Chapter 347 Division of the Family (7,000-word update!)
Lu Yanhe hadn't expected Xiao Yun to be so interested in "My Own Swordsman".
It's a period sitcom after all. She's not the female lead.
Lu Yanhe wondered if he had underestimated the appeal of "My Own Swordsman" to actors. He had always felt that without "Friends," it wouldn't have been a good project for actors.
At least from the current market perspective, this kind of episodic drama hasn't appeared for several years.
Current TV dramas fall into three main categories: realistic dramas, historical romance dramas, and suspense/crime dramas. Occasionally, a few different ones might pop up, but they don't really take off.
"My Own Swordsman" doesn't fit into any category. Therefore, Lu Yanhe always felt that although he believed "My Own Swordsman" would definitely be a hit, it was a very risky project for people who didn't know that it had achieved success in another time and space.
Its only appeal lies in the fact that the script for this drama comes from Lu Yanhe, who wrote Friends.
-
Lu Yanhe went to the restroom.
Only Zhang Luzhou and Xiao Yun remained in the private room.
Zhang Luzhou glanced at the closed door and asked, "Xiao Xiao, do you think if I try to persuade Lu Yanhe, he'll let me act in 'My Own Swordsman'?"
Xiao Yun glanced at her boyfriend with some surprise.
“Didn’t he just say that you’re the first actor he’s cast? The other roles haven’t been cast yet,” Zhang Luzhou said. “If I could play one of the main roles, I would become famous.”
Xiao Yun looked at him with a troubled expression and said, "How about I ask him later and see what he thinks?"
Zhang Luzhou sighed, nodded, and said, "Don't force yourself. I know I'm not famous right now, so it's basically impossible for me to play a lead role."
Xiao Yun felt a little guilty when she heard him say that.
“You’ll definitely become famous,” Xiao Yun encouraged. “I brought you along to meet him this time because I wanted to see if he could cast you in any of his many projects that might be suitable for you.”
Zhang Luzhou nodded, took Xiao Yun's hand, and said, "Xiao Xiao, thank you."
-
"Hey, isn't that Lu Yanhe?" When Lu Yanhe came out of the restroom, someone saw him and immediately whispered to their companion.
"He's here too!" his companion exclaimed in surprise.
"Should we just take a picture of him?"
"Oh, what's so interesting about him? He lives a bland life every day, there's nothing to photograph. We've already taken money from others, and we agreed to take some photos today."
"If Lu Yanhe is having dinner here with Chen Siqi today, it would be great if we could take pictures of their date."
"Chen Siqi is staying in Jiangguang. If Chen Siqi goes back to Yuming, there won't be just the two of us here tonight."
...
The two of them spoke quietly as they walked down the corridor to the restroom.
They didn't notice the waiter standing to the side tidying up the carts.
After they turned the corner, Wang Biao looked up, a puzzled expression on his face, and gazed in the direction they had left.
Wang Biao only took Lu Yanhe seriously because he heard his name.
He didn't know how to describe his impression of Lu Yanhe. In short, he had met all sorts of people during this period, but the only ones who truly made him feel grateful were Lu Yanhe and the professor from last time.
Not everyone will be kind to him, especially strangers he meets by chance.
From his initial rash decision to approach Lu Yanhe for a live stream, to Lu Yanhe later offering him comfort and encouragement, Wang Biao had met many people, but very few were as genuinely kind to him as Lu Yanhe.
Although the two men didn't plan to continue filming Lu Yanhe, Wang Biao felt he still had to remind Lu Yanhe about it since there were two paparazzi in the restaurant.
After Lu Yanhe finished dinner with Xiao Yun and Zhang Luzhou and was about to leave, he went to pay the bill.
Wang Biao whispered a reminder to him: "There are two paparazzi outside. They seem to have been paid to come and photograph someone. They saw you but are hesitant to take a picture of you."
Lu Yanhe was taken aback.
