Huayu 2015, the Artist of Light and Shadow

……

After leaving Tang Yan's studio.

Lu Yunzhou received a contract and 150 million yuan in filming funds deposited into an escrow account.

This account is temporarily being managed by producer Wong Yat-tat.

The whole thing went very smoothly.

It went so smoothly, almost too smoothly.

Faced with all of this, Lu Yunzhou remained completely unmoved.

But Cai Xukun was extremely excited.

After all, this is a milestone in his career.

This was an investment that he and Lu Yunzhou obtained from the famous star Tang Yan.

Although Lu Yunzhou was the main damage dealer during this process, he was just playing a supporting role.

However, even if a support only applies a shield, it still counts as an assist in the final game settlement.

"Brother, we've been working hard for half a month and finally earned our first pot of gold. Shouldn't we book a nice hotel tonight, have a big meal, and celebrate?"

As Cai Xukun spoke, he subconsciously glanced at his mobile banking app.

Just yesterday, his mother gave him tens of thousands of yuan in pocket money, more than enough to treat guests.

At worst, after he goes to South Korea, he can live frugally, date fewer Korean girls, and eat more kimchi.

"We should definitely celebrate."

Seeing the expectant and enthusiastic look in the eyes of the 17-year-old boy beside him, Lu Yunzhou didn't disappoint him. He put his arm around the boy's shoulder and said generously, "Come on, it's on me today!"

"If you're treating, brother, then let's eat at Shaxian Snack Shop."

Cai Xukun suddenly changed his mind and decided not to celebrate at the fancy hotel anymore. He said very seriously, "Actually, Shaxian snacks are pretty good too. Especially the one across from your neighborhood, I've checked it out, it's definitely a top-notch restaurant in Shanghai."

Lu Yunzhou was speechless for a moment: "What? Are you afraid I can't afford it?"

Cai Xukun, as if he had seen through Lu Yunzhou long ago, laughed and said, "Brother, all you do is buy full-frame lenses or look at imported pianos online. Where would you get the money to treat me to a fancy meal?"

The main reason was that Cai Xukun overheard Lu Yunzhou talking to his parents on the phone, and it seemed that his parents' business was having some problems. He didn't want to burden Lu Yunzhou.

After all, his family was much better off.

Good brothers should be loyal and not try to take advantage of each other.

"Okay, you guessed it. I'm a bit short on cash lately. I just bought a full-frame Sony lens specifically for shooting this GG video."

After thinking about it, Lu Yunzhou decided to stop pretending to be a big shot.

"I knew it!"

Although Cai Xukun and Lu Yunzhou hadn't known each other for long, Cai Xukun understood Lu Yunzhou very well. This guy didn't spend much money normally; he poured all his money into professional equipment.

He placed an order for a full-frame Sony lens without even blinking.

However, you won't lose much money buying this Sony lens. After shooting the GG film, you can resell it to the next person who is destined to have it.

With Tang Yan's endorsement, this lens might even become a rare treasure, fetching double the price.

……

The two enjoyed a hearty meal at Shaxian Restaurant across from their residential complex.

The Shaxian deluxe set meal, although cheap, actually tastes quite good.

"Brother, I'm leaving in a couple of days, so I won't be able to visit you anymore. Take care of yourself, and when I get back from Korea, we brothers will be back in action!"

Cai Xukun was somewhat reluctant to part with it.

No one can beat him in both music and basketball. Lu Yunzhou is one of the few people he has ever seen who can crush him in both areas.

After returning to China, he didn't have many friends. But then, a casual friend he made made him realize that the ancients were right.

A thousand cups of wine are not enough when drinking with a bosom friend!

Once you leave Yangguan Pass to the west, you'll find no old friends!

"Flying to South Korea will be quite boring, so I'm giving you a book. Remember to read it carefully."

This book has been in Lu Yunzhou's bag for several days now.

When he took it out, Cai Xukun glanced at it and immediately sensed that it was an old book that had been read before.

This may be Lu Yunzhou's own book.

Lu Yunzhou thought it was good, so he recommended it to him.

This made Cai Xukun feel a strong sense of brotherhood.

"Boule de Suif?"

But Cai Xukun glanced at the cover and was immediately stunned: "Brother, you're recommending a world classic to me?"

He thought that Lu Yunzhou had some private collection that he found very good and wanted to share with him so he could critique it properly.

This book most likely originated in Tokyo.

To my surprise, it turned out to be a world-famous classic.

"What, you don't like it?"

How could young people possibly enjoy reading world classics?

