Chapter 45 The Smooth Director Jiang

"Teacher Zhan."

Director Jiang Ning took off her mask and walked up quickly. She had just been squatting on the ground placing floor markers, and her palms were still stained with mud. She subconsciously wiped them on her overalls before extending her hand.

Professor Zhan Xin didn't mind. He shook her hand; his grip was firm, but his eyes kept sizing up the girl in front of him.

Nineteen years old, dazzlingly fair, with a ponytail, wearing nothing flashy. Standing in the dusty, dilapidated set, she looked like a pearl mistakenly dropped into a coal pile.

"My father didn't tell me he had actually invited you here. It's such a hot day; thank you all for your hard work."

Professor Zhan Xin heard these polite words, and a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

He had originally thought that the daughter of a big shot like Jiang Qiming—who had personally called and immediately stated that there was "no limit on the budget"—must be a spoiled, arrogant rich girl.

But the girl before him was wearing dust-covered overalls, her ponytail was tied neatly, and while her exposed face was strikingly beautiful, her eyes were clear, her speech was calm and unhurried, and she radiated a youthful, sunny aura.

"It's no trouble; we're just doing our jobs," Professor Zhan Xin said, waving his hand and laughing heartily. "Your dad praised your film to the heavens and back on the phone last night, and even said that Director Zhang Yimou himself wants to submit it to Venice. When I heard that, well, I just had to see for myself what kind of work it is."

He turned his head to look at the orchestra and scoring team behind him, then added, "Don't worry about the post-production. I've brought the best string section from Shanghai for you, and I've already had my assistant book a studio. Let's find a time tomorrow; bring your materials, and we can go over your ideas for the sound and score of the film carefully."

"No problem, I'll leave it all to Teacher Zhan," Director Jiang Ning said gratefully.

Director Zhang Yimou stood by, lit a cigarette, turned his head, and said to Professor Zhan Xin, "Old Zhan, you've come all this way and haven't even had a drink of water. Why don't you go into the studio and rest for a while? I'll have someone bring you a chair."

"Rest? Why would I rest? I'm not here to visit the set," Professor Zhan Xin said with a wave of his hand. "I haven't even checked into my hotel yet. I just stopped by to say hello to you and see what my little employer looks like. Alright, go ahead and do your work; don't let me delay the filming."

As he spoke, he turned to Director Jiang Ning: "Girl Jiang, for the studio stuff later, I'll have my assistant coordinate with your assistant, Assistant Tang Ying. Once we set a time, we'll notify you to come over."

"Alright, Teacher Zhan," Director Jiang Ning nodded. "Assistant Tang Ying, please take Teacher Zhan and his team to the Jinling Hotel to check in. I'll come over as soon as we wrap up here."

The convoy turned around, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Director Jiang Ning watched the cars drive away. Just as she was about to turn back to the monitor tent, she caught sight of two young people standing by the side of the road out of the corner of her eye.

Both were pulling suitcases, looking dusty and disheveled, with sweat stains around the collars of their T-shirts.

Xiao Zhang and Xiao Wang.

The two of them had been standing there since just now, not knowing whether to advance or retreat.

Having witnessed Professor Zhan Xin arrive and leave with a whole string orchestra, then looking at the two portable recording devices at their feet, their faces were filled with the confusion of "what are we even here for."

Director Zhang Yimou saw them too.

He frowned, his expression darkening. Having been in this industry for thirty years, he knew exactly what was going on.

China Film Group said they were doing Director Zhang Yimou a favor, but turned around and sent two youngsters with laptops to just go through the motions. This kind of thing wasn't new, but having it exposed to his face was still annoying.

Director Zhang Yimou looked at Director Jiang Ning: "Are these the people sent by Director Wu from China Film Group?"

Director Jiang Ning nodded.

Getting a confirmation, Director Zhang Yimou's face grew even darker.

Someone like him, who had the final say on set, despised it when people under him acted against his will.

But Director Zhang Yimou couldn't lash out. At his level, getting into a row with an apprentice of a mixing director from the China Film Group base wouldn't sound good; it would make him look petty.

He frowned and was just about to speak to send them away when Director Jiang Ning had already walked over and stopped in front of the two.

Xiao Zhang subconsciously stood a little straighter, his Adam's apple bobbing: "D-Director Jiang, we were sent by Director Wu to do the post-production mixing for you..."

"You two are the experts sent by Director Wu, right?" Director Jiang Ning interrupted.

"The weather in Nanjing is so hot; it's really hard on you to have made the trip. But as you saw just now, my elders felt bad about my final project and insisted on inviting Teacher Zhan and his team from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music here. Now there's a conflict, and I'm truly sorry."

Xiao Wang and Xiao Chen were red-faced, waving their hands repeatedly and saying they didn't dare take offense.

"It's not easy for you two to come all this way. I'll arrange a car to take you to the high-speed railway station in a bit, and I'll reimburse your round-trip first-class train tickets and pay for these two days of lost wages at the highest rate. Please send my regards to Director Wu."

Her words were flawless.

Director Zhang Yimou's tense facial features relaxed.

He glanced at Director Jiang Ning, and the appreciation in his eyes grew a little more. This girl had spoken for him and handled things with such discretion. That man surnamed Wu dared to slight him like this; he would remember this grudge.

Without thinking further, he picked up the walkie-talkie and sat back down in front of the monitor.

"All units, get ready! We need to race against the daylight!"

The set came back to life. Explosions roared, extras ran, and the camera crane swept across the sky.

Because she was worried about the coordination, Director Jiang Ning was somewhat distracted on set, and before long, she was shooed away to go help settle the team of Professor Zhan Xin.

After all, with Professor Zhan Xin bringing such a large symphony orchestra, arranging accommodations and coordinating the subsequent recording studio was no small matter. Director Jiang Ning stepping in personally showed more sincerity.

Busy as she was, it was soon four in the afternoon, and the sun finally lost its most scorching edge.

Director Jiang Ning accompanied Professor Zhan Xin to get settled in the hotel and confirmed the check-in status of the orchestra members. Only then did she, with weary steps, take the elevator from the executive lounge down to the hotel lobby, intending to buy an iced Americano to keep herself going.

She looked down at her phone, scrolling through the list of recording studio equipment sent by Assistant Tang Ying, her mind full of how to communicate with Professor Zhan Xin about the ambient noise reduction for The Invisible Guest.

"Ding—"

The elevator doors slid open smoothly in the first-floor lobby.

Director Jiang Ning put away her phone and stepped out. Just as she walked past the massive crystal water feature in the center of the lobby, her footsteps froze in place.

The late afternoon sunlight shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Jinling Hotel, which were several stories high, spilling unreservedly onto the wool carpet in the lobby lounge area. Fine golden dust floated in the air, quiet and bright.

In the center of the halo of light, on a single sofa, sat a girl.

Without any warning, without any preparation, she came into view.