T/N: 呆毛 – literally means foolish hair, this is the ahoge hair in anime.
On the day after coaxing his boyfriend, Ye Zhou gritted his teeth and crawled out of bed, almost collapsing to the ground from weak legs.
Fuming, Ye Zhou opened his phone, found the highest-rated answer to his question from yesterday, and took nearly half an hour furiously typing a reply of over a thousand words. The main idea was to accuse the unscrupulous answerer of being insane, as well as to extensively describe various references and vehemently criticize the answerer for causing harm. He also spent a considerable amount of space warning everyone not to learn from them.
After proofreading and ensuring his language was straightforward, smooth, and coherent, Ye Zhou angrily hit submit. After a quick wash and breakfast, he checked if the answerer had replied to his comment; if so, he was determined to engage them in a three-hundred-round battle to make them realize the evils of human nature!
Disappointingly, the comment section only contained Ye Zhou’s long rant, with no new response from the answerer besides their original answer.
Grunting, Ye Zhou pocketed his phone and got to work, opening his computer to research Director Sang’s films.
The internationally acclaimed Director Sang’s every production was a classic, some so meaningful they were included in directing textbooks.
Ye Zhou had watched many of Director Sang’s representative works multiple times out of admiration and had even taken the time to watch all his films more than once, making him a loyal fan.
However, movies, especially good ones, would bring new understandings with each viewing. A good movie, when viewed by different people at different ages, different times, and different moods, would evoke different feelings.
For people who love movies, a great film brought more joy than winning the lottery. For someone like Ye Zhou who works in the industry, it is even more beneficial for him.
Director Sang’s mastery of cinematography, lighting, atmosphere, pacing, and character development was an invaluable treasure from which Ye Zhou learned a great deal with each viewing.
If asked about his favorite among Director Sang’s many works, Ye Zhou would undoubtedly choose the textbook-worthy martial arts film ‘Broken Sword,’ which he had watched at least fifty times. Ye Zhou saved this movie on his phone and would take it out to watch whenever he had time, no matter where he was.
His way of watching movies was different from that of ordinary people. It was more like dissecting the film. He would repeatedly watch his favorite scenes, carefully savoring the colors, dialogue, and structure.
Today, he began reviewing with “Broken Sword” as usual. It was an industry consensus that Director Sang’s works and shots possess a strong personal touch, yet his personal touch cannot be easily defined. Some called it grand, others rustic or realistic. There were various evaluations that could make people dizzy. Many people in the industry had been debating this for a long time and still had not reached a clear definition.
Some said Director Sang’s style was grand, but then he started with small characters and settings and played with delicacy. Some said he was rustic, but his modern films did not have the ancient elegance of his Wuxia films. Some said he was realistic, but he could create beautiful scenes.
As a loyal fan of Director Sang, if Ye Zhou had to give a definition of his personal touch, he would say it was warmth and gentleness.
Regardless of the type of film or the images in the shots, the images captured by Director Sang always radiated warmth.
Though inexplicable, Ye Zhou felt even the darkest corners could blossom flowers – gently, softly.
Although it may seem inexplicable, Ye Zhou just had this feeling. It was a feeling that even in the darkest corner, flowers could bloom – gently, softly.
Around 3 PM, Ye Zhou charged his computer and changed into a crisp, formal suit—a rarity except for important occasions. Though there was no major event today, he felt more anxious than attending those.
At three in the afternoon, Ye Zhou charged his laptop and changed into a clean and decent suit in his room. Besides attending important events, he usually dressed casually and rarely wore formal attire.
Although today was not an important occasion, nor were there any significant activities, Ye Zhou was more nervous than before.
The reason? This afternoon, not only would he meet his idol, but his idol would personally interview him.
Yes, after Geng Bochuan left yesterday, Ye Zhou spoke with Director Sang on the phone. The other party’s attitude was very gentle, and although they didn’t talk for a long time, they had a pleasant conversation and set up the interview for this afternoon.
Originally, Director Sang was planning to invite Ye Zhou to his home for the interview. However, at around eight o’clock in the evening, he apologized and said that he had to be a presenter at an awards ceremony the next afternoon, so he couldn’t invite Ye Zhou to his home. The interview could be conducted via video call or postponed.
Logically, postponing would give Ye Zhou more preparation time. However, he thought about it and realized that he had watched Director Sang’s works countless times and didn’t need that temporary cushion. The deeper aspects could only be obtained through face-to-face communication with Director Sang. The longer it was delayed, the more anxious he might become. So, without much hesitation, he decided on a video interview.
Ye Zhou scrutinized his attire in the mirror, ensuring everything was in order. Suddenly, he smacked his head, rushed into the bathroom, and grabbed a comb from the drawer by the sink, running it through his hair a couple of times.
However, to his dismay, after that one stroke, the bedhead from his sleeping position last night immediately became unruly. No matter how hard Ye Zhou tried to comb it down, that stubborn tuft of hair continued to stand defiantly, refusing to blend in with the rest.
Ye Zhou brushed it a few times to no avail. Glancing at the time, he simply wet the stubborn cowlick with water from the faucet and slicked it down.
Aided by the moisture, the defiant little lock finally relented meekly, behaving itself.
Ye Zhou looked in the mirror and took a deep breath. “Ye Zhou, don’t panic; you’ve got this!”
He returned to the living room, pulled out a chair before the computer, and initiated the video call with Director Sang.
Director Sang answered promptly, his voice as ever calm and gentle. Seemingly sensing Ye Zhou’s nervousness, he humorously cracked a small joke to ease the pressure.
Director Sang truly excelled not just in cinematic achievements but in his accommodating affability and attentiveness with others. Interacting with such a person was an incredibly delightful experience for Ye Zhou.
Though initially anxious given the stakes of potentially collaborating with his idol, under Director Sang’s guidance and reassurance, Ye Zhou miraculously relaxed. This was undeniably beneficial, as a relaxed Ye Zhou shone brightly in both his thoughts and eloquence.
The two hit it off splendidly. No matter what topic Director Sang raised, Ye Zhou quickly followed his line of thinking, and Director Sang promptly responded to Ye Zhou’s viewpoints.
The senior and the junior enjoyed each other’s company in what was supposed to be a very serious video interview.
Their conversation lasted for an hour until someone knocked on the car window, informing Director Sang that the award ceremony was about to begin and inviting him to join. It was then that the interview finally came to a close.
Contrary to Ye Zhou’s expectations, Director Sang didn’t dwell on professional matters but focused more on emotional perspectives and philosophies on life, their main topic being life and death – existence and nonexistence.
Abstruse yet coincidentally, Ye Zhou had quite profound insights into the matter, having lived, died, and been reborn.
So when Director Sang asked if he believed in life and death beyond this life, time beyond this time, Ye Zhou answered…
“Yes, I firmly believe so.”
Upon hearing this, Director Sang suddenly laughed. Before Ye Zhou could figure out the meaning behind Director Sang’s smile, he saw Director Sang pointing at his own hair on the screen.
Puzzled, Ye Zhou subconsciously mimicked the gesture, feeling a lock of…defiantly upright cowlick.
Ye Zhou: =_=!!!
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