Chapter 790: The Notebook

Chen Siqi didn't know what was wrong with Lu Yanhe.

It seemed he hadn't been this clingy before.

Of course, she was very happy.

She had always felt that there was a wall in Lu Yanhe's heart, blocking everyone out, making them all believe that was the limit of his inner world.

Only Chen Siqi herself knew that wasn't the case.

It had been slightly better in recent years, but only slightly.

However, this time, upon Lu Yanhe's return, something seemed different.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm good, very good." Lu Yanhe smiled languidly.

Chen Siqi nodded: "I know you're good. It's strange, I don't even know why I asked you that."

Lu Yanhe laughed.

"Are you going to the company today?"

"Not today." Chen Siqi shook her head, "Work is all arranged; I can rest for these two days."

Lu Yanhe asked: "Then how about we find a place in the mountains and cut ourselves off from the world?"

Chen Siqi: "Sure."

Lu Yanhe immediately messaged Wang Biao, asking if he had any recommendations.

Wang Biao's information and resources in this area were enough for him to open a high-end service company himself.

Sure enough, not long after, Wang Biao sent him three options.

Lu Yanhe picked one and booked it.

Lu Yanhe had finally returned, but those who wanted to contact him found that he was still unreachable.

Not just him; even Chen Siqi couldn't be reached.

At twenty-six, three Oscar individual nominations, two Oscar trophies.

To become famous early—this was more than just early.

The Film Association wanted to hold a seminar on his works, but couldn't find him.

Long Yan wanted to discuss the performance agreement for *Burning Fire 3* with him as soon as possible, but couldn't find him.

Chen Yin wanted to communicate with him about Linghe's work arrangements for the year, but couldn't find him.

All sorts of collaborations wanted to find him, and—

couldn't find him.

"He didn't even bring his phone; he's completely unreachable." Chen Ziyan said helplessly to the person on the other end of the line, "Mr. Zhang, it's really not an excuse. Ask around outside; if there is anyone who can reach him, I'll treat you to a meal immediately to apologize."

"I'm telling the truth, even I can't reach him." Chen Ziyan sighed with a smile, "If I could reach him, I would definitely tell him."

After a few more exchanges, the other party hung up.

Chen Ziyan put down her phone.

Just then, Lu Qingzhen knocked and entered, seeing Chen Ziyan's

actions and expression through the glass door.

She smiled until her eyes curved and said: "Another one looking for Lu Yanhe?"

"Yeah." Chen Ziyan shook her head speechlessly, "Every time it's like this, sigh."

Lu Qingzhen: "Which mountain is Yan He on now?"

"Something called Big Girl Mountain, I think?" Chen Ziyan said, "I don't know where it is, but according to him, it's a place cut off from the world."

Lu Qingzhen: "Such a good place, I'll ask him later; I'll go for a vacation too."

"I really do need a good vacation." Chen Ziyan nodded, "These past two years have been too tiring, too hard. I feel like I wasn't this mentally exhausted when I first started working."

Lu Qingzhen: "How could you be mentally exhausted when you first started? That was physical exhaustion, using your body to fight for a career."

Chen Ziyan: "My body isn't what it used to be."

Lu Qingzhen smiled slightly, "In your prime, why talk about not being what you used to be? We are about to achieve our original goals."

Chen Ziyan said: "Really? Are we about to achieve them? Why do I feel that the closer we get, the further away it seems? Sigh, I increasingly feel that something like accumulation really can't be rushed. Compared to those behemoths, our Shi Huo is too young. And honestly, if it weren't for encountering Yan He, a genius seen once in a century, how would we shorten the gap? We wouldn't even have the bargaining power."

"Why think about that? What do you mean 'if it weren't for encountering Yan He'? We *have* encountered him now, so why think about the 'what ifs'? Doesn't this show that fate wants us to succeed?" Lu Qingzhen said, "Maybe things that would take thirty or fifty years to achieve, we can achieve now. Isn't that great? Do you really want to wait until you're white-haired to lament your bad luck? In my opinion, encountering this current juncture when I am at my most motivated and capable of hard work is the best thing."

"You are becoming more and more high-spirited, while I am becoming less and less willing to struggle."

"You've already reached a certain height and want to stop to rest your feet and look at the scenery." Lu Qingzhen smiled, "But we can't. We can't stop halfway up the mountain. Yan He is still climbing, and as you said yourself, we can't drag him down; we must ensure he has sufficient support behind him."

Chen Ziyan: "Damn it, support my ass! He goes off to vacation in isolation and dumps the mess on me! No way, after he comes back, I'm going on vacation too."

Lu Qingzhen: "…So that's the crux of the matter."

