Chapter 414

As Jiang Yuqian's deadly rival, Zhang Lan watched Jiang Yuqian's current situation coldly while also gloating.

If it weren't for the fact that Jiang Yuqian still had Lu Yan He's *Squid Game* ready to film, Zhang Lan would be even happier without any burden.

She was also worried that Jiang Yuqian could rely on the drama *Squid Game* to return to the peak.

Jiang Yuqian at her peak had firmly stepped on her for half a head.

In the past two years, Zhang Lan's luck has been quite good, and several dramas have aired quite well. Although there were no big hits, they were all popular for a while.

Especially compared to Jiang Yuqian, her ability to carry dramas seems more stable.

Zhang Lan was quite depressed because she wanted to star in a drama written by Lu Yan He, but Lu Yan He had never written a script for a big heroine, which made her a bit troubled—after all, she hadn't acted in a non-first-billed drama for a long time, and the dramas she starred in were all big heroines.

In this case, letting Zhang Lan act in an ensemble drama, she was really not happy.

Like *Squid Game*, a non-first-billed heroine, it was obvious that it was a drama to support the male lead played by Jiang Jun. She didn't expect Jiang Yuqian to actually act in it in the end.

Once she acted, her status was really pulled down.

If this male lead was a male actor of Shang Yongzhou's level, it would be fine, but Jiang Jun?

Zhang Lan couldn't help but sneer as she thought about it.

This day, she met with Hu Siwei from Jingtai.

"Producer Hu, I heard that Director Bai Jingnian has left Jingtai. Will you continue to make the third season of *Friends*?" Zhang Lan sighed. "Moreover, the reputation of the second season is not very good, and there are quite a lot of complaints from the audience. At this time, asking me to continue to act in the third season according to the verbal agreement reached before, I am really a bit hesitant."

Hu Siwei had long guessed that Zhang Lan would say so.

He smiled and said: "No matter if the director of the third season is still Bai Jingnian, the third season will definitely continue to be made. Setting aside some unpleasant voices, in fact, the results of the second season are still the best-performing TV series in the first quarter, including web dramas, none of which have surpassed it. Among the six leads, not counting Chen Ziliang, the new endorsements exceeded eight. These are solid results. You are an artist, and you know the logic behind this better than I do."

"That's for sure, otherwise I wouldn't be hesitant, I would directly refuse you," Zhang Lan smiled. "Producer Hu, *Friends* is of course a very popular drama, but I am not Chen Ziliang. I don't need to rely on this drama to turn over. I want to have a good role."

Hu Siwei said: "We will specially customize a role for you."

Zhang Lan said: "Okay, as long as the role makes me satisfied, I will definitely come."

Hu Siwei smiled. "Good, with you joining, I believe the third season of *Friends* will definitely achieve better results."

Zhang Lan: "I haven't promised to come yet, I still have to look at the script."

Hu Siwei: "I was wondering why your dramas are always popular one after another; you are cautious enough in picking scripts."

Zhang Lan said: "My foundation is acting, and the foundation of the drama is the script. If I am not cautious in picking scripts, then why am I still in this line of work?"

Hu Siwei smiled.

"By the way, Producer Hu, when you were in the first season of *Friends*, you cooperated with Lu Yan He. Are you familiar with him?"

"Familiar," Hu Siwei said immediately. "It's just a pity that some things happened later, making him completely unwilling to return to *Friends*."

Zhang Lan thought to herself, if Lu Yan He returned to *Friends*, she might not be able to get on the bus halfway.

This time, for the third season, Jingtai decided to let Chen Ziliang's role leave, and then replace it with her role to join the protagonist group. It is an urban sitcom itself, and it is normal for someone to leave and someone to join. Just set a reason in the script.

Zhang Lan wants to act in the third season of *Friends* because she wants to borrow strength. She doesn't plan to stay in this series for a long time, but only participates in one season. In this season, she joins as a new neighbor who moved in, or a lover of a protagonist, or a friend of a protagonist, and has stories with everyone.

