[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend":3,"chapter-i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-chapter-49":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Only Know How to Ride the Trend!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2343530,4580,"Chapter 49: Are These People Even Making a Real Movie?","i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-chapter-49",49,"\u003Cp>Morning sunlight bathed the land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cicadas chirped steadily in the shade along the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sunlight glinted off the script in her hands…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a horror film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrifying, absurd, despairing—yet suffused with a deep sense of sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the recording studio…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiali didn’t know how she entered the state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She only knew she had begun singing along to the melody.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as she sang, the story of Chu Renmei echoed again and again in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The passion, the grief, the despair, and the faint bitterness within the story gradually spread through her entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the mournful melody, paired with haunting lyrics, seemed to coalesce into a blade, stabbing sharply into her chest…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Renmei in the film was her future self!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I do this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the recording studio, Zhang Jiali remained trapped in that emotion, unable to break free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the entire script, she looked at Zhou Yang with a dazed expression, asking again uncertainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yang stood in the sunlight, still dressed in a suit and tie, looking exceptionally refined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She saw Zhou Yang nod, giving her a confident glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, I’ll go handle my resignation today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Need help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I can do it myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shook her head, carefully packed away the script, then walked toward the [Yue Lai Hotel].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her phone rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was her hometown number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that number, Zhang Jiali’s body trembled involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of grievance surged into her heart; her eyes instantly turned red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, she clenched her teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mom, I’ll send you money right away…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I’m not going back!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really want to quit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t get tricked!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can act in a movie? What nonsense…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They just want you because you’re pretty—they’re lying to you! I don’t get it, you’d rather believe these movie frauds than go to a KTV to drink with clients, really…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know how much you can earn in one night at a KTV?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The evening breeze brushed through Zhang Jiali’s hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiali stepped out of the [Yue Lai Hotel], dragging her luggage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her initial determination had gradually turned to confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, despite the looks of disbelief from her boss and fellow villagers, she firmly got into that minivan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once inside, she felt a flicker of unease—just like when she first came to Yanjing years ago, staring at those people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The minivan slowly rolled into the [Fei He Cinema]; amid her anxiety and tension, Zhang Jiali met the entire crew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The imagined scene of celebrity crowds and media frenzy never appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The imagined spacious office, bustling with professional staff, never materialized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, the entire project team consisted of only four people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides the lead actors, there was only one prop master and Zhou Zong himself…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No cinematographer. No lighting technician.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They said the cinematographer and lighting technician were assigned to another film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No assistant director—the former assistant director, Ding Rong, had become the male lead…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There wasn’t even a director…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the shabby office inside the [Fei He Cinema].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the handful of leads…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jiali instinctively hugged her luggage, watching Zhou Yang with unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Zong, are we really making a movie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think we’re scammers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… no, no…” Zhang Jiali’s unease grew stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She instinctively moved to a spot near the door and sat down carefully, replaying her journey here in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go over the script. This film has heavy responsibilities and high artistic value…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old ceiling fan in the office whirred loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Rong, formerly the assistant director and now the lead actor, glanced unconsciously at Zhang Jiali, whose cheeks were flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were Lu Zhishen…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lin Daiyu must be her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhishen and Lin Daiyu…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered the film’s premiere was scheduled for midnight…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of serious movie premieres at midnight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And given Zhou Zong’s last film, [Sun Wukong vs Superman 2]…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This movie was probably…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How much more outrageous can this get?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light breeze blew outside the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the delicate Zhang Jiali, Ding Rong found himself growing more and more intrigued; he cleared his throat, yet felt a surge of heat inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Zong, I—I’m a man with principles. This film can’t be too… too extreme… At least, I can’t wear anything too revealing…” Ding Rong glanced at the title [Lin Daiyu vs Lu Zhishen], then looked at Zhou Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Zong, I’m not saying I’m unwilling to sacrifice for art—but Zhang Miss is so young, I’m not sure if she…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry, we already discussed it yesterday, recorded the voiceover, and she’s willing to sacrifice for art,” Zhou Yang nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You already recorded the voiceover?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding Rong perked up, glancing again at Zhang Jiali, who sat by the door, head bowed, face flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment, images of faint, intoxicating moans from the island country involuntarily surfaced in his mind…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanying those sounds, a series of thrilling artistic masterpieces played automatically in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was thrilled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With high anticipation and moral condemnation, he opened the script for [Lin Daiyu vs Lu Zhishen].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression froze slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Zong, our new movie is called [Lin Daiyu vs Lu Zhishen]?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s Lu Zhishen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You shaved your head—aren’t you perfect for the role? Cinema is art, and art uses metaphor. Isn’t that right?” Zhou Yang looked utterly serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait! Then where’s Lin Daiyu?” Ding Rong opened his mouth, suddenly looking frustrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look at Zhang Miss—doesn’t she look exactly like Lin Daiyu?” Zhou Yang pointed to Zhang Jiali, clutching her bag nervously beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s the ‘battle’ in [Lin Daiyu vs Lu Zhishen]?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She becomes a ghost to kill you—doesn’t that count as a battle? If you think it’s not a battle, we can call it [Lin Daiyu’s Minor Battle with Lu Zhishen]. If you think the power dynamic isn’t clear, we can call it [Lu Zhishen’s Minor Battle with Lin Daiyu]… Or [Lin Daiyu’s Midnight Battle with Lu Zhishen]. Isn’t that reasonable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“???”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll fucking rat you out…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuck!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaaaaaah!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was even ready to sacrifice myself for art!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re telling me you suddenly made a serious film?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Zong, don’t tell me you’re the director of this movie yourself?” Deng Hairong swallowed hard, then widened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said I’d direct this film—do you think the director could be anyone but me? Are you trying to usurp my position?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I… I didn’t mean it that way, I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just read the script!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, wait, Zhou Zong, may I ask—what about the other actors?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was just about to discuss this with you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me? Discuss?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. As a former script supervisor, you must know plenty of people, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are there any actors—or even crew members—who are deeply devoted to their dreams but seem… hmm… solid, reliable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are plenty of solid, reliable ones. Which kind do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yang fell silent for a moment, glancing at Zhang Jiali, who was sneakily peeking over, then at Deng Hairong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone like Miss Zhang—pure, untainted, with little worldly experience…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Easy to fool?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Hairong blurted out at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean ‘easy to fool’? I said pure and untainted, with little worldly experience—not that she’s gullible. Those are two different things…” Zhou Yang stared at Deng Hairong with a serious expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short distance away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhang Jiali heard that, she clutched her bundle tighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at this shabby office…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She instinctively edged closer to the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did she feel like she’d stumbled into a scam ring?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the hell are these people planning?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are these people really making a real movie?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zhou Yang’s phone rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yang looked at the caller—it was Director Shen Long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Zong, our movie needs a 300,000-yuan investment. I’ve calculated it—we still don’t have enough funds…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Send me the invoice…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. Every single yuan must be accounted for—we’ve already cut every possible corner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!”\u003C\u002Fp>",1336,"2026-06-20T23:43:44.409Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c3c7eb0184e0c0c477a9bec6592330460fd343cbb70525415f38ea857a01a67c","i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-chapter-50","i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-chapter-48",101,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-cover.jpg"]