Chapter 484: The Desperate Sector

"If I go slowly, this trip will take over a month; if I go quickly, it will still take more than 20 days. I have to leave the promotional matters of our film to you."

"Don't worry, I understand."

"Sigh, regardless, I will rush back before May 1st."

After speaking, a trace of self-deprecating bitter laughter appeared on the flat-topped old man's furrowed face.

There was less than two months left until his own film hit theaters on May 1st. As the director, he should be in the busiest period of promotion, swamped with various announcements and schedules, yet he was forced to travel far away to work for someone else.

Where could one even reason with this?

The other old man opposite him looked calm and said, "Go, just go. I'll handle everything."

The flat-topped old man sighed slightly again and said, "Alright."

The scene shifted.

From the office in the company building to a spacious and bright bedroom in a villa.

Things were mostly packed, filling two suitcases. He had already contacted the driver, who would arrive in half an hour. The old man began to pack his final personal items, preparing to leave.

A young and beautiful woman leaned against the door frame and said aggrievedly, "Why are you leaving again? It was so hard waiting for you to finish your work, and just when it looked like you could stay home and rest for two months, you have to go to Hong Kong again?"

The old man sighed, "Sigh, there's no other way, is there?"

"If he invites you, do you really have to go? I know you two have a good relationship, but there are so many children at home. When you aren't here, they all ask me for their father. You... do you have the heart to do this?"

Looking at the woman with tear-filled eyes and an aggrieved expression, the old man felt as if his heart were being cut by a knife. He immediately put down what he was holding, walked over, gently hugged the woman's shoulders, and said, "Ting'er, of course I don't have the heart. But..."

"But what?" The beautiful young woman raised her head, looking at the old man with mournful eyes, "But what~ tell me~"

"But, I have to go." After speaking, the old man let out a long sigh, his face full of sorrow.

"Husband, is it because of the premiere? But didn't he promise to come over when the time comes? He only needs to come once, and you have to spend a month or two helping him? Husband, this is too unfair."

The old man shook his head and said, "It's not that simple, you don't understand. Ting'er, with me away and so many things at home, I can only trouble you again."

The woman shook her head and whispered, "It's not a trouble, it's just that I can't bear to see you go."

The old man kissed the woman on the cheek, his hands beginning to move, "I also can't bear to leave Li..."

The woman was left breathless by his touch, "Husband, the car... the car will be here soon."

The old man panted, "It's fine, tell him to wait at the door when he arrives."

Ten minutes later, the old man finished washing up and left the house, feeling refreshed, accompanied by the woman.

The car hadn't arrived yet. In the Beijing of March, it was still a bit cold. The old man looked at the child the woman was holding and felt his heart being cut by a knife once again.

"Jiaojiao, Daddy is leaving, will you miss Daddy?"

"I will."

"Hey, what a good girl. Daddy will bring you a gift when I come back... Alright, the car is here. Ting'er, the car is here, you two go back quickly. Don't catch a cold."

"Alright husband, take care on your way."

"Mm."

Just like that, the old man left.

He left behind his beloved film, his young wife, and his young children.

In this instant, he seemed to have returned to a time in his memory, when he also used to carry his luggage like this to work for others. Working for Zhang Junzhao, for Chen Kaige. Thirty years had passed in a flash. He hadn't expected to face such a day again.

"Director Zhang."

"Hello, Director Zhang."

"Director Zhang."

Arriving in Hong Kong and walking into this small studio, he met many staff members who greeted him very enthusiastically. The old man responded to each one skillfully, following Du Qifeng, who had picked him up at the airport, toward the lounge.

Before they arrived, the door opened, and a fat man wearing glasses walked out. He looked over, suddenly showing a look of shock, and exclaimed, "Zhang Yi... Director Zhang!"

The old man revealed a smile and said, "Director Xiao Peng, nice to meet you. Hello, hello. I am Zhang Yimou."

At this very moment, no one could tell that once upon a time, he had also been just a weak and aging old man.

At this moment, he possessed his own name, which was—

The National Master of a generation, Zhang Yimou!

The on-site director's lounge was not large, and it was immediately packed with people.

Actually, there weren't many; besides Du Qifeng and Peng Haoshan, and two assistant directors, there were only seven or eight people from the team that had followed Zhang Yimou all the way from Beijing. Compared to the status of a National Master, this was definitely traveling light.

It was just that the room was too small and couldn't actually seat everyone. In the end, the guest who had traveled from afar was considerate of the host's cramped space and let the others go outside to rest and wait. Finally, only three people remained in the lounge.

After asking where the male lead was and learning that he should still be in makeup, Zhang Yimou didn't say much and began to discuss business.

Honestly, if someone else had come, Peng Haoshan would definitely have put on airs.

After all, he, Fatty Peng, was no nobody; he was a former guest of honor at Huayi and now a subordinate of Huanxin. Even in front of acquaintances who knew him well like You Naihai and Wei Jiahui, he stubbornly pretended that nothing was wrong, absolutely refusing to show weakness or lose face in front of his peers.

However, facing the person in front of him, he truly stopped pretending.

What was there to pretend about?

