Huayu 2015, the Artist of Light and Shadow

……

After a half-hour break, Tang Yan was quickly summoned by the director's assistant to prepare for the next scene.

"Okay, I'll be right there."

Tang Yan checked her hairstyle in the mirror. There was no messiness, and she maintained the perfect look of Fairy Zixia.

Tang Yan got out of the car, took a few steps, then turned back, leaned against the RV door, and warned Lu Yunzhou, "Yunzhou, it's so hot outside, don't wander off."

This precious child, if she were to be kidnapped by someone from another company, I'd be heartbroken.

"You can rest well in my RV, take a nap, or play some games, whatever you want, just don't go out... After I finish work, we'll have dinner together. I know which restaurant is the best."

Tang Yan smiled warmly at Lu Yunzhou.

Sometimes, the connections between people are just that wonderful.

Although Tang Yan and Lu Yunzhou only met a few times, there was no romantic or ambiguous relationship or feelings between them.

After all, there's quite a significant age difference.

But strangely enough, she felt an inexplicable closeness and trust towards Lu Yunzhou.

Perhaps it was Lu Yunzhou's composure beyond her years and her ultimate control over beauty that perfectly suited this Shanghai girl's pursuit of "style".

Unfortunately, Tang Yan's beautiful vision was soon shattered.

Not long after Tang Yan got out of the car, Ji Rujing received a phone call.

Upon seeing the caller ID, Ji Rujing immediately put on a smile: "Hello, boss."

"What? Boss, you say you have a way to get this short film into the final shortlist for the Busan International Film Festival?"

"But I remember the application period for the Busan International Film Festival has already passed."

"Will this even work?"

The deadline for registration for the Busan International Film Festival is June 30th.

Their short film was shot at the end of July, so there's no way they could have submitted it to this year's Busan International Film Festival.

Their initial idea was to register for next year's Busan International Film Festival and then create a subtle connection with the Hangzhou G20 summit during the screening process.

But the beauty of life lies in the unexpected joys that always come our way.

The organizing committee leader on the other end of the phone spoke with a humble tone tinged with a hint of superiority: "That's for ordinary people."

"Our organizing committee has a lot of influence."

In 2015, China and South Korea were in a honeymoon period of cultural cooperation, which was completely different from the situation in the following years.

"I can easily make a phone call and get this short film submitted to the Busan International Film Festival's Wide Angle section through the fast track."

Under the Wide Angle section, the Busan International Film Festival has three short film awards.

One is the Korean short film competition section.

One is the Asian Short Film Competition section.

The third is the short film screening section, which has relatively low weight and doesn't attract much attention.

Lu Yunzhou's short film is really competing for the "Shancai Award" at the Asian Short Film Awards, which is the Best Short Film Award!

"Boss, although you have a lot of influence and can help us get through the expedited process, what if we don't win the award? Wouldn't that mean you've wasted your favor?"

Favors from superiors are not easy to accept; they must be repaid.

Ji Rujing didn't want Lu Yunzhou to owe such a "big favor" too early, as that would be a bad feeling.

"President Ji, don't be so quick to refuse. Let me finish."

The leader calmly replied, "I just received news that the official theme of this year's Busan International Film Festival is 'Film, Meeting the Future of Asia'."

"I know someone on the judging panel, and I asked him privately about the judging criteria for this year."

"He told me that this year's focus should be on the living conditions of ordinary people in Asia. In addition, the film's themes should convey human warmth and explore life and hope. Ideally, it should be a realistic work."

"Those short films that are all show and no substance and have too much commercial appeal are unlikely to win awards."

Upon hearing this, Ji Rujing's eyes gradually brightened.

Conveying humanistic warmth, exploring life and hope, and being a realistic work... isn't this just handing the trophy directly to Lu Yunzhou?

If Lu Yunzhou wins the Best Short Film award, Tang Yan, as the female lead, can also walk the red carpet at the Busan International Film Festival.

