Chapter 305: Another Year (10,000-word update!)

Perhaps the schedule was leaked; after returning to the country, Lu Yan He and his group were blocked by a group of reporters at the airport.

After Lu Yan He finally managed to get away, he got into the car and contacted Chen Siqi: I've arrived at the airport.

Chen Siqi said: We've already arrived, waiting for you to come over.

Lu Yan He: Uh-huh, about forty minutes away.

Chen Siqi said: Tell the driver to take it easy, don't speed just to save time.

Lu Yan He: Don't worry, Brother Dong drives very steadily.

Chen Siqi: Zou Dong is driving? Didn't he just come back with you?

Lu Yan He: The company arranged for someone to drive over to pick us up, but Brother Dong doesn't feel comfortable sitting in a car driven by someone else and insisted on driving himself.

Chen Siqi: Is the person the company arranged not skilled enough?

Lu Yan He: Not really, we hadn't even gotten in the car yet when Brother Dong said he would drive.

Lu Yan He felt that Zou Dong probably just didn't want to sit in a car driven by someone else.

They first returned to Huiziyuanqiao to drop off their things, then sent Lu Yan He to the gathering place.

"Brother Dong, go back and rest. Li Pengfei and the others will send me back later," Lu Yan He said.

If he didn't say that, given Zou Dong's personality, he would definitely be waiting outside for him to finish.

Being a full-time nanny for someone is not an easy job; even Lu Yan He himself felt that Zou Dong had a lot of things to do, and they were very miscellaneous, having to manage everything.

Lu Yan He had discussed it with Chen Ziyan; this year's year-end bonus would be higher for Zou Dong, and starting after the New Year, his salary would also be raised.

Chen Ziyan would find time in the next few days to talk to Zou Dong about this, and at the same time, would find another full-time assistant for Lu Yan He after the New Year.

This way, Zou Dong's work pressure would be much less.

Previously, everything was left to Zou Dong because Lu Yan He's income couldn't support this team.

Now, there was no such concern.

Just the share Lu Yan He received from *Friends*, from the exclusive TV broadcast and advertising revenue, was already over ten million.

Once it airs on video platforms later, it will only be more.

It was their group gathering again.

Long time no see.

As soon as Li Pengfei saw him, he said: "You have failed Bai Yu's trust in you."

Lu Yan He asked in confusion: "What trust? What have I failed?"

Li Pengfei said: "Bai Yu said that with your 'hot search' constitution, you would become an overnight sensation in South Korea for some reason. I didn't expect your trip to South Korea to be so flat, without any news."

Lu Yan He looked at them in surprise, unable to laugh or cry, and said: "Your expectations for me are too high; I don't have that ability."

Bai Yu said: "This has nothing to do with ability; this is metaphysics."

Lu Yan He: "... Alright, then I don't know what to say."

Chen Siqi said helplessly: "These classmates of yours are almost becoming your most loyal fans."

"I was already Lu Yan He's fan," Bai Yu said immediately. "I liked him when I was in high school."

Linyu nodded: "Indeed, it seems everyone in our class liked him when we were in our senior year."

"That's not true, wasn't there Chu Saiying?" Lu Yan He said immediately.

"Haha, you actually still remember him."

"How could I not remember," Lu Yan He said. "The only person I disliked in class was him."

"He is studying abroad now."

"That... Ivy League thing?"

"Yes," Linyu nodded. "I look at his social media, and every few days he shares his current study life. It looks quite upper-class, banquets, parties, and so on."

"It's all fake upper-class," Li Pengfei said directly. "It's not like I don't know his family situation. If it were really upper-class, why would he study at our high school? He would have gone to those private schools with tuition fees of hundreds of thousands a year long ago."

"Why didn't your family send you to that kind of school?" Lu Yan He asked curiously.

Li Pengfei: "I was too lazy to go; going would be a waste of money anyway. I refused to go, and my dad couldn't do anything about me."

Lu Yan He: "How can you always speak so righteously about your rogue behavior as if you're claiming credit?"

Xu Zijun, who had been silent, nodded suddenly as if she felt the same way: "So it's not just me who has this feeling."

Li Pengfei: "That's because I, your young master, walk straight and sit upright. I only act like a rogue to myself, not to others."

Time is flowing, and this world is also changing every moment.

However, their small circle seems not to have kept up with the speed of the world's changes, still remaining in the feeling of the past.

