Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 180 The Sharp-Tongued Jiang Yu Studio is Established

On December 1st, Beijing was shrouded in a gentle white blanket of silence.

The first snow came suddenly, but at just the right time, as if to press the pause button on this bustling city.

At seven o'clock in the morning, Liu Yifei woke up in a very comfortable state in the master bedroom of the Xishan villa.

The heating kept the room at a constant 25 degrees Celsius, and she was gently wrapped in a goose down comforter.

She first fluttered her eyelashes, then slowly opened her eyes. The light coming in from the window was exceptionally bright, with a pure white hue.

She reached out in a daze, instinctively touching her side.

The bed was half empty, but it still retained warmth, so Jiang Yu must have just gotten up.

Liu Yifei rolled over in her blanket, facing the French windows, and then her eyes widened in surprise.

Snowing.

It wasn't the kind of heavy, sweeping snowfall, but rather a fine, gentle first snow.

The Xishan villa area seemed to be covered with a thin layer of icing sugar. The branches of the ginkgo trees in the courtyard were covered with just the right amount of snow, and the outline of the distant mountains was faintly visible in the snow, creating a landscape like an ink painting.

Liu Yifei got out of bed barefoot and stepped onto the warm floor.

She walked to the window, placed her palm on the glass, and felt the temperature difference between inside and outside.

The snow is still falling, the fine snowflakes swirling gracefully in the air as they drift down, each one unique.

Warm yellow light shone through the kitchen window downstairs, making the snowy scene especially cozy.

She could see Jiang Yu busy in the kitchen. Although she couldn't see exactly what he was doing, that familiar figure warmed her heart.

Liu Yifei's lips unconsciously curled up as she turned and went into the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later, she came downstairs wearing Jiang Yu's gray cashmere cardigan. The sleeves were too long, and she had to roll them up several times to reveal her wrists. The oversized style made her look exceptionally petite.

Wearing fluffy slippers, their footsteps made a soft "tap-tap" sound on the wooden stairs.

The aroma wafting from the kitchen was already quite distinct: the richness of coffee, the caramelized scent of fried eggs, and the wheaty fragrance of toasted bread.

Jiang Yu stood with his back to her in front of the stove, frying eggs.

He was wearing light gray loungewear today, and his hair was still a little damp, so he must have just taken a shower.

"Good morning." Liu Yifei hugged his waist from behind, pressed her face against his back, and her voice was still lazy from just waking up.

Jiang Yu paused slightly, then relaxed: "You're awake? It's snowing. I thought you'd sleep a little longer."

"The beautiful snow scene woke me up." She nuzzled against his back. "What delicious food did you make?"

"Fried eggs, bacon, toast, and your favorite avocado salad." Jiang Yu turned off the stove, placed the perfectly sunny-side-up egg on a white porcelain plate, the yolk round and plump, the edge of the white slightly browned. "Go wait at the table, it'll be ready soon."

"No, I'll just watch you do it from here." Liu Yifei refused to let go and instead hugged her even tighter.

Jiang Yu smiled and shook his head, letting her cling to him like a koala.

He moved through the kitchen with practiced ease, cracking eggs with one hand, flipping bacon, and plating with ease. His movements were fluid and efficient, and even with someone hanging on him, his efficiency remained unaffected.

"Look," Jiang Yu gestured with his chin towards the window, "this snow scene, combined with the light from our kitchen, doesn't it look like a scene from a movie?"

Liu Yifei looked in the direction he pointed.

Indeed, looking out of the kitchen window, the snow-covered courtyard was serene and beautiful, while the warm yellow light inside reflected on the glass, creating a gentle contrast with the snow scene outside.

She suddenly remembered something: "We haven't seen the first snow together yet."

"We'll watch it together every year from now on." Jiang Yu turned his head and gently kissed her forehead. "I promise."

Breakfast is served: a perfectly sunny-side-up egg, crispy bacon, perfectly toasted whole-wheat bread, and a colorful avocado salad.

The coffee was hand-drip, and Jiang Yu specially chose light roast beans that Liu Yifei liked, which had a bright fruity acidity.

The two sat facing each other eating, exchanging a few words occasionally.

The snow fell silently outside the window, while the aroma of food and coffee filled the room, and soft jazz music played from the stereo.

This is the first day of December, and also the official start of their "secluded" life.

Since returning from Liu Yifei and Liu Xiaoli's home at the end of November, the two decided to take a long vacation before the end of the year.

