The only sun in Huayu

Half past eight in the evening.

The celebration banquet for "Lost in Thailand" was a lively and boisterous affair.

The air in the private room of a Western restaurant was cold.

"Flattery! Blatant flattery of power!"

Zhang Mingyuan slammed his wine glass on the table: "Others put power in a cage, but Shen Shandeng treats power like his own father!"

"Eunuchs are expected to be loyal to the emperor and love their country. A film like 'Lost in Thailand' is a whitewash of peace and prosperity, praising the emperor! How can such a film make 300 million? It's a tragedy for Chinese cinema!"

His voice was shrill, as if his tail had been stepped on.

Several faces around him nodded in agreement, some gloomy, some mocking, and some feigning seriousness.

Old Hu slowly sipped his red wine and began to speak unhurriedly.

"Mingyuan's words are too extreme. Movies are entertainment products. With the Olympics coming up soon, there's nothing wrong with showing a lively film to cheer people up. People just want to have some fun."

This was his usual neutral stance; it sounded like he was trying to smooth things over, but it also carried a subtle hint of irony.

Sitting opposite him, Song Ci immediately scoffed, "A marriage to ward off bad luck?"

He has a typical Southern style and looks down on the attitude of his Northern counterparts like Lao Hu, who are too much like the establishment.

"Old Hu, you're always like this. You're always criticizing without being thorough, and when you say something fair, it sounds like you're being sarcastic."

"Shen Shandeng's actions are hardly a marriage of convenience to ward off bad luck! Humph! He's just putting on a glamorous cloak for authoritarianism to lull the masses into a false sense of security! This veil of warmth and sentimentality is far more terrifying than blatant preaching! We must thoroughly criticize him!"

Zhang Mingyuan immediately found an ally and nodded emphatically at Song Ci: "Teacher Song is right! And Shen Shandeng is a habitual plagiarist!"

"Lost in Thailand" is a blatant copy of the American film "Losers," with the exact same structure and character relationships!

"《The Eunuch》? Ha! The opening motorcade, the Imperial Guards, the camerawork—it's all copied from the opening narrative of Hollywood's 《Iron Man》! A poor imitation, only making us laugh!"

"Tsk."

Old Hu called out softly, "Mingyuan, isn't this timeline wrong? 'The Eunuch' was released in 2007, while 'Iron Man' wasn't released globally until May of this year. Is this copying from the future?"

Zhang Mingyuan was taken aback, a hint of annoyance and embarrassment flashing across his face.

But he immediately argued strongly.

"Isn't that kind of grand narrative filming style something Hollywood has already done? Shen Shandeng picked it up and treated it like a treasure, isn't that just catering to certain tastes?"

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, turning to the crowd: "What's the point of talking to these people about evidence? To advance our cause, we must dispel the rumors!"

“Use extreme measures! They stir up the topic online with fake accounts, label it as plagiarism, and then we cautiously reprint and discuss it in print media. If something really goes wrong, it's just ‘netizens questioning it,’ what does it have to do with us?”

"Rumors? Hmph, a rumor repeated a thousand times becomes the truth!"

Lao Hu thinks we can learn from their experience. Zhang Mingyuan and his gang spread rumors that caused a stir in China, which generated a lot of buzz and is worth studying.

Especially the technique for making non-stick pans.

As they were talking, the door to the private room was pushed open.

Chalperic walked in.

The group of people who were just moments ago speaking passionately seemed to have been muted.

They all stood up, their faces beaming with enthusiastic, even fawning, smiles.

Today, the "cultural and media elites" from both the North and South have gathered together, thanks to the organization of Chalperic.

"Mr. Charles!"

"You're here."

Chalperic's expression was not good, and he casually waved for everyone to sit down.

He pulled out the chair for the head of the table, took a photo with the others, and then sat down leisurely.

Zhang Mingyuan first thanked him in English, saying he would definitely keep the photos safe.

Then they explained their plans to deal with Shen Shandeng.

After saying those few words, the nameless anger in Chalperic's heart flared up again.

"So, you've all gathered here to discuss how to prove a commercial film is plagiarized?"

"The movie has been in theaters for three weeks and they just had a celebration party," Chalperrick quipped.

