This director only directs blockbusters.

It was raining in Beijing when the plane landed.

The moment the wheels touched the ground, a dull screech of friction was heard.

Looking out the porthole, Yang Ning saw a hazy gray sky, with water pooling on the runway, reflecting the dim yellow lights like shattered old glass.

After a 13-hour long-haul flight, he felt as if all the bones in his body had been taken apart and put back together, and his neck was stiff and sore.

Li Binbin was still asleep, her head tilted to one side, a few strands of hair sticking to her cheek, and the blanket draped over her body had slipped halfway down. She was sleeping soundly, her breathing even.

Gao Yuanyuan, who was in the front row, had already woken up and was staring blankly out the window, her fingers unconsciously twisting one end of the seatbelt.

The cabin gradually became noisy. Some people got up to open the overhead bins, their suitcases slamming against the partition; others took out their phones and turned them on, with various notification sounds ringing out one after another.

"Dear passengers, we have arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport. The ground temperature is 25 degrees Celsius. The roads are slippery due to rain, please be careful..."

The flight attendant's voice came over the loudspeaker, carrying the weariness unique to long flights.

Yang Ning turned his neck, and his cervical spine made a soft cracking sound. He frowned and rubbed the back of his neck.

Old Xu leaned out from the back seat, his eyes still bloodshot: "Yang Zi, Chairman Han has arranged for us to pick you up at the airport. We'll go straight to VIP after customs. The car is waiting in the parking lot."

"understood."

Li Binbin was awakened by the voices and groggily opened her eyes. She blinked, rubbed them, and when she saw the gloomy sky outside the window, she paused, her voice still hoarse from just waking up: "Have we arrived?"

"Um."

She sat up straight, stretched, and the blanket slid completely onto her lap. Then she raised her hand to tidy her hair.

Without makeup, there were several marks on her cheeks, making her look younger and softer than usual.

"It's raining in Beijing," she said softly, gazing out the window, as if talking to herself.

"Um."

"It's much cooler than in South Africa," she said, then suddenly sneezed a little, laughing at herself first, "Achoo—you see, the body is more honest than the brain."

Yang Ning's lips twitched, and she smiled.

It took more than half an hour to get through customs. There weren't many people in the VIP lane, but my luggage took quite a while to arrive.

Deng Chao's purchases filled two shopping carts. He was stopped and randomly inspected at security, and he stood innocently next to his "trophies."

"What are all these?" the security guard asked, holding a handheld scanner.

"CD player! Game console! Sunglasses! Commemorative T-shirt!" Deng Chao said confidently, counting on his fingers, "They were all bought legitimately! I still have the receipts!"

The security guard looked at the pile of colorful items, his lips twitched slightly, but he barely managed to suppress a laugh, and waved his hand: "Alright, let's go."

Deng Chao immediately beamed, pushing the cart forward and calling back, "Director Yang! Sister Bingbing! Hurry up! Chairman Han is waiting!"

When Yang Ning arrived at the exit, he saw a small group of people standing there, which stood out in the crowd of people waiting to pick up passengers.

Han Shanping stood at the front, without an umbrella, his shoulders soaked and dark with rain. Next to him was Mr. Zheng from Jiang Zhiqiang's company, looking down at his phone.

Ms. Chen from Shanghai Film Studio was holding a folder, her hair neatly combed.

Wang Zhonglei of Huayi Brothers stood a little behind, whispering something to a staff member in a black suit next to him.

"Yang Ning!" Han Shanping spotted him immediately, strode over, and grabbed his hand firmly. "You've had a long journey! Did you have a safe trip?"

"It's alright." Yang Ning felt her hand go numb from being gripped so tightly, and pulled it back. "Why did Chairman Han come in person? It's raining quite heavily."

"How could I not come?" Han Shanping laughed, wrinkles forming at the corners of his eyes, looking genuinely happy. "The news about your trip to South Africa has spread all over the country."

Even the People's Daily reposted Nicholas Tse's diary entry. You're a hero now; it wouldn't be right for me not to accept it.

Mr. Zheng put away his phone and walked over. As he reached out, a flash of light appeared on his wristwatch: "Director Yang, you must be tired from your journey. President Jiang asked me to pass on his congratulations."

He said that once the film is edited, it will be released in Hong Kong on a maximum scale, and the theater agreements have already been reached.

Ms. Chen smiled and handed over a business card—although Yang Ning already had one: "The Shanghai Film Studio's theaters are all ready, just waiting for your finished film. We'll give you the best time slots."

Wang Zhonglei came over last, patted Yang Ning's arm, and lowered his voice, with a hint of affectionate complaint: "Director Yang, Bingbing really worked hard this time."

