Just because I wrote "Zhu Xian," the school beauty sent me razor blades.

Los Angeles.

A privately owned coffee shop.

7 PM.

Michael Anderson arrived ten minutes early.

But he didn't drink coffee.

I just sat there, looking out the window.

Lin Yuan sat opposite him.

"nervous?"

Michael shook his head.

"It's not nervousness."

"It feels unreal."

Lin Yuan smiled.

"Because of an email?"

Michael looked at him.

"Because of a name."

"Steven Spielberg".

When he said the name, his tone was complicated.

"Do you know?"

"Twenty years ago, if someone had told me..."

"One day I will sit here and take a nineteen-year-old director to meet him."

"I must think that person is crazy."

Lin Yuan remained silent.

He glanced down at the script on the table.

"The Shawshank Redemption".

Actually, before I came here...

He had thought about it many times.

What is Hollywood?

Is it capital?

Is it a rule?

Is it the industrial system?

It is the ultimate stage that countless filmmakers dream of.

But today.

It was the first time he had felt that way.

I have truly stood at the entrance to this stage.

It's not because of money.

It's not because of my status.

It was because of a story.

It's exactly 7 o'clock.

The entrance to the coffee shop.

A man walked in.

He was wearing a simple coat.

He had a gentle smile on his face.

But the moment I saw him.

Michael stood up.

"Steven."

The man smiled and hugged him.

Michael.

"have not seen you for a long time."

Then.

His gaze fell on Lin Yuan.

There was a one-second pause.

"You're that 19-year-old director?"

Lin Yuan stood up.

"Lin Yuan".

Steven nodded.

sit down.

There was no small talk.

The first sentence.

Ask directly:

Why?

Lin Yuan was taken aback.

"What?"

Steven looked at him.

Why make this story?

"You are not American."

"You've never been to prison."

"You didn't even experience that era."

Why "The Shawshank Redemption"?

The question is straightforward.

Some of them are even quite sharp.

Michael glanced at Lin Yuan.

No one spoke up for him.

Because he knew.

This is true communication.

Lin Yuan remained silent for a few seconds.

Then he opened his mouth:

"Because I think so."

"This is not a story about prison."

Steven's eyes flickered slightly.

Lin Yuan continued:

"Many people will encounter their own Shawshank."

"It might be a job."

"An environment."

"A segment of life."

"They are not without hope."

"I just slowly forgot about it."

"Who I once wanted to be."

Steven remained silent.

After a while.

he asks:

"So what do you think Andy is?"

Lin Yuan replied:

"A proof."

"This proves that the environment can confine the body."

"But it cannot determine a person's soul."

"soul."

"That's a very big word."

Lin Yuan shook his head.

"But isn't that what movies are all about?"

"If we're just talking about prison breaks..."

"The audience will know the outcome after watching for ten minutes."

"But what if someone hasn't given up on themselves for twenty years?"

"Then it can be seen by everyone."

Steven picked up his coffee.

I took a sip.

No reviews.

Just asking:

"Do you know how Hollywood views this project right now?"

Lin Yuan nodded.

"Know."

"Then why do you still insist?"

Lin Yuan looked at him.

"Because if everyone feels safe."

"Then it might not be the movie I want to make."

These words were spoken.

Michael's lips curled up slightly.

he knows.

This is Lin Yuan.

From "Qian Xuesen".

To Initial D.

And now.

He never chases the market.

Instead, it's creating a market.

Steven leaned back in his chair.

Looking at the young man in front of me.

Suddenly asked:

Do you know why I came?

Lin Yuan shook his head.

Steven said:

"I've looked at your information."

Nineteen years old.

"Director from China".

"I've acted in racing movies."

"I've acted in historical films."

"He can also write music."

Many people say you're like a genius.

Speaking of it.

Steven paused for a moment.

"But I don't like the word 'genius'."

"Many people are talented."

"But what really matters is..."

"Do they have a story they want to tell?"

He picked up the script from the table.

"I've finished reading it."

"The biggest problem with this script."

Lin Yuan's brows twitched slightly.

"What is it?"

"It trusts its audience too much."

Lin Yuan was stunned.

"There are many movies now."

"I'm afraid the audience won't understand."

"So I keep explaining."

"But you didn't."

"You've just put someone's twenty years there."

"Let the audience experience it for themselves."

Lin Yuan remained silent.

Because of this one sentence.

This is something he has always insisted on.

story.

More important than skills.

mood.

More important than routines.

Steven turned to the last page.

Andy stood in the rain.

"This shot."

How do you plan to film it?

Lin Yuan replied:

"We don't pursue grandeur."

"We don't chase after heroic moments."

"I want to film an ordinary person."

"The moment when I finally regained control of my life."

Steven looked at him.

Suddenly he laughed.

Michael.

"You've found a troublesome person."

Michael was helpless.

"I know."

Steven shook his head.

"No."

What I mean is...

"He's the kind of person who gives investors a headache."

"But they are also people the film needs."

A few seconds later.

Steven closed the script.

"I have one more question."

Lin Yuan nodded.

"Go ahead and ask."

"Without investment."

"If all companies refuse."

"Will you still take photos?"

this problem.

The same question asked by Fei Zhao.

But Lin Yuan's answer remained unchanged.

"meeting."

"Now I know why Michael chose you."

"Many directors want to prove themselves."

"To prove that I understand technology."

"To prove that I can make blockbuster films."

"Prove that you can win in the market."

He said this.

There was a pause.

"But you are not."

Steven continued:

"You just want to tell a story."

"A story you feel should be seen."

The coffee shop quieted down.

Michael sat there.

There was no interruption.

Because he knew.

This is one filmmaker acknowledging another filmmaker.

A few seconds later.

Steven picked up his phone.

I dialed a number.

The call was connected.

Steven:

"Hi."

There is a project.

"I suggest you take a look."

He finished speaking.

hang up the phone.

The whole process took less than a minute.

Michael was taken aback for a moment.

"that's all?"

Steven looked at him.

"What do you want?"

Michael opened his mouth.

"I thought..."

"Would you invest?"

Steven smiled.

Michael.

"If a story requires my investment to prove its value."

"Then it doesn't prove itself."

He finished speaking.

He looked at Lin Yuan.

"It's what I can do."

"Just tell the right person."

"There's a story worth reading here."

Lin Yuan understood.

This is the real rule of Hollywood.

No one will take on all the risks for you just because you say you like someone.

But it's just a recommendation from a top filmmaker.

That's enough to change a lot of things.

Lin Yuan stood up.

"Thanks."

Steven shook his head.

"No."

"I should thank you."

"It made me see why a young director makes movies again."

He finished speaking.

I walked to the door.

It suddenly stopped.

"Forest."

Lin Yuan looked up.

Steven looked at him.

I hope you succeed.

"Because Hollywood needs movies like this."

Lin Yuan paused for a moment.

nod.

"I can."

Steven smiled.

He turned and left.

domestic.

Tianxing Entertainment.

in the office.

Chen Yuan had been staring at his email inbox for three hours straight.

No news.

A refusal.

Both are observing.

There are still a few that haven't been replied to.

The deadline for the venue has arrived.

Getting closer.

The secretary pushed the door open and came in.

"Mr. Chen."

Chen Yuan looked up.

"explain."

The secretary was holding the phone.

His expression was somewhat agitated.

"Over in America."

"Someone contacted me first."

Chen Yuan was stunned for a moment.

"Who?"

The secretary took a deep breath.

"Castle Rock".