It's reasonable for me to be a three-time Golden Horse Award-winning director and an all-around

Chapter 227 Driving away the wolf to devour the tiger, reaping the benefits of others' misfortune! (8000 words, requesting monthly votes)
Ruixing Film Industry.

The morning after Wen Ziren returned, he dragged his tired body to the company.

"Why didn't you rest for a few more days?" Lu Rui asked, somewhat surprised when he saw him.

After being busy with my brother's place for over a month, you came back without even taking a break to adjust to the time difference or rest? You went straight to work?

What a great employee!

So dedicated!

Why am I feeling inexplicably moved?

"Oh, forget it."

Wen Ziren had dark circles under his eyes, a pale face, and even his usually upright back looked somewhat hunched, completely lacking his usual energy.

He sat down on the sofa, let out a long sigh, and his voice was somewhat weak:

"I didn't sleep at all last night. I had diarrhea all night, and I had to run to the toilet as soon as I lay down in bed. I was so exhausted..."

"What happened? Did you eat something bad?"

"Yeah, it's probably because I accidentally drank a bottle of mineral water while waiting at the airport. I started feeling unwell less than half an hour after drinking it, and that's how I caught the virus."

"How could drinking mineral water cause diarrhea?" Lu Rui asked, somewhat surprised.

James Wan could not hide his breakdown: "After I finished drinking it, I realized that the label on the bottle of water had the word 'Ganges' printed on it. It should be 'Ganges brand mineral water' produced locally!"

"..."

Lu Rui fell silent instantly, his eyes filled with sympathy as he looked at him.

After a busy month, I paid extra attention to what I ate and drank, and never ate or drank anything outside.

I finally made it to the point where I could go home, only to be knocked out by a bottle of mineral water!

This is just too unlucky.

He knew it; his third brother's place was incredibly sinister. Look, even the mineral water contained "traps."

Seeing Wen Ziren's pale face, Lü Rui poured him a cup of hot tea and even added a small piece of brown sugar.

"Let's drink some hot tea to warm our stomachs and replenish some sugar, see if that helps?"

Wen Ziren took the teacup, held it with both hands for a moment, and then sipped it slowly.

After about ten minutes, some color finally returned to his pale face, and he seemed to be in better spirits.

“Lv, thank you,” he put down his teacup, sat up straight, and got down to business: “I’m here today mainly to report to you on the progress of the preparation for ‘Life of Pi’.”

Upon hearing this, Lü Rui's expression became more serious: "All done?"

“Yes,” James Wan nodded, “The actor for the young protagonist ‘Pai’ has been decided. He is a 19-year-old Indian boy named Varun Dhawan, who was recommended by Bollywood.”

He comes from a very good family; he could be considered a director's family, as his parents and brother are all active in the Bollywood directing circle.

His audition performance was excellent; the expressiveness in his eyes perfectly matched the character's description. Plus, he can swim, which will make filming the water scenes easier.

Lu Rui didn't care about the other person's background, but instead focused on other aspects:
"The condition of the young actor is very important. Can he adapt to long filming hours? Is there a dedicated team to take care of him?"

James Wan said seriously, "It's all arranged. Once filming starts, a professional acting coach and a life assistant will be with the crew the whole time. They can guide him in filming and take care of his life."

"That's good."

Actually, Lü Rui had heard of the name Valen Dawan before.

If he remembers correctly, the other person later became a top-ranking actor on the Forbes India Celebrity List.

Actually, it makes sense when you think about it. India has many factions and a strict caste system.

This Brahmin, who holds the highest position among them, also comes from a family of directors, so navigating the industry naturally goes smoothly for him.

There are similar cases in China as well.

For example, Lu Rui clearly remembers that Director Chen's son also followed this path in the future.

However, this kid seems to have a bit of a problem with his lower body, just like his dad did when he was young.

As he was lost in thought, James Wan continued, "In addition, the actor playing the adult character has been confirmed as Aamir Khan."

Upon hearing the name, Lü Rui paused for a moment.

He knew that Bollywood had three "Khans": Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan.

These three are considered "national treasures" among actors in their local area!

Unexpectedly, James Wan's audition trip to India resulted in a collaboration with one of the "Khans".

However, Lü Rui quickly came to his senses.

It's not surprising that Aamir Khan agreed to participate, after all, Bollywood is a product of Hollywood.

