Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

Chapter 9 One Monkey, One Tethering Method

As a small production team with an investment of only three million, Qi Yue's task is to obtain more resources at the lowest possible cost.

The dinner was arranged at a private restaurant not far from the film crew.

The private room wasn't large, but it was elegantly decorated.

After they sat down, Qi Yue first poured wine for Wang Hongwei and Ning Li. After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation naturally shifted from what they had seen and heard on set to the current state of the industry.

Ningli doesn't talk much, but his occasional comments are always to the point, carrying a calmness born of long experience.

Qi Yue wasn't in a hurry to talk about the role; instead, he acted like a studious junior, earnestly seeking advice.

"Teacher Ning, you are a senior. I've been thinking about a question lately: how can we make the audience hate a villain like Fu Guosheng, but also think about him, and even... feel a little sorry for him?"

This question clearly struck a nerve with Ningli. He put down his wine glass, leaned forward slightly,

"I hate him because what he did crossed a line. I think about him because his behavior is logically consistent, even more so than what you call a 'good person.' Sympathy..."

He paused, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes behind his glasses.

"It might be because you realize that he may have had moments when he had no other choice but to get to this point. Of course, this requires the screenwriter to give enough space, and the actor must also have the ability to portray these 'moments' subtly and clearly, without going overboard."

"That's too much! That's absolutely right!" Qi Yue exclaimed, then gave a wry smile.

"To be honest, we've tried a few actors, but they either seemed to have 'I'm a bad guy' written all over their foreheads, or they acted so bitter and resentful that they practically wanted the audience to hand them tissues. The Fu Guosheng we're looking for is the kind of guy who can scheming against people to the bone with just a smile."

Wang Hongwei laughed from the side, "Your request has really put our Teacher Ning in a difficult position."

Ning Li didn't take the joke seriously. Instead, she looked at Qi Yue and asked, "Have you seen 'The Godfather'?"

"I've seen Marlon Brando and Al Pacino."

"The old Godfather Vito," Ningli tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"He kills, he does business, but look at how he treats his family, especially his youngest son Mike—the complex expectations and protection he shows... This contrast is what makes the character compelling. If Fu Guosheng were just a ruthless drug lord, it wouldn't be interesting. He has to have his own 'weakness,' or something he considers a weakness."

Qi Yue's eyes lit up, realizing that the person in front of him was indeed a true expert.

Without further hesitation, he took out the specially prepared biographical sketches and selected excerpts from his bag and handed them over with both hands.

"Professor Ning, your words just now clarified what I couldn't understand. This is Fu Guosheng's material; think of it as an exam paper. See if the questions we set are worth solving for an expert like you."

Ning Li was indeed intrigued by this idea and took the materials. He read them very slowly, and for a moment the only sounds in the private room were the soft rustling of papers turning and the faint chirping of insects outside the window.

Suddenly, Ningli pointed to a line from the dialogue: "Fu Guosheng lamented to his confidant, 'The biggest mistake I ever made in my life was not listening to my teacher and becoming a Chinese language teacher.'" She looked up and asked:

"How do you envision filming this scene?"

Qi Yue was prepared: "Close-up, side lighting, so that half of his face is in shadow. The character's tone should be indifferent, as if he's talking about someone else. But the camera will give a close-up of his eyes, and there should be something else in them, maybe regret, maybe self-deprecation, maybe nothing at all, just emptiness."

Ning Li stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"Interesting." He put down the script, took off his glasses to wipe them, and suddenly asked:

"Director Qi, is the actor you hired really coming right away?"

Qi Yue glanced at Guo Fan beside him, feeling as if his little scheme had been exposed, and couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Teacher Ning, since we've come this far, I won't hide it from you anymore. The actor we hired before complained that our fee was too low and kept delaying his arrival."

Qi Yue sat up straight, his attitude utterly candid: "Teacher Ning, at market rates, our production team couldn't afford you even if we sold everything we own. But what we can offer is a role that absolutely respects your creative vision, and a film set where you can fully express yourself."

He then changed the subject, a hint of slyness in his voice, "If this drama becomes a success, you'll be a wise and insightful veteran who can turn lead into gold. Even if it doesn't... well, you've been keeping a low profile these past few years anyway, so just consider it as having a bit of fun with us ignorant youngsters and experiencing life."

These words were both frank and humorous, laying bare both interests and sentiments, which made them seem sincere.

Wang Hongwei chuckled: "Well, kid, you've got yourself hooked up with your Teacher Ning now?"

Ning Li shook her head, a half-smile on her face: "You're trying to get something for nothing."

"I wouldn't dare," Qi Yue quickly replied with a smile. "I'm just borrowing your reputation and acting skills to give our little boat some ballast. If it succeeds, we'll set sail together; if it sinks, I would never dare to tarnish your name."

Ning Li remained silent for a moment, and finally, he looked at Wang Hongwei, who nodded slightly to him.

"I'll take the script back and take a closer look," Ning Li finally relented. "If I think I'm capable, I can give it a try."

That meant he agreed! Qi Yue felt much relieved and raised a glass with Guo Fan:

"That's wonderful! Regardless of whether Professor Ning ultimately participates, we have already benefited immensely from meeting you and hearing your insights today! This toast is to Professor Wang and to Professor Ning!"

The dinner party drew to a close in a pleasant atmosphere. Qi Yue personally escorted the two teachers to the door and arranged for a car to take them home.

After seeing the guests off, Guo Fan let out a long sigh of relief and patted Qi Yue's shoulder forcefully:

"Wow, you're something else! This whole combo has even impressed a veteran actor like Ning Li, known for his low-key demeanor! Where did you learn all this social skill?"

Qi Yue smiled but didn't say anything.

In his previous life, he worked in the police force and had seen all sorts of people, and had dealt with countless complex interpersonal relationships and even case mediation.

He is now using those experiences in another world.

He always maintained the respect and gratitude of a student towards Wang Hongwei, thus preserving this precious connection.

Give Jiang Qiming absolute trust and opportunities to unleash his potential.

For Li Qing, we not only used special methods to bring out his potential, but also comforted him afterward.

For Ning Li, the approach was to move people with emotion by showing respect, professionalism, and a precise understanding of her artistic pursuits.

Everyone needs a different key, and even a monkey can be leashed in a different way.

Is it opportunistic? Qi Yue doesn't think so. If he wants to continue down this path in film and television, a network of relationships and interests a thousand times more complex awaits him, and this is just the beginning.

"Let's go," Qi Yue said to Guo Fan, "we still have to edit today's footage tonight."