Chapter 620: Youthful Career is Red (8,000 words update!)

That night, after returning, Lu Yan He wrote the script outline of *Home Alone* and sent it to Chen Yin, asking him to do the copyright-related registration and filing the next day.

Because the copyright had not been registered, he did not talk about this movie in detail tonight. He just talked to Chen Ziyan seriously in the car later about what kind of story this movie was.

Because Lu Yan He hoped to completely control Linghe in his own hands, and did not want the company to have a capital chain break or be excluded by others using capital means—

He was indeed not good at this, and didn't understand.

Therefore, film and television projects controlled by Linghe, such as *Love Letter*, such as *Co-renting Men and Women*, were all small and medium-cost projects.

Only one *Chinese Paladin*, with an investment of several hundred million, so Linghe only undertook a part of it—even that part caused great cash pressure on Linghe.

But because the project *Chinese Paladin* was almost certain to make a profit—it was too favored by the market. Therefore, Lu Yan He and the others gritted their teeth and decided to participate in the investment, otherwise it would be a pity.

However, in this way, the revenue that Linghe had previously obtained through the copyright operation of Lu Yan He was basically tied up by these projects.

Therefore, if Lu Yan He did not change his business philosophy for Linghe, in the next few years, Linghe was destined to be unable to do big projects. What *Titanic*, *Avatar*, *Indiana Jones* series, and *Harry Potter* series, not to mention that they were all foreign movies, and the practical difficulty was greater. Even if they could do it, he didn't know how to do it, and doing it required a lot of funds.

Lu Yan He felt that it was good to do small and medium-cost projects like *Home Alone* first.

If Linghe's cash flow was tight, it didn't matter if he sole-invested in the production of the movie himself, he could afford it.

However, Lu Yan He's refusal to accept capital injection was indeed quite annoying to some capital parties.

Seeing that the company's future development trend was so good and very profitable, but they couldn't get in to share a piece of the pie, it was also quite uncomfortable.

Film and television projects can accept investment, but the company does not accept capital injection.

This was determined by Lu Yan He long ago.

Xu Tianming and Chen Yin implemented this very well.

Especially Chen Yin, the company's film and television project production was managed by Chen Yin.

He had a particularly cautious personality.

Sometimes, he would rather cause some "loss" because of "caution" than lose a "huge sum" because of "rashness".

Chen Yin said very seriously to Lu Yan He and Chen Ziyan.

Originally, the company's operation in the first half of the year was very good.

Basically, the company's operating cost was Lu Yan He's past film and television copyrights, but when these copyrights were transferred to the company, they were basically transferred at no cost, so they could be said to be "cost-free" using these hens to lay eggs, earning a lot.

However, the company's next few projects:

1. *Co-renting Men and Women* had a total production budget of 12 million yuan, and a risk reserve of about 5 million yuan needed to be reserved for it, which required 17 million yuan.

2. *Chinese Paladin*, they hoped to undertake at least 30% of the investment share, which meant they had to take out at least 80 million yuan.

3. *Lost in Thailand*, Jia Long left 15% of the investment share for Linghe and Lu Yan He personally, and Linghe had to be responsible for another sum.

4. *Love Letter* movie release, 12 million promotion fee has been paid to *Jump Up*, and additional investment will be made in promotion later.

In addition to these four projects that need to be paid in the next one or two months, the second season of *Friends* at the end of the year is also a major investment. There is also the experimental type movie *Oh My Sea* by director Wu Chi they signed, although it is only planned to be a small-cost movie of seven figures, it is also a huge expense.

Chen Yin emphasized: "In the second half of the year, our company's cash flow will be very tight. If we don't prepare in advance, once some unexpected situations occur, we may face a situation where the capital chain breaks. However, if the box office of *Love Letter* explodes, relying on the box office return of *Love Letter*, these problems can be solved."

But of course they cannot place all their hopes on the box office of *Love Letter* exploding.

There are several backup solutions: one is to borrow from the bank, two is to raise funds from outside, and three is to give up the investment share of some projects.