This kind of constancy is very rare.

Li Pengfei said to Lu Yan He: "You still have to pay us copyright fees?"

"What?" Lu Yan He was taken aback.

"In *Friends*..." Li Pengfei said.

Lu Yan He laughed.

"That is indeed true."

Because sitcoms are things that need very realistic drama and conflict.

When Lu Yan He wrote the script, he incorporated many friends around him when writing about their past.

Especially some of the "shocking" things that Li Zhibai and Li Pengfei once said became lines in the show.

Lu Yan He asked with a smile: "Then how much copyright fee do you want? I'll settle it for you."

Li Pengfei: "My market value is very high; you might not be able to afford it."

Xu Zijun said to Lu Yan He: "My sister is also watching this show. She even asked me if the story mentioned by Li Lili comes from the thing I experienced."

Lu Yan He and Li Pengfei had both met Xu Zijun's sister, Xu Fanxing.

At that time, Xu Fanxing wanted to see Xu Zijun, but Xu Zijun refused to come out to see her, so she entrusted them to bring a letter to Xu Zijun.

Lu Yan He asked: "Is your sister still working in Guangzhou?"

Xu Zijun said: "Yes, but she is preparing to come back to get married."

"Married?" Lu Yan He was somewhat surprised.

If he remembered correctly, Xu Fanxing was only two or three years older than them. Getting married so young?

Xu Zijun said: "My parents found a partner for her. They met in Guangzhou, dated for half a year, felt it was quite suitable, so they are preparing to get married."

"Then that calls for congratulations," Lu Yan He said with a smile.

Xu Zijun, however, didn't look happy at all.

"What's wrong with you?" Lu Yan He asked. "You don't seem very happy?"

"Hmm, because that man's family... is also a mess."

"Ah?"

"It's all trivial things. I won't say anymore; it would take a day and a night to finish talking about it," Xu Zijun waved her hand immediately.

Li Pengfei took Xu Zijun's hand and asked: "Then when do they plan to get married? You have to notify me; I'll attend with you."

Xu Zijun shook her head: "Don't attend."

"Why?" Li Pengfei felt puzzled and frowned. "I'm your boyfriend; how can I not attend your sister's wedding?"

Xu Zijun hesitated to speak.

She hesitated for a moment and said: "Anyway, no."

Li Pengfei looked unhappy.

Xu Zijun immediately got up and went to the restroom.

Seeing this, Linyu said: "I'll go too."

She followed her.

The atmosphere became inexplicably awkward because of this matter.

Li Pengfei looked annoyed and said: "She is always like this. Every time she refuses to take me to meet her family, as if I'm not presentable at all. Although my grades aren't good, I'm not that embarrassing, am I?"

Lu Yan He didn't know what to say for a moment.

He asked: "Perhaps it's because of some special reasons that she doesn't want you to attend her sister's wedding. Didn't you see it just now? She doesn't seem to be looking forward to her sister's wedding."

"That's because her future brother-in-law has a stepmother who is very hard to get along with, and this marriage almost didn't happen," Li Pengfei said.

Lu Yan He: "Ah?"

"It seems like it was because the bride price and dowry couldn't be negotiated. I don't remember the specifics clearly," Li Pengfei said. "But regardless, it's her sister's wedding, her own sister. If she refuses to take me to the wedding, isn't it because she's afraid others will know her boyfriend is me?"

"Have you ever thought that her family might not allow her to date right now?" Chen Siqi said suddenly.

Lu Yan He and Li Pengfei were stunned at the same time.

Li Pengfei showed a look of surprise and astonishment on his face: "Not allow her to date right now? She's already in college..."

"So what if she's in college?" Chen Siqi said. "Have you forgotten that her parents forced her to sell her recommendation spot for 200,000? After such a thing happened, do you think her parents are good people?"

Li Pengfei fell silent.

"Xu Zijun's situation is completely different from yours. There are many things she can't tell you because you can't possibly understand," Chen Siqi said. "Do you know why Xu Zijun joined our *Jump Up* as an editor? Besides earning some living expenses and pocket money for herself, the most critical thing is that she hopes that when she creates your future with you, she can be less constrained by her family, less embarrassed and awkward due to being strapped for cash, and have more autonomy. Yet you are here foolishly struggling with why she won't take you to her sister's wedding. Asking such a question only proves that you don't understand her predicament at all."

