Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 179 The Third Historical Record: Watching Others Date

November 22nd, Saturday morning at 6:17 AM, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

David was jolted awake by the deafening ring of his cell phone.

He fumbled for his phone on the bedside table; the screen showed ten missed calls.

The calls came from the private numbers of Summit Entertainment CEO Eric Feig, Lionsgate president Joe Drake, Warner Bros. distribution director Don Harris, Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn, and even The Hollywood Reporter editor Matt Belloni.

"My God—" David rubbed his temples and glanced at the gray sky outside the window.

The November morning in Los Angeles was cool, and his back was already sweating.

He took a deep breath and called Eric Feig back.

Almost the instant the call connected, a near-maniacal roar came through the receiver: "David! Did you fucking see the numbers?! 1.407 million! My God! 1.407 million!"

David sprang from the bed, his bare feet hitting the cold floor: "What? 1.407 million? Explain yourself!"

'

"New Moon grossed $1.407 million in its opening weekend in North America and $2.588 million worldwide! We fucking made history outside of summer! Do you know what that means?!"

The phone almost slipped from David's hand.

He stumbled out of the bedroom, rushed into the study, and frantically opened his laptop.

My inbox was overflowing with data reports, news links, and congratulatory emails, each with an exclamation mark in the title.

Trembling, David opened the detailed report sent by Peak Entertainment, his breathing becoming increasingly rapid:

Twilight: New Moon's opening weekend box office figures (November 20-22):

North America: $140,700,000; 25 overseas countries: $118,100,000; Global total: $258,800,000; North American opening day: $72,700,000 (breaking the record of $67,200,000 set by The Dark Knight).

Historical weekend box office ranking: 3rd (behind only "The Dark Knight" (1.584 million) and "Spider-Man 3")

1.511 million)

Record-breaking: Highest opening weekend box office outside of summer: $34,580 per theater (a new all-time high).

Below is a long list of detailed data: IMAX theaters contributed $2800 million, female audiences accounted for 73%, audiences aged 18-24 accounted for 61%, and the CinemaScore audience rating was A.

"My God—" David muttered to himself, then suddenly grabbed his phone and dialed Jiang Yu's number.

At that moment, he forgot about the time difference and etiquette, and only wanted to tell his boss this explosive news immediately.

At this moment, BJ is down. Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei are watching a French art film, "Amélie," in the home theater of Xishan Villa. The movie has just reached the heartwarming scene where Amélie helps a blind old man at the train station when the phone vibrates on the coffee table.

"David's phone call." Jiang Yu glanced at the Los Angeles number displayed on the screen.

"So early?" Liu Yifei pressed the pause button. "What happened?"

"The data from *New Moon* should be out." Jiang Yu picked up his phone and pressed the answer button. "David?"

Instead of a greeting, the receiver crackled with a near-maniacal roar, so loud that even Liu Yifei beside her could faintly hear it: "Boss! It's a bombshell! A complete bombshell! 1.407 million! North America! 2.588 million! Worldwide! We've made history! The highest opening weekend outside of the summer! We've broken the opening day record too! 72.7 million! More than *The Dark Knight*!"

It's still 550 million more! An IMAX theater—"

Jiang Yu held the phone further away, waiting for David's excited outburst to subside before calmly asking, "Did you send the detailed data to my email?"

"It's out! Just now! Boss, did you hear what I said? 1.407 million! And that's only in three days! Three days! And the reviews are even better than the first one, with an A CinemaScore and a 78% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This momentum—"

"I heard you." Jiang Yu's lips curled slightly, his voice remaining steady. "Well done, David. Inform the team that this month's bonuses will be doubled, and core members involved in the project will receive an additional 1% of the project's profits."

"Double the profit?! 1% bonus?! Boss, are you sure?"

"Confirmed. Also, schedule a video conference tomorrow—9 PM Beijing time. I need a detailed report. Invite Eric from Summit Entertainment as well."

"No problem! Also, Warner Bros. called again, this time offering $8.5 million for the entire series rights and subsequent development rights, including TV series, games, and merchandise—"

"No sale." Jiang Yu said firmly. "Tell them, not even for 10 billion. We're going to finish this series ourselves and make it a complete cinematic universe. If they really want to collaborate, we can talk about co-producing a spin-off series, but the copyright must be held by Light Chaser Animation."

"Understood! I'll hang up now, I still have to return about twenty calls—"

"Go ahead. Take care and rest well, don't get too excited."

"How could I not be excited! Boss, we've made history!"

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Yu put it back on the coffee table and turned to meet Liu Yifei's curious gaze.

Her eyes sparkled in the dim light of the home theater.

