Direction

Director Zhang's assistant came with a driver in a van to pick up Wang Yi and the other two, driving straight into the Film Studio.

"Mr. Wang!"

When Zhang Ming saw Wang Yi get out of the car, his eyes immediately lit up slightly.

He hurried over, closing the distance in a few quick strides, and shook his hand.

Ma Dong and Liu Xiaoke, who got out behind him, were both secretly shocked.

Judging from Director Zhang suddenly giving them roles, Wang Yi must have helped him out tremendously.

They did not know exactly how great a favor it had been, but seeing Director Zhang's expression now, it seemed even greater than they had expected.

In truth, Zhang Ming had spent the night looking into Wang Yi's background and discovered a very interesting piece of information.

Master Yi, who had caused such a stir recently, was actually named Wang Yi!

Few people had paid attention to his real name, and there were no related photographs. But considering Master Yi's messages about catching ghosts, as well as the address stating that he operated within Shudian, it was highly likely that he was this great mathematician!

After reaching that conclusion, Zhang Ming had been somewhat bewildered.

How had this gotten tangled up with mathematics? Why did the whole thing feel so wildly out of place?

Had the warning Wang Yi gave after finishing last night been serious?

Zhang Ming was a famous director and rather old-fashioned. There were quite a few old-fashioned people like him who believed in both science and mysticism; the two did not conflict at all.

But even people like them had never really connected science with mysticism.

Yet Mr. Wang Yi before him had done exactly that!

If he had merely been a Master, his influence would only go so far. The industry did care about such things, certainly, but there were limits.

Especially since he had said that he only specialized in catching ghosts!

That was niche even among niche fields. He was so young, too, and had no market to speak of. The only reason Zhang Ming had remained respectful before was because of his personal conduct.

But!

After learning that this man was a great mathematician, Zhang Ming felt differently.

He thought those mathematicians were utterly incomprehensible, proving things like "1+1" for no apparent reason as though there was something seriously wrong with them, and he could not understand any of it.

But this could win a "mathematical Nobel Prize," so its significance was different!

The Academic Circle had a dimensional advantage over the entertainment industry!

The Academic Circle might usually keep quiet and seem to have little presence, but that was only because self-media and the internet placed too much focus on entertainment.

At a time like this, Wang Yi's youth instead represented limitless potential and limitless possibilities. He absolutely could not afford to offend him!

That was why Zhang Ming's behavior did not quite match the status of a famous director.

Being only a Master was nothing special, and being only a mathematician was not much either. But this strange combination, coupled with his youth, meant he had to be given sufficient attention.

Seeing the honeyed smile on the man's face, Wang Yi roughly understood that he might have learned something.

But it did not matter. People at different levels would understand different things about him. Wang Yi had created this situation with his own hands, and perhaps it would lead to cooperation at corresponding levels.

Like this time—it was mutually beneficial.

"Director Zhang, I briefly explained why I came over the phone before coming here. I hope it isn't too much trouble?"

"Not at all. It's only right. This matter started because of me, so I'll follow it through to the end. I booked a table at Xie Ji Private Kitchen for lunch. I'll invite the relevant people as well, and you can ask them directly then. They'll give me that courtesy."

Wang Yi nodded at Director Zhang's words.

This was the advantage of the other man's status. If Wang Yi went himself, it would normally be difficult to find anything out, but for Zhang Ming, it was just a word.

"These are my two friends. I'll have to trouble Director Zhang to look after them."

Wang Yi's words made Zhang Ming turn his attention to Ma Dong and Liu Xiaoke, lingering especially long on Liu Xiaoke.

Slipping a pretty girl into a production was nothing unusual. Coal bosses had loved doing that in the past, and they would only send people in and invest money, never meddling with the production. Those really had been wonderful days.

Unfortunately, coal bosses had been exiting the scene in recent years. Investment in the film industry in 2011 had already fallen below that of 2010, which counted as a sign of their withdrawal.

"Rest assured, leave it to me. I'll put in a word when the time comes and make sure she isn't wronged."

Zhang Ming gave his word directly. As an old-school famous director, he still had that much influence.

As for Ma Dong—well, he was distinctive, and actually easy to arrange. He was not the sort who would cause trouble by being inserted into the production.

What Zhang Ming hated were those film and television companies that wanted to reserve roles at the drop of a hat while also meddling with the script. Arranging someone like this was simply too easy.

As a director, Zhang Ming had a lot to catch up on after being delayed by the supernatural incident for so long.

But now, he merely had the assistant director take Ma Dong and Liu Xiaoke around to get familiar with the place, while he continued chatting with Wang Yi.

"Mr. Wang, your music is quite good too. I really like those two new songs. I can't quite keep up with the melodies young people listen to these days. I'm getting old."

Zhang Ming chuckled as he praised Wang Yi.

Wang Yi did not care about such flattery. He had already displayed enough value, so he would certainly hear more and more words like these. The strong were always surrounded by "good people."

Just like after he became a legend in the other world, even the proud Elf Race had not been as arrogant before him as rumored.

"Director Zhang should understand. Music is only a hobby of mine. Tell me what you know about Lin Shiqin. Let's just chat casually..."

Wang Yi then began learning about the case from Zhang Ming's perspective.

It was human involvement!

That was already certain. The wire had been tampered with and bore marks from being cut by a sharp blade.

But there were no clues to solve the case.

The culprit had been extremely familiar with the surveillance camera locations and had left behind no footage at all, nor any suspicious fingerprints.

After all, it was a filming site, and there were traces from many other people nearby. Everyone in the Film Crew had already undergone a preliminary investigation, but there was currently no lead whatsoever.

"The camera locations are obvious. After all, this is only a temporary Film Crew, so it's possible an outsider infiltrated the place. But the main direction of the investigation is still within the Film Crew. Sigh, Lin Shiqin didn't have an easy background, and she worked very hard. I thought highly of her."

Zhang Ming spoke with some regret.

He was getting older and no longer had the energy he once did. He was no longer keen on things like scripts and instead preferred to cultivate filmmakers capable of carrying the banner.

Recently, he had felt that the atmosphere in the film and television industry was not very good. He was not referring to its already chaotic culture, but to the newcomers being introduced, who seemed increasingly unable to act.

He had previously thought the group of actresses born in the 1980s had already been barely acceptable, but when compared to some of the newcomers who had emerged recently, well—those women he had once not thought much of now utterly crushed them in both acting ability and professionalism.

He truly wanted to nurture Lin Shiqin.

At this moment, Lin Shiqin floated out of Wang Yi's hand. Hearing someone praise her behind her back, her emotions became rather complicated.

"It's precisely because that girl works so hard and is so dedicated that I truly can't understand why someone in the Film Crew would do something like this. The young lady has her own scheming side and isn't particularly approachable, but she doesn't throw her weight around, she's dedicated to her work, and she can endure hardship. I can tell that everyone in the Film Crew has a positive impression of her."

Although Zhang Ming kept saying that it was unlikely someone in the Film Crew had done it, the way he repeatedly emphasized that point showed that he truly suspected it was someone in the Film Crew. He simply could not accept it...

Both updates are complete...

The results will be out tomorrow~

Let me ask in advance for next week's follow-up reading... and for all kinds of votes.