Abstract Art Award Winner

Zhou Le pulled her in: "That's because you're a good actress. You're a drama queen both on and off screen."

"Pah! You're the drama queen!" Dilraba glared at him reproachfully, then naturally sat down on the sofa, picked up a watermelon from the coffee table, and took a bite of its pointed tip.

Zhou Le smiled and leaned closer, gently wiping her lips with his fingertips: "You got some watermelon juice on them."

"You were being quite affectionate in the game just now. I remember there were even a few ambiguous lines later on?"

Dilraba blushed, subconsciously licked her lips, and her eyes darted around: "That...that's what the plot requires! It's just a line! Besides, it was what the director asked for."

"Oh? Just lines?" Zhou Le moved a little closer, almost feeling each other's breath. "And now? Is that also necessary for the plot?"

Dilraba's heart raced, but she stubbornly said, "Now... now is time to replenish my energy! I'll go back to sleep after you eat a bite of watermelon!"

"Go back?" Zhou Le chuckled, wrapping his arm around her waist. "You think you can just leave now that you've come? Who said you could just point and shoot wherever you want? I'll point here now."

He took Reba's hand and pressed it to his chest.

Dilraba blushed as he teased her, but she didn't want to let go of his hand.

Zhou Le pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his laughter resonating through his chest: "What am I to you?"

"A virtual pet?...Hey, let me go..."

"Let you go? I didn't use any force, heaven and earth can bear witness, but an electronic pet will do too, except that electronic pets don't need rest, they need to be charged."

"What the hell is 'charging'?!"

"like this……"

……

The following days passed quickly amidst the intense filming, occasional live streams, and the ambiguous atmosphere of exchanging acting tips with Dilraba.

As filming of "Glory" progresses smoothly, the chemistry between the two leads is growing stronger, and the director is often beaming with joy.

They took the initiative to lead the way in shipping couples.

But just as filming for the series was nearing its end, the national premiere of "Cliff Walkers" was officially held in Beijing.

As the male lead, Zhou Le took leave again and attended the event in full regalia.

This premiere was unprecedented in scale and star-studded.

Not only was the entire creative team present, but also countless big names in the entertainment industry, well-known directors, producers, and film critics attended, making it comparable to a large film festival.

Zhou Le, dressed in a bespoke suit, walked the red carpet and joined the main cast members, including Zhang Yimou, Yu Hewei, and Qin Hailu. He greeted and exchanged pleasantries with various bigwigs who came to support him, handling the situation with ease.

Now, wherever Zhou Le appears, he becomes the focus of attention for the media and guests present.

However, Zhou Le was more concerned about who he could meet here.

The premiere of "Cliff Walkers" has become a stage for fame and fortune and a touchstone that has sprung up overnight in Beijing.

Everyone who was there was a big shot.

The flashes weren't just blinking anymore; to people on the red carpet, they were constantly on.

It's unbearably bright.

But you should still keep smiling.

In the media areas on both sides, every click of the shutter could determine who will be the headline of tomorrow's entertainment section.

Zhou Le wore a dark gray suit from the early autumn collection that Su Yingxia had ordered for him when the movie wrapped up filming. The suit was well-tailored.

It is neither overly flashy nor ostentatious, yet it exudes quality in its details.

This was also carefully planned.

Respect the occasion, highlight yourself, but don't overstep your bounds.

Everywhere you look, there is the world of martial arts.

Zhang Ziyi was talking quietly with Zhang Yimou. She turned her head slightly, listening attentively, nodding occasionally. The aura of an international film queen was transformed into respect for her mentor, but the shrewdness and scrutiny in her eyes never faded.

Zhou Le knew that she was not only watching the movie, but also everyone in the theater.

Besides Zhang Ziyi, Gao Qunshu, Sun Honglei, Fu Ruoqing, and other well-known figures were all surrounding Zhang Yimou.

But those closest to us are the real big shots.

Zhou Le couldn't help but marvel at the grand setup of the Imperial Advisor's venue; it truly was top-notch.

This lineup is comparable to that of a film festival, and in fact, many smaller film festivals don't have the same cast.

The initial greetings upon entering are a high-level form of social interaction.

Upon seeing Sun Honglei, Zhou Le took the initiative to step forward and shook hands with just the right amount of force: "Brother Honglei, it's been a long time."

Sun Honglei took off his sunglasses, revealing his signature small-eyed smile, and squeezed his hand tightly: "Le'er, you're really something now, Director Zhang's darling. You're a good actress and you know how to talk. We should work together more often in the future."

Without uttering a single wasted word, Zhou Le thought to himself that these seasoned veterans were indeed just putting on an act in the variety show.

When it comes to situations requiring social interaction, they are incredibly meticulous.

