Chapter 443: We won an award!

On Weibo, Lu Yan He's interactions with Yan Liang and Li Zhibai were normal, showing no signs of being affected by the rumors of "facial nerve disorder."

This attitude of his actually made more and more people believe that it was just a rumor.

On the day *Lost in Journey* was screened at the Hexi Film Festival, Lu Yan He happened to have classes, so he couldn't follow the situation there.

After he finished his class and took out his silenced phone, he found many unread messages.

The media reviews for *Lost in Journey* had come out first.

It could be said that they were mixed, with polarized opinions.

Many media outlets stated that as a comedy, this film was very qualified; not only were many lines ingenious, but it was also very funny, making people laugh almost from beginning to end. At the same time, it was rare to see such a good script in a comedy like this, which was very precious.

However, another part of the media expressed that they felt someone who could write a film script like *Rouge* shouldn't be writing such a vulgar comedy. Moreover, it was a very low-brow comedy, relying on sudden incidents and exaggerated actions to create unexpected laughs.

Regarding such evaluations, Lu Yan He actually felt they were within his expectations.

He had never expected this film to receive unanimous praise from the critics—few comedy films had ever achieved that.

Compared to foreign media, the domestic media's evaluation of *Lost in Journey* was much higher.

The story, which took place in the context of the Spring Festival travel rush, was a background that only Chinese people could truly empathize with.

And workers demanding debt repayment—that was an act with special significance for the era.

Therefore, the actions that seemed exaggerated in the eyes of foreigners were not aimless or intentionally over-the-top for Chinese people.

At this year's Hexi Film Festival, there were those participating in the competition, those just being screened, and those like *Flowers on the Stars* finding a place for a global premiere; all in all, there were up to a hundred films being shown. Regardless, a film had to have volume; otherwise, if no one paid attention and it was just released like that, it would truly be a wasted trip.

*Lost in Journey* successfully completed its screenings at the Hexi Film Festival.

The director, Jia Long, and Wang Dashan accepted media interviews at the film festival, and many media outlets were present, clearly very interested in this film.

How to verify the popularity of a film at a film festival can actually be seen from this.

Jia Long still had a very high level of popularity in the Asian region.

"Did Lu Yan He come to you with this script initially?" a media outlet asked.

"Yes." Jia Long nodded. "At the time, I was very surprised when I heard he had written a script. Before this, I didn't know Lu Yan He could write scripts, nor did I know his scripts were written so well. Actually, those of us who make comedy films all know that it's really too hard to come across a good script. Many times, that sense of proportion is particularly difficult to grasp; if you go too far, it's counterproductive, and if you don't reach that level, the punchlines won't land. And if a comedy film can't make the audience laugh out loud in the end, it's a failure. As soon as Yan He's script was brought over, I knew this was the kind of script I wanted to encounter."

The media said, "But this time, after Yan He attended the premiere of *Rouge*, he went back. Why didn't he stay to attend the premiere of *Lost in Journey* with everyone?"

Jia Long said, "He is still a university student; he had to rush back for class."

This answer from Jia Long was truly beyond everyone's expectations.

Many overseas media outlets had presupposed many kinds of answers, but they didn't expect this to be the one spoken.

As for the domestic media... they were a bit unfazed. Anyway, Lu Yan He's persona as a good student was something people would help him maintain from time to time. For other stars or artists, even if they were truly still university students attending classes, hearing this would make them feel it was absurd. But since this happened to Lu Yan He, it became very normal.

Of course, at the Hexi Film Festival, *Rouge* was more popular than *Lost in Journey*. Several film companies were fighting for the overseas distribution rights of *Rouge*, but the bids were not high, ranging from two to three million US dollars. Maxine and HP also made bids, but what they wanted to buy wasn't the distribution rights, but the exclusive copyright. A flat price to buy out the overseas exclusive copyright and put it on their video websites for screening—the price offered was high, and if they were willing to sell, this single income would be enough for *Rouge* to break even.

Wang Zhong came to ask for Lu Yan He's opinion, and Lu Yan He said he had no opinion; either way was fine.

For a film like *Rouge*, you couldn't hope for it to make you a fortune overnight; it could only take the route of a slow stream, relying on the accumulation of copyright fees every year.