The final backup solution chosen was that if the box office return of *Love Letter* did not reach the amount required by the company, then Lu Yan He himself would take out a sum of money to make up the difference, and be responsible for part of the cash flow in the name of personal investment to ease the company's capital pressure.

Lu Yan He has indeed made a lot of money in the past few years. However, compared to many people outside who think he makes money as a star artist, in fact, what helped him earn the most was the copyright income, from authorization to sharing. In the past, these film and television projects have brought him high income one after another.

Especially the first season of *Friends*, which still brings him a seven-figure dividend every year.

Of course, this also has to do with the fact that this drama is not only still popular in China, but also very popular on overseas streaming media.

According to the agreement he signed with Jingtai at the time, he can always enjoy the dividend of this drama.

Only after doing this line of work do you know that if you have a successful work, basically relying on the dividend of this work, you can be worry-free for the rest of your life.

Lu Yan He himself has made a lot of money, but he is not the kind of person who likes to toss around.

Compared with many people who toss around after making money, Lu Yan He's money is basically managed in a conservative way.

The only risk investment is his own various film and television projects, as well as the film and television projects of some friends.

With *Jump Up*, Linghe, Shi Huo, and his own income as a star artist, Lu Yan He now invests in film and television projects. Basically, as long as he likes them and will not cause large losses, he will invest a sum, which is considered support.

Under normal circumstances, investing in dramas can make a small profit, but investing in movie projects, half of them are losses.

The movie market is indeed not good, and the risk is too great.

It is about to enter the summer file.

However, the current movie market shows no signs of warming up at all.

Of the more than ten movies currently being screened, none of the daily box office has exceeded 10 million, which is extremely bleak.

And probably to cooperate with the release of Director Liu Bige's new film *Even Death Won't Do*, Long Yan decided to re-screen *Late Spring* starting from Friday, June 28.

Mrs. Huang wanted to hold a special screening activity for *Late Spring*, and hold a dialogue activity after the activity.

She wanted to invite Lu Yan He to participate in this dialogue activity, discuss *Late Spring* with Liu Bige and others, and discuss Liu Bige's style.

Lu Yan He was very shocked when he learned about it.

He called Liu Bige for the first time and asked: "Are you serious? The style of *Even Death Won't Do* is completely different from *Late Spring*. Will discussing *Late Spring* at this time have a counter-effect?"

Long Yan wants to do the re-screening and dialogue activity of *Late Spring* to warm up. After all, *Late Spring* achieved a box office of more than 500 million at the time, and the market foundation is very large. The media and audience word-of-mouth at the time of release were also very good.

Therefore, let everyone know that the new work of *Late Spring* director Liu Bige is about to be released, remember to support *Even Death Won't Do*.

Under normal circumstances, this is of course a wonderful move.

It is conventional wisdom that movies are the art of the director.

The previous work was so good, this work is definitely worth watching. This is an subconscious idea of everyone. Letting someone who has never paid for it pay for it, and letting someone who has already paid for it pay for it, the latter's work is always easier.

However, *Even Death Won't Do* is not a work under normal circumstances.

This movie is good-looking, relaxed, and interesting, but it is definitely not the "Liu Bige" style that everyone knows, nor is it a movie like *Late Spring*.

Wouldn't such a connection make the audience who went to see *Even Death Won't Do* because of *Late Spring* feel deceived?

Liu Bige didn't expect Lu Yan He to say this.

He didn't seem to have thought about this problem before.

Lu Yan He: "Of course, it is also possible that I think too much. I like the movie *Even Death Won't Do*, and I think its market performance will not be bad. But if you let many people watch it with the idea of watching a movie like *Late Spring*, they may not think it is good, and the word-of-mouth of the movie may be affected."

Liu Bige said: "I will go and talk to the people on the company's side. Maybe you are right."

"Of course, if Long Yan doesn't intend to guide everyone to think that *Even Death Won't Do* is the second *Late Spring*, but can clearly tell everyone the selling point and style of *Even Death Won't Do*, it is also fine," Lu Yan He said. "I just feel that according to Long Yan's current arrangement and design for the re-screening of *Late Spring*, there is a feeling of wanting to induce everyone to lean *Even Death Won't Do* towards *Late Spring*."

