Two Tricks Up Her Sleeve (Fourth Update, Ten Thousand Words)

There was no problem between lovers that one round of PUA could not solve. If one was not enough, then do another.

Don't get the wrong idea.

The "P" here stood for "PUA."

That was just how two people got along.

One side always had to overpower the other.

One side had to accommodate the other a little.

In his previous life, Shen Shanden's marriage had failed. Looking back on it later, he realized he had not been forceful enough.

He had failed to keep the initiative in his own hands. He had respected opinions too much and overlooked the fact that people's understanding differed.

Some people were not suited to living a good life.

It was not that they did not know how to live. They could endure hardship, but once life became sweet, once things got good and there was nothing to worry about, they instead felt uncomfortable all over.

Such people were few, but they did exist.

In this life, Shen Shanden had to hold tightly to the initiative. When it was time to throw a heavy punch, he would not hesitate.

Da Mimi remembered that they had not had dinner yet. She wiped herself down casually, then hurriedly got up to tidy things up.

Seeing Shen Shanden still sprawled on the sofa, Da Mimi spat, "Get up. We haven't eaten yet. Aren't you hungry?"

Da Mimi tidied up the sofa, coffee table, and cabinets, while Shen Shanden remained calm and unmoved by worldly distractions, deep in thought.

Cooking was out of the question. They could only buy food from outside.

At the dining table.

Da Mimi still could not resist asking, "How is the Brotherhood of Blades project going?"

No matter how one put it, this was a massive project worth over a hundred million.

China Film Group was leading it, and historical costume films were a hot genre.

Yes, although the Big Three Directors had all flopped, historical costume films remained popular.

Da Mimi thought that even if she could not compete with Hong Kong and Taiwan Stars for the major roles, with Shen Shanden helping her, landing a substantial supporting role would not be a problem.

As for Shen Shanden having complete control over the project, Da Mimi had never considered it.

To outsiders, the director controlled a production, and the domestic industry also followed a Director-centered system, but directors came in different ranks.

If it were someone like Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, or Feng Xiaogang, once they were determined to do something, even producers and investors could not sway them.

During the filming of Assembly, Feng Xiaogang had kicked Chen Shu off the set after only a few days. No amount of pleading had helped.

For a newcomer like Shen Shanden, who had just entered the industry, it was already impressive to have even basic Discourse Power on a production.

Without answering Da Mimi's question, Shen Shanden picked up a slice of twice-cooked pork and ate it with relish, watching Da Mimi across from him with interest.

To maintain her figure, she had only eaten a tiny amount before stopping.

She was deliberately tempting him.

Da Mimi turned her head away.

Shen Shanden urged, "Eat more. Replenish your stamina, and don't forget to drink water. You used up quite a bit of energy just now."

Da Mimi immediately crossed her hands in an X. "We're done for today."

Shen Shanden criticized her, "You always let your thoughts drift downward."

Da Mimi:?

It was not as though she had never tried being subtle, but as long as she did not explicitly refuse, Shen Shanden took it as a cheerful yes.

Seeing how deliciously he was eating, Da Mimi could not help craving it too. She picked up a piece of twice-cooked pork, ate the lean meat, and left the fatty part for Shen Shanden.

Shen Shanden said disdainfully, "You took a bite out of it, then put it in my bowl. Isn't that dirty?"

Da Mimi snapped back, "Weren't you enjoying what you ate just now?"

The moment the words left her mouth, Da Mimi became embarrassed herself.

What was she even saying? Shen Shanden had led her astray!

Coming back to her senses, Da Mimi pulled the topic back. "Stop changing the subject. How is the Brotherhood of Blades project going? What stage is it at? Don't lie to me this time. Give me the real story."

"I just didn't tell you. I've never lied to you," Shen Shanden corrected.

Da Mimi said, "Can't you give in to me just a little?"

Shen Shanden said, "Men and women are equal. If I gave in to you, wouldn't that mean I was looking down on you?"

Seeing that she looked about ready to cry again, Shen Shanden could only speak while eating. "When you're young, you should have drive. When it's time to charge, you charge!"

"Now is the time for people like us to spread our wings. Last year, the Big Three Directors all went dark. Brother Kaizi is China Film Group's top general, Little Steel Cannon represents Huayi's Beijing Circle faction, and Old Zhang belongs to the Northwest Circle."

"The establishment, the independents, the Beijing Circle, the regional factions—none of them are doing well."

Da Mimi was speechless. "I asked how the Brotherhood of Blades project was doing. Does any of what you said have anything to do with that?"

"Hopeless!"

