Chapter 355: Speaking Openly

Cao Yang landed in Jingcheng, and it was Dong Xuan who came to pick him up.

After overcoming his jet lag at Dong Xuan's place for a day, the fatigue from the flight simply vanished.

Once a man is full of energy, he naturally wants to do something else.

What Cao Yang found a bit of a pity was that the aftereffects Dong Xuan had from starring in *Black Swan* had already faded; during the day, she was no longer that shy, quiet "White Swan" who would cover her mouth and bite her lip even during moments of intense passion.

Fortunately, her fiery enthusiasm remained, such as with her single or double ponytails.

However, just as Cao Yang was transformed into a valiant knight, riding and whipping his horse with great satisfaction, Dong Xuan began to say some rather ominous things.

Things like "I'm going to die..." or "I really can't take it anymore..."

What could Cao Yang do? He quickly dismounted, let Dong Xuan lie down, and then gave her artificial respiration...

After a long while, Dong Xuan sat up, let down her ponytail, shook her head to smooth out her hair, and then lay back down.

Anyone with experience knows that when a ponytail isn't let down, lying on one's stomach, kneeling, or bending over is fine, but lying on one's back isn't exactly comfortable.

Of course, at that moment, even while lying down, she surely forgot the discomfort of the ponytail for a while; only after that period passed and she calmed down did she feel it.

Cao Yang touched her bamboo-shoot-like tips, suddenly thinking of the discussion from a few days ago about promoting people and raising their status. It seemed the movie Dong Xuan starred in also had people from Wanwan; he wondered if she had helped raise anyone's status.

It was like this: the movie *The Knot*, co-produced by China Film Group, Xiangjiang's Emperor Group, and Wanwan's Longxiang Entertainment, needed a mainland actress to play one of the female leads, Wang Jindi.

Initially, Emperor Group wanted to give this role to an artist signed with Huayi Brothers, with whom they had a very good relationship—that is, Li Bingbing.

But the director, Yin Li, a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy's 1978 Fine Arts Department, wanted one of the current faces of the Beijing Film Academy's actors, Venice Film Festival Best Actress Dong Xuan, to play the role.

Emperor Group naturally opposed this. They had numerous collaborations with Huayi and a close relationship; since Huayi's Young Boss Wang had put in a word, Emperor Group naturally wanted to facilitate the matter.

Thus, the reason they gave was that Dong Xuan was too expensive, while Li Bingbing was cheaper.

Yin Li also had his own persistence, giving the reason that *The Knot* was a special art-house film, and Dong Xuan's acting was better, making her more suitable for the role.

Of course, under normal circumstances, if one isn't a big-name director, it's hard to contend with a production company, and in the end, one would surely compromise.

However, after Han Zong of China Film Group learned of this, even though he personally had a good relationship with the two Huayi brothers and Young Boss Wang of Huayi had specifically put in a word with him, what Han Zong said was very interesting—art-house films should find people with good acting skills.

Who has good acting skills?

Naturally, it was Dong Xuan, who had won the Venice Best Actress award and automatically ascended to become one of the Four Great Qingyi.

This was equivalent to a clear-cut show of support for Dong Xuan.

This infuriated Young Boss Wang. He had patted his butt, his head, and his chest while promising Li Bingbing, never expecting that the old man surnamed Han wouldn't give him any face at all, not even being vague about it.

Just like that, Dong Xuan got the role of Wang Jindi in *The Knot*.

"In the promotion for *The Knot*, are you and that Xu Ruoxuan from Wanwan listed as co-female leads?"

Cao Yang asked curiously.

Xu Ruoxuan was quite famous in Wanwan; she was a very well-known... female singer.

But in the film circle, whether in terms of domestic influence or international influence, how could she compare to the "Cao Girl" Dong Xuan, who had won a Venice Best Actress award?

Just like the "Mou Girls," as long as they had acted in Old Mouzi's films and were recognized by the public as "Mou Girls," even if they were newcomers, they could become famous with one film, and their starting point was basically aimed at becoming A-list actresses.

Moreover, Cao Yang's fame and influence were even greater than Old Mouzi's. His "Cao Girls" were even more exaggerated; recognized "Cao Girls" almost all had a Best Actress award from one of the three major European film festivals.

Dong Xuan slapped Cao Yang's hand, signaling him not to act up.

"Not really, Han Zong put me at the very front; she and Chen Kun are listed together."

