Chapter 696 The Night of Satur (7200 words updated)

"I'm sorry you had to see me make a fool of myself last time," Yang Zhouli said, bringing up the matter of the live stream.

Lu Yanhe smiled but did not respond.

Yang Zhouli said, "After that incident, I wanted to invite you to dinner to apologize, but your agent, Chen Ziyan, told me that you were busy filming and didn't have time, so we couldn't make an appointment."

“I’m very busy.” Lu Yanhe nodded. “I’m working non-stop on various projects, including this trip to Xituer. I had to ask for leave from the film crew, and I only took four days off.”

Yang Zhouli: "I can imagine how busy you are usually. Besides acting and writing scripts, you also have your own company to manage."

"Oh, that? Actually, I didn't manage it that much." Lu Yanhe shook his head, denying it directly. "If I still had the energy to manage company affairs, that would be amazing."

Yang Zhouli asked with some surprise, "If you don't take care of it, aren't you worried that the company will slip out of your control?"

Lu Yanhe said, "That doesn't mean we should just ignore everything."

Yang Zhouli nodded, "Actually—"

"Besides, you might not believe it, but I didn't start this company to make money." Lu Yanhe smiled at Yang Zhouli. "If I said that I've already made enough money, wouldn't you think I'm just a frog in a well, arrogant and conceited, for a family like yours that has truly accumulated wealth for generations?"

Yang Zhouli was slightly taken aback.

Lu Yanhe's words always surprised him, leaving him feeling caught off guard.

Yang Zhouli said, "Of course not."

This was an instinctive reaction. He didn't have time to seriously consider the question Lu Yanhe had raised; the current situation didn't allow him to think about it anyway.

Lu Yanhe smiled and said, "But for me, that's just how it is. So, I don't have high expectations for how the company turns out. I don't plan to make it big or strong. There's no need for that. As long as it can meet my own needs, that's enough."

Yang Zhouli smiled.

“But now that Linghe is doing so well, I think a lot of people must be watching you, right?” Yang Zhouli said.

“Yes.” Lu Yanhe nodded. “However, we receive offers for acquisition almost every week, even though we have made it very clear that we do not accept acquisitions or external investment.”

Yang Zhouli: "I don't think it's a problem with the price, is it?"

“No, not,” Lu Yanhe said. “I want it to be pure.”

Yang Zhouli: "We are currently in acquisition negotiations with Yemai.com, and they are quite willing to be acquired."

"For many people on LeafVein.net, this is a chance to make a fortune."

“Yes.” Yang Zhouli nodded. “For Shi Jin, the Leaf Vein Network also has its value.”

Lu Yanhe: "Each takes what they need."

“Perhaps in the future, Linghe will also have a time when it mutually benefits from our cooperation,” Yang Zhouli said, “and not just with money.”

“Perhaps,” Lu Yanhe nodded. “Anything is possible.”

“I thought you would insist that Linghe should remain the way it is now,” Yang Zhouli said.

Lu Yanhe shook his head and said, "I know that nothing can remain unchanged forever."

"If you have any film or television projects that need investment, feel free to contact me anytime," Yang Zhouli said sincerely. "It's both my apology and my hope to collaborate with the best creators in the entertainment industry and understand this industry."

Lu Yanhe glanced at Yang Zhouli with some surprise.

He truly hadn't expected Yang Zhouli to say that.

Yang Zhouli: "Although I believe that you certainly don't lack investment, a lot of people would love for you to give them more investment shares."

Lu Yanhe's film and television projects are known for their high success rate and return on investment. If it were Yang Zhouli, he would rather take out a bank loan to do it himself than seek investment from outside.

However, in reality, each of Lu Yanhe's film and television projects had multiple sources of funding. Many of these investments, amounting to millions or even hundreds of thousands, were actually funds left by Lu Yanhe to his friends.

Yang Zhouli said, "But you can rest assured about one thing: the money I sign off on and invest in your project will be absolutely safe and secure. There will be no withdrawal of investment, nor will there be any other purpose, such as pushing people into the team. I have no such thoughts. Although I grew up under the wing of Shijin Group, like you, I hate an environment where everything is traded."

Lu Yanhe asked curiously, "What is your relationship with Yang Zhoujin? Besides being brothers?"

"Do you want to hear it?" Yang Zhouli was a little surprised, but still said, "It's not exactly a heartwarming story."

