Chapter 3: Admiration

Wu Yuchen smiled and slowly said:

"Is it true or false important?

I think what's more important is the reflection it brings to everyone after hearing this story."

It was only 1995; if Wu Yuchen said it was true, how would he answer if asked where it happened?

It was better to be ambiguous.

Hearing Wu Yuchen say this, many people below also showed thoughtful expressions, then slowly nodded.

However, there were still many questions among those present, especially since they had already formed the habit of discussing together every time they finished watching a work.

A boy raised his hand and, seeing Wu Yuchen nod, said:

"Although everyone on this bus was cold, selfish, and indifferent, I don't think they deserved to die, right?

And every debt has its debtor; if you want revenge, you should take revenge on the robbers. The robbers ran away; why take revenge on the passengers?"

Before Wu Yuchen could speak, a girl below directly retorted:

"Why? The female driver wanted to die; why would she care about your 'why'?

You feel it's unjust in your heart, but why didn't you take action when the female driver was being humiliated just now?

The female driver was using her own life to defend her dignity!

To cleanse the sins of everyone on this bus!"

Another boy also spoke up in support:

"Silence is the greatest accomplice!

If everyone thinks it's none of their business and stays out of it, then when one day you encounter such a thing, no one will reach out to help you!"

"Right!

During the massacre, five Japanese soldiers dared to slaughter two thousand people, and not a single person dared to resist!

How absurd is that!

If you are silent and cowardly, condoning crime and atrocities, then you yourself will be buried with them!"

"Righteousness is a moral choice, not an obligation!

The robbers had knives in their hands; although the passengers on this bus were indeed disgusting, they didn't deserve to die.

From this perspective, the female driver taking them to be buried with her was just venting her anger; she herself was also selfish!"

"So what if she took revenge? She's a human, not a saint!"

Wu Yuchen didn't even need to speak; the people below had already expressed their own opinions and launched a fierce discussion.

The members of this film group were all students in film-related majors, and each of them had great enthusiasm for film, and there was no lack of insight.

So many questions didn't need Wu Yuchen to explain at all; after everyone discussed them, they basically figured them out.

However, there was one question many people still cared about.

Old Jia asked:

"Wu Yuchen, you wrote in the final ending that the young man looks at the wreckage of the car accident and shows a smile.

What does this smile represent?

Was it intentionally set by you?"

Wu Yuchen had long anticipated this question; in his past life, at least half of the film reviews about *Bus 44* focused on this final eerie smile, but Wu Yuchen felt most didn't answer the point.

Because the film reviews were basically all from the perspective of an audience member, never thinking about why the director and screenwriter set it up that way.

Wu Yuchen scanned the crowd below and then asked back:

"I want to ask, if I changed this ending—the young man looks at the ruins of the car accident, learns that the female driver and all the passengers have died, and breaks down in tears—wouldn't that fit everyone's expectations?

Then you would all understand it, and wouldn't even raise a single question.

But if that were the case, would you still be thinking like you are now?"

Wu Yuchen pointed to his own head and asked the people below.

Jia Zhangke showed a thoughtful expression.

Everyone also asked themselves; if the young man cried, it would be too much in line with their expectations—grieving for the death of the female driver and the people on the bus was something anyone would understand.

But Wu Yuchen happened to set the ending as an unexpected smile, an O. Henry-style ending.

Wu Yuchen continued:

"And now, you will think about what this smile means.

Is it gratitude to the female driver, a sense of relief and understanding that she didn't let him on the bus?

Rejoicing that he survived?

Laughing at these people for bringing it upon themselves?

Feeling happy that a bunch of people died?

Feeling happy that good people get good rewards?

Or does it stem from the 'noble' sneering and mocking the 'base'?

This smile is actually a mirror; it reflects the different thoughts in everyone's heart. You will think about why you would smile if you were him.

Being able to leave more room for the audience to think, allowing the audience to dig deeper into human nature—my goal has been achieved!

Everyone, we are not just the audience; we are also the creators of film, so in the future, why not try to consider problems from a higher perspective?"

These words from Wu Yuchen were undoubtedly deafening to the students below!

It wasn't that they hadn't heard the same principles in class before, but those were theoretical; how could they leave as deep an impression as the vivid lesson Wu Yuchen gave them combined with *Bus 44*?

Clap, clap, clap...

First one person clapped, then a group of people erupted in applause even more enthusiastic than before.

"Awesome!"

"Junior, you're too amazing!"

At this moment, even Old Jia, looking at Wu Yuchen on stage, felt emotional.

He had originally thought a freshman was just interested and came to go through the motions; he hadn't expected him to bring such a stunning script!

The key was that he could also explain it clearly and vividly, giving everyone a lesson!

Jia Zhangke was full of admiration for Wu Yuchen at this moment; this freshman was not only handsome, but his talent was also beyond words!

Wu Yuchen nodded slightly to the people below: "My script ends here; please let the next classmate come up."

After saying this, Wu Yuchen walked off the podium.

Wu Yuchen returned to his seat, and Chen Er, who usually didn't talk much, directly patted him: "Wu Yuchen, I really didn't see that coming; amazing!"

"Hehe, brother is both handsome and talented!" Wu Yuchen laughed and boasted.

But this time, neither of his two roommates had any objections.

Wu Shixian gave him a thumbs up: "A brilliant story! You really made me look at you with new eyes!"

Talented people are admired wherever they go; there was no doubt that *Bus 44* left a deep impression on his two roommates regarding Wu Yuchen's talent.

Wu Yuchen looked at Wu Shixian and said with a smile: "Thanks!"

Plagiarizing someone's debut work right in front of their face felt a bit like a "cuckold" situation.

Wu Yuchen actually felt a bit guilty toward this fatty.

Wu Shixian thought Wu Yuchen was thanking him for his praise, so he just smiled at Wu Yuchen to show he was welcome.

After Wu Yuchen walked off the stage, a boy below stood up and said:

"I originally wrote one too, but to be honest, after hearing *Bus 44* just now, I feel it's really a world of difference, so I won't bring it out to embarrass myself!"

Others heard the boy finish and also smiled understandingly; after all, this *Bus 44* was too stunning and was completely not on the same level as the previous ones!

"Since no one is reading anymore, let's start the selection!" ===== CHAPTER 4 =====