Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

The martial arts world is not just about fighting and killing, but about human relationships and social interactions.

Liu Xiaoli's bowl of hangover soup put Jiang Wen on a high pedestal.

You're saying I schemed against you?

I didn't say anything else, I just joked that my daughter's acting wasn't good, and the whole story was told by Zhuang Huai'an.

Even if you, Jiang Wen, are targeting Chen Kun, it's still to vent Zhuang Huai'an's anger.

Did I scheme against you?

To be honest, this method is quite clever. With just a few words, she managed to put someone in a bad light. Even if Jiang Wen had reservations, she didn't suffer any losses.

The two walked home, and Jiang Wen kept clicking her teeth.

"Using someone else to do your dirty work? Hmm, this woman doesn't seem like a good person!"

"Come on," Zhuang Huai'an said irritably, "they didn't say anything from beginning to end, did they? You just got emotional."

"That's her brilliance; she effortlessly extricated herself from the situation," Jiang Wen exclaimed. "Now, I have no choice but to do something."

"Stop it," Zhuang Huai'an rolled his eyes at him and said, "I already have a plan for this, so please don't interfere."

"What plan? Let me tell you, in our line of work, being gentle, kind, courteous, frugal, and modest is no good. We have to get rid of him!"

"I didn't say we wouldn't do it, just that we can't do it openly."

Zhuang Huai'an explained, "The school has helped me so much since my debut. Someone from the school also pleaded for leniency in this matter, saying that ignorance is no excuse, and besides, we are all fellow students, so it wouldn't look good if things got out of hand."

"I've wanted to tell you this for a while now."

Jiang Wen complained, "There's no director like you in China. The academic background is good, but it's also a double-edged sword. Everyone supports you when you're doing well, but what if you fail? Will the Beijing Film Academy still treat you like a treasure?"

Zhuang Huai'an sighed, "I understand what you're saying, but I have no choice. To be honest, I have no connections in this industry. How can I protect myself without some backing? Look at me, I'm still so safe and sound because they're afraid of the Beijing Film Academy, aren't they?"

Jiang Wen understood that what he said made sense. Don't be fooled by the current divisions into Beijing circle, Shanghai circle, and Northwest circle; in front of the academics, they are all inferior.

"But things can't go on like this forever, can they?" Jiang Wen handed him a cigarette.

"Of course not. My money didn't fall from the sky. I'm just starting out. Once I've laid a solid foundation, I'll naturally set up a grand banquet to entertain guests from all directions."

Zhuang Huai'an exhaled a puff of smoke. According to his original plan, the first three films could all be made by students from the Beijing Film Academy, and he would try to get them accepted by the three major European film academies as soon as possible, as long as he could win any awards.

As for what to do after becoming successful, of course they'll forget their roots!

The two reached the entrance of the courtyard house, and Jiang Wen left. His excuse of "spending the night with me" was just that—an excuse. His real purpose was to prevent his younger brother from going astray.

He's still young; don't let him go down the path of crime.

...

July 28th, Beijing Grand Hall.

A long red carpet was laid in the middle of the road, with movie posters for "The Hunt" hanging on both sides.

Zhuang Huai'an stood at the entrance, with Zhuge Liang and Feng Chu on either side, and Ning Hao leading the three heroes of the vocational college class behind him. All seven of them were dressed in black suits.

The only difference was that Zhuang Huai'an wasn't wearing a tie, giving him a formal yet slightly unruly air.

"I'm fed up. Can't you guys be a little more creative? If we go out like this, people will think we're gangsters," Wang Zhiyong was the first to complain.

"What do you know?" Sun Hao tugged at the hem of his suit jacket. "This is a brand, Baleno!"

"Hey," Ning Hao's eyes lit up, "This is great, this sentence really resonated with me, I have to write it down."

"Hehehe," Lin Jiachuan laughed with an honest and simple smile, showing none of Dao Ge's ferocity. "The main thing is that when we entered the store, the sales assistant said that group buying could get a discount."

Zhou Yiwei chimed in, "I think it's great. Didn't the sales assistant say it's called 'Eighteen Auspicious Gifts in Black'? It looks atmospheric, doesn't it?"

"Hey, this sentence is good too, I'll write it down too." Ning Hao took out his notebook again.

After listening to them, Zhuang Huai'an looked at Zhang Songwen and smiled, "Brother, don't you have anything to say?"

Zhang Songwen, shrugging, said, "I did want to buy the white one, but they said that would be betraying the organization and they'd call the police to bring a gun."

