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

Chapter 419, the Hundred Flowers Award, kicks off a three-year grand prize season!

"The Golden Age of Chinese Language Education"

At this moment, Liu Meizhen was staring intently at the online public opinion before her.
Even the assistant next to him, a native American with rudimentary Chinese, could read out the meaning of "Golden Age of Chinese Language".

This year is a golden year for Chinese-language media.

Jiang Wen, Li Xuan, and another work brought by Sheng Chang.

Back then, only Zhang Yimou, the "first person" to achieve this, could do it.

"Did we have a smooth time this time?" the assistant next to me asked timidly.

"It's not a failure. After all, in terms of internet buzz, American TV series still have the upper hand."

Data doesn't lie, especially when the data has been personally verified; the probability of being deceived is actually extremely low.

This data on the internet was personally monitored by Liu Meizhen.
American TV series still have a huge following—it's just that what was originally thought to be a 'crushing victory' has turned into a 'evenly matched' situation.

In other words, they have an audience in their respective fields, define that audience, and capture their attention.

"It's okay, we didn't actually lose," the assistant said weakly. "We did meet the targets Hollywood gave us."

"So, with our absolute dominance in the visual industry, have we merely achieved the [metrics] data?"

Liu Meizhen looked at her assistant and said, "Moreover, you've overlooked something that our industry cares about even more."

"What impact?"

"Close your eyes and recall The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, and The Awakening. Don't think about it; let your instincts guide your feelings. What do you feel?"

Feel?

At this moment, the assistant closed his eyes.

"The Walking Dead is about thrills and humanity; Breaking Bad is about the madness of a middle-aged man, the last burst of passion in his unremarkable life; and The Age of Awakening..."

The assistant paused for a moment before speaking.

“Great—a very great group of people, a very great person.”

She recalled the young man holding "New Youth" in the rain.
The kind of youth who give people a sense of 'greatness'.

Liu Meizhen said calmly.

"Yes, even you, a native American, know what true 'greatness' is. It's the ability to fill someone like you, with language and cultural barriers, with this feeling, to convey such a completely different cultural sensation through his lens, and to feel the greatness within it."

"This is actually very bad."

This doesn't seem like a good thing at all.

Li Xuan's talent is truly explosive and admirable. From the very first time I met him, starting with "Buried Alive," I never imagined he would grow to where he is today.
But now, he seems to have grown to the point where he can subtly break down language and cultural barriers and "go global".

This is not a good thing for the interests of the group to which Liu Meizhen belongs.

It is something that I can appreciate personally.

But one's stance cannot.

Now, there is another way to stop him. If we can't win him over, then we can support someone else—someone with a similar ideology and stance—to block Li Xuan's rise to a higher ecological niche.

Shengchang is quite good, whether it's "Parasite" or "New World".

They're all explosive, especially the remake of Peninsula, which really brought out the right flavor. Especially Parasite.

The Peninsula Film Studio perfectly captures the tension between conglomerates and individuals.

At this moment, Liu Meizhen said calmly.

"Give strong support to this company called Shengchang. Let them occupy a prominent position in Asia."

At this moment, Li Xuan is at home.

"Your emotional control is really strong. You won such a big game, and you can still be so calm."

“Well, what else can we do, Mr. Han? Filming has to continue, and the script still needs to be prepared, right?” Li Xuan smiled slightly as he looked at Han Ping, who had come to visit.

This time, it was definitely beyond Han Ping's expectations.

Jiang Wen's performance was in line with expectations. After all, Jiang Wen's strength is undeniable, as evidenced by his ten years of hard work on "Let the Bullets Fly".

He possesses such talent and ability.

The performance also met expectations. Li Xuan's "Dying to Survive" definitely exceeded expectations.

His influence continues, and the sense of resonance he evokes is incredibly strong.

The intensity of this subject matter exceeded expectations.
The medical theme resonates deeply with many people.
What's even more surprising is that "The Age of Awakening" doesn't seem like the kind of show that can be built on ratings.

But so far, he has succeeded in achieving high ratings by using a completely different style of expression than Jiang Wen—a more direct approach rather than relying on humor as a guise for his work.

Direct and straightforward, yet it stirs the emotions and evokes a certain feeling.

These feelings are directly and forcefully delivered to the audience's hearts.

That kind of spirit.

That kind of soul.

It can be said that the current influence of "The Age of Awakening" has completely exceeded Han Ping's expectations.

He and Jiang Wen are the "king and tyrant" of this period.

Not to mention Li Xuan, even Jiang Wen was so drunk because of the 1.1 billion yuan box office success of "Let the Bullets Fly" that he went on a drunken stupor.

Jiang Wen, who is usually a calm person, was so easily overwhelmed by the huge impact of fame and fortune, while Li Xuan remained calm and prepared for the next script.