Dong Xuan replied, but then thought for a moment and added: "In Xiangjiang, I am also the first-billed at the front, but in Wanwan, they put Xu Ruoxuan at the front."

"Heh..."

Cao Yang couldn't help but want to laugh; it was truly small-minded.

On this point, Wanwan was not as good as Xiangjiang.

Xiangjiang was still relatively practical; even if they were unhappy with Dong Xuan, for the sake of the box office, they still unhesitatingly put the most influential Dong Xuan at the front.

It was only because it was Dong Xuan. In the film circle, regardless of fame or influence, Xu Ruoxuan couldn't compare. If it had been Li Bingbing, across the mainland, Xiangjiang, and Wanwan, she would definitely have been suppressed and forced to obediently raise someone else's status.

This was the point Cao Yang was most unhappy about—a female star who was one of the Four Great Huadan of the mainland film and television circle was actually not as high-status in the film circle as a singer from Wanwan.

Making money from the mainland while discriminating against mainland people, and still acting as if it were only natural.

So this matter must be changed.

He had called Han Zong and Old Hou to talk about it last time. This time, while in the country, Cao Yang decided he still needed to emphasize to the people of the Beijing Film Academy system again: don't let that group of people run wild, and don't let just any unknown person come to the mainland and suppress the billing.

"Cao Yang, for this year's Golden Rooster Awards, do you think I can get two nominations?"

Dong Xuan turned to look at Cao Yang, her two large eyes watery, as if they could speak.

Cao Yang pondered for a moment; Dong Xuan's words were not wishful thinking.

Cao Yang had specifically watched Dong Xuan's version of *The Knot* when he returned for the New Year. Her acting was clearly several levels higher than Xu Ruoxuan's. According to common sense, getting a nomination for Best Actress at the Golden Rooster should be no problem.

Why was he so sure?

*The Knot* involved sensitive topics, although it explored them very shallowly and didn't dare to dig deep—of course, if it had dug deep, the mainland might not have passed the censorship, and Wanwan might not have been able to screen it.

But objectively speaking, *The Knot* was not a bad film; the beautiful visuals and the moving details that appeared from time to time were still worth savoring.

The director honestly filmed a conventional yet regrettable romance. For them, the era was just the most superficial conflict-driver and a stage for their sweet, intimate moments.

The exquisite cinematography, unique camera movements, and the stills that appeared from time to time during the editing made the viewing process constantly full of visual and detailed surprises.

Although compared to *City of Glass* or *Farewell My Concubine*, which were also emotional stories of small people set against a grand historical background, *The Knot* was too simple and too shallow, it was already very difficult to have filmed it like this.

It was still very easy to get a few more nominations at the Golden Rooster Awards, especially for Best Actress.

Additionally, because the Golden Rooster Awards were now held every two years, movies released in the last two years could be selected, so *Black Swan*, released in 2005, also met the requirements.

Without a doubt, *Black Swan*, which had won the Venice Golden Lion and Best Actress, was a dimensionality-reduction strike for the Golden Rooster Awards. As long as it participated in the Golden Rooster Awards, nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress would definitely be there.

This was the reason Dong Xuan asked if she would get two nominations.

Cao Yang knew Dong Xuan's concerns.

Don't look at the fact that she had already won the Venice Best Actress award; she still really wanted to win the domestic Golden Rooster Best Actress award. This award, to a certain extent, represented official recognition.

The Golden Rooster Awards used to have an unwritten rule: art-house films with high box office returns basically couldn't win awards.

The box office of *Black Swan*, compared to Cao Yang's films of the last few years, was considered very small; it only had a box office of over 80 million in the mainland. Cao Yang hadn't paid much attention to it and hadn't promoted it much.

But for most films participating in the Golden Rooster Awards, this box office wasn't just a dimensionality-reduction strike; it was simply an existence one could only look up to without seeing the end.

The box office Cao Yang didn't care about was, in the eyes of others, an unimaginable figure for an art-house film.

Dong Xuan was just worried that *Black Swan*'s box office was too high to win the Golden Rooster Best Actress award, so she wanted to see if she could make a push with *The Knot*.

"Don't worry."

Cao Yang rubbed Dong Xuan's raised head and said with a smile: "Two years ago, someone might have used *Black Swan*'s high box office as an excuse, but this year, they definitely won't."