The reason for borrowing strength is because she hasn't had such a big hit for several years. No matter how hard the second season of *Friends* is scolded, the ratings won't lie, the discussion won't lie, and those companies that cooperate with business won't do business without profit.

The advertisements for the second season of *Friends* are still increasing.

And the reason why the second season was scolded hard is largely because of Chen Ziliang, and the scolding of "dog-blood plot, garbage lines" involved by his character.

Zhang Lan watched it from beginning to end.

It can only be said that *Friends* had pearls in front, so some flaws in the second season were magnified. In fact, setting aside the first season, the plot and characters of the second season are still quite good. Of course, except for Chen Ziliang.

Therefore, when Hu Siwei talked to Zhang Lan about the third season, Zhang Lan thought about it for a long time and felt that she should act. Because she needs it.

Zhang Lan still can't see the prospect of being a powerful actor and winning awards, so she won't be like Jiang Yuqian, rashly plunging into the serious drama circle because she tasted a little sweetness of *Golden Age*. Don't think about it, *Golden Age* can be popular because the director is Luo Yuzhong, and he can make serious dramas popular in every drama. Not all directors are Luo Yuzhong.

Zhang Lan feels that the most important thing for her now is to keep her position and maintain her popularity and status.

If an actor can really maintain national popularity for five to ten years, then the status is basically stable.

Zhang Lan asked: "I heard that *Seventeen Layers* is also preparing for the second season?"

"Yes, Teacher Feng Qiyue is writing the script," Hu Siwei said. "But that's not a project I manage, and I don't know the specific progress yet."

He looked at Zhang Lan and asked: "Why, do you also want to play in the second season of *Seventeen Layers*?"

"I can't always act in sequels," Zhang Lan immediately shook her head. "At that time, others will say I am picking up people's teeth."

"How could it be," Hu Siwei flattered. "As long as you want to act, any crew will open the door for you."

After Zhang Lan finished talking to Hu Siwei about the third season of *Friends*, she could go home.

However, in the corridor, she met Ma Zhiyuan.

Ma Zhiyuan walked over from the opposite side with a blank face, wearing headphones, escorted by assistants and bodyguards.

Zhang Lan looked at him with some surprise.

Hu Siwei, who sent her downstairs, said: "Ma Zhiyuan is here to record the show today."

Zhang Lan: "Ma Zhiyuan is also not easy, quite popular, but met a rival like Li Zhibai."

Hu Siwei smiled and said: "This may be the tradition of your Star Entertainment."

There is no permanent first brother and first sister, only the permanent struggle between the first brother and first sister.

Zhang Lan heard the implication in Hu Siwei's words, smiled, and asked: "Producer Hu, when Lu Yan He's *Squid Game* is filmed, if the results are better than *Seventeen Layers*, will your Jingtai also lose face?"

"What?"

"After all, the starring lineup of *Seventeen Layers* is more than one level higher than the starring lineup of *Squid Game*," Zhang Lan said.

Hu Siwei: "They are web dramas, we are broadcast on TV and web, there is nothing comparable."

"It seems that Producer Hu also thinks *Squid Game* will air well, and refuses to answer the competition with *Squid Game* directly," Zhang Lan smiled. "Actually, the tradition of Star Entertainment is not unreasonable. At least competition will keep us alert at all times, so we won't be a frog at the bottom of the well, only seeing the narrow little sky above our heads."

Hu Siwei was stabbed by Zhang Lan, but didn't care.

Zhang Lan has such a sharp and difficult personality, which is well-known.

Anyway, she is popular now, and everything she says is reasonable.

Hu Siwei has long been trained in the skills of dealing with these star artists over the years.

"Zhang Lan will join the third season of *Friends*? What kind of joke is this?"

Lu Yan He looked at Chen Ziyan in disbelief, feeling shocked, even incredible, at the news she just said.

