Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

Zhuang Huai'an's family background is not complicated.

He's just an ordinary nouveau riche.

His hometown is in Qianzhou, a little-known place, but it possesses a certain kind of soil that is indispensable to modern society.

Zhuang Huai'an always believed that his father was the one with great fortune.

After being laid off in the early 90s, Zhuang Kaixuan gritted his teeth and bought several plots of land from the village collective in his hometown, originally intending to plant Camellia oleifera (also known as oil tea tree).

Who knew that digging with a shovel would uncover a family that had been wealthy for three generations?

All your scheming and plotting can be no match for the simple strokes of fate.

When the Zhuang family rose to prominence, Zhuang Huai'an was already in junior high school. He had experienced hardship since childhood, so apart from his poor academic performance, his character was fine.

After resting in the courtyard for a while, Zhuang Huai'an went out and bought several sets of clothes. After all, his height and body shape had changed, and his previous clothes were no longer comfortable to wear.

Not in a hurry to do anything, Zhuang Huai'an followed the military training step by step.

The military training at Beijing Film Academy is really interesting. They take all the freshmen to a military camp in Huairou and train them according to the requirements of a recruit company. They even have to learn how to use real guns and cannons.

With Zhuang Huai'an's current physical condition, he was naturally not afraid; on the contrary, he was very excited. What boy hasn't dreamed of wearing a military uniform?

Through Zhuang Huai'an's deliberate contact, he learned many unique skills from the instructors, including the legendary Black Dragon Eighteen Hands, though the instructors warned him not to attack people indiscriminately.

Days passed by, and soon the military training came to an end.

As they parted, the girls from the performing arts department cried their eyes out, clinging to their female instructor and refusing to let go.

The three brothers from 404 were amazed; perhaps this is the standard for becoming a qualified actor—rich in emotion.

After the military training ended, it was already the end of September. Zhuang Huai'an calculated the time, took a document from the safe in the study of the courtyard house, and hurriedly rushed to the school.

"Teacher, I have written a notebook and would like to ask you for your corrections."

In the directing department office, Wang Hongwei stared blankly at the student who had come in through the back door.

She wanted to refuse, but was worried about hurting the child's confidence. After weighing the options, she could only helplessly say, "Give it to me."

Wang Hongwei took the script; it was quite substantial.

He first looked at the cover, where two words were printed: Hunting.

Turning to the second page, a large amount of text immediately came into view.

In 1994, in a small town on the northeastern border, Lu Kai was a gentle and kind kindergarten teacher. He had just divorced and was fighting with his ex-wife for custody of their son, Lu Sen. He got along well with everyone in town and enjoyed hunting in the mountains with his old friends in his spare time.

Is this a documentary?

Wang Hongwei raised an eyebrow and continued reading.

...

...

Last page:

A year later, the turmoil seemed to have subsided, and Lu Kai had returned to a normal life. According to the town's traditional customs, he was to hold a hunting ceremony for his now-adult son, Lu Sen. The men went hunting together in the mountains. Deep in the forest, a hunting rifle was aimed at Lu Kai, and he pulled the trigger. The bullet grazed past him.

"Holy crap, that ending was a stroke of genius!"

Wang Hongwei gasped in astonishment and exclaimed in admiration.

Old Wang lit a cigarette and paced excitedly around the room.

"Good lad," he turned to look at Zhuang Huai'an, who had a calm expression, and exclaimed, "Judging from this script alone, you have the makings of a renowned director."

Wang Hongwei became more and more satisfied. He had thought that a nouveau riche with a silver spoon in his mouth had come in, but he never expected that this was a dragon among men.

Taking a sip of tea to calm his excitement, Old Wang sat down, stroking his bald head, and asked, "So, you came to see me because you want to photograph this script?"

"Yes, teacher," Zhuang Huai'an handed him a .8 Zhongnanhai cigarette to refill his hand. "This script is the culmination of my hard work and my original intention for wanting to learn directing. I hope to film it myself."

"Yes," Wang Hongwei nodded in understanding. Although he didn't have much directing ability, his years of teaching experience allowed him to judge the quality of a script at a glance. To be honest, if he had written the script, he wouldn't want anyone else to touch it.

"I approve of the script, but you're still just a student, and your directing skills are questionable. Making a film isn't a simple matter."

Wang Hongwei hesitated for a moment, then said, "How about this, you shoot a short film or something, consider it homework. I'll approve the paperwork and equipment for you. As for funding, it won't be a problem with your family's financial situation. What do you think?"

Zhuang Huai'an naturally understood that Old Wang was doing this for his own good, and perhaps he was worried that he would disgrace the sect, but he had no better choice, so he agreed.

Old Wang smiled and nodded, saying, "I can make you a promise: as long as your homework passes my review, the school will help you with everything except money!"

Those who know, know; it's a Beijing Film Academy tradition.

As the only school in the world that can put together a complete film crew on campus, they can provide people and equipment, but don't even ask for money.

This perfectly complements Zhuang Huai'an's current situation.

He had nothing but money.

"Keep this script here for now. I'll show it to the dean. We need his permission to use the equipment. Also, draw the storyboard for this script as soon as possible."

"Okay, teacher."

Zhuang Huai'an walked out of the office, not worried at all that his script would be stolen, not because he trusted Lao Wang so much.

This was because he had made a backup copy a month earlier and mailed it to himself through the post office.

It's important to know that the date on a postmark has legal effect.

Zhuang Huai'an also had a plan in mind regarding the short film.

That has to be the Mount Everest of the short film world, the sound engineer!

If hunters can be born 11 years earlier, why can't tuners be born 9 years earlier?

Back in the dormitory, after telling Sun Hao and Wang Zhiyong what had just happened, their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"You mean you wrote an amazing script that Old Wang approved, and he even said that as long as your short film passes the test, the school will provide the equipment to support you in making a movie?" Sun Hao repeated in one breath.

Wang Zhiyong took a deep breath, smoothed his ponytail, clasped his hands together, knelt on one knee in front of Zhuang Huai'an, and said loudly.

"Having wandered for half my life, I only regret that I have not met a wise ruler. If you do not abandon me, I am willing to take you as my godfather, and from now on, I will lead the way and serve as your guide!"

Sun Hao immediately followed, grabbed Zhuang Huai'an's leg, and shouted, "I'll go through fire and water for you, Godfather!"

The series of actions amused Zhuang Huai'an.

He coughed twice, feigning thirst.

"Godfather, have some iced cola," Wang Zhiyong carefully inserted a straw and placed it near his lips.

After taking a delicious sip, Zhuang Huai'an shook his neck and said, "It's sour."

Sun Hao, quick-witted, went over to massage him. "Godfather, is this pressure okay?"

"Hmm~~~~"

Zhuang Huai'an closed his eyes and shook his head: "Not bad!"

The two exchanged a glance, and Wang Zhiyong asked, "So, do you think there's any chance for me and Haozi to become students in your film crew?"

"What student?"

"Ah...ah?"

Zhuang Huai'an opened his eyes and looked down at the two of them: "Assistant director, huh?"

"what!"

The two were overjoyed!