This director only directs blockbusters.

The next morning, two black cars with diplomatic license plates were parked in front of the hotel.

Yang Ning was having breakfast in the restaurant when Chen Yong pushed the door open and came in: "Director Yang, the people from the embassy have arrived."

He put down his chopsticks and went outside. A man and a woman were standing at the hotel entrance; the man was in his forties, wearing glasses and a dark suit.

The woman was younger, with short hair, and dressed in a smart business suit. There were several other uniformed men nearby—local South African police officers.

"Director Yang Ning?" The man stepped forward to shake hands. "I'm Wang, the consular officer at the embassy. This is Ms. Li, my colleague."

"Consul Wang, thank you for making this trip."

"Of course," Consul Wang smiled. "They contacted us back home yesterday, hoping we could help ensure the safety of the film crew."

Yang Ning was slightly taken aback, then realized—it must have been President Han who made the arrangements.

"These two are officers from the Thornton Police Department," Consul Wang introduced the policeman beside him, "Chief Smith and his partner."

Sheriff Smith, in his forties, was white with a full beard and a firm handshake. His English had a South African accent: "Director Yang, we understand the situation from yesterday. We will increase patrols in the area to ensure your work is not affected."

"Thank you, Sheriff."

"You're welcome," Smith said. "China and South Africa are friends, and of course we care about our friends' affairs."

Half an hour later, the convoy set off for the film set.

Two embassy vehicles led the way, followed by a police car, and then the film crew's vehicles. As they drove along, passersby couldn't help but turn their heads to look.

Upon arriving at the film set, Sheriff Smith and his men got out of the car first, patrolled the surrounding area, and only returned to Yang Ning after confirming that the environment was safe.

"Director Yang, we can resume filming now."

Consul Wang also got out of the car, looked around, and said, "This place... has a real, lived-in feel. Perfect for filming a movie."

Yang Ning laughed: "That's exactly the flavor I wanted."

"What do you need us to do today?" Consul Wang asked.

"Just showing our faces will suffice," Yang Ning said. "Let them know we're not fighting alone."

Consul Wang nodded, took out his phone, made a call, said a few words briefly, and then handed the phone to Yang Ning.

"President Han."

Yang Ning accepted it: "President Han."

"Have the embassy staff arrived?" came President Han's voice.

"We've arrived, and the police are with us."

"That's good," said General Manager Han. "I've also communicated with our partners, and they will cooperate to maintain order. You can film with peace of mind and don't need to worry about any more interference."

"Thank you, Mr. Han."

"No need to thank me, a good shoot is an achievement. That's it."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Ning returned it.

Consul Wang took a small national flag out of his bag and handed it to him: "Putting this on the film set will help reassure the audience. When they see it, they'll know you have their support."

Yang Ning took the national flag, paused for a moment, then smiled: "Thank you, Consul Wang."

After Consul Wang and his entourage left, the atmosphere on set noticeably relaxed.

The staff moved the equipment more quickly, and the extras chatted in hushed tones, glancing occasionally at the flag next to the monitor.

Deng Chao leaned closer to look: "Director Yang, does this thing really work?"

"Why don't you give it a try?"

Deng Chao shrank back: "Forget it, I don't want to try."

Nicholas Tse stood by the car, looking at the flags, and said calmly, "I've never seen anything like this when filming in Hong Kong."

"It's a different place," Yang Ning said.

Nicholas Tse nodded and said no more.

Li Binbin handed over a bottle of water: "Director Yang, what was the rank of that Consul Wang from earlier?"

"From the embassy, ​​in charge of consular affairs."

"And what about President Han?"

"The person in charge of China Film Group."

She looked at Yang Ning with a complicated expression: "I always thought filming was just filming, I never expected it would involve these things."

Yang Ning took a sip of water: "When you're out in the world, you always need someone to rely on."

She didn't ask any more questions.

The morning's filming went very smoothly.

Whether it was due to the relaxed atmosphere or everyone being in good form, Nicholas Tse's driving skills were more stable, Hu Jun's movements were crisp, and Li Binbin's eye acting was subtle and nuanced. Deng Chao didn't cause any trouble either, and he recited his lines perfectly.

