Chapter 259: How to turn mainstream films into blockbusters (900 monthly ticket bonus)

Facing the confidence of the young winner of the Golden Lion, Jin Xiong, Golden Globe, and Best Foreign Language Film, everyone present listened attentively.

"Secretary Zhao, I know your main demand is to embody the Tangshan spirit and national style, and to embody the huge construction achievements made over the past thirty years."

"I have also read the initial script outline brought by Secretary Li and Director Yao."

"To be honest, if it's filmed like this, not only will the box office figures be very ugly, but there won't even be a possibility of it being released overseas."

Lu Kuan's words were astonishing, and the faces of the Tangshan side were not very good.

Zhang Zhang Huijun blinked faintly, reminding him to pay attention to his wording.

Boss Lu pretended not to see it.

Since it was decided to film this movie, it must be filmed according to his ideas and requirements.

Not only must it be acclaimed and popular, but it must also use the film to promote earthquake disaster prevention knowledge nationwide or in some regions, and even charity donation activities.

"Our country's mainstream films in the 1990s were still in a relatively orthodox narrative style. Because of the characteristics of the film market and audience groups, the box office performance was quite good."

"The 1997 *The Opium War* received 72 million in box office, second only to *Jurassic Park 4*'s 72.1 million."

The young director changed the subject: "But in today's theater chain system, such figures are completely impossible to guarantee."

"Audiences will vote with their feet, and Hollywood film merchants will also weigh it from the perspective of a market economy. These cannot be faked."

Zhao Yong frowned and put forward his own opinion: "Director Lu, I took time yesterday to go to the cinema to watch your *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*."

"Beyond the love between men and women, the magnificent history spanning 70 years is moving."

"I agree with what you said, but I don't know if this *Aftershock* can be filmed into that kind of epic film spanning 30 years?"

Lu Kuan slandered in his heart, isn't the epic quality Zhao Yong mentioned just the filming method of "Pants" (Feng Feng Xiaogang) in the previous life?

Except for the box office figures that were barely watchable in China due to the subject matter and publicity, and the surface organization of package screenings, it was simply miserable overseas.

In the North American market, it didn't even earn 100,000 US dollars.

Feng Feng Xiaogang's main problem is that his film is called *Aftershock*, but it only tells the story of one family, and it's the story after the earthquake.

The panoramic depiction of the earthquake that the audience wants to see, including the calm and strange sounds before the earthquake, the huge destructive power during the earthquake, and the star-night rescue after the earthquake, are all very rare.

In fact, it only tells the story of Xu Fan's family, which appears too monotonous and too "title-party" in front of such a historical scene.

Lu Kuan continued to explain: "According to your side's idea, the earthquake plot ends in the first third of the film, and the rest is all the grievances and city changes spanning thirty years."

"If so, the film might as well be renamed *Aftershocks*."

Zhao Yong and other members of the coordination group looked at each other, wanting to refute but feeling that there was no way to start.

Thinking carefully, it is indeed so.

They only cared about improving Tangshan's reputation and popularity through the construction process from nothing to something over thirty years, but ignored the story of the film itself.

This is filming a theatrical film, not a documentary.

Some words are not suitable for leaders to open their mouths, so Yao Yao Jianguo smiled and did it for them: "Director Lu, please give us your advice."

"Advice is too polite. Our goals are the same, all to improve regional influence and show national spirit. Let me talk about it simply."

Lu Kuan drank some water: "This film needs to be completed using the core of traditional Chinese culture plus Hollywood's film industrial process."

"Let me first talk about how Hollywood films disaster films."

"When Spielberg filmed *Jaws* back then, there was no model. He spent nearly 5 million US dollars to make one himself, and later it became the pioneer of shark monster films."

"From the moment the film project was launched, their marketing and hype were always on this *Jaws* model, and after it ended, they even built a theme park."

"We need to learn from this idea."

Boss Lu pointed to the promotional materials in front of everyone:

"Promoting city image and business cards through film and television dramas is already very common. The 1980s *Shaolin Temple* made Shaolin Temple popular, and Director Zhang Yimou's *Raise the Red Lantern* made Qiao's Courtyard popular."

"There are also several Jin Yong martial arts films by Director Zhang Zhang Jizhong, and the film and television city invested in by Director Chen Kaige's *The Promise* this year."

"This *Aftershock* film can completely imitate it!"

Zhao Yong laughed: "You mean, for the promotion and publicity of the city, it should be through market behavior, rather than stiffly grafting it onto the film content?"

