I'm not mentally ill, I'm a master of a thousand faces!

Chapter 517, The Dignity of a Loser

Wang Chen at this moment.

He was already waiting in the office. As the person in charge of the import faction at Huaying Film Studio, his position was beyond question.

No matter how you put it.

He is one of the most influential people in the entire Chinese-language film and television industry.

Every move they make can cause an earthquake in the entire industry.

Now, he is sitting in his office, which is quite unique, with posters of artistic works hanging on the walls.

At this moment, Li Yun looked at the dazzling array of posters in the office.

It seemed to be looking at these black and white posters as well.

Wang Chen was also admiring the posters in his office, which were framed in glass.

"This is called The Gardens of Langdon, and it is the oldest film in the world. It was filmed on October 14, 1888, and is the oldest film in the world."

"From this day forward, cinema, this great medium for carrying art, was born. In 1895, the Lumière brothers invented the projector, the movie projector with a projection lens. From this day forward, cinema finally had an audience."

"In the same year, Annabella's Snake Dance, the world's first color film was also created."

"Moon travelogues, train robberies, these are art forms that emerged and sprang up a century ago."

"And in the same year, the industry produced its first and greatest actor, the most outstanding person since the birth of the film industry."

"His name is Chaplin. He remains in history books and in textbooks around the world. Even though he has been dead for decades, his legacy still lives on."

"And it will continue to live on in this great way."

Wang Chen, with a look of rapt attention, explained this period of history to Li Yun.

The history of the film and television industry.

While we were still enduring a history of suffering, their industry had already begun, shining brightly and thriving from the world's first film, then evolving into what it is today, into television productions, and into the art forms presented on the screen as they are now.

It has now become the pinnacle of art.

Wang Chen's office features a poster detailing the history of his artistic journey.

From the foot of the mountain.

Reaching the summit of a high mountain, what one experiences and what one develops.

"How about that? Pretty impressive, right? Everything we can rely on right now started from this garden."

Xie Qingya, who was standing next to him, was also watching. Even though their positions were somewhat at odds, she had to admit that it was true.

He's a professional.

A professional and highly skilled art expert.

He has achieved this position because he possesses his own talent and all the necessary elements.

"Indeed, this is the first time I've heard of such a thing. I've never had this concept before," Li Yun said honestly. In the past, his knowledge of the history of Western films was limited to Chaplin; he only knew that there was a great artist named Chaplin.

The history of the development of film elements is only vaguely understood, lacking a true and concrete knowledge.

"How do you feel after seeing these? Do you feel insignificant?"

Wang Chen looked at Li Yun, observing the subtle changes in Li Yun's expression, trying to guess what he was thinking.

After witnessing this magnificent scene, have you realized your own insignificance, and have you felt a sense of despair?

Don't think you're powerful just because you defeated Bai Yexing. You haven't witnessed true greatness.

Let Li Yun give him his reaction.

It was unusually calm.

Are you done talking?

Wang Chen fell silent.

"Don't you have any reverence at all?"

"Of course I respect my predecessors. Without their development of these things, we wouldn't be where we are today. I deeply admire them. But if you say that starting early necessarily makes you great, then I think that's ridiculous."

"Haven't you ever heard the saying 'he can be replaced'?"

Thank you for sharing your historical knowledge. It broadened my horizons and allowed me to learn things I had never known before.

So what?

Will this shatter my ambition and domineering thoughts?

I don't seem to be that fragile.

"I know your ambitions, Mr. Li. Don't misunderstand me. I didn't mean for you to go to Hollywood. What I'm saying is that you actually have better options, and for you, this is the best option."

"Working with Hollywood gives you access to many superior resources."

At this moment, Wang Chen revealed his thoughts.

A Sino-US co-production, another collaboration.

This collaboration with Li Yun will enhance the influence of both parties; it's a win-win situation.

