[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta":3,"chapter-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-327":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Playboy of Huayu: How Did a Celestial Immortal Transform Me?",{"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},2297953,4495,"Chapter 327: Entering the Role","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-327",327,"\u003Cp>At the 2002 Venice Film Festival, Tian Zhuangzhuang, as the producer of *Whiplash*, attended the exhibition with Boss Lu and the film crew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took this cheap student around to socialize, focusing primarily on Gong Li, who was serving as the jury president for the Cannes Film Festival that year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Directors and actors who have the qualifications to reach the positions of international film festival jurors and presidents are always willing to lend a helping hand to the works of their compatriots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the premise is that you cannot be too incompetent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four years ago, Gong Li could be considered to have shouldered the heavy responsibility, and with the support of the then-film festival president De Haden, she successfully helped the young director achieve his first coronation at the \"Big Three\" festivals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two have kept in touch over the years and can be considered quite familiar with each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Lu, you've finally come to me for a role; I've been waiting for you for several years, haven't I?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu laughed: \"There hasn't been a suitable role until now. This time it's still a supporting role with little screen time; I'm afraid it's a grievance to you, a Best Actress?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of grievance is that? For a subject like this, participating is a duty. I know this film will be very difficult; you need to be mentally prepared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Li is the first female star in the country to truly step onto the international stage; her insight is certainly not comparable to that of an average actress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knows that for a film with such a subject, the greater the director's influence, the more enemies and suppression they will face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's talk about the role; I still want to hear you, the director, explain it.\" Gong Li invited him to sit at the round table, and those around them who wanted to greet him stepped aside for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The role the young director gave Gong Li is Cheng Ruifang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Chinese heroine served as a house supervisor at Ginling College for Women from 1924.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Japanese army bombed Ginling in 1937, she joined the Ginling Women's College Emergency Committee. Cheng Ruifang, along with Minnie Vautrin and Chen Feiran, formed a three-person emergency committee to establish the Ginling Women's College refugee camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, she also participated in the Tokyo Trial in 1946 and testified in court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her *Diary of Cheng Ruifang*, along with the *Diary of Minnie Vautrin*, *The Rabe Diary*, and the *Diary of Azuma Shiro*, mutually corroborate each other, revealing that painful history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan said in a deep voice: \"The temperament of this character in the film consists of two things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The unwillingness to accept the fall of the nation and the destruction of the home, and the hatred toward the enemy invaders!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She once recorded an incident in her diary: two devils wanted to assault a woman, but were beaten to death by the Chinese people who rose up to resist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cheng Ruifang was very pleased in her diary; she said: 'It's great! Even if we are not their match, being able to kill one or two to vent our anger is good, so that we don't have to feel so suffocated all day long.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Li nodded, understanding this indignation of being powerless while watching unarmed compatriots being killed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will read the *Diary of Minnie Vautrin* again; there are also side descriptions of Cheng Ruifang in it, which I believe will be helpful for shaping the character.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu gave a thumbs up: \"It has to be the Best Actress!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Li teased: \"Alright, stop the flattery. Who doesn't want to collaborate with you, Director Lu, right now? I'm also competing for this position!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, how are things with Yifei? It's been making such a huge stir for the past six months.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu looked helplessly at the Best Actress gossiping about him to his face, and smiled sheepishly while trying to change the subject: \"It's very good. Didn't I find her to be the female lead for this film?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Li gave him a charming, sidelong glance, but was sensible enough not to ask any further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won't hold you up. You'll be with the crew for a few months anyway; I'll talk to you another day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the Empress Gong left, others naturally prepared to follow in her footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu went out to relieve himself, and an actress who had been lurking for a long time flashed out first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Mi wore two braids today, her eyes like a pool of autumn water, looking at this young director she rarely had the chance to contact as her gaze rippled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu, long time no see. Just wanted to say hello.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan smiled and looked her up and down, then showed surprise: \"Yang Mi, why are you in the *Curse of the Golden Flower* crew?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu naturally doesn't pay much attention to small actresses like us, right? I play Jiang Chan, the daughter of Imperial Physician Jiang, in Director Zhang's film.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu understood in his heart; this was Huayi building up its own young starlet, likely inserted through the connections of Zhang Weiping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him looking at her with a calm face, Yang Mi suddenly thought of the romantic encounter in the linen room last time, and couldn't help but blush slightly, her jade hand lifting slightly to tuck a stray hair behind her ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu sneered inwardly, watching with leisure as she unleashed her sexual charm in front of him, his eyes not showing much restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Mimi felt secretly proud seeing the gaze of the man in front of her; she knew her strategy today was correct!