Chapter 193 Next Time [VIP]

Chapter Summary: Can I visit the film set as her boyfriend?

The Spring Festival holiday is coming to an end soon.

Lanxing Media, Director of Brokerage Office.

Ji Binghe knew that Mu Zhi had been taken back to He Zhiyue's hometown of Liancheng for the Chinese New Year. During the few days of the New Year, she was worried that the two of them would be spotted on the hot search list multiple times.

As it turned out, everything was calm and peaceful.

Upon meeting again after the New Year, Ji Binghe jokingly asked, "Where did you two go? You hid so well!"

Mu Zhi: "...I basically didn't go out."

Her trip to Liancheng with He Zhiyue was disrupted by rain, so they stayed at their villa in the countryside and couldn't go out to play. Naturally, they didn't have the chance to be bumped into.

During the Spring Festival, Ji Binghe was worried about disturbing the young couple's date, so apart from sending a "Happy New Year" message, she didn't contact Mu Zhi.

Upon hearing "didn't go out," Ji Binghe was about to speculate about something strange, but when Mu Zhi explained that it had rained in Liancheng for several days, she was both amused and exasperated.

Ji Binghe coughed lightly, and then discussed the itinerary for the next month with Mu Zhi.

"In one month, you'll be joining the cast of the new film co-directed by Xie Wendi and Pan Yan..."

A month before joining the production team, Mu Zhi's schedule was about to get busy again.

I have several brand events to attend, including the script reading, makeup trials, and costume fittings for "Mirror Flower Water Moon"...

"By the way, a new director came to me these past few days and wanted to schedule a meeting with you."

Mu Zhi: "A new director? Has he handed me a script?"

Ji Binghe shook her head: "He wants to meet with you first, and then hand over the script in person."

Many directors are now approaching Mu Zhi to invite her to star in movies, and the number of scripts they offer is countless. The scripts that reach Mu Zhi have undergone rigorous screening.

For some reason, this new director was unwilling to submit his script through the usual channel.

Mu Zhi knew that her agent mentioning this matter meant it wasn't just about an ordinary new director. "What's this director's name? Who recommended him?"

"Nothing can be hidden from you."

Ji Binghe stopped keeping her in suspense and said, "His name is Deng Yuan. He was one of the directors who collaborated with the Green Apple platform before becoming a new director at Guangying Media."

It was Director Xu Kuan who recommended me.

Seeing Mu Zhi's slight surprise upon hearing the name Deng Yuan, Ji Binghe asked curiously, "Zhizhi, do you know him?"

Mu Zhi nodded: "I have some recollection of it."

"I remember the highly acclaimed web series that Teacher Tai Feng collaborated on with the Green Apple platform. One of the assistant directors and screenwriters was named Deng Yuan. Sister Ji, you just mentioned that he collaborated with the Green Apple platform, so it should be the same person."

The reason it left an impression on her was that when she was watching that web series, she curiously looked up the making-of featurette and saw that when Tai Feng praised the director, he was referring to Director Deng, but the subtitles only said "Director".

She found it a bit strange at the time. She was surprised that Tai Feng mentioned the assistant director instead of the director-in-chief, and she was also surprised that the subtitles were not more precise.

But this matter was none of her concern, so she didn't investigate it further.

Now, when I hear Ji Binghe mention the name "Deng Yuan," this incident immediately comes to mind.

Mu Zhi: "Director Ji, I would like to meet this Director Deng."

Ji Binghe nodded: "I'll make the arrangements."

That evening.

Mu Zhi, Ji Binghe, and their team met with the new director, Deng Yuan.

He came alone.

"Hello, Ms. Mu Zhi, I am Deng Yuan."

If Deng Yuan hadn't introduced himself as soon as he entered the private room, Mu Zhi and her team would have been confused upon seeing him: Had they entered the wrong private room?

Deng Yuan has a square face, is over 1.8 meters tall, and is very robust, giving people a sense of intimidation.

Minmin whispered, "He doesn't look like a director, he looks like a bodyguard?"

But once he opened his mouth, his words were completely different from his rugged appearance; he spoke softly and calmly.

"Director Deng, please have a seat."

Upon hearing Mu Zhi's address, Deng Yuan smiled self-deprecatingly and sat down.

Mu Zhi noticed that Deng Yuan was wearing an old-fashioned black down jacket, and the collar of the gray turtleneck sweater he was wearing underneath was badly frayed, which made people subconsciously guess that the owner of the clothes was unkempt or was struggling financially.