Liu Bige: "At that time, the box office performance of *Late Spring* was good, and it also relied on the activity of *Confession on the Rooftop* you did. This time *Even Death Won't Do*, we also wanted to find Siqi and the others to do promotion, but she said their entire team was doing the promotion of *Love Letter* and couldn't spare their hands to do *Even Death Won't Do*, which is a pity."

Lu Yan He: "Really? Siqi didn't tell me. However, they probably really can't spare their hands. They made a promotion plan for *Love Letter* that shocked me."

Liu Bige was curious when he heard this, "Don't, don't tell me, I'm afraid I can't help but want to plagiarize."

Lu Yan He laughed, "The idea of their plan is not so easy to plagiarize. It is a big team battle, a few people can't handle it, you will know when the time comes. However, *Even Death Won't Do* has you as the director, Li Zhibai as the lead, and Long Yan, a traditional old-brand film company, as the distributor. As long as you do it normally, the market performance cannot be bad. At that time, *Late Spring* had no choice. Long Yan only regarded it as an art film, and even if it won an award, it thought the box office potential was not great, so Siqi tried to do creative promotion. This time *Even Death Won't Do* is a key project of Long Yan, and their own strength is not bad, even if Siqi and the others don't do promotion, it won't affect it."

Liu Bige: "Borrow your good words, sigh, I am really a little nervous now, the feedback of *Even Death Won't Do* at the Hexi Film Festival is a bit polarized, making me not sleep well for a long time."

"That's because everyone has high expectations for you. After all, your debut work is *Late Spring*," Lu Yan He said. "Since you already positioned this movie as commercial-oriented when you made *Even Death Won't Do*, it is definitely inevitable to face such problems."

Liu Bige: "Okay, by the way, *Even Death Won't Do* will be screened in advance next month, are you free to come?"

"Definitely coming, you send the invitation in advance and tell me the date," Lu Yan He said. "I won't be in the crew next month, the time will be coordinated."

"Okay." Liu Bige smiled.

"After you finish the release of *Even Death Won't Do*, you should start *Dragon Gate Inn*, right?"

"Right," Liu Bige said. "Finally going to start doing it. In fact, a lot of preparations have been made in the early stage, location scouting, storyboards, actors... two versions of the shooting plan have been made. But I don't have the heart to think about *Dragon Gate Inn* now. My energy is all on *Even Death Won't Do*."

"Hmm, if there is anything I need to do, contact me at any time," Lu Yan He said.

"Hmm." Liu Bige nodded, "When I return to Yuming, I will invite you and Siqi to dinner, I still have to thank her in person."

"Ah? Thank you?"

"She didn't take the order for *Even Death Won't Do*, but turned around and made an appointment with me for a 'Director's Notes' column manuscript, saying it would be published in the July issue of *Jump Up*," Liu Bige laughed, "This is also a disguised promotion for me, I know."

In terms of human relations, Lu Yan He felt that the people around him were much better than him.

The sales of one issue of *Jump Up* magazine, including the electronic version, are about 350,000.

Not to mention, the content of each issue of *Jump Up* will be promoted and re-released in various ways according to the needs of different sub-channels and its own self-media.

This is not the kind of hard-advertising promotion, but an "implantation" that is softer than soft articles.

A movie, 20 million box office, only needs 500,000 ticket purchases.

*Jump Up* gave Liu Bige this "Director's Notes" column, urgently inserted into the July issue, what is the value, those who know the industry know it.

If the movie market in the past was that the market itself was not big, and the films during the screening period were competitors to each other. The biggest problem in the movie market now is that the audience is unwilling to walk into the cinema to watch movies.

This is an era where the three words "topic" have become unprecedentedly important.

Fewer people are discussing movies now.

Chen Siqi's approach gave Lu Yan He an inspiration.

