Abstract Art Award Winner

This is the phone number that the other person offered to exchange with me during a meal.

They even proactively added me on WeChat.

In return, Zhou Le also took the initiative to follow the other party's Weibo account.

Zhou Le raised an eyebrow slightly as he looked at the name, quickly calculating in his mind.

He waited about three seconds before answering the phone, his voice adjusted to just the right level of politeness and a hint of weariness from just finishing a busy day: "Sister Ziyi?"

"Zhou Le, did I disturb you? Did you get Director Zhang safely?"

Zhang Ziyi's voice came through the receiver, softer than when heard live, but her competence was still faintly discernible.

"It's been delivered, don't worry," Zhou Le replied.

"Thank you for your hard work, um..." The person on the other end of the phone seemed to hesitate for half a second, "Do you have any other plans for tonight? If you're free, how about we find a place to sit down? Have a drink, chat about movies, or... I heard you have a good eye for investment projects, we can exchange ideas, I'm quite interested in investment now."

Zhou Le's brain was working at lightning speed.

Zhang Ziyi's invitation was definitely not a casual chat on a whim.

Zhang Yimou's high praise, his amazing performance in "Cliff Walkers", and his commercial value, industry potential, and potential future support have gradually brought him into the core of the entertainment industry, which has obviously made the other party reassess his own worth.

A late-night private discussion about movies and investment?

This topic can be either deep or shallow, but the fact that she brought it up at this particular time is quite significant.

I reckon by then it will really be a matter of varying degrees of intensity.

Wouldn't it be better to do it during the day?

Generally speaking, what else can you expect at night?
Isn't it all about not being able to see clearly, about being confused and infatuated?

He was not a newcomer to the industry and was well aware of the complexity of interpersonal relationships and the importance of boundaries in this circle.

Such private approaches, which are inherently tentative and uncertain, especially when the other party already has a family, carry far more potential risks than possible benefits.

Besides, how old is this woman?

Zhou Le felt that he still preferred someone younger and more stylish.

So, his tone instantly became natural and full of just the right amount of apology: "Sister Ziyi, I'm really sorry. I had already made plans with a few friends, all of whom are old friends I've worked with before. More importantly, it was a gathering I organized myself, so it was really inconvenient to cancel at the last minute."

They're probably already there waiting for me. Look at the mess this has made... Next time, when will it be convenient for you? I'll definitely ask you for advice and guidance.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Zhang Ziyi's voice came through again, still composed and without any emotional fluctuation: "Oh, is that so? It's alright, business is important. We can talk about it later. I'll be in Beijing for a while."

"Thank you for your understanding, Sister Ziyi. I'll definitely treat you to a meal in a few days."

……

The night passed.

Zhou Le didn't take the phone call last night too seriously.

He slept soundly and felt refreshed, with his mind becoming clearer.

He cannot ignore Zhang Ziyi's overtures, whether they are driven by simple admiration, a desire for resource exchange, or something else, but he must handle them appropriately and with tact.

In layman's terms, it means that the other party is a senior in the industry, but if it's a collaboration, then everyone is equal.

Although we usually keep to ourselves.

But occasionally, they'll give out awards or something.

So eating an extra meal won't hurt, since you're eating with whoever you're with anyway.

So he figured that rather than letting the other party feel neglected or him feel intimidated, he should take the initiative and take control of the situation.

However, eating alone is too conspicuous and can easily lead to speculation.

He needs a buffer zone, someone who can both liven up the atmosphere and subtly define a safe distance.

On a sudden impulse, he picked up his phone and called Guo Qiling.

The call was quickly answered, and Guo Qiling's cheerful voice came from the other end: "Hey, Brother Le, did the sun rise in the west today? You called me on your own initiative, are you treating me to a meal or do you have some good news for your little brother?"

Zhou Le laughed and said, "Of course there are good things to do. You're having dinner with big shots. Are you free tonight? I can help you expand your network."

"Senior? Who is it? I get stage fright, so I don't want to embarrass you if it's some serious old artist who can only eat sunflower seeds and not talk." Guo Qiling half-jokingly gave him a heads-up, but of course, he was ready to go after Zhou Le asked him to.

Although the industry is murky, he knew Zhou Le had no reason to harm him.

He knows very well who is good to him.

"Don't worry, Ziyi. What kind of situation haven't they seen? Do you think they'll let you fall silent? You just need to be the straight man and keep the conversation going. The main thing is to have more people around so it's lively. Otherwise, it'll just be the two of us talking about film art, and I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up."

Zhou Le spoke very naturally, directly saying that he wanted to broaden your horizons and that he was afraid he would fall behind.

Anyway, everyone can understand the real intention without me having to say it.

Not stupid.

The art of film actually encompasses many things.

These can be divided into those that can be broadcast and those that cannot.

Guo Qiling, being a clever man, instantly understood Zhou Le's deeper intentions. He chuckled and said, "Got it, got it. Be the atmosphere-maker for Brother Le, and also be a third wheel. I'm good at this! I guarantee you'll keep a clean record. Send me the time and place, and I'll be there on time!"