The group looked at each other, but couldn't help bursting into laughter.

"Alright, I see now. You guys are all highly skilled, with a whole repertoire of clever phrases."

Zhuang Huai'an raised his hand to look at his watch. It was 17:05 PM. He clapped his hands to signal to everyone.

"It's almost time. Here's what we'll do: Lao Biao, you take Yiwei and Jiachuan to the entrance to lead the way. Ning Ge, you go backstage to check the projector again. Zhiyong and Haozi, come with me here to greet the guests."

He smiled at everyone, "Relax, everyone. We've been to Cannes and won awards, so stay focused and don't embarrass ourselves!"

Everyone nodded and returned to their places.

Soon, all the actors in the "Hunting" crew arrived.

Then Han Sanping, who was practically a host, arrived first, followed by Zhang Huijun and a group of professors from the Beijing Film Academy. Since their student had made something of himself, they had to come and support him.

For this premiere, Zhuang Huai'an only invited Jiang Wen, because he doesn't have any other friends at the moment.

Jiang Wen also arrived quite early and helped greet important guests in the auditorium.

"Huai'an, let me introduce you," Han Sanping said with a smile, pointing to the three people behind him: "Wang Zhonglei, the young CEO of Huayi; Wang Changtian, the chairman of Enlight Media; and Yu Dong of Bona Film Group."

Zhuang Huai'an secretly observed the three of them, then stepped forward and shook hands with each of them in turn without revealing his expression.

"I've long heard that the Beijing Film Academy's directing department has produced another genius director. Meeting him today, Director Zhuang is indeed a promising young talent," Wang Changtian said with a smile.

"Indeed, new talents emerge in every generation. I've been looking forward to Director Zhuang's excellent film for a long time, and today I can finally see it for myself." Yu Dong added a compliment.

Wang Zhonglei didn't say much, but he maintained a polite smile.

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and made a few perfunctory remarks, but he knew in his heart that...

Wang Changtian and Yu Dong's flattery can also be seen as a form of courting. Both Enlight Media and Bona Film Group are keen to move into film production, but directors are scarce these days. Famous directors are either tied to companies or have been making independent films for a long time, making it difficult for them to get a share of the pie.

Huayi Brothers is different. They have Feng Xiaogang as their trump card. Relying on so-called Feng-style comedies, they make a fortune in the film industry without having to rely on anyone else.

After the others left, Tian Zhuangzhuang and Kai Zi arrived together. These two were the previous generation's holy sons of Beijing Film Academy, so Zhuang Huai'an couldn't be negligent and went to greet them.

"Teacher Tian, ​​Director Chen, thank you both for coming to support us."

Zhuang Huai'an's attitude was respectful yet principled, and Kai Zi responded with a smile, extending his hand to shake his.

"I had heard about what happened in Cannes, so when Huijun called me, I agreed. You've really brought honor to the school this time."

Kai isn't as difficult to deal with as rumored, is he?

"Director Chen, you flatter me. To be honest, you were my inspiration for becoming a director. We both competed in Cannes, but my small achievements are far inferior to your Palme d'Or."

To be honest, Kai is a respectable person. He is arrogant, but he has the aloofness of an intellectual. Compared to others in the circle, he is a good person. This kind of person is the easiest to deal with because he will put everything out in the open and will not stoop to doing things behind your back.

Zhuang Huai'an didn't mind coaxing this arrogant old man a few times, spending a little breath to tease him.

Sure enough, Kai fell for it. After hearing Zhuang Huai'an's words, his previously deliberate smile became visibly more sincere.

So, you like my movies?

"Yes, I love your yellow earth the most."

This answer piqued Kai's interest, and he asked, "Why?"

"Every time I watch Loess Land, I feel an indescribable emotion. It's shocking, yet it's also tinged with a strange sadness. In my opinion, Loess Land is the number one Chinese-language film in my heart."

Zhuang Huai'an wasn't lying this time; he genuinely liked the movie.

These words thrilled Kai Zi. He laughed a few times, patted Zhuang Huai'an on the shoulder, and said meaningfully, "The deeper your love for this land, the more complex you will see the Yellow Earth."

Kai nodded in satisfaction, looked Zhuang Huai'an in the eye for the first time, and smiled, "It seems I'm not alone on this path."

Tian Zhuangzhuang's lips twitched involuntarily as he watched the two of them, who seemed to have found kindred spirits.