Chapter 18: The Path to Success

When…

Got used to all the strange glances, got used to the mockery after…

Shen Long gradually realized that many things weren’t as hard as they seemed.

So-called self-respect wasn’t that important after all.

Himself…

He had nothing at all, was worth nothing!

…

The morning passed quickly.

The weather gradually grew hot.

The sun burned slightly on their skin.

Yet they stayed there, holding a table, a chair, and that crude recruitment poster, drenched in sweat, introducing the film to everyone who passed.

There were quite a few people asking questions, but very few actually showed interest in this film.

In half a day, only a handful were willing to join their team.

They were too cheap, cheap like a scam crew, a shell company.

“Wait a little longer.”

“Alright, Zhou Zong, then today…”

“We’re staying right here today!”

“Alright!”

For lunch they ate a few packs of instant noodles and drank some mineral water.

Zhou Yang watched the distant crew figures bustling about, yet sat silently.

Shen Long looked at the few remaining business cards, nodded, downed a bottle of mineral water, rested briefly in the shade, then stood up again to guard the booth.

Chen Jianfeng carefully studied several documents, cross-referencing their contents, occasionally pulling out his phone to contact locations in preparation for filming.

If…

If even they gave up, who would still believe in their success?

Time slowly passed.

By afternoon, the scorching sun finally vanished behind the clouds; though the air remained stifling and hard to breathe, their skin felt much better.

Near them, the “Love Ferris Wheel” crew seemed to have some brief commotion…

But it quickly returned to calm.

Around three in the afternoon…

A young man lowered his head and left the crew.

Just as he was about to walk away, he noticed this booth.

After hesitating, he gritted his teeth and finally walked over.

“Hello, do you need a cinematographer?”

“Yes!”

“Any requirements?”

“Just know how to shoot a film…”

…………………………

In the office.

Cool air conditioning blew gently.

An Xiaoshi sat in her chair, repeatedly reading the script, studying the lean crew list, and reviewing the upcoming production schedule.

The production schedule seemed to include her in every step, yet her role in each step appeared insignificant.

“We need Brother Shi’s traffic—his fans are numerous! Sometimes we have to compromise…” Zhang Jingya looked at An Xiaoshi and spoke with a complex expression.

After listening, An Xiaoshi nodded: “I know, but… is this really the film we want?”

“We have no work to show!” Zhang Jingya sighed.

“Is this even our work? Or just a hollow shell?”

Hearing An Xiaoshi’s question, Zhang Jingya lowered her head. After a long silence, she looked up at An Xiaoshi: “No matter what kind of work it is, as long as it has traffic, box office, influence, and data, that’s enough…”

An Xiaoshi stared at Zhang Jingya, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Her gaze turned again to the window.

At dusk, the horizon swelled with orange-red twilight.

In the distance, she saw the number of people asking at Zhou Yang’s booth growing steadily.

She checked her phone—many missed calls, and a stream of messages, all asking why they’d been replaced without reason…

An Xiaoshi didn’t know how to respond to them.

“Sometimes you have to be ruthless in life!”

Zhang Jingya understood An Xiaoshi’s mood well. After thinking, she offered this comfort.

An Xiaoshi remained silent, turning her head again to stare at Zhou Yang’s booth for a long time…

“I’m going for a walk.”

“Shall I come with you?”

“No need…”

Just as An Xiaoshi was about to leave the office, she suddenly stopped: “By the way… Jingya…”

“What?”

“If I leave this crew, will you come with me?”

“Are you crazy? Now? You want to leave? How much money have we invested? You can’t just walk away now! All the money we’ve spent won’t be refunded if you leave…”

“…”

An Xiaoshi nodded.

Finally pushed open the door and walked out of the office.

Zhang Jingya watched An Xiaoshi’s back, hesitated, but didn’t follow. Instead, she sent her a message.

“Calm down! Don’t act impulsively—we need their resources!”

“…”

………………………………

At dusk.

More and more people came to inquire at Zhou Yang’s crew booth.

But most were graduates of Yanying…

From them, they learned that a batch of staff from the “Love Ferris Wheel” crew had been replaced—they were those unlucky ones.

Cinematographer Zhang Yunyi stood for a long time before this small booth, then glanced at the distant “Love Ferris Wheel.”

He felt bitter and furious!

He had joined the “Love Ferris Wheel” crew early on.

For a month, he worked diligently on all kinds of tasks, believing that even if he wasn’t the main cinematographer after filming began, he’d at least get some shots and camera positions.

But today, he was suddenly told he’d be reassigned to production assistant duties…

The news hit him like a thunderclap.

He went to argue with the crew…

But their response was exactly the same.

“Sorry, after repeated review, you currently lack sufficient shooting experience…”

He frantically showed them his past works, but the supervisor’s expression remained complicated.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“Actually, this is the company’s decision—Tianyu’s decision. If you can’t accept it, you can leave; your salary will still be paid according to standard.”

Zhang Yunyi was stunned on the spot!

When he walked out of the crew, he saw that ridiculous, laughable “Sun Wukong vs Superman 2” crew still standing there…

Finally, with cautious curiosity, he quietly walked over.

“Can this film really succeed?”

“There is no road in this world—but when enough people walk it, it gradually becomes a road…”

He looked at Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yang smiled and said those words.

Hearing them, he suddenly felt a surge of spirit!

Then he fell silent for a long while, watching Chen Jianfeng and Shen Long tirelessly introducing the film to others at the booth.

Watching this ridiculous, absurd film…

He suddenly felt he wanted to try shooting it himself.

After who knew how long, he finally nodded.

“Then I’ll join and give it a try!”

“Sure! Welcome! Welcome!”

……………………

The sky was growing dark.

Yet the crowd gathered before Zhou Yang’s stall kept growing.

Standing in the corner, An Xiaoshi watched Zhou Yang introduce his film with a complex expression.

The sun sank below the horizon.

Zhou Yang’s face never lost its smile and confidence; in the softest voice, he painted beautiful visions for each inquiring figure.

Some hesitated for a long time.

Eventually, they joined the crew.

Among them…

Were the cinematographer, prop master, and production assistants she had once favored…

Roughly five or six people.

The sunset gradually vanished.

The streetlamps on either side lit up.

Under the streetlamps.

She saw Zhou Yang stand up and stretch.

Immediately, the new recruits began helping pack up the gear.

Faintly, she heard Shen Long excitedly explaining their shooting plan to them.

They listened intently, their excitement palpable, each sharing their own thoughts on the film…

A group of downcast souls had formed a small crew, marching toward a movie whose outcome they could not predict.

She suddenly felt a pang of envy for them.

Long after they had left…

She fell silent for a long while, then finally pulled out her phone and called Zhou Yang.

“Zhou Yang.”

“Hmm?”

“I have some camera equipment in my crew’s storage—most of it I bought myself. If you need it, I can lend it to you…”

“Oh?”

“Good luck!”