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

Chapter 430, because dreams are a very fascinating thing.

Meanwhile, on the set of "The Great Wall".

"Half Westerner, half Easterner—this combination seems absolutely perfect."

"Yes, this time Miss Liu is leading us in producing a film with Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures."

"This woman is really resourceful. She's clearly from Lionsgate, yet she's managed to bring together Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures."

“That’s how Westerners are. They have no loyalty whatsoever, whether it’s to their own country or their own company. As long as there’s profit, they’re willing to sell their guillotine at any time.” Zhang Mouzi paused for a moment and then said, “There’s no morality in their world. But if it’s a mutually beneficial relationship, I think that during the cooperation period, this capital can be trusted.”

At that moment, Zhang Yimou was in a makeshift shed at the filming location of the Yadan Devil City in Dunhuang, Gansu, having tea with Ma Xiaogang, who had come to visit.

"You've taken the time out of your busy schedule to have tea with me," Ma Xiaogang joked. "I'm truly grateful and honored."

Zhang Yimou was already used to and immune to Ma Xiaogang's uninhibited teasing.

At this point, Ma Xiaogang was genuinely just curious.

I just arrived at the Great Wall film set.

I really didn't mean anything by it.

Zhang Mouzi, of course, knew this was true.

Although Ma Xiaogang also directs blockbusters, he doesn't intend to export special effects blockbusters abroad, but rather focuses more on localized content.

This can also be seen as representing the views of the Beijing elite circle behind him.

Since decline is inevitable.

Then let's just stick to our own little corner of the world.

That is, a Beijing-style film.

Zhang Mouzi did not comment on this, but in his heart he had already sentenced the circle he used to be in to death.

When a person decides to become complacent and stagnant.

That is his death.

Ma Kuzi looked at the top director in China, smiled slightly, and didn't say anything more. But the shrewd Ma Kuzi knew exactly what the director was thinking.
They were simply thinking about themselves and others who were destined to fall behind.

They clung to their small plot of land.

And it has its own style.

Instead of seeking change.

The final result is.

failure?

Maybe.

That's what he thinks.

But Ma Xiaogang knew exactly what he was doing.

Know what you need.

What are you good at?

After a long silence, Zhang Mouzi finally spoke.

"The King of Kung Fu, he can be considered my senior, who set an example for me."

In many ways, the Great Wall is an upgraded version of the King of Kung Fu.

To be reborn, to inherit.

However, now it has the added special effects of Industrial Light & Magic.

The film *The Great Wall* could have been even more perfect, with more funding allocated to creating a visual spectacle.

He also personally oversaw the direction.

"This time, we will definitely be able to use Western things to export to foreign countries, let the Western world see our culture, and make them admire the blockbusters we create."

Zhang Mouzi became more and more excited as he spoke.

It was as if it had revealed his ambitions and vision for the future.

Ma Xiaogang, meanwhile, kept agreeing with him from the sidelines.

I trust you, Lao Zhang. You can do it, you will definitely succeed.

Ma Xiaogang's eyes were also full of sincerity.

At least Ma Xiaogang thinks so.

They've already pretended to be sincere enough.

"How is his Great Wall?"

At this moment, Wang Su, who had been waiting at the restaurant for a long time, asked with slight curiosity.

He came too, but he didn't go to the film set.

When Ma Xiaogang returned, he casually sat down on the sofa.

"It's really impressive. The special effects team from Industrial Light & Magic, a powerful combination of Chinese and Western elements. Plus, with Zhang Yimou as the director, the quality of this movie might be even better than we imagine."

"That's good."

Although there is no longer any connection of interests.

But Zhang Mouzi also has the title of "Beijing".

As long as this thing exists.

"As expected, he is still the same guy, the guy who pursues the pinnacle of art. He has his own greatness."

At this moment, Wang Suo hesitated, feeling somewhat regretful.

But I also somewhat understand this principle.

People who possess this kind of spiritual talent.

Where it is not easily grasped.

Where would anyone willingly submit to being subordinate to others?

The same is true.

This also applies to another person.

This also applies to Li Xuan.

It cannot be controlled by others.

However, Ma Xiaogang laughed at this moment.

He did not answer Wang Su's question immediately.

"You seem to disagree with what I'm saying?"

“Actually, I agree to some extent, but only to some extent.” At this moment, Ma Xiaogang’s eyes became deep and leisurely: “In fact, what drives him is ambition, but it’s not just ambition.”

“He was a little scared, scared of losing his current status, scared of falling from the top, so this film, which he originally planned to start making five years later, is now online. Although there was some instigation from foreigners, in reality, even if he doesn’t admit it, this is indeed happening.”

