Who says Beijing Film Academy has no great directors? (2002)

Chapter 106 Clash with Zhang Jizhong

When Zhang Jizhong saw Chen Yan again on set, his first reaction was to turn around and leave.

Chen Yan shouted directly, "Producer Zhang!"

Zhang Jizhong's feet remained rooted to the spot.

He could only turn around awkwardly, "Oh, Director Chen! What a rare guest! What brings you here today?"

He glanced to the left and right, but didn't see Liu Yifei.

"Where's Yifei?"

The day after the closing ceremony of the Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival, he sent congratulatory text messages to Liu Yifei and Chen Yan. He had been subtly urging Chen Yan several times, saying that without a female lead, how could the film be made?

Chen Yan said with a half-smile, "I'm here today to collect a debt from Producer Zhang."

"Collecting debts?"

Zhang Jizhong's mind went blank. Why was the Condor Heroes crew so unlucky? What had happened that he didn't know about?

He racked his brains but couldn't recall what he had done to offend Chen Yan.

Could it be that he's annoyed by my constant nagging? Well, he wouldn't have come all this way just to yell at me.

With his hands behind his back, Chen Yan casually said, "Yes, Producer Zhang, I'm here today as the company boss to stand up for my artist."

Zhang Jizhong noticed that Chen Yan's expression didn't seem like he was joking, and the surrounding staff were all looking in their direction.

He put his arm around Chen Yan and said apologetically, "Oh, no, no, let's not talk about this here. Come on, Director Chen, let's go to my office to talk."

Chen Yan gave a soft snort and was led away by Zhang Jizhong.

Upon arriving at Zhang Jizhong's office, Chen Yan slammed the bag he was carrying onto the table with a "thud."

"Producer Zhang, you can see for yourself."

Zhang Jizhong was completely baffled and placed the tea he had poured for Chen Yan in front of him.

He then picked up the white bag in front of him, which had the words "Peking Union Medical College Hospital" written on it.

Zhang Jizhong glanced at Chen Yan from head to toe, then gently pulled out the film from inside.

The more I looked, the more furrowed my brow became.

"Cervical or lumbar strain?"

Chen Yan crossed his legs, hugged his arms, and leaned back, exuding an aura of dominance.

The voice was serious as it said, "Yes, although Yifei isn't a top-tier actress now, she's definitely a first-tier actress."

"A leading lady at a 200 million yuan box office hit, a Hundred Flowers Award-winning actress, and she's only a 17-year-old girl with cervical spondylosis—is this how you use people?"

"This... wait a minute, wait a minute, I'll call the director."

After finishing his sentence, Zhang Jizhong immediately used the landline next to him to make a phone call. "Hey, Xiao Liu, have Director Yu and Zhao Jian come to my office."

After saying that, Zhang Jizhong hung up the phone and turned to look at the menacing debt collector in front of him with a smile.

"Don't rush, don't rush, let me ask about the situation first."

A short while later, Yu Min and Zhao Jian arrived at the same time.

"Brother Beard, what's up? I'm busy..." Yu Min saw Chen Yan inside as soon as he opened the door.

He immediately changed his tune, saying, "Mr. Zhang, we have guests."

Zhang Jizhong rolled his eyes, then waved to the two of them: "Hey, it's none other than Director Chen Yan. You two come in."

Yu Min and Chen Yan had eaten together, so they had some interaction.

He spoke naturally and without any awkwardness: "Director Chen, what brings you here on official business today? Let's find a place to grab a late-night snack tonight."

Zhao Jian was still a little intimidated by Chen Yan, after all, the issue of nationality was something his assistant director had done.

So he simply called out softly, "Director Chen."

Then he cursed himself in his heart, thinking how pathetic he was. Why was he afraid of such a young kid?

"Okay, sure, you can eat however you want after we solve the problem." Chen Yan smiled and shook hands with Yu Min.

Upon hearing this, Yu Min realized that they really had come to ask Zhang Jizhong for a favor.

