Chapter 7: CH 007

TL: Moonlit

Lin Hanchuan stayed at the film and television city for several consecutive days. With him around, the filming progress of the crew skyrocketed, and in just a few days, they caught up with the progress of Ran Xing’s scenes.

Ran Xing’s acting skills were indeed outstanding.

«Sword Immortal» told the story of a powerful sword cultivator who had no sect or faction. Carrying a rusty iron sword, he traveled through the mortal world. He drank with Taoist cultivators, debated Zen with Buddhist cultivators, and called demon cultivators his brothers. He even laughed, cried, hated, and loved with ordinary people. In the end, he sacrificed himself for the path with his iron sword.

Ran Xing’s appearance was striking and had no resemblance to a sword cultivator, but when he wore coarse linen clothes and carried an iron sword on his back, with just a glance, he looked exactly like the sword cultivator from the script.

“Not bad!” Another scene was successfully filmed, and director Qiao Qingsheng couldn’t stop smiling. He didn’t hide his admiration for Ran Xing. “Ran Xing, you have brought this character to life.”

Lin Hanchuan watched Ran Xing on the screen, carefree and unconventional, and thought of a phrase in his mind: the elegance of the Wei and Jin dynasties, the charm of a literati1refers to the refined and sophisticated cultural atmosphere during the Wei and Jin dynasties in ancient China. It highlights the admiration for the intellectual pursuits, literary achievements, and refined tastes of the literati class during that time..

Ran Xing avoided the hand that director Qiao Qingsheng was about to place on his shoulder and coldly and distantly thanked him, “Thank you, Director.”

The corners of Qiao Qingsheng’s smiling mouth drooped slightly, but he still maintained his enthusiasm and said casually, “Your acting is so good. It’s a shame that you weren’t famous before. Fortunately, our CEO has a discerning eye and brought you in.”

After watching the scene, Lin Hanchuan stood up and praised, “Well done.”

The result turned out even better than he had imagined. With Ran Xing’s appearance, the charisma of the sword cultivator had increased by more than one level. Lin Hanchuan didn’t consider himself someone who judges based on looks until he compared the scenes of Ran Xing and Wu Tong. He couldn’t help but sigh that people in the industry preferred more attractive faces, and it was not without reason.

After watching for a while, Lin Hanchuan estimated the time and decided to leave.

Beside him, Qiao Qingsheng’s gaze flickered. He avoided Ran Xing’s line of sight and whispered, “President Yan, I saw… I saw someone pursuing Ran Xing… Do you want me to warn that person?”

“As long as it doesn’t affect the filming, there’s no need to intervene in their personal matters.” Lin Hanchuan frowned slightly. “I will talk to Ran Xing. We won’t let any scandals affect the crew.”

“Alright.” Qiao Qingsheng smiled. “You go and take care of your business. I know what to do.”

When Ran Xing came out of the resting area, he found that Lin Hanchuan had already left.

“Ran Xing, come here.” Qiao Qingsheng beckoned with a smile. “Let me tell you how to act in the next scene.”

After leaving the crew, Lin Hanchuan didn’t return to the company but walked deeper into the film and television City, arriving at another set.

The set of «Sword Immortal» was already considered well-made, but the set of this crew was even more luxurious, indicating their ample resources.

“Why are you here again?” The director sitting behind the camera saw Lin Hanchuan and spoke impatiently. “I’ve already told you, your script is impossible to film. Even if we do, it will be a waste of money.”

“Director Zhou, the reason we can’t film it now is precisely because we haven’t filmed it before. As long as we make the first part, we’ll be able to continue in the future.” Lin Hanchuan said respectfully.

Zhou Xishan is one of the top directors in the country and also the highest-grossing commercial director. He has a volatile personality, never mincing his words, and has offended many people with his straightforward temper. But contrasting his irritable temperament is his exceptional directing skills.

There were insiders who once commented on Zhou Xishan: “No matter how mediocre the script is, once it’s in his hands, he can turn it into something special.”

“Your script won’t work!” Zhou Xishan said, stroking his beard. He was a frail and thin old man sitting on the director’s chair, appearing even smaller in contrast to the tall and robust Lin Hanchuan standing beside him, giving the impression of bullying an elderly person.

“Director Zhou, there’s no problem with this script. It’s just that no one has attempted this genre yet…” Lin Hanchuan remained undeterred by Zhou Xishan’s words, speaking respectfully.

Why doesn’t this person listen to advice? Zhou Xishan pondered in distress. Since he found out about his involvement in this film, he had come every day for several consecutive days, just to secure the opportunity to direct this script. He wasn’t sure whether to praise him for his persistence or scold him for being obstinate.

The script that Lin Hanchuan mentioned was for a popcorn movie—a straightforward plot without much depth or meaning. If it were treated as an ordinary script, it might have ended up as an average popcorn movie. But…

“I won’t direct it. Even if Yan Minghui himself comes to invite me, I won’t direct it,” Zhou Xishan said forcefully. “Alright, alright, it’s break time. Don’t disturb me anymore.”

Lin Hanchuan stood to the side and waited, silently observing Zhou Xishan at work.

Film making was completely different from television dramas.

In television dramas, the script was the core, and the director was not the most crucial factor. A good script could be turned into an excellent television drama by any experienced director. However, in movies, the director was the soul. The director determined the soul of the entire film, as well as its style and completion. With the same script, two different directors could produce completely different movies.