His cold gaze swept over Zhang Mingyuan and Song Ci.

"That big-budget film 'Red Cliff' is showing nationwide today! John Woo! An internationally renowned director! Shouldn't your attention be focused on this? Get to the point!"

"Or are you saying you can't even generate any decent negative publicity for 'Red Cliff'?"

Zhang Mingyuan and the others were like scolded primary school students, feeling wronged and indignant.

They felt like they were being bullied from both sides. On one hand, they worked diligently to smear Shen Shandeng for their master, while on the other hand, their master complained that they were not doing their job well.

It's really tough on my head.

Old Hu's eyes darted around, and he quickly tried to smooth things over: "Mr. Charles, your criticism is correct. Perhaps we can change our approach. Let's use Shen Shandeng to criticize Wu Yusen, using the kind of historical realism found in 'The Eunuch,' to contrast with the possible fictionalization and exaggeration in 'Red Cliff'? After all, 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' is a Chinese classic."

Chalperic hesitated for a moment, then his expression softened slightly.

That's a somewhat constructive idea.

He glanced at Lao Hu and nodded, a rare occurrence for him: "Mr. Hu's suggestion is quite interesting."

Just then, a news flash was playing on the television screen hanging on the wall of the private room.

The scene was clearly the celebration banquet for the movie "Lost in Thailand," where the conspicuous 300 million yuan ice sculpture was smashed by a small golden hammer, with fragments flying everywhere.

Shen Shandeng and Han Sanping shook hands and smiled, and the audience erupted in applause.

The anchor's voice-over was full of enthusiasm: "The box office of 'Lost on Journey' has exceeded 300 million yuan, once again demonstrating the vigorous vitality of domestic films."

"Director Shen Shandeng, as a leading figure among the new generation of directors, has already produced two phenomenal works, 'The Eunuch' and 'Lost in Thailand,' at the young age of just over 20. These films set historical box office records and comedy film box office records respectively. His pioneering road comedy genre is even more eye-catching."

This report was like a silent slap across the face of everyone present.

Zhang Mingyuan reacted quickly, jumping up to find the remote control and hurriedly changing the channel, repeatedly apologizing: "My mistake, my mistake, I forgot to turn off the TV. I'm sorry to have offended your ears, Mr. Charles."

He randomly pressed a channel, only to find it was another news program, and a rerun of the most influential one at that.

The scene shows armed police officers from the movie "Lost in Thailand" conducting disaster relief during a snowstorm, followed by audience interviews.

A middle-aged spectator said into the microphone, "After watching this, I felt warm inside. It made me realize that we can overcome any difficulty, and we should support the Olympics even more!"

The anchor's voice was solemn and affirmative: "The film combines artistry with thought-provoking themes, showcasing the spirit of the Chinese people."

Zhang Mingyuan hurriedly changed the channel again.

Old Hu glanced at Chalperic with a somewhat strange expression.

He noticed that Chalperik wasn't impatient; instead, he was staring at the screen with a furrowed brow.

This cultural envoy has very poor Chinese skills and cannot even conduct daily conversations.

Not to mention understanding the clear and articulated news broadcasts and the rapidly edited interviews.

Little did he know, Chalperic didn't care about the dog's feelings at all.
He couldn't read Chinese, but he could read numbers and see the confident and composed aura of Shen Shandeng in the picture. This news report was something they needed to focus on.

If I remember correctly, from "The Eunuch" to "Lost in Thailand," this young man has appeared time and again in the country's most authoritative media, which in itself is a strong signal.

He quickly made a mental calculation.

He was well aware of the domestic economic situation; it was teetering on the brink of collapse, and the economic crisis seemed bottomless.

He was well aware of the countless negotiations and deals that were being made behind the scenes at the upcoming Olympics, which were ostensibly about cultural exchange.

With his term coming to an end, he will need to rely more on personal relationships to maintain his future interests.

Instead of wasting time on these dogs, we should consider establishing some kind of connection with powerful figures like Shen Shandeng who truly control resources and have a future.

Those minor past conflicts seem less important in the face of personal future interests.

Chalperrick felt his mind had been opened.

Ultimately, most people in his position are just trying to build relationships in China.

