Huayu: Serious director, who's eavesdropping on your thoughts?

"Hehe, don't be too sure of yourself. I have a friend who volunteered in the preliminary review panel, and he said that this year, our domestic short films have produced two absolute gems."

One is a masterpiece of realism, the other a phenomenal dark horse that can completely dominate foreign commercial films. Let's wait and see; this year's domestic short films will definitely bring surprises.

This reply was immediately met with a barrage of criticism.

"Bullshit, you're just bragging and you're afraid of your tongue getting ripped off."

"Is it so hard to admit that others are excellent? Some Chinese people are like this, preferring to live in their own fantasy forever rather than ever daring to open their eyes to the world."

"Stop dreaming. Admit it, we just lack the genes to make good movies."

"You think you can rub foreign students in the dirt? Are you still asleep? Do you even know what level USC is?"

That's Lucas's alma mater. I'm putting it this way: unless Spielberg comes to China for further studies,

Otherwise, I absolutely do not believe that domestically produced short films can produce anything good.

If a film like that really exists, I'll do a handstand and die right now, I'm making this a pledge!

..

A storm is brewing.

But at the entrance of Beijing Film Academy, there is an open-air barbecue stall called Four-Eyes Barbecue.

It was filled with smoke and the hustle and bustle of people, a scene brimming with the warmth of everyday life.

Zhao Huaiyuan, Zhu Yawen, Cao Yu, and Yao Chen sat around a small square table.

"Hey buddy, wait a minute, how come this cucumber salad is 3 yuan now? I remember it was 2.5 yuan last week!" Zhao Huaiyuan said, holding the menu and negotiating with the waiter.

"Hey buddy, the prices for vegetables have gone up recently..." The waiter looked helpless, he'd never seen anyone so stingy.

"Alright, alright, forget the cucumber salad. Give us two plates of free peanuts, and remember to add plenty of vinegar. Also, how many bottle caps do you exchange for one bottle of beer? Three or four?"

"Six for one bottle."

"Oh, this box counts as 24. Whether you finish them or not, you have to include them in the bill. We'll count them in front of you and give you a refund."

"Okay, okay, don't worry, I'll definitely refund it." The waiter quickly slipped away.

Zhao Huaiyuan then turned to look at Cao Yu and asked again to confirm:

"Old Cao, we've got a deal. Even though I ordered all of these, tonight's meal is on you. No matter how much you drink, it's all on you. You can't go back on your word."

Cao Yu's face darkened. "Fine, fine, fine, it's on me. Don't worry, eat whatever you want."

Having received a positive response from his benefactor, Zhao Huaiyuan grinned, picked up a skewer of sizzling, oily mutton, and began to devour it.

Yao Chen, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey, Lao Cao, your junior brother is quite something. These days, when guys go out to eat, especially in front of a girl they're meeting for the first time, which one doesn't want to show off? But he's something else, calculating even the price of a bottle cap. Okay, he knows how to manage!"

[Target: Yao Chen]

Current favorability rating: 42

[Comment: I find your frugality refreshingly unique and completely unpretentious]

[Inner thoughts: ?]

Zhao Huaiyuan almost spat out the meat in his mouth.

What the hell?

Does this work?

I'm really poor, I'm trying to save on living expenses, how can this increase my favorability rating?

Why is it so hard for Liu Yifei to rise in rank?

He glanced at Yao Chen, secretly on guard.

She's the future microwave queen, and although she's only a senior in college right now, Cao Yu is clearly head over heels for her.

According to the unwritten rule of the martial arts world that one should not covet a friend's wife, and also because he himself was not really attracted to that type of woman.

No, I have to get rid of this inexplicable goodwill.

To avoid things getting out of hand in the end.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Huaiyuan decided to smear himself. He deliberately blocked Yao Chen's view, put one foot on a plastic stool, shook his leg, picked his teeth with his little finger, and kept making tsk-tsk sounds.

"Senior sister, we're trying to save Lao Cao some money, right? After all, it'll cost money to get married in the future. Every penny saved now is a penny earned, right, Lao Cao?"

After saying that, he deliberately let out a burp that smelled of garlic.

[Favorability 42→45]

Zhao Huaiyuan's lips twitched.

I've already humiliated myself like this, and my favorability rating is still increasing. Is this woman out of her mind?

Yao Chen propped his head up with his hands and kept smiling at Zhao Huaiyuan.

At this time, although she had not yet graduated, as a senior student, she had already worked her way up on the stage of drama and acted in some movies. This year, she was even starring in an urban sitcom. She was, after all, a worldly person who had seen the world.