"What I want to ask is, when you said you wanted to apologize to me on his behalf, were you sincere?"

“I really mean it.” Yang Zhouli nodded. “But I’m not doing this for him. I just want to clear up the negative public opinion for the company as soon as possible. At least one person should stand up and express their attitude, and reduce this matter from negative news about Shijin Group to negative news about him. In fact, this is a scandal that he created by himself and has nothing to do with the company. It’s just that the label of Shijin on him is too deeply rooted, and the public will always associate his behavior with Shijin.”

Lu Yanhe nodded.

"That was indeed a very successful public relations move on your part."

Yang Zhoujin became a mentally unstable and irritable rich second-generation, while Yang Zhouli became a calm, strategic, easy-going, and down-to-earth "diamond bachelor" who could apologize directly to settle things.

In the public's mind, these symbolic and label-like things are like business cards, and they determine their basic impression of a person.

Compared to someone as lackluster as Yang Zhoujin, Yang Zhouli appears exceptionally outstanding.

Although Lu Yanhe knew that Yang Zhouli was definitely not as simple as he seemed, Lu Yanhe had to admit that from the moment Yang Zhouli appeared before him, he gave people a sincere and pleasant feeling. He neither made Yang Zhouli feel that Yang Zhouli was being pretentious, nor was he being too honest and making Lu Yanhe feel that Yang Zhouli was acting too much.

Life is like a play, and everyone has their own performance element. So, speaking of acting, Lu Yanhe knows that everyone acts to some extent. Therefore, Lu Yanhe doesn't think that someone who starts acting is unworthy of friendship. Now, Lu Yanhe values ​​more whether a person is sincere, or rather, honest, in some basic matters.

At least in this respect, Yang Zhouli satisfied Lu Yanhe. Especially regarding his apology on behalf of Yang Zhoujin, Yang Zhouli's response pleased Lu Yanhe.

-

The two talked for about ten minutes before the conversation ended.

Lu Yanhe took out an eye mask and earplugs, and then took out his e-reader.

He plans to read for a while, and then go to sleep when he gets sleepy; it's very convenient.

On long-haul flights, the best way to pass the time is to sleep.

-

Situ is generally perceived as a somewhat gloomy city.

This impression is left because its annual Sitour International Film Festival is usually held between February and March.

At this time, Situ is situated at the turn of winter and spring. The snow that covered the city in silver has melted, but spring has not yet had time to adorn the city. Thus, people see Situ in an almost bare state.

The somber, indifferent, and classical architecture, while possessing a timeless beauty, takes on a rusty, mottled appearance against the backdrop of a gloomy sky.

However, regardless of the circumstances, the city is known worldwide for a film festival.

Because of this film festival, the city is most known to the public for its least welcoming attitude towards the masses.

When Lu Yanhe arrived in Situ, the film festival had already been running for several days.

Although the road was wet, as if the rain and snow of the whole winter had not been evaporated by the sun, the streets were full of tourists who had come to see it.

There are always plenty of movie fans in this world who have both money and leisure time.

Especially at top-tier film festivals like this, you can see countless big stars, so there are always a lot of people choosing to come to Situ'er at this time.

It could even be said that Situ's tourism industry is sustained by this one month.

-

Lu Yanhe's trip this time was relatively easy, unlike the many miscellaneous tasks he had in the past.

There were no brand promotion events, no mandatory cocktail parties, and no working meals that required everyone to sit together.

He arrived at the hotel, gave a brief interview to the film festival officials (which took about twenty minutes), and then went to meet up with Wang Zhong, Chen Bige, and the others.

Wang Zhong arrived two days early.

When Lu Yanhe arrived at the restaurant, he discovered that there were not only them, but also the owner, Lan Tianqi, who had small eyes, and Yang Zhouli, whom he had just said goodbye to at the airport.

At film festivals, people often pull each other together to have a meal, especially people from the same country; this is quite common.

"President Lan," Lu Yanhe greeted with a smile, "President Yang."

Yang Zhouli: "What a coincidence! I should have come with you."

He turned to everyone and explained with a smile, "We came on the same flight."

Lu Yanhe sat down and asked Lan Tianqi with a smile, "President Lan, how many films are you planning to buy this time?"

Unlike many film production companies in China, "Small Eyes" primarily focuses on distribution, not film production. However, this distribution company rarely handles domestic film distribution, mainly dealing with the distribution of foreign films in China.