I heard the conditions there are quite tough. Huayi Brothers is hosting a welcome dinner for you all tonight, please come and join us. We're all family, so relax.

Yang Ning responded to each person with a polite smile, nodding and shaking hands as appropriate, but he knew exactly what was going on in his mind.

These smiles and warmth weren't directed at him as a person.

It's that movie that wasn't even finished being edited yet, but had already stirred up a storm.

The convoy drove slowly toward the city in the rain. The windshield wipers swung rhythmically from side to side, clearing away curtains of water.

Yang Ning rode in Han Shanping's car. Lao Xu and Xu Qin rode in the car behind. The car was quiet, with only the low hum of the engine and the sound of rain hitting the windows.

Han Shanping took a document out of his briefcase and handed it to him.

"The publicity plan for this week," he said, his voice particularly clear in the enclosed carriage. "Once that People's Daily report came out, the wind completely changed."

Now everyone online is praising it, and even some of the film critics who were most critical before have changed their tune and are saying they're looking forward to the finished product. Public opinion can change faster than turning the pages of a book.

Yang Ning opened the document. The pages were new, still smelling of ink. The schedule was packed tightly together, from television interviews to magazine photo shoots, from online features to offline events, every day and every hour was crammed full.

"Isn't this a bit rushed?" He closed the file, not looking at it anymore. "The film hasn't been edited yet. The rough cut isn't even finished."

"Publicity and editing should go hand in hand." Han Shanping turned to look at him, his eyes filled with an undeniable certainty. "It's at its peak right now, it would be a shame to miss out."

Once the film is finished editing, it will be released right on schedule. The audience's curiosity and anticipation must be kept alive; it can't be allowed to die down.

He paused, leaned closer to Yang Ning, and lowered his voice.

"Yang Ning, do you know where you stand in the industry right now?"

Yang Ning didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

"The best domestic film ever," Han Shanping said, emphasizing each word. "You're the box office champion, and the record set by 'Zi Xiao' is still standing there."

Your reputation is what truly matters. Your trip to South Africa and Nicholas Tse's article elevated you and the entire crew to a new level.

"It's still about you. Now, any news with 'Yang Ning' in it gets tons of clicks. Everyone in the industry gives you this thumbs up when they mention you." He gave a firm thumbs-up.

Yang Ning looked at the street scene flashing by outside the window, blurred by the rain, and didn't reply.

"But—" Han Shanping changed the subject, his tone turning somber, "The higher you stand, the harder you fall. The harder you're praised, the harder you'll be trampled."

If Dragon Shield fails, even if it's just not as good as expected, you'll lose everything you have now.

Those who smile at you now can turn around and trample you into the mud. You know this industry better than I do.

The car was quiet for a few seconds. The sound of rain became clearer.

Yang Ning withdrew his gaze, looked at Han Shanping, and nodded.

"Third Master, that's a bit of an exaggeration. I'm still far from being the number one director in China, and I understand that very well. Of course, I believe I'll be able to sit in that position sooner or later."

Han Shanping stared at him for two seconds, seemingly trying to find something on his face, but in the end he just nodded, leaned back in his seat, and didn't say anything more.

7 p.m., Beijing Hotel.

The banquet hall was brightly lit and set with eight large round tables covered with snow-white tablecloths.

The crystal chandelier refracted dazzling light, and the air was filled with the aromas of perfume, wine, and food.

Those who came were all prominent figures in the industry—film company owners, theater managers, well-known directors, and popular actors; the atmosphere was elegant and filled with laughter.

As soon as Yang Ning entered, he was surrounded. Various faces rushed up to him, all with similar smiles and saying similar compliments.

"Director Yang! Congratulations on your return! Your trip to South Africa has truly made Chinese filmmakers proud!"

"Director Yang, it must be tough over there, right? You look a bit thinner."

"Director Yang, do you have any plans for your next film? We have a script here that would be perfect for you. We'd love to collaborate anytime!"

He wore an impeccable smile, greeting everyone with handshakes and pleasantries, but his heart was filled with conflicting emotions.

On the surface, he was just going through the motions, but underneath, he was thinking about the shots that hadn't been sorted out in the editing room, whether a certain transition should be adjusted, and the progress of the special effects shots.

But that's just how society is. Even if you're reborn, there are still some things you have to deal with.

Having finally escaped the crowd, Xu Qin walked over, handed him a glass of champagne, and whispered, "Chairman Han wants you to go to the head table. Everyone's waiting there."

Yang Ning nodded, took a sip of the wine, and the cool liquid slid down his throat, making him a little more sober. He picked up his glass and went over.