Huayu: The Big Players Behind the Scenes

People with the surname Wang are generally quite efficient.

The next day, Wang Jingsong sent word that all three of them had agreed to star in the film.

Zhuang Huai'an entrusted the matter to Sun Hao to handle himself, as these trivial matters are an essential part of becoming a qualified director.

2 p.m.

Zhuang Huai'an came to the Beijing People's Art Theatre alone.

"Director Zhuang, this way." Feng Yuanzhen waved from the doorway.

"Teacher Feng, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Zhuang Huai'an quickly stepped forward and shook hands with him with a smile.

"I just came out a little while ago."

Unlike An Jiahe's gloomy and perverted nature, Feng Yuanzhen in real life has a refined and approachable demeanor.

"The main problem is that in our unit, without a work permit or an insider to guide you, outsiders can't get into the back office."

The two exchanged pleasantries and walked towards the back door.

"Teacher Feng, you're out of luck today?"

"No, I only have one play this year, which is a trendy adaptation of the Australian play 'Football Club' by the theater."

Feng Yuan was quite happy. Two months ago, when Zhuang Huai'an called him to say that filming was going to be suspended, he didn't think much of it. It was just a matter of adjusting the schedule.

But after Zhuang Huai'an won the Golden Lion, he became somewhat anxious, fearing that the young director might change his mind and replace him in the role. After all, with a different status, there would be more choices, and he wouldn't necessarily have to use a TV actor like him.

Now it seems I was overthinking things.

Seeing that the backstage area was empty, Zhuang Huai'an asked curiously, "Teacher Feng, does our Beijing People's Art Theatre also close on weekends?"

"How could that be?" Feng Yuanzhen explained with a smile, "This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, and the theatre has put on a big production. Right now, all my colleagues are rehearsing on stage."

"Oh? Would it be convenient for you to take me to see it?" Zhuang Huai'an became interested; the Beijing People's Art Theatre's plays were the pinnacle of the domestic art scene.

"Of course," Feng Yuanzhen readily agreed, leading him through a maze of turns to the audience seats and finding a place to sit down.

When Zhuang Huai'an looked at the cast on stage, he thought, "Wow, they're all top-notch!"

"Their father was a very clean person. Whenever we entered this courtyard, he would grab a duster from under the window and start slapping our feet, legs, and bodies. He could stay there for ages tidying up..."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Huai'an immediately understood which play it was, "Ten Thousand Lights," which was comparable to Lao She's "Dragon Beard Ditch."

"I'm not going anywhere until I get to live in our new house!"

The scene ended after Song Changying delivered a long monologue.

Damn, that was really awesome acting!

Zhuang Huai'an couldn't help but clap his hands, and everyone on the stage immediately turned to look at him.

Seeing this, Feng Yuanzhen led Zhuang Huai'an onto the stage.

"I'm sorry, teachers, Ms. Song's performance was just too wonderful, I couldn't help but interrupt."

"Hello, Teacher Song, Teacher Pu Cunxin, Teacher Yang Zhixin, Senior Brother He Bing, I am Zhuang Huai'an."

Zhuang Huai'an politely took the initiative to shake hands with everyone, knowing that one must maintain a good reputation when traveling.

Everyone recognized this currently most popular young talent, and they were very happy to receive praise from a director of this caliber.

"Hey, it's nothing," Song Changying stepped forward and hugged him, smiling, "Director Zhuang, you're a Golden Lion winner, with your applause, I'll have even more confidence when this play officially premieres."

Everyone smiled and nodded in agreement.

"You are all seniors, just call me Huai'an."

Zhuang Huai'an smiled and said, "I've long heard that the Beijing People's Art Theatre is full of hidden talents. It's my honor to be able to witness the wonderful performances of these seniors today."

Everyone laughed even harder, and He Bing winked at Zhuang Huai'an. Although he was from the Central Academy of Drama next door, he had heard of Zhuang Huai'an's current status at the Beijing Film Academy.

Upon hearing that the play would be performed next month, Zhuang Huai'an felt embarrassed to continue disturbing their rehearsals. He exchanged contact information with everyone and then followed Feng Yuanzhen to the back exit.

"Teacher Feng, I have some things to take care of, so I'll head out now. See you in Shanghai."

"Okay, you came all this way, and I haven't been able to properly entertain you," Feng Yuanzhen said apologetically.

"It's alright, there's still a long road ahead."

"Okay, then be careful on the road."

The two shook hands, and Zhuang Huai'an walked out of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, took a taxi to the Mercedes-Benz dealership, where he had ordered a G-Class and was scheduled to take delivery today.

To be honest, most cars on the market now are pretty ugly. From his perspective in his later years, only the Mercedes-Benz W14 looks decent, but it's too old-fashioned.

The G-Class is great too; it hasn't changed its design in decades, and it's still handsome.

After arriving at the store and completing the formalities, Zhuang Huai'an looked at the license plate and chuckled.

Beijing A: 10B24

Okay, okay, you're really fixated on these numbers, aren't you?

Somewhat awkwardly, Zhuang Huai'an turned on the car's navigation system, looked at the arrow pointing to it, and slowly drove out of the 4S store.

Fortunately, the roads in the north are all straight, unlike the winding roads in the south where it's hard to tell which way is which.

Back at the company safely, Zhuang Huai'an called Wang Zhiyong over and asked, "How's the recruitment going?"

"That's about it. The school recommended 40 senior students, and our company staff also recommended some people. I screened them and kept 35 with experience."

"Okay," Zhuang Huai'an nodded, "Let's mix up all these people with the veteran employees. It's fine if I have a few more interns. It's Haozi's first time directing alone, so let's give him more experienced people."

"Is that so? I'm afraid the veteran employees will have objections, after all, they started out making movies..." Wang Zhiyong said with some concern.

Movies these days are a cut above TV series.

"Any objections?" Zhuang Huai'an sneered, "If he has objections, then let him get lost. You need to make this very clear: whether it's a movie or a TV series, it's a company project. As an employee who has signed a contract, you have to obey the company's arrangements."

Once they step out my door, who outside will tolerate a bunch of recent graduates?

Zhiyong, you need to change your mindset. We're no longer in the era of filming sound engineers. With my current reputation, if I release a job posting, the company will be overwhelmed with applications tomorrow!

"Okay, I'll make the arrangements." Wang Zhiyong took a deep breath, turned around, and walked out.

Watching his retreating figure, Zhuang Huai'an shook his head. His Wolong was no longer suitable to be in charge of the company's management.

It's not that Wang Zhiyong has ulterior motives; after all, he's just a sophomore in college, and his main profession is directing. I had no one else to use before, so I had him work as a producer.

Now that the company has grown, and most of the employees are students from the Beijing Film Academy, neither Wang Zhiyong nor he is really suited to play the "good cop" in terms of management.

We still need to hire a professional bad guy from outside!

After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Huai'an took out his phone and called Manager Liu of the housekeeping company, asking him to help him find a headhunting firm.

Unexpectedly, after listening to his request, Manager Liu gave him a pleasant surprise, saying that he had an old client's son who happened to be a professional who had just returned from Hollywood.

This surprised Zhuang Huai'an somewhat.

A housekeeping company can also act as a headhunter?