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

Chapter 164

Upon learning of Zhang Liangying's pregnancy, Li Jun's first reaction was overwhelming joy, followed by an almost fearful sense of responsibility.

That night, the two stayed in the old courtyard until very late. Under the moonlight, he repeatedly stroked her belly, which was not yet showing.

"Will it be a boy or a girl?"

He asked softly, his voice trembling without him even realizing it.

"That's fine."

Zhang Liangying leaned on his shoulder.

"As long as you are healthy and safe."

"What's your name?"

"It's too early to think about it now."

Zhang Liangying smiled.

"However, if it's a boy, I hope he'll be as persistent as you;

If it's a girl, I hope she's free.

"free?"

"Yes. A free spirit, free expression, unbound by any labels."

Zhang Liangying said.

"Like you making movies and me singing, we do what we want to do."

Li Jun hugged her even tighter.

A night breeze rustled through the courtyard, the leaves of the pomegranate tree whispered, and the air was filled with the fragrance of early summer flowers.

At that moment, he suddenly understood what "life goes on" meant: movies, music, art, love, and life.

All these wonderful things will be passed down in some way, without interruption.

The next day, post-production on "The Craftsman's Spirit Remains True to Its Original Aspiration" officially began.

Li Jun moved the editing room to his home so he could work and spend time with Zhang Liangying at the same time.

Yuan Tao was somewhat worried about this: "Won't editing at home affect efficiency?"

"But that way I can take care of her."

Li Jun said.

"Moreover, I want my child to experience the atmosphere of movies from the time he is in the womb, to hear the sound of editing, and to see the light and shadow on the screen. Maybe he will fall in love with movies in the future."

Yuan Tao laughed: "You've already started prenatal education."

1

It is indeed prenatal education.

Zhang Liangying didn't experience many pregnancy symptoms, but she was easily fatigued.

She often lay on the sofa in the living room, covered with a thin blanket, listening to the sounds of Li Jun editing in the next room: the sound of keyboard typing, mouse clicking, and repeated playback of video clips.

Sometimes Li Jun would come out, sit next to her, and play her a piece of newly completed background music or show her a newly edited scene.

"How's this part?"

He pointed to a close-up shot on the screen of the old man silently repairing porcelain. His hands were steady, and the brush, dipped in gold powder, moved slowly along the cracks in the porcelain.

The camera zoomed in very close, revealing age spots on the back of the old man's hands and slightly trembling joints, but his movements were as precise as a surgical operation.

"It's beautiful."

Zhang Liangying said softly.

"There's a sense of the sacred. It's not like we're repairing objects, but rather repairing time itself."

"Su He's voice acting for this scene is very nice."

Li Jun played the sound: the subtle sound of a calligraphy brush rubbing against porcelain, amplified and prolonged, mixed with the faint tinkling of wind chimes and the steady breathing of an old man. These sounds intertwined, like a meditation.

"The child is moving."

Zhang Liangying suddenly said, and took Li Jun's hand and placed it on her lower abdomen.

Li Jun held his breath.

Sure enough, I felt a slight, gentle touch under my palm, like a small fish swimming by.

That was the first sign of life.

"He seems to like this music too."

Zhang Liangying smiled.

Li Jun's eyes welled up with tears.

He leaned down, pressed his face against her lower abdomen, and whispered, "Baby, I'm your dad."

This is the film Dad is making, about restoration, about time, about beauty.

When you grow up, Dad will teach you.

Zhang Liangying stroked his hair, her heart filled with emotion.

In her fourth month of pregnancy, Zhang Liangying's baby bump began to show.

She reduced her workload, only going to the studio occasionally to handle some necessary matters.

I spend most of my time at home, listening to music, reading books, and organizing the songs I've written over the years.

She plans to complete a collection of musical essays before her child is born, recording her creative journey and her story with Li Jun.

Have you decided on a title yet?

Li Jun asked.

"I've decided on the title: Between Sound and Shadow: A Singer's Creative Notes."

Zhang Liangying said.

"It shares the same name as the movie album you produced, but the content is different."

I want to write about the stories behind those songs, how music and film inspire each other, and how we met and journeyed together on our respective artistic paths.

"Do you need my help?"

"You go ahead and do your movie."

Zhang Liangying shook her head.

"This is my pregnancy project, and I want to complete it myself."

Li Jun respected her decision.

He knew that Zhang Liangying, like him, needed to create art to maintain her inner balance and wholeness.