"The data from 'New Moon' is out?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

"Hmm." Jiang Yu reached out and pulled her into his arms. "It grossed $1.407 million in its opening weekend in North America and $2.588 million worldwide. It broke several records, including the highest opening weekend outside of the summer season and the opening day record."

Liu Yifei gasped, sitting bolt upright: "How much? 1.4 million? US dollars? For three days?"

"right."

"My God—" she covered her mouth, "This is more than the entire North American box office of 'Black Swan'—"

"They're different types." Jiang Yu smiled and pinched her cheek. "Black Swan is an art film aiming for awards. It cost 1500 million to make, and it's already made a killing with 3.5 million worldwide. Twilight is a commercial popcorn movie. It cost 6000 million to make, and its opening weekend figures—it's very likely to break 7 million or even 8 million worldwide in the end."

Liu Yifei still found it unbelievable.

She knew Twilight would be a success; the first movie grossed nearly 4 million worldwide, and the second one would definitely be even better, but she didn't expect it to be this good.

With 1.4 million viewers in North America and 2.6 million globally in just three days, this is not just a "success," it's a phenomenon, a nuclear explosion.

This film was primarily controlled by Jiang Yu's company.

It's not a joint production, not a co-investment, but a controlling stake.

"So now—" she blinked, her expression turning mischievous, "Teacher Jiang, how much money have you made this time?"

Jiang Yu chuckled: "Teacher Liu, I've noticed you've been particularly sensitive to numbers lately."

"I'm just happy for you!" Liu Yifei said matter-of-factly, counting on her fingers. "And I'm also curious, with a $1.4 million opening weekend, according to industry practice, the production company would get about a third? That's—my goodness, close to $5000 million? And that's just the North American opening weekend?"

"Pretty much." Jiang Yu nodded. "After deducting theater revenue sharing, distribution costs, and marketing expenses, the net profit from the North American market should be between $1 million and $1.5 million. The overseas market revenue sharing ratio is lower, but the total amount is larger. Adding it all up, this film should earn over $3 million from Light Chaser."

"3 million—US dollars?"

"Pretty much the same."

"That is to say, 21 billion RMB?"

"Um."

Liu Yifei was silent for three seconds, then suddenly pounced on him and hung her whole body around Jiang Yu's neck: "Teacher Jiang!"

"Mr. Jiang! Boss Jiang! I'm looking for a sugar daddy!"

"Aren't you already being kept?" Jiang Yu laughed as he caught her, and she bumped into him, making him lean back.

"That's different!" Liu Yifei looked up from his arms, her eyes shining like stars. "Before, I was kept by my boyfriend; now I'm kept by a billionaire. It's a completely different level! I feel like my status has been upgraded!"

"How did it upgrade?"

"From being Jiang Yu's girlfriend to being the girlfriend of China's richest man, from Liu Yifei to that woman with an exceptionally good life," she said seriously, but the smile in her eyes was unmistakable.

The two burst into laughter, making a ruckus on the large sofa.

The French film is still on pause; nobody cares anymore.

After the laughter subsided, Liu Yifei leaned on Jiang Yu's shoulder, her fingers unconsciously playing with the buttons on his shirt, and whispered, "Jiang Yu, you're really amazing. You make great movies, you invest well, and now you can even conquer Hollywood—I feel like I'm reading a real-life wish-fulfillment novel."

"It's not just my achievement." Jiang Yu stroked her hair, his tone serious. "It's the achievement of the whole team. David oversaw distribution in North America, and An Nian built Light Chaser Pictures' distribution network over the years; Yang Siwei and Jiang Xuerou managed production in China, cultivating a group of excellent directors and screenwriters; and then there are the actors, cinematographers, editors—I only provided direction and resources, they did the actual execution."

"Direction is the most important thing." Liu Yifei looked up at him, her eyes clear. "Without you, these projects might not even exist. You bought the rights to Twilight from Stephanie Meyer, you collaborated with Darren Aronofsky on Black Swan, and you wrote the creative outline for My Love from the Star—you're like the player in the game, and everyone else is just a piece on the board."

The following day, the headlines of entertainment media around the world were almost entirely dominated by "Twilight: New Moon," and its momentum even surpassed that of "The Dark Knight."

The Hollywood Reporter's front-page headline, in bold 96-point font, read: "Twilight Storm Sweeps the Globe, Chinese Companies Dominate November Box Office."

The cover image is a poster for "New Moon," but a small line of text has been added in the corner: "Made by Light."

Chaser Entertainment.

The article sets the tone right from the start: "While most Hollywood studios are still lamenting their summer box office failures, a Chinese film company, Light Chaser Animation, dominated the global box office market in November with a teen fantasy film. 'Twilight: New Moon' not only set a new non-summer record with a $1.407 million opening weekend in North America, but also announced to the traditional Big Six studios: the rules of the game are changing."