"Oh! You are indeed a leader; it's really hitting the nail on the head!"

Lu Kuan flattered him and continued to output his point of view: "From the moment the film project is launched and filming starts, we will place the location at the Earthquake Memorial Monument, inviting national and global media to report."

"For the premiere, we will still be next to the building with commemorative significance, inviting citizens who survived and experienced the earthquake back then to participate. It can be made into an outdoor screening."

"If you want the world to see Tangshan's reconstruction and changes, the publicity role of these media can be completely achieved."

Speaking of this, Zhao Yong and others already had their eyes lit up.

With China Film and the Film Bureau taking the lead, plus this genius director who is in the limelight, this is much more cost-effective than throwing money at CCTV for advertising.

"This film must be done according to the special effects level and budget of Hollywood disaster films, with a cost of about 30-40 million US dollars."

"I will require the restoration of some iconic buildings from the 70s. Your side can cooperate to make it into a film and television shooting base that integrates catering, film and television cultural experience, and sightseeing and shopping."

"Once this film is finished, there might be a TV version later? And other period dramas from the 70s? These are all your future customers."

Films have artistic attributes and commodity attributes. Hollywood's mining of a film's commodity attributes is all-around.

Zhao Yong was actually persuaded by him in his heart, but based on the demands of his own position, he still wanted to work hard on the film content.

"Director Lu, our original intention was also to show the national spirit bursting out in the face of disaster. In terms of Tangshan's construction achievements, I still hope..."

Lu Kuan's attitude was very firm: "Secretary Zhao!"

"The most important thing in a film is the shaping of plot and characters. According to your idea, it's better to go film a documentary."

"Since you want this film to have more audiences and a wider range of publicity, don't struggle with this problem."

"Why? Where in the world is there no disaster? The Japanese have far more earthquakes than we do. It's not like they haven't seen construction from nothing."

Zhao Yong didn't have the embarrassment of being refuted as a leader. He also knew that these artists were all stubborn donkeys and were never willing to be interfered with in creation.

Boss Lu couldn't stop talking. Today, thoughts must be unified, otherwise, if it's really filmed, this group of people in the system can grind him to death.

"If you want to go out, you must show things that all mankind can empathize with, such as love, such as family affection."

"These are themes that can transcend countries and ideologies."

"Feng Feng Xiaogang's *Big Shot's Funeral* was a cooperation with Columbia, and there were American actors involved, but it had less than 1,000 US dollars in box office in North America. What concept is this?"

"It means that less than 100 people have seen his film."

It was inconvenient for him to use the later *Aftershock* as an example, so he had to take out the "bad records" of the overseas box office of "Pants" before and torture it again.

Zhao Yong stared at the young director for a few seconds. Seeing him calmly pick up his cup and drink water, he knew that this was also an arbitrary personality, and it was difficult to change him.

"Good! Let professional people do professional things!"

"But there is one point I need to get Director Lu's promise. After the script comes out, it must be reviewed by us first. We have no reason to interfere in artistic matters."

"But it must be guaranteed that the orientation is positive and active, otherwise... I, this parent official, will have no way to face the elders and fellow villagers in the future!"

Boss Lu heard him speak politely and naturally agreed. Everyone agreed on the major matter and raised their glasses to celebrate again.

After the banquet, A Fei drove to send Zhang Zhang Huijun home first. The Beidian principal and the future Pan-Asia Film Academy principal had a friendly talk in the car.

"Little Lu, your vision is very broad. I've seen mainstream films operated in the Hollywood way for the first time."

"Try it. After all, it's a light of special effects, and it won't be bad in terms of screen performance."

In fact, Lu Kuan was just picking up others' wisdom.

The true marketization of mainstream films in the later era started from the 2016 *Operation Mekong*.

Since then, *Wolf Warrior*, *Extraordinary Mission*, *Operation Red Sea*, etc., have all boldly adopted the expression techniques of mainstream Hollywood blockbusters in content production.

Attempting to complete the localization of Hollywood under the keynote of mainstream.

In this development stage of mainstream films, the film's narrative structure, character setting, and conflict rhythm already possessed the characteristics of international mainstream blockbusters.

There would never be the old-fashioned scene of leaders standing up from the ruins, shouting slogans, and rushing forward with emotion.

It's not that it's bad; it's that it's detached from the film's commodity attributes.

Such national spirit and style can be completely shown by the film's own artistic means; there is no need to be as stiff as Zhao Yong and others think.

Zhang Zhang Huijun laughed: "Good, really good."