Although Lu Yan He is used to hearing some shocking news from Chen Ziyan from time to time, sometimes he is still shocked by the incredible degree of the news.

This feeling is like *Friends* becoming an inexplicable public toilet, and every season has to come with some unpredictable shit and urine... uh, when Lu Yan He had this association in his mind, he was disgusted by this association.

Chen Ziyan: "Jingtai intends to bring in a new character every season, letting the sixth person constantly change, and have new topics?"

"Chen Ziliang won't act in the third season?"

"It is said that Jingtai is preparing to let his character leave," Chen Ziyan said. "He was scolded from beginning to end in the second season. Of course, the popularity rose wildly, hanging on the hot search every few days, and became a favorite of major variety shows again."

Lu Yan He: "Zhang Lan, she would actually be willing to act in an ensemble drama?"

"An ensemble drama destined to be a big hit, especially such a highly anticipated series, Zhang Lan comes to act in one of the seasons, why wouldn't she be willing? You shouldn't look at some top stars as too high and mighty. There are not many who can really transcend the material world," Chen Ziyan said to Lu Yan He. "Just like if there is a sequel to a big hit like *Friends* looking for you to star, do you lack this kind of drama? No, but we will definitely measure it seriously. And, in my judgment, it is highly probable that I will take it for you."

Lu Yan He was a little dazed and nodded.

"Saying you don't want to act in ensemble dramas is nothing more than feeling that others are not worthy of your status, which will invisibly lower your status. But if the actors acting in ensemble dramas with you are actors of the level of Huang Kai, Ceng Qiao, and Jiang Yuqian, see if you are still willing to act in ensemble dramas," Chen Ziyan curled her lips. "In this circle, everyone will find some high-sounding reasons for their choices and behaviors. No matter how high-sounding the reasons are, they are just reasons. Just listen to them, don't take them to heart. Just think about yourself. If you really don't plan to act in a drama, you will directly say the reason. The script is average, the character doesn't move you, etc."

Lu Yan He: "I thought everyone's considerations were different."

"Indeed, everyone's considerations are different," Chen Ziyan said. "But most people are realistic and utilitarian, and we are no exception."

Lu Yan He has no old hatred with Zhang Lan, let alone deep-seated grudges.

It's just that if they cooperate together, it's still a bit awkward. Lu Yan He is clearly on Jiang Yuqian's side.

*Friends* has nothing to do with him anymore. Even if all the people who have non-benign relationships with him are invited to act later, he can't say anything. Nothing to say. He just feels uncomfortable.

How can Jingtai find people so well?

Accurately found Chen Ziliang and Zhang Lan.

Tang Mu White of HP came to Yuming on March 9th.

This trip is mainly to see the few projects Lu Yan He has on hand.

Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi invited him to dinner together first.

"Long-distance flight is probably very tiring, so I didn't arrange it to be very lively tonight, just eat a little simply first," Chen Siqi fulfilled her responsibility as a hostess and expressed her welcome to Tang Mu White with a decent enthusiasm. "This shop is where Yan He and I often come together; it is our private collection."

This shop is indeed very "niche."

Because it is not the kind of restaurant that looks very imposing, but in a small detached building.

A three-story small building is all this restaurant.

To eat here, if you want to eat on the second and third floors, you need to make an appointment. But it is not the kind of private club or private restaurant that is only open to members.

Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi also discovered this place by accident.

The menu of this shop is determined according to the chef's mood that day, often changing, and therefore often having surprises.

Tang Mu White said: "I like this restaurant."

His pair of azure eyes showed a bit of almost vain simplicity when looking at the posters of film people and classic films hanging on the wall.

"Tomorrow morning, let's meet with Jia Long first," Lu Yan He said. "He just finished acting in the film *Lost in Journey*, which is also the script I wrote earliest. It is a road comedy film."

