It's an open secret in the industry that TV dramas promote actors and movies promote directors. Gu Wenhua's first film, "The Mute Woman," grossed over 100 million yuan, which was already quite remarkable. His second film then skyrocketed to 2 billion yuan—how many films in the entire Chinese entertainment industry have broken the 2 billion yuan mark?
For a time, Gu Wenhua was incredibly popular and riding high, receiving countless interview requests and invitations. Initially, he was hesitant and pleaded with Shang Yechu to participate with him. After being rejected by Shang Yechu several times, he finally realized that he couldn't keep supporting her forever and stopped making that request.
In addition, Huang Feizhang, Zhang Pangzi, and Mei Yaohong all saw their careers improve significantly after this film. Huang Feizhang experienced the biggest rise, receiving numerous endorsements and film offers. Although the endorsements were for substandard products and the film offers were for second or third-billed roles, it was still much better than his previous bit parts.
Limited by his appearance, Fatty Zhang only received minor comedic roles in comedies and modern films. Although the quality didn't improve, the quantity increased several times over.
Most of the film offers Mei Yaohong received invited her to play various kinds of mothers. In "Happy Street", her sacrifice for Lingling earned her many tears.
A single film can catapul a director to fame, elevate a leading actress from television to film stardom, and propel even supporting actors to stardom. Such examples are few and far between in the industry.
In stark contrast, the original author remains completely unknown. No matter how much people in the industry try to dig, they can't find a trace of this person.
After the Lantern Festival, there were no more roadshows for "Happiness Street". Shang Yechu could finally catch her breath and rest for a few days.
Finally, news came from Shao Guangji: he was no longer on Hainan Island, but on Taiwan. Apparently, he was going to meet some old friend and would be returning to the mainland a few days later.
Shao Guangji never utters a reliable word; believing him is like believing a ghost. Shang Yechu decides to take the initiative and go to Taiwan to confront him. She also plans to check on Luo Yao and ask how "Anna Doraemon" is going.
This New Year, Luo Yao even video-called Shang Yechu and sent her New Year's greetings. Shang Yechu, being a bit cheeky, half-jokingly called her "darling"—Shang Yechu swore she just said it offhand and meant absolutely nothing more. Straight women often joke like that; Su Ge had even called her "darling" before!
Unexpectedly, Luo Yao's lover was nearby and heard the whole story. Luo Yao's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly waved to Shang Yechu, but it was too late.
Shang Yechu hung up the phone and angrily punched her forehead twice. Strangely enough, even though she had been with Yang Huanyi for more than two months, Shang Yechu's behavior was still no different from that of a heterosexual, and she often forgot that she was already considered one of them by Luo Yao's group.
As for what happened afterward, Shang Yechu had no idea. Whether Luo Yao was dismembered or tortured by her lover was unknown. Two days later, Luo Yao righteously reprimanded Shang Yechu over speakerphone, and Shang Yechu remained silent and meek, and the matter was considered closed.
There's no worse friend than this.
"Anna Doraemon" was invested in by Yang Huanyi. Although Yang Huanyi is a former A-list action star, he is not a traffic star and his salary is not high. After being blacklisted, he had no income for nearly two years. "Anna Doraemon" is set in the Republican era, and the post-production required high-quality makeup. The color tone, visuals, and music were all bought with money.
Given Yang Huanyi's savings, Shang Yechu was somewhat worried about whether she could cover the post-production costs of "Anna Doriya".
It's not a good time to talk about money between lovers, so Shang Yechu decided to ask Luo Yao directly. The director knows the budget best.
If the post-production budget for "Anna Doriya" is insufficient, Shang Yechu plans to cover the difference out of his own pocket. The revenue share from "Happiness Street" is also substantial, which should be enough for Luo Yao.
In this way, "Anna Doriya" becomes a film for both Shang Yechu and Yang Huanyi. Just like... just like their child.
Ji Juntao commented on this: "People are thinking about how to spend money before it even reaches their pockets, and they're even spending it on a money-losing movie. Sometimes people are just like that."
Shang Yechu has calmed down a lot now and didn't have a showdown with Ji Juntao on the phone. She just stubbornly said, "Box office isn't everything for a movie."
Ji Juntao sneered, "You know perfectly well whether you're doing this for the movie or for something else."
Ji Juntao was largely opposed to Shang Yechu's relationship. To be precise, Ji Juntao opposed all of Shang Yechu's relationships, but especially disliked this one. Although social attitudes in China had become much more open, if the same-sex relationship were to be exposed, it would still be a significant blunder in Shang Yechu's career.
It was a love so intense it was like moths drawn to a flame.
"Happy Street" has surpassed 2 billion yuan at the box office, so it's time for a celebration banquet. When it reached 1 billion and 1.5 billion yuan, the crew was so busy they didn't have time to eat. Now they can finally relax. Shang Yechu took the initiative and booked a restaurant in Hengshi to prepare a celebratory banquet.
The celebration banquet was a large affair, with all the main creators and crew members invited. If it weren't for the grand opening of Happiness Commercial Street and the fact that the locals were at work, Shang Yechu would have even considered inviting them as well.
With so many people invited, it wouldn't be right to leave out just one. Harboring some ulterior motives, Shang Yechu also sent an invitation to Mr. Xin Gui, the original author of "Happiness Street."
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