After thinking it over, Wang Zhong decided to follow the path of his previous films, negotiating one by one with long-term partners in various regions, selling them piecemeal. Perhaps the price offered by each might not be much, around 100,000 or 200,000 US dollars, but with the US, UK, South Korea, and Japan—the major box office markets—being slightly better, the accumulation wouldn't be small, it was just troublesome and draining.

The streaming copyright was given to HP, not because Lu Yan He wanted to cooperate with HP more, but because HP offered a higher price, 500,000 US dollars more than Maxine.

Zhong Benshuo was very depressed; if he had enough authority, he absolutely would not have let this film slip through his hands because of a 500,000-dollar difference.

After he watched this film, he knew that while he didn't know how it would perform in Europe and America, it would definitely be liked by Asian audiences.

Zhong Benshuo even specifically called Lu Yan He to express his depression and distress.

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

"I have already returned to China; I am not managing the sales matters," he told Zhong Benshuo.

Zhong Benshuo said, "It's too hateful! That guy Tang Mu White must have planted a spy in our Maxine, otherwise how could he be so clear about our bid!"

Lu Yan He smiled noncommittally.

He couldn't respond to these words.

Zhong Benshuo: "Yan He, you know very well how much I want to cooperate with you and have your films broadcast on Maxine."

Lu Yan He: "It's just *Rouge*; there are many films to come later."

Zhong Benshuo: "Sigh, it's a pity my words carry little weight, and I can't make my boss fully realize how valuable your films are."

Lu Yan He: "Haha."

Anyway, no matter what Zhong Benshuo said, Lu Yan He only responded like this, never giving any substantive content.

Lu Yan He also didn't know if Zhong Benshuo was really here to fish for information, but regardless of whether he was or not, he didn't intend to tell Zhong Benshuo anything informative.

The fact that he brought him to the second floor, to that room—this alone was enough for Lu Yan He to keep him at arm's length.

Zhong Benshuo seemed to have sensed Lu Yan He's distancing from him.

"Yan He, you aren't still blaming me for that matter, are you?" Zhong Benshuo asked, his tone even revealing a hint of grievance.

In this line of work, everyone is a performance artist.

Lu Yan He: "What matter?"

He looked blank and confused, as if he had no idea what Zhong Benshuo was talking about.

"Alright, you really are still blaming me. Well, I know, I didn't give you a heads-up in advance; it was indeed my lack of consideration."

"Mr. Zhong, you are overstating it; you have always been very considerate in hosting me," Lu Yan He said. "I am about to have class, so I have to hang up."

Zhong Benshuo: "Oh, alright, then I'll go to Yuming next week and make an appointment with you again."

"Okay, we'll talk then."

Lu Yan He hung up the phone.

He carefully recalled the phone call he just had with Zhong Benshuo.

Hmm, confirmed, he didn't say a single word he shouldn't have.

Perhaps he was overthinking it; he always felt that Zhong Benshuo was still trying to pull him into some not-so-above-board territory.

Lu Yan He also didn't like this approach of his, always talking about feelings in work.

It wasn't that one couldn't talk about feelings in work; there were many people he talked about feelings with in work—but they had no foundation of feelings between them, so how could they talk? Talk about feelings that were castles in the air?

You didn't offer as much money as HP did, and they won *Rouge*; what are you complaining to me about? Blaming me for not considering our feelings, and that I should have given the film to you even if someone else offered more?

Lu Yan He was speechless.

He took a deep breath.

At this moment, Tang Mu White sent an email: We have secured the overseas exclusive copyright for *Rouge*. We want to hold a few special screenings and promotional events in several places overseas to promote the film's launch on our HP, and we would like you to spare some time to attend the relevant activities.

Lu Yan He replied: No problem.

Tang Mu White immediately sent another new email: Regarding the film *Lost in Journey*, our internal assessment is that this film is too Chinese, and it is difficult for overseas audiences to understand. We don't intend to bid like we did for *Rouge*; if Maxine or other companies are more interested, we will give up.

Lu Yan He replied: Okay.

Tang Mu White: But if no other company buys it, we still hope to secure it. For works you have written, I hope HP can own as many as possible.

Lu Yan He laughed.

These words from Tang Mu White truly made him feel comfortable inside.

Because of Lu Yan He's excessive stress, ever since he returned, Chen Ziyan had pushed away almost all of his work.

Whether it was program recording or other business cooperation, basically anything that could be pushed away was pushed away, wanting Lu Yan He to at least rest peacefully in May.

