This director only directs blockbusters.

"Don't you know whether you messed up or not? Besides, the poor box office performance of the movie doesn't really have much to do with you actors, because you've already done your best. Moreover, our movie won't have that kind of situation at all." Yang Ning's voice was very firm.

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone.

"Okay, then I understand," Huang Xiaoming said. "Before, I was just... scared."

"You were right to be afraid before." Yang Ning flicked his cigarette ash. "It would have been troublesome if you hadn't been afraid. But now that the results in Hong Kong are showing, there's no need to be afraid anymore. Just relax. Alright, that's all for now. You should get some rest."

After hanging up the phone, Fan Binbin's WeChat message came in again.

[Director Yang, I've chosen the dress, the black one. The hairstylist said it looks better updo, what do you think?]

Okay. You're the most beautiful person in the entertainment industry; you look good in anything.

【Oh dear, what's wrong with you today? You're being so sweet-talking, it's unlike you usually are. But it's okay, keep it up, I'm happy. Alright, you should get some rest too, see you tomorrow.】

Simple and efficient.

Zhou Xun's message was even shorter, just three words: "Ready."

Looking at his phone, Yang Ning suddenly found these people quite interesting.

Three months ago, they were rolling in the mud, covered in dirt. Now, they're all starting to worry about what dresses to wear and what hairstyles to get.

But the spirit in his bones hasn't changed.

I was still afraid, still nervous, and still holding my breath, wanting to prove myself.

In the afternoon, Yang Ning went to China Film Group.

The door to Han Shanping's office was ajar, and voices could be heard coming from inside.

Yang Ning knocked and pushed the door open to go in.

Han Shanping was on the phone when he saw him come in, and pointed to the sofa.

Yang Ning sat down and looked around.

The office was still the same, with mahogany furniture, a large bookcase, and a bunch of group photos hanging on the wall. The only difference was that there was a model of "The Purple Cloud Era" on the desk—the section of the city wall, palm-sized, and quite exquisitely made.

Han Shanping hung up the phone and walked over.

"Look, it just arrived." He pushed the model towards Yang Ning. "It was custom-made by the publicity department and is intended to be given to important guests."

Yang Ning picked it up and looked at it.

The attention to detail is remarkable; even the bullet holes on the city wall were reproduced.

"Quite similar."

"That's right." Han Shanping sat down. "This film has now become a key project for the group. We've added another five million to the publicity budget."

Yang Ning beamed, her eyes almost squinting into slits: "That's great!"

"Of course!" Han Shanping laughed. "Because the reaction from Hong Kong has come back. The higher-ups held a meeting and felt that this film might be a breakthrough—a breakthrough for domestic commercial blockbusters."

He lit a cigarette and said slowly:

"In recent years, few of our films have gone abroad. Even fewer have been box office hits. 'Hero' is one, but that's a period martial arts film. Your film is a modern science fiction blockbuster with special effects. If it succeeds, it will be a different story."

Yang Ning remained silent.

"So the pressure is even greater now." Han Shanping looked at him. "If you succeed, you're a hero. If you fail..."

"If I lose, I'll just pack my bags and get out of here. That's impossible for me," Yang Ning replied.

"You have ambition. Even if you fail, it's not that serious." Han Shanping waved his hand. "But at least, don't think about making such a big investment again in the short term."

The office was quiet for a while.

Snow began to fall outside the window, a fine, dense snowfall.

"Yang Ning," Han Shanping suddenly said, "what are your ideas for your next film? Or are you prepared to gamble like this?"

"What are we betting on? Actually, Third Master, I have a lot of confidence in this movie. I know it will win." Yang Ning's expression was very serious, and his eyes were very determined.

"Okay, I'm relieved." Han Shanping flicked his cigarette ash. "If you have any ideas for the next movie, you should tell me first, okay?"

"That's definitely not a problem."

Yang Ning did not hesitate.

"It's too early to talk about that now," he said. "Let's wait for the box office results."

Han Shanping stared at him for a long time.

Then he laughed.

"Okay, with you saying that, I'm completely relieved. Take a look at this."

He took a file folder out of the drawer and pushed it over.

"This is the publicity plan for the Spring Festival, prepared by the group's publicity department. Take a look; if there are no problems, then implement it."

Yang Ning opened it and flipped through it.

TV screens, outdoor billboards, subway light boxes, online push notifications... a densely packed schedule.

"Quite a show of force."

"Because there's no turning back." Han Shanping stood up and walked to the window. "This film isn't just your business anymore, or just China Film Group's business. The entire industry is watching—watching whether our approach will work."

The snow fell heavily, and everything outside the window was a vast expanse of white.

"I'll be at the media screening tomorrow," Han Shanping said, turning around. "But not as a leader, but as an audience member. I want to see if this film truly deserves such a grand reception."

"Okay." Yang Ning also stood up.

As he reached the door, Han Shanping called him back.

"Yang Ning".

"Um?"

"Don't be nervous," Han Shanping said. "If you're nervous, the people below will be even more nervous."

"I'm not nervous," Yang Ning said.

"That's good."

---

When I came out of the building, there was already a thin layer of snow.

Yang Ning didn't take a taxi, but walked slowly along Chang'an Avenue.

Snowflakes landed on my face, feeling cool and refreshing.

As he passed Xidan, he stopped and looked up at the large outdoor screen.

GG is still playing—ruins, lightning, that hand. It's a little blurry in the snow, but still powerful.

Several passersby stopped and looked up.

"What movie is this?" a girl asked her companion.

"The Purple Cloud Era will be released on the first day of the Lunar New Year," my companion said. "I heard the special effects are pretty amazing."

"Made in China?"

"Yes, it's made in China."

"We should go take a look."

The girl took out her phone and took a picture of the large screen.

Yang Ning stood there, watched for a while, and then continued walking forward.

My phone vibrated; it was Lao Xu.

"Yangzi, I just got a call. A movie theater in Shanghai wants to add a meet-and-greet with the cast and crew and asked if we want to go."

"What about time?"

"On the afternoon of the third day of the Lunar New Year."

"Say yes," Yang Ning said.

"But we were already in Guangzhou that day."

"Then let's fly there," Yang Ning said. "If the audience wants to see us, we'll go."

After hanging up the phone, the snow fell even harder.

Yang Ning walked to the bus stop, found a spot sheltered from the snow, and lit a cigarette.

Smoke burns particularly quickly in cold air.

He watched the cars coming and going on the road, the pedestrians hurrying by, and the huge, bustling city.

Seven days.

How many people will go to the cinema in seven days to see what they spent six months creating?

do not know.

There's no way of knowing.

He did everything he could.

The rest is up to the audience.

After he finished smoking, he stubbed out the cigarette and threw it into the trash can.

Then he took out his phone and sent a message to the studio group:

"Be prepared for the media event tomorrow. Our battle has officially begun."

Soon, replies started popping up one after another.

Liu Yong: "Received! The model has undergone final checks and is fine!"

Han Duoduo: "The media list and materials are all ready!"

Old Xu: "I've bought plenty of good wine and food!"

Xu Qin: "I'm on my way, I'll be there soon."

Huang Xiaoming: "My suit is ironed!"

Fan Binbin: "Dress inspection complete."

Zhou Xun: "Ready."

Yang Ning smiled as he read the replies. Everything was ready; all that was needed was the right opportunity.

Then he put his phone back in his pocket and walked into the snow.

The snow is still falling.

But the sky will always clear up.