In Haidian Xiyuan, Beijing, Chu Zhi stayed at the Aman Summer Palace Hotel.
Not everyone from the film crew stayed there. After all, regular rooms started at four thousand yuan a night. Although Director Wang Anyi had a big investment, she did not splurge to that extent.
Besides Director Chu Shun from another universe, no one else was known for being so wealthy.
Only five people stayed in this hotel: the director, the male lead, the second male lead, the third male lead, and the female lead. All other crew members and actors stayed at nearby hotels.
Chu Zhi and Director Wang Anyi shared the most expensive courtyard suite. Unlike those young fresh stars who couldn't endure hardships, Emperor Beast did not care where he stayed, as long as it was comfortable enough to sleep.
But the unwritten rules of celebrity status in show business meant he accepted the treatment. Besides, the production's budget was not tight, so Chu Zhi had no reason to refuse.
Xiao Zhuzi arranged the luggage, so Emperor Beast went to greet the other actors.
"Teacher You Quan, I grew up watching your comedy films," Chu Zhi said. "Blaming Heaven and Earth and Ten Thousand Arrows, both serious dramas were excellent. Your range is effortless no matter the genre."
"You flatter me and make me feel old," You Quan replied. "I've listened to all of Chu Zhi's songs. They're very cultured."
You Quan even gave a thumbs-up. He was just over forty, a national first-class actor who had appeared in many films since around 2000. His popularity was very high, and his acting was superb. He had won almost every famous Asian Best Actor award.
"I dare not call myself a teacher in front of Teacher You. I'm just a acting beginner," Chu Zhi said. "You can call me Xiao Chu or Xiao Jiu."
Based on age and time in the industry, You Quan was the senior. Respecting seniors was only proper.
"Then I'll lean on my age and play the old man," You Quan joked. "The Spring Festival Gala song Always Go Home to Visit is beautiful. My father likes it."
They chatted politely. You Quan did not underestimate the young man before him. Aside from popularity, he was also on the musician committee's presidium and held a cultural tourism honorary position.
"It's my first time acting in a big director's work. I'm nervous," Chu Zhi admitted.
"Then you're in trouble. Director Wang is famous for scolding people," You Quan said. "As far as I know, no actor working with him has escaped unscathed."
"I truly believe that, Teacher You. You have to scold me more," Chu Zhi said.
He had filmed one movie and one series before. The directors treated him well but he knew many directors were temperamental on set.
"Don't panic. We will hold steady," You Quan said.
You Quan played the third male lead Liu Runyun, called Liu Wuye. He was a fallen noble of the Republican era. Though his family had declined, a lean camel was still bigger than a horse.
He loved Beijing opera and was deeply impressed after watching Su Shiyi's performance in Farewell My Concubine.
Soon, the film's female lead Lan Xian also arrived at the executive lounge.
Lan Xian was the top courtesan of the Jade Pavilion in the film, later marrying one of the male leads, the famous Beijing actor Ma Dalang.
"I have a dream to act opposite Sister Rong. I didn't expect it would come true, but she's married to someone else," Chu Zhi greeted her casually. She was thirty-two, so he teased gently.
The female lead's stage name was Rong Yi. Her surname Rong was rare and historically famous for the ancient calendar master Rong Cheng.
Rong Yi said, "Professor Bai, a dream of young boys and girls. Sigh, it really is a pity," purposely sighing.
The male and female leads had no romantic entanglement in the film. The female lead was paired with the second male lead.
"No problem for the girls' dreams. Boys can forget it," Chu Zhi waved his hand.
"Maybe," Rong Yi said, switching to a joke, "if this movie is released, acting as Professor Bai's wife, I'm not a girl but I have that dream too."
"The two of you talking makes me feel superfluous," said the second male lead Ma Dalang, played by Ge Zongfeng.
Ge Zongfeng was the representative of the veteran cadre. At forty-three, raised in a diplomat's family, his manner and posture gave him a strong leader's aura.
All actors in the crew had Best Actor honors. Though Rong Yi was only in her thirties, she had won Best Actress at the Tokyo Film Festival and Locarno International Film Festival at nineteen, making her exceptionally talented.
Chu Zhi only had the Tokyo Television Award for Most Popular Overseas Male Lead… like a husky lost among wolves, totally out of place.
The four ordered drinks and casually talked. Over the next several months of working together, their relations would improve, and moods brighten.
Ge Zongfeng sized up Chu Zhi. He had studied Beijing opera at the Beijing Opera Theatre for three months. In the script, the first and second male leads were famous Beijing opera actors.
Knowing Beijing opera was necessary, every gesture and posture needed to be correct. Ge Zongfeng thought this was what an actor should do to create better work.
But... the director said Chu Zhi already had a deep understanding of Beijing opera, so he didn't need to attend. Naturally, Ge Zongfeng was curious about this young man.
Director Wang Anyi invited them to the executive lounge but herself arrived over an hour late.
"Sorry, just handled some matters," Wang Anyi apologized, but her fierce expression made the apology sound like anger.
