Chapter 538: Applause (8,000-word update!)

As the first episode of *Friends* ended and the closing theme song began to play, everyone present broke into applause.

Lu Yan He clapped, filled with emotion, and turned to look at everyone around him.

Whenever this moment arrived, Lu Yan He would understand more deeply why the film and television industry always attracted the world's attention.

Even though its output value is negligible compared to many other industries.

Yet, perhaps there is no other industry in this world that receives more global attention.

It is a world, a place where a group of people live, and where stories unfold.

We all know it is fake, but once we invest our emotions, it becomes real, even beginning to influence our real world and our real lives.

"Fantastic, the first episode landed very steadily," Yan Liang said to the person beside him. "We can all set our minds at ease and get a good night's sleep. Of course, I suspect everyone will be too excited to sleep tonight."

Just as Yan Liang said, the moment the first episode finished airing, *Friends* already had six trending topics on the list.

Search volume for all the actors skyrocketed.

Hu Siwei had been clutching his phone, not participating in the heated discussions around him, until he waited for the news he wanted. He shouted excitedly, "Real-time ratings peaked at 2.13%, with an average rating of 1.65% for the premiere!"

Everyone at the scene let out a cry of surprise and joy.

Hearing the number Hu Siwei announced, Lu Yan He lowered his head and smiled.

Bai Jingnian excitedly hugged every actor and even planted a warm kiss on the cheek of every male actor.

Zhan Yun laughed out loud.

Yin Xincheng said excitedly, "We must go celebrate tonight, drink! Shouldn't we go for a drink together?"

"Don't forget, we have to record a program together tomorrow afternoon."

"That's in the afternoon," Yin Xincheng said to Bo Jin. "Do you think you'll be able to sleep if you go home now? I swear, I absolutely won't be able to sleep before three in the morning tonight. I will keep refreshing the online comments to see what everyone thinks of our show."

Zhan Yun: "I'll definitely be the same, but I don't want to drink with you guys until that late. Going for a drink now is fine, but I have to be back before twelve. I need to take care of my skin; I can't appear on camera looking dull tomorrow."

Bo Jin nodded: "Yes, you guys can look disheveled with large pores and still be touched up by makeup artists to look seventy percent good enough for the camera, but we get picked apart if we're anything below ninety."

Hu Siwei said with a smile: "I've already booked a place, let's go. Same old rules, everyone just have fun. Drink alcohol or juice, whatever you like. Just let me know when you're tired so I don't think someone passed out in the bathroom. Feel free to leave whenever."

The ratings for the first episode of *Friends* ignited everyone's emotions.

With dozens of people in the crew, it wasn't easy for Hu Siwei to find a place that could accommodate so many people on such short notice.

Hu Siwei contacted a friend of his and booked out a bar.

Everyone gathered at the bar in a grand procession.

Why was everyone feeling so happy, excited, and even thrilled about these results?

The success of a show doesn't just bring career development for those in creative roles like directors, screenwriters, cinematographers, and actors; for technical roles like coordinators, lighting, makeup, and even production assistants, it adds luster to their resumes as well.

And the result of that added luster is that everyone's salary can increase.

In this regard, a successful work is the foundation of everyone's livelihood. And there is another key reason why they were so happy—

In the film and television industry, they don't actually earn a fixed salary, unless they have signed a contract with a specific company and become an employee, in which case there might be a possibility of a fixed salary.

This means that after finishing a project and earning money from it, if they don't find the next project immediately, they have to sit at home twiddling their thumbs for a while.

The failure of the third season of *Six People* made many of them think they were going to lose this long-term meal ticket, but the successful return of *Friends*, especially with such good ratings for the first episode, gave them back this long-term meal ticket—one that would clearly keep increasing their pay.

For a series, income only goes up, never down.

"I bet Jiang Xun is regretting this to his gut right now."

Hu Siwei said with a smile in Bai Jingnian's ear.

Jiang Xun was the assistant director for the previous *Six People* series and had always had a pretty good relationship with Hu Siwei and Bai Jingnian. However, after Bai Jingnian left the Beijing Station, Jiang Xun stood up and helped the station by saying some not-so-positive things about Bai Jingnian on set, which caused his relationship with Bai Jingnian to drift apart from then on.

