Reborn in the Entertainment Industry: This Top Star Has Real Achievements

"Answer it? Why don't you answer it?" Uncle Wang asked without even thinking.

"However, I still have some things to finish, and you haven't been attending many classes this academic year, so I guess you won't be able to film this year."

"It's okay. I'll take this time to recharge and get some guidance from Teacher Huang. I'm still not entirely sure about the character's backstory."

"Alright, I'll keep this script for now." Uncle Wang put the script down beside him, then suddenly looked at Li Xiang as if he remembered something.

"After this book was published, who else was shown it to?"

"Besides the screenwriters at the company, it's my agent, Sister Zhou, and you, Uncle. There's no one else," Li Xiang replied.

After hearing this, Uncle Wang gently stroked the edge of the script with his fingertips, remained silent for a few seconds, and then his eyes hardened: "Hmm, then we should still find a strategist to take a look."

Seeing Li Xiang's brows furrow slightly, as if he was puzzled, he simply laid it all out: "No matter what, Yi Mou's support and assistance to you have been considerable, and the favor is undeniable."

Therefore, you should have informed him about this new notebook, both out of courtesy and reason.

It's not about telling him what to do, but rather to avoid him hearing about it from others in the future and thinking you're being inconsiderate, thus creating unnecessary rifts.

He paused again, a smile playing on his lips, "But I reckon even if he were to be right, he probably wouldn't be able to film it."

"How long has he been preparing for 'The Flowers of War'? It's a big production with a grand scale, and now his mind is probably all on that..."

"But when it comes to interpersonal relationships, we still have to do our best, regardless of whether he wants to film it or not." Uncle Wang changed the subject, his tone becoming firm.

"It was my oversight," Li Xiang said with a smile, after all, he had genuinely forgotten about it.

"I was just busy telling you about this first. Besides, Uncle Zhang probably won't need one more notebook from me."

"You silly child." Uncle Wang was amused by his words, and the warmth in his eyes deepened.

He naturally understood the implication in Li Xiang's words: she still cared more about him, her uncle.

Uncle Wang felt pleased, but he didn't say anything more. He only said that he would introduce some people to Li Xiang on the day of the school's anniversary, and then changed the subject.

Next, Li Xiang combined his memories of the film with his analysis of the cinematic language and recounted everything in one go.

He sincerely hoped that Uncle Wang could seize this opportunity, win several major awards with this film, and firmly establish himself in the industry.

This was naturally a huge benefit for him as well. So when talking about these things, he was completely open and honest.

The two discussed this for a long time, and Uncle Wang even took out a small notebook to write down the key ideas, occasionally stopping to ask a few questions about the details.

Before they knew it, the tea on the table had been refilled several times and had long since lost its flavor before the two of them finally prepared to leave.

As Uncle Wang stood up, he patted Li Xiang on the shoulder: "Don't go running around these next couple of days. I'll let you know once I've arranged to meet your Uncle Zhang."

"Haha, Uncle, are you looking for outside help?"

When his thoughts were exposed, Uncle Wang didn't refute them, but instead nodded frankly: "Theory is theory, but since this film has the potential to win awards, we should naturally pay more attention to it."

Yi Mou is truly skilled in this area; it wouldn't hurt to ask him for advice.

"As long as you know what you're doing, that's fine." Li Xiang smiled, speaking frankly.

"I also hope that you can take me to new heights with this film."

He never hides his ambition from those close to him—he wants to be famous and move up the ladder; there's nothing to hide about that.

Uncle Wang saw the light in his eyes and understood.

From the moment Li Xiang took out that notebook, he understood what the boy was thinking. But who doesn't want something in life?

"You can never earn enough money in your lifetime." Uncle Wang patted his shoulder, his tone carrying the wisdom of someone who's been through it all.

"But awards are different. They represent real prestige, a voice, and can help one stand taller and more firmly in this industry."

