This director only directs blockbusters.

Peter Ho signed the contract readily, while Hu Ge hesitated slightly—he was still in school and needed to coordinate his classes.

Xu Qin signed without saying a word, but her handwriting was very heavy.

After signing the contract, Lin Xuan's eyes were a little red. She whispered to Yang Ning, "Director Yang, I will definitely act well."

Yang Ning patted her on the shoulder: "I know."

It was already 5 p.m. when all the signatures were completed.

Wang Lei, sweating as he sorted through stacks of contracts, said, "Director Yang, the combined salaries of the lead actors have exceeded the budget by ten percent."

Yang Ning lit a cigarette, took a drag, and exhaled the smoke.

"So what if it's over?" he said casually. "When it comes to actors, we have to spend the money we need to spend."

"But on the budget sheet..."

"The budget is static, but people are flexible," Yang Ning flicked his cigarette ash. "I'll find ways to cut costs in other areas. As for the actors, leave it as is."

Wang Lei opened his mouth, but finally nodded: "I understand."

We booked three tables for dinner at a hot pot restaurant near Dongzhimen.

The actors sat at one table, and the staff sat at two tables.

The copper pot bubbled and steamed, and the slices of mutton curled up as soon as they were put in. They were then scooped out, dipped in sesame sauce, and tasted delicious.

Huang Xiaoming approached Yang Ning with a wine glass, saying, "Director Yang, this is a toast to you. Thank you for giving me this opportunity."

Yang Ning nudged him: "Opportunities are earned. Don't mess up during the training camp the day after tomorrow."

"must!"

Fan Binbin sat in the corner, sipping his Arctic Ocean soda.

Zhou Xun leaned over and said something that made Fan Binbin chuckle.

Liu Yong played a drinking game with Lao Xu, and the loser had to drink, his voice getting louder and louder.

Han Duoduo sat at the technical team's table, engrossed in eating meat, occasionally glancing up at the actors with a curious look in her eyes.

Halfway through the meal, Yang Ning tapped his cup.

The noise gradually subsided.

"Say a few words," Yang Ning stood up. "The contract is signed, and we're all in the same boat now."

This ship might leak wind, it might pitch and roll, and it might even hit an iceberg. But I guarantee one thing—"

He glanced around.

"As long as you guys don't mess things up, I'll never be the first to jump ship."

Some people laughed.

"Starting the day after tomorrow, we'll have a three-month closed training camp. It will be tough, tiring, and there's a chance of injury."

If you can't stand it, quit now; it's not shameful.

If you stubbornly persist halfway and then back down, I'll make sure you can't survive in this industry.

That's a harsh statement.

But no one moved.

"Alright." Yang Ning raised his glass. "Then let's sail this boat to the other side together."

"Dry!"

The glasses clinked together, and beer foam splashed out.

It was already 10 o'clock when the show ended.

Yang Ning stood at the shop entrance smoking, watching the actors get into their cars and leave one by one.

Old Xu leaned over and handed him a bottle of mineral water: "Yangzi, the look on Wang Lei's face just now... the actors' salaries were definitely over budget."

"I know." Yang Ning unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip. "But the cast must remain the same."

I can find ways to work out everything else – the scenes, props, post-production.

The actors, however, cannot be allowed to be in disarray before filming begins.

"That's true," Old Xu sighed. "I'm just worried that other departments might have objections."

"Keep your opinions to yourself." Yang Ning stubbed out his cigarette. "I'm the director, what I say goes."

Just then, Fan Binbin's nanny van pulled up in front of them.

The car window rolled down, and Fan Binbin leaned out: "Director Yang, what time is the meeting the day after tomorrow?"

"At 8:00 AM, the shuttle bus will depart together from downstairs at the China Film Group building."

"Okay." She paused. "That jumping training...you really supervised it personally?"

"I'm really watching."

Fan Binbin bit her lip: "Then I'll go back and work on my mental preparation."

