Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

Upon arriving at their destination, Shu Chang was still deathly pale, gripping the handle above the car door tightly.

Still shaken, I couldn't calm down for a long time!

"Sissi, I'm going to tell your godmother—you have to lose your driving license!"

Zhao Yanxi didn't know when they had become godparents, but these words startled Liu Yifei quite a bit. She quickly hugged Shu Chang and apologized repeatedly, "No, please!"

"It's inevitable that I was a little too fast the first time; I'll definitely be more careful next time!"

Zhao Yanxi raised an eyebrow slightly. This sounded... a little strange.

Outside the recording studio, familiar singing could already be heard:

"Wandering through the joys and sorrows of the mortal world, and wandering with you in my heart;

Piercing through the green hills and desolation, your dream flies with the fragrance of flowers;

My life is consumed by your love, a love unparalleled in the world…

Zhao Yanxi smiled knowingly. It was indeed Zhang Liangying—the one who had the best development among the Super Girl contestants of these years.

Unfortunately, she's a bit too much of a romantic.

However, Liu Yifei could learn something from her in this regard.

"Liangliang, you sing so beautifully!"

Liu Yifei smiled and stepped forward to hug Zhang Liangying. The two girls seemed to have known each other for some time and had a very good relationship.

"Liangliang, let me introduce you. This is my friend Zhao Yanxi, a small-time director."

In the lounge, Liu Yifei gave a warm introduction.

Zhang Liangying smiled knowingly. If this is a "junior director," then who in China dares to call themselves a major director?

"Director Zhao, I am singer Zhang Liangying."

"Hello," Zhao Yanxi said, extending his hand to shake hers. "You sang wonderfully. If there's a suitable opportunity in the future, perhaps I could ask you to sing a theme song for my movie."

In Zhao Yanxi's view, Zhang Liangying's "Painting Heart" contributed to "Painted Skin" no less than "You Are the Apple of My Eye" contributed to the film of the same name.

"Thank you, Director Zhao! I'm ready to serve you anytime you need me!"

Zhang Liangying's tone was filled with barely concealed excitement.

Although the music industry and the film and television industry are not entirely the same, singing theme songs for well-known movies is still an excellent way to boost a singer's popularity and fame.

……

If you are fireworks on the sea,

I am a bubble in the waves;

Your light illuminated me at some point.

It was so dazzling it made me want to cry.

... "

"Director Zhao, the lyrics and music you wrote are truly moving."

In the control room, Zhang Liangying listened to Liu Yifei's singing in the recording studio and exclaimed sincerely, "I feel that many top composers may not be able to write a work like yours."

"Hehe, you flatter me."

Zhao Yanxi responded verbally, but his gaze never left Liu Yifei in the studio. Zhang Liangying glanced at him discreetly, and couldn't help but sigh at the depth of their relationship.

I imagine that when I'm recording songs in the studio, Feng Ke would look at me with the same focused attention.

……

"I have to go to China Film Group. What about you guys?"

Liu Yifei and Shu Chang exchanged a glance, then Liu Yifei said with a smile, "Shall we go shopping?"

"Great! Great!" Shu Chang clapped her hands happily. "It's almost Chinese New Year, time to buy some new clothes!"

"Mmm," Zhang Liangying nodded repeatedly, "I haven't gone shopping in ages either~"

"Let's go to the intersection and hail a taxi!"

As Liu Yifei was about to leave, Zhao Yanxi grabbed her by the back of her collar.

"Calm down for a bit, my ladies. Aren't you already conspicuous enough?" Zhao Yanxi shook her head helplessly. "Big stars should have some professional awareness and not cause trouble for public order. I'll have Old Li come pick you up, and he'll take you there."

"Okay, okay~ Thank you, Director Zhao!"

......

After Zhao Yanxi returned to China, Han Sanping asked him to meet for a chat.

These past two days, Zhao Yanxi has been organizing parts of the script and budget plan for "Painted Skin," which is why she came prepared.

As the year draws to a close, there are more directors and producers gathered downstairs at the China Film Group building than usual. Zhao Yanxi couldn't help but wonder: can these people really get investment by camping out here all day?

"Director Zhao, would you be interested in investing in this company...?"

"My script is of very high quality; the box office will definitely be no less than 100 million!"

Good guy!

Zhao Yanxi never expected that someone would have their eyes on his little savings. He looked at the middle-aged director with a receding hairline. Not only was he being grabbed, but the director also mentioned a box office of 100 million yuan. Did this person know how many movies in China have ever grossed more than 100 million yuan?

