Chapter 30

Wu Yuchen smiled upon hearing this question.

To be honest, he had already answered this question so many times it felt effortless.

Yet when he finally spoke, his tone remained sincere:

“I’ve been asked this question many times before.

The first time I presented this script, my film group classmates asked me—I answered then like this…”

He recounted his original response briefly, drawing the audience into quiet listening and reflection.

Then Wu Yuchen continued:

“Later, when I worked on the soundtrack, I was asked again—I answered that a thousand people see a thousand Hamlets.

And now, after ‘Car 44’ has truly been released, I’ve gained new insight.

There’s a Western proverb: What is God’s is God’s, and what is Caesar’s is Caesar’s.

The moment the film is shown, it no longer belongs to me as its creator.

I put what I wanted to express into it—but does my own interpretation really matter to you?”

Wu Yuchen’s meaning was clear: he had completed his part as creator; interpretation and thought were now the audience’s own business.

His answer immediately sparked murmurs among the audience—his view was novel to them, since they had always insisted on battling creators over a work’s meaning and ideology.

The student still standing to ask the question couldn’t help but ponder: Did it matter? Or didn’t it?

Wu Yuchen hadn’t directly answered his first question, yet had thrown him another—and yet the student felt Wu Yuchen’s words made perfect sense.

He scratched his head and sat down slowly, momentarily confused, thinking he’d need to rethink everything when he got home…

The head of the Acting Department smiled and said, “This kid’s clever as hell!”

Undoubtedly, Wu Yuchen had used one question to deflect the previous one, tossing it back to the audience.

Xie Xiaojing smiled in agreement: “But he’s not wrong.”

“Old Xie, you’re defending him now!” teased the head of the Acting Department.

Hou Keming waved his hand, pointing at Wu Yuchen on stage with a grin:

“This kid can turn answering a question into something profound—I’m genuinely curious how he’ll handle reporters in the future!”

The other teachers nearby burst into laughter, yet all could hear the Dean’s clear endorsement of Wu Yuchen.

Would he mention reporters if he didn’t believe in him?

It was an undeniable affirmation of his future!

At the same time, all these teachers shared the same thought: Our Beijing Film Academy’s Directing Department is about to produce another genius!

Soon after, another student was called up by Wu Yuchen—a senior who asked how he managed to assemble a crew and shoot ‘Car 44’ as a freshman.

This was undoubtedly a practical question many cared about.

Wu Yuchen didn’t hold back; after all, it couldn’t be hidden—he recounted the entire origin story of ‘Car 44’ in full.

Many suddenly understood—they had never known crowdfunding for films was even a thing!

This sparked inspiration in several: Could they try something similar?

Watching the eager expressions on many faces in the audience, Wu Yuchen sighed inwardly—they saw only the success, not the hardship behind it!

Without a script as strong as ‘Car 44,’ without a team passionate about film, willing to pay money and work for free, without a director like him with mature practical experience, without actors with potential chosen by his outsider’s eye—how could success come so easily?

But Wu Yuchen wouldn’t say anything discouraging—only by walking the path do you learn its difficulty; warnings are useless, and perhaps someone might succeed anyway?

Wu Yuchen continued answering questions one by one, but most had already been asked by his film group—he handled them effortlessly.

Some asked technical or shooting experience questions, like certain cinematic language or difficulties encountered during filming; Wu Yuchen didn’t hide anything, except regarding Jiang Qin’s matter—he spoke openly about everything else.

Besides questioning Wu Yuchen, many also asked Jiang Qin, Sun Honglei, and Duan Long.

The screening began at seven, but the Q&A lasted until nearly ten—only when teachers declared it too late and ordered everyone home did the enthusiastic students finally begin to disperse.

Before leaving, Xie Xiaojing smiled at Wu Yuchen: “Come see me tomorrow when you’re free.”

Wu Yuchen didn’t know why Xie Xiaojing wanted to see him, but he was sure it wasn’t anything bad—he agreed immediately.

At that moment, Huang Lei walked over with a grin and clapped Wu Yuchen on the shoulder:

“You little guy—you’re amazing!”

Huang Lei himself hadn’t expected Wu Yuchen to make ‘Car 44’ so stunning!

He’d only intended to lend a hand—but ended up helping produce a work that stunned everyone.

Huang Lei was in an excellent mood, especially after seeing the “Special Thanks: Huang Lei” credit in the film—he couldn’t stop smiling.

“If I’d known it’d turn out this well, I’d have taken the role myself!” Huang Lei joked.

“Senior, I came to you first! You yourself said you were busy with other things…”

After saying this, Wu Yuchen pulled Huang Lei aside and grinned:

“Senior, I saw you on stage—you two were sitting in the corner, the one beside you…”

Huang Lei immediately grabbed Wu Yuchen’s arm: “Keep it down, mind your reputation!”

He glanced around nervously.

Wu Yuchen grinned and made a zipping motion across his lips, then gave Huang Lei a thumbs-up—he guessed Huang Lei’s situation was basically settled.

Then Wu Yuchen remembered something and said to Huang Lei: “Senior, I still have two thousand left from the money you gave me…”

“What are you talking about?

Don’t mention this again!

Why be so formal with me?”

Huang Lei put on a stern expression; only when Wu Yuchen fell silent did his tone soften:

“Take your crew out, treat everyone to a big meal and two days of fun this weekend—any good roles coming up, remember to come to your senior!”

Huang Lei lightly punched Wu Yuchen on the chest, then walked away with a carefree air.

When most people had already left, the remaining crew members could no longer contain their joy and shouted aloud:

“We made it!”

They clapped hands, embraced, and celebrated wildly.

Everyone who had invested money into the crew now felt not a trace of regret—instead, they felt honored to have participated in the making of ‘Car 44’!

Then Jia Zhangke, Wu the Fat, Chen Er, Sun Honglei, Duan Long, and others all gathered around Wu Yuchen and lifted him into the air together.

Everyone knew who the true hero of ‘Car 44’ was!

They cheered and tossed Wu Yuchen into the air three times before stopping.

Wu Yuchen, now back on his feet, had a flushed face and messy hair, but he didn’t care—he raised his right hand:

“Tomorrow we’re holding a wrap party—we’re not stopping until we’re drunk!”

“Aaaah!” The group cheered around Wu Yuchen.

Jiang Qin stood quietly to the side, a faint smile on her lips, watching the handsome boy surrounded by adoring fans.

She felt he glowed entirely—he was so brilliant, she couldn’t bear to look away!