Their obsession with Hollywood is even more exaggerated than that of the South Koreans!
Looking back at "Life of Pi," it was a massive $2 million project, so it's not surprising that it attracted Aamir Khan to star in it.

"What about the filming locations? How are the negotiations going with the local Indian filming locations we talked about before?" Lu Rui continued to press.

This is a crucial aspect of the film, as it requires extensive depiction of Indian customs, traditions, and natural landscapes.

"The filming locations have been agreed upon, mainly in the Muslim quarter of Pondicherry, India, the botanical garden, and the Viriannur temple. The local government has also agreed to cooperate with our filming and will coordinate transportation and security."

Wen Ziren gave a clear and organized report.

"What about the floating film studio? How's the construction progress over there?" Lü Rui hadn't had a chance to go check on it yet.

"It has officially come to an end."

When James Wan brought up this topic, a hint of excitement appeared on his face.

To create a realistic "sea" effect, the production team built the world's largest fully automated wave tank in the 20th Century Fox studio.

Every time he saw that device, he had a very unreal feeling.

Back then, when he first arrived in Hollywood, he was just an unknown little horror film director.

But now, he's actually a big director who can manage projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars!
These past few years have felt like a dream, so unreal!

He knows very well who gave him everything he has today.

If it weren't for Lü Rui, he would probably still be working with Lionsgate, stuck in the low-budget horror film genre.

Thinking of this, his heart was filled with deep gratitude!

At this moment, as Lü Rui listened to the report, he had a better understanding of the situation:
"The progress is already fast enough, you don't need to rush. Focus on getting better first. Others can handle the preparations with the team first, and you can take over personally once you've recovered."

Upon hearing this, James Wan quickly waved his hand and said, "No need, I can still manage. The preparations for 'Life of Pi' cannot be delayed. Let me sort out the work at hand first. If I really can't hold on, then it's not too late to rest."

Seeing his determined gaze, Lü Rui did not continue to persuade him.

He knew that James Wan had poured a lot of effort into this project and was very worried about it: "Then take good care of yourself and don't push yourself too hard."

"it is good."

Wen Ziren did not linger and quickly got up to leave.

With his report over, Lü Rui had a clearer grasp of the progress of each project.

The pre-production of "Life of Pi" is nearing completion, and the casting has been finalized. Now all that's left is for 20th Century Fox to complete the final touches.

For example, finalizing actor contract details and securing insurance for the entire crew are all necessary before filming can officially begin.

The situation is similar for "Twilight". Casting and script polishing have been completed, and only a few final preparations remain.

Once it's over, we can start filming at any time.

The only exception is "Kung Fu Panda," which cannot be rushed.

Domestic and international teams are currently in the initial contact stage.

From animation modeling standards to the integration of folk music accompaniment, and the specific coordination of filming locations in Qingcheng Mountain, Sichuan, both sides need to sit down and discuss repeatedly.

Lü Rui plans to convene a project advancement meeting after the partners for "Pacific Rim" are finalized.

Right now, his biggest concern is the allocation of shares for "Pacific Rim".

The attitudes of 20th Century Fox, Sony Columbia, and Warner Bros. directly determined the subsequent allocation of funds and resources to the project.

He knew in his heart that a share of $4000 million was not a small amount.

More importantly, the "China-foreign co-production with Chinese main cast" model of Pacific Rim is not without risk, and the major companies will inevitably have to go through multiple rounds of internal discussions before making a decision.

After all, the larger the company, the more inclined it is to play it safe.

They prefer to follow paths proven by predecessors and rely on established IPs for stable profits rather than taking risks to try new models.

This is why there has been a continuous stream of film sequels in later generations.

Unless faced with unavoidable market pressure, they rarely gamble voluntarily.

In response, Lü Rui remained calm, handling Ruixing Film Industry's internal affairs step by step while patiently waiting for news.

In his spare time, he also made a special trip to the 20th Century Fox studio to check on the progress of the set construction for "Life of Pi".

Inside the huge studio, the model of the "sea rescue ship" has been completed, and the staff are busy giving the hull an aged look.

The green screen area next to it was also having its lights adjusted in preparation for the subsequent marine special effects scenes.

Looking at the busy and orderly scene before him, he felt a little relieved.

After leaving the studio in the afternoon, he drove to a nearby movie theater.

