This director only directs blockbusters.

Yang Ning arrived at China Film Group at 7:00 a.m. on Monday.

He was squatting outside the temporary office of the preparatory group, eating a jianbing (Chinese crepe) he was holding.

The office is on the sixth floor at the corner. It's three rooms combined together. The administrative department just moved the desks and chairs there yesterday, over the weekend, and they're still dusty.

The sound of high heels came from the other end of the corridor.

Xu Qin was wearing a gray suit skirt today, her hair was neatly styled, and she was holding a folder in her hand.

Seeing Yang Ning squatting there eating a pancake, he was taken aback: "You just came like this?"

"Otherwise what?" Yang Ning stood up, wiping his mouth. "Do I have to burn incense and take a bath?"

Xu Qin patted the folder into his arms: "List. The preparatory team structure approved by Chairman Han, forty-seven people. Take a look for yourself."

Yang Ning opened it.

The first page is the core members table.

Director: Yang Ning.

The next line: Assistant Director (Executive) Xu Wei.

Next, Production Manager: Wang Lei (China Film Group).

Executive Producer: Li Xue (China Film Group).

Art direction: Liu Yong.

Director of Photography: (To be determined).

"Who is Wang Lei?" Yang Ning asked.

"One of Chairman Han's men," Xu Qin said in a low voice. "He's an old producer, he worked on 'The Emperor and the Assassin,' and he's very good at managing money."

Li Xue works in the group's publicity department, specifically responsible for monitoring public opinion and censorship.

Yang Ning nodded and continued flipping through the pages.

Following that are the heads of various departments: costume, makeup, props, lighting, sound recording, script supervisor, production assistant... a whole string of names, each followed by a note in parentheses explaining its origin.

It's from China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, Beijing Film Studio, and two others that say "Recommended".

"Who recommended these two things?" Yang Ning asked, pointing.

"Old Wang and General Manager Chen each gave one," Xu Qin said. "They're all their relatives and students, here to get some experience. Just keep that in mind."

Yang Ning closed the folder: "Why is the director of photography pending?"

"There's too much controversy." Xu Qin took out her keys to open the door. "Old Wang recommended an old cinematographer from Beijing Film Studio, and General Manager Chen recommended one from Shanghai Film Studio. Chairman Han said you can decide for yourself."

The office door opened.

It smells like new furniture.

Yang Ning walked in. The room was about 30 square meters and contained six desks. The one at the very back was the largest and should be his.

The window wasn't closed properly, and the wind blew in, causing the thin layer of dust on the table to rise and swirl in the morning light.

"Where are they?" Yang Ning asked.

"Report at nine o'clock." Xu Qin glanced at her watch. "There's still an hour and a half left."

You need to think quickly about who to hire as director of photography. You can't afford to offend either side too much.

Yang Ning didn't say anything, walked to his desk, and wiped the surface with his hand.

The gray layer is quite thick.

He took out a pack of tissues from his pocket, pulled out one, and started wiping the table.

He wiped very slowly and carefully.

Xu Qin looked at him and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Wipe the table." Yang Ning said without looking up. "Only when the table is clean can your mind be clear."

Xu Qin paused for a moment, then laughed: "Okay, go ahead. I'll go get you a computer."

She went out.

Yang Ning continued wiping.

After wiping the table, wipe the chair; after wiping the chair, wipe the windowsill.

At 8:10, the door was pushed open.

Old Xu rushed in, carrying a large hiking backpack, with a stubble beard and bloodshot eyes.

"Brother!" he shouted.

Yang Ning looked up: "Didn't you sleep on the train?"

"Sleep my ass, I'm too excited to sleep at all." Old Xu threw his bag on the ground, looked around, and said, "This is it? Our headquarters?"

"For now." Yang Ning tossed him a pack of tissues. "Use them to wipe the table. Yours is over there."

Old Xu took the tissue, paused for a moment, then laughed: "Alright!"

He actually started wiping.

