Chapter 754 Trapped
Before Lu Yanhe, whether Chen Ziyan was leading Shang Yongzhou or Chen Bige, she would always choose to "part ways amicably" after they reached the top.
But that's a long process, and Chen Ziyan can make various plans and preparations well in advance.
Chen Ziyan encountered a problem with Lu Yanhe. Lu Yanhe's rise was far faster than she had imagined. She hadn't even found an opportunity to "part ways amicably." Faced with the "open door" created by Lu Yanhe's rocket-like rise, she realized that if she didn't quickly get her team's support up to par, the higher Lu Yanhe climbed, the more devastating his fall might be.
Just as Lu Qingzhen said, in order to make up for Lu Yanhe's shortcomings, Chen Ziyan could be said to have been so caught up in the situation that she began to feel "uneasy".
After all, under normal circumstances, Chen Ziyan's past connections and resources would be enough to help Lu Yanhe reach the top of the domestic entertainment industry, and then they could part ways amicably.
Now, Chen Ziyan is not only a major shareholder of Linghe, but also participates in Linghe's "top-level design" and strategic layout. She is also the helmsman of Shihuo. Only by combining the strengths of both companies can she manage to take over the platform, opportunities and resources created by Lu Yanhe, and provide support where Lu Yanhe needs it.
This was a situation that was completely different from what Chen Ziyan had expected.
"I'm stuck with it," Chen Ziyan sighed.
Lu Qingzhen said, "That's good."
Chen Ziyan: "It was a completely unexpected situation. Fortunately, there is the Jumping Theater, which produces dozens of plays every year, ensuring that the actors of Shi Huo have the opportunity to act every year. To be honest, I am still shocked when I think about it. A few people without any capital background have achieved such a scale in the current environment, all thanks to the mutual support between them."
“You have both strength and luck, but most importantly, I think you are all very magnanimous and have a broad vision,” Lu Qingzhen said. “The worst thing for a boss is to have a narrow vision and be petty. I still admire that. When Xin Zixing returned to Yemai.com, she just came back without hesitation. Not only did you not make things difficult for her, but you also supported her and helped her in various ways. You gave her priority in any cooperation she needed. Tsk tsk, if it were me, I would feel a little uncomfortable no matter what. And even though I know that it is wrong for me to feel uncomfortable, I still can’t help it. That’s what I think is the most remarkable thing about you.”
Chen Ziyan smiled.
"I'll leave it at that, but look at Yan He. He should be young and full of vigor, but he's really decisive. He's the one who truly supports Xin Zixing's return to Yemai.com. Isn't it just so he can have a more powerful ally in the future? He simply wants Xin Zixing to do what she loves. That's his personal charm. Look at the people around him—high school classmates, college classmates, people in the entertainment industry—they're all willing to follow him, from nothing to something, from something to something better. When they're together, they're a blazing fire; when they're apart, they're stars scattered across the sky."
Lu Qingzhen: "So, there really are big differences between people."
At that moment, the assistant knocked on the door and said that Lu Yanhe had arrived.
-
At the same time, Zhou Pingan was also sitting in a car with Meng Li.
He asked, "Lili, are you really not considering coming to Shijin with me?"
Meng Li shook her head: "I won't consider it, Brother Ping An. Shi Jin is a big group, but it's a newcomer to the entertainment industry. I won't put myself in such a prominent capital camp and go through the ups and downs with it."
“But with its support, you can become a top female celebrity in the country,” Zhou Ping’an said. “That’s what I can promise you.”
“If it doesn’t succeed, I’ll lose everything I have now.” Meng Li smiled. “Besides, after working hard for so many years, I think I should open my own studio. Brother Ping An, you’re a very capable agent. If you weren’t going to Shijin right away, I would be willing to work with you again.”
"Although I didn't start managing you from the very beginning of your career, you are one of the artists I cherish the most."