Jiang Yu handed over all company affairs to Chen Jingming and Jiang Xuerou, and generally did not interfere unless it was a particularly important decision; Liu Yifei also turned down all unnecessary activities and interviews, and focused on studying the script at home and preparing for her role in "My Love from the Star".

"What's the plan for today?" Jiang Yu asked after finishing the last bite of his salad.

"I read the script this morning, and this afternoon—" Liu Yifei rested her chin on her hand, thought for a moment, took a sip of milk, leaving a ring of milk stains on her lips, "By the way, is Changchang's birthday present ready?"

"It's all ready. The Tiffany key necklace you chose has been packaged and even comes with a greeting card."

"That's good." Liu Yifei nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly remembered something, "How far have things progressed between Changchang and Shen Ao? Last time we ate together, the way Shen Ao looked at Changchang was strange."

Jiang Yu laughed: "It's normal for young people to date. Shen Ao is a reliable, talented, and down-to-earth kid. I feel quite at ease with Changchang being with him."

Just then, Liu Yifei's phone rang.

It was a QQ video call from Shu Chang.

"Sisi! It's my birthday party tomorrow night, don't forget!" Shu Chang laughed brightly on the phone, the background looking like a dressing room.

"I won't forget, I've prepared all the gifts." Liu Yifei turned the phone camera to Jiang Yu, "Jiang Yu has also prepared a gift for you."

"Thank you, Mr. Jiang!" Shu Chang waved from the other end.

"Okay, Changchang, see you this afternoon." Liu Yifei hung up the phone, then suddenly laughed, "Changchang and the Olympic bid are progressing really fast."

"It's the honeymoon phase, after all," Jiang Yu laughed. "It's normal. But speaking of which, Shen Ao is a pretty reliable guy. He knows how to take care of people. Last time we had dinner together, Changchang said she wanted some hot water, and he got it from the waiter within five minutes and even tested the temperature."

"That's right, I have a good eye for people." Liu Yifei proudly raised her chin. "Back when we were on the set of 'Bouquet,' I felt that Shen Ao had potential. He was hardworking and had ideas. I feel at ease knowing that Changchang is with him."

Outside the window, the snow was still falling, though much lighter.

The room was warm and cozy, and the two of them snuggled together on the sofa, discussing the script and planning for the future.

The two chatted on the sofa, talking about everything from the script to acting, from work to life.

The black tea on the coffee table gradually cooled down. Such days are simple, fulfilling, and happy.

Liu Yifei suddenly thought how wonderful it would be if life could continue like this forever.

In the evening, it was Shu Chang's birthday party.

The location was a private restaurant on the East Fourth Ring Road, which was very secluded and elegantly decorated. Many celebrities and business people like to gather here.

When Liu Yifei and Jiang Yu arrived, the private room was already bustling with activity.

Besides birthday celebrant Shu Chang and her "family member" Shen Ao, there were also several friends from the entertainment industry.

Zhu Yilong, who worked with Liu Yifei on "Bouquet", Lu Yang, Wang Zhi, and Zhang Jin, her colleagues from Light Chaser Pictures, and two girls Liu Yifei didn't recognize but who seemed to have great temperaments, were later found out to be Shu Chang's classmates.

The private room is large and decorated in a Chinese style. In the middle is a round table that can seat fifteen people, and there are also tea break areas and sofa areas on the side.

The walls are adorned with traditional Chinese ink paintings, and a celadon vase sits in the corner, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere.

"Xixi! President Jiang! You're here!" Shu Chang was wearing a red cashmere sweater today, which made her skin look snow-white. Her hair was loosely tied back, making her look exceptionally gentle.

She ran over and grabbed Liu Yifei's hand, "We've been waiting for you! Director Lu was just talking about his new movie concept, it's really interesting!"

"Happy birthday!" Liu Yifei handed her the beautifully wrapped gift box. "See if you like it."

Shu Chang unpacked the item and found a Tiffany key necklace, set with diamonds. The design was simple yet the craftsmanship was exquisite, and it sparkled with tiny lights under the lamp.

Her eyes lit up: "So beautiful! This is so valuable—"

"I'm glad you like it." Liu Yifei helped her put it on. "The key symbolizes starting a new year and wishing everything goes smoothly."

"Thank you, Xixi!" Shu Chang hugged her, then turned to Jiang Yu, "Thank you, President Jiang!"

"A small gift, nothing special." Jiang Yu smiled and handed over a gift box as well. "This is a pair of pearl earrings, to match the necklace. Happy birthday, Shuchang."

