Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

Within a few days,

Zhang Yimou rushed back to Beijing, and after a short rest, he went straight to the Beijing People's Art Theatre's staff quarters.

Both gentlemen have a background in theater, and although they are older, their years of studying lines have ensured that they don't miss anything, and they can even occasionally find small problems in the script.

Sure enough, movies with elderly actors still need to be made by elderly actors.

Zhuang Huai'an also took the opportunity to change the background to a retired stage actor, with his daughter, son-in-law, and many other supporting characters, all of whom were big names from the Beijing People's Art Theatre making cameo appearances.

Actually, it's easy for stage actors to break character when they act in movies. Their physical movements are much more exaggerated, while movies require subtlety. But the actors here are all masters who can control their performances perfectly!

Zhang Yimou must have had a great time making this film.

"That's what a veteran actor is like!"

Zhang Yimou took off his headphones, looked at the orderly students of Beijing Film Academy around him, and said in shock, "Good lad, if I had known you were eating this well, I should have switched sides a long time ago."

"Tch, go ahead and be envious!" Zhuang Huai'an said arrogantly. "The treatment of the Holy Son is something you disciples can only dream of."

"Tsk, if you bring that up, I'll have to argue with you."

Zhang Yimou became interested. "Don't you know that the Beijing Film Academy's main discipline is in cinematography?"

"It's just a product of the old era."

Zhuang Huai'an waved his hand, deliberately trying to provoke him, "Wherever I am, that's the legitimate authority, personally approved by the Dean, understand?"

"Ha, so you've got the dean's personal approval? Back in the day, your dean was my underling, carrying my tripod. And you're getting all smug about it?"

Then aren't you just carrying the tripod for Brother Kai?

Of course, Zhuang Huai'an only thought this to himself. If he actually said it out loud, he was afraid that Zhang Yimou's Hong Wen would just quit and cause trouble.

"Gentlemen, thank you for your hard work."

Zhuang Huai'an left Zhang Yimou behind and went to help Zheng Rong. Liu Yifei followed suit and helped Zhu Lin, looking like a devoted wife, which made the two old people smile happily.

"Sisi, go and bring the insulated food container."

"Okay," the little girl replied crisply, turned around and fetched two insulated containers, saying to the two elderly people, "Mr. Zheng, Mr. Zhu, this is lotus root soup that my mother made herself. The lotus root was brought from Hubei, and it's delicious."

"Thank you, little girl, your mother is so kind." The old lady affectionately touched Liu Yifei's face, her expression full of kindness.

Who wouldn't like a pretty and well-behaved little girl?

Zhuang Huai'an stepped forward and poured hot soup for the two elderly people, then turned around and gave a bowl to Lao Yizi.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, the weather in Beijing is getting colder. Aunt Liu specially asked her daughter to bring hot soup to warm the two elderly people.

"It's really fresh." The old man took a sip and exclaimed, "Girl, your mother's cooking is amazing."

Liu Yifei smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it."

After drinking the soup, Zhuang Huai'an gave him another round of instructions.

"Senior brother, tomorrow is the Little New Year. I think we should suspend filming. The health of the two gentlemen is important. We can continue after the Lantern Festival. There's still time."

"That's what I'm planning to do too," Zhang Yimou nodded, then asked, "And you? When do you plan to leave for Berlin?"

"Let's wait until after the New Year. The Spring Festival is early this year, so there's no rush."

"Okay, I'll see how to arrange it."

"Oh, by the way," Zhang Yimou asked again, "Li Lianjie's Huo Yuanjia is coming out the day after tomorrow, are you going?"

"What do you think?" Zhuang Huai'an said irritably, "They personally delivered the invitation, how can we refuse?"

"Okay, then I'll hitch a ride with you. Remember to pick me up."

"Okay, okay."

Zhuang Huai'an waved his hand, "So poor and you call yourself a big director?"

After saying goodbye to the two elderly people, the young couple walked out of the Beijing People's Art Theatre's staff quarters side by side, got into their car, and headed towards the Beijing Hotel.