The article devoted two full pages to detailing the development trajectory of Light Chaser Animation Studios: "In 2006, a young Chinese man named Jiang Yu founded Light Chaser Animation Studios in Santa Nimoca, with its main business being film special effects and post-production. No one could have imagined that three years later, this company would become one of the most sought-after players in Hollywood."

In 2007, Light Chaser Pictures released its first co-developed film, Taken, with a budget of $2800 million and a global box office of $3.5 million, making its debut.

In 2008, Light Chaser Pictures collaborated with Lionsgate on "Insidious" and with Summit Entertainment on "Taken".

He collaborated with Searchlight Pictures on "Black Swan" and invested in "Iron Man 1/2".

In 2009, Light Chaser Studios produced and produced "Twilight: New Moon," with a budget of $6000 million. It grossed $2.588 million worldwide in its opening weekend, breaking numerous records.

"What's even more shocking is that," the article continues, "Light Chaser Pictures is not simply a Hollywood imitator. They have their own creative concepts and production standards, and more importantly, they control the entire industry chain from development and production to distribution. While Hollywood was still anxious about the impact of the financial crisis, this Chinese company had already built an entertainment empire spanning China and the United States, encompassing both theatrical releases and online platforms. And the person in charge of all this is a young man named Jiang Yu, who is only 27 years old this year and is also China's youngest richest man with a net worth of $105 billion."

Variety magazine's report focused more on its industry impact: "The success of *New Moon* marks a subtle shift in Hollywood's power structure. The traditional Big Six studios (Warner Bros., Disney, Universal, Paramount, Sony, ...)..."

The era of Fox's monopoly on big-budget films is being broken. Capital and creativity from China are reshaping the global film industry at an astonishing pace.

The report specifically mentioned a detail: "Warner Bros. reportedly made three offers to acquire the Twilight franchise, from an initial $5 million to $7 million, and now $8.5 million, but all were rejected by Light Chaser Animation. This Chinese company's ambitions clearly extend beyond this; they aim to create their own cinematic universe, including the already launched Twilight 3: Eclipse, and the planned spin-off series 'Wolf Pack.' The company also holds popular IPs such as 'The Hunger Games.'"

The Wall Street Journal's financial section linked this success to Jiang Yu's ranking on the Hurun Rich List: "China's youngest richest man, with a net worth of $105 billion, has once again proven his investment acumen with a single film. The success of 'Twilight: New Moon' will increase the valuation of Light Chaser Pictures North America from $3 billion to over $5 billion, thereby boosting Jiang Yu's personal wealth. According to Goldman Sachs analysts, the value of the 'Twilight' IP alone may exceed $2 billion, while the total value of Light Chaser Pictures' IP portfolio may exceed 10 billion."

These reports were instantly transmitted back to China via the internet, naturally triggering another wave of social media frenzy.

The top eight trending topics on Weibo are all related to this:

#Twilight New Moon Box Office Breaks Records# (Breaking News)

#LightChaserPicturesConquersHollywood# (Breaking News)

#Jiang Yu's Business Empire Expands Again#

#Milestone of Chinese Films Going Global#

#What does $1.4 million mean?#

#RobertPattinsonBecomesAHit#

#Kristen Stewart becomes the highest-paid actress#

#Twilight boosts sales of the original novel#

Each topic is followed by a variety of creative comments from netizens:

Netizen "Math Class Representative": "I did the math: $140 million ≈ 980 million RMB. A movie earns 1 billion RMB in three days, averaging 330 million RMB per day, 1375 million RMB per hour, 229,000 RMB per minute, and 3816 RMB per second."

Yuan — In the second I'm typing this, they've earned another 3816 yuan. I cried.

The post received 18.2 likes, with one comment saying, "Don't bother calculating, my heart can't take it."

Netizen "Movie Lover Xiao Zhang": "The scariest thing is that the first Twilight movie grossed 4 million worldwide. With the momentum of the second movie, it will easily gross over 3 million in North America. Won't it gross over 8 million worldwide? Light Chaser Animation's return on investment for this movie must be over 1000%, right? Jiang Yu's eye for talent is terrifying."

Reply: "So they're the richest people, and we're just韭菜 (leeks, a metaphor for being exploited)."

Netizen "Lemon Spirit": "So how much money does Jiang Yu actually have? Hurun said 105 billion, but I suspect they underestimated it. The Twilight IP alone is worth 200 billion, and he also has Tencent stock, Apple stock, Amazon stock—I think 20 billion is more than enough."

Reply: "Hey upstairs, stop being so sour, it won't help."

Netizen "Yifei's Little Fan Girl": Am I the only one who cares about Yifei? With such a successful boyfriend, doesn't she feel pressured?

