I’m a Director, I’m Not Bad

Chapter 322 320. Half a catty of rivers and lakes

Since he wanted to drink in the evening, Xu Xin went to the Northeast BBQ.

There was a small episode there.

Brother Li came out wiping tears.

It's miserable to cry.

Xu Xin quickly asked what was going on, and then he found out that he was cutting onions in front of the barbecue stall.

Nothing happened at first, but after seven cuts, I started crying so hard.

After chatting for a while, Brother Li, who was still wiping his tears, went back to prepare the dishes. Xu Xin, Liang Binning, and Yang Tianzhen were sitting in a single room chatting.

Zhao Liying and Zhang Jiao didn't follow, but went to pack their things.

Anyway, it's in the community opposite, so it's convenient to come and take care of me at any time.

It can be seen that Liang Binning is really tired.

When the cold dishes were served, I poured the white wine into the cup. The first time I touched it with Xu Xin, I drank half the cup in one breath.

Seeing this, Xu Xin frowned:

"Drink so quickly?"

"fine."

Liang Binning shook the remaining half glass of wine. Perhaps because of the spiciness, red bloodshot eyes began to appear in her eyes.

It's the kind that suddenly swells up.

It's a little scary at first glance.

However, as her breathing stabilized, her double eyelids, which were used as templates by many plastic surgery hospitals, began to quickly gain a layer of wrinkles, and her eye sockets became sunken.

Just like a balloon, after being popped, it quickly "dries up".

Seeing her state, Xu Xin understood...

She was really tired.

Think about it too.

What is the concept of seven film and television dramas?

With her status as a celebrity, she is naturally not the kind of bit-part actor who ends up in three to five days.

Her absolute heroine status proves that she has to stay with each crew for at least a month, which is the minimum.

And it takes a whole year to be so busy.

No one else could stand it.

It's almost August, which means she has been working continuously for half a year.

With this sip of wine, Xu Xin truly saw what a workaholic is capable of.

Perhaps seeing his frown, Liang Binning smiled and said:

"I've been thinking about drinking for a long time. It's okay. Just take your time and drink as much as you want."

"I drank until I was fine. I was just thinking, sister Bingbing, can you handle the intensity of your work? If nothing else, after the crew ends and the role you play ends, you need at least some time to change your state, right?"

"Um."

"Then you can make the switch?"

"how to say……"

Looking at the cigarette Xu Xin put on the table, she took it directly and took out one from it.

Moreover, she also did something that only smokers would understand.

He knocked the filter tip of the cigarette on the back of his hand several times before lighting the cigarette.

This is done so that the tobacco inside can be firmer.

After tightening, the smoke will be stronger and the smoke will be more.

Xu Xin basically wouldn't do this unless he was very tired or tired.

But after lighting it, she took a deep breath before continuing:

"Some scenes require careful attention, and some scenes can be played without thinking."

"..."

Xu Xin frowned.

As a director, obviously, this is his least favorite statement.

But facing his frown, Liang Binning just shook her head slightly:

"There's nothing I can do about it. To be honest, even if you ask me to take on a movie from a big director in the past two years, I won't take it. This is my current strategy~"

"...Is it to make money?"

"Um."

Holding the cigarette between her arms, her eyes looked more and more tired under the smoke.

"On the one hand, it is to make money, and on the other hand, it is also to enhance my status. Therefore, it is not just filming, but also commercial endorsements, ceremony activities, and business contacts... I offer high prices. This kind of price is to enhance my own commercial value. It depends, and as long as a company is willing to pay, it means it is not a small company. Cooperating with them will also help my own career progress."

"So, on the one hand it's money, on the other hand it's status..."

"right."

"...The strategy the company has set for you?"

"Um."

Liang Binning didn't hide anything, she just said like a nagging person:

“Domestic status and foreign influence go hand in hand.”

"What about the ultimate goal?"

"Ultimate goal?"

