HuaYu: Starting with Photography to Navigate the Entertainment Industry

The most common form of creating a "couple pairing" is, of course, creating hype between celebrities.

"I'm not a celebrity, and I'm not well-known. Aren't you guys losing out by choosing me as the subject of your publicity stunt?!"

Upon hearing Xu Lang's question, Liu Manwen chuckled.

"Teacher Xu, you're not famous enough? You're being too modest!"

"Huh? Am I that famous?"

"Of course!"

Liu Manwen said with great certainty,

"Although you haven't acted in many films or TV series, your labels are all very attractive, such as 'genius photographer,' 'creator of two immortals in one person,' 'creator of the Super Girl champion,' 'composer and lyricist who touches the soul,' 'young and rich,' and 'student boss.'"

"You and Park Si-yeon together make a perfect couple!"

In one breath, Liu Manwen listed a long string of titles, leaving Xu Lang somewhat bewildered.

"They're all talking about me, how come I didn't know?"

Then Liu Manwen continued:

"Teacher Xu, your fans are different from the fans of other artists. Although your fans are not flamboyant, they are more pure and of higher quality. They are drawn to your talent and ability, and they are the kind of fan group that every artist desires most."

"Oh?"

Xu Lang is usually busy with work or going around to various female stars, so he really doesn't pay attention to these things.

Hearing this, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. Usually, he would tell his artists to be careful to protect their privacy and not to be photographed by paparazzi.

"If what Liu Manwen said is true, then should I also be more careful about the impact in the future?"

He didn't even dare to imagine what it would be like if his affairs with so many female celebrities were exposed.

However, Xu Lang later thought it probably wasn't that serious, and his fame wouldn't be as great as Liu Manwen had said.

Moreover, since his public identity is that of a photographer, and he's not deliberately creating hype, the media and paparazzi are really unwilling to spend time and energy on him.

Having figured this out, Xu Lang was no longer worried.

After pondering for a moment, he asked Liu Manwen again.

"To be honest, I don't really understand this hype. If I agreed to it, what would you do?"

"It's very simple. We will first communicate with the producer of 'Lotus Lantern'. I believe that Producer Li will also be very eager to see this happen. After all, they also hope to increase the popularity through hype."

If the production team collaborates, the hype will be even greater.

Secondly, we will provide you with some pre-arranged scripts, such as what actions you and Ms. Park will take and say in what situations, and where you need to be filmed.

"oh."

Xu Lang nodded to indicate that he understood. Indeed, in his previous life, he had seen many reports of this type in the media.

"It was all just hype!"

Xu Lang pondered for a moment, then asked:

"Do we need to make an official announcement?"

"this..."

This time, Liu Manwen hesitated for a moment before speaking:

"It depends on the situation; it's generally not necessary."

"oh."

Xu Lang pondered the pros and cons of this matter.

He really wanted to agree, because that would give him more opportunities to be ambiguous with Park Si-yeon.

But Xu Lang was also a little worried. After all, he had quite a few female confidantes now, and they were all in secret relationships. Even if someone wanted to take his place, Xu Lang had suppressed them.

"If someone suddenly pops up now and starts publicizing a relationship with someone else, I hope there won't be any trouble at home!"

To be honest, he wasn't sure either.

Most importantly, Park Shi-yeon can gain a lot from this hype, essentially getting Xu Lang's resources for free.

"But what do I get in return?"

Xu Lang was somewhat indignant, "I don't need fame."

As for Park Si-yeon?

"I'm just lusting after her body; even without this hype, I'd most likely still be able to have her."

Now, with this added hype, Xu Lang finds it harder to accept.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Lang said to Liu Manwen:

"I'm not a celebrity, and I don't need fame, so I really can't help with this."

"Well..."

Xu Lang's answer surprised Liu Manwen, and in the end, she had no choice but to say:

"Teacher Xu, please don't refuse yet. Please think about it again."

Hearing this, Xu Lang smiled and replied,

"Ms. Liu, I've heard your company is quite powerful in South Korea. You can't just take advantage of me like this; you have to offer some real benefits, don't you think?"

After saying that, Xu Lang got up and left.

"Well..."

Watching Xu Lang's retreating figure, Liu Manwen couldn't help but sigh and murmur:

"Sigh, this Xu Lang is really not easy to fool."

Then, she picked up the phone and called her boss to report the matter.

Meanwhile.

Inside a luxury villa on the outskirts of Beijing, Liu Yifei was staring blankly at a promotional plan.

Liu Xiaoli walked over and took the promotional plan from her hand. It read:

One of the pre-release hype strategies for "Chinese Paladin" was "Li Xiaoyao and Zhao Ling'er fell in love while filming."

"Sissi, this version of the 'romance' hype is much less explicit than the previous version. There's basically no substantial content; it's just pure hype. I think it's fine to accept it."

"Just consider it publicity for the series' release. Otherwise, Tangren will give us trouble, saying we're not cooperating with post-release promotion."

After hearing Liu Xiaoli's words, Liu Yifei finally came to her senses.

She had also read this version of the plan, and it was indeed as Liu Xiaoli said: it had no substantial content and did not require her to appear. The production team would only edit and release some of her normal interactions with Brother Hu during filming.

This is probably the lightest level of all the CP (couple) hype.

She wasn't dwelling on the issue of explicit content; instead, she was thinking about... Xu Lang.

Since losing to Xu Lang in the endorsement competition last time, Liu Xiaoli has had an even worse impression of Xu Lang.

But Liu Yifei didn't really care; in fact, she felt a kind of excitement.

After all, she and Xu Lang had a budding romance that was nipped in the bud.

She did have some feelings for Xu Lang.

Seeing that the person she liked was also so capable, she felt a little fortunate.

"As expected of the person I've set my sights on."

Moreover, she had already decided that when the time was right, she still hoped to resume her relationship with Xu Lang.

As soon as she looked at the promotional plan sent by Tangren, Xu Lang's image immediately appeared in her mind.

"Even though it's fake, I wonder if Xu Lang will care?"

She was still somewhat worried about Xu Lang's reaction.

No one knows a daughter better than her mother, and Liu Xiaoli quickly guessed what her daughter was thinking.

She was very dissatisfied and said resentfully,

"You're still thinking about that kid Xu Lang? Did you know he just stole your endorsement?"

Also, he's always involved in ambiguous relationships with a bunch of minor celebrities. Has he ever thought about how you feel?

After Liu Xiaoli said that, Liu Yifei felt a pang of unease.

She pouted and said rather reluctantly:

"Mom, I already promised you I wouldn't have any contact with him for now, so why are you still criticizing him?"

After saying that, she got up and walked upstairs, saying as she did so.

"Let's put this promotional plan on hold for now; I don't want to do it."

Watching Liu Yifei's retreating figure, Liu Xiaoli felt both anxious and angry.

"This Xixi, how dare she talk to me like that! It's all Xu Lang's fault!"

Looking at the plan in her hand, she became very worried again.

"Oh dear, how are we going to explain this to the Tang people?!"