Huayu: I Have a Doraemon

Chapter 101 Lantern Festival (Please continue reading)

February 7th is the Lantern Festival.

Red lanterns hung in the streets and alleys of Shanghai, and glutinous rice balls were being cooked on the stoves of every household.

On the same day, a piece of news quietly spread throughout the film and television industry.

Shanghai Television's evening news program spent several minutes reporting on the story.

Lin An, the screenwriter of "iPartment," arrived in Shanghai five days ago. According to sources, the 18-year-old will be filming a science fiction suspense movie he wrote and directed in Shanghai...

The news elicited mixed reactions within the industry.

Beijing Film Academy, Biaodao Building.

Several performing arts students were gathered around a computer, on which the report was prominently displayed.

"Weren't you supposed to be filming a TV series? Why are you making a movie?"

Haiqing looked at Zhao Nana curiously and asked, "Didn't he tell you about this?" You two are clearly so close.

Zhao Nana rolled her eyes: "He's not my son, how could he tell me everything?"

Haiqing: I can't even refute that...

At this moment, Zhang Hua walked in, frowned at the group, and said, "What are you all doing gathered here? Aren't you going to get to rehearsals? Don't you want to graduate?"

Zhao Nana shrank her neck and said, "Coming, coming."

Wen Zhengrong pointed at the computer and asked, "Teacher, do you know about Lin An making a movie?"

Zhang Hua's eyes widened. "He's going to make a movie?"

Zhang Nana asked in surprise, "Didn't he tell you about this?" You two are clearly such good friends.

Zhang Hua rolled her eyes: "He's not my son, how could he tell me everything?"

Zhao Nana and two others:

"

""

Hairun Pictures

Liu Yanming asked Chang Jihong, "How's 'The Third Young Master's Sword' coming along?"

"Director Jin is a renowned director of period dramas, having directed 'Tai Chi Master' and 'Little Li Flying Dagger,' so there shouldn't be any major problems."

"Chang Jihong reassured her."

Liu Yanming wasn't entirely reassured. "We still have a very weak foundation in the area of ​​period dramas."

He said, "Zhang Jizhong's team has already started casting for 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes.' I heard they've invited quite a few A-list stars, and even Zhao Wei auditioned."

"It's just hype."

Chang Jihong scoffed, "It's true that a Jin Yong adaptation is a big project, but Zhang Jizhong's background is too weak. He doesn't have the connections to bring in so many A-list actors."

For celebrities, time is money. A long TV series takes at least half a year to complete. It's not that she looks down on Zhang Jizhong, but she really doesn't think many A-list celebrities would give their face to that big beard.

Liu Yanming felt relieved upon hearing this, but still said, "The 'Swordsman' series is about to air, and it will most likely clash with our project, so we need to be careful with our publicity."

Chang Jihong nodded slightly, indicating that she would make arrangements for the artists to cooperate.

Liu Yanming nodded in satisfaction and continued, "That kid you had your eye on before has stirred things up again."

"Lin An?"

Chang Jihong was somewhat surprised, "Isn't he filming 'iPartment' in Shanghai?"

Liu Yanming said with a complicated expression, "He's filming a movie now, a science fiction/suspense film."

Chang Jihong was stunned. "Has he gone mad?"

Sci-fi? Suspense? Is this something an 18-year-old newcomer director can handle?

"Who invested in it?" Chang Jihong exclaimed in surprise.

Liu Yanming's expression became even more complicated: "Huayi said that the kid has set up a film and television company, and the movie should be his own investment."

Chang Jihong was taken aback, then asked in confusion, "Why are they paying attention to Lin An?"

Although they all belong to the Beijing circle, Wang Shuo, Ye Daying, Wang Zhongjun, and Wang Zhonglei are not from the same group, and it could even be said that their relationship is somewhat strained.

"I don't know the specifics, but it seems to be about an actor," Liu Yanming said vaguely.

Chang Jihong understood, her expression a mixture of disdain and disgust: "So what do you mean?"

"Since you admire Lin An, let's do a good deed and help promote him."