I was a bit emotional before, but I've done enough for the country.

The atmosphere in the private room became somewhat strange for a moment.

the other side.

The celebration banquet is over.

Back home, Da Mimi drank a few more glasses of wine, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkling with a tipsy, alluring charm.

She looked even more charming and innocent than usual.

She sidled up to Shen Shandeng, giggling. Shen Shandeng casually poured her a glass of cool water, looked at the woman before him, her face like a peach blossom, her eyes brimming with spring water, patted her on the shoulder, and said calmly, "Remove your armor! Remove your armor!"

Only a few warm yellow wall lamps were on in the living room, casting a soft, flowing light.

Shen Shandeng casually draped his white T-shirt over the sofa armrest.

The invisible zipper on the side of Honey's dress opened, and the silky fabric slipped off.

Her delicate skin shimmered with a soft, pearly glow in the dim light.

Da Mimi chuckled and snuggled into his arms.

"Silly what?"

"I'm so happy!" Da Mimi's voice was soft and sweet. "My man is a billionaire and a famous director."

"I'll pour you a glass of water too." Da Mimi walked to the kitchen area, opened the top cabinet, and took out an exquisite glass jar.

It contains clear, thick, amber-colored honey that glows with a warm light.

Shen Shandeng slipped on his slippers and let her lean against the kitchen counter before he began to work.

"Water temperature is very important,"

He seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps to her, as he scooped a rich spoonful of honey from the jar with a ceramic spoon.

The long, golden honey threads slowly dripped into the preheated cup.

"If it's too hot, it will kill all the good stuff inside."

Shen Shandeng always pays attention to details and methods in his work.

The most crucial aspect of making honey water is the water temperature. High temperatures will harshly destroy the delicate active enzymes and vitamins in honey, greatly diminishing its flavor and its meager health benefits.

He slowly poured in warm water at around 30 degrees Celsius, the water flowing over the honey at the bottom of the cup, creating swirling eddies.

A white porcelain spoon is inserted into the glass jar, scooping up a full spoonful of clear, viscous amber, and steadily transferred into a cup.

The golden nectar slowly sank upon contact with water, leaving behind wispy trails.

Shen Shandeng gently stirred the mixture in one direction with a spoon, applying even pressure, and watched intently as the amber-colored nectar slowly dissolved in the water, becoming clear and even.

"It needs to be completely integrated, without any distinction between them."

At last.

He picked up two thin slices of lemon and put them into the glass.

A refreshing sour taste wafts through the air, neutralizing the sweetness.

A glass of perfectly chilled lemon honey water was handed to Da Mi Mi.

The glass was warm, the water was clear and slightly yellow, and lemon slices floated on the surface.

Da Mimi took it, held it in both hands, and sipped it slowly.

The warm, perfectly balanced sweetness, with a hint of lemon tartness and freshness, glides smoothly down the throat.

She drank very slowly, savoring each sip.

As she finished drinking, she squinted her eyes, but couldn't help licking her lips.

Every now and then, he would look up at Shen Shandeng.

She didn't drink quickly, but her eyes seemed to hold a hook.

After finishing the drink, her cheeks turned even redder.

"So sweet."

Shen Shandeng took the empty cup and casually placed it on the table.

Snapped.

The bottom of the glass made a crisp sound as it hit the marble countertop.

He looked down at Da Mimi's misty eyes, his fingers idly twirling through her hair, savoring the tenderness of the moment.

I do not know how long it has been.

Da Mimi curled up lazily in Shen Shandeng's arms, her fingertips unconsciously drawing circles on his chest.

A unique smell permeated the air.

Then she remembered something, looked up and asked, "By the way, what were you and Chairman Han whispering about in the corner at the end? You were being so secretive."

Shen Shandeng closed his eyes and said lazily, "Men's affairs are none of a woman's business."

"Oh, tell me," Da Mimi said coquettishly, poking him lightly with her finger, "Tell me, tell me, is there some big project coming up again?"

Unable to resist the nagging, Shen Shandeng slightly opened his eyes, looked at the ceiling and said, "It's about the tribute film. Next year is the 60th anniversary, and Old Deng has a lot of tricks up his sleeve. He's thinking of making something different, something to attract young people."

