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Chapter 156

Su Wenshan opened the prescription book and ran his fingers over the yellowed characters: "This was copied by my father. His small regular script is really beautiful."

Xiaoyu listened quietly.

"This Bupleurum herb soothes the liver and relieves depression. This Poria herb strengthens the spleen and calms the mind."

Su Wenshan turned the pages one by one.

"Some of these prescriptions have been passed down for hundreds of years."

Generations of doctors have adjusted, added, and subtracted methods based on patients' conditions, retaining the most effective ones.

He looked up at Xiaoyu: "Xiaoxiao, do you know? Medicine, like movies, requires dedication."

When seeking medical treatment, one must consider the person, not just the disease itself.

Making movies also depends on the people, not just the story.

These words weren't in the script, but they are more profound than anything written in the script.

Xiaoyu's eyes reddened: "Dad, I can't learn these things."

"It's okay if you can't learn it."

Su Wenshan smiled.

"You have your own path. I will organize these prescriptions and donate them to the medical school."

Someone will always learn it and pass it on.

He closed the prescription book and patted it gently: "Just like your movie, record the world you see and pass it on."

This is also a form of inheritance.

"Cut!"

When Li Jun called a halt, everyone present had tears in their eyes.

Su Xiao leaned against the door, tears already streaming down her face.

This scene is so realistic that it's hard to tell if it's acting or real life.

Every word Su Wenshan spoke was from the bottom of his heart;

Every tear that Xiaoyu sheds is a genuine expression of emotion.

During the replay, Li Jun saw the most precious things in the film: genuine emotions, genuine inheritance, and genuine father-daughter love.

"No need to cut this scene, just one take."

Li Jun said to the editor.

"This is the soul of the whole film."

After filming this scene, Su Wenshan actually felt even better.

He said, "It feels much better to have my thoughts out."

Su Xiao held her father's hand: "Dad, thank you."

"No need to thank me, I'm the one who should thank you."

Su Wenshan looked at his daughter.

"It made me realize that inheritance doesn't necessarily mean copying exactly as it is; it can also be in new forms."

Your use of film to record this world is also a form of healing, a way to heal the human heart.

The last three days before filming wrapped went exceptionally smoothly.

Perhaps that scene unlocked something, and the entire crew's energy changed; they became more engaged, more focused, and cherished their time together even more.

The final scene was filmed on the Yangtze River in springtime.

Xiaoyu and Zhou Yuan stood by the river, watching the river flow eastward.

There were no lines, they just stood side by side, as if saying goodbye, or as if starting a new chapter.

"The final scene, the final shot of 'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains,' action!"

The camera slowly zooms in, revealing the shimmering river surface and the distant, dark mountains.

The figures of Xiaoyu and Zhou Yuan grow smaller and smaller in the picture, eventually blending into the landscape.

"Cut! Filming wrapped!"

Cheers erupted and applause thundered.

After three months of preparation and forty days of filming, "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" was completed.

The wrap party was held right by the river.

The townspeople all came, bringing their own homemade dishes and homemade wine.

A long table was set up on the stone path, lit with candles, reflecting the shimmering light on the river.

Su Wenshan was also discharged from the hospital. He sat in the main seat, smiling as he looked at everyone.

Xiaoyu and Zhou Yuan were surrounded by people toasting them, their faces flushed.

Su Xiao thanked each and every staff member in turn, her tears never stopping.

Li Jun and Wang Zhonglei sat together, watching the lively scene.

"Mr. Wang, how are you feeling?"

Li Jun asked.

Wang Zhonglei took a sip of his drink and said with emotion, "Director Li, I've made so many movies in my life, but none of them have ever felt so real and heartwarming."

Looking at these young people, at Dr. Su, and at this small town, I feel I've done the right thing.

"This is just the beginning."

Li Jun clinked glasses with him.

"New Sprout" will have many more projects like this.

"good!"

Wang Zhonglei nodded vigorously.

Let's do it together!

Halfway through the banquet, Su Xiao stood up, raised her glass, and said, "I want to toast three people."

First, I pay tribute to my father. Without him, there would be no movie, and there would be no me.

Su Wenshan smiled and raised his glass.

"Secondly, I respect Director Li."

Thank you for believing in me, giving me a chance, and supporting me during my most difficult time.

Li Jun raised his glass in response.

Third, a tribute to everyone who contributed to this film.

Thank you for making a small-town girl's dream a reality.

Everyone raised their glasses: "To the movie!"

Night fell, and the banquet ended.

The riverbank gradually quieted down, with only the river flowing eternally.

Li Jun stood alone on the dock, looking at the Yangtze River in the night.