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today she deliberately wore a plain white shirt, chose a bra one size smaller, and tied two braids, which could be described as a mix of purity and a hint of charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for those boneless fingers and slender, glowing wrists, every movement was swaying and graceful—she didn't know how many times she had practiced in front of the mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is following the pure style of little Liu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Mimi had made up her mind today to act like the one he loved, to see if she could stir the heart of this \"washing machine\" director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's right, ever since she saw little Liu still able to gain his favor after a failed confession at the Beijing Film Academy graduation defense last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This actress, who could be said to be the most adept at judging the situation in the entertainment industry, immediately corrected her prediction and began to send messages to her \"best friend\" Liu Yifei from time to time to show concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making friends, it's not shameful!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had witnessed the acting skills of this Berlin Best Actor, and didn't want to play any petty tricks; she just threw herself out there for him to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This young director with a reputation for being a womanizer, are you interested in me or not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you're interested, I'll fawn over you; if you're not, I'll go fawn over Liu Yifei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can at least manage one, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both at the same time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It doesn't seem to get in the way; it's just a bit more difficult to operate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only their first meeting tonight, and Da Mimi didn't expect a one-hit success. She chatted with Boss Lu in a charming manner for a few sentences before leaving, secretly cheering herself on in her heart!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, the dinner officially began. Among the leads, only Zhou Jielun and Zhou Runfa from Hong Kong and Taiwan were absent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhiqiang is not an investor skilled in socializing, but Zhang Weiping is well-versed in such occasions, and he picked up his wine glass with ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To all the Olympic artists who have come from afar, on behalf of Chairman Jiang, Yimou, and the *Curse of the Golden Flower* crew, I would like to thank everyone for your support first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As the general director of the Olympic Games, Yimou is tied up with the crew's chores and cannot get away. I must thank everyone for accommodating the schedule. The hospitality is lacking, the hospitality is lacking, haha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all people who knew the social ropes; everyone echoed and began to toast one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just that the speaker has intentions, and the listener has ears; Zhang Jigang and Chen Weiya keenly captured the oddity in his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yimou as the general director?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you openly and secretly not treating the richest man, Lu, as an official?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it doesn't concern oneself, keep it at a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two are old hands, not greenhorns; the look they exchanged only meant that they might see a good show tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou's face was slightly gloomy. He had expressed his attitude to Zhang Weiping many times; he didn't expect this guy to speak so thoughtlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is where the old director is not as calculating as his old partner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is Zhang Fei doing embroidery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including his later angry rant at Han Shanping as the \"Mountain-Slaying Eagle,\" that was also a struggle for resistance with an agenda, using his own recklessness to achieve his goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began to take the initiative again: \"Director Lu, why aren't you drinking today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu had no intention of paying attention to him at all. He was talking to Gong Li, who was sitting on the side, and looked up at him abruptly: \"Oh, I don't want to drink.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's not right. You are also an Olympic general director. This banquet today was set up for the team you lead. How can you dodge the wine?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered that the other person was the general director now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That, Gong Li, you helped Director Lu in Cannes back then, you're old acquaintances.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, do me a favor and guest-star as the wine commander; how about pouring a glass of wine for Director Lu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was attempting to use Gong Li to pressure Boss Lu, but Gong Li looked at him with disdain, so how could she fulfill his wish?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Zhang, watch your tone. People win awards based on their own abilities; the result is the same whether I'm there or not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Besides, this wine isn't anything good. Little Lu is still young, unlike you and Yimou who are already old men. Don't drag the young man into your broken-pot-broken-fall attitude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present laughed out loud, and no one took offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, for a woman, especially one of Gong Li's status, she naturally has the right to joke and express her opinions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just that not only Zhang Weiping, whose face was embarrassed, but these words also made the old director's face awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were old lovers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Weiping suddenly caught sight of Yang Mi sitting next to Lu Kuan: \"Come, come, little Yang, you come and pour for Director Lu!