Starting from a Fake University
Chapter 558 - 338: Not meeting without being enemies (Subscribe)_1

Chapter 558: Chapter 338: Not meeting without being enemies (Subscribe)_1

Director Su Yangfan took the initiative to greet him, there must be something afoot, right?

However, Ding Yue didn’t ask directly.

Instead, he started a mutual praise conversation with Su Yangfan. He praised my "Super Combat Team" as a good watch, and I said his sci-fic TV shows deserve awards.

After some conversation, Ding Yue could tell from Su Yangfan’s tone that he seemed to genuinely like the animated film from Mist City Arts and Science University, "Super Combat Team".

Because "Super Combat Team" indeed contained many sci-fi elements, and Director Su Yangfan is a director who produces sci-fi TV shows.

"Principal Ding, I imagine your attendance at the NTS Gala is due to your university’s documentary ’A Bite of Xia Country’ being nominated, right? I have also seen this piece, it was well done. It is said to have been filmed by your students?"

Su Yangfan then steered the conversation from "Super Combat Team" to "A Bite of Xia Country".

Ding Yue nodded, shifted his gaze to Tang Yuanhua and Shen Ling at his side, and said with a smile, "Yes, ’A Bite of Xia Country’ is shot and directed by the combined effort of our students from the Mist City Arts and Science University Department of Film and Television, these two students, are amongst the directors."

"Amazing."

Su Yangfan glanced at Tang Yuanhua and Shen Ling, who were both young, and couldn’t help but praise them.

To be able to produce such an exceptional piece during their college years, although merely a documentary, not a regular TV show or short film, but the quality of this documentary is unquestionably excellent.

Even more, it has been nominated for the NTS Gold Award for Documentaries, which is a significant achievement.

Su Yangfan remembered that when he was in college in Yancheng, he only worked on some small or minor projects and could only get opportunities to produce these right before graduation.

If Su Yangfan’s memory is correct, Mist City Arts and Science University only has second-year students at most, right?

After all, Mist City Arts and Science University has only admitted students twice.

However, the fact that a private university has achieved such reputation and success in only two years is quite amazing, it shows that Principal Ding has put his heart and soul into the development process of Mist City Arts and Science University.

"Principal Ding, your school is indeed full of talents."

Seeing Su Yangfan’s praise, Ding Yue smiled and said, "As film students, they should be given more practical opportunities. That’s what I thought at the time, and our students produced quite a remarkable report card for the school."

"A Bite of Xia Country", in terms of the buzz created after going live, the views on Bilibili, and the ratings after being broadcast on the NTS, was undoubtedly excellent.

The success of "A Bite of Xia Country" is in large part due to the bona fide efforts of the students and faculty of the Mist City Arts and Science Department of Film and Television, even though Ding Yue did contribute some good "ideas".

Tang Yuanhua and Shen Ling, who were standing nearby, felt a little embarrassed hearing both Principal Ding and Director Su Yangfan heaping praise upon them.

"Young guys, your Principal Ding is really remarkable. Cherish this opportunity and work hard. Now that you can produce a documentary of such high quality, you will surely be able to create excellent films and TV series in the future. Keep up the good work!"

Director Su Yangfan encouraged the two students, Tang Yuanhua and Shen Ling.

"Yes, we surely will!" Tang Yuanhua and Shen Ling responded in unison.

"Director Chen, Director Ma, shall you take a rest here while we await further arrangements from our staff?"

A figure appeared at the door of the lounge, immediately catching Ding Yue’s attention.

Ding Yue was in the midst of a conversation with Director Su Yangfan when he noticed this figure and couldn’t help but exclaim, "Huh?"

"Huh? Why is he here?" Ding Yue murmured.

"Who?"

Upon hearing this, Su Yangfan asked, furrowing his brows in confusion.

"Principal Ding, who is it?" Wen Ruohan, the secretary standing nearby, couldn’t help being curious and asked.

"Wen Ruohan, didn’t you say that Director Ma Wenhai wasn’t on the list of invitees for the NTS Gala this time?"

Ding Yue turned his head and looked at Wen Ruohan.

"Yes, indeed. I didn’t see Director Ma Wenhai’s name in the invitation list. I checked it several times. It is absolutely impossible to miss." Wen Ruohan replied.

"Here."

Ding Yue looked up and indicated towards the entrance of the lounge. Director Ma Wenhai was coming over, accompanied by another well-known Director, Chen Dachun.

"Director Chen? Director Ma?"

Su Yangfan muttered a little surprised.

Ding Yue and his Mist City Film and Science University did have some connection with Ma Wenhai. Both Ma Wenhai’s "Space Fortress" and Ding Yue’s "Super Combat Team" were released during the National Day Golden Time, but while "Super Combat Team" was a box office hit, "Space Fortress" flopped!

"Ah, Principal Ding, I really have no idea how this happened." Upon seeing Director Ma Wenhai, Wen Ruohan immediately explained.