There was no annual meeting last year, and this year there are more employees, and Yang Chen has also returned from Hollywood. It's a rare opportunity for everyone to get together, so after consulting with everyone, Zhong Lifang reported to her boss, and everyone agreed that they wanted to have a lively celebration.

Zhuang Huai'an naturally followed the will of the people.

The essence of an annual party is giving out money; entertainment comes second.

After a year of hard work, Zhuang Huai'an decided to do the opposite today, having the company's artists perform a few shows to give back emotional value to his employees.

The current 91 Company is a behemoth, with more than 800 employees. If that number were given to Li Er and Zhu Si, they would all rise up in rebellion... cough, never mind.

Yan Kuan, Yu Bo, and Bao Qiang each performed a set of boxing techniques and even did a short interactive routine.

Guo Jinfei and Yuan Hong performed a crosstalk routine, Hu Ge sang three songs in a row, and Qin Hao learned a very poor beatboxing routine, which was even more funny than the crosstalk.

Yan Danchen and Dong Xuan danced together, their long sleeves fluttering like a startled swan. Wan Qian and Shu Chang performed a magic trick riddled with flaws, making everyone laugh uncontrollably.

Phoenix Legend's new song "Bai Xin Nian" sparked a massive sing-along from the audience. "Bai Xin Nian, ah~ wishing you a lucky year!" This song was released on New Year's Day and immediately became a nationwide hit, with an impact comparable to "Gong Xi Fa Cai".

Zhang Liangying sang "Dust in the Fireworks," and Yao Beina sang "Eternity." The two switched roles and performed a medley of songs.

Tan Weiwei and Chun Ge are paired up for a medley of "If There Is a Next Life" and "Shu Embroidery".

The most impressive performance came from Wang Zhengliang, who, seemingly to prove his ability as music director, played nine instruments in one go, already showing early signs of becoming a master.

After singing "Little," Liu Yifei, the young proprietress, sang "Warm," then "123 Wooden Man," each song receiving a full audience sing-along. Finally, she even pulled Zhuang Huai'an to sing "Fairy Tale Town."

The subsequent performances by employee representatives were also lively and energetic... well, great!

"Family members,"

Zhuang Huai'an took the stage and delivered a speech, "91 Company's journey has been inseparable from the hard work and dedication of every member of our family. The reason I had the artists perform the opening act today is simple: we are all one family, just with different jobs, but no distinction of rank or status."

The appetizers are done; now it's time for the main course. Please, all department heads, come to the stage.

Yang Chen took the stage first, followed by Du Hua and Zhong Lifang. Wang Zhengliang was with Su Da, the head of the animation department. Wolong and Fengchu were a vice president and a photography department head, respectively, and Zhang Songwen represented the artists.

"I propose that we bow deeply to our family members to express our gratitude."

After saying that, everyone bowed in unison, and the audience erupted in applause, as if the ceiling was shaking. This scene... thankfully it was reported beforehand.

"detail"

Zhuang Huai'an walked to a table to the side, ripped off the red cloth, and a large pile of cash came into view, causing the breathing in the room to quicken.

"This is a feast! Next, please welcome our highly decorated General Manager Yang, who has been working tirelessly overseas, to give a speech!"

Yang Chen took the microphone, glanced around at the audience, and seeing their expectant eyes, finally uttered two concise words.

"Give us the money!"

Another round of enthusiastic applause and intense stares followed. Zhong Lifang took the microphone and said, "Same as always, everyone gets 10,000 in cash. The bonus will be deposited into your salary card by the finance department later. Remember to check your account. Liu Yuanyuan, your production team can collect yours first."

Zhuang Huai'an continued, "While we wait, everyone can start eating."

"Thank you, boss!"

"Long live Director Zhuang!"

"Director, I love you!"

"West!"

"Loyalty!"

Whether they were long-time employees or new hires, they all had a fanatical look on their faces, which alarmed Zhuang Huai'an. He was afraid that someone might try to do something abstract, so he rushed up and draped a yellow shirt over them.

This is the last time; next time, just clock in directly.

If this commotion continues a few more times, even with reports, we can't withstand it!