Tang Mu White nodded and said: "Lu, comedy films are often the theme most affected by cultural differences. Few comedy films can be globally accessible, even Hollywood comedy films cannot eliminate such influence."

Lu Yan He knew that Tang Mu White was giving him a preventive injection in advance; he might not necessarily look up to *Lost in Journey*.

Lu Yan He smiled and said: "Indeed, but the theme is always just a form of expression. What finally moves us in a film must be the emotion in it. Tang Mu, actually, I am very happy that you can come specifically to understand the few projects I created. Whether we can cooperate in the end, don't carry such a heavy burden. Since you are here, seriously enjoy this journey."

Lu Yan He didn't have the urgency to make this business deal.

No matter whether Tang Mu White buys the overseas streaming broadcast rights of the few film and television projects in his hands in the end, Lu Yan He actually doesn't care much. What Lu Yan He really wants to do is to make friends with Tang Mu White.

Although they only met once before, that meeting left Lu Yan He with a pretty good impression of him. Because this person doesn't have the kind of condescending, self-important temperament.

Lu Yan He doesn't like that kind of person.

That night, the three of them talked very happily. On the topic of film and television dramas, they have a lot to talk about.

Tang Mu White talked about Asian film and television dramas and said: "Korean dramas are indeed very popular now. They can often bring out some dramas with full topics to attract everyone's attention. Actually, ten years ago, Korean dramas did not have the quality they have now. At that time, our impression of Korean dramas was love dramas, but these years have changed a lot, and various themes have emerged. On the contrary, based on my observation of your Chinese film and television drama themes, although the market is thriving, the themes and content of creation are a bit lackluster. I hope you won't feel unhappy that I say so."

Lu Yan He shrugged his shoulders and said to Tang Mu White: "Tang Mu, as long as it is not malicious criticism, we Chinese are very generous and willing to accept it. In fact, it is not just you who are saying this; we are also doing self-criticism ourselves. If you have paid more attention in the past two years, you will find that we have actually filmed quite a few new things, such as *Seventeen Layers* that you know."

"Oh! This show is indeed very good," Tang Mu White nodded.

Lu Yan He said: "Now the production of Chinese film and television dramas is also progressing with each passing day. The market here is huge, and there are many creative talents in film and television dramas. As long as the creative direction is slowly returning to a correct path, I believe we will have more and more good works."

Tang Mu White said: "From the platform data of our past few years, we can actually see that global audiences are increasingly liking works with novel settings, or works with many topic discussions."

"After all, we have entered the internet era, and the physical isolation and boundaries of the past have disappeared. As long as a good work appears, relying on everyone's word of mouth, it can also slowly become popular. In our China, there is a word called 'self-coming water,' which talks about those works without enough publicity and marketing budget, relying on the word of mouth of the audience to become popular."

Tang Mu White nodded.

He said: "Indeed, the way of playing film and television dramas in the internet era has changed greatly from the original, very different."

Chen Siqi asked: "Mr. White, are you responsible for copyright procurement at HP?"

Tang Mu White: "Currently it is like this, but my position will be adjusted soon. Next, I will be responsible for the business in the Asia-Pacific region."

Chen Siqi was a little surprised, "Are you responsible for the business in the entire Asia-Pacific region? No wonder you suddenly became interested in our Chinese film and television dramas."

Tang Mu White said: "No, I have been paying attention to Chinese culture for a long time. I am a fan of Director Wang Zhong. From his first few films, I became his fan."

Tang Mu White had never told Lu Yan He about this before.

This also made Lu Yan He feel a coincidence, because this time Tang Mu White came, Lu Yan He also specially arranged to accompany Tang Mu White to visit Wang Zhong's company, focusing on watching the rough cut of *Rouge*.

Chen Siqi asked: "Then after you are responsible for the business in the Asia-Pacific region, will you also be stationed here often?"

Tang Mu White nodded, "That's it. By then I should be stationed in Hong Kong, and Yuming will also come often. After all, I heard that this is the film and television production center of China."

