This director only directs blockbusters.

Yang Ning walked back to the whiteboard, erased what he had just written, and wrote a few more lines.

"The publicity campaign will be divided into three phases." He said, writing as he spoke. "The first phase, from now until November, will focus on the cast and behind-the-scenes footage."

Release the footage of Nicholas Tse's broken finger, Hu Jun standing on the car roof, behind-the-scenes footage of the helicopter chase, and interviews with stunt pilots.

"Let the audience know that this film is for real, and it's gone all out."

"The second phase, from December to January, will be the release of the trailer." He paused, then turned around. "We'll cut two versions of the trailer."

The first version focuses on action, featuring car chases, explosions, helicopters traversing buildings, and gunfights—it's all about thrills.

One version focuses on emotions—brotherhood, family, sacrifice—the more touching the better. The action version is for men, and the emotional version is for women.

Wang Zhonglei's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward: "This is great. It appeals to both men and women. The helicopter scene is definitely the highlight."

Yang Ning nodded and continued writing.

"The third phase, two weeks before the Spring Festival, is a carpet bombing campaign. Television, newspapers, outdoor advertising, the internet—everything that can be accessed is used."

The concepts of "real helicopter filming" and "first time in Chinese-language cinema" should be highlighted in particular.

The goal is to make sure everyone sees "Dragon Shield" as soon as they step out the door, hears "Dragon Shield" as soon as they turn on the TV, and sees "Dragon Shield" as soon as they go online.

The goal is to create an atmosphere where not watching "Dragon Shield" during the Lunar New Year feels like not celebrating at all.

He put down his pen, turned around, placed his hands on the table, and looked at the people present.

"We've worked together to make this Spring Festival film market bigger," he said, his voice deepening. "Zi Xiao started it all."

The Dragon Shield must be caught and defended. If it cannot be defended, all the previous efforts will be in vain.

If we hold onto this market, it's ours, and we'll have plenty to eat every year from now on.

"And 'defense' can't just mean defending the ground; we also need to defend the sky. This helicopter scene is the flag we need to plant."

No one spoke. The only sound in the conference room was the hum of the air conditioner.

Han Shanping smiled first. The smile was soft, but the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.

"Yang Ning," he said, "you're starting to sound more and more like a boss. Not a director, but a boss."

Yang Ning did not respond.

Jiang Zhiqiang slowly said from the side, "Director Yang is right, we have to hold on to it. This little piece of land is ours. We must protect it, land and sky. We can't let others have it."

He paused, then looked at Yang Ning.

"In Hong Kong, the distribution has been arranged. Albert Yeung has given the go-ahead, and Emperor Cinemas is fully cooperating."

The film's screenings will account for no less than 35% of the total screenings during its opening weekend. Helicopter scenes should be particularly appealing to audiences on Hong Kong Island.

Yang Ning nodded.

Wang Zhongjun stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray, pressing it out quite forcefully.

"Alright, it's settled then," he said. "Huayi Brothers will provide publicity resources as needed."

If you need anything, just contact Zhong Lei; he'll handle the coordination.

"Make multiple cuts of that helicopter shot, including TV clips and online short videos—cover them all."

The meeting lasted for over an hour. They discussed film scheduling, revenue sharing models, advertising budgets, and overseas distribution. Each point was reviewed and discussed meticulously.

As the meeting adjourned, it was getting dark. The setting sun slanted in through the windows, bathing the conference room in an orange glow. The teacups on the table were empty, while the ashtray was full again.

Yang Ning stood by the window, watching the traffic below. On Chang'an Avenue, car lights were already on, forming a river of light.

Xu Qin walked over and handed her a bottle of water. The water was cold, and water droplets were condensed on the bottle.

"Are you tired?" she asked, her voice a little hoarse.

"It's alright." Yang Ning took the water, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip.

Xu Qin stood next to him, also looking out the window.

"When Wang Zhongjun was talking about transferring files just now," she paused, turning to look at him, "what were your thoughts?"

Yang Ning thought for a moment.

"I don't feel anything," he said.

"You don't feel anything?" Xu Qin raised an eyebrow.

"Whether he adjusts the film or not, I still have to make sure the film is good," Yang Ning said calmly. "Once the film is good, I'm not afraid of anyone coming."

"The film flopped, so it's useless without a co-star. That's why I don't feel much about it." He paused, then added, "However, he specifically mentioned the helicopter scene, which means that scene was successful. If it was successful, that's good."

Xu Qin looked at him for several seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"You're really boring sometimes," she said. "Anyone else would be excited by now. You just say, 'I don't feel anything.'"

Yang Ning didn't reply. He looked out the window at the rolling traffic and the gradually brightening lights.

The sky was a deep blue-purple, with a few early-blooming stars faintly visible.

