Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 69: The Nation Has Truly Become Powerful

As everyone took their seats, the seating arrangement naturally formed several concentric circles.

Jiang Yu's parents sat with Liu Xiaoli's family, and Zhou Huiwen even pulled Liu Yifei to sit down next to her.

Jiang Yu, Yang Siwei, David, and Chen Jingming sat in a row.

Zhou Mu and Wu Na sat behind them, both of them already taking out their notebooks and starting to jot something down—a professional habit of tech enthusiasts.

Lu Yang, Wang Zhi, Zhu Yilong, and other company employees sat around.

Not long after I sat down, someone else came over to say hello.

Liu Wentao, the bank's vice president, was accompanied by several colleagues today, seemingly on official business.

"Mr. Jiang, what a coincidence." Liu Wentao smiled. "After the Olympics, shall we schedule a time to discuss this in detail? The head office is very interested in the cultural industry fund proposal, and the leadership would like to hear your full report."

"No problem, I'll follow Director Liu's instructions."

"Okay, then I'll have my secretary contact General Manager Yang."

This barrage of greetings drew the attention of many people around them.

Yu Dong whispered to President Ren beside him, "This Jiang Yu has really made something of himself now."

Mr. Ren nodded: "The Witch's box office is a hit, there are big moves going on in North America, we've taken on an Olympic project, and we have resources in Hollywood..."

Wang Zhonglei then said to his brother, "Big brother, we need to speed up our cooperation negotiations with Light Chaser Pictures. Judging from this situation, in another six months, it might not be us choosing them, but them choosing us."

Wang Zhongjun remained silent, only watching Jiang Yu calmly deal with the guests from all sides, his eyes deep.

..........

8:00 PM.

The lights in the entire venue suddenly went out.

The Bird's Nest stadium, which houses 90,000 people, fell silent instantly, with only a few glow sticks twinkling in the darkness, like a galaxy in the night sky.

Then, a beam of light rose from the center of the arena.

The countdown starts.

Sixty, fifty-nine, fifty-eight...

On the giant LED screen, numbers danced in the form of ancient Chinese seal script.

With each jump, the entire audience counted down in unison.

The sound waves were like a mountain roaring and a tsunami crashing, resonating in one's chest.

"...Three, two, one!"

"boom--"

Two thousand and eight drummers struck the drums simultaneously, the sound of which was uniform and resounding like thunder throughout the arena.

The LED lights on the drum illuminate, displaying a countdown timer.

"My God..." David stared, mouth agape, completely stunned. "The precision... the visual effect... how long did they rehearse for this?"

No one answered him, because everyone was stunned.

The next ninety minutes were a feast for the eyes and the mind.

As the scroll slowly unfolds, dancers use their bodies as brushes to depict the landscape on the LED scroll.

In the movable type printing section, nearly a thousand actors manipulated huge movable type modules, causing them to rise and fall, forming different words and phrases.

In the Silk Road chapter, dancers, oars in hand, "sail" on LED waves...

Every step of the process blends cutting-edge technology with the most traditional culture.

Zhou Mu and Wu Na watched with particular focus.

"The rendering of that painting used our optimized particle system," Wu Na said in a low voice.

"The mechanical linkage of the movable type module can serve as a reference for physical simulation," Zhou Mu nodded.

"The wave effect of the Silk Road is achieved with very precise fluid dynamics algorithms."

The two of them took notes as they looked at the document, completely absorbed in technical analysis.

Yang Siwei whispered to Jiang Yu, "Director Zhang has expressed the essence of Chinese culture in a language that the world can understand. This is the same as when we make movies; we need to tell our own stories in a way that the audience can accept."

Jiang Yu nodded, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

He recalled watching the opening ceremony broadcast in his previous life. Back then, he was just an unknown special effects artist watching TV in his rented apartment in Los Angeles. He was deeply shocked, but also felt a sense of powerlessness. When will Chinese films be able to achieve such a grand concept and such exquisite production?