“Really?” Meng Li laughed. “However, I believe that even if you are no longer my manager, we can definitely continue to work together.”
Zhou Ping'an nodded.
"certainly."
Meng Li: "In the past two years, I have been able to gain a foothold. You have done a lot, and I know that in my heart."
“Lili, since you’ve said that, I’ll say one more thing to you,” Zhou Ping’an said. “Although I won’t be mentoring you anymore, you can follow in Jiang Yuqian’s footsteps. Your acting talent is better than hers, and you can go further than her.”
Mengli: "Mmm."
"Control your temper. Forget about the others, but don't offend those you shouldn't," Zhou Ping'an instructed again.
“I will,” Mengli said.
Zhou Ping'an didn't know how much she had taken to heart, nor how much she could actually do, but having said all that, he had fulfilled his duty.
Zhou Pingan nodded to Meng Li, "Then I'll get off the bus."
"Bye-Bye."
-
Zhou Pingan stepped into the elevator and, familiar with the way, arrived at the door of Vice President Ma's office.
Over the years, I've come countless times, but only this time did I feel a great sense of relief, with no more pressure or constraints in my heart.
Seeing him come in, Vice President Ma didn't say much, only asking, "It seems you've already made up your mind?"
Zhou Ping'an nodded, took out his resignation letter, and placed it on Vice President Ma's desk.
The two of them had already said everything they needed to say, and now they were silent instead.
Vice President Ma nodded.
Zhou Ping'an nodded as well.
Finally, Zhou Pingan said, "Then I'll be going now."
He nodded in acknowledgment and turned to leave.
This time, Vice President Ma's secretary was somewhat surprised, because long after Zhou Ping'an left, there was no sound of things being smashed coming from Vice President Ma's office.
It was as quiet as a still pool.
-
Time flies and never returns; different crossroads always change the path people take.
Lu Yanhe never expected that Cheng Hai would come looking for him.
"I've encountered a problem that I'm unsure about, and I'd like to ask you for your help," Cheng Hai said.
Lu Yanhe nodded of course, and then invited him to Ziyuan Bridge.
After Cheng Hai entered, he asked in surprise, "Are the three of you still living together?"
Lu Yanhe nodded and said, "Yes, we still live together. It's more convenient here."
Cheng Hai: "I thought you were already living with your girlfriend."
"We live together too." Lu Yanhe touched his nose, a little embarrassed. "In the building next door."
Cheng Hai: "..."
In recent years, Cheng Hai and Lu Yanhe have had some contact, but not much.
They almost never get together in private.
However, Lu Yanhe didn't feel that he and Cheng Hai had become distant. Mainly because they weren't particularly close to begin with. They used to live together, visit each other, and have meals together. Later, the team disbanded, and everyone moved away, leaving only likes on social media. But looking back, the bond formed from those humble beginnings is definitely different.
Cheng Hai came to see Lu Yanhe this time to ask for his opinion.
Should he go with Zhou Ping'an?
-
"Go to Shijin?" Lu Yanhe thought for a moment and said, "What is Zhou Ping'an going to do in Shijin?"
“Artist Director,” Cheng Hai said. “He manages all the artists signed by Shi Jin.”
Lu Yanhe: "That power is quite significant."
"Um."
Lu Yanhe: "The advantages of prudence are obvious, you must know them, and Zhou Ping'an must have explained them to you as well. As for the potential problems... you may have to take on a lot of strategic tasks that are pragmatic in the next few years, and you won't be able to work according to your own ideas and wishes."
Cheng Hai nodded.
"Brother Ping An also told me directly."
"So, it still depends on your own thoughts," Lu Yanhe said. "If you can accept having less autonomy at work, then going to Shijin with Zhou Pingan will definitely bring about a surge in resources."
Cheng Hai: "That's what really appealed to me."
Cheng Hai's willingness to tell the truth relieved Lu Yanhe.