Does this mean that there are paparazzi outside who were hired by someone else, and their initial purpose was not to photograph him, but they saw him and might photograph him?
Lu Yanhe thought to himself that he was just having a normal meal with Xiao Yun, and he wasn't worried about being photographed. He thanked Wang Biao and then suddenly remembered something. He asked, "Are you free these next few days? If you are, there's something we can talk about. I have a job I'd like you to do."
Wang Biao showed surprise and disbelief.
"ah?"
Lu Yanhe smiled and said, "The salary will definitely be higher than what you earn as a waiter here."
Wang Biao's eyes lit up instantly.
"I'm available. I can work a shift tomorrow. I'm free until 3 p.m."
"Alright, come find me here at 10 a.m. tomorrow." Lu Yanhe took out a card he had prepared beforehand from his wallet and handed it to Wang Biao. It was Chen Ziyan's office address.
Wang Biao looked at Lu Yanhe with a face full of surprise, "Okay, I'll definitely be there on time!"
Lu Yanhe smiled slightly.
-
Lu Yanhe turned back to the private room and saw Xiao Yun putting on a hat and mask to fully cover herself up, with Zhang Luzhou helping her with her bag. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind.
Are those two paparazzi outside here to photograph Xiao Yun?
As far as I can remember, Xiao Yun's relationship status hasn't been made public yet.
Lu Yanhe had only thought of himself and hadn't considered Xiao Yun.
"Have you made your relationship public?" Lu Yanhe asked proactively.
Xiao Yun and Zhang Luzhou exchanged a glance.
Xiao Yun shook her head and said, "We haven't gone public yet. My agent said it's not appropriate for me to go public with our relationship right now."
For a young actress like Xiao Yun, keeping her relationship private is a very common option.
No matter how much we talk about freedom of love, and celebrities can date these days, before they've established themselves in the industry, a relationship is like a ticking time bomb; nobody knows when it will explode.
Lu Yanhe said, "I just received news that there are paparazzi outside. If you don't go public, you might need to be careful not to get photographed."
Xiao Yun and Zhang Luzhou's expressions both changed.
"Paparazzi?"
"Mm." Lu Yanhe nodded.
Xiao Yun looked surprised. "Are you here to film us?"
"I don't know, maybe there are other people here," Lu Yanhe said. "You guys leave first, I'll stay here for a while, and I'll leave in thirty minutes after you leave."
Xiao Yun nodded, and then said, "I messaged the driver; he'll be here in ten minutes."
She thought of something and said to Zhang Luzhou, "Luzhou, why don't you go out first? I'll come out in a bit."
Zhang Luzhou nodded and said okay.
"Then I'll find a place nearby to wait for you."
Xiao Yun nodded.
Zhang Luzhou handed her her bag, said goodbye to Lu Yanhe, and then left.
Lu Yanhe and Xiao Yun sat down again.
Xiao Yun sighed, "This is really troublesome."
Lu Yanhe smiled and asked, "Have you and Zhang Luzhou been together since college?"
"Yes." Xiao Yun nodded. "We've been together for a long time."
Is he acting right now?
“I’ve been auditioning constantly, but I haven’t been able to get many roles. I can only recommend him to some production teams as a classmate, but the roles I get are still very small.” Xiao Yun sighed and shook his head. “It was only at this point that I realized I’m not that famous, even though everyone says I’m famous.”
Lu Yanhe was at a loss for words.
The suitability of an actor for a role is crucial; it's not as simple as just recommending someone because you're famous. However, Xiao Yun might not have meant that. She's not the arrogant type; she might just be expressing frustration.
Lu Yanhe asked, "Can't he get roles by auditioning himself?"
Xiao Yun: "He often performs quite well, but there are many people with connections, and he is often squeezed out. And most importantly, he usually doesn't get good roles. Most of the time, he is just a very instrumental role."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yanhe said, "I might only be able to play roles like this at the beginning."
Unless you have exceptional looks and acting skills that make people notice you at first glance and give you great opportunities.
