Chapter 413 A New Phase
Tom White was indeed interested in the projects that Lu Yanhe mentioned.
So the two agreed to meet in China, where Tom White would have a serious discussion with the producers of several projects and also watch the films.
Actually, Lu Yanhe himself hadn't even seen the films yet. But because of his trust in the partners in these projects, Lu Yanhe believed that these films would definitely be good; the fundamentals were there for all to see.
The news of her meeting with Tom White somehow spread like wildfire and even reached Maxine's people.
Lu Yanhe was about to leave for the airport to return to China in an hour when Maxine's Zhong Benshuo suddenly appeared at the door of his hotel room.
"Hi, Yanhe." Zhong Benshuo, who had met Lu Yanhe once before, greeted him with a bright smile. "Luckily I made it in time. I heard you were going to the airport soon."
“Indeed.” Lu Yanhe nodded and said, “I’m packing my things right now.”
Upon hearing this, Zhong Benshuo asked, "Didn't your assistant help you pack?"
"I usually pack my own things," Lu Yanhe said, his face still showing surprise and astonishment. "Is there...something urgent?"
"Haha, it's not urgent, it's not urgent." Zhong Benshuo immediately waved his hand. "I was in a hurry in Bicarlo this time. I've wanted to come and see you for a long time, but I didn't make an appointment. I just heard that you're going back, and I think I have to come and see you before you go back."
"Please come in, please wait a moment, I'll pack my things right away." Lu Yanhe invited Zhong Benshuo in and gave him a bottle of mineral water.
Zhong Benshuo came because of Lu Yanhe's meeting with Tom White.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Jong Bon-seok brought up the matter.
"What kind of collaboration is Tom White here to discuss with you?" Zhong Benshuo asked, seemingly casually.
Lu Yanhe smiled and said, "It's nothing, just some projects I have on hand."
Zhong Benshuo said, "Yan He, Maxine was the one who first contacted you and really hoped to cooperate with you."
Lu Yanhe nodded and said, "Yes, I know. We always meet and talk first."
Zhong Benshuo said, "Both 'Friends' and 'The 17th Floor' were very popular on Maxine and were in the top ten of the Asian charts for a period of time. There is also a collaboration on 'The Silent River'. Yan He, we at Maxine have a deep connection with you, and we hope that you can talk to us first in any collaborations."
Jong Bon-seok values his collaboration with Lu Yanhe so much because "Friends" and "The Seventeenth Floor" performed very well on Maxine, and according to platform data and audience preference profiles, Maxine users have a very positive impression of the characters played by Lu Yanhe.
On the other hand, Zhong Benshuo was well aware that the projects Lu Yanhe had were all high-profile, large-scale, and star-studded projects in China. Maxine wanted to buy them, and other platforms were naturally interested as well.
Lu Yanhe said, "I made an appointment with him to talk later. After all, both TV series and two movies will be released to the audience and will also be available on streaming media. They took the initiative to contact me and wanted to collaborate."
Zhong Benshuo immediately said, "Maxine is definitely interested too."
Zhong Benshuo hadn't expected that Lu Yanhe's projects would be so popular, with even HP taking the initiative to inquire about them—this was because Lu Yanhe had deliberately concealed Tom White's initial purpose in contacting him, so Zhong Benshuo mistakenly thought that Tom White had come to Lu Yanhe specifically for those projects.
In reality, the projects Lu Yanhe has in hand are not yet at the level that would cause everyone to rush to participate and compete fiercely for them in the streaming media industry.
Any platform considers past achievements. Having representative works and not having them are two completely different concepts. Therefore, it's easy to understand why domestic platforms and companies like Aurora Video are so attentive and enthusiastic towards Lu Yanhe, because Lu Yanhe is a highly popular and accomplished actor, as well as a screenwriter who broke viewership records.
However, for international streaming giants like Maxine and HP, Lu Yanhe is merely a creator with considerable success in his own country. If they are developing a film or television series aimed at penetrating the Chinese market, then their attention to Lu Yanhe is understandable; they might want to get him to write the script, or they might want him to star in the project.
