Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

In the office,

Zhuang Huai'an put down the script in his hand, his brows furrowed.

"Hey bro, you're really forgetting what you've learned. You're already causing trouble right after the lockdown was lifted?"

Jiang Wen across from him smiled smugly, "You don't understand. The script is the script, and the actual filming is the actual filming. I'll film it subtly so the men won't be able to tell."

"Is it possible that the audience won't even notice?"

Zhuang Huai'an sighed helplessly and threw the script on the table. The cover clearly read: "Velvet, First Edition".

"That makes sense!"

Jiang Wen suddenly realized, "Hiss~ I really hadn't thought about that."

"That's right, you've only been thinking about fighting," Zhuang Huai'an retorted, tapping the script with his finger and saying meaningfully, "Just like your script."

As the old saying goes, "There is endless joy in fighting with others."

Jiang Wen rubbed his chin. "I need to go back and think about it some more. Hey bro, what do you think about me making a big film? Would that be worthwhile?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Look, although I don't really like the title of 'Top Five Directors in Mainland China,' Zhang Yimou, Wang Sicong, and you have all made big productions, and even Feng Xiaogang has one. I have to follow suit!"

Jiang Wen handed him a cigarette. "After five years of lying low, this is the perfect opportunity to soar to new heights. What a great gimmick!"

That's great, that's enough!

"I don't think it's necessary."

Zhuang Huai'an scoffed, "Anyway, with your reputation, Jiang Chaozhi, even an art film could easily scrape together a budget of tens of millions. Round it up, and it's still a big production, isn't it?"

Jiang Wen, unashamed at having her wounds exposed, said, "How could a rich dog like you understand the hardships of us independent filmmakers? If I don't take, how will the people below me take? If the people below me don't take, how will the producers and directors take? If no one takes, how can we improve? This is all knowledge; you should learn it."

Alright, alright, is that how it is? The treacherous minister has finally shown himself!

Zhuang Huai'an pursed his lips, too lazy to pay him any attention.

"Ahem, let's get down to business."

Jiang Wen showed a rare hint of embarrassment. "I'm here today on someone's behalf, to ask you for a favor."

"What? Did your lover get arrested again?"

"No, not at all. This is the only one causing trouble; I've dealt with the others... Uh, cough cough, let's get down to business!"

Jiang Wen quickly retracted a gossip and continued, "I previously acted in an art film called 'Jasmine Women,' directed by Hou Yong from your Beijing Film Academy, who also directed Zhang Yimou's 'Not One Less.'"

It was shelved for three years due to its subject matter, and finally passed censorship this year. But the female lead is Zhang Ziyi, an international star. Now that you've effectively shut her down, it definitely can't be shown in mainland China. The production company's intention is to ask me to put in a good word for you; they want to try sending it to overseas markets to test the waters, hoping to recoup some of their costs.

"Go if you want to, why are you telling me this?" Zhuang Huai'an said indifferently, after all, the production company had also suffered an innocent disaster.

"Without your permission, how could they dare to go?"

"Hey~ Don't say things that are detrimental to unity, or people will think I'm domineering!"

Jiang Wen laughed in anger after hearing this. With her own strength, she had made all the film and television companies and the entertainment industry in mainland China breathless. Who would dare to mess with her?

Look at the three blacklisted now: Zhang Ziyi went to work selling her body, Zhao Da Yan and Chen Kun joined forces to try their luck in the Hong Kong entertainment circle, but they were suppressed by Boss Yang and the Long Wu couple and couldn't even get supporting roles. Their lives are miserable.

Oh right, there's also a guy who operates a sewing machine.

Who in the entertainment industry doesn't know your power and influence, Zhuang Huai'an?

Jiang Wen was filled with emotion. He was a witness to Zhuang Huai'an's journey. Since his debut in Cannes, no one could have imagined that this genius boy would go from suddenly appearing to becoming world-famous in less than 5 years.

"Brother, speaking of which, you debuted while I was blacklisted. Are you afraid of me, or are you simply avoiding me altogether?"

"Brother, I have a question too. You were born 20 years earlier than me. Should you be a slow bird that gets to fly early, or should you avoid my sharp edge?"

The two exchanged a glance, forcing themselves to suppress a laugh—truly a pair of kindred spirits who had stepped in dog poop in a stinky mountain valley!

...

On the other side, in Pingxiang City, Jiangxi Province,

In an incredibly bright room,

Little Swallow skillfully untied the leather ornaments around her neck and hands and feet. Her big eyes had long lost their former liveliness, leaving only a stagnant, numb pool.

She looked at the hook-nosed man opposite her who resembled the Pleiades star deity.

"Master Wang, you've been consecrating my body for two months now, even my toes... isn't it time you performed a ritual for me?"

"No rush, the time isn't right yet."

Wang openly stared at her naked body, a lewd glint in his eyes. Such a good vessel, it would be a waste to use it for only two months.

"Why? Didn't you say that sealing my jar would restore my luck? I sealed it for two whole months! And that mouth prison, I also..."

Seeing that Xiao Yanzi was obviously anxious, Wang quickly reassured her, "I observed the stars last night, and the other party is currently at the height of their power. Even if your luck is restored, it will be difficult to resist them, so we must wait."

"wait?"

"That's right," Wang said, trying to convince him. "Once he gets over this period of starlight protection, I've analyzed his zodiac sign, and this year will be his time of reversal. As the saying goes, what goes up must come down, and the time for him to fall from his peak is not far off."

"Can your magic even predict zodiac signs?"

"Ah~ all the arts under heaven are one family. I have acquired this skill by combining the strengths of various schools."

"I see, Master Wang, you're amazing!"

"What's so great about it?"

"It's great everywhere!"

Little Swallow looked at Wang with admiration, but inwardly she was sneer.

Just because he can perform a few snake-converting tricks, does he really think he's a highly accomplished Taoist master?

If it weren't to please the people behind you, would I let you play like this?

Thinking about what she had experienced over the past two months, Xiao Yanzi's anger intensified. That old man was simply inhuman!

Xiao Yanzi's superb acting skills fooled Wang, and her adoring eyes and pitiful appearance ignited a fire in his heart.

At this moment, Wang Shi felt that he was about to explode!

"Weiwei, I just had an out-of-body experience and noticed that your luck is leaking out again. Let me see!"

"Ah~ Master Wang, you must help me properly~" Little Swallow obediently turned around and was about to make a move.

"Don't rush, we can't lose any of these magical artifacts. Seal the opening first."

Wang grabbed her, forcibly suppressing his inner turmoil, and gently put the scattered leather ornaments on her one by one, finally adding a metal chain as an embellishment.

"Mmm...mmm..."

Little Swallow lowered her head and rubbed against Wang's palm like a puppy. This action made him completely drop his pretense and impatiently press down on her.

"This is the royal general's innate spiritual treasure. You must be sincere to it for it to be effective."

"Ugh... ugh... ugh..."

Little Swallow obediently lowered her head, fully embracing her first lesson in acting, but her heart was filled with boundless hatred.

Zhuang Huai'an! Cui Xinqing! North... never mind, we can't afford to mess with them...

You just wait, just wait until I turn the tables!

"Oh, Vivi, turn over."

"Ugh...ugh...ugh..."