"Yesterday Zhang Yimou also just returned from North America. I had a meal with him and talked about the Pan-Asia Film Academy idea. He strongly supports it."

"By the way, shouldn't your graduation work as Principal Lu also be handed in?"

Boss Lu laughed: "I'm going to the Cannes Film Festival in May to be a judge. I'll film a short film and use that as my graduation project."

"As for the thesis, it's simple."

"Just write *On the Genre Transformation of Mainstream Films in the New Era Context*!"

Zhang Zhang Huijun clapped his hands and laughed: "You little fox, you really know how to be lazy! Haha!"

Returning to the courtyard, Lu Kuan took out his phone and called Old Zhang Yimou.

The purpose was to borrow his screenwriting team.

*Aftershock* was to be launched today. While the early architectural restoration and old object collection activities were going on, the script also had to be perfected urgently.

So-called "weak teams produce generals."

Old Zhang Yimou's biggest shortcoming as a director was his weak screenwriting ability, so he had a very strong screenwriting team. Boss Lu took a fancy to a pen-pusher named Liu Heng.

He was one of the top screenwriters for domestic films. *The Flowers of War*, *Assembly*, and Zhang Zhang Yimou's *The Story of Qiu Ju* were all his works. He was Old Zhang Yimou's right-hand man.

The two Beidian brothers chatted on the phone for more than an hour. Boss Lu also humbly asked this master who was good at scene scheduling for advice on filming group scenes.

Liu Heng's response was very positive. Early the next morning, he was invited to the courtyard and sat opposite Lu Kuan in the study to talk.

"Director Lu, I don't know what kind of story you want to film. Do you have a draft or a basic idea?"

Lu Kuan considered it for a night: "I have always liked stories that are warm and have a sense of power."

"Just like *Shoplifters* and *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*, burying hope and light in difficulties and dilemmas."

"I hope the viewing effect of this film is to see the future and hope of the nation from the stories of small people and small families under the realistic and eye-shocking disaster special effects."

"Don't just shout slogans blindly."

Liu Heng buried his head in his notebook and took notes quickly. He looked up and saw this Golden Lion Award-winning director turn the computer screen toward him.

"This film is Abbas's *And Life Goes On*, telling the story of the 1992 7.7 magnitude earthquake in northern Iran."

"His main clue is to describe the story of the protagonist returning home after the earthquake; it is actually a road movie."

Abbas is a top-notch art film director in Asia, and his films are highly regarded by authoritative media such as *Cahiers du Cinéma* and *Sight & Sound*.

Liu Heng had seen this disaster film and somewhat understood what the Jin Xiong Award-winning director meant.

"Do you mean to see the big from the small like *Schindler's List*?"

"Yes."

"Except for the reproduction of the real historical earthquake scene in the film, I don't want to over-sell misery."

"The audience's emotions and tears should be shed because of being moved and seeing hope, not because of being crushed by bloody and cruel plots."

Liu Heng nodded. Lu Kuan's expression was very full, setting up a backbone for him. The rest was a matter for him to lead the screenwriting team.

Compared with Zhang Zhang Yimou, this young director was undoubtedly more outstanding in screenwriting ability, as could be seen from his recently adapted *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*.

"Director Lu, are there any requirements for time?"

Lu Kuan pondered for two seconds: "It's only early March now. If it's expected to be released during the Spring Festival, I'll leave you a month and a half to write the script!"

"It just so happens that set construction and historical building restoration all take time."

Consistent with the filming laws of Hollywood films, such disaster special effects films have a long early and late stage, and the filming time in the middle is very short.

Especially involving group scenes in the earthquake, it must be filmed by sub-crews. He would only be responsible for the filming of the leading characters.

Liu Heng nodded: "Alright, I'll take the team to have a meeting this afternoon, and go to the Tangshan Archives tomorrow to collect information, and by the way, interview the survivors of that year."

"I'll give you a phone number, Secretary Li of the Municipal Committee. Just find him for everything. It will definitely be arranged properly for you."

"Okay, Director Lu, then let's communicate again."

The next day, the Tangshan Municipal Committee, Inquiry Realm Holdings, and China Film Group held a press conference at the Media Center in Beiping.

The specification of the press conference was very high. Deputy Director Zhang of the General Administration and leaders of the Literature and Art Bureau of the Publicity Department attended.

At the press conference, Deputy Director Zhang personally read the film project decision, announcing that this *Aftershock* would become a key project of the General Administration.

Leaders of the Literature and Art Bureau affirmed the efforts made by Tangshan, China Film, and Inquiry Realm to promote excellent culture and core values.