As for acquiring the overseas streaming rights to these film and television projects held by Lu Yanhe?
It's not that attractive right now.
This was also what surprised Zhong Benshuo. He thought he had discovered Lu Yanhe, the creator, quite early, but he didn't expect that someone in HP had also discovered him.
However, Tom White is indeed very talented.
In this line of work, nothing is more important than having a good eye for things.
Tom White has discovered several long-running series for Harry Potter, achieving solid success. Zhong Benshuo worries that Tom White will poach Lu Yanhe, which makes him feel competitive and threatened.
-
Back in China, Lu Yanhe returned to school to attend classes, and at the same time, he immediately began the final preparations for "The Squid Game".
Actually, he doesn't need to do anything.
This drama is being handled by the people from Aurora Video, and everything is very mature. They just respect Lu Yanhe's opinions and will consult him on some crucial and important matters.
Lu Yanhe had never actually asked for this; it was entirely their initiative. However, he was naturally pleased that they respected him so much.
What Lu Yanhe least expected was that, in the end, the role in "Squid Game" that originally belonged to Li Zhibai was given to Liu Zefan based on his suggestion.
Lu Yanhe himself was surprised, because he knew that the first choice for the Northern Lights video was not him.
Chen Ziyan said, "I heard some news that might be related to this."
"Huh? What news?" Lu Yanhe asked in surprise.
Chen Ziyan said, "Director Bai Jingnian is currently going through the resignation procedures with Beijing-Taiwan Film and Television, and is preparing to come to Aurora Video."
Lu Yanhe was taken aback.
"Oh? Really?"
Lu Yanhe's first reaction was disbelief.
The reason for this reaction is that Bai Jingnian is different from many directors. He works for Beijing and Taiwan, holding a permanent position rather than a regular employment contract. Because of this, almost all of Bai Jingnian's films are shot in Beijing and Taiwan; he has never filmed outside of Beijing.
Why would he suddenly leave Beijing and Taiwan at this time?
"Although the second season of 'Friends' didn't receive the best reviews from viewers, its ratings were still quite impressive, right?" Lu Yanhe said. "Isn't this the time when our collaboration is at its closest?"
Chen Ziyan: "I don't know the specifics, but I heard that Beijing and Taiwan didn't really recognize Bai Jingnian, and there were also conflicts over his treatment, so Bai Jingnian left."
Lu Yanhe: "Okay, so what does this have to do with the fact that the Northern Lights suddenly value my opinion so much?"
"Do you know why the Northern Lights dug him up?"
"What else can we do? Film a movie, of course." After Lu Yanhe finished speaking, he suddenly realized something, his eyes widened, and he exclaimed, "Could it be that we're going to invite him to film 'My Own Swordsman'?"
“That’s right.” Chen Ziyan nodded. “It was all for the sake of filming ‘My Own Swordsman,’ which was also Zheng Huai-ren’s doing. He spent a lot of money to poach Director Bai. Do you think Bai Jingnian wouldn’t mention you when he was communicating with Zheng Huai-ren?”
Lu Yanhe: "They will mention me, though."
“You were also involved in the audition and casting of the actors in Friends,” Chen Ziyan said. “Now they are all famous, but back then none of them were famous, including Minglan. In the end, you chose these actors against all odds, especially Zhan Yun and Bai Jin. They went from complete newcomers to top-tier actresses. Your story must be legendary to Aurora.
This was something Lu Yanhe truly hadn't expected.
"The key is whether others listen to you or believe you when you speak," Chen Ziyan said. "Congratulations, you've now reached a stage where everyone will seriously consider every word you say, and people will value your opinions very much."
-
That day, after class, Lu Yanhe had dinner with Jiang Yuqian, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.
It's been quite a while since we last met.
This is inevitable in the entertainment industry. It all follows the project; when a show starts filming, a group of people meet, gradually become familiar, and develop good relationships. Once the show ends, the connection ends, and if there are no new connections, with less and less time together, familiar relationships slowly fade away.
