600 Persuasion
In fact, the origin of ‘Rebirth’ came from Shi Mingyu. Qian Wu was inspired by his words and went back to write ‘Rebirth’. However, before he could finish writing, Shi Mingyu came to say goodbye, saying he did not want to film a movie with him anymore. Director Chen had taken a fancy to him, and he wanted to try working on a commercial film with Director Chen’s team.
Qian Wu was stunned. At that moment, he felt betrayed and abandoned. He did not understand why a good friend who had promised to work hard together would suddenly drop out and leave.
Shi Mingyu seemed to have noticed his helplessness and explained, “I’m different from you. I don’t live in the clouds. While you may be able to go home with countless wealth, I can’t! I need to support myself and my parents’ retirement. I’m already past the age where dreams are enough. Dreams are irreplaceable, but you can’t deny reality. I have to survive first before I have the right to talk about dreams.”
“I have money! I can help you,” Qian Wu said excitedly.
“Qian Wu, we’re like-minded friends, but that doesn’t mean I can keep taking your money with a clear conscience! Especially now, when the future is far from reality, we have to learn to compromise. Let ourselves have the capital first before talking about dreams. Besides, I can’t live with you and rely on the pocket money your family gives you, can I?” Shi Mingyu had made himself very clear, so he left Qian Wu’s team to walk into Director Chen’s. He wrote commercial films he did not like in the past, got along with everyone, and learned to give up on his different ideas.
Qian Wu was still determined to go on alone. It was not until the funding for ‘Black and White’ was cut, and all the actors had left that he realized he had nothing left. He sat on the rooftop, thinking about his future and persistence. He felt that he was now bored. He sent the completed ‘Rebirth’ script to Shi Mingyu and said, “I forgive you, and I give up.”
Qian Wu looked at his script. Every time he flipped through a page, a line would appear in his eyes. He thought of the Shi Mingyu of the past, who was more ambitious and confident than him. It was as if he would never tire. Now that even such a person had chosen to give up, perhaps he should give up as well.
Qian Wu did not give the script a name since he knew that it would not be filmed. What did it matter if there was a name or not? He made the character in the script persevere until they could not hold on any longer. They gave up their own thoughts and followed the crowd to become normal in everyone’s eyes. When a person walked forward alone with dreams and thoughts, everyone laughed at him for being an idiot. When he gave up, he became smart in their eyes.
It was ironic, ridiculous, and even pathetic.
Qian Wu did not want to give up this character, nor did he want Shi Mingyu or him to become like this. Thus, he kept looking out for suitable actors around him. He looked for any opportunity until Shi Mingyu recommended Song Ci.
When they first met, Qian Wu did not believe that Song Ci would be willing to act in his movie. He was a nameless director, and Song Ci was a popular star. Why would she accept his role? When the two met and conversed, with Song Ci laying out her conditions, it made Qian Wu feel at ease. He was afraid that she would do it for free because he might not be able to afford her.
As long as the other party negotiated with him, it meant they were serious. He needed someone like that now, someone willing to fight. However, Qian Wu did not expect Song Ci to think so highly of him and have such high hopes for his film.
While Qian Wu was really happy, he was afraid of disappointing Song Ci’s expectations, so he could only give her a heads-up. “It’s not that easy to win an award. Let’s think about it when the time comes and take it one step at a time. Winning an award doesn’t just depend on your ability, it also depends on your luck.”
Song Ci was even more worried now. After all, it was Qian Wu’s award, to begin with. “So, no matter what I say, you won’t change the script or act in it yourself, right? It’s a lot of pressure on me.”
“You’re too concerned about your gains and losses. You’re already famous. To win an award on your first literary film, you’d have to be so lucky.” However, he was also afraid he had hurt Song Ci by saying this, so he consoled her. “Don’t worry. This movie is very important to me, so I’ll definitely take it seriously. However, whatever happens outside of the film is not something we can control.”
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