The film project was listed as one of the "Six Ones" key tasks of the Literature and Art Bureau of the Publicity Department this year, and active guidance and cooperation would be given in publicity.

Among them, the investment shares of Inquiry Realm, China Film, and Tangshan were 60%, 20%, and 20% respectively, with a total amount of 280 million.

Tangshan's 50 million-plus was paid in the form of 30% cash and 70% in-kind.

In-kind such as the restoration of the scene buildings during the earthquake, collection and purchase of old clothing, makeup, and props, etc.

Watching Lu Kuan shaking hands with leaders enthusiastically on Travel TV, Zhou Jun and others in the Yanda Huayi office had ugly expressions.

Their preparations were not inadequate:

The first private enterprise in China, a joint venture established by China Film and the Hollywood Big Six—this should be a condition with great temptation for the Tangshan side.

After all, their demand is to go out and expand the publicity effect.

It's just that the core competitiveness is too far behind.

Facing Lu Kuan, who had won the Golden Globe, Jin Xiong, and Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in the first three months of 2005, any additional value conditions appeared too pale.

Zhou Jun's face was livid, Wang Wang Xiaolei looked like he was mourning, but Wang Dajun stood up to boost morale.

"Film it if you want. The box office and word-of-mouth of such mainstream films will be quite average. At least we don't have to be afraid of Inquiry Realm during this year's Spring Festival."

Wang Wang Xiaolei nodded in agreement, but Zhou Jun was far from being so optimistic.

Judging from Lu Kuan's character of not getting up early without profit, such a mainstream film would not be his first choice.

Especially under the situation where *The Exotic 2* had been officially established through the Inquiry Realm blog, how could he give up the opportunity to continue to make money at the box office to film a mainstream film with not very high cost-effectiveness?

If he discovered his tentative attack on Inquiry Realm and the blog network, it would be difficult to handle if he had precautions.

Zhou Jun certainly couldn't imagine that Lu Kuan was completely preparing for three years later and didn't consider so much.

In this matter, it seems not too much to say that a good person has a good reward.

Sending Liu Heng away, A Fei drove him to the *Bad Genius* crew at the Beiying Factory.

The film was about to wrap up this month and was expected to premiere at the end of June, seizing the summer file.

Arriving at the Beiying Factory was equivalent to arriving at Beidian. Lu Kuan carried cigarettes, alcohol, and tea leaves and walked toward Old Tian's new office.

A few days ago, he had succeeded Xie Xie Xiaojin and became the director of the Beidian Department, starting to coordinate overall work.

He made a phone call first: "I'm already here. Can you still drive me away?"

"Hey, you've become the department director and started to avoid suspicion! You weren't happy when I sent you cigarettes and alcohol before!"

Lu Kuan joked with Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang while walking into the Performance and Directing Building. Suddenly, he bumped into a woman coming face to face.

"Oh!"

The books in the woman's hand scattered all over the floor. She just wanted to look up and say a few words to this young student who wasn't looking at the road, but she was stunned at just one glance.

"Lu Kuan?"

Boss Lu was also dazed for two seconds before laughing: "Teacher Xu, hello, hello."

This woman was Xu Xu Jinglei, who returned to Beidian to teach last year.

Around 1991, Wang Shuo, one of the core members of the first generation of the Beijing circle, started the business of writing scripts to make money.

In that era, every film and television project based on his works had profits in the millions.

About four years later, he gave his first play investment to the young Meng Jinghui and rehearsed *I Love XXX*, which was directly killed because it didn't get a license.

The male and female leads of this film were Guo Tao and Xu Xu Jinglei, the latter of whom was a 20-year-old sophomore at the time.

The events of this year completely changed the fate of the sophomore girl. Wang Shuo dated her without divorcing.

It is worth mentioning that this "talented woman" praised by later generations, when reminiscing about her youth in blogs and other similar memoir texts, painfully described her pain after being cheated on by her boyfriend at 19.

"I was so sad at the time. When I passed the gate of the Film Academy, I wanted to jump into the river and be done with it."

Then, in the blink of an eye, she transferred this pain to another woman: Wang Shuo's original wife, Ms. Shen, took her daughter to the US and completely severed ties with him.

A sophomore girl quietly walked into this mysterious circle.

In the 1990s, the discourse power in the film and television circle was held by screenwriters and writers; Wang Shuo, Hai Yan, Yu Hua, Liu Liu Zhenyun, and a group of writers were the best among them.