Dong Xuan was stunned for a moment, then an excited expression appeared on her face.

She understood Cao Yang's meaning. Since no one dared to use the box office as an excuse, *Black Swan*, which had won the Golden Lion and Best Actress, would not have many obstacles.

"Honey, I want to reward you."

Dong Xuan said with seductive eyes.

Subsequently, she began to kiss from Cao Yang's chest, moving down bit by bit...

In the end, Cao Yang's handle was seized.

"Don't... don't... don't stop..."

... The next day, Cao Yang went to school.

He first went to Old Situ's office; sure enough, there was no one there. Old Situ had long been in a semi-retired state and rarely came to school.

Not far from Old Situ's office was Cao Yang's office.

Cao Yang rarely came to the office, but after entering, one could clearly see that it was cleaned frequently and was very tidy.

He hadn't been sitting for long when he heard a knock on the door. Before he could call out to come in, he saw Old Tian pushing the door open with a grin.

"Rested well? I guessed you would definitely come to school today."

Cao Yang laughed. With you saying that, where else could I go if I didn't come to school?

Sitting behind the desk, Cao Yang pursed his lips toward the office door.

"When was that sign hung up? When did I become an assistant to the dean? Also, since I'm an assistant to the dean, shouldn't my office be in that office building over there? Why is it hung at the Directing Department?"

Old Tian rolled his eyes, sat down on his own, and complained: "Who knows what Old Hou is thinking? He insisted on giving you the title of Dean's Assistant at the dean's meeting. It's simply inexplicable."

He then added: "I was still thinking about taking over his position as the Great Dean after he rolled away. Now it's fine; I've gained a competitor for no reason."

Fine, Old Tian had been the head of the Directing Department for several years. He usually looked serious and earnest, but as long as he was in front of Cao Yang, his mouth had no gate, and he would spout nonsense like a runaway train.

"Forget it, you're older than Old Hou, and you still want to outlast Old Hou? Even if you retire, Old Hou might not necessarily retire. You'd better think about outlasting your old classmate, Senior Brother Xiaojing, first; that's the most realistic thing."

Cao Yang also followed along with the nonsense.

Xie Xiaojing was the head of the Directing Department before Old Tian and was now the Vice Dean while also serving as the head of the Youth Film Studio.

The two of them were just chatting aimlessly.

"Heh, I might just win another Venice Golden Lion. By then, with two Venice Golden Lions, I can squeeze out whoever I want. Xie Xiaojing is nothing, and Old Hou will have to obediently give up his seat to me."

Old Tian continued to spout nonsense.

The two Venice Golden Lions he spoke of—one was Cao Yang's *3-Iron* at the time; to win the Golden Lion, he gave Old Tian the position of producer.

Broadly speaking, the Venice Golden Lion is for Best Film, so barely counting it as a producer's credit is justifiable.

However, the highest awards of the three major European film festivals are implicitly counted as the director's achievement, and the director is also the biggest beneficiary.

"Fine, do you want me to help you ask if Hou Yuan is willing to give up his seat for you?"

Cao Yang asked with a smile.

Old Tian smacked his lips and said as a matter of course: "That goes without saying, Old Hou will definitely be eager..."

"Ahem!"

The coughing sound at the door interrupted Old Tian's words, making Old Tian's eyes widen.

He slowly turned his head and saw Hou Keming standing at the door, not knowing how long he had been there.

Old Tian turned his head and glared fiercely at Cao Yang, who was trying to hold back his laughter. He was so angry.

You little bastard, I was just joking around with you, and you dug a pit for me? Is there any junior brother like you in the world?

"You want to be the dean?"

Old Hou asked curiously.

Old Tian's eyes widened, and he stiffened his neck and said: "Of course!"

Cao Yang was just about to give Old Tian a thumbs up and praise him for being brave, when who knew Old Tian would change his tone.

"Hou Yuan, it's not that I'm talking about you, but our Directing Department now has strength and fame. Isn't it popular now to change departments into schools and colleges into universities?

In my opinion, we should apply to the Ministry of Education to change it to Jingcheng Film University, abbreviated as Beida. Our Directing Department should have been renamed the Directing School long ago. I just want to be the dean of the Directing School."

Uh, Cao Yang didn't know how to complain, because it was full of points to complain about.

However, he saw Old Hou nodding thoughtfully, seemingly a bit moved.