"Okay, that's great. I'll send you a message once I've placed the order." Zhou Le breathed a sigh of relief.

Dealing with smart people is so much easier.

Dinner was arranged in a private room at an upscale restaurant.

Zhou Le, a former working-class man, had no idea that Beijing had so many amazing places. After all, he wasn't at a high enough level to afford them. He only knew that restaurants costing over a thousand yuan per person were considered high-end. But later he learned that there were restaurants costing tens of thousands of yuan, and even more with no upper limit.

As you get deeper into the circle, you become very familiar with some places even if you've never been there.

And then there are those who have scouted the place before. Although they usually don't have to spend their own money, they still know what the environment is like and what the prices are like.

Zhou Le and Guo Qiling arrived more than twenty minutes early.

Zhang Ziyi arrived on time. She was dressed casually today, but her aura was still there.

"Sister Ziyi." Zhou Le stood up to greet her, her attitude respectful yet relaxed.

The main concern was that the other party might have some improper thoughts about me.

"Have you been waiting long?" Zhang Ziyi nodded with a smile, then turned her gaze to Guo Qiling beside her, slightly surprised. "Oh, Qiling's here too?"

Guo Qiling immediately stepped forward, smiling innocently: "Hello, Sister Ziyi! I've heard so much about you! I'm here today with Brother Le to freeload a meal and learn from you, and also to admire the goddess's charm. Don't worry, I don't eat much and I don't talk much. My main job is to pour tea and refill water for you two!"

Although Zhang Ziyi is usually serious, that's to avoid unnecessary and useless social interactions. But today she was here to keep an appointment, and Zhou Le's current status and value are enough, so she was unusually gentle: "I dare not accept the young master of Deyun Society pouring me tea. Please sit down and stop joking."

She clearly understood Zhou Le's intention in bringing Guo Qiling along.

His gaze lingered on Zhou Le's face for a moment, carrying a hint of understanding and amusement, but without the slightest displeasure. It was better to be so straightforward.

During the meal, Zhou Le and Guo Qiling performed together like they were doing a crosstalk routine.

Zhang Ziyi simply put aside some of her other ideas.

Purely about cooperation.

“Sister Ziyi, I’ve been keeping an eye on the new talents your studio has recently signed, and they’re all very promising.” Zhou Le took the initiative to start the conversation. “If there are any suitable projects or opportunities in the future that require my help or guidance, please feel free to ask. Although my focus may shift more towards film and behind-the-scenes production in the future, I will do my best to help if the timing and project are right.”

His purpose in saying this was certainly not simply to express goodwill.

It's actually a form of cooperation. If I use your people, can you not help me promote them?
Next time I need to find you, you'll have to help me make arrangements, right?
Zhang Ziyi nodded gracefully: "Then I must thank President Zhou first. There are many promising talents now, but they need opportunities and platforms to stand out. We'll see in the future. If there are suitable scripts or variety shows, we can cooperate, share resources, and achieve mutual benefit."

She spoke eloquently, leaving room for maneuver.

“That’s for sure.” Zhou Le raised his glass. “It’s an honor to work with Sister Ziyi. Whether it’s a film or television project or a variety show, we can collaborate. There are many ways to collaborate, and we can discuss them in detail later. Anyway, we’re making money together.”

“Yes, let’s make money together.” Zhang Ziyi smiled and clinked glasses with Zhou Le, her tone open and easygoing.

She's a smart woman, and after this dinner, she completely saw through Zhou Le's way of doing things.

Cautious, thoughtful, ambitious but also very protective of his reputation.

They wouldn't take unnecessary risks for seemingly tempting shortcuts.

In her view, these young people are more worthy of long-term attention and cooperation.

At least I don't have to worry about him causing trouble and ruining my life someday.

After finishing her meal, Zhang Ziyi smiled and said, "Alright, that's enough for today. Thank you for dinner. I'm very happy, and the food here is quite good."

She picked up her bag.

Zhou Le stood up: "Sister Ziyi, shall I see you downstairs?"

"No need, the driver is downstairs. You two continue chatting." Zhang Ziyi waved her hand, refusing decisively, and turned to leave, her back view neat and tidy.

Watching her car drive away, Zhou Le and Guo Qiling exchanged a glance and both breathed a sigh of relief.

"Let's go, young master, shall I take you home?" Guo Qiling took out his car keys.

"Well, thank you for your hard work today, Teacher Guo." Zhou Le smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

In the car, Guo Qiling said while driving, "Brother Le is still awesome. He speaks with perfect tact. Sister Ziyi is a sensible person. I guess we'll just have normal contact from now on, and there won't be any more of those unnecessary things. Actually, I didn't need to come today at all."

Zhou Le leaned back in the passenger seat, looking at the scenery outside the window: "He is a senior, and his initiative to show goodwill means he respects me. I must be polite, but there are some lines I cannot cross. As for cooperation, if there are good projects in the future that will benefit both of us, that's fine. If not, we can't force it. But you still played a key role today."

