Chapter 10: The Tree Desires Stillness, Yet the Wind Will Not Cease

Wang Xingxing was in an excellent mood. Ever since he posted that little essay on Weibo last time, his followers had surpassed one hundred thousand. That kind of influence on the internet was no small feat. If it weren’t for that, how could Vice President Cheng have trusted his words and strongly recommended to the big boss to invite foreign superstars for the lead role in “Taiji”?

Just now, Sanada was the kung fu superstar they had spent a fortune to bring over from the island nation. It was a pity, though — that guy seemed a bit clueless! He wasn’t very enthusiastic toward his benefactor. But it didn’t matter. Wang Xingxing was not a narrow-minded man. After all, how could a barbarian be compared to someone from the Celestial Empire?

With that thought, he tucked his phone away contentedly. Hands behind his back, humming a tune, he left the film set and returned to the hotel.

His spirits remained high as he lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. He felt as though he had missed doing something important today. So, he pulled out his phone. The Weibo post he had just sent had already garnered over ten thousand views and more than a thousand comments, mostly flattering him. Some even said they wanted to come to the set as extras. Being admired felt truly wonderful. At this moment, Wang Xingxing felt somewhat elated.

When one felt good about oneself, it was easy to lose balance in self-assessment. On a whim, he sent a red envelope in the company’s private chat group. Soon, many silent members surfaced, and after receiving the money, they worshipped Wang Xingxing with flattering blessings and auspicious words.

“Hehe…” Wang Xingxing smiled with satisfaction. It was just one hundred yuan, yet these sycophants admired him so much. Today was perfect!

It was getting late. After some preparation, it would be time to sleep. Wang Xingxing stretched and was about to put down his phone when he noticed a familiar avatar in the group—the scoundrel Qian Lang was still in the chat! Perfect.

He cheerfully typed a message: “Ah, the first day back to work really wore me out! But as a professional executive deputy director, even when facing international superstars, there should be no slack!”

Then he attached some photos from the set. Of course, to avoid spoilers, only the backs of some personnel were shown. Still, the group chat exploded.

“Wow, is that Sanada from the island nation? His back looks so cool!”

“Girl, your eyes are sharp!”

“Sanada is stylish, but as a kung fu superstar, he doesn’t compare to our Fang Long from Daxia!”

“If you don’t appreciate it, just don’t speak! We ladies are chatting here, what’s a man like you doing interrupting?”

The two genders in the group nearly came to blows over Sanada. Wang Xingxing added fuel to the fire: “Honestly, I don’t know about Fang Long, but no matter how big a star Sanada is, he still has to listen to the director on set!”

Recalling how Sanada had disrespected him earlier, Wang Xingxing was somewhat displeased and no longer displayed his usual obsequious tone. This earned him much approval, with many praising his backbone.

But none of this was what Wang Xingxing truly cared about. That opening line was just to stir the pot, a mere prelude. His real target was the scoundrel Qian Lang.

So, he picked out a few more striking photos from his album and posted them in the group, quickly typing a lengthy message: “Hey, Qian Lang, you’re still in our group? I heard your shoot started today too. How’s the set? Are the actors obedient? Is everyone respectful to you?”

He tagged Qian Lang and sent it off.

Meanwhile, Qian Lang was reading a book. Hearing his phone beep, he checked it. Heh, Wang Xingxing seemed quite concerned about him. But since no one hits a smiling face, there was no need to embarrass the guy.

Scrolling up, it looked like the group chat had just started. So, he replied: “Thanks for your concern, Deputy Director Wang. Everything is fine!”

Ding! Wang Xingxing picked up his phone, a cold smile curling on his lips. “Fine?” That meant not so good.

“Oh, that’s good to hear! Although you were fired by Xingyao, the sea is wide for the fish to leap—maybe you can make something of yourself elsewhere? But seriously, Qian Lang, your eye for casting actors is really poor! Who would like someone like Wang Bo? Doesn’t your company have the strength to invite international superstars? That just puts all the pressure on you. After all, the box office responsibility doesn’t rest solely on the director! It’s just a pity the audience only knows to call you a lousy film director. Sigh!”

Unable to contain his excitement, Wang Xingxing quickly sent this long message. His words sounded caring, but the subtext was full of stabs aimed at Qian Lang’s heart. Anyone with a brain could see through it.

Yet, to get angry over this would be counterproductive and petty. After all, these were good intentions. To be upset would be to mistake kindness for insult.

The group chat flooded with messages—everyone sending laughing facepalm emojis. Those in the know understood: this was a soft but sharp verbal attack.

