The entertainment industry: My 99 future timelines!

When Jing Tian returned to the hotel after work that evening, she felt extremely tired, but her mind was unusually clear.

She took a hot shower, which dispelled some of the chill, but it couldn't dispel the images that kept replaying in her mind—Ke Jingteng's back as he rushed into the rain, her own hoarse cries, and Li Xu's words, "That was one of Shen Jiayi's most beautiful moments."

She lay on the bed, opened her phone, and tapped on her WeChat chat with Li Xu.

My finger hovered over the screen for a long time, typing and deleting repeatedly.

Finally, she sent a message: "Li Xu, after this movie is finished filming, let's go to Gulangyu Island together."

Almost as soon as she sent the message, Li Xu replied instantly, concisely: "Okay, I'll make time then."

Jing Tian looked at the words on the screen, took a deep breath, buried her face in the pillow, and typed with a triumphant satisfaction: "Okay."

Outside the window, the night in Xiamen is quiet and damp.

After filming a youthful rain scene, Ko Ching-teng and Shen Chia-yi's relationship gradually drifted apart, but the youth of Li Hsu and Ching Tien continued to deepen.

-

The final scene is their wedding after they've grown up.

Shen Jiayi is getting married. The groom is not Ke Jingteng, nor any of her brothers, but a steady and reliable man who seems to be a good match for her.

Li Xu specially rented a small church in Xiamen with a history of over a hundred years. It was not large, but the stained glass and wooden benches created a warm and holy atmosphere.

He invited many local residents and real friends to act as guests, with only one requirement: to be natural and act as if they were genuinely attending a friend's wedding.

When Jing Tian, ​​dressed in a pure white wedding gown and accompanied by her father, slowly walked into the church, the entire set was completely silent for a few seconds.

Sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on her.

With her veil veiled and head slightly bowed, a gentle and shy smile playing on her lips, she walked step by step toward the groom waiting at the other end of the red carpet.

At that moment, she was as beautiful as a bride who had stepped out of a classical oil painting, pure and beautiful, with a sense of settled happiness.

Li Xu, who was sitting in the guest section and playing the adult Ko Ching-teng, followed her gaze with the script in mind.

There was blessing, relief, and a touch of melancholy in his eyes, but more than anything, there was a serene peace of seeing beautiful things finally come to fruition.

When Shen Jiayi walked to the altar, she seemed to sense something, turned her head slightly, and her gaze passed through the guests, lightly meeting Ke Jingteng's gaze in the air.

Then, she gave him a very faint, yet incredibly clear, smile.

That smile contained a sense of letting go of the past, a farewell to youth, and an affirmation of the person and happiness before you.

Like old friends who haven't seen each other for years, at an important moment in life, they nod to each other gently and say, "Oh, you're here too, that's great."

Ko Ching-teng smiled, a final reconciliation with her and with his own youth.

Then, he turned his gaze away, looking at the sunlight streaming through the stained glass, his eyes slightly reddening.

"Okay! Passed!"

Li Xu stood up, picked up the microphone, and his voice, carried clearly through the slightly humming space of the small chapel, reached everyone's ears:

"I hereby announce—filming for the movie 'You Are the Apple of My Eye' has wrapped!!!"

"Wow—!"

After a brief silence, cheers, applause, and whistles nearly lifted the roof off the church.

Flowers and ribbons were scattered from someone's hands.

Everyone, whether actors or crew members, jumped up, hugged and high-fived each other, celebrating the successful conclusion of the two-plus months of hard and fulfilling filming.

Jing Tian was still wearing that heavy wedding dress, but she lifted the hem of her skirt and, like a light bird, ran straight to Li Xu through the fluttering ribbons and cheering crowd.

Perhaps overwhelmed with emotion, she momentarily forgot herself and opened her arms to hug Li Xu, shouting, "Ko Ching-teng! Happy wrap-up!"

The hug was short.

In just two seconds, Jing Tian immediately let go, her cheeks flushing red, whether from excitement or shyness, it was hard to tell.

She looked at Li Xu with sparkling eyes and added, "Li Xu, happy wrap-up day too, you've worked hard!"

Li Xu was slightly dazed when Jing Tian suddenly hugged him while he was wearing a wedding dress.

He immediately realized what was happening, patted Jing Tian on the shoulder, and said loudly to everyone, "Everyone has worked hard! The wrap party is tonight, the venue is already booked, let's drink until we drop!"