Reply: "Pressure? Look at the results of 'Black Swan,' she won the Best Actress award at Venice, okay? The most beautiful love is one where both parties are equally matched!"

November 24th, Tuesday, 11 PM, Liu Yifei's home.

The restaurant was filled with the aroma of home-cooked dishes, and the tables were set full under the warm yellow lights.

Mrs. Liu used all her best culinary skills: braised pork belly was stewed until it was glossy and tender, steamed sea bass was drizzled with hot oil and steamed fish soy sauce, braised prawns were bright red and tempting, garlic broccoli was crisp and green, and there was also a pot of steaming lotus root and pork rib soup. All of these were dishes that Jiang Yu loved.

"Xiao Jiang, come on, eat more." Liu's mother kept piling food onto Jiang Yu's plate, and in the blink of an eye, his bowl was piled high with food. "You've been so busy with work lately, I can see you've lost weight."

"Thank you, Auntie." Jiang Yu smiled and accepted the gift. "Actually, I haven't lost weight; in fact, I've gained two pounds. Yifei's cooking skills have improved a lot, so I'm eating well."

"That's because I taught her well!" Mrs. Liu said proudly. "Qianqian used to not even know how to make scrambled eggs with tomatoes, but now she can at least make four dishes and a soup."

"Mom!" Liu Yifei blushed, "Give me some face—"

Liu Xiaoli smiled and smoothed things over, "Alright, alright, as long as Xiao Jiang likes it. Come on, Xiao Jiang, try this fish, it's freshly bought today."

"Okay, thank you, Auntie."

The atmosphere at the dinner table was warm, and as the conversation flowed, the topic naturally turned to the success of "Twilight"; after all, the news had been everywhere these past few days, making it hard not to know.

"Xiao Jiang, I saw the news," Liu Xiaoli put down her chopsticks, her expression serious. "That 'Twilight' series really made a billion in just three days?"

"It's 1 billion RMB in box office revenue, not net profit." Jiang Yu put down his chopsticks and patiently explained, "The box office revenue is divided among the theaters, with about 35% to 55%, the distribution company 10% to 15%, and the rest is the production company's income. Then we have to deduct production costs, marketing expenses, taxes—so the final net profit is about 2 to 3 times the investment."

"That's still—" Liu Xiaoli did some mental calculations, "...at least a billion RMB?"

"Pretty much." Jiang Yu nodded. "Twilight is a series, with a third and fourth installment, as well as spin-off series, games, and merchandise—its long-term value is even greater."

Mrs. Liu nodded, her eyes still filled with worry. "Don't overwork yourself. You can't earn enough money, your health is the most important thing. Look at you, you're only 27 years old, and you already have gray hair."

"Mom, that's just light reflection!" Liu Yifei quickly said.

"What light reflection? I clearly saw it—"

"Mom!" Liu Yifei quickly put a piece of pork rib on her mother's plate. "Please eat some vegetables."

Jiang Yu smiled and said, "Don't worry, Auntie, I take good care of my health. I get up at 6:30 every morning, run for half an hour, do yoga for half an hour, and go to bed before 11 p.m. I also pay attention to my diet, eating less oil and salt, and more vegetables and fruits."

"Listen to this!" Liu's mother immediately turned to scold her daughter, "Even a man like Xiao Jiang can persevere! I asked you to learn yoga with me, but you only do it sporadically!"

"I didn't—" Liu Yifei whispered in protest, "I've just been busy filming—"

"Busy? Can you be busier than Xiao Jiang? He manages so many companies and still manages to keep up with his workouts. What about you?"

Liu Yifei stuck out her tongue and dared not speak.

After dinner, Liu Yifei helped the aunt clean up the kitchen, while Jiang Yu and Liu Xiaoli drank tea at the tea table in the living room.

"Xiao Jiang, are you really going to take Qianqian to America next month?" Liu Xiaoli poured a cup of tea and handed it to him.

"Yes, there are a few events I have to attend." Jiang Yu took the teacup with both hands. "The global premiere of Avatar is in Los Angeles, and director Cameron personally extended an invitation. There are also some PR parties for Black Swan. After all, we're aiming for the Golden Globes and Oscars. Although we don't need to do the same level of PR as Hollywood actors, it's still necessary to make some appearances."

"Oscars—" Liu Xiaoli pondered, "Is there any hope?"

"The chances are very high," Jiang Yu said frankly. "The Venice Golden Lion has already proven the film's artistic value, and it's also doing well at the North American box office and with its critical acclaim. Its Rotten Tomatoes score is still at 96%. Now it's just a matter of public relations, getting the Academy's judges to pay more attention and discuss it more. Director Darren has a dedicated public relations team in the United States handling things."

"If she could win an Oscar—" Liu Xiaoli's eyes lit up, "then Sisi would be the first Chinese actress to win an Oscar for acting."