Meanwhile, the post-production of "The Craftsman's Spirit Remains True to Its Original Aspiration" is progressing smoothly.

Editing was handled by Li Jun himself. He retained a large number of long takes and establishing shots, making the film's pace, like Kintsugi itself, slow but full of power.

Zhao Wenhua's performance was as steady as a mountain; every look and every movement had been refined over the years.

Zhou Yuan's performance is full of the anxiety and confusion of modern people. The dialogue between the two generations is not only a family conflict, but also a clash of the spirit of the times.

Lin Mo's work on color grading was quite distinctive.

He used a lot of warm colors, the warm luster of porcelain, the delicate shimmer of gold powder, and the sunlight and shadows in the old courtyard.

But it's not just about nostalgia; he added some modern cool colors to the traditional color palette, symbolizing the fusion of old and new.

Suhe's sound design has been further refined.

He not only collected the sounds of craftsmanship, but also recorded various environmental sounds in Beijing's hutongs: birdsong in the morning, cicadas in the afternoon, the sounds of people in the evening, and the sound of the wind at night.

These sounds are carefully arranged, like a symphonic poem about time and the city.

"I want the audience to hear another side of BJ."

Su He said.

"It's not the noise that tourists hear, but the deep, everyday, and warm sounds that people who live here feel."

In mid-June, the rough cut of "The Craftsman's Spirit" was completed.

Li Jun invited several of his most trusted people to come and see:

Chen Zeshi, Cheng Guoqiang and his wife, Wang Zhonglei, Su Xiao, Lin Mo, Su He, and Zhao Wenhua and Zhou Yuan.

The screening took place in the living room at home.

The curtains were drawn, and the projector projected the image onto the white wall.

Everyone was very engrossed in the two-hour movie.

The film ends with Shen Mo and Shen Qing reconciling, not with a passionate embrace, but with quiet side-by-side companionship.

The father and son sat in the courtyard, watching the restored porcelain gleam in the sunlight.

Shen Qing finally understood that what her father meant by restoration was not about covering up, but about acknowledging and transforming.

His new series of designs, which incorporates elements of kintsugi (the art of repairing metal objects), has won international awards.

But when accepting the award, he said, "This award does not belong to me alone; it belongs to my father and to those who still insist on slowness in a fast-paced era."

""

The living room was quiet when the subtitles appeared.

Then Cheng Guoqiang spoke first, his voice choked with emotion: "Good, really good. This is the kind of movie I wanted to see—it has roots and soul."

Zhao Wenhua wiped his eyes: "I've acted my whole life, and this is the one that's closest to my heart."

The character Shen Mo reminded me of my teachers, those veteran artists.

They may be unknown to the public, but they are the guardians of civilization.

Zhou Yuan was very excited: "Thank you, Director Li, for giving me this opportunity."

The role of Shen Qing has helped me grow a lot, both as an actor and as a person.

With red eyes, Su Xiao said, "Director Li, this movie made me realize that a good movie is not about piling up techniques, but about conveying a spirit."

"The spirit of craftsmanship remains unchanged" conveys a precious spirit that is on the verge of disappearing in this era.

Lin Mo and Su He exchanged a glance and said at the same time, "We are honored to participate."

Wang Zhonglei stood up and bowed deeply: "Director Li, thank you."

This movie made me understand what a true film is—not a commodity, but art, a spirit, something that can endure.

The things that are passed down.

In his closing remarks, Kent Chan remarked with emotion, "Little Li, you've matured."

From the passion of "Bodyguards and Assassins" to the poetry of "Dreams of Mountains and Rivers", to the warmth of "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains", and then to the profundity of "The Craftsman's Spirit".

You have found your own path, a path that is both rooted in Chinese culture and has an international perspective. I am proud of you.

.

Li Jun's eyes also reddened.

He looked at the people who had accompanied him through thick and thin, and his heart was filled with gratitude.

Thank you everyone.

He said.

"This film was made by all of us together."

It's not just my movie, it's everyone's movie.

Like kintsugi (the art of repairing metal), one person's strength is limited, but the strength of many can turn brokenness into wholeness and imperfection into beauty.

After the rough cut received unanimous approval, the fine editing and mixing work continued.

Li Jun plans to complete all post-production by the end of September, then submit the film for review, aiming for a release by the end of the year.

But right now, he has an even more important task:

Taking care of his pregnant wife and welcoming the arrival of their new life.

In July, Beijing is sweltering with heat.

Zhang Liangying is in her fifth month of pregnancy, and her belly is noticeably protruding.