Shen Shanden said bitterly, "The road of historical costume blockbusters is tied to the marketization of Chinese Cinema. Hero opened the path to film marketization back then and introduced the theater revenue-sharing model."

"The Blockbuster Strategy was also an important film strategy promoted by Han Sanping."

"Last year, every major force on the mainland went dark. Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, and Feng Xiaogang—those three could be called the barometers of the China Film Market. When they falter, it becomes a disaster for the film market."

"A critical point has arrived. Hollywood's endless dumping of films seemed as though it could make the domestic film industry collapse overnight."

"For us, that is an opportunity!"

"External threats were watching hungrily while internal pressures demanded transformation. The stagnant waters were stirred up, and countless cracks appeared in what had once been an unbreakable ceiling."

"What was Feng Xiaogang before? Someone who ran errands for the Children of high-ranking cadres. Look at those Children of high-ranking cadres now—how many of them are doing better than him? He may not be riding above Huayi's head, but they have achieved each other's success."

"To put it bluntly, twenty or thirty years earlier, Feng Xiaogang could have dreamed his whole life and never gotten to hold a director's megaphone!"

Da Mimi was truly convinced by this man.

It was not that Shen Shanden had failed to answer her question.

It was precisely because of the current situation, with external pressures closing in step by step, that talented people could receive opportunities, and that the Brotherhood of Blades project could gain Han Sanping's support.

That was how Shen Shanden, as a newcomer, could leap in one step over a road that would take many directors ten years or even longer to travel.

Feng Xiaogang had also seized the opportunity presented by The Dream Factory and followed Han Sanping's strategy of promoting commercial films, allowing him to complete that crucial leap.

But if she said Shen Shanden had answered her question, he had not.

This man did not lie, but neither did he tell the truth.

He could even speak seriously about things that seemed utterly unrelated, all while making them sound fascinating.

Seeing Da Mimi's distracted expression, Shen Shanden shook his head inwardly.

Unless necessary, he generally would not analyze the situation for others.

Shen Shanden knew the outcome. His knowledge was wealth.

What a rare and precious opportunity—yet she was not properly seizing it!

Da Mimi's level of understanding was high among arts students, but there was clearly still a gap.

Shen Shanden reminded her, "This concerns you too."

Da Mimi blinked and asked in confusion, "What does it have to do with me?"

Shen Shanden said, "Is Huayi the most deeply connected among the Children of high-ranking cadres? No. Rongxinda is no worse. It was economic development and institutional reform that released more benefits, and opening up to the outside world that broke through some of those circles."

"That was how Little Steel Cannon came to be, how Zhang Yimou did better than Jiang Wen and Tian Lili, and better than Wang Shuo too."

"That was how Ning Hao emerged. When he made Crazy Stone, China Film Group helped him put together funding. Every cent Crazy Stone earned was poured into his next film, cherishing him like something that might melt in their hands."

"That was how I could earn Han Sanping's favor with nothing but a project concept."

"Conversely, the company you signed with is like Tian Lili and those Children of high-ranking cadres from the previous era. It will increasingly fail to keep up with the pace of development and be pushed further and further to the margins."

Da Mimi's expression changed slightly.

She had already sensed Rongxinda's limitations, but she had not understood why. After hearing Shen Shanden's analysis, she felt suddenly enlightened.

This circle still depended on connections and channels, but it was also becoming fairer than before.

The principles, rules, and methods that had worked in the past did not mean they would still work now or in the future.

Rongxinda had worked in the previous era, but now it was beginning to struggle.

Still, Da Mimi remained calm. "Even if it declines, that will take time. I'm only moderately famous right now. Rongxinda is enough for me."

Shen Shanden showed appreciation. As expected of someone who would rise to the very top in the future, she really did have two tricks up her sleeve.

Da Mimi said, "What I'm thinking is that once my contract expires, I'll see whether there are opportunities on Hong Kong Island. They developed earlier than us, are more professional, and know how to package people better."

Shen Shanden's expression froze.

She had two tricks up her sleeve, but only two.

Another fourth update, ten thousand words. It was the fifth day after testing positive. This time it did not hurt, but I had a cough, a runny nose, and discomfort in my respiratory tract. I've been scared stiff. I'm really pushing myself to the limit.

Qidian changed its recommendation rules. Rewrites like mine could still get recommendations before, but now there is no hope. I can only count on the hundred-thousand-word algorithmic recommendation, as well as fixed slots like Sanjiang and strong recommendations.

The new-book ranking period is almost up too. I can only give it everything and increase the word count. Please keep reading, everyone.

Oh, and this version of The Grand Director is different from the previous one. It will fit the plot logic.