Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Wu Shih-hsien was puzzled: "You really plan to film this?"

Liu Chang lit a cigarette: "He just doesn't want to go to class at the Beijing Film Academy, so he's making a short film to fool people."

Yang Che seemed to have been stepped on: "Who said that? Stop talking nonsense. Do I need to make up an excuse if I don't want to go to class? I'm the art and publicity consultant for the Olympic Bid Committee. Do you even know the value of that photo...?"

"Brother Che, you're so awesome, why do the Hong Kong media call you Che Che..."

Yang Che kicked him.

Speaking of which, "Cheche" is indeed a cute nickname in Hong Kong, but this kind of reduplicated word is usually used to refer to cats and dogs. There was a similar nickname before, "Zhuozhuo," which was used to call Zhao Wenzhuo. It meant that Zhao Wenzhuo was Anita Mui's pet and was a gigolo. Of course, he was indeed a gigolo.

After news spread that Yang Che earned 30 million from "My Sassy Girl," there were very few people saying he was a kept man. But after that photo of them holding hands in Baihua Hutong came out, Hong Kong media started to complain again.

Of course, Yang Che and Zhao Wenzhuo are different. He won't break up with Zhao Wenzhuo just because he's called "Cheche" because of his pride. After all, he didn't really live off a woman.

Okay, even if I'm living off a woman, it's a hard one, really hard.

Wu Shih-hsien and Liu Chang still suggested that Yang Che should film it soon, it only takes a week, why wait until September?

"I'm a student, and I need to have winter and summer vacations."

Joking aside, Yang Che still listened to his two friends' opinions and decided to take the picture.

After exchanging a few words about the filming location, Yang Che said, "You don't need to interfere. I'll handle it myself. I've made short films before. Lao Wu, didn't you say you weren't interested in other projects until 'Waiting Alone' was finished?"

Liu Chang really wanted to say: Wasn't the on-site and personnel scheduling for that short film done by Zu Feng? Of course, he didn't dare to say it, but Brother Che still has theoretical knowledge, so he should be encouraged.

This is actually the deeper reason why Yang Che wanted to make this short film. He knows what's going on with him. This is different from the rote recitation of the Macau promotional video, but he hasn't realized or is unwilling to admit it. Right now, he doesn't have much confidence.

"Gong Beibi is quite ambitious; she wants to play a female driver."

Liu Chang looked speechless: "Isn't this ridiculous? Oh, the female lead in 'Waiting Alone' isn't going to act in it, but in a short film?"

Wu Shih-hsien wasn't ashamed at all; on the contrary, he was proud: "There's nothing I can do about it. Who told me to be so petty and not let her film kissing scenes?"

Yang Che shook his head: "Beibi is not the leading lady in my mind. If she wants to act, let Lao Liu arrange a movie for her."

Upon hearing this, Wu Shixian stopped trying, as each director had their own preferred candidate.

Liu Chang then said with a chuckle, "Brother Che, aren't you afraid people will say you're smearing the country's security? You're even an advisor to the Olympic bid committee..."

Yang Che was speechless, just like when the film bureau officials said that "Beijing Bicycle" exposed the filth and disorder of Beijing, which would affect the Olympic bid, so it wasn't approved. Of course, Yang Che didn't speak up for Wang Xiaoshuai just because Gao Yuanyuan was in the film.

"First of all, this won't have any impact. Secondly, do I need to smear it? I'm thinking of filming it, burning it onto DVDs, and giving them away for free to all the bus stations across the country."

Liu Chang gave a thumbs up: "You're a true saint, but I think they'll team up and beat you up."

"Hahaha"

It's said that the film "Bus 44" from another timeline has been mistakenly believed to be based on a true story. While such things are common, like "Very Summer" which is based on a real rape and murder case, as well as several bus sexual assault cases, "Bus 44" is not true. Wu Shih-hsien, the director and screenwriter, has refuted this on Weibo.

However, many people below the clarification post said it was adapted from a real case, and that Wu Shih-hsien shouldn't talk nonsense if he doesn't know anything about it... because the opening credits stated it was based on a real case...

Your dad even said he wanted you to apply to Tsinghua University, did you apply?

"By the way, who are you planning to cast? It's not Alyssa Chia, is it?"

"Hao Lei, Yang Yuling in 'Seventeen Years Old Don't Cry'."

"Never heard of it."

"have no idea."

Yang Che clicked his tongue impatiently and said, "Go do what you're supposed to do."

Liu Chang said with a grin, "I'll go and get it approved for you."

"Have some self-awareness; this thing won't pass censorship."

Seeing Liu Chang's hesitant expression, Yang Che became furious and said, "I'm rich, I can do whatever I want, get out!"

Liu Chang was taken aback at first, it seemed that Brother Che was in a bad mood, but then he laughed.

Then, laughing and joking, he went out and looked at the bewildered Wu Shixian and said, "Brother Che said before that he wouldn't invest in any scripts that didn't pass censorship, haha."

Wu Shixian was even more baffled. Wasn't this a commercial transaction? Could short films and feature films be compared? There were no distribution channels for short films domestically; they could only earn prize money overseas, and the copyrights could only sell for a few cents, and even then, they were very difficult to sell...

However, he was too lazy to think about it anymore; he had to get busy with the film's score and background music.

"Kiss Mark" needs to be recorded by Wang Fei, and "In My Song" needs to be arranged by Xiao Ke, while we wait for another diva with the same name to return to Beijing.

Liu Chang went to the west room to meet a screenwriter named Liu Jiang, who had been waiting for quite a while.

A senior from the 88 acting class at Beijing Film Academy... currently unemployed. He used to be an actor with the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe, but didn't like acting, so after a few years he simply quit and stayed at home. Three years later, he wrote a script called "Shuang Quan" and submitted it to me.

That's pretty impressive, being supported by his girlfriend for several years, and the two just got their marriage certificate not long ago.

"Brother Jiang, the script is very good, extremely humorous, a rare satirical comedy. However, the pacing isn't tight enough, and the plot tension and impact are slightly lacking. Look here... So, changing it to 28 episodes would be appropriate."

Liu Jiang had been staying at home alone for a long time, which made him a little slow to speak, so he rarely said anything and just nodded often.

Liu Chang smiled kindly: "Doubao has submitted the script, but there's one condition: you have to come work for Doubao as a screenwriter. Of course, you'll still get the script fee of 15 yuan."

Liu Jiang was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Can I be the director? I don't need the script fee."

Liu Chang laughed heartily: "If you're capable, you can be a boss. Our Brother Che is different from all the other film and television company bosses. As long as you're capable, you can come up with a plan and make a budget anytime."

"Well... I'm fine with that, I can start work right now."

"No rush, let's revise the script first. Once it's revised, I'll take you to see Brother Che. Come on, let's sign the contract."

Afterwards, Liu Chang watched his senior brother sign and put his fingerprint on the document, and couldn't help but sigh, "Brother Che really has a keen eye, and Brother Jiang is indeed a talent."

Liu Jiang thought "Brother Chang" was awesome, had great insight, was very easygoing, had a real big brother vibe, and was so touching it made him want to cry. He figured "Big Brother" must be even more awesome.

"Big Brother" is quite troubled now. Looking at the cast and crew list of "Car 44" handed to him by Wang Danling, he asked in confusion, "You said you don't know how to contact Hao Lei, or these actors?"

Seeing Che-ge's serious expression, Wang Danling's face instantly turned pale: "I'm sorry, Che-ge, I..."