She started wearing loose dresses, without makeup, with her hair loosely tied up, radiating a soft glow.

Li Jun turned down all unnecessary work and stayed home with her every day.

In the morning, they went for a walk together in the nearby park.

The park is filled with pregnant women and parents with children, forming a small community.

Zhang Liangying quickly made friends with several expectant mothers, and they exchanged pregnancy experiences and shared parenting knowledge.

Li Jun stood to one side with several expectant fathers, chatting about work, life, and the upcoming role of fatherhood.

Are you nervous?

A soon-to-be father asked Li Jun.

"Nervous, but also excited."

Li Jun honestly said, "I don't know if I can be a good father."

"No one is born knowing how to be a father."

The other person laughed.

"We all grow through learning. But seeing how serious you are about making movies, I'm sure you'll be just as serious about being a father."

After returning home from her walk, Zhang Liangying would work in her study, organizing her collection of essays and revising her sheet music.

Li Jun continued post-production work on "The Craftsman's Spirit Remains True" in the editing room next door.

They were both busy with their own things, but knowing that the other was nearby made them feel at ease.

In the afternoon, Zhang Liangying will take a nap.

Li Jun would sit on the edge of the bed reading or dealing with work emails.

Sunlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, cutting long, thin patches of light across the floor.

Zhang Liangying's sleeping face is very peaceful, with her hand gently placed on her stomach, as if she is protecting something precious.

Sometimes the child would move while she was sleeping, and Li Jun would gently place her hand on it to feel the small, powerful kicks.

Each fetal movement made him feel it more realistically:

A new life is on its way.

Have you thought about your child's future?

One afternoon after a nap, Zhang Liangying asked.

"I've thought about it a little."

Li Jun said.

"But I don't want to set any goals for him. I hope he's healthy, happy, and can find something he enjoys."

"What if the child wants to make movies?"

"Then teach him."

Li Jun smiled.

"But I won't force anyone. You have to choose your own path in art to go far."

"What if the child wants to sing?"

"Then I'll learn from you."

Li Jun said.

"However, our children may have their own paths."

It's neither film nor music; it's a third way.

"A third way?" Zhang Liangying's eyes lit up.

"Yes. Just like kintsugi, it combines two different things to create something new."

Li Jun said.

"Perhaps our children will combine film and music, or create entirely different art forms."

Who knows? But whatever it is, we'll support you.

Zhang Liangying leaned on his shoulder: "Li Jun, you are a good father."

"I haven't even started yet."

"But you have the heart to be a good father."

Zhang Liangying said.

That's enough.

At the end of July, Zhang Liangying completed the first draft of her collection of essays.

She printed out the manuscript, a thick stack, and placed it on the coffee table.

Li Jun opened the book and read it page by page.

Her writing is sincere, just like her singing voice—clear and powerful.

She wrote about her experience of debuting from Super Girl, her struggles in transitioning to classical music, and her journey in creating the album "Between Light and Shadow".

She also wrote about her story with Li Jun, from their first meeting to their growing friendship and love, including their mutual support during public opinion storms, their mutual inspiration in artistic creation, and their companionship in ordinary life.

The most touching part is the chapter she wrote about her pregnancy experience: "When my baby first moved, I was listening to the sound of Li Jun editing a movie."

The feeling was like a little fish swimming inside my belly, or a butterfly gently fluttering its wings in my heart.

At that moment, I suddenly realized that creating life and creating art are essentially the same; both are about turning the intangible into the tangible and the possible into reality.

Li Jun placed his hand on my stomach and spoke softly to the baby.

他 说:

Baby, that's the sound of Daddy editing a movie. What's a movie?

Movies tell stories with light and shadow; they put time in a box for future generations to see.

I think music is the same.

Music tells stories with sound waves; it infuses emotions into melodies and leaves them for future generations to hear.

Children are the stories we create with love; they are the future we infuse into our lives, to be seen by time.

We are all creators. In different ways, we create beauty, we create memories, we create continuity.

Li Jun's eyes welled up with tears as he read this. He looked up and saw Zhang Liangying looking at him, her eyes shining.

"Well written."

He said.

"Because there are genuine feelings involved."

Zhang Liangying smiled.

"Li Jun, I was thinking, after the baby is born, could we work on a project together?"

It's a combination of film and music, but not just a simple soundtrack; it's a true cross-media creation.

"for example?"

"For example, a movie about creation."

Photograph different creators: painters, writers, dancers, craftspeople, and parents.

They use film to record their creative process and music to express their creative emotions.