"President Jiang, you've gone to so much trouble," Shen Ao said from the side. He was wearing a light gray shirt today, looking clean and handsome.

"It won't cost you anything. Changchang is like a little sister to me." Jiang Yu patted Shen Ao on the shoulder. "Take good care of her."

Shen Ao's ears turned slightly red, but he nodded solemnly: "I will."

Everyone took their seats.

The dishes were ordered in advance and were served quickly: the signature Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, one bowl per person, with a golden broth and plenty of ingredients.

Steamed grouper, with tender and fresh fish meat; black truffle baked lobster, with an irresistible aroma; and several other exquisite home-style dishes: osmanthus-flavored lotus root, Longjing shrimp, and crab roe tofu.

The wine was brought by Jiang Yu: two bottles of Burgundy red wine and one bottle of German Riesling.

Everyone ate and chatted, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

"Speaking of 'My Love from the Star'," Lu Yang looked at Shen Ao with admiration in his eyes, "Director Shen, are you under a lot of pressure? President Jiang and Yi Fei are the leads, there's no limit to the investment, and the whole country is looking forward to it—this is no small burden."

"It's huge," Shen Ao said with a wry smile, pushing up his glasses. "I think about storyboards every night before I go to sleep, and I even dream about An Xin and Liu Jun's scenes together. The pressure is so great that I'm losing hair, you see."

He pointed to his hairline, "It's only been a month, and it's receded by half a centimeter."

Everyone laughed.

Liu Yifei comforted him, "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Jiang Yu and I will cooperate fully. We've been working on the script together for so long, we'll definitely be able to film it well."

"That's right." Jiang Yu took over the conversation, his tone serious. "On set, you're the director, and we're the actors."

Let them criticize if they want, reshoot if they need to, don't worry about our status. The director's authority needs to be established for the film to be good. If you're holding back just because we're investors and the female lead, that's irresponsible towards the work.

Shen Ao looked at Jiang Yu, her eyes filled with emotion. "I understand, President Jiang. I will definitely make 'My Love from the Star' a great work and live up to your trust."

"Come on, let's drink to 'My Love from the Star'!" Zhu Yilong raised his glass.

"Cheers!" everyone responded.

We chatted until after 10 p.m. when the birthday cake was served.

A three-tiered fruit cake, with pure white cream, topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and mangoes, and a number candle ("22") inserted in the center.

"Make a wish! Make a wish!" everyone cheered.

Shu Chang closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, made a wish earnestly, and then blew out all the candles in one breath.

applause.

"What did you wish for?" Liu Yifei asked softly.

"I won't tell you." Shu Chang laughed, her eyes unconsciously drifting towards Shen Ao. Shen Ao was also looking at her, and the two smiled at each other, the air filled with a sweet atmosphere.

When cutting the cake, Shu Chang specially gave the piece with the character "寿" (longevity) on it to Shen Ao.

Shen Ao took it, his ears turned red again, and he smiled happily.

"Tsk tsk tsk, this is such a display of affection," Wang Zhiqi quipped. "Can't you even consider how single people feel?"

"Envious? Envious that you want to find one too," Shu Chang retorted, her mood soaring.

"I'd like to, but nobody wants me," Wang Zhi said, feigning a sob. "After being on set for so long, even a male cat seems handsome to me."

"Isn't Director Lu single?" someone joked.

Lu Yang was eating cake and almost choked. He quickly waved his hand, "No, no, no, I'm focused on making the movie, I don't care about relationships. What's more interesting than a movie?"

"Director Lu, you're going to offend all the women here with that," Liu Yifei laughed.

"I was wrong, I'll punish myself with a bite of cake." Lu Yang quickly admitted defeat.

Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious.

After the birthday party ended, everyone left one by one.

Shu Chang and Shen Ao escorted Liu Yifei and Jiang Yu to the door. It was late at night, and the winter night in Beijing was cold, but the warm yellow lights at the restaurant entrance made people feel cozy.

"Changchang, are you happy today?" Liu Yifei asked, adjusting Shuchang's scarf.

"I'm so happy!" Shu Chang hugged her, her voice a little choked up. "Thank you, Qianqian, thank you, President Jiang. I'm so lucky to have friends like you."

"Silly girl, why are you saying all this?" Liu Yifei patted her back. "May everything go smoothly in the new year, and may you have a successful career and love life."

"You too." Shu Chang released her, her eyes sparkling. "You and President Jiang must continue to be happy."

You are my role models.

On the way back, Liu Yifei leaned back in her car seat, looking out at the night view of Beijing.