He recalled the days filming "Dreams of Mountains and Rivers" in southern Anhui, the night he won the award in Berlin, the struggles and perseverance in Beijing, and everyone who had been with him along the way: Nicholas Tse, Qin Hailu, Cheng Guoqiang, Lin Mo, Su He, Yuan Tao, and so on.

Chen Zeshi, Wang Zhonglei, Su Xiao, Xiaoyu, Zhou Yuan, Su Wenshan ———

And Zhang Liangying.

The person who always believed in him, stayed by his side, and loved him.

These people, these events, these places, these emotions—these constitute his films, and also his life.

My phone vibrated; it was Zhang Liangying.

"Filming wrapped up?"

Filming has wrapped.

Congratulations. When are you going back to Beijing?

""

"the day after tomorrow."

"I'll come pick you up."

"it is good."

Li Jun put away his phone and took one last look at the Yangtze River.

The river flows eastward, never ceasing day or night.

But some things will remain, like the Su family's prescriptions, like Lin Shen's paintings, like the ordinary, sincere, and warm moments recorded in this film.

And that is the meaning of film.

That's also his reason for continuing on.

On the plane back to Beijing, Li Jun kept looking at the rough cut footage of "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains".

Su Xiao has already roughly edited out a two-hour version.

Although there are still many areas that need refinement, the film's tone has already been established: warm, poetic, and full of life.

Like a cup of warm tea, it is unhurried and has a long-lasting aftertaste.

He paid special attention to the scene in the hospital.

The scenes of Su Wenshan looking through the prescription book, Xiaoyu shedding tears, and the father and daughter talking—every frame is full of emotion.

He decided that this scene should be placed in a key position in the film, becoming the emotional fulcrum of the entire movie.

It was raining in Beijing when the plane landed. The spring rain was fine and gentle, washing away the fatigue of the journey.

Zhang Liangying was waiting for him at the exit.

She was holding a transparent umbrella and wearing a beige trench coat, making her stand out in the crowd.

She smiled and waved when she saw Li Jun.

The two embraced in the rain.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Zhang Liangying said softly.

"worth."

Li Jun said.

In the car, Zhang Liangying asked, "How was the movie?"

"very good."

Li Jun showed her a rough cut of the clip.

"Especially this scene, the dialogue between Dr. Su and his daughter, is very touching."

Zhang Liangying watched, her eyes also reddening: "It's so beautiful. This kind of genuine emotion is more moving than any script written by a screenwriter."

"That's why movies need new talent, they need fresh perspectives."

Li Jun said.

"A director like Su Xiao can see things that we can't."

"What's next? Post-production?"

"Yes. Editing, music composition, color grading, and audio mixing."

It will probably take two or three months.

I want to finish it before Cannes, even if it means missing the competition, I can still do a market screening.

"You still have to go to Cannes; 'Dreaming of Mountains and Rivers' is in the Un Certain Regard section."

"I know.

But I'd like to bring "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" with me as well, to show it to international buyers.

Zhang Liangying nodded: "Good idea. But don't overwork yourself. You just finished filming one movie and now you have to work on post-production."

"Not tired."

Li Jun looked at the rain outside the window.

"You'll never get tired of doing what you love."

Back home, Li Jun took a hot shower, then lay down on the bed and fell asleep almost immediately.

I slept for a full twelve hours.

When I woke up, it was already noon the next day.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains, and the aroma of coffee filled the air.

He walked out of the bedroom, where Zhang Liangying was making breakfast in the kitchen.

"Awake?"

She turned around and smiled.

"Perfect timing, the fried eggs will be ready soon."

The two sat at the dining table and ate a simple breakfast.

The sunlight was lovely, and the room was quiet, with only the soft clatter of cutlery.

"Li Jun, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Zhang Liangying put down her fork.

"you say."

"My studio, 'Between Light and Shadow,' is almost ready."

Zhang Liangying said.

"For my first project, I want to make a movie soundtrack album, which includes the songs I wrote for the movie, as well as the ambient sounds that Suhe created."

The album is simply called "Between Sound and Shadow."

"OK."

Li Jun's eyes lit up.

"We can collaborate on promotion."

Film and music are inherently interconnected.

"besides,"

Zhang Liangying paused.

"I want to put a song on the album called 'Homecoming'."

This is written for you, for the path I've walked these past years.

Something struck Li Jun's heart, a warm feeling mixed with a bittersweet ache.

"Beautiful————"

"Don't get emotional yet."

Zhang Liangying smiled.

"I haven't finished writing this song yet."

You need to give me inspiration.

"How will you give it to me?"

"Come with me somewhere."