Afterwards, he greeted Zhang Ziyi, Bai Yansong, and others, and chatted for a few minutes.

Zhang Ziyi's attitude was noticeably better than when they last met.

"We can collaborate in the future if there's an opportunity. Director Zhang always praises you."

Zhou Le didn't even know when Zhang Yi had ever praised him to Zhang Ziyi.

But thinking about it, in that kind of setting, there probably wasn't time to praise myself; it could only have happened at a private gathering.

Zhang Ziyi was saying that she was doing well.

But Zhou Le was thinking that if he was still a little short, he wouldn't be able to get into those private parties.

Once inside, everyone took their seats and chatted in small groups.

During the formal part of the premiere, the host controlled the flow of the event.

While the first few actors were giving their speeches, Zhou Le listened attentively, nodding solemnly from time to time. This is a basic skill for navigating the workplace and society, and Zhou Le had already mastered it when he was working in engineering.

Now it has reached a state of perfection!

It was eventually his turn as the male lead.

Zhou Le naturally took the microphone. He had already done the emotional stuff and the abstract stuff, so now he could only combine them. But the main thing was to subtly praise Zhang Yi.

After a brief moment of thought, Zhou Le spoke up: "Brother Yi, I totally understand this. In temperatures of minus thirty or forty degrees Celsius, let alone acting, just standing there takes immense courage." As soon as Director Zhang yelled "Cut," the crew immediately revealed their true colors, and everyone started dancing to keep warm, causing the scene to become quite chaotic.

Sometimes the director would ask for a look that was alert and ruthless in my eyes. I reckon that half of my gaze at those times was acting, and the other half was just pure, unfiltered emotion—my pupils were practically shaking from the cold, and I wanted to shrink my eyeballs back in to keep warm.

It acknowledged the hardship of the filming while also adding a touch of humor.

Although it would be awkward to bring this up alone, everyone present was a seasoned veteran and naturally knew that they should just laugh it off.

Because he wasn't saying this to his subordinates, but to Zhang Yimou.

Zhang Yi listened from the side, a satisfied smile on his face. He whispered to the producer next to him, "See what I told you? This kid may be young, but he's clear-headed, quick-witted, and knows when to say what."

The banquet following the premiere was held in a private room at a nearby elegant restaurant.

The atmosphere here is relatively private, but the invisible hierarchy is still clearly defined.

Zhang Yimou was naturally the absolute center, surrounded by a small circle of people with the deepest seniority and most stable positions.

Zhou Le wisely chose a position in the middle, which allowed him to hear the conversations within the inner circle while also making it easy to come and go as he pleased.

He wasn't in a hurry to squeeze into the very center, but instead chatted leisurely with directors, actors, and representatives from several platforms and investors he knew, exchanging snippets of information about recent industry trends.

If this show becomes a hit, the next demand for actors' salaries and cooperation intentions will rise accordingly. In addition, it's also worth inquiring about the situation if there are any suitable roles for our actors.

Zhang Yi was clearly in a great mood. After a few rounds of drinks, he raised his glass again, his gaze sweeping across the room, pausing deliberately in Zhou Le's direction: "I'm very happy today to see so many old and new friends here to support me."

The successful completion of "Cliff Walkers" wouldn't have been possible without everyone's hard work, but I especially want to mention Zhou Le," he said directly, "among the young actors I've worked with, he's one of the best." He gave a thumbs up, "He's diligent, hardworking, and most importantly, incredibly capable. He's not only capable but also willing to learn; his future is bright. I hope everyone will take care of him in the future."

All eyes immediately turned to Zhou Le.

This is extremely high public praise.

Zhou Le immediately stood up, raised his glass with both hands, bent slightly at the waist, and said with humility and sincerity: "Director Zhang, I really don't deserve your words. It is my greatest honor to be able to participate in your film."

Every day on set, I approached it with a learning mindset. It was thanks to you, Teacher Yu, Teacher Ni, and other senior colleagues that I was able to make even a little progress.

Thank you, Director Zhang, for your guidance; thank you to all the teachers for your help. I thank you all and will definitely continue to work hard and live up to your expectations.

These words of gratitude were so radiant yet subtle, attributing the credit to the director and all the senior colleagues, displaying an extremely humble attitude.

But it doesn't appear hypocritical at all.

Anyway, Lao Zhang has already said everything that deserves praise, and even if he says that, no one will really think he's incompetent.

It has capital, connections, channels, abilities, and powerful backers; it also has the ability to create its own success.

Anyone who thinks Zhou Le is no good at this point is a fool.

This continued until the end of the banquet, when Zhang Yi's face showed signs of fatigue.

