Male Lead
Liu Chang'an remembered reading a novel from around 2011 or 2012. In it, the female protagonist, wanting the male protagonist to continue sleeping and avoid being disturbed in class, played cards in his arms. So she removed the battery from his phone.
These are such nostalgic details... If Bai Hui's phone had a removable battery now, she probably would have already removed it; she probably wouldn't feel safe even in airplane mode.
Liu Chang'an then did not send any messages or make any phone calls to Bai Hui.
Other girls would ask her for photos, but her camera was still with him, so it was impossible for her not to come looking for him. In this process, Liu Chang'an was always the most patient one.
So Liu Chang'an returned to school, put the camera in his dormitory locker and locked it. He glanced at his bookshelf and saw that one book was missing; Sun Shutong had probably borrowed it.
Books are the ladder of human progress.
Reading brings joy.
Liu Chang'an took a book to the classroom for his last class of the day. Zhu Juntang was either absent all day or only absent for this last class. The huge classroom was empty of the fairy-like figure. Yan Qingcheng, however, turned around and glanced at him. When their eyes met, she hesitated for a moment but still nodded in greeting.
After class, Liu Chang'an was about to go home when he saw a small cart selling roasted corn. He went over to ask if they also sold stewed eggs, and they did. He bought three and sat down by the roadside to peel and eat them.
This method involves wrapping a raw egg in paper, wetting the paper with water, and then baking it near a fire. The aroma after cracking the eggshell is unparalleled and cannot be compared to that of a boiled egg.
Some people only like to eat egg whites, while others eat both egg whites and yolks. However, it is relatively rare to find someone who only eats egg yolks and not egg whites.
As Liu Chang'an ate his egg, he saw Guan Yuan standing at the crossroads, looking at him with an embarrassed expression. Thinking that it had been a long time since they last met, he waved to him warmly.
Guan Yuan walked over, looked at Liu Chang'an sitting on the steps eating an egg, suppressed his emotions, and asked expressionlessly, "What is it?"
"It's nothing, just saying hello." Liu Chang'an held up the last egg. "Want some?"
"Last time we met you buried Laozi, and today you're asking Laozi if I want some eggs? Laozi 'll eat your mother's ass!" Guan Yuan thought to himself. If he wasn't certain he couldn't beat Liu Chang'an, he would have smashed this bastard to death with eggs.
Liu Chang'an cracked the egg on the steps, peeled it little by little, and put it in a small plastic bag. He usually asks for a small plastic bag to put away the trash when he buys food with shells and bits of food.
"What's up?" Liu Chang'an asked, somewhat puzzled, after peeling the eggs and noticing that Guan Yuan was still standing in front of him. He had only meant to say hello; he didn't really have anything in common with Guan Yuan or any interest in chatting.
"I've been thinking about making a movie lately."
Liu Chang'an nodded. Nowadays, shooting videos and doing post-production are so convenient. It's just a matter of short videos versus long videos, differences in special effects, acting skills, and production quality... It's not uncommon for students to make movies. Back in the 80s and 90s, fashionable students were making movies on various themes, mostly mainstream films that were appreciated in Europe and America.
Are you interested in playing the male lead?
"Not interested." Although the whole thing seemed so absurd it would make anyone drop their egg, Liu Chang'an remained calm. He had encountered far too many nonsensical things, so he calmly ate his egg, making sure the yolk didn't fall from the corner of his mouth.
"This is a film depicting the joint operation of opium dens, warlord groups, and concession governments during the Republic of China era, where warlord conflicts were actually a means of cultivating opium and collecting opium taxes," Guan Yuan said, flipping through the folder in his hand.
"Why film this?" Liu Chang'an looked up at Guan Yuan. "Isn't it trendy now to portray the rogues and warlords of that era as chivalrous heroes who understand national righteousness and value loyalty?"
Guan Yuan paused for a moment, then flipped through his folders again. "That's none of my business. I'll just stick to the script that's already been filmed."
"Why don't you make a web movie based on yourself? A young man's extraordinary adventure, from which he roams the campus, marrying the school beauty, taking mature women as concubines, having a policewoman as his lover, and being antagonized by a rich heiress, with added family feuds and conspiracies... It sounds really good," Liu Chang'an said with interest.
"The school beauty of this school is An Nuan." Hearing Liu Chang'an's teasing, Guan Yuan couldn't help but blush and retort.
"I was just joking with you." Liu Chang'an stood up and patted Guan Yuan on the shoulder. "Who told you to joke with me?"
Guan Yuan felt an intense pain in his shoulder and quickly took two steps back, glaring at Liu Chang'an. "I also have serious business to discuss with you."
"Go on, but don't joke about my girlfriend," Liu Chang'an said calmly, offering only a gentle reminder.
"I'd like to cast you as the male lead in this movie because I feel you're perfect for the role. You can take the script back and take a look." Guan Yuan handed over the folder in his hand.
Liu Chang'an did not answer.
"This is unreliable. Tell me, how do you plan to trick me?" Liu Chang'an asked. He hadn't forgotten that he had buried Guan Yuan last time. Repaying evil with kindness is quite common, but it's rare between people. He figured Guan Yuan didn't have that kind of awareness or magnanimity.
Moreover, even setting aside the minor conflict between Liu Chang'an and Guan Yuan, just talking about making a movie, having a script that's still unknown, a student with no prior industry experience, unclear investment, undecided cast, and no other plans for the film, and expecting someone to agree to play the lead role... only a naive and lively child would take that seriously.
"I'm not trying to trick you; I plan to invest 300 million yuan in this movie."
"Goodbye."
Liu Chang'an left without looking back.
Guan Yuan quickly caught up and stuffed the script into Liu Chang'an's bag. This time, his attitude was extremely sincere. "Brother Liu, Brother Liu, please, at least take a look at the script. For the sake of the fact that you buried me alive."
Human hearts are made of flesh and blood, after all. Since you've already said you buried me alive, Liu Chang'an nodded. No matter what crazy Guan Yuan is up to, or how he's trying to trick Liu Chang'an, let's see what his script is for first.
However, Guan Yuan wants to make a movie, Liu Chang'an will definitely not participate. Although he has nothing to do every day, he still has to go to school, has a girlfriend to accompany, a dog to walk, and kindergarten children... no, he has first-grade children to feed. So he is quite busy.
The main reason I read this script was to see what kind of story unfolds in the era I'm familiar with.
After much thought, Guan Yuan realized he had neither the motivation nor the capital to make this kind of film. His claim of investing 300 million yuan seemed far-fetched.
Throughout 2017, only three domestic films had an investment exceeding 300 million yuan: Kung Fu Yoga, Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back, and Once Upon a Time. The first two made some money, but not much.
If that's true, then it's the person behind Guan Yuan.
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There's a book review activity in the book review section, focusing on appreciating and commenting on the women in this book. We hope everyone will participate actively. Xia Hua bought a pair of special glasses for writing; her eyes feel much more comfortable now. There's another chapter tonight.