Huayu: Reborn in 97, transferring to the Central Academy of Drama's star-studded class

Inside a private club.

Jiang Lai sat at the rosewood desk, intently reading a script.

Across from me, a middle-aged man was leisurely sipping tea and admiring the ink paintings and calligraphy around him. He particularly liked this Chinese-style decor.

The teaware consisted of celadon covered bowls, and several old purple clay teapots and antique items were displayed on the display shelf. Light filtered through the carved wooden windows and openwork screens, creating a dimly lit and atmospheric effect in the room.

Jiang Lai put down the script and, seeing the other person's undisguised delight, understood that the other person liked the environment. He smiled and said, "Director Zhang, if you like it, I'll have someone give you a membership. You can bring your friends here to get together anytime."

That middle-aged man was Zhang Yimou.

When Jiang Lai learned that the person introduced by Teacher Chang Li was this person, he directly invited the other party to meet at his family's club, which was usually used by his father to receive distinguished guests. This person could be considered a distinguished guest in every respect.

Director Zhang smiled shyly, "I'm so sorry."

"That's nothing, I'll have someone send you a membership card in a bit."

Jiang Lai then picked up the script and said, "I've read the script, it's excellent. Director Zhang, please just tell me how much investment you need."

Director Zhang was taken aback, and hesitated before speaking, "What did Ms. Chang Li tell you? I didn't come here to ask you for investment."

Jiang Lai was also confused. Teacher Chang Li had only made the initial contact without explaining why the other party wanted to see him, so he asked, "So, who are you looking for?"

"Of course, I want you to star in my movie as the male lead."

Jiang Lai was a little surprised when he heard this. Of all the directors he had contacted, they all came to him seeking investment, and were reluctant to even act in his films.

The first time Jiang Lai met him, it wasn't for investment, but to get him to act. He was a little unaccustomed to it at first.

"Um, Director Zhang, may I ask what made you take a liking to me?"

Jiang Lai couldn't help but ask. When others didn't want him to act, he eagerly went up to them. When others wanted him to act, he still wanted to ask why. This kind of mentality is just being a jerk and is shameful.

Fortunately, Director Zhang is a very kind person. Although he didn't expect the actor he found to be wealthy, that wasn't the reason he chose Jiang Lai. He answered seriously:

"I've seen your school performance and your portrayal of Xiao Jiangzong. I think you can capture the feeling of the educated youth of that era in the script, so I came to find you."

Jiang Lai felt a little embarrassed. He really felt that the roles he had played had nothing to do with the educated youth the other party was talking about. But who could blame him when the other party was a director and might have some unique perspective?

"This is the original novel. Although the script has been adapted a lot, it should help you in shaping the character. You can compare the two."

Director Zhang took a book out of his briefcase, and Jiang Lai took it. The novel was called "Commemoration".

"Let's briefly discuss the issue of remuneration. What are your requirements regarding remuneration?" Director Zhang continued.

This question really stumped Jiang Lai. He had acted in two movies as an investor, bringing his own funding to the production, and there was no such thing as a salary. Now that he wasn't an investor, he really didn't know how much a salary would be appropriate.

He can't say he's not short of money and doesn't care whether he gets paid or not; that's not being rich, that's being crazy.

"Um, Director Zhang, I'm going to make a call. Please wait a moment." Jiang Lai planned to ask someone about the pay.

Director Zhang gestured for him to go ahead, and Jiang Lai dashed outside.

He held his phone and thought for a moment. Asking established actors like Ge You wouldn't be very helpful, so he dialed a number.

"Hey? What made you think of calling me? Missing me?" A lazy, husky voice came from the other end of the phone; it was Zhou Xun.

"Stop messing around, I have a question for you. How much did you get paid for 'Suzhou River'?" Jiang Lai interrupted the other person's antics.

"Tch, you took 20,000, so what?"

"It's okay, it's okay, I'm hanging up now."

Upon receiving the information, Jiang Lai hurriedly hung up the phone.

At that moment, a short, cute girl in the same city angrily punched the sofa.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Director Zhang." Jiang Lai smiled and sat back down at the table.

"It's alright, you're too kind," Director Zhang said gently, waving his hand.

"Well, how about 20,000 for the film fee?" Jiang said.

Upon hearing this number, Director Zhang looked puzzled, instantly realizing that the other party clearly knew nothing about film salaries. So, he kindly said, "I'll call you Xiao Jiang then. Here's the thing, our female lead, who has about the same number of films as you, has a film credit of 150,000. Your salary will be 150,000 as well. What do you think?"

Jiang Lai blushed instantly. If the other party hadn't reminded him, he would have foolishly thought that 20,000 would be enough.

It's not surprising that Jiang Lai thinks that way. In the original timeline, Zhou Xun's actual salary for "Suzhou River" was only a few thousand yuan. Firstly, the film was an independent production with limited funding. Secondly, Lou Ye talked to Zhou Xun for a long time, discussing the script and their relationship, before finally persuading her to agree to the low-salary role.

Even now, with Jiang Lai's investment, Lou Ye has still put most of the funds into filming, barely giving Zhou Xun a salary of 20,000 yuan. So, Lou Ye is quite stingy.

"Okay, then we'll do as you say. Thank you for the reminder, Director Zhang," Jiang Lai said.

"Then I wish us a successful collaboration, but the rest of the year will be mine." Director Zhang smiled and extended his hand, making a timely little joke.

"No problem, I'm ready to serve you anytime."

Jiang Lai reached out and shook hands, then thought for a moment and asked, "May I ask who the female lead is in this movie?"

Although he already had some suspicions, he still wanted to confirm it.

Sure enough, Director Zhang replied, "Oh, you know him? He's your classmate, Zhang Ziyi."

The film that Director Zhang hired Jiang to shoot is called "My Father and Mother".

Director Zhang said that filming will start around July. He also has another film in production right now, and he gave Assistant Director Jiang Lai Ya Te's contact information.

Jiang Lai contacted the assistant director, who said there was no need to rush to join the crew. He could study the script and figure out the characters first. Zhang Ziyi did indeed join the crew early to experience life. She spent three months experiencing rural life in a village on the Bashang Grassland in Fengning Autonomous County, where the filming location was located.

Jiang Lai will also have to experience it, but it won't take that long; he can just wait for notification.

Jiang was thrilled. He never expected to be able to act in Zhang Yimou's play, who was the future national advisor, and even act alongside Zhang Ziyi.

After the incident involving "Suzhou River," he longed to see her even more.

After that, every day besides going to school, he would diligently study the script and read the novel over and over again. He spent his days very fulfilling and happy, and the character Luo Changyu he played in the play gradually took on a clear image in his mind.

The only one who wasn't too happy was probably the butler, Old Li. His young master had caused him trouble again, and Old Li couldn't take it anymore, so he made a phone call to the other side of the ocean.

A young girl, with a mournful face and a look of utter despair, boarded a flight back home.