Chapter 537: Old Friendship
It had been about a month since Yu Linna had been blacklisted. This one month seemed to be calm and peaceful, with nothing happening. But the news of Yu Linna’s new work getting rave reviews in England still occupied the top spot on the hot search in her home country. As for this person, Yu Linna, many people had also become complicated. You say she is politically incorrect, and she speaks recklessly during live streams, but she is indeed working hard to export culture abroad, and has made contributions to the cultural exchange between China and foreign countries. In these past few years, there have been very few who could have their works exported abroad and be liked. Yu Linna’s previous works could be imported to Japan and other Southeast Asian countries. It was originally thought that that was the limit. Who would have thought that she would set her sights on Europe again?
During the period of Yu Linna’s ban, her fame had not dropped. On the contrary, she had taken advantage of this period to become popular in Europe. Many countries had already planned to import Demon Child, and had also said that they wanted to invite Yu Linna as an image ambassador to their countries for promotion.
No matter how much the people in her home country despised her, she was still very popular abroad. It was really a slap in the face for many people.
But this was not the end. A new month had arrived, and the news about Yu Linna was not over yet. The first movie that Yu Linna had written the script for in her home country, Beast Game, had been officially decided to be released in December. This was an IP from Japan, which had been localized by Yu Linna and had been turned into a movie. It was said that the investment had reached 200 million, and Yu Linna also had an investment in it. Originally, during Yu Linna’s ban, her name should not have appeared on the main creative list, but Yu Linna had appeared in the screenwriter’s column. Besides not deliberately using her for promotion, the film company had not avoided her in other places.
This had made many people dumbfounded.
And that was not all.
The animated film I’ve Loved You for Ten Years, for which Yu Linna was the screenwriter and had also participated in the supervision, was also scheduled for mid-December, which was the New Year’s slot.
And so, in the second half of this year, Yu Linna would have three movies released in cinemas. The speed of production was surprisingly fast, but what was even more surprising was that the film company had actually not avoided Yu Linna. One had to know that Yu Linna was a person with a “stain.” The film company actually did not avoid her?
To this, the film company had also responded.
“We believe that a matter cannot be judged subjectively. What Shion-sensei is like in private, we are not clear, nor do we understand. But her attitude at work is impeccable. We just feel that a movie is the painstaking effort of everyone, not just her name. The names of all our staff will appear on the list. This is not about being partial to anyone. This is a basic principle.”
This was a fact. Even if Yu Linna had many black spots, and a lot of public opinion, she was still an outstanding screenwriter. This was an indisputable fact.
Besides that, Jiaying Company, to which Ye Zhiyun belonged, had also put the script that Yu Linna had written on the agenda, and had started the selection of actors. The start date of filming was still pending, but the project had been launched. And Happy Fries, which had once invited Yu Linna to participate in a guest appearance, would also have its movie released during the Spring Festival. There was a scene of Yu Linna in it, but they had said that they would not cut it and would still keep it as it was.
This was the influence that Yu Linna had brought in a short two years. Although there were many scandals, many people knew that she was the main brand that attracted traffic. As long as she was there, at least a certain degree of topic heat could be guaranteed, and it would bring in box office revenue. To cut her name and scenes, only a fool would do that. No one wanted to go against money.
Yu Linna had seen the news when she was abroad. At this time, she was peeling fruit for Ye Zhiyun in her hospital room. After hearing what Ye Zhiyun had said, her mood was quite complicated. She had not expected that so many things would have happened in the time she had been away from China.
“Looking at their comments is actually quite funny. Because they used to be the ones who were cursing you, and now they’ve changed their tune and are praising you. I feel like I’m watching a comedy. It’s really funny.”
Ye Zhiyun was lying in bed, speaking of her own feelings.
Yu Linna, on the other hand, just peeled an apple, and then used a toothpick to pierce it and send it to Ye Zhiyun’s mouth. Ye Zhiyun herself was very much enjoying this feeding service. To be able to eat without having to use her hands, this feeling was so good.
