Chapter 58: The Most Tolerant Audience in the World

After learning the identity of the person before him, Chen Ci said it was impossible not to feel shocked.

But beneath the shock, there was more of a restrained anticipation.

After receiving Ning Hao's reply, the hanging stone finally landed, and he was already quite satisfied.

The phone called him urgently, and there was unexpectedly a pleasant surprise.

This person is truly a big shot in the industry, the renowned Han San Ye, whose name runs through the entire film and television world.

Han San Ye looked at Chen Ci, nodded slightly: "Have a seat."

"Oh."

Chen Ci pulled a nearby chair and sat down, expressionless throughout, mainly because he didn't know what expression to use.

"Not bad, Director Ning, you brought the person, say a few words."

Han San Ye seemed to smile, his expression playful, giving off no sense of arrogance.

Moreover, his full, delicate round face, in the afterglow of the sunset, seemed more radiant than Ning Hao's rough, unkempt old face.

"Master Ye, you flatter me, but saying a few words is fine; since we all know each other, no introductions needed. Chen Ci, why do you want to make movies?"

The topic shifted a bit quickly, but Chen Ci remained fairly calm and quickly reacted.

What is this, an interview?

"China has the best audience in the world, not harvesting…… cough, our film industry has a bright future, promising prospects."

It seems Chen Ci isn't as calm as he thought; he almost blurted out his inner thoughts.

"Oh?"

This time it was Ning Hao who didn't react much; he thought Chen Ci would say something for his dream, even if just a sentence for rock and roll.

"The best audience in the world—where should we start?"

Han San Ye didn't hide his curiosity at all, asking directly.

"Then let me give an example: 'Boundless' turned out like that, yet Director Chen still managed to film; our audience is truly too tolerant."

"Cough cough..."

Han San Ye seemed to have been choked by something, covering his mouth and coughing repeatedly.

Ning Hao gave Chen Ci a harsh glance, seeming to blame him for speaking without tact.

In his impression, Chen Ci may be blunt, but his manners and upbringing are clearly not bad, right?

"Master Ye..."

Han San Ye finally stopped coughing, waved at Ning Hao, and wiped his mouth with a tissue on the table.

"It's fine; nowadays the post-80s generation really dares to say anything..."

After saying that, Han San Ye himself couldn't help laughing twice, continuing with a hint of self-mockery:

"Young person, do you know that 'Boundless' is a China Film production?"

"Who doesn't know that." Chen Ci nodded seriously.

"Then..."

Han San Ye paused at the words, Ning Hao also stared dumbfounded—this is not giving any leeway.

After thinking, Han San Ye said again: "Then do you know what the consequences would be if Director Kaige learned of what you just said?"

Chen Ci shook his head this time: "It doesn't matter; anyway, in his eyes, offending or not offending makes no difference..."

"Oh?"

Hearing that, both Han San Ye and Ning Hao had their interest piqued—this obviously means there's more to the story.

"Do you know him?"

"Not just knowing him; it's practically... being strangers."

After thinking, that word fits best; he and that so-called uncle have never been on the same path.

"This..."

Han San Ye and Ning Hao exchanged a glance, realizing the matter might not be simple.

This time Han San Ye didn't speak, just gave a glance; Ning Hao cleared his throat: "How about you elaborate?"

"Speak..."

"Good, good, good—gossip is indeed an innate trait nobody can escape."

Chen Ci understood; okay, since you want to hear, I won't hide anything.

"We'll have to start from the year I was born..."

To some extent, both Han San Ye and Ning Hao make a living with their words; Han San Ye is an old hand, having seen all kinds of storms.

Thus it's not easy to fool them; we still have to tell the truth.

Thus Chen Ci started from the day of his full-month celebration, when he pissed on the so-called "good uncle," all the way to his time in the United States, when he sneakily brought his cousin into a nightclub for a wild party—his "glorious deeds."

Finally, because his cousin was under the legal drinking age, the police took him away, while Chen Ci slipped away scot-free……

"Pfft~hahaha……"

By this point, the two could already imagine the expression of Director Chen when he went to the police station to pick someone up.

This kid is too ruthless; this experience is more exciting than his script—if put into a film…… no way, no way, with Director Chen's temper he'd surely blow up.

Amid the laughter, it seemed everyone forgot why they had sought Chen Ci in the first place.

"Director Kaige running into you, this external nephew, is really……"

"Aunt is aunt; I have nothing to do with him."

"Exactly, exactly, haha……"

Chen Ci's protest was splendidly ignored; this laughter probably won't stop for a while.

Until the two laughed themselves tired, with Ning Hao's cheeks aching faintly on both sides, did they finally quiet down.

"No way, San Ye, I told you, this kid is kinda interesting."

Han San Ye also nods: "It's not just a bit; in a couple days when I see Director Chen, I'm afraid I'll burst out laughing—truly one thing subdues another..."

"You heard that, Chen Ci? You can make San Ye happy—your comedy chops are not bad."

"Ah, right, you reminded me—we were talking about movies, movies..."

By then the sun had completely vanished, the nearby streetlights had been lit at some point, and they finally remembered they still had business today.

"Little Chen, I'll just call you that."

"San Ye, suit yourself."

"Your script, I think it's called 《Sewing Machine Band》? Director Ning has read it, saying it's a rare good script."

Chen Ci politely lowered his head and said earnestly, "Thank you, Director Ning."

"Don't rush to thank him yet."

When they got down to business, San Ye seemed to become a completely different person, solemnly raising his right hand.

The smile faded, his expression and tone turned solemn.

Director Ning and I have discussed this; our ideas are similar. You're too young and have no prior film experience, so we can give you two options.

"Oh? I'm all ears."

San Ye glances at Ning Hao, who understands and nods.

"Let me say it, Little Chen: your script is good—stronger than most comedies. China Film is willing to buy your script; let professionals handle the professional work."

"Of course, as the screenwriter, you'll get the appropriate authority and status in the crew. Regarding plot, casting, even choosing who will be this director, you can discuss it."

Chen Ci hears this and shows a faint strange smile: "Do domestic screenwriters really have that much power?"

"Um..."

Obviously, not.

Ning Hao pauses, then says: "The second option is that you remain the director, and you decide how the film turns out."

"Then there's nothing for China Film to do, huh."

"Not exactly; you can still cooperate with China Film, and if you run into problems you can ask us for help..."

Before he finished speaking, Chen Ci interjected: "I have a problem I need help with right now!"