Chen Siqi gave him a piece of her mind, and Li Pengfei was completely at a loss, looking at Chen Siqi blankly.

"What predicament? She can tell me, and I can solve it with her."

"Solve it? Her parents could sell her recommendation spot for 200,000. Knowing that their daughter's current boyfriend is a young master from a wealthy family with assets over 100 million, what do you think her parents will do?" Chen Siqi asked directly.

Her gaze was fixed on Li Pengfei, like a knife.

"If her parents did something, with Xu Zijun's self-esteem, do you think she could still be with you?" Chen Siqi asked this last question.

After asking, she stood up.

"I'm going to the restroom."

Bai Yu stood up awkwardly: "Then I'll go too."

Thus, all the girls left.

Only Lu Yan He, Li Pengfei, and Chen Qin were left in the room, looking at each other.

After several seconds, Chen Qin broke the silence and said to Li Pengfei: "You're so lame."

Li Pengfei looked embarrassed: "I, I didn't think that much."

"Brother Fei, Siqi... although she spoke a bit harshly, what she said makes a lot of sense," Lu Yan He said to Li Pengfei.

Li Pengfei scratched his head.

"Maybe I'm too lame; I've never thought about these things."

In Li Pengfei's eyes, he was the one who was inferior beside Xu Zijun.

Xu Zijun was a student who got into a prestigious university through her own efforts, while he was just a hopeless academic failure.

Li Pengfei always felt that Xu Zijun's family might not look up to him.

Because of this, he had always been calculating about Xu Zijun's attitude of refusing to take him to meet her family.

Chen Siqi woke him up with a blow.

Li Pengfei was not a fool whose brain was full of straw. Of course, he understood what Chen Siqi meant. But after understanding, Li Pengfei had an even bigger headache.

It seemed that he and Xu Zijun still had many troubles to solve in the future.

After Xu Zijun and the others returned, everyone tacitly didn't mention this matter again.

The topic returned to Lu Yan He's insights from his trip to South Korea.

"Actually, there's nothing to explore; it's just a very cookie-cutter city. I'm not used to the food either. Kimchi is indeed made quite well, but there are only so many choices. I got a bit tired of it after eating for three days," Lu Yan He said.

Bai Yu was surprised to hear this.

"Ah? I was actually quite looking forward to going to South Korea; I really like watching Korean dramas," Bai Yu said. "I've always been interested in South Korea."

Lu Yan He said: "You can go and see if you have a chance in the future, but there's really no need to stay for too many days; there's really nothing to see."

"How about we go on a trip together if we have a chance in the future?" Li Pengfei said suddenly.

"I think you're thinking too beautifully; it's very difficult," Linyu said immediately. "Just the four of us girls can't take a long vacation because of the *Jump Up* published every month."

"Yes," Bai Yu nodded. "The workload is getting bigger and bigger now. The submissions in the submission mailbox have to rely on ten part-time editors to finish reading them."

"Are there so many submissions?" Lu Yan He was very surprised.

"Yes," Chen Siqi nodded. "I was considering whether to make *Jump Up* a semi-monthly magazine, but after thinking about it, I gave up. We are all still in school, and this magazine has only been established for less than two years. Haste makes waste; we still need to consolidate our foundation."

Lu Yan He nodded and said: "Indeed, changing to a semi-monthly magazine is a very cautious decision. It means the demand for manuscripts for a year is doubled, and the quality is very likely to decline, affecting the reputation of *Jump Up*. It would be better to accumulate more authors first."

"I think so too," Chen Siqi said. "However, we are preparing to do a few more self-media accounts. One is for entertainment gossip and character interviews, and the other is for work reviews. The former is more relaxed and playful, and the latter is relatively serious. We have accumulated many new media writers and business resources by doing this editor club account. Now, this one account alone is a bit overwhelmed."

Because of *Jump Up* and Lu Yan He's connections in the entertainment industry, the self-media account of the Editor Club has now exceeded one million followers across all platforms, nearly ten million, which is a very large account, and there are many business placements.

But because it is the self-media account of *Jump Up*, the content published is still relatively comprehensive and not so specialized in one direction.

Lu Yan He asked: "Didn't you say before that you were short of manpower and it was very difficult to maintain the current scale?"

Chen Siqi said: "We want to poach people to do it."

"Poach people?" Lu Yan He was somewhat surprised.

