Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

The post-production of "First Love" was done in the Little White Building.

Ding Lang did not allow outsiders to interfere; he personally edited every single shot.

After more than half a month, the editing of "First Love" has been basically completed. The rest is just some background music and theme song.

After watching Ding Lang's edited version at Xiaobailou, Zhao Yanxi finally felt relieved.

It seems that the two million investment was not wasted; the desired effect was indeed achieved.

"Director Zhao, I'm counting on you for the theme song!"

"Um."

Zhao Yanxi nodded and said, "Production should be completed around this month. When are we planning to release this film?"

"I haven't thought about that yet," Ding Lang said with a smile. "When do you think would be a good time?"

"Let's say it's summer vacation. Youth campus films still need the support of students!"

"OK!"

......

After returning from Beijing Film Academy, Zhao Yanxi went straight to Qingcui Garden.

When Liu Xiaoli returned yesterday afternoon, she invited Zhao Yanxi over for a meal.

A very traditional way of doing things – whether it's a happy occasion or a bad one, you always have to find a reason to have a meal together!

He knocked and came in; Liu Xiaoli opened the door.

"Yanxi, you're here—" Liu Xiaoli greeted her warmly, but before Zhao Yanxi could even enter, Liu Xiaoli shouted resentfully, "Liu Qianqian, you lazy pig, you don't even know to open the door when guests come!"

The change in attitude was so swift that Zhao Yanxi was caught off guard.

Liu Yifei lay on the sofa in a cute and innocent way, still wearing her pajamas hood, with a few strands of her hair falling messily from the brim.

"Hey Mom, you're right at the door! Yanxi, you've come at the perfect time, the movie has just started!"

"Director Zhao~"

"Changchang is here too."

Looking at Shu Chang, whose smile remained bright, Zhao Yanxi sighed, realizing that the incident hadn't had any significant impact.

Just after New Year's Day, Zhao Yanxi arrived in Hollywood, and shortly after, Shu Chang was sued by the crew of "Three Drops of Blood".

As for the reason, it is mainly said that Shu Chang took the money but did not do the job. She was supposed to be on set for a month, but the actual filming time was less than a week. Furthermore, she frequently took leave and filmed other projects at the same time, which seriously affected the filming of the crew.

At that time, Liu Yifei also called Zhao Yanxi to ask if Zhao Yanxi had any ideas on how to handle the situation.

However, Zhao Yanxi couldn't do anything about it. Although the main reason Shu Chang was taking on too many roles at once was her unreliable relative agent who had accepted too many acting roles and GG endorsements, it was a fact that she had breached her contract.

The best outcome is to pay compensation, apologize, and communicate privately, rather than taking it to court.

It is said that Shu Chang lost all the savings she had accumulated from filming and making movies in previous years, meaning that Shu Chang, who debuted as a child star, basically worked for her relatives for free.

What an unlucky kid!

......

The DVD playing on the television was "Paranormal Activity," which Zhao Yanxi had brought back from Hollywood.

"How is it? Does it look good?"

"It's great, very exciting!" Liu Yifei said with a smile, "I really don't know how Yan Xi's brain works, you can even make a horror movie so exciting~"

"It seems that quite a few Hong Kong directors used to want to make some low-budget thrillers in Hollywood," Shu Chang said softly, "but they don't seem to be interested in zombies or ghosts."

"In the end, they all failed."

Zhao Yanxi smiled and said, "Actually, this is why it's so difficult for domestic directors to make a name for themselves in Hollywood. It's not that they lack ability, but rather the obvious cultural differences between the two places!"

"Chinese horror films emphasize atmosphere, using white mosquito nets and red embroidered shoes to create a subtle, Chinese-style atmosphere of terror; while foreign horror films express their atmosphere more directly through sound, light and shadow, lines, and blood."

"Chinese people look down on foreign horror films, and foreigners don't understand Chinese horror either."

In fact, this applies not only to horror films, but also to some drama films.

Take comedy films, for example. The jokes in Chinese comedies may not be understood by foreigners, and few Chinese directors can bring out the American humor of America.

