With the kind help of the director team, they had a sumptuous hot pot meal.
It's true that eating can soothe the soul.
After eating and drinking, Lu Yanhe prepared to take a nap.
He also wanted to send a message to Chen Ziyan to tell her what He Zhong had said that morning.
Could it be He Zhong who implanted the Trojan horse into his computer? This thought popped up in Lu Yanhe's mind from time to time.
Although Lu Yanhe felt that it shouldn't be him, if it was him, why would he take the initiative to remind him?
Lu Yanhe couldn't figure out this matter, so he simply gave up thinking about it and went to discuss it with Chen Ziyan.
-
Because there were cameras all around, Lu Yanhe could only communicate with Chen Ziyan via typing.
Chen Ziyan asked: Did He Zhong have anything else to say to you?
Lu Yanhe: No.
Chen Ziyan said: "Maybe he saw someone else doing it? He's a photographer, so he's either following you or looking through your lens, and he'll see a lot of things you haven't noticed yourself."
Lu Yanhe: Maybe, but because I’m always recording a program, I can’t ask him about the situation privately.
That's what reality shows are like. Compared to ordinary program recordings, there is almost no time for rest. The only time you can avoid the camera for a short time is when you go to the bathroom.
Chen Ziyan: But He Zhong’s reaction shows one thing, the person who implanted the Trojan horse in your computer is from the program team of "Young Days".
Because the only intersection between He Zhong and Lu Yanhe is the show "Young Days", and there is no other intersection.
Chen Ziyan said: I will contact He Zhong and see if I can get some information out of him.
Lu Yanhe replied with an "OK".
Chen Ziyan added: In this case, you have to be more careful in the "Young Days" program crew. Before we find that person, you have to be careful about your every move and be cautious in what you say and do.
Lu Yanhe: Okay, I understand.
-
However, what Lu Yanhe and Chen Ziyan did not expect was that He Zhong left the program crew just thirty minutes later.
At this moment, Li Zhenzhen looked at He Zhong in disbelief and asked, "Are you leaving?"
"Yes, sorry." He Zhong's expression also seemed full of uneasiness, apology, and even guilt.
"He Zhong, do you know what you're talking about?" Li Zhenzhen asked, "Our show is in the middle of recording. If you say you want to leave now, what will happen to the recording? Who will film Lu Yanhe?"
"I'll ask my friend to come over and fill in for me," He Zhong said. "There's an emergency at home, and I really have no choice but to go back."
Li Zhenzhen: "You signed a contract with us, He Zhong, you, you——"
When Li Zhenzhen thought about how she had cordially invited He Zhong to join her next show two hours ago and expressed her appreciation for him, she felt as if she had been slapped twice and her face was full of stinging pain.
The guilt on He Zhong's face became even stronger, but he insisted on leaving without any hesitation or struggle.
"Director, I'm deeply sorry. I'll fully bear the responsibility for any compensation you've caused to the production team," He Zhong said. "If it weren't for a genuine family emergency, I definitely wouldn't have left at this time. There's really no other way. Don't worry, photographer. If you're willing, I'll contact my friend right away to come over and complete the handover with him. The filming won't be delayed."
Li Zhenzhen looked at He Zhong helplessly, and at this moment, her heart softened again.
He Zhong's attitude was too sincere, and he had to leave because of an emergency at home. What else could Li Zhenzhen say about this situation?
"Can't you wait three days?" Li Zhenzhen softened her tone and tried to fight for it one last time.
He Zhong said, "There's really no other way, Director."
"What's so urgent that you have to leave right away?" Li Zhenzhen said, "Our show will be finished recording in three days. If you have any problems, tell me. Maybe I can help you solve them. He Zhong, you know, I really admire you. I admire you so much that I even hope you can join my team and become a permanent member. You suddenly want to leave, and I can't stop you, but at least tell me what's wrong. Maybe we can find a way to solve it together?"
He Zhong shook his head, looked at Li Zhenzhen silently, and said, "This is a private matter between my family and I can't really talk about it. I'm sorry."
Li Zhenzhen sighed and said, "Well, if that's the case, then there's absolutely no other way. This is the only way."
He Zhong asked: "Then I will contact my friend now and ask him to come over quickly."
Li Zhenzhen nodded.
-
Then, thirty minutes later, Lu Yanhe heard from Chen Mo that He Zhong had left for some reason and that the person taking the photos had been replaced.
At that moment, Lu Yanhe was a little at a loss.
There was even a creepy feeling rising from the soles of my feet.
how so?
He Zhong had just reminded him about the notebook that morning, and then he suddenly left in the afternoon? Without any warning—was there an emergency at home? He Zhong hadn't acted out of the ordinary two hours ago.
Lu Yanhe's face showed a puzzled look. He asked, "What's the emergency at home? The show is about to finish recording in just a few days. Why is he in such a hurry to leave?"
Chen Mo explained: "We don't know either. He didn't tell us in detail what happened. But please don't worry, we have arranged another photographer to follow him. It won't affect the normal filming of the program."
