Chapter 413

Tang Mu White was indeed interested in the projects Lu Yan He mentioned.

So, the two agreed to meet in China. Tang Mu White would come to seriously negotiate with the production teams of several projects and also watch the films.

Actually, Lu Yan He himself hadn't seen the films yet. But because of his trust in the collaborators of these projects, Lu Yan He believed that these films would definitely not be bad; the fundamentals were there.

The news of meeting Tang Mu White, however, spread somehow, and it was actually known by people at Maxine.

Lu Yan He was going to leave for the airport to return to China in an hour, and Zhong Benshuo from Maxine suddenly appeared at the door of his hotel room.

"Hi, Yan He." Zhong Benshuo, whom he had met once before, greeted Lu Yan He with a bright smile. "Luckily I caught you; I heard you're going to the airport soon."

"Indeed," Lu Yan He nodded and said: "I'm packing my things."

"What else can I do? Filming," Lu Yan He said, then suddenly realized something, his eyes widened and brightened. "Could it be to invite him over to film *My Own Swordsman*?"

Jiang Yuqian: "Hearing you say that, I can imagine how difficult it was for you at that time; I guess quite a few people greeted you."

Tang Mu White discovered several long-running series for HP, which had solid achievements. Zhong Benshuo was worried that Tang Mu White would poach Lu Yan He, which gave him a sense of competition and threat.

Returning to China, Lu Yan He went back to school for classes, and at the same time, started the final preparations for *Squid Game* without stopping.

There are female stars who haven't had a hit show for three or four consecutive dramas, yet they can still maintain their status and prestige.

Lu Yan He said goodbye to Jiang Yuqian.

"You also participated in the audition and casting for the actors of *Friends*," Chen Ziyan said. "Now they are all famous, but at that time, not a single one of them was famous, including Ming Lan. The actors you picked after overcoming all objections, especially the two girls Zhan Yun and Bai Jin, went from complete newcomers to the popular first-tier female stars they are now. Such a story must sound full of legendary color to the Arctic Light."

Lu Yan He nodded and acknowledged this point.

She slowly calmed her mood. As for how much strength she had accumulated in her heart, only she knew. Before such momentum, Lu Yan He had also laid low for several years; she could do the same.

Zhong Benshuo immediately said: "We at Maxine are definitely interested too."

"It's quite good; I really like this character," Jiang Yuqian said seriously. "It's been a long time since I've played such a grassroots, low-level character with strong vitality. Jiang Cao, when you chose this name, was it based on this kind of spirit in her?"

Lu Yan He: "They do mention me."

Jiang Yuqian: "I have to learn from you in this regard."

Eating this meal with Jiang Yuqian, Lu Yan He basically did all the eating; Jiang Yuqian didn't move her chopsticks much.

Lu Yan He: "Alright, then what does this have to do with the Arctic Light suddenly valuing my opinion so much?"

However, Tang Mu White is indeed very capable.

The driver came to pick her up to go to the gym.

It really has been a while since we met.

Lu Yan He and Jiang Yuqian are already very familiar with each other, and it's inevitable that they can't find time to meet because they are both busy.

Agreeing to film *Squid Game* at the beginning was out of a desire to support him. Now that it's about to start filming, it has become the top-tier resource she can currently access. "Is there any hope for *Night Run* to win an award?" Jiang Yuqian asked Lu Yan He with a smile as soon as they met.

Zhong Benshuo came for the matter of Lu Yan He meeting Tang Mu White.

But Jiang Yuqian's two dramas flopped too hard, the kind that everyone knows, so the backlash was the most severe.

This is also where Zhong Benshuo was very surprised. He thought he had discovered Lu Yan He, this creator, very early, but he didn't expect that someone at HP had also discovered him.

The reason Zhong Benshuo values cooperation with Lu Yan He so much is, on one hand, because the results of *Friends* and *Seventeen Layers* on Maxine are indeed very good, and according to platform data and audience preference profiles, Maxine users have a very good impression of the characters played by Lu Yan He.