"What drove him was not only ambition, but also fear."

At this moment, Zhang Yimou, who was supervising the filming on set, sat alone in a tent looking at the night sky over Dunhuang.

Very bright.

Compared to the hazy skies of Beiping.

The sky over Dunhuang was clearer than ever before.

This is clearly a more beautiful scene.

But Zhang Mouzi felt that the bright starry sky could not dispel the gloom in his heart.

What prompted me to make "The Great Wall"?

So serious.

Such dedication.

Put 120% of your energy into it.

That was all for the purpose of completing this work.

What drives me?
Just like I told Ma Xiaogang.

It is something that drives itself.

It is for export purposes, to further promote one's influence abroad.

It's absolutely not because of fear. It's absolutely not because of fear of those who come after.

But only Zhang Mouzi himself knew.

When you have such a thought.

That kind of emotion has already been generated.

"The way to overcome fear is to face it." At this moment, Zhang Yimou slowly opened his eyes: "Go and prove yourself with an undeniable masterpiece, to be the strongest and most dominant one."

At this moment, he slowly stood up.

I went to the film set again.

Industrial Light & Magic and my talent.

Although this was with full support from the Western world.

However, the price of special effects is still ten times that of domestic special effects.

However, for others, a line from Jiang Wen's movie summed it up perfectly.

You can't even kneel down like that.

"When I break into the world and have more bargaining power, I won't need to use such high-cost special effects anymore. At that time, I will be able to lead my team to produce more works, more works that conquer the world."

"At that time, I was the king of the world."

At this moment, Wang Haiyang was keeping a close eye on public opinion on the internet.

After Interstellar finished filming.

The buzz on the internet hasn't died down.

The godfather of Chinese science fiction.

One of the four major producers and directors in the Chinese-language film industry.

So many titles.

It was placed on one person.

Such a young and extraordinary person.

Your own boss.

Current boss
"Science fiction has a fatal attraction for young people. The fantasy of the future is indeed an instinctive pursuit."

The powerful sense of immersion brought by science fiction
It lies in the desire for a wireless future.

That's the most beautiful thing about science fiction: its audience is the 'future'.

Young people
'future'

That's the most wonderful theme. But the prerequisite is that you can capture a 'future' feel that everyone can agree on.

Although Avatar is categorized as more of a fantasy soft science fiction film, it is incredibly immersive—after all, it's quite reasonable for Americans to occupy Native American land.

The immersion is off the charts, no doubt about it. If doing this in real life is successful, then in a virtual work it's a successful "rebellion."
Over time, people will forget about Native Americans, but remember Avatar.

Film is such a thing.

It has acquired this special significance in the present day.

Now, Interstellar has wrapped up filming.

Let's see what happens next.
Can this hard science fiction film...
Recognized.

However, Wang Haiyang also found it unbelievable.

Li Xuan actually started two other science fiction series immediately after filming "Interstellar" wrapped up.

One is "The Three-Body Problem", and the other is "The Wandering Earth".

They all sound a bit nonsensical, but they are all categorized as 'hard science fiction' works.

No one dares to continuously push hard science fiction.

James Cameron wouldn't dare.

Even Ridley Scott wouldn't dare.

However, this 'godfather of Chinese science fiction' was so arrogant and confident that he started a series of projects before even finishing one, which impressed even me.

I have great respect for you.
But at the same time.

The pressure he bears.

It's definitely not small.

At this moment, Wang Lei, who was standing next to him, smiled slightly and paused before speaking.

"You're starting to worry about him."

"It's just that his path is a bit difficult."

"It's now clear that Zhang Yimou also sees the threat, and there are ambitious and domineering individuals within Huayi Brothers as well."

As the hustle and bustle of the wrap party and the slight intoxication of alcohol dissipated with the night breeze, Li Xuan drove home alone.

Li Xuan didn't drink a drop of alcohol in order to enjoy a drive around the streets tonight, or even for the wrap party.

From obscurity to being hailed as the "godfather of Chinese science fiction," he has taken over Huayi Brothers Media Group and is now standing shoulder to shoulder with Zhang Yimou, a senior figure he once revered.

Every step was like walking on a tightrope.

The world around him held him in such high esteem: media praise, fanatical fans, and the pursuit of capital... all of this was like a giant hot air balloon, constantly pushing him to the clouds.

Interstellar has finished filming, but the war has only just begun.

Not only externally, but also internally.

Those ambitious individuals with ability are not so easily controlled.
We must unleash the full potential of Huayi, this giant ship.

I want to have complete control over it.

To fully unleash its enormous destructive power.

We still need to use results to drive progress.

Go and master it.

It achieved the top ranking domestically.

Standing at the highest point.

