Reborn in the Chinese Entertainment Industry: You're a Director, But You're a Casanova?

"Watch out, sir!" A young policeman behind him tried to stop him, but was hit on the shoulder by a bottle from Zhang, who was in a frenzy.

Having succeeded in his attack, Zhang showed no sign of backing down. Roaring, he brandished the glass shards and slashed another constable who was trying to hold him down across the face.

"I am Zhang Liguo's son. Who dares to touch me?"

"My dad knows the bureau chief, I'll kill you all."

While resisting frantically, Zhang shouted out wild words that were enough to condemn his father to eternal damnation.

"Attack! Attack!"

"The target is armed with a deadly weapon."

With a roar from the team leader, several high-voltage stun batons and riot control forks were used simultaneously, forcefully pinning Zhang to the carpet covered in broken glass, and handcuffs snapped shut, locking this arrogant young master to death.

The blood on the ground and the contraband that hadn't yet been collected served as irrefutable evidence.

Eating noodles, arrest, assault.

On this land, let alone if his father was Zhang Liguo, even if his father was Zhang Bairen, he would only be able to work behind bars for the rest of his life.

The day after the awards ceremony.

In the Film Bureau building, Director Ma was in his office, preparing to sign a document entitled "Guiding Opinions on the National Autumn Film Market".

Once this document is issued, theater managers across the country will immediately understand and completely lock Peng Zu's films at zero releases, then remove them from theaters.

Just as his pen was about to fall, the office door was opened without warning.

The two leaders in charge of cultural promotion and distribution walked in. Mr. Ma immediately sensed something was wrong and quickly stood up.

"Director Liu, Director Wang."

"Why did you two come in person?"

The two leaders did not sit down, but instead threw a newly printed internal reference document at Mr. Ma's face.

"Old Ma, Old Ma, you're a veteran in the cultural field, how come you don't even have this basic political sensitivity?" Liu Si pointed at the front page of the newspaper, his voice so loud that it could be heard throughout the entire corridor.

"Look, Peng Zu won the Innovation Award at Venice, North American distributors spent 400 million US dollars to buy out the copyright, and tens of millions of RMB in foreign exchange earnings. This is the most impressive achievement of the entire cultural system in terms of export this year."

Mr. Ma broke out in a cold sweat instantly, his back becoming soaked.

"Liu Si, this film seems to rely a bit on superstition..."

"Superstition my foot! Do you think the European judges are blind? Are the Hollywood capitalists blind too?"

"That's a soft science fiction innovation that combines traditional culture with Eastern civilization."

Liu Si slammed his hand on the table.

"The leader in charge of foreign publicity just personally approved the directive to make 'Peng Zu' a benchmark for cultural exports this year and promote it nationwide."

"As a result, my subordinates told me that you, Lao Ma, had made private arrangements to film this big foreign exchange player and wipe him out."

Mr. Ma's legs went weak and he slumped into the chair.

"I didn't overstep my authority by issuing any official documents; I just personally don't think it's a good idea..."

"You're just overstepping your authority and interfering in the market; you're just using your limited approval power to settle personal scores."

Liu Si didn't give him a chance to explain at all, his tone as cold as ice.

"You, who are in charge of approvals, are overstepping your bounds."

"This is not just a matter of conduct; it's tarnishing the reputation of our cultural strategy."

"Old Ma, from today onwards, you must immediately stop reflecting on your actions and hand over your current work."

Mr. Ma's mind went blank.

He knew he was finished this time; within the system, corruption and lust were probably minor matters.

But if he is labeled as someone who hinders his superiors' achievements, he will be permanently banished from the center of power, and he doesn't even know if he will have the opportunity to retire early.

Two days later, at Beijing Airport.

Liu Yuehua led the large crew of "Pengzu" out of the international arrivals passage.

Outside, there were hundreds of media outlets vying for the headline of the Venice Film Festival's top director, as well as Feng Chengcheng.

Liu Yuehua waved at the rapidly flashing camera and then walked up to Feng Chengcheng.

"Yuehua." Feng Chengcheng suppressed his overwhelming joy and reported in a low voice.

"The news just came out these past two days that Zhang attacked two constables while eating noodles a few nights ago, seriously injuring them. He was subdued on the spot."

"Zhang Liguo rushed to rescue people overnight, but he didn't even get through the gate. Now the Zhang family's reputation is completely ruined."

"And then there's that Mr. Ma. He was investigated by higher-ups for blocking our film screenings and hindering our foreign exchange earnings, and now he's been suspended again."

Liu Yuehua showed no surprise after hearing this.

"What did the theaters say?"

"As soon as Mr. Ma arrived, those old foxes saw that the wind had changed, and with the hype surrounding the Venice Grand Prize, they all went crazy."

Feng Chengcheng handed over a latest film schedule, his hands trembling with excitement.

"Peng Zu" will be released nationwide tomorrow, with a 35% screening rate on its opening day.

Looking at the film schedule, Liu Yuehua finally revealed a smug smile.

He looked at the dean in the distance, who was being interviewed while holding a trophy, and patted Feng Chengcheng on the shoulder.

"Let's go, we're finally qualified to sit at the table."

……

In a Taipei recording studio, Jay Chou took off his headphones and casually picked up today's newspaper.

The front page headlines featured Liu Yuehua holding up the trophy in Venice and reports of the overseas rights to "Peng Zu" being sold for a record price.

"Wow, not bad, Director Liu is really awesome."

He turned to his agent and said, "Brother Rong, I'm going to Beijing for a concert next month. I'll arrange to talk to Director Liu then."

"So much time has passed, he should have made up his mind by now, right?"

"Thoughtful, sophisticated, and able to win a major European award at such a young age—he's just as awesome as me."

……

In a residential community in Beijing, Mr. Ma, who was suspended from his job, was slumped on the sofa with a pile of cigarette butts in front of him.

Suddenly, the door opened and a middle-aged man in a jacket walked in. Upon seeing the man, the arrogant Mr. Ma stood up abruptly, his voice trembling.

"Big brother?"

The middle-aged man glanced at the ashtray, his eyes cold.

"You've jeopardized your future by blocking a freshman; you're really going backwards as you get older."

"Brother, it was my carelessness. He used the publicity stunt..."

"That's enough," the middle-aged man interrupted him.

"No one can stop the general direction from above. You lost this time because your vision was too narrow. Stay home and reflect on your mistakes."

"I can handle the small matter of embezzlement you had last time, but this time the scandal is too big, so it's best to stay out of the limelight for a while."

"Whether you go to Hong Kong or Taiwan, go back to your friends and don't get in my way in Beijing."

……

Lu Chuan's studio.

Lu Chuan stared at the screen, saying nothing.

The screen was playing a rough but vibrant environmental documentary, the brainchild of a documentary filmmaker who followed poachers in the Hoh Xil region.

This film was not released to the public for various reasons.

Watching Lu Chuan's eyes gradually brighten, "Director Lu's film..."

The assistant stood to the side, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

"This film doesn't have a dragon seal at all."

"Go and report to Boss Wang that I have finished writing the script."

"If Liu Yuehua can win an award, so can I."