Chang'an Avenue is brightly lit and bustling with traffic; the city's nights are always so vibrant.

She suddenly said, "Jiang Yu, I think it's really good like this."

"How?" Jiang Yu held the steering wheel with one hand and her hand with the other.

"I have my own career, people I like, good friends, and partners to fight alongside."

She turned her head and looked at his profile illuminated by the streetlight. "Although there is pressure and trouble, the overall feeling is positive and full of hope. We do meaningful things together and associate with meaningful people. This state is priceless."

"Yes." Jiang Yu squeezed her hand. "So we should cherish everything we have now, focus on acting, and live well. Don't be burdened by fame and fortune, don't be constrained by personal relationships, and just do what you believe is right."

"Hmm." Liu Yifei nodded, then remembered something, "Oh right, we're going to the US later this month. Have you started preparing your things yet? The premiere of 'Avatar' is on January 15th, and the PR activities for 'Black Swan' start on January 18th. We'll be staying for two weeks."

"Wang Wei is preparing," Jiang Yu said. "The visa and hotel are all arranged. However, this trip might not be too easy. The premiere of 'Avatar' is definitely the most important event in Hollywood this year, and the media all over the world will be paying attention; although 'Black Swan' has already been released, the awards season has just begun, and there will be a lot of public relations activities."

Be prepared, it might be very tiring.

"I'm not afraid," Liu Yifei smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. "Anyway, you're here. Besides, being able to participate in Hollywood's awards season is something many actors dream of. I'm really looking forward to it."

"That's true." Jiang Yu smiled as well. "But we should also keep a calm mindset. Winning an award is icing on the cake, but not winning one isn't the end of the world. What's important is that the work is remembered and the audience remembers it."

In the first week of December, Liu Yifei officially ended her agency contract with Red Star House and established her own studio.

This news didn't cause much of a stir in the industry. Given her current status and resources, it's only natural for her to start her own business.

Only she herself knew what this step meant.

The studio's office is located downstairs from the headquarters of Light Chaser Pictures. It's not a large space, but it's decorated very carefully.

Liu Yifei herself participated in the design: light-colored decoration, large floor-to-ceiling windows that allow sunlight to flood in, and art pieces she collected from all over the world in the rest area, including glass crafts brought back from Venice and vintage candlesticks found in Paris.

The walls are adorned with stills from "Black Swan" and photos of the Venice Film Festival awards, not in a ostentatious display, but rather framed in simple black thin frames, understated yet tasteful.

"We need to leave a wall here," Liu Yifei said to the designer, pointing to the blank wall in the conference room. "After each project is completed, we'll hang a still from it. I want to see the trajectory of my career step by step."

The core team consists of only six people: agent Sister Li, assistant Xiao Wang, publicity director, finance, legal affairs, and an administrator responsible for handling daily affairs.

There weren't many people, but they were all elite soldiers.

Sister Li is a senior agent in the industry who once managed a top-tier actress: the publicity director comes from a top fashion magazine and has extensive connections; the legal counsel is an elite that Jiang Yu transferred from his own company's legal department.

"That's great." On the day of its establishment, Liu Yifei said at the first team meeting, "We don't care about the size, we just want to be professional and efficient. I'll decide what projects I take on and what roles I play. The premise is that you have to give me the most professional advice."

The first wave of impact brought by freedom was a flurry of scripts flying in like snowflakes.

Less than three days after the news of the studio's establishment spread, Sister Li received more than thirty script offers—movies, TV series, variety shows, endorsements, and more.

The terms offered were increasingly tempting, with salaries ranging from 1500 million to 2500 million yuan, setting a record for domestic actresses.

Some production companies even said, "As long as Liu Yifei is willing to take the role, the salary can be negotiated."

"They've gone mad, everyone's gone mad." On the afternoon of December 5th, Sister Li walked into the Xishan Villa carrying a stack of scripts, shaking her head and smiling bitterly. "Yifei, do you know what's going on about you outside?"

Liu Yifei, who was doing yoga on the living room carpet, slowly finished her poses and wiped the sweat with a towel: "How do I pass it on?"

"A walking money-printing machine." Sister Li placed a thick stack of scripts on the coffee table. "The production companies have done the math: you starred in 'Black Swan,' which grossed $3.5 million worldwide; President Jiang's investment in the 'Twilight' series is about to break $10 billion worldwide. They think that as long as they get you on board, the box office is guaranteed. So they're willing to pay you as much as you want, since they can make it back from the box office anyway."

