Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 185 That's not your problem, it's my problem
Recently, in the race for the only "ticket" to the Oscars in mainland China this year, the two most important domestic films of the year, "The Banquet" and "Curse of the Golden Flower", have clashed several times in the industry in just one month.

Amidst the intense atmosphere of the "Olympic bid" battle, rumors of a private "deal" between Feng Xiaogang and Zhang Yimou have intensified throughout the film and television industry.

The reporters fueled the fire, presenting their arguments with absolute certainty:
Two mainland directors, Feng Xiaogang and Zhang Yimou, have privately reached an agreement that "The Banquet" will be withdrawn from this year's Lunar New Year film season, and "Curse of the Golden Flower" will be withdrawn from the Oscar race for Best Foreign Language Film.

However, as soon as the news broke, both sides unanimously stated that it was a rumor.

"The filming of 'Curse of the Golden Flower' was specifically prepared for the Oscars."

"We will stick with 'The Banquet' to the very end!"

"."

Both sides have a clear objective and are determined not to back down.

"Director Wu, you absolutely have to come to the premiere of 'The Banquet'!"

Wu Chen has already received an invitation to the premiere of "The Banquet".

Feng Xiaogang didn't forget to boast to Wu Chen during Cannes: "We'll be standing on the Oscar stage together next year!"
Feng Xiaogang is clearly full of confidence now that he has watched the full film.

Wu Chen was taken aback by Feng Xiaogang's confidence and casually asked, "Hehe, easy, easy, Director Feng, have all the issues we discussed last time been resolved in the final cut?"

"Oh, those are minor issues, they don't matter. The main thing is to make sure that foreign audiences can understand it."

Feng Xiaogang spoke cheerfully, recalling the classical and romantic sentiments he felt while filming "The Banquet," which were perfectly embodied in the final film.

"Forehead"

Wu Chen smiled and shook his head.

As August drew to a close, the promotional campaign for "The Banquet" was fully underway.

As the most anticipated domestic blockbuster of September, Huayi Brothers spared no effort in investing resources, and news about "The Banquet" was almost always on the entertainment pages.

It's just like the overwhelming hype surrounding "Now You See Me" a few months ago.

Wu Chen, on the other hand, communicated with Michael Burns of Lionsgate. After learning that there was a possibility of making money, the other party became much more interested and happily started chatting with Lu Zheng.

Xu Dong hadn't expected that Wu Chen would build up connections in the real estate industry in such a short time, and that Wu Chen would become a shareholder of Wanda.

Suddenly, I was filled with enthusiasm.

With such a supportive boss, how can we not grow our business in the future?

Regarding the site selection plan, Xu Dong quickly offered his suggestions:
"Mr. Wu, I suggest that the new company be located near Gaobeidian in the CBD of Chaoyang District."

This area has become a cluster of film and television companies, offering tax breaks and rent subsidies, and it's also adjacent to the East Fourth Ring Road, within a 30-minute drive of both Beijing Railway Station and Beijing Capital International Airport.

"Hmm, that's good, let's take it here then, see which one suits you best."

Wu Chen nodded. In his consideration, the location would be either the Chaoyang District CBD or the area near Zhongguancun and Weigongcun, adjacent to the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama, which would make it easier to recruit creative and behind-the-scenes talents such as screenwriters and directors.

China Film Group finally gave a package deal for 22 cinemas, amounting to 2800 million yuan.

"This fee is very low, only about a million yuan per company. There are good ones and bad ones. We didn't take advantage of you, but state-owned assets cannot be lost. We still have to follow the rules."

Han Sanping kept talking in his office.

"I've calculated the cost for you to upgrade a single cinema. It's roughly between 50 and 100 million yuan. So it shouldn't cost too much."

Don't come complaining to me when things go wrong in the end."

"Mr. Han, don't worry. Although it's quite valuable, it's still an asset. Even if we lose a little money, we can just make a few more movies to earn it back," Wu Chen chuckled.

"That's true." Han Sanping nodded. The loss wouldn't be too great, but when he thought of what Wu Chen said about making a few films to earn it back, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Only you would dare to make a few more films to earn it back with such a big boast."

As Wu Chen was leaving with the documents, he happened to run into Lu Xun and his father, Lu Tianming.