Chen Ziyan: "What? Is it not allowed?"

"Is there anything you can't do with me?" Lu Qingzhen said with a smile, "How about we take a break this weekend and go shopping in France?"

"Too tired."

"Don't worry, I've arranged everything for you, you just

need to show up."

"That works."

Lu Qingzhen rolled her eyes with a smile.

After the New Year, Yan Liang joined the crew to film *Speed of Life and Death*.

This film wasn't shot locally in the United States, but in Germany—to take advantage of Germany's tax rebate policy.

Knowing Yan Liang was coming to Germany to film, Hua Ruzhen specifically helped him find accommodation—it wasn't that Parameter hadn't arranged a hotel, but Hua Ruzhen insisted on helping Yan Liang find a more comfortable place, especially for when he had no filming and could rest.

Not only that, upon learning that Parameter hadn't arranged a separate vehicle for Yan Liang, Hua Ruzhen specifically arranged a car and a driver to serve him at any time.

Yan Liang was shocked.

It wasn't that he couldn't get such service on other sets, but that Hua Ruzhen doing all this was completely unnecessary for her.

Hua Ruzhen said: "I look at you all as my younger brothers. If you were filming elsewhere, fine, but since you're in Germany, if I don't arrange everything for you, I might as well not be in contact with you, and you'd have called me 'sister' for nothing."

Yan Liang could only smile, not knowing how to respond.

Hua Ruzhen added: "Don't feel pressured. Every time Yan He organizes a party while filming in the US, I'm the one who helps him manage it. Arranging these things is normal work for me; it's no trouble at all."

"Thank you, Sister Ruzhen."

"That's right." Hua Ruzhen said, "From now on, whatever I arrange, just say thank you and accept it. Don't be polite, you hear me?"

Yan Liang nodded with a smile.

"I estimate your daily filming schedule for *Speed of Life and Death* will be very heavy, so don't skimp on logistics." Hua Ruzhen said, "Actors especially need to protect their state; this isn't something you can just grit your teeth and push through."

"Okay."

Later that evening, Yan Liang told them about this in the group chat.

Li Zhibai said: She took great care of me when I was filming in the US.

Yan Liang: By the way, she told me that Mu Ken wants to find you for a role in his next film. He'll probably come to China to see you next month. Did you know?

Li Zhibai: I know, Yan He told me. Sigh, can't help it, I'm just that excellent, loved by everyone, every director wants to work with me.

Yan Liang: …

Li Zhibai: Tsk, how can a person be this excellent?

Yan Liang: Get lost.

Li Zhibai put down his phone with a smile.

"What are you laughing at?" Jiang Yuqian asked.

Li Zhibai said: "Teased Yan Liang a bit."

Jiang Yuqian glared

at him and said: "Can you be serious? It's always teasing this or teasing that."

Li Zhibai: "If I don't tease, how boring."

Jiang Yuqian: "The role of Wang Xiaojian is really meant for you; I wasn't wrong."

Li Zhibai: "This character is interesting, unlike anything I've played before."

Jiang Yuqian: "Does it allow you to let loose completely?"

Li Zhibai: "I'm afraid if I let loose, you'll break up with me."

Jiang Yuqian couldn't help but smile, saying: "My tolerance is greater than you think."

Li Zhibai: "The extent of my madness is beyond your imagination."

Jiang Yuqian: "Then let's try."

Li Zhibai: "Sigh, do you really want me to play it?"

Jiang Yuqian said: "Shall we play a couple for once?"

Li Zhibai gasped.

"Play, we must play."

In March, the Italian films *Crocodile* and *Housewife*, produced by Linghe, were released in China one after another.

One grossed 13 million RMB, the other 25 million.

Both films basically recouped their acquisition costs through box office receipts.

Chen Yin now steadily acquired the distribution rights for seven or eight foreign films in China, not expecting blockbuster box office returns, but using these films to open up domestic distribution channels while keeping their hard-earned promotional channels active.

For these two films, Linghe specifically invited the main creative teams and then invited domestic filmmakers to hold dialogue and exchange activities with them.

These activities were basically held on university campuses or in theaters.

Tickets were required for entry.

Of course, there were also online livestreams.

This was a film culture international exchange project specially approved by the higher authorities; otherwise, livestreams would generally not be allowed.

However, as film was now an important medium for international cultural exchange for China, combined with Linghe's background, they secured this qualification.

For films like *Crocodile* and *Housewife*, Linghe didn't pursue screen share at all, nor did they do large-scale promotion. No popular variety shows, no splash screen ads—none of that. Even outdoor advertising was minimal.