Chen Siqi nodded, "If you encounter anything you don't understand in China, contact us at any time."

"You are too thoughtful," Tang Mu White expressed his gratitude.

Lu Yan He rarely receives a person so solemnly.

Therefore, although Lu Yan He didn't tell Chen Siqi directly, Chen Siqi also realized that besides Lu Yan He himself liking Tang Mu White very much, there must be some plan that needs Tang Mu White's help in the future.

And Chen Siqi also probably guessed it.

Although Lu Yan He says it's a bit early to enter overseas, after all, domestic is just starting, and various projects have kept him busy, but many things need to be planned for a rainy day.

When you free up your hands to do it, it will take a long time to really start.

Just like *Jump Up* has been laying out to go to sea, obviously busy, everyone in the team wants to be split into three or four people, they didn't shelve this plan because of this, but started planning this matter early. For example, consciously paying attention to and getting to know people from other overseas publishing companies or institutions, such as starting to pick manuscripts, making anthologies, and asking translators to start translating. When there is really an opportunity to do it, many preparations have been made, no need to start from scratch, that would be too time-consuming, and may also delay the opportunity because of time-consuming.

Chen Siqi's positioning of herself now is to play the role of a "virtuous helper" in the traditional sense.

To represent Lu Yan He, release some goodwill in life outside of work attitude, and express a closeness.

If everything is left to Lu Yan He, it will make Lu Yan He's own posture a bit low. If Tang Mu White is a rational and mature person, it's fine. If not, maybe under such goodwill, he will slowly expand and become arrogant. Lu Yan He is a person who is easy to talk to unless his bottom line is touched, so Chen Siqi took the initiative to take on such a role, not letting Lu Yan He play it.

Actually, what Chen Siqi thought was not wrong at all.

Lu Yan He values Tang Mu White, and there is a very important reason, which is indeed related to his identity and HP.

Why not value Zhong Benshuo of Maxine relatively less?

Because Zhong Benshuo is a Korean, his enthusiasm for Lu Yan He is out of enthusiasm for a popular actor and genius screenwriter, but overseas, Chinese film and television dramas and Korean film and television dramas have a certain competitive relationship, especially now that Korean film and television dramas are doing very well.

Lu Yan He cannot help but find another choice for himself at this time. In case Zhong Benshuo gives better resources, channels, and opportunities to Korean film and television dramas, and makes Lu Yan He suffer, Lu Yan He cannot have no second way to go. This is the reason why he values Tang Mu White more.

Tang Mu White has no malice toward China, and to a certain extent likes Chinese culture, which is a very important reason why Lu Yan He is willing to make friends with him.

In addition, Tang Mu White is an American, and he represents HP to open up the Asian market. His cultural stance will not make him favor any side in Asia. And European and American film and television dramas—to tell the truth, it's not good to hear but it's the truth, Chinese film and television dramas at this time have not reached the point where they can compete with them.

Therefore, in the next few years, Tang Mu White and the HP behind him are a very key and important channel for Lu Yan He when he wants his works to go to sea.

After the three of them had dinner together, Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi took Tang Mu White to visit the Qiming Altar at night.

Qiming Altar is an ancient building in Yuming. In ancient times, it was a place for heaven worship.

Tang Mu White is interested in Chinese traditional culture, so Lu Yan He arranged this place.

Just finished eating, you can also walk around and digest.

In March, it is still the time when spring is cold.

The night wind blows, a bit cold and biting.

Tang Mu White looked around curiously.

Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi both saw a kind of pure curiosity and surprise in Tang Mu White's eyes.

What surprised Tang Mu White more was that Lu Yan He walked on the road with a kind of calm and relaxed manner.

"Aren't you worried about being recognized by your fans?" Tang Mu White asked curiously.

Lu Yan He said: "At this time, there are not many people on the road, and the light is relatively dark, so I generally won't be recognized, but it doesn't matter if I am recognized."

