69novels Chapter 21 Returning to School
Chapter 21 Returning to School
On the way back from the airport, Lin Ruiyang and Fatty felt dry and parched the whole way.
After getting off the bus and standing at the school gate, the fat guy got off first, still with a biscuit he'd swiped off the plane in his mouth, and mumbled something:
"Old Lin, look!"
A red banner with white lettering hangs above the school gate: "Warm congratulations to Lin Ruiyang, a student from the Department of Literature, for winning the Silver Lion Award for Best Short Film at the 61st Venice Film Festival."
The banner was quite large, and students coming in and out, as well as passersby, would often look up at it, making it a highlight of this year's freshmen enrollment.
"When did the school become this efficient?" The fat man swallowed the biscuit.
"I just overheard them saying that it was hung up as soon as it got light on the 11th."
The two walked from the school gate all the way to the teaching building. Red congratulatory notices were posted on the bulletin boards along the way, and some students recognized them as "second-year students in the Department of Literature" and "seniors who won the Silver Lion".
To avoid being made a fool of, Lin Ruiyang grabbed the fat man and quickened his pace, rushing to Liu Yibing's office.
"Teacher, we're back."
"It's good that you're back." Liu Yibing put down the newspaper in his hand, looking relieved.
He has mentored so many students over the years, including screenwriters, writers, and planners, but this is the first time someone has worked in the film and television industry and won an international film festival award.
"Where's the trophy? Let me see it."
Lin Ruiyang took the trophy out of his suitcase and handed it over.
Liu Yibing reached out and gently touched the edge of the trophy: "Keep the original here for a couple of days. I'll give it to you after the school history museum has made a replica."
"Okay, teacher."
"It's a pity it conflicts with the Venice schedule, otherwise we would have let you speak at the opening ceremony this year."
Liu Yibing said this with a look of regret.
"It's alright, teacher. There will be other opportunities in the future."
"That's right, old man. We only graduated in 07, so there will be plenty of opportunities."
The fat man chatted away, completely oblivious to the changes in the expressions of the other two.
"You brat, what did you just call me?"
The office fell silent for a moment.
Before the fat man could even wipe the smile off his face, his mouth still half-open, he realized what he had just said.
Liu Yibing didn't say anything, just stared at him.
"Teacher Liu, Director Liu," the fat man gestured with his hands in front of him.
"I did not mean that......"
"So what do you mean?"
"I... I just don't think things through, I talk nonsense, and I don't keep my mouth shut."
"How come you say that nickname so fluently?"
The fat man looked at Lin Ruiyang, his eyes filled with pleading for help.
Lin Ruiyang picked up the teacup on the table and focused intently on watching the tea leaves rise and fall. Little did he know that the fat man spoke without thinking.
"Li Ming, you wrote your final paper on Zhang Yimou for your 'Analysis of Classic Film Screenplays' course last semester, right?"
"Yes, yes."
"I remember your comment was that the analysis was basically correct, but the understanding of narrative structure needs to be improved."
"right."
"Do you know how to improve?"
The fat man shook his head, not daring to reply.
"Then write another article about Jia Zhangke. If your senior thinks it's good enough, then you've improved."
If you don't pass by the end of this semester, you'll have to retake this semester's course next year.
Upon hearing this, the fat man seemed to have been paralyzed, his lips twitching repeatedly before he finally managed to squeeze out a few words:
"I will definitely analyze it carefully."
"Alright, sit down."
The fat man plopped down in the chair and didn't dare to say another word. Lin Ruiyang also put the teacup back on the table, his lips twitching slightly, but he quickly stopped.
After Liu Yibing finished slapping the fat man, the expression on his face showed that he was in a good mood.
"Let's get down to business."
Liu Yibing picked up a document and handed it to the two of them.
"The fax from China Film Group just arrived this morning. The agreement states that China Film Group is investing an additional 50 yuan, and Han Sanping personally signed it. The internal review of the agreement's attachments has been completed, and it's just waiting for your signature."
Seeing Lin Ruiyang looking at the agreement, Liu Yibing continued, "You and Wang Hai should discuss how to allocate the newly invested 50."
The fat man looked at the numbers on the fax again and again, his mouth agape as he was about to speak, but Liu Yibing glanced at him and made him swallow his words.
"As for the press conference, Wang Hai has already made arrangements. He will tell you the specific procedures, so remember to prepare in advance."
On the way back to the dorm from the office, Fatty kept chattering.
Especially after putting away his luggage and leaving the school gate, he went to eat at the noodle shop near the west gate of the school. Fatty was still regretting that he had spoken too quickly, and he had been stirring his chopsticks for a long time without eating a single bite.
"Old Lin, do you think I'm now officially on Teacher Liu's radar?"
"Get on the list? Who told you to show your face in front of the real person?"
Lin Ruiyang picked up a mouthful of noodles, put it in his mouth, chewed it slowly for a couple of bites, and then continued:
"If you write well, he won't deliberately hang you up. Besides, he was just taking his anger out on you."
After muttering a few words, the fat man lowered his head and started eating his noodles, no longer muttering.
On the way back to the dormitory after dinner, Wang Hai called.
"Director Lin, let me check the arrangements for the press conference with you. It's at 10 a.m. on the 15th, at the residential compound where we're filming. There will be about a dozen media outlets there."
In addition, both *Popular Cinema* and *China Film News* would like to schedule separate interviews with you, fifteen minutes each, after the press conference.
"Okay, are all the actors in place?"
"Everything has been confirmed. Teacher Zu Feng is already in place, and all the other main actors will be here by tomorrow night at the latest. The little girl will arrive at nine o'clock on the day filming starts, with her mother accompanying her."
"The script reading will be held the day after tomorrow, and filming will begin on the 15th."
"No problem. There's one more thing you need to keep in mind."
"What?"
"You're the focus of this press conference."
Wang Hai continued, "The Venice Award is now your biggest label."
Nine times out of ten, the questions the media asks will veer towards this. You can answer, but don't let them lead you astray.
"clear."
After hanging up the phone, Lin Ruiyang put his phone back in his pocket.
The fat man asked Wang Hai what he had said, and Lin Ruiyang explained that the actors would arrive gradually tomorrow, the reading session would be held the day after tomorrow, and filming would begin on the 15th.
The fat man counted on his fingers: "Then we'll be busy again in a couple of days."
In September, the campus was full of freshmen who were still full of curiosity. The two continued walking and soon passed the bulletin board again.
A crowd gathered around the red congratulatory notice.
Some people were reading the words aloud, while others were asking, "Who is Lin Ruiyang?"
The older students pointed to the photo and said, "That's the one we just walked past."
The fat guy turned around and glanced at him: "Old Lin, are you considered a celebrity at our school now?"
"I don't know if it counts, but you have to finish Jia Zhangke's thesis this semester."
The fat man let out a wail and quickly followed.
Back in his dorm room, Lin Ruiyang found the script and storyboard, and drifted off to sleep with the images in his mind.