Xiao Yun: "Yan He, is there a suitable role for him in 'My Own Swordsman'? His acting is actually quite good. He was always at the top of his class in school."
Lu Yanhe hesitated and shook his head, saying, "I haven't thought of a suitable role for him yet, and I've never seen him act before, so I don't know how well he acts."
Xiao Yun: "If there's an audition next time, give him a chance. He definitely won't let you down."
Xiao Yun was resolute.
Lu Yanhe nodded and said, "The audition will definitely be no problem."
Xiao Yun: "Thank you."
-
After dealing with Xiao Yun, the second person Lu Yanhe needed to deal with was He Jiang.
However, Lu Yanhe did not think that He Jiang would be difficult to deal with.
Instead, he decided to first arrange a meeting with He Jiang's classmate, Wang Dashan. Before that, Lu Yanhe contacted Jia Long to schedule a time for Wang Dashan to audition on set.
When Wang Dashan received Lu Yanhe's call, he was flattered and even stammered a little, repeating "okay" two or three times.
Lu Yanhe didn't know if He Jiang had mentioned his recommendation to Wang Dashan after returning home that day, but judging from Wang Dashan's reaction, he didn't seem to have expected that he would actually contact him.
At 9:30 in the morning, Lu Yanhe practiced the theme song of "Seventeen Floors" twice more in the rehearsal room. After finishing the practice, he went to find Chen Ziyan.
Chen Ziyan is making coffee.
"Would you like a drink? These beans were brought to me by Ma Zhongquan. He really went all out this time, bringing them back from Panama specifically for me."
“I’ve already had one cup, never mind,” Lu Yanhe asked. “Why did he bring you coffee beans again?”
"He wants to ease the tension between us, huh?" Chen Ziyan, wearing a dress that accentuated her shapely figure, turned around, holding a cup, and smiled at Lu Yanhe in front of the coffee machine. "He used to be so ruthless with me, but when he found out I tricked him and almost took his position, he learned his lesson and started trying to appease me again, afraid that I would actually have designs on his position and kick him out."
Lu Yanhe smiled.
"It's time to make amends."
"That's good. I never intended to really fall out with him. Now both sides have a way to save face, which is a good thing," Chen Ziyan said.
Lu Yanhe nodded.
"I had someone investigate the background of that Wang Biao you've been eyeing. There's nothing sensitive about him; he's just an ordinary person. However, he's quite a troublemaker. Judging from his experience, he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would be content with the status quo. If you hire him as your assistant, it might be fine for the first year or two, but after he sees a bigger world, he might not be satisfied with continuing to be a small assistant."
“That’s good too. It’s not a bad thing for people to have ambition. I’ve told you about his story before. I think he’s a good person, and that’s the key,” Lu Yanhe said.
“Yes, that’s one of the reasons I think he’s not bad.” Chen Ziyan nodded. “Also, he’s a man, so having him as your assistant can avoid a lot of trouble.”
"Mm." Lu Yanhe nodded.
Wang Biao hadn't even arrived yet, but Lu Yanhe and Chen Ziyan had already formed a basic judgment. Often, so-called interviews or auditions are like this. Long before it even begins, they already have the idea that the interview or audition is just a way to confirm in person whether it's really as they judged it beforehand.
At ten o'clock, Wang Biao was about to be brought in by Chen Ziyan's secretary.
Lu Yanhe only exchanged a brief glance with Wang Biao before saying he had rehearsals to attend to and leaving Chen Ziyan's office.
The interview was simply Chen Ziyan's way of seeing what Wang Biao was like and having a serious talk with him. If Lu Yanhe were here, Chen Ziyan wouldn't be able to ask many of her questions, and even if she did, Wang Biao might not be able to answer them well.
-
Lu Yanhe went downstairs, but happened to run into Lu Qingzhen, who was carrying a large cardboard box, in the elevator.
"Sister Qingzhen, what's wrong?"
Lu Qingzhen smiled slightly and said, "What a coincidence, you came to the company today. I resigned."