Li Xiang nodded in agreement, picked up the cup of tea on the table that had long since gone weak, and gently clinked it against Uncle Wang's cup: "I'll stand with you and fight to regain our honor."

Uncle Wang's smile deepened, but he still playfully raised his glass in return: "Then let's have a go."

He said he would wait two days, but Li Xiang hadn't expected Uncle Wang to be so impatient.

The next afternoon, the phone rang, and the meeting place was set at Zhang Yimou's studio.

Li Xiang quickly had Xiao Jiang gather the gifts he had prepared in Hangzhou before having Master Chen drive him there.

Upon entering the studio, I found it bustling with noise, much more lively than the last time I visited.

When everyone saw him, this "Zhang Yimou's leading man," they all greeted him warmly.

After all, the film grossed over 200 million yuan, and his contribution was indispensable.

In addition, Director Zhang protected him both openly and subtly during the roadshow, so everyone had long regarded him as one of their own and treated him very well.

Fortunately, Li Xiang was prepared. He had Xiao Jiang carry the fruit and pastries and distribute them one by one, while he slipped into Director Zhang's private office.

Uncle Wang and Director Zhang were both inside. Director Zhang was holding his script, with several pages of storyboards drawn next to him.

It seems Uncle Wang really can't wait any longer.

Li Xiang chuckled inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. After greeting everyone, he obediently sat down and pretended to look around curiously.

Director Zhang studied the script for a long time, going over not only the script but also the storyboards that Uncle Wang had drawn overnight twice, before finally looking up and fixing his gaze on Li Xiang.

His tone held a hint of surprise: "You little rascal, you've really given me a pleasant surprise."

"Look at what you're saying. I thought a box office of over 2 million would be a pleasant surprise for you," Li Xiang replied half-jokingly.

Zhang Yimou didn't respond to his comment, but just shook his head and shook the script in his hand: "How did you come up with this script? This character is quite twisted."

Li Xiang was prepared for this, since someone would ask sooner or later, so he started speaking according to the line of thought he had already prepared:

"Uncle Zhang, as you know, it's almost impossible for a character to win an award these days without some flaws."

I deliberately fabricated this story—I read some related news recently, added some artistic embellishments, and it turned out like this.

"Just what I guessed. With a notebook like this, nobody would believe you didn't have some ulterior motive."

Then, he changed the subject, "But to be honest, this notebook is still a bit of a disadvantage for you."

These words startled Li Xiang, who stared at him expectantly.

Zhang Yimou didn't keep us in suspense: "While the male protagonist in the story is certainly outstanding, the mother's role is actually more impactful and has a richer psychological depth."

Especially the last part, where she clearly had thoughts of regret and softening her heart—if that scene were filmed, it would definitely be more moving than the male lead's performance.

"I know that too," Li Xiang said with a wry smile.

"But I've already stacked up all the male lead's buffs and twisted him like this, so I can't come up with anything more extreme than this."

Finally, letting him choose which way to die was a deliberate choice to add weight to his character; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to handle the tension of the mother's role.

"So you're actually at a disadvantage. But on the other hand, being able to write such a balanced, or even more outstanding, character..."

This also shows that you have a pursuit of art, at least you didn't disrupt the balance of the play for personal gain.

He picked up the script again. "This script is very good now, almost impeccable. But it will definitely be a tough battle for you, so you need to prepare in advance."

Uncle Wang looked at Li Xiang with a worried expression and chimed in, "Sigh, the more I watched last night, the more I felt that the male lead is actually very difficult to play."

On the surface, he often appears expressionless, but the emptiness and lack within, along with the occasional ruthlessness he reveals, are far more difficult to conceal than mere crying and tantrums.

You really need to get to work and hone your acting skills.

"He's more talented than you think." Zhang Yimou interrupted for the first time.

"Moreover, he wrote this play, and the images in his mind and his understanding of the characters may be even deeper than yours, the director."

The author's perspective is ultimately different from the director's.

"So I think he can play the role well. The real concern now is—who will play the mother?"