Chapter Eighty-Eight: The Film Begins Shooting

Chapter 88: The Film Begins

“The world of male idols is not something you can comprehend,” Feng Lei said with a laugh.

“If I moved from behind the scenes to the front, what business would it be of yours?” Tang Xiao replied disdainfully.

Like Zhang Le, he majored in directing, but in terms of appearance, he surpassed even Feng Lei, who had studied acting.

“Even if you step in front of the camera, no one would call you a male idol—at best, maybe a mischievous spirit!” Feng Lei chuckled and added, “To be a male idol, you need a certain masculinity. Manliness—do you understand?”

“You may not make it as a male idol, but you could pass for a heartthrob,” Zhang Le said with a grin, twisting the knife. Yet there was some truth to it: Tang Xiao was the youngest among them, only twenty-three. In the entertainment world, he certainly qualified as a fresh face.

“Don’t gloat, second brother. You’re wildly popular right now, but how come no one calls you a male idol? There are people older than you who are still called heartthrobs, but not you. And don’t say it’s because you’re behind the scenes and not a star,” Tang Xiao shot back, rolling his eyes.

“Married men live in a world you can’t possibly understand,” Zhang Le replied coolly, the implication obvious: The only reason he didn’t have such a title was because he was already taken. Envy me if you like.

“All right, let’s order,” Feng Lei cut in.

“Hey, Feng Lei? Zhang Le!” The restaurant owner came in, uncertain at first when he saw Feng Lei, but as soon as he spotted Zhang Le, his tone became sure.

“That’s not us, we just look alike,” Zhang Le joked.

“Really?” The owner frowned, unconvinced. He scrutinized the pair, then said, “No, it’s definitely you two. You used to be film academy students and came to my little shop all the time. Your juniors still talk about it, but they can hardly believe it.”

“All right, you’ve got us,” Feng Lei said, shooting a smug glance at Tang Xiao, basking in his own triumph.

Tang Xiao just smiled, accustomed to his friend’s antics.

“Wait here a moment,” the owner said, and left, leaving the three of them momentarily dumbfounded.

“You two are in for it now,” Tang Xiao said, unable to hide his schadenfreude.

“It shouldn’t be that bad,” Zhang Le shook his head. He didn’t believe the owner would run outside and shout about their presence.

Sure enough, before Zhang Le finished speaking, the owner returned, carrying a thick notebook.

“Would you two mind giving our little shop some feedback?” The owner passed the notebook to Zhang Le with a smile.

“A comment book?” Zhang Le opened it, smiled, and said, “I think we wrote in this before.”

Without any fuss, Zhang Le took up a pen and wrote, “Great value for money,” then signed his name and passed it to Feng Lei.

Feng Lei glanced at it, chuckled, signed his name as well, and handed it back to the owner.

“Let’s have a toast!” Feng Lei raised his glass.

“To us!” they echoed.

“Third brother, why aren’t you staying in Hollywood? What made you come back?” Feng Lei asked, turning to Tang Xiao.

“Hollywood isn’t as easy as you think. Even our top directors struggle there, let alone someone new like me. I have no work, no credentials. In the crew, I was just an errand boy—never got a real chance. Even if I landed a blockbuster, I doubt I could handle it,” Tang Xiao shook his head.

“So what’s your plan now that you’re back?” Zhang Le asked.

“What else? Find a crew to get some experience, then write a script, pull together some investment, and try shooting a couple of low-budget films to hone my craft,” Tang Xiao replied.

Zhang Le exchanged a glance with Feng Lei, then said, “Xin’er and I started a film studio. If you don’t mind it being small or beneath your talents, why not join us?”

“I’m already a signed artist under his company. If you come, the three of us will be working together again,” Feng Lei chimed in.

“Of course!” Tang Xiao grinned.

“You’re straightforward. Aren’t you worried I’ll take advantage of you?” Zhang Le laughed. “With your overseas experience, any big film company would welcome you.”

“Would you?” Tang Xiao smiled.

Of course, Zhang Le would not.

“Our film is about to start shooting. Do you want to get familiar with the crew, or start working on a new project?” Zhang Le asked.

“I’ll learn from the great director first. I have no inspiration for a new film yet,” Tang Xiao replied with a smile.

“Hey, that reminds me,” Feng Lei suddenly interjected. “Didn’t you have a script you never planned to shoot? Wouldn’t it be a waste to just leave it? Why not let third brother use it for practice?”

“Which one are you talking about?” Zhang Le asked, puzzled.

“‘Winning Over the Future Father-in-law!’ That’s the one,” Feng Lei replied.

“All right! I’ll give you the script. If you like it, go ahead and shoot it. If not, I’ll write you another one,” Zhang Le said to Tang Xiao.

“There’s no need for thanks among brothers. Cheers!” Tang Xiao raised his glass and drained it in one gulp.

“Cheers!” Zhang Le and Feng Lei echoed.

Zhang Le had become an overnight sensation with “Crazy Stone.” Naturally, his second film was highly anticipated. Recently, the debate online over whether he should focus on music or film had become a hot topic.

As Yang Xin’er put it: “Being outstanding is its own trouble!”

At the launch for such a talented man’s second film, countless media outlets flocked to the event.

Of all the film’s main creators, the most attention naturally fell on director Zhang Le and leading lady Yang Xin’er. As for male lead Feng Lei, he struggled to stand out in the presence of those two.

“Director Zhang, will the style of ‘Flirting Scholar’ resemble your last film, ‘Crazy Stone’?” a reporter asked, unable to resist. The style of “Crazy Stone” had left a profound impression and was much discussed. Since such a personal style had never appeared before, one film was not enough—audiences were eager for more of the same in Zhang Le’s second feature.

“They’re both comedies, but the narrative approach will be different. If I just keep repeating ‘Crazy Stone,’ people will say I’m rehashing old tricks! As a director, to break new ground, one must keep trying new things,” Zhang Le replied with a smile.

Apart from being comedies, “Flirting Scholar” and “Crazy Stone” had nothing in common—not even their comedic styles.

Rather than shoot Ning Hao’s “Crazy Racer,” Zhang Le decided on another comedy with a highly personal touch, precisely to avoid being pigeonholed by a single style.

For a director, being typecast is a kind of tragedy.

Furthermore, making “Flirting Scholar” was a test in itself. Was a “Flirting Scholar” without the legendary Zhou really the same classic film? Could it still be as iconic?

For Zhang Le, it was undoubtedly a challenge!