I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

The rest of the filming went exceptionally smoothly.

The Indonesian newcomer actor was on point throughout, perfectly capturing the humble, respectful, and awe-inspiring demeanor of the officials from Koli. Every line, every expression, and every interaction was precise and flawless, perfectly matching the historical setting, with not a single mistake or unusable scene.

"Cut! Perfect wrap!"

With Cheng Sheng's clear and resonant voice, the final overseas scene came to a successful close.

The entire crew erupted in cheers, their months of fatigue and stress instantly dissipating.

From the start of filming to the completion of overseas scenes, the entire process took more than four months.

For most of the time, everyone was adrift on the vast sea, enduring the turbulence of day and night, and sleeping in the open. The rest of the time was spent on high-intensity location shooting, working non-stop day after day. Everyone was exhausted, both physically and mentally, and many of them lost a lot of weight.

"Finally wrapped up filming! I'm so tired!"

"I need to take a good bath when I get back and sleep like a log!"

"I lost 20 to 30 pounds. Four months at sea really took its toll!"

"I should be content! I got to go to sea with the crew, witness history, and even lose weight. I have to thank the director!"

"Stop chatting and get back to packing up and moving the equipment!"

"Weren't you moving to a hotel? Why are you moving to a boat?"

"Don't ask any questions, just do your job!"

The set was bustling with noise as people packed up their equipment and whispered amongst themselves.

Cheng Sheng, still vigilant despite the busy crowd, immediately called over the production assistant and solemnly instructed, "Notify everyone that after today's filming, everyone must return to the hotel to rest. Without my personal order, no one is allowed to go out or move around. Tomorrow morning, everyone must assemble and depart for home immediately."

Although the script supervisor did not understand the deeper meaning, he knew that the director was always calm and cautious and must have considered it carefully, so he immediately relayed the message.

Liu Dehua happened to walk up and took in all of these words of advice. He frowned and asked, "Xiao Cheng, are you worried that the local people will be swayed by public opinion and that this will be detrimental to us?"

"Yes." Cheng Sheng nodded, his tone solemn: "The online public opinion has fermented to the full extent, and the hostility has spread to reality. The situation is becoming more and more delicate. In a foreign country, there are too many variables. Caution is the best policy."

"No wonder I felt something was off when I went out for breakfast this morning." Liu Dehua said with deep feeling: "The local staff at the hotel and restaurant looked at me with hostility, which was completely different from their previous respect and friendliness. The atmosphere was indeed very abnormal."

After a brief silence, Cheng Sheng looked up and asked, "Brother Hua, aren't you coming with us on the boat back?"

"No, thank you." Liu Dehua shook his head with a smile. "My flight is tonight, and I have to get back to Hong Kong Island early. Filming for 'Protégé' has been going on for several days now. I'm the male lead, and if I don't get to the set soon, the entire production will be delayed, and the investors and director will be worried."

"Have you booked your plane tickets? Do you need me to arrange for someone to help you connect and escort you?" Cheng Sheng asked with concern.

"No need to trouble yourself, my assistant has already made all the arrangements." Liu Dehua waved his hand, then earnestly instructed, "I'll leave tonight first. You stay here to finish up, and be careful." "Don't worry." Cheng Sheng smiled calmly, full of confidence: "Don't forget, our Chinese escort ships are stationed at the dock. With soldiers protecting us, there won't be any problems."

Upon hearing this, Liu Dehua felt a sense of relief and exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "It's really good to have a strong motherland as our backing."

A short sentence tells the story of endless vicissitudes.

Before Hong Kong Island's return to China in 97, the Chinese people of Hong Kong Island were treated as inferior by everyone else. Wherever they went, they could only act according to the whims of foreigners, and suffered cold looks and contempt, with no sense of self-confidence whatsoever.

Only when the motherland is strong and prosperous can overseas Chinese and those working abroad have the most solid and reliable support, giving them confidence to travel in all directions.

Ring ring ring—

Just as Liu Dehua left the hotel by car and the surroundings quieted down, Cheng Sheng's cell phone suddenly rang.

He took out his phone and saw it was a long-distance call from Master Han. He immediately answered with a smile: "Mr. Han, what a rare guest! You have so much free time to call me? Aren't you busy overseeing the film schedule and promotion for the National Day holiday?"

Han Sanye's calm laughter came from the other end of the phone, his tone exceptionally relaxed: "What's there to keep an eye on? There are still three days until the National Day release. All the publicity, scheduling, and landing arrangements have been finalized and the process is mature. There's no need for me to personally oversee it."

"Then I really have to thank you." Cheng Sheng said sincerely, "The fact that 'Crazy Racer' was able to get so many prime screenings and core screenings is all thanks to your strong support. I will remember this favor."

"Let's skip the pleasantries." Master Han skipped the small talk and went straight to the point, "I'm asking you, are you going back to China to attend the National Day premiere of 'Crazy Racer' in person? And have your overseas scenes wrapped up yet?"

"Filming has officially wrapped up today," Cheng Sheng replied. "However, I probably won't be able to make it back for the National Day premiere. I plan to fly directly to Hollywood after filming is finished."

"Go to Hollywood?" Han Sanye's tone instantly became excited, full of surprise. "It's a top Hollywood studio that invited you to direct an international blockbuster?"

"It's true that I'm making a movie, but it wasn't at the invitation of the production company," Cheng Sheng explained with a smile. "I had promised someone beforehand that I would create a movie specifically for her."

Before he could finish speaking, Third Master Han interrupted him hastily: "Xiao Cheng, who has such influence and power that you would go all the way to Hollywood to make a movie just for her?"

“You know this person too, Scarlett,” Cheng Sheng said frankly. “When I was filming the overseas scenes for ‘Three Kingdoms,’ I specifically invited her to make a cameo appearance. She agreed to help without hesitation because I promised her in advance that I would tailor a movie specifically for her later.”

"So it was her." Third Master Han suddenly realized, then teased in an ambiguous tone, "But Xiao Cheng, we're all in the same industry. To be honest, it's definitely more than just a favor, right? Scarlett is a top Hollywood starlet with an extremely high status. Ordinary favors wouldn't be enough to make her willing to come to China for a cameo. You two, have you been secretly seeing each other for a while?"

"Hehe, it's just pure friendship and deep communication."

Cheng Sheng didn't try to hide it. That's just how the entertainment industry is, especially on Hollywood sets. It's common for male and female artists, directors and actors to fall in love on set, and it's nothing new. There's no need to hide it.

"You lad, you've really made our Chinese-speaking world proud this time," Han Sanye joked.

"Haha, back then the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded China and plundered its resources. Now I'm going to Hollywood to make them pay back something. Isn't that fair?" Cheng Sheng said, half-jokingly and half-seriously. (End of Chapter)