But after Deng Yuan sat down, he straightened his back and nodded to each of Mu Zhi's team members sitting in the private room: agent Ji Binghe, Minmin, assistant Xiaoling, and a bodyguard. He was neither reserved nor arrogant.

When ordering food, Mu Zhi said that it was the first day of work and she wanted to treat the team to a meal, so she invited everyone over.

She treated everyone to dinner and let Deng Yuan order whatever he wanted.

Deng Yuan only ordered a plate of peanuts, not intending to eat.

Mu Zhi, Ji Binghe, and the others did not insist and quickly ordered their food.

The waiter served the tea and had just left.

Deng Yuan immediately got straight to the point and introduced the film project in preparation to Mu Zhi.

It is a suspenseful crime film with a realistic theme, and filming is expected to begin in the second half of the year.

"The film 'Falling into the River' is adapted from a real crime case that shocked the nation 10 years ago. This film project was spearheaded by relevant departments and has already passed review. The film will serve as a propaganda piece for the fight against organized crime, and the family's consent was obtained before the film adaptation was made..."

Mu Zhi listened quietly as Deng Yuan spoke at a leisurely pace.

After finishing his speech, Deng Yuan's eyes were filled with hope: "This script has been polished for four years and was completed in the first half of last year, but we didn't immediately start preparing for filming. Because I've been holding onto this script and waiting for someone."

At this point, Deng Yuan turned to look at Mu Zhi excitedly and said, "Teacher Mu Zhi, you are the person I have been waiting for. I watched your performances in 'Claws and Fangs' and 'All People Safely Evacuated' last year. The role of Officer Sun Hui in 'Falling into the River' is so fitting for you. Only you can portray it."

I believe you'll be interested after reading the script; this is a film with real-world relevance!

Deng Yuan took the script out of a laptop bag, stood up excitedly, and handed the script to Mu Zhi with both hands.

Mu Zhi: ? Director Xie Wendi said it was a dream from her grandmother that led her to decide to make "Mirror Flower Water Moon".

Right now, Deng Yuan keeps telling her that she is the actress he has been waiting for.

Is it now fashionable for directors to play with metaphysics? They're even approaching the same person again.

Mu Zhi took the script from Deng Yuan with both hands and asked Deng Yuan to sit down and talk.

She wasn't in a hurry to open the script, and said directly to Deng Yuan, "Director Deng, you were recommended by Director Xu. I agreed to meet with you because I trust Director Xu."

Ji Binghe, who was standing to the side, understood the meaning behind Mu Zhi's words and continued to say to Deng Yuan: "Director Deng, you should know very well that Mu Zhi has received countless scripts, including many well-known directors who are among the top 10 directors in the country."

Besides having a script you're confident in, public interest in adapting a sensational case, the fact that the subject matter has passed review and approval, and that there's support and endorsement from relevant departments... it's understandable that the lead actor hasn't been decided yet, the investment hasn't been secured, and the film crew hasn't been assembled.

But the director's ability should at least convince us, right?

So many famous directors are waiting to work with Mu Zhi, why is it you who is the only one?

Even if the script is brilliant, it can't be made into a film if the director isn't good enough.

Deng Yuan remained silent for a while. What the director of Lanxing Media, who was also Mu Zhi's agent, said made sense. This was an important issue that Mu Zhi's team needed to consider.

He hesitated for a moment before mentioning the web series he had previously collaborated on with the Green Apple platform, "That was a series that I directed on set, which took 113 days to film, and I also participated in the entire editing process."

He slowly pulled a USB drive out of his down jacket pocket. "This is the source video used to make the special feature. When the web series aired, that person's name was credited. The later production special didn't use this source video; they deleted all of it."

During the broadcast of web series and TV dramas, the production team will continuously release behind-the-scenes footage of the actors interacting on set. This footage is captured and recorded by dedicated cameras during the filming process.

They also film footage of the director directing on set, costumes, props, and filming in various locations, and edit it into a production featurette to show how hard the crew worked during the production process.

The USB drive containing Deng Yuan's materials must include footage of him sitting in front of the monitor on set, directing and instructing the actors, which proves that he was present on set and was in charge of directing.

Mu Zhi thought for a moment and said, "If I may ask, since you have evidence, why don't you stand up and seek justice for yourself?"

Deng Yuan chuckled self-deprecatingly: "When I signed the contract, it only stated that I was the director, but it didn't specify whether I was the assistant director, the director, or the chief director. So what if I won the fight?"

This was at the platform's behest. They felt that person was more famous than me, and crediting him would help them land a big-name role in another major production they were negotiating. I'm a newcomer, so I have to work my way up.

He used this evidence to terminate his contract with the platform; he was done with it.