Truth be told, even Chu Zhi's star power could not compare to Wang Anyi, so no one complained.
This was a perfect premise for a light novel titled I Look Tougher Than a Bandit but I'm a Famous Director.
The opening ceremony was held at a square in Haidian. Reporters quickly spread the news.
Invited guests included many veteran Beijing opera artists, officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Beijing city leaders.
Wang Anyi had huge influence in Western film circles. She had served as jury chairman at the Berlin and Venice Film Festivals. Her new film was a big deal, and officially important. Otherwise, no way would the Prince Gong Mansion, a protected 5A tourist site, be rented for filming.
As Wang Anyi lifted the red cloth from the camera, reporters started snapping photos and asking questions.
One more thing: during group photos, Wang Anyi directly pulled Chu Zhi to her side, taking the center position.
Questions varied, mostly routine and pre-arranged by insiders among the reporters, designed to get answers the crew wanted.
"Why make this film?"
Wang Anyi answered, "Social change is driven by times shifting. Individuals and society are closely linked. I want to tell a story of obsession and betrayal, so I chose the real Yu Ji and the fake King of Chu."
The first three questions were like this, with Wang Anyi explaining her vision clearly.
After the fourth question, the press was allowed to ask freely. Then came a dangerous question from a reporter from The Paper News.
"Director Wang, you once publicly criticized fresh young actors but now invited Chu Zhi as the male lead. Isn't this contradicting yourself?"
Impressive.
All the media looked strangely at The Paper reporter. Was this young man always so bold?
One question offended both the mountains of Chinese directors and the most popular Chinese star.
Many reporters near The Paper's journalist silently shifted away, stepping back seriously.
"If I publicly criticize fresh young actors, I will not take it back. Actors without professional ethics have no right to act in my films," Wang Anyi's face darkened. Her already fierce expression grew more terrifying.
"And is Xiao Chu one of those useless young stars?" Wang Anyi demanded. "Are you questioning Xiao Chu's achievements in music?
Even in acting, Xiao Chu has a movie and a series with qualified performances. What nonsense are you twisting?"
Wang Anyi's status meant she was not interested in giving The Paper any face.
The reporter opened his mouth to say something but felt a thousand needles on his back. Many present were Chu Zhi's fans.
"The Paper News, is it?" Wang Anyi continued to rage. "I will no longer accept any interviews from The Paper News."
Dead silence.
The Paper reporter finally feared he had made a huge mistake.
A small break in the middle didn't affect the interview. Then a reporter from Penguin News asked a question.
"I have a question for Brother Jiu," the reporter said politely, nodding to Chu Zhi and the director before asking: "Your song After I Close My Eyes earned 1.68 billion in Asia. What expectations do you have for this film?"
"Expectations—of course, the higher the better," Chu Zhi said. "As the lead, I want the work to do better and better."
The opening ceremony's Q&A lasted over forty minutes. The core team's star power was strong so nothing unexpected happened.
Meanwhile, the company was busy.
"We're rejecting Hana Yori Dango," Niu Jiangxue said. After a series of discussions, the decision was made.
Lao Qian said, "Should have rejected it earlier. Although it claims to be Asia's top shoujo manga, the tropes are old and stale. It looks bad now."
Wang Yuan agreed wholeheartedly. Whether the characters were well-designed or not, old clichés were the real problem. No matter who played the roles, their fame would never compare to Asian superstar Chu Zhi.
Also, what if the other three actors tried to ride on Xiao Jiu's popularity? Wang Yuan worried about that.
Compared with that, Wang Yuan preferred another Japanese drama script sent over, Please Date the Useless Me, where the male lead was a coffee shop owner.
This had a personal reason. Glasses-wearing A Jiu was formerly in the same club. The character setting was perfect for A Jiu.
Wang Yuan had seen A Jiu once wearing glasses—"a beast in human clothing," he joked.
Plus, if Chu Zhi starred in it, how many fans would beg him to Please Date the Useless Me?
Of course, Chu Zhi probably would not accept, but Wang Yuan was just thinking out loud.
"A supporter just arrived," Qi Qiu reported running in.
A supporter? The phrase left Wang Yuan, Lao Qian, and Niu Niu puzzled.
They went to the lobby. Since founding the company Aiguo Media, it had moved to Pudong Tiandi Software Park early this year. The new office was larger and nicer.
Emperor Beast was skilled at winning hearts. The new office's decoration plans were left to the employees themselves.
For example, Chen Shu loved gaming and requested a gaming area with Switch, PS5, Xbox, and more. What was once a dream became reality. Of course, nobody had time to play during work. Chen Shu mostly played during lunch breaks and sometimes stayed two days straight playing.
Humans are social creatures who care about others' opinions and are easily influenced. When colleagues were working hard, someone playing games felt guilty.
Niu Jiangxue and two others entered the office lobby and saw singer Mo Qingqing. She was directing the movers, overseeing the computers being unloaded.