Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Cheng Er's posture was perfectly normal.

Like the sixth generation of directors and their contemporaries, they were all guaranteed job assignments after graduation, but many of them either didn't report to their units or ran away shortly after arriving. They had no freedom, couldn't make films, and couldn't get ahead.

Just getting a fixed salary is fine, after all, how many directing students come from poor families?

But not being able to make films is their downfall. Unlike the fifth generation of directors, who were in dire need of talent and could become big shots after only a year or two, these sixth generation directors have to work hard to gain seniority even as assistant directors. How can they, who consider themselves the chosen ones, stand it?

Cheng Er wanted to volunteer, but couldn't bring himself to speak.

Yang Che naturally saw through Cheng Er's thoughts at a glance and understood his mentality.

He was still arrogant and proud. Unlike Ning Hao, who had the identity of being from the same hometown, Yang Che spoke directly. Moreover, he wasn't a photographer or director, but rather a trusted assistant.

When you first start doing something, you must appoint people based on their connections. Only after things have stabilized should you consider appointing people based on merit.

What does Cheng Er have? Even if I wanted to use him, that would be a matter for the future.

After all, he hadn't even seen his only film, "Criminals," so how could he bring it up?

If you speak too frivolously, Cheng Er will look down on you.

In the following time, Yang Che once again explained the plot and narrative techniques of "My Sassy Girl" to the two of them.

The two of them were completely stunned.

Gradually, the two men asked fewer questions, and their gazes toward Yang Che became increasingly complicated. They never expected that this man was not just dabbling in this; he was genuinely skilled.

Moreover, how should I put it, he gives people the feeling that he has everything under control, but without being aggressive at all.

Oh, right, the phrase is "like a gentle breeze," completely lacking the "self-righteousness" that they or other creators have.

Actually, Yang Che never really considered "My Sassy Girl" as his own; it was just a product, and even now it's just a "concept." Even though Yang Che localized the plot and changed the protagonist's identity to "a man who owns a courtyard house in Beijing"... So, where did this salesman get his arrogance?

In Ning Hao's eyes, Yang Che was eloquent and very well-mannered in his social interactions. At this moment, Ning Hao couldn't help but feel a bit more admiration for him. Big brother! Well, he's a year younger than him, so he's still a big brother.

Although Cheng Er felt the story was somewhat shallow, the reverse chronological order, the beginning and end echoing each other, and the mystery-solving plot design, while not able to express any flattery on the surface, had already made him admire it repeatedly. He inexplicably thought of what his homeroom teacher had said about Jiang Wen: "He was born to be a director."

When the dinner ended, in Ning Hao and Cheng Er's minds, Yang Che belonged to the kind of capable and mild-mannered people, even though neither of them said anything flattering.

However, when Yang Che paid the bill, the two did not argue.

The three parted ways at the intersection. Yang Che told Cheng Er to come visit him at the General Political Department guesthouse the next day if he was free. After all, he was in Beijing to pack his things and wouldn't be returning to Shanghai until the day after tomorrow.

Cheng Er readily agreed, adding that he would bring his video recorder with him so Yang Che could use it first.

Yang Che then said to Ning Hao, "I plan to rent a place in this area as a studio. Once the crew is all here, we'll analyze the script together, draw storyboards together, and also audition actors."

Ning Hao scratched Yuan Yuan's head, already in character: "This movie is expensive."

"How much more expensive could it be? I won't rent a storefront; I'll find an agency to rent a residential property, two rooms on one floor, since I'll be living there in the future."

Ning Hao's heart skipped a beat, and he tentatively asked, "For how long?"

Yang Che smirked: "I'll rent for at least three years. I think I can definitely pass the exam, haha."

Ning Hao grinned and said, "Okay, I'll ask about it tomorrow."

Yang Che patted his arm like an older brother: "Okay, that's settled then. By the way, Haozi, I haven't decided on the people behind the scenes yet. If you think they're reliable, let them go to room 328 at the guesthouse. I'll be there almost all day these next few days."

Ning Hao grinned, somewhat moved: "Okay."

Yang Che then waved to the two men and headed west back to the General Political Department Guesthouse.

The two of them headed south, towards Beijing Normal University.

"Old Cheng, why don't you just not go to Shanghai Film Studio? Yang Che is rich and capable, but you won't listen. You've rented a place for three years, and you'll definitely be filming again. Besides, there are so many more opportunities in Shanghai than in Beijing."

Cheng Er really wanted to say, "Why didn't you mention this in front of Yang Che?" Then she realized, "Oh, that's what Yang Che left for Ning Hao at the end."

Wow, is Yang Che really only 21 years old?

He then looked at Ning Hao, whose insight had always been extraordinary, and said, "Hmm... I'll go check out the General Political Department's guesthouse tomorrow, hehe."

Ning Hao stroked his chin: "They didn't say who they would find to direct it."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Er's heart skipped a beat. He felt confident in himself; he glanced at Ning Hao and realized that Ning Hao wasn't being sarcastic but genuinely puzzled. So he asked, "What do you think of this kind of subject matter?"

"Hmm... Senior Lu is fine too, right?"

"I think that fake foreigner is also acceptable."

"Who? Oh, you mean Wu Shixian?"

"......"

The two walked and talked until they parted ways downstairs at the hotel, each with their own thoughts.

After all, they are all people with creative desires. Who wouldn't want to be a director? Although they themselves felt that Yang Che would not use them, what if he did?

As Yang Che walked alone on the sidewalk, his steps were light. Although he was a little tired, he felt particularly good. Perhaps it was the pleasant feeling of the cool summer breeze on his face, or perhaps it was the slightly tipsy state of being drunk. As he walked, he even started humming a tune and dancing a waltz.

"If we meet on a narrow path in this lifetime, we cannot escape it."

Suddenly, tangled curves appeared on my palm.

Before one becomes aware of things, the feelings one experiences last no more than a day.

"You can't hold onto the years, you can't predict the passing of time."

In both his past and present lives, Yang Che couldn't remember the last time he had been so "unrestrained." It felt great, really great.

Upon seeing the sign for the General Political Department's guesthouse, Yang Che stopped and muttered to himself, "Tsk tsk, this chorus could be used as background music! Hmm... I'll have to buy the license. Wang Fei, huh?"

He immediately shook his head and stepped into the building.

When he got back to his room, it was already past 11 o'clock. After a quick wash, he went straight to sleep; he was really exhausted.

The next morning arrived in the blink of an eye.

Yang Che, who was drinking tofu pudding and eating steamed buns at the restaurant, received a call from Ulan Tana.

"Old Yang, do you remember Zeng Jian I told you about?"

Yang Che paused for a moment to react: "A third-year student in the photography department at Beijing Film Academy, what's wrong?"

"He arrived at the guesthouse, but couldn't find your phone number, so he called me."

"Okay, how are you? Arrived in Xingtai? How's Jing Kan?"

"We've arrived, it's alright. We'll talk later. You can pick up Zeng Jian first. That kid arrived in Beijing at 5 a.m. and didn't call me until 7 a.m.

"it is good."