Generally speaking, foreign films don't perform very well at the domestic box office—especially those shown at film festivals. The films that do perform well at the box office are mostly special effects blockbusters, and it's not something that "small-eyed" (referring to smaller, less established film companies) would handle the distribution for.

Despite these circumstances, "Small Eyes" has managed to remain profitable every year and continue to survive, in a way that is neither closely nor distantly connected to the domestic film industry, demonstrating its capabilities.

Of course, Lan Tianqi also has a keen eye for talent. While many people believe that these film festival films won't sell well in China, he manages to produce a blockbuster film almost every two or three years. For example, a few years ago, he spent one million RMB to acquire the Chinese distribution rights for "Capernaum," which grossed 230 million RMB domestically. Last year, they released a Thai film called "The Inheritance List," which also grossed 170 million RMB.

Lu Yanhe believes that Lan Tianqi is a rare individual who understands what kind of movies Chinese audiences want to see. Many filmmakers in the industry today, who have risen to high positions thanks to the advantages of the times, don't actually know what audiences want to see now.

Lu Yanhe felt this very strongly.

Regarding Lu Yanhe's question, Lan Tianqi smiled and said, "I've already taken a liking to two works and am currently in talks with people."

Lan Tianqi has a very distinctive characteristic in film distribution. Like Lu Yanhe, he has always resolutely avoided making big-budget films. Lan Tianqi, on the other hand, is determined not to spend a lot of money to buy the distribution rights of a film, even if it is a film by a famous director.

Lan Tianqi once said directly on a domestic forum: "In China, not every famous director is really a famous director. I would say without hesitation that the number of overseas famous directors who can attract a group of viewers to their films based on their own names can be counted on two hands."

Lan Tianqi smiled and said, "Moreover, with President Yang's support this time, if we come across a good film, we can buy a couple more copies to take home."

Lu Yanhe looked at Yang Zhouli with some surprise.

"Does Mr. Yang have a collaboration with Mr. Lan?"

"It's not really a collaboration, it's just a small investment of mine," Yang Zhouli smiled. "I mainly admire President Lan for bringing good foreign films to China every day for the past ten years. There are very few people doing this in China, especially in recent years. There are basically no companies making foreign art films anymore."

Lu Yanhe nodded.

"I'm just a businessman who happens to like movies, so I'm happy to do what I love and make some money on the side. Please don't try to frame me," Lan Tianqi said with a smile.

When he smiles, his eyes narrow into slits, giving off a very gentle and approachable vibe, like a refreshing breeze, without the oppressive feeling of someone in a high position.

Lu Yanhe said, "You are too modest. Domestic film companies should all learn from you how to study the market and how to judge what the audience wants to see."

Lan Tianqi: "I'm just a small company, how can I teach those big companies? It's already difficult enough to manage my own affairs."

-

"His acquisition of Yemai.com and his interest in Lantianqi's company suggest that Shijin is genuinely interested in the entertainment industry."

As soon as they finished lunch, Lu Yanhe immediately called Chen Ziyan to tell her about it.

Chen Ziyan said, "It's not surprising that Shijin wants to expand into the entertainment industry. It just depends on how far they want to go. For a group like theirs, they certainly don't care about the meager profits from one or two film and television projects."

“Hmm,” Lu Yanhe said, “Their first step was to acquire YeMai.com, and that’s a clear indication of that.”

“I’m quite surprised that he didn’t directly bring up the topic of cooperation with you.”

"He's a very smart person. After I met him on the plane, I felt like we talked about quite a lot. But, looking back, what we talked about was me directly hinting to him that I wouldn't agree to the acquisition of Linghe. And what he talked about was that he knew what I wanted and what he would insist on. So, he kept talking about what kind of person he is. In short, he said that he would never force things, because you can't force things. To be honest, his attitude was a huge relief to me."

"It seems he's quite skilled," Chen Ziyan said with a smile.

“Hmm,” Lu Yanhe said, “I don’t know what Shijin Group is up to. If they really have big goals, then the entertainment industry, which has finally stabilized, will face new shocks and changes again.”

“That’s good too. An industry can only keep innovating and progressing if it keeps changing,” Chen Ziyan said. “What I fear most is that no new blood will come into the industry, or that no one will be able to come in. Over time, those who occupy resources and positions will only think about maintaining the status quo, instead of continuing to innovate.”

