This director only directs blockbusters.

At this point in Yang Ning's speech, some of the reporters below blushed.

"I'm not saying that art films shouldn't exist."

I mean—don't put yourself on a moral high ground and criticize those who just want to make good movies for the average viewer.

He took a deep breath.

"Is it wrong for ordinary people to want to go to the cinema to watch a good movie and relax after a long day?"

Young people are full of imagination about the future and want to see if China can also produce cool science fiction films. Is that wrong?

"Is it wrong for us to want to use the latest technology to tell a Chinese apocalyptic story?"

The sound echoed in the conference room.

"No, that's right." He answered himself. "The ones who are wrong are those who can't do it themselves and then prevent others from doing it."

The ones who are wrong are those who cling to outdated ideas and then accuse others of breaking the rules.

He put down the microphone.

"That's all I have to say. We'll make this film properly. We'll make it for those who want to see it. As for those who don't want to see it—the door's over there, no need to see them out."

He turned around and stepped off the stage.

Fan Binbin and the others stood up as well.

The reporters wanted to continue, but Lao Xu and several staff members stopped them.

"Meeting adjourned! Email me if you have any questions!"

Yang Ning walked quickly down the corridor.

Huang Xiaoming jogged after him, his eyes shining: "Director Yang, those words just now... were so satisfying!"

Fan Binbin didn't speak, but her hands were trembling—not from fear, but from excitement.

Zhou Xun laughed: "Now we've really become a target."

"It's been like that for a while." Yang Ning pressed the elevator button. "It won't make a difference. Anyway, a lot of lice don't itch, and a lot of debts don't worry us."

The elevator doors closed.

There was silence for a few seconds in the small space.

Fan Binbin suddenly asked, "Director Yang, were you sincere about what you just said?"

Yang Ning looked at her: "Which sentence?"

"People go to the cinema not to cause trouble."

"Of course," Yang Ning said. "Movies are entertainment first, and art second. The order cannot be reversed."

"But……"

"But what?" Yang Ning asked, "Do you think I was too harsh?"

Fan Binbin shook his head: "No. I just feel... you said what many people dare not say. I admire your courage."

The elevator has arrived.

The door opened, revealing a parking lot outside.

Yang Ning went outside and lit a cigarette.

"Because they care about their reputation." He exhaled a puff of smoke. "I don't."

On the way back to the base, my phone started vibrating.

Old Xu sat in the passenger seat and read them out one by one.

"The editor-in-chief of Film Weekly called..."

"Sina Entertainment would like to schedule an exclusive interview..."

"A reporter from Southern Weekly said they wanted to do an in-depth report..."

Yang Ning, with her eyes closed, said, "I've turned them all down. I won't be giving interviews during filming."

"What about the press conference just now...?"

"That wasn't an interview," Yang Ning said, opening his eyes. "It was a declaration of war."

Outside the car window, Beijing sped past.

The sun was shining brightly, the streets were clean, and traffic was flowing smoothly.

This city, this country, is changing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

But some people are still living in the past.

Yang Ning recalled that in his previous life, those so-called "art film" directors were still making the same things in 2020.

Suffering, poverty, filth.

Then they complain that audiences don't know how to appreciate art and that the market has been taken over by commercial films.

These people never considered that the problem lay in their own shortcomings, that they were simply outdated.

Since we've been given a second chance at life, we should do something different!

Use box office revenue, word-of-mouth, and tangible results.

Tell everyone—

Movies can be different.

Chinese films can be different.

---

Back on set, the atmosphere was noticeably different.

The staff looked at Yang Ning with more awe.

The video of the morning press conference has already gone viral online. Although it wasn't broadcast live, the transcripts and audio clips sent by reporters on site have already caused a sensation.

The forum was in an uproar.

[Support Yang Ning! I've long been fed up with those pretentious directors!]

But what he said was way too arrogant... after all, he's a junior.

What's wrong with the younger generation? Are they wrong? How many people still watch those melodramatic, tragic films these days?

But movies can't just be about pure entertainment...

"Then go see what you don't like, nobody's stopping you."

Yang Ning didn't look at her phone.

He walked straight into the film set.

"Action! Scene 32, get ready!"

Filming continues.

It was as if nothing had happened.

But some things have changed.

At 5 p.m., Han Shanping called.

"You little rascal..." he sighed, "you're really good at causing trouble."

"Did I say something wrong?" Yang Ning asked.

"That's right," Han Shanping said, "but there are some things you shouldn't say."

"Then who should speak?"

There was silence on the other end of the phone.

"Nobody else is saying it, so I'll say it," Yang Ning said. "Chairman Han, this circle needs to be broken. I'll be the hammer."

Han Shanping smiled, a very complex smile.

"Okay. A hammer it is. But be careful not to smash your own foot."

"clear."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Ning went behind the monitor.

In the footage, Fan Binbin is filming a crying scene.

Without any lines, he squatted in the ruins, holding his "dead" teammate, his shoulders trembling, tears falling to the ground one by one.

Silence, but despair was overwhelming.

"Cut!" Yang Ning shouted.

Fan Binbin looked up, tears still on her face.

"That's enough," Yang Ning said. "Ten-minute break."

She stood up, walked to the sidelines, and took the water her assistant handed her.

Yang Ning walked over.

"You acted very well."

Fan Binbin wiped his face and smiled: "Because of what you just said, I have the confidence."

"What gives you that confidence?"

She said, "I used to think that acting had to be profound, heavy, and thought-provoking. But now I think... it's enough to move people."

Yang Ning nodded.

…………

Yang Ning had guessed that someone would cause trouble, but he didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

When he entered the meeting room, the audit team was already in full force.

Director Zhao placed his briefcase on the table, the metal clasp clicking deliberately.

Two young men followed behind, one carrying a laptop and the other a voice recorder.

Wang Lei poured tea with a forced smile: "Director Zhao, which part would you like to start with?"

Director Zhao didn't touch his teacup, but opened his notebook: "According to procedure, let's look at the project approval documents first. Bring me the approval documents, budget sheet, and contract copies."

Yang Ning leaned against the door frame, smoking, but didn't go in.

Old Xu leaned closer and whispered, "This guy doesn't seem friendly. I've heard that Old Zhao is Han Dong's rival, and he's always looking for trouble."

"Let him choose." Yang Ning flicked his cigarette ash. "The accounts are clean and clear, what's there to be afraid of?"

"The accounts are clean, but the process..." Old Xu frowned. "We're rushing to meet the deadline, so we didn't compare prices from at least three suppliers for some purchases."

Yang Ning didn't speak, but glanced into the conference room.

Director Zhao was flipping through the budget sheet, his glasses slipping down to the tip of his nose, his finger pointing down row by row. Suddenly he stopped.

"What's going on with the procurement of these special effects makeup materials?" He looked up at Wang Lei. "The unit price is 30% higher than the market price."

Wang Lei quickly explained, "Director Zhao, this is biomimetic silicone imported from Germany, it's different from ordinary materials..."

"Even imported goods have to go through the price comparison process," Director Zhao interrupted. "Group regulations stipulate that anything over 50,000 must receive quotes from at least three suppliers. How many did you submit?"

Wang Lei was speechless.