternoon, sword fights, and the carefree spirit of the martial arts world."

That feeling is still lingering.

"Singing 'A Laughter in the Vast Sea' while we're still in this mood will really give it the right feel."

"But you're making me go back to Beijing, arrange venues, schedule meetings, and go through all that back and forth for another month..."

Fang Yu shook his head.

"After I get some sleep, that feeling will be gone."

"The technology might be flawless by then, but the taste might not be the same as it is today."

Old Liu held his wine glass, remaining silent for a long time.

That sounds a bit arrogant.

But upon closer reflection, it does make some sense.

For creative people, the hardest thing to retain is not technique, but state of mind.

If the technical skills aren't up to par, they can be fixed slowly.

But once a moment of emotion has passed, no amount of money or the best equipment can bring it back.

only……

Old Liu glanced at the wine pot on the table.

You have a point.

"But the earliest we can get back to the capital is tomorrow."

"Besides, you've had your share of drinking; you can't exactly go record now, can you?"

He was just saying it casually.

To everyone's surprise, Fang Yu slammed his hand on the table.

"Record now!"

Snapped! ! !

The bowls and plates on the table shook.

Old Liu held his wine glass, his hand frozen in mid-air.

Wu Zheng stopped picking up food with his chopsticks.

He Zheng still had a fish bone in his mouth.

All three of them turned to look at Fang Yu.

The expressions on their faces almost conveyed the same message.

Is this kid drunk?

Old Liu was the first to come to his senses.

"No...Teacher Fang."

He cleared his throat, trying to be as tactful as possible.

"Recording isn't like going into a roadside karaoke bar, where you can just go in, belt out a couple of songs, and that's it."

"Besides, we don't even have any accompaniment, so what are we going to record with?"