Linghe used almost all their promotional budget on media platforms where literary youth gathered, such as *Jump Up* and Ye Mai Net, and invited book bloggers, film bloggers, and literary bloggers with large followings on various platforms to watch the films and interact with the creators.

With this promotional model, they achieved the most cost-effective results with the smallest budget.

Although in the eyes of other film companies, these two films

were flops, even if profitable, the margins were so thin.

Chen Yin didn't care what they said, nor did he care if such numbers looked bad on the financial report.

Not at all.

Lu Yanhe didn't care; the company wasn't public, didn't accept outside investment, and there were no random board members pointing fingers.

Chen Yin felt that this work was incredibly fulfilling and valuable.

Including many people in the company, everyone worked on these tasks with great enthusiasm.

As the saying goes, in a big project, everyone can just follow along for a sip of soup, but with a bunch of small projects, everyone can see the hope of being in charge of their own affairs.

The carrot hanging in front of the mule wasn't without meaning.

By the end of March, Lu Yanhe finally reappeared in front of everyone.

This time, it was for the Honghe Awards ceremony.

Lu Yanhe served as a presenter for the Best Actress award.

Having disappeared for nearly a month, his appearance caused quite a stir.

After entering the venue, almost everyone came to greet him.

Including Li Yuefeng, who was nominated for Best Actor this year.

Li Yuefeng's career had developed very well in recent years; he had popularity, buzz, and awards, including nominations.

Back when Lu Yanhe first met Li Yuefeng, he was an actor who had some popularity but hadn't yet found his footing. Now, he was firmly established as a first-tier actor in China, with achievements in all aspects no worse than other first-tier stars.

Last year, he took on a serious drama that aired on CCTV with high ratings; thanks to this drama, Li Yuefeng received this year's nomination.

Just didn't know if he would win the award this year.

Li Yuefeng said: "Really didn't expect you to come today."

Lu Yanhe: "I went to rest for a while, but I had already promised the Honghe Awards, so I couldn't not come."

Li Yuefeng: "I find that the ancients never deceived me."

"What the hell? How did the ancients deceive you again?"

"Ever since I met you, not only have I started acting in films, my acting skills have improved, the scripts and roles I play have become richer, and my taste has also improved. After watching *Crocodile*, I even specifically sent a review to my acting coach." Li Yuefeng said, "If it weren't for that, maybe I'd still be thinking every day about how to look handsome, gain fans, and maintain high buzz. The ancients never deceived me, 'He who stays near vermilion gets stained red'."

"Oh my god, can you not do this? I really have goosebumps." Lu Yanhe laughed and scolded.

Li Yuefeng: "I'm telling you the truth. You getting goosebumps means you've lost the ability to feel sincerity."

Lu Yanhe: "

…I can't take it."

"Sigh, I really have played several roles in these past few years that I never would have encountered otherwise." He said, "Fame and such, I don't care that much about now. I increasingly want to play a role that I can really sink my teeth into. If you asked me to just look handsome and show off my muscles again, tsk, boring."

Lu Yanhe: "…Don't tell me, tell someone else."

"What would I tell others?" Li Yuefeng shook his head, "Tell others, they wouldn't understand a damn thing."

Lu Yanhe: "I haven't even watched the TV series you acted in this time."

"You have to watch it. I've never played a lawyer so seriously before." Li Yuefeng said, "Oh my god, I even went to a law firm to experience it for two weeks. Didn't expect that, right? I didn't even expect it myself."

"Then I'll definitely watch your show later."

"Just watch my cuts, don't watch the others." Li Yuefeng immediately said, "There are quite a few skilled actors in this show. If you watch others, don't go giving my role to someone else; I don't want to create competition for myself."

"Cut it out, you and your competition; now everyone else is competing with you."

"Cut it out yourself. Every time you ask me to act, I move mountains to clear my schedule. I have to act. Other film companies compete with me, fine, but do you need to compete with me?" Li Yuefeng said, "You're like an emperor in ancient times flipping a sign; whoever's sign you flip, they obediently come to serve."

"Shut up, you're getting more and more outrageous." Lu Yanhe was speechless.

Li Yuefeng laughed.

However, it was a pity that the Best Actor award at the Honghe Awards this year didn't go to Li Yuefeng.

The Best Actor award went to He Man, the lead actor of *White Doctor*, directed by Luo Yuzhong.

A solid actor who had been acting for over twenty years, winning an award for the first time.

He Man wept with excitement on stage.

And the Best Actress award was won again by Wan Xin, who had won Best Actress a few years ago.

A second win.

There were no stories of young actors rising to the top this year; the winners were all solid actors in their 40s and 50s.

After the awards ceremony, Lu Yanhe and Li Yuefeng ran into each other backstage.

