Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 6 Huang Lei, the Young and Handsome Man

Many people feel that Jia Zhangke is a director who deliberately sells the tragedies and dark side of China to foreign countries because his focus is on the lower class and some marginalized groups. They feel that his film content tarnishes and lowers the image of China.

But Wu Yuchen believes that movies should be diverse, including mindless, flashy popcorn blockbusters, as well as directors like Jia Yueting who focus on the underprivileged and address social issues.

He wouldn't say how much he likes Jia Zhangke's movies, but he also wouldn't yell at him to get out of China.

After all, the lower classes have always made up the majority of China's population, which makes it more tolerant of a director who films about their lives. Many things in the real world are far more surreal than anything in a movie.

Writing down 4000 yuan for Jia Zhangke in his notebook, Wu Yuchen was deeply moved by Jia Zhangke's passion for film and solemnly promised him:
"Don't worry, senior brother, I will definitely lead everyone to make a decent movie!"

Inspired by Lao Jia, almost everyone present generously donated, even Chen Er and Fatty Wu took out their wallets.

Some contributed a few hundred, others over a thousand, and in the end, the entire household of more than twenty people managed to scrape together 3 yuan!

Wu Yuchen immediately made an agreement with everyone that after dinner that night, they would gather together, pool their money, and hand it over to Lao Jia, whom everyone trusted, for safekeeping.

He understood that everyone had just revealed the numbers out of enthusiasm, and that some people might regret it once they calmed down. After all, dreams sometimes can't compete with money. Although most students were too shy to back out, it was still best to quickly gather the money to avoid any unforeseen complications and allow everyone to focus on filming without overthinking.

Moreover, Wu Yuchen has already begun to exercise the power of a director, assigning tasks to everyone and starting preparations for the film crew. The primary task at present is to let everyone use their personal connections to get the filming equipment.

Walking along the campus path he had come from, Wu Yuchen said to Wu Shixian and Chen Er beside him, "Thanks!"

I brought these two people over, and they even invested money in the production team.

"Haha, it's because your script moved me!"

"Exactly, buddy. I'm not personal. If your script is garbage, I won't pay a single penny even if you treat me to dinner!"

Wu Yuchen took note of their feelings and said no more.

Fatty Wu asked, "Wu Yuchen, what are you doing here?"

"Looking for the male lead."

"The male lead? Weren't you going to find the cameraman?"

Wu Yuchen smiled slightly upon hearing this: "Oh, the male lead and the camera are taken care of together!"

Fatty Wu became curious about who the male lead Wu Yuchen was looking for would be. In his understanding, this male lead was a beacon of light in the entire car, representing good qualities. He couldn't beat the robbers, so he didn't need to be tall and imposing; ideally, he should be fair-skinned and clean-cut, the kind of person who would immediately inspire goodwill.

There was a knocking sound on the office door.

"Please come in."

A handsome young man with long, center-parted hair raised his head. He had a slender face and delicate features, exuding an artistic and gentle temperament.

Wu Yuchen immediately greeted him with a smile:

"Senior brother, did I disturb you?"

Looking at Huang Lei's youthful appearance, which could easily outshine a group of young heartthrobs in later years, and recalling Chef Huang's chubby, round face twenty years later, Wu Yuchen sighed inwardly that time is a cruel butcher's knife, each cut urging people to gain weight.

In terms of appearance, Huang Lei definitely meets the requirements for the male lead, and his acting skills are beyond question; he's more than capable of shooting a short film, making him an excellent choice. Moreover, if we can get Huang Lei to play the male lead, we won't have to worry about equipment; we can borrow everything from the school.

Huang Lei, born in 95, worked as a teaching assistant for acting classes at Beijing Film Academy. Acting classes were not only for acting majors but also required for directing students. Wu Yuchen was the class representative, so he and Huang Lei became quite familiar with each other.

Huang Lei wasn't much older than them, so he didn't put on airs as a teacher and always let the students call him "senior brother".

Looking at his student, whose handsomeness was no less than his own, Huang Lei couldn't help but smile and say:
"Come in, is there anything I can help you with in class?"

Wu Yuchen smiled and moved closer to Huang Lei, saying in a slightly ingratiating tone:
"Senior, it's not about the class, I need your help!"

Huang Lei was slightly surprised, but seeing Wu Yuchen's attitude, he chuckled and said:

"Tell me what it is, and I'll definitely help if I can."

"I've written a script, could you take a look at it for me?" Wu Yuchen said, handing over the script.

"Wow, he wrote his own script so soon after entering the school!"

Huang Lei accepted it with a smile, assuming it was meant for him to critique the script. However, teachers appreciate students with such insightful ideas and are happy to help him review the script, offer suggestions, and assist him in his improvement.

Huang Lei read it quite attentively, slowly. His expression gradually changed from relaxed at the beginning to serious. Even after finishing the last sentence, he was still immersed in the story and his heart was shaken. He felt that the whole story was both shocking and thought-provoking.

The male lead's smile at the end is especially memorable.

A moment later, he looked up, his face showing no sign of surprise: "Did you really write this script?"

Wu Yuchen nodded: "Senior brother, what do you think?"

Huang Lei immediately wanted to praise it as excellent. This story was something that even a professional screenwriter might not be able to write, let alone a student. The script was full of inspiration.

However, such a brilliant story could very well have been created by a new student, as experienced screenwriters are bound by too many rules and regulations.

But when the words were about to come out, Huang Lei thought that Wu Yuchen had just entered the school, so he couldn't praise him too much to avoid making him arrogant.

"Not bad, I didn't know you had this trick up your sleeve!"

Huang Lei hadn't expected Wu Yuchen to be so thoughtful in addition to his handsome appearance, and thought to himself that this year's Beijing Film Academy directing class was going to produce a promising talent.

Wu Yuchen smiled first, then immediately followed up with:
"Senior brother, you think it's pretty good too? Why don't you lend a hand and be our male lead?"

Huang Lei was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and pointed at Wu Yuchen with his finger, teasingly saying:
"Good lad, so that's what you were planning!"

Can you afford my salary?

Huang Lei rose to fame in 90 with his starring role in the renowned director Chen Kaige's "Life on a String". During his school years, he also acted in several TV series. Last year, he participated in "The Phantom Lover" starring Leslie Cheung, which received great acclaim after its broadcast this year.

Therefore, although Huang Lei is only a junior teaching assistant at Beijing Film Academy, his salary is not low, and there are even agencies in Hong Kong and Taiwan begging him to sign a contract and release records.

(End of this chapter)