Huayu: I was immediately ensnared by Jing Tian as soon as I entered the industry.

Lu Yang came to visit the set, and he didn't come empty-handed; he brought fruit and snacks.

The film crew was shooting, so he didn't go up to disturb them.

Upon seeing Wang Xuan issue the order, everyone on site instantly sprang into action, working like a high-speed machine.

Seeing how skillfully Wang Xuan had orchestrated the scene, Lu Yang suspected that Wang Xuan had been acting out his role.

When filming "Buried," why didn't they do it themselves?

It's quite a pity.

"Click, that's a pass, time to serve the food."

Wang Xuan shouted.

He waved to Lu Yang, who was walking over, and said, "Old Lu, come and see my composition."

Wang Xuan showed Lu Yang the footage he had just shot, wanting his opinion.

"I have to call you Director Wang now. Judging from the shots you've shot, it's hard to believe you haven't taken any directing classes and this is your first time directing a film."

Lu Yang praised him with a smile.

"It doesn't matter what you call me."

Wang Xuan shook his head, a smile on his face: "What have you been busy with lately? You're a director who's been to Berlin, no one's offering you any roles?"

When this matter was brought up, Lu Yang scratched his head in frustration.

He felt that he was quite talented; if he couldn't beat Chen Kaige or Zhang Yimou, he was at least on par with Jiang Wen.

Both were making their directorial debuts and produced an award-winning actor.

It gave him the illusion that Wang Xuan, at such a young age, could write a script like "Buried Alive".

He felt he could do it too.

So it wasn't that no film and television companies invited him; it was that he wanted to film what he had written.

After returning from Berlin, Lu Yang felt that the script he had conceived was lacking something and kept revising it.

In Wang Xuan's view, Lu Yang's vision was too high, but his ability couldn't keep up.

The two stopped talking about that topic and instead started discussing the newly released film, "The Forbidden Kingdom".

"The script is too thin, which is a waste of two good actors," Lu Yang said with a regretful expression.

The film grossed 1600 million yuan on its opening day, 1800 million yuan on its second day, and 2000 million yuan on its third day.

As box office numbers soared, the film's true reputation could no longer be concealed, with netizens giving it surprisingly unanimous negative reviews.

"A trashy movie that exploits nostalgia; the fight scenes between Chen Long and Jet Li are like those of an old man—weak and powerless..."

"Traditional Chinese mythology cannot be well portrayed by a foreign film."

"Beware of cultural distortion. It's utterly ridiculous that our mythological figures need foreigners to rescue them."

"..."

Despite the constant online criticism and ridicule, it did nothing to hinder the box office growth of "The Forbidden Kingdom".

The first four days saw revenue of 4 million.

The figures in North America are even more impressive, with box office revenue exceeding $35 million, taking the top spot at the box office in its opening week.

"This movie is aimed at the overseas market. The plot is too complicated for foreign audiences to understand, so we have to sacrifice the viewing experience of domestic audiences."

Wang Xuan offered his analysis.

Foreigners' thought processes are different from Asians'; when watching movies or TV series, they can't watch the visuals while reading the subtitles.

Lu Yang nodded in agreement: "It's a pity that these two kung fu superstars collaborated for the first time. They made money, but they lost their reputation."

"It's not that easy. These two have worked diligently for decades and still have a strong public image. It'll only work if they do it a few more times."

For the next twenty years, Chen Long made a series of bad movies, with each one receiving worse reviews and box office returns, which greatly affected his public image.

But regardless of the circumstances, it does not affect his status as the most influential Chinese person overseas.

As for Jet Li, his filmography gradually decreased, but he made a few kung fu movies and even won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor.

Lu Yang suddenly reminded him, "You need to be especially careful about safety while filming."

"You're right, you should always be careful," Wang Xuan said with a smile.

Just a few days ago, Kang Honglei, a renowned director in the military field, was involved in a serious explosion accident while filming "My Chief and My Regiment" in Yunnan.

At noon, Lu Yang stayed on set to eat boxed lunches, and Wang Xuan introduced him to the main actors, including Zhu Yilong and Shuangzi.

···

Filming continued in the afternoon.

Wang Xuan sat in front of the monitor, his brow furrowed, and shouted in dissatisfaction, "Jia Lin, what are you doing? Can't you even walk past a handsome guy?"

"I'm sorry, director."

The scene currently being filmed is about Shen Mengjun meeting Zhu Yilong, who plays a younger version of Li Dahai. It's their first encounter, and the latter pursues her intensely.

"Brother Wang Xuan, calm down. Sister Jia Lin probably hasn't been pursued by handsome guys before, so she might not be used to it."

Shuangzi used the most innocent tone to say the most hurtful things.

This made the staff on site burst into laughter.

When she's not filming, she likes to sit quietly by the monitor.

She was usually quiet and didn't disturb the filming, so Wang Xuan just let her be.

Jia Lin is probably used to being teased on stage, and she readily admitted it:

"I'm not used to having any handsome guys pursuing me."

"Alright, all departments, get ready." Wang Xuan stopped the discussion that was stirring up controversy.

Lu Yang witnessed the atmosphere on set throughout and couldn't help but admire Wang Xuan's strong control. The entire set was his personal domain, and his word was law.

Outsiders all thought that "The Forbidden Kingdom" would dominate the box office and reap the rewards.

Without any warning, a Hollywood blockbuster, "Iron Man," has suddenly appeared, scheduled for release at the end of the month.

What's unusual is that the mainland China release date is two days earlier than the North American release date, which has never happened before.

This inevitably leads one to wonder: what did Huayi Brothers do to offend China Film Group?

Anyone with eyes can see that this is a setup to target "Kung Fu King".

The answer was quickly given: as the first Sino-US co-production, it's no wonder that "The Forbidden Kingdom" was targeted because it didn't receive any funding from China Film Group.

···

"China Film Group really doesn't tolerate Huayi Brothers; it's clearly targeting them."

During his break, Zhu Yilong was browsing analysis posts on Tieba when he spoke.

"Huayi is used to having a monopoly in China and is used to monopolizing profits. The new manager is not someone to be trifled with."

Wang Xuan said with a smile.

"Media predictions suggest the box office could exceed 2 million, but now it seems unlikely," Gao Wenfeng said, shaking his head.

"Hey, do you guys think Liu Yifei will go to Hollywood? The Forbidden Kingdom did pretty well at the North American box office."

Chai Biyun suddenly said this.

This is probably the topic that actresses in the industry are most concerned about.

Hollywood today is like a top-tier temple; a visit there can instantly elevate your status.

"Probably, this is an opportunity to go international," Gao Wenfeng predicted.

"If it were me, I definitely wouldn't go alone unless someone goes with me."

After Shuangzi finished speaking, she glanced at Wang Xuan.

That one look really bothered him.

This girl wouldn't...

She's only 16, how can she be so precocious?

"Some people should stop dreaming. Going to Hollywood? You'll be lucky if you can get roles after graduation."

Chai Biyun launched into her usual sarcastic remarks.

"Sister Biyun, I was just saying, you don't have to take it so seriously."

Shuangzi's voice was soft and sweet, and she looked pitiful.

"you……"

Chai Biyun was so angry at Shuangzi's innocent expression that she couldn't speak.

If she retaliates too much, she'll be accused of bullying a minor.

Those around who witnessed this scene barely managed to suppress their laughter; their fiery tempers had met with a soft knife, leaving them with nowhere to vent their anger.