Chen Siqi nodded: "There are many mature people doing new media now, but because the window for new media to make money has passed, a group of people are facing the edge of being eliminated. We are backed by *Jump Up* and have a solid back, so we are doing better and better. Also, your friends in the entertainment industry are very kind to us and have carried out various collaborations, making our development momentum very good. Therefore, we are opening a few new media accounts and poaching mature teams to operate them. We only need to manage investment and positioning, and don't interfere much with other things. This can not only expand our *Jump Up* media territory and influence, but also save us from investing so much energy."

Lu Yan He understood Chen Siqi's meaning.

She is preparing to "acquire."

Lu Yan He didn't expect her to do new media to this extent.

"Then can our current self-media revenue support us in taking such a big step?"

"It's okay. The commercial revenue converted from our self-media traffic has already entered a virtuous cycle," Chen Siqi curled her lips and smiled slightly. "We never do loss-making deals."

Lu Yan He nodded with a smile.

Ever since the *Friends* incident, Lu Yan He has profoundly realized that the help *Jump Up* has given him far exceeds his initial expectations for *Jump Up*.

If *Jump Up* is doing the basic market, then the media layout of the *Jump Up* series is an attempt to master a few flags that can influence the trend in this internet era.

On the day Chen Siqi led the power of the *Jump Up* series to promote *Friends*, the whole internet was attracted by this momentum.

Lu Yan He's individual power is ultimately limited.

But the power behind him can be infinite.

The broadcast of *Friends* reached near the Spring Festival, and the ratings remained stable above 2%, and the discussion also maintained a peak of popularity.

After analysis, many people said that this was because *Friends* chose a good schedule, attracting a large number of students on vacation to turn on the TV to watch this show.

After another analysis, why did so many students turn on the TV to watch this show?

Because on the night of the premiere, university cafeterias in hundreds of universities were broadcasting this TV series. Under the momentum at that time, many students watched the premiere, and then discussed it on social media.

*Friends* became a "social attribute commodity" on the night of the premiere; those who hadn't watched it couldn't participate in everyone's discussion.

Therefore, more and more people followed the show.

As the plot unfolded, everyone's feelings for this show gradually deepened.

But to say that this show was filmed very well—really not many people said so.

Even many people said that this is just a relatively qualified sitcom, and the script is not necessarily well-written, because the story is too simple, not the kind of rigorous story with tight structure. It can be so popular, all relying on schedule selection and topic marketing.

Of course, no matter what they say, Lu Yan He doesn't make any response.

Beijing TV and other main creators of *Friends* are the same.

Let *Friends* be discussed by everyone, this is the hard truth to stabilize ratings and even further increase ratings.

Lu Yan He originally thought that he would just eat, drink, and gather with some people before the New Year, and watch the show carefully when *Friends* aired, and his work would come to a temporary end. Unexpectedly, Chen Ziyan suddenly brought a piece of news.

Previously, a streaming platform was interested in *Seventeen Layers* and wanted to buy the overseas broadcast rights. However, Beijing TV refused to sell this show now, and would consider selling it overseas after the domestic broadcast was finished—Lu Yan He couldn't help but complain when he heard it. Overseas broadcast is overseas broadcast, it doesn't affect the domestic broadcast, why wait until the domestic broadcast is finished?

But after learning about Beijing TV's attitude, the streaming platform contacted director Lian Bei, asking if he was interested in making another show of this escape theme for them.

Lian Bei had a lot of work in preparation on hand, so he recommended Lu Yan He to them, saying that he had a very good idea on hand, and if they wanted to produce a show of the escape theme, they could talk to Lu Yan He.

So, people from this Maxine streaming platform made an appointment to meet Lu Yan He.

Maxine is one of the largest streaming merchants in the world.

In recent years, more and more Chinese-language dramas have been purchased by overseas streaming platforms, especially the broadcast data in the Asian region is quite eye-catching, and they have also paid more and more attention to Chinese-language dramas.

However, due to some related reasons, no international streaming merchant has entered the country so far, and the domestic market is controlled by video platforms. They rarely adopt the practices in Europe, America, Japan, and South Korea, intervening from the production end, self-production and self-sale. Their strategy for Chinese-language dramas is often to wait for a show to finish airing, and then buy their overseas broadcast rights.

However, this does not mean they don't want to enter the Chinese market.

Chen Ziyan said: "Giving *Squid Game* to them to do, the risk is very high. It's not that they can't do it well, but they are too unfamiliar with the domestic market. I have never been optimistic about overseas streaming platforms wanting to enter the country, so I think you don't need to talk to them too deeply, mainly just have a chat."