Unlike the Central Academy of Drama, you can't get acting roles at the Beijing Film Academy even if you don't graduate.

After all, this industry is short of opportunities, and most people wouldn't refuse one if they had the chance.

Cao Yu is usually a quiet person, but today he dressed up specially, put on hair gel, and wore a rather neat-looking shirt.

His face was flushed, I don't know if it was from the heat or something else:

"Xiao Chen, I'm so glad you came today. Did you drink a lot? How about I pour you some hot water? Hot water is good, you should drink more of it, it will help you sober up."

Looking at Cao Yu's appearance.

Zhao Huaiyuan and Zhu Yawen exchanged a glance and both sighed inwardly.

Simp.

The severe kind is beyond saving.

"Hey, Lao Cao, we've known each other for so many years, why are you being so polite in front of your two junior brothers? Really, hurry up and punish yourself with a drink," Yao Chen said with a smile.

"Okay, I'll drink!" Cao Yu downed his glass in one gulp.

"By the way, Xiao Chen, didn't you think the film festival was about to start? We heard the competition is really fierce this year, so we wanted to invite you to go to the opening ceremony together, and then see the films on display. We heard there are quite a few good films this time."

"A film festival?"

Yao Chen downed a glass of beer, pursed his lips,

"What's so interesting about film festivals? They're all being criticized online. It's pointless, I don't want to go. But I might go to the opening ceremony; it's a chance to make some connections."

This is a very direct and realistic statement, but for Yao Chen, who has already debuted, these works made by students are like playing house and are indeed not very attractive.

The only attraction is probably the star-studded opening ceremony, where many important figures will be present. Naturally, she will want to go and make an appearance.

Zhu Yawen hadn't said much, still feeling shy as a freshman facing a senior, but she interjected, "Senior, you can't be too definitive. This time, Senior Brother Cao only filmed one movie."

"Oh?"

Yao Chen paused for a moment, glanced at the three of them, and then chuckled.

She joked:

"Wow, Lao Cao, I didn't realize you'd become so capable. You're already mentoring freshmen in creative projects before even graduating?"

Cao Yu hurriedly explained, "I'm the cinematographer, Xiao Zhao is the director. As for the film, I think it's pretty good, really. If we're lucky, we might even win an award. I might even get a Best Cinematography award."

Zhao Huaiyuan raised his glass at the opportune moment, smiled at Yao Chen, and said, "Senior sister, Cao Yu really put a lot of effort into this film. He really contributed a lot. Without him, we wouldn't have been able to make this film at all. When it's screened and shown, you must come and support us and give us some guidance."

[Favorability rating 45→47] Zhao Huaiyuan's face darkened, and he almost dropped the chopsticks in his hand.

"Alright!"

Yao Chen laughed and patted Cao Yu on the shoulder, "Since Lao Cao is putting in so much effort, we have to support him. If he really makes it into the finals, I'll definitely come to support you guys whenever I have time. We're all brothers!"

After saying that, he generously raised his glass and clinked it with Cao Yu's, then clamored for everyone to raise their glasses and drink.

Cao Yu felt like crying; it wasn't that he hadn't understood what the other person meant.

He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "Yeah, yeah, we're all brothers."

Zhao Huaiyuan quietly peeled and ate peanuts on the side.

He discovered that as long as he spoke, his popularity would increase, so he had no choice but to shut up.

He had seen the current relationship between Cao Yu and Yao Chen.

One likes the other, while the other is completely indifferent.

And in the future, Yao Chen will indeed marry Ling Xiaosu, the two will become a model couple, then divorce and tear each other apart, and finally, after many twists and turns, she will still marry the honest man Cao Yu in front of her.

Fate is the most capricious of all.

Zhao Huaiyuan downed a glass of wine.

Later, when the group discussed the screening, Yao Chen spoke with the air of someone who had been through it all:

"Let me give you a heads-up. I've heard from a few teachers at school that the situation is particularly tough this year. There are so many great films being submitted from abroad, and our domestic student works are basically just there to make up the numbers. The small projects you make in your first and fourth years are just for the sake of participation. Don't be discouraged if you don't make it to the finals, after all, that's just how things are."

The implication was that he was not optimistic.

Cao Yu gave an awkward smile: "Yes...yes, it's all about participation, and it's mainly for training, haha."

Right here.

A Nokia phone rang.

Yao Chen glanced down at her phone, her face displaying a tenderness and sweetness unique to a young woman immersed in a world of affection.

"Feed? Old Ling!"