"Oh." Lu Yanhe didn't know what else to say, so he nodded.
-
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Lu Yanhe coming back with a bad look on his face, Li Zhibai asked.
"Oh, nothing. My photographer left for something, so I need to replace him." Lu Yanhe said simply, "I'm a little depressed."
"What's so depressing about this?"
"Just..." Lu Yanhe also realized that his reaction was a bit too much. In the eyes of others, it was just a matter of changing a photographer, but it seemed as if something big had happened.
Be careful in what you say and do.
The four words that Chen Ziyan had just said emerged in Lu Yanhe's mind.
Lu Yanhe came back to his senses and said, "I feel this is a bad omen."
He gave a wry smile, "I'm a bit superstitious about this. After all, this is my first reality show, but I changed people midway through the filming."
Li Zhibai showed an incredible expression and looked at Lu Yanhe in disbelief.
"You actually still have such superstitions?"
"Yeah." Lu Yanhe nodded, "I didn't expect that myself."
"Then I really don't understand." Li Zhibai said, "You think too much."
Lu Yanhe shrugged and asked, "Are there any activities this afternoon?"
"No, there are no group activities." Li Zhibai said, "I have an interview later, and I can't attend the activities in the afternoon."
"What interview?"
"I shot a magazine cover and need to do a corresponding interview," said Li Zhibai.
"Are you still going to shoot the cover this afternoon?"
"We're not filming this afternoon. We've already finished filming. We're only doing interviews today," Li Zhibai explained. "This isn't happening on the same day. Haven't you filmed before?"
Lu Yanhe shook his head and said, "I only shot the cover of the group of seven of us at the time."
After that, Lu Yanhe never shot a solo cover.
Before he became famous, Zhou Ping'an would not let him take cover roles. Now that he has become famous, the magazines that approach Lu Yanhe are all very mediocre, which does not conform to the principle of "better to have nothing than to have something of poor quality" that Chen Ziyan set for Lu Yanhe.
Li Zhibai said, "Aren't there any magazines looking for you to shoot their covers? I think a lot of brands really like artists with good image like you, and they should be willing to pay you."
Many people assume that the artists who shoot magazine covers are all chosen by the magazines themselves, but this is not always the case. Generally speaking, the brand pays for the cover, and the artist who shoots it is not only the magazine's decision, but also requires the brand's approval.
When Li Zhibai said Lu Yanhe had a good image, he meant that he had a good social image and was positive in all aspects. Asking him to wear the brand's cover would also be good for the brand's image, especially since Lu Yanhe is so popular now.
Lu Yanhe shook his head. "I don't know. It's all handled by Sister Zi Yan. But, maybe because I've been too busy lately, Sister Zi Yan hasn't taken on any other work for me."
-
Lu Yanhe and Li Zhibai actually seldom talk about work.
Usually when we talk about this, we will chat about it together.
While chatting, Lu Yanhe took out his mobile phone and sent Chen Ziyan a message about He Zhong's sudden departure from the program team.
Chen Ziyan replied: It’s okay, I will contact He Zhong, just act normal and don’t let others think that you are affected by this incident. Regardless of whether he left because of something at home, I will talk to him, don’t be nervous.
Chen Ziyan immediately understood Lu Yanhe's worries and nervousness and comforted him.
Lu Yanhe thought, fortunately Chen Ziyan is here.
When it comes to matters like this where there might be a "mastermind", Lu Yanhe finds that his life experience is simply not enough.
How to find He Zhong, how to talk to him, and how to get the information I want from him.
Lu Yanhe had no idea at all and could only rely on Chen Ziyan.
"But, when will you film the next drama 'Phoenix Terrace'? Is the schedule set?"
After Lu Yanhe finished messaging Chen Ziyan, he came back to his senses, nodded, and said, "The specific time hasn't been decided yet, but it will probably be filmed at the end of the year, just in time for my winter vacation."
"That's good. I was just wondering how you would film if you had to go to school." Li Zhibai said.
"I've had to prioritize classes these past few years," Lu Yanhe said, "and I haven't been able to film many movies."
Li Zhibai nodded. "If you ask me, you might as well take on supporting roles in some big productions. That way you won't need too much filming time and you can also gain acting experience."
"Yeah." Lu Yanhe nodded. "That's an idea."
In fact, this is also the idea that Chen Ziyan and Lu Yanhe reached a consensus on.
In the next few years, if there is a leading role that can be filmed during the winter or summer vacation, that would of course be the best. If not, I will take supporting roles. As long as the drama is good and the role is good, it doesn't matter if it's a supporting role.
Chen Ziyan said: "If I can play a supporting role in a movie directed by a big director, it would be a great experience, just like acting in "The Golden Era"."
For male actors of Lu Yanhe's age, it is difficult to get the leading role in a top-notch production.
One is that it is a top-tier production, and there are basically no male protagonists around the age of 20. The other is that with Lu Yanhe’s current acting skills and performance experience, he cannot get such a project in the industry - after all, there is no way to carry it off unless he is chosen by a big director.
