Entertainment News: I'm Not a Scumbag After Rebirth!

Chapter 159

The day after returning to Beijing from Cannes, Li Jun felt the weight of "fame".

The studio's phone lines were ringing off the hook, its email inbox was overflowing, and reporters were even staking out the door.

Yuan Tao had to hire two more assistants to handle these matters.

Invitations to collaborate poured in from all directions:

Film projects, brand endorsements, variety shows, university lectures, commercial activities —

Each one comes with an enticing price tag.

"Take a look at this number."

Yuan Tao pushed a draft contract over, his expression complicated.

"A video platform wants to hire you as a judge on a director talent show, with 12 episodes per season, and they're offering 20 million yuan."

Li Jun glanced at it and shook his head: "Reject it."

"And this one? An international brand endorsement, a three-year contract, worth fifty million."

"It was also cancelled."

"Li Jun".

Yuan Tao sighed.

"I know you don't want to do these things, but you are a public figure now, and some business activities are unavoidable."

Furthermore, we need funding to support your art projects.

Li Jun thought for a moment and said, "Let's take one or two, but we need to screen them."

Film-related roles are acceptable, such as film festival ambassador or endorsement of film equipment. Purely commercial roles are not recommended.

"it is good."

Yuan Tao wrote it down in his notebook.

"What about lectures and forums? The Beijing Film Academy, Peking University, and Tsinghua University have all sent invitations."

"These are places you can go."

Li Jun nodded.

"But the number will be controlled, with a maximum of two events per month."

Just then, the receptionist knocked and came in: "Director Li, an elderly gentleman would like to see you. He didn't make an appointment, but he said his surname is Cheng."

"Master Cheng?" Li Jun immediately stood up. "Please come in quickly."

A few minutes later, Cheng Guoqiang walked in, supported by his wife.

After several months of rehabilitation, he can now walk slowly with crutches. Although the right side of his body is still not very flexible, he is in good spirits.

"Master Cheng, what brings you here?"

Li Jun quickly helped him sit down.

"I couldn't stay at home, so I wanted to come and see."

Cheng Guoqiang's voice was still a little muffled, but it was still audible.

"I heard you came back from Cannes and even won an award. I'm so happy."

"It was Teacher Qin who won the award, Best Actor."

Li Jun poured him tea.

"That's also thanks to you."

Cheng Guoqiang said.

"A good director is essential for a good actor."

Director Li, I watched "Dreams of Mountains and Rivers," it was very well made.

Especially the fight choreography; although I wasn't involved, the design of the bamboo forest scene was very creative.

Li Jun felt very warm inside to receive Cheng Guoqiang's professional recognition.

"Master Cheng, how is your recovery going?"

"I'm much better. The doctor said that after a few more months of rehabilitation, I'll be able to walk normally."

1

Cheng Guoqiang paused.

"Director Li, I've come today to discuss something with you."

"Please speak."

"I don't want to retire like this."

Cheng Guoqiang looked at his hands.

"These hands of mine have taught countless actors martial arts moves and designed hundreds of fight scenes."

Although I can no longer demonstrate in person, the knowledge is still there in my mind.

I want to pass these things down.

Li Jun understood: "You want to teach?"

"right."

Cheng Guoqiang nodded.

"Set up a martial arts instruction training class to teach young people."

I'm not doing this for the money, I just want to keep this skill alive.

But I lack the space and resources, so I'd like to collaborate with you.

"no problem!"

Li Jun did not hesitate.

"We've set aside a room in our studio to serve as a classroom."

We'll handle student recruitment, marketing, and operations. You just need to focus on teaching.

Cheng Guoqiang's eyes reddened: "Director Li, I owe you so much—"

"Master Cheng, you don't owe me anything."

Li Jun grasped his hand.

"What you taught me is more precious than anything else."

Now, let's pass it on to the next generation.

After seeing off Cheng Guoqiang and his wife, Li Jun said to Yuan Tao, "Add the martial arts training class plan to the New Sprout Film and Television project."

This is Master Cheng's wish, and we must do our best to fulfill it.

"it is good."

Yuan Tao nodded.

"However, Li Jun, you have too many things on your plate right now, including the post-production of 'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains'."

New sprout projects, business events, lectures, and your own creative work. Are you managing all that?

Li Jun looked out the window.

Summer has arrived in Beijing. The sycamore trees are lush and green, and sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled patterns on the ground.

Even if you're too busy, you still have to keep busy.

He said.

"Because these are all meaningful things."

My phone vibrated; it was Zhang Liangying.

"Come to my house for dinner tonight? My mom wants to see you."

"Okay, I'll get ready."

After hanging up the phone, Li Jun took a deep breath.

Two days later, Li Jun flew to Chengdu.