When the press release is released, the official website is verified, and she is given the prestigious title of official ambassador for the Hangzhou G20 summit... Starting in October, Tang Yan will complete a magnificent comeback.

However, it's not so easy to win favors from leaders.

There's a high chance I'll have to pay it back later!

However, after much deliberation, Ji Rujing couldn't resist the temptation of this opportunity and cautiously asked, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness on behalf of my daughter, Tangtang. May I ask, in what ways might you need our help?"

"President Ji, I enjoy talking to smart people like you."

The leader chuckled and then frankly stated, "Now, we've reached an agreement. But the problem is, how do we get Paradise Umbrella to agree?"

The copyright of this short film belongs to Paradise Umbrella.

Lu Yunzhou has already received the final payment; if Paradise Umbrella is unwilling to cooperate, everything will be for nothing.

"Don't worry, boss. Leave it to me. I'll get back to you within two days."

After a few moments of thought, Ji Rujing quickly understood everything.

For all the leaders of the organizing committee, successfully hosting the G20 summit is tantamount to getting on the fast track to promotion and salary increases.

They don't need any extra motivation; they will find ways to make this G20 summit a success on their own.

But this is on the premise that no farce occurs.

Therefore, Ji Rujing needs to step in and smooth things over with Paradise Umbrella Company's attitude.

The leader wouldn't deal with such troublesome matters; otherwise, if Paradise Umbrella regretted it later and held a grudge, the leader would lose face.

Having worked as an agent for so many years, she is most skilled at this kind of business negotiation.

She has enough confidence.

"Mr. Ji, in that case, we look forward to your good news."

"If this matter is handled properly, I will nominate Ms. Tang Yan to be our G20 Summit's public service ambassador for civilized tourism."

The G20 summit has many ambassadors, most of whom are overseas Chinese entrepreneurs with some influence abroad.

After all, this summit is meant to promote the domestic situation to the world.

However, if the short film wins an award at the Busan International Film Festival, Tang Yan, as the female lead, will naturally have some influence overseas, making her a perfect candidate for the role of a tourism ambassador.

All the identities and promotional resources here are interconnected.

Ji Rujing felt as if all of this was a windfall.

But after she hung up the phone, she turned to look at Lu Yunzhou and suddenly remembered the confident look on Lu Yunzhou's face when he first met Tang Yan.

"Could it be...?"

In that instant, Ji Rujing felt as if she had been electrocuted, and goosebumps began to appear on the back of her neck.

Ji Rujing scrutinized Lu Yunzhou for a few moments, finding it hard to believe that such a cunning and calculating mind was hidden beneath that young, cold face.

In Ji Rujing's memory at this moment, from the moment Lu Yunzhou took out the script of "Super Cleaner" and found Tang Yan, the gears of all subsequent opportunities began to turn seamlessly.

At this moment, although Ji Rujing couldn't believe it, she couldn't help but ask, "Yunzhou, could all of this be part of your plan?"

"Not really."

Lu Yunzhou picked up the Gatorade, took a small sip, and then modestly shook his head: "There's a saying that goes, plans can never keep up with changes. What we need to do is to make the stage look nice, and the right roles will naturally come to play the next act."

Just like the Chinese idiom, "Build a nest to attract the phoenix."

If you build your nest beautifully, even a phoenix will be attracted, let alone a human.

"That scared me to death."

Ji Rujing sighed inwardly.

If Lu Yunzhou were like a monster, with such profound schemes, she really wouldn't dare to stay with him.

I'm afraid of being sold out and then feeling smug about it.

At this moment, Lu Yunzhou put down his drink and added calmly, "As for Paradise Umbrella... Sister Ji, let's talk to President Li about the product placement in our new drama."

Just now, Lu Yunzhou mentioned a TV series that focused entirely on the weight of death, only allowing the protagonist to understand the meaning of life at the very end.

