[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-that-year-in-huayu":3,"chapter-that-year-in-huayu-that-year-in-huayu-chapter-2":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","That Year in Huayu",{"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},2286838,4473,"Chapter 2: Joining the Crew","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-2",2,"\u003Cp>Looking at the young man in the prime of his youth before him, Director Li was clearly moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, how much capital can you provide? A few thousand or tens of thousands?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Li smiled and joked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One hundred thousand,\" Lin Nan said, feeling a bit nervous. The main thing was that he didn't remember the production cost of this film, but he figured that at this time, for this kind of film, the cost wouldn't be high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your image is also quite suitable; you have the face of a Northwesterner, with sharp features.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Li was silent for a moment and said, \"Once you're in makeup and spend a few days at the mine in the Northwestern climate, you should fit the part perfectly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan went to urge them to serve the food; it was clear the two directors needed to discuss something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Estimating about ten minutes had passed, Lin Nan knocked on the door and returned to the private room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I urged them to serve the food; it will be ready right away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lin Nan, I'm sure you've heard that this film won't be able to get a public screening permit; it can only go the film festival route and be sold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you can provide one hundred thousand, plus the location—that is, the abandoned mine—we can sign a contract, and you will hold a fifteen percent stake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan understood; this was the result of the discussion just now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I agree.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the two people opposite him were no longer calm. \"Are you sure?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure. I can transfer the money on the first day after the National Day holiday. In these few days, I will have my family get the location ready, and we can just head over when the time comes,\" Lin Nan said, taking full responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good, we'll sign the contract after the holiday. You also need to read the original work, *Sacred Wood*, in these coming days; I'll give you the script then,\" Director Li set the time for signing the contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lin Nan's role was Yuan Fengming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the dinner table, there was another round of back-and-forth, and finally, they left their contact information and went their separate ways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan stood at the school gate, and as the breeze blew, he felt refreshed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now all that was left was to handle his father. \"My dear dad, please go easy on the scolding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In these past few years, Motorola and Nokia had become popular, but Zhang Mu still found a landline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You dog-day brat, you're going to be the death of me! Where am I supposed to find one hundred thousand for you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsurprisingly, Lin Nan was scolded by his hot-tempered father over the phone for ten minutes, and in the end, he only hung up to save on phone charges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the door wasn't completely shut; he told Lin Nan to roll back home, or else he would come to the school to see what kind of trouble his son was getting into out there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To save trouble, Lin Nan had no choice but to go back to his hometown, though the thought of the green-skinned train made him feel a bit of lingering fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He told his dorm mates a few words and then bought a ticket to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was National Day anyway, so not many people cared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conditions on the train at this time were truly poor, and it was very noisy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After bumping along for a long, long time, on the third day, he finally returned to this Northwestern city, Ancient Chang'an.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, his home was in the city district, otherwise, he would have had to endure even more trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dad, I'm back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing at the entrance of the restaurant, Lin Nan shouted. It was already evening, and there were still some people eating inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked in on his own; the thirty-square-meter lobby was filled with people, some ordering dishes, some eating soaked flatbread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a medium-sized courtyard in the back; this storefront was considered the foundation left behind by Lin Nan's grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two middle-aged women were waitresses; seeing Lin Nan, they shouted toward the kitchen, \"Old Lin, your son is back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan said with a chuckle, \"Aunties, don't worry about me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lin, wearing an apron, came out from the kitchen, took a look, and went back in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan found an empty corner and sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, in the courtyard behind the restaurant, there were only the two father and son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lin picked at the peanuts, and Lin Nan poured the wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at you, all you know how to do is mess around. One hundred thousand? Why don't you go to the sky? I don't have it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan watched his father's uncompromising attitude, but he wasn't in a hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added some more wine and then said: \"I am seriously making a movie. Investing one hundred thousand gets me a fifteen percent share.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's about things at the mine. Didn't my second grandfather die at the mine back then? I'm a serious college student now, from the Film Academy, and this is what I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Lin Nan walked into the room, took out a copy of the magazine *October*, and flipped to a page, \"Look, look, it's this book, we're filming the story in this book.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"*Sacred Wood*?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Lin Nan replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lin flipped through it, stared at it for a long time, and felt a bit moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had graduated from junior high school back in his day, and later joined the army, where he taught himself some knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the money is too much. A few thousand or ten thousand, I would agree...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan saw signs of his father wavering and pushed a little harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My teachers at school all know I'm making this movie. I worked hard to get this role; this will be my achievement in the future. This movie is going to be sold abroad...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blah, blah, blah, Lin Nan spent another hour blowing his own horn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn you, that's what your grandfather and I saved up over decades. If you squander it all, what are we going to do for the rest of our lives?