Investing and supporting young filmmakers is certainly important. Gathering the power of filmmakers, gathering sand into a tower, and arousing the audience's attention and discussion on movies is equally important.

The audience dislikes the movie for being ugly, and feels that it is not even as interesting as many web dramas now. The movie side is also aggrieved because of large investment and high risk, dare not play creative cards, and is timid.

Can everything be spread out and put on the table to talk?

An idea suddenly popped into Lu Yan He's mind.

It is not an idea brought by his "golden finger" as a traverser, but an idea that suddenly popped up after his own thinking and confusion about this industry over the years—

Everyone is talking about doing dialogues, director dialogues, actor dialogues, etc.

These are dialogues within the industry, what about dialogues between filmmakers and audiences?

Throw those sharp questions and doubts of the audience in front of the filmmakers, OK, how do you want to respond?

Lu Yan He sent this idea to Chen Siqi for the first time.

Chen Siqi: Do you want to use this method to promote *Love Letter*?

Lu Yan He: No, *Love Letter* and *Even Death Won't Do* don't need it. These are movies that are favored by the market before release, so they don't need this trick. But for those movies whose early promotion volume can't be done, can this provocative questioning and answering be used to get attention? Since in this Internet era, it seems that only topic opposition can trigger large-scale discussion, then use it on movies that are not favored by the market and the audience, but have a certain watchability after our judgment?

Chen Siqi: I understand, this is interesting, I will let them ponder it, and try it on suitable projects in the future.

Lu Yan He: Good.

He originally wanted to ask, since you made an appointment with Liu Bige for the July issue of Director's Notes, why didn't you make an appointment with me for the August issue of Director's Notes?

The Qixi Festival file is in August.

*Love Letter* is released in the Qixi Festival file.

Hesitating for two seconds, Lu Yan He still didn't ask.

He felt it was unnecessary to ask.

Chen Siqi would definitely not miss him in this regard.

Chen Siqi must have her own arrangements.

"August issue can't let Yan He do Director's Notes." After Chen Siqi replied to Lu Yan He's message, she looked up. She was in a meeting, communicating with Linyu and the others about the content of the August issue, "Yan He is the editor-in-chief of *Jump Up*, it's just that his name is no longer on the magazine cover later, but his name is still in the editor-in-chief column on the copyright page of every issue. It is easy to be criticized for suspicion of selling melons, I want to let Zhang Ruozhi write the story of her starring in *Love Letter* in the tone of a high school student."

Linyu, Bai Yu, and Zhou Mukai looked at each other.

"This is also okay," Linyu nodded, "But how is Zhang Ruozhi's writing ability? Can she write?"

"Her college entrance examination score is above 650, and she is a liberal arts student, so there is no problem," Chen Siqi said, "This is also more helpful to *Jump Up*. Everyone knows the relationship between *Jump Up* and Yan He, but for a female lead of a movie, a female lead who has never been known and appeared out of nowhere, everyone is more curious and feels fresher. This column of *Jump Up* is exclusive, and can attract people who have a good impression and interest in her after watching the movie to buy this issue of the magazine."

Linyu nodded.

Bai Yu said: "However, according to our reader survey, many readers are actually reflecting that they haven't seen Yan He's column for a long time, and many readers are calling for Yan He to continue writing columns."

Chen Siqi thought for a while and said: "Column is a matter of column. Linyu, go and make an appointment with Yan He, see if he has time, if there is anything he wants to write. Yan He has indeed not written a column for a long time."

Linyu nodded.

After the magazine meeting, Linyu and the others went out, and another group of people came in immediately to hold a meeting for the program *How Are You? I'm Fine*.

Xin Zixing also came.

"Sister Zixing!" Chen Siqi stood up happily, went to hug Xin Zixing, and greeted her affectionately, "How was your rest before?"

"After *Birth of an Actor* was finished, I was not good at all, went on a vacation, and felt much more comfortable. You should also find an opportunity to let yourself go on vacation, don't be busy all the time, people are not machines," Xin Zixing said, "I brought you a box of coffee beans, which I brought back from Brazil myself."