Zhou Xishan’s style was light, lively, and had a clear and distinct rhythm. The finished product appealed to both young and old audiences, which was why he became the highest-grossing commercial film director in the country.

But despite the final result, the process of shooting the film was monotonous and boring for all crew members, especially in movies. Lin Hanchuan witnessed the lead actor having several NG takes, which enraged Zhou Xishan to the point of using a loudspeaker to berate the tearful young star, not finding any relief in his continued scolding.

Shooting and scolding, the day’s filming finally came to an end.

As Zhou Xishan was about to leave, Lin Hanchuan stepped forward.

“You’re not leaving yet?” Zhou Xishan was taken aback. He couldn’t pay attention to anyone else while filming, only now realizing that Lin Hanchuan had been waiting the entire afternoon. “No matter what conditions you have, I won’t agree. Don’t waste your efforts.”

“Ye Wenjun, director Ye, will serve as the assistant director,” Lin Hanchuan quickly said, then looked at Zhou Xishan. “If you really don’t want to take it, I can find other renowned directors, like director Guo Manjie…”

Zhou Xishan’s eyes lit up upon hearing Ye Wenjun’s name, and when he heard Guo Manjie’s name, he impatiently interrupted Lin Hanchuan’s words, “I’ll take it! I’ll take it! That fraudster Guo Manjie, how could he direct a good commercial film? Let me do it!”

Outsiders say that Zhou Xishan has always wanted to collaborate with Ye Wenjun, but was lacking a suitable script. It seems they weren’t wrong.

Finally, successfully deceiving Zhou Xishan, Lin Hanchuan wasted no time and immediately took out the contract from his briefcase.

Zhou Xishan was dumbfounded: “?”

With some hesitation, Zhou Xishan signed the contract on the spot, but he still felt that something was off. However, he was blinded by Ye Wenjun and only reminded Lin Hanchuan, “Remember to create a work group as soon as possible and add both me and Director Ye to it…”

After seeing off Zhou Xishan, Lin Hanchuan looked at the contract with a faint smile.

Back at the hotel where the crew was staying, Lin Hanchuan went to knock on Ran Xing’s room door. He knocked for quite some time, but there was no response from inside.

Lin Hanchuan grew suspicious. Ran Xing received the script later than others and ever since joining the crew, he had been studying the script during every break. He was extremely dedicated, always returning to his room to memorize lines after a scene.

Now, after knocking on the door for so long with no response, either Ran Xing wasn’t in the room, or something had happened inside. Lin Hanchuan took out his phone and called Ran Xing.

No one answered the call. Lin Hanchuan didn’t hesitate any longer and immediately called the front desk for a spare key. As he was about to leave, he heard some commotion coming from the neighboring room.

It was… Lin Hanchuan squinted his eyes. It was Director Qiao Qingsheng’s room.

The noise inside the room grew louder. Lin Hanchuan decisively went to knock on the door, but once again, no one opened it, despite the commotion inside. Lin Hanchuan couldn’t wait for the front desk to bring the spare key, so he took a step back and kicked the door with his foot.

With three consecutive kicks, the sturdy door lock loosened, and with one final push, the door swung open completely.

Inside the room, two people were fighting—more accurately, it was a one-sided beating.

Ran Xing had Qiao Qingsheng held up in his hand and punched him in the abdomen. Qiao Qingsheng curled up in pain, struggling to lift his head. When he saw Lin Hanchuan, it was as if he had spotted a savior. “President Yan, save me…”

Before he could finish speaking, Ran Xing punched him in the temple, causing Qiao Qingsheng to collapse to the ground.

With a highly aggressive appearance, Ran Xing’s already striking features seemed like a demon emerging from hell. He looked at Lin Hanchuan and revealed a sneer. “President Yan, you said you would take care of any trouble I caused. Does that still hold true?”

Retracting his gaze from Ran Xing’s red-knuckled fingers, Lin Hanchuan ignored the chilling look in Ran Xing’s eyes. He asked coldly, “What happened?”

“No big deal.” Ran Xing’s face was covered in a thin layer of sweat after the physical exertion. He licked his lips and raised an eyebrow with a smile. “He attempted to assault me after failing to use his position to exploit me. I just gave him a beating.”

In just a few words, a significant amount of information was revealed. Lin Hanchuan instantly understood what had happened. He brushed past Ran Xing and slowly walked into the room.

As their auras brushed past each other, Ran Xing’s scorching heat was almost tangible to Lin Hanchuan, who slightly turned his head to avoid Ran Xing’s burning breath. Lin Hanchuan used his foot to flip Qiao Qingsheng, who was lying on the ground, to see that his chest was still rising and falling, which slightly relieved him.

“Don’t act so impulsively next time. If you accidentally kill someone, it won’t be easy to handle.” Lin Hanchuan took out his phone and dialed a number.

Surprisingly, there was no hint of blame in his voice. Ran Xing’s burning gaze gradually returned to calmness. After a few seconds of silence, he shrugged, pretending to be helpless. “I originally just wanted to teach him a simple lesson, but who knew he would have the audacity to drug me.”

Lin Hanchuan paused while making the call. With an expressionless face, he spoke into the phone, “Hello, officer. There was an attempted assault. My address is…”

After reporting the incident to the police, Lin Hanchuan looked at Ran Xing’s face, flushed with a peachy tint and filled with a hint of watery eyes. He lowered his head and searched on his phone: How to detoxify after being drugged.