As the little girlfriend of the core figure, the sophomore girl fiercely harvested a wave of work dividends; counting her works, one can find:

Behind "A Story of Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon" were Zhao Zhao Baogang and Hai Yan; behind "Beijing Love Story" was Xie Dong; behind "New Romance Era" was Teng Teng Huatao.

Xu Xu Jinglei, who is still "honored" as one of the Four Dan Actresses, has already embarked on the path of building a talented woman persona, returning to the Film Academy to teach, and also shot a movie invested in by Dong Dong Shuangqiang.

It's just that she broke up with her old patron Wang Shuo last year; the latter's current little "Sa Mi" is Wang Ziwen, that Qu Xiao Xiao in "Ode to Joy."

Regardless of the Beijing circle relationship that Lu Kuan and Yanda Huayi rely on, Xu Xu Jinglei is naturally full of that "Da Sa Mi" enthusiasm.

"Sigh, I've long wanted to meet you, but never had the chance; how about it, let's have a drink together tonight?"

Boss Lu politely declined and signaled to her the things in his hand: "I'm afraid it won't work today; I'm here to see Teacher Tian, I'm about to graduate, so I'm here to bribe the old man."

"Haha, okay, then leave me a number, I'll invite you to dinner another day; I happen to have a new script, can you help me take a look?"

The two met for the first time, and there had been little intersection before; this remark was actually a bit presumptuous.

But Xu Xu Jinglei stood in front of you slowly like a big lily, seemingly very impolitely revealing words that didn't treat you as an outsider.

It seemed to sound quite reasonable.

Lu Kuan sneered in his heart; Wang Shuo must have been tricked like this back then.

This is how he wrote about Xu Xu Jinglei in "Emerging from the Sea":

Beautiful but indifferent to details, she would casually use a shoelace to tie her hair, and could also pour a glass of white wine and drink it dry at any time; there was a sense of pride.

Even if Boss Lu didn't quite like her posturing, it can only be said that every top actress has her own temperament and aura; this is given by the experience of life and emotions.

The two exchanged numbers, and Lu Kuan climbed up the stairs and pushed open the door of Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang's office.

"Whoa! Teacher Tian, if you don't open the window, the fire brigade will be here in a while."

Boss Lu was choked by the smoke in his room and hurriedly opened all the windows.

The cool breeze of early spring poured in, and the air in the room became much fresher.

"Isn't it because of this Pan-Asia Film Academy of yours that I'm busy?"

"Who did you dig up from Hollywood?"

"I couldn't dig up any big names; there's one called Nolan, I see that he will become a great director in the future, the kind not worse than James Cameron."

Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang asked in surprise: "Did you figure that out by reading his fortune or what?"

"Sigh! How could that be? His 'Batman' will be released in the country in May, and then you will know his level."

"Besides him?"

Lu Kuan lit a cigarette on his own: "Park Chan-wook from Korea; there aren't any very suitable ones from the Japanese side right now; for Hong Kong, I plan to invite Zhou Zhou Xingchi."

"Wait until Cannes in May, I'll invite Lu Lu Kebei again; plus me and Nolan, that's 5 people, which is about enough."

"The first batch of students must be selected strictly from the best; it's estimated there will only be five or six people, which is basically enough."

Tian Tian Zhuangzhuang nodded: "Even if there are more people, the Youth Film Studio won't be able to meet their teaching needs; after all, our own teachers and students need to use it too."

The people Lu Kuan found are all masters of commercial films; Park Chan-wook was the first in the Korean country to call for learning from Hollywood; Zhou Zhou Xingchi goes without saying, last year's New Year's box office champion was his "Kung Fu."

Nolan and Lu Lu Kebei are both industry elites skilled in commercial film operations; it couldn't be more suitable for them to come and teach these students.

The two chatted for a while, and Lu Kuan wandered to the studio of "Bad Genius" at the Beiying Factory next door.

From afar, he saw Little Liu with long hair draped over her shoulders standing at the studio entrance making a phone call; he walked over and patted her on the shoulder.

"Hey!"

"Ah!"

The girl's scream startled Lu Kuan; looking closely, she was a bit shorter than Liu Liu Yifei, but this figure and hairstyle did look somewhat similar from behind.

Liu Liu Shi Shi covered her chest in terror; turning around and seeing a tall, big man standing in front of her, she instinctively retreated.

"I'm sorry, I recognized the wrong person, hehe."

Boss Lu recognized who this was and remembered what Lu Yao had reported to him; she was already an artist under Liu Liu Yifei, and he didn't know how she appeared here.