Liu Yong arrived at 8:30.

His bald head was shiny, and he wore a brand new polo shirt with the collar turned up.

Upon entering, I saw Yang Ning and Lao Xu wiping the table and chuckled, "Damn, a collective spring cleaning this early in the morning?"

"Brother Yong," Yang Ning pointed to the table by the window, "it's yours. The art team will be working there from now on."

Liu Yong walked over, touched the table, and took out a compass from his pocket—a real compass, made of brass—and placed it in the center of the table.

"What are you doing?" Old Xu asked.

"To keep things in order," Liu Yong said seriously. "There are some things I'm also good at, but I can't say them. But this place... needs to be changed."

Yang Ning smiled.

At 8:50, people started arriving one after another.

The first one was a young man in his late twenties wearing glasses, with his white shirt buttoned up to the top and a briefcase in his hand.

"Hello Director Yang, I'm Wang Lei." He extended his hand with a standard smile. "Chairman Han asked me to come and assist you with your work."

My hands are very dry and feel cold to the touch.

Yang Ning shook hands with him: "Director Wang, please take care of me in the future."

"Let's learn from each other," Wang Lei said, walking to the table near the door. He took out a notebook, pen, and calculator from his briefcase and arranged them neatly, horizontally and vertically.

The second person to enter was a woman in her thirties with short hair, exquisite makeup, and wearing a Chanel-style suit.

"Li Xue." She nodded to Yang Ning without extending her hand. "Producer. You'll need to communicate with me regarding the script and publicity from now on."

His tone was indifferent, with a natural air of superiority.

Yang Ning nodded: "Producer Li."

Li Xue chose the table furthest from Yang Ning. The first thing she did after sitting down was to take out wet wipes and wipe the table and chairs inside and out three times.

At nine o'clock sharp, there were more than a dozen people standing in the room.

They were all department heads on the list, some standing, some sitting, and no one spoke.

The air felt a little stiff.

Yang Ning glanced at his watch and walked to the middle of the room.

"Everyone, my name is Yang Ning. I'm the director of this film." His voice wasn't loud, but the room immediately fell silent. "On the first day, I'll talk about three things."

Everyone was looking at him.

"First, this project has a tight schedule, a high budget, and a lot of pressure. If you can do it, do it; if you can't, tell me now and I'll replace you. Don't wait until filming starts and things fall apart. If you replace someone then, it won't be a clean break."

Someone frowned.

"Secondly, there's only one head of the crew, and that's me. You can voice your opinions, but the final decision rests with me. If you're not satisfied, you can leave now."

Wang Lei adjusted his glasses. Li Xue raised an eyebrow.

"Third," Yang Ning paused, "I know where some of you come from and what missions you're on. I don't care. As long as you do your job well, you can report to whomever you want. But if you let other things distract you from your duties..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but he conveyed the meaning.

"Alright." Yang Ning clapped his hands. "Now, each department will introduce themselves, starting with the producers."

Wang Lei stood up and said in a measured tone, "Wang Lei, Production Manager. Responsible for budget control, schedule management, and logistical support. I hope we can work together smoothly."

Li Xue didn't stand, but sat down and said, "Li Xue, producer. Responsible for content oversight, publicity strategy, and public opinion monitoring. Script revisions require my signature."

Then they go around in turn.

The costume designer was a woman in her forties who used to work at the August First Film Studio.

The head of the makeup team was a young woman who claimed to be a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama, but her eyes kept glancing at Li Xue.

The props team leader was a dark-skinned man who didn't talk much. He only said one thing: "I can get the real stuff, as long as I get the permit."

It's the director of photography's turn.

Yang Ning began, "The photography team is currently undecided. Two teachers will be coming to discuss things this afternoon. We'll all meet them then."

The door was pushed open as soon as he finished speaking.

A tall, thin man poked his head in; his hair was messy, and he was carrying a camera bag.

"Excuse me... is Director Yang Ning in this room?"

Yang Ning turned his head.