Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

Everyone knew that Yang Che had come to visit the set, and the crew members were very curious about him, especially the behind-the-scenes staff and extras, who were all peeking out at him.

Those in the industry wanted to see what the producer who distributed money to the crew looked like, and the extras also wanted to know what kind of man could make Wang Fei smile like a young girl.

Of course, there were also people pointing at Yang Che and whispering, "See? He's the one who threw an entire newspaper staff into jail."

"Why?"

"The newspaper said he committed rape."

"Is that so?"

"Damn it, keep your voice down."

"..."

The actors were the most reserved, though they knew he was actually a boss, and that the film crew next door was one he had invested in.

Clearly, only Zhang Da Huzi was genuinely interested in Yang Che's talent.

Upon seeing the two approach, it was only natural that Li Jie was the first to come over and greet them.

Li Jie was genuinely happy. Just because he was Yang Che's "friend," Zhang Da Huzi treated him differently, and his treatment on set changed after that.

"Brother Che".

Yang Che was happy to agree, looking at his outfit: "Not bad, Xiao Linzi, you've got style."

Hearing Yang Che's teasing, Miao Yiyi, who plays Yue Lingshan, couldn't help but laugh.

Li Jiexiao laughed even more happily, but director Huang Jianzhong was not so happy; he really didn't want Li Jiexiao to laugh.

The second person to greet him was Li Yapeng. Although he seemed a little awkward, he was still quite respectful: "Hello, Mr. Yang."

This is obviously because Ma Jia had said something to him.

"Hello there."

After exchanging greetings with Huang Jianzhong, Yang Che sat down under a parasol, smoking a cigar and watching Zhang Dahuzi act. Wow, Ning Zhongze is so charming; her features are even better than Yue Lingshan's.

No wonder, this is Liu Dong, she was once a beauty at the Beijing Film Studio, and she played a couple with Zhou Lijing when she was a sophomore.

She was in the class of '78 at Beijing Film Academy, the same class as Zhang Fengyi, Xie Yuan, and Zhang Tielin.

As Yang Che watched, he began to pay close attention to the set design. It was rich in color, magnificent and bold, with a profound artistic conception... It was much more artistic than "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Of course, both films featured a bamboo forest duel, but "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" was a clash of ink marks on rice paper, while "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was a high-saturation oil painting on canvas.

"Director Huang, who's the art director?"

"Song Hongrong".

Yang Che suddenly realized: "No wonder, no wonder."

One of the textbooks he used in his classes, "Film Art Design," was written by Song Hongrong, who is now a professor of fine arts and the dean of academic affairs at the Beijing Film Academy. He remembered Song vividly, as Song taught fine arts while also managing academic affairs...

It's a pity that audiences, accustomed to the fast pace, straightforward dialogue, and plastic waterfall set of the Hong Kong version, can't appreciate this version.

Uh... no, that's not quite right either. People still like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Oh, right, that's because it was approved by Americans.

Having gotten used to industrial saccharin, people start complaining that plain tea tastes bad. Damn it, ugh, what kind of crap is this?

Of course, later, young people who had gained cultural confidence raised the rating of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" from 5.6 to 8.5.

Just as he was learning the technique, Li Xiangdong came over and handed him a few packs of cigarettes.

"Brother Che, the mung bean smoothie has arrived."

"Has the copy of 'The Grand Mansion Gate' been sent over?"

"It's been sent."

Yang Che nodded, took out two packs of cigarettes, and handed them to Huang Jianzhong.

Huang Jianzhong grinned: "Oh, thank you, Mr. Yang."

These days, it's common practice to visit the set and send someone to see Hua Zi.

Bringing drinks was a rare occurrence. Huang Jianzhong called for a 15-minute break and mentioned that Yang Che had given the entire crew mung bean smoothies. The "Swordsman" crew erupted in cheers even louder than the "Spring Bright Pigsy" crew had done, mainly because there were more people and it was hotter.

Wei Zi, who plays Yue Buqun, is holding a plastic bowl and scooping a spoonful into his mouth with a contented expression.

"Thanks, Mr. Yang. Producer Zhang always makes us drink Huoxiang Zhengqi Water (a traditional Chinese medicine for heatstroke)."

"You're too kind, you're too kind."

Liu Dong, Miao Yiyi, and the others also came up to express their gratitude, saying, "Yes, we can eat cold food."

Ugh, I don't even know what she's thinking. Her mind wanders as soon as she steps outside.

Just as they were chatting and laughing, the Holy Maiden arrived, wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and denim pants. Beside her was a bespectacled man with a buzz cut, wearing a black linen jacket, black casual pants, and round-toed cloth shoes.

Xu Qing and her boyfriend nodded to the people around them and headed straight for Yang Che.

"Boss Yang, I've long admired your name. I am Liu Bo."

Yang Che smiled and said, "Chairman Liu, you're joking. I'm not famous at all. You are the renowned Confucian businessman."

"Hey, just a pedantic scholar, not worth mentioning."

Damn, that's so sour.

Yang Che felt extremely awkward; this person was even more sour and fake than him.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that the beautiful Xu was looking at her boyfriend with love on her face.

He was too lazy to bother with him anymore and turned to talk to Zhang Da Huzi about "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils".

Unexpectedly, Liu Bo seemed not to notice that Yang Che was not very interested, and said in a gentle tone, "When I first saw the Olympic bid emblem designed by President Yang, I said that it was designed by a master. The simple lines of movement contain beauty, harmony and power. President Yang is a true cultured person."

Yang Che's mind immediately went on high alert. This guy was being overly solicitous for no reason.

"God lent me his hand, but it has nothing to do with me in essence."

Liu Bo chuckled: "As the saying goes, 'A masterpiece is born of nature, and a stroke of genius is often a matter of chance.' Mr. Yang is too modest. I wonder if Mr. Yang has heard of my teacher's 'Treasured Books for Generations'?"

Yang Che raised an eyebrow: "Never heard of him. Who is your teacher?"

Xu Qing noticed that Yang Che didn't seem happy.

Liu Bo, however, looked smug and said, "Ji Hui Xianlin."

"Oh, I see. I've never heard of it."

At this moment, Zhang Da Huzi walked over, took over the conversation, and started praising the book, "The Treasured Books of the Ages."

They also mentioned that Liu Bo entered Wuhan University at the age of 14... a prodigy, blah blah blah.

Yang Che wondered what Wu Da had done wrong to deserve sleeping with someone. Oh, that Wu Da.

By the way, if viewers pay close attention, they should be able to see that the bed Fan Yiping used to treat Linghu Chong is the same bed Pan Jinlian used to feed Wu Dalang medicine...the same filming location.

"Mr. Yang is a learned man; he should have a set."

"What kind of scholar am I? Besides, it's too expensive, 68,000, haha."

Liu Bo said in a serious tone, "Talking about money is vulgar. We hit it off immediately and had a very pleasant conversation, so I should give you a set."

Yang Che felt increasingly uncomfortable: "No need, no need, my rented apartment is only 50 square meters, it's too small."

Liu Bo then said, "Mr. Yang, you're joking. You're praising this book so highly..."

Yang Che interrupted with a laugh: "Stop! You guys have to be my witnesses. I haven't praised this book at all, and I certainly didn't hit it off with you at first sight."