However, this made several work parties that had already been agreed upon start to grumble. They had finally managed to nail down Lu Yan He, but now they were being told he couldn't come; this matter... the most critical thing was that Chen Ziyan's attitude wasn't very tough; she would pay the damages that needed to be paid and promised to continue cooperating later, and her attitude was so soft that people couldn't say anything.

Actually, Lu Yan He felt it hadn't reached such a serious point; it would have been fine to attend work that had already been communicated. But Chen Ziyan was determined not to allow it, saying that no matter what, he had to stay at school to attend classes and rest in May without working.

"I know you are in a good state now and don't feel tired, but it's not a question of you being tired; it's that once you work, your brain will start turning on those matters," Chen Ziyan said. "The safest way is to stop everything first."

"*Love Letter* can't be stopped; it's going to start filming in July," Lu Yan He said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"We'll forget about the one that can't be stopped, but basically, it's already almost prepared," Chen Ziyan said. "The production team, filming locations, actors, logistics... I borrowed his assistant Zhao Yuheng from Lei Shuangcheng to do the coordination. With him there, you don't have to worry about any of these miscellaneous matters. From now on, for the film *Love Letter*, you only need to think about one thing: how to film it. You don't need to worry about other departments."

Chen Ziyan's tone was unquestionable, leaving Lu Yan He not knowing what to say for a moment.

Lei Shuangcheng was a producer who had cooperated with Director Luo Yuzhong for fifteen years. Zhao Yuheng was the most capable assistant by Lei Shuangcheng's side. Lu Yan He had dealt with Zhao Yuheng when filming *The Golden Era* and knew his abilities. He had climbed up through the ranks in the crew following Lei Shuangcheng and was very clear about crew matters.

Having such a person to do the coordination would indeed help a lot.

Almost all daily troublesome matters would be tied up with him.

Chen Ziyan was truly shocked by the fact that Lu Yan He was under too much stress.

Her top priority for everything now was not to bring trouble and pressure to Lu Yan He.

Chen Ziyan's style and attitude made everyone start to grumble in their hearts again.

What exactly is wrong with Lu Yan He?

Did Lu Yan He really have a problem?

It just so happened that Zhou Shuchun, who had broken the news initially, had remained silent after being retorted by Chen Ziyan, playing dead, with absolutely no new news coming out.

Just at this time, this year's Hexi Film Festival ushered in the closing ceremony and awards ceremony.

Wang Zhong called him to ask if he could come to attend, saying they had received a call from the organizing committee inviting all members of *Rouge* to attend the closing ceremony.

This basically meant that *Rouge* had won an award, and a major one at that.

Lu Yan He actually quite wanted to go; the closing ceremony was on a Sunday, and he could make it; the timing was okay.

But thinking about it, he decided to forget it. In his current situation, it was better to appear in public as little as possible; if he lost control of his expressions again, then it would be game over.

Chen Ziyan's effort to cancel all his work in May was actually out of this consideration.

No one knew if Lu Yan He would have another episode.

Thus, Lu Yan He decided not to go.

The news that the *Rouge* crew had been recalled by the Hexi Film Festival organizing committee and that Lu Yan He had decided not to attend the Hexi Film Festival closing ceremony was released by people at the same time.

On one hand, people following this film started to have their heart rates increase, looking forward to what major award this film would win; on the other hand, some people started to grumble: *Rouge* was about to receive an award, yet Lu Yan He wasn't attending; why was that? Was it because he had classes again, so he couldn't go?

Wasn't the closing ceremony on a Sunday? This excuse couldn't be used anymore.

Combined with Zhou Shuchun's previous revelation, everyone started to wonder again: did Lu Yan He really have a situation?

For any artist, the most feared thing is this kind of ambiguous rumor.

Because it's impossible to prove oneself.

No one can prove that they haven't done something.

Lu Yan He couldn't run to the hospital to get a check-up to prove he didn't have facial nerve disorder.

If he did that, it would look like he took it seriously.

Fortunately, there were Zhenhua classmates who would occasionally film short videos of Lu Yan He appearing on campus, proving that everything was normal with him.

When the news came back that *Rouge* had won two major awards at this year's Hexi Film Festival—Best Actress and the Audience Choice Award—Lu Yan He posted a celebration immediately—

Awesome! Congratulations to Sister Bige! Congratulations to all the colleagues of *Rouge*! We won an award! ===== CHAPTER 444 =====