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Mi was quick-witted. Seeing the man beside her glance at her expressionlessly, she immediately said aggrievedly: \"Mr. Zhang, you are making things difficult for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How am I qualified to pour wine for Director Lu? If I pour too much or too little and he's dissatisfied, wouldn't I be offending a big director in the circle?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Zhang, I won't do this job; you'd better find someone else!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Weiping laughed dumbly: \"Hey! You girl, your little mouth is really sharp.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laughter at the table was even louder this time. Everyone looked at this rising star of Huayi with surprise; she is indeed a talent worth cultivating, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This bit of coquetry and playfulness between the lines neither offended Lu Kuan nor made Zhang Weiping too angry, so it was considered lightly brushed over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looks like a good hand at mixing in the entertainment circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu just watched Zhang Weiping make a fool of himself quietly. This person is like a dog; the more you pay attention to him, the more excited he gets. He just likes to bind himself to others to hype things up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He naturally wouldn't lower himself to the level of such a person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren't for the sake of Zhang Yimou, he wouldn't have given him a way out long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, no one used a wine decanter. The domineering Empress Gong immediately took the fruit juice on the table and filled Lu Kuan's glass: \"You guys drink your own; don't disturb me and Director Lu catching up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pouring wine as soon as you get to the table, what kind of habit is that!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou really couldn't watch anymore. He stood up and said in a deep voice: \"Weiping, everyone here is our own people; don't worry about the hospitality not being up to par.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want to drink, Weiping and I will accompany you. If you don't want to, please feel free to do as you please. Being happy is the most important thing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two sentences slightly eased the embarrassment, but his subsequent actions made everyone feel surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old director smiled and walked to Boss Lu's side with a cup: \"Director Lu, this month I have been participating in discussion work while filming. Sometimes I can't take care of both sides.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks to you, I am ashamed. I specifically came to toast you a glass of wine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu looked at Zhang Yimou with a helpless expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it was calling himself Director Lu in front of others or taking the initiative to come over for a so-called \"toast,\" he was giving him plenty of face, fearing that Zhang Weiping’s rudeness just now might have caused a rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relationships between people are reciprocal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among domestic directors, Boss Lu indeed held this senior schoolmate of his in relatively high regard and respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he wouldn't have been meddling in other people's business just now, offering him this advice the moment Jiang Zhiqiang asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Zhang Yimou’s feedback now fully proved the young director’s judgment; this was indeed an old senior worth befriending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu smiled helplessly and directed the Da Mimi beside him: \"Yang Mi, pour me a glass of wine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou tried to dissuade him: \"If you aren't feeling well, don't drink. Fruit juice will do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old senior, given our relationship, and my relationship with Master Tian, this... it’s not appropriate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan took the glass of white liquor handed over by Yang Mi and used his body language to provide positive emotional feedback for this gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Mouzi naturally understood his meaning; his face crinkled into several layers of folds, looking exactly like an old terracotta warrior, possessing the honest and simple nature of the old Qin people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s appropriate or not? You called me old senior, so I’ll take the liberty of making the call. I’ll drink the liquor, you drink the juice, and we, as fellow disciples, will toast to one another!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Li, standing to the side, watched these two fellow alumni from the Beijing Film Academy, who were nearly thirty years apart in age, with a heavy heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at her former lover standing before Lu Kuan—who was so much younger and more youthful than him, yet equally brimming with talent—she couldn't help but recall events from over a decade ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why had she just gossiped about the recent situation of Liu Yifei and Lu Kuan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was merely projecting herself onto others, feeling that this pair was very much like herself and Zhang Yimou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A director in his prime and his leading lady, yet their romantic path was fraught with twists and turns, a series of missed connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 1992, she toured the Great Wall with Zhang Yimou, and the latter made a grand vow to her at the Hero’s Slope that he would make her an empress one day!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that the two parted ways gloomily after filming *Raise the Red Lantern*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a sense, this *Curse of the Golden Flower* was also a fulfillment of that vow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the opening press conference, Zhang Yimou told the media bluntly that this was a ten-year promise between him and Gong Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, you two grown men are being so wishy-washy.\" Gong Li rolled her eyes at Zhang Yimou and poured herself a glass of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll join you for a glass. Come on, the three of us, let’s toast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu said in a low voice with a hint of a mischievous smile: \"You two, why don't you drink this glass yourselves? It wouldn't be appropriate for me to participate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go on!\" Gong Li laughed coquettishly and gave him a pat: \"Stop being glib, raise your glass!