This director only directs blockbusters.

"Also," Yang Ning paused, "you tell them—if this film is a success, we'll have more projects in the future. They're willing to cooperate long-term, and the terms are negotiable. But, they'll have to prove themselves first."

"Understood, Director Yang. Don't worry, there are absolutely no technical problems." Han Duoduo stood up. "Then I'll send the email tonight."

Yang Ning didn't speak, he just nodded.

Liu Yong was the last to leave. He stood at the door, lighting a cigarette.

"Director Yang," he said, "my two buddies, just like me, were also kicked out of the factory. Later, they drifted abroad for a few years, didn't save much money, but didn't lose their skills."

He exhaled a puff of smoke: "Now that I can come back and do some real work, they'll definitely be happy."

"Then let them come. As long as they work diligently, we welcome anyone with ambition here," Yang Ning said.

Liu Yong nodded, turned around and left.

The studio fell silent.

Yang Ning sat in front of his computer and opened the footage he had shot in South Africa. One photo after another, one video after another—the dilapidated neighborhoods of Johannesburg, the winding mountain roads of Cape Town, the containers in the port.

These scenes will soon become part of the movie.

It becomes the backdrop for chase scenes, the escape route for characters, and the world that immerses the audience in for two hours.

To achieve all this, we need more people.

More eyes, more hands, more brains.

He remembered what Han Duoduo had just said—"Trust us."

Yes, trust them.

I trust their skills, their judgment, and that they can make this film even better. Actually, rather than saying I trust them, I'd say that no matter what, I have a safety net, so I'm not afraid.

Outside the window, the traffic on the Third Ring Road gradually thinned out.

Yang Ning stood up and walked to the window.

The night view of Beijing is a continuous expanse of lights.

His team is growing little by little.

From the very beginning, it started with Lao Xu, Liu Yong, and Han Duoduo, and now it has grown to dozens of people.

More people will join in the future.

Making movies is never a one-person job.

It's everyone's business.

He lit a cigarette.

The phone rang as the smoke rose.

It was a text message from Li Binbin: "I heard you're going to expand your special effects team?"

Yang Ning replied, "Mm."

"Will the special effects makeup for my character be even more realistic then?"

"able."

"Okay, I'll wait and see." A few seconds later, another message came: "By the way, are you coming tonight?"

Yang Ning looked at the screen, thought for a moment, and replied, "No, I have a meeting tomorrow."

"Okay, then go to sleep early. Goodnight."

"Good night."

Yang Ning put down her phone and continued looking out the window.

There's a ton of work to do tomorrow—organize location scouting data, refine storyboards, adjust the budget, and conduct interviews for hires.

But at this moment, he only wanted a cigarette and to stand there for a while.

The nights in Beijing are very quiet.

He felt very at ease.

………………

March 26th, Friday.

When Yang Ning arrived at the studio, there were already three cars parked in front of it: a black Audi, a silver Mercedes, and a Toyota van—all with license plates he didn't recognize.

"They're here." Old Xu greeted them from the doorway, lowering his voice. "Everyone's here. Xu Qin is in the conference room with them."

Yang Ning nodded and walked inside.

The conference room door was open, and there were seven or eight people inside. Han Shanping sat in the main seat, with China Film's legal and financial representatives beside him.

Mr. Zheng, representing Jiang Zhiqiang, sat opposite him; Ms. Chen from Shanghai Film Group sat by the window; and the Wang brothers from Huayi Brothers sat side by side.

Xu Qin was pouring tea for them when she saw Yang Ning come in and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Director Yang is here." She made way for him.

Yang Ning sat down next to Han Shanping.

"Everyone's here," Han Shanping said. "Let's sign the contract today, and the funds will be in our account this week. Yang Ning, you can say a few words first."

Yang Ning glanced around. Each person had a thick stack of contract documents on their table.

"Nothing much to say," he began. "You all invested in the 'Dragon Shield' project, and I'm responsible for making it a success. The script, the team, the shooting schedule—it's all in the documents. Ask me any questions now, and if there are no questions, we'll sign."

Mr. Zheng raised his hand first: "Director Yang, the budget is 220 million, and I noticed that the special effects account for 70 million. This proportion is even higher than that of 'Purple Cloud'."

"Because the scale is much larger," Yang Ning said. "《紫霄》 is set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, so it can be built using real sets. 《龙盾》 is a modern city chase scene, so many shots have to be filmed in real environments and then composited with special effects in post-production. Naturally, the cost is higher."

Can you guarantee the results?

"Yes," Yang Ning said. "The special effects team has expanded its recruitment. Four new members will be joining next week, two from the United States and two from New Zealand. They all have experience on Hollywood projects."

Mr. Zheng nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

Ms. Chen from Shanghai Film Studio flipped through the contract: "Director Yang, the shooting period is eight months. Isn't that... too tight?"

"It will take six months for 'Purple Clouds'," Yang Ning said. "Two more months this time will be enough."

"What about South Africa? Has the local filming arrangement been finalized?"

"Chen Yong is handling the coordination over there," Yang Ning said. "The local team, security, and equipment rental—everything is in place. I'll take the main cast and crew there again next week for final location scouting and coordination."

Ms. Chen nodded in agreement.

Wang Zhongjun, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up: "Director Yang, Li Bingbing's role, her screen time hasn't been reduced, has it?"

Yang Ning glanced at him: "I haven't lost weight."

"Okay, that's fine then." Wang Zhongjun smiled. "Huayi will fully cooperate as needed."

Han Shanping waved his hand: "Alright, if there are no problems, sign it."

The legal staff began reviewing the contract terms, turning the pages one by one. The meeting room fell silent, save for the rustling of paper.

Yang Ning leaned back in his chair, looking out the window. The sky in Beijing in March was hazy, but the sunlight shone through, making the conference room quite bright.

"Director Yang," someone from the finance department called him, "Please double-check your profit-sharing agreement—20% of net profit, is that correct?"

"That's right."

The man looked down and wrote something on the paper.

An hour later, all the contracts were signed.

Han Shanping stood up and shook hands with Yang Ning: "Alright, it's up to you now."

"rest assured."

Others followed suit, shaking hands with him. As Mr. Zheng left, he whispered, "Boss Jiang asked me to tell you that the distribution channels in Hong Kong are all set up and ready to use."

Ms. Chen also made a polite remark: "Shanghai Film Group can readily connect with cinema resources."

The Wang brothers walked the slowest. Wang Zhonglei leaned over and asked, "Director Yang, are you taking Li Bingbing with you to South Africa next week?"

"bring."

"Okay, let her broaden her horizons." He patted Yang Ning on the shoulder. "If anything happens at Huayi Brothers, just give us a call."

Everyone left, and the meeting room became quiet.

Xu Qin tidied up the teacups, while Old Xu leaned against the door smoking. Yang Ning sat there, looking at the stack of signed contracts on the table.

Two hundred and twenty million.

Everything has arrived.