Now, he's sitting here.

His team is precisely the industrial system capable of carrying out such a grand narrative.

History is repeating itself, and this time, he is in it.

Liu Yifei sat next to Zhou Huiwen, watching intently.

When the children's voices sang "Ode to the Motherland," her eyes welled up with tears.

Turning to look at Jiang Yu, he found that Jiang Yu was also looking at the center of the field, his profile in the interplay of light and shadow, his expression solemn.

At that moment, she suddenly understood what this man was doing; he wasn't just looking to make money or become famous.

What he really wants to do is just like tonight's opening ceremony.

The performance reached its climax.

Li Ning, holding a torch, "runs" above the Bird's Nest.

Behind him, an unfurled scroll displayed the route map for the torch relay.

At this moment, the entire venue erupted in cheers.

David stood up excitedly, clapping and shouting in English, "Fantastic! This is better than any Hollywood blockbuster!"

Chen Jingming also put down the folder and looked at it intently.

Even this usually rational financial elite had a glint in his eyes at this moment.

Jiang Jianguo frantically took photos, muttering, "A historic moment...this is a historic moment..."

Zhou Huiwen held Liu Xiaoli's hand tightly, both mothers had tears in their eyes.

Liu Yifei watched Li Ning running through the air and whispered, "The country... has truly become powerful."

The moment the Olympic flame was lit, fireworks burst across the sky above the Bird's Nest.

The sky was ablaze with color, illuminating the entire night sky of Beijing.

The entire audience rose to their feet, and thunderous applause lasted for a long time.

Jiang Yu stood in the crowd, looking up at the fireworks in the sky.

Those lights fell into his eyes like sparks igniting a prairie fire.

His phone vibrated.

A text message from Zhang Yimou: "The effect is perfect. Thank you for your team's technical support. We'll discuss cooperation in detail after the opening ceremony."

Jiang Yu replied: "Director Zhang, thank you for your hard work. I'll be waiting for you anytime."

After the performance, the crowd began to leave in an orderly manner.

Many people in the VIP area did not leave immediately; it was a rare social occasion.

Jackie Chan walked over, smiling, and said to Jiang Yu, "Mr. Jiang, if there's a suitable project for me next time, don't forget! I can play a supporting role, and the pay is negotiable!"

"Brother Long is joking. We'll definitely cooperate if the opportunity arises."

Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi also came over to say hello. Gong Li even specifically told Liu Yifei, "Perform 'Black Swan' well and bring glory to Chinese actors."

Liu Yifei nodded earnestly: "I will, Sister Gong Li."

Han Sanye came over last and patted Jiang Yu on the shoulder: "President Jiang, Chinese films need to go global, and your Light Chaser Pictures should take the lead; I'll treat you to dinner next Friday night."

"it is good."

It was nearly midnight when we left the Bird's Nest.

On Chang'an Avenue, crowds thronged, and everyone's face was filled with pride and excitement.

After the two families reunited, Zhou Huiwen held Liu Xiaoli's hand tightly and said, "Xiaoli, bring Yifei home for dinner tomorrow. I'll cook for you myself."

"Okay, I'll definitely go."

Liu Yifei looked at Jiang Yu and asked softly, "Are you free tomorrow?"

"I have a meeting this morning, but I should be free this afternoon."

"Then... I'll come see you this afternoon? I have a question about the script that I'd like to ask you."

"it is good."

Still excited, David exclaimed in English, "Jiang! I've made up my mind! I'm going to settle down in China! It's amazing here! The best food, the most welcoming people, and I'm going to bring my kids here too!"

Everyone laughed.

The convoy drove away from the Bird's Nest and blended into the brilliant night sky of Beijing.

Jiang Yu sat in the car, watching the city lights flash by outside the window.

Tonight's opening ceremony was like a heavy hammer blow, striking everyone's heart.