[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-that-year-in-huayu":3,"chapter-that-year-in-huayu-that-year-in-huayu-chapter-66":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},2286902,4473,"Chapter 66: Asking for Teacher's Guidance","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-66",66,"\u003Cp>With the news released by New Line, Liu Yifei’s acquisition of the role was finally settled once and for all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young people are just too impulsive; to think they’d actually give such a role to a little girl.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many industry insiders felt a sense of regret; with a little maneuvering, the lead role in a production like this could yield a return of immense value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan paid no mind to this. He saw another piece of news: Teacher Fu Biao had passed away. Added to Gao Xiumin from the middle of the month, two veteran actors he admired were gone. Many big names in the circle offered their condolences, and Feng Xiaogang announced he would preside over his friend's funeral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan suddenly felt that he should make a film about illness in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year he filmed *Blind Shaft*, and he hadn't organized any projects since. During that time, he had simply provided the scripts for *Dead Silence* and *Crazy Stone* to others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that more than half a year had passed, it was time for Lin Nan to prepare his next film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the choice of subject matter, given that his last film was realistic, he had to consider a commercial film this time. Lin Nan was somewhat inclined to try science fiction or fantasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Seven Swords* had slunk away, and *The Myth* was following up with great fanfare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike *Seven Swords*, the producers of *The Myth* were two heavyweights: China Film Group and Emperor Motion Pictures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could tell the high hopes pinned on this film just by seeing that the general producer was Han Sanping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jackie Chan’s influence was currently the highest among Chinese film stars, and that held true overseas as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an investment of 160 million Hong Kong dollars, *The Myth* had an even higher budget than *Seven Swords*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Dong had called Lin Nan personally to invite him to attend the premiere on September 20th without fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could afford to snub China Film Group, let alone when Han Sanping himself made the call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, Lin Nan was quite envious of this film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*The Last Emperor* had been filmed on location in the Forbidden City, and *The Myth* was by no means inferior to the former; it had carried out the same operation at the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Huabiao Awards had just concluded. Although it was an encouraging type of film festival, it was officially recognized, so the media naturally paid attention to the results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the Shanghai International Film Festival, Zhao Liying had once again won the Best Actress award. She was completely unaffected by the incident involving her traditional dress and the assault; she had many fans who loved her, but even more netizens who cursed her, to the point that it had spilled over into the film festival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Hao told Lin Nan that Han Sanping had also contacted him; it seemed they were truly sparing no effort to build momentum for *The Myth*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by this situation, it was likely that not a single film company or filmmaker in Jingcheng had been left out, and there would certainly be a massive media presence. Lin Nan could already foresee the scale of the scene that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The academy moved quickly. Two days after Lin Nan met with Tian Zhuangzhuang, the list for postgraduate recommendations was released, and he, along with several other seniors, was on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others had earned their spots based on their academic grades, and even then, some people were dissatisfied. But Lin Nan’s academic grades were far inferior to theirs, yet not a single student raised an objection—which was quite ironic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of the day, academic grades were just academic grades; both the academy and the students knew which achievements were more important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news that Lin Nan would be pursuing a postgraduate degree excited many underclassmen, as it meant there would be many opportunities to get noticed, or perhaps even land a role if they were lucky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Mi listened to the conversations around her and felt somewhat skeptical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spending four years of undergraduate study at school didn't mean it would be the same during postgraduate studies. For postgraduate students at art academies, especially in the directing department, the coursework would only be lighter than during undergraduate years. Lin Nan would definitely prioritize his career and wouldn't come to school often.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a way, Yang Mi had actually guessed correctly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan was on the phone, and Zhu Yawen was chattering away, talking endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve really detached yourself from the masses. I only heard you mention it once, and you actually went to pursue a postgraduate degree. The school is too snobbish.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The department insisted I go and even promised I wouldn't have to attend classes. How else do you expect me to refuse?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop showing off. Is being a big director so amazing?\" Zhu Yawen retorted over the phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, did they say which professor is supervising you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yawen was somewhat interested in this; given Lin Nan’s current achievements, this teacher wouldn't be easy to choose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Tian Zhuangzhuang,\" Lin Nan replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Impressive. You’ve found a big Buddha to lean on. Your connections have instantly expanded to the older generation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the phone, Zhu Yawen’s tone was thick with jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, enough already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, fine. I was just calling to congratulate you and complain a little. Now you’ve got me feeling a bit envious. Save a spot for me to hang onto your coattails, alright? I’m hanging up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The busy signal sounded. Lin Nan smiled helplessly. \"That Zhu Yawen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan received many congratulatory calls and messages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter also made the news, but fortunately, there was no negative backlash. The key was that no one could find any fault with Lin Nan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by his awards and box office results, Lin Nan, who was entering the directing department, was undoubtedly an outstanding student of the Film Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan thought of a script. It was a science fiction film, a pure science fiction film, but it still had a bit of a horror style. Moreover, it didn't rely on special effects, but rather followed a conceptual flow. It was a fantastic film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the thought arose, Lin Nan couldn't wait to put it into action. The script for his new film was decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He threw himself heart and soul into typing. He didn't look closely at several calls he received midway and rejected them all, sending a system-generated text message instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"'Sorry, I'll call you back later?' He must be busy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sanping smiled and shook his head, saying to the people beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At today's dinner, Han Sanping sat in the main seat, flanked by senior management from Emperor Motion Pictures, as well as Huo Wenxi, Tang Jili, and others. Big Brother Long wasn't there; he wouldn't be able to reach Jingcheng for another two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since he's busy, let it be. It was because he filled the funding gap for Director Jiang Wen during that period that he missed out on the investment share for *Journey to the Center of the Earth*,\" the vice president of Emperor Motion Pictures said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He just never looks at the costs when he starts filming. It’s fortunate you filled the hole left after the withdrawal of funds from that side, otherwise he would have cried to death,\" Han Sanping laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Jiang is a capable director. Chairman Yang thinks highly of him, which is why we keep increasing our investment,\" Huo Wenxi said at this point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’ll have to suffer a bit sooner or later before he learns to restrain himself. Let’s not talk about him. For this premiere, China Film Group has done all the preparations we could, and I’ve contacted all the guests I could find. The pomp will certainly be sufficient. As for the results after the release, that depends on the film itself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sanping glanced at Tang Jili.