Tang Mu White said: "Are your Chinese fans so rational? Won't there be crazy behavior?"

Lu Yan He smiled and said: "My fans are generally relatively rational and won't have too crazy behavior, but there have also been relatively crazy actions, just relatively few."

"Oh, in the United States, if a big star appears in public, it will definitely cause a commotion."

"Of course, it's the same, it's the same in China," Chen Siqi said with a smile, pointing to Lu Yan He, "It's just that he is relatively special in China. People who like him are relatively rational, not like the crazy pursuit of fans for idols. The main reason why everyone likes him is that he is a top student and relied on his own ability to be admitted to the top university in our China, which makes him liked by many parents in our country."

Tang Mu White looked at Lu Yan He with some surprise, "So you are so powerful, I didn't know you were a top student."

Lu Yan He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Compared to my classmates, I am really ordinary," Lu Yan He said immediately.

The next day, Lu Yan He took Tang Mu White to Jia Long's company to watch some footage of *Lost in Journey* and listen to them make an introduction about the whole film.

HP is one of the top streaming giants in the world.

Lu Yan He suddenly appeared at the company with the future person in charge of HP's Asia-Pacific region, which surprised many people who didn't receive the news in advance.

In private, everyone is discussing how Lu Yan He knows Tang Mu White.

When watching the footage of *Lost in Journey*, the people in Jia Long's company specially edited the shot of Lu Yan He's cameo into it.

When Lu Yan He appeared on the screen with a killing-matt style, Tang Mu White almost didn't recognize him and asked Lu Yan He with some hesitation: "Is the person who just appeared you?"

Lu Yan He nodded with a smile, "I made a cameo shot."

Tang Mu White said with great surprise: "Very powerful, as if becoming another person."

Although Tang Mu White maintained a very interested appearance throughout the process and kept giving some positive and active feedback, Lu Yan He still saw that Tang Mu White was not very interested in *Lost in Journey*.

Lu Yan He was also very calm; this was something expected long ago.

Just as Tang Mu White himself said, comedy, especially road comedy, is actually difficult to achieve 100% resonance under different historical and cultural backgrounds.

Moreover, *Lost in Journey* doesn't look like a very good-looking film; its picture is too gray and not "film" enough.

At noon, Lu Yan He invited Zheng Huairen, a senior executive responsible for content production at Arctic Light Video, Jiang Lan and Hu Siwei from Jingtai, and directors Luo Yuzhong and Liu Bige to dinner.

This lunch was relatively business-like.

The style is relatively formal.

Lu Yan He made an introduction for both sides. After taking their seats, everyone couldn't help but discuss the current streaming media and film and television drama production trends in the global background. Chatting about production, chatting about audience preferences, chatting about the works that have become popular in the past year or two.

The news that Tang Mu White will take over as the person in charge of HP's Asia-Pacific region has not been officially announced.

However, everyone present knows what this position means.

Lu Yan He can invite these few people to a dinner table at this time to get to know Tang Mu White, and the meaning itself is self-evident.

They are all representatives of film and television drama production ends and copyright parties, and there will definitely be many places to cooperate with Tang Mu White in the future.

Whether it is for profit, or to complete the task indicator of "going to sea," or just out of a content creator's need for channels, Tang Mu White is a person they hope to get to know.

Having personal friendship makes things easy to handle—this is not a unique cultural tradition of the Chinese, but a pass in ancient and modern times, both at home and abroad.

And after this series of actions, the news is hard to hide.

After all, it involves so many parties and so many people.

After the lunch, Jiang Lan, the station head who returned to Jingtai, and Hu Siwei were silent and didn't speak to each other. After all, Hu Siwei was not her person, but Xu Bin's person. Although there were no major contradictions and differences between the two sides, they were not on the same path.

But after ten minutes of silence, Jiang Lan finally couldn't help it.

