Huayu: Just started as a stagehand, but the director's comeback system

On June 17, 2004, a piece of news in the entertainment industry once again ignited the dreams of many girls to become stars.

Jianghuai is holding a nationwide audition for the lead actress in its new film, with the only requirement being that the actress has never acted in a film before.

On the night the news was released, Jianghuai was besieged by reporters outside the company. In order to push the heat to its peak, Jianghuai invited more than a dozen reporters to the conference room.

"Okay, Phoenix.com, please ask your questions first."

"Director Jiang, is your nationwide casting call for your new film an attempt to emulate director Zhang Yimou's portrayal of the Huai River Girl?"

"Director Zhang is an indispensable figure in the entertainment industry. He also guided me in my first film. He is always a senior I can learn from. The selection of girls who have never acted in a film this time was indeed influenced by Director Zhang."

When Jiang Huai saw the reporter attributing his choice of actresses to Zhang Yimou, he naturally jumped on the bandwagon.

With the recent release and promotion of "House of Flying Daggers," Director Zhang is currently receiving a lot of attention.

After the Phoenix.com reporter sat down, Jiang Huai hesitated for a moment, then selected a female reporter with a kind face.

"Hello Director Jiang, I am a reporter from Southern Metropolis Daily."

According to information from my colleague, filming for your movie "Black Coal, Thin Ice" is still ongoing. Are you losing confidence in "Black Coal, Thin Ice," which is why you're in such a rush to start filming your new movie?

The female reporter tried to steer the conversation toward Qipilang, hoping to solidify Jianghuai's reputation as a brand killer, but she was interrupted by Jianghuai before she could finish speaking.

"Yes, that's a good question from the reporter. The film crew of Black Coal, Thin Ice has indeed not completely wrapped up filming yet."

However, there are only some finishing touches left for the daytime fireworks display. I've completely entrusted this part to director Ning Hao; you can learn more about him—he's also an excellent director.

Sigh, Ning Hao's fame is still too low. Why didn't they promote that "Incense" movie back then?

"Okay, next I'll call the last reporter, the one at the very back."

Seeing that the reporter from Southern Metropolis Daily still wanted to ask a question, Jiang Huai hurriedly called on a new reporter to ask the question again. He remembered clearly that the other party had vigorously promoted his reputation as a "brand killer".

"Director Jiang, I am a reporter from Capital Entertainment Network."

During the filming of "Black Coal, Thin Ice," you were photographed several times going out alone with the Song family. Now that you're holding a nationwide audition for actresses, will you do the same with them?

Jiang Huai and the Song family were photographed by these reporters multiple times in Harbin. It was only because the hotel was booked by the other party that they couldn't sneak in; otherwise, they could definitely have made some sensational news.

This time, when the question was asked to him, the entertainment newspapers didn't care about the movie content, but only about the gossip surrounding him.

"First of all, the Song family are locals from Harbin. I went out because I wanted to do field research, and they happened to be able to lead the way."

For girls selected through open auditions for new films, if there's filming in their hometowns, they might be needed to act as a guide.

Jiang Huai cursed the difficult reporters in his heart, but since he still needed them for publicity, he had to keep smiling.

Without giving the group more time to ask questions, Jianghuai immediately had its employees ask them to leave after announcing that the first stop of the nationwide auditions was the Beijing Film Academy.

Although the group of reporters didn't get much information, it was enough for them to do their thing, especially the reporter from Southern Metropolis Daily, who already had a report title in mind.

Jianghuai Abandons "Daylight Fireworks" Film; Qi Pilang's Investment Goes Down the Drain

Without wasting any time, the female reporter started writing the news content on her laptop right there in the car, aiming for the most sensational headlines possible.

The company director approved it very quickly; the news article was published in less than two hours.

Jiang Huai was having dinner with several of his former teachers from the Beijing Film Academy and was completely unaware of the online reports.

"Xiao Jiang is truly a promising young man. If possible, I hope you will consider your juniors."

"You're too kind, teacher. If there's a suitable option, I'll definitely give priority to Beijing Film Academy."

Amid the clinking of glasses, the atmosphere at the dinner was quite harmonious. Jiang Huai certainly wouldn't give up his status as a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy, and the Beijing Film Academy also hoped to obtain the resources in Jiang Huai's hands.

The food on the table was barely touched. Instead, Jiang Huai's teachers surrounded him at the head of the table and started drinking.

Jiang Huai's alcohol tolerance isn't very high, and after two rounds he was starting to feel the effects, but luckily he got a call on his phone.

"Excuse me, teachers, I'll take my leave for a moment."

"Go quickly, don't delay important matters."

Jiang Huai glanced at the incoming call; it was from the person in charge he had contacted when he invested in Qi Pilang. After leaving the private room, he found a quiet place and answered the call directly.

"Mr. Li, you're still not resting at this hour?"

"Hehe, how am I supposed to sleep now, Director Jiang? There's a lot of talk online that he gave up on 'Black Coal, Thin Ice'."

At this moment, Li Cheng dared not even leave his office, let alone rest. He was the one who had spearheaded the sponsorship of Jianghuai's new film.

As soon as the Southern Metropolis Daily published the news, he was immediately called to a meeting by his superiors. Although he was a little unsure after reading the news, he still gritted his teeth and made a guarantee at the meeting.

The reason for calling Jiang Huai now is to check on Bai Ri Yan Huo's current situation. If something really happened, he might be fired from the company because of his abnormal breathing rate.

"Don't worry, Mr. Li. We're not guaranteed to win an award for tomorrow morning's daytime fireworks, but getting a nomination is definitely not a problem."

"Then I'll trust you, Director Jiang. If you have any problems, be sure to tell me in time, and I'll try my best to find a solution or provide assistance."

Li Cheng called Jiang Huai mainly to put his mind at ease. Now that he had received Jiang Huai's promise, he had no choice but to believe it, no matter what.

It's true that they provided assistance to Jianghuai, since Qipilang was preparing to go public this year, but after investing in Jianghuai Film, they postponed the listing process until next year.

Both sides are now truly in a situation where they share both prosperity and adversity.

"Mr. Li, please rest assured. Others only have one word to describe Jianghuai: honest and generous."

From childhood to adulthood, every friend who met Jiang Huai praised him. Although it's unclear why they lost contact after graduation, it wasn't Jiang Huai's fault; it's just that communication is difficult now.

After hanging up the phone with Li Cheng, Jiang Huai looked at his flushed face in the mirror in the bathroom.

To avoid being forced to drink too much later, I went to the front desk and got a bottle of mineral water, deciding to empty my stomach manually.

After vomiting, the flush on his face subsided a bit. He casually tossed the mineral water into the trash can and returned to the private room.

"I hope the teachers didn't secretly drink anything. I came back right after I made the call."

"How could that be? We're just here today to celebrate with Director Jiang."

The teachers noticed that the smell of alcohol on Jiang Huai had lessened, exchanged glances but said nothing, and simply hid the mineral water bottle on the ground more carefully.

"Come on, Director Jiang, let's have another drink. We won't leave until we're drunk tonight."