He then looked at Zhang Jizhong with a questioning look in his eyes: What's going on? Why did you call both of us here?

Zhang Jizhong was a little embarrassed, so he asked the two of them to sit down as well.

Tea was served to the two of them before the film was shown to them.

Upon seeing the X-ray images from the hospital, Zhao Jian blurted out without thinking, "Mr. Zhang, are you sick?"

"Go!" Zhang Jizhong glared at Zhao Jian, who flinched.

Yu Min pulled out the film and saw the name.

It's Liu Yifei's film! Why would I bring Liu Yifei's film to watch?

Is Liu Yifei sick? Is she going to leave the group?

With this in mind, Yu Min calmed down and carefully read the doctor's instructions.

"Cervical or lumbar strain?" Yu Min asked uncertainly.

At the same time, his eyes turned to Zhang Jizhong. What was going on here? Everyone in their line of work has some kind of occupational hazard.

Seeing that the two were still grinning foolishly, Zhang Jizhong decided not to wait any longer and said directly, "It really is a bit outrageous. Lao Yu, Lao Zhao, Yi Fei is only 17 years old. She has only been filming in our group for a few days, and she has already developed problems with her cervical and lumbar spine when she went back for a checkup."

"What kind of mess is this?!"

Zhao Jian and Yu Min were completely bewildered. Had Zhang Jizhong gone mad? What was he saying?

Zhao Jian muttered under his breath, "You can't blame us for this, can you? Isn't this how it is these days?"

"Besides, what actor doesn't have injuries or illnesses?"

Chen Yan shot a cold, stern look at Zhao Jian, making him shrink back.

Zhao Jian pursed his lips and glared at me. What could I do? What martial arts film doesn't involve wire work? Who can guarantee that you won't get injured while doing wire work?

Chen Yan felt extremely annoyed watching the two of them, one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop.

"Producer Zhang, I'm also a director, so of course I know that injuries during wire work are commonplace."

However, considering that Yifei is still a minor, and there will definitely be a lot of wire work scenes to come, her personal safety will be difficult to guarantee if filming continues like this. Otherwise, we might as well terminate the contract.

Upon hearing the words "contract termination," Yu Min and Zhang Jizhong were so startled that they stood up immediately.

Is there no problem? We've been filming for so long now, and the female lead is saying she wants to quit the production? Are you kidding me?

Yu Min looked miserable: "Director Chen is joking, right?"

Chen Yan looked at Zhang Jizhong with a cold face, his expression indifferent. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

Still trying to play tricks on me? Believe me or not, I'll take my people and run away right now.

Zhang Jizhong cleared his throat and said in a hoarse voice, "Director Chen must be joking. Zhao Jian, if you keep talking nonsense, get out of here!"

Zhao Jian looked completely innocent. "Hey, what does this have to do with me?"

Zhang Jizhong then looked at Chen Yan, "Director Chen, our crew definitely takes this issue very seriously. It was our fault for overlooking it before. On behalf of the crew, I apologize to you. We will definitely improve in the future."

Chen Yan waved his hand impatiently and said, "Don't say 'later,' say 'now!'"

Chen Yan didn't believe that a single pancake could sustain him until the end of filming.

Zhang Jizhong looked at Yu Min and said in a loud voice, "Okay, now. Immediately notify the action scenes crew to stop filming and make corrections. Filming can resume whenever the corrections are complete."

Yu Min looked constipated.

Zhao Jian, who happened to be the action director and martial arts choreographer, also looked very unwell.

"Okay, we'll make the changes right away." Yu Min finally nodded helplessly.

Chen Yan then showed his first smile since entering the office.

"See, I knew the Condor Heroes crew was the most understanding crew. Producer Zhang has guts."

Zhang Jizhong had an expression of someone who had swallowed a bitter pill and couldn't express their suffering.

He had to smile and agree, saying, "Director Chen is too kind to me."