"Yan He actually knew such a person without a sound," Jiang Lan couldn't help but sigh, with a tone of amazement. "Sometimes I really wish I could sign him to my hands for life. So young, so capable."

Hu Siwei smiled and said: "Yan He's ability is hard to stay in one place, right? There is no place enough for him to play."

Jiang Lan glanced at him and said: "Yan He only called you today, but didn't call Xu Bin. Your Station Head Xu won't have an opinion on you? He is not a generous person."

Hu Siwei said: "The station head has always trusted me, and it's the same for me to come to Station Head Xu."

"Just because your *Friends* had such a serious conflict with Yan He, Yan He didn't care about you. It seems that what others said is really not wrong. He is really generous and doesn't hold grudges."

"How could he not hold grudges? He is just clear about grievances and knows that this matter has nothing to do with me," Hu Siwei said. "And, to be honest, for that matter of *Friends*, we were the scapegoats for Station Head Li. Others don't know, but Station Head Jiang, you know."

"I know, but I didn't let Chen Ziliang act in the second season of *Seventeen Layers*. Now Chen Ziliang has finished acting, and you have seen the situation. I originally thought I could rely on Chen Ziliang's popularity and popularity to take this drama to a higher level, but it became a mouse shit. Don't talk about these, don't you know the contradiction between Chen Ziliang and Lu Yan He has been long-standing? Just like this, Lu Yan He still called you over. I really admire his generosity."

Jiang Lan's words made Hu Siwei speechless.

Because in the matter of inviting Chen Ziliang, he himself had not supported it from beginning to end. His view was the same as Station Head Jiang's view. It's just that his opinion couldn't shake the leaders' decision.

Silence lasted for a while.

Jiang Lan said: "Now our station relies on these two dramas *Friends* and *Seventeen Layers*, and finally reversed the decline. You should think about how to do the third season, don't let this cash cow that has grown up with difficulty fall down."

Hu Siwei looked at Jiang Lan with some surprise, not expecting her to say so.

"A single tree is hard to support," Jiang Lan didn't know if she saw through Hu Siwei's thoughts, and suddenly explained, "A TV station cannot be supported by one or two dramas. You are also an old Jingtai person. I think you also hope to see Jingtai reappear the glory of the past. Although in this internet era, this is a very difficult thing, but since the TV station has not closed down, and we have not left like Bai Jingnian, we have to fight."

Hu Siwei was silent for a long time and said: "Of course I hope so too."

"I hope you won't regret forcing Bai Jingnian away."

Hu Siwei sighed in his heart again.

Bai Jingnian is his old friend for so many years, and also an old friend who worked with him to make *Friends*. How could he force Bai Jingnian away?

However, no matter what he said, the leaders stubbornly believed that Bai Jingnian was a director who stepped on dog shit luck. This drama *Friends* could be filmed by any director, and it didn't need any technology.

Hu Siwei didn't know how to explain to the leaders that the production shots of *Friends*, which looked the most straightforward and had no technology, were actually the most testing of the director's skills.

Because for a sitcom, the picture has never been the first element, but the rhythm.

However, because the shots of *Friends* looked like they were filmed by someone carrying a camera, there was no high-difficulty scheduling, and no amazing shots, it seemed that anyone could film it, and they never felt how important Bai Jingnian's directing ability was in this drama.

The sigh in Hu Siwei's heart was sighed deeply again.

"Director Bai Jingnian."

The next day, Lu Yan He brought Tang Mu White to the company building of Arctic Light Video.

Here, they met Bai Jingnian.

"The director of *Friends* will also direct another historical comedy *My Own Swordsman* written by me," Lu Yan He introduced to Tang Mu White, "A director with very rich experience and also very good at filming sitcoms."

Tang Mu White's smile became brighter as soon as he heard it was the director of *Friends*. He reached out and shook hands with Bai Jingnian.

"I like *Friends* very much. I am a loyal fan of this drama. It's a pity that I noticed this drama too late, otherwise I would definitely not let it be snatched away by Maxine."

