On New Year's Day, Xiao Yi took Lu Zhou to a nearby famous resort to soak in hot springs and eat Japanese food. Lu Zhou was wearing a bathrobe, tidying up his hair, and gestured that there was no need for makeup; he would let the company handle the post-production. Xiao Yi held a DV camera, and Lu Zhou sat cross-legged on the floor in front of a sliding door, with a backdrop of lush pine forests and antique decorations. There was a light layer of snow on the trees, and Lu Zhou held red envelopes for the New Year, smiling, saying:

"In the new year, I wish all fans progress in their studies and smooth work..."

"Thanks for being with us throughout the year..."

Holding the DV camera, Xiao Yi secretly thought that Lu Zhou in this state was incredibly handsome, both sunny and attractive. He presented an image of an elder brother next door that made people feel as if they were basking in the spring breeze. Being able to follow him every day, even enduring scoldings, was worth it.

"Click," Xiao Yi said, "very good."

Lu Zhou sneezed and roared, "Close the door quickly! Who came up with this background? Do they want me to freeze to death?"

Xiao Yi: "…"

On the third day of the lunar new year, Xiao Qiang took Xiao Yi and Lu Zhou to Wuhan to catch the return flight, coinciding with another peak period of the Spring Festival travel rush.

Lu Zhou seemed to still want more and said to Xiao Qiang, "Go back and thank your parents for their hospitality."

"No problem!" Xiao Qiang smiled and said, " Zhou ge, work hard in filming!"

In the airport lounge, Lu Zhou held his phone, meditating for a long time, and Xiao Yi went to get him some water. When he returned, he saw Lu Zhou making a phone call.

Different from his usual attitude when talking to friends, this time, Xiao Yi almost thought Lu Zhou was talking to a lover. He looked at him with some surprise.

"No, I spent the New Year at my little brother's home." Lu Zhou said, "Went to Jing Shan, soaked in hot springs. How about your side?"

"Well… I know." Lu Zhou said, "I passed through Wuhan."

"Called." Lu Zhou added, "Uncle answered the phone."

Xiao Yi sat down next to Lu Zhou. Lu Zhou glanced at him, took the water Xiao Yi handed over, wearing a high-end watch, an expensive suit, and a shirt with a beautiful white border between the cuff and the back of his hand. Xiao Yi smiled. Lu Zhou's eyes carried a warning. Then, he averted his gaze and didn't meet Xiao Yi's eyes.

Xiao Yi thought, does Lu Zhou miss home too? He must also miss home. Is he calling his mom? They're so far apart; he must be lonely.

The receptionist in the VIP lounge came over, smiling, and spoke quietly to Xiao Yi.

"Don't worry about this." Lu Zhou said, "Take care of yourself. Don't quarrel with your husband. I'm boarding now. Happy New Year. Yes, yes, I understand." With that, Lu Zhou hung up the phone, posted on Weibo, with a blue sky and white clouds, ready to take off to welcome a new year of work, and also @ Xiao Yi on Weibo.

On that day, Xiao Yi's fans went crazy, and the number of followers soared to over ten thousand. The next day, Du Ma angrily scolded Lu Zhou, saying he was crazy, risking harming Xiao Yi. Unable to withstand the pressure from the company, Lu Zhou deleted the Weibo post.

"Li Xing's distribution has always been quite powerful," Du Ma said, "I just don't know when the broadcasting license will come."

Lu Zhou received the company's red envelope for the New Year, casually threw it to Xiao Yi, who received two red envelopes. He was ecstatic, and Lu Zhou asked, "How about the movie side?"

"There are now three companies that want to collaborate with you," Du Ma said. "Choose one. I had Xiao Yi give you the annual plan yesterday. Did you see it?"

"Seen it," Lu Zhou said, bored, although he hadn't actually looked at it.

"Which one do you choose?" Du Mei asked, "This year, I plan to integrate all the companies, sign more people. Now we have sufficient funds, and most of the connections are established. Only a few opponents are causing some difficulty. If conditions allow, we can prepare to release a film by the end of the year."

Lin Yao said, "Yesterday, the screenwriter recommended by Director Li came to the company. Since you weren't here, we listened to the ideas and thought they were good."

"You act as both a broker and a producer, and now you also have to be the production director," Lu Zhou said. "You have to deal with so many miscellaneous matters. Can you handle it? Look at Li Xing; they manage things by department."

"Take it slow." Du Mei said, "In the beginning, it's always a bit busy, but it will get better once it's on track. By the way, which one do you personally think is promising?"

Lu Zhou said, "Doesn't matter. What's the big deal? Shall I take a look?"

Du Mei: "…"

Xiao Yi: "…"

Xiao Yi took out the annual report Du Mei sent yesterday. Du Mei mentionned, "Ju Hua's people say it's a historical drama next year, but I've pushed away historical dramas."

"What about modern dramas?" Lu Zhou asked. "Anti-Japanese drama? Don't want those that involve tearing apart the devils."

"The screenwriters are all top-notch." Du Mei remarked, "There are good and bad producers. Take a look for yourself."