A sense of emotion flashed through Shen Shandeng's mind.

The path of commercializing mainstream themes was indeed pioneered by Lao Deng, and "Wolf Warrior 2" is an upgraded version of that approach.

In other words, even after he retires, Chinese cinema will continue to rely on its past achievements.

"The Wandering Earth" was also supported by China Film Group. Among private film companies, animated films made the biggest contribution.

Of course, some people in the film industry don't acknowledge that animation is a type of film.

Da Mimi was both amused and exasperated. She sat up and looked at him, saying, "You've really gotten too big for your britches. You have no respect for your elders. No matter what, he's a big boss. The fact that he's willing to discuss things with you shows that he thinks highly of us."

Shen Shandeng scoffed, saying domineeringly, "Now I'm the one leading him to make money. Who broke the box office records? Who opened up the market?"

Da Mi Mi felt a sweet warmth in her heart. She stuck out her tongue in his arms, thinking that her man's domineering aura was truly boundless.

However, her interest shifted back to movies: "A tribute film, a mission film, right? The 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, it must be very important."

"Not all mission films are the same."

Shen Shandeng adjusted her position to make her more comfortable.

"Just like this year, there are also films about Olympic missions. Have you heard of the documentary directed by Gu Yun, 'Building Dreams 2008'? It's been filming for several years, and I guess it will be submitted to the Olympics."

Da Mimi blinked: "Awards? There's no news coming out yet, right?"

"That's because you didn't hear it," Shen Shandeng said calmly. "The top level of the circle is only so big. Even the slightest disturbance will eventually leak out."

"The photos aren't good?" Da Mimi asked curiously.

"Who can say it's not good?" Shen Shandeng smiled. "Even if it's not well-made, the audience might have a few criticisms, but who in our industry would dare to publicly say no?"

"The Eight Hundred," "Dongji Island," and "The Battle at Lake Changjin" are all mission films, but even among mission films, there are differences.

Da Mimi nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Shen Shandeng continued, "So, even mission-driven films are divided into different levels. Old Deng is someone who values ​​the market and box office at heart. If he really takes the lead in making one, he'll definitely aim for both critical and commercial success. The cast and investment won't be small, and it'll be a star-studded event with fierce competition."

Upon hearing this, Da Mimi's eyes lit up instantly, filled with longing: "I bet a lot of people would want to be in this kind of movie, right? I wonder if I'll ever get the chance."

Shen Shandeng looked down at her envious expression and found it amusing. He paused for a few seconds deliberately and said slowly, "Don't worry, you'll definitely be there. I'll just have to talk to Lao Deng about it."

"Really?!" Da Mimi was so surprised she almost jumped up.

After the initial excitement subsided, she saw Shen Shandeng sigh softly.

"What's wrong?" Da Mimi raised her hand and rubbed his temples.

Shen Shandeng said, "It's not easy for a man to build a career. Today, Huayi is using the fact that their actors are not participating to coerce me. I don't know how many eyes are watching me, and I'm guessing they've already piled up a whole bunch of articles smearing me."

After Hua Yi's reminder, Shen Shandeng felt that he should also recruit some artists.

Initially, he didn't want to sign artists; he planned to empower the entire industry and achieve a win-win situation.

But that's how it is in the industry now; film and television companies also act as artist managers.

Otherwise, if a show becomes a hit, and someone doesn't want a win-win situation, then they'll hold us back.

Shen Shandeng sighed, "This position is lonely at the top, and the pressure is immense. Mimi, you must be a good girl and listen to me."

Da Mimi gave him a reproachful glare.

Even though she knew his words were a habitual form of manipulation, a deliberate attempt to gain sympathy, her heart still softened a little.

the other side.

John Woo held the first-day box office data report he had just received, his fingers trembling.

When he saw the number at the top, he took a deep breath and almost burst into tears.

More than 28 million! It almost broke 30 million!
Opening record!
This is a brand new opening day record for a Chinese-language film!
It's even more satisfying than a movie being a box office hit in Hollywood!
It's time to hold my head high and breathe a sigh of relief! It's time to hold my head high and breathe a sigh of relief
"It's done! It's done! Haha! It's done!" (End of Chapter)