Seeing their faces, Qian Lang smiled calmly and replied, “Thank you for your concern, Deputy Director Wang! Although our actors are plain and unassuming, their acting skills are exceptionally solid, no worse than those famous superstars! Besides, if the film is well made, the audience won’t necessarily reject it. After all, as Daxia natives, we hope to see domestic actors featured on screen! Also, as the chief director, I don’t see any issue with being responsible for the film.”

He tagged Wang Xingxing and sent. The reply was brilliant—thanking Wang’s “kindness” while rebuffing his “malice.”

“Oh? Look at you, so capable!” Wang Xingxing’s expression darkened, and his reply lost its earlier dignity.

“I’ve always thought that those small productions in the Daxia film market are nothing to boast about! Only big productions like our ‘Taiji’ deserve to face the audience! Qian Lang, how much is your film’s investment?”

Ding.

“Not much, can’t compare to your ‘Taiji’!”

Seeing the reply, Wang Xingxing felt elated again. Hehe, you little show-off, may lightning strike you!

“Ah? Aren’t you afraid it’ll flop again? Won’t that make it your fourth flop? Sisisi, not very auspicious or pleasant to hear!”

Sending…

Ding.

“Hehe, that’s not something Deputy Director Wang should worry about. After all, you’re just a deputy director and don’t have to bear market responsibility!”

Qian Lang’s reply was no longer polite. Wang Xingxing nearly exploded with anger. That scoundrel! A typical personal attack!

“What’s wrong with being a deputy director? I have more control over the set than your entire team! What do you know, you nobody? We’ve invested a billion, do you even have a tenth of that?”

Seeing Wang Xingxing losing his composure, Qian Lang smiled slyly and ruthlessly continued to strike back.

“Hehe, you said you don’t want to bear market responsibility? Why get mad when someone says it for you?”

Ding.

Upon seeing the reply, Wang Xingxing almost threw his phone. But before that, he had to regain face.

“I need your help? What a joke! Those misfits you picked were all rejected by me, the executive deputy director! When ‘Taiji’ completely crushes the competition, you better behave!”

Damn you, scoundrel!

Having vented his anger, Wang Xingxing no longer cared about tact. He just wanted to silence Qian Lang, but things didn’t go as planned.

Not only did Qian Lang reply, but he also delivered a fatal blow: “Hehe, you’re not the chief director, what does it have to do with you?”

Oh, damn! This chat was over.

“Bye everyone, I’m leaving the group!”

Before Wang Xingxing could think of a comeback, Qian Lang had already left the group. Furious, Wang Xingxing threw his phone away.

Damn! He had hoped to find some emotional closure and sleep peacefully, but tonight was destined to be sleepless with anger.

Yet, Qian Lang was in a great mood. Based on the messages, “Taiji” was set to challenge the summer release schedule. But he wasn’t worried about being crushed.

The reason was clear: the “Taiji” crew’s decision to cast stars from the island nation and Korea had already sparked a backlash. Daxia hadn’t seen such a big-budget production in a long time. Film professionals from all directions were eager to work and earn decent pay. But the “Taiji” team’s eyes were on foreign stars for the lead roles, while domestic heavy hitters were relegated to supporting parts. It was a Daxia film, after all. This was intolerable.

Many stars had already vented their frustrations about the “Taiji” crew on Weibo. Though Wang Xingxing was the main culprit, his status was too low; many vented their anger at Director Zhang Mu instead.

Zhang Mu remained silent, knowing that speaking out now would harm the film’s promotion. But he was not entirely comfortable either. Though he was the chief director, the “Taiji” crew was not his sole domain. Cheng Jie from Xingyao was always making his presence felt. He couldn’t simply ignore him.

“Sigh, the tree wishes to be still but the wind will not cease,” Zhang Mu sighed.

This was not his only worry. The Beijing Film Academy was also troubled lately. Because of a three-hundred-word essay by a minor Karami, clueless onlookers were cursing and complaining on the school’s official website. They said the academy was careless and aesthetically flawed, producing poor directors and actors unfit to be seen.

It was a total condemnation of the entire institution. The moderators deleted comments until their hands cramped, but to no avail.

“This Wang Xingxing is a troublemaker!” many school leaders were furious but helpless. They could only hope for a chance to clear the school’s name.

Perhaps the one who tied the knot should untie it. Rather than pin hopes on unlikely chances, it was better to make a practical breakthrough.

Many at the school pinned their hopes on Qian Lang’s new film, hoping he could wipe the slate clean. After all, he graduated from Beijing Film Academy, and it was because of him the school had become a target of criticism.

Of course, Qian Lang himself took all this lightly. He believed the best course was to do his utmost to make each scene perfect.

Thus, shooting had gone smoothly for days, but today’s scene encountered some trouble.