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Lin Nan's repeated assurances and swearing, Old Lin finally lost to his own son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the kid turned sixteen, Old Lin really felt he was getting old; his son seemed to have grown up all of a sudden and started taking charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The key was that he said he would get into college, and he did—a film school at that—which really brought honor to the Lin family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his son mentioned needing one hundred thousand on the phone, he actually already knew the result, but he still wanted to object verbally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You handle it. I'll go find those uncles of yours in the next few days; the mine issue won't be a problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having settled his father, Lin Nan finally breathed a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dad, don't worry. If it doesn't work out, whatever you say in the future, I'll do...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get out, get out, get out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan stayed at home for one night, and the next day he got up and prepared to leave again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dad, if there's news, call my school,\" Lin Nan said as he boarded the train under his father's impatient gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The train departed, and Old Lin walked back, feeling reluctant to part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to school again, Lin Nan felt exhausted; traveling was very draining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Li, yes, the money here is ready, the location can be settled in these two days, you can come to the school after the holiday...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After communicating with the director, there were no surprises, but for safety's sake, Lin Nan thought about having a teacher witness the signing when he came to school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan's class teacher had also graduated from the school a few years ago and was also at school during the National Day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan briefly explained the matter, and after being confirmed repeatedly, the teacher agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are so determined that I can't persuade you otherwise, but I still hope you consider it carefully; after all, it's a lot of money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've thought it all through. My dad knows, and the director isn't a scammer. When they come to school to sign the contract, teacher, could you find someone to help me look it over?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving an affirmative reply, Lin Nan returned to the dormitory with peace of mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, a freshman investing in a movie on their own, especially an underground film like this, was very hard to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan only knew this was a starting point. Although the director would be banned from directing for a few years later, wasn't it all worth it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This resume would make Lin Nan's future path smoother and take him further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Lin Nan was called to answer the phone; his father was very fast—four abandoned mines, and he could pick any mine shaft he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan knew it was his uncles back home who had put in the effort, and the Old Lin family was one of the few prominent families in the village that had made it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The holiday passed quickly, and Lin Nan spent most of his time on the train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the morning, accompanied by his teacher, Lin Nan signed the contract with the director. Another teacher from a different department at the school came along to look at the contract, and there were no problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lin Nan's one hundred thousand would be in the account within a week.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire film crew was also about to set off for Lin Nan's hometown, and Lin Nan went along with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher, thank you so much, but there's one more thing I need your help with,\" Lin Nan said with a grin, feeling a bit embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Asking for leave, right? Just one month; come back early when you're done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guarantee I won't fall behind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Zhou waved her hand, letting Lin Nan go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike other places, the Film Academy encouraged students to take roles if they came up; after all, opportunities were scarce, and practice was part of the teaching, and it accounted for a significant portion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also beneficial for the students' future development and employment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northwestern countryside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Lin helped Lin Nan pay the money and then returned to the provincial capital; making money was more important, as the little brat had squandered the family's savings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The film crew set up tents not far from the abandoned mining area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the food and drink were all supplied by the village; the crew only needed to pay, and the prices were truly cheap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that, the Old Lin family in the village felt honored, all thinking that it was a movie crew brought in by Lin Nan's father to take care of the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crew inspected several mine shafts and, after comparing them, found one that relatively met the script's requirements and had higher safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lin Nan, come over here, let me talk to you about the scenes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several lead actors and the director sat in a circle in the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are playing Yuan Fengming, about 16 years old in the story, a rural teenager—simple, innocent, eager to learn, naive, with sincere emotions; this must be expressed...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay, I will definitely do my best and strive to act well...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan sat to the side holding the script, listening to the director talk about the scenes, including the scenes for the two characters Song Jinming and Tang Zhaoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This film is very realistic and detailed. The victim at the beginning is also surnamed Yuan, and Yuan Fengming's own father lost contact after going out to work, hinting at the father-son relationship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just that the endings are different; one ends up dead, while the other escapes death in the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reading through the script, he compared it again with the original novel he had read before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This movie is a good movie; its portrayal of human nature and reality is profound, as expected of an award-winning film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s just that some of the adult content inside made Lin Nan feel a bit guilty; in his memory, this was also one of the reasons it could not be publicly screened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most important reason, however, was the criticism of social reality, which was too direct, and the story the film told was too realistic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The script reading took a whole day, and everyone had more or less immersed themselves in the emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The props and such were mostly prepared, so they could start the next day, filming the scenes at the mine first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please look after me, both teachers,\" Lin Nan greeted the two actors playing Tang Chaoyang and Song Jinming; they had entered the industry several years earlier, the former’s original profession was a martial role in Jingju Academy, and the latter was also a graduate of the Film Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Easy to say, easy to say, he is my junior brother after all,\" both of them were quite easygoing.\u003C\u002Fp>",2195,"2026-06-20T03:22:09.099Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","b30d137b5a1bd2bf186d4ca42bb74df96437a17b97940c8ccdaafdd767eedab5","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-3","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-1",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-in-huayu-cover.jpg"]