"Not only is she the first Chinese actress," Jiang Yu added, "but she's also one of the youngest Oscar winners for acting. If this comes true, it will be an achievement that will go down in film history."

Liu Xiaoli was silent for a while, then picked up her teacup and slowly drank it.

"Xiao Jiang," Liu Xiaoli put down her teacup, her tone becoming serious, "Auntie has something to say, something I might not be able to say, but after thinking about it, I still have to say it."

"Please speak."

"You're too successful now, so successful that it's a little worrying." Liu Xiaoli looked at Jiang Yu, her eyes filled with the concern of an elder and the worry of someone who has been through it all. "The tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind. The most outstanding person will be criticized by the masses."

You understand this principle, right?

"I understand." Jiang Yu nodded, his expression becoming serious. "That's why I've been trying to keep a low profile. I let my team handle company matters, and I rarely give interviews personally, and I almost never use social media. Regarding the Hurun Rich List, I also had my team handle the communication so that I won't be on the list anymore."

"Some things can't be kept quiet just because you want to," Liu Xiaoli sighed. "For example, with the success of 'Twilight,' the media will definitely report on it extensively. Then, even more people will be watching you—your colleagues,..."

Opponents, even ————.

Jiang Yu understood Liu Xiaoli's concerns.

In China, being a millionaire is not easy; especially for young, self-made millionaires whose wealth mainly comes from overseas investments.

Too many eyes are watching, too many people are waiting to see you make a mistake, or to see you "make a mistake".

"Auntie, I know," he said sincerely. "That's why I've always been very careful. The company's finances are spotless, every single account can withstand scrutiny; the taxes are strictly followed, every penny of tax owed is paid; and all investments are within the legal and compliant scope, avoiding any gray areas. And—"

He paused for a moment: "My wealth structure is quite diversified. Light Chaser Animation Studios has an independent corporate entity in North America, and my personal investments are spread all over the world; in the United States, Europe, and Asia. This way, even if there are policy fluctuations in a certain market, the overall assets can balance the risks."

Liu Xiaoli nodded and poured Jiang Yu another cup of tea: "Just keep that in mind. Auntie is just reminding you that it's lonely at the top, so you need to stay clear-headed. Having more money is a good thing, but it's also a problem. Look at those former richest people in China, how many of them lasted?"

"I understand, Auntie." Jiang Yu accepted the teacup with both hands. "Thank you for reminding me."

At this moment, Liu Yifei came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands, and asked, "What are you talking about? You seem so serious."

"Let's talk about embarrassing things that happened when you were little." Jiang Yu looked at her with a smile. "Auntie said that when you were five years old, you dyed the neighbor's cat pink, and the neighbor came to your door to complain."

"I didn't!" Liu Yifei exclaimed, her eyes wide. "Mom! Why do you say everything?"

"I didn't say that!" Liu Xiaoli said innocently. "It was Xiao Jiang who guessed it himself."

"Jiang Yu!" Liu Yifei lunged at him, ready to hit him.

After laughing and joking for a while, Liu Yifei remembered the important matter: "Oh right, Mom, we're going to America next month, and we might stay for two or three weeks. Do you want to come along? Just think of it as a vacation and a chance to relax."

"We won't go," Liu Xiaoli waved her hand. "It's comfortable staying at home. Going there would only be a burden to you. You young people go and have fun, just be careful."

They chatted for a while longer before saying goodbye and leaving.

On the way home, Liu Yifei leaned back in the passenger seat, looking at the dazzling night view of Beijing outside the window, and suddenly said, "Jiang Yu, did my mom say something to you?"

"Hmm? Why do you ask that?"

"You looked a bit serious when you came out of the house." Liu Yifei turned to look at him. "Is my mom—worried about something?"

Jiang Yu held her hand: "Auntie is just reminding me to keep a low profile and be careful. It's normal for elders to care."

"Just a reminder?" Liu Yifei didn't believe it. "My mom is rarely this serious."

"It really was just a reminder," Jiang Yu laughed. "She said I'm too successful now, and that the tallest tree in the forest catches the most wind. She wanted me to stay grounded."

Liu Yifei was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Jiang Yu, sometimes I think, if you weren't so successful, would our lives be easier? We wouldn't have to be watched by so many people, wouldn't have to deal with so many complicated things, just like an ordinary couple—"

"Maybe." Jiang Yu squeezed her hand. "Without these successes, I might not have met you."

Or rather, even if you encounter it, you may not have the ability to protect or support you.

He turned to look at her, his eyes gentle: "This world is very realistic. I have money and resources, so I can give you the best scripts and the best team, allowing you to focus on acting without having to deal with all that messy stuff or take on roles you don't want to take. If I were an ordinary person, I probably wouldn't even be able to get a project like 'Black Swan,' let alone send you to Venice and help you get into the Oscars."