However, in a TV series with 12 episodes, there will naturally be many rainy moments, and many umbrellas will be used.

Paradise Umbrella can come in all sorts of styles, constantly incorporating GG into those rainy days.

Ji Rujing imagined the plot of Lu Yunzhou's new drama in her mind and couldn't help but laugh: "In the hellish wind and rain, holding a heavenly umbrella... such an image and contrast is incredibly dramatic, definitely a memorable scene. I think President Li will be satisfied with this product placement."

They used product placement in the new drama to get Paradise Umbrella to make concessions for a year.

Let's finish the G20 summit project first.

After Lu Yunzhou, Tang Yan, and the leaders of the G20 Summit Organizing Committee all gained fame and fortune, it was Paradise Umbrella's turn to have its GG (Girl's Name) released, along with the product placement of GG in the new drama.

By simply delaying for one year, Paradise Umbrella will not only receive a classic GG (Girl's Name), but will also get a free product placement in a GG with the potential to become an S-level hit drama.

All four parties benefited, and no one suffered any loss!

The more Ji Rujing thought about it, the more she felt that she had made a killing this time.

"I'll go to Hangzhou right away to handle this."

Ji Rujing immediately called the driver and said to Lu Yunzhou with concern, "Yunzhou, take a good nap and take care of yourself."

Lu Yunzhou's brain is just too sharp.

If Lu Yunzhou were an artist under her management, Ji Rujing felt that her daily work would be as simple as a single-celled organism.

Sooner or later, the brain will regress to a primitive state.

……

Ji Rujing rushed to the film set and found Tang Yan.

Tang Yan had just finished filming a scene and was touching up her makeup when she learned that Ji Rujing was going to Hangzhou. She asked, puzzled, "Sister, didn't you just come back from Hangzhou?"

Ji Rujing briefly explained the situation: "In short, if this matter is handled well, from October to next year's G20, you will briefly become the female celebrity with the highest traffic in the Chinese entertainment industry."

Upon hearing this, Tang Yan's eyelids twitched instantly.

In the mirror, as she touched up her makeup, her eyes began to feel slightly hot.

Having been ridiculed by the entire internet for more than half a year, she hadn't seen such light in a long time.

At this moment, Tang Yan took a deep breath to suppress her surging emotions and nodded emphatically to Ji Rujing: "Sister, I'm counting on you!"

What everyone in the entertainment industry seeks is the glitz and glamour under the spotlight, right?

The coming year will likely be the highlight of her career!

Don't underestimate a three-minute short film. If it wins an award at an A-list international film festival like the Busan International Film Festival, it's enough for Tang Yan to release press releases for half a year to promote herself.

"It's almost time, I have to go. Mr. Li is still waiting for me."

The car had arrived. Before leaving, Ji Rujing solemnly and earnestly took Tang Yan's hand and said, "Tangtang, after I leave, you must remember to show respect to our strategist."

I'm afraid he'll ruin you without you even knowing what's happening.

"How did he become our strategist again?"

Tang Yan now thinks that Lu Yunzhou might be the "Ever-Changing Star Lord".

When we first met, he was my little brother, but just half an hour ago he became my older brother, and now he's become the strategist for their team.

Seeing Tang Yan's confusion, Ji Rujing said with emotion, "I used to think that he was Mozart, a master who had reached the Great Perfection level from the very beginning, with overflowing talent, elegance, and full of sensibility, a born artist."

"But now, I feel he's more like Bach. His style is as precise as a clock, yet incredibly composed."

For Bach, every music exam candidate must have mixed feelings.

Actually, Bach shouldn't have been playing classical music; he should have been a mathematician.

Although Bach has been dead for hundreds of years, he still torments music exam takers to the point of exhaustion.

"No, no, no, don't mention Bach. He was my biggest nightmare when I was a child practicing the piano."

When Ji Rujing connected Lu Yunzhou and Bach, Tang Yan felt her PTSD was about to flare up.