Having some free time, he wanted to check out the current Hollywood summer movie market and conduct research for the promotion and distribution of subsequent projects.

As soon as you enter the cinema lobby, posters for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" immediately greet you.

Johnny Depp's portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow is striking, and long queues form in front of the ticket windows.

This movie is a phenomenal blockbuster, and its global box office has exceeded $4 million in just half a month since its release!
Disney made a fortune again with this IP.

In addition, Tom Cruise's "Mission: Impossible III" also occupied a significant number of screenings due to its tense and exciting action scenes.

There's also "Superman Returns," a reboot of a classic IP. Although its reception has been mixed, it has still attracted many viewers thanks to its nostalgia factor.

"The Devil Wears Prada," starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, also secured a place in the summer blockbuster season thanks to its delicate plot and the actors' brilliant performances.

However, to Lü Rui's surprise, the most talked-about film in the current Hollywood market is not a big-budget production like "Pirates of the Caribbean 2", but a low-budget film called "The Little Dwarfs"!
This is a comedy film starring ethnic minorities, with a simple and straightforward plot:
A dwarf thief is mistakenly adopted by a couple as a little boy, and his accomplices cause a series of absurd farces in their attempt to rescue him.

Given the high level of online interest, Lü Rui decided to buy a ticket and join in the fun.

But after watching half of it, he realized that the high level of discussion surrounding the film seemed to have little to do with the quality of the plot.

Looking around, the theater was two-thirds full, with the majority of the audience being minorities and Black people; the number of white audience members was pitifully small.

At that moment, he suddenly realized!
The reason this movie has generated so much buzz is probably because the lead actor is of Black descent.

The current reality is that the proportion of white moviegoers is declining year by year, while the proportion of minority moviegoers is steadily increasing.

This is closely related to changes in the demographic structure of American society.

Lu Rui had previously read a report that stated that the percentage of white people in the United States continued to decline, while the black population was growing rapidly due to high birth rates.

More importantly, these Black people are not only exceptionally fertile, but also very skilled at organizing demonstrations, making their "voices" very loud.

This directly impacted the direction of the film market.

Many films starring Black actors, as long as they are not too bad in quality, usually do well at the box office.

For example, "I Am Legend," produced by Ruixing Pictures, is a typical case.

Denzel Washington's Black identity as the lead actor attracted a large minority audience to the film.

Thinking of this, Lü Rui's expression became somewhat complicated.

If one day in the future, not only will the population numbers of Black and White people be reversed, but their social status will also be reversed, wouldn't those white leftists who are now shouting for "equal rights" be digging a big hole for themselves?
To be honest, even with his past life's experience, he really couldn't understand what those liberals were thinking.

Is it really possible to disown one's own parents for short-term political gains?
When I left the movie theater, it was already dark outside.

Lu Rui got into the car and felt a sense of emptiness.

He'd seen the movie, finished his work, and realized there was no point in staying in Hollywood any longer; he wanted to go back home.

So he simply took out his phone and sent Peter a message: "After I get to work tomorrow, I need to urge the three companies to give me a reply about the share of Pacific Rim. I can't wait too long."

If these three companies still can't make a decision, he plans to return to China first.

He needs to personally oversee the domestic preparations for "Pacific Rim" and cannot be away for too long.

However, to his surprise, his phone rang shortly after he sent the message.

The caller ID read "Matt Tolmacher," one of the current production directors at Sony Columbia.

"Lv, would it be convenient for us to talk somewhere? We already have some initial ideas about collaborating on Pacific Rim."

After the call connected, Matt's voice came through the receiver, sounding somewhat urgent.

Lu Rui raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

He had expected Warner Bros. or 20th Century Fox to approach him first, but to his surprise, the first to extend an invitation was Sony Columbia.

He glanced at his watch; it was just past eight in the evening. He replied, "Okay, let's go to that coffee shop near Beverly Hills. See you in ten minutes." After hanging up, Lü Rui started the car, pondering the situation.

Why did Sony Columbia respond so quickly? Is it because they genuinely believe in the potential of "Pacific Rim," or are there other considerations?

In any case, this is good news; at least we don't have to wait aimlessly anymore.

...

Speaking of Sony Pictures Entertainment, among the six major Hollywood studios, it is definitely the one most closely connected to the Chinese market.

