Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 384 The Second Five-Year Plan

Although the premiere of "Painted Skin" has ended, the controversy it has stirred up has only just begun.

Whether the premiere was particularly successful is still unknown to the media, because the success of a commercial film is largely defined by box office and audience numbers.

However, the buzz generated by the topics discussed at the premiere is worth mentioning.

Whether it's the impressive visual effects of Starry Sky or the looming rumors of a sequel to "Painted Skin";

Whether it's the two's expectations for the box office or not, these are topics that media outlets love to discuss and generate traffic.

Especially considering that Lu Yang is a new director who only graduated with a master's degree last year, and Wu Chen added the comment, "Let's aim for 2.5 million and look forward to 3 million."
At this moment, the night is deep, and the barbecue stall in Beijing is filled with the aroma of smoke.

The charcoal burned bright red, and oil dripped into it, sparking tiny sparks. The rich aroma of cumin and chili filled the air, and the lively laughter made the night even more cozy.

Inside the private room, Liu Yifei and Zhang Liangying were clinking glasses.

"Liangying, thank you so much this time. You're so busy, yet you still made a special trip to be a guest performer," Liu Yifei said with a smile, raising her glass.

The premiere ended a bit late tonight, close to 11 p.m. When it ended, Liu Yifei patted her stomach and told Wu Chen that she was hungry, so they made some arrangements and this happened.

"Don't mention it. I'm really grateful for Director Wu's trust. Singing this theme song is a rare opportunity for me. Let's raise a glass to you all."

Zhang Liangying downed her drink in one gulp, then winked and smiled, "By the way, Director Wu, Qianqian, when are you two getting married? Do you have any plans? I saw the news last month, your parents should have met by now, right?"

As they spoke, Shu Chang and Zhang Liangying exchanged a glance, both revealing a subtle smile.

"There is definitely a plan."

At this point, Wu Chen naturally had to speak up.

Liu Yifei blushed and quickly changed the subject, asking in return, "And what about you?"

Just as she finished speaking, the phone on the table rang. Zhang Liangying's eyes lit up with joy as she answered the call with a smile.

Without trying to hide it from the group, he replied, "Soon, I'll be back soon," and then hung up after saying a few more words.

"Still that one?" Liu Yifei pressed.

She had naturally heard about Zhang Liangying's boyfriend.

"Mm." Zhang Liangying nodded.

"So what are your plans? Are you going to be this busy as you are this year?"

"I'm planning to. He said he'd start a company with me next year. I guess I won't be so busy then," Zhang Liangying said, her voice filled with anticipation.

As night deepened, the crowd dispersed.

"What plan? I don't know anything about it."

Inside the car, Liu Yifei's cheeks were still flushed, her pupils were dark, and her eyelashes were thick like small fans. She blinked repeatedly, her eyes filled with curiosity and shyness.

Wu Chen gripped the steering wheel, a slight smile playing on his lips: "I had it all planned out in private."

"How can you plan this all by yourself? You have to discuss it with me first."

As soon as Liu Yifei blurted it out, the tips of her ears turned bright red. She quickly turned her face away to hide her shyness.
She twirled her fingers together, watching the trees recede into the distance, glancing occasionally at Wu Chen. Seeing that he didn't react much, she pouted again, with a hint of stubbornness.

"Actually, I don't necessarily want to discuss it. Auntie brought it up last time, didn't she?"

"Looks like you're in a hurry."

"I didn't, don't talk nonsense."

Liu Yifei grew anxious, her eyes filled with a strong sense of threat.

"Alright, alright, no rush," Wu Chen smiled. "Then let me tell you about the plan. Do you want to hear it?"

"No!" Liu Yifei hugged her chest and hummed.

"Oh, okay then, I'll leave it at that for now."

"Ah? How could you do this? Tell me quickly!" Liu Yifei urged anxiously, stamping her foot.

Back in the villa, Liu Yifei sprawled on the bed, her face still flushed: "I didn't agree to that! You made this plan on your own!"

Even so, his eyes were already brimming with starlight. "You've even twisted the sheets onto the floor," Wu Chen chuckled, gesturing, "So, what do you mean by that? Any additions to our second five-year plan?"

Liu Yifei looked up blankly and asked in confusion, "Why is it the second five-year plan?"

Getting engaged and married within five years—isn't that the first five-year plan?

"you guess."

Wu Chen smiled, his eyes involuntarily turning to the window.

The prosperity of Beijing did not diminish after the Olympics ended; on the contrary, it became even more bustling and vibrant.

Liu Yifei isn't stupid, she's just a little naive sometimes. Since Wu Chen said it was the second one, then going back five years would be 2003.

That was the day I met Wu Chen.

That was the first five years.
Realizing this, she suddenly smiled, wrapped her arm around Wu Chen's shoulder from behind, and leaned against him playfully, saying:
"Junior brother, I've discovered that you actually have quite a romantic side."

"Senior sister, remind her next time, otherwise your back won't be able to support you." Wu Chen smiled and could only support her with both hands to prevent her from slipping down.

"Hehe, I know you'll hold me tight, so I'm very relieved."

Liu Yifei leaned against Wu Chen's back with a grin, and together they gazed at the distant lights of countless homes.

"How about we go over our third five-year plan later?"

"What's the third one?" Liu Yifei asked knowingly, her voice soft and murmured, only the two of them could hear.

"What do you say?"

"I hate it!"

Meanwhile, major media outlets have been publishing reports about the premiere of "Painted Skin," with a deluge of eye-catching headlines:

[New director Lu Yang's debut performance stuns audiences; he predicts a box office of 2 million yuan. Will the fantasy blockbuster "Painted Skin" ignite a new trend in Chinese cinema?]

[Starry Sky Visual Effects Emerges! Is This a Springtime for Chinese Film Special Effects?]

[Painted Skin Premieres to Praise, Special Effects Rival Hollywood! Wu Chen Boldly Predicts Box Office Potentially Reaches 2.5 Million, Aiming for 3 Million!]

Wu Chen and Lu Yang are vague about a sequel to "Painted Skin," but it's possible that filming is in the works.

【.】

These eye-catching headlines sparked a lively and enthusiastic discussion among netizens.

"real or fake?"

"A new kind of Eastern fantasy? Anyone who saw the premiere, please tell me if it's good or not. Is it going to be another overhyped 'Red Cliff'?"

"Relax, you definitely won't suffer the same fate as with 'Red Cliff' in this one. It's actually quite good."

"."

The following day, media coverage of "Painted Skin" became even more extensive, and Lu Yang led a team with Ren Zhonglun to Shanghai to hold the premiere, which was also a promotional event before the film's release.

Just one day before the release of "Painted Skin," Shenzhou VII successfully launched into space.

This is China's third manned spaceflight mission and the second phase of its "three-step" space development strategy.

Major portals have launched special features to review space science fiction films in world history, and the upcoming film "The Martian" has been prominently featured in these features.

The movie cover uses the poster from the previous press conference. Although it says "Coming Soon" in big letters, it is the only science fiction movie with Chinese participation in space exploration, and it also features the involvement of the China National Space Administration and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

The audience was very excited and proud as Shenzhou-7 embarked on its journey into space. According to the schedule, Shenzhou-7 will conduct a spacewalk on the 27th, completing China's first spacewalk.
"Haha, I wonder if 'The Martian' will have a spacewalk scene. I think they can film it."

"They're going to Mars, so it should be possible."

"Just watching the launch video is so exciting! I really want to see the movie, especially a space sci-fi film directed by a Chinese director. When will 'The Martian' be released?"

"."

(End of this chapter)