"Lu Kuan, you're here?"

Liu Liu Yifei, who had just finished filming, walked over wearing a school uniform, pure like a little white flower.

Liu Liu Shi Shi had high myopia of 700 degrees; in the panic just now, she thought he was a lecher, so she nodded slightly shyly.

"Little Liu, this is Director Lu."

Liu Liu Yifei blocked her in front of her, not letting the "washing machine" get close, and smiled at Lu Kuan as if showing off: "How about it? An artist from my studio."

Boss Lu wanted to laugh as he listened: "You're not even eighteen yet, calling others Little Liu? Do you think you're me?"

He gently pushed aside the schoolgirl in front of him: "Liu Liu Shi Shi, right? Hello, Little Liu."

"You are not allowed to call her Little Liu!"

Liu Liu Yifei pulled him a few steps away, her willow eyebrows raised!

"I'm older than both of you, what's wrong with calling her Little Liu."

"It's just not allowed!"

Lu Kuan smiled and teased her: "Then should I call her Little Shi?"

"She has a name, why call her so intimately?"

"No, isn't this an artist from your company? How are you acting as a boss? Shouldn't you enthusiastically recommend her to me?"

Liu Liu Yifei smiled: "No need, I asked Director Xue to save a role for her to show her face; we'll talk about the rest later."

Liu Liu Shi Shi left Tangren, and the role of Long Kui naturally had nothing to do with her; Zhang Nara played Xue Cui Jian, and Long Kui was finally played by Yang Mi.

The young "Blind Sister" looked timidly at the female boss and the entertainment tycoon "flirting" on the side, and a sense of loss arose for no reason.

Feeling her own weakness, feeling that the person just now obviously mistook her for Liu Liu Yifei.

Is she going to live in her shadow for the rest of her life?

Actually, when she was a freshman at the Beijing Dance Academy, she had already watched "Whiplash"; the story in that movie had always inspired her.

"Liu Shi Shi, come here!"

Liu Liu Yifei waved at her: "Director Lu just agreed to let you guest star in roles in both 'Zhu Xian' and 'My Own Swordsman'."

Liu Liu Shi Shi said in surprise: "Ah? Thank you, Director Lu."

Liu Yifei really didn't lie to me; as soon as I joined, I could be in two of Travel TV's direct-line dramas.

She didn't know that this was a condition her female boss exchanged for Li Li Ziqi's videos on Mytube.

The female boss sold herself to exchange for a role for me; she really, I'm crying to death!

"Liu Shi Shi, go and put on your makeup, it will be your turn in a while."

"Hmm! Goodbye, Director Lu!"

Boss Lu watched helplessly as Liu Liu Shi Shi walked away; Liu Liu Yifei in front of him blocked his sight again just right.

"Aren't you being a bit too careful? I came to find you today."

"Hehe, you'd better be."

Liu Liu Shi Shi is just a low-profile version of Little Liu right now; Boss Lu really didn't have much interest.

"What are you thinking about? You're still distracted while talking to me!"

Liu Liu Yifei patted his arm with dissatisfaction.

"It's nothing, you ask Yang Yang Siwei to connect with Long Li Danni's side; after this play is finished, go and shoot the video for the first episode."

"What exactly is it?"

Boss Lu spread his hands: "I don't know either; I've already asked them to plan it; it should be building a pastoral scene, and you can make some traditional delicacies in it!"

"The first episode might have to go to your hometown, Wuhan, to make lotus root starch or something!"

Liu Liu Yifei was excited: "Really! Okay, okay, I spent the New Year in the US this year, and didn't have time to see my grandmother and aunt."

"Actually, I'm quite interested in cooking; it must be much more interesting than acting!"

Lu Kuan looked at her smiling in her school uniform, looking just like a college student skipping class in later generations.

Actually, she still has a lazy and casual personality in her bones, but in this life, she has been pushed forward by Boss Lu.

Helping her improve her acting skills, setting goals for her, and arranging work under various names...

If Liu Liu Yifei were to choose for herself, she would probably rather shoot pastoral videos like Li Li Ziqi every day, being able to eat and play.

"I saw the press conference for your new movie 'Aftershock'; isn't there a role suitable for me?"

Good fellow, acting spoiled because of being favored; you are the only one, Liu Liu Yifei, in the domestic entertainment industry who would directly ask him for a role.

"Your schedule is too full; the broadcast season for 'Zhu Xian' is coming soon, and the movie will be released during the Spring Festival."