As early as 2000, it participated in the investment of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" directed by Li An.

Later, this film not only won multiple Oscars, but also made Chinese-language films stand out in the international market.

In 02, they also participated in the overseas distribution of "The Missing Gun" and "Double Vision", promoting Chinese suspense films to the world.

In 03, it went on to collaborate with films such as "Warriors of Heaven and Earth" and "Cellphone," and even had a presence in Stephen Chow's classic comedy "Kung Fu Hustle."

Even the recent Huayi Brothers' flagship film, "The Banquet," has, according to Wang Zhonglei's public promotion, had its overseas rights successfully acquired by Sony Columbia.

Lu Rui knew that this closeness might stem from Sony's senior management structure.

Many of Columbia Pictures' top executives are of Japanese descent, sent by Sony or parachuted in directly from headquarters.

Their understanding of Asian culture far surpasses that of management at other Hollywood companies, making them naturally more willing to collaborate on Chinese-language film projects.

At 8:45 p.m., Lü Rui arrived at the coffee shop near Beverly Hills on time.

When he arrived, Mattormacher was already waiting at the door.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two chose a quiet private room.

Lu Rui ordered an Americano, while Matt ordered a hot cocoa.

After sitting down, Matt didn't rush to talk about business. Instead, he started by reminiscing about the past: "Lv, do you remember the Cannes Film Festival two years ago? That was the first time we met."

You took "The Pursuit of Happyness" to the film festival for awards, and you looked so young back then..."

Lu Rui laughed heartily: "What? Only two years have passed, and I already look old?"

“No, no, no, that’s not what I meant.” Matt quickly waved his hand, his tone full of emotion. “I meant that you’ve grown so much in the last two years, and your talent is even more dazzling than before.”

Lu Rui was used to this kind of flattery and didn't feel much about it.

He then brought up another topic: "I heard from Peter that Sony Columbia made a lot of money on the 'The Pursuit of Happyness' project?"

At this point, Matt smiled smugly and did not deny it: "That's right, the film's global box office and subsequent copyright revenue have indeed far exceeded expectations."

Thanks to this project, I was promoted from deputy director to my current position as film production director..."

"Congratulations." Lü Rui smiled, raised his glass, and clinked it with his hot cocoa, using coffee instead of alcohol.

In fact, he himself made a lot of money from "The Pursuit of Happyness (US version)". In fact, it can be said that part of the funding for the smooth start of preparation of "Twilight" came from the profits of this project.

The two chatted for a few more minutes about their past collaborations.

A few minutes later, Matt suddenly changed the subject, his eyes becoming serious: "Lv, because we have had successful cooperation before, we have a foundation of trust between us."

Therefore, I especially hope that we can continue this success. Regarding *Pacific Rim*, Sony Columbia has already discussed it internally and is very willing to invest in the project.

Lu Rui paused, holding his coffee cup, and didn't immediately reply. He just smiled and looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

Matt knew he was waiting for details, so he added, "After several rounds of internal discussions, our company has decided to fully invest in 'Pacific Rim' and take your 20% share..."

This was an opportunity he had fought hard for after much persuasion.

Since the success of the previous project, "The Pursuit of Happyness (US version)," the company has earned approximately $4-5000 million in profit to date.

Now Lü Rui has brought a new project, and it's a top-tier, big-budget production!
Under Matt's strong push, Sony Columbia decided after internal discussions to take a gamble and rekindle their partnership.

If successful, it will undoubtedly open up new markets for blockbuster films.

Even if it fails, the loss will only be the money earned previously, and will not affect the company's core cash flow.

“Lv, I know that other companies are talking to you now, and they may be offering better terms and larger platforms.”

But think about it, we have successful experience working together, we know each other's working styles, so we don't need to spend time adjusting to each other.

"And I understand your ideas about 'Sino-foreign co-productions,' and I promise to do my best to coordinate company resources to help you realize your expectations for the film..."

At this point, Matt looked into Lu Rui's eyes and said very seriously, "I really hope that we can make another movie together that everyone will remember, just like 'The Pursuit of Happyness' back then."

Not for any other reason than for the wonderful memories we created together, and for our love of film…

His words were quite frank, which made Lü Rui somewhat more receptive, but he remained calm:

"I'd like to know, besides funding, what other support can Sony Columbia provide? After all, Pacific Rim is a Sino-foreign co-production, involving multiple aspects such as special effects, distribution, and actor coordination, and funding alone is not enough."