Hearing Xu Xin's words, Liang Binning smiled and asked:

"What do you think."

"..."

In fact, after Xu Xin asked this question, he got the answer directly in his mind.

Yes, with this kind of marketing strategy and hard work, besides the "number one" throne, is there anything else?

Actresses... even aim for something bigger.

The commercial value of all actors is NO.1.

Besides this throne, what else could be worthy of her fighting so hard?

"I can't compare with Mimi."

While thinking about it, Xu Xin suddenly heard this sentence.

Liang Binning picked up the wine glass again.

I plan to take a second sip.

The white wine seemed to have turned into red wine at this moment. She was shaking it. Amidst the waves of aroma of wine, there was a faint and unpredictable taste in her tone:

"That's why I need to work harder to become a wealthy player."

"..."

In one sentence, Xu Xin felt her obsession.

Is it a wealthy family...

Xu Xin didn't know if his family was considered a wealthy one.

He admitted that he was a nouveau riche.

But something like a wealthy family...

Money alone is not enough.

That's why he seeks transformation.

But he stands on the shoulders of giants.

But the sister in front of me wants to manually complete a kind of... a "grand" blueprint that can almost be defined as "class crossing".

To be honest, Xu Xin admired him very much.

But it's more of a... maybe it's because you're married? It’s more of a thinking with a somewhat “experienced person” mentality.

"Establish a career first and then start a family?... If you really plan to do this, it will be really hard for you to be alone. If nothing else, you will be in this state for at least two or three years, right? After two or three years..."

Hearing this, the woman smiled evilly:

"What are you doing? You want to introduce me to my boyfriend?"

"That's not the case. I'm just thinking that you are really tired like this. If there is someone considerate and gentle around you to take care of you, maybe the journey will be easier."

"Be gentle and considerate?"

Liang Binning suddenly smiled.

"What about his financial background? What kind of person do you think is suitable for me?"

"...Network and background?"

Xu Xin was stunned.

Liang Binning nodded:

"Yes... let me give you an example. I'm not talking about anyone else, just you."

Xu Xin rolled his eyes:

"Why use me as an example?"

Hearing this, Liang Binning handed the cup over:

"Who told us to drink?"

"Ding."

After clinking the glasses, Xu Xin said:

"Drink slowly."

Liang Bingning nodded silently, but drank half of the remaining half glass in one gulp.

But Xu Xin only drank a quarter of Baba's drink.

"For example, you are just an ordinary director. The kind of director whose family is just an ordinary family and has no aura."

"..."

Heart says this is the beginning?

Xu Xin was a little speechless, but immediately answered:

"An ordinary family... earns three to five million a year. They can't afford a big house, only three to five hundred square meters. They can't afford to drive a Ferrari, so they can only make do by driving a 911, right?"

"..."

"...???"

Don't talk about Liang Binning now.

Yang Tianzhen couldn't help but raise her head and look at Xu Xin in front of her.

I wonder if you, the old man, have any misunderstandings about ordinary families?

"Haha~"

Xu Xin smiled and waved his hand:

"Just kidding. Sister Bingbing, please continue."

"..."

Liang Binning opened her mouth and then continued her thoughts.

"Okay... okay. It's just an ordinary director, and my identity remains the same, just like it is now."

"Then we got together?"

"Yes. If we are together and then accidentally exposed by the media, what do you think you will face?"

"Facing what...?"

Xu Xin was stunned.

Liang Binning nodded:

"Well, just like what you said, you are very gentle, considerate, and good at taking care of others. You can take good care of women. We were together and were exposed by reporters."

Xu Xin thought for a while and said:

"The first thing to do should be to dig up information about me, right? For example, how ordinary my family is, etc... Then there is the love history between the two of us? For example, how did we meet and how did we get together?"

"Those are yes, I mean, have you considered what you're dealing with?"

"Aren't you going to face this?"

"No."