Lu Yanhe and Jiang Yuqian were already quite familiar with each other, and it was inevitable that they would not be able to find time to meet because they were both very busy.
This meeting was made possible by the film "Squid Game".
Jiang Yuqian arrived early to participate in the movement training.
She will have a lot of action scenes in this movie.
Jiang Yuqian never imagined that in just one year, her and Lu Yanhe's situations would undergo such a dramatic change. The child who used to need her help is now gradually becoming capable of helping her.
She initially agreed to film "Squid Game" out of a desire to support him, but now that filming is about to begin, it has become the most top-tier resource she has been able to access.
"Does 'Night Run' have a chance of winning an award?" Jiang Yuqian asked Lu Yanhe with a smile as soon as they met.
"I don't know, I came back as soon as the screening ended," Lu Yanhe said. "I don't know if it will be successful yet, but the feedback from the audience was quite good."
Jiang Yuqian said, "I've also seen many comments praising your short film. I heard that some foreign media even asked if it could be made into a feature film. That's amazing. It seems like all the films you've made in the last two years have received a lot of positive reviews."
Lu Yanhe said, "We were lucky, thanks to Wang Zhong and Liu Bige."
Lu Yanhe added, "Sister Yuqian, filming 'Squid Game' this time must be very tough, right? It's a film that requires a lot of physical strength."
“It’s great, I really like this character,” Jiang Yuqian said earnestly. “It’s been a long time since I’ve played a character who is so grassroots and from the bottom of society, yet has such a strong vitality. Jiang Cao, when you chose this name, was it based on this kind of spirit she embodies?”
Lu Yanhe nodded, acknowledging this.
The main problem is that he doesn't remember the names of the characters in "Squid Game." Of course, even if he did remember, he couldn't use them, since the original work is a Korean drama, and the names sound like Korean names, which are not suitable for appearing in this drama.
The setting here is Hong Kong, so we need to use Chinese names.
Because Jiang Cao in the original work is very thin, and Jiang Yuqian was already very thin, she went on to lose even more weight and control her weight. However, she mainly lost weight through exercise, because this character needed to have a certain strength; otherwise, her physical abilities would be hard to believe.
Jiang Yuqian said, "After 'The Seventeen Floors' became a huge hit, many people must have approached you, wanting to play a role in 'The Squid Game,' right?"
"There are some," Lu Yanhe said with a smile. "Including the role that Li Zhibai was originally supposed to play. Because the filming was suddenly moved up, Li Zhibai couldn't play it, and four or five very popular actors came to compete for it."
Jiang Yuqian: "Hearing you say that, I can imagine how difficult it must have been for you at that time. I bet a lot of people greeted you."
Lu Yanhe: "There are indeed many, but actually I can't decide. It all has to be discussed with Aurora Borealis before it can be decided. In the end, everyone thinks I have the right to decide."
Jiang Yuqian: "That's what people are saying outside. Besides, whether it's true or not, people will just think it's an excuse."
Lu Yanhe was helpless, both amused and exasperated. "Indeed, no one believes me when I say that."
"And what about you? Are you joining the crew later?"
"I have no plans to join any productions right now. I've been approached for several projects, but I haven't made a final decision yet."
“You were filming almost from the beginning to the end of last year, so it’s right for you to take a break now,” Jiang Yuqian said. “You’re only a junior in college. It’s been less than three years since you first started acting, and you’ve already filmed so many shows. You’re a real workaholic. I’ve always thought I was a workaholic, but compared to you, I’m still far behind.”
Lu Yanhe said, "I benefited from this. I filmed dramas with smaller scale and fewer episodes. You guys have to film for four or five months or even half a year for one drama, while I usually finish in one or two months."
Jiang Yuqian: "I need to learn from you in this regard."
-
During the meal with Jiang Yuqian, Lu Yanhe did most of the eating, while Jiang Yuqian barely touched her chopsticks.
Although she is already thirty years old, she still looks like she is in her early twenties, which is related to her strict control over the years.
