Chapter 607
"We just received a message saying that the director of our drama 'The Silent Staircase' has been changed just before filming started, is that right?"
In a television interview the following day, a reporter asked Lu Yanhe about it.
Lu Yanhe nodded and said, "Yes, due to some unexpected circumstances, our original director was unable to continue directing, so we temporarily invited Chen Yu, who was working on another project for our Jumping Theater, to direct 'The Silent Staircase'."
Did the pressure of having a director changed at the last minute affect your work and the filming of the production?
“Of course there are, but we also unexpectedly discovered a very remarkable director because of this.” Lu Yanhe smiled brightly. “Just wait and see, Director Chen Yu will make some very good works in the future. I am very happy. ‘The Silent Staircase’ is his first independently directed work.”
"This adds another new director to your list of collaborators," the reporter said with a smile.
"Ah, yes, that's right." Lu Yanhe realized and nodded. "It really is."
"Logically speaking, an actor like you should usually be involved in the industry's top productions, but it seems you've still participated in many film and television projects that we didn't expect. If 'The Silent Staircase' was supported as a project for Jump Theatre, then why did you choose to participate in Malaysian director Wong Tien Lin's film at this time? Moreover, as far as we know, you're not even playing a lead role?"
The controversy surrounding this matter has never truly subsided.
Since the news broke, there has been a lot of discussion online.
Many fans left comments expressing their incomprehension of his choice and decision.
Lu Yanhe said, "Because it's a low-budget art film, and because the role I played wasn't the main character."
The reporter was taken aback, seemingly not understanding what he was saying at all.
"ah?"
"What I mean is, if you're talking about big-budget, top-tier projects, I don't lack those kinds of projects. In terms of movies, I've already filmed 'Burning Fire,' and in terms of TV series, I still have 'Seventeen Floors' and 'Friends.' As an actor, I hope to present more multifaceted things to the audience, especially to movie fans who really like to see me explore different types of performances."
Lu Yanhe frankly said, "I hope that in the future I can collaborate with directors from different countries and cultural backgrounds on different types of film and television dramas. Whether it's a leading role or a supporting role, as long as it's something I haven't tried before and the script is good enough, even if I'm not the most important person in the work, I can still use my influence to help the work be seen by the world. Why shouldn't I?"
The reporter was stunned, and after a long silence, said, "You have such a broad perspective."
Lu Yanhe smiled and waved his hand.
"No, I'm just a slightly greedy actor. I want awards and box office success, I want commercial films and art films, I also want the applause of the audience and the sense of accomplishment of an actor."
-
Airport, arrival hall.
He Lan waved to Chen Siqi as she came out, walked over, and handed her a thermos filled with coffee.
"You must be tired from your business trip."
Chen Siqi smiled at Helan and asked, "Why are you so happy?"
He Lan said, "Yan He's TV interview just aired, and some of the things he said made me very happy."
"Huh? What did he say this time?"
“What he says is not important; what is important is that he knows exactly what he wants to do.” He Lan helped Chen Siqi take her suitcase and said, “The news that Yan He was going to act in that movie in Malaysia made many of his fans not understand, and many people were angry, feeling that he did not cherish his career and was taking on roles indiscriminately.”
Chen Siqi smiled.
"Just listen to what they say and forget about it. They didn't understand how many roles Yan He took at first, whether it was 'Three Mountains,' 'Late Spring,' or even 'Mist'... And what happened? They never look at the past; they just think that unless it's a big director or a big production, it's not good enough for Yan He. In this respect, Sister Ziyan and I are the same. Even if we have doubts about Yan He's film choices, we won't stop him. Facts have already proven that we don't have his vision, so we should be more self-aware."
He Lan: "But many actors can't stick to their choices like Yan He. Did you know something happened yesterday? After Zhang Lan and Yan Liang acted in 'Liu Guang Yin,' she hasn't joined any other productions. She had been in contact with a production team for an urban women's drama for a while and was about to sign a contract, but when the news came out, her fans launched a large-scale boycott."
"Huh? Why the boycott?"
“On the one hand, it’s because this drama is an ensemble piece, not a female-centric one; there are three female leads. On the other hand, the character she was offered was considered undesirable by fans because she was playing a housewife with a husband and daughter who later cheated on her husband, but she forgave him,” He Lan said. “So Zhang Lan’s fans were very angry and felt that Zhang Lan shouldn’t have played such a character.”
Chen Siqi: "Then who will replace Zhang Lan in the role?"
“We replaced her with Zhen Hongyu,” He Lan said. “After Zhen Hongyu’s fans found out that she had taken on the role, there were some objections, but Zhen Hongyu directly replied to her fans in the comments section.”