When they reorganized *Friends*, they didn't look for Jiang Xun to come back.

In fact, only one-third of the original *Six People* production staff came to *Friends*, because most of them were employees of the Beijing Station. They couldn't give up their iron rice bowl at the Beijing Station for the sake of one show.

Bai Jingnian and Hu Siwei understood this very well.

They were all ordinary workers; no one should put their family's source of income at risk for such a high-risk dream.

They were all adults, understanding and considerate of each other.

Only Jiang Xun was someone Bai Jingnian couldn't let go of.

Back then, even Hu Siwei hadn't stood up to say a single bad word about his old friend despite the pressure from the station, yet Jiang Xun, in order to take a side and show his loyalty to the station, stood up and accused Bai Jingnian of being responsible for the failure of the *Six People* series' reputation.

Everyone knew what was going on, but he could lie with his eyes wide open.

Bai Jingnian gave a light huff. "I don't know if he's regretting it to his gut, but I hope he never contacts me again. If one day he contacts me wanting my forgiveness, I will definitely humiliate him severely."

Hu Siwei smiled.

"Once we finish filming *Friends*, we can put *Roommates* on the schedule," he said to Bai Jingnian. "Let's see if we can manage to finish filming in the second quarter and air it in the summer. That way, we can film *Roommates* in the first half of the year and *Friends* in the second half. The people who follow us won't have to go looking for work elsewhere, and we can keep filming indefinitely."

Bai Jingnian nodded and said, "Fine, but you'd better find two more assistant directors. I've signed a contract with Northern Lights and can't keep putting all my energy into these two projects. I have to help them film a show or two. If *Cohabiting Men and Women* can continue, the later sequels might have to be handed over to them to direct."

"Understood, I know that," Hu Siwei nodded. "I'm already very grateful that you could come help direct the first season."

"Let's not be so polite between us," Bai Jingnian laughed. "But have you really thought it through? Using all newcomers for *Cohabiting Men and Women*?"

"Yes," Hu Siwei nodded. "Only then can we control the costs."

"But it's very likely it won't make a splash."

"With the production team of *Friends*, how could it not make any splash at all? I believe in your ability, and I believe in our story; it will definitely attract its own audience slowly," Hu Siwei said. "If we use all newcomers, the production cost per episode can be kept under one million, and our production pressure will be much smaller."

A production cost of one million per episode, of which five hundred thousand is Bai Jingnian's salary, and the other five hundred thousand is for other filming expenses.

Bai Jingnian nodded. "Indeed, that is a very good way to control costs."

"There is one more main reason," Hu Siwei smiled at Bai Jingnian. "The cooperation model for this show with Northern Lights is a base price plus revenue sharing. Although the contract hasn't been formally signed yet, according to the intent communicated previously, their base purchase price for this show is expected to be around one million per episode. This is the first show I've independently handled since joining Linghe, and I can't afford the risk of a loss."

"You are too cautious," Bai Jingnian said. "Actually, according to the domestic TV drama market, if you could find two first-tier actors, I believe with the *Friends* brand and your credentials, you would definitely be able to find them. The purchase price for this show could easily have another zero added to the end."

"But it's also possible that we wouldn't lose money, but the show would flop, and Northern Lights would lose money," Hu Siwei shook his head. "It's still very risky after all."

Bai Jingnian: "I'll say it again, you are too cautious. You don't even know how many shows Northern Lights loses money on every year. It only relies on a dozen or twenty shows to make money; it's good enough if the remaining dozens can just break even. There are always more shows that lose money than shows that make money."

Hu Siwei: "I can't help it; I've already developed this professional attitude. I can't accept a show I'm responsible for losing money."

The way Hu Siwei played the game when he was at the Beijing Station is different from how he plays it now that he's at Linghe.

When he was at the Beijing Station, from production to investment to airing, the Beijing Station covered everything. So, whether a show was successful or not depended on the final ratings and the revenue it created.

But after he came to Linghe, Linghe is not responsible for airing, only for production. So, according to Bai Jingnian's words, as long as they can successfully sell *Cohabiting Men and Women* to a broadcasting platform, even if it flops in the end, it's the platform that loses money; they have already landed safely.