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Mouzi seemed to have transformed from a gray terracotta warrior into a colorful one; his eyebrows arched, his expressions danced, and he looked at his old flame with a somewhat endearing, simple-minded air: \"Gong Li, we haven't had a drink together in quite a few years, have we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan was currently in the VIP seat for watching the drama, and seeing Old Mouzi’s infatuated look, he almost couldn't resist taking a photo with his phone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Zhang, bottoms up, bottoms up. Let’s not have people complain that we’re dawdling later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, alright, alright, bottoms up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three clinked glasses and downed them in one gulp, and the table was instantly filled with applause and cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps only Zhang Weiping was somewhat sullen, helplessly taking a sip of his drink in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't dare to offend him too deeply, so he could only use the excuse of urging a toast to be snide, yet Lu Kuan couldn't pick any fault with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When a host throws a banquet, urging a guest to drink for fear they aren't having a good time is not considered abrupt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it hadn't reached the level of cursing the Mountain Eagle; there was no need to tear off the mask, and Zhang Yimou wouldn't agree to it anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after this round, anyone with a discerning eye at the table could see that these two, whether considered the top two directors in the country or the co-planners of the Olympics, had an excellent relationship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a relationship of \"if you respect me a foot, I will respect you ten.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou was also using his own way to clear obstacles for Lu Kuan and suppress the discordant voices within the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, people like the song and dance troupe leader Chen Weiya had served as his deputies in *The Third Sister Liu* and *Turandot* before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve already put on this posture now, do you still have the nerve to put on airs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Zhang Yimou’s view, even without himself, he believed that his junior fellow disciple had the ability to lead the overall situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Olympic cause waits for no one!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sooner it gets on the right track, the sooner everyone can produce refined cultural performances and artistic creativity, given Lu Kuan’s artistic attainments and technological vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, the construction team for the Bird’s Nest was still eagerly awaiting their preliminary plan—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like renovating a regular house, all the wiring, piping, and lighting strips were planned in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Zhang Yimou’s big-picture perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After two glasses of wine, Zhang Weiping became restless again. Seeing Jiang Zhiqiang whispering something to Boss Lu, he assumed he couldn't help but ask for advice, and he felt extremely uncomfortable inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Lu! I’ll toast you a glass.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu looked up: \"You’re too kind, President Zhang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Zhang Weiping’s posture was very low as he took the initiative to leave his seat and come over: \"Director Lu, I have a favor to ask.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Tell me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve been in the crew for this period and have been watching the filming of *Curse of the Golden Flower*. What do you think of the prospects for this film of ours?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once these words were out, Jiang Zhiqiang and Zhang Yimou were both stunned. How could he ask this in front of so many people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other crew members and Olympic team members didn't feel much; this was just an exchange and discussion between peers, right? It was just that the occasion was a bit wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thinking that this was Zhang Weiping, who was always used to being loud and boisterous, it didn't seem entirely out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Zhang Fei of the film world, who looked even uglier than Zhang Fei, had started embroidering again; he was setting a trap for Lu Kuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you say polite things like *Curse of the Golden Flower* has no problems, tomorrow’s newspaper will feature the mainland’s richest man and film giant, Mr. Lu Kuan, highly praising *Curse of the Golden Flower*, claiming it’s the audience’s loss if they don't watch it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using your reputation to hype it up wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you talk down *Curse of the Golden Flower*, then where does that leave the painstaking efforts of Old Mouzi, who just put on that display of support?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if you, Boss Lu, have money and talent, you have no conscience and no emotional intelligence; you don't give your old senior any face at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene suddenly became awkward again, though the ones feeling awkward were Jiang Zhiqiang and Zhang Yimou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"President Zhang, that’s a good question. Actually, even if you didn't ask, I had been wanting to say it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boss Lu set down his wine glass calmly, his tone shifting: \"The film has just started shooting; without seeing the whole picture, it’s hard to draw a conclusion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However!\" \"There is one point about Director Zhang that I strongly disagree with!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The table fell into instant silence; one could only hear the lively shouting of the crew members outside the private room, a stark contrast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone had different thoughts, wondering why this mainland’s richest man had suddenly opened fire on the old senior he had just been mutually respecting and loving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you really that unable to withstand the provocation of Big-Mouth Zhang Weiping?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Zhang Yimou lowered his head and smiled bitterly; he knew his old partner was going to suffer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Zhang said yesterday that the investors of *Curse of the Golden Flower* actually demanded in a very vulgar way to add a scene of incest between the eldest prince Yuan Xiang and the Empress. Isn't this maliciously adding gimmicks? Isn't this just nonsense driven by market-only logic?