Chapter 59: Chaos and Contortion

The press conference for the film's production launch had concluded.

The reporters left with full hands and content minds.

They had already collected generous transportation fees upon arrival, but they never expected to leave with such sensational gossip and headlines.

"Xiao Xu, your speech was a bit too blunt... sigh."

Director Zhang sighed. He had always disliked offending people.

Even if he inwardly sneered at Red Cliff, he would never let it show on the surface.

"I actually think it was quite good. Young people are bound to be a bit uninhibited, and besides, what kind of garbage did that John Woo shoot? Given the same budget and subject matter, if you directed it, it would definitely turn out far better than his."

Zhang Weiping's eyes were full of appreciation as he patted Xu Ming's shoulder, looking very much like an elder gazing upon a protégé cut from the same cloth.

If the occasion hadn't been inappropriate, coupled with Master Benshan standing right beside them, he genuinely would have liked to wield his metaphorical hoe and take on a godson right then and there.

"It's all thanks to my master's guidance, and in my heart, Director Zhang is truly superior to that fellow surnamed Wu. Our film's box office will definitely surpass Red Cliff," Xu Ming flattered shamelessly.

Did he not know that after A Simple Noodle Story premiered, public opinion would be polarized, and its box office would stall at 260 million yuan, barely exceeding half of the combined box office of both parts of Red Cliff?

Even Director Zhang and Zhang Weiping knew that was highly unlikely.

After all, the total investment for A Simple Noodle Story was merely seventy million yuan, of which fifteen million was used to purchase the cinematic adaptation rights to Blood Simple, and twenty million went toward marketing and distribution.

Subtracting the actors' salaries, the funds actually allocated for production were less than thirty million.

Meanwhile, Red Cliff boasted a total investment of eighty-five million US dollars, equivalent to six hundred million RMB. Even if there was some exaggeration, the inflation wouldn't be that outrageous.

Yet, when Xu Ming said this, unrealistic as it was, hearing it was music to their ears.

To put it bluntly, the mere fact that A Simple Noodle Story could be mentioned in the same breath as Red Cliff was already a victory in itself.

"What do you mean, 'thanks to my guidance'? Make yourself clear. If outsiders hear you, they'll think this nonsense you're spouting was instigated by me."

Uncle Benshan, standing nearby, twitched the corner of his mouth, itching to give this disciple of his a smack on the back of the head.

He had merely told the boy to stir up some buzz—something like shouting a slogan about the box office breaking a few billion—who could have imagined that this scoundrel would charge straight out of the gate to pick a fight with Red Cliff?

Come to think of it, this kid's previous film partner was Orange Sky Entertainment, and he really had no hesitation about sacrificing his former colleagues to the flag.

"Yes, yes, yes. It wasn't taught by my master; I figured it all out entirely on my own," Xu Ming nodded repeatedly.

Only, no one believed him anymore; everyone wore an expression that said they saw right through his act.

Well, I'm doomed.

It looked like this scapegoat was glued to his back for good.

Uncle Benshan scratched his head and glared at Xu Ming. The latter wore an utterly harmless and innocent expression, which instantly fueled the older man's irritation.

"I'm your master, and when I preach reason to you—come here."

"Master, please kick lightly."

...

"Cut!"

"That take is good."

Hearing Director Zhang's voice, Xu Ming instantly breathed a sigh of relief.

He was dressed entirely in pink, a garish shade so blinding that even he couldn't bear to look at himself.

Regardless of Director Zhang's reputation in later years, for Xu Ming as an actor appearing in the former's lens for the very first time, that crushing nervousness was inescapable.

Fortunately, the very first shot of the day was of very low difficulty.

"Xu Ming, you don't need to be so tense. Relax, bring out your most comfortable acting style, and I'll tell you if any adjustments are needed," Director Zhang called out from behind the monitor.

"Understood, Director Zhang."

Xu Ming nodded, letting the makeup artist touch up his face.

Then, his master strolled over leisurely, speaking in a moderate tone: "Director Zhang is right. You're acting way too rigid. Bring out that signature Errenzhuan flair of ours."

