Chapter 75

After deciding to produce *Little Actors*, Zhang Tan began working on the script while also looking for a director.

There weren't many contracted directors at the production company, mainly because the film and television department was weak, and there weren't many productions each year, so they didn't sign many directors. Moreover, truly capable directors were hard to come by.

After receiving the list of directors, Zhang Tan visited two of them, but both declined. Once they heard it was a children's drama, they immediately lost interest.

Without a director, everything was in vain.

If there was no suitable candidate, Zhang Tan planned to look outside. There must be someone suitable out there.

When He Miao learned of the situation, she came to chat with Zhang Tan. As usual, they met in his office, and he poured two cups of high-quality Biluochun tea. The aroma of the tea invigorated their spirits.

He Miao spoke straightforwardly, "If you can't find one, I can recommend someone. Do you know Zhang Tongshun?"

Zhang Tan was taken aback for a moment, then he remembered. Zhang Tongshun was the director of *The Chief of the Finance Department*, or rather, the former director.

The first two seasons of *The Chief of the Finance Department* were directed by Zhang Tongshun. However, he was replaced for the third season this year due to a disagreement with the lead actor, Wang Yifan, and he couldn't outmaneuver him.

Zhang Tan thought this person was indeed suitable. On one hand, he was capable, as proven by the first two seasons of *The Chief of the Finance Department*. On the other hand, he was currently idle at home, and being replaced from his breakout work must have been a significant blow. Although it wasn't a good thing, it would make it easier for Zhang Tan to persuade him.

Zhang Tan immediately went to find Zhang Tongshun. The man was in his forties, with a beard, tall and robust, and dressed in traditional Chinese linen clothing, giving him a very artistic and vintage look.

"Directing a children's drama?" Zhang Tongshun frowned when he heard Zhang Tan's purpose. He looked serious when he wasn't smiling. "I might not be the right fit."

He was being polite, but in his heart, he had already rejected the idea. Although he was in a career low, he wasn't about to turn to directing a children's drama just for the sake of it.

At the same time, he remembered that a director friend had mentioned a few days ago that a new screenwriter named Zhang Tan was looking for a director to produce a children's live-action drama. Everyone was watching with amusement, not mocking, but few took it seriously. After all, such a drama had never been done before, and no one knew if it would succeed. There was a 99% chance it would fail, and no one would risk their future on it.

Having experienced rejection before, Zhang Tan wasn't bothered. On the contrary, if Zhang Tongshun had agreed without hesitation, that would have been strange. He was skilled and in a career low, so he would be more cautious about his next project. If his next project also failed, he might never recover.

However, Zhang Tan had his own way of persuading him.

"Most children today are obsessed with computers and phones, and they know very little about traditional culture. Their enthusiasm for learning is also weak. The drama we want to produce isn't just for the sake of a gimmick; it's to educate minors about traditional culture. By having children take the lead, perform classics, and learn classics, they can relate to each other more easily, and children influencing children will be more effective..."

Zhang Tongshun looked at the young man speaking confidently, pondering his words, and began to waver.

...

Zhang Tan's words resonated with Zhang Tongshun, but he didn't immediately agree.

Although he didn't agree, the two of them discussed the project for the entire afternoon, and they found more and more common ground.

Zhang Tan was confident he could fully persuade Zhang Tongshun the next day.

Dinner was at a small restaurant in the urban village. These small restaurants, though tiny and looking like street stalls, served authentic dishes that were no less good than those in the high-end restaurants on West Chang'an Street, and in some cases, even more authentic.

For example, the local dishes from Pudong, which Zhang Tan had tried at least 90% of the restaurants on West Chang'an Street, were not very authentic. However, in Huangjia Village, he could enjoy the authentic local dishes.

Zhang Tan's dinner was Chrysanthemum Carp and Four Delicacies Braised Tofu.

The Chrysanthemum Carp is prepared by cutting the carp into pieces with a crosshatch pattern, frying them once when the oil is 60% hot, and then frying them again when the oil is 80% hot. Finally, a sauce made from tomato ketchup, sugar, and water is poured over them.

As for the Four Delicacies Braised Tofu, it is a traditional local dish that you won't find in other cuisines.

The four delicacies are bamboo shoots, daylily, black fungus, and peanuts. The braised tofu is a traditional delicacy from the Jiang-Zhe region, made from wheat gluten flour, which is separated from the wheat by kneading and washing in water, then fermented and steamed to form a sponge-like texture.