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The key is that Director Zhang is in a difficult position. As a director, it’s not easy for him to just bluntly refuse the investors' demands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To everyone’s surprise, Boss Lu suddenly turned to Jiang Zhiqiang: \"Chairman Jiang, was this your demand? This isn't right of you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhiqiang looked bewildered: \"I didn't!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah? Then that’s not right either!\" Lu Kuan looked puzzled: \"New Pictures is only handling the distribution this time; they haven't actually invested any capital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director glanced at Zhang Weiping with an indifferent expression: \"Old Zhang, this wouldn't be your demand, would it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, you don't put up a single cent, you rely on Director Zhang to get the distribution rights and the credit, and then you have the nerve to demand that Director Zhang change the script for you to hype it up. Is that appropriate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Weiping’s ugly face was almost crumpled into a ball; he had wanted to throw his glass as a signal to start a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But looking at the imposing young director and the mainland’s richest man before him, Zhang Weiping didn't have the courage to go all in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, he wouldn't have had to carefully use such underhanded tactics earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhang Fei of the film world tried to save face: \"Director Lu, this is a matter between Yimou and me; it has nothing to do with others.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bullshit!\" Boss Lu didn't give him any face at all: \"Director Zhang and I are close friends. He is currently the chief director of the Olympics, shouldering the nation’s mission and the people’s expectations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s already not easy for him to hold multiple positions, and you, Zhang Weiping, are just making things worse for him, insisting on adding some nonsense passionate scene. What are you trying to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Jiang Zhiqiang again: \"Chairman Jiang, if you ask me, kick out the other investors. Let this film be a joint venture between you and Edko Films, and we will provide the best marketing resources for *Curse of the Golden Flower*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh! President Lu, you should have said that earlier!\" Jiang Zhiqiang knew he was coercing Zhang Weiping, so he also smiled, raised his glass, and stepped forward to play along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Weiping was truly scared pale this time; he swallowed his saliva and looked helplessly at Zhang Yimou, who kept his head down and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You dead ghost, say something!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the embarrassment of Big-Mouth Zhang Weiping, Gong Li felt very gratified. Back when her relationship with Zhang Yimou ended, Zhang Weiping had also meddled in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Mi, on the side, watched the man with the dragon-like bearing beside her with sparkling eyes; his wealth, power, talent, and appearance all made her obsessed and enamored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way he wielded power and strategy in his gestures, teaching the local tyrant of the crew, Zhang Weiping, a lesson in just a few words until he couldn't even lift his head, was like a high-dose aphrodisiac, nourishing Da Mimi’s gradually flourishing ambition and infatuation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that when she thought of Liu Yifei, who was still inextricably linked to him even after going to North America...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Mimi bit her lip tightly, truly wishing she could offer herself to the tiger tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that she, who was always shrewd, also had her worries, fearing she would be eaten until not even a scrap was left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene was truly very awkward at this moment. Zhang Jigang and Chen Weiya, who had been watching the fun, both reacted in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the two of them were scolded by this kid during a meeting the other day, the way others looked at them must have been just like how they were looking at Zhang Weiping now, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn! What a painful realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou had to step out to smooth things over: \"There are no outsiders at the table today. Director Lu, why don't you chat about it casually?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Investors like Edko and Focus are all old friends, but as long as there is any room for improvement... we must still rack our brains to do this project well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that his expression didn't seem fake, Boss Lu immediately said in a deep voice: \"The problem with *Curse of the Golden Flower*, in a sense, is similar to the situation Zhou Xingchi faced with his 1995 film *Out of the Dark*.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Li was puzzled: \"You mean, the substance of *Curse of the Golden Flower* is an art film, but it’s draped in the cloak of a commercial film, just like the interweaving of comedy and horror themes in *Out of the Dark*?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Li had collaborated with Zhou Xingchi on *Flirting Scholar*, so her own perspective was relatively broad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually, when based on the market, this issue should be viewed using another classification standard for films.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop; everyone was listening carefully to the interpretation of this industry giant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The layman watches the excitement, the expert watches the technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proprietor Lu continued to explain: \"Actually, it is inaccurate to divide films into commercial films and art films, because apart from the experimental films of certain directors, art films also have commercial elements, and commercial films also have artistic elements.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Under the conditions of true film industrialization and marketization, the classification of films should be genre films and non-genre films.