Chinese Entertainment: Directors Start with the Fairy Sister

Kung Fu Hustle was really well made!

Zhao Yanxi had already seen it once, so her reaction didn't reveal much.

Liu Yifei next door was watching it for the first time, and she laughed heartily at the various comedic scenes in the early episodes.

I was moved to tears by the later scene where Stephen Chow's character was brutally beaten by the Fire Cloud Evil God, and even by the final reunion with the mute girl...

The ability to make the audience's emotions shift along with the plot, from funny moments to touching scenes, is itself a great success!

"Yan Xi, can your movies be as amazing as 'Kung Fu Hustle'?"

"That looks tough..."

"One Best Actor a Year, Stephen Chow a Century"—this saying is no joke.

During Stephen Chow's most glorious years, whether as a director or an actor, any film starring Stephen Chow would basically only be able to compete for second place at the box office that year.

What's most impressive isn't just the box office, but the fact that Stephen Chow's films remain fresh and engaging even after repeated viewings.

In particular, his character portrayals, whether of the main character or a minor supporting role, are all very memorable.

Putting aside his personal character and his later money-grabbing works, Stephen Chow's movies from the early 2000s are absolutely solid!

"But you have to believe me, give me three to five years, and then we'll see who's better, Director Zhou or Director Zhao!"

"Tch, you should talk about box office success first," Liu Yifei said, pouting. "I'm so envious of Senior Huang Shengyi."

"After 'Kung Fu Hustle,' she's probably going to rise to the top tier."

Zhao Yanxi remained silent, only recalling the recent reports about Huang Shengyi—

"In my mind, Stephen Chow is my teacher, my senior, and also the boss of my film company."

"As a newcomer, I feel very fortunate to be able to participate in the creation of this film. I am most grateful to the director for giving me this opportunity. Thank you, director."

It's probably no one who expected that the two "master and apprentice" who are now so loving and affectionate would turn against each other and end up in court in the near future!

"No rush, after you finish acting in my movie, you'll be even more famous than Huang Shengyi!"

"Hehe, even though I know you're bragging, I still wish us all the best in achieving our dreams!"

......

On New Year's Day, filming of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" was in full swing, and "You Are the Apple of My Eye" was officially printed and published.

Zhao Yanxi is, after all, just a new author, and The Return of the Condor Heroes has not yet been released, so his supporting role won't affect sales too much.

Therefore, the publisher did not hold any book signings.

However, the fact that it ranked second in the "Love in the City" series under the Rongshuxia magazine speaks for itself. Even relying solely on the publisher's own promotion and the spontaneous promotion by readers, "Those Years" still achieved remarkable sales results.

The first print run of 200,000 copies sold out in just three months!

The publisher was overjoyed and not only made up for Zhao Yanxi's royalties immediately, but also printed another 30 copies, of which 10 were hardcover editions.

The reprint royalties are 12%, and this time Zhao Yanxi received 50 yuan in royalties directly.

The publisher prepaid 50% as usual. Although more than 20,000 yuan was deducted in taxes, Zhao Yanxi still received 220,000 yuan, which brought her one step closer to the budget for her first film as director!

Meanwhile, "The Return of the Condor Heroes" was in its later stages of filming.

April.

It is a key scene in the filming of "The Return of the Condor Heroes", namely the scene in the drama where the Mongol army besieges Xiangyang City!

This major production had little to do with Zhao Yanxi. Most of the time, it was the older members of Zhang Jizhong's team who were in charge of filming, so it wasn't Zhao Yanxi's turn to shoot.

However, Zhao Yanxi didn't care.

During his six months on set, he became familiar with the equipment and crew operations of 04—now it should be called 05.

Now we're just waiting for the end of April so that Liu Yifei can finish filming, and then I'll resign from my job with Zhang Jizhong.

We'll return to the capital together then, to prepare for my debut masterpiece!

On days when she wasn't filming, Zhao Yanxi could relax and watch the film crew shoot.

"The next scene is the final scene, the one where Yang Guo and Xiaolongnü celebrate their great victory over the enemy camp, with the soldiers and civilians of Xiangyang joining in the celebration. The Beggars' Sect disciples will lift Xiaolongnü up in celebration..."

"Director, isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Zhao Yanxi suddenly interjected.

"Hmm? How so?"

After spending a lot of time together and getting to know each other, Zhang Jizhong wasn't so domineering anymore. Besides, Zhao Yanxi was already doing part-time work as a "Taoist culture advisor."

Moreover, it was the final scene of filming, so everyone was in a relatively good mood!

"Little Dragon Girl is aloof and solitary. She came to help Xiangyang City purely because Yang Guo wanted to. How could she possibly accept being tossed around by a group of Beggar Clan disciples, being lifted up and thrown around?"

After Zhao Yanxi finished speaking, Zhang Jizhong was also stunned, and Liu Yifei's little face also showed a smile.

Yan Xi is truly a good friend. I felt it wasn't quite right just now, but I didn't know why. No wonder she's a great writer!

After pondering for a moment, Zhang Jizhong, perhaps also feeling it was inappropriate, looked at Zhao Yanxi and asked, "So what do you think?"

"Why not just throw it at Yang Guo?"

"Goodness, you're really going all out with me?" Huang Xiaoming laughed exaggeratedly.

Zhao Yanxi chuckled and said, "After so many years of growth, Yang Guo has earned the title of Divine Hero and should naturally be an object of admiration for everyone."