"Mm." Lu Yanhe nodded.

"How did you feel about your trip to Situ?" Chen Ziyan asked.

"It's alright. I've been here a few times, so it's lost some of its novelty," Lu Yanhe said. "Besides, this time I didn't have much time to properly explore the city."

"There's not much to see at this time of year," Chen Ziyan said frankly. "We only have two days, so we should take a good rest whenever we have time to relax."

This time, Chen Ziyan did not come with him.

First, Wang Biao has fully matured and can handle things independently, so Chen Ziyan can rest assured. Second, Lu Yanhe's work here this time is simple and not complicated, and Chen Ziyan has many things to do on her own, so she didn't come along.

After hanging up the phone, Lu Yanhe rested in the hotel for about an hour before Wang Biao arrived with his styling team.

During this process, a domestic media outlet also gained the opportunity for an exclusive interview and to film behind-the-scenes footage.

Lu Yanhe cheered himself up, finished his work, and went out to a restaurant for dinner with Wang Biao and the others that evening.

Just the two of them.

After dinner, Lu Yanhe went back to the hotel by himself, letting the others go out and explore as they pleased. He stayed in his room, opened his laptop, and wrote a script for a while.

Chen Bige arrived shortly after.

Holding a bottle of wine, she said, "Shall we have a drink and chat?"

Lu Yanhe was somewhat surprised, but he still nodded and let Chen Bige in.

Chen Bige said, "I've been feeling a bit uneasy lately."

"Huh?" Lu Yanhe was taken aback.

Chen Bige sat down directly, placed the wine on the table, but didn't rush to open it. She leaned back on the sofa, sighed, and said, "I feel like I've been working too hard these past two years. I've basically been filming all the time, with no time for myself. I haven't even had time to date."

Chen Bige's output in recent years has indeed increased compared to her previous filming speed. Unlike Lu Yanhe, she and Shang Yongzhou need about several months to study the script and prepare for the role after receiving it. After filming, they also need some time to get out of character. It's not just about the time spent on set.

Lu Yanhe asked with a smile, "You're not feeling uncomfortable because you haven't been in a relationship for too long, are you?"

“Maybe so. I just feel bored. I’m always working and always filming. I don’t have any breathing room at all,” Chen Bige said. “Suddenly, I don’t want to make Feng Yu’s movies anymore.”

“Sister Bige, could it be that you just finished filming ‘Raise the Red Lantern’ not long ago, and you’re currently filming ‘The Seventeen Floors’ and also have to come out to participate in the Xituer event, which is the most tiring time for you, so that’s why you feel like this?” Lu Yanhe said, “When you told me about Director Feng Yu’s film before, you were clearly quite excited. I could tell that you really wanted to make this movie.”

“I don’t know if it’s because I really want to film it, or if a rational voice in my head tells me that I should film it,” Chen Bige said. “Because it’s a good script, and Director Feng Yu will also make it into a good film. For me, it’s also a role worth taking on.”

Lu Yanhe understood what Chen Bige meant.

Even if there are all sorts of reasons telling her that she should film, a person can also tell themselves that they don't need to film with just one reason: that is, they don't want to act for the next period of time.

Humans are not machines; they cannot simply be given a set program and run tirelessly.

Lu Yanhe also has his moments of exhaustion, but he believes that Chen Bige's sense of exhaustion is definitely deeper than his, because Chen Bige has been an actress for much longer.

“That’s possible.” Lu Yanhe did not deny what Chen Bige said.

Chen Bige: "Do you think I should take a break for a while?"

Lu Yanhe said, "It depends on you. Everyone's thoughts are different. You see, I'm still very passionate and working on one project after another because I still have a lot of enthusiasm. I can't really empathize with what it feels like to hit a bottleneck like you."

Chen Bige: "I thought you would persuade me to persevere."

“If you were an average actor, I would indeed advise you to persevere, but the problem is, you are not that kind of actor,” Lu Yanhe said. “Rather than acting with a mindset that drains you, I would support you in adjusting your own state before creating a character. You don’t need to worry about what will happen if you take a break. You are already a top-tier actress. As long as you are willing to act, there will always be roles for you.”

Chen Bige let out a long sigh of relief.

"I really didn't expect you to say these things to me."

"Do you think that because I work so hard, I'll definitely encourage you to work harder too?" Lu Yanhe asked with a smile.

