Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 620 Feeling guilty, everything seems wrong.
Los Angeles.

The controversy surrounding that press conference continued to escalate online both domestically and internationally, but for the instigators, Wu Chen and Park Song-il, it was merely a harmless interlude on their triumphant return.

"Some old-timers are talking about you."

On the other end of the phone came Ning Hao's signature Shanxi accent, tinged with a hint of mockery.

He is currently filming his new movie, "The Golden Era," at the Chedun Film and Television Base in Shanghai.

"Oh? I've gained so much influence now? I can get accused of all sorts of things just by saying them?" Wu Chen leaned back on the sofa and teased with a smile.

"You don't seem to care at all."

Ning Hao was very curious. If it were him, he would feel a little uncomfortable if someone talked behind his back like that.

"If a dog bites you, do you bite it back?" Wu Chen's tone remained relaxed. "Or should we scatter his ashes?"

"Come on, this is a society governed by law." Ning Hao laughed irritably upon hearing this.

The two chatted for a while about the latest happenings in the entertainment industry.

As they talked, a subtle hint of melancholy crept into Ning Hao's tone.

Wu Chen glanced at the trophy on the table and could tell from Ning Hao's words that he longed for the award.

Also normal.

"No Man's Land" is considered to be the work that embodies Ning Hao's most effort and artistic ambition, but it has now been shelved for two whole years.

What's sealed inside is more than just film; it's Ning Hao's yearning for international awards like the Golden Bear and Golden Lion.

For a director, there is nothing more painful than this.
Their own child is locked in a dark and hopeless cage, his fate unknown.

"It seems like it's time to release this video, hopefully with minimal changes."

Wu Chen secretly pondered to himself, feeling that it was time to put this matter on the agenda.

It should be about time.

Seeing Wu Chen staring blankly at the phone, Liu Yifei stretched out her slender hand and waved it in front of him: "What's wrong?"

Wu Chen snapped out of his daze, hung up the phone, and smiled at her:

"It's nothing, it's just that some people are talking about it. So, I'll take a picture of the trophy, post it on Weibo, and show it off."

"Huh?" Liu Yifei suppressed a laugh. "Didn't you just say that if a dog bites you, you can't bite back?"

She really likes Wu Chen's personality.

He appears nonchalant and disdainful of underhanded tactics, but deep down, he possesses a youthful cunning and temperament.
"Can't I even show off a little?" Wu Chen said matter-of-factly. "I'll show off to them! You haven't posted on Weibo yet, so now's the time."

He moved closer to Liu Yifei, and the two whispered to each other for a while, like two children plotting a prank, occasionally letting out suppressed giggles.

A short while later, Liu Yifei updated her Weibo.

The photo shows two hands, one long and fair, the other with distinct knuckles, together holding up the newly engraved Oscar statuette—Best Director.

The caption was just a short and witty sentence:
"The house is a bit small, and it seems there's no room for the newcomer."

The fans who had been waiting for so long were overjoyed.

"Wow! It's finally posted! I thought we wouldn't see any more posts on Weibo this time. Director Wu didn't even post one himself!"

"Finally, there's an official channel to congratulate him! Director Wu is awesome!"

"Why do I smell dog food in this? Can they please stop holding hands?"

Fans only saw the "Versailles" ostentation, but those in the industry, especially the "old-timers" from the Film Association, saw a completely different meaning in this Weibo post.

Is saying "the house is a bit small" a veiled criticism that they have a narrow mind and limited vision?

"The newcomer seems to have nowhere to go," is a blatant declaration—have I accumulated so many honors that your little temple can hardly contain them all?

That's a misunderstanding. That's a misunderstanding.
As the saying goes, if you have a guilty conscience, everything you see will seem wrong.
Of course, congratulatory comments from industry insiders also poured in below the Weibo post.

Whether they were acquaintances or strangers, they all left their congratulations.
The Los Angeles itinerary is already arranged; once it's over, we can naturally prepare to return home.

Just two days before my departure, Christian Bell called.

"Wu, when are you going back?"

"Probably the day after tomorrow."

“That’s great!” Bell’s tone was filled with relief. “My wife and daughter are planning to come with me to the capital. You know, it’s their first time there.”