Around noon, several uninvited guests arrived.

Several Black men, dressed in sharp suits, were driving Mercedes-Benzes. The leader was a middle-aged man in his fifties, with gray hair, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and possessing an distinguished air.

Chen Yong went up and exchanged a few words with him, his expression changed slightly, and he quickly returned to report: "Director Yang, it's the mayor of Thornton City."

Yang Ning was somewhat surprised.

He put down the walkie-talkie and went over.

"Director Yang!" The mayor waved from afar, his smile warm. "Welcome to Thornton! It's an honor for us to have a Chinese team making a film here!"

Yang Ning shook hands in response, saying, "Mayor, you're too kind."

"No, no, no, that's only right," the mayor said. "I'm aware of what happened yesterday and I regret it. We will deal with the harassers according to the law."

He gestured to his secretary to hand him a box. The lid was opened, revealing a gold commemorative key inside.

"This is a gift from our city, a symbol of friendship," the mayor said with a smile. "Director Yang, welcome to Thornton as an honorary citizen."

Yang Ning was momentarily taken aback.

Consul Wang reappeared beside them at some point and whispered a reminder: "Please accept it; it's a matter of courtesy."

Yang Ning took the key.

The mayor smiled and pulled him to the center of the set for a photo, with flashes from cameras going off non-stop. After the photo was taken, they chatted for a long time before leaving with his entourage.

After the mayor left, the film set became lively.

"Wow!" Deng Chao jumped up. "The mayor himself came to deliver the keys! Director Yang, you're amazing!"

Hu Jun laughed and said, "That's quite a show of respect."

Nicholas Tse smiled slightly but didn't say anything.

Li Binbin looked at the keys, then at Yang Ning: "Your expression just now looked like something had been forced into your mouth."

Yang Ning handed the key to Lao Xu: "Keep it safe, it might be a keepsake in the future."

Old Xu examined it closely: "Is this really gold?"

"It's plated," Yang Ning said.

Filming continued in the afternoon.

As the sun set, another group of people arrived.

They were members of the local Chinese Chamber of Commerce, a dozen or so Chinese people, who came in several cars and brought fruit, drinks and bottled water.

The leader was a woman in her fifties, surnamed Chen, who had run a restaurant in Johannesburg for many years. She grasped Yang Ning's hand, her eyes reddening.

"Director Yang, we overseas Chinese feel bad seeing the team in China being treated unfairly. I didn't sleep well all night after hearing about what happened to you yesterday. I contacted the Chamber of Commerce this morning and managed to gather some things to send over. Please don't mind them."

Yang Ning looked at the supplies and was speechless for a moment.

Ms. Chen continued, "If you need anything in the future, just contact us. We, the older generation of overseas Chinese, have quite a few connections here."

Old Xu whispered from the side, "Take it, it's everyone's kind gesture."

Yang Ning nodded: "Thank you, Ms. Chen, thank you everyone."

Ms. Chen wiped her eyes and smiled, "Don't be so polite, we're all family."

After finishing work in the evening, I returned to the hotel.

Yang Ning stood by the window, gazing at the city's nightscape.

My phone vibrated; it was a message from President Han: "I heard the mayor went today?"

Yang Ning replied, "Yes, they gave me a commemorative key."

Mr. Han smiled and said, "Keep it; it might come in handy when you travel to South Africa in the future."

Yang Ning smiled.

A little while later, Mr. Han sent another message: "The embassy said that the local police have increased patrols, and those who harassed the film crew have been taken away for investigation. The specific details are still in the legal process. You can film with peace of mind."

Yang Ning looked at the message, paused for a moment, and replied, "Thank you, President Han."

"Why thank me? Thank everyone for their hard work."

He put down his phone and continued looking out the window.

The night was peaceful.

Safety.

He recalled Ms. Chen's words—"We're all family."

Yes.

That's enough for outsiders.

He lit a cigarette.

As the smoke rose, he remembered what Nicholas Tse had said during the day—"I've never seen anything like this when filming in Hong Kong."

That's Hong Kong.

This is mainland China.

Different.

Really different.