Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Yang Che successfully changed the subject, giving a brief speech. While he spoke, few people echoed his words; most listened attentively.

Zeng Jian changed the subject and started talking about Jiang Wen's "Devils on the Doorstep".

"I heard that this film has been rejected three times."

Cheng Er and Ning Hao started lecturing a certain department about traditional Chinese culture, saying that the reason Chinese films are so bad is because of endless censorship...

Yang Che, who was also a little tipsy, shook his head with a smile: "Didn't you yourselves say that directors need to be down-to-earth and understand things from ancient and modern times, both in China and abroad? How come you're being hypocritical here?"

At this stage, our country is united in its goal of joining the WTO, which requires the support of the US. The US Prime Minister has also visited China. At this crucial juncture, isn't it somewhat inappropriate for a Chinese director with some international renown to make such a film?

Ning Hao looked constipated: "You're... making a big deal out of this."

Cheng Er frowned and agreed: "That's really a far-fetched analogy. If the people reviewing this really considered this aspect, then I can only say that they're meddling in other people's business."

Yang Che probably thought the same way when he was young, which is why he got angry and impatient.

"You think movies aren't important? The two most powerful groups in the world have been arguing for ages about how many foreign films China can release each year after joining the WTO, and they always end up arguing heatedly."

Since the application for rejoining the WTO in 85, the entire country has made fifteen years of efforts and the hard work of hundreds of millions of people, all for the sake of making life better for the Chinese people after joining the WTO.

At this crucial moment when China needs Japan's vote, if you were the auditor, what would you do? Come on, tell me, what would you do?

The table fell silent.

Qin Lan picked up her wine glass, probably trying to ease the tension, but a loud slam on the table behind her startled her.

Everyone turned to look at the sound, and saw a shirtless man, around forty years old, giving Yang Che a thumbs-up and shouting, "Well said, man!"

Yang Che raised his glass in a gesture of respect, then grinned and said, "Brother, please don't stir things up, we're about to start a fight."

"Ha ha."

Not only that older brother, but Ning Hao and Cheng Er also laughed. The uncomfortable atmosphere from before vanished instantly, and the topic was naturally no longer discussed.

To borrow a line from Wang Xun in the movie "Nightclub": I feel that my words have penetrated your souls.

It wasn't just Cheng Er and Ning Hao; everyone else felt the same way. It seemed like their Che-ge always viewed things from a higher perspective than them.

As the meal was drawing to a close, Yang Che, who was munching on a sesame seed cake, suddenly felt a weight on his arm. It was Qin Lan leaning against him.

"Don't be a pervert."

Qin Lan simply raised her hand and waved it weakly.

Yang Che looked at him with disdain: "If you didn't measure your drink, what are you drinking with me for?"

Qin Lan didn't respond, but muttered something.

Ning Hao, who was watching this scene from a short distance away, was speechless.

He felt that his "elder brother" was so worldly-wise, so why was he so clueless about matters of the heart? No wonder "My Sassy Girl" was written so unrealistically and nonsensically.

Just as Ning Hao was imagining things, Yang Che threw down the pancake in his hand, took out his phone, scrolled through it, found Jin Xiaoman's number, and dialed it.

"Sister Xiaoman, where do you live?"

"Huh? You..."

Jin Xiaoman sounded flustered, and Yang Che, who was on speakerphone, quickly added, "Qin Lan drank too much; we need to take her home."

"Oh...I see. We're in the third alley of Mingguang Village, on the south side of Xueyuan Road."

"Okay, I'll call you again when I get there."

With Yang Che hanging up the phone, the barbecue came to an end.

Xing Jianwei ran to the roadside to flag down a taxi, Ning Hao went to pay the fare, and Wang Baoqiang wanted to help him up, but Zeng Jian pulled him back.

A moment later, Yang Che helped the already awakened Qin Lan into the back seat of the taxi and waved to everyone: "See you tomorrow."

After the car starts.

With a slurred tongue, Qin Lan said sweetly, "Brother Che, let's go sing karaoke."

"No, I'm tired. Sit up a bit."

As Yang Che spoke, he shook his arm, trying to shake up Qin Lan, who had somehow gotten close to him.

Sitting up, Qin Lan pouted with a resentful look: "He has no chivalry at all."

Well, alcohol really does embolden cowards.

However, the more this happened, the more unmoved Yang Che became.

Actually, his initial idea was to have someone else take her home, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. In the end, he was possessive, and after all, she was indeed drunk.

For the rest of the time, Qin Lan tilted her head and looked out the car window, remaining quiet.

The driver glanced at Yang Che in the rearview mirror several times, his expression a mixture of admiration and disdain.

Mingguangli is not far from the Beijing Film Studio. It's just across Xitucheng Road. After crossing Jimen Bridge, it's another five or six minutes' walk to get there.

Yang Che told the driver to wait, and together with Jin Xiaoman, who had already come downstairs, escorted Qin Lan into her home before leaving.

They lived in a small two-bedroom apartment, the kind of self-built house, which was considered high-end housing in this urban village.

After getting back into the car, Yang Che received another compliment, being called a "real man."

"That girl is quite pretty!"

Yang Che said modestly, "I've been used to it since I was a child, I'm numb to it now."

The driver's face stiffened, and he fell silent, the veins bulging on his hands gripping the steering wheel.

.........

The next day, July 25th, arrived in the blink of an eye. The weather turned gloomy and the heat subsided, replaced by a muggy feeling.

Despite the sweltering heat, they had to move. Xing Jianwei and Wang Baoqiang arrived at the guesthouse early.

When Qin Lan, Yang Che's assistant, arrived, Yang Che had already packed up all his belongings at the guesthouse.

Qin Lan, as always, loved to smile.

We were just moving things downstairs together; there was quite a lot of stuff: a VCR, DVDs, books, documents, a safe, suitcases, backpacks, a foot bath, a thermos, tea, coffee, cigarettes...

However, they hired two handcarts and it was all taken away in one trip.

On the way, Yang Che received a phone call from Fan Xiaotian, the producer of "Spring Bright Pigsy," who said he would arrive at the Capital Airport at 11 o'clock.

Fan Xiaotian repeatedly told Yang Che not to answer, and after asking for the studio's address, he ended the call.

Yang Che sensed that this person spoke with an eagerness to get things done.

Yang Che didn't feel valued by Fan Xiaotian's personal visit; instead, he was somewhat disappointed, realizing that the so-called cultural bigwigs were nothing special after all.

With such impatience, it's no wonder he encountered a withdrawal of investment; it seems unlikely he'll be able to sell his shows for much more in the future.

It's not that Yang Che is speaking from a position of privilege because he's a prophet. This is business. If you, as the boss, don't even have confidence in your own product, how can you charge a high price?

All I can say is that cultured people are cultured people.