After Bai Jingnian heard the translation, he said thank you in his broken English.

The Arctic Light Video tour the next day was the highlight.

If there was any idea that Lu Yan He really felt would be good if there was a chance to realize it when receiving Tang Mu White this time, it was that Tang Mu White could see the potential of *Squid Game*.

Because this drama exploded globally in the time and space before Lu Yan He crossed over. No matter how many people questioned why this drama could explode, a work always discusses heroes by results. The fact is that it exploded. No matter how questioned, it is also the first Asian drama to achieve such broadcast results globally.

Arctic Light Video specially arranged for Jiang Zixin, the producer of *My Own Swordsman*, and Wei Lai, the producer of *Squid Game*, to make project introductions.

Lu Yan He rarely participates in such PPT introductions about film and television projects.

Sitting in the conference room so "officially" for the first time, listening to how people from a film and television company promote a project, it is really a different angle. Lu Yan He also rarely saw at the front line how film and television companies measure the strengths of a drama from the perspective of sales.

Tang Mu White listened very seriously, which Lu Yan He didn't expect. Tang Mu White was also interested in *My Own Swordsman*, and made quite a few notes in his notebook, frequently showing a thoughtful look.

After this stop at Arctic Light Video, Tang Mu White's gaze toward Lu Yan He became more admiring, and a bit incredible.

"You can actually create so many works with completely different themes in such a short time, you are really amazing," Tang Mu White said. "If you were in Hollywood, you would definitely become a trump card screenwriter competed for by major companies."

Lu Yan He raised the corners of his mouth and said with a smile: "I am already a trump card screenwriter competed for by major companies in China."

Tang Mu White: "Only tomorrow is left to meet Director Wang Zhong. I am looking forward to seeing the rough cut of *Rouge*."

Lu Yan He nodded, "Exactly, you can also help us give suggestions on which film festival our film is most suitable to participate in."

Tang Mu White said okay.

For dinner, Lu Yan He took Tang Mu White to Zhenhua University to eat in the school cafeteria.

After eating, he took him for a walk around the school.

Tang Mu White knew that this was the top university in all of China, and he kept taking pictures, full of curiosity.

Lu Yan He suddenly realized that a key point why he felt like an old friend at first sight with Tang Mu White was this curiosity in him. He was truly curious about China—this made Lu Yan He subconsciously want to release a more kind, tolerant, and beautiful side to Tang Mu White.

This has nothing to do with HP, it is just an instinct driven by Lu Yan He himself that he didn't even realize.

Who knew that at this time, Lu Yan He suddenly received a call.

It was a call from Huang Tai of Long Yan Film Industry.

She heard that Lu Yan He was receiving Tang Mu White and hoped that Lu Yan He could bridge the gap and let Tang Mu White meet her.

Lu Yan He didn't feel difficult, just didn't want Tang Mu White to be too busy on this trip and meet people frequently.

So, Lu Yan He directly told Tang Mu White about Huang Tai's idea and asked Tang Mu White if he wanted to see her.

"They are one of the largest film production companies in our China. The film *Late Spring* that I was shortlisted for the Venice International Film Festival this year was produced by this company."

Tang Mu White reacted.

"Oh, this film," Tang Mu White said. "If I remember correctly, its overseas streaming copyright was sold to Maxine."

Lu Yan He nodded: "Yes."

"Long Yan has had some contradictions and conflicts with the person in charge of our HP Asia-Pacific region in the past. I haven't officially taken over yet. It is not appropriate to meet them at this time. It will be better to meet and communicate after I officially take over."

Tang Mu White was also blunt and told Lu Yan He the truth.

Lu Yan He nodded and directly told Huang Tai about Tang Mu White's meaning.

Huang Tai was not surprised and said with a smile: "It is enough for him to say this now, then wait for him to officially take office, and I will prepare a congratulatory gift for him."