Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

"Sister Jialing, are you busy?"

"Here's the thing, my movie The Martian starts filming after the new year, and there's a supporting female role in it. I was wondering if you'd be interested."

"To be honest, this is a male-centric film, with Gong Li as the female lead. After thinking it over, I realized that she is the only actress in China who can act alongside her, so I'm shamelessly asking here."

"Yes, yes, filming will start after the New Year. Your character will have about 15 to 20 minutes of screen time."

"Okay, then I'll have my assistant coordinate the schedule with your agent. Goodbye, Sister Carina."

Zhuang Huai'an hung up the phone and raised an eyebrow at Liu Yifei.

To be honest, if it weren't for a big-budget film like "The Martian" that could be released globally, he would have been too embarrassed to ask Carina Lau to play a supporting role again.

Among Hong Kong actresses today, Anita Mui has passed away, Maggie Cheung has retired, and Carina Lau is the leading lady. Her role as a supporting actress in "Detachment" was a favor from the director; it's not like a big director can make someone lower themselves to such a position repeatedly.

This is a fact, and also an unspoken rule in the entertainment industry.

"Among Chinese actors, there's Uncle Jiang, Sister Gong Li, Sister Carina Lau, and me. Who else is there?"

"Han Sanping plays the head of the China National Aviation Administration, and Jiang Wu plays an expert from the China National Aviation Administration. In the plot, he is also Jiang Wen's younger brother."

"That's it?"

"These are the main characters. The other minor roles can be filled by people from the company, even just to show their faces."

"Oh~" Liu Yifei nodded, then after thinking for a moment, asked, "I'll be an adult next year, do you think I should change my nationality back?"

Zhuang Huai'an looked at her. "Did you ask that yourself, or did Aunt Liu ask it?"

"I wanted to ask for your opinion, and Mom also said she wanted to hear your thoughts."

"So what do you think?"

"I want to switch back."

Liu Yifei looked directly into Zhuang Huai'an's eyes and said softly, "I feel more at ease coming back. Although the Godfather said that becoming an American citizen would make it easier to develop in Hollywood, I have you now. If you're in China, I'll go to China; if you go to Hollywood, I'll go to Hollywood with you."

A hint of doting flashed in Zhuang Huai'an's eyes as he ruffled her hair. "You've become so attached to me."

"Are you going to take care of me or not?" The little girl leaned closer, squinting as she felt the warm hand on her head.

What do you think?

"Don't ask me questions, I need to answer!"

Zhuang Huai'an resisted the urge to pull her into his arms and teased, "I dare not express my opinion now. The whole country knows what I'm thinking, but I can't say it openly for certain reasons. Otherwise, I would have taken action long ago."

Love is both restraint and electric shock.

"Do you remember the 7th anniversary gala in Hong Kong?" Zhuang Huai'an took her hand. "There are a lot of people outside, I'm afraid you'll get lost."

Liu Yifei smiled, her eyes crinkling, and replied verbatim, "Then you'd better hurry up."

The two exchanged a knowing glance, their unspoken understanding unspoken.

"Mua~ This is a reward for you. Goodnight." Liu Yifei's departing figure looked somewhat flustered.

Touching the remaining marks on his face, Zhuang Huai'an shook his head and chuckled.

Are you going to use this to test your cadres? Which cadre wouldn't withstand such a test?

I'm sorry, he really can't handle it.

...

The following day, with the help of Zhang Lu and the Qiangli Brothers, the two arrived at Huayi Brothers Media Corporation in Hengdian World Studios.

The entourage of the two brothers was quite impressive, very much in line with their style. When Zhang Yimou held the premiere of "Hero," the red carpet was lined with Qin soldiers, but they brought in a group of big, wavy-haired men, which was very eye-catching... cough, eye-catching.

"Director Zhuang, Ms. Liu, welcome, welcome! Your presence is an honor to our humble abode."

"Congratulations to both Mr. Wang and Mr. Wang, and congratulations to Huayi Brothers on its continued success and outstanding achievements."

"Haha, thank you for your kind words, Director Zhuang. Please come in."

The king was beaming with pride, and the younger king was brimming with self-satisfaction; the two brothers seemed to be invincible today.

