This director only directs blockbusters.

"Director Yang! 'The Purple Cloud Era' grossed $2.1 million worldwide, setting a record for domestic films. What are your box office expectations for 'Dragon Shield'?"

Yang Ning smiled and said, "The 2.1 million is from the audience, not something I calculated. Expectations? I only have one expectation—to make a good film. If it's good, the audience will naturally buy tickets; if it's bad, even if you expect a billion, it won't matter."

Another reporter stood up: "Some critics say you are the future of Chinese cinema. What's your opinion?"

Yang Ning raised an eyebrow: "The future? I'm only filming my second movie now, it's too early to talk about the future. Besides, no one in the film industry can carry the future alone, it's a team effort. Director Zhang Yimou has been making films for twenty years and is still exploring; Director Chen Kaige has been making films for thirty years and is still breaking new ground. I'm just starting out, what am I talking about the future?"

Some people were taking notes, while others were nodding.

The third question: "Director Yang, with a cast like Nicholas Tse, Li Binbin, and Hu Jun, is this aimed at a larger market?"

"We went for the good actors," Yang Ning said. "Feng Ge can fight, Bingbing can act, and Jun Ge can carry a film. When they're all together, the movie is bound to be good. As for whether it's for a bigger market—if the movie is good, the market will naturally expand."

Nicholas Tse's lips twitched slightly as he stood to the side.

The reporter then posed questions to the actors.

When asked about his feelings on taking on roles during a low point in his career, Nicholas Tse took off his sunglasses, looked at the reporter, and said, "Director Yang gave me a chance, and I performed well. It's that simple."

Someone then asked, "Brother Feng, will you have any psychological trauma from filming in South Africa this time? I heard the security there isn't very good. What if something happens?"

Nicholas Tse paused for a moment, then laughed. He rarely laughs, and when he did, the flashbulbs below went off like crazy.

"Psychological trauma?" He paused, as if seriously considering the question. "I'm an actor, I'm a singer, but I didn't study math."

Some people below didn't react in time.

He continued, "You're asking me how big the shaded area is—that's a question for geometers, how would I calculate it?"

The audience was stunned for a second, then burst into laughter.

Even Li Binbin next to him couldn't hold back and burst out laughing, quickly covering his mouth with his hand.

Nicholas Tse maintained the same expression, but with a slight smile at the corner of his eyes: "Anyway, I went, filmed, and came back alive. When you see the film, you'll see if it was worth it. As for the area of ​​the shadow—you can measure it yourselves with a ruler."

The laughter grew even louder.

Yang Ning laughed beside him. This kid is usually quiet, but he can be quite witty when it matters.

When asked about her experience working with Yang Ning, Li Binbin smiled gracefully and said, "Director Yang is the most dedicated director I've ever met. When working with him, you don't dare to slack off, because if you do, you'll feel like you're letting the character down."

When asked if he was nervous, Deng Chao scratched his head and said, "Yes, I was nervous. My palms were sweaty. But when I saw Director Yang's face, I wasn't nervous anymore—because he's even fiercer than me."

The whole audience laughed again.

When asked about her first time acting in an action scene, Gao Yuanyuan pursed her lips and said, "I trained at the training camp for three months, practicing and fixing cars every day. Now I can change a tire by myself. Director Yang said that to play a role well, you have to become that person first."

The atmosphere was fine until a male reporter wearing glasses stood up.

"Director Yang," he adjusted his glasses, "some industry insiders say that the scale of *Dragon Shield Crisis* surpasses many Hollywood films of the same genre. Do you think this is a victory for Chinese cinema, or a victory for you personally?"

That's a tricky question. On the surface, it's flattering, but it subtly pits the "individual" against "Chinese cinema." A bad answer could offend the entire industry.

Yang Ning looked at him and smiled.

"Your question reminds me of something." He took two steps to the edge of the stage, closer to the audience. "Before the release of 'Purple Clouds' last year, some people said I was too arrogant and disrespectful to my seniors. Today, some people are saying whether this is a victory for Chinese cinema or a personal victory for me."

He paused.

"I've been thinking about it and I've realized something—why is it always just me doing this?"

Some people below laughed.

"A movie isn't made by one person," Yang Ning continued. "The script is written by the screenwriter, the cinematography is done by the cinematographer, the special effects are done by the art department, the money comes from the investors, and the actors perform the scenes. My job is just to bring everyone together, to keep them from fighting, and to keep them from going astray."

He looked at the reporter who asked the question: "So the victory you mentioned is not my personal victory, nor is it the victory of Chinese cinema. It's the result of hundreds of people in the crew working together for months."

Before the reporter could say anything more, Yang Ning didn't give him the chance.

"As for your point about being bigger than Hollywood—what's the use of being bigger? They've been telling stories for decades, while we're just getting started. It's not about scale, it's about whether we can get the audience engaged. This is something you have to learn, practice, and persevere with."

He smiled.

"If one day our movies can make Hollywood directors wonder, 'Is this a victory for American cinema or a personal victory for him?' That would be a true victory."

