Literary Master: Starting with Refusing to Be a Child Star

Chapter 20 The Eve of Fame

"If the director says anything strange to you, you must tell your mother."

"Just do what the director tells you to do. Don't have any other ideas, understand?"

The two mothers exchanged a glance.

Luo Jinnian and the short-haired, refined young man stared at each other. If he wasn't mistaken, they were both there for the same movie.

If I'm not mistaken, the two of them will be biting each other on the big screen again.

"It's pretty good-looking, but it's just so-so."

The two children were thinking exactly the same thing at that moment.

The middle-aged woman escorted Luo Jinnian to the door and was then ushered out, at the behest of the two directors.

She felt like she understood everything.

Before leaving, she specifically reminded her son to be more tolerant of what others cannot tolerate, and not to let any boy surpass her, while subtly pointing at the boy next to her.

Middle-aged women possess a wisdom as profound as a banana.

Lost in thought, Luo Jinnian thought of Teacher Fei's jianbing guozi (Chinese crepes) and Sister Qingning's liqueur-filled chocolates, and then he stopped.

He nodded very seriously.

The middle-aged woman was satisfied.

She didn't realize that her son's nod meant he was acknowledging that twin flowers were indeed a type of dessert that needed further study.

Upon entering the film set, I didn't see anyone else, but I did see the director in sunglasses flipping through the latest issue of "The Great Tang Ghost Stories," pondering which one would be most suitable for adaptation into a movie.

The Legend of the Tang Dynasty has become incredibly popular recently.

The sunglasses-wearing director put down his magazine, carefully examined the two beautiful children, and nodded in satisfaction.

"You must be Luo Jinnian. I went to the ice rink yesterday and saw him. It's pretty good that you've learned figure skating like that in just half a month."

Then he looked at another child:

"Gu Yanxi. A child star who's been making waves lately. Oh, I wish my daughter were as obedient as you."

Why are other people's daughters so well-behaved and intelligent, even though they're both daughters?

The director in sunglasses spoke to the two children in a manner that resembled that of a familiar and close elder.

"Actually, my last movie just went to the theaters. I might win a few awards, but I estimate the box office will be as dismal as ever."

Art-house directors are all like this. The most valuable thing about the director in sunglasses is that he has self-awareness. What's even more valuable is that his art-house films are famous for not making much money, but they don't lose money either.

However, Luo Jinnian was surprised that he could speak so frankly to the two children.

"So, I was thinking of starting filming for 'Ice Love Song' after the National Day holiday. As you can see, I haven't let any of the crew members come—Anan, come here for a moment."

After National Day?

That's still more than twenty days away. That's just how big directors are.

"From now on, you'll be responsible for taking good care of both of them."

An assistant wearing gold-rimmed glasses walked over.

"Understood, boss."

After explaining everything, the renowned director went back to reading.

Neither child spoke, each lost in their own thoughts, as they followed the assistant into an office.

"This is the office the boss has prepared for you two young actors. You are free to handle your own affairs in this room for the next period of time..."

"Does that include playing?" the delicate child asked.

The assistant adjusted his glasses and smiled politely:

I think so.

While the two children were still getting used to their new environment in the office, an uninvited guest arrived at the sunglasses-wearing director's office.

Director Qin Chuan, dressed in a pink suit, stepped out of his newly purchased limited-edition sports car.

"How is it, that child?"

Qin Chuan came to see the boy on behalf of his niece.

Fei Yuxi wanted to come in person, but was held back by her homework and could only focus on studying under the supervision of her tutor.

"You seem to care a lot about that boy."

The director in sunglasses took a sip of water from his glass and said slowly.

Qin Chuan didn't argue, and without any hesitation, he picked up the script next to the director and started reading.

The script was the original draft of "Ice Romance".

The director in sunglasses wasn't angry at Qin Chuan's actions; he and Qin Chuan, this new generation director, were close friends despite their age difference.

The two met when they went abroad to receive an award. They were both highly anticipated, but both returned empty-handed. They got to know each other better as they talked.

Although the director in sunglasses is an art-house film director, Qin Chuan claims to be an art-house filmmaker but is actually a very practical commercial director. However, because the two of them both disliked the pretentious behavior in the entertainment industry, they ended up working together.

"How is it?"

Qin Chuan nodded and then shook his head: "It's really well-written, but to be honest, it's actually quite old-fashioned, and the more I read... the more I think it's aimed at the box office."

The director in sunglasses burst into laughter after hearing this:

"I've already proven myself with all the awards I've won, big and small. Now I want to clean up the domestic film industry and make a proper commercial film."

"I've had enough of making art films over the years. Commercial films are just about making whatever the audience wants to see. Directors who don't know what the audience likes to see should just go home and raise pigs."

"There are also commercial films that lose money, where little special effects are used and most of the money is spent on popular actors."

Although his old friend's overt joy was a bit like a villain's, Qin Chuan felt that his words, though rough, were reasonable.

He then carefully read through the script again, and said, "I feel like I've taken advantage of you this time."

"What?"

Qin Chuan explained:

"You've already determined the target audience for your film. We don't know how the box office will go, but the young actors in it will definitely become famous."

This is how gay films are: they have a large audience base and they especially support the actors, both in the East and the West.

Qin Chuan had just made an agreement with the director yesterday—to lend Luo Jinnian the man once his scenes were finished.

Looking back now, by the time "Ice Song" hits theaters, its lead actor, Luo Jinnian, will be at the height of his popularity, and Qin Chuan's movie will be released just in time to ride that wave of popularity.

That's why Qin Chuan said he benefited from his friend's good fortune.

The sunglasses-wearing director waved his hand and continued:

"Then why don't you bring another young actor—Gu Yanxi—along with you? If you're going to ride the wave of popularity, then do it openly and respectfully."

"But I don't have a suitable spot for a handsome boy here."

Director Mo looked at him with a "what are you looking at?" expression.

"Are you really in the entertainment industry? The whole world knows that actress Gu is a girl."

Qin Chuan was stunned, instantly realizing that a senior is indeed a senior; this old guy was born to make commercial films.

In this sense, the film "Ice Love Song" can capitalize on the popularity of the two actors playing Nan Nan in the script, and also generate buzz by showcasing a normal handsome boy and girl on screen together during promotion.

A middle-aged man of great importance has arrived in the world of commercial films.

These gimmicks, both inside and outside the venue, are quite clever.

"On the contrary, I feel that the child named Luo Jinnian has really caught the wave this time."

It really is.

One is the "commercial debut" of an accomplished art-house film director who transitioned to commercial films.

One is a highly anticipated new work by a rising director in the prime of his career.

Two famous directors were serving him, feeding him all the best food.

The director in sunglasses joked:

"I'm afraid that in a few years, this year will be hailed as the 'first year of the Luo Jin era'."

Qin Chuan clicked his tongue, it really was hard to say.

He was the one who truly understood Luo Jinnian's amazing talent; she was a kid whose debut work alone could cause a huge stir on the internet.

Keep in mind that he is only nine years old this year.

"This is the eve of his fame."

The director in sunglasses was surprised that his old friend would have so much confidence in a child, which made him even more curious about the boy.