Liu Yanming paused for a moment, then reminded him, "In a personal capacity."

"Does this mean betting on both sides?" Chang Jihong nodded thoughtfully.

It seems Haiyan has set conditions again.

Because of the copyright of "Jade Goddess of Mercy"?

Huayi Office.

Wang Zhongjun sat in a large leather chair, flipping through a budget report for the movie "Big Shot's Funeral," his brow furrowed.

There was a knock on the door, and the secretary tiptoed in, stopping two steps away from the desk.

"The casting for 'Big Shot' has been finalized, and the actors' salaries have exceeded the estimated limit."

He paused for a moment, then said in a steady voice, "Those two American actors alone cost nearly ten million."

Wang Zhongjun didn't look up, but tapped his fingers on the table to signal to continue.

"Location scouting for 'The Missing Gun' is mostly complete, but Jiang Wen has told us that the script needs to be polished again."

Wang Zhongjun remained silent.

The secretary waited a moment, then continued, "We'll have to wait a while longer for 'My Life.' Director Zhang isn't very satisfied with the actors we recommended..."

""

"Is Gao Yuanyuan in Lin An's new movie?" Wang Zhongjun suddenly interrupted.

The secretary was taken aback for a moment before realizing that her boss was referring to the screenwriter of "iPartment." She glanced down at her notebook and nodded, "Yes. Gao Yuanyuan plays the female lead."

Wang Zhongjun chuckled, leaned back in his chair, and said with a half-smile, "So you've climbed the social ladder. No wonder you look down on a supporting actress."

The secretary sensed the disdain and contempt in his words, and lowered her eyes slightly, saying, "Should I look into the specifics?"

Wang Zhongjun ignored him and instead asked another question: "I think it's been a while since I had dinner with Manager Gao from New Film Union, hasn't it?"

The secretary paused for a few seconds, then nodded and said, "Yes."

Manager Gao, Gao Jun.

BJ New Film Union Publicity Business Manager.

He was in charge of scheduling and distributing all films in cinemas within Beijing. His rank was not high, but he wielded immense power.

Let's make an appointment.

Wang Zhongjun looked away and picked up the report on the table again: "There are some things I want to talk to him about."

The secretary responded, closed the notebook, and turned to leave.

On the Lantern Festival, filming wrapped up an hour earlier than usual.

Lin Cong glanced at his watch, then at the last clip on the monitor, and finally nodded.

Shen Teng practically jumped up from his chair the moment he heard him, draped his military overcoat over his shoulders, and yelled at the top of his lungs, "It's a holiday! Where are the glutinous rice balls? Where are the glutinous rice balls you promised?"

"Stop shouting!"

Dong Xuan peeked out from the rest area, holding a spoon in her hand: "Gao Lu is cooking, what's the rush?"

On the long table in the rest area, an induction cooker was bubbling and steaming.

Gao Lu stood behind the stove, holding a long-handled spoon, stirring the glutinous rice balls in the pot with great skill.

Chen Shu helped unpack the bags with quick and efficient movements, clearly someone who had done housework before.

"Black sesame seeds, peanuts, and a few pieces of fresh meat."

Chen Shu said to Shen Teng, "The fresh meat should be cooked for a while longer."

"Steamed meat dumplings?"

Shen Teng's expression was as if he had heard something outrageous, and he gasped, "How can glutinous rice balls be salty?"

"Why can't glutinous rice balls be savory?"

Deng Chao popped out from behind him, "We also have savory glutinous rice balls in Jiangxi. Just because you haven't tried them doesn't mean they don't exist."

"Do you guys also have chili filling?" Shen Teng couldn't help but retort.

Deng Chao shook his head. "No, but we can give it a try."

Shen Teng's expression began to contort.

The others also felt nauseous and thought the two should be kicked out.

Gao Yuanyuan had already scooped up the glutinous rice balls and walked past the arguing group towards a corner of the set.

Lin An was sitting there, typing on the keyboard with both hands, his expression extremely focused.

The people in the rest area looked at each other in bewilderment when they saw this scene. They stared at each other, none of them daring to speak.