"You want to shoot a blockbuster? With Hollywood's resources and professional guidance, and special effects more realistic and grander than The Great Wall! I'll give you even more resources than I promised!"

Wang Chen knew that Li Yun wanted to be number one in China, so he didn't plan for Li Yun to go to Hollywood.

So at this point, it's just talk.

Let him also get involved in Sino-US co-productions.

At this moment, Xie Qingya looked at Li Yun, wondering what choice he would make in the face of such temptation.

Li Yun seemed to think for a moment.

Wang Chen took a sip of coffee, his expression quite calm, as if he didn't think Li Yun could refuse such generous terms.

He confidently accepted Li Yun's rejection.

At this moment, the smile on Wang Chen's face disappeared.

"Aren't you going to think about it more carefully?"

"What's there to think about? I refuse, I solemnly declare it, I refuse without the slightest hesitation," Li Yun said calmly.

There's nothing to consider.

Li Yun rejected this seemingly tempting proposal.

Why?

"There aren't that many whys," Li Yun said at this moment. "If a Sino-US co-production falls short, it's the fault of the Chinese script and director. If it's successful, it's because the foreign technology is superior and more advanced."

Li Yun's eyes were clear and bright at this moment.

Wang Chen neither confirmed nor denied this.

The implication is quite clear.

So now.

Is there no way to reconcile?

No more.

What do you think?

In the end, Li Yun did not get any resources from Wang Chen.

The power to interpret this matter rests with him; if he wants to renege, there's nothing you can do about it.

"You're not at a loss this way; at least Wang Chen's reputation in China is completely ruined."

At this moment, Xie Qingya was comforting Li Yun from the side.

Xie Qingya never expected this.

Wang Chen actually used such a ridiculous method to renege on the reward.

Although Wang Chen wasn't exactly a very trustworthy person, this was the first time he'd ever seen someone act so rudely.

However, just as Xie Qingya said, Wang Chen probably won't have any credibility in China this time. It can be said that this time he simply traded his resources for credibility.

Li Yun recalled his recent negotiation with Wang Chen, who had presented a special effects team that he could contact domestically when Li Yun refused.

He said that this was all the resources he had.

They cheated.

"At least he provided me with some amusement. I never expected that someone of his status would choose to cheat and run away."

At this moment, although Li Yun felt a tiny bit of regret, he wasn't too upset.

The special effects team.

If you can't find the absolute best, the second-best in China will do, as long as they can bring out 80% of their potential.

That's enough.

Xie Qingya also felt a little guilty at this moment.

They're all from Huaying Film Studio, but the difference in resources between them is like night and day.

Everyone said they would do everything they could to support Li Yun, but even with all her efforts, the support she could provide couldn't satisfy Li Yun.

However, the promise that Wang Chen failed to make this time was exchanged for the support of other resources from Huaying, namely Xie Qingya's faction. Knowing that Li Yun's next film was a special effects movie, they provided venue support and policy support.

In many places, there are implicit indications that some preferential treatment or expedited procedures can be implemented.

It wasn't a wasted trip. Huaying provided support in terms of venue, props, some industries, and even a huge model of an airplane. This was the most Xie Qingya could do.

Li Yun expressed his gratitude.

"Then we'll have to find a new visual effects team."

After saying goodbye to Xie Qingya, Li Yun originally wanted to reconnect with the special effects team from "The Three-Body Problem".

However, an unexpected incident disrupted Li Yun's plans once again.

Li Yun was undoubtedly very busy during this period.

The aftermath of "Dying to Survive" and "The Hidden Corner," including award presentations and social engagements—well, all of that was handled by Jiang Chenggang and Jiang Wen.

Li Yun is busy preparing for the next installment of "The Wandering Earth".

The Wandering Earth.

Putting together a "blockbuster" is no simple task; every step of the planning from beginning to end is crucial.

But Li Yun also seemed to be enjoying it.

Whether you succeed or fail, you feel "enjoyed" and "without regrets".

