Huayu09: Starting with Hijacking Xiao Shenyang

"Not decided yet? That can't be right. Auntie has seen many of your works, and your acting is excellent. Auntie is a big fan of yours."

Ma Lijuan lies without thinking.

I wonder who forgot the name of the TV series.

"Aunt Ma..."

Yao Lina has something to say.

But Liu Yifei stopped him.

"Auntie, I've been too busy before and I want to rest more recently. I'm planning to go abroad to relax in a while, so I haven't been taking on any acting roles."

"Oh, a balance between work and rest is good." Ma Lijuan said thoughtfully, then added, "Honey, it's too crowded and noisy here, so we can't eat properly. How about we go to Sanbao Cantonese Dim Sum for a late-night snack after we're done?"

Ma Lijuan is good at choosing locations.

Cantonese dim sum is quiet and not too formal, light and not greasy, what we would call "pretty food" in modern terms.

Unlike some people, who take a young girl to Lao Zhao's pork butcher restaurant for their first meal together!

That shows a lack of attention to detail.

"When elders call, I dare not refuse."

Liu Yifei said respectfully.

"My dear daughter."

Ma Lijuan received another bonus, which I sincerely admire.

"Ahem..." Old Zhao coughed twice and waved his hand, "I'm in a good mood today, so I'm announcing something. The main creative team of 'Black Coal, Thin Ice' will each receive a red envelope of 2 yuan, and each actor will receive 1 yuan."

"Long live Teacher Zhao, he's so thoughtful!"

"Master, that's what I've been waiting for you to say."

"Hahaha…"

The guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely, and the banquet came to an end.

Jiang Wen kept his word and said he would take "Black Coal, Thin Ice" directly to Cannes once it passed the review.

Bypass the film selectors and go straight to the top.

He certainly has the ability; "In the Heat of the Sun" was in the main competition, and "Devils on the Doorstep" won the Jury Prize and the following year's Foreign Filmmaker of the Year award.

Gilles Jacob, president of the Cannes Film Festival, greatly admires director Jiang Wen, and the two have been friends for many years.

Don't think that only domestic award ceremonies involve small groups dividing up the spoils; it's the same abroad, or rather, what's popular in China is something that foreigners have already done.

It's no secret that Europe has three major systems for cultivating its own lineage.

Take Cannes, for example.

The Un Certain Regard Award is primarily open to emerging directors and is an important channel for the Cannes Film Festival to support its own directors.

The three-stage process for a new director to enter Cannes is as follows: their first short film is shortlisted in various short film sections, followed by one or two feature films being shortlisted in Un Certain Regard, and then they can compete in the main competition.

Of course, the film quality cannot be too poor and must cater to the tastes of the Western left.

During this time, Chen Mo was not idle. He was cramming on film shooting techniques while reviewing his high school knowledge.

Chen Mo is only 18 years old and doesn't want to give up his studies too early.

It's not a pleasant feeling to be called a "loser" after you become famous.

Cultural workers must first and foremost be cultured!

On the other hand, after the early preparations for "A Simple Noodle Story" were completed, Zhang Weiping began to frequently participate in interviews to promote the film.

As expected, the conversation with Chen Mo was leaked and widely publicized.

"Hehe... I don't understand why a greenhorn like him, who's just starting out, isn't just going to sing Errenzhuan properly and is even writing scripts."

"They even boasted that they wanted to compete with director Yi Mou in terms of professionalism?!"

"Tsk tsk tsk... I don't know who gave him the courage, Liang Jingru? Benshan, what do you think?"

After belittling Chen Mo, Zhang Weiping didn't forget to disgust his old mentor Zhao Benshan.

"Hehe..." Zhao Benshan clenched his fists and smiled ingratiatingly, "If the child is willing to take risks, I, as his mentor, can't stifle his dreams, can I? Let's wait and see, maybe there will be a pleasant surprise."

"An unexpected surprise? He can actually go to Cannes? That's wishful thinking! Let me put it this way, my film 'A Simple Noodle Story,' directed by Yi Zhang, is an unparalleled force in the Chinese film industry. If we want to go to the three major European cinemas, we can just kick open the door and walk in without anyone daring to stop us. What does that kid think the three major European cinemas are? Rural toilets? He just walks in whenever he wants."

Zhang Weiping laughed so hard he almost fell over, his expression extremely exaggerated.

"Mr. Zhang, Xiao Shen... isn't Chen Mo the male lead in 'A Simple Noodle Story'? What's going on...?"

The host was completely baffled.

How can you belittle your own male lead like that? Is this some new publicity stunt?

"He is indeed the male lead, but I solemnly declare here that everything that kid did before filming 'A Simple Noodle Story' had nothing to do with the production team. I can't bear the shame. Furthermore, I'm making this clear today: Chen Mo, and other newcomers in the industry, without Director Yi Mou's support, don't even think about going to one of the top three European film studios!"

