Chapter 92: Returning to Jingcheng and

The public opinion surrounding "Cheng Chen's late-night secret meeting with a mysterious woman" was gradually suppressed due to Gao Yuanyuan's proactive intervention and the efforts of Tianhai Records.

As time passed, people also put the matter out of their minds.

Cheng Chen's scenes in "The Great Dye House" were nearly finished filming.

"Alright, all departments prepare!"

On the seaside, the cold wind bit sharply; the crew waited on the shore, while Sun Li, dressed in a simple student outfit, faced the sea.

Winter had arrived, and the wind howled fiercely.

Waves rolled one after another, as if trying to knock the frail Sun Li to the ground.

Cheng Chen watched from the side, deeply troubled.

Today's scene featured Sun Li portraying Shen Yuanyi.

She had come to Qing Shi searching for her boyfriend, but after visiting every hospital in the city, she found no trace of him.

In the end, she lost her luggage, saw no hope of returning home, and with no money left, Shen Yuanyi came to the seaside.

Gazing at the roaring sea, Shen Yuanyi grew increasingly despondent, until she finally sought to end her life.

Fortunately, Chen Shouting happened to be walking by, learned her story, comforted her, and eventually took her to a hotel…

For Chen Shouting, the character Shen Yuanyi was his white moonlight.

Visible, yet unattainable for various reasons.

They met in turbulent times, their bond filled with unwavering familial devotion.

There was heart-pounding love, and also brotherly loyalty and righteousness…

The sea's roar was loud; Director Wang Wenjie shouted through a megaphone without pause.

Then he instructed his assistant beside him:

"Get the hot ginger tea and winter coats ready!"

"Ready!"

"Alright, all departments prepare—action!"

As soon as the director shouted, Sun Li slipped into character on the shore.

Though the wind was biting, she had to portray sorrow without a single visible tremor in her body.

Sun Li walked step by step into the sea, the water gradually soaking her clothes.

"Crouch as you walk—keep going!"

Since Sun Li couldn't swim, fear of the sea and the freezing water nearly overwhelmed her.

"I—I'm too cold. I want to go back…"

Sun Li shouted loudly.

This scene was shot from behind, so the camera didn't need to capture her facial expression.

"Good, keep going, Sun Li—walk forward!"

Wang Wenjie continued shouting through the megaphone.

"Director, I—I can't go any further! I can't swim!"

Sun Li shouted with a trembling voice, but the sea's noise was too loud; those on shore couldn't hear her.

"That's right, Sun Li—you're the first in our crew to shoot in the sea. Amazing! Let's get it in one take!"

Wang Wenjie stood up, waving his arms like he was hyping up Sun Li with adrenaline.

Cheng Chen, wrapped in a down jacket on the shore, heard Wang Wenjie's words and felt confused.

Did the director really hear what Sun Li said? I didn't hear it that way at all!

"Alright, cut! Perfect!"

After about two minutes, Wang Wenjie finally called "cut."

Crew members rushed into the water to help Sun Li ashore; hot ginger tea and winter coats were immediately wrapped around her.

Sun Li's face had turned pale, and she shivered uncontrollably.

Crew members nearby stepped forward to check on her.

After she recovered, she would continue filming the next scenes on shore.

"Director… did I… pass that scene?"

Wrapped in a down jacket and clutching a hot water bag, Sun Li asked, trembling.

"You passed. You're incredibly brave."

Wang Wenjie sighed.

"Good."

Sun Li exhaled in relief.

Filming is like this: when shooting summer scenes in winter, actors must wear thin clothes while pretending to be hot.

Before filming, actors must hold ice in their mouths to prevent their breath from steaming out when speaking lines.

Conversely, during scorching summer days filming winter scenes, actors must wear thick cotton coats no matter how hot it is.

Heatstroke and heat rashes are common occurrences on set.

…

In mid-December, Cheng Chen received notice to go to Jingcheng for the Spring Festival Gala's program review.

Cheng Chen's review was merely a formality, since higher-ups had already hinted he would perform "Wan Jiang."

Of course, if the program wasn't selected or the director's team removed him, that would be another matter.

After returning to Jingcheng, Cheng Chen first invited Gao Yuanyuan to dinner, then the two went to watch a movie.

Learning from last time's lesson, Cheng Chen this time fully concealed himself, and so did Gao Yuanyuan.

The two of them were watching Lao Mou Zi's new film, just released: Hero.

Lao Mou Zi had spent three years preparing this film, pouring all his energy into showing foreign audiences Chinese culture.

After all, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon had been both a box office and critical success, revealing to him an unprecedented opportunity.

First, he assembled a divine-level cast for the film's actors.

The six lead actors were: Li Lianjie, Liang Chaowei, Zhang Manyu, Chen Daoming, Zhen Zidan, International Zhang.

Besides Lao Mou Zi's terrifying pull, no one else could have brought this group together.

In terms of cinematography and visuals, Lao Mou Zi fully leveraged his professional background as a cinematographer.

He created exquisitely beautiful and poetic fight scenes, such as the duel between Li Lianjie and Zhen Zidan in a courtyard.

Li Lianjie and Liang Chaowei dueled on a lake surface; Zhang Manyu and International Zhang chased each other through a maple forest.

And finally, the volley of ten thousand arrows—all became cinematic classics!

Hero directly launched the era of Chinese commercial blockbusters.

Its Mainland box office reached 250 million RMB; its global box office totaled 177 million USD, approximately 1.4 billion RMB.

Perhaps, compared to today's films that routinely earn two or three billion, that doesn't seem much.

But this was 2002, when China's cinema screens were far fewer!

In 2002, 1.4 billion in box office was an unbreakable new height for that era—a foundational work.

Thus, later critics called Hero the foundation, milestone, and catalyst of China's film industry.

Without Hero, today's flourishing domestic Chinese cinema would not exist.

Cheng Chen offered no judgment on whether this assessment was exaggerated, but simply viewing Lao Mou Zi's film, it was truly a pleasure to watch.

Whether in color composition, camera work, or the depth of expression, it left viewers awestruck and exhilarated.

No wonder it was Lao Mou Zi's labor of love.

No wonder it was later nominated for the Academy Awards.

The film also elevated Lao Mou Zi's fame further, causing actors afterward to eagerly seek his favor.

The Mou Girls' fame grew even greater; Lao Mou Zi's eye for casting was undoubtedly exceptional, otherwise so many major stars would not have emerged later.

Aside from "How can that not count?" this little sister, everyone else developed quite well.

Of course, the little sister had cut off her own star path, transforming from a manufactured Ziwei Star into someone everyone denounced…