The car drove away.

Zhou Xun rode over on a small electric scooter, without even wearing a helmet.

"Director Yang, may I give you a ride?"

"No need, I'll just take a walk."

"Okay, see you the day after tomorrow." Zhou Xun twisted the throttle, and the little electric scooter sped off, its tail fluttering in the wind.

Yang Ning walked slowly along the curb.

My phone vibrated; it was Han Shanping.

"All signed?"

"It's all signed."

"How are you feeling?"

"Everything's fine," Yang Ning said. "Everything that needed to be booked has been booked."

"Jiang Zhiqiang is coming to Beijing tomorrow and wants to see you."

"Xu Qin told me it's at the Wangfujing Hotel at 7 pm."

Han Shanping paused on the other end of the phone: "Boss Jiang is a very shrewd man."

He's investing money, so he definitely wants to see something. You know that.

"Understood," Yang Ning said. "I've prepared some materials, and I'll show him the first version of the special effects preview."

"Okay. Also, my niece is starting work tomorrow, so please take good care of her."

"It's all arranged."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Ning walked onto the overpass.

Below, traffic flows like a river, and the light strips stretch endlessly.

He stood there for a long time, holding onto the railing.

The actors' salaries exceeding the budget was within his expectations.

But I can't tell anyone this now—

The project has just started, and you're saying there's not enough money? That's undermining morale.

We need to stabilize the situation first.

Once the film is halfway through shooting, the die is cast, and if you then complain about budget constraints, the investors will have no choice but to bite the bullet and add more funding.

This is a common tactic.

That's reality.

A breeze blows, carrying the dryness of early summer.

the day after tomorrow.

One month.

Then turn it on.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the special effects upgrade coupon given to him by the system.

The card felt cold in my hand.

"We need to use it wisely," he muttered to himself, "for the most expensive scene..."

---

The training base is located in the mountains of Huairou. It was originally a sanatorium belonging to a certain unit, but it was later abandoned.

The courtyard is large, with three buildings and basketball hoops on the playground, though they're almost completely rusted.

Yang Ning brought people over a day in advance to clean up.

Old Xu led the production crew to clean the dormitories, while Liu Yong led the art team to set up training facilities by the playground.

Rope nets, low walls, tire arrays, and a small climbing wall.

Chen Qiming and Chen Lei were setting up the equipment and pulling out a projection screen from the warehouse, preparing to show a movie that evening.

Han Duoduo squatted in the corner, fiddling with a bunch of electronic components.

"What are you doing?" Yang Ning walked over.

"Make a little gadget." Han Duoduo said without looking up, "A lightning effects simulator."

During training, actors can use it to feel the tactile sensation of electricity in their hands.

She picked up a metal handle and pressed the switch.

Tiny blue arcs of electricity crackled and popped from the front of the handle.

"Low-voltage electricity won't hurt people, but it can cause a numbing sensation," Han Duoduo said.

"When Lu Ran releases his superpower, the muscles in his hands should have a specific trembling pattern."

I recorded several versions; the actors can practice along with them.

Yang Ning took the handle and pressed it.

An electric arc shot out, and a tingling sensation ran through my palm.

"Good stuff." He handed it back. "Take it with you during training camp."

The bus arrived on time at eight o'clock the next morning.

The actors got off the bus one by one, dressed in sportswear and carrying luggage.

Huang Xiaoming was the most formal, wearing a full Adidas outfit.

Fan Binbin was wearing large sunglasses, but took them off as soon as he got out of the car. Zhou Xun was still carrying a backpack and chewing gum.

Peter Ho and Hu Ge stood together, whispering to each other. Xu Qin and Lin Xuan came down last, helping to carry the prop box.

Yang Ning blew the whistle.

"gather!"

Twenty-odd people stood sparsely in three rows.

"From today onwards, there are no celebrities, only trainees." Yang Ning walked to the front of the line and looked at these superstars.