Later, he joined Guangying Media and entered the film industry to seek new development.

Mu Zhi listened without saying anything.

In the entertainment industry, many unfair things happen frequently, and Deng Yuan's situation is not an exception: some famous directors have never been to the film set, but they are invited to be the producer of a certain film and can get paid without doing any work.

Some directors are no longer capable, so the producers find a capable person to work with them, and only credit the famous director.

There are also some eccentric directors who, after being invited to the set of a film to offer some guidance, think the film is good, and demand credit after just one visit...

Some unspoken rules have always existed.

Mu Zhi looked at the USB drive without touching it and told Deng Yuan that they would talk after she finished reading the script.

Upon hearing this, Deng Yuan nodded happily, "Teacher Muzhi, I'll be waiting for your good news."

After the meal, Mu Zhi and her group walked out of the restaurant.

After getting on the car.

Minmin asked anxiously, "Sister Zhizhi, shouldn't we take that USB drive back and take a look? What if this Deng Yuan isn't so capable after all?"

Seeing the special footage revealed that Deng Yuan was the one directing on set, but that doesn't necessarily prove his skill. Perhaps it was the director's effective guidance behind the scenes?

Mu Zhi: "I called Teacher Tai Feng. Deng Yuan is indeed talented."

Minmin: "!!!" Then you can rest assured.

As Ji Binghe fastened her seatbelt in the driver's seat, she asked, "Zhizhi, but he only made one representative work, which was a web series. How was his ability in directing his first film? We don't know."

Also, I remember you've never been very interested in suspenseful stories, Zhizhi?

Mu Zhi: "I'm interested in any good script."

"..." Ji Binghe chuckled, swallowing the words that were on the tip of her tongue. Never mind, she'd wait until Mu Zhi finished reading the script before saying anything.

Back home, Mu Zhi devoured the script for "Falling into the River" in one go. Because she knew nothing about the case that occurred 10 years ago, she even searched for related news online...

The next morning.

Before Mu Zhi could call Ji Binghe, Ji Binghe called first to ask Mu Zhi about her impressions after reading the script.

Mu Zhi stated frankly, "The script is excellent. If it can be filmed according to the script, I think it has the potential to become the pinnacle of suspense films in recent years. I am interested in taking on this role."

"However, I'm a little worried about the film's censorship standards. Some scenes that were originally filmed might get cut. Plus, from what I learned last night, the film won't start shooting until the second half of the year; the project is just beginning preparations, and the crew isn't even in place yet..."

So there's no rush to immediately agree to take the role. I decided to express my interest in the script, my desire to take the role, and my concerns, and then see how the project progresses.

Ji Binghe breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, realizing that this was the more appropriate course of action.

"I understand what you mean. I'll talk to Director Deng Yuan and coordinate with him on the follow-up..."

"good."

In early March, there were still two weeks before the new drama was scheduled to start filming.

Mu Zhi's next project has been leaked online.

The marketing account's leak went straight to the point: "[Mu Zhi's next project will co-star with Xie Wendi, filming starts in two weeks.]"

Netizens are gossiping: !! Xie Wendi? Isn't that the Chinese-American director who makes films about women abroad? Is Mu Zhi going to develop her career overseas?

Then someone further revealed the title and subject matter of Mu Zhi's next film.

Wait a minute? The title "Mirror Flower Water Moon" doesn't sound like a foreign film. A check of the filing information reveals that it's actually a story set in the Republican era.

Netizens' reaction to Xie Wendi coming to China to film a movie set in the Republican era was similar to that of Mu Zhi when she received the role offer—they found it unbelievable.

Why did Wendy Sherlock make a movie on this subject?

They also questioned whether Wendy Sherlock, a director who grew up abroad, could actually make such a film.

Then it was discovered that Pan Yan was also one of the directors.

At that time, Mu Zhi flew to other cities to attend brand events.

While getting her makeup done at the hotel, Mu Zhi overheard Min Min talking about how she and director Xie Wendi were trending on social media, with gossip forums discussing her next project and even having a public spat in a high-rise building.

How could they even tear each other apart?

After getting ready, we headed to the event venue.

Mu Zhi clicked on the gossip link that Minmin had posted.

1st floor: No wonder Mu Zhi was photographed having dinner with Pan Yan before the New Year; it seems she had already accepted this role back then.

5th Floor: Judging from the subject matter of this film, its box office performance is definitely not going to be ideal. I'm very curious how good the script is that could have moved Mu Zhi to take it on.

10th Floor: It's said this movie was originally a big hit, but they ended up casting Mu Zhi. Is Mu Zhi now getting all the film industry resources first? That's amazing!