In Han Ping's view, this calmness was even more frightening than the achievements he had made.

"You're really mature for your age."

"Actually, that's all. I'm still ecstatic. To be honest, I really enjoy all the fame and fortune that come with it, and the money in my account that keeps growing. Who says I don't enjoy it? I enjoy it!" Li Xuan smiled, not joking at all.

I must be happy inside.

happy.

Whether it's for personal fame and fortune.

As a director, Li Xuan could feel the climax of having his ideas bombarded into other people's minds.

But even if you choose to love that feeling or experience that joy, that's fine too.

It's important to clearly understand what you need to do next.
Understand, clearly comprehend your own 'true feelings'.
This round of screenings isn't over yet; there's still the final showdown. These awards come around every three years—how many spots will my own character occupy, and how many system rewards will I receive? The radiation from health points will allow my uncle to also enjoy the benefits of my health points.

It also outlines future filming directions and plans.

Go and see what the actual location of the mountain peak is like, and what rewards and gains the system can offer.

At this moment, Li Xuan regained his composure.
"Mr. Han, can you take a look at my new notebook? It's a rough draft."

"have a look."

Han Ping took the notebook seriously, even more seriously than when he took Jiang Wen's notebook.

After looking at the rough draft of the script for "Interstellar".

Han Ping remained silent for a long time.

Finally, it was indeed said that...

"I'm sorry, I can't help you with this."

"Um"

If it's about political resources or actor resources, Han Ping can do his best to help.

However, Han Ping cannot provide the special effects resources needed here.

I feel so powerless.

At first glance, you can tell that Interstellar is an excellent script.

In some parts, Han Ping even felt that he couldn't understand why it seemed so impressive despite not being clear about it.

It's quite deep.

I'm shocked! Li Xuan, this expert in analyzing human nature, can actually write such hard science fiction!
However, due to a lack of funding and special effects teams, development in China has been too slow.

Li Xuan was not surprised by this answer.

"So, it all depends on Mr. Wang's side."

"You mean, the bet with Huayi?"

Han Ping was taken aback.

Then I understood.

That consideration was involved in the bet with Wang Lei.

Indeed, if they win.

It seems like it's actually possible to save up enough?!

A domestically produced 'hard science fiction' work?
Under the night sky, the National Centre for the Performing Arts is brightly lit, resembling a giant pearl.

All the starlight accumulated over the past three years seems to have converged here tonight.

The government has adjusted its policies.

The selection cycle for the Golden Rooster, Hundred Flowers, and Huabiao awards has been extended and merged, causing their prestige to skyrocket to an unprecedented and breathtaking level.

This is no longer an annual distribution of spoils within the industry.

This is the triennial "Huashan Sword Competition" in the Chinese film and television industry.

At this moment, at the Hundred Flowers Awards ceremony, a black Bentley slowly pulled up at the end of the red carpet.

The car door opened, and Wang Su stepped out first.

He was wearing a well-tailored black Zhongshan suit, and his hair was neatly combed.

His face was expressionless, but his eyes, with just a casual glance, seemed to quiet down the surrounding flashing lights and shouts of reporters.

This is the leader of the Beijing elite circle.

Even though he hasn't directed a film in a long time, as long as he stands here, he is still a top figure in this industry.

Zheng Long and Lu Chuan followed closely behind.

Lu Chuan's face was somewhat pale, and his eyes showed a weariness that he could not completely hide.

The double failure of "The Last Supper" at the box office and with critics was a huge blow to him. He was once the most promising standard-bearer of the seventh generation of directors, and a new force promoted by the Beijing circle to compete with Zhang Yimou.

But now, he has become the most conspicuous stepping stone on Li Xuan's path to the top.

Zheng Long patted him on the shoulder and whispered, "Cheer up, the night isn't over yet."

Lu Chuan took a deep breath, forced a stiff smile, and cooperated with the reporters' cameras.

The three walked on the red carpet, surrounded by a frenzy of flashing camera lights.

"Teacher Wang! What are your expectations for tonight's awards?"

"Director Lu! 'The Last Supper' has been nominated for several awards. Are you confident?"

Wang Su ignored him, merely nodding slightly, his steps steady.

That's their aura.

A kind of composure and authority rooted in this circle for decades, long accustomed to being in control.

Enter the venue and find a seat.

Looking around, the entire hall was sparkling with starlight.

Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Ma Xiaogang... all the older generation of directors were present. They are witnesses to this era and pioneers of the past.

On the other side was Jiang Wen's team.

Jiang Wen, dressed casually in a jacket, crossed his legs and had an unlit cigar in his mouth, chatting and laughing with Ge You and Zhou Runfa.