"We won't leave until we're drunk!"

Everyone echoed in unison, creating an extremely enthusiastic atmosphere.

Everyone wisely chose to pretend they didn't see Jing Tian's out-of-control hug.

-

After the hustle and bustle of the wrap party subsided, Li Xu immediately threw himself into the intense post-production work.

The editing work went quite smoothly. Li Xu had a complete rhythm of the final cut in his mind, and the rough cut was soon produced, 120 minutes long.

In addition, Li Xu had already drafted a theme song.

What echoed in his mind was naturally the melody of "Those Years," a song that could instantly transport countless people back to that summer.

After completing the rough cut of the film.

He repeatedly pondered the melody of the song in his mind. Although he couldn't completely recreate the lyrics, he still tried his best to preserve the essence of the song.

Musical inspirations constantly leaping through my mind.

This allowed Li Xu to make precise adjustments to the lyrics of the song.

Three days later, he emerged with a handwritten score of lyrics and music. His eyes were slightly dark, but his gaze was bright.

The melody is mostly finished, and the lyrics are also complete.

For the chorus, Li Xu sent an inquiry to Wang Lihong, who gave some suggestions, which Li Xu then adopted.

-

Inside a recording studio in Beijing.

The heavy rains I missed over the years

The love that was missed in those years

I want to hug you and embrace the courage I missed...

Li Xu was playing the guitar, even though he had only taken the time to learn how to play it during the filming of "Love Announcement".

But for some reason, Li Xu felt as if he had been playing this instrument for many years, and in a short time, he was already playing it very well.

He hummed the song "Those Years" softly, his expression serene.

The music arranger in the recording studio's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but slap the table in admiration.

Li Xu has no intention of having anyone else sing this song.

Now that his musical talent is growing, he no longer needs to share the copyright of this song with anyone or with any other singers.

During the filming of "Love Announcement".

He also sang two songs from the show, "The Things You Don't Know" and "Midnight Bookstore," but they weren't as popular as Wang Leehom's versions. He only gained a small reputation as a musical prodigy within the industry.

But Li Xu intends to use this song, "Those Years," to establish his position in the music industry, even though he has never intended to leave the film industry.

-

December 2008, 4.

As April drew to a close, the condensed version of "You Are the Apple of My Eye" was finally completed, and the soundtrack and theme song were also successfully finished.

Regarding this film, the first "audience member" Li Xu invited was Liu Yifei.

In public, she is an important investor and partner.

Personally, Li Xu's successful first step in directing her career stemmed from her investments.

The screening was arranged in a small private cinema, with only the two of them present.

The lights dimmed, and the screen lit up.

From the very first shot—adult Ko Ching-teng receiving a wedding invitation in front of a computer—to the final wedding smile, the credits roll, and the gentle piano intro to the end credits song "Those Years" begins...

For a full 100 minutes, Liu Yifei sat upright, watched intently, and didn't say a word.

Until the end credits finished rolling and the lights slowly came on,

Liu Yifei stared at the now-darkened screen, remained silent for a long time, and finally spoke.

"Li Xu".

Her voice was slightly hoarse, "You will become the youth of many people, including Jing Tian."

"Is there anything else that needs to be modified or adjusted?"

Li Xu nodded, indicating that the film would be a success in his future memory.

This time, he also wanted it to be a sure thing, and he cared a lot about Liu Yifei's opinion, both publicly and privately.

Liu Yifei slowly shook her head, her tone certain: "No, it's just right. The rhythm, emotions, performance, music... everything is just right."

"I'm just an actor, not a director, but from a purely audience perspective, I really like this movie. It really gives people a feeling of youth."

"Although I spent my youth abroad and didn't experience these things, it still felt amazing! Especially the smiles exchanged at the wedding at the end, and the transition to the end credits song, it was perfect."

As she spoke, Liu Yifei stood up, picked up her coat, and prepared to go out.

The private screening room was too oppressive, and she was feeling a bit emotional.

Li Xu watched Liu Yifei walk out the door, and was about to get up as well, when he saw Liu Yifei pause, then suddenly turn back and say:

"Jing Tian acted really well in this movie, and you filmed her very beautifully. Every frame is beautiful. She will probably become famous after this movie."

"But Shen Jiayi in the movie probably isn't your type, right? Her aloof, cool style... don't you feel it might be more suitable for your cold, artistic personality?"

