Chapter 445: Chapter 445: 259: A Night of Conversation Among the Three Giants, Script Theme, About the History of the Expeditionary Army_2

Xu Qingyan replied to Pei Muchan’s goodnight message, turned around, and headed back backstage. Passing by a lounge, he heard the excited voices of students inside.

He slowed his pace, turned his head to look inside, and saw three large cakes on the table, each over a meter in diameter.

“Oh, large cakes.”

After being busy until late at night, most of the hosts had gone home, and many actors chose to return to the hotel to rest. The backstage area suddenly became much quieter, with only a few scattered people from the director’s team left.

In the office, the director mentioned a few post-event matters and then left.

Gan Wenchang was leaving the next day, probably following someone out. He Guojin’s situation was unknown; he received a phone call and left straight away, but Xiao Shujun had something to say to him.

At the end of the corridor, deep into the night.

The night wind blew, and Xiao Shujun turned her head and said to him, “I found the director you wanted for you. He owes me a favor, and he won’t pick at the flaws in your script.”

Xu Qingyan couldn’t help but laugh and cry. Was the script of “The Legend of Martial Arts” that bad?

“Junjie, you don’t think highly of my script either?”

“No, you’ve misunderstood,” Xiao Shujun said, tapping her toes lightly on the ground and frowning, “I read the beginning of your script, and to be honest, there isn’t any explosive element.”

“You should shoot some fantasy, incorporate some master-disciple romance, and give the audience a heart-wrenching experience.”

“Junjie, that’s different,” Xu Qingyan said, “This is a martial arts sitcom. I’ve been thinking of making one; this kind of show has low cost but a high probability of success.”

“If it blows up, it can have a very long artistic life. If it becomes an internet sensation, with some marketing, we could continue to make money from copyright and advertisements.”

Hearing this, Xiao Shujun couldn’t help but hesitate for a moment.

“I understand what you mean. A small budget doesn’t mean no cost. How are you going to pull in investments?”

“I’ll scrape some together myself, and we’ll gather more as we go,” Xu Qingyan said vaguely, what he actually meant was to earn while filming, but it sounded a bit exaggerated.

Xiao Shujun thought he was planning to borrow money, so she said.

“If you’re short on cash, I can invest in you.”

At her words, Xu Qingyan was momentarily stunned. Xiao Shujun was talking about investing, not lending. Despite her expectation that “The Legend of Martial Arts” would flop, she was still willing to put in money.

Borrowing money means having to pay it back, investing means potentially never seeing the money again. It’s more like giving than lending.

“No need, Junjie,” Xu Qingyan said, feeling unsure inside but sensing that it wouldn’t be a disaster—in fact, he might even make a profit, just unsure how much.

Despite being touched, he still did not accept Xiao Shujun’s investment.

Firstly, Xiao Shujun’s investment wasn’t for making money but to repay a favor. Involving money, no matter the outcome, profitable or not, her favor would be considered repaid.

Secondly, Xu Qingyan chose “The Legend of Martial Arts” as the film company’s debut for a reason that signifies long-term development, akin to a store’s signature treasure.

This project, of course, is best if the company fully funds it.

“Okay, since you insist, I can only wish you an explosive debut.” Xiao Shujun exhaled and said with relief, “I’ll forward you the director’s contact info.”

“If you’re free after the New Year, I can set up a meeting, and we can chat together.”

“But from what I heard from He place, he seems to have asked you to work on a script? By the look of things, after the New Year, you’ll have to start preparing “The Legend of Martial Arts.” Can you handle it?”

“Huh?” Xu Qingyan felt a bit guilty. How did Xiao Shujun know about this too? This was getting a bit awkward.

“Uh… I should be able to manage, it’s a small production.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shujun was at a loss for words; small production didn’t mean child’s play.

“Alright then.”

The two talked for about fifteen minutes near the corridor window. After the conversation, Xiao Shujun left.

It was well into the latter part of the night when Xu Qingyan, looking exhausted, prepared to head back to his place to take a shower, pack up, and then sleep. Just as he got up, he received a call from He Guojin.

Hmm? Calling at this hour.

“Hello? He place.”

“You haven’t left yet, right? Come over, have a drink,” He Guojin said on the other end, “We’re at xxxx, Director Ji is here too, come join us.”

“Okay,” Xu Qingyan agreed without hesitation.