"Resigned?" Lu Yanhe looked at Lu Qingzhen in shock.
Seeing Lu Yanhe's shock, Lu Qingzhen asked in confusion, "Didn't Ziyan tell you? I'm going to work for her company."
Lu Yanhe suddenly realized, "Is it that high-end brokerage service company she owns?"
“That’s right.” Lu Qingzhen nodded. “I will be more involved in your work affairs in the future.”
Lu Yanhe breathed a sigh of relief.
He thought Lu Qingzhen had been fired by the company.
In fact, if he had asked a few more questions, he would have found out that this was indeed the case. However, Lu Qingzhen actually used the "being fired" incident to obtain far more compensation from the company than she had initially expected.
Lu Yanhe knew that Lu Qingzhen was actually very capable. If she hadn't deliberately concealed her abilities, she wouldn't have been just an ordinary team leader in the Ministry of Commerce. The reason she did this was because, no matter how capable she was, Ma Zhongquan wouldn't promote her due to her relationship with Chen Ziyan.
They both knew what was going on.
Lu Qingzhen's departure is definitely a loss for Xingyu Entertainment.
Lu Yanhe's most impressive endorsement deal with Math to date was secured by Lu Qingzhen, who seized the opportunity and won it with lightning speed.
For an artist, a top-tier endorsement is more than just a fee. It's an identity, a calling card. Like Lu Yanhe, who, as the spokesperson for Math, was invited to the Jose Film Festival. Not just anyone can go. Lu Yanhe certainly had other ways to go, but going as the Math spokesperson was perfectly legitimate—why not?
Similarly, suitable endorsements are highly beneficial to an artist's commercial image. Lu Yanhe doesn't have many endorsements, but the fees are all substantial, representing fair market rates, unlike some artists who voluntarily lower their fees or even forgo payment just to gain a title and enhance their image. Furthermore, each of his endorsements aligns with his image, benefiting both him and the brand, maximizing the endorsement's effectiveness.
It can be said that Lu Qingzhen's presence is present in every endorsement that Lu Yanhe has.
However, if you don't know how to choose endorsements based on an artist's characteristics and only look at the price, brand image, and level, it can actually damage the artist's image.
Just like when a writer endorses a coffee brand and is ridiculed, or when a big-name celebrity endorses a second-hand goods app and is criticized for being low-class.
Regardless of whether these opinions are correct or not, the fact that they have caused controversy among the public is undeniable.
Lu Yanhe has never caused such controversy with any of his endorsements, which speaks volumes about Lu Qingzhen's abilities.
Lu Yanhe took the box from Lu Qingzhen and said, "I'll take you downstairs."
Lu Qingzhen was flattered and said with delight, "You're so nice!"
Lu Yanhe smiled and said, "It was just helping out, how is that nice?"
"Haha, you probably don't know, but when I left, none of the people in my department dared to talk to me, for fear that Mr. Ma would hold it against them."
"Huh? What does this have to do with President Ma?" Lu Yanhe asked.
Lu Qingzhen then explained why she left Xingyu at this time.
Lu Yanhe couldn't help but get angry after hearing that.
"Does Ma Zhiyuan have to be so shameless?"
"Whatever, I don't care. I was going to leave anyway." After saying that, Lu Qingzhen winked at Lu Yanhe. "Besides, I didn't lose out."
"It's just a year's salary, is that not a loss?" Lu Yanhe asked.
Lu Qingzhen smiled but didn't say anything, though a mysterious smile flickered on her face.
Lu Yanhe suddenly realized, well, it seems it's not that simple.
How could someone like Lu Qingzhen suffer in silence?
Lu Yanhe did not ask any further questions.
The elevator went down to the parking lot, and they got out of the elevator.
Lu Yanhe, carrying the cardboard box, accompanied Lu Qingzhen to her car.
"Qingzhen, are you going to start working at Ziyan's high-end brokerage company right now?" Lu Yanhe asked.