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Genre films are easy to understand; watching a romance film is to savor emotions, watching a horror film is to pursue thrills, and watching a comedy film is to seek happiness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what about *Curse of the Golden Flower*? In the promotion, we see it as an action film, but what the audience experiences after it ends should be cold, dark, and hopeless; that is terrible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is it said that the situation of *Curse of the Golden Flower* and *Out of the Dark* is similar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Xingchi became an overnight sensation in 1990 with *All for the Winner*, and from 1990 to 1993, he dominated the Xiangjiang film box office for four consecutive years, frequently breaking and setting film history records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the 1995 films *A Chinese Odyssey* and *Out of the Dark* caused him to encounter a Waterloo, and even his own film company was on the verge of bankruptcy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason for this is that the audience went to the cinema with the mindset of watching a genre film, wanting to be amused by you, Zhou Xingchi, but were inexplicably scared half to death; it is only natural that the bad reviews were overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members of the *Curse of the Golden Flower* crew at the table chewed on these harsh but honest words, feeling quite convinced by this young director, and could not help but feel downcast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The saying that \"there is no first in literature\" applies just the same to the art world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Domestic film fans' attribution of the title of the number one director in the mainland is mostly disputed between Zhang Yimou and Lu Kuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But whether it is Feng Xiaogang, Chen Kaige, or the Fifth Generation directors favored by literary youths like Jia Kezhang, Wang Xiaolei, and Lou Ye, they all have a certain number of fans and supporters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is hard to reach a conclusion on who is number one in film art, but in terms of film commerce, saying Proprietor Lu is the industry leader is beyond reproach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it is the roadshow model that began with *The Drummer* and led the industry to imitate, or the marketing bombardment introduced by acquiring Focus Media in *Shoplifters*, as well as the subsequent marketing innovations for various films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or the \"self-reliant\" film industry chain he built with his own hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it comes to whether a film can be a box office hit, his opinion is likely second to none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, not only core personnel like Jiang Zhiqiang, Zhang Weiping, and Zhang Yimou, but even actors like Gong Li and Yang Mi became worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wants the film they starred in to flop at the box office?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Yang Mi; she even gave up on *Red Cliff*, in which Huayi held shares, just for the sake of the reputation of the \"Old Mouzi\" (Zhang Yimou) for promoting actresses!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou said in a deep voice: \"We have discussed this issue internally before, but we didn't see it as thoroughly or as minutely as you do, and we underestimated the serious consequences.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Lu, the crew has been filming for over a month now, is there... still a way?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Weiping looked at his old partner with a sallow complexion, thinking to himself: It's fine if you ask him in private, why bother flattering him here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just that he was now hanging his head like a quail, and he dared not confront him directly or indirectly anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, placing Han Shanping and Proprietor Lu in front of him, if this \"Zhang Fei of the film world\" had to offend one, perhaps he would choose to angrily scold the \"Mountain Vulture.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the Mountain Vulture is a person within the system; no matter how excessively he targets him, he still has to pay attention to appearances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This ruthless mainland's richest man, if he really gets serious, might not even give Zhang Yimou any face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Zhang, how about we stop here for today? You, me, and Chairman Jiang, the three of us, go for a stroll and chat casually.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou knew he was considering his face, secretly thinking that this person's way of doing things was watertight, and helplessly raised his glass: \"Everyone, the hospitality was lacking today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Jigang was the first to echo: \"Director Zhang, what are you saying? It's not easy to hold multiple positions; you guys chat, we'll have plenty of opportunities to gather in the future!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly, don't take it to heart!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Zhang, work comes first; we can drink anytime.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Mouzi nodded gratefully to everyone, downed two and a half taels of apology wine in one go, and despite the burning sensation in his throat, followed the lead of Jiang Zhiqiang and Proprietor Lu out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Left behind were Chinese artists like Ma Wen and Cai Guoqiang, high-level personnel within the system like Zhang Jigang and Chen Weiya, and Old Mouzi's core team members Wang Chaoge and Fan Yue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was also Zhang Weiping, who tried to play both sides today but ended up acting like a turtle hiding its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone suddenly realized a problem in their hearts:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it is the talent for doing things or the means of conduct, the saying that \"reputation often exceeds reality\" does not apply to this excessively young director.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even someone like Zhang Weiping, who had already been as cautious as possible, attempting to provoke and test his depth, still received a resounding slap in the face without surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Youth is his capital, and even more so his camouflage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I don't know how many people have fallen because of their contempt and underestimation of his excessive youth, ignoring the soul within his core that has experienced the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the guest house room, Proprietor Lu helplessly watched Jiang Zhiqiang and Old Mouzi almost empty his cigarette case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them had previously claimed to have quit smoking for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no one else in the room, so Zhang Yimou began to speak openly: \"Little Lu, is there any way?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proprietor Lu said bluntly: \"While Zhou Runfa and Zhou Jielun haven't joined the crew yet, change the script.