Liu Yifei sat cross-legged, flipping through the scripts, her feelings complicated.

On the one hand, she was naturally happy, as this was a recognition of her value by the market; on the other hand, she felt it was absurd, wondering when an actor's value was measured solely by their salary.

"Let's do a round of screening first." She put down the script and said to Sister Li, "Bad movies, repetitive roles, and unreliable productions will be passed over immediately. I want to see challenging roles and projects with artistic aspirations."

"They're already screening candidates." Sister Li pulled two elegant folders out of her bag. "These two are the key ones. They came from Hong Kong, and they're offering 2500 million each. They're very sincere. The production company said they can accommodate your schedule and revise the script according to your suggestions, as long as you're willing."

Liu Yifei took the folder.

The first one is "A Chinese Ghost Story," a remake of a classic, in which she plays Nie Xiaoqian.

The second is "The Legend of the Feast at Hongmen," a historical epic in which she plays Yu Ji.

The project name and lineup alone are indeed tempting.

"Let me see." She opened the script for "A Chinese Ghost Story" and leaned back on the sofa to read it carefully.

After watching for half an hour, her brows furrowed more and more tightly.

This adaptation—well, how should I put it—is very modern, almost too modern.

Nie Xiaoqian transforms from a pitiful female ghost into a "new woman" who knows martial arts, can act cool, and even uses internet slang. Her lines even include phrases like "this girl" and "little brat."

Ning Caichen, on the other hand, is like a simple-minded bookworm, completely lacking the scholarly spirit of the original work.

The entire story is filled with various flashy fight scenes and awkward romantic scenes, turning the tragic love between humans and ghosts in the original "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" into a bickering fantasy adventure.

"What is this?!" she muttered, opening "The Legend of the Feast at Hongmen" again.

This is even more outrageous.

In the script, Yu Ji is portrayed as a "female Zhuge Liang" who is proficient in military strategy and skilled in both literature and martial arts. She not only offers advice and strategies at the Feast at Hongmen, but also has an ambiguous romantic relationship with Liu Bang.

The historical details are riddled with errors. Xiang Yu's armor is in the style of the Ming Dynasty, weapons that did not exist in the Han Dynasty appear frequently, and the characters' personalities are distorted. It is a forced adaptation entirely for the purpose of creating dramatic conflict.

"These two—" Liu Yifei looked at Sister Li, her expression complicated, "What do you think?"

"The salaries are indeed high, and the production team is also luxurious." Sister Li said frankly, "The director of 'A Chinese Ghost Story' is Yip Wai-shun, who also directed 'Ip Man'; the producer of 'White Vengeance' is Wong Pak-ming, a veteran bigwig in the Hong Kong film industry. They are all big names in Hong Kong. The investment is also substantial, with a budget of 1.2 million for 'A Chinese Ghost Story' and 1.5 million for 'White Vengeance'."

However, judging from the quality of the script—it's indeed just average.

Liu Yifei closed the script, leaned back on the sofa, and stared at the ceiling for a moment. "I'll show it to Jiang Yu and get his opinion. He has a sharp eye for projects and always gets to the point."

Jiang Yu's video conference ended at 3 p.m.

When he came out of the study, he saw Liu Yifei curled up on the sofa in the living room, with two scripts spread out in front of her, her brows furrowed, and a pen in her hand writing and drawing on the scripts.

"What's wrong?" He walked over, sat down next to her, and naturally put his arm around her shoulder.

"This script was sent by Sister Li. It was delivered from Hong Kong, and the price was very high." Liu Yifei pushed the script in front of him. "Can you take a look? I feel like something's not right, but I can't quite put my finger on it."

Jiang Yu picked up the script for "A Chinese Ghost Story," glanced at the cover, and thought to himself, "Well, it's bound to happen."

"They're remaking a classic IP and casting you as Nie Xiaoqian. They're trying to replicate Joey Wong's success."

He flipped through the script quickly, reading at an extremely fast pace, pausing to examine key passages closely.

The more he read, the more subtle his expression became, until finally he burst out laughing: "Did this screenwriter read too many online novels? Even Nie Xiaoqian is saying 'This young lady is going to act on behalf of Heaven today' now? Ning Caichen's character—is he a bookworm or an idiot? Yan Chixia has actually become the comedic relief?"

Liu Yifei was amused by his reaction: "Is it really that bad?"