No, Old Hou, do you really want to change the name and abbreviate it as Beida?

Fine, not to mention whether the school's various conditions can meet the standards, even if it is changed to a university, it will still be abbreviated as Beijing Film Academy, and in essence, there isn't much difference.

Old Hou definitely considered problems differently from Cao Yang. The simplest point: when a certain president is in office, changing a school to a university... just this point is enough to be a point that must be mentioned in the school's history.

There are many other invisible benefits, such as just from the school name, it is enough to pull ahead of the Central Academy of Drama and the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

These are things Old Hou should consider; Cao Yang doesn't care.

Old Hou closed the office door, walked over, and sat down on the sofa.

Old Tian knew this was to discuss business, but he didn't leave. Instead, he poured himself a glass of water. When he brought it over, he subconsciously placed it in front of Hou Yuan and went back to pour himself another one.

Old Hou didn't expect the stubborn Old Tian to pour him water either. He nodded at him and then said to Cao Yang: "The school's graduate students are about to start their thesis defense. Can you be responsible for this?"

Cao Yang shook his head. "I don't have that much time."

Old Hou was a bit regretful and continued to ask: "The selection of the school's undergraduate and graduate graduation works..."

Cao Yang shook his head again. "Hou Yuan, there's still a huge pile of things waiting for me over in the US. I really don't have that much time and energy this year."

Old Hou was regretful again and finally stated his ultimate goal: "You can at least attend the school's graduation ceremony, right? You can give a speech to the graduates then, right?"

As the saying goes, once and twice, but not a third time. It was just attending a graduation ceremony, just giving a speech... Cao Yang nodded and agreed this time.

Old Hou breathed a sigh of relief.

Cao Yang hadn't attended the school's graduation ceremony for several years, which made many students who were about to graduate feel very regretful. They kept leaving messages on the school's official website and even organized a grand signature petition campaign.

It put a lot of pressure on Old Hou for a while; he was really afraid that this group of students would cause some big trouble.

Subsequently, Old Hou took a piece of paper out of his pocket, handed it to Cao Yang, and said: "Didn't you want the school to provide a list for reference? This is what we old guys came up with after much deliberation. Take a look."

Cao Yang took the list, looked at it roughly, and then folded it and put it in his pocket.

This was a reference list he had asked Old Hou to make regarding the candidates for the Golden Rooster Awards Selection Committee. Regarding this, Old Hou definitely considered more and more comprehensively than Cao Yang, and it had great reference value.

"How about I recommend you as the chairman?"

Cao Yang asked Old Hou.

He had just glanced at it and saw Old Hou's name, but it was among the ordinary committee members.

Old Hou smiled and shook his head, explaining: "Li Laoshi Qiankuan graduated in the same year as Teacher Situ, both in 1964, but Teacher Situ stayed at the school to teach, while Li Laoshi was assigned to the Changchun Film Studio.

Letting Li Laoshi be this chairman, whether in terms of seniority or other conditions, is the best choice."

After finishing, he smiled at Cao Yang again and asked in a low voice: "Do you think there's a big difference between letting Li Laoshi be the chairman and me being this chairman? On the contrary, with Li Laoshi sitting in charge at the front, I can better do some things."

Subsequently, he pointed out: "Actually, there are many tricks in this. If you want to achieve your goal, you don't necessarily need to charge into battle yourself. For example, there's no need to put too many Beijing Film Academy graduates in it; as long as you reach a certain number, it's enough.

Think about it, can others be as united as the Beijing Film Academy? We don't even need one-third, and we can definitely achieve our goal. It's impossible for the rest of them to all twist into a rope and go against us.

Also, if you're still worried, even if they aren't from the Beijing Film Academy, you can put in some people who have a relationship with the Beijing Film Academy or with you personally. Can these people still go against you? They will definitely unite around the Beijing Film Academy people.

Do you understand what I mean?"

Cao Yang nodded thoughtfully. What Hou Yuan said was a bit complicated, but it wasn't hard to understand.

On the contrary, Old Tian first curled his lips. Seeing Hou Keming looking over, he gave Old Hou a thumbs up and said: "Amazing, no wonder you can be the dean. It's really too sinister... too high-level."

Actually, what Old Tian was thinking in his heart was that this guy Old Hou was too sinister and must never be offended in the future, otherwise he wouldn't even know how he was played to death.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 356 =====