Liang Binning shook her head:

"What you have to face is that wherever you go, people's first impression of you will always be: Liang Binning's boyfriend. No matter what you do, whether it is filming, or whether you attend some event with me, we will always be together." Regardless of whether you are in the same frame or in another frame, the first place in everyone’s impression, description, and recognition of you will always be Liang Binning’s boyfriend.”

"..."

At this time, Xu Xin frowned.

He vaguely seemed to understand what this sister meant.

Just listen to Liang Binning say:

"If your career has achieved nothing, the media will say: Liang Binning's boyfriend is nothing. Women are strong and men are weak. You can only rely on women to make a living, and you will be called a pretty boy. But if your career has achieved success, the media They would say: It was Liang Bingning who brought her boyfriend up and gave her boyfriend resources... Do you know what the reality of not even being worthy of a name means to a man?"

"..."

The frown turned into deep thought.

After thinking for a while, he asked:

"In other words, Sister Bingbing is not able to accept this kind of relationship where women are strong and men are weak?"

"Yes. Because it is destined to have no good ending~"

"..."

For some reason, Xu Xin always felt that she seemed to have a lot of stories.

But……

"If you don't accept this status gap, then... your current career goal is destined to find you, you can only find a boyfriend... who is at least equal to your status?"

Liang Binning smiled and shrugged, her tone relaxed:

"That's right. Of course, it's not absolute...what about ten years from now? If I really achieve number one, won't I still have to abdicate in ten years and give way to others? By then, my mind may have settled down, and my exposure to the outside world will not be that great. It's higher. Maybe I will be more sensible by then... But at this stage, if I want to look for it, I can only find something similar. And if I can't find it, then I will wait until it is no longer popular and find an honest person... …”

Xu Xin's eyes looked strange.

Please apologize to the honest people!

He shook his head helplessly:

"You are so enterprising..."

"Not good, right?"

Liang Binning picked up the wine glass again.

But this time she didn't clink glasses with Xu Xin. For some reason, she looked at him twice and then said:

"Actually, someone also told me that the general meaning is that a woman's happiness is when she has a stable family. There is endless money to be made, and having someone who loves me and loves me...this way I won't feel empty."

"...This person is probably someone who can stand and talk without pain in his back."

"..."

Liang Binning's expression twitched unnaturally.

Didn't answer the question.

On the contrary, it was Xu Xin:

"The creed I believe in is mutual respect. For example, Yang Mi and I have never had an in-depth conversation in this regard. Although... I am also curious about why she is so career-minded... That's not right. She is career-oriented. She doesn't really have a heavy heart, but just like you, Sister Bingbing, she also has an obsession with her status in the industry that she doesn't know how to show up.

I can see it, so we have never communicated about how to make career decisions in the future from before marriage to now, including the birth of our child soon... Because I know she is obsessed with this, so I don't want to kill her career or anything. If you love her, just sacrifice more for her.

By the same token, I think she actually thinks so in her heart. So we may have to compromise and be humble in the future. But in the final analysis, I respect her career to the greatest extent, and in the same way, she respects mine. So whoever said this to you is just talking nonsense. If things were that simple, there would be no such thing as divorce in this world. "

"..."

Under Liang Binning's... baffled look, Xu Xin waved his hand:

"Since you have embarked on this path in your career planning, don't look forward or backward. One day, you will also meet someone who is worthy of your compromise and willing to sacrifice. And he will also use his own sacrifice to repay you. . At least that’s what I think. So I think what this person said is wrong... It’s an exaggeration, he’s farting here~"

"Well……"

Liang Binning opened her mouth...

One sentence stuck in my throat.

But she couldn't say.

It's a bit uncomfortable to hold it in.

Finally simply...

"Let's not talk about this anymore, come on, come on, I'll drink this glass of wine. We won't drink too much today. You are half a pound and I am half a pound. After drinking, we are dismissed~"

"Yeah, do it."

Two cups clinked.

