Chapter 12: A Script Differing by a Single Word—What Are You Trying to Do?

Beijing Film Academy.

Upon hearing Chen Mo say he wanted to become a director and shoot a TV drama,

Li Bin was completely taken aback.

“How did you come up with the idea of directing instead of acting?” Li Bin couldn’t understand at all.

“I’m like this now; I’m afraid no one will be looking for me to act in the short term,” Chen Mo said with a smile.

“That’s not necessarily true. Although this situation has an impact, it’s not as serious as you think. Are you really set on this? Acting and directing are entirely different things. Do you really know how to direct?” Li Bin shook his head repeatedly, still somewhat doubtful.

“It’s just an idol drama. I have a bit of confidence,” Chen Mo explained.

“An idol drama? It’s not that simple! Have you secured investment for this?” Li Bin was a little surprised.

“Yes, the funding is already in place!” Chen Mo nodded.

Now Li Bin was genuinely shocked by Chen Mo.

He couldn’t help but scrutinize Chen Mo from head to toe, then curiously asked, “How much investment did you get?”

“Six million!” Chen Mo gestured.

“Six million? You didn’t take money from your family, did you?” Li Bin said in astonishment.

“No, don’t worry, teacher. I know my limits. Besides, the script is already done; we just need the crew,” Chen Mo shook his head without further explanation.

After all, it wasn’t easy to explain that the money was borrowed from a wealthy young lady.

“Six million and you’re doing this? Well, alright, did you bring the script? Let me take a look and help you review it.” Seeing that the hardest part—the funding—was secured and the script was ready, Li Bin had no choice but to offer his assistance.

Chen Mo took out the script he had rewritten during this time, combining his memories with the “Boys Over Flowers” manga and the original “Meteor Garden” story.

As his first project in this world, although the initial intention was for revenge, the project itself was also profitable, so Chen Mo had put considerable effort into it. What he handed to Li Bin was the director’s script.

Li Bin was momentarily stunned when he saw the cover.

“Meteor Shower Together?”

“What’s going on here?” Li Bin didn’t even open the script but looked up at Chen Mo with a puzzled expression.

“I remember the drama you auditioned for before had a similar name, right? No, wait—it was ‘Watching the Meteor Shower’ by Yu Youde! Chen Mo, what exactly are you trying to do?” Li Bin suddenly recalled and his expression grew serious.

“Teacher, take another look at this,” Chen Mo said, handing over a copy of the adaptation authorization certificate.

Li Bin glanced at it, and his entire demeanor stiffened.

“Wait, let me catch my breath. This is the adaptation authorization for ‘Meteor Garden’? Are you... going after Yu Youde?” Li Bin was barely able to piece together the situation, but he was even more shocked.

He could only say he was stunned by Chen Mo’s audacity.

“Be honest, what exactly are you planning?” Li Bin suppressed his astonishment and asked Chen Mo directly.

“Teacher, haven’t you already guessed?” Chen Mo smiled and asked back.

“Even so, you can’t act on impulse! How about I help you find a director?” Li Bin thought for a moment and suggested.

Chen Mo understood his meaning and was somewhat touched.

Li Bin clearly understood Chen Mo’s intention and didn’t stop him. Instead, he worried that Chen Mo might be acting rashly. If an experienced director took on this project, it could definitely give Yu Youde a serious challenge!

But if Chen Mo directed it himself, the risk would be enormous. After all, Li Bin simply didn’t believe Chen Mo really knew how to direct.

“Teacher, why don’t you take a look at the script I made first?” Chen Mo pointed to the script on the table.

“All right, I’ll take a look.” Li Bin nodded, glanced at Chen Mo, then at the script.

He began flipping through it.

The more he read, the more surprised he became.

The script content far exceeded his expectations because it was a director’s script.

Though Li Bin taught acting, it didn’t mean he couldn’t understand a director’s storyboard.

It was precisely because he understood it that he was so astonished.

Though the storyboard wasn’t breathtaking, it was solid and conventional. If it were a film, it would be considered mediocre, but this was an idol drama script—and Chen Mo was trained in acting.

This script proved that Chen Mo really could direct.

His skill might not be extraordinary, but directing an idol drama was definitely within his grasp.

“You really surprised me! When did you learn this?” Li Bin closed the script and looked at Chen Mo in astonishment.

“I’ve always had some interest, so I gradually learned a bit. Sorry to make you laugh,” Chen Mo said modestly.

“You? Laugh? You scared me, that’s all!” Li Bin smiled wryly.

“Tell me, how do you want me to help?” Soon, Li Bin stopped persuading Chen Mo to give up and asked what assistance he needed.

“You know I’m lacking everything now. Besides funds and the script, I have nothing else. So... heh heh,” Chen Mo looked a little embarrassed.

“Let’s take it step by step. I don’t doubt your directing ability, but since this is your first time directing, you should get an experienced assistant director. Let me think...” Li Bin quickly got into problem-solving mode.

He seriously began helping Chen Mo consider the possibilities.

Though Chen Mo had been a seasoned filmmaker in his previous life, even the most skilled can’t cook without rice. He could find someone himself, but time was pressing. He had to shoot this drama before “Meteor Garden” to gain the upper hand and maximize the impact.

He couldn’t afford to waste time.

Although Li Bin wasn’t involved in the entertainment industry, as a teacher at Beijing Film Academy, his connections far surpassed Chen Mo’s.

Li Bin was a bit troubled; finding the right assistant director for Chen Mo was not easy.

“Got it! I have a candidate, but...” Suddenly, Li Bin’s eyes lit up, then furrowed his brow.

“But what?” Chen Mo was curious, even more so about who Li Bin would recommend.

“But I don’t know if he would be interested in an idol drama...” Li Bin rubbed his chin.

“Who?” Chen Mo asked eagerly.

“A senior from the directing department, Ning Hao!” Li Bin named someone that even surprised Chen Mo.

“You’ve got to be kidding! Director Ning?” Chen Mo blurted out.

He never expected this—absolutely never.

But the next moment, Li Bin looked at Chen Mo with a puzzled expression. “Director Ning? You know him?”

“He... huh?” Chen Mo was about to speak but suddenly stopped, his expression turning strange.

Because he suddenly recalled that although it was already 2010 in this world, some people and events were completely different from his previous life.

For example, this once-famous director Ning Hao was, in Chen Mo’s previous life, a sensation years ago.

But in this world, as far as Chen Mo remembered, Ning Hao’s notable films hadn’t yet been made.

This confused Chen Mo.

In fact, when he first arrived, he had noticed some differences between this world and his past life, but naturally, he couldn’t remember everything clearly.