He asked Li Yuefeng: "Not feeling too bad, are you?"

"Not bad at all. I knew there was a high probability I wouldn't win." Li Yuefeng said, "Just being nominated is good enough; I'm very satisfied."

Lu Yanhe smiled.

"Waiting for you to win next time."

Li Yuefeng winked at Lu Yanhe.

"Then write me a script, and I'll win."

Lu Yanhe: "…"

Lu Yanhe said: "Let's see the performance of *Corpse Appearance* and *My Sassy Girl*."

Li Yuefeng: "I'm the lead, do you still need to worry about the performance? Definitely box office hits, profitable!"

*Corpse Appearance* had indeed started its promotional warm-up.

This crime thriller film would be released during the Qingming Festival.

This was a low-budget film produced by Linghe, with a production budget of 12 million, and Linghe spent another 10 million on promotion, for a total cost of 22 million.

According to the standard calculation formula, this film needed to gross 66 million at the box office to be profitable.

However, Linghe's films didn't rely solely on the box office to recoup costs.

Television broadcast rights, from CCTV to Yuehu TV, the first three rounds of broadcast rights had already been sold, totaling 6 million RMB.

Overseas distribution rights had already been sold in six markets: the United States, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore. Although not a buyout, the guaranteed price was relatively low, totaling 3.5 million USD in revenue—just this alone was nearly 25 million RMB. The overseas distribution guarantees alone had already recouped the cost and started generating profit.

"So, in business, you have to expand the market; you can't rely on just one tree for fruit."

How invested was Li Yuefeng in this film? Not only was his cooperation with Linghe's arranged promotional schedule extremely high.

He also used a large amount of his own connections and resources, including two fashion magazine shoots, which were specifically done around the theme of *Corpse Appearance*.

The pre-sale box office numbers for *Corpse Appearance* were very impressive; before April even arrived, pre-sales had already exceeded 10 million.

The distributor for *Corpse Appearance* in North America wasn't Green Valley, but D19.

Because D19 was top-tier in the industry for horror and thriller films, Xu Tianming believed that handing *Corpse Appearance* to D19 would be more secure.

D19 was also very effective. After missing out on *Buried*, they specifically hired top voice actors to dub *Corpse Appearance* and arranged a promotional event at a comic convention.

In North America, comic conventions were a promotional window with huge exposure.

Li Yuefeng and the others didn't have much fame in North America.

However, D19 was also very good at creating buzz, describing him as "an actor of the same level as Lu Yanhe, Li Zhibai, and Yan Liang in China," and describing *Corpse Appearance* as "another Chinese-style thriller film after *Buried*."

And for this type of film, whether the actors were famous or not wasn't that important.

After all, many horror film enthusiasts had heard of *Mermaid in a Manhole*; how many people watched it because of a certain actor?

The biggest feature of Hollywood film promotion lies right here. They know very clearly which actors truly have box office appeal,

so they highlight them in promotion, while the promotion participated in by other actors is all to highlight a certain feature or quality of the film, not the actors themselves.

This was also something Lu Yanhe now required Linghe to pay attention to when doing film and television promotion.

Absolutely, absolutely must not make stars the end point of promotion; stars are always the medium of promotion, not the promotional content itself.

The majority of people who watch a film are the silent majority who don't care about stars.

The general audience is the key.

Because the release time was basically the same, *Corpse Appearance*, this small-to-medium budget film, also started a global promotional model.

Doing this actually had one benefit: it could save promotional costs.

Distributors in each market could borrow promotional elements from other markets, saving a lot of manpower, material resources, and money.

After finishing the promotion in the US, Li Yuefeng didn't return to China, but went directly to Japan.

Japan was also a major market for thriller film box office.

In Japan, *Jump Up* helped him arrange a cover shoot for a very famous horror and thriller magazine.

Besides that, Li Yuefeng also appeared at a comic convention in Japan, in the image of the film character, signing film posters—

He still had fame and fans in Japan.

"Why do I feel that *Corpse Appearance* can still achieve a very high box office in the global market?"

Privately, Mrs. Huang said to Huang Zhongjing.

Huang Zhongjing said: "Linghe has now laid out global channels, especially since every film they make can be released in several overseas markets simultaneously with China, concentrated promotion. A small-to-medium budget film can create the momentum of a blockbuster. How can you compare? There's no comparison."

Mrs. Huang: "Sigh, films we work so hard on for so long don't have as big a stage as theirs in two or three years."

Huang Zhongjing: "His vision and pattern are indeed bigger; he dares to do it." ===== CHAPTER 791 =====

Huang Zhongjing: "His vision and perspective are indeed broader; he has the courage to act."