The sweet wine passed through the throat and flowed to the stomach.

Brings out a bit of a mellow burning sensation and fragrance.

That is the wonderful taste called a thread of throat.

…

"Did you two drink together?"

"Yes."

After recounting what happened in the afternoon, Xu Xin leaned on the bedside and said in a slightly drunken state:

"I didn't drink much, just half a pound per person."

"What are you talking about?"

"Just talking, she has seven dramas this year, and she looks really tired. Her face is exhausted~ We were at Brother Li's place, and as soon as the cold dishes were served, she drank half a glass of it in one breath."

"Gudu..."

Yang Mi swallowed her saliva:

"I want to drink too~"

"Just bear with it a little longer~"

"Well...what else did she talk to you about?"

"Actually, it doesn't really matter, it's just a few of her dramas and the like. But we did talk about something quite interesting."

"What?"

"Speaking of finding a boyfriend..."

After briefly describing the content of the dinner conversation, Xu Xin said:

"I listen to her chatting there, and sometimes I feel that we are quite lucky. There is not so much right and wrong, and there is no status gap or what we are doing. Otherwise, judging from your current appearance, you are so popular. , I want to be with you, and others may introduce me as: Yang Mi’s boyfriend."

"Hmm... That does sound quite uncomfortable. My own efforts have been misrepresented by some people as the credit of others... Let alone men, I, a woman, can't stand hearing this."

"Yes."

"That being said, I guess her love journey will be quite bumpy in the future."

"I don't know...it has nothing to do with me anyway...what are you doing?"

"I just came back from Master. We were talking about "The Grandmaster". Master told me a lot about Gong Baotian's generation. They didn't give me a script, so we had to perfect it ourselves."

"Well, okay. Then I'm going to sleep. Is there anything you want to eat here in the Magic City? Can I bring it back to you?"

"No, we have them at home. Then you can rest. Remember to put a glass of water on the bedside, so you won't be thirsty in the middle of the night."

His wife's thoughtful care warmed his heart:

"Yeah. Love you~"

"Hehe~ I love you too~MUA~"

Even through the phone, Xu Xin could feel his wife's longing.

Of course, I also dislike it.

The phone screen is so dirty...

It’s so shameless~

After hanging up the phone, he went to the bathroom to take a shower, then lay down on the bed and yawned lazily.

The meal with Liang Binning in the evening did not affect his outlook on life or the world.

It was just chatting.

However, I have to admit that he quite likes this situation where everyone can put aside their utilitarianism and just talk to each other over a pot of wine.

Drinking is also quite enjoyable.

Although after half a kilogram of wine, Liang Binning was obviously still unsatisfied and wanted to open a second bottle.

But he was stopped by him who was also not enjoying himself.

His wife was still at home, and even if he was out with friends, he was drinking alone here alone. Being tipsy was already the bottom line he had set for himself.

No matter how much it is, it will really be a waste of time.

It may be romantic, but it lacks that elegance.

Don’t take it.

"Ha~~~Hmm."

He yawned loudly, turned off the desk lamp, and fell asleep in darkness.

…

Magic City.

"Hello, Director Xu, I am Xue Qi from the World Expo Opening and Closing Ceremony Project Team. You are welcome to guide the work."

Looking at the man in his early thirties in front of him, Xu Xin stretched out his hand politely:

"Hello, please come all the way."

Xue Qi smiled and shook his head:

"No, it's my honor to pick up Director Xu... Director Xu, please give me your luggage."

Following his words, the person next to him who must be the driver diligently opened the trunk lid of the GL8.

After getting in the car, Xu Xin asked:

"Where are we going?"

"Shall we take Director Xu back to the hotel to rest first? Director Zhang Wu is also in the hotel and will meet you and Director Zhang at noon."

"That's very welcome. Just a simple meal."

Xu Xin said politely.