Zhang Liangying stood up.

"Let's go now."

"Where to?"

You'll see when you get there.

Half an hour later, the car stopped at the entrance of Chengdu Film and Television University.

This is Li Jun's alma mater.

He spent four years of his youth here, learned what film is, and determined the path he wanted to take.

After graduation, he rarely came back, afraid of being reminded of the past.

"Why did you come here?" he asked.

"Because this is where you begin."

Zhang Liangying held his hand.

The two walked into the campus.

Chengdu Film and Television University is beautiful in spring. The plane trees are sprouting new buds, students are rehearsing on the grass, and the sounds of piano and recitation can be heard from the teaching buildings.

Everything is the same as it was more than a decade ago, yet different.

They walked to the front of the teaching building.

The building is still the same building, but the ivy on the walls is even more lush.

"Did you take classes here back then?" Zhang Liangying asked.

"Yes. I usually sit by the window."

Li Jun pointed.

"Back then, I always felt that time moved very slowly and the future was very far away."

I can't believe so many years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Do you regret choosing this path?

No regrets.

Li Jun shook his head.

"Although it was difficult and tough, every step counted."

They continued walking until they reached the school's screening room.

Posters of student artwork were displayed at the entrance; they were youthful but full of enthusiasm.

"I remember when I made my first short film."

Li Jun smiled.

"I used a DV camera that I bought by saving money to find classmates to act in, and stayed up all night in the dormitory to edit it. When I played it out, my palms were sweaty."

"and then?"

"That was the first time I felt the power of film, turning what I thought into something others could see."

Li Jun said.

"At that moment, I knew that this was the one for me."

Zhang Liangying listened quietly, holding his hand tightly.

As I walked out of the campus, the sun was setting perfectly.

Golden sunlight streamed down the sycamore-lined avenue, bathing everything in a warm glow.

"Now do you know why I brought you here?"

Zhang Liangying asked.

"understood."

Li Jun nodded.

"You want me to remember where I started."

That way, no matter how far you go, you won't get lost.

"right."

Zhang Liangying looked at him.

"The purity you had when you first fell in love with movies. That purity that wasn't for fame or fortune, but solely for expression."

Li Jun pulled her into his arms: "Thank you, Liangying. Thank you for always reminding me."

In the setting sun, their shadows stretched long and intertwined.

In May, the sun shines fiercely in Cannes.

The Mediterranean Sea is as blue as a melted sapphire, shimmering with tiny golden sparkles in the sunlight.

Palm trees line the famous Croisette Boulevard, their shadows swaying gently in the breeze.

The streets were filled with film festival promotional posters, giant GG signs, and filmmakers dressed in all sorts of outlandish costumes, hurrying by.

The air is filled with the scents of seawater, perfume, coffee, and hormones—a unique aroma characteristic of the Cannes Film Festival.

Li Jun sat on the balcony of his hotel room, looking at the azure sea.

This is his first time in Cannes. Although Berlin has given him international recognition, Cannes carries a different weight.

.

This is the temple of cinematic art, the stage every director dreams of.

Are you nervous?

Zhang Liangying came out of the room and handed him a glass of ice water.

She was wearing a simple white dress and a wide-brimmed straw hat, preparing to attend a music forum.

"A little."

Li Jun took the water glass.

"Berlin was a surprise, Cannes was a test."

"But your movie is good enough."

Zhang Liangying sat down next to him.

While the Un Certain Regard section is not as important as the main competition, it is still a significant part of Cannes.

Many great directors started their careers here.

"Dreams of Mountains and Rivers" has been selected for the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival.

This section focuses on emerging directors and innovative works. Although it does not attract as much attention as the main competition, the judging criteria are just as strict, making it an important stepping stone for many directors to the international stage.

"Is the screening tomorrow afternoon?"

Zhang Liangying asked.

"Yes, Debussy Hall, 3 PM."

Li Jun glanced at the schedule.

"There's a reception for Chinese filmmakers this afternoon, and Yuan Tao insisted that I attend."

"Then I'll go with you."

Zhang Liangying said.

"Anyway, my forum ends at four o'clock."

As the two were talking, the doorbell rang.

It was Yuan Tao. He had just finished a meeting with the film festival organizing committee and looked very excited.

"Li Jun, good news!"

Yuan Tao rushed in.

"6

"Dreams of Mountains and Rivers" has been selected as the opening film for the "Un Certain Regard" section! The screening will be tomorrow afternoon, and the jury president and all the judges will be there!

This is an unexpected honor. The Un Certain Regard section features more than twenty films, and being selected as the opening film signifies the organizing committee's high regard for this movie.