And with Hu Siwei's credentials, as well as his resume of being behind the massive hit sitcom *Friends*, he doesn't need to worry at all about what would happen if one or two shows lost money later. As long as he releases a new show, platforms will still pay for it. Only if he flops three times in a row, or five times in a row, would the platforms' trust in him be discounted.

Bai Jingnian hopes he will let go and do it.

In the domestic film and television circle, there are very few shows without stars that have actually become hits.

Those that do become hits are rare species.

Hu Siwei understands what Bai Jingnian means.

He patted Bai Jingnian on the shoulder and said, "Understand the feelings of an old man who just came out. Some concerns can only be handled cautiously, taking it slow."

Lu Yan He knew very well that Hu Siwei wanted to make *Cohabiting Men and Women*.

In fact, when he and Chen Ziyan poached Hu Siwei, helping him film *Cohabiting Men and Women* was one of the conditions for lobbying him.

Now, Hu Siwei intends to produce this show with only 12 million, and Lu Yan He understands his thinking.

Actually, Lu Yan He really appreciates this approach of Hu Siwei's.

Step by step, steady and solid. Producing *Cohabiting Men and Women* for 12 million, even if the show isn't very successful in the end, the resulting loss would be limited. If Hu Siwei had wanted to make that kind of S-level big show right from the start, Linghe really wouldn't have had that much capital to give him all at once.

"Holy crap!" Yan Liang, holding his phone, suddenly let out a sound of surprise.

"What's wrong?" Lu Yan He asked.

"Zhou Ping'an has signed Meng Li!" Yan Liang looked at Lu Yan He in disbelief. "What is Zhou Ping'an thinking?"

Lu Yan He also showed a look of shock.

"Did they release the news?"

"No, a marketing account posted it, but the news this marketing account posts is usually quite reliable and has been verified as true later."

Lu Yan He asked: "You follow this marketing account?"

"Followed it on a burner account," Yan Liang said.

"Meng Li..." Lu Yan He thought of Li Zhibai immediately. "If Li Zhibai finds out about this, he will definitely explode."

"Absolutely," Yan Liang nodded.

Lu Yan He still found it hard to understand.

"But why would Zhou Ping'an sign Meng Li? Doesn't he already have Fu Li, whom he is currently managing? If I remember correctly, Fu Li's age and style should be very similar to Meng Li's, right?"

Generally speaking, an agent wouldn't manage two artists who would create a competitive relationship at the same time.

Yan Liang: "Maybe it's because Fu Li hasn't taken off, and Zhou Ping'an can't wait anymore. He wants to directly get a popular first-tier female star?"

Lu Yan He: "Him and Meng Li? I can already imagine how many conflicts they will have when they are combined. Hasn't Zhou Ping'an learned any lessons at all? Does he really think he can handle Meng Li?"

"Maybe Zhou Ping'an never thought about handling Meng Li at all; he just needs a first-tier female star to fill out the cards in his hand, allowing him to play more combinations," Yan Liang said bluntly. "After all, the only card he has that he can play right now is me."

"In fact, many agents would be doing pretty well if they just had one first-tier artist," Lu Yan He said. "Greed leads to failure. Although Li Zhibai and Ma Zhiyuan have their own private reasons for not getting along, on the other hand, it's also because there are too many areas of competition between them, which is why they need Zhou Ping'an to make choices between the two of them time and time again. Sister Ziyan even said her energy is limited and has arranged executive agents for me, Ming Lan, and Tu Song; she no longer manages everything down to the smallest detail like she used to."

Yan Liang: "You reminded me. I could actually cultivate an executive agent and hand over my specific work to them."

"Will Zhou Ping'an agree? He should be very worried that you will leave him right now. You suddenly wanting to cultivate an executive agent is not a good sign for him," Lu Yan He said.

Yan Liang: "He has to manage Meng Li and other artists; it's impossible for him to put all his energy into me alone. Regardless, my work should be worth having an agent specifically responsible for it, right? If he doesn't agree, I'll go talk to the company. Either he gives up the other artists and is only responsible for me, or he arranges an executive agent for me."