21st Floor: If Mu Zhi stars in this movie and it still breaks 1 billion at the box office, then I'll truly admit she's a box office magic bullet, and I'll book out every single one of her movies from now on.

22nd Floor: Can the person upstairs broaden their horizons a bit? Is making movies all about box office success? A film set in the Republican era would be impressive if it grossed over 200 million, let alone over 1 billion. This is just wishful thinking, a form of toxic praise.

23rd floor: I think Mu Zhi really has some kind of mystical aura about her. She accepted "All People Safely Evacuated" and turned down Huang Shulan's comedy "Exchange Life," which ultimately starred Yue Ge and Chi Yue. It's been released during the Spring Festival and has only grossed a little over a billion yuan so far, not even breaking 2 billion.

24th floor: Is this an attempt to salvage Mu Zhi's new film in advance? Wasn't she touted as a box office draw?

25th Floor: High box office numbers indicate audience appeal. Some self-indulgent arthouse films can't even break 100 million at the box office. What's the point of marketing a good film? Mu Zhi and Xie Wendi's new film, if it doesn't break 500 million at the box office, it's a flop. Disagree? Let's debate.

......

Starting from the 21st floor, the two opposing camps, each holding their own version of events, began to argue fiercely within the building.

[Quick-witted and eager to learn] Sister Zhizhi, the topics about you are still so xfxy (bloody and turbulent).

Mu Zhi: ...Many movies are released every year, but only a few have high box office returns.

Good reviews and box office success are what every film production team strives for.

Actually, there haven't been any films set in the Republican era for many years. Who can say for sure whether "Mirror Flower Water Moon" will do well at the box office?

Mu Zhi has always been confident in her work, provided the film is finished first. They haven't even started filming yet, and this arguing is really unnecessary...

March 19th, two days before the start of filming for the new drama.

Mu Zhi will be heading to the airport tomorrow at noon to fly to Shanghai.

The night before flying to Shanghai, Mu Zhi and He Zhiyue had a date and dinner together.

After dinner, He Zhiyue drove Mu Zhi back.

In the month since Liancheng returned to Beicheng, the two have only met and dated a handful of times. Mu Zhi was busy, and He Zhiyue was busy too. Knowing that Mu Zhi was about to start filming, he didn't want to be distracted, so he didn't dare to disturb her.

Tomorrow, Mu Zhi will fly to Shanghai, and the two will be in a long-distance relationship.

Donghua Mansion underground parking lot.

After parking the car, He Zhiyue turned to Mu Zhi in the passenger seat and reached out to hold Mu Zhi's left hand.

"Can I visit the film set as your boyfriend?"

Lanxing Media also invested in "Mirror Flower Water Moon", but the company's current official boss is not He Zhiyue. Even if he were, if he were photographed on set, everyone would probably say that he was visiting his girlfriend.

Mu Zhi had no objection: "Okay."

She will be staying in seclusion on set to film a movie. She and He Zhiyue are a couple, so it's impossible for them not to see each other for several months.

The only way the two could meet was for He Zhiyue to come to her.

"Should you let me know in advance before you come to visit the set?"

He Zhiyue: "Okay."

He understood that Mu Zhi's filming schedule was unpredictable, and if he went to the set to visit her without prior notice, it would be more of a nuisance than a pleasant surprise for her.

It's better to let each other know in advance to see which day is suitable and then set a time before going. This way, it's better for both of you.

I will miss you.

Mu Zhi: "..." She noticed that as the two went on more dates and their relationship became closer, He Zhiyue became more and more fond of saying sweet nothings, which meant he became more shameless.

And now her eyes are all sticky again.

In Liancheng, on the night they went for a walk on the beach, she took the initiative to kiss him, just touching his lips, and then stood up and said, "Let's go back."

He Zhiyue, who was stunned, stood there for two seconds before catching up with her.

He Zhiyue's memory of Mu Zhi's kiss was as light as a feather brushing against his lips, as if it were his imagination.

After returning to Beicheng, during their several dates, he would escort Muzhi to the parking lot or the entrance. Although he really wanted to kiss her, he always felt that his first time kissing Muzhi on his own initiative lacked a sense of ceremony.

"If you don't kiss me, I'm getting off the bus." Mu Zhi waited for a long time, but he didn't make a move.

He Zhiyue: "......"

He was a little taken aback, took a deep breath, and leaned towards Mu Zhi in a huff. He stretched out two slender fingers and gently pinched her chin, turning her face towards him. Just as his lips were about to touch Mu Zhi's...

Instead, he kissed Mu Zhi on the forehead.

"next time."