This director only directs blockbusters.

"We dare to spend 1.3 million because we know how to spend it."

Before the reporters could react, Yang Ning pushed aside the cordon and walked directly into the film set.

Reporters were kept outside, but their cameras followed him the whole time.

"Insane! Absolutely insane!"

"This doesn't sound like a rookie director at all..."

Yang Ning completely ignored the commotion behind him.

On set, the ruins scene had already been set up. Chen Qiming was adjusting the lighting, while Fan Binbin and Huang Xiaoming were rehearsing their positions.

"Don't take what the reporter said to heart," Old Xu followed.

"I take it as free publicity," Yang Ning said, taking the call sheet. "The more they criticize us, the more the audience wants to know what we actually made."

---

At 9:18, the opening ceremony began.

Incense table, red cloth, pig's head.

When Han Shanping arrived, he didn't talk for half an hour like the others. He just said a few simple pleasantries and then handed the microphone to Yang Ning.

Yang Ning took the microphone and didn't follow the script at all.

"Thank you to all the media friends who came." He looked at the press area. "I know many people don't think highly of us. They think we're young, that we're wasting money, and that we don't understand art."

He paused.

"But movies aren't about who's the oldest, who spends the least money, or who can spout profound truths."

If box office success could be achieved simply by comparing these factors, then we wouldn't need to put in any effort; we could just compete directly!

He held up the storyboard in his hand.

"So what are we competing on? It's about who can tell a good story, film the best visuals, and keep the audience engaged. Results speak louder than empty talk."

"Filming starts today, no more chit-chat. Let's get straight to filming, and you can watch directly. If it's not good, feel free to criticize. If it's good—"

He smiled.

"Please write truthfully as well."

The reporters on the scene were completely dumbfounded. They were really furious today. They had never seen such a shameless person. They were not playing by the rules at all. How were they supposed to play this game?

Yang Lin didn't care what they thought. As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around and walked behind the monitor.

"All departments, prepare!"

The reporters looked at each other in bewilderment.

Is this over?

Why not say something auspicious? Why not pay homage to Guan Gong?

But Yang Ning has already started working.

"Scene 1, Shot 1! Action!"

The monitor lights up.

Fan Binbin moved close to the wall, his eyes wary. Huang Xiaoming jumped in through the window, his movements swift and agile.

The camera lens passes through the gaps in the shelves, and dust flies in the beam of light.

The two looked at each other amidst the ruins.

"Cut!"

Yang Ning stared at the replay.

Five seconds.

"Pass."

The staff on site breathed a sigh of relief.

Whispers could be heard coming from the reporters' area.

"One take?"

"It actually looks quite convincing..."

But soon, another reporter launched an attack.

During the break between scenes, the bespectacled reporter from Film Weekly squeezed to the front again.

"Director Yang! You just mentioned games. Does that mean you're admitting that your films prioritize visual stimulation and lack humanistic concern?"

That's a tricky question.

The scene quieted down.

Everyone looked at Yang Ning.

Fan Binbin was drinking water in the rest area, his hand gripping the water bottle tightly. Huang Xiaoming frowned and looked over.

Yang Ning looked up from behind the monitor.

He slowly stood up and walked to the reporter.

"What's your name?"

The reporter was taken aback: "Wang... Wang Lei."

"Reporter Wang," Yang Ning looked at him, "I'm asking you, what is humanistic care?"

"It's about...exploring human nature and reflecting on society..."

"Does Titanic have any humanistic concern?" Yang Ning interrupted him.

"Of course! Love, sacrifice..."

"Was it visually stimulating? Iceberg collision, seawater flooding—how much did the special effects cost?"

Wang Lei was speechless.

Does *The Lord of the Rings* have any humanistic themes? Friendship, courage, responsibility. But does it have scenes of massive armies? Does it have dragons? Does it have magic?

Yang Ning took a step forward.

"Why must Chinese films always be judged in two ways? Either profound and tragic themes are considered art, or visual stimulation is considered superficial? Who decided that?"

His voice wasn't loud, but every word hit the ground hard.

"In my movie, why does Lu Ran risk his life? Not to be a hero, but to protect the people he cares about. Why does Lin Xue study medicine? Not for lofty ideals, but because she wants to save lives. Doesn't that count as humanitarian concern?"

Wang Lei opened his mouth, but no words came out.

"As for visual stimulation—" Yang Ning laughed, "Movies are an audiovisual art. If the visuals aren't appealing and the sound isn't pleasant, then it's a radio drama, not a movie."

He turned to walk back, then stopped.

"By the way, Reporter Wang, when you write your article, remember to copy these words of mine verbatim. Let your readers judge for themselves whether I'm narrow-minded, or whether some people's thinking is still stuck in the last century."

The entire room fell silent.

Only the static of the walkie-talkie could be heard.

After Yang Ning sat back down on the monitor, he picked up the walkie-talkie: "Prepare for shot two. Fan Binbin, the scene where you climb the pipe, we'll start filming in five minutes."

Filming continues.

Fan Binbin crawled into the ventilation duct, advancing through the narrow space.

A beam of light shone on her face.

Dust flew everywhere.

His eyes were resolute.

"Cut! Perfect!"

Yang Ning shouted.

Fan Binbin emerged from the pipe, covered in rust. She wiped her face and looked at Yang Ning.

Yang Ning gave her a thumbs up.

She smiled.

In the reporters' area, the sound of camera shutters clicking was constant.

Several veteran reporters whispered among themselves.

"This kid... is really different."

"He's good with words and skilled with his hands too."

"Look at that picture quality, it's really good."

"But offending so many people will make things difficult in the future."

"Difficult to navigate?" A veteran film critic shook his head. "I think the film industry has been stagnant for too long and needs a disruptor like this."

The filming continued until evening.

Seven scenes, six in total, one in a reshoot.

By the time we finished work, it was already getting dark.

The reporters remained outside, but no one went forward to provoke them again.

Yang Ning walked out of the film set and was momentarily blinded by the flash of a camera.

He stopped and looked at the cameras.

"I'll edit together some footage from today's shoot and post it online later," he said. "Whether it's good or bad, you can judge for yourselves."

A reporter asked, "Director Yang, aren't you afraid of controversy?"

"Scared?" Yang Ning laughed. "Controversy equals traffic, and traffic equals attention. In this era, the most terrifying thing is having no one to discuss you."

He paused.

"Moreover, I believe the audience has discerning eyes. They can distinguish between genuine effort and empty rhetoric."

After saying that, he turned and left.

His silhouette stretched long in the night.

At the entrance of the base, Lao Xu caught up with him.

"Were those words you said today... a bit too harsh?"

"Not ruthless." Yang Ning lit a cigarette. "In this circle, if you're polite, people will think you're weak. If you're tough, people will take you seriously."

"But Lu Chuan, Tian Zhuangzhuang, and the others..."

"They represent the past," Yang Ning exhaled a puff of smoke. "And I represent the future."