He suddenly recalled the footage of helicopters weaving through simulated city lights.

"Let's go, let's go back." Xu Qin patted his shoulder. "Old Xu and the others are still waiting for news. That kid Liu Yong insists on opening a bottle of champagne to celebrate—I told him to wait until you get back."

Yang Ning nodded and threw the empty water bottle into the trash can.

When they returned to the special effects studio that evening, Han Duoduo and the others were still working.

The picture on the screen is much better than last month.

The lighting and shadow effects on the mountain road section are now seamless, and the collision effects of the moving container maze are also present, with metallic textures, shattered details, and flying sparks—it's incredibly realistic.

On another screen, a scene of a helicopter chase was being rendered.

In the rough animation preview, two helicopters rapidly weave and turn among dense building models, with dizzying camera movements.

Han Duoduo and a special effects artist were pointing to one of the frames, discussing how to increase the particle effects of glass reflection and airflow disturbance.

Yang Ning stood behind and watched for a while without saying a word.

Wuershan leaned closer and whispered, "Director Yang, how did the meeting go today?"

"It's confirmed. It'll be released during the Spring Festival."

Wuershan paused for a moment, then nodded.

"OK."

"What, scared?" Yang Ning turned to look at him.

Wuershan thought for a moment. His face showed signs of fatigue from staying up all night, and he had heavy bags under his eyes, but his eyes were bright.

"I'm not afraid," he said. "I just feel like I have to give it my all. I have to work like crazy to make this film the best it can be. I can't let it flop."

He glanced at the preview footage of the helicopter chase, "Especially the part in the sky, the boast we're making, we have to make it actually fly."

Yang Ning looked at him. The light shone from the side, casting a deep shadow on Wuershan's face.

"Just go for it," Yang Ning said. "How will we know if we can hold on if we don't fight?"

Wuershan nodded without saying anything more, then turned back to continue working. He sat down next to Han Duoduo, and the two discussed in hushed tones, their fingers flying across the keyboard.

Yang Ning stood there, looking at the people in the room.

Han Duoduo scrutinized the screen frame by frame, her eyes very close to the screen.

Liu Yong squatted on the ground, modifying a detailed model of a helicopter cockpit, holding a small file in his hand, grinding it bit by bit.

The young people who had returned from the United States were engrossed in their computers, their screens displaying complex fluid simulations and rigid body collision calculations. None of them looked up.

The air smelled of instant noodles, coffee, and the fumes of equipment heat sinks. There was another smell—a sense of focus, the smell of everyone working towards a single goal.

He suddenly remembered the question Xu Qin had just asked him—"How does it feel?"

I didn't feel anything.

Because I knew all along that this path could only lead forward. Forward, make good films, sell good films, then make the next one, sell the next one. Over and over again, without end.

Move forward and hold onto this small piece of land.

Defend all battlefields from the mountain roads to the city skies.

Then, move forward again.

He took out his phone and glanced at it.

There are two new messages on the screen.

One comment was from Li Bingbing: "I heard the schedule is set? See you during the Spring Festival. Looking forward to it."

One of Gao Yuanyuan's messages read: "It's scheduled for release? That's great. Let's have dinner together after you're done with this busy period."

He didn't reply. Not because he didn't want to, but because he didn't know what to say. "Okay"? "Thank you"? Both were too inadequate. Some things had to be said face-to-face.

He put his phone back in his pocket and walked behind Han Duoduo.

Han Duoduo didn't turn around, but she knew it was him. She stared at the screen, tapped a few times on the keyboard, and zoomed in on the image.

Now, the helicopter rotor slices through the city twilight, creating a dazzling display of particles.

"Director Yang, look at this shot," she said, her voice a little hoarse. "I adjusted the effect of the rotor airflow stirring up street dust and scraps of paper three times, and this time it should be right."

That's the kind of oppressive feeling and realistic disturbance we're looking for when flying close to the ground.

Yang Ning leaned closer to the screen. In the scene, a giant steel bird swept across a narrow street, and the virtual vehicles below seemed to be shaken by the wind, with dust and debris being violently swirled up and blending into the halo of the setting sun.

"Okay," he said. "Alright."

Han Duoduo let out a long breath, leaned back in her chair, and rubbed her eyes.

"That's it," she said. "Next. There are still seventeen helicopter shots whose special effects need final confirmation."

Yang Ning patted her on the shoulder without saying anything.

Outside the window, the night in Beijing has deepened again. In the distance, buildings are lit up, and cars stream along the streets, their taillights forming a red line, like a flowing galaxy on the ground.

The lights in the special effects studio were still on.

The bright white light shone on the people in the room who were working hard with their heads down.

And so on, along the path ahead, which we must guard.

That road stretching from the ground to the sky, a road that cannot be lost.