Zhang Liangying's mother lives in a small but cozy and clean apartment in the old city of Chengdu.

The balcony is filled with flowers, and the living room wall is covered with photos of Zhang Liangying from childhood to adulthood, as well as her trophies and certificates.

When Li Jun arrived, Zhang's mother was busy in the kitchen.

Hearing the doorbell, she wiped her hands and went to open the door. Seeing Li Jun, she smiled and said, "Little Li is here! Come in, come in!"

"Hello, Auntie, how's your recovery going?"

Li Jun handed over the gifts he had brought.

"A small token of my appreciation."

"You're here, why bring anything?"

Mrs. Zhang took it and invited him to sit down.

"Liangying is downstairs buying drinks, she'll be up shortly."

"I was so grateful to you when I was sick before, you took care of everything for me."

Zhang's mother grabbed Li Jun's arm and spoke in a serious and methodical manner.

Li Jun sat on the sofa. The living room was filled with the aroma of food, and a traditional opera program was playing on the TV. He could hear the sounds of his neighbor cooking and children laughing outside the window.

This ordinary, homey atmosphere reminded him of his parents' home.

The food was served quickly.

Typical Sichuan dishes: twice-cooked pork, Mapo tofu, boiled fish, cold chicken salad, and vegetable soup, a large table full of vibrant red dishes.

"I didn't know if you could handle spicy food, so I made it to our Sichuan taste."

Zhang's mother said.

"Liangying said you can eat spicy food, so I didn't make anything special that was mild."

"I can eat spicy food, thank you, Auntie."

Li Jun said.

During the meal, Zhang's mother naturally started chatting with Li Jun.

Ask about his family, his job, and his plans.

There was no aggressive scrutiny, only the concern of elders.

"I heard from Liangying that you've been very busy lately?"

Zhang's mother picked up a piece of fish for him.

"Yes, a bit. I just got back to China, and there's a lot going on."

"No matter how busy you are, you must take care of your health," said Zhang's mother.

"You artists are prone to overworking yourselves. Liangying's father didn't take care of himself when he was young, and now he has a lot of health problems."

"Mom, why are you saying all this?"

Zhang Liangying interrupted.

"Okay, okay, I won't say."

Mrs. Zhang smiled.

"Xiao Li, your aunt can tell that you are an honest person."

I feel at ease with Liangying by your side.

These words warmed Li Jun's heart.

After dinner, Zhang Liangying went to wash the dishes, while Li Jun accompanied Zhang's mother to drink tea in the living room.

The TV was still showing traditional opera, specifically the Sichuan opera "The Legend of the White Snake".

"Xiao Li, Auntie has something to tell you."

Mrs. Zhang put down her teacup, her expression turning serious.

"Auntie, please speak."

"Liangying has been stubborn since she was a child."

She participated in the competition, and even when she was wronged, she didn't say anything; she just hid away and cried.

Later, when she became famous, the pressure increased, but in front of me, she always smiled and only shared good news, never the bad.

Mrs. Zhang paused for a moment, then continued, "Until she met you. When she called me to talk about you, her voice was full of laughter, genuine laughter. I knew she had found the right person."

Li Jun's eyes felt a little hot.

"So Auntie wants to ask you for a favor."

Zhang's mother held his hand.

"Treat her well."

You're all in the entertainment industry, which is a complicated place.

You should support and understand each other.

As time goes by, there will inevitably be bumps along the way, but don't give up easily.

"Auntie, don't worry."

Li Jun said solemnly.

"I will treat her well for the rest of my life."

Mrs. Zhang smiled, tears welling in her eyes: "Okay, okay. Then Auntie can rest assured."

It was already dark when I left the Zhang family's house.

Summer nights in Chengdu are very pleasant, with the scent of hot pot and gardenias carried on the breeze.

The two strolled along the Jinjiang River, hand in hand.

"What did my mom say to you?"

Zhang Liangying asked.

"Let me treat you well."

Li Jun told the truth.

She's a worrier.

"

Zhang Liangying said that, but the corners of her mouth were turned up.

"Liangying, I've made up my mind."

Li Jun stopped in his tracks.

"How about we get married on National Day?"

Zhang Liangying was stunned: "So fast?"

"I'm not happy anymore."

Li Jun looked at her.

"I've been waiting for this day for a long time."

"But you're so busy."

"I will get married no matter how busy I am."

Li Jun said earnestly.

"Furthermore, I want to have a simple wedding, inviting only my closest relatives and friends. It can be in Beijing, or back in Chengdu, either way is fine."

Zhang Liangying's eyes reddened: "Are you really sure?"

"I've made up my mind."

Li Jun took a small box out of his pocket, opened it, and inside were the pair of platinum rings designed by Zhang Liangying.

"Although I've already put it on, I'd like to formally ask you again:"

Zhang Liangying, will you marry me?