Liu Yifei felt a warmth in her heart, and her nose tingled a little: "You're right. I was greedy. I wanted the benefits of your success, but I didn't want to bear the attention and pressure that comes with it."

"That's normal," Jiang Yu smiled. "That's how everyone is. But don't worry, Teacher Liu, no matter how things change outside, no matter how much money I have, my heart for you will never change. You are still my Liu Yifei, and I am still your Jiang Yu."

"I know." Liu Yifei smiled, but tears fell from her eyes. "That's why I dared to be so greedy."

November 26th, Thursday, 9:15 PM.

Liu Yifei was nestled in the beanbag chair in her study, reading the third draft of the script for "My Love from the Star." She had a highlighter and sticky notes beside her, marking down interesting parts as she went.

The phone vibrated on the coffee table, and the screen displayed "Changchang".

"Hey, wanna sing?"

"Sisi! What are you doing?" Shu Chang's voice was full of energy, but the background noise was a bit loud.

"Looking at the script. What's wrong?"

"Let's go out for a late-night snack! I know a super delicious barbecue place, it just opened, and it's really authentic! The lamb skewers are amazing!"

Liu Yifei glanced at the time: "Now? It's almost 9:30—"

"Late-night snacks are meant to be eaten later in the night to truly enjoy them! And I have some incredibly good news to tell you!"

"What good news can't be told over the phone?"

"No, no, I have to say it in person! I sent you the address via text message, hurry up and come! Bring Mr. Jiang along too! It's on me!"

The call was ended cleanly and decisively.

Liu Yifei said helplessly to Jiang Yu, who was looking at financial reports next to her, "Shu Chang called for a late-night snack, saying she has some incredibly good news to announce."

Jiang Yu looked up from his documents: "Now?"

"Yes. She said that barbecue restaurant is really delicious, and she's treating."

"Let's go then." Jiang Yu closed his laptop, rubbed his temples, and said, "I'm hungry too. I've been looking at numbers all night, I need to clear my head."

The two changed their clothes quickly; Liu Yifei wore a loose white sweatshirt and black sweatpants.

Jiang Yu was wearing a gray hoodie and khaki pants, along with a baseball cap and a mask—a standard outfit that suggested he "didn't want to be recognized, but wouldn't be too embarrassed if he was."

As she drove off, Liu Yifei was still muttering to herself, "What kind of amazing news could Changchang have? Did she get a role in a Hollywood movie? Or did she win the lottery?"

"You'll find out when you get there," Jiang Yu laughed. "But given Shu Chang's personality, it should really be a good thing."

Forty-five minutes later, they found the barbecue restaurant by following the address.

The shop isn't big, but it's decorated with great care. There are wooden tables and chairs, and retro posters on the walls. Under the warm yellow lights, almost every table is full of people, and the air is filled with the aroma of grilled meat and cumin.

Shu Chang had booked the innermost private room. When Liu Yifei pushed open the door, she was stunned; Shu Chang wasn't the only one in the room, Shen Ao was also there.

The two sat side by side, very close to each other.

Shu Chang was talking animatedly when Shen Ao turned his head to look at her, his eyes behind his glasses filled with a gentle smile.

When Shu Chang was speaking, she gestured wildly and accidentally touched Shen Ao's hand. Shen Ao did not dodge but instead gently shook it.

The atmosphere—it was clearly not that of ordinary friends.

"Xixi! President Jiang! You're here!" Shu Chang waved happily when she saw them, her smile as bright as a little sun.

Shen Ao quickly stood up, a little embarrassed: "President Jiang, Yi Fei."

Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei exchanged a glance, sharing a knowing look.

The four people sat down.

The private room was small but cozy, with several ink bamboo paintings hanging on the wall and tableware and a few side dishes already set on the table.

Shu Chang, with her lively personality, immediately started making arrangements: "The lamb skewers here are amazing! I ordered thirty, and we'll add more if it's not enough! We also have grilled eggplant, grilled chives, grilled bread slices, and grilled chicken wings—by the way, what do you guys want to drink? Beer? Juice? Their homemade rice wine is also quite good!"

"Juice will do," Liu Yifei said, then looked at her meaningfully, "Changchang, shouldn't you announce this amazing news you mentioned?"

Shu Chang blushed and glanced at the Olympic bid.

Shen Ao pushed up his glasses, his ears turning red, but he didn't deny it.

"Um—" Shu Chang cleared her throat, took Shen Ao's hand under the table, and raised it to the tabletop. "Let me formally introduce you. This is my boyfriend, Shen Ao."

Although she had a premonition, Liu Yifei still widened her eyes in surprise upon hearing the official announcement: "You—"

When did this happen? I have absolutely no idea!