Director Zhang, Director Zhang—there might not be a hundred directors in all of China called Director Zhang, but there were eighty. But the one who walked with the stride of a dragon and the step of a tiger, who spoke with wit and humor, and who made even Du Qifeng look like a little brother in his presence—there was only one, one hundred percent.

The people of Hong Kong say: in the south, there is Wang Jiawei; in the north, there is Zhang Yimou. From an official perspective, this is definitely an overestimation of Wang Jiawei and an underestimation of Zhang Yimou.

There is no other reason, just one number.

2008.

If one were to talk about the coordination of grand scenes, looking back at the last hundred years across the globe, regardless of time or space, besides the two World Wars, what grand scene could be bigger than the 2008 Olympics?

And the coordination problems he had encountered before... he felt that this was like encountering a problem late at night, so he went to Temple Street, hungry and thirsty, wanting to solve it. As a result, he didn't expect that Thirteen Sister, seeing he looked cute and innocent like her own pug, would personally arrange for him a bewitching top-tier escort with long legs and a great chest, who could be called the queen of the trade.

The moment he saw the top-tier escort, he knew his problem could absolutely be solved by her.

If he were still pretending at this time, then he would probably only be fit to use his right hand for the rest of his life.

Afterwards, when he laid out the small problem he had encountered, the other party immediately showed an expression of sudden realization.

"So that's how it is. Many of them are newcomers, and with such a large number, it is indeed not easy to coordinate them on the spot."

That sounded very much like the top-tier escort saying, "So that's how it is, sir. It's been so long since you've touched a woman, and you've accumulated so much; it really isn't easy."

Peng Haoshan said obediently, "Yes. Could I please ask for your help?"

"Haha, Nuozi asked me to come over early just for this. Since I've come, I am naturally duty-bound."

*Cackle*, Thirteen Sister asked me to come here just to do this, guest.

Peng Haoshan swallowed his saliva and said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Then, Director Xiao Peng, could you let me see your shooting plan for today first? I'll help you coordinate it in a moment?"

Then, guest, would you like me to help you wash up first? And let you have a good time later?

"Good, good."

All around was a pitch-black and empty enclosed space.

The backdrop of blue sky, white clouds, and rice fields pieced together a false illusion. In front of the large tree, a giant doll standing fifteen meters tall announced the rules in a low, mechanical voice:

"First game: Three, two, one, Red Light, Green Light. During the countdown of 'One, two, three, Red Light, Green Light,' everyone is allowed to move forward; after the countdown ends, the doll turns its head, and anyone detected moving—is eliminated."

The camera looked down from above; four hundred and fifty-six participants wearing uniform green tracksuits were lined up in dozens of rows, staring quietly at that cold, plastic doll face. Chen Nuo and Qin Pei stood in the first row, right in the center of the frame.

Then the camera continued to move, and Li Cansen leaned in and asked in a low voice, "Fool, is this Red Light, Green Light game the one we played when we were kids?"

Chen Nuo didn't answer a word, just stared fixedly into the distance, as if in a daze. Li Cansen pushed him impatiently: "Hey, fool, can't you hear me talking to you?"

"Ah, ah." Chen Nuo came back to his senses, looking at the person in front of him, "Sorry, what did you say?"

Li Cansen said, "I said, is this Red Light, Green Light game the one we played when we were kids?"

Chen Nuo blinked and said hesitantly, "I think... it should be."

"Should be." Li Cansen mimicked his speech in a strange tone, then laughed, "You're really crazy. Hey, fool, want to make a bet?"

Chen Nuo shook his head and said, "No."

Li Cansen feigned anger and said, "I haven't even said what the bet is, and you're already refusing? Do you look down on me? Do you believe I'll beat you up?"

Chen Nuo took a step back, "Then... then what's the bet?"

Li Cansen looked down at his legs and laughed with malice, "Bet on who reaches the finish line first, bet ten thousand dollars."

"......No."

"You say no, so it's no? It's settled then, fool. If you don't pay me later, I'll beat you to death!" Li Cansen shouted arrogantly.

At this moment, the doll in the machine turned its back to the crowd, and the mechanical voice sounded again:

"Three, two, one, Red Light, Green Light..."

Li Cansen made a face at Chen Nuo, then pushed him and ran out first, laughing and shouting.

Chen Nuo stumbled, but immediately steadied himself and did not fall.

"......Cannot speak, cannot move."

As soon as the doll finished reciting, its head turned 180 degrees with a whir.

Li Cansen stopped abruptly, but because he had rushed forward too hard, his body still swayed.

"Number 347, eliminated."

The mechanical voice in the loudspeaker droned.

At this moment, the cameraman gave Chen Nuo a close-up.

The person who appeared beside him this time was Ge Minghui.

This former go-to male lead for Peng Haoshan said in a relaxed and cheerful tone, "That idiot, he got caught so quickly, hahaha, the first one kicked out of the game!"

Chen Nuo's expression, however, was solemn, his eyes staring straight ahead.

Afterwards.

Only a crisp "crack" was heard.

Li Cansen in front was hit by something, falling cleanly and neatly onto the sandy ground in response to the sound.