Lu Yan He couldn't say how deep the connection between *Squid Game* and streaming platforms is.

In comparison, Lu Yan He didn't know to what extent this show would air domestically, and had no grasp.

This also depends on how *Seventeen Layers* airs.

Different places and different periods have different preferences for different themes.

Lu Yan He's impression of Chinese-language dramas seems to have no particularly popular "escape" theme.

Of course, this is also related to the broadcast being greatly restricted.

When Lu Yan He learned that Maxine contacted him because of Lian Bei's recommendation and wanted to talk about *Squid Game*, a sense of "destiny" inexplicably arose in his heart.

Perhaps it would be better to put this show on a streaming platform to air and replicate its previous success route?

This theme is indeed more likely to achieve good results when aired online.

Domestically, few people over forty like to watch this theme, and the viewing group is almost all young people.

Lu Yan He cannot tell Chen Ziyan these words now.

Two people came from Maxine, one was American Jack Wilson, and the other was Chinese-American Wu Zuping.

Both of them were from Maxine.

American Jack Wilson is actually the head of Maxine's drama procurement department, and Wu Zuping is a producer at Maxine.

After Jack Wilson saw Lu Yan He stand up, he showed a look of surprise.

Before coming, he had already checked Lu Yan He online and knew that Lu Yan He is now one of the popular male actors in China, and the sitcom *Friends* he starred in broke a domestic viewership record in recent years, and Lu Yan He is also the screenwriter of this show. If it weren't for this, he wouldn't be interested in the script in Lu Yan He's hand.

However, seeing him in person now, Jack Wilson couldn't help but sigh that he was too young.

Jack Wilson didn't mind that Lu Yan He was too young. In the film and television industry, talent often has little to do with age. He has seen many talented and gifted young people.

It's just that it's rare to be as young as Lu Yan He.

The show he wrote could achieve such high viewership results—incredible.

Jack Wilson shook hands with Lu Yan He, said his name in broken Chinese, and said a few words in English.

Wu Zuping helped him translate.

Lu Yan He replied simply in English: "It's okay, my English can be used for daily communication. If there is anything I don't understand, I will ask you to help me translate."

Wu Zuping nodded.

Lu Yan He briefly described the plot summary of *Squid Game* to them.

This introduction took half an hour.

The English for this introduction was prepared by Lu Yan He in advance.

Jack Wilson and Wu Zuping's eyes were shining when they heard the end, because they felt the story was very exciting.

As soon as Lu Yan He finished speaking, Wu Zuping immediately asked: "Has the script for this show been written?"

Lu Yan He shook his head and said: "Not yet."

Wu Zuping said: "If possible, I am very interested in this script and really want to buy this script."

"Buy?" Lu Yan He was somewhat surprised. Want to buy it so soon?

"Yes," Wu Zuping nodded. "We have been looking for a good story about this theme and have communicated and talked with creators from many countries. Everyone has some ideas for us, but yours is the most mature, and there is already a very complete and exciting story."

Lu Yan He nodded and said: "I have indeed had a complete idea for this story."

Wu Zuping said: "We heard that you are a very famous actor in China, but the male lead of this story seems to be a middle-aged man?"

Lu Yan He nodded.

"Don't you plan to star in it yourself?" Wu Zuping asked with some confusion.

Lu Yan He said: "I don't plan to create this show as an actor. In fact, I already have ideas about the actors for several roles in this show."

"Hmm?" Wu Zuping was taken aback.

Lu Yan He said: "So, when you said you wanted to buy my script, I was a bit surprised. Perhaps Director Lian Bei's communication with you had some ambiguous parts. I am not just looking for a buyer for my script; I want to join the creation of this show."

Jack Wilson looked at Wu Zuping with some surprise.

Wu Zuping also didn't react for a long time and hesitated.

"Do you want to join this show as a producer?" Wu Zuping asked.

Lu Yan He said: "No matter what identity, it's fine. The key is that regarding the filming of this show, I had some ideas when writing the script. I hope to turn these ideas into actual presentation."

"Do you want to be a director?" Wu Zuping asked in surprise.

He also knew that many actors would have the idea of being a director themselves, especially those who wrote the script themselves.

However, this situation generally happens to actors who have already achieved great success.

Like Lu Yan He, he hasn't reached that level yet.