In the artist industry, this is inevitable. Everyone follows the project; a drama starts filming, a group of people meet, slowly get familiar, and become friends. A drama finishes airing, the intersection ends, and if there is no new intersection, they gather less and part more, and the familiar relationship slowly breaks.

"Do you know what the Arctic Light dug him over for?"

Jiang Yuqian said: "After *Seventeen Layers* exploded, many people should have come to find you, wanting to play a role in *Squid Game*, right?"

Lu Yan He said: "I have an appointment with him to talk about it later. After all, two shows and two films will meet the audience later and will also land on streaming platforms. They took the initiative to find me, wanting to cooperate."

"I usually pack my own things," Lu Yan He said, while the surprise and unexpected look on his face hadn't had time to be put away. "Is there... any emergency?"

However, for international streaming giants like Maxine and HP, Lu Yan He is just a creator who has achieved good results in his own country. If they want to develop a film or show aimed at opening the Chinese market, then their concern for Lu Yan He is normal; they might want to get Lu Yan He to write a script, or they might want to find Lu Yan He to star in this project.

Being able to meet this time is still because of the show *Squid Game*.

Chen Ziyan said: "Director Bai Jingnian is going through the resignation procedures at Jingtai and is preparing to come to Arctic Light Video."

"There is no plan to join a crew right now. I have been in contact with a few dramas before, but I haven't made a final decision yet."

Why would he suddenly leave Jingtai at this time?

To ask if Jiang Yuqian has any regrets... to be honest, there is a little bit. If she had listened to her agent He Heng's advice at the beginning and taken one or two audience-oriented dramas in addition to those two serious dramas to maintain buzz and popularity, her position wouldn't have started to waver in just two years.

"Rest early every day. I've been watching your live streams recently, and you're getting off later and later," Jiang Yuqian said with a smile. "Sometimes when I finish recording the show and go back on the road, it's already early morning, and I find that you are actually still live streaming."

"What kind of cooperation did Tang Mu White come to talk to you about?" Zhong Benshuo asked as if unintentionally.

Zhong Benshuo actually didn't expect that the few projects Lu Yan He had on hand were so popular that even HP took the initiative to ask—this is also because Lu Yan He deliberately hid the purpose of Tang Mu White finding him at the beginning, so Zhong Benshuo mistakenly thought that Tang Mu White came to find Lu Yan He, aiming at the few projects in Lu Yan He's hands from the beginning.

Lu Yan He nodded and said: "Yes, I know, it's all about meeting and talking first."

"I don't know, I came back as soon as the screening ended," Lu Yan He said. "I don't know if there's any drama for now, but the feedback on site is still good."

"Actually, the key is whether people listen and believe what you say," Chen Ziyan said. "Congratulations, you are now at the stage where everyone will seriously ponder every word you say; everyone will value your opinion very much."

This day, after class, Lu Yan He had dinner with Jiang Yuqian, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

"I'll be in Yuming these days, let's meet again sometime," Jiang Yuqian said.

But judging from the situation of meeting Jiang Yuqian tonight, Jiang Yuqian's state is still very good, and it's impossible to see that she is in a low period.

"Hmm? What news?" Lu Yan He asked in surprise.

"Please come in, wait a moment, I'll be done packing soon." Lu Yan He invited Zhong Benshuo in and gave him a bottle of mineral water first.

Zhong Benshuo heard this, "Didn't your assistant help you pack?"

Because Jiang Cao in the original work is a very thin figure, Jiang Yuqian, who was already very thin, is further losing weight and controlling her weight. However, it is mainly exercise to lose weight, because this character needs to have a sense of strength, otherwise, it is difficult to convince people in terms of physical fitness.

Zhong Benshuo said: "Yan He, we at Maxine were the first to contact you and very much hope to cooperate with you."

Lu Yan He didn't expect Jiang Yuqian to pay attention to these things.

Without Jiang Yuqian's recommendation, he might not have been able to embark on the path of an actor.

