Chapter 706: The Check In
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Those responsible for reception in the Dog Warrior production crew greeted Zhang Zian and Famous at the airport exit. They took them into a rental car and drove towards the reserved hotel near Potsdamer Platz.
As he had expected, the temperature in Berlin was lower than Binhai City by more than two or three degrees. It was almost four to five degrees lower, with snow flurries and high humidity. Fortunate enough, Richard didn’t take the flight there. Otherwise, it would be freezing.
All of Berlin was filled with the vibrant atmosphere of the yearly film festival, and huge posters of the Berlin Film Festival were posted on the two sides of the main street that connected the airport and downtown. Zhang Zian could not read German, but this did not stop him from smiling.
The driving crew member was explaining the glorious history of the Berlin Film Festival to him, as well as the superstars that were participating in the festival. He was also talking about the schedule of the crew for the following days, just for the sake of carrying on a conversation. Zhang Zian realized that the schedule was tight in the beginning, and then it relaxed later on. The film festival was not only intended for film and awards, but also for the transactions of the screening privileges; however, those transactions were the business of the producers and had nothing to do with him. All he needed to do was show up at the appropriate time with Famous and cooperate with the team’s promotion plans.
Potsdamer Platz was one of the busiest areas in Berlin. To his surprise, the trip from the airport to the hotel was less than 20 minutes, and there was not much traffic on the road. He might still be on the airport highway after 20 minutes, had it been in the capital of China.
As the car drove into downtown, Zhang Zian noticed the old buildings one row after another. There were not many skyscrapers. Unlike the newly developed Binhai City, nor the heavily commercialized Los Angeles, the most prominent impression of this place was that it was heavily historic. He thought this could also be interpreted as the decline of an old imperialistic country, like the setting sun.
Posters with bear prints were appearing frequently on both sides of the street. There were pretty women and handsome men of all skin colors on the street that were all dazzling to the eye. Long lineups could occasionally be seen in front of certain grand and modern buildings. The driving crew member stated that these people were lining up for film tickets, many of which came specifically for the film festival from other cities or other countries of the European Union. The cold and snow could not kill their love for film.
Compared to other European film festivals, the Berlin Film Festival was more affordable, which made the tickets difficult to come by. Online reservations could not guarantee tickets for the most wanted films. The most reliable way was to wait in line for one or two hours, as some audience members with tickets might resell or give away the tickets if they can no longer attend the film. Good-looking people were more advantageous in this situation, especially young girls.
The car parked outside the hotel, and Zhang Zian got out with Famous. The hotel management must have been informed in advance, as Famous grabbed the attention of everybody in the lobby. Nobody stopped it from entering, though. The Dog Warrior crew was not the only group staying in this hotel. He saw a few familiar foreign actors and actresses in the lobby. They looked familiar, but he could not name them. Maybe they played supporting roles in some films.
“Xiao Zhang, there you are! Come over here!”
As Zhang Zian was feeling lost, not knowing how to check in, the voice of a slightly older person sounded near the sofa in the lobby. They spoke in familiar Chinese.
He turned his head to look. The person greeting him was Director Feng Xuan, whom he had not seen for a while.
Director Feng Xuan had always been a little unkempt. While interviewing Famous, he wore a wrinkled suit. He looked sharp and fresh today, however, with a clean and ironed suit and a smile on his face, appearing to be five years younger. This could be considered a “merry heart makes a cheerful countenance” situation. Feng Xuan was greeting others, but as soon as he saw Zhang Zian entering with his dog, he stopped him immediately.
“Director Feng, long time no see! How are you doing?”
Zhang Zian made his way quickly to shake hands with Feng Xuan.
“Thanks to your blessing. Despite my age, I’m doing very well.” Feng Xuan smiled, then lowered his head to look at Famous.
“Hello, Famous. Was the flight difficult?” he asked.
Famous didn’t miss the chance to be gazed upon by everyone. It straightened its back swiftly to stand up and stretched out its left front paw, which landed straight on Feng Xuan’s left hand. This was its handshake.
During the filming, Feng Xuan had felt more than once that Famous was different from others. Famous was even more amazing than he remembered. After such a long time, it still remembered that he was left-handed.
Zhang Zian spoke on its behalf, “It is difficult, mostly for it being unable to eat anything during the flight. After getting off the flight, it has only had a hot dog.”
“Oh, let’s proceed with check in then, so that you can grab some food soon. Sir, bring Xiao Zhang and Famous to their room, please.” Feng Xuan stopped another staff in standby.
“All right, Director Feng. I’ll head upstairs then.” Zhang Zian was ready to go upstairs with Famous.
“Wait a minute, take this.” Feng Xuan handed over a square box with a home appliance inside. “It’s an electric kettle. This hotel does not offer hot drinking water. It’s cold outside, so drinking cold water will give you diarrhea.”
“Director Feng, you are so thoughtful…”
Zhang Zian took the luggage in one hand and grabbed the water kettle package under his other arm. He was amazed at how experienced a person could be at an older age. Feng Xuan was thoughtful enough to prepare an electric water kettle. Otherwise, in such cold weather, drinking cold water for ten days straight could actually give him diarrhea. Without hot water, Old Time Tea could not drink tea, either.
Feng Xuan shook his head. “That’s because I’m always traveling. After suffering a few times without any hot water to drink, I learned my lesson. There is a water kettle in the room of each acting crew. You’ll take a double room alone, as you need to take care of Famous.”
Zhang Zian nodded and was grateful to Feng Xuan’s care. It was more convenient to have his own room.
“Right, did you bring a bow tie?” Feng Xuan asked.
Zhang Zian paused. Before departure, team lead Nie Yuan specifically emphasized that each acting staff must bring formal attire and dress just in case, but why did Feng Xuan specifically ask about a bow tie?
“Yes,” he answered reflexively, despite the confusion. His heart was uneasy, as all of his bow ties were cheap.
“How many colors and patterns do you have?” Feng Xuan asked.
“Um, maybe three or four,” Zhang Zian answered. “Shall I take them out to show you?”
“Not now. Please go upstairs first and settle yourself.” Feng Xuan waved his hand, then pointed at the leather collar around Famous’ neck and said, “After you are settled, take this collar off and try those bow-ties on Famous, then send me the pictures. We’ll need them for the Red Carpet.”
Zhang Zian was speechless. After all the fuss, the bow ties were for Famous? He wanted to cry out loud!