Lu Yan He looked at Yan Liang with some surprise and astonishment. "Cool, Yan Liang, you're using leverage here."

Yan Liang: "I'm not at ease with all my agency work being in his hands alone. Who knows what kind of traps he might bury for me later? Just to prevent me from leaving him in the future, he's capable of such underhanded things. Finding an executive agent to come in—no matter who it is, I don't think they would be willing to stay under Zhou Ping'an forever."

Lu Yan He gave Yan Liang a thumbs up.

"Hey, what are you two whispering about?" Zhan Yun came over with a wine glass. "Everyone wants to have a drink with you, but you're hiding here, and they're too embarrassed to come over and disturb you."

"Just chatting," Lu Yan He pointed at Yan Liang. "We just saw on the internet that a marketing account said his agent, Zhou Ping'an, signed Meng Li."

"Who? Meng Li?" Zhan Yun immediately rolled her eyes. "That crazy woman."

Lu Yan He and Yan Liang looked at each other in surprise, not expecting that Zhan Yun would have this attitude toward Meng Li as well.

"When did you have a conflict with her?"

Lu Yan He hadn't heard about it before.

Zhan Yun put down her wine glass and said very angrily, "For the movie *Thirty Days*, she fought with me for the female lead role. At the time, the producer had clearly decided that I would star in it, but she called the producer's wife and hinted that I was having an affair with the producer. Can you believe it? To steal this movie, she actually did something like that!"

Lu Yan He and Yan Liang looked at each other.

"That is really—" Lu Yan He didn't know what to say for a moment.

Actors using various means to fight for roles is common in the entertainment industry, but this was the first time Lu Yan He had heard of someone like Meng Li doing something like this.

"She went a bit too far doing that."

"More than just a bit too far!" Zhan Yun said indignantly. "After I found out about this, I went directly to her, and she still wouldn't admit it, absolutely refused to admit it. During that time, only she and I were competing for this role. If it wasn't her, who would be bored enough to spread rumors to the producer's wife about the producer and me!"

"In the end, she didn't succeed, right?"

"Of course not," Zhan Yun smiled with some pride. "You have to know, the reason I was invited to participate in *Thirty Days* was because the producer's wife liked me very much, so after reading the script, she said I was very suitable, which made the producer think of me."

In the entertainment industry, there are many actors.

For a romantic comedy movie like *Thirty Days*, there are not a few suitable actresses.

Sometimes, it just depends on who they think of first.

And for Zhan Yun and the others, a good, non-vase female lead in a movie is much harder to find than a female lead in a TV drama.

To say something that hasn't been verified but is based on reality: if the TV drama market is basically dominated by the female perspective, then the movie market is basically dominated by the male perspective.

There aren't that many female characters in movies, especially good female characters.

Lu Yan He said to Zhan Yun: "It's enough that this movie stayed in your hands in the end."

"That was because I was lucky this time. What if it had been someone else? With this kind of thing, if it had been someone a bit more suspicious, how much trouble would that have caused?" Zhan Yun said very firmly. "You guys wait and see, I definitely won't let this slide so easily. I will definitely get revenge."

Lu Yan He: "Don't you want to reconsider?"

"Reconsider?" Zhan Yun looked at Lu Yan He in disbelief. "Do you think my idea of getting revenge is wrong?"

"Oh, no, no," Lu Yan He waved his hands. "We just wanted to remind you to think twice before you get revenge, because she really is a bit crazy. You need to be prepared that once you get revenge, she will stick to you like a dog-skin plaster and be at odds with you forever."

"I'm afraid of her!" Zhan Yun huffed. "Don't think I'm someone to be trifled with."

Lu Yan He and Yan Liang both took a breath.

"The marketing account released it early, so be it. We were going to announce it in a few days anyway," Zhou Ping'an said to Meng Li. "By then, the company will also hold a grand welcome ceremony for you."

Meng Li: "Then what about the thing I asked you last time? Did you tell Yan Liang?"

"*Friends* isn't something Yan Liang can decide on his own. If you want them to write a role for you, you need Lu Yan He's consent," Zhou Ping'an said. "Just based on the things you caused with Li Zhibai before, Lu Yan He and Li Zhibai are practically in the same boat; why would he let you act in it?"

