Chapter 108

The filming schedule for the commercial was short, and Lu Zixi completed it during a break from variety show production. After consulting with the director, he incorporated some of his unique experiences with his father. Perhaps having heard of him as a creative actor, the director expressed no objection or doubt.

At the same time, Yan Yunzhen also contacted the screenwriter who wrote the advertising script for Lu Zixi during the break of filming, but the screenwriter seemed cautious and introverted, and was unwilling to talk much about the source of his creative inspiration.

Yan Yunzhen did not make things difficult for him, because it was this vigilance that made him and Lu Zixi more convinced that there might be other hidden secrets behind this script.

After the post-production of the two advertisements was completed, Doux placed them on major TV stations through bidding. Even the non-member advertising section of video websites often randomly appeared edited versions of the advertisements. Lu Zixi's face has appeared more and more frequently in the mass media.

In this regard, Yuanhong's professional operation team has been very precise in timing - the advertisement will be released simultaneously with the next few issues of "Set Out for the Fields". After the filming of the spring episode of this season's "Set Out for the Fields" is completed, there will be a relatively long gap. Lu Zixi and Yan Yunzhen will take time to participate in some magazine and media interview vlogs to ensure their exposure in a non-stop and orderly manner.

The work of the two went smoothly, and when a large amount of materials were released, all the fans had an unreal sense of happiness as if pie had fallen from the sky.

Although Yan Yunzhen used to make headlines, he always spoke only about his work. He never appeared in various interviews and vlogs as frequently as he does now, not to mention always appearing with Lu Zixi. This "self-deification" behavior did not cause fans to feel that his image had collapsed. Instead, it made Yan Yunzhen's image more vivid through various interviews.

For example, Yan Yunzhen is not actually aloof, he just speaks very directly and concisely, which can easily lead people who don’t know him to have a stereotype; in the segment where they used one word to describe each other, Lu Zixi reflexively said "gentle", but Yan Yunzhen said the other party was "interesting", and was ridiculed as having a tone very much like a domineering CEO saying "Interesting, you have successfully caught my attention"; in the segment where they revealed each other's secrets, Lu Zixi teased Yan Yunzhen that he was a powerful line-memorizing machine. Even though his native language was not Chinese, he could memorize lines as fast as a printing press. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that they were very familiar with each other, and it was definitely not just the so-called business that was common in the entertainment industry.

Yan Yunzhen even admitted that he participated in these interviews in order to accompany Lu Zixi. As the young master of Yuanhong, no one would doubt that Yan Yunzhen would be threatened by capital. Then there is only one explanation left, that is, Yan Yunzhen did this voluntarily.

This kind of dizzying sugar is naturally welcomed by CP fans, and no matter what, fans of only one artist will at least not think that their favorite artist has too much material. Therefore, even if some of Yan Yunzhen’s fans are not so fond of Lu Zixi, they will not be disgusted. After all, he persuaded Yan Yunzhen to participate in so many vlog shoots.

Suddenly, the name "Lu Wenqi" swept through the entertainment industry like wildfire. With major brand endorsements, popular fashion magazines, and roles in blockbuster films, he was a star. Not only was he unmatched by any newcomer of the past two years, but even some established figures in the entertainment industry couldn't match his publicity and promotional prowess.

If two years ago, someone had said that a newcomer who started out as a foodie broadcaster and had the good fortune to star in a popular idol singer would skyrocket to fame in the entertainment industry, no one would have believed it. But two years later, all sorts of impossible miracles have happened for this newcomer, and he has gone from being an unknown bit player to an instant star.

"Looking for Mr. X" also struck while the iron was hot and released a movie trailer. Director Zhou He even posted on Weibo, expressing his determination to compete for mainstream awards this time.

As a renowned commercial film director, Zhou He has consistently produced films that are box-office hits but not critical acclaim. Despite their grand productions, suspenseful plots, and densely packed thrillers, his films, like a test paper, employ techniques devoid of heart and substance. Consequently, while his films have been box-office hits, they have never garnered much recognition from industry insiders, and he himself has always lacked the charisma of those arthouse directors.

Zhou He has never shied away from his ambition to step into the hall of fame, and this time he was even more outspoken on Weibo and in interviews. He chose to shoot "Searching for Mr. X", a somewhat sensitive social subject, just for the award. In order to avoid the conspiracy theory that capital manipulates the awards behind the scenes, the film festivals that "Searching for Mr. X" was submitted to all had few negative news and were extremely fair and valuable mainstream awards, with a determination to win or die.

"If the core of this film is a dazzling diamond, then the actors are the perfect light and shadow to showcase it," Zhou He told the media interviewing him. "I think the casting of this film has reached its peak. I believe this time, in its bid for awards, will be a success."

One stone can cause a thousand ripples.