"You just finished filming, so late?... Oh? The signal is bad over there. I'm fine, take care of yourself over there too. Oh, oh, okay... Really? The director cast you today?"

Cao Yu stood to the side, drinking alone, one glass after another.

"You've got the male lead? That's great! I knew you could do it. 'Guanzhong Bandits' is a big production; you're sure to become a star playing that character, Dunzi."

Okay, okay, I'm not tired. I'll wait for you to come back, and then we'll have a good celebration! Alright, that's all, bye.

The phone hangs up.

Yao Chen's face was flushed.

"Brother Ling is playing the male lead! Brother Ling is going to play the male lead!" Yao Chen excitedly grabbed Cao Yu's shoulder and shook him vigorously.

"Ah...congratulations! You're already the male lead before you've even graduated, and in a big production at that. You're sure to be a big star in the future." Cao Yu said with a bitter expression.

"Thank you for your kind words!"

Yao Chen checked the time, stood up, and said, "I'll head out first. This meal is on me, no one can take it from me. Boss, check please."

"No, I said it was my treat." Cao Yu hurriedly stood up and tried to pay the bill.

"Alright, don't be so polite with me. Old Ling has some good news, so this meal is on me. You can treat me next time when you win the Best Photography Award! Good luck!"

Yao Chen greeted the others, then slung his bag over his shoulder and hurried away.

Cao Yu stood there, watching her departing figure, motionless for a long time.

boom.

He sat down dejectedly, grabbed the beer bottle, and took a big gulp of beer. He choked and coughed so hard that tears streamed down his face.

"Old Zhao, do you think I'm a complete failure?"

"Ling Xiaosu is a senior in college just like me, but he's currently filming a major drama in northern Shaanxi, and he's the male lead. Do you know what the male lead is? He's a future star."

"Me? I'm just drifting along. I don't even know if my short film will be shortlisted."

To put it nicely, I'm a photographer, but I'm just a lousy cameraman.

What am I even striving for? Even if my skills are amazing, even if I set the lighting perfectly,

That's because... I'm also serving others, just working behind the scenes, just a tool. I'm useless...

Zhu Yawen felt distressed listening to this, and wanted to offer some words of comfort, but didn't know what to say.

After all, in this industry, actors do tend to be more in the spotlight than those behind the scenes.

Zhao Huaiyuan remained calm.

Feelings are something you can't force; emotional entanglements are the hardest to untangle, especially when he's an outsider.

He peeled a peanut, popped it into his mouth, and looked at the future Golden Horse Award and Hong Kong Film Award-winning cinematographer in front of him.

"Old Cao, wipe your snotty nose first."

Zhao Huaiyuan handed him a napkin.

Why do you think that those working behind the scenes are inferior to those who appear on screen?

Cao Yu took the paper and gave it a hard shove. His eyes, blurry with drunkenness, lifted his head. "Isn't that right? Everyone's only looking at that face. Who cares who took the picture..."

"Who taught you to think that way?"

In the world of the movie, God said, "Let there be light." But who gave the light?

It's you!

Without you, no matter how handsome Ling Xiaosu is, no one would see him.

Without your camera work, no matter how hard he tries to act, the audience won't be able to feel his emotions.

You give life to the actors, and you also decide what the audience watches, whether they should cry or laugh.

Don't envy Ling Xiaosu; he's acting in a story written by someone else, a puppet chosen for the role.

And you are the master of the machine in your hand; you are the creator of the visual world.

When you have free time, ask yourself: Do you truly love photography, do you love this profession? Listen to the answer in your heart.

Cao Yu stared blankly at Zhao Huaiyuan.

Yes, a photographer who truly understands and loves their profession would never consider their industry lowly.

What happened to those working behind the scenes?

Those who work behind the scenes deserve respect too!

In an instant, he seemed to understand something, and the confusion in his heart vanished.

"Damn, this gets my blood pumping! I'm even thinking of switching careers to become a photographer! Come on, let's drink some more!" Zhu Yawen laughed and shouted loudly.

Zhao Huaiyuan downed a glass of wine and looked at the Beijing Film Academy teaching building standing in the distance in the night.

he knows.

After the shortlist was announced.

When his own work, "The Sound Engineer," lights up on the big screen in a standard screening room.

The fates of everyone present will be changed.

And this is only the first step.

The road ahead is still long.

"Believe me, there will be bread, everything will be alright."

Cao Yu groggily raised his head. "Really?"

Zhao Huaiyuan smiled, raised his wine glass, and clinked it against the empty bottle on the table:

"Of course, let the bullets fly a little longer."