I'm not a drama freak, I can really see through the script

Chapter 404, The Storm is Brewing, The Three-Way Meeting, The Medicine God, The Bullet, The King's Feast

at this time.

Han Ping from China Film Group has also been very busy lately, working on the promotional and distribution process for "Let the Bullets Fly".
After being polished, this 'bullet' is finally ready to land.

This work embodies Han Ping's dual expectations of winning awards and box office success.
"The time has finally come."

Finally, a quarter before the award nomination.

"Let the Bullets Fly" has finally been shipped.
This work has been polished and refined time and time again.

As someone who visited the set, especially the "Feast at Hongmen" scene, Han Ping felt that no one in the Chinese film industry understood "acting" better than Jiang Wen.
The three actors were already so strong in their acting, so the quality of their other scenes speaks volumes.
Even Jiang Wen himself said it.

"This is a work that encapsulates all my skills. I can say that I will never be able to make a work like 'Let the Bullets Fly' again in the future," Jiang Wen said with a frank smile.

Han Ping, who was standing next to him, paused for a moment and then said.

"You're being too modest."

"No, no, no, this isn't modesty; you probably don't know."

"According to you, talent is just a consumable?" Han Ping said jokingly.

Jiang Wen shook his head this time, then smiled slightly.

"Talent is certainly not a consumable, but mindset is, you know, even the most rational person can see themselves clearly. After reaching the pinnacle of life, one will think about grasping everything in front of them and not letting it slip away. When you are afraid of losing something, your shooting will become distorted and your will will become twisted."

"Even the most rational person cannot escape this kind of decadence; when you achieve first place, that feeling will spontaneously influence you."

Jiang Wen sighed at this moment.

There's also a sense of regret.

Han Ping noticed it immediately.

Jiang Wen has already tacitly agreed to one thing.

I'm number one in this round.

But this kind of confidence.

Han Ping felt that there seemed to be nothing wrong with it.
"Let's go wish Li Xuan a Happy New Year in advance."

"I always felt a calm before the storm."

"Because it really is a storm brewing, and your feeling is right."

At this moment, Wang Fengsheng and Xu Xiang were also in the president's office at Beijing Film Academy, drinking tea.

Nowadays, entertainment news on the internet lacks gossip and consists mostly of trivial news.

But Wang Fengsheng knew.

There's no news.

It represents one thing.

The big one is coming.

That's why the circle is so calm.

Calmly awaiting the impending storm.

"In Hong Kong and Beijing, these circles are all putting on their best work at this crucial moment," Xu Xiang said, pausing for a moment. "As the first cycle of the award's reform, this may be the most competitive and prestigious year in the next twenty years."

Wang Fengsheng sighed with emotion.

"Otherwise, how could it attract such a gathering of talents? Perhaps for the audience, this is a great blessing, with so many energetic works being released during this period."

Xu Xiang nodded.

That's definitely the case.

Even Hollywood, which dominates the world, doesn't have any major releases during this period.

They didn't know the specific reasons either.

Perhaps even Hollywood has to take this wave of massive release schedules seriously.
"Cold War, Chinese Zodiac, Let the Bullets Fly, Dying to Survive, Tian Zhuang's meticulously edited The Last Supper, The Love of the Camphor Tree, and Tai Chi Hero. It's like gods fighting, gods fighting."

"Cheng Shilong's Sino-US co-production has also been put forward."

"I don't even know which work to support anymore," Wang Fengsheng sighed.

"We support excellent works. We support whoever's work is the best, regardless of our stance or relationships. Our responsibility is to ensure that this land produces more and better works, isn't it?"

Care for Li Xuan.

That did not suppress Xu Xiang's rationality.

He remembered one thing from beginning to end.

To make China Film Group even better.

To cultivate more cultural and entertainment talents in China.

“That makes sense,” Wang Fengsheng said calmly, “but this time, no matter what, I will do my best to support Li Xuan.”

Xu Xiang also shook his head at this moment.

"That's probably where you and I are different."

"Ah."

Whether it's presented in a grand and dignified manner or not.

But people are inherently selfish.

Wang Fengsheng boldly admitted it right here.

anyway.

This time, I'll just follow my own selfish motives.

Go support Li Xuan.

Even if there are works that seem to be better than his.

I will still support him.

He is my student.

My proudest student.

"I'm going to Li Xuan's place. I don't really want to stay at the company."

"Okay, then, what about Tai Chi Hero?"

"You guys handle it. I don't need to worry about this kind of thing."