"If there's a small role, you can guest star for free; it will also be convenient to help with promotion later."

Liu Liu Yifei raised her eyebrows: "So you're the one called Lu the Skinner, right?"

I don't know what she thought of, but she immediately proudly hugged her arms and poked Lu Kuan's arm: "I think you can't live without me now."

"Ah?"

I, Lu Kuan, have never seen such a confident (shameless) little girl!

Little Liu took out her data to support: "I've seen the latest box office data for 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' released by Wenjie; it's been released for 3 days and the box office is over 28 million."

"My blog fans have left over 15,000 comments showing their tickets; even if each ticket is calculated at 30 yuan, that's 450,000 in box office!"

Liu Liu Yifei's expression was exaggerated: "I! Alone, created 450,000 in box office for you, you should just secretly be happy!"

"Oh~~~ 450,000 is really a lot!"

Boss Lu also cooperated with her: "It seems my strategy is correct; I should cultivate ten Liu Yifeis!"

"Each Liu Liu Yifei helps me promote, wouldn't that be 4.5 million in box office?"

"Quick, send that Liu Liu Shi Shi you signed to Wenjie for me to cultivate!"

"In your dreams, I'll beat you to death!"

Little Liu was amused by his shamelessness; the dog thing "washing machine" doesn't feel ashamed but is proud, right?

Now he's even baring his teeth in front of me!

The two were chatting and making noise; Su Chang had also finished filming; Hu Ge, Zhu Zhu Yawen, and Wang Wang Baoqiang, the three who fought the lecher Chen Chen Sicheng last time, were all there.

"Director Lu!"

"President Lu!"

"Boss Lu!"

Liu Liu Yifei familiarly patted Lu Kuan on the shoulder: "Let's go eat with us tonight, hot pot!"

"You, President Liu, are treating?"

"Sure."

"Okay, then let's go."

Several cars drove to Fenglan International on Xizhimen North Street, Haidian District; a short-haired woman in an OL style was waiting by the elevator in the staff passage.

"Miss Liu, stars, welcome everyone."

Boss Lu was a bit puzzled; what kind of hot pot restaurant is this, where the service reaches the bottom of the building.

This group of people were already small and big stars; except for Boss Lu, who worked behind the scenes and had slightly lower popularity, they were all surrounded by assistants as they entered the store.

"Manager Yang, the usual."

"By the way, help us add an extra portion of tripe and yellow throat."

Little Liu still remembered that time at Little Sheep in the US, where the "washing machine" regretted not eating these two dishes; how thoughtful.

Although Yang Liu Xiaoli was already the assistant to the general manager stationed at the Beiping flagship store, she still maintained the etiquette norms from when she first started the business: "Okay, Miss Liu, I wish you a pleasant meal."

"Haidilao?"

Several people turned the corner from the staff passage into the restaurant; Lu Kuan then saw the first-generation Haidilao lettering in a daze; now there wasn't even a logo yet.

"Yeah, have you been here? They only opened in Beiping last year."

Liu Liu Yifei was a bit strange; the "washing machine" usually solved all three meals a day at home except when socializing outside, so how did he seem to know Haidilao?

Boss Lu smiled and shook his head: "No, this is my first time."

Everyone entered the private room, and Liu Liu Yifei mysteriously pulled Lu Kuan into a small office.

The young director made a terrified look: "What do you want to do? I'm not that kind of person!"

"What! I'm discussing something with you."

"Hmm?"

"Lend me 30 million!"

Boss Lu sneered: "What's up, are you going to keep a male model?"

"Get lost!"

"Didn't I say it? I want to buy shares in a hot pot restaurant; I've taken a fancy to this one."

"The woman just now is called Yang Liu Xiaoli; she is the secretary of their boss, Zhang Yong, and is now the store manager of the two stores in Beiping."

"I asked Yang Yang Siwei to have a preliminary talk; the other party is willing to accept the investment, and Zhang Yong and his wife will come to Beiping in person next week to talk."

Boss Lu felt a "WTF" in his heart.

He didn't know that the nine-character mantra of standardization, easy expansion, and good financing he said in Los Angeles last time had been firmly remembered in her mind.

Chaotic, too chaotic; the entire Northwest Shanxi had become a mess.

Liu Liu Yifei and Haidilao; these two words were really brought together by eight poles.

"Will you help me talk next week?"

Liu Liu Yifei looked at him with bright eyes.

When it comes to cheating people in business, Little Liu feels there is no one more shrewd than Boss Lu.