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhiqiang was puzzled: \"How to change it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Change the ending, change the perspective, change the theme.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just like Wallace in *Braveheart*, the protagonist died, but the core intent of the whole film—the independence of Scotland—was achieved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your *Hero* is the same; Wuming died, but the King of Qin was shocked, knowing what it means to have the surging will of the people and what the anger of an ordinary man is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the ending of *Curse of the Golden Flower*, apart from watching a floating world painting of distorted and dark human nature, the audience sees no hope.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proprietor Lu flipped through the script in his hand and frowned: \"Commercial works all emphasize a sense of immersion, but the few characters currently given heavy focus... seem unable to shoulder this task.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Empress has an affair, has an incestuous love with her stepson, and incites her son to rebel and wreak havoc on the country, eventually leading to their deaths; it's impossible to identify with them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for this villain character Zhou Runfa, there's no need to mention him; if I have to find one, I suggest modifying the plot from the perspective of Yuanjie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The character played by Zhou Jielun is brave and resolute, values relationships and righteousness, and at the same time has a somewhat simple character foundation, and also possesses a spirit of resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it is online novels or commercial films, this is a typical protagonist setup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Lu Kuan expected, the furrows on Old Mouzi's face deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As mentioned earlier, this film was a promise between him and Gong Li when they were in love in 1992, and it was a \"big heroine\" film that locked in her perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Lu, this perspective is not easy to switch; see if there are any other ways.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proprietor Lu helplessly took out the last bullet from the cigarette case: \"If the perspective cannot be changed, then there is no point in talking about immersion; then we can only find some parts that connect with the hot topics of modern society.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, just like Wallace and Wuming, Yuanjie can die, but he cannot die in vain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His death must make the authority of imperial power feel touched, break the dusty old customs of the palace, and resonate with the audience.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened the script to a passage and gave an example: \"Here at the climax, Zhou Jielun says, 'This son goes to his death, not for the throne, but for the Empress.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The emotion and resonance here are not enough; I think it can be changed to, 'This son goes to his death, not willing to be a puppet of a strict family forever, not willing to become an expendable existence under your wings.'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou slapped his thigh: \"This line of thinking works!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I read the newspaper yesterday about the first private school education case in the country, where an 8-year-old child, Hou Hongru, was taken away by his father, Hou Bo, and locked at home for private school-style education, studying about 7 hours a day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although he achieved certain results in some knowledge fields, such as being able to fluently read *China Daily* and translate it, it also caused the child to have serious partiality in subjects, his mathematical ability is almost 0, and he has developed a withdrawn and indifferent personality.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if film fans are not interested in the dark adaptation of *Thunderstorm*, if they can find their own rebellious time in Yuanjie and resonate with being lectured by their parents, it is also an excellent argument and direction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhiqiang nodded: \"According to Mr. Lu's meaning, commercial films prioritize character settings first; if that doesn't work, look for resonance and social hot topics. Zhou Jielun's Yuanjie is indeed a good entry point.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Mouzi solemnly held Proprietor Lu's hand and shook it vigorously: \"Little Lu! Thank you so much! Everything is still in time; I will immediately have Liu Heng organize the screenwriting team to revise the draft, and you can help me take a look at it then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's all easy to say, can you two reimburse me for this box of cigarettes first?\" Proprietor Lu helplessly threw the cigarette case into the trash can.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Zhang Yimou had also figured out the direction, with his screenwriting team, Lu Kuan knew that this *Curse of the Golden Flower* might not be a massive hit, but at least the word-of-mouth and box office would not collapse as severely as in the previous life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, fundamentally speaking, the deep-seated reason for the flop of *Curse of the Golden Flower* was Old Mouzi's weakness in script capability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is his biggest weakness, that is, his own script capability is very poor, and he relies more on external forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Counting his successful works:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Red Sorghum* had Nobel laureate Mo Yan behind it;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Ju Dou* and *The Story of Qiu Ju* had Liu Heng of the Golden Horse and Golden Rooster awards behind them;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Raise the Red Lantern* had Mao Dun Literature Prize winner Su Tong behind it;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Coming Home* and *The Flowers of War* had Oscar-winning screenwriter Yan Geling behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at his works that were big flops in both word-of-mouth and box office:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scripts for *Full River Red*, *Shadow*, and *House of Flying Daggers* were all completed by him leading a few trusted members of the screenwriting team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including *Curse of the Golden Flower*, the screenwriters were himself, Wu Nan, and Bian Zhihong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for *Codename Cougar*, which flopped so hard he didn't even want to talk about it, it was a Xiangjiang entrepreneur named Cheng Shiqing, and the screenwriter for *The Great Wall* was a bunch of Americans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes it's not that his directing ability fluctuates, but that the script quality is uneven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three chatted and laughed for a while, and the young director suddenly looked serious: \"Director Zhang, I'll be the villain today and give you a reminder: this Zhang Weiping doesn't seem to be a good business partner; you need to keep an eye on him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou was stunned for a few seconds: \"Sigh! That's just his personality; he's not a bad person. After more than ten years, it's just that sometimes he's stubborn, and he has even clashed with Han Shanping in private.