"It's not just bad, it's outrageous." Jiang Yu put down the script, his expression turning serious. "Adapting classics isn't about being innovating, but about having limits and respecting the core spirit of the original. This version of *A Chinese Ghost Story* completely loses the essence of the original—the poignant beauty of the separation between humans and ghosts, the fatalistic sense of tragedy, the pure, unadulterated love. Instead, it's filled with exaggerated fight scenes and cheap romance. Playing this kind of role is a complete waste of your acting skills."

He picked up "The Legend of the Feast at Hongmen" again, read a few pages, and shook his head: "This is even worse. Hong Kong directors making films about mainland history—it's not that I look down on them, it's just that they're really out of touch. Look at this part, where Yu Ji gives Xiang Yu a plan, using a scene from 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' about Zhuge Liang. Did the screenwriter think that the Qin and Han dynasties and the Three Kingdoms were the same period? And here, at the Feast at Hongmen, Fan Kuai eats raw meat, and it's filmed like a gangster boss showing off—they completely don't understand Han Dynasty etiquette and culture."

Liu Yifei couldn't help but laugh out loud: "That's a harsh way to put it, but it seems—it's really true."

"I'm stating the facts," Jiang Yu said seriously. "Hong Kong filmmakers have their advantages: a keen commercial sense, mature genre films, and good pacing. But when they make historical dramas, they lack that cultural depth and historical weight. Look at Tsui Hark's 'Seven Swords' and Daniel Lee's 'Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon'—weren't they all heavily criticized by historians? It's not a problem with the costumes and props; it's a fundamental lack of understanding of that period of history."

He paused, looking into Liu Yifei's eyes: "And to be honest, your temperament isn't suitable for a seductive role like Nie Xiaoqian. You have something clean and clear about you; that's your quality and your strength."

While Nina in *Black Swan* also has a dark side, her core is pure, persistent, and a perfectionist. A character like Nie Xiaoqian—is too cliché, unworthy of you.

Liu Yifei listened attentively, and the slight wavering in her heart caused by the high salary gradually subsided.

Yes, she was almost misled by the numbers.

If Jiang Yu hadn't reminded her, she might have really hesitated. After all, 2500 million is no small amount, and the partners are all industry leaders. Refusing might offend them.

"So I declined?" she asked, her tone firm.

"Say no," Jiang Yu said, taking her hand. "But you can be tactful. Just say it's a scheduling conflict, thank you for your kind offer, and that you'd like to work together again in the future. After all, you're both seniors in the industry, so there's no need to be too definitive. Sister Li knows how to handle it."

"Okay." Liu Yifei nodded, then remembered something, "By the way, my studio has just been established, so I need to take on some projects, right? Otherwise, it's not good for the team to be idle, and I also need to maintain my exposure."

"No rush." ​​Jiang Yu smiled and pinched her cheek. "Good scripts take time to develop, and good roles take time to come. Besides, 'My Love from the Star' is about to start filming. It's a big project that will keep you busy for half a year. You can use this time to study the script carefully. Also, you'll be going to the space agency for training in the second half of the year; those two science fiction projects will be approved after the Spring Festival."

The second week of December saw the Chinese film market witness its most intense battle of the year during the Lunar New Year film season.

The media described this period as "fiercely competitive" because almost every week a major film is released, making the competition extremely fierce.

On Wednesday, December 9th, "The Treasure Hunter" and "Storm Riders 2" were released on the same day.

The former is an adventure film starring Jay Chou and Lin Ziling, with an investment of 1.2 million yuan, focusing on "treasure hunting + romance"; the latter is a martial arts blockbuster in which Aaron Kwok and Eason Chan reunite after ten years, a childhood memory for countless viewers born in the 80s.

Both films are highly anticipated, with industry insiders predicting that they will both gross over 7000 million yuan in their opening weekend.

Its performance after its release was a huge disappointment.

"The Treasure Hunter" grossed 11 million yuan on its opening day, while "Storm Riders 2" grossed 12 million yuan. For a blockbuster with an investment of over 100 million yuan, this performance is clearly unacceptable.

Even more damaging is the word-of-mouth: Douban scores were 5.2 for "The Treasure Hunter" and 5.8 for "Storm Riders 2," both overwhelmingly negative.

"The plot is a mess, the special effects are cheap, and the whole movie is only carried by Jay Chou and Lin Chi-ling's faces. Director Chu Yen-ping, you should go back to making comedies."

"We waited ten years for 'Storm Riders 2,' and this is what we get? The fight scenes are worse than the TV series, and the dialogue is so awkward it's unbearable. Even Aaron Kwok and Ekin Cheng can't save this script."