Wang Lei simply handed the hand to Wang Haiyang.

He can handle these things.
At this moment, a person came to visit Wang Lei—this person was also there to prepare for the publicity and distribution process, the leader of the seventh generation of directors. Although his position was a bit unstable, he was still the leader in name only. This time, he was Lu Chuan, who brought out "The Last Supper".

Lu Chuan nodded slightly at this moment.

"Mr. Wang, thank you for your help this time."

“We’re all in the same industry, we know each other so well, there’s no need to be so formal,” Wang Lei said at this moment. “I also think highly of you.”

"So, do you think Li Xuan has a good chance?" Lu Chuan suddenly asked.

In this regard.

Wang Lei remained noncommittal.
There was no direct answer.

Are you going to find Li Xuan?

"Ok?"

"There are some things you won't find the answers to from me."

at this time.

Li Xuan was at home, and had already prepared tea and other necessities.

Wang Lei has arrived.

He didn't come alone.

There was another person with him.

Lu Chuan.

When Li Xuan opened the door and saw the two people outside, even he paused slightly.

Wang Lei's face still wore that typical businessman's smile, which revealed little emotion.

"Director Li, you came without telling me. I hope you don't mind."

Lu Chuan remained silent, saying nothing more.

He looked at Li Xuan with a complicated expression, then nodded as a greeting.

Looking at this leading figure of the seventh generation of directors, Li Xuan felt a little dazed. The last time he was face to face with him was during the filming of "Looking for a Gun," and he never expected it to be this time now.
It's a rather subtle feeling.

The last time, it was a comparison between "Nanjing" and "The Photo Studio".

This time
The King's Feast.

The trump card that the Beijing elite are using to compete against themselves this year.

The director of the film was standing at his own doorstep, with the CEO of Huayi and Mr. Wang, the person he had bet with, by his side.

"Mr. Wang, Director Lu, please come in."

Li Xuan stepped aside to let the two of them in.

The atmosphere is a bit subtle.

Li Xuan was just about to make tea.

"Ding-dong-"

The doorbell rang again.

Wang Lei and Lu Chuan exchanged a glance subconsciously.

Li Xuan went over and opened the door.

Standing outside the door were Han Ping and Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

Han Ping remained as composed as ever. When he saw Wang Lei and Lu Chuan inside the room, his eyes flickered, but his face remained calm.
"Ah, sure enough, everyone has something in common. They were all drawn here by something."

This time.

The room became quite lively.

Li Xuan himself found it somewhat amusing.

The CEO of Huayi led a group of pioneering generals from the Beijing entertainment circle.

The head of China Film Group, accompanying the most unruly genius in the Chinese film industry.

These four individuals represent some of the most powerful forces in the Chinese film and television industry today.

And they were all gathered in his small living room at that moment. If reporters outside knew the lineup inside, the entire entertainment industry's servers would probably crash.

"Hey, they're all here."

Jiang Wen strode in, his gaze sweeping over Wang Lei and Lu Chuan.

"Mr. Wang, it's been a long time since we last met."

"President Han, Director Jiang." Wang Lei stood up, his smile unchanged, and extended his hand.

A simple handshake and polite small talk.

But the air was thick with an invisible smell of gunpowder.

On the sofa in the living room, two distinct factions sat side by side.

Wang Lei and Lu Chuan sat on one side.

Han Ping and Jiang Wen sat on the other side.

Li Xuan, as the host, sat on a single sofa, positioned right in the middle of the two factions.

He slowly poured tea for the group.

The aroma of tea wafted through the air, but it couldn't dispel the heavy atmosphere in the room.

No one speaks.

Wang Lei and Han Ping, two men who lead their respective fields, briefly met each other's gazes in the air.

One is a top player in capital operations, who believes in the market and profits.

One is the helmsman of the state apparatus, focusing on industrial layout and cultural output.

They've cooperated and they've fought.

Once upon a time

At that time, they joined forces to usher in the "blockbuster era" of Chinese cinema.

Later, due to differing ideologies and interests, they gradually drifted apart.

Today, they sat down together again because of a young man.

Li Xuan could sense that the way they looked at him was scrutinizing, evaluating, and also carrying a sense of...destiny.

The master-disciple relationship between Jiang Wen and Lu Chuan.

My relationship with Jiang Wen and Lu Chuan
Um.
It's as if everyone is waiting.

Let's wait and see who will emerge victorious in this upcoming chaotic battle.

Finally, Jiang Wen broke the silence.

He's the kind of person who can't keep secrets, nor does he bother to.