Lu Yanhe asked Li Zhibai: "Do you plan to change your career later?"
"Transformation?"
"Don't you really dislike acting in idol dramas?"
"But I don't like acting in idol dramas, and no other dramas have come to me," Li Zhibai said. "Serious dramas can't give me roles with room to develop my talents. I just find them boring."
Two people sat on the sofa and chatted.
In the workshop, the staff heard the two of them chatting and looked at each other in confusion.
Li Zhenzhen was also a little surprised, mainly because she didn't expect that the two of them would suddenly talk about acting.
"Sometimes I can't help but feel a little jealous of them," Assistant Director Zheng Hesong suddenly said. "They debuted early, were already popular and famous in their twenties, and could play leading roles. Think about this industry. Many people in their forties and fifties can't even get a role with a few lines."
"Don't think they're just lucky," Li Zhenzhen said. "Didn't they also fight their way out? They had to compete at the age of fifteen, and finally defeated their competitors to debut. This was just the beginning. They faced all kinds of pressure and difficulties. Don't just look at the few people who are still standing here. Look at their group. Seven people fought their way out from hundreds of people, and now only four are still in the entertainment industry. If Lu Yanhe hadn't relied on himself to get into Zhenhua and fight his way out, he would have disappeared long ago."
Zheng Hesong nodded and said, "I don't mean to belittle them. I just can't help but sigh at the cruelty of this industry."
"It's cruel, but reality is cruel. The audience doesn't owe anyone anything. They criticize idol artists for being incompetent and lacking talent, but they haven't stolen or robbed anyone, so fans are happy to pay the price." Chen Biqiu suddenly appeared. He smiled and said, "It's cruel, who says it isn't? But if you're in this industry, you have to follow its rules."
Zheng Hesong saw Chen Biqiu and laughed. He asked, "Director Chen, among the young people on our show, who do you think is the best?"
"Who should I support? It doesn't make sense for me to support anyone." Chen Biqiu shook his head. "Anyway, who is popular and who is not is not something I can decide, right? Whoever is popular, we will support them. What matters most is that the audience likes them. Only when the audience likes them will the sponsors pay for them."
Chen Biqiu pointed at Li Zhibai and Lu Yanhe on the surveillance screen.
"What's the point of transitioning? He can't just stay in his comfort zone. He has to make a fuss. How many people have died from this kind of nonsense?" Chen Biqiu said. "If Li Zhibai dared to make a transition at this time, how long would his popularity last? If it weren't for that summer drama that gave him a boost, his popularity would actually be declining."
Zheng Hesong: "So this guy is lucky, really lucky. I don't understand why he is so popular, but he has been popular for so long."
"Why can't he be popular for so long with his image as a rich young master? Others rely on packaging, but he was born to be the overbearing CEO in idol dramas. He had the right time, place, and people. And you still ask why he's been popular for so long?" Chen Biqiu glanced at Zheng Hesong with disdain. "Why don't you ask why so many female viewers like overbearing CEOs?"
Zheng He and Song were silenced by Chen Bijiu's pressure.
Chen Biqiu said, "Let's not talk about anything else. Just talking about female fans, even if Lu Yanhe gets into Zhenhua, he still won't be as attractive as Li Zhibai. A kid from a poor family wants to be an idol? I'm really not optimistic. He might become a great singer or actor in the future, but as a young idol, if he wants to take this path, it's likely to be a dead end."
Everyone in the workshop was quiet.
What Chen Biqiu said was very direct, but if you think about it carefully, it does make sense.
Idol, what kind of person can be an idol?
No fan will consider various things when liking an idol. They only have their first feeling and first reaction.
Can't Lu Yanhe be a high-quality idol?
He can, but it is difficult for him to be an idol like Li Zhibai, who is fanatically loved by many people for no reason.
In fact, what Chen Biqiu said was exactly what Chen Ziyan had thought about.
Everyone has a path that suits them.
If Li Zhibai concentrates on transforming himself into an actor, he may certainly succeed, but at least before the age of 30, it will be difficult for him to achieve the same success as an idol artist.
If Lu Yanhe relied on his current popularity to become an idol artist, he could certainly continue to be popular and maintain the image of an artist with excellent performance and good image, but he could only achieve 90 points and could not reach the top level - for idol artists, their background is not a sin, but it would be a burden.
When idols are unable to provide fans with a perfect fantasy that is detached from reality, the idols' halo is destined to fade.
When everyone was lost in thought, only Chen Mo raised the corner of his mouth with a disdainful smile.
Chen Mo took out his cell phone and sent a message to He Zhong: If you want to continue working in this industry, just watch your mouth. You know, if he wants to ban you in the industry, it only takes one word. Do you understand?
He Zhong did not respond.
But Chen Mo didn't care. It didn't matter if He Zhong didn't reply, as long as he saw it.
That's enough.
Whether they are idols or fans, it has nothing to do with her.
She only cares about herself. (End of this chapter)