What did she reply?
"She said she knew what she was doing."
Chen Siqi: "Zhen Hongyu actually received quite a bit of attention on 'The Birth of an Actor,' but because she has never faded from the spotlight and her popularity has always been high, it seems like she didn't benefit much from the show. But her acting opportunities have never stopped, right? She and Zhang Lan both chose this drama, which means that the script and the role are attractive and worth playing. These fans haven't even seen the script, yet they're making a fuss about this; it's going too far."
"There's no way around it. The current public opinion environment is too morally judgmental of content and characters. I can understand the fans' boycott behavior. However, understanding is one thing, but if an actor wants to play a role well, the character itself must not be a morally perfect person. Apart from the fans of idol dramas, what audience truly likes a moral saint?"
Chen Siqi: "That makes sense, but it's useless; many people won't listen."
The two walked out of the airport and went outside.
A gust of hot wind has already swept in.
"It's getting a bit hot," Chen Siqi said.
"Yes, the temperature has been a bit high these past two days, but it will cool down soon," Helan said.
The two people stood by the roadside, waiting for the driver to come.
"Siqi?" a surprised voice rang out.
Chen Siqi and He Lan turned to look at the same time.
They seemed to have no idea that they would run into an acquaintance here—or rather, two people who looked like a mother and daughter.
The woman who looked like the mother was dressed in an elegant suit, the kind of outfit a wealthy woman would wear.
The girl who looked like the daughter was also dressed elegantly as a wealthy woman, but her gaze towards Chen Siqi was not very friendly.
Helan did not know them.
"Aunt Du, Li Lin." Chen Siqi looked at the two of them with slight surprise.
These two people really haven't seen each other for several years.
Du Fang is Liu Wei'an's good friend.
Li Lin, also a student at No. 13 Middle School, has always been at odds with Chen Siqi.
Back then, at Chen Siqi's birthday party, the two of them had mocked Chen Siqi in front of everyone, which led to the scene where Lu Yanhe, along with Li Zhibai and Yan Liang, came to Chen Siqi's rescue and support.
"Oh my, it's been so long! You've really grown up so much, you're so beautiful, and you're doing such a great job too." Du Fang's eyes were full of genuine admiration as she reached out to shake Chen Siqi's hand without waiting for a reply.
Chen Siqi took a step back immediately, not giving her a chance.
"Aunt Du, is there anything I can help you with?"
This step allowed Helan to understand the relationship between them.
Yeah, the relationship isn't very good.
At least Chen Siqi disliked the two people in front of her.
"Mom, why are you trying to curry favor with her? She's the president of Tiaoqi Group now, why would she even look at us old acquaintances?" Li Lin looked at Chen Siqi with disgust.
People around looked on curiously.
Du Fang immediately glared at her daughter.
How dare you speak to me like that?
When Helan saw their car approaching, she smiled slightly, changing her previous friendly demeanor towards Chen Siqi to a very "secretary" manner, and said respectfully and considerately, "President Chen, our car is here. We're a bit pressed for time, so we need to get in."
Chen Siqi nodded, gave Du Fang and Li Lin a faint smile, and said, "Then I'll be going now."
"Siqi, let's get together for afternoon tea sometime," Du Fang said immediately.
"Mom!" Li Lin tugged at her mother's sleeve in dissatisfaction.
Chen Siqi seemed not to hear anything and turned around.
He Lan went forward and opened the back door for Chen Siqi.
The driver got out of the car to get the luggage.
Chen Siqi got into the car with a leisurely air.
Helan closed the car door and took two steps toward the passenger seat, glancing at the two women with a neutral expression—a secretary's gesture—to leave an impression on the two people her boss knew.
After the car drove away, Du Fang glared at Li Lin.
"Can't you be a little more sensible?!"
Li Lin said with dissatisfaction, "Do you think she'll treat you well if you're so enthusiastic and try to please her?"
"At least she can help your dad!" Du Fang said angrily. "If you hadn't ruined your relationship with her back then, and if you had been friends with her, you wouldn't be in this situation where it's so hard to even say a word to her now!"
Li Lin retorted angrily, "It was clearly you who were close to Liu Wei'an that made me avoid contact with her and not be friends with her since we were little, and now you're blaming me?!"
Du Fang was speechless for a moment.
Li Lin: "Don't expect Chen Siqi to help us. You've contacted Liu Wei'an so many times, but have you seen her contact Chen Siqi even once? She knows that Chen Siqi will never forgive her."