"This time, he displayed his extraordinary prowess, lifting the siege of Xiangyang. Naturally, he is more likely to gain the support of the soldiers and civilians!"

"Okay, let's change it like this!"

Zhang Jizhong didn't hesitate for long and immediately called the script supervisor to arrange the props for the next scene.

"Hehe, Yanxi, you're really amazing! You actually managed to persuade Director Zhang to change the script."

"It's not a big change," Zhao Yanxi said with a smile, "Qianqian, you should thank me properly for this!"

"Why?" Liu Yifei tilted her head, asking with a puzzled yet endearing expression.

"Think about it, a group of extras are holding you and throwing you around. No matter how careful you are in the chaos, it's inevitable that some indecent actions will happen, such as groping your breasts or touching your buttocks."

"Even though you're not really in a bad situation, it's still not good!"

Zhao Yanxi spoke the last sentence in a low voice, so much so that even Liu Xiaoli, who was standing next to her, probably didn't hear it clearly.

After saying that, Zhao Yanxi rushed out!

"Zhao Yanxi!"

He glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw Little Dragon Girl charging towards him with the Plain Maiden Sword. He immediately moved with lightning speed.

...

Soon, filming officially began.

Yu Min, holding a megaphone, shouted: "Everyone, get ready—Yang Guo's celebration scene!"

"Three, two, one, go!"

One stroke of the cane.

Yang Guo was tossed high into the air by a group of Beggars' Sect disciples, each leap eliciting cheers from the crowd.

His dark robes fluttered in the wind, yet he had to maintain the heroic smile befitting a chivalrous hero.

Yu Min nodded in satisfaction behind the monitor: "The atmosphere is just right!"

"Cut, this one's passed!"

"I hereby announce that filming for 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' has officially wrapped!"

"Yay!! Filming's wrapped, time to go home!"

"If I don't go home soon, my wife is about to give birth."

The main creative team of the production crew also gathered together, including Kong Lin, Wang Luoyong, Huang Xiaoming, Bayin, and Zhao Yanxi and Liu Yifei.

"Filming has finally wrapped up. Is Yifei going back to school to study?"

"Well, there are still a few months of classes left, then exams, and I also need to prepare my graduation thesis."

"Brother Xiaoming, what about you?"

"I won't go back. I have to rush to my next film set in Shanghai."

"So diligent!" Zhao Yanxi gave a thumbs up.

"Yan Xi, what about you? Are you going to focus on photography or pursue acting?"

"Hehe, not at all," Zhao Yanxi said smugly, "I've decided, I want to be a director! After returning to Beijing this time, I'll start preparing for my first film."

"Really?" Huang Xiaoming was surprised for a moment, then exclaimed, "Great! That's ambitious! Contact me anytime if you need anything. If your schedule allows, you can also contact me for suitable roles!"

"Thank you, Brother Xiaoming. I won't hesitate to ask for your help if needed!"

"Me too."

Regardless of whether Zhao Yanxi, this new director, can actually direct, or whether he will succeed, people will still say the polite things.

So-called personal relationships are built up in each and every film crew!

"I always feel like something's missing."

Watching the main cast and crew gathered together, chatting and laughing, and reminiscing about the difficulties of filming "The Return of the Condor Heroes," Zhao Yanxi still felt that something was missing.

He glanced around the stage and suddenly froze—wasn't that woman tied to the wooden stake, looking utterly helpless, Yang Mi?!

"Old Li, have you forgotten someone?!"

Zhao Yanxi grabbed the script supervisor, Lao Li, and pointed Yang Mi out to him. Lao Li was indeed shocked and quickly went up to help Yang Mi untie herself.

Huang Xiaoming, Liu Yifei, and their group were also a little embarrassed. They hadn't expected that even after filming wrapped, they would still have left little Sister Guo Xiang behind on the battlefield...

. . . . . .

Beijing, airport!

Half a year has passed since I left last National Day.

The changes in the past six months have been enormous, after all, even the "core" has been changed.

Aside from Kai Xin'er, the biggest change is Zhao Yanxi's achievements.

Now, besides being a struggling actor, he's also known as a famous young adult fiction writer, the kind whose debut novel sold millions of copies.

Although only over 300,000 copies have been sold so far, it should be no problem for total sales to exceed one million copies in 2005.

Of course, the title of "famous director" will be added in the near future!

"Yanxi, where do you live? Do you need a driver to take you home?"

"No need, I can just call a car to go back myself," Zhao Yanxi shook her head and said, "I plan to go back to Beijing Film Academy first to talk to the teachers about the script and see if the school can provide some support."

"Yes," Liu Yifei smiled and said, "If you're still short of funds for filming, just contact me. I can't lend you much, but a few hundred thousand shouldn't be a problem. My salary for 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' is over 30, which should arrive in the next few days!"

"Aren't you afraid I'll lose money and won't be able to pay you back?"

"Haha, don't worry, even if you lose money, you'll still get royalties."

"That royalties are for my wedding, so don't even think about it. How about this: if the movie loses money, I'll suffer a bit and pay off the debt with my body. I'm strong and healthy..."

"Ahem!"

Liu Xiaoli coughed twice, staring at Zhao Yanxi with hostility—"Savior" is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. You brat, you flirted with my daughter right in front of me, are you looking for death?!

"Well, I'll be going now, Auntie, goodbye Yifei~~"