Seeing this, Zhou Le quietly walked to his side and whispered, "Director Zhang, you must be tired after a long day. My driver is downstairs, and the car is spacious. Let me take you home to rest first."

Zhang Yi looked at him, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes, and nodded: "Alright, I'm getting old, it's a bit too much for me, then I'll trouble you."

"Hehe, no trouble at all. I was just thinking of thanking you separately anyway."

On the bus, away from the noisy environment, the atmosphere became quiet.

Zhang Yi leaned back in the back seat and closed his eyes to rest for a moment.

Suddenly, he spoke, his voice lower and more direct than before, as if instructing his junior: "Zhou Le, after this film, your career will be completely on the rise. You are now a member of the Film Association, which is excellent and a good starting point."

But just staying inside isn't enough; you need to make a voice heard. You need to show respect to Mr. Chen Daoming and communicate with him more. He loves talent and is willing to mentor truly capable young people. But you need to let him see that your value isn't just about box office numbers, but also your thoughts and attitudes towards the industry.

I know you two have a good relationship, but you should still participate in these activities more often. I can help you connect with some influential people then. After all, with your current box office earnings, the film's reputation, and a few strong recommendations, securing a board member position—while you're still relatively inexperienced—is not impossible. It would be a promotion beyond your usual qualifications.
This will benefit your future standing and influence within the industry.

Zhou Le sat up straighter, his expression serious: "Director Zhang, I understand. Thank you for being so considerate. I've been keeping in touch with Teacher Chen Daoming, but I'll still need to find a suitable opportunity to visit and learn from him later."

I've taken note of the association's matters, and I know how to live up to your recommendation.

He knew that this was not just an honor, but also a responsibility and a choice of sides, meaning that he had officially entered the core power structure of the industry.

“Hmm,” Zhang Yimou seemed a little relieved and continued, “The Directors Guild is also very complicated. Once this film is released and its box office and word-of-mouth are established, you also have your own film, right? Once it's released, it will be a natural thing for you to get in.”

As for interpersonal relationships, I reckon you can handle that well. Just learn more about the different factions and such. I'm not asking you to completely side with me, but remember those who have helped you, understand?

"I understand, thank you for your guidance, Director Zhang," Zhou Le replied solemnly.

This means that his future path will not be limited to acting.

The car drove smoothly to Zhang Yi's house.

The other party didn't let Zhou Le get out of the car: "Alright, that's enough. You've had enough of this today. Go home early. This old man of mine needs to go back and soak his feet, otherwise he'll definitely feel unwell tomorrow."

Zhou Le smiled and agreed, "Okay, then you should rest now, and remember to add some ginger slices to the foot bath to ward off the cold."

After watching Zhang Yi enter the door, Zhou Le instructed the driver to leave.

The neon lights on the street softened, and he leaned back in his chair, finally feeling a bit tired, but his spirits were still high from the conversation.

He took out his phone and, as usual, checked the WeChat work group first; there were no urgent matters.

Afterwards, I went online to look up some information about the cliff.

Then he dialed Zhou Ye's number.

"Hey? The premiere and the grand banquet are finally over. How did you feel, Mr. Zhou?" Zhou Ye's voice came through with a hint of teasing.

"Just dropped off Director Zhang, I'm exhausted." Zhou Le rubbed his temples, his tone tinged with amusement. "I have something important to tell you, 'Cliff Walkers' has started airing."

"How much?" Zhou Ye's voice immediately became serious.

"Maoyan 9.3, Taopiaopiao 9.2." Zhou Le announced the numbers calmly, but a subtle sense of pride could still be heard.

"Not bad!" Zhou Ye couldn't help but swear. "This score is acceptable, but with director Zhang Yimou added, it's a different story. Isn't winning an award a sure thing? Besides, I remember that on Maoyan and Taopiaopiao, you can only vote if you've actually bought a ticket and watched the movie. Although there are many shady dealings and a lot of room for manipulation, at least it shows that it's popular with the general public!"

“Hmm,” Zhou Le responded, and analyzed, “The scores on ticketing platforms are more in line with market feedback. Douban’s scores will be released a bit slower, probably waiting for a wider range of moviegoers and film critics to speak out.”

The environment there is more complex, with a gathering of artsy young people who are picky about their tastes, making it easy for topics to become controversial, and inevitably leading to some fan-versus-fan actions.

However, if we can maintain a high score or gain high praise on Douban, it will be more beneficial for us; you might even win a few awards.

"That would be great."

The two chatted for a while before hanging up.

Many of Zhou Le's friends are in Beijing, but he doesn't plan to call anyone today. He just wants to go back and get some sleep, taking a break from his busy schedule.

Just as he hung up, the phone screen lit up again, displaying the caller ID—Zhang Ziyi. (End of Chapter)