"Although you entered the industry halfway through, back at the Liu Laogen Stage, didn't I see that your performances weren't half bad?"

He had brought the entire Zhao Family troupe along precisely to promote the culture of Errenzhuan.

It was also to lay a solid foundation for theatrical performances at his Liu Laogen Stage.

The orthodox, serious approach Xu Ming had just taken ran contrary to what he wanted.

The surroundings fell silent.

Generally speaking, there should only be one voice on a film set, and that belonged to the director.

Not to mention, this was Director Zhang's turf.

"Alright, I'll adjust my state, Master," Xu Ming nodded.

When Director Zhang hadn't even voiced an objection, how could he possibly go against his master's wishes?

Yet, the initial drive and pride in his heart instantly dissolved.

In A Simple Noodle Story, he was merely an actor; the real creative power rested with Director Zhang, his master, and Zhang Weiping.

No matter who spoke, his only option was to nod along.

When filming resumed, Xu Ming summoned the boisterous, high-energy persona he had used in Paying the Toll.

This time, his master was satisfied.

Director Zhang, however, frowned.

Everyone on set waited in suspense.

"Let's do it again. Try playing it a bit more restrained this time. Let's run through every possible approach," Director Zhang said thoughtfully.

While this outcome made the crew breathe a sigh of relief, a shadow of unease inevitably lingered in their hearts.

The director had once again habitually compromised.

Yet it was only a half-compromise—he neither leaned fully toward Uncle Benshan's vision nor firmly adhered to his own creative instincts.

When a film set harbored two conflicting voices,

It was destined to result in a chaotic cinematic style.

Xu Ming had no objections.

He performed almost every single scene using multiple acting styles.

Though being squeezed between Director Zhang and Uncle Benshan made him feel as though he were going through purgatory,

Under their hands-on coaching, Xu Ming's acting skills improved by leaps and bounds.

He also came to a realization: if this film had been given to a different director, A Simple Noodle Story might have turned out as a reasonably entertaining, vulgar comedy.

If the Zhao Family troupe had been replaced, perhaps A Simple Noodle Story could have become a critically acclaimed, brain-teasing suspense film.

Yet, Director Zhang and Uncle Benshan were both exceptionally talented individuals.

When two extraordinarily talented men who refused to submit to one another collided, if their creative mindsets failed to synchronize, the resulting hybrid would inevitably be a disaster.

For several days straight,

Xu Ming adopted a thoroughly resigned, coasting mindset.

"Brother Honglei, feel free to improvise more."

"Cheng Ye, just let loose and act. Big Brother will back you up."

"Sister Yan Ni, the comedic chemistry you and Teacher Ni Dahong displayed is wonderful. I think we can keep up the momentum."

In short, all the standout scenes were theirs; he, the male lead, was more than willing to serve as a foil for them.

So much so that a prevailing trend of modesty and deference actually swept through the cast.

Everyone praised Xu Ming for his magnanimous and generous character.

The more he acted this way, the more eager everyone was to cede the spotlight to him.

Damn it all, I really didn't want to show my face this much, okay...

Xu Ming felt like crying without tears.

Yet, when it came to a film directed by Director Zhang, how many people genuinely wouldn't want to star in it?

Even when his reluctance showed, everyone simply assumed it was because the young man was thin-skinned.

"Cut!"

"That take is a wrap. Pack it in, everyone."

The crew responded with listless, exhausted murmurs.

Days of continuous overnight shoots had drained them of all energy.

Even the actors were left in a mental fog; the performances had simply become too damn chaotic.

Xu Ming looked especially wrung out, as if he had been squeezed completely dry.

Every time they filmed, the conflicting philosophies hammered into his ears by the two men felt like they were brawling inside his head.

In his past life, Little Shenyang had obeyed his master heart and soul.

But Xu Ming couldn't do that; he knew what the outcome of acting that way would be, which left him constantly tangled in inner conflict.

He couldn't afford to just lay flat and let things drift any longer.

Otherwise, he feared he would suffer a nervous breakdown and go completely mad before filming even wrapped.

He needed to speak up boldly!

"Director Zhang..."