"I'm sorry, I'm not considering investing in external projects at the moment..."

"You're lying!" an old man suddenly interjected. "Wasn't it you who invested in Ning Hao's film?"

"That's right, that's right," another elderly man with gray hair chimed in, "Mu Deyuan and I were classmates, so we're practically alumni!"

"President Han needs to speak with me, I'll go upstairs now—"

Looking at the old man with gray hair, Zhao Yanxi felt embarrassed to call him brother, so she took two steps at a time and rushed up to the fourth floor with lightning speed.

In the China Film Group office, Han Sanping unusually stood up to greet him.

"Our great director Zhao has finally arrived!"

Yanxi, Director Yanxi, Director Zhao, Director Zhao... Zhao Yanxi thought to herself: President Han really has a variety of ways of addressing people.

"Mr. Han, we're old acquaintances, please stop teasing me. What kind of big director am I?" Zhao Yanxi laughed. "If I could bring home a Golden Bear from Berlin next month, that would be more like it!"

"Hahaha, that's ambitious!" Han Sanping laughed loudly. "Are you confident about going to Berlin this time?"

"Of course we are confident, but ultimately it depends on the organizing committee's decision."

"It's good that you have confidence," Han Sanping leaned back in his chair. "Come and try the new tea I got from Director Wang when I went to headquarters last time."

Seeing Han Sanping rise to greet her and personally pour tea, Zhao Yanxi shuddered.

"Mr. Han, please just say what's on your mind. Your politeness is making me a little nervous!"

"You little brat!"

Han Sanping chuckled and scolded, then sat back down on his "top leader" seat. "I called you here today mainly to hear about your horror movie."

"It's mainly to ask on behalf of the leaders above."

"Do leaders also like watching horror movies?"

"What are a bunch of old men watching a horror movie for?" Han Sanping rolled his eyes. "They're concerned about cultural export and want to know if your model can be promoted and replicated."

"That's probably not easy," Zhao Yanxi said, spreading his hands. "From the initial planning to the completion of filming, I was basically in charge of 'Ghost Shadow' all by myself. The cost was actually not high, not at all like the $200 million reported in the media, it only cost $30."

"But there are at least hundreds of these kinds of horror movies in Hollywood every year. To stand out, you need unique creativity and ideas—and such inspiration is something that can't be forced."

"So, according to you, the copyright and profits of this movie belong to you alone?" Han Sanping suddenly asked.

"Of course, everything after deducting issuance expenses is mine."

"Understood. Now I'll know what to say when I report to my superiors. They also asked me to tell you: although the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television can't officially award you because of the film's genre, they acknowledge your achievements in promoting cultural exchange overseas and will specifically credit you for that!"

Zhao Yanxi waited intently for Han Sanping to continue, but the other man picked up his teacup and slowly blew on the foam.

"Mr. Han, that's... all?"

"That's all."

"Just one commendation? It's not appropriate to reward it openly, but a private token of appreciation would be fine too!"

"You've already grossed nearly 200 million dollars overseas, what other reward do you want?!" Han Sanping exclaimed, his eyes wide.

Zhao Yanxi pouted: "Isn't that a bit stingy?"

"Don't worry, the leaders know what's going on," Han Sanping said, laughing at his childlike expression. "By the way, did you bring the script for the new project you mentioned on the phone?"

"I brought it here, please take a look."

"Painted Skin?" Han Sanping took the script, frowning slightly. "Adapted from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio? That story isn't new."

"The fact that the story isn't original is what gives it vitality and makes it timeless. After all, it can't be any worse than 'The Promise,' can it?"

"That's true... um?!"

Han Sanping slammed the script on the table, puffed out his beard, and glared at her, saying, "Just stick to your script, why are you bringing up 'The Promise'?"

"What did 'The Promise' do to you? Watch out, it might steal your Golden Bear!"

Zhao Yanxi laughed: "That might fool others, but you, President Han, actually believe it? When has Berlin ever given an award to a film that has already been released overseas?"

After his defeat at the Golden Globe Awards, Chen Kaige still wanted to go to Berlin. Did he really think that he could win all three major European film festivals with the Palme d'Or?

"Whether it wins an award or not depends on the organizing committee's decision!" Han Sanping waved his hand dismissively. "Let's not get off topic. 'Painted Skin' it is, what's the estimated budget?"

"I haven't calculated it in detail yet, but I estimate that $2000 million should be enough."

"Okay, China Film Group can invest 1000 million."

"Let's decide after the detailed budget is released!"