Lu Yan He shook his head and said: "That's not what I mean. I don't want to control the whole show, and I don't have the time and energy to be a director. But what style this show is, what it should look like, I hope some of my opinions can be adopted, instead of me handing over the script and the creation of the show having nothing to do with me, including the male lead of this show."

"Male lead?"

"Yes, I already have target candidates. There are three main roles, and I already have target actors for all of them."

Wu Zuping's face suddenly changed, and he said: "Your appetite is too big. How could we allow such a thing to happen? Are you treating our Maxine as your subordinate?"

Lu Yan He shook his head: "That's not what I mean."

Wu Zuping said: "We choose actors by organizing auditions, not by you saying who to choose."

Lu Yan He nodded and said: "I understand."

Seeing Lu Yan He nod, Wu Zuping smiled.

"We produce a show, it's not something that one person has the final say. This is different from China's production environment," Wu Zuping said. "I know that in China, if you star artists are very popular, you can completely interfere with the production of a show and make a show according to your ideas, but it's different abroad."

Lu Yan He was somewhat surprised: "Different? Not really. I see many big-name actors controlling a show and influencing the production of the whole show. Although I don't appreciate this approach, why is it described as if it's a unique phenomenon in China? Big-name people always have more say in the crew. This is a norm that will appear anywhere, right?"

Wu Zuping didn't expect Lu Yan He to refute him suddenly.

Lu Yan He said again: "As for me, it's not because I'm a popular actor that I want to interfere with the creation of this show. First of all, this story was thought of by me. Now we haven't reached a cooperation, my ideas shouldn't count as interference, right? So far, this story belongs 100% to me. Secondly, I want to join the production of this show because I understand this story. I am the author, and I also have my understanding. Similarly, I wrote the roles based on several target actors, so I hope they come to act. If you accept this condition, we can continue to talk. If you feel it's hard to accept, then let's just chat today. If the deal doesn't work, the friendship remains. I don't know if you have heard this sentence, Mr. Wu."

Wu Zuping narrowed his eyes slightly.

Lu Yan He looked at them with a smile.

After hearing Lu Yan He's retelling, Chen Ziyan sneered.

"Look, didn't I tell you long ago? Those big streaming merchants don't understand our domestic environment, and they are often a bit arrogant, looking down on our production."

Lu Yan He said: "Sigh, I mainly couldn't stand him suddenly accusing me. I thought, I'm not your subordinate, why should I be accused by you? Who are you?"

Chen Ziyan: "Maybe in their eyes, they took a fancy to your story and wanted to buy your script, and you would be overjoyed and flattered, treating it as an honor."

"Honor? Do I have a problem treating it as an honor?"

"International style. Many of them know that our Chinese creators have an obsession with international recognition, from top to bottom. So when talking about cooperation with us, they often have a sense of superiority that cooperating with us is giving us face," Chen Ziyan said. "Of course, not everyone is like this, but most of the people I've met are like this. Take Shang Yongzhou, for example. He is already a top-tier big-name male actor in our country. The big Korean director Jin Zhiyan had a new movie and asked him to act in it. Because the film company is a big American company, they only gave Shang Yongzhou a salary of 800,000 US dollars. It's just bullying you, knowing that even if your Chinese actor's salary is low, this opportunity is still something many people are squeezing their heads to get. Shang Yongzhou refused to accept it, and later this role was given to a Korean actor."

Lu Yan He frowned slightly when hearing Chen Ziyan say this.

"This is too bullying."

"Yes," Chen Ziyan nodded. "Forget it, there's nothing to say about these. In short, you haven't written the script for *Squid Game* yet, so you can take a look first, don't worry. Once *Friends* airs, your script can get the best conditions from anyone. Taking it to their overseas streaming platforms to film is a huge loss."

Lu Yan He thought, also true.

He has the golden signboard of *Friends* domestically, but he doesn't have it overseas.

"However, Sister Ziyan, the show that Director Chen Lingling told me about before is for an overseas streaming platform," Lu Yan He said. "That salary won't be pressed very low for me, right?"

"It hasn't been discussed yet, but this matter is not urgent. You don't need to worry too much. Huangcheng told me that the budget they gave is very sufficient, and they won't deliberately lower your salary," Chen Ziyan said. "Streaming platforms are still very generous when filming shows now. Those traditional film companies filming movies are the ones who are really stingy."

Lu Yan He nodded.