Matt immediately responded: "Don't worry about that. As for the special effects, we can coordinate with Sony's Imageworks special effects studio. They've worked on the Spider-Man series, so their technical capabilities are guaranteed."

In terms of distribution, our global distribution network can secure more screenings for films, especially in the Asian market, where we have established channels to better connect with Chinese-speaking audiences.

Regarding actors, we will also help find suitable foreign supporting actors to meet your casting requirements. We can even coordinate with talent agencies to reduce the salaries of some actors and cut production costs…

It must be said that Sony Columbia's offer was indeed very sincere, but Lü Rui was still not in a hurry to agree:

"Matt, I need to go back and discuss your suggestion with the team. After all, it involves the overall planning of the project's future, and I can't make the decision on my own. Give me two days, and I will give you an answer."

Matt knew that this level of cooperation couldn't be finalized in one go, so he nodded.
“No problem, Lv, I’ll wait for your news, but I must emphasize again that we really value this collaboration and trust your judgment. We hope to have the opportunity to make another successful film together with you.”

After exchanging a few more details, the two prepared to end the meeting.

However, as he stood up, Lü Rui suddenly remembered something, "By the way, Matt, have you ever thought about finding a new job? Like coming to Ruixing Film Studio?"

After spending time with him, Lü Rui realized that the man in front of him was a rare talent.

Capable, daring, meticulous, and reliable.

This dedication and passion for work is exactly what employers value most.

If we can recruit him to Ruixing, he will be a valuable assistant in both film project management and overseas distribution.

Matt clearly hadn't expected Lü Rui to suddenly bring up this question.

After a moment of surprise, he realized what was going on and politely declined, "Thank you for your recognition, Lv, but I have no plans to leave Sony Columbia at the moment."

This place has given me opportunities for growth, and I have a team and resources I'm familiar with, so I don't want to change it for the time being.

Lu Rui wasn't surprised and nodded with a smile: "It's okay, I was just asking casually."

Sony Columbia is one of the six major Hollywood studios, and its platform is much larger than that of Ruixing Pictures. It's normal that the other party doesn't want to leave.

He knew in his heart that Ruixing was not yet capable of attracting a talented producer like Matt to switch jobs.

But it doesn’t matter, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.

As long as we stay in touch, and Ruixing grows stronger, there may be a possibility of cooperation.

The two quickly left the coffee shop.

Before parting, Matt made a special reminder: "Lv, remember to give me an answer as soon as possible. We are all looking forward to hearing from you."

"it is good."

Lu Rui nodded in agreement, and watching his departing figure, he immediately took out his phone and called Peter.

Once the call connected, he first reiterated the conditions Matt had proposed that evening, then got straight to the point:

"You should immediately inform the contact persons at Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox of all the conditions proposed by So Columbia, without hiding any details."

"Huh?" Peter paused, his hand holding the phone still, somewhat taken aback. "Why would we do this? This... isn't this revealing our trump card to our competitors?"

Lu Rui chuckled lightly, his tone carrying a hint of confidence: "In our China, this tactic is called 'driving away the wolf to devour the tiger'."

Sony has extended an olive branch, and we can use it as bait to make Warner and Fox realize that if they don't make a move, their market share will be snatched away by others.

They were already interested in *Pacific Rim*, but hesitated due to concerns about the risks. Now, with pressure from Sony, they'll likely make a decision faster and will probably offer better terms than Sony.

Peter on the other end of the phone suddenly realized what was going on, and his voice lit up with excitement:
"So that's how it is! Lv, this is brilliant! If that's the case, we don't need to actively urge them, and we can even get them to raise the price on their own..."

"Go and get it done quickly," Lu Rui specifically instructed. "Remember to remain neutral. Just say you're just synchronizing the intentions of other companies, and don't let them realize that we're deliberately guiding them."

“Okay! I’ll send the email right now and I guarantee it will be done!” Peter assured him repeatedly, his tone full of enthusiasm.

He learned another practical negotiation skill today, and he felt that he was growing rapidly every day by following Lü Rui.

This feeling is absolutely amazing!

...

The next morning, Peter set about as Lü Rui had instructed.

As expected, the liaisons between Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox immediately convened an emergency internal meeting upon receiving the news.