In retrospect, if it weren't for the emergence of 91 Company, Huayi Brothers at this time would indeed be considered a leading film and television company in mainland China. Don't be fooled by Feng Xiaogang's subservient attitude in front of Zhuang Huai'an and others; he was a formidable force outside the company.

We cannot deny someone's ability just because of their character. The combination of Feng Xiaogang and Ge You, while not sweeping the national film market, was indeed very successful in the northern region.

The two entered the makeshift auditorium, where Brother Xiaoming was leading a group of artists in entertaining guests, looking every bit like the top star of the company.

"Hey, Director Zhuang, Yifei, you two are here so early?"

Brother Xiaoming warmly greeted the two, seemingly forgetting that Zhuang Huai'an had blocked his white moonlight.

"Senior Xiaoming."

"Hello, senior." Liu Yifei nodded in response.

After shaking hands with him, Zhuang Huai'an smiled and said, "Since you're just idling around in the hotel anyway, why not come over and catch up with some old friends?"

"That's true, it's more lively with more people." Brother Xiaoming welcomed the two to the main seats and personally served them tea and water.

Zhuang Huai'an nodded inwardly. As expected of a well-known good-natured person, his behavior was impeccable.

"Brother Xiaoming is incredibly popular lately. Since the broadcast of The Emperor of Han Dynasty 2, I've been seeing news about you all the time."

Huang Xiaoming gave a wry smile. "Director Zhuang, please don't make fun of my meager achievements. Ever since 'Chinese Paladin' aired, everyone in the industry has been joking that no matter how popular you are, can you ever be more popular than Liu Yifei?"

Liu Yifei smiled sweetly but did not respond. Instead, her gaze towards Zhuang Huai'an softened even more.

Zhuang Huai'an was also amused. This is only the beginning. Once The Return of the Condor Heroes airs, this girl will be the envy of all actresses.

Zhuang Huai'an was not proud of Liu Yifei's sudden rise to fame, because even without him, the young girl would have remained popular for more than 20 years. His appearance simply brought the timeline forward and extended it a bit, while also preventing her from suffering the same harm.

"Director Zhuang, you've won every award imaginable, and now Yifei has surpassed us, which makes me, as her senior, feel a little ashamed."

While joking, Huang Xiaoming also subtly tried to build a closer relationship. As Teacher Cui's personal disciple, he learned the truth about the ban from his teacher immediately, which was a joint decision made by the two universities and higher-level leaders.

Although I feel a little sorry for my white moonlight, I still have to live my life, right?

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Huang Xiaoming saw Jiang Wen and other big names approaching. He politely greeted them and then tactfully left.

"Senior Brother Changwei, Sister Wenli, Brother Jiang, Uncle Ge, Teacher Guoli, Teacher Daomin, Director Feng."

Liu Yifei acted like a newlywed bride, greeting everyone around her, much to everyone's amusement.

Jiang Wenli warmly stepped forward and took Liu Yifei's hand, "They're a bunch of old men smoking and drinking, let's ignore them, I'll take you for a walk."

Liu Yifei nodded obediently and followed her.

After the two women left, Feng Kuzi, as a semi-host, had no choice but to return to his old ways of serving cigarettes and tea. Among these people, Jiang Wen alone could easily overwhelm him.

It wasn't the first time everyone had met, but this time they all started chatting about "The Martian" without prior arrangement. It seemed that Jiang Wen had boasted about it beforehand, so Zhuang Huai'an could only throw out a bunch of technical terms for them to figure out on their own.

Zhuang Huai'an offered them cigarettes and refilled their bottles, then looked at Feng Kuzi and asked, "Director Feng, would it be convenient for you to take me to the restroom?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Kuzi was furious. He knew you were powerful, but you didn't have to bully people like this.

I'm one of the top five directors in mainland China, and you expect me to take you to the toilet? Do you really think I'm your lackey?

Feng Kuzi was pondering how to refuse him without offending him when he looked up and met Zhuang Huai'an's meaningful gaze. His keen observation skills, honed in his youth, allowed him to instinctively understand.

Is this someone who wants to talk to me alone?

"Okay, I've been drinking tea all morning too."

After the time it takes to smoke a cigarette,

Feng Kuzi walked back, looking utterly bewildered and shocked.

Seeing this, everyone was a little curious. How could going to pee together have caused such a commotion?

Could it be that we can't compete?