The entire room fell silent for a second.

Then applause broke out.

The reporter who asked the question stood there, a little embarrassed, but also clapped.

Xu Qin breathed a sigh of relief from the audience.

Yang Ning returned to the actors and nodded to them.

Nicholas Tse's lips curled slightly. Li Binbin's eyes sparkled with amusement. Deng Chao whispered, "Director Yang is awesome."

The reporters then asked a few more questions, all of which were much more moderate.

When asked if he would have trouble adjusting to filming in South Africa, Nicholas Tse shook his head and said, "I'm here to film, not for a vacation. If I don't adapt, I'll adapt."

When asked what it was like working with Nicholas Tse, Li Binbin laughed and said, "Brother Feng is a man of few words, but he transforms completely once he gets in the car. I was even a little scared sitting next to him; the car was going incredibly fast."

When asked if she would continue filming action scenes, Gao Yuanyuan replied earnestly, "As long as Director Yang lets me film, I will. But I need to practice driving first; I almost couldn't keep up this time."

The whole audience laughed again.

Before the press conference ended, Yang Ning took the microphone to give a summary.

"One last thing," he said, looking at the audience, "We'll do everything we can to make this film, 'Dragon Shield.' Not for any other reason than—the audience paid for their tickets, and you have to get their money's worth."

He paused.

"On the day of release, everyone is welcome to come see it. If you feel it's not worth it after watching it, you can curse me at the door. If you think it's worth it—then keep looking forward to the next one."

The press conference ended amidst applause.

---

Backstage, the actors gradually dispersed.

Before leaving, Nicholas Tse shook hands with Yang Ning and said, "Director Yang, see you in South Africa."

See you in South Africa.

Nicholas Tse walked to the door, then suddenly turned back: "By the way, Director Yang, how did I answer the question about the area of ​​the shadow earlier?"

Yang Ning laughed: "Okay, that's funny enough."

Nicholas Tse nodded and left.

Li Binbin came over and patted him on the shoulder: "Director Yang, what you just said was really good."

Which section?

"It's that part about 'what's the use of comparing scale?'" She blinked. "How did you react so quickly?"

Yang Ning smiled: "Because I guessed they would ask that."

Li Binbin stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled: "Alright, I'll go get ready. I'll wait for your arrangements in South Africa."

Gao Yuanyuan was the last to leave. She stood by the door, and only after everyone had left did she whisper, "Yang Ning."

"Um?"

"When you were speaking on stage just now," she paused, "I looked at you and suddenly felt very proud."

Yang Ning looked at her.

"What's there to be proud of?"

"I'm proud that you're my...director." She smiled, turned, and left.

Xu Qin appeared from the side and handed him a bottle of water.

"Have a drink."

Yang Ning took it and drank a big gulp.

"That passage just now," Xu Qin said, "is enough for them to write several articles."

"Go ahead and write it." Yang Ning screwed the bottle cap on. "Anyway, it's all advertising."

Old Xu ran over: "Director Yang, the car's outside, shall we go back?"

"Return."

---

In the car, Yang Ning leaned back in his seat with his eyes closed.

The scene from earlier flashed through my mind—the bespectacled reporter, his sharp face, and those seemingly flattering but actually deceptive questions.

He recalled how many young directors in his previous life had been ruined by such excessive praise. The media would first shower you with compliments, calling you a "genius" and the "future," then wait for you to fall from grace before swarming to trample on you.

The higher you're lifted up, the harder you'll fall.

So he just made it clear—it's not one person, it's a group of people. It's not a victory, it's just the beginning.

That way, no one will be able to put him up for roasting alone.

The car drove onto the Third Ring Road. Outside the window, the sun shone brightly over Beijing.

Old Xu glanced at him in the rearview mirror: "Yang Zi, do you think that reporter did it on purpose?"

"Of course." Yang Ning opened his eyes. "This kind of question isn't something just any reporter can ask. There's someone behind it."

"What should we do then?"

"There's not much I can do," Yang Ning said. "He handed me the knife, and I caught it. He didn't manage to stab me, so he should be the one in pain."

Old Xu thought for a moment and then smiled.

"Too."

The car continued driving.

Looking out the window, Yang Ning suddenly remembered what Gao Yuanyuan had just said—"Looking at you, I suddenly feel very proud."

His lips twitched, but he didn't actually smile; however, his mood inexplicably improved.

My phone vibrated. It was a text message from Li Binbin: "Do you need me to help you find out about that reporter?"

Yang Ning replied, "No need. I can handle it."

After a few seconds, she replied, "I know you can. I was just asking."

Yang Ning did not reply.

When the car arrived at the studio, he got out and walked into the room filled with things.

The shooting plan was also posted on the whiteboard. Han Duoduo was making special effects simulations in front of the computer, while Liu Yong was modifying the model next to her.

Everything remains the same.

The movie still needs to be made, and the work still needs to be done.

As for those knives handed out from the shadows—

Then you can proceed.