Lu Kuan was a bit dumbfounded; he didn't know how the world line in this life had become so chaotic.

"Then what's in it for me?"

Little Liu bared her teeth: "I've already helped you promote the movie voluntarily; what's wrong with lending me some money? It's not like I'm not paying it back?"

"'The Fountain 2' salary offset! If it's not enough, I'll just take on a few more endorsements next year."

Boss Lu now wished she would borrow a little more, preferably if Haidilao went bankrupt due to a thunderclap in a short time.

If she owes me 30 million and can't pay it back, wouldn't she be at my mercy?

As for this little Haidilao, he hadn't taken a fancy to it yet; the investment cycle for the catering industry to recoup costs is very long, especially for Haidilao, which is in the expansion stage.

Even if Liu Liu Yifei's 30 million in dividends is okay every year, it will basically be used for reproduction and opening new stores.

Boss Lu put on airs: "We'll see; I'm going to Tangshan next week to see the progress of the building restoration."

"No, you must accompany me; I rarely ask you for anything!"

Liu Liu Yifei pitifully tugged at his arm and wouldn't let go; her pouting mouth could hang an oil bottle, and her cute and silly appearance made Lu Kuan's index finger twitch.

Bear it, bear it, it's almost time.

"Alright, alright! I'll try my best."

The beauty trap worked.

The two returned to the private room, and everyone tacitly didn't ask where they had just gone.

If it were just Liu Liu Yifei alone, Zhu Zhu Yawen and Hu Ge would dare to tease her, but with a big boss present, these young actors were relatively restrained.

Even though Lu Kuan is usually kind-hearted, he is, after all, a great director with a transcendent status and identity, the kind who holds their professional lives in his hands.

Two more people were added to the hot pot restaurant's private room: Tong Tong Liya and Zhang Zhang Jingying.

"Lu Kuan, let me introduce you; this is my good friend Zhang Jingying, the third-place winner of your 'Super Girl' finals."

Liu Liu Yifei knew that Boss Lu was busy with a thousand things, so he might not have heard of her.

Her friendship with Zhang Zhang Jingying came from the reporter breaking through the card when the black material broke out; as a singer and contestant, Zhang Zhang Jingying protected her.

It can be considered a fate from past and present lives.

"Little Zhang, right? Hello."

Zhang Zhang Jingying shook hands with him excitedly; counting it up, she was also signed to Wenjie, but the musical talents were all placed under Zhang Zhang Yadong's side for cultivation.

"President Lu, I've long admired your great name; today, thanks to Qianqian, I finally get to see you!"

"Hehe, don't be polite, everyone sit down."

He glanced at Tong Tong Liya again.

Being able to come here, she had obviously withstood Liu Liu Yifei's "obedience test," so his own innocence could be considered proven.

Pretty good.

"Little Tong, how is 'My Own Swordsman' filming recently?"

Tong Tong Liya had just sat down anxiously and suddenly stood up, making everyone else very nervous.

"Di... Director, I am working hard, it's been pretty good recently..."

Liu Liu Yifei looked at Lu Kuan with dissatisfaction; why did you turn a good hot pot gathering into a meeting site!

Look at Zhu Zhu Yawen, Hu Ge, and Wang Wang Baoqiang, each like a quail, not daring to breathe.

"Lu Kuan! It's off-duty time now, don't put on that stinky air of a great director."

"So what if you won the Jin Xiong and Oscar? Don't you still have to eat meat in the pot with us little actors?!"

Su Chang nodded silently and gave her best friend a like.

You're the one who has to cure this person.

Boss Lu was dumbfounded: "What air am I putting on? Everyone sit, get ready to eat, I'm hungry too."

"I have to go back to write the script today, so I won't drink; you guys do as you please."

He shouted at the three male actors and started using his chopsticks on his own.

Hu Ge smiled: "Wang Baoqiang, Zhu Yawen, shall we drink some? Director Lu is drinking water, shall we make a toast?"

"Sure!"

"Let's have some."

With people drinking and making toasts, the scene became lively.

Liu Liu Yifei is thoughtful, occasionally picking up food for the restrained Liu Liu Shi Shi.

As for this table, she is the outsider.

Although Little Liu is not from Wenjie either, damn it, who at this table doesn't know her relationship with the boss.

Still an outsider?

That's an insider!

"Ding ding ding ding ding~~~"

The Nokia Lu Kuan placed on the table rang; it was still the old model from when he just came down from the mountain, and he hadn't changed it.

Everyone at the table fell silent in unison.

(End of chapter)