Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

"Then recommend two that you don't dislike, and I'll talk to Teacher Zhang about them."

"Duan Yihong from the National Theatre of China, and Hu Jing, a senior at the Central Academy of Drama. Of course, this is just a recommendation. If you two feel they are not suitable, you can choose others. Just don't choose the original two."

"Understood. What time are you free tomorrow? I'd like to meet with you and talk."

"Uh, I have to help Wang Fei record a song tomorrow or the day after. If it's convenient for you, let's meet at Baihua Recording Studio."

"Okay, I'm fine with it. It's already the May Day holiday."

"That's settled then."

"..."

Yang Che and Liu Chang then looked at emails and discussed the scripts while also talking about the plans for Doubao Films.

The plan is to recruit first. Currently, the film department is practically just Liu Chang; Xing Jianwei hasn't even been officially hired yet. We'll recruit two clerks to assist him. We'll buy equipment; large items can be rented, but smaller items can be purchased. We'll also look for staff and establish a screenwriting studio.

Of course, they also discussed the appropriate time, such as applying for the production rights for a TV series after Yang Che returns from Moscow in June.

As for the scripts, it was finally decided that the TV series "Young Wong Fei-hung" and the movie "Kala is a Dog" would be discussed in person, and all others were rejected, for the simple reason of three words: "I don't understand them."

Yes, they're all typical of the affected and pretentious style of the sixth generation of directors.

In fact, Lu Xuechang, the director of "Kala is a Dog", was also a sixth-generation director. However, like Jia Zhangke and Zhang Yang, he was one of the few true recorders among the sixth generation, but unfortunately he died young.

"Damn it, not a single commercial film. There's no hope for Chinese cinema if we rely on these guys. Lao Liu, you have a long way to go. Doubao's goal is to cultivate a new generation of like-minded commercial film screenwriters and directors. They don't have to be formally trained, but they absolutely cannot be pretentious, self-centered, or biased. The day we succeed, I will be the father of Chinese commercial films, and you will be the mother."

"Damn it, get away from me."

"..."

Around 4 p.m., Yang Che received a text message from Qin Lan.

"Mr. Yang, the assistant director of 'The Love Story of Tang Dynasty' called me and confirmed that I will play Wu Zetian. Thank you. Do you have time tonight? I would like to invite you to dinner. There is a very authentic Shenyang barbecue restaurant near my house."

"Congratulations! I'll owe you the meal for now; I haven't had much time lately. Good luck, I'm rooting for you."

"Okay, it's settled then. There's one more thing, can I call you Brother Che like the rest of the crew?"

"sure."

Liu Chang watched as Yang Che openly sent text messages in front of him, and gave a wry smile: "I will never find a wife in the entertainment industry again."

Yang Che glanced at him sideways: "What do you mean by that?"

Liu Chang said quietly, "I'm afraid of becoming your junior."

Yang Che flew into a rage: "You son of a bitch, you have no respect for your boss at all!"

.........

Around 6 o'clock, Yu Wenhao entered the main room and said that he had already contacted the Beijing Daily to place a job posting for a male employee.

"Brother Che, are you sure you don't want to hire a secretary?"

"You don't understand. A secretary or assistant is someone even closer than a wife. You can't just hire them; you have to find them and cultivate them."

Yu Wenhao didn't think Yang Che, who had never worked a proper day in his life but had so many theories, was just talking nonsense. Some people are just naturally insightful about the ways of the world, and Brother Che is one of those people. So they started chatting idly.

Yang Che also mentioned two points: first, a high degree of matching values; second, deep trust and reliance.

In another timeline, he had a 90s-born assistant with whom he had worked for over ten years. She was a strong woman who could run a horse on her arm, and they got along very well.

..........

Yang Che finished get off work after a busy day, but he didn't feel tired at all because he felt a great sense of accomplishment.

On the way back to Jialin Garden, he was still quite proud. Jia Jingwen was still enjoying the novelty and ignored him, but Qin Lan gave him a signal and he refused. Of course, the combination of "dinner tonight," "near my house," and "thank you" meant that Yang Che could eat whatever he wanted, as long as he was willing.

As she was thinking about it, her lower abdomen started to feel warm, and then Wang Fei called.

Yang Che answered the phone, his tone playful: "Hello, sister."

Wang Fei paused for a moment, then her voice became sweet and charming: "Where are you?"

Yang Che's voice was light and cheerful: "On the way, almost home. What did you cook today? Is there anything I need to buy?"

"Locust flower rice, vegetable soup, pickled vegetables, braised beef—you can buy whatever you want to eat."

"Okay, I'll buy some peanuts and edamame, and you open a bottle of wine."

"What are you doing?"

"Just drive whichever you like."

"It's no use if I like it; I can't drink more than a few sips anyway."

"Um?"

"I've started my period."

Yang Che was struck dumb upon hearing this.

"What?"

Wang Fei seemed to sense that her boyfriend's face had turned ashen, and couldn't help but laugh, "It's been these past few days. I guess yesterday was too exciting, so it came early."

"Then let's have rum."

"You want to smoke a cigar?"

"right."

"Let's go with whiskey. We still have half a bottle of Yamazaki at home."

"That's too simplistic."

"You said last time that whiskey would be fine too."

"Okay, okay."

"Hurry up!"

"Um."

Yang Che didn't buy edamame or peanuts, but instead bought fried broad beans, which are a perfect match for whiskey.

Although he felt a little disappointed when he thought of Jia Jingwen and Qin Lan, he was still excited overall. His chat with Liu Chang this afternoon had confirmed many things, which was a pleasant experience.

Yang Che didn't see Wang Fei and Tong Tong when he entered the house, but he was already in the backyard.

Summer is just around the corner, and the nights in Beijing at this time of year are indeed very comfortable.

After dinner, Yang Che, now dressed in casual clothes, reclined in a lounge chair, a Partagas whiskey between his fingers. On the small table beside him sat a glass of whiskey with ice, its clear, bright gold color exuding a gentle and elegant charm.

Taking a sip of the liquor and a puff of cigarette, the rich aroma of vanilla intertwines with the spicy clove scent and the unique aroma of Mizunara wood, creating a truly complex and layered flavor. One can't help but exclaim, "It's good to be rich; this cup alone costs over seven thousand yuan."

The things capitalists research aren't necessarily just scams...

Wang Fei, who was lying on the recliner next to him, thought her boyfriend looked like a slightly tipsy old man, but he was also gentle and elegant, which was very charming.

"Oh, right, Zhang Jizhong asked Ma Jia to invite us to dinner tomorrow night, but I declined, saying we could talk about it in person. We finally agreed to meet tomorrow noon."

Ma Jia is Jing Gangshan's wife, Wang Fei's best friend, and Li Yapeng's manager. Li Yapeng was filming "Swordsman"...

"When did this happen?"

"They contacted me this morning, but I forgot about it while recording. I just remembered. Are you angry?"

"What?"

"You didn't contact me, the man, but you contacted me instead."

Yang Che chuckled and said, "Do you want to sing with me, or do you want to get to know your boss?"

"You want both, that's so generous of you."