At the same time, it is also necessary to possess something called international influence.

To fully realize the potential of the results.

And then there's that so-called "changing the world."

When filming "Interstellar," many people in the industry, including old friends and business associates, wanted to place their own people in the project, some even offering to pay them. However, I refused them all and chose only the most suitable people from various perspectives.

That is, the person you think is the most suitable.

Although many people in the industry openly express their pessimism about their own projects, there are often times when they have a two-faced approach and logic.

These rejections cost him many "friends," even those he had never met before.

But they do have status.

Rejection for the sake of the quality of the work.

It's a problem now, but Li Xuan doesn't regret it.

now
The next goal is actually quite simple.

Write science fiction.

As the ultimate, most extreme subject matter.

It's a subject matter that can be accepted worldwide.

A type of subject matter that can transcend national ideologies and convey ideas.

The highest level of difficulty.

It is monopolized.

At the same time, if it can be completed, it will be the subject of the highest achievement.

The ultimate and highest goal that is being pursued.
The car slowly drove into the familiar underground parking garage. When the elevator doors opened and the lights from his home poured out, Li Xuan's nerves, which had been tense all day, finally relaxed a little.

He pushed open the door, and a warm, delicious aroma of food wafted out.

Liu Yifei, dressed in comfortable loungewear, was carrying a steaming bowl of noodle soup out of the kitchen. She wasn't wearing makeup, and her clean-cut face looked exceptionally gentle under the soft lighting.

"You're back." When she saw him, her eyes curved into beautiful crescents. "I just made you a bowl of noodles, eat it while it's hot."

There was no question about the wrap party or the film's future plans; all that came was a simple "I'm back," and a bowl of the most homely hot noodle soup.

Li Xuan took off his coat and walked to the dining table to sit down. He didn't pick up his chopsticks immediately, but just quietly looked at the woman in front of him.

She served him soup and got him chopsticks; every movement was so natural and comforting, as if they had been living like this for many years.

For the past few months, he has been completely immersed in the cold, vast universe of Interstellar, filled with physical formulas, and has almost forgotten the warmth of human life.

And she was his everyday warmth.

"Thank you," Li Xuan said, his voice a little hoarse.

These two words are both light and heavy.

Thank you for this bowl of noodles, and thank you for the wait. Thank you for keeping a light on for him as he journeyed to the stars.

Liu Yifei paused, looked up, and saw the deep weariness hidden in his eyes. She didn't say anything, but simply sat down opposite him and gently took his hand that was resting on the table.

Her hands were warm and soft.

The warmth flowed slowly from their clasped fingertips into Li Xuan's limbs and bones, dispelling the long-accumulated chill and loneliness.

"You must be under a lot of pressure?" she asked softly.

In front of everyone else, he is the omnipotent Li Xuan, a talented director, and a masterful producer. Only in front of her can he be himself without pretense.

Li Xuan nodded, letting out a long breath as if to release all the pent-up emotions in his chest. "Zhang Yimou's 'The Great Wall' is coming on strong, with Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures providing full support, and Industrial Light & Magic's special effects... He's aiming to conquer the world, and he's also aiming for... me."

"And then there's Interstellar, a challenging hard science fiction film; nobody knows how it will end up."

Liu Yifei didn't offer any empty words of comfort like "You will definitely succeed." Instead, she gently stroked the back of his hand with her fingertips, looked at him with the most focused gaze, and said earnestly, "I know you're not making a movie, you're making the future. Those who create the future always have to shoulder more responsibilities than others."

There was a complete, unconditional trust in her voice.

At this moment, the tension that had been taut in Li Xuan's heart finally eased completely.

He grabbed her hand tightly, pulled her to his side, then stood up and gave her a tight hug.

He buried his face deep in the crook of her neck, greedily inhaling her faint, sweet fragrance. It was a scent that could soothe the soul.

"..." he murmured softly, "Thank goodness I have you."

Liu Yifei didn't say anything, but stretched out her arms and hugged him back just as tightly, gently patting his back as if comforting a tired child.

Ambiguous feelings quietly grew and fermented in the quiet air.

"Actually, I'm already prepared," Liu Yifei said in a very soft voice.

He slowly lowered his head and kissed her lips.

Between lips and teeth lies a silent comfort and promise to each other.

He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom.

……

It's quiet at night.

Li Xuan embraced the sleeping Liu Yifei from behind, feeling her steady breathing, and a sense of peace settled in his heart.

This fusion of spirit and flesh washed away all his weariness and confusion.

He knew that the pressure still existed, and Zhang Mouzi was still a formidable obstacle in his path.

The right to interpret science fiction works still rests with the Western world.

They decide, they define.