Wen Ruohan was sure that Director Ma Wenhai’s name was not on the original NTS guest list that she had seen.

Thus, she also was unclear as to why Director Ma Wenhai was now appearing in the lounge.

"Yo, yo, yo, isn’t this Principal Ding?" Director Ma Wenhai suddenly spotted Ding Yue and his face expression changed, he came up smiling and said: "Principal Ding, what brings you here?"

Ma Wenhai’s words were quite normal, but his tone was oddly sarcastic. This Ma Wenhai, always sneaky, don’t you think?

Ding Yue gave a faint smile and replied: "I was invited to the NTS Gala."

The Director Chen Dachun next to Ma Wenhai turned out to be more friendly and said with a smile: "I guess Principal Ding is here because of your university’s food documentary, ’A Bite of Xia Country’? I heard it’s nominated for the Best Documentary Gold Award."

"Correct."

Ding Yue responded truthfully.

The middle-aged man speaking in a gentle tone is Chen Dachun, Ding Yue knew this. Chen Dachun is one of the famous directors in the country, almost as well-known as Ma Wenhai.

Chen Dachun is known for directing thriller or cop movies and no need to mention his social status. He not only makes movies but also TV shows. Last year he made a movie in cooperation with the official side.

If Ding Yue wasn’t mistaken, Chen Dachun showed up here probably because one of his movies was nominated for an award, right?

It’s safe to say it’s not the Best TV drama Gold Award!

"Just a plain documentary."

Ma Wenhai shrugged and said in that sarcastic tone of his.

Ding Yue could tell that Ma Wenhai was somewhat unfriendly to him. Could it be because his "Space Fortress" flopped and he blamed it on his Mist City Arts and Science University’s "Super Combat Team"?

Or was it because he countered him on Twitter last time, and he’s still holding a grudge?

No way, no way, could someone really be that narrow-minded?

Ding Yue didn’t even keep it in mind.

"Director Ma, what brings you here?" Ding Yue couldn’t help but ask curiously.

"It’s like this- the lead actor of my movie was nominated for the Best Actor Gold Award for this year, so I was invited to the NTS Gala. Director Chen is here too, so we came together."

Director Chen Dachun quickly explained.

As Ding Yue had guessed, Ma Wenhai was merely tagging along with Chen Dachun, just like how he himself brought Director Zhu Youzhao from their Film and Television Institute. They will only be able to sit in the audience seats at the back, not in the guest area.

"Isn’t this Director Su? You’re here too?"

Ma Wenhai spotted Su Yangfan and couldn’t help but ask with a smile.

"Hello, Director Ma!"

Su Yangfan politely greeted Ma Wenhai.

"I heard Director Su’s film is nominated for the NTS Gold Award this year, congratulations. But the competition is quite tough for the NTS Gold Award this year."

Ma Wenhai always had a somewhat contemptuous tone when speaking to Su Yangfan.

Ding Yue could tell that Ma Wenhai seemed to look down on Su Yangfan a bit. Could it be because movie directors who make sci-fi movies look down on TV directors who make sci-fi series?

After all, there’s a sort of hierarchy in film: movie directors look down on TV directors, TV directors look down on those who make web movies, and web movie directors look down on those who make web series.

In short, Ma Wenhai is a film director while Su Yangfan is a TV series director, that’s why he was disdainful when speaking to Su Yangfan.

Ding Yue always felt that there was something odd about Ma Wenhai. He seemed to have this sense of superiority, and it was quite apparent.

On the other hand, Director Chen Dachun, who was a friend of Ma Wenhai, was much friendlier.

"Director Su, it’s impressive that your work was nominated for the NTS Gold Award this year. I’m looking forward to seeing the moment it wins."

Chen Dachun said to Su Yangfan with a smile.

"Thank you, Director Chen." Su Yangfan expressed his gratitude for Chen Dachun’s words.

After all, for all those who wished good fortune on his "Transdimensional Contact" and hoped it would win the NTS Gold Award, Su Yangfan responded with a heart full of gratitude.

"Director Su, sci-fi is not an easy genre. If I remember correctly, no sci-fi TV series has ever won the NTS Gold Award, right? However, sci-fi movies have indeed won quite a few awards in previous years."

Ma Wenhai once again spoke in a haughty tone to Su Yangfan.

"That’s not necessarily the case, as long as it’s a good sci-fi, it’s a success." Ding Yue couldn’t stand it any longer and defended Director Su Yangfan.

"Principal Ding, what do you know? Do you understand sci-fi? Do you get how long of a journey sci-fi has to make in our country? Do you know who kicked the door open for domestic sci-fi? Ha!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Wenhai became a bit agitated and his voice raised a few decibels as he said to Ding Yue.

"I’m sorry, but I do know, just a little."

Ding Yue smiled faintly and replied.