After speaking, she opened the door and disappeared into the corridor, the light and shadow cutting soft lines across her silhouette.

Li Xu sat alone in the empty screening room. The screen was dark, with only the green light from the emergency exit glowing faintly.

Liu Yifei's last words were like a pebble thrown into his calm heart lake, creating subtle, indescribable ripples.

What type of person does he like?

He himself seemed never to have thought about it carefully.

Shen Jiayi is a bright, pure moonlight in Ke Jingteng's youth.

In reality, Jing Tian is a lively and considerate young lady who can also provide him with a lot of help in his career.

Although Liu Yifei is aloof, she has been investing heavily in herself from the very beginning.

"Can't I have both red roses and white roses?"

Shaking his head, Li Xu stopped his thoughts about being a scumbag from wandering further and put them to rest.

-

After thinking it over, Li Xu invited Jing Tian to watch the finished film of "You Are the Apple of My Eye" after Liu Yifei.

She was the female lead, and Li Xu wanted to get her opinion on the film from her.

Moreover, it wouldn't feel right to invite Liu Yifei but not her.

Jing Tian wasn't as quiet as Liu Yifei while watching the film; she used a lot of body language.

When she sees a funny part in a movie, she covers her mouth and chuckles.

Her eyes light up when she sees a basketball game.

When she sees an argument in the rain, she unconsciously clenches her fingers and mutters to herself, "I looked so ugly when I cried..."

When she saw the wedding scene, she fell silent, staring intently at herself in her wedding dress on the screen, and at Ko Ching-teng (Li Hsu) sitting in the guest section, smiling. She remained silent for a long time.

As the movie ended, the song "Those Years" echoed in the room.

As the lights came on, Jing Tian was still immersed in her emotions, her eyes moist.

"Li Xu, if you really are Ko Ching-teng..."

She suddenly asked, her voice very soft, "After the movie ends, outside the story, would you... try to win Shen Jiayi back?"

Li Xu was taken aback; he hadn't expected her to ask that question.

He thought of the ending of the original novel, and the lingering sense of injustice felt by countless viewers outside the film.

I also thought about my own definition of this regretful period of youth as a director.

He thought for a few seconds, then slowly but clearly shook his head:

"Won't."

Why?

Jing Tian pressed for an answer, her eyes fixed intently on him.

Because some things, once missed, are simply missed.

Li Xu's voice was calm, as if stating an objective fact: "We missed that time, we missed that state of mind, we missed the age when we could love each other most unreservedly. Even if we meet again later, we are no longer the same people we were back then."

"The biggest regret in life is that regrets cannot be undone."

"What Ko Ching-teng liked was the proud and kind Shen Chia-yi from high school; Shen Chia-yi might also miss the naive and passionate Ko Ching-teng, but their lives have since taken different paths, and that's reality."

"It is precisely because it is irreparable that youth is what it is."

"Even if the story could happen again, unless Ko Ching-teng could retain his memories of the future, he would definitely make the same choice again."

Jing Tian listened quietly for a long time before softly saying "Oh".

There was something strangely complex about that voice.

Li Xu felt that he could even detect a hint of laughter in the voice, making him wonder if he had misheard.

laugh?

strangeness.

-

After seeing Jing Tian off, Li Xu returned to his studio.

On the computer screen was a newly received email, confirming the approximate release date and promotional plan for the movie "You Are the Apple of My Eye".

The release date for the film has not yet been confirmed.

But around the end of June to July, the goal is to seize the beginning of the summer movie season.

The promotional materials are also mostly ready.

A series of carefully selected stills perfectly capture the most touching moments in classrooms, corridors, basketball courts, rainy days, and sunny days, making them very worthwhile to watch.

All that's missing is the final trailer and promotional clips, which haven't been completed yet.

Li Xu needed to do these two things himself; Shen Ao didn't dare to interfere, fearing he would damage the box office.

-

the next day.

Li Xu, Liu Yifei, Shen Ao, Jing Tian, ​​and production manager Wang Jing gathered in the conference room of Xujing Film Industry for a meeting.

The whiteboard was dragged to the middle.

The sign above reads in large print: "The Formula for a Hit Youth Film".

Below this large text are several keywords: "nostalgic resonance", "aesthetic justice", "the aesthetics of regret", and "a topic of national discussion".