"The first wave of the Lunar New Year film season flopped pretty badly — it seems audiences are getting harder to fool."

The media has begun to predict a downturn in this year's Lunar New Year film season, saying that "audiences are experiencing aesthetic fatigue" and "the quality of blockbusters has declined."

Everyone knows that the real highlight is yet to come: Zhang Yimou's "A Simple Noodle Story" is scheduled for release on December 12th.

Released on Thursday, the 10th of this month.

Zhang Yimou, this name is a golden brand in the Chinese film industry.

From "Red Sorghum" to "Hero," from the Olympic Games opening ceremony to "Curse of the Golden Flower," he is practically synonymous with Chinese directors.

His return to directing after three years, and his foray into comedy—a genre he rarely attempts—naturally attracted widespread attention.

Zhang Weiping, the boss of New Pictures Film, took the publicity to the extreme, launching a massive marketing campaign a month in advance.

"A Simple Noodle Story" has a guaranteed box office of 4 million yuan, with a target of 5 million yuan!

"Zhang Yimou + Xiao Shenyang, the king of comedy duo!"

"The most anticipated comedy blockbuster of the year, guaranteed to make you laugh all year round!"

On December 10th, the film "A Simple Noodle Story" premiered.

Liu Yifei got up unusually early, though it wasn't actually that early; at 9:30, she dragged Jiang Yu to see an early movie.

"Now? Ten o'clock in the morning?" Jiang Yu glanced at the time, then at the light snow still falling outside the window. "Is anyone at the movie theater? And it's Thursday today, everyone's at work, right?"

"Yes! I checked, the morning showings are all sold out!" Liu Yifei had already changed her clothes, wearing a woolen hat and scarf, only her bright eyes showing. "It's a film by the National Director, a comedy at that. I want to see how he makes it. Besides, this is the first time we've gone out to see a movie since we've been 'in seclusion,' how ceremonial!"

"Are you sure?" Jiang Yu asked with a subtle expression as he put on his coat. "I heard—this film is a bit special. It's not Zhang Yimou's usual style."

"You only have to see this special one! Let's go, let's go!" Liu Yifei pushed him outside.

The two, fully armed, went to the nearest Wanda Cinema.

Sure enough, even on a weekday morning, the theater was 70% full, mainly consisting of young couples and middle-aged and elderly viewers.

The lights dimmed, and the movie began.

Two hours later, the lights came on.

Liu Yifei sat motionless in her seat, her expression as complex as a spilled palette: confusion, disappointment, disbelief, and an awkward mix of wanting to laugh but being unable to.

Jiang Yu looked at her, wanting to laugh but not daring to, and could only cough lightly to cover it up.

"Um—" Jiang Yu tentatively began, "What do you think—"

"Don't ask me." Liu Yifei stood up and walked out expressionlessly. "I don't want to discuss this movie right now. I need to calm down."

On the way home, Liu Yifei remained silent.

Jiang Yu was driving, glancing at her every now and then, and finally couldn't help but laugh out loud at a red light.

"You're still laughing!" Liu Yifei glared at him, her lips involuntarily curving upwards. "This movie—what on earth is this movie about? I watched it for two hours and still don't understand what it's trying to say. Comedy? Suspense? Absurdity? It seems to touch on all of them, but it doesn't do any of them well."

"What did you think of 'A Simple Noodle Story'?" She turned her head and asked seriously. "I—I don't understand it. Was this really directed by Zhang Yimou? The one who directed 'To Live,' 'Raise the Red Lantern,' and 'My Father and Mother'?"

Zhang Yimou? The Zhang Yimou who showcased 5,000 years of Chinese civilization at the Olympics?

"People change." Jiang Yu's smile faded, and his tone became serious. "Moreover, this film is more of a product of the market than a work by Zhang Yimou."

"What do you mean?"

"Everyone in the industry knows that New Pictures hasn't opened for business for three years, and hasn't released a film since 'Curse of the Golden Flower'."

As Jiang Yu drove, he explained, "Zhang Weiping is eager to recoup his losses. The production cost of 'A Simple Noodle Story' is said to be less than 2000 million yuan, and it uses Zhao Benshan's apprentices with extremely low salaries. Who was the most popular person on last year's Spring Festival Gala? Xiao Shenyang. Zhang Weiping is using the lowest cost to ride the highest wave of popularity and make money the fastest. Look at the cast: Xiao Shenyang, Yan Ni, Sun Honglei, Ni Dahong, all of them are TV stars. Their movie salaries are low, but they have audience appeal."