"When we were filming 'Bouquet'," Shen Ao honestly confessed, her voice a little nervous, "at first it was just a normal working relationship between a director and an actor. Later—as we got to know each other better, we found that our personalities were compatible, and we gradually developed feelings for each other."

"I was the one who pursued him first!" Shu Chang blurted out, beaming with pride. "He's such a repressed guy, he clearly liked me but was too shy to say it, I was the one who broke the ice! That day at the crew dinner, I had a few drinks and just asked him directly, 'Director Shen, do you like me?' He was completely stunned, his face turned as red as a tomato!"

Shen Ao coughed awkwardly: "Sing a song—"

"What, did I say something wrong?" Shu Chang turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling.

"That's right—" Shen Ao smiled helplessly, but the doting look in his eyes was undeniable.

Looking at her best friend's happy face, Liu Yifei felt both happy and emotional.

Shu Chang and she have known each other for seven years, having been friends since the time they filmed "The Story of a Noble Family".

She knew about Shu Chang's family situation. Her parents divorced when she was a few months old, and her mother raised her alone. When she was ten years old, her mother died of illness, and she was sent to her uncle's house.

After the New Year, she moved out on her own and has always been very independent and strong.

Over the years in the entertainment industry, Shu Chang has not become a huge star, but she has always worked hard, acted seriously, and lived her life earnestly.

I haven't met the right person in my love life yet; either the other person isn't serious, or our personalities clash.

Liu Yifei has seen her cry over a breakup, and she has also seen her smile and say, "Being single is great."

Seeing that she has found happiness, and that her partner is Shen Ao, a talented, down-to-earth, good-natured, and gentle young director, Liu Yifei is truly happy for her.

"Congratulations!" Liu Yifei raised her juice glass, her eyes a little red. "You must be happy! Grow old together!"

"Thank you, Xixi!" Shu Chang clinked glasses with her, tears welling up in her eyes. "I hope you'll be happy too! May you and President Jiang be well!"

Jiang Yu also raised his glass: "Director Shen, congratulations. Sing well for Shu, otherwise Yi Fei will be the first to object."

Shen Ao nodded earnestly: "I will, President Jiang. I will cherish her."

The four of them ate and chatted, and the atmosphere became more and more relaxed. The topic shifted from romance to work.

"By the way, Xixi," Shu Chang mumbled, munching on a chicken wing, "I'm a little nervous that 'Bouquet' is scheduled for Valentine's Day."

"What are you nervous about? I've seen the rough cut of the film, and it's great," Liu Yifei reassured her. "It's heartwarming and healing, and the chemistry between you and Director Shen is especially natural. Audiences will love it."

"That's what I'm afraid of!" Shu Chang sighed. "I'm afraid the media will say that I got to where I am through connections—after all, the director is my boyfriend."

"Who said that?" Shen Ao retorted immediately. "We weren't even together when they were casting. You got the role based on your acting skills. I still have the audition video; I can release it if needed."

"Exactly!" Liu Yifei chimed in. "You two are a real couple now, and you're very open about it during promotions. Audiences actually prefer to see this kind of authentic story. Look at me and Jiang Yu, we got together because we worked together, didn't we?"

Jiang Yu had been listening quietly until he spoke up: "Shen Ao, Shu Chang, the company can cooperate with the publicity regarding your public announcement of your relationship. The public relations department has mature experience and knows how to manage the pace. But be careful not to be too deliberate or over-exploit your relationship."

"Understood, Mr. Jiang." Shen Ao nodded. "We plan to proceed gradually. We'll let them be photographed once or twice, neither denying nor admitting it; during the film's promotional period, we can interact appropriately; after the film's release, if the response is good, we'll officially announce it. This way, we can generate buzz for the film without alienating the audience."

"This strategy works," Jiang Yu said. "If you need the cooperation of the public relations department, just let General Manager Jiang know, and she will make the arrangements."

We chatted until after 11 p.m. before finishing our late-night snack.

Shu Chang insisted on paying the bill, saying, "Today I'm announcing good news, so it has to be my treat! Nobody can take it from me!"

Stepping out of the barbecue restaurant, the cold winter wind woke everyone up a bit.

There were few pedestrians on the street, and only a few shops still had their lights on.

"How are we getting back?" Liu Yifei asked. "You've been drinking, you can't drive."

"I'll call a designated driver," Shen Ao said, taking out his phone. "Take Changchang home first, then I'll go back."

"No need, no need," Shu Chang waved her hand. "I can call a car myself. You live in the east and I live in the north, so it's not on the way."

"That won't do. It's so late, it's not safe for you to be alone," Shen Ao insisted.