Li Xu pointed out the methods of promotion:

"First, nostalgia resonates."

He underlined the first keyword.

"We filmed a story from the late 90s. Blackboards, chalk, school uniforms, notes, bicycles, basketball courts, evening self-study sessions during power outages, drinks being secretly passed around... These are not just simple sets, but symbols that carry the memories of youth."

"What the audience is watching is not our story, but their own youth."

Why is the basketball game scene in our movie considered one of the key minor climaxes?

"Because 'wanting to win in front of the girl you like' is a moment that countless boys have had or fantasized about. What we need to do is to refine and purify the fantasies in their minds, and then present them with the most beautiful light and shadow, giving them a huge emotional impact."

"Secondly, appearance is justice."

Li Xu moved his pen to the second word.

"For youth films, the actors must be good-looking, but this good-looking cannot be the aloofness of a star; it must be down-to-earth and have the charm of a student."

"Therefore, Shen Jiayi needs to be pure and innocent, Ke Jingteng needs to be sunny and unruly, and other characters also need to be distinctive."

"That's why Senior Yifei isn't suitable to play Shen Jiayi, because she's too ethereal."

"Senior Yifei, of course she can portray that feeling of a white moonlight from student days, but she is too beautiful, so beautiful that it is hard to imagine how many people would dare to pursue her when they were in school? Especially someone like Ke Jingteng who would relentlessly pursue her."

At this point, Li Xu sensed something was wrong and glanced around at the audience.

Jing Tian's face darkened, Liu Yifei looked smug, Shen Ao watched the show, and Wang Jing lowered his head.

"..."

Li Xu instantly realized he had said something wrong. He had inadvertently created a situation where he was praising one person while belittling another, even though he didn't actually mean it that way.

"Ahem... Jing Tian, ​​you're very pretty too, but in a down-to-earth way, which I really like."

Li Xu quickly tried to salvage the situation.

As he spoke, Li Xu noticed that Jing Tian's dark expression had eased slightly. Not being good at comforting women, he quickly changed the subject and started talking about serious matters.

"Third, the aesthetics of regret."

Li Xu paused on the third word, emphasizing his tone.

"At its core, all successful coming-of-age films revolve around regret. It's about the past that can never be returned to, unspoken feelings of affection, and missed opportunities caused by unforeseen circumstances."

"I originally thought of giving the story of 'You Are the Apple of My Eye' an open ending, where Ko Ching-teng rushes to Shen Chia-yi's wedding, but doesn't reveal who the groom is, only hinting at it with some details. Ko Ching-teng failed."

"But after thinking about it, I realized that while the story would be perfect, the fact that they didn't end up together is the most common and profound regret of youth."

"How many people, how many viewers, have experienced this kind of regret of wanting something but not being able to have it in their youth?"

"If Ko Ching-teng and Shen Chia-yi had ended up together, without this failure, the audience wouldn't have remembered it so vividly, and our film wouldn't have generated much buzz. Imperfection itself is a kind of extreme aesthetic—the aesthetics of regret!"

"All we have to do is capture this regret in a way that is beautiful enough, painful enough, and yet reassuring enough."

"Let the audience cry for themselves in the movie theater, and then leave the theater and make peace with their regrets."

"Fourth, a topic of national interest. Senior Shen Ao, I've mentioned this to you before, so you can elaborate."

Seeing that Li Xu had passed the last topic to him, Shen Ao didn't stand on ceremony and cheerfully said:

"Haha, everyone, now it's my turn to speak, let's give him a round of applause!"

"I talked to Li Xu and we learned that if a movie wants to spark a nationwide discussion, it must have enough memorable moments. So we need to design some 'memes' and 'famous scenes' that people can discuss, quote, and remember."

"For example, in the basketball game, Ko Ching-teng wins and asks Shen Chia-yi, 'Am I handsome?' And there's the breakup in the rain! And the reunion at the wedding!"

"Only these things have the potential to become popular. Of course, I don't know if you've heard the theme song of our movie, but this song probably can too."

The meeting room was quiet, with only Shen Ao's cheerful voice echoing in the background.

Li Xu nodded slightly from below the stage.

The nostalgia trend was originally set to begin in 2010 with the short film "Old Boys".

And then there were the various nostalgic youth films that followed in the next few years, which made a killing at the box office and produced a lot of terrible movies.

Li Xu decided that he would expedite it and make it more exquisite!