Zhang Weiping waved his hand dismissively, clearly disgusted.

The host glanced at Teacher Zhao and swallowed the question he wanted to ask.

Zhao Benshan at this moment.

He clenched his teeth, his eyes flashing with malice, and his fists were tightly clenched.

Like a powder keg about to be ignited.

Zhang Weiping is certainly capable of provoking the usually smiling and joking Teacher Zhao to such an extent; he's sure to attract a lot of hatred.

Media reporters love to report on such sensational news.

The next day.

Negative reports about "Little Shenyang" Chen Mo are flying everywhere.

[Shocking! After becoming an internet sensation, Xiao Shenyang acted arrogantly, saying that even the national director wasn't worthy to carry his shoes]

[General Manager Zhang slams the rising star Xiao Shenyang, calling him nothing more than a clown performing Errenzhuan (a type of folk opera).]

Mr. Zhang is a conscientious entrepreneur who respects newcomers in arts education.

[For newcomers in China, without a director like Yi Mou, don't even think about touching the top three European films.]

The news continues to generate discussion.

Chen Mo was once again thrust into the spotlight.

Many celebrities in the industry are terrified of foreign things.

They used to be eager to piggyback on each other's fame, but now they're eager to distance themselves.

It's only because Zhao Benshan was standing behind him that Chen Mo's situation wouldn't be much better than Zhou Xingxing's.

Should I choose Zhang Yimou or Chen Mo?

It wasn't a multiple-choice question; it was an easy question where everyone knew the answer.

"Ring ring ring..."

Chen Mo's old Nokia rang.

"Hey, what made you suddenly decide to call me?"

There was a three-second silence on the other end of the phone.

Na-jie said he has a very high EQ.

But how could such a cold question come from 37 degrees?

"Oh, I was just asking if you're alright?"

"That's fine, you don't need to impart your experience to me, I'm perfectly at ease."

Liu Yifei...

Chen Mo didn't take it too seriously, and even welcomed it.

Black and red are still red, right?

Besides, if Zhang doesn't jump around and cause trouble, how can he slap himself in the face?

"Well... okay then, how's Auntie doing lately?"

Liu Yifei changed the subject.

"That's great. I'll take my teacher's wife to France for a relaxing trip in a while."

"So confident?"

"People who smile a lot are usually lucky. Try to be more optimistic. I still prefer the you from before."

"...Oh, I'll try my best."

"Beep beep beep".

Liu Yifei quickly hung up the phone.

"Sisi, what's wrong? Why are you blushing?"

Liu Xiaoli frowned slightly, her intuition telling her that something was wrong with her dear daughter.

"No...nothing, Mom. I'm going to work out."

Liu Yifei skipped away.

"Bang!"

He bumped his head on the door frame.

"Be careful, kid."

"Okay, Mom."

Liu Xiaoli watched her daughter leave, then took out her phone and called Yao Lina.

Late April.

Benshan Media, Chairman's Office.

"Xiao Mo, don't put too much pressure on yourself. That awful Zhang Weiping, I get annoyed just looking at his face." Ma Lijuan peeled an orange and fed it to Chen Mo, then glared at Lao Zhao angrily. "Aren't you usually so tough? Don't you know how to say a few words for Xiao Mo? Outsiders say you're protective of your own, but I think you're just so-so."

"Don't talk like that, it's easy for you to say. Do you think I can afford to break ties with them right now? Filming for 'A Simple Noodle Story' is about to start, and the fates of Xiaohua, Shenyang, Yadan, and Xiaoye are all in their hands. Sigh..."

Zhao Benshan also had his own unspeakable suffering.

He could only sigh and look out the window, letting Teacher Ma continue his frantic output.

Being a master is difficult.

It's difficult to be a renowned teacher or mentor.

Becoming a renowned master is difficult.

Chen Mo sat to the side, cracking sunflower seeds, making no attempt to mediate the fight.

On the contrary, they enjoyed watching it immensely.

"Still eating sunflower seeds there, what do we do now?"

Unable to win an argument with Teacher Ma, Zhao Benshan could only vent his anger on his young apprentice.

What happened to the promise that the master-disciple relationship would remain in our hearts?

My old mentor is taking the brunt of the fire here.

What are you doing, eating sunflower seeds?!

White-eyed wolf!

"Just deal with it, Master. A leader without news isn't a leader, and a celebrity without scandals isn't a celebrity."

Chen Mo said with a smile.

"You little rascal, you've got a pretty good attitude. Give your master some sunflower seeds."

Seeing that his young apprentice's mindset was not affected at all, Zhao Benshan was surprised but also relieved.

"Ring ring ring!"

At this time.

The cell phone rang urgently.

Caller ID.

Jiang Wen.