Seeing the two of them, one wanting to give a gift and the other not wanting it to, Liu Yifei and Jiang Yu smiled at each other. This kind of sweet argument is something only people in love would have.

Finally, Jiang Yu said, "How about this, my driver came, let him take Shuchang first, then Shen'ao. Yifei and I will drive back ourselves, we'll have juice."

"That would be too much trouble for you, Mr. Jiang," Shen Ao said apologetically.

"No trouble at all." Jiang Yu had already called the driver to bring the car over.

While waiting for the car, Liu Yifei pulled Shu Chang to a sheltered spot near the shop entrance to whisper to each other.

"Are you really sure?" she asked softly, holding Shu Chang's hand.

"Mmm." Shu Chang nodded, her happiness shining through her eyes under the streetlights. "Qianqian, he's a good person. Talented but not arrogant; serious but not rigid; good to me, not in an exaggerated way—just very down-to-earth and warm. I feel very safe with him."

"That's good." Liu Yifei hugged her. "Changchang, you deserve the best. Shen Ao is a good person, talented and responsible. You two will be happy."

"You too." Shu Chang hugged her back, her voice a little choked up. "You and President Jiang must always be happy."

You have no idea how envious I am of you two—not that I envy Mr. Jiang's wealth, but I envy your relationship of mutual support and mutual achievement. Now, it seems I have that too.

On the other side, Jiang Yu and Shen Ao stood by the car smoking. Shen Ao didn't smoke, but he was keeping Jiang Yu company.

"Director Shen, there might be pressure after going public with your relationship." Jiang Yu exhaled a puff of smoke, looking at the night sky. "The media will be watching you closely, with both good and bad news. Be prepared."

"I know, Mr. Jiang." Shen Ao was very clear-headed. "Since I've made this choice, I'll take responsibility for it. Besides, I think it's better to be open about it, to be aboveboard and not hide anything. We're having a serious relationship, not something shameful."

"That's the right mindset." Jiang Yu patted his shoulder. "But we still need to protect Shu Chang. She has a cheerful personality, but she's sensitive inside. Don't let her get hurt."

"I will," Shen Ao solemnly promised.

The car arrived; it was a black Mercedes-Benz van. The driver got out and opened the door.

Before Shu Chang and Shen Ao got on the bus, they hugged Liu Yifei again.

"Changchang, come over to our house often," Liu Yifei said. "My mom was talking about you the other day."

"Okay! Please give my regards to my godmother!"

"Director Shen, be careful on the road."

"Thank you, Yifei."

Watching the car's taillights disappear around the street corner, Liu Yifei leaned on Jiang Yu's shoulder and whispered, "It's so good. Changchang has finally found happiness."

"Mmm." Jiang Yu put his arm around her waist and kissed her forehead. "We will always be happy."

"I know." Liu Yifei smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. "Because we are Jiang Yu and Liu Yifei."

The two got into the car and went home.

On the way, Liu Yifei suddenly smiled as if she remembered something.

"What are you laughing at?" Jiang Yu asked.

"I'm wondering what headlines the media would write if they knew about tonight's late-night snack," Liu Yifei said playfully. "'The Richest Couple's Late-Night Rendezvous Was Actually for—'"

"Shocking! A billionaire loves street food!"

"Venice Film Queen Spotted Without Makeup, Showing No Aspects of Her Image!"

They both laughed.

As she laughed, Liu Yifei remembered Shu Chang's family situation and lowered her voice, "Jiang Yu, you know about Changchang's family situation, right?"

"I know a little. His parents divorced, his mother died early, and he grew up with his uncle."

"Hmm." Liu Yifei looked out the window. "So she is particularly lacking in love and also longs for a home of her own."

My mom has always treated her like a goddaughter, and I treat her like a younger sister. Seeing that she found a job in the Olympic bid made me—really, incredibly happy. It felt like my own sister was getting married.

"Shen Ao will treat her well," Jiang Yu said confidently. "I have a good eye for people. Shen Ao is the kind of person who, once he sets his mind on someone, will take full responsibility and will place her in the most important place in his heart. Moreover, he is capable and talented, and can provide Shu Chang with a stable life and career support."

"I think so too." Liu Yifei leaned back in her seat, watching the streetlights flash by outside the window. "Sometimes I feel that fate is truly amazing. Without the 'Bouquet' project, they might never have met. Or rather, even if they had met, they wouldn't have gotten to know each other so deeply."

"So," Jiang Yu laughed, his tone mischievous, "I, as the boss, not only create job opportunities and box office miracles, but also marriage opportunities. My merits are immeasurable; I should hang a banner at the Temple of the Matchmaker."

"Narcissistic!" Liu Yifei laughed and punched him, but her eyes were full of laughter.

It was almost noon when the car entered the Xishan villa area.