The Hero

Chapter 197 All Ride!

Javier couldn't possibly tell them the truth. No, the secret is not the problem. The problem is that no one would believe something like that. Hence, he gave them the answer he created just for this opportunity. “I was talking to a friend of mine from abroad, and he said we Chinese can't make good movies. He thought all we were making was mock movies and hacks meant to earn money. It pissed me off, so I wanted to stand up for our filmmakers. I wanted to make a film worthy of international acclaim and show it to these foreigners so they knew that there was nothing the Chinese could not do! We can be the best at everything we try!”

Javier's confidence makes up for his very small lack of trust…

It's best not to think about Chinese football if he wants to maintain this facade of certainty!

For better or worse, Mr. Gander has absolutely no thoughts on the state of their national football team. He smacked his hand against the table in a loud voice, exclaiming, "That's the spirit we need and deserve, son!"

They both started talking about the movie. They talked about the script and Mr. incident. Ackerman, which seems to surprise Mr. Ganders. “I know Old Man Ackerman. We were the best of fools when we were young. He always told me we had to work together on a picture, but he has just come off the grid in recent years, so I can't reach him. To be honest, if you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known something this big happened to him! ”

Javier himself was quite surprised. He didn't expect Old Man Ackerman to be friends with Mr. Gander. But that's a good thing. Someone who knew Old Man Ackerman was someone who could play him convincingly.

Javier explains the plot in more detail. A moment later, Mr. Gander was on board. "sold! I'm sold! Brilliant plot. I say this as a director and a friend. I'm busted. I will write the script based on the plot!”

A director who doubles as a screenwriter is not unheard of. In fact, it was more of a norm than expected. However, when it comes to refining the character and emotional layers, Javier thinks that the screenplay by the famous Saoirse Rand would be better. Mr. Gander, by comparison, has always been more adept at telling stories through the lens.

He shared his thoughts with Mr. Ganders. Instead of being upset, Mr. Gander nodded in agreement. “You are absolutely right! I'm a little carried away, hehe. You're right, there are professional screenwriters in the industry, and I've read the screenplay before. He's quite an expert! Three-dimensional characterization abounds in his work.He is truly an outstanding scriptwriter. The story is guaranteed to be a masterpiece if we leave it in his hands.”

It's an injection of trust in Javier's heart.

Mr. Gander also has more ideas than that. “I love your story and idea. The fact that the Osborn Award is not a Chinese award is not a reason for the Chinese to join the competition, okay? We must let our culture shine on the international stage! I advise that we not submit our stories to the panel for review as soon as possible, though - I'm sure - you have a direct connection to them. Too many cooks will spoil the food, and everyone has their own favorite version of Hamlet. You know how subjective the aesthetics and appreciation of cinematography are, right?

“Rather than letting them change our style and unite different tastes into Frankenstein monsters, why don't we make the film and let them get used to our own talents? We may not be able to make everyone happy, but we are the happiest when we are ourselves!”

Javier thinks Mr. Gander is right. Each judge on the panel will have their own opinions and preferences, so taking all that into account will make the story fall apart. Even if a foreign judge ended up liking it, why would someone waste all their money on making something they didn't actually like?

After some thought, Javier decides to do what Mr. Gander says and avoid sending their scenario to the Osborn panel. After all, a good movie will always have its own unique soul!

The two then switched to timing for their show.

"I'll leave this check here" Javier said. "My people will come to you with a contract to sign immediately."

Mr. Gander glanced at the three million dollar check on the table and turned to Dana. "Have you seen a young man so excitedly before?"

Dana shook her head. "Only one. And I'm looking at him,"

Mr. Gander turned towards Javier and patted him hard and heavily. “When we start working, man. We will make a good film for these foreigners, and they will know.that we Chinese can also make cinematic masterpieces!”.

To celebrate the occasion, Mr. Gander had Javier stay over for lunch, insisting that they should drink wine. Javier initially wanted to sit outside, but the director was nothing if not very enthusiastic. “Ah, drinking at home must feel very awkward, right? I love drinking anywhere out there! ”

Javier has to say yes then. The director's passion makes saying is not nearly impossible.

Dana became a cook at the time, as she prepared lunch for them in the family kitchen. Then, Javier, Dana, and Mr. Gander sat around the dining table and ate. It was a lively lunch made more festive with booze, though if Javier had to pick out the one thing he thought was the hardest, it was Mr. Gander's drink. The intake of his choice did seem too much—he had a cup that was at least 130ml in size and filled with 52% ABV vodka China—but he insisted on giving an example and expected Javier to join him.

It is not difficult to follow “example Mr. Gander who did not finish the cup until the bottom of it went up. Despite this, Javier did his best ...

Unfortunately, once he finished his cup and was ready to eat, Mr. Gander took another shot. It's enough to make Dana cry in fear, “B-Stop, Old Gander! You have to slow down! I know this new partnership is a reason for celebration, but it's all in moderation, Old Gander! ”

Mr. Gander was happy to ease his panic with a small laugh. “I tried to get myself hammered first, son.. Then, it's her turn! Ha ha!"

Good. There's no way Javier could miss this one

He finished his drink and was eager to eat again. To his surprise, he barely ate for more than two minutes when the older man was ready for the third shot.

“Return for trinity!” yells.

'Return for the trinity?' What does that mean?

Before Javier could decipher his point correctly, Mr. Gander completed the third shot in a single gulp. Had Javier not been the one to fill his cup, he would have wondered if Mr. Gander was playing with him by drinking plain water.

Dana's expression apologizes. "Oh forgive me. That, uh... That's Old Gander for you. Once he decides you are his partner, he starts not caring about the health limitations. Don't be forced to spend your drinks at once, okay? ”

Javier thanks Dana for kindly offering him a way out, but she ends up refusing to do anything except what Mr. Gander did. The director was approaching his sixties from crying out loud! If he could finish three glasses of Chinese vodka like that, then what was Javier's excuse?

He drank a third gulp at once.

It was a pretty sickening experience. Javier swore there was a fire scorching his entrails, but at least he could muffle the damage with a little food.

It was Javier's turn to make a toast. He had just filled his partner's cup when Mr. Gander's head hit the table and was not excited anymore, leaving Javier in a panic. The director didn't just...drink himself into a brain hemorrhage, did he?!

He looked at Mr.'s expression. Ganders. He looked fine, and there was not even a frown of distress on his face.

It's not him pretending to be drunk, is it? Because it would be a very simple thing for Old Gander to do. After hitting Javier with a triple threat, he can't just back out of Javier's turn by pretending to be asleep!