Chapter 395: ?Leaving Mountain Sea Pass, if you have business, look for Ben Shan!

In the evening, Jiang Wen had booked a restaurant, specifically to welcome Lin Mo and wash away the travel dust.

Besides him and Ge Daye, there were also several starring actors from the new film Heroic Youth, and Liao Fan was naturally among them.

And the most surprising thing was that Jiang Wen also invited a heavyweight figure—Zhao Benshan.

On the way, Lin Mo heard Jiang Wen mention Zhao Benshan, and he was quite surprised in his heart.

I never expected that Jiang Wen Laoge would actually have invited Teacher Zhao.

Although, Teacher Zhao has rarely appeared in public these years, spending most of his time at his hometown tending flowers and walking dogs, living a leisurely retired life.

But his connections and influence in the circle are unmatched.

Especially in the East Three Provinces, there's a saying: 'Once you leave Mountain Sea Pass, go find Zhao Benshan.'

Although this saying is a bit exaggerated, it sufficiently shows Teacher Zhao's standing in the jianghu.

Here.

Upon arriving at the restaurant's private room, Lin Mo saw Zhao Benshan as soon as he entered, and he quickly stepped forward to greet him: 'Teacher Zhao!'

Upon seeing Lin Mo, Zhao Benshan immediately stood up, responding with a hehe laugh: 'Director Lin!'

Don't think that just because he stays at his hometown every day, tending flowers and walking dogs...

but he still knows the news of the circle.

Director Lin Mo!

This is their industry's pride!

Zhao Benshan also admires Lin Mo immensely.

At such a young age, to make such a big name internationally is no small feat!

Beside them, Liao Fan, as well as Zhao Benshan's disciples Song Xiaobao and Xiao Shenyang, all respectfully shouted: 'Hello, Director Lin!'

Liao Fan and Lin Mo are old acquaintances, having previously collaborated on Let the Bullets Fly, and they are very familiar with each other.

As for Song Xiaobao and Xiao Shenyang, Lin Mo was meeting them for the first time, but he was not unfamiliar with their work.

The line 'Haiyan ah, you better pay attention' from Song Xiaobao's breakout work Blind Date remains fresh in people's memories to this day.

And as for Xiao Shenyang, there's no need to say more.

To this day, that saying still circulates.

No matter how popular you are, you can't surpass the Xiao Shenyang of 2008.

This saying alone shows just how popular Xiao Shenyang was back then.

An overnight sensation, and after all these years, Lin Mo has only ever seen someone like that.

'Director Lin, I finally get to see you in person today!' Zhao Benshan grasped Lin Mo's hand and said with a hehe laugh.

Lin Mo quickly replied: 'Teacher Zhao, that should be me saying it! I am your loyal fan, not just me—my whole family are your fans!'

This is no mere politeness.

Zhao Benshan's skits have accompanied the growth of several generations; his loyal fans are spread across the nation, showing his influence.

Hearing this, Zhao Benshan laughed so hard he couldn't close his mouth, patting Lin Mo's hand: 'Director Lin, you're being too polite! This old bone of mine can only stay home tending flowers and playing with dogs now—how can I compare to you youngsters, bustling about, making big productions?'

Jiang Wen chimed in with a laugh: 'Teacher Zhao, you're being modest. If you came out of retirement, wouldn't our film circle have to shake three times? Besides, your acting is textbook-level; we juniors still have much to learn from you.'

Ge Daye also laughed and echoed: 'Exactly, Teacher Zhao, your acting is the benchmark of our circle; Director Lin just said his family loves watching your skits, and your influence is transgenerational!'

In the entertainment circle, if you want to get by, emotional intelligence and eloquence are indispensable.

Even if someone is utterly dull, if they can make a name for themselves in this circle, their eloquence and emotional intelligence certainly aren't simple.

Although Lin Mo and Zhao Benshan were meeting for the first time, after a few words the atmosphere became extremely lively.

Jiang Wen and Ge Daye chatted back and forth, and the topic naturally couldn't avoid Lin Mo.

For example, when mentioning Lin Mo's filming of Speed and Passion 2 in Saudi Arabia, Xiao Shenyang couldn't help but interject: 'Director Lin, your filming is also quite tough! I heard the temperature there reaches forty or fifty degrees; your shooting conditions are really tough!'

Lin Mo smiled and waved his hand: 'Actually it's fine; the set has rows of big fans, and the Saudi royal family also gave great support, so the conditions are tolerable.'

After a pause, he added: 'If we're talking about hardship, when I used to watch the Spring Festival Gala, Teacher Zhao leading you all in skits was genuine performance—surely the pressure wasn't small?'

Song Xiaobao took up the thread, laughing: 'Director Lin, you've hit the nail on the head; our skits are live performances where not a single mistake can be allowed. Especially my master, who demands especially strict rehearsals, so we disciples have certainly gotten our share of scolding.'

Hearing this, Zhao Benshan laughed and gave Song Xiaobao a glance: 'You kid, how do you talk? I'm doing this for your own good—strict teacher produces outstanding disciples!'

'Exactly, exactly, strict teacher produces outstanding disciples!' Several people laughed and echoed in agreement.

As they chatted, the topic turned again to Jiang Wen's new film.

Lin Mo smiled and asked: 'Older brother, I've heard all about your new film this time—you've put in a lot of effort, running the approval process several times; did you add some big action to the script again?'

Lin Mo saw in the group chat what Feng Dao and others said: 'Jiang Wen Laoge's new film is incredibly busy, with the approval side run several times.'

He probably added quite a lot of stuff...

Jiang Wen gave a hehe smile and said mysteriously: 'Younger brother, this matter—for now I can't reveal too much; you'll know once filming starts.'

Ge Daye shook his head and laughed beside them: 'Alright, Jiang Lao Shi is selling secrets again; Director Lin, don't let him fool you—he probably just cooked up a bunch of incomprehensible metaphors, and the audience will have to guess for half a day when they watch.'

Lin Mo burst out laughing: 'Ge Daye, you've hit the nail on the head!'

Zhao Benshan also nodded with a laugh: 'Jiang Dao's films aren't something ordinary people can understand, but speaking of which, Director Lin, I watched your company's Hannibal—its production is quite excellent, especially the casting, which is superb. Is the screenwriter for this second season you? I'm now a loyal viewer of this drama!'

Mainly because this drama is very popular.

His daughter watches it at home, and Zhao Benshan also watched a few episodes with her; finding it genuinely good, he ended up following his daughter to finish the series.

Lin Mo nodded and smiled: 'Yes, Teacher Zhao, I worked out the script myself. If you're interested, you could come for a cameo sometime? I'll arrange a good role for you!'

Upon hearing this, Zhao Benshan immediately waved his hand and laughed: 'Director Lin, you're overestimating me; this old bone of mine can handle skits, but not films—don't delay your big production!'

Jiang Wen laughed beside them: 'Teacher Zhao, you're being modest; if you came for a cameo, my younger brother's drama would surely reach another level.'

'Exactly, exactly, Teacher Zhao, your sword is still unsheathed!'

Everyone chatted back and forth, the conversation blazing hot.

The waiters began serving dishes one after another; Jiang Wen raised his glass and laughed: 'Come, let's have a drink first—welcome my younger brother to Xingcheng, and also wish auspicious beginnings for the start of our new film Heroic Youth!'