Lu Zhou said, "Let's go with this modern drama. Avoid the fuss and restrictions from the Radio and Television later."

Xiao Yi thought, another project to enter? Du Mei replied, "Alright, you wait a moment. Strive for a grand slam this year. Lin Yao and I also have high hopes for this script. It's just that I'm not sure whether you'll act in an idol drama or not."

"I don't care." Lu Zhou uttered. "The key is that the script needs to be well-written, dramatic enough, and less of the old-fashioned stuff."

Du Mei immediately called the film and television company in front of Lu Zhou. Then Lin Yao said, "Xiao Yi, come with me for a moment; I have something to ask you."

Xiao Yi: "…"

Xiao Yi immediately got up, saying, "Mr. Lin, how can you put it like this? Whatever you need, just tell me directly, no need to ask for advice..." Then Lu Zhou's face darkened, he coughed, and Xiao Yi immediately looked serious, thinking that Lu Zhou only allowed him to be servile to him. It seemed he couldn't stand him being servile to others.

Lin Yao took Xiao Yi to the next room, where a few young people were sitting, reading the script. When Lin Yao came in, they all stood up. Lin Yao chatted casually with them, and Xiao Yi felt a bit strange. Were these four newcomers?

The newcomers didn't look directly at Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi felt that these people were somewhat arrogant, and their attitude towards Lin Yao was good.

"Come, this is vocal teacher Xiao, Lu Zhou's personal assistant," Lin Yao introduced Xiao Yi to them. The newcomers immediately shook hands with Xiao Yi, saying, "Teacher Xiao."

"Pleasure, pleasure." Xiao Yi said.

Lin Yao glanced at Xiao Yi, and Xiao Yi understood. It should be that he wanted him to see the pronunciation and singing skills of these newcomers. Of course, since they were signed by Du Mei, they should all have some foundation, and they should all be graduates of formal acting schools. Lin Yao said, "Sing something casually, Xiao Yi, give them some guidance."

Xiao Yi smiled and said, "I'm not a vocal teacher, so let's skip the guidance. Let's just exchange ideas."

So, one of the newcomers sang a few lines, and Xiao Yi said, "Let me accompany you. What do you want to sing?"

Xiao Yi walked to the piano and tried the tone. The newcomer chose a song, started singing, and Xiao Yi played the piano, relying on his natural talent for singing; he hadn't practiced singing for several years after graduation, but he still had some basic skills. He could still distinguish their abilities.

Xiao Yi listened attentively. Lu Zhou, who had finished his business, came over, stood outside the room, and watched Xiao Yi play the piano. When the newcomer finished singing a section, Xiao Yi said, "Good, very good."

"Next one." Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Do you usually practice singing?"

"No," the newcomer said shyly.

Xiao Yi played another part, and the next newcomer sang. Then it was the third and fourth.

After listening, Xiao Yi exclaimed, "Their basic skills are better than mine."

Lin Yao smiled and said, "Not bad, not bad."

Xiao Yi excused himself and came out. Lin Yao asked, "How was it?"

"Uh... They still need some practice," Xiao Yi said, "But after all, it's for filming, not singing... Let's not set the bar too high."

Lin Yao asked again, "What does Lu Zhou think?"

"It’s practically blinded my dog eyes and deafened my dog ears," Lu Zhou said politely.

Lin Yao: "..."

Xiao Yi: "..."

Lu Zhou added, "The one playing the piano is not bad, could develop further."

Xiao Yi burst into laughter, Lin Yao looked helpless, and went back to his office.

*

A while later Xiao Yi encountered another person, and was surprised to find it was Wu Henggu!

Wu Henggu smiled and said, "Hello, Zhou ge! Xiao Yi, nice to see you again!"

Lu Zhou made a sound in his nose and walked over. Wu Henggu extended his hand, frozen in mid-air. Xiao Yi decisively stepped forward and shook his hand, saying, "You've worked hard."

Wu Henggu had just played the male partner for Lu Zhou, and his popularity soared with some BL photos, making Xiao Yi aware that Lu Zhou probably felt a bit uncomfortable. However, in order not to offend people, he chatted with him for a few words, whispering, "Zhou Ge didn't sleep well last night."

Wu Henggu nodded understandingly.

Wu Henggu signed with Lu Zhou's economic company, and Du Mei was still trying to recruit people everywhere. It seemed her ambitions were not small this year, pushing Lu Zhou and Wu Henggu together for that modern drama.

In this modern drama, Lu Zhou played a miserable, 35-year-old virgin, and Wu Henggu played a playboy. Tina, the top actress of Juhua Company, played the ex-girlfriend (female lead) dumped by Wu Henggu.

After getting drunk in a bar, Tina fell into the river and was rescued by the honest Lu Zhou.

Wu Henggu played the illegitimate son of the chairman of the media company where Lu Zhou worked.

The second female lead, Qiqi, played Lu Zhou's half-sister with different mothers. Qiqi, at a car show, had a heated encounter with Wu Henggu and tried to woo him away from Wu Henggu's current girlfriend.