Therefore, Lu Yan He has never wavered in his idea of replacing Jiang Yuqian—it's not that Arctic Light Video hasn't hinted at it.

"You filmed almost from the beginning of the year to the end of last year, so it's right to take a break now," Jiang Yuqian said. "You are only a junior. From the first time you filmed until now, it's less than three years in total, and you've filmed so many dramas; you are really a model worker. I have always felt that I am quite a model worker, but compared to you, I am still far behind."

Jiang Yuqian: "That's how the rumors are spreading outside, and besides, when you say that, whether it's true or not, others will only think it's an excuse."

Lu Yan He was too embarrassed to mention the two dramas Jiang Yuqian aired in the past two years. Because everyone knows that Jiang Yuqian's two dramas aired very ordinarily, and even compared to the high expectations brought by "starring Jiang Yuqian," it can be described as "very bad."

He sincerely hoped that Jiang Yuqian's career would get better again.

There is no other reason; the person who really gave him a chance and pushed him when he had nothing was Jiang Yuqian.

Lu Yan He himself was surprised, because he knew that the first choice Arctic Light Video intended was not him.

Generally, female stars at her level are not easily shaken.

Always, always the first step is the hardest, because that is when there is no foundation at all.

Lu Yan He said: "I took advantage of filming dramas with relatively small volume and few episodes. You film one drama for four or five months or even half a year, while I usually finish in one or two months."

Lu Yan He was also very grateful in his heart; Jiang Yuqian never complained to him about the setbacks in her career. It's not that Lu Yan He didn't want to listen, but that Lu Yan He didn't know how to answer.

"Okay, okay, I will rest well, you too, Sister Yuqian."

Jiang Yuqian said: "I have also seen many comments, all praising your short film. It is said that there were foreign media on site asking if it could be made into a feature film. Very powerful, I feel that the films you have released in the past two years have all received many good reviews."

Jiang Yuqian nodded.

Life has low points, and no one can avoid them.

Lu Yan He said again: "Sister Yuqian, filming *Squid Game* this time will probably be very hard, right? It's a drama that requires a lot of physical strength."

Jiang Yuqian comforted herself this way.

Jiang Yuqian didn't expect that in just one year, the situation of her and Lu Yan He had undergone earth-shaking changes. The child who used to need her help is now slowly having the ability to help her.

Lu Yan He was stunned.

"That's right," Chen Ziyan nodded. "It's for filming *My Own Swordsman*, and it's also Zheng Huai'ren's work, spending a lot of money to dig Director Bai over. Then do you think Bai Jingnian would not mention you when communicating with Zheng Huai'ren?"

Any platform looks at past achievements. Having a representative work and not having a representative work are completely two concepts. Therefore, domestic platforms and companies like Arctic Light Video are attentive and enthusiastic about Lu Yan He, which is easy to understand, because Lu Yan He is a highly popular and successful actor, and also a screenwriter who broke viewership records.

Don't care about temporary gains and losses.

"Ah? Really?"

Jiang Yuqian took a deep breath and let herself pull away from the complex mood.

What you have to look at is the long-term flow.

"Then what about you? Are you joining the crew later?"

Lu Yan He really didn't ask for this point; it was entirely their own initiative. However, they respected him so much, and Lu Yan He was of course happy.

This is her daily compulsory course, going to the gym for physical training.

Lu Yan He is in the rising period, while Jiang Yuqian is on the downhill; this situation is a situation that Lu Yan He completely doesn't know how to deal with.

Lu Yan He also breathed a sigh of relief.

Actually, he doesn't need to do anything.

Jiang Yuqian came over in advance to participate in action training.

Zhong Benshuo said: "*Friends* and *Seventeen Layers* are very popular on Maxine, and for a period of time, they entered the top ten of the Asian region list. There is also the cooperation of *Silent River* later. Yan He, we at Maxine have a deep connection with you, and I hope that for any cooperation, you can talk to us first."

Jiang Yuqian's popularity and commercial value are already precarious and crumbling.