Even though he had to get up early in the morning for an appointment to take Pei Muchan to the airport, he still didn’t hesitate, because matters could be managed, but opportunities slip away in the blink of an eye.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Qingyan went to the bathroom and washed his face under the faucet. He found a half-empty bottle of mousse and arranged his hair. The person in the mirror looked a lot more spirited instantly.

It’s not that Xu Qingyan was vain, but he wanted to leave a good impression on his leaders before parting.

Imagine, after a grand evening party.

If you were a leader and you invited a capable subordinate out for a couple of drinks, and found them still lively and energetic despite working all night, you’d be bound to refresh your impression of them subconsciously.

Actually, he had time to take a shower, but Xu Qingyan’s intention was to retain the signs of work from the night to show to Ji Shi’an and He Guojin, a practice known as “leaving a trace of work”.

Although it might seem a bit over-the-top, indeed it would add several points in his favor for appearing full of energy. Having capability and having worked hard, what’s wrong with a little craftiness?

Flattering women and flattering leaders operate on the same principle, but only if they like you. A bit more craftiness can always work in your favor. If the leader doesn’t like you, then change the leader.

Ten minutes later, Xu Qingyan knocked on the door of the private room.

To his surprise, inside there were only the three big bosses sitting together, drinking and chatting. The table was laid with some simple snacks, neither spicy nor oily.

“You’re here, find a spot and sit wherever you like,” Ji Shi’an waved him over.

“Thank you, Director Ji,” he responded.

Without hesitation, he found an empty seat beside He Guojin and sat down. The three big bosses’ cups were somewhat empty, so he took the initiative to stand up and begin pouring drinks for them, starting with Ji Shi’an.

Having interacted before, Xu Qingyan’s actions didn’t seem too calculated.

Ji Shi’an glanced at him, and after he finished pouring, picked up his glass and took a sip before saying.

“I’m not a director anymore, so you don’t need to call me Director Ji.”

“Alright, Teacher Ji,” Xu Qingyan seized the moment to address him smoothly, “These past two months, I’ve been very grateful for Teacher Ji’s care.”

There’s an unwritten rule in the television station that also applies to the entertainment industry.

For newcomers, it’s safest to address those whose positions they’re unfamiliar with as “Teacher”. This way, they can hardly go wrong. XX Teacher, even if the person is younger, it’s still proper to call them that.

“You’re quite slick, Xu Qingyan,” Ji Shi’an laughed, turning to look at He Guojin and Lu Liangsheng; the other two also smiled knowingly upon hearing this.

Hearing this, Xu Qingyan wasn’t too embarrassed.

Is there anything wrong with wanting to advance? Not at all. Anyway, the three big bosses weren’t the kind to be jealous of talent; in their eyes, he was just a small fry.

After pouring drinks for everyone, Xu Qingyan stopped speaking. He wasn’t the main character of this gathering.

As expected, the three big bosses resumed their leisurely chat, talking aimlessly about this and that. He gleaned some information from their conversation, such as…

All three were originally from the news center, having worked as reporters to varying degrees. Gan Wenchang was somewhat right; the news center was indeed a cradle for executives.

“The young ones nowadays have lots of ideas, and there are many who act recklessly,” Lu Liangsheng said with a laugh, “I heard that there was a female intern at the station who didn’t use fill light while filming a leader, ended up making them look like a panda and got thoroughly scolded.”

“That shouldn’t matter much though, now the conditions have relaxed,” he continued.

“Yeah…,” He Guojin occasionally chimed in, “back in our day, when filming leaders, we would mainly use eye-level angles, and we’d also find the best angles and add proper fill light.”

As the conversation went on, the topic suddenly shifted to He Guojin’s revolutionary-themed screenplay.

Xu Qingyan instantly understood why he had been called over, guessing Ji Shi’an and this task had some connection, and it was very possible that Ji Shi’an had taken on the role of director again.

Even if not as director, he might possibly be the assistant director.

Generally speaking, after the Spring Festival Gala, the crew from the satellite venues might be reassigned to direct large-scale shows like the Lantern Festival Gala.

From the looks of it, Ji Shi’an…and even Lu Liangsheng might not be working on the Lantern Festival Gala.

This was unusual since the Chang’an satellite venue’s programs are currently the most effective. Nevertheless, this had nothing to do with Xu Qingyan.

As He Guojin spoke, he suddenly turned his gaze towards Xu Qingyan.

“Regarding this theme, do you have any thoughts now?”

Xu Qingyan paused for a moment before answering.@@novelbin@@

“Yes, I think the theme of the Expeditionary Army is pretty good,”

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