Why did it turn out this way?
Wan Xiaoquan took a sip of his fragrant tea and said in a deep voice, "Because today's audiences are already tired of those copycat, trend-chasing genre dramas. Viewers' tastes are improving, and so are their expectations for films and TV series."
"Production companies that lack ambition and only think about taking shortcuts will sooner or later be eliminated. They can't keep fooling audiences forever with clumsy plagiarism and shoddy storytelling. Works without fresh ideas or unique concepts are bound to be abandoned by viewers; it's inevitable!"
"In my opinion, 'Vast Seas of Love' is nothing more than a beautifully packaged drama with massive advertising but poor substance. There's no essential difference between it and Xiangnan Satellite TV's previous self-produced shows. What they overlooked is one very important point: TV audiences have matured."
"To be honest, I was already surprised that 'Vast Seas of Love' didn't start losing ratings until episodes five and six. In my view, after watching the first two episodes, there's no need to continue. If you've already seen 'Autumn in My Heart', that's enough, why chew on cold leftovers again?"
As he vented, everyone present smiled knowingly.
July in the capital city was the hottest time of the year, but inside the elegant private room of Yuming Tea Garden, shaded by lush greenery, there was no need for air conditioning. A gentle breeze flowed in through the open windows, bringing a natural sense of calm and refreshment.
A pot of fine tea, a few plates of snacks, three to five close friends sitting together and chatting, enough to leisurely pass an entire afternoon.
Wan Xiaoquan looked a little animated. He set down his teacup and gazed at Lu Chen, who was sitting across from him, admiration shining in his eyes.
"By comparison, 'Full House' is far more interesting. It's warm and romantic, yet still humorous and lighthearted. It gives audiences a strong sense of freshness. What makes this drama truly good is that the screenwriter knows how to tell a story. Surpassing 'Vast Seas of Love' in ratings was inevitable, and it'll go even higher!"
One of the middle-aged men present laughed. "Old Wan, I never thought you'd be studying TV dramas so seriously these days."
Though it sounded like teasing, there was no malice in it, he was an old friend of Wan Xiaoquan's.
This gathering had been organized by Wan Xiaoquan. He had invited several friends from the entertainment industry, along with Lu Chen.
Lu Chen happened to have some free time and gladly joined this small, private tea gathering.
Wan Xiaoquan was a student of the renowned director Zhang Wentian and one of the well-known representatives of the Fifth Generation of directors, a truly talented individual who had earned Zhang Wentian's high regard.
As the saying goes, character determines fate. Wan Xiaoquan had a violent temper. Two years ago, he injured someone during a conflict and was sent to prison. He had only been released a few months earlier.
Now, Wan Xiaoquan was essentially living in seclusion. Due to certain regulations, no film companies or investors were willing to approach him for projects. His life had become rather bleak.
And the friends he still had left were only the few sitting here today.
After that upheaval, Wan Xiaoquan's temperament had clearly changed. He was no longer fiery and volatile, but had become tolerant and calm. In the past, a joke like that would have angered him, but now he simply laughed it off.
"I've got nothing better to do, so I watch TV at home every day," Wan Xiaoquan said with self-mockery. "Since I probably won't be making films anymore, maybe trying TV dramas isn't so bad."
The few friends fell silent.
The old Wan Xiaoquan, despite his bad temper, had been full of confidence, pride, and creative drive.
The current Wan Xiaoquan, however, carried an inescapable sense of desolation.
The Wan Xiaoquan of the past had looked down on TV dramas, only films, in his eyes, were true art.
Now, he sat at home watching television.
The contrast was too stark, leaving an unspoken heaviness in everyone's hearts.
Lu Chen keenly sensed the change in atmosphere inside the private room. Without batting an eye, he opened the briefcase he had brought with him, took out a thick stack of manuscript pages, and handed them to Wan Xiaoquan.
Wan Xiaoquan was momentarily stunned. "This is…?"
Lu Chen smiled. "It's a film script I wrote. I was hoping to ask you, Teacher Wan, to give me some advice."
Wan Xiaoquan was surprised. "Then I'll have to take a good look at it."
He accepted the script solemnly with both hands, his gaze involuntarily falling on the cover page.
The title was striking,
'A Chinese Ghost Story'!
Wan Xiaoquan's heart skipped a beat. He couldn't help but flip to the first page and carefully read the synopsis. The synopsis on the second page was only three to four hundred words long, yet it took him a full five minutes to finish reading.
After finishing the outline, Wan Xiaoquan let out a long breath. "This is Nie Xiaoqian from Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio!"
Lu Chen smiled. "Yes. This script is adapted from Nie Xiaoqian."
Wan Xiaoquan felt his thoughts struggling to keep up. "You want to make a movie?"
Lu Chen nodded. "Yes."
There was nothing to hide about it. The life path Lu Chen had planned for himself was to develop across film, television, and music.
In the entertainment industry, film actors sat at the very top in terms of prestige. Lu Chen's desire to make movies hadn't appeared overnight, he had had the idea from the moment he entered the industry, and he had long since begun laying the groundwork.
This 'A Chinese Ghost Story' script had taken him five days to write and organize. It totaled around forty thousand words and filled well over a hundred printed pages.
Ever since returning to the capital after finishing the nationwide promotional tour for 'Full House', Lu Chen had spent most of his time at home, shut in and typing away at the keyboard. Apart from writing 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer', he had been working on 'A Chinese Ghost Story'.
He intended to use this film as his big-screen debut.
However, the number of film directors Lu Chen knew could be counted on one hand. The most prominent among them, Zhang Wentian, had already retired. That was why he thought of Wan Xiaoquan. Coincidentally, Wan Xiaoquan had invited him out for tea, so Lu Chen brought the printed script along.
Wan Xiaoquan specialized in period films and had directed Legend of the White Snake. Lu Chen believed that with Wan Xiaoquan's directing ability, handling 'A Chinese Ghost Story' would not be a problem at all.
Wan Xiaoquan wasn't stupid. Even though Lu Chen hadn't said it outright, how could he not understand what Lu Chen was implying?
"You're not thinking of having me direct this film, are you?"
Lu Chen smiled. "If Teacher Wan is willing to help, that would naturally be the best outcome."
Wan Xiaoquan gave a bitter smile. "You know my situation."
He had spent over a year in prison, and he still hadn't fully paid the price for that impulsive mistake. In the industry, he was effectively blacklisted for at least another two years, there was no way he could come out and direct again right now.
Even though he was deeply tempted.
Lu Chen was young, but he was humble, respectful toward his seniors, already a well-known artist, and even ran his own studio. He was thriving in the entertainment industry and possessed strong market appeal.
In other words, Lu Chen was an excellent partner.
'Unfortunately…' Wan Xiaoquan sighed softly in his heart.
(End of chapter)
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