"More or less." Chen Bige nodded. "Actually, there's another reason why I want to stop."

What's the reason?

"Love Letter earned me a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress, and I was actually having some mixed feelings about it," Chen Bige said. "It's not that I haven't had any ambitions or desires before, but I haven't had such a strong emotional reaction in a long time. To be honest, I'm a little confused. Is my love for director Feng Yu's film due to a rational or emotional voice in my head, or is it because of the female character? She's the kind of woman who's easy to win awards for."

"Hmm? What's wrong with that?"

“You have to understand one thing: once a person wants to get something for utilitarian purposes and makes a decision for that purpose, their objectivity will often be affected by utilitarianism,” Chen Bige said. “I am willing to trust my emotional judgment because I know my aesthetic sense is good, and emotional judgment can find the best judgment in art. But rationally—maybe I just feel that this script, this role, is more likely to win awards, so subconsciously I think I also like this role?”

Lu Yanhe understood.

Chen Bige: "I never expected that I would have such self-doubt after acting to this extent."

“But I think this is very normal,” Lu Yanhe said. “Only an actor like you would have such self-doubt, because you have artistic pursuits.”

Chen Bige: "It's all your fault. Suddenly, my acting career, which had reached a stable stage, started to surge forward again."

“If you don’t have the ability to make great strides, no matter how many scripts I give you, you won’t be able to get in. Don’t blame me. Blame yourself for not being able to hide your brilliance on the screen once you get a good role,” Lu Yanhe said. “You are the best actress. Unless you stop acting, there is no way to stop your acting career from soaring ahead.”

"Heh." Chen Bige glared at Lu Yanhe angrily, "Smacking your lips."

Lu Yanhe said with a smile, "I'll ask Director Wang Zhong if he's asleep. If he's not, I'll call him over for a drink too. We can't just be the two of us talking about life while he's fast asleep."

Chen Bige: "Then you go and call him. I dare not disturb him."

Lu Yanhe: "I'll call out if I want to."

His eyes lit up. "Why don't we just skip calling him and go directly to his room with the wine? He won't be able to refuse."

Chen Bige's eyes widened.

Lu Yanhe picked up the wine and left.

Five minutes later, Wang Zhong stared in shock at the two people who appeared at his room door, and remained stunned for a long time.

-

An hour later, Lu Yanhe and Chen Bige, emboldened by their drinking, each held a glass and began singing love songs to each other in front of Wang Zhong.

Wang Chong stood with his arms crossed, silently watching the two of them act drunk and disorderly.

Lu Yanhe and Chen Bige completely ignored his serious and unsmiling expression, and after singing the love song with laughter, they started singing other songs.

As he sang, Lu Yanhe suddenly roared out, "Look at these mountains, with their myriad ravines and cliffs, stretching from one river to another—"

Chen Bige was completely stumped, staring blankly at Lu Yanhe.

What are you singing?

"You don't know?" Lu Yanhe suddenly realized. "Oh, right, none of you have heard this song before."

Chen Bige asked, "Is this a new song you wrote?"

Lu Yanhe hesitated for a moment, then said, "You could say that."

Chen Bige: "How can you be so talented! You can write scripts and songs too!"

Lu Yanhe: "Haha."

Chen Bige suddenly leaned closer, stared at Lu Yanhe, and said, "Sometimes I even doubt whether you are a real person."

"ah?"

"You're simply a prodigy." Chen Bige reached out and pinched Lu Yanhe's cheek, smiling brightly.

Upon seeing that smile, Wang Zhong's heart skipped a beat.

Looking at the two people in front of him, it was as if fireworks were exploding in his mind, and a story gradually took shape, unfolding without any need for planning.

He immediately picked up his phone and started typing in the notes app.

Lu Yanhe and Chen Bige didn't even notice him.

Lu Yanhe pried Chen Bige's hand away.

"Sister Bige, stop pinching, we have to be on camera tomorrow."

Chen Bige loosened her grip, as if the tension had suddenly eased. She burped and said, "I'm a little sleepy, I'll take a nap."

As soon as she finished speaking, she lay down on the sofa and closed her eyes.

"..." Lu Yanhe looked at her, then at Wang Zhong.

"Director," he called out.

Wang Chong didn't even look up. "Don't bother me."

Lu Yanhe: "..."

(End of this chapter)