Lu Yanhe was too embarrassed to mention the two dramas starring Jiang Yuqian that had aired in the past two years. Because everyone knew that these two dramas starring Jiang Yuqian were mediocre, and compared to the high expectations brought by "Jiang Yuqian starring", they could even be described as "terrible".
Jiang Yuqian's popularity and commercial value are already in jeopardy and on the verge of collapse.
But judging from my meeting with Jiang Yuqian tonight, she is still in good condition and doesn't seem to be going through a low period.
Lu Yanhe breathed a sigh of relief.
If you were to ask him who he is most grateful to for his acting career, it would definitely be Jiang Yuqian.
The reason is simple: the person who truly gave him an opportunity and gave him a push when he had nothing was Jiang Yuqian.
Without Jiang Yuqian's recommendation, he might not have been able to embark on the path of becoming an actor.
Always, the first step is always the hardest, because that's when you have no foundation at all.
Therefore, Lu Yanhe never had the idea of replacing Jiang Yuqian—the Northern Lights video did hint at this.
Lu Yanhe was also deeply grateful that Jiang Yuqian had never complained to him about her career setbacks. It wasn't that Lu Yanhe didn't want to listen, but rather that he didn't know how to respond.
Lu Yanhe was on the rise, while Jiang Yuqian was on the decline. This was a situation that Lu Yanhe had no idea how to deal with.
He sincerely hoped that Jiang Yuqian's career could recover.
He also believes that "The Squid Game" will definitely help Jiang Yuqian's career return to its peak.
-
After dinner, Jiang Yuqian said goodbye to Lu Yanhe.
“I’ve been in Yuming these past few days, and we meet up sometimes,” Jiang Yuqian said.
"Okay." Lu Yanhe nodded. "Alright, Sister Yuqian, let me know when you have time. I'll just stay at school anyway."
Jiang Yuqian nodded.
"Get some rest every day. I've noticed you've been going live later and later lately," Jiang Yuqian said with a smile. "Sometimes when I'm on my way home after recording a show, it's already past midnight, and I find you're still live streaming."
Lu Yanhe was surprised that Jiang Yuqian was paying attention to these things.
"Okay, okay, I'll get some rest, and so will you, Sister Yuqian."
Lu Yanhe said goodbye to Jiang Yuqian.
Jiang Yuqian got into the car.
The driver picked her up and took her to the gym.
This is her daily routine: going to the gym for physical training.
In fact, if Jiang Yuqian hadn't had such a strong initial momentum and high popularity, the failures of these two works wouldn't be so widely known. After "The Golden Era" aired, many people thought Jiang Yuqian was truly on her way to becoming a top star. Who knew that after plunging headlong into serious dramas and dedicating over two years to it, she would only achieve a lackluster result, losing two years of exposure and facing overwhelming criticism for her ability to carry a drama.
If you ask Jiang Yuqian if she regrets it... to be honest, she does have some regrets. If she had listened to her agent He Heng's advice and taken on one or two more audience-oriented dramas in addition to those two serious dramas to maintain her popularity and fame, her position wouldn't have started to waver in just two years.
Female celebrities of her caliber are not easily dethroned.
There are also female celebrities who can maintain their status and prestige even if three or four of their dramas fail to become hits.
Jiang Yuqian, however, had two dramas that flopped so badly that everyone knew about them, so she suffered the worst backlash.
Jiang Yuqian took a deep breath, trying to pull herself out of her complicated emotions.
Don't worry about short-term gains or losses.
What you should be looking at is a steady, long-term approach.
That's how Jiang Yuqian comforted herself.
She slowly calmed herself down; only she knew how much strength she had accumulated within. Lu Yanhe, before his current momentum, had also spent several years lying low; she could do the same.
Everyone experiences low points in life; it's inevitable for everyone.
But no one stays in a slump forever.
The car stopped.
arrive.
Jiang Yuqian took a deep breath, picked up her gym bag, got out of the car, and walked forward silently and resolutely.
(End of this chapter)
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