Then, the car stopped and stopped all the way in a city that was unfamiliar to Xu Xin. Finally, he saw the elegant and majestic World Expo exhibition hall.

Honestly, it's really good.

However, there are still signs of construction in some places around it, and it seems that the planning has not been completed yet.

Finally, we arrived at one of the 155 hotels where Expo members stayed, the Pullman Skyway Hotel opened by the famous French high-end hotel group.

Along the way, Xue Qi was like a tour guide, introducing various projects of the World Expo, including the preparations and so on.

Xu Xin also had a rough idea.

After stopping in front of the executive suite, the other party told him that Zhang Wu was next door, and after another pleasantry, he politely left.

Zhang Jiao came to the room and helped him organize some of the things he used regularly.

Xu Xin ignored it and knocked on the door next door.

Soon, the door opened, and Zhang Wu, who was holding the phone, waved to him, and then walked into the room on his own.

Seeing him on the phone, Xu Xin remained silent, and then heard Zhang Wu say:

"Yes, I understand. The World Expo is definitely different from the Olympics. The program links and process control must be more familiar to the local director team in Shanghai."

Xu Xin's eyes moved.

"okay, I get it……"

"Uh-huh……"

After another moment of um, ah, this is it, Zhang Wu finally hung up the phone.

Xu Xin asked:

"Director Zhang, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing. It's all about the improvement suggestions submitted."

Zhang Wu threw a Yuxi over and then continued:

"The general idea is that we won't talk so much. If there is anything inappropriate, we can discuss it in private. There will be a conference this afternoon..."

What he said actually meant two things.

The first thing I mean is that this afternoon’s meeting is not about finding faults. If you really think something is wrong, don’t say it in the meeting, but communicate in private.

The second meaning...

"Are you telling me specifically?"

Hearing this, Zhang Wu was not surprised, but nodded even more happily:

"I'm afraid you'll be impatient. After all, many people know how you entered the Olympics."

"Ha~"

Xu Xin smiled speechlessly:

"You don't have so much confidence in me?"

"It's for your own good."

Zhang Wu shook his head:

"What's more, the process and other things have been released, and the opinions and other things are also based on the ideas you set before. You don't do anything, and you all have the credit."

"Understood."

He made a zipper motion towards his mouth:

"I hope the tea this afternoon will taste better."

"The tea is definitely not as good as the wine in the evening. I made an appointment with some old friends tonight, and you come with me. And maybe starting from tomorrow, some people here will gradually bring some people to see you. All of them. We all know each other well, although we can’t say that we have the best eyesight, but we are all stirring the pot in the same pot. After all, the business atmosphere here in the Magic City is stronger, so do as the Romans do."

"Uh-huh."

Xu Xin nodded to express his understanding.

In fact, it is nothing more than circles and connections.

You can actually see the different personalities of the two directors Zhang here.

One is that "when you are not good, people don't care about you even if you know them. When you are good, others will naturally fawn over you."

The other one said, "We all know each other, and we will all be "ours" from now on. It's easy to talk to each other when we meet."

There is nothing right or wrong, and Xu Xin would not say that he is walking on one leg stupidly.

After agreeing, the two chatted in the room for a while.

It was almost 11 o'clock when he arrived at the hotel. After chatting for a while, Xue Qi appeared again at around 11:30, along with Chen Hua, deputy director of the opening ceremony directing team, and Bao Wenhe, who was in charge of administrative work.

Xu Xin himself would definitely not have these people come to see him in person.

Obviously they are all here for Zhang Wu.

Meet, greet, and go downstairs for dinner.

The specific process is actually a very boring process.

One side is holding it, the other side is smiling.

Although it sounds like a simple meal, it is actually an over-the-top reception.

It was less than 1 o'clock when the meal was finished.

After returning to the hotel and resting for a while, Xu Xin and Zhang Wu took a car to the management center of the exhibition hall for a meeting.

There was not much to talk about in the meeting.

The two of them are "mascots".