Chen Siqi: "Thank you, Sister Zixing, it's great to have you."

She hung on Xin Zixing like a sloth, not restrained because there were many of her subordinates beside her.

Xin Zixing patted her.

"Are you free tonight? It's already four o'clock in the afternoon," Xin Zixing asked.

Chen Siqi pouted and said: "Sorry, I have an appointment to have dinner with people from the government tonight. There are many things about the film festival that need their support and coordination."

Xin Zixing nodded: "Okay, it's fine, let's make an appointment later."

"Can you accompany me?" Chen Siqi asked instead.

"Ah?" Xin Zixing was stunned.

"I was quite embarrassed to ask, but since you have no other arrangements tonight, accompany me," Chen Siqi said, "With you here, I feel relaxed and at ease."

Xin Zixing was helpless, "Okay."

At this time, Yan Liang was also cooperating with *Flowing Light* to do an interview before the drama aired.

"Do you have any plans to shoot movies next?" the host asked, "Your good friends Li Zhibai and Lu Yan He both have movies to be released this summer."

Yan Liang said: "There are plans, there have always been plans, but I haven't received many good movie scripts, so I didn't want to make movies just for the sake of making movies before."

The host nodded and smiled: "The character you played in *Flowing Light* this time is a god of war. It is said that he is also a god of war with many battle-damaged scenes, and the sense of fragmentation is very full, which is different from the characters you played before. Why did you choose to appear in this script?"

"Actually, I hesitated for a long time when I received the script. Mainly because it is an ancient idol drama. I have self-knowledge about myself. My image may not be the style suitable for ancient idol dramas like Zhibai and Yan He."

Yan Liang said very sincerely, and the host immediately said: "No, you are so handsome, how can you not be suitable!"

Yan Liang waved his hand and smiled.

"Later, I also considered it seriously because I felt that this character is different from the general ancient idol characters. It is not the kind of fairy-like or gentleman-like style, as if I can act, so I considered it seriously."

Host: "Regarding your acting in *Flowing Light*, do Li Zhibai and Lu Yan He have any special reactions?"

"I didn't dare to act at the time, felt I couldn't act well. They helped me look at the script, and then gave me an analysis, and I decided to try it," Yan Liang said, "We will ask each other's opinions on what dramas we take. If we are not sure, we will ask each other. If I really want to act in any drama, they will not have any special reactions, they will definitely support it."

Host: "What an enviable friendship. I think your friendship is enviable in the entire entertainment industry."

"After all, it's a relationship that has been known since fifteen or sixteen years old," Yan Liang said with a smile.

"However, can I ask? Cheng Hai is also a relationship that debuted with you in the competition. Why does it seem that his relationship with you is not so close?" the host asked, "If you think this question is inappropriate, you don't have to answer."

Yan Liang shook his head, "There is nothing inappropriate. In fact, we are also very good with Cheng Hai. As for why the three of us, me, Zhibai, and Yan He, are closer, the reason is also very simple. At that time, we were six people in the group, and the company divided the dormitory. Cheng Hai lived in another dormitory. I lived in a house with Yan He and Zhibai. But to say that we are alienated from Cheng Hai and not familiar with him, that is fake. In fact, our work is getting busier and busier. Unlike when we were young, in a group, we often have to practice dancing and singing together, and spend more time together. Although we don't see Cheng Hai so often now, as long as we have anything, as long as we say hello, there will definitely be a response."

He said these words very sincerely.

He did not deny that the relationship between the three of them was closer, but also frankly faced the friendship with Cheng Hai.

What can be said, all said.

What cannot be said, such as Zhou Ping'an's obstruction, will never be said in front of the camera for a lifetime.

"Then Ma Zhiyuan who was in the same company as you before—"

"I don't want to answer questions related to him, next question." Yan Liang interrupted without hesitation. The difference in attitude before and after was too significant, and the host was stunned for several seconds.

This interview of Yan Liang was naturally pushed by several forces and became a presence on the hot search list.

What he said also triggered a lot of attention and discussion.