It is said that enemies become jealous of each other when they meet.

Lu Xun didn't even raise his eyes, exuding an air of "What can you do about it?"

However, his father, Lu Tianming, acted as if nothing had happened and even greeted Wu Chen.

"Dad, why are you still paying attention to him?" Lu Xun asked, puzzled. The two of them were already so at odds, how could they possibly reconcile?

"Behave yourself in public and in private."

Lu Tianming said calmly, and then led Lu Xun to Han Sanping's office.

Wu Chen originally intended to go downstairs directly, but then turned around and walked into Gao Chengsheng's office.

"Director Wu, is there anything in the document that's unclear?" Gao Chengsheng stood up, a smile on his face. "No, the document is very clear. Oh, by the way, I just saw Lu Xun arrive."

"Oh, that's it."

Gao Chengsheng hesitated for a moment. Although he knew that Han Sanping and Wu Chen were on good terms, there were certain things he could reveal that would be a different matter. He then vaguely said:
"You know, Director Wu, most of the time when you come to China Film Group, there's nothing else to do."

Wu Chen wasn't stupid, and he immediately realized something.

It turns out that Lu Xun couldn't handle it alone, so he had to call on his father.

Wu Chen didn't bother him much, chatted for a few words, and then left.

A gentle night breeze made the campus unusually quiet.

The stone path, which had been heated by the sun during the day, gradually cooled down in the night, and dappled shadows of the trees fell around their feet.

Wu Chen and Liu Yifei walked side by side, their steps slow, as if neither of them was in a hurry to go back.

"Auntie is so trusting, she's not coming to pick you up?" Wu Chen glanced at her, a hint of a smile in his voice.

"I told her you would take me home, and she didn't come." Liu Yifei grinned, her eyes crinkling as she stared at Wu Chen, her expression a mix of question and statement. "Are you a bad person?"

"That's hard to say," Wu Chen joked uncertainly, then suddenly remembered something and casually added, "By the way, your birthday is coming up soon."

"I won't celebrate this year."

Liu Yifei shook her head, her voice as soft as the wind rustling through the treetops, "There's no need to waste time, training time is so tight right now."

Micro-expressions, eye contact, dialogue delivery, acting without props, operatic stage movements, posture, singing style, and breathing—all of these must be refined through repeated practice following the script.

"How could I possibly be in the mood to celebrate my birthday?"

Wu Chen was slightly taken aback.

Liu Yifei spoke so calmly, as if she were casually mentioning that she had missed a bowl of rice at lunch.

But he knew that no girl of that age could truly be indifferent to her birthday.

She simply chose this path herself, and let go of everything she needed to let go of.

Wu Chen looked down at her. Liu Yifei was wearing the most ordinary printed T-shirt, her back was straight, and she walked with a habitual stretch.

Her frame was slender yet not frail, and her steps were steady and agile, without a trace of fancy posture.

"It won't waste much time, and it won't make me suffer!"

"It's not bitter."

Liu Yifei smiled, turned her head to look at Wu Chen, her eyes shining like lamps in the night, "I just wanted to..."
I want to do better so that I can stay and be needed.

I don't want to be like a tourist, passing through the film and television industry and then being forgotten.

Liu Yifei didn't act coquettishly or seek approval; she simply spoke calmly.

Wu Chen looked at her without saying a word for a while.

He suddenly realized that he might have been underestimating this girl all along.

This is a form of restraint.

That kind of self-control only exists in people who are truly committed to something and genuinely want to prove themselves.

“You don’t look like you’re nineteen,” Wu Chen suddenly said.

Liu Yifei blinked. "Then how old do I look?"

“Like twenty-eight.” Wu Chen shook his head with a smile, his tone both teasing and admiring.

"That's right, I'm your senior sister!" Liu Yifei smiled and put her hands on her hips.

The two stood under the streetlights, chatting and laughing, the light and shadow dappling their feet.

Liu Yifei tilted her head, looking at the moth's fluttering wings on the streetlight. After a moment of silence, she suddenly asked softly:

"Junior brother, if I don't perform well one day, will you regret choosing me?"

"Isn't it strange that a director ends up blaming an actor?"

Wu Chen said calmly:
"If that moment ever comes, it won't be your problem anymore, it will be mine."

(End of this chapter)