Chapter 254: I

"I'm sure everyone knows that Yi's album this year is the top priority for Warner, and the documents before you are Yi's overall concept and MV plot outlines."

Not knowing whether it was because Jiang Wen was involved, even though Zhou Yi had already boarded his flight and left the country, Zhou Jianhui personally organized this MV script symposium: "We're also fortunate to have Mr. Jiang Wen joining as an actor in Yi's MV—he will be the soul character in Yi's new album's core quartet."

Jiang Wen, sitting right next to Ning Hao, couldn't help smiling when he heard Zhou Jianhui introduce him this way.

To be fair, Warner's treatment of his participation was indeed generous—they even created two versions of the core quartet from Yi's album because of him—

One is a conventional 4–5 minute MV version, included in the standard VCD; the other is a full-length version of over 20 minutes per song, planned for the deluxe DVD edition.

From a financial standpoint, after learning of the deal between Jiang Wen and Zhou Yi, Zhou Jianhui had clearly pulled out all the stops, giving Jiang Wen every possible courtesy.

Four songs, each with over 20 minutes of plot, add up to more than ninety or a hundred minutes—slight editing and stitching could turn them into a condensed film.

The cost for an MV like this is undeniably enormous.

The music industry has seen MVs longer than twenty minutes before, but no one has ever launched four in a row like this—Zhou Jianhui is the first.

One can only say Zhou Yi's title as Crown Prince of Warner is truly deserved—he really throws money around, without a single thought for whether failure might jeopardize Zhou Jianhui's position.

This is a massive investment.

After the director, screenwriters, and actor Jiang Wen had all introduced themselves, Zhou Jianhui, satisfied by the vibrant, dynamic atmosphere in the conference room, took his leave.

As a leader, he didn't understand this field well—he shouldn't interfere with the professionals' creative collisions.

Now fully understanding why Jiang Wen, an actor, was here, Ning Hao, after Zhou Jianhui left, cast a subtle glance at Jiang Wen chatting with the four screenwriters and sighed inwardly—

He could already foresee his own future, for Jiang Wen's reputation had been fully established during the filming of "Finding Gun."

No wonder Warner offered a price higher than market value—it was all because this man was waiting here!

He never imagined Jiang Wen would act in an MV—it completely contradicted his status and dignity. What kind of price had Warner paid to bring him here?

"I think, since we're paying homage to 'The Godfather,' we should preserve the homage elements while making adaptations."

After Zhou Jianhui left, Jiang Wen immediately became the center of attention and naturally took charge of the conversation—no one objected; everyone listened intently to Jiang Wen's ideas—

When excited, Jiang Wen would even sketch simple storyboards on the spot to illustrate the visual scenes he envisioned.

Ning Hao, who had been virtually invisible since entering the room, watched Jiang Wen effortlessly sketch storyboards and was utterly numb—

That's my job as director!

My job!

If Jiang Wen does everything, then what am I supposed to do?!

Just sit here and watch?

Originally, when signing the contract and seeing Warner's lavish budget, Ning Hao had been thrilled, thinking he'd hit the jackpot—this runtime was clearly aiming for a cinematic MV.

The album concept had depth—it was exactly the kind of project he loved to direct.

Now he saw it: this wasn't a jackpot—it was a curse!

Fuck!

"Uh, I think this plot shot you're describing isn't right."

Frustrated inside, Ning Hao, relying on his directorial instinct, spotted a weak point and, driven by the simple belief that he was paid to do his job, spoke up as the legitimate director.

"Hmm?"

Jiang Wen, used to handling both directing and writing, suddenly heard this voice from behind and turned around in confusion—who—

Oh, the director.

Jiang Wen remembered the man's name and said: "Director Ning, what's your thought? Speak up."

"This is how I see it."

Seeing Jiang Wen respond, Ning Hao immediately perked up, determined to impress this senior figure with his knowledge: "If this shot is portrayed like this, then…"

He spoke at length, leaving Jiang Wen visibly surprised—

This MV director is impressive—he truly has his own understanding, unlike the average crowd; some of his ideas are even more mature than Lu Chuan's.

Where did Warner find him?