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry about that, Chairman Han. Jackie’s influence is there, and the audience likes him. This time, whether it's the script or the location shooting, we have strived for perfection. It will be a classic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Jili followed up on Han Sanping’s words to express his stance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan was in high spirits at this moment, his eyes bright, his fingers clattering away non-stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the computer screen, the script grew longer and longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must respect the audience, let the audience participate, and leave room for the fans to let their imaginations run wild, rather than forcibly feeding them the screenwriter's interpretation...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan had determined the tone of the script: a science fiction theme supplemented by a horror aesthetic. This should be rare in the current domestic film and television landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was one problem he had to avoid in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horror aesthetic was an important supporting element of this film, but domestic film censorship was a bit ambiguous in this area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he wouldn't touch the subject of ghosts. The incredible and horrific elements in the story were all personal delusions generated by science fiction factors. The theme had never changed; it was science fiction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for the sake of safety, he still wanted to consult someone. It was better to be safe than sorry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a new teacher now; if not now, when?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan thought about going to find Tian Zhuangzhuang, and his typing speed increased by another notch. He aimed to knock out the script in two days and polish it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The freshmen of the '05 class couldn't escape the military training phase and had already been taken to the designated camp, but those with acting contracts still found ways to get leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan scratched his somewhat oily scalp. Working overtime, he finally managed to finish a draft he was reasonably satisfied with after two days and two nights. This was thanks to the deep impression it had left in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up his phone and saw that he had forgotten to return several calls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Hao’s MV was starting production. Lu Zheng was truly wealthy, telling him to do it according to the standards of a blockbuster; as long as it was needed for filming, he didn't need to consider funding issues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yifei had started recording songs. He heard a Japanese song would be used in an animated film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sanping wanted to arrange a dinner for him on behalf of Emperor Motion Pictures. Fortunately, he hadn't answered the phone at that time; he couldn't stand the culture of the dinner table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After washing up and eating something, Lin Nan grabbed his laptop and left the dormitory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school seemed to be taking special care of him; this dormitory had become his single room, and no new people had been assigned to it. After all, it was common for students from different majors and different grades to live together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The campus, lacking the freshmen, was much quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lin Nan, you really are a postgraduate student now? Coming to see Director Tian again so soon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A teacher from the directing department joked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, you’re joking, Teacher. I just have some questions to ask.\" As he spoke, he quickened his pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Zhuangzhuang looked at Lin Nan carrying his computer and was somewhat curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why did you bring a computer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher, I’ve written a new script, but it involves some horror elements. I wanted to ask for your guidance, for instance, regarding the censorship.\" Lin Nan spoke the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A horror film?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Zhuangzhuang frowned. This type of film had always been a genre despised by the academic school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not a horror film, it’s a science fiction film, but it has some horror tones.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Tian Zhuangzhuang’s brow finally relaxed. In China, there were actually no outstanding science fiction film works, but it was indeed an important component of commercial films, especially in Europe and America, where science fiction was the crown jewel of the film industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the script finished?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Zhuangzhuang glanced at the computer in Lin Nan’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s finished. Would you like to take a look?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan opened the computer, clicked on the file, and placed it on Tian Zhuangzhuang’s desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in a hurry to read the script, Tian Zhuangzhuang first let Lin Nan sit down, and only then spoke with gratification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The academy has produced many students, and there is no shortage of famous directors—like myself, Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and others. But when it comes to writing scripts, none of us are particularly skilled. Yet you are a special case; all of your films are scripts you wrote yourself, and they are all very successful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words made Lin Nan feel a bit ashamed and embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are too kind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not being kind; it’s a fact. I know a little about Chen Kaige’s new film script, and I just feel it’s very messy...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Tian Zhuangzhuang finished speaking, he began to look at the script before him, not forgetting to urge Lin Nan, \"Pour your own tea; you'll have to sit and wait a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry about me, take your time reading.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan was not one to stand on ceremony, and he walked over to the tea set on his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tea set and the tea leaves were clearly high-end goods at a glance, especially the latter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Nan was not an expert at tasting tea, but he could certainly gulp it down without appreciation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drinking tea that cost who knows how much, he waited quietly for Tian Zhuangzhuang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw his brows knit and then smooth out, clearly absorbed in the material.\u003C\u002Fp>",2296,"2026-06-20T03:22:09.099Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","75250ab90fd49692187f05cfc816038e89808ee7c81fe816872c76599a3ecf05","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-67","that-year-in-huayu-chapter-65",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthat-year-in-huayu-cover.jpg"]