Lu Qingzhen said, "I'll take a break for half a month for now. It's rare for me not to have to work. Let me catch my breath and take a vacation."
Lu Yanhe nodded upon hearing this.
Lu Qingzhen winked at Lu Yanhe and said, "Our cooperation will take more and more diverse forms, and we will contact each other more frequently in the future."
Lu Yanhe looked at her with some surprise, not immediately understanding what she meant.
"ah?"
Lu Qingzhen: "I'll keep you in suspense for now, but you'll find out later."
Lu Yanhe nodded and said, "Okay."
Just then, a roar suddenly rang out from behind—
"Lu Qingzhen! You stop right there!"
Zhou Ping'an, like an angry lion, strode hurriedly toward them.
He looked as if he was about to tear Lu Qingzhen to pieces.
Lu Yanhe frowned, immediately stepped forward, stood in front of Lu Qingzhen, and looked at Zhou Ping'an.
Zhou Ping'an hadn't expected Lu Yanhe to be here.
He glared at Lu Yanhe and said, "Get out of my way!"
Lu Yanhe looked at Zhou Ping'an and said, "Brother Ping'an, you're not going to fight with Sister Qingzhen, are you? Are you, a man, going to fight with a woman?"
Zhou Ping'an was furious. "Don't try that on me!"
Seeing that Lu Yanhe refused to move aside, he had no choice but to walk past Lu Yanhe and glare at Lu Qingzhen.
"You spread rumors about Ma Zhiyuan, saying he has many scandals and scandals that would lead to his immediate blacklisting if they were exposed, and that he is even considering not renewing the contracts of the two brands he endorses when they expire in the second half of this year! You have violated professional ethics!"
Lu Yanhe was taken aback when he heard Zhou Ping'an's accusations.
Lu Qingzhen stood gracefully behind Lu Yanhe, patted Lu Yanhe on the shoulder, and said, "Yanhe, we adults are talking about this, so you don't need to stand up for your sister. Don't worry, there are surveillance cameras and all sorts of things here. If he dares to touch a hair on my head, I can sue him until he's ruined."
Lu Qingzhen's calm tone carried a hint of domineering power.
Lu Yanhe looked at Lu Qingzhen in surprise.
Lu Qingzhen crossed her arms, looked at Zhou Ping'an, and said, "You've listed so many of my crimes, so I'd like to ask you, do you have any evidence?"
Zhou Ping'an's eyes seemed to be spitting fire, "Do you think that whatever you say outside won't be told to us?"
"Oh, rumors, huh?" Lu Qingzhen laughed charmingly. "So there's no evidence, huh? Then you say I violated professional ethics? Please get your facts straight. There are so many rumors in this industry. Who said I made them? Bring them out here, I want to confront that person!"
Zhou Ping'an was so angry with Lu Qingzhen that his breathing became heavy.
This was the first time Lu Yanhe had seen this side of Lu Qingzhen.
He was just a little puzzled as to why Lu Qingzhen's side was so similar to Sister Ziyan's sarcastic and eccentric behavior.
Zhou Pingan glared fiercely at Lu Qingzhen.
"Don't think you can absolve yourself of responsibility by saying that. After doing something like this, let's see how you establish yourself in the industry from now on!"
Lu Qingzhen chuckled lightly, "Mr. Ma used a year's salary to shut me up about this matter. If you want me to open my mouth again, please do so."
Zhou Ping'an gritted his teeth in anger at Lu Qingzhen's words, but had nothing to say.
He fumed for a long time, but realized he couldn't do anything to Lu Qingzhen, so he could only throw down a harsh remark and turn away.
"Just you wait and see! If you're so capable, you'll never give me any leverage over you again!"
Lu Qingzhen's smile vanished, and she coldly watched Zhou Ping'an's departing figure.
Lu Yanhe looked at her and asked, "Qingzhen, are you alright?"
"fine."
-
In the world of fame and fortune, it's not just celebrities who fight each other; managers also fight each other.