“Chen Siqi will never forgive her, that’s normal. But we don’t have any fundamental hatred towards her, so why won’t she forgive us? Doesn’t she need someone to speak up for her in our circle regarding her feud with Liu Wei’an?” Du Fang glared at Li Lin with disgust. “Don’t just grow fat without using your brain! You’re twenty-three years old, you should be more sensible.”
Li Lin was so angry that she let out a scream in public.
Everyone around looked over.
-
He Lan noticed that Chen Siqi seemed a little down after getting into the car and didn't speak for a long time.
Thinking about it, it's probably related to those two people I just met.
Although Helan didn't know the details of their relationship, she knew that Chen Siqi had a terrible relationship with her family.
She has been Chen Siqi's secretary for some time now.
Chen Siqi would occasionally go back to her maternal grandparents' house to visit them, but she never went back to her parents' house.
Of course, Helan also knew why Chen Siqi didn't go back.
Liu Wei'an had actually visited Chen Siqi at the company twice before.
Chen Siqi did not see her.
Later, someone at the company told her that this was Chen Siqi's stepmother.
Having spent a long time with Chen Siqi, Helan gradually realized that the reason why Chen Siqi was unwilling to mention her family and never went back to see her father must be related to the past.
Those two people were clearly from the past.
-
Chen Siqi often thinks about one thing: what would her life be like if she hadn't impulsively started the magazine "Jump Up" with Lu Yanhe after graduating from high school?
Sometimes, life really changes drastically because of a choice that no one expected.
She didn't even have any heated arguments with her family, nor did the anticipated breakup occur. They simply separated gradually and tacitly.
Chen Siqi sometimes finds it really ironic.
It wasn't anything else, but the irony of all the possible arguments I had imagined.
In reality, to her father, she was just a burden.
She left, and he never even considered coming back to find her.
When she was little, she thought that when she grew up and was able to support herself, she would never tolerate Liu Wei'an's behavior again. She knew that her father would be angry. She was very clear that if that time came, she would force her father to make a choice: choose her or me.
In the end, we didn't even need to go that far.
Human growth is about the things we thought we would do or face when we grew up, but they often don't actually happen in our future lives.
Chen Siqi took a deep breath, trying to dispel the negative emotions that had arisen in her heart from seeing Du Fang and Li Lin.
Okay, that's all.
-
Chen Siqi didn't even have time to go back to Ziyuan Bridge; she had to go to the company to deal with the backlog of things from the past few days.
The company is in a period of rapid expansion, and there are too many decisions that require her to make.
After arriving at the company, Chen Siqi worked straight until 8 p.m., not knowing when it got dark, before she finished reviewing all the plans and reports on her desk and gave her opinions on how to handle them.
She turned her neck, and it made a cracking sound.
She had to stand up and stretch her limbs in the office.
Just then, Helan knocked on the door and came in.
"Siqi, Yan He is here."
Chen Siqi showed a look of surprise.
Lu Yanhe walked in carrying two lunchboxes and smiled at her.
"I heard you only ate one box of dumplings for dinner?"
"Isn't one box of dumplings enough?" Chen Siqi asked in surprise.
Lu Yanhe: "It's not nutritious enough. This is pigeon soup I packed from the restaurant, along with some cold dishes. It's from the restaurant you like."
Chen Siqi was overjoyed, "Weren't you having dinner with Tom White tonight?"
“Yes, I came over right after I finished eating. This soup was made at the restaurant where we had dinner,” Lu Yanhe said. “On my way here, I happened to pass by your favorite cold dish shop, so I stopped by and bought a portion.”
Chen Siqi smiled and nodded, "Okay, are you going back tonight? Or are you sleeping here?"
There is a lounge for Chan Sze-ki here.
Chen Siqi has been resting here for many nights.
Lu Yanhe said, "I don't have work tomorrow morning, so I'll sleep here tonight. I'll have lunch with you tomorrow before I go back."
"Okay." Chen Siqi nodded.
Have you finished your work for today?
"I just finished," Chen Siqi said. "I sat for five or six hours, and I was about to change and go for a run when you came to tempt me with some late-night snacks."
"Stop running, let's go for a walk after we finish eating," Lu Yanhe said. "Just stretch our muscles a bit."
"Mm." Chen Siqi nodded.
She suddenly remembered something and said to Helan, "Lanlan, you can go home now. I've finished all my work here, and there's nothing else to do."
Helan said, "I can't leave work yet, Siqi. Please give me the documents you've finished processing. Several departments are waiting for your feedback, and time is of the essence."
Are they all still working overtime?
“The main force has already left, but there are a few tasks that urgently need your feedback tonight,” Helan said. “I can handle them. You should rest for a bit.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Siqi thought for a moment and said, "Then it would be better if I explained it to them in person."