In Warner Bros.' conference room, executives debated Sony's terms.

"Sony is really going all out this time, offering 20% ​​of $4000 million, plus special effects and distribution support. If we hesitate any longer, we'll lose our share of the project."

Some people frowned and retorted: "But there are still risks! It's a Sino-foreign co-production with Chinese main actors. What if the North American market doesn't accept it? Besides, we've already invested in '300,' and investing another $40 million will put a lot of pressure on our finances."

“But missing out on this project might mean missing out on the new track of mecha science fiction!” The party supporting the collaboration argued, “Lu Rui’s previous works, such as ‘I Am Legend’ and ‘The Prestige,’ have never failed. His judgment is trustworthy.”

"How about we raise the conditions a bit? Like $4200 million, and at the same time ask for an increase in Warner's distribution rights in the Asian market?"

"In that case, we can give it a try..."

The discussions at 20th Century Fox were similar, and they ultimately decided to "test the waters."

They offered $4500 million for a 20% share, while also stating that Industrial Light & Magic's visual effects team could have priority access to Pacific Rim, but at the same time demanding a share of overseas copyright revenue.

Peter immediately relayed the new terms from both companies to Sony Columbia.

Upon receiving the message, Matt immediately continued to communicate with the company's senior management.

Compared to Warner Bros. and Fox, Sony was already more enthusiastic about Pacific Rim and valued its long-term partnership with Lu Rui more, so it gritted its teeth and decided to invest even more:

"We've secured a 20% market share with $5000 million! In addition, we're providing ample promotional resources, including 30% of the posters and trailers in major global markets."

Regarding casting, we can help contact A-list actors for cameo roles, and we can also provide color grading support from Sony's color grading studio for post-production..."

Upon hearing this condition, Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox immediately backed down.

Warner Bros. had just reached a cooperation agreement with Ruixing Pictures for "300" and was unwilling to take on any more high risks.

20th Century Fox, on the other hand, focused more on the production of "Life of Pi," and was somewhat conflicted...

Ultimately, faced with the new conditions proposed by Sony Columbia, both parties officially chose to withdraw.

Sony Columbia Pictures successfully acquired a 20% stake in Pacific Rim for $5000 million, along with a series of favorable terms including publicity, distribution, special effects, and casting.

With this "using one wolf to devour another" strategy, Lü Rui not only easily secured a partner but also prompted Sony to proactively increase its investment, truly reaping the benefits without lifting a finger.

On the day the contract was signed, he remained calm and composed throughout, as if everything was within his expectations.

Matt seemed slightly conflicted.

After all, if the conditions are too high, he will bear a considerable responsibility if the project fails.

The film and television market is very pragmatic; once a film or television film achieves success, investors will be willing to provide more support.

But if you fail miserably, it will be difficult to get a new project.

Peter, however, stood to the side watching Lü Rui, his eyes filled with admiration and emotion!

In his opinion, the move Lü Rui used was incredibly clever!
They can get several companies competing against each other without lifting a finger, and still get the best terms in the end.

His negotiating skills were truly eye-opening!

...

The day after the contract was signed, Lü Rui packed his bags and did not linger in Hollywood.

He has handed over all the work related to the post-production special effects integration and actor audition coordination for "Pacific Rim" to Peter and Matt.

The former is familiar with the operation of Ruixing Film Studio, while the latter has access to Sony's resources. The two working together are more than capable of handling the early preparations.

After a flight of more than ten hours, his flight quietly landed at Hong Kong International Airport.

As he stepped out of the terminal, he immediately saw Huo Wenxi standing at the exit, dressed in a sharp black suit, still with that decisive and efficient demeanor.

Upon seeing Lü Rui from afar, Huo Wenxi quickly stepped forward and naturally took the suitcase from his hands:

"Director Lü, you must be tired from your journey. Chairman Yang asked me to give you his regards... The car is already waiting outside. I'll take you to the hotel to drop off your luggage first."

“Okay.” Lü Rui nodded, and as he followed her outside, he asked, “How’s the filming of ‘New World’ going lately?”

"It went smoothly, without any problems..."

The two walked and talked, and soon arrived at the airport exit.

However, the next second, looking at the situation outside, Lü Rui was stunned.

This welcome... isn't it a bit too much?!

(End of this chapter)