The existence of the two of them means that the content of the meeting is a practical and effective content that has been discussed with the "Olympic Team".

No matter it is a link or what it is for, it is justified.

Everyone is satisfied.

According to Xu Xin's own understanding, this opening ceremony is not about how much he has contributed...or whether he can contribute his due abilities.

But after providing an idea that was adopted, someone naturally followed this idea and made plans for all aspects including the performance.

Then when the horse is done, hello, hello, hello, everyone.

That's the truth.

After all, the scale of some things is a very complicated decision made by the human mind. A strong dragon does not overwhelm a local snake. It is true that you are a dragon crossing the river. But when you come to this place where dragons and tigers dominate, you have to know what humility means when you lose face.

Others are not idiots.

No one likes this kind of thing.

Therefore, he positions himself as a mascot.

I'm here, just sitting here counts as a success.

This is also true.

The discussion at the meeting was basically nothing. Except for Zhang Wu who made a few innocuous suggestions, the entire session basically covered various aspects such as humanities, geography, culture, urban appearance, etc. in more than half a year of preparation time.

There is really nothing to say about the way the idea goes.

And if the idea is right, how to arrange the program will be something that cannot be simpler.

Just leave it to more professional people.

In this way, after the afternoon meeting, Xu Xin and Zhang Wu will stay here for the next two days.

One day is according to the publicity plan. Tomorrow everyone will go to the exhibition hall and the performance site, including the fireworks show venue, and take photos to promote it.

The next day was to go to places like song and dance troupes to watch the choreography of the actors.

It's all just publicity, but it's necessary.

The highlight of his first day in Shanghai was the dinner in the evening.

how to say……

We ate, we drank, we met, we got to know each other.

that is all.

The people who came were all friends of Director Zhang and people from the literary and artistic circles of Shanghai.

It may not sound like a big name, but at some levels, it is someone that some businessmen must fawn over.

As for the dinner, although it was a landlord's friendship, there were no drivers or secretaries.

All old friends.

Among Zhang Wu's table of old friends, Xu Xin was the only one with a new face.

When the meal started, Zhang Wu was pushed to the seat.

And Xu Xin was next to him.

The depth of the relationship is self-evident.

After finishing the meal, Xu Xin’s phone had many “secretary” phone numbers stored in it.

This is the first night's dinner.

The dinner party on the second night was organized by the director team here.

It's just that the people who came to entertain the two of them changed from the literary and art world to the entertainment world.

Some famous directors, screenwriters, etc. are all people related to and contributed to this opening ceremony.

There are many people.

There are two tables of people sitting in the same hall, which adds up to less than 30 people.

But this time Zhang Wu didn't drink much.

Xu Xin was given the task of holding back the wine.

He was given a drink and his brain was so fragmented that he didn't even know how to get back to the hotel.

When he got up on the third day, he repeatedly reviewed last night's process with Zhang Jiao and made sure that he had not done anything rude or anything, and then he felt relieved.

But it's not over yet.

The dinner on the third night was even more special.

Or perhaps a family dinner would be more appropriate.

There are no outsiders.

Zhang Wu took him to Liu Kuan's home again.

Liu Kuan seemed to know that the two of them had been drinking for two days in a row, so when the two old comrades met today, all they drank was rice wine.

A meal of rice wine and a few bad guys.

We didn’t talk about anything particularly specific.

It was just a reminiscence between old comrades and Xu Xin's company.

Finally, Xu Xin obtained Liu Kuan’s personal contact information.

According to the other party’s words:

"Xiao Xu, this is my personal phone number. If you come to Shanghai from now on, come and sit at home and let's have a drink."

Then……

In the future, he would have another elder who would come to visit him during the holidays.

At around 10 p.m., he returned to the hotel.

Recalling the drunken life and death of these three days... and looking at Liu Kuan's number on the phone...

This trip to the magic city...

It's a worthwhile trip.