Meng Li said: "You actually didn't mention this to Yan Liang at all, did you?"

"Because mentioning it wouldn't be useful, and you don't need to act in this show," Zhou Ping'an said. "Even if it's a hit, it's a sitcom after all. Once actors from sitcoms stop playing those roles, they aren't worth much."

Meng Li: "I don't need it to maintain my market value, but I need it to maintain my exposure. God, do you know how long it's been since I've had a show on?"

The several shows Meng Li acted in before have all been shelved for various reasons and haven't met the audience.

She has already had two endorsements expire without renewing their contracts with her.

This is a very serious market signal.

Zhou Ping'an knows what Meng Li is anxious about.

"Don't worry, Lili, I've already arranged a one-stop service for you," Zhou Ping'an said very confidently. "Starting next week, you will frequently appear in the public eye, and your popularity will explode."

"Are you saying you arranged a scandal for me to hype up?"

"That's right," Zhou Ping'an said. "At this stage, what you need most is exposure and popularity. You and Liu Yuanting dating, being photographed, denying it, being photographed again, and then going on that *Love Variety* show together, until the show finishes airing, and then you break up—you'll have exposure and popularity for a whole half year."

Meng Li: "... Are you trying to turn me into a variety show personality?"

"Lili, scandals will never turn an actor into a variety show personality," Zhou Ping'an emphasized. "I'm having you go on this show not for you to be funny or build a persona."

Meng Li: "Then what about later? I've met Liu Yuanting once; he's just a silly rich kid who doesn't understand anything. Are you sure he'll leave obediently when we break up?"

"Isn't it better if he doesn't leave obediently?" Zhou Ping'an said bluntly. "Which legendary female star doesn't have such a person by her side, an admirer who just can't let go?"

Meng Li was convinced.

"Then I still have to act. I didn't steal *Thirty Days* from Zhan Yun, so what about other shows? Are there any other scripts for me?"

"Don't worry, I already said I've prepared a welcome gift for you," Zhou Ping'an said. "The script you looked at last time, the one you were satisfied with—didn't you not believe I could negotiate it for you? I'm telling you now, the director wants to meet you."

"What? Really?"

"Really," Zhou Ping'an laughed. "Lili, you have to believe that signing with me was definitely the right decision."

After hanging up the phone with Meng Li, Zhou Ping'an looked at the trending list. Seeing *Friends* occupying five spots in the top twenty, he knew the show had succeeded, becoming a hit just as expected.

Zhou Ping'an dialed Yan Liang's number.

"Congratulations, Yan Liang! I've already seen the heated discussions online about *Friends*. You guys successfully saved the show; it's fantastic!" Zhou Ping'an asked, "Are you celebrating with Lu Yan He? It sounds quite lively over there. Help me pass on my congratulations to Yan He as well. I stayed glued to the TV set tonight to watch this show and didn't miss a single minute."

"You're acting better and better, especially relaxed," Zhou Ping'an praised. "Really, when I see your performance in this show, I'm very moved. Your hard work over these years hasn't been in vain. I'm even thinking about whether I should get you a role in a lighter comedy—I don't mean a sitcom; you already have *Friends* for that."

Yan Liang had no expression on his face as he listened to Zhou Ping'an's crazy output on the phone.

How should he put it? It's probably that once you clearly know what a person's true face is like, even if they act in a way that shakes the heavens and earth, you can only remain indifferent.

"Thank you," Yan Liang said. "We are also very happy that *Friends* broke records with its premiere."

Zhou Ping'an: "There's one more piece of news I want to tell you, Yan Liang. I'm preparing to sign Meng Li."

"Oh, is that so?" Yan Liang said without a hint of surprise.

Zhou Ping'an: "I know you guys had some conflicts with her before, but I guarantee you that she definitely won't have too much interaction with you. In fact, you also know the current situation: I have you as a male actor, but I'm lacking a female actor. With Meng Li coming over, I'll have more sufficient conditions to help you negotiate and get better scripts and better terms."

Yan Liang smiled and said: "Congratulations on signing a first-tier female star. However, Brother Ping'an, I think you must be very busy managing both of us, right? After all, neither of our workloads will be small, and our usual schedules are quite frequent."