Their faces radiated undisguised confidence.

With its 1.1 billion yuan box office and explosive word-of-mouth, "Let the Bullets Fly" has become the biggest hit tonight.

Zheng Long's gaze swept across the entire venue, finally landing on a seat not far away, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"he came."

Wang Suo and Lu Chuan followed his gaze.

Li Xuanzheng led his main crew members to their seats.

He's a member of the 'Li circle'.

He has never publicly acknowledged it in a real public setting.

This time, they appeared together.

Liu Hewei, Fan Wei, Luo Jin, Zhu Yawen, Liu Yifei, Gao Yuanyuan.
He was dressed simply today, in a black suit. He was so young, so young that among this group of directors and actors whose average age was over forty, he looked like a college student who had wandered in by mistake.

But he sat there, talking quietly with Liu Hewei and others around him, a calm smile on his face.

There was not a trace of awkwardness or unease.

It was as if he was born to sit here.

It was as if this high-profile event tonight was nothing more than his living room.

Lu Chuan looked at him.

He lowered his head.

He remembered what Wang Lei had told him.

"You lost, but you didn't lose badly."

Yes, not embarrassing at all.

But failure is failure.

He burned himself out, yet he couldn't even catch up with the other person's back.

"Don't stare at him." Wang Shuo's voice was calm, as if he were talking about something insignificant. "If you get flustered, you'll lose your composure."

Lu Chuan withdrew his gaze, picked up the water glass in front of him, and took a sip. The cold liquid calmed him down a little.

Zheng Long lowered his voice and leaned close to Wang Su's ear.

"Mr. Wang, the situation tonight... is not optimistic."

"Jiang Wen's momentum is too strong. 'Let the Bullets Fly' is almost guaranteed to win Best Film and Best Director."

"Our real advantage"

Wang Su tapped his fingertips lightly on the table, producing a dull sound.

Of course he knew.

It would be unwise to confront Jiang Wen head-on.

The advantage of the Beijing film circle has never relied on a single breakthrough in a particular work.

Their advantage lies in their "depth".

"How many works from our circle have been shortlisted in the past three years?" Wang Su asked casually.

"Ma Xiaogang's 'If You Are the One 2' and 'Tangshan Earthquake,' several films produced by Chen Kexin, and Lu Chuanni's 'The Last Supper,' along with works by several other directors, have garnered more than a third of the nominations in awards such as Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor," Zheng Long quickly reported the data.

This is their confidence.

A vast, intricate network of connections, resources, and works.

“It’s already a pipe dream for Lu Chuan to win an award.” Zheng Long’s tone was very realistic. “The success of ‘The Last Supper’ is there for all to see. The judges can’t ignore it. The reason they brought him here this year is to maintain the face of the seventh generation of directors. He can’t be absent.”

“But…” Zheng Long’s tone shifted, his eyes sharpening.

“We can make Li Xuan take less, or even… not take any.”

That's their real purpose tonight.

This is a fundamental conflict of interest.

Li Xuan and his so-called "Li Circle" have risen too quickly and too powerfully.

It's so fast that it's already starting to threaten the foundation of the Beijing entertainment circle in this industry.

The success of "Dying to Survive" and "The Age of Awakening" is not only commercial, but also a matter of influence in terms of public discourse.

If he sweeps the awards again tonight and receives the highest level of official recognition...

Then, an era belonging to Li Xuan is truly about to begin.

The arrival of a new era often signifies the end of an old one.

They cannot accept the end.

"The Best Screenplay nominee for 'Dying to Survive' is very popular. But Ma Xiaogang's script is also very solid and has a good audience base."

"For Best Actor, Liu Hewei's performance in 'The Age of Awakening' was phenomenal. But our Ge You's performance in 'If You Are the One 2' was equally memorable, and he's also an old friend of the judging panel."

"I don't need to say who our people will vote for."

Zheng Long's voice carried a chilling air of shrewdness and strategic planning.

They can't win the overall battle, but they can use votes, personal connections, and influence to target Li Xuan on local battlefields.

This is a conspiracy.

It is the oldest and most effective rule in this circle.

Wang Suo didn't speak, but just quietly looked at the stage.

The curtain rose, the host walked onto the stage, and rousing music began to play.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the triennial Hundred Flowers Awards ceremony!"

Thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.

Wang Su's gaze swept over the throng of people and landed on Li Xuan once more.

The young man seemed to sense his gaze and, despite the distance, nodded slightly in his direction.

On his face, there was still that calm smile.

Wang Su's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

A feeling he had never experienced before, called "unease," quietly began to grow within him.

He took a deep breath; the air was filled with the scents of perfume, cigars, and fame.

"Let's see what happens next..."

He muttered to himself.

"Is it still our era?"

(End of this chapter)