Lu Yunzhou also noticed the disdain on Cai Xukun's face.

"No way! Don't worry, I'll keep a close eye on it."

Cai Xukun instantly became serious and carefully put the world-famous book "Boule de Suif" into his bag.

"Brother, I'm leaving now. See you in three months."

Seeing that it was getting late, he waved to Lu Yunzhou, leaving Lu Yunzhou with a dashing back view.

……

The following afternoon.

Cai Xukun joined the other trainees from "Super Idol" and, under the company's arrangement, flew to South Korea for three months of training.

on the plane.

"How about we play a more exciting game? Whoever loses, once we get to Korea, we'll find one of the company's Korean trainees and call him a 'little Korean'."

"Ah Kun, do you want to play together?"

A group of seventeen or eighteen-year-old teenagers got together and automatically hatched a genius idea.

"I'm going to sleep, you guys play."

What's so fun about such a childish game?

Cai Xukun was completely uninterested.

Because he was no longer an ordinary 17-year-old boy, but a superstar, Tang Yan, chatting and laughing with him, and even subtly looking down at Tang Yan as a top producer.

Out of sheer boredom, he took out the copy of "Boule de Suif" that Lu Yunzhou had given him.

Although he had heard of the novel's fame, he had never read it carefully. Now, bored on the plane, he casually flipped through a few pages and was immediately struck by the story.

"These people are truly despicable and vile."

"Moreover, how could these powerful figures resort to such despicable moral blackmail against a prostitute?"

"What's most infuriating is that Boule de Suif gave everything, only to be met with disdain and ridicule instead of respect?"

"This world is so dark!"

When Cai Xukun was young, after reading the novel "Boule de Suif", he felt very sad and had an indescribable depression.

However, after he finished getting angry, he vaguely sensed Lu Yunzhou's deeper meaning.

Lu Yunzhou seemed to want to tell him through the story of "Boule de Suif" that the so-called top agents, company bosses, and glamorous stars in the entertainment industry are just like the hypocritical upper-class people in this story.

They are adept at manipulating public opinion, engaging in various forms of moral blackmail, and using press releases to attack and discredit others.

At this moment, Cai Xukun recalled what had happened to Tang Yan and felt a sense of disappointment and frustration.

"Sister Tangtang is so spineless. Doesn't she know that constantly giving in won't earn her respect, it will only make people think she's easy to bully?"

"No wonder my brother made me watch 'Boule de Suif'!"

"If it were me, I definitely wouldn't swallow my anger."

The story of "Boule de Suif" was still too profound for 17-year-old Cai Xukun. He didn't think too much about it and was just angry for Tang Yan!

He read the novel at a leisurely pace, occasionally appearing deep in thought.

"Ah Kun, do you have a favorite girl group? I'll try to find out where they are. Maybe we can get a photo and an autograph."

I could hear my friends talking nearby.

But Cai Xukun only felt that these people were noisy.

While I was contemplating the darkness and brilliance of human nature in world classics, these people were discussing girl groups.

That's really vulgar.

"Gray leaves drift on the pond, watching the plane roar away to a distant land."

"The sound of footsteps echoes through the long corridor of time, but when the lights come on, the place is deserted."

"A few frames from the past flash by in the evening breeze, have they vanished in the rush of time?"

As he lowered his head, a melody kept playing in Cai Xukun's mind.

It was a little tune that he had overheard Lu Yunzhou humming yesterday evening before dinner, and it amazed him.

He kept asking Lu Yunzhou if the song was written for him.

Lu Yunzhou did not answer, but simply smiled gently.

But it was something Cai Xukun couldn't forget.

A thought flickered in his mind, and he suspected that this was a mysterious gift that Lu Yunzhou had prepared for him when he returned to China three months later.

……

at the same time.

In Yang Mi's studio.

Several staff members are collecting various opinions online.

After a while, they began their report: "Sister Mi, the situation is excellent. The whole internet is saying that our Dilraba is far superior to Tang Yan, both in terms of acting skills and beauty."

"【Dilraba, Gao Wen】This hashtag has climbed to number 3 on Weibo's trending topics list today! Dilraba has become a huge star."

If a new talent under Yang Mi's management becomes popular, it will benefit the entire studio.

Hearing this, Yang Mi felt a little smug. She lightly flicked her fingers and asked casually, "What about Tang Yan? Has she responded?"

After asking that question, her ears perked up, clearly showing her concern.

The entire studio remained silent for several minutes.

Everyone looked down and took out their phones to contact their informants, while others went online to gather intelligence.

