Zhang Li had been feeling rather dejected lately.
After the few dramas he directed for Jiangnan became massive hits, he had managed to climb into the ranks of well-known directors in the industry, positioned in the upper-middle tier.
Of course, he was still one classic work away from reaching the top-tier directors.
For directors like him, who came from humble backgrounds, those established directors still held a dismissive attitude.
Today, he was attending a small award ceremony.
Zhang Li received an award for Best Popular Director.
However, during the program's reception, he felt rather out of place.
Everyone else was mingling in groups, chatting and laughing, while he was left isolated. The glances thrown his way were filled with disdain.
Wu Tiancheng was a director with considerable prestige in their circle.
At that moment, he was surrounded by quite a few directors, all engaged in conversation with him.
As the conversation picked up pace, Wu Tiancheng glanced at Zhang Li in the corner and sneered, "Why don't we go and say hello to Director Zhang?"
Those around him let out a burst of mocking laughter. "Zhang Li is just lucky, he hitched a ride on Jiangnan's coattails."
"What capability does he have? If he had any, he would have become famous long ago. After filming so many trashy films, he suddenly gets to sit with us. What right does he have?"
"What right? Of course, it's because he knows how to flatter. As long as he pleases Jiangnan, he can get all the hit scripts he wants!"
"Heh, with Jiangnan's scripts, even a dog could make them popular."
"I heard that not only are there scripts, but also meticulously detailed storyboards. With those, what use is a director? They're just machine operators."
"Hahaha, that description is quite apt."
"Keep it down, the man himself is here. It won't be good if he overhears."
"What are we afraid of? We're not spouting nonsense. How can he refute us?"
The discussions from these people, laced with such sourness, could be smelled throughout the venue.
What's more, they made no attempt to avoid Zhang Li, openly discussing him.
Although these words stung Zhang Li, he found no reason to refute them.
Indeed, with these resources, he didn't need to think; he just needed to manage the filming on set and follow the storyboards.
What they said wasn't wrong; he was just a tool.
But so what?
Zhang Li felt that, without exception, if Jiangnan so much as announced he was choosing a director, all these directors who acidly called him Jiangnan's sycophant would be barking at his heels!
"Now, let us invite the renowned director, Teacher Wu Tiancheng, to share some of his insights on receiving the award."
During the reception, there were also award acceptance speeches.
As the director with the longest tenure among them, Wu Tiancheng was naturally the first to speak.
Similarly, he received applause from all the directors present.
"Today, to receive this award, I am also very surprised..."
Actually, acceptance speeches were for award winners to show off. They would deliver a few polite words on stage and then accept the admiring applause from the audience.
At times like these, having strong support was very useful.
Just like Wu Tiancheng, every word he spoke was met with polite applause from the other directors. He looked so glorious, hogging all the limelight at the event.
"When it's my turn later, I'll just say I'm not feeling well," Zhang Li decided, directly refusing to go on stage, as he could already imagine how awkward it would be to be ignored.
However, at that very moment.
His phone vibrated with a notification.
He quickly pulled out his phone, as this particular notification sound was one he had set up himself, and it belonged only to Su Yu!
After opening it, he stared at the message Su Yu had sent for a full ten seconds.
Then, he suddenly slammed the table in front of him!
"Holy shit!!"
He couldn't help but let out a curse.
Wu Tiancheng, who was speaking eloquently on stage, was stunned.
Everyone else was also bewildered.
They all turned their heads to look at Zhang Li.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to..." Zhang Li waved his hand awkwardly.
Only then did the crowd grudgingly shift their attention back to the stage.
Meanwhile, Zhang Li picked up his wine glass from the table, trying to calm his excited nerves, but his hands were shaking so much that by the time he brought the glass to his lips, all the wine had spilled.
He put down the glass and reopened Su Yu's message.
"The 'Journey to the West' project for Huashi has been finalized. You will be the chief director for this drama. The producer's WeChat has been shared with you. Discuss the specifics with them."
Chief Director of 'Journey to the West'!!
This was such earth-shattering news, Zhang Li knew its significance.
After all, this 'Journey to the West' was already legendary, and it had been interpreted and praised by various literary giants.
Top directors in the domestic entertainment industry were all incredibly covetous of this drama.
There was once a top director nearing retirement who, upon hearing that Huashi was going to film 'Journey to the West,' specifically posted on Weibo, stating that he would even work for free, as long as they let him direct this series.
This showed the immense value of this drama within the directorial circle.
And now, this drama that even top directors coveted, Su Yu was letting him direct.
Zhang Li felt his heart pounding.
At this moment.
Wu Tiancheng's speech had concluded.
"Please welcome Director Zhang Li to share his award-winning insights."
Following the host's call, Zhang Li took a deep breath and walked towards the stage.
Why be cowardly? He was about to direct 'Journey to the West.'
Today, he wanted to seize this opportunity to thoroughly express his loyalty to Su Yu, also known as Jiangnan!
"Tch, what award-winning insights could he possibly have? Isn't he just Jiangnan's lapdog?"
"Hahaha, perhaps he'll share some tips on being a lapdog."
Hearing the taunts from below.
Zhang Li smiled.
His smile was radiant.
The directors present, however, were somewhat bewildered.
Did this guy have a screw loose? He was smiling even when being ridiculed?
Did he have some peculiar hobby?
"Hello everyone. Before I speak, I'd like to ask everyone to open their phones. The message should have been pushed by now." Zhang Li said, then waited.
He saw some people hesitantly taking out their phones, but most remained inactive.
He wasn't in a hurry.
About ten seconds later.
"Hiss..."
"Holy shit!"
"Holy shit!!"
"How is this possible!!"
A series of gasps erupted from the venue.
Then, those who hadn't reacted looked at their neighbors' phones with confusion.
For a moment, the atmosphere was filled with a cacophony of gasps and exclamations.
# 'Journey to the West' to Begin Filming, and the Director is... Him! #
Then.
After the scene had slightly stabilized.
Zhang Li leaned into the microphone.
His eyes glistened with unshed tears of excitement.
"Jiangnan is my benefactor!"
"You all always say, with Jiangnan's scripts, even a dog can make them popular."
"That's right, I agree wholeheartedly. Because filming his dramas is incredibly simple; you just need to follow his storyboards."
Everyone: ???
"Today, I, Zhang Li, have been designated by Jiangnan as the chief director for 'Journey to the West.' Now, I want all of you who look down on me, who think I'm useless, to take a good look!"
"What's wrong with being a dog!!"
His words stunned the audience!
Neither servile nor overbearing!
Passionately inspiring!
Deeply moving!!!
Whoosh!!
The directors, who had initially found it hard to believe the news of Zhang Li directing 'Journey to the West,' were now completely stunned by his speech!
Damn it, where was his dignity? Where was his integrity?
However, they quickly reconsidered.
Being able to direct 'Journey to the West' and achieve fame and recognition,
Even if people called him useless, even if they called him Jiangnan's lackey,
What of it???
At this moment, everyone finally realized.
Zhang Li was truly about to soar!
...