Meanwhile, Ning Hao, fearing total rejection, poured out every directorial concept he had, causing Jiang Wen's initial appreciation to gradually turn into a furrowed brow—

No, it's wrong. This direction is wrong.

"Director Jiang, what do you think of what I said?" After finishing, Ning Hao saw Jiang Wen deep in thought, so he unscrewed a bottle of mineral water and took a sip to moisten his throat.

"No, don't call me Director Jiang—I'm just an actor."

After thinking it over, Jiang Wen spoke as Ning Hao looked on expectantly: "But I think your direction is wrong."

Ning Hao's slightly hopeful eyebrows froze.

What the hell?

Why is it wrong?!

If you said "it's not quite right," we could still discuss it—but why dismiss it outright?

I'm the director!

"Director Jiang, for example?"

Ning Hao clearly still wanted to fight for it.

But Jiang Wen actually produced a flawless new plot structure—the only possible flaw being that as an MV, it might be too long.

"But Director Jiang—"

"Trust me, you won't regret it." Jiang Wen pointed his left thumb at his chest, his tone firm and final.

Ning Hao: "..."

How the hell can you even talk anymore?!

I'm the director!

Zhou Yi! I need to talk to Zhou Yi—he's the album's producer!

After the symposium ended and the framework was confirmed, everyone returned home to work; Jiang Wen, in high spirits, drove home, leaving Ning Hao alone to knock on Zhou Jianhui's office door.

"Director Zhou, I'd like to ask—when approximately will Mr. Zhou Yi return?" Ning Hao, still aware of workplace etiquette, did not report to Zhou Jianhui; instead, he politely inquired about Zhou Yi's return date.

"At least another week, then he'll return straight into filming the album's MV. What's wrong, Director Ning? Is it hard to finish the script in a week?"

Zhou Jianhui, in equally good spirits, assumed it was a difficulty with scriptwriting: "If anything's off, just tell me."

"…No, it's nothing. I just wanted to confirm when Mr. Zhou Yi will return, so I can schedule accordingly." Ning Hao forced a smile.

Walking along the early spring streets of the capital, Ning Hao—who had arrived full of ambition to make Zhou Yi's MV cinematic—now stood with hands in his pockets, gazing silently into the distance.

Jiang Wen truly gave him a minor shock of actor dominance today; even at night, sleeping at home, his dreams were filled with Jiang Wen's "bullying" demeanor—

"No no no, don't call me Director Jiang. I'm just an actor."

"Listen to me."

"I think what you said is wrong."

"You're wrong."

"…"

Fuck!

I've never felt this frustrated even when shooting MVs for Tu Honggang!

Mr. Jiang, I'm the director!

…………………………………………

Monaco, Monte Carlo, on the street.

Zhou Yi, holding a camera to photograph Xiao Yaxuan, clicked the shutter with a "Kacha!" The breeze lifted a few strands of his slightly disheveled bangs as he smiled and gestured to the woman: "OK, perfect."

"Didn't expect you'd be so good at photography."

"Of course I am. You thought what?"

Zhou Yi, not yet famous enough in this country-within-a-country to need the same level of secrecy as in China, happily took the camera back from the woman's hands.

Security personnel blended seamlessly into the crowd, alert to everything around them—even though, logically, danger should be rare in wealthy Monaco.

"You really plan to play outside for ten days or even half a month before going back?" Xiao Yaxuan asked curiously.

"What else should I do? I bet the director team for my new album is in chaos right now." Zhou Yi's lips curled with amusement.

He only wanted to watch the show; he had no intention of stepping in as a peacemaker—after all, it was Warner's money being spent.

A rising star like Jiang Wen, a greenhorn like Ning Hao—he was genuinely looking forward to seeing what outcome awaited him upon his return.

"Hey, are you Spike? Spike Zhou?"

As they chatted, a graceful blonde woman not far from the attraction waved at them with evident delight and greeted them.

Huh?

Zhou Yi turned at the sound of someone calling his name—

"Hello, I'm Xia Qila, Xia Qila Isabelle Mibalak Ribol."

Half-step Yangjian Great Perfection!

Win!

(End of Chapter)