"After the New Year, we have to have a meal with the boss of Arctic Light Video," Chen Ziyan said. "Their secretary specifically came to make an appointment with us."

"President Lin?" Lu Yan He was somewhat surprised.

Chen Ziyan nodded.

"You've met him before, right?"

"Yes, he came to our company, and I met him. We even sat together and chatted for a while."

Chen Ziyan said: "He should want to talk to you about cooperation."

"Cooperation?"

"Hmm, *Friends* is so popular, no platform that wants to make shows can ignore you. In fact, there are many people who want to make an appointment with you for a meal," Chen Ziyan said. "It's just that they were basically blocked by me. It's also strange. Obviously, you are popular enough as an actor, but now everyone seems to value your identity as a screenwriter more."

"This is not normal."

"Of course it's not normal. Screenwriters have never been valued."

"Maybe it's because *Friends* is a sitcom? Didn't you say there aren't many sitcoms in the country now? They also want to replicate this low-cost, high-return success?"

"Maybe. Anyway, no matter what the situation is, it doesn't matter," Chen Ziyan said. "We'll know when we talk face-to-face."

"Good." Lu Yan He nodded.

Chen Ziyan asked: "Are you still alone for the New Year this year?"

"Hmm," Lu Yan He said. "It's quite good. It's just right to rest quietly for a few days alone."

Whenever it's the New Year, Lu Yan He feels quite uncomfortable in his heart.

When he is busy, he basically has no leisure to think about so many things.

But once it's the New Year, even if he doesn't mention it, others will remind him again and again that he is a person without family.

However, fortunately, Lu Yan He actually had an ordinary but happy growth process.

That unfortunate Lu Yan He had already died in the river.

It's just that at such a time, Lu Yan He can't help but miss his parents.

It's actually a pity that he didn't let his parents see what he looks like now.

Lu Yan He thought, if only they could see it.

Yan Liang left on the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month to return to his hometown for the New Year.

He also asked Lu Yan He if he wanted to go back with him. Lu Yan He said it was good to stay alone for a few days and wait for him to come back.

Li Zhibai was there; he was going to participate in this year's Spring Festival Gala.

However, after the recording of the Spring Festival Gala ended, he went back directly.

On the night of the New Year's Eve, Lu Yan He turned on the TV and let the Spring Festival Gala play, but he couldn't watch it, until Li Zhibai's program came out.

He watched this program carefully from beginning to end.

On the TV, laughter came frequently from the audience at the scene.

However, Lu Yan He felt that this program was quite awkward.

Li Zhibai acted okay, it was just that the lines were too awkward. Lu Yan He felt uncomfortable listening to them, not like words Li Zhibai could say.

Looking at the internet again, sure enough, there was a lot of mockery.

The effect was not good, and the power of fans was just a drop in the bucket among the huge viewing population of the Spring Festival Gala.

Fortunately, Li Zhibai was not the only actor in this sketch. Several actors were mocked by many people because this sketch was not funny.

Lu Yan He only hoped that Li Zhibai would not be affected by these evaluations later.

Being able to appear on the Spring Festival Gala was already a success.

As soon as Li Zhibai finished acting, he sent a sentence in their group of three: The effect is not good.

Yan Liang said: I think it's quite funny. Our family watched it and laughed. My mom also said you look very handsome.

Li Zhibai: Hahaha, help me thank Auntie. It's okay, let everyone scold. Actually, we had such expectations before we went on stage. I'm going back. Old Lu, are you asleep?

Lu Yan He: I was thinking about how to comfort you.

Li Zhibai: Don't be pretentious. What's there to comfort? After this year, others will only remember that I have been on the Spring Festival Gala. Not many people will remember that my program is not good. Anyway, not many performances can be remembered now.

Lu Yan He: Seeing that you have such a mentality, I am relieved. I originally wanted to say, how about I write a sketch next year, and we go up and act, it seems it's not needed.

Li Zhibai:???

Yan Liang:???

Lu Yan He: Preparing to sleep. The programs are not very good. I was holding on to wait until I finished watching your program before turning off the TV.

Li Zhibai: I want to see the script tomorrow!

Li Zhibai: Lu Yan He, my comeback battle depends on you!

Li Zhibai: I must let these people who mock me see clearly, it's not my problem, it's that the story itself is not well-written, how can it all be blamed on me! I'm so angry! ===== CHAPTER 306 =====