Lu Yanhe said, "If you go to Shijin, you will definitely not lack resources. With Zhou Ping'an there, all the resources in Shijin will be given to you first."
Cheng Hai said, "However, there is one thing I've always hesitated about."
"Um?"
“You, Zhibai, Yanliang… including Mengli, have all parted ways with Zhou Ping’an without exception. Although I still don’t know why, I—” Cheng Hai scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly, “It’s too hypocritical to say that. Actually, I know more or less. He’s actually quite good to me now, but I don’t know what he will be like in the future.”
Lu Yanhe pondered for a moment and said, "The future is the future. He's good to you now, so cherish the present. Not to mention me, others, including Zhibai and Yanliang, have all achieved a lot in the process of cooperating with him. There's no doubt about that. He's a capable person."
Cheng Hai looked at Lu Yanhe with some surprise.
"Why are you looking at me with such surprise?" Lu Yanhe asked.
Chenghai wanted to speak but stopped.
Lu Yanhe realized what was happening and laughed, "I didn't expect I would say such good things about Zhou Ping'an?"
Cheng Hai said, "I didn't expect you to say that Zhou Ping'an himself is very capable."
Lu Yanhe: "This is a fact, and there is no way to deny it. Of course, this does not change the fact that the grudge between us still exists, and I will not forgive him for what he did to me before because of this."
Cheng Hai nodded, looking at Lu Yanhe, as if he had something else to say, but he didn't.
Lu Yanhe suddenly realized Cheng Hai's concerns.
Was Cheng Hai worried that Zhou Ping'an would mind if he continued to follow him? Or was Cheng Hai asking if he could come and retrieve the fire?
"Anyway, no matter where you are in the future, we will all be from Fengzhi." Lu Yanhe said with a smile, "You are our captain, we all agree on that."
Upon hearing this, something deep within Cheng Hai's eyes smiled with relief.
Lu Yanhe also sensed it.
He asked, "Are you free later? If you have some free time, I'll ask Li Zhibai and Tu Song if they're here. We haven't made plans to have dinner together in a long time."
Cheng Hai nodded and said okay.
-
The May Day film season officially kicked off on May 1st.
The film "Buried" was finally given a limited number of screenings, and its box office of 479 million yuan brought it to a close.
"A Needle to the Heart," starring Huang Kairen, is vying for the box office crown during the May Day holiday. It is evenly matched with the other two films. On the first day, the box office of the three films is in the range of 80 million to 90 million yuan.
This is Huang Kairen's second starring film to be released in theaters, following his role in "Rouge".
In recent years, his main works include "My Own Swordsman", and he also made a cameo appearance in "Burning Fire" and other movies.
This time, "A Shot in the Dark" brought him back to the film industry.
There has been a lot of discussion about it.
As a genre film with dark humor, and with each actor delivering a performance that is a stark contrast to their past images, "A Shot in the Dark" has generated a lot of discussion on social media.
Lu Yanhe also went to see the movie with Chen Siqi as soon as possible.
The movie was somewhat different from what he had imagined when he read the script.
He imagined the scene to be darker and more insane.
However, just like "The Telephone" and "My Home Is Long Away," these kinds of films, once their premise is established and they don't fall too far apart, will definitely attract the attention of some viewers who like this type of movie.
Most importantly, there aren't many films like this in the domestic market, and those that are made are often out of touch with reality.
Huang Kairen's performance in the movie was quite brilliant.
After "Rouge", his acting quality improved significantly.
In Lu Yanhe's view, the control over the characters, especially how to act with his eyes, represents a qualitative leap.
Huang Kairen's eye acting now has a very different quality.
To put it simply, he's become much better at acting with his eyes than before.
After watching "A Needle to the Heart," Chen Siqi asked Lu Yanhe curiously, "Do you think 'A Needle to the Heart' can become the box office champion during the May Day holiday?"