From the god of war character of *Flowing Light*, to the friendship of the three of them, to Yan Liang's speech about Cheng Hai, and the attitude towards Ma Zhiyuan.

The amount of information is very large.

After Cheng Hai finished a notice, he got into the car to catch the next notice and was reminded by his assistant.

He took his mobile phone, finished watching the complete video of Yan Liang's interview, and smiled slightly.

Pretty good.

Cheng Hai sent a message to Yan Liang: Thanks.

Followed by a smiley face.

No way to say "thank you" directly in Chinese, can only use English, use a non-native language, and say it in a relaxed way.

Too solemn, it will be too embarrassing.

After a while, Yan Liang replied: What are you doing?

Cheng Hai: Just finished shooting a magazine, now going to do a commercial performance.

Yan Liang: Commercial performance? Why did you take so many commercial performances now? I saw on the Internet yesterday that you have fans complaining that you are frantically running around.

Cheng Hai: I don't want to either, but Zhou Ping'an said not to make money while the heat is high now. If the heat goes down later, you won't be able to make money if you want to.

Yan Liang: Why doesn't he take dramas for you?

Cheng Hai: Also take, just in the gap of filming, all the gaps, he filled me with all kinds of work.

Yan Liang: Then you haven't rested at all?

Cheng Hai: No, but fortunately, I am willing to be busy now. For a long time before, there was almost no work, and I was afraid of being idle.

Yan Liang also experienced such a stage, he understood Cheng Hai's feelings.

He said: Then pay attention to your health, you can work hard, don't work too hard, Zhou Ping'an won't care about your health.

Cheng Hai: No, he is very concerned. He is very afraid that I will be exhausted and unable to work. Every day, the assistant stewed nutritious soup for me to drink. I want to vomit when I smell ginseng and chicken soup now.

Yan Liang: This person.

Cheng Hai: What are you busy with now?

Yan Liang: Busy with action training, besides that, it is the promotion of *Flowing Light*. The next two dramas have fighting scenes.

Cheng Hai: Okay, looking forward to it.

Lu Yan He didn't expect that one day he could see such a comment in his comment section—

Lu Yan He and Li Zhibai are really scheming bitches. They act in movies themselves, but persuade Yan Liang to act in ancient idol dramas. Is this for fear that he will threaten them?

Lu Yan He was stupid.

Who could have thought of this.

He took a screenshot and sent it to the three-person group: Today's joy.

Li Zhibai: Hahahaha, @Yan Liang, look at the good things you did.

Yan Liang: I am really convinced.

Lu Yan He: You run the promotion well, let the results of *Flowing Light* be better, otherwise, the two of us will become the culprits.

Yan Liang: It's okay, if I flop, I will hug your thighs every day and let you two take me to act.

Lu Yan He: I thank God if you don't quit *Friends*.

Yan Liang: How is the script for the second season of *Friends* written?

Lu Yan He: Half written, this is still relatively handy, writing comfortably.

Yan Liang: I really want to know what story will happen this season.

Lu Yan He: Wait until it's almost written, I'll send it to you.

Yan Liang: Hmm.

Lu Yan He: However, I am afraid that when you shoot *Dragon Gate Inn*, the time will conflict with the shooting of *Friends*.

At the end of August, *Chinese Paladin* will start filming. This drama will be filmed for several months. Of course, the scenes where the three of them are present at the same time will be filmed first. After Lu Yan He's scenes are concentrated, Yan Liang's scenes will be filmed, and finally Li Zhibai, the big lead, and others will be filmed, just to coordinate the time.

Yan Liang: Should be able to coordinate well. In *Dragon Gate Inn*, I don't have many scenes, they will film other people's scenes first.

Lu Yan He: Hmm, if it really doesn't work, push the shooting time of the second season of *Friends* later this year.

Li Zhibai: It's okay, if Yan Liang can't shoot the second season of *Friends*, you write the episodes he can't come to for

Lu Yan He: I am planning to have you guest star in one episode this season.

Li Zhibai: That works, I'm looking forward to it.