As we all know, this film has two main actors. One of them, Yan Yunzhen, is undoubtedly a highly acclaimed actor, while the other, Lu Zixi, is a complete newcomer, someone who has never even taken on a leading role in a film submitted for competition.

Two years ago, anyone who had heard of the name "Lu Wenqi" must have been a veteran in the circle, but two years later, those who had not heard of the name "Lu Wenqi" were in the minority.

Everyone knows that as a newcomer, Lu Zixi is already popular enough. All he lacks now is recognition from mainstream awards and large-scale evening parties.

Originally, this matter could have been handled slowly, after all, Lu Zixi was still young; but Zhou He's words pushed him to a higher level - after such wild words were spoken, he could only move forward and not retreat. If the movie or he himself did not win any awards, not to mention whether there would be a backlash in his fame, it would also be a bit embarrassing.

How confident is Zhou He to dare to say such a thing?

For a time, there were many different opinions on the Internet.

Some people think that this is just a way for the film company to hype up the film and attract more people to the cinema to see the true quality of the film; others think that as a veteran director, Zhou He does not need any hype to have a high box office, and he made such a statement just to distinguish himself from his previous image as a smooth commercial film director.

No one was sure of Zhou He's intentions, so apart from some film critics who have always had more radical and clear views, many people's comments after watching the trailer were only relatively neutral, such as "It is indeed a wonderful trailer, and Lu Wenqi's image subversion is also eye-catching. If the feature film can maintain the level of the trailer, there is still hope of winning awards."

All the answers will only be revealed after the movie is released.

A week after the spring episode of "Heading Out to the Fields" concluded, "Looking for Mr. X" was pre-screened.

As early as when "Looking for Mr. X" was submitted for review, there were already rumors online that the film had a very good reputation in the industry. After the preview ended, word of mouth quickly spread online.

Although there are some haters who try to take advantage of the situation and stir up trouble, the public has sharp eyes. Those who have actually attended the preview have praised the movie and are shocked by Lu Zixi's subversive performance in it.

Many believe that, despite fierce competition at this year's Golden Phoenix Awards, Lu Zixi practically leads all other contenders for Best Newcomer. The loneliness, paranoia, despair, and madness displayed by his character, Mr. X, are like a silent, deep lake, reflecting the darkest corners of human nature, a chilling experience.

It is said that after watching his performance, someone even posted on the Internet asking "Does Lu Wenqi have a split personality to be able to play a role like Mr. X???" Although this confusing statement has been educated by the majority of netizens, it also reflects Lu Zixi's extremely high acting skills from another perspective.

After the movie was officially released, more and more people flocked to the cinema. They began to understand that Zhou He's remarks were not made with any ulterior motives. It was pure confidence, a confidence that could never be defeated.

He is really proud of this work and the core of the work interpreted by the actors. He said without hesitation that this work will definitely win an award, which is based on the affirmation of absolute strength.

When Lu Zixi realized that he was just like in his previous life, being followed and photographed by paparazzi if he was not careful when going out, he realized that the reputation of the movie was really explosive.

He specifically checked the box office. Even with the addition of Yan Yunzhen and Zhou He, the figures were still astonishing. It was even more popular than the original big IP adaptation of "Clinic No. 58". For an actor who played the leading role for the first time, this was a very impressive achievement.

If it were an ordinary actor, they would have been flattered or so nervous that they couldn't sleep or eat. But Lu Zixi was a typical example of someone who became a hit with his first movie in his previous life. Over the years, he had long since become indifferent to fame and fortune, so he really didn't feel anything. What he found most troublesome was that in addition to being careful to wear a hat and mask when going out, he also had to try his best to avoid being photographed by paparazzi eating and living with Yan Yunzhen, otherwise it would be difficult to explain the fact that he was living together.

On the contrary, Yan Yunzhen seemed happier than him. Lu Zixi knew that Yan Yunzhen was always like this, caring more about his affairs than his own, and always wanting everyone to feel his kindness. Lu Zixi once had a sudden thought: if Yan Yunzhen were a salesman, he would be a product. The joy of selling Amway to the world and gaining recognition would be exactly the same as now.

Taking advantage of the popularity of the movie, the production team of "Heading Out to the Fields" also began to organize guests to come back to shoot the final battle of this season. As Yan Yunzhen said before, it is a summer special that serves as a link between the previous and the next.

This will also be the last episode of this season of "Heading Out to the Fields", and Fu Ruixing will come to the program crew as a flying guest for the last episode.

This time, Lu Zixi also brought the prophet card with him.

He wants to reveal Fu Ruixing's true identity.

The author has something to say: Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated nutrient solution during 2020-02-07142020-02-1301

Thanks to the little angel who provided 20 bottles of nutrient solution: Lin Yuanqi;

Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!