The recent incident involved someone contacting him, and this person was none other than someone from the Beijing elite circle.

This was what surprised Li Yun. He knew that he had already fallen out with the Beijing elite circle long ago. These old guys were in power and wouldn't allow young people to rise to the top. What kind of logic was that?

That's how "Dying to Survive" became a hit.

Not only did they achieve a resounding victory, proving that the younger generation surpasses the older, but they also directly entered the historical stage of Chinese film history.

It became one of the most successful films in Chinese box office history.

A "great" work.

The reviews of "The Great Wall" are different. In fact, it's not too bad. At least Li Yun thinks that this version of "The Great Wall" is much better than the previous one.

but.

This life's "Dying to Survive".

It's even more powerful than in its previous life.

I, Li Yun, am still the superior one.

Therefore, there weren't many negative comments online about the rivalry between "The Great Wall" and "Dying to Survive," it was more of a case of "why did Heaven create both Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang?"

In a courtyard house in Beijing.

At this moment, Zhang Mouzi looked at the young man in front of him.

He never imagined that this young man, who was a "junior" just a year ago, would now be someone he was on equal footing with.

Rather, it was about surpassing oneself—

It took Zhang Mouzi a while to accept this fact, but he eventually had to, because there was no point in deceiving himself.

"So young."

Zhang Mouzi's first words to Li Yun were unexpected.

So young.

When I was your age, I was still thinking about how to strive for success, but now Li Yun seems to have already gained a sense of superiority.

He himself is an extraordinary talent in his own circle.

"Mr. Zhang."

Li Yun looked at Zhang Yimou in front of him, the number one person in China at that time, the number one person in the Beijing circle, who led the Chinese film and television industry through the glorious years, and could be called a "legendary" filmmaker.

At this moment, Li Yun paused and then spoke.

"Thanks."

"Oh? The first thing you said to me was thank you."

Li Yun didn't know why he said thank you; perhaps it was to express his gratitude for the contributions the man had made to the Chinese film and television industry over the years.

It is undeniable that Zhang Yimou has also contributed many outstanding works.

Red Sorghum, Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern, The Story of Qiu Ju, To Live, Not One Less, My Father and Mother.

Hero, House of Flying Daggers, Curse of the Golden Flower, The Flowers of War.

He dedicated his entire life to film.

Perhaps he will become more degenerate or more ambitious in the future, but his past achievements are undeniable.

Contributions to the Chinese film industry

"I've always thought of myself as a petty person. There was a time when I wanted to destroy you whenever I saw you, to target you, because I was afraid, because I felt ashamed. I never imagined that a young person could lower themselves like this."

Zhang Mouzi does not deny that he harbors evil thoughts and selfishness.

This point cannot be denied openly and honestly acknowledged; this malicious intent is undeniable.

But this time, when the defeat was complete, well...

Hopefully things have calmed down a bit.

At this moment, the person next to Li Yun looked at Zhang Mouzi and said.

"You know, for such a big shot to bow down and submit to us, to admit defeat and humble himself, I never thought I'd get to this point. Hahaha! I never thought that piece of trash abandoned by my father could reach this level! Li Mo should be looking up to us now, even the number one person in China has been insulted by us!"

"Li Yun, why don't you humiliate him? He should have been prepared to be humiliated."

"Li Yun" then spoke, whispering his thoughts in Li Yun's ear.

If it were him, he would definitely insult Zhang Yimou in the video.

They laughed wildly, insulting this "Number One Person in China".

It will definitely bring him an unparalleled climax.

At this moment, Li Yun ignored the persona next to him and whispered.

"Therefore, I am different from you. I will only show respect to a strong opponent."

Regardless.

It was a truly exhilarating battle.

Zhang Mouzi was also somewhat surprised. He thought that Li Yun would be high and mighty and declare victory.

And he, as a "loser," deserves this "punishment."

But Li Yun did not.