Huayu: It's normal for me, as a director, to mentor young actresses, right?

Chapter 39 That Year, 2, Full of Vigor and Spirit

As the two approached, Lin Yu suppressed all his superfluous expressions and put on a serious face.

"It's about to start, hurry up and go in."

Nazha didn't dare to argue, nodded, and pulled Dilraba to go inside.

Dilraba didn't say anything either.

As she passed by Lin Yu, she turned her head and raised an eyebrow at him slightly.

Just like that.

Lin Yu felt a cold sweat break out on his back from that raised eyebrow.

"Wow, you're quite the ladies' man."

Just as Lin Yu turned around to enter the screening room, Huo Qigang's voice rang out from behind him.

Lin Yu turned around and saw Huo Qigang walking over with his wife.

Both of them looked well and seemed to be in a good mood.

"Brother Huo, sister-in-law," Lin Yu greeted with a smile, "You seem to be in a good mood. Did you have a fruitful trip to Yanjing?"

"Thanks to you, kid." Huo Qigang and Lin Yu hugged again, their voices much lower, "You've reaped considerable benefits by following the right person."

"Brother Huo is joking. I didn't say anything like that."

Lin Yu patted his back, and after letting go, he still maintained a polite smile.

"Hurry up and get in, it's about to begin."

Kenneth Fok and his wife went ahead first.

Sometimes, not taking sides is a form of taking sides.

Especially this year, saying nothing at all has already made their stance clear.

When the three of them entered the screening room, all the hundreds of seats were already full.

Although this event was called a premiere, it was still officially a three-school exchange activity. Principal Zhang was already standing by the stage, holding his speech notes, ready to go on stage and give his speech.

After arranging seats for Mr. and Mrs. Fok Kai-kong, Lin Yu went to the waiting area on the sidelines. He was going to give a speech later.

Principal Zhang went up on stage.

First, I would like to thank all the leaders for their guidance. Then, I would like to review the deep-rooted history of cooperation among the three schools. Next, I would like to look forward to the future development of film and television education. Finally, I would like to express my high hopes for young creators.

Four sections, not one missing. Lin Yu stood on the sidelines, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier.

It's not that I disrespect Principal Zhang, it's just that I've heard this set of words countless times during the semester I've been at Beijing Film Academy, and I can almost recite them by heart.

After several leaders took turns giving speeches, the host finally called out his name.

The lights shone on him, and hundreds of eyes in the audience turned to look at him.

He straightened his collar and stepped onto the stage.

According to so-called convention, we should first thank the school, teachers, investors, actors, and staff.

Then talk about the original intention of the creation, the hardships of the filming process, and finally the joy of the film's release.

A speech script that couldn't be more perfect.

However, Lin Yu did not intend to say these things. Principal Zhang and the previous leaders had already said them over and over again, and the people below the stage were already getting impatient.

"Hello everyone, teachers, seniors, and friends."

"I am Lin Yu, the director of 'Twelve Citizens'."

"Today, we have veteran filmmakers who have been making films for decades, film critics who have watched thousands of films, and my teachers. They are all people who could give me a failing grade."

A burst of good-natured laughter came from the audience.

Lin Yu smiled as well, his tone relaxed:

"If I were to talk to you about the difficulties of creation and the hardships of filming, it would probably be like showing off my limited skills before an expert."

He paused, then changed the subject.

"Before going on stage, my teacher told me to be humble. Everyone here is a senior, and I should talk about the shortcomings of my work. I hope everyone can offer suggestions and criticisms in a friendly manner."

"But why does it have to be like this... um... let me think, why does it have to be so insincere?"

Lin Yu's voice became serious.

"This film features the best students from three major film academies, the most professional team, and the best equipment. It represents the culmination of the hard work of so many teachers, students, and staff from various schools."

"You want me to stand on stage and say, 'Ah, this movie is lacking in this and that,' I'm sorry, I can't say."

"The fact that I brought this film to meet everyone means that I am satisfied with it and have confidence in it."

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the audience.

"If it succeeds, I will say, ah, all the hard work of so many of us over the years has not been in vain, and everyone has contributed to this success."

"If the audience has one kind of dissatisfaction with it."

He paused for a moment, his tone calm.

"That's because I didn't film it well. I let the team down and failed to win the audience's favor. The responsibility lies with me."

"I am not afraid of failure, nor do I avoid failure. I will not make excuses to shirk responsibility after failure."

"I am 20 years old and a freshman in college. This is my first film. I am very grateful to the school and investors for believing in me and giving me such a great opportunity."

"Many people think that as a young person, especially a newcomer to the industry, I should be humble, low-key, and say, 'I still have many shortcomings, please give me more guidance.'"

"These statements are correct, but I think there's another important point."

I take responsibility for my work.

He smiled.

"The seniors here may find these words somewhat arrogant."

"But, like I said, I'm only twenty. I'm young, so I should be carefree."

Lin Yu, who was twenty years old that year, stood on the stage, full of vigor and ambition.

"That's all I wanted to say today."

Lin Yu bowed to the audience.

Thank you everyone.

The applause started from the back row and quickly spread throughout the entire venue.

The next segment involved the main cast and crew sharing anecdotes from filming. Logically, Lin Yu, as the director, should have stayed on stage, but he came down instead.

That speech was already eye-catching enough; he shouldn't stay on stage and steal the spotlight from the actors.

He glanced at the audience and noticed that Nazha was waving at him, gesturing for him to come and sit down.

This girl is great in every way, except she hasn't learned how to read the room. I'll have Wang Jinghua mentor her more.

Lin Yu pretended not to see it and went straight to the empty seat next to Huo Qigang and sat down.

"Well said." Huo Qigang patted Lin Yu's hand.

"Haha, these are all my honest thoughts." Lin Yu was very pleased with Huo Qigang's praise.

"Once the movie is released, I'll definitely book several screenings for you." Huo Qigang chatted with Lin Yu while watching the actors interact on stage.

"Thank you very much then." Lin Yu smiled. "Whether my movie breaks even depends on you."

"I dare not take credit. Your older brothers and sisters plan to promote this movie as a recommended film for the political and legal system. The box office will not be low."

"I didn't know about this yet." Lin Yu hadn't been home for a while, so he was indeed out of touch with the news.

"Everyone will definitely support your debut film." Kenneth Fok turned to look at him, paused, and said, "I'll be going back in a couple of days. I'll come to Hong Kong Island when I have some free time."

"I'll definitely go." Lin Yu nodded. "Are the actors all ready?"

"Everything's ready, just waiting for you to come," Huo Qigang said in a low voice.

"They even say online that you two are family friends," Lin Yu teased in a low voice.

Kenneth Fok laughed.

"That's why I'll actively help him get a reduced sentence."