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Lu, don't take it to heart; I'll ask him to apologize to you tomorrow!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proprietor Lu smiled, thinking to himself that it would be strange if you could be the master of his decisions, and waved his hand to indicate it was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Really fine?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You offended the abbot and still want to leave?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It doesn't matter that Zhang Weiping bared his teeth at him cautiously tonight; this ruthless mainland's richest man had already moved the idea of poaching Old Mouzi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is simply a \"cut-off-the-descendants\" strategy for him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he never does things that harm others without benefiting himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was mentioned earlier about the importance of director resources; even Huayi carved out its path in the film industry relying on Feng Xiaogang, this one big shot of New Year films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what level is Zhang Yimou?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he hadn't run into Quentin's genius work *Pulp Fiction* in 1994, his *To Live* would have had a high probability of winning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Mouzi would also have become the third person in the world to achieve a Grand Slam of the three major European film festivals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan believes that as long as he is given a suitable script, relying on his appeal and decades of film experience, plus the support of the industry chain of Wenjie Holdings, it will be another stable and profitable output point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's just that Old Mouzi is still quite sentimental and righteous; it's impossible to force him to break up with Zhang Weiping, so it needs to be done gradually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Zhiqiang drank a bit too much in the evening, but fortunately, he had fulfilled a wish and calmly returned to his room to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Mouzi insisted on politely seeing Proprietor Lu out, and the two chatted at one end of the hotel corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"Old Qin\" person suddenly spoke: \"To be honest, I also know that switching the perspective is the most appropriate choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But this film... the intent of Gong Li cannot be changed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proprietor Lu was taken aback, then immediately smiled: \"It seems there is a story behind this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou sighed with deep emotion: \"That is old history.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Kuan teased: \"How about this, I'll have A-Fei buy some braised dishes and peanuts, and we two brothers can have a couple of drinks?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou chuckled: \"You brat want to see me make a fool of myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the dim, yellow lights at the bottom of the Guest House, the colorful terracotta warrior tonight looked somewhat pale, lost in memories intertwined with love and hate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In 1992, while preparing for 'To Live', I went to climb the Great Wall with Gong Li, and after we returned, I asked someone to write the script for 'Wu Zetian' for her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At that time, I personally invited Zhao Mei, Su Tong, and Bei Cun, three regulars of the Mao Dun Literature Prize and novelists in the country's top tier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The script was in continuous development for over four years, but in '96, some things happened between her and me, and we parted on bad terms; however, the promise to film a drama about the Empress for her never changed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou's eyes grew slightly clouded, mixed with many inexplicable emotions: \"So this film can be considered to have some of my own personal agenda mixed in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director couldn't help but laugh; he had only heard rumors of this matter before, and it turned out there were so many inside details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yimou left with his heart full of old affairs; Proprietor Lu touched the last cigarette left in his pocket, feeling reluctant to smoke it, and held it to the tip of his nose to sniff it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scholars and poets have always been prone to lingering sentiments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For an artist like Zhang Yimou, missing out on a former beloved due to various reasons must be a great regret in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't help but think of the entanglement of love and hate between Liu Yifei and himself over these past four years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young director couldn't resist taking out his lighter, and the tobacco ignited under the gentle caress of the flame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smoke rose in curling wisps, like silk threads, lingering and drifting leisurely around his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, the cigarette burned out, the heat bringing him back to his senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Proprietor Lu sigh with deep emotion, fiercely grinding out the cigarette butt with the sole of his shoe, muttering to himself as if talking to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it, I got too into the role.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of this chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",7481,"2026-06-20T06:05:19.268Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","c984e260e38b074bf5f96d946fcab378891bc35da3a96b494e63ab39f39f098c","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-328","the-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-chapter-326",343,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-playboy-of-huayu-how-did-a-celestial-immorta-cover.jpg"]