“It’s difficult.” Lu Yanhe spoke frankly. “Although I haven’t seen the other movies yet, the story of ‘A Needle to the Heart’ is too genre-specific and too darkly humorous. People who like it will love it, but those who don’t will probably not like it either. It’s not mainstream enough.”
Chen Siqi: "But isn't it said that as long as a movie can make money, it's enough if its audience likes it?"
"Of course, 'A Shot in the Dark' will definitely make money, but the box office champion during the May Day holiday is usually in the billion-yuan range, right?" Lu Yanhe said. "'A Shot in the Dark'...maybe I'm being narrow-minded, but I don't think it can get that much box office. There aren't that many audiences in China who are willing to go to the cinema to buy tickets for this type of film right now."
Chen Siqi: "Do you mean the box office ceiling for genre films?"
“The current box office ceiling for this type of film is uncertain,” Lu Yanhe said. “Moreover, perhaps my judgment is wrong. Perhaps the audience really likes this film and it spreads by word of mouth, in which case the box office ceiling is unpredictable.”
Chen Siqi: "But I've noticed that your judgment on movies is generally quite accurate."
"No, I often just say things offhand. In my mind, 'A Shot in the Dark' is a movie that does everything right. The script is good, interesting, creative, and unconventional. The actors are well-chosen. This combination makes people want to watch it, rather than feeling bored. Finally, the movie itself is well-made and doesn't resort to sentimentality. Personally, I hate it when genre films try to be sentimental at the end."
Chen Siqi laughed, "Me too."
-
However, Lu Yanhe was right again this time.
Starting the next day, another police and gangster action film with a somewhat patriotic theme performed better at the box office, leaving "A Shot in the Dark" and another star-studded drama film behind.
Moreover, this police and gangster shootout film doesn't star any big-name movie stars who are universally recognized as box office draws. The lead actor is a talented actor, and the other actors are all somewhat famous and familiar faces, but definitely not very famous.
However, this film surpassed two films with even stronger star-studded casts.
On the third day, the film's director said at the roadshow: "We filmed our movie with real guns and ammunition. We don't rely on hiring popular stars to attract attention. Facts have proved that good movies don't need big stars."
These words immediately caused an uproar.
However, the box office results speak for themselves. Therefore, many people are saying that Huang Kairen's "A Needle to the Heart" and another drama starring Jiang Mingzheng failed to beat "Operation Cloud Dragon," which doesn't have many big stars. This proves that content is king.
When Lu Yanhe saw this controversy, his first reaction was: "Wasn't this controversial topic just brought up recently?"
Chen Siqi: "Yes."
"Sigh." Lu Yanhe sighed.
Chen Siqi smiled and asked, "What do you want to say?"
"It's nothing." Lu Yanhe shook his head. "No matter how much we talk, it's better to focus on making the film. Whoever succeeds is right anyway."
Chen Siqi: "But I really didn't expect that 'Operation Cloud Dragon' could become the box office champion. I went to see the movie, and to be honest, I thought it was very formulaic and mediocre. I'm not saying it was poorly made, but the content was just... not fresh."
Lu Yanhe: "Police and gangster gunfights, big scenes, special effects, if it's not badly made, even if it's a bit formulaic, people who like it will still like it. To put it bluntly, police and gangster films are a genre that has already opened up the market with many years of success, it has its own audience, and this is a suitable release period for it."
Do you think the release date for "A Shot in the Dark" was chosen incorrectly?
"Come on, this movie broke even and started making a profit on its third day of release. It just didn't take the top spot at the box office, so you can't say it was released at the wrong time, can you?" Lu Yanhe said. "The box office potential for crime films is inherently higher than that of this genre..."
Discussing box office performance without considering genre is simply irresponsible.
If you really want to say that celebrities are useless, then don't use celebrities at all.
This director should never use celebrities again in his life. Let's see if every film he makes can achieve the success of "Operation Cloud Dragon".
(End of this chapter)
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