“No problem.” Wu Chen immediately understood his meaning and invited with a smile, “We just happen to have chartered a plane back!”

“OK! Thanks a lot, buddy!” Bell didn’t refuse.

He used to be able to go to the film set alone without any problems, but this time he brought his wife and daughter and a familiar friend, which will undoubtedly save him a lot of trouble.

After settling everything in Los Angeles, three days after the Oscars ceremony, a private jet carrying Wu Chen and his entourage took off for Beijing. Christian Bale and his family also accompanied them.

His lovely daughter added a lot of fun to the rather long trip.

Liu Yifei loves children and kept playing with her the whole way, with cheerful laughter echoing through the cabin.

Meanwhile, Park Song-il remained slightly excited.

The road home always fills me with excitement.

Wu Chen could tell, so he turned to Park Song-il and said, "Song-il, remember to go back to school and give the photography department a copy of the trophy. And bring me this one too."

Park Song-il immediately looked up: "Brother Chen, aren't you coming back with me?"

"I won't go back; I'll leave everything to you." Wu Chen smiled. "As the old saying goes, 'To return home in glory is like wearing fine clothes at night.'"

Go back and really experience it.

Upon hearing this, Park Song-il chuckled.

Who wouldn't love a moment like this?

From childhood to adulthood, I don't know how many times I've shouted in school, "Today I am proud of my school, tomorrow my school will be proud of me."

When that day finally arrives, the feeling of a dream come true is indescribable in any language.

Wu Chen understands this very well because he has experienced it too many times.

This time, naturally, I'll let my brother experience it.

The news of Wu Chen and his group returning to China could not be kept secret.

What's more, they were accompanied by Christian Bale, a newly crowned Oscar winner.

When the plane landed, the VIP channel at the airport was already packed with media reporters who had rushed over after hearing the news.

Soon after, reports from major media outlets flooded the media.

"Oscar winners return in glory! Wu Chen and Park Song-il arrive in Beijing, causing a sensation at the airport!"

"Asia's history-maker returns home! Wu Chen makes a low-key appearance with his second Oscar!"

"Newly crowned Oscar winner for Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale has arrived in Beijing with his wife and daughter! It is reported that he will head to Nanjing the day after tomorrow to continue filming Zhang Yimou's new film 'The Flowers of War'!"

"."

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Weiping was so angry he almost smashed his phone.

"Yimou! Did you know about this?!" He stormed into Zhang Yimou's dressing room and immediately questioned him.

Such a great publicity opportunity! Bear Grylls and Wu Chen arrived on the same plane – what a huge news story!

If he finds out, we'll definitely have to arrange a grand welcoming ceremony at the airport, and get all the media's cameras pointed at us. That will save us so much on marketing costs!

"Hmm." Zhang Yimou nodded slightly, without offering any further explanation.

Bale naturally told him about this, since Bale would be joining the crew the day after tomorrow to continue filming his scenes.

"Then why didn't you tell me?! No wonder you were so vague when I asked you yesterday!" Seeing his calm demeanor, Zhang Weiping became even more furious and started yelling and shouting.

"You've wasted such a great opportunity! This is all money! All advertising! Do you understand?!"

Just then, the newly appointed "Zhang Yimou Girl" Ni Ni walked in.

Zhang Yimou called her over to go over the lines for her scene with Bale the day after tomorrow.

Upon seeing Ni Ni, Zhang Weiping had no choice but to stop talking.

He gave Ni Ni a cold glance, showed her no kindness, and then turned and left.

Zhang Yimou rejected Han Xiting, a woman he had arranged to be involved with in the production, specifically because of Ni Ni.

"Director." Ni Ni looked at Zhang Weiping's departing figure, then at Zhang Yimou, whose face looked somewhat tired, and felt indignant.

She has genuine respect for Zhang Yimou, as he is her mentor.

And Zhang Weiping actually dared to yell at Zhang Yimou like that.

However, she was of low status and had no power to do anything about it.

"Have a seat," Zhang Yimou gestured for Ni Ni to sit down, then, forcing himself to stay focused, got down to business, "Bale will be back the day after tomorrow, this scene..."

However, there was a hint of absentmindedness in his words.

The scene from just now was still vivid in his mind, lingering there.

(End of this chapter)