"Don't worry, I will definitely coordinate this well and it won't affect any of your work."

"Brother Ping'an, I need an executive agent who can focus entirely on me," Yan Liang said bluntly. "I don't want to hide it from you, but I don't want to have worked so hard to get to this point only to still have to compete for the homeroom teacher's attention like an elementary school student. You've helped me a lot, and I can't do without you, but at least let an executive agent come in so they can follow my work throughout, instead of just having an assistant who helps me pour tea and water. You know, many jobs require an agent to be present; it's more convenient than me communicating with others myself."

Zhou Ping'an was stunned.

The request Yan Liang suddenly threw out hit him in the face like a snowball.

It left him bewildered.

Yan Liang: "Brother Ping'an, you help me look for someone good."

After saying that, he hung up the phone.

He had been worrying about when to bring this up to Zhou Ping'an.

There had to be an opportunity.

He didn't expect Zhou Ping'an to deliver it to his doorstep.

That night, Lu Yan He didn't return to Huiziyuanqiao until 1:30 AM.

Chen Siqi was already asleep, but hearing the movement of him returning, she opened her eyes groggily.

"You just got back?"

"Oh, you're here!" Lu Yan He said apologetically, surprised to see Chen Siqi. "I thought you weren't here. If I had known, I would have gone over there. I woke you up."

Chen Siqi usually sleeps at the Lingyang District headquarters most of the time.

"I have a meeting here at ten tomorrow morning, so I came to sleep here," Chen Siqi asked. "Did you drink alcohol?"

"Yes, I had a little beer, but it's fine, not much," Lu Yan He said. "You go back to sleep; I'm going to take a shower."

Chen Siqi nodded.

Lu Yan He turned off the room light again and went to take a shower.

Ever since this place was renovated, Lu Yan He and Chen Siqi moved in.

When Lu Yan He isn't filming, they basically sleep together four or five days a week.

But because Chen Siqi has been preparing for the International Film Festival recently, and Lu Yan He started filming *Friends*, they haven't been living together these past few days.

Originally, Lu Yan He wasn't planning to return here tonight, but rather to Li Zhibai and Yan Liang's place.

It was Yan Liang who said that Zhou Ping'an would probably come over first thing tomorrow morning, and Lu Yan He didn't want to see Zhou Ping'an, so he returned here.

After showering, Lu Yan He didn't rush back to the room but sat in the living room, going online to look at everyone's comments about *Friends*.

He had wanted to see them early on, but didn't find any opportunity all night.

As a creator, he enjoyed this moment of reading comments.

Good ones, bad ones—as long as they weren't the kind of sarcasm or abuse that carried personal attacks, Lu Yan He actually quite liked reading them.

Because as long as they were serious comments, it meant that others had watched it.

He also had many messages he hadn't had time to reply to.

They were all viewing impressions sent by various friends.

Lu Yan He replied to each one seriously, expressing his gratitude.

The stone in his heart finally landed lightly, and he felt at ease.

*Friends* gained the support of the audience on a trajectory completely different from the original space-time—

This seems like a matter of course, because the show is excellent.

But it kept Lu Yan He on edge the whole time, because there was no definitive answer telling him that doing it this way was feasible.

Lu Yan He let out a long sigh of relief, turned off the light, walked into the bedroom, got into bed, and gently hugged Chen Siqi.

Chen Siqi mumbled groggily: "I thought you fell asleep in the bathroom."

Lu Yan He said with a smile: "I was reading everyone's comments about *Friends* outside just now."

"Did you see them? We all like it very much," Chen Siqi said with a smile. "However, I can't discuss this with you now; I'm really sleepy, and I have to meet someone early tomorrow morning."

Chen Siqi's tone was both lazy and weak.

"Mm, sleep."

Lu Yan He kissed Chen Siqi on the lips.

At this moment, the night was thick, and it was time for a good sleep.

His heart was very peaceful, reminding him of when he first transmigrated to this world five years ago. Back then, he was nervous, uneasy, fearful, and unable to sleep.

Humans really are animals with extremely strong adaptability.

Lu Yan He closed his eyelids heavily. ===== CHAPTER 539 =====