The best way for Chinese people to break into Hollywood is to shoot some low-budget comedies and horror films, quickly rake in box office revenue, and then use the box office share to start subsequent big productions.

However, 99% of Chinese directors or film companies fail at the first step, let alone subsequent development.

This is why Zhao Yanxi's Hollywood film "Paranormal Activity" caused such a sensation in China, grossing over 100 million yuan.

It's because he's managed to establish himself in Hollywood.

Once I make another big-budget production, I'll have truly established myself in Hollywood!

...

"Sissi, are you free this afternoon? Shall we go record 'The Light Chaser'?"

"Sure," Liu Yifei said, hugging a cushion, then suddenly turned her head and said with a smile, "Perfect timing, I'll introduce you to a friend this afternoon, she's recording a song right now."

"She sings very well, even a little better than me!"

Liu Yifei pinched her thumb and forefinger together to emphasize that this "little bit" really was only a tiny bit.

"Sure!"

Zhao Yanxi said with a smile that he wanted to see just how big this "little bit" difference was from Liu Yifei.

As far as he knew, Liu Yifei from the original timeline only had a few close friends during this period.

Shu Chang, Zhou Yang, Jiang Yan, Zhang Liangying, Yao Beina... If the first few weren't in the music industry, they probably wouldn't be as good as Liu Yifei; but the latter two are far superior!

Absolutely devastating!

If Zhang Liangying from 05 were dressed like she is in 2025, then her chances of winning that year's Super Girl competition would be debatable!

Despite Liu Xiaoli's busy morning, all she actually served was a bowl of lotus root soup.

The other dishes were also ordered from nearby restaurants—don't expect an artist to have any good cooking skills.

However, the lotus root soup was quite good. It was said that the lotus root from Honghu Lake was specially sent from Jiangcheng by Xiao Liu's grandmother, and it was excellent for making soup.

"Yan Xi, eat lotus root!"

Liu Yifei put a piece of lotus root on Zhao Yanxi's plate. If it weren't for that mischievous smile on her face, Zhao Yanxi would have really thought she meant well.

"Sissi, you're ugly!"

Zhao Yanxi's counterattack was much more direct, without resorting to puns!

"Hehehe~~~"

"Liu Qianqian!"

"Hehe," Liu Yifei said with a grin, unconcerned, "Yanxi, where are you planning to spend the New Year this year? Want to come back to Jiangcheng with us?"

"This lotus root soup is the best in Jiangcheng!"

"I'm fine with either," Zhao Yanxi said with a smile. "I'll go back to my hometown to pay respects to my ancestors before the New Year, and then I'll take a trip to Jiangcheng."

"Great!" Liu Yifei said with a smile, "Didn't you want to take out a loan to buy an office building? Maybe my uncle can help you out a little."

"That's great! That's exactly what I was thinking too. Every little bit helps!"

Liu Xiaoli looked up and shook her head helplessly.

This cotton-padded coat is probably turning into fishnet stockings, with the wind blowing from all directions!

......

Once outside, Liu Yifei quickly stepped forward and got into the driver's seat of Zhao Yanxi's Volvo.

"Sissi..."

"Hehe, I just got my driver's license last week. My mom usually doesn't let me touch the steering wheel, so please let me drive!"

Liu Yifei stared intently at Zhao Yanxi with her big eyes, her lips slightly pursed, like a kitten longing for a toy.

"Okay, then drive slower!"

Zhao Yanxi really couldn't bear to refuse Liu Yifei. After all, she had a license, and... Volvo's safety performance was pretty good, so he might as well give it a try.

Even novice female drivers need practice to become experienced drivers!

"Hehe, beep beep! Get in the car, get in, fasten your seatbelts, driver Liu is about to drive off!"

Liu Yifei immediately beamed with joy.

Seeing Liu Yifei's delight, Zhao Yanxi smiled and shook her head, but after getting into the passenger seat, she tightened her seatbelt again and again...

"Slow down!"

Don't worry—

Before he finished speaking, he stepped on the gas, and the car shot off with a whoosh.

Oh! This damn push-back feeling!

"Drive—slowly—"

Zhao Yanxi shouted at the top of her lungs, her voice carrying far, far away on the wind...