This system really is something!
"What do you mean giving skill rewards based on completion? Does a performance have varying levels of completion?"
Of course it does!
Luke's advanced acting insights and high-level performance techniques immediately supplied him with the answer in his head. He knew exactly how to handle it to get the best result.
Picking the actress left him a little stumped. Not because he feared Director Zhang would reject his choice—after all, as the largest investor, it wasn't unreasonable for him to request a role—but because who exactly fit the "type A" girl?
A parade of beautiful faces flashed through his mind. Which of these actresses would be the right fit?
Suddenly he remembered a woman from the future who always placed second in the "Tiger-Pounce Goddess" polls. She had a fresh, striking beauty and a gentle, pleasant voice; her first impression was that of an intelligent, elegant woman.
She had been beautiful for years—an icon who'd stunned a whole generation. For a moment, Luke couldn't think of anyone more perfect: outstanding looks, the right age, and—most importantly—blood type A.
"Director Zhang, I'd like to recommend someone for the role of Ruyue," Luke said.
"You have someone in mind? Tell her to come audition. If she fits, we'll cast her," Director Zhang replied readily.
Auditions were mostly a formality—unless someone was truly unbearable, Zhang usually accepted. After all, Luke was financing the bulk of the shoot, handling overseas distribution, and providing the crew. If he made no requests after doing so much, Zhang would only be more anxious.
Right after Zhang agreed, Luke realized one small problem: he didn't actually know Gao Yuanyuan. He had no contact info.
Not a big deal—the team from North America would be arriving soon; they could take care of it. The real problem wasn't logistics. It was that Gao Yuanyuan would receive three pieces of information at once:
1. Congratulations—you've been offered a role in a major director Zhang Mou film, and it's a substantial part.
2. This role includes an intimate scene; don't be shy—approach it honestly.
3. The man you don't know, who recommended you for the role, is the one who will act opposite you.
That was bound to spark some odd assumptions in her head. But the system's reward was too tempting—Luke couldn't pass it up.
Once the production notified Gao Yuanyuan and finished that scene, Luke expected a new skill reward. What would it be this time?
With the lead in *Hero* locked and the role agreed on, he had checked off one of his two goals for the day.
The remaining goal was much harder: convincing Director Zhang to shoot the film according to Luke's revisions. Or rather, near impossible.
Others didn't know how stubborn Director Zhang could be; Luke did. Zhang might compromise on casting, but changing the core of his script? That was a whole different beast.
Zhang had spent his career trying to express his worldview through film. For a while he abandoned that persistence and made *The Great Wall*, which turned out disastrously. He then got back up and doubled down on his expression with the even more controversial *Full River Red*.
*Full River Red* and *Hero* stirred controversy for the same reason. Convincing him to change had always been nearly impossible.
And yet *Hero's* script had to be changed if it was to reach the heights Luke expected.
"Director Zhang, I think *Hero*'s script has some small issues. From the perspective of overseas distribution, I recommend a few adjustments," Luke said.
"Must it be changed? I think the script is already perfect." As expected, Zhang's first response was to dig in his heels.
"It must be." Luke held firm.
Zhang was taken aback—he hadn't expected this young man to be so stubborn once he was in work mode.
"Then tell me—what needs changing? I'm the director. Ultimately, the decision is mine."
"Foreign audiences don't share our mindset," Luke said. "A story about sacrificing everything for a grand ideal can easily be boycotted overseas. That's a major risk for the film."
That claim was half true. *Hero* hadn't actually been boycotted for that reason, but using Zhang's unfamiliarity with overseas markets was a way to push his point. Zhang cared about *Hero*'s international run—he wanted Oscars—so he had to consider the warning.
Zhang's immediate reaction was: Luke might be right. Zhang's thematic emphasis on 'for the greater good, personal sacrifice is necessary' did indeed clash with mainstream Western thought.
What if it got boycotted overseas?
"What can we do? Even if you're right, I can't change that now. To change it would be to overturn the entire script—that's impossible." Zhang sounded anxious.
"We only need a few tweaks," Luke said.
"Speak up," Zhang said.
"I prepared a revision plan before coming. Take a look and see if it's workable." Luke handed over his script notes.
On the surface, the suggested changes for *Hero* seemed simple, but in practice they were nearly impossible. If Qinwang (the King of Qin) was portrayed as a benevolent ruler, the film would be criticized harshly overseas. If he was portrayed as a tyrant, then the protagonist, Nameless, would have no reason to be convinced and give up his assassination plot.
Either way, the story hit a dead end.
But Luke saw beyond that deadlock. The real issue wasn't the historical portrayal—it was that in *Hero*, Nameless the protagonist runs in circles and ultimately changes nothing; he merely becomes a mouthpiece for the director's ideology.
Audiences would think: You prepared all that, lost so many lives, and then you're swayed by a few speeches? What was all that for—just to be lectured?
That frustrates viewers. No matter how airtight your logic, if you leave the audience feeling cheated or emotionally disconnected, they'll pick it apart. Excessive grandstanding about ideals, neglecting character needs and audience emotion, invites backlash.
Luke's core proposal was simple:
Nameless should not be persuaded. He can understand the idea of the suffering of the world—it's something for the great men to care about. But as a wounded commoner, Nameless acts on his own terms. He does only what he believes is right.
Even if you aspire to save the world, that's your ideal; it doesn't concern me. We are not wrong—our paths just differ. So we must decide the way forward with the sword in our hands.