As for wanting to win the overseas streaming broadcast rights of the few film and television projects in Lu Yan He's hands?

Currently, the appeal is not that great.

Chen Ziyan: "The specific situation is unknown, but it is said that Jingtai does not quite recognize Bai Jingnian, and there are contradictions in treatment, so Bai Jingnian left."

In this line of work, nothing is more important than vision.

"There are some," Lu Yan He said with a smile. "Including the role that Li Zhibai originally played, because the filming was suddenly advanced, Li Zhibai couldn't play it, and four or five popular actors have fought for it."

Mainly, he doesn't remember what the characters in *Squid Game* are called. Of course, even if he remembers, he can't use them. After all, the original work is a Korean drama, and it sounds like a Korean name, which is not suitable for appearing in this drama.

"Although the second season of *Friends* is not very good in terms of audience reputation, the viewership results are still very bright, right?" Lu Yan He said. "At this time, isn't it the time when cooperation is the closest?"

In fact, the few projects in Lu Yan He's hands have not yet reached the level where everyone is moved by the wind and competes hard for streaming media.

"Haha, no emergency, no emergency," Zhong Benshuo immediately waved his hand. "This time in Bicalo, it was hurried. I have long wanted to meet you, but I didn't make an appointment. Just now I suddenly heard that you were going back, and I thought I must come to see you before you go back."

Lu Yan He smiled and said: "Nothing, just some projects I have on hand."

Lu Yan He: "Indeed many, but actually I can't decide. These all need to be communicated well with Arctic Light and others before they can be decided. As a result, everyone thinks I have the decision-making power."

After a few pleasantries, Zhong Benshuo mentioned this matter.

Lu Yan He was very helpless and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Indeed, people don't believe it when I say that."

Jiang Yuqian got into the car.

The background here is set in Hong Kong, so Chinese names must be used.

This drama is operated by people from Arctic Light Video, and all aspects are very mature. They just respect Lu Yan He's opinions very much and will come to ask him about some very key and important things.

"Hmm," Lu Yan He nodded. "Okay, Sister Yuqian, tell me when you are free. I am just staying at school anyway."

Chen Ziyan said: "I heard a piece of news, which may be related to this."

Lu Yan He's first reaction was not to believe it.

Lu Yan He said: "I have better luck and took advantage of Wang Zhong and Liu Bige."

The reason for this reaction is that Bai Jingnian is different from many directors. He is a person from Jingtai, a position with a staff establishment, not a general labor contract relationship. Precisely because of this, Director Bai Jingnian has filmed almost every drama at Jingtai and has never filmed an outside drama.

In fact, if it weren't for Jiang Yuqian's momentum being too strong and her popularity being too high in the past, the "shipwreck" of these two works would not be so well-known. After *Golden Age* aired, many people thought Jiang Yuqian was really going to move to a top star position. Who knew that after plunging into the serious drama circle, she invested more than two years in it, but the result was that there was no splash. Not to mention losing two years of exposure, it also caused her ability to carry dramas to be questioned overwhelmingly.

She will have quite a few action scenes in this drama.

At thirty years old, she still looks like she is in her early twenties, which is related to her long-term near-strict control.

What Lu Yan He didn't expect most was that in the end, for the role that originally belonged to Li Zhibai in *Squid Game*, Arctic Light Video chose Liu Zefan based on his opinion.

On the other hand, Zhong Benshuo knows very clearly that the few projects Lu Yan He has on hand are all projects in China that are highly concerned, have large investments, and have famous actors joining. Maxine wants to buy them, and other platforms are of course also interested.

But people will not always be in a low valley.

This is something Lu Yan He really didn't expect.

He also believes that *Squid Game* will definitely help Jiang Yuqian's career return to the peak.

After dinner, Jiang Yuqian said goodbye to Lu Yan He.

If he wants to say who he is most grateful to on his actor's path, it must be Jiang Yuqian.

The car stopped.

Arrived.

Jiang Yuqian took a deep breath, picked up her gym bag, got out of the car, and walked forward silently and firmly.