Tears streamed down Zhang Liangying's face as she nodded vigorously, "I do."

Li Jun put a ring on her finger, and she put one on his finger in return.

Then the two embraced and kissed by the Jinjiang River in the Chengdu night.

Passersby cast kind glances, but no one bothered them.

This city has witnessed too many love stories, and this couple is just one of them.

But for them, this is the only one.

On the way back to Beijing, Li Jun began planning his wedding.

He wanted a simple but meaningful ceremony, inviting only family and best friends.

The venue doesn't need to be luxurious, but it should have an artistic feel.

He thought of Lin Mo's art studio or Su He's sound lab, but neither felt formal enough.

Finally, Zhang Liangying suggested, "How about we do it in the small auditorium of the Film Academy?"

That was where you started, and also where we first officially met.

Li Jun's eyes lit up: "Great idea!"

So the wedding was set for October 1st at the small auditorium of the Beijing Film Academy.

The invitation list was short: both sets of parents, Nicholas Tse, Qin Hailu, Kent Chan, Yuan Tao, Wang Zhonglei, Cheng Guoqiang and his wife.

Su Xiao, Lin Mo, Su He, and several core members of the studio. Fewer than thirty people in total.

"Isn't it too easy?"

Yuan Tao asked.

"Now that you're a well-known director, the media is definitely watching you."

"Then let them keep an eye on it."

Li Jun said.

"Our wedding is our own business; we don't need to explain it to the whole world."

After the wedding was arranged, Li Jun devoted himself to the post-production of "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains".

The editing studio is located in a creative park on the East Fourth Ring Road. This time, Su Xiao is in charge and Li Jun is the producer.

Although Su Xiao is young, her editing approach is very clear.

She produced a rough cut that was two hours and ten minutes long, with a soothing rhythm, like the flowing of a river.

"I think this part could be shortened a bit more."

Li Jun pointed to a scene of Xiaoman staring blankly by the river.

"Although it's beautiful, it's too long and slows down the pace."

"But I want to preserve that feeling of 'time moving slowly'."

Su Xiao said.

"Life in Yunyang is like this, unhurried and unperturbed."

"Films are not replicas of life, but distillations of life."

Li Jun explained patiently.

"We want to retain that feeling, but in a more refined way."

For example, this shot could be cut from thirty seconds to fifteen seconds, but by using the continuity of sound, the audience can feel the length of time.

Su Xiao thought for a moment and nodded: "I'll give it a try."

The two of them polished it frame by frame.

Sometimes they argue about whether to include or exclude a shot, and sometimes they deliberate on the beginning and end of a piece of music.

But it's all for the sake of making the movie better.

In terms of sound, Suhe's studio is right next door.

The audio materials of the Yangtze River that he collected have been compiled into a huge audio library.

During editing, he added sound in real time to the visuals, including the sounds of flowing river, boat whistles, wind, rain, and people in the city.

These sounds are not just background noise, but rhythmic and emotionally resonant narratives.

"Listen to this part."

Suhe played the sound design for the scene where Xiaoman leaves Yunyang.

"As the boat left the shore, the sound of the river gradually diminished, the sound of the boat whistle was drawn out, and then a very faint sound of wind chimes was added. That was the sound Xiaoman remembered."

The audience may not be able to hear clearly, but subconsciously they can feel the melancholy of parting.

Li Jun closed his eyes to listen.

Indeed, the sound design deepened the emotional impact of the visuals.

Lin Mo was in charge of art direction and poster design.

He painted a series of ink sketches of Yunyang, and selected the most moving ones as posters and promotional materials for the film.

"I want to use this traditional Eastern aesthetic to package a modern story."

Lin Mo said.

"The dialogue between tradition and modernity is like the relationship between Xiaoman and the painter in the movie."

Wang Zhonglei was responsible for production and distribution.

He contacted domestic art-house cinemas to negotiate filming schedules;

We also maintain communication with overseas publishers and update them on the progress.

His experience came in handy at this time; he knew how to negotiate with theaters, how to develop promotional strategies, and how to control costs.

"Cannes is still a hot spot, and we can capitalize on that."

Wang Zhonglei said.

"Use Li Jun as producer as a selling point, but also highlight Su Xiao's uniqueness as an emerging director."

The team spent the entire month of July in a busy state.

Summers in Beijing are very hot. The air conditioning in the editing room is always on full blast, and everyone often works until late at night. When they get tired, they sleep on the sofa in the studio.

One late night, Li Jun and Su Xiao were still discussing an editing point when Zhang Liangying arrived with a late-night snack.

"Take a break and have something to eat."

She laid out the wontons and steamed buns.

The three of them sat together eating a late-night snack.

Outside the window is the night view of Beijing, with traffic flowing like a glowing river.