She told Lu Yanhe, "Wait for me for ten minutes."
Lu Yanhe nodded.
Lu Yanhe, carrying two lunchboxes, asked, "Shall I wait for you here? Or shall we eat somewhere else?"
Chen Siqi's office only has a small coffee table for receiving guests.
Chen Siqi said, "Just wait for me here for a bit."
Lu Yanhe nodded.
He Lan picked up the documents that Chen Siqi had just finished processing and went out with Chen Siqi.
Lu Yanhe took out the lunchbox, put it on the coffee table, and sat down on the sofa.
When Chen Siqi returned, she found that Lu Yanhe had fallen asleep on the sofa.
Chen Siqi's smile faltered, and she softened her movements.
She tiptoed over, sat down on the floor in front of the coffee table, and looked closely at Lu Yanhe's face after he fell asleep.
Chen Siqi is already very familiar with this face.
She knew exactly what each place felt like to touch.
The two of them have been together for so long, but there haven't been many passionate, all-consuming moments. It seems quite different from the kind of intense love depicted in novels and movies, where it's as if the whole world is about to be burned down.
However, in the more subtle ways, both she and he expressed their love with an incredible sense of tolerance and understanding.
Chen Siqi herself found it hard to believe that in all these years, she had never doubted Lu Yanhe or wondered if he might have betrayed her.
She was also very certain that Lu Yanhe's love for her was no less than her love for him.
Why is that?
Is it because of their unique upbringing?
Chen Siqi stared at Lu Yanhe's face, looking at him quietly for a long time.
Until Lu Yanhe suddenly woke up on his own.
He opened his sleepy eyes.
Chen Siqi smiled.
"I fell asleep?" Lu Yanhe laughed.
Chen Siqi nodded and said, "You're asleep. Are you tired?"
"A little, but not really that tired. I didn't sleep on the way here. Maybe it's because your sofa is too comfortable. Sitting on it makes me sleepy."
Chen Siqi: "Is this sofa so comfortable? Then I'll have them install one in your RV too, it's not that big anyway."
Lu Yanhe smiled and said, "I think it's a good idea."
He saw the unopened lunchbox on the coffee table.
"You haven't eaten yet?"
“I just came in a little while ago,” Chen Siqi said. “I reckon you’ve only been asleep for less than ten minutes.”
Lu Yanhe opened the lunchbox lid, and the aroma instantly filled the air.
Chen Siqi took a satisfied breath. "It smells so good."
Lu Yanhe looked at Chen Siqi sitting directly on the floor and asked, "Aren't you cold sitting on the floor?"
"The floor isn't cold."
Lu Yanhe also sat down cross-legged on the floor.
"Have you seen Director An Jian?"
“I saw him.” Chen Siqi nodded. “He denies that the anonymous letter was related to him.”
Lu Yanhe: "Did you just confront him directly?"
“No, I just suggested that Xin Pingqing might have orchestrated this whole thing, and he then brought up himself, asking if I had ever suspected him as well.” Chen Siqi laughed. “I asked Xin Pingqing’s father why he committed suicide, and he said that Xin Pingqing’s father had always suffered from depression. After Xin Pingqing’s father had his accident, he had no contact with Xin Pingqing’s family for a long time. It was only during this filming that someone told him that Xin Pingqing was Xin Siyang’s son.”
Lu Yanhe looked puzzled.
"It sounds like you're trying to cover something up."
“I think so too,” Chen Siqi said. “I asked him how he planned to resolve this matter. If it wasn’t resolved, and he continued to direct new films, this person might continue to send anonymous letters. He said he didn’t plan to direct again until he resolved this matter.”
Lu Yanhe looked surprised.
"ah?"
“It’s unbelievable, isn’t it?” Chen Siqi shook her head. “To be honest, I don’t quite understand whether An Jian orchestrated this whole thing himself. I don’t know why he did it, and I also think… he’ll never be a director again? To be honest, that’s too high a price to pay. I was thinking that maybe something happened that prevented him from directing ‘The Silent Staircase,’ so he pulled this stunt.”
Lu Yanhe: "Forget it, if we don't know what's going on for now, let's not worry about it. Until this matter is resolved, we shouldn't cooperate with An Jian anymore."
Chen Siqi nodded.
"Um."
Chen Siqi laughed again: "Being able to discover Chen Yu can be considered a blessing in disguise. I have already sent him two more scripts to see if we can continue to work together."
-
I recommend the older book "I Became the Scandalous Woman Overnight" and the new book "The Demon-Slaying Sword".
(End of this chapter)
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