“That’s right.” Guo Qiling agreed wholeheartedly. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking. If I’m working with you, Brother Le, I’ll do my best to act when I have roles. If I don’t have any roles, we’ll think about something else. Maybe we can start an MCN agency to cultivate some internet celebrities and mentor newcomers. Or if all else fails, I can go back to Deyun Club to perform crosstalk. Anyway, I won’t starve. If I keep a calm mindset, everything will be fine.”

"You're quite optimistic," Zhou Le chuckled.

"Absolutely! Happiness is the primary driving force!"

With this minor incident resolved, Zhou Le felt completely at ease and fully focused on the final filming of "You Are My Glory".

Because filming was nearing its end, the atmosphere on set was a mix of reluctance to part and anticipation of relief.

This sentiment was particularly pronounced in Reba.

The last few days were mainly for reshooting some scenes and focusing on filming the sweet scenes between the male and female leads later on.

Zhou Le and Dilraba's chemistry has reached its peak.

A single glance or a small gesture is enough to accurately convey the intense and inseparable love between Yu Tu and Qiao Jingjing.

After the director yells "cut," the two are often still immersed in that ambiguous and sweet atmosphere and can't get out of it for a while.

After filming a scene where Qiao Jingjing lingers at Tujia and the two snuggle together on the sofa, the staff went to prepare for the next scene.

The two of them were the only ones left in the rest area for the time being.

Dilraba's face was still flushed, and she looked at Zhou Le with bright eyes, whispering, "Le'er, the way you looked at me just now was so affectionate, I almost couldn't keep up with the scene."

Looking at her flushed cheeks and slightly pouting lips, Zhou Le had a sudden thought. He leaned closer and chuckled softly in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Is that so? Then I apologize, but..." He paused and lowered his voice even further, with a hint of teasing, "I still prefer to see you blush like this. It just doesn't feel real in a play."

Reba's face flushed even redder, like a ripe peach. She subconsciously raised her hand and lightly punched him: "You...you stop it! Who's blushing! It's just hot! The air conditioning in the studio is too strong!"

"Hot?" Zhou Le raised an eyebrow, deliberately moving a little closer until he could almost feel her breath. "But I've heard that people are more likely to blush, have a racing heart, and be out of breath when they're nervous or... shy? Especially you, I know that all too well."

He deliberately emphasized the words "panting heavily".

Dilraba felt extremely uncomfortable under his gaze, her heart pounding like a drum, her eyes darting away as she tried to look away: "Zhou Le! Do you believe I'll tell the director you're harassing actresses!"

Zhou Le chuckled softly, stopping his teasing and stepping back slightly, but his gaze remained tenderly fixed on her as he said softly, "Haha, go ahead and tell them, but be careful with your words, don't let them think I've assigned you some task." Zhou Le sighed as he said this, "But Reba, since meeting you, I've found that I seem to complain about life much less."

Dilraba didn't react for a moment and subconsciously asked, "Why?"

Zhou Le looked at her intently, a gentle yet slightly mischievous smile curving his lips, and slowly uttered three words: "Because I was only focused on hugging you, both on and off screen."

"!!!" Dilraba's eyes widened instantly.

He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word for a long time. Finally, he grinned and complained.

"How tacky!"

"I never expected you could say such corny love lines."

Zhou Le raised an eyebrow: "So what if it's rustic?"

"It's okay, hehe, I like it this way."

She didn't know why, but when she was with Zhou Le, she couldn't use any of her tricks or strength.

Zhou Le could easily defeat Jiaotong University with a single basic attack.

I wish I could rip out my heart and soul.

Seeing her blushing so deeply, Zhou Le was in a good mood and decided to stop while he was ahead.

He picked up the water glass next to him and took a sip as if nothing had happened, as if he hadn't said that cheesy pickup line.

The following night, after the scene change, another night shoot took place, a kissing scene where the two confessed their feelings to each other.

This kissing scene was smooth and natural, with no hint of awkwardness.

It's hard to say whether it's due to excessive private practice or exceptional acting skills, but in any case, there's not much of an element of acting.

Anyway, no one at the scene dared to make wild guesses or say anything reckless.

After work, the room was dimly lit.

Clearly, the kissing scene rekindled their feelings for each other.

The night passed without a word, but silence spoke volumes.

The filming proceeded much more smoothly over the next few days.

Even when filming was almost over and the crew was about to disband, the director called a meeting with the lead actors.

The series is scheduled to air during the winter break in December, targeting the peak viewing period before the Lunar New Year.

A large-scale publicity campaign will begin in November.

Before this, Zhou Le and Dilraba needed to maintain a certain level of exposure to keep the show popular, which was not only related to the show's performance, but also to the returns of the many investors behind it.

Two days after the wrap party, Zhou Le packed his bags and prepared to head to the recording location for the new episode of "Hahahahaha".

This episode's theme is particularly exciting; they're stranded on a desert island.

However, Zhou Le was unsure how the production team would arrange things. Deep down, Zhou Le still wanted to create a real wilderness survival experience.

Although I've never actually tried it.

But he follows Ed Stafford, Bear Grylls, every season of solo wilderness survival shows, and some domestic wilderness survival bloggers.

At least the process is crystal clear.

However, considering the difficulty of recording the program, Zhou Le felt that he could only think about it for now. (End of this chapter)