Liu Yifei was stunned: "So the Imperial Advisor agreed? Isn't he afraid of ruining his reputation? This is Zhang Yimou, a flag bearer of Chinese cinema!"

"Perhaps—there's a reason," Jiang Yu sighed, his tone tinged with regret. "The relationship between a director and a producer is very complicated. Zhang Yimou and Zhang Weiping have collaborated for over a decade, mutually benefiting each other: without Zhang Weiping's investment and marketing, many of Zhang Yimou's films wouldn't have been made; without Zhang Yimou's talent, Zhang Weiping wouldn't have become the top producer in mainland China. But this relationship is also intertwined; some things can't be refused just because you want to."

He paused, then continued, "And I heard that Zhang Yi's daughter is studying abroad, which is very expensive."

He's 59 this year and needs to think about his later years. Artists also need to eat and support their families. Sometimes the pressures of reality can make you make choices against your conscience.

"What are you thinking about?"

That evening, Jiang Yu saw her staring blankly at the computer screen, which was full of reviews of the movie "A Simple Noodle Story," so he came over and asked her about it.

"I'm thinking about what the National Director said." Liu Yifei shut down her computer, looking somewhat dejected. "The last time we met, he told me to cherish my reputation, but what about his own reputation? Films like 'A Simple Noodle Story' are clearly wasting his artistic life."

"So," Jiang Yu sat down beside her, taking her hand, "this is what I wanted to tell you: cherish your right to choose. You have the ability and resources now to only take the roles you want to take and only play the roles you want to play. You have me behind you, Light Chaser Pictures, and connections and resources in North America. You don't have to take bad movies for money, or play unsuitable roles for favors. This is a freedom that so many people crave."

He paused, looking into Liu Yifei's eyes: "Don't follow in the footsteps of your predecessors. Gong Li took on bad films, Zhang Ziyi did too. Why? Because sometimes you don't have a choice. But if you do have a choice, you should choose the best path."

Liu Yifei nodded and leaned on his shoulder: "I understand. When choosing roles in the future, the script will be the most important thing, the role will be second, and the production team will be third. Salary, personal connections, and exposure are all secondary."

"That's right." Jiang Yu kissed her forehead. "Don't forget, you still have me behind you. I'll back you up, what are you afraid of? Even if you don't take any roles for three years, I can still support you, and Light Chaser Pictures can support your team. What we're going to do is create high-quality works, works that can stand the test of time, not fast food."

Liu Yifei felt a warmth in her heart and hugged his arm tightly.

Yes, she has the confidence and the means to do so.

Why envy that 2500 million yuan salary?

What she wants is for people to say "that was a real actress" when they talk about Liu Yifei ten or twenty years from now, instead of "oh, that expensive female celebrity."

As it turns out, Jiang Yu's analysis was correct.

After its release, "A Simple Noodle Story" was indeed a box office hit: 22 million on the first day, over 100 million in four days, over 200 million in eight days, and steadily moving toward the goal of 400 million.

Zhang Weiping beamed in front of the media, talking at length about "Zhang Yimou's commercial value" and "a breakthrough for Chinese comedy films."

But its reputation plummeted.

It opened with a Douban rating of 5.8, dropped to 4.9 three days later, and then to 4.2 a week later.

Film critics, media, and audiences almost unanimously criticized the film.

A well-known film critic wrote a long article on Weibo with the title "Zhang Yimou, you owe Chinese cinema an apology!", which was forwarded over 100,000 times.

"Worse than 'The Promise,' worse than 'The Banquet,' the most disappointing film of the year, bar none!"

"Even the imperial advisor has fallen from grace and started taking advantage of others. How tragic."

"Why use Xiao Shenyang? Are there no actors left in China? It's heartbreaking to see Yan Ni and Sun Honglei's acting skills being wasted."

"Zhang Weiping, come out and take your punishment! You've been called my national teacher!"

"This is not a comedy, it's a farce. Zhang Yimou's reputation has been ruined in his later years."

Liu Yifei reads movie reviews every day, and the more she reads, the more complicated her feelings become.

She saw an audience member say, "I went to see Zhang Yimou's movie with a pilgrimage mentality, but I ended up watching a hodgepodge of two-person comedy, skit, and suspense. When I walked out of the theater, I cried, not from being moved, but from disappointment."

She also saw industry insiders analyze that: "The success of 'A Simple Noodle Story' was a marketing success, the last overdraft of Zhang Yimou's brand value. From now on, the words 'Zhang Yimou's works' will no longer signify a guarantee of quality."

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