Zhang Tan remembered that when he was a child, his grandmother would make braised tofu every New Year. He would fight to eat it, and she would laugh and tell him to leave some for his father, saying that if his father ate it, he would be prosperous in the new year.

The Four Delicacies Braised Tofu is a must-have dish on the New Year's Eve dinner table in Pudong.

Zhang Tan hadn't eaten it for many years. After his parents passed away, his grandmother never made it again, saying that she preferred everyone to be healthy rather than prosperous.

These two dishes were his grandmother's specialties. Zhang Tan finished his dinner with a sigh, paid the bill, and walked back to the school.

"Hey, I really want to eat Chrysanthemum Carp. Where can I find it? I've been looking for a long time."

A beautiful woman muttered as she walked towards him. Zhang Tan heard her and turned his head to look at her. "Go straight for 50 meters, there's a lane. The Chrysanthemum Carp at that restaurant is good."

"Ah? Oh, straight ahead?"

Zhang Tan, who was a bit surprised, said, "Yes, just go straight. I just came from there."

After a few more words, the girl asked for his WeChat.

Zhang Tan smiled and said, "Sorry, I don't have my phone with me."

He waved and left, thinking she looked familiar. He had seen her at the next table while he was eating. Was she pretending to run into him? He was very familiar with this little trick.

At the school, Xiao Bai was sitting with her little friends.

Several times, Zhang Tan had seen Xiao Bai with Cheng Cheng on her left and Liu Liu on her right, acting like a big sister.

But today was different. Today, the Sichuan girl was sitting obediently on a small chair, listening intently to Meng Chengcheng tell a story.

Also listening were Shen Liuliu, Xiao Mi, and Xiao Qian. Shen Liuliu kept fidgeting in her chair, like a little monkey, but after glancing at Xiao Bai, she forced herself to sit still, resting her elbows on her knees and propping up her cheeks as she listened to Chengcheng, the little girl, tell the story.

"Don't come over, go away."

When a child tried to join them, Xiao Bai warned them to leave. It wasn't that she was forming a clique, but if there were too many people, Chengcheng would get shy and wouldn't be able to tell the story. Only with these few close friends could she tell the story vividly.

"Good job!" Xiao Bai clapped, and after a two-second delay, Shen Liuliu enthusiastically joined in, though she had already forgotten what Chengcheng had said.

When the story ended, Shen Liuliu immediately said, "I need to go to the bathroom," and slipped away.

"Xiao Bai, do you want to hear another one?" Meng Chengcheng asked, her face glowing with unprecedented confidence despite her usual shyness and timidity.

"Sure, another one." Xiao Bai said, happy to have a story to listen to instead of reading picture books, which gave her a headache.

Hearing this, Meng Chengcheng happily told another story. Zhang Tan quietly came over and realized that the little girl was telling a story from *Dream of the Red Mansion*, specifically the episode where Grandma Liu visits the Grand View Garden.

Of course, it wasn't the traditional classic version but a children's version from a picture book, though the main framework of the story remained unchanged.

Zhang Tan was surprised that Meng Chengcheng could tell the story fluently without looking at the book, even though the plot was simplified. Her voice was soft and cute, full of charm.

He remembered what Teacher Xiao Liu had said before: Meng Chengcheng had a good memory and could remember a story after reading it once and retell it.

It seemed to be true!

Looking at Meng Chengcheng's usual behavior, one wouldn't expect her to have such a talent. Children are indeed treasures, and none of them should be underestimated.

"Ah~~ Help me, help me, Xiao Bai~ Luo Zikang is going to hit me~~~"

A frantic voice interrupted Meng Chengcheng's story. Shen Liuliu, who had gone to the bathroom, ran over.

From the sound of it, she seemed panicked and in danger, but her expression showed excitement. She was grinning and waving her arms, as if saying, "I'm so scared, come and chase me!"

After using the bathroom, she saw Luo Zikang building with blocks.

"Luo Zikang, what are you doing? Let me touch it."

Ignoring Luo Zikang's warning, she reached out and knocked down the three-story building he had carefully constructed. Luo Zikang, of course, couldn't let her get away and immediately chased after her, shouting.

Teacher Xiao Liu watched the whole process, speechless and helpless. This little rascal was always so mischievous.

Meng Chengcheng ran to Xiao Bai for protection. Without Xiao Bai, Shen Liuliu would have been flattened by now.