Wherever there are resources, there is competition; where there is competition, there is struggle.
Whether you're in the spotlight or behind the scenes, the vortex will sweep you in.
-
Lu Yanhe witnessed firsthand this kind of face-to-face conflict within the company.
He couldn't help but wonder if Chen Ziyan had also had similar conflicts with others in his own affairs.
Especially with Ma Zhongquan.
After the question popped into Lu Yanhe's mind, he immediately realized that it wasn't even a question that needed to be considered.
Because the answer is a foregone conclusion.
Chen Ziyan rarely told him about the underlying conflicts.
By the time many things reach him, they are already settled, they are already the outcome.
He only needs to sit back and reap the benefits.
Half an hour later, Lu Yanhe returned to Chen Ziyan's office.
Wang Biao's face was deathly pale, as if he had just been through a violent storm.
Lu Yanhe didn't know what he had been through. But whatever it was, Lu Yanhe hoped he wouldn't give up.
Chen Ziyan smiled at Lu Yanhe and said, "Yanhe, you've found a very good assistant. I'm very relieved."
Lu Yanhe smiled with surprise, "Really? Wang Biao, you actually received such high praise from Chen Ziyan."
Wang Biao gave a faint, somewhat forced smile.
He didn't know how to describe the tension he felt over the past thirty minutes, as if he were standing in a courtroom being tried.
Chen Ziyan wasn't actually very fierce or strict. But she had a strange aura that made you feel like you were being judged.
Wang Biao never expected that his stammering 30-minute speech would be praised as "very good" by Chen Ziyan.
And so, Wang Biao was hired.
In the first year, the monthly after-tax salary is 8,000 yuan, with bonuses every quarter based on performance and an end-of-year bonus.
This generous offer instantly soothed Wang Biao's wounded heart.
He suddenly became excited and declared enthusiastically, "I will definitely do my best!"
Then, Wang Biao was sent for training.
Chen Ziyan said that there are many things that artist assistants need to pay attention to, and they must undergo intensive training.
-
Lu Yanhe told Chen Ziyan about what had happened in the parking lot earlier.
Chen Ziyan sneered when she heard about the conflict between Lu Qingzhen and Zhou Ping'an.
"Zhou Ping'an is still a leopard that can't change its spots. He does nothing himself, but he won't let anyone else do anything to him. I hope he dies of anger soon."
Lu Yanhe: "..."
Look, it's that same weird, sarcastic attitude, exactly the same as Lu Qingzhen's just now.
Chen Ziyan looked at Lu Yanhe with a puzzled expression and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Lu Yanhe put aside his thoughts, smiled, and said, "No, no."
Chen Ziyan added, "It's good that you found yourself an assistant, but remember, great kindness can turn into enmity. Don't blur the lines between you."
Lu Yanhe: "Okay, I know, I'll be careful."
Chen Ziyan nodded in satisfaction, "My high-end agency with Lu Qingzhen no longer only serves artists. We tailor service plans for well-known figures in various fields. I want to sign Chen Siqi as my client."
Lu Yanhe was taken aback.
The words Lu Qingzhen had just said in the parking lot resurfaced in his mind.
—My cooperation with you will take more and more diverse forms, and we will contact each other more frequently in the future.
Oh, so that's what it means.
Lu Yanhe said, "As long as Siqi agrees, that's fine."
“Hmm.” Chen Ziyan nodded. “Besides her, we will also consider some of the writers that your magazine ‘Jump Up’ will be launching in the future, as well as self-media bloggers and internet celebrities. If we think there is room for cooperation, we will develop cooperation models. So, I was thinking, if you are interested, would you like to invest? Of course, the shares left for you will not be many. It is more of a symbol to strengthen cooperation. I am not short of investment, nor am I short of money.”
Lu Yanhe nodded without hesitation, "Okay."
Chen Ziyan smiled and nodded.
Please vote for me! Please vote for me!
(End of this chapter)
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