After a while, everyone shook their heads in unison.

"Sister Mi, Tang Yan is very quiet, there's no response at all."

"She didn't even use the incident of her heart convulsions during filming to elicit sympathy."

Something's not right here.

Everyone noticed it.

Yang Mi also sensed something unusual and pressed, "Investigate thoroughly. Is she hiding something?"

Everyone looked down again and searched for information for more than ten minutes.

Finally, someone quietly raised their hand and said, "Sister Honey, I heard a rumor. Tang Yan seems to have taken on a public service film role. I don't know the specifics."

"A public service announcement video?"

Yang Mi frowned and pondered for a moment, then said with feigned composure, "Trying to whitewash her acting skills with charity films? Her current situation is even worse than mine was back then. How can she be so easily whitewashed? Besides, the audience for charity films and idol dramas are completely different."

"Since she's so naive, let's just ignore her."

"Keep pushing the pace and let Dilraba rise to the top by stepping on Tang Yan!"

I'm sorry, sister.

Although our relationship is not bad, money is closer than parents.

However, after everyone in the conference room had left, Yang Mi pulled aside her agent Zhao Ruoyao and said as if facing a formidable enemy, "She's not that naive."

"Keep investigating. Dig up all the partners, distribution channels, and director's background for this charity project. I want to see what Tang Yan is really up to."

……

Hangzhou.

Paradise Umbrella Headquarters.

"Ms. Tang Yan, Director Lu, it's a pleasure working with you."

The brand operations director of Paradise Umbrella officially signed a contract with Tang Yan, and also signed a copyright cooperation agreement with Lu Yunzhou.

For this project, Paradise Umbrella was initially unwilling to pay too much in royalties because Lu Yunzhou was a newcomer with no prior works.

They originally wanted to discuss the price after seeing the finished product.

But to everyone's surprise, Lu Yunzhou actually managed to trick Tang Yan into coming.

What else can we do?

If Paradise Umbrella doesn't want this GG, Lu Yunzhou's side can slightly change the ending and replace it with Silk GG.

The results don't seem to be much different.

Meanwhile, Paradise Umbrella may miss a huge opportunity to break out of its niche.

Therefore, the boss directly authorized his subordinates to spend the maximum amount of 500 million on advertising, only asking Lu Yunzhou to make sure that their Paradise Umbrella was photographed in a particularly charming way.

……

On the way back.

Lu Yunzhou looked at Ji Rujing: "President Ji, the copyright fee is ridiculously high. Could there be some kind of trap? Have you consulted your legal counsel?"

"Don't worry. It'll be fine."

Ji Rujing glanced at Tang Yan beside her, who couldn't help but want to show off, and said to Lu Yunzhou, "A large portion of it is Tangtang's brand endorsement fee. However, we won't accept that money. After all, this is a public service announcement."

According to unspoken rules, public service films cannot be paid for.

Of course, even if they didn't charge money, they couldn't let the brand owners profit from it. Therefore, the copyright fee for this GG film seems ridiculously high.

"Thank you, Sister Tangtang."

Lu Yunzhou was fully aware of Tang Yan's good intentions.

He didn't refuse out of politeness.

"No need to thank me, Junior Brother Yun! You got this job through your own abilities. Without your GG proposal, even if I volunteered and lowered my standards, the brand might not have been willing to hire me."

"So, you're the key!"

Tang Yan had been scolded for half a year and was already somewhat disheartened.

Moreover, she's reached an age where she'll likely be getting married and having children.

Therefore, she also plans to follow Yang Mi's model and sign several new actors.

However, while beautiful actors are easy to find, talented directors are hard to come by.

She thought Lu Yunzhou was a rare talent!

The worst way to attract talent is to throw money at them, while the best way is to build genuine relationships.

Although opening one's heart is a dangerous thing, Tang Yan is willing to take the gamble!

She bets that Lu Yunzhou is like Bu Jingyun, the Uncrying Death God in "Storm Riders," a person who is cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

"No matter how long the night, the day will always come."

"Senior Sister Tang, let's encourage each other with these words!"

Just now, Tang Yan called him Junior Brother Yun. This was the first time Lu Yunzhou had heard such a title, and he found it quite interesting. So, he smiled and called Tang Yan Senior Sister.

"Thanks."

Tang Yan was stunned for a moment, and then the gloom that had been building up in her eyes for half a year dissipated.

Looking at the young man who was almost 10 years younger than her, she suddenly felt that the long, suffocating night was finally about to let in some light.