"Li Xuan."

He picked up his teacup, blew on it to cool it down, but kept his eyes on Li Xuan.

"I heard that your film 'Dying to Survive' clashes with my film 'Let the Bullets Fly' and Director Lu's film 'The Last Supper' on the same day?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Chuan looked at the two people in front of him.

Li Xuan nodded.

"Yes, that's how the schedule is arranged."

A tacit understanding.
Jiang Wen laughed, and his laughter echoed in the living room.

"interesting."

He put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and looked at Wang Lei and Lu Chuan across from him.

"I've been working on this bullet for years, just waiting for this day."

His tone was very calm, as if he were talking about something trivial.

But that domineering aura of "I am the only one who can do it" is overwhelming.

“I don’t care if you are ‘Feast’ or ‘Medicine God’, when I shoot a bullet, I have to make a sound.”

This is Jiang Wen.

mad.

His arrogance was backed by solid reason.

Wang Lei's smile faded slightly.

He spoke slowly, "Director Jiang is still so confident, that's a good thing."

"However, the market today is not what it was ten years ago."

He turned his gaze to Li Xuan.

"It's no longer an era where talent alone can guarantee success."

"Capital, distribution channels, marketing... these are the fundamental factors that determine how far a film can go, don't you agree, Mr. Han?"

He passed the ball to Han Ping.

Han Ping held his teacup and took a small sip.

"Mr. Wang is right."

He put down his teacup, his voice calm and unhurried.

"But Mr. Wang, don't forget how the Beijing entertainment circle rose to prominence back then. Wasn't it thanks to the talent of Wang Su and his generation that they built their empire?"

"Capital is a booster, but whether the rocket can take off depends on whether there is enough fuel."

"Right now, we don't lack capital, what we lack are people who can build rockets."

These words were practically a direct accusation to Wang Lei, implying that his side only had money but no people.

Wang Lei's expression finally showed a slight change.

He certainly understood what Han Ping meant.

Over the years, Huayi has invested in many films, and many of them have made money, but there are almost none that can truly stand the test of time and compete internationally.

or.

The focus is on Zhang Mouzi and Ma Xiaogang, who have already left Huayi Brothers Media Corporation.

The appearance of Li Xuan is like a mirror, reflecting the fragility of the "capital integration logic" that Wang Lei has believed in over the years.

That's why he made that high-stakes bet with Li Xuan.
A high-stakes gamble where everything is at stake.

Silence fell over the living room once again.

Lu Chuan remained silent throughout, simply looking down at the teacup in front of him.

“Master, I’ve poured countless efforts into Li Xuan’s ‘The King’s Feast’, and it’s different from anything I’ve done before.”

"Yes, I'm looking forward to it." Jiang Wen said calmly, "Actually, you don't have to call me master anymore."

"Even if I surpass you or defeat you, you are still my teacher."

"Ha, let's wait and see."

Li Xuan took in all of this.

I saw Jiang Wen's confidence, Wang Lei's shrewdness, Han Ping's strategic planning, and Lu Chuan's intuition.

These people, these events.

And I am right in the center of this net.
Fate
Li Xuan felt a slight sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both emotion and reflection).

What was your first film that marked your entry into the film industry?

It's about finding a gun, isn't it?

In the work "Looking for a Gun".

The role one plays.

He was just an insignificant nobody.

It's utterly insignificant, utterly insignificant. Even the first attempt at sketching figures on a train was considered a boring affectation.

He was just an extra from a humble background.

And now.

But the situation is quite different.

Absolutely different.

"It is my honor to have you all here today."

Li Xuan stood up and refilled everyone's teacups with water.

"The scheduling conflict is a market phenomenon, there's nothing to say about it."

"Everyone here is someone whose work speaks for itself."

He looked at Jiang Wen.

"I'm really looking forward to Director Jiang's Bullet."

Then he looked at Lu Chuan.

"I will also go to the cinema to support Director Lu's grand event."

Finally, his gaze fell on Wang Lei.

That face, which had always been smiling, now turned serious.

Li Xuan's eyes were calm and profound.

"Mr. Wang."

Speak slowly.

"Our bet still stands, right?"

"Of course it counts."

Wang Lei smiled with his eyes narrowed.

"For us in the capital market, the most important thing is the spirit of contract."

Jiang Wen listened from the side, raising an eyebrow with interest.

"That's good."

Li Xuan sat back on the sofa and picked up his teacup.

"Then... let's see who comes out on top in the movie theater."

(End of this chapter)