Xiao Yi thought the relationships between these characters were quite chaotic and melodramatic. Lu Zhou hadn't read the script yet, but Xiao Yi held the script, reading it with interest, thinking that apart from a bit too much product placement, it was quite appealing.

However, after the first five episodes, it didn't seem so good. Xiao Yi, in his capacity as a "person who will die if he doesn't see the ending," still focused and watched the entire story until Lu Zhou urged him several times to quickly go and make dinner. Xiao Yi reluctantly went to the kitchen.

Lu Zhou collapsed after reading three pages.

"What is this nonsense!" Lu Zhou roared, "There are more product placements than the actual content! What is this thing! Do we lack money so much?!"

Xiao Yi: "..."

"The story is still quite interesting..." Xiao Yi said.

Lu Zhou picked up the script once more, studying its contents for a while. Eventually, unable to contain himself any longer, he dropped it for the second time, exclaiming, "These writers have truly reached new heights! Making an old guy like me wear women's clothing to a banquet hall for photoshoots – it's like they're intentionally trying to mess with me!"

Xiao Yi burst into laughter, standing in the kitchen. He almost knelt down due to Lu Zhou's antics. When he read this particular section earlier, he had anticipated Lu Zhou's reaction. There was a segment that described how the mature male protagonist, an old virgin, exploited his position to sneak into the banquet hall while pretending to be a woman, all to approach Tina.

Xiao Yi was engrossed in cooking, dressed in an apron along with light yellow trousers. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, and his hair appeared somewhat longer under the kitchen light.

Lu Zhou looked at the script again, then at Xiao Yi, and said, "A few days later, go buy more clothes and tidy up."

"Uh." Xiao Yi said, "It doesn't matter when I join the crew, no one will notice me anyway."

"What are you thinking!" Lu Zhou said, "Then see if there's any supporting role for you when the time comes."

Xiao Yi almost cut his hand and asked, "Can... can it be done?"

"The script needs to be changed," Lu Zhou answered impatiently, "We'll talk about it after joining the crew."

Xiao Yi was surprised, "How to change it? Change it yourself?"

Lu Zhou explained, "There are even scriptwriters bringing their own scripts into the crew! Last time, someone shot a historical drama, and brought their own director into the crew. That's cool!"

Xiao Yi: "..."

"See who has a higher status." Lu Zhou continued, "Those with higher status have the final say. Otherwise, how can I act in this cross-dressing play? Even if I want to act, are all the supporting roles idiots? Suddenly, there's a 1.85-meter tall, muscular woman. It's like blinding everyone's eyes!"

Xiao Yi mentioned, "Maybe it's a play tailored for another male lead."

Lu Zhou wore a bored expression as he once again scanned the script, expressing, "The inclusion of advertisements, it's just shamefully low." The moment Lu Zhou laid eyes on the script, he instantly transformed into a super complaining figure, prompting Xiao Yi to almost burst into laughter.

*

On the following day, upon returning to the company, Du Mei personally reached out to Ju Hua with some suggestions. Although they agreed to revise the script, the brands for the advertisements had already been secured and were non-negotiable. As a compromise, they assured an increase in Lu Zhou's fee to 550,000 yuan per episode. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi was left speechless.

Frequently visiting the company, Xiao Yi could probably infer some information about the costs of filming from their conversations. Someone like Lu Zhou, for instance, charged a hefty sum for a single episode; sometimes it was a lump sum, other times it was calculated per episode. In any case, for a drama, the total cost was never less than ten million.

Of course, the talent agency also took a cut. Xiao Yi wasn't sure about the specific percentage of this commission and didn't dare to ask too much. However, for a script of thirty episodes, it often ended up exceeding thirty episodes after all the editing. Paying by the episode count was a way to earn more profit and facilitated negotiations with the actors.

On the contract, to avoid taxes, such high figures could not be explicitly mentioned. Usually, historical dramas were much more expensive than modern ones, with costs ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 million per episode for historical dramas and 1 to 1.8 million for modern dramas. With such limited budget, paying Lu Zhou's 550,000, distributing to the female leads, male leads, supporting roles, screenwriters, directors, producers, directors of photography, lighting, post-production, etc. — renting locations, props, providing boxed meals for extras — it was inevitable to go over budget to some extent.

However, the 550,000 given to Lu Zhou was willingly provided by the production company. After all, with Lu Zhou on board, there's guaranteed viewership, and a high viewership means the drama is marketable. Various TV stations compete to air it, and when moms flick through channels, if they see Lu Zhou's face, they'll stop and watch with interest.

Although Li Changzheng often wined awards, he fell behind Lu Zhou in terms of viewership. Sometimes Li Changzheng couldn't even compete in the box office. The dark and heavy atmosphere of historical dramas, with the red and black tones, may not hold up against a light-hearted and joyful New Year's film during the Spring Festival season, getting overshadowed easily.

As a result, Lu Zhou and Li Changzheng had a bit of a feeling of ‘the king does not see a king’ (NT: idiom: they cannot be at the same level). After listening to a round of gossip, Xiao Yi realized that his previous hope for Lu Zhou and Li Changzheng to play opposite each other was naive and idealistic.

 

Translator : DarNan