“It’s all in the past. These are not a big deal. What I’m more concerned about now is whether I can do well here in Hollywood.”
“By the way, isn’t your movie already scheduled to be released in the US in early November? I haven’t seen it yet. Will you go and see it with me after I’m discharged?”
“But that’s a restricted movie. It’s very scary. I don’t really want to see it…”
Speaking of which, the movie that Yu Linna was most helpless against was a horror film.
Although Demon Child, because of the director’s deliberation, had been turned into a bloody and violent horror film, it was essentially an anti-hero themed movie, and Yu Linna did not feel very scared during the filming process. But when the movie was really released, she couldn’t stand it after watching a twenty-minute test screening. It was so scary!
Now Lionsgate’s side had asked her to write a horror film script. Actually, she really wanted to refuse, because she didn’t like horror films at all, and even hated them! When filming, it was fine, but to really have her go to the cinema to watch it, that was still very difficult. When she saw the bloody scenes in the movie, and that terrifying scream, she would absolutely not dare to watch it alone.
“I’ll just watch it with you. Don’t worry, it’s not scary. Didn’t you write this? It’s surely not scary.”
“Writing and watching are completely different, okay…”
Yu Linna resisted in all sorts of ways. In short, she didn’t want to watch it!
During this period of time in the hospital, it was the happiest period of time for Ye Zhiyun after she had come to America, because at this time, whatever she requested, Yu Linna would satisfy her. Even if it was a willful request, Yu Linna would try her best to satisfy her, and would not be as cold as before. In short, things were developing in a good direction. Ye Zhiyun particularly liked this kind of life.
“Nana, just come with me~”
“No, I’m not watching a horror film. Although I wrote it myself, I still don’t want to watch it…”
The atmosphere in the hospital was very good. The two of them had also slowly returned to their past track. Compared to the various situations of misunderstanding before, now, although it was not to say that they completely understood each other, at least they had not created any more rifts.
Yu Linna had attracted attention on the Hollywood side. The first to bear the brunt was Lionsgate, which had set its sights on her. They also wanted to change the passive situation they had been in all along, so finding Yu Linna was the most suitable choice. The five major companies in Hollywood were still in a wait-and-see attitude now, but there were also two who were a little interested in her. Warner Bros. and Disney were in such a state now.
And Hollywood had also invited a person, and this person was the Chinese-American star, An Xiayue.
When Yu Xiayue’s filming in China was about to end, Hollywood had formally sent her an invitation, asking her to come back to Hollywood to film a movie. The other party had also seen the box office of Yu Xiayue’s movie in China, as well as in South Korea and other places, and considering her commercial value, and that she herself was a Hollywood actress, they had invited her back.
Yu Xiayue’s side had not made a decision yet. She was hesitating.
First of all, there was the issue of the domestic movie’s schedule, and then there was also the promotion. It was impossible to go back immediately. They could only negotiate and arrange another time.
Because of this matter, she had told her dad. Of course, Yu Jiayang had said that he would respect her choice.
…
At the same time, Yu Jiayang had met an old acquaintance, Eric. This day, Eric had said that he was meeting him in a private capacity and had asked him out to a bar after work, saying it was to catch up. After not seeing him for more than ten years, Eric’s wrinkles had also increased, but his eyes were also more determined.
“You’re here, Kevin. It’s been more than ten years since we’ve seen each other, right?”
“I never would have thought you would actually come back. How have you been these years?”
Yu Jiayang sat down and had a drink with him at the bar. Before, when they were rivals, they would also go out for a couple of drinks in private, but it was really very rare. More than ten years had passed. Eric had returned to the business world, but his mentality seemed to be different from more than ten years ago. Should it be said that he was more mature, or that he was not as hostile as before?
“I’m doing pretty well now. Although a lot has happened in between, I’m back. But I’m not back as your rival, but I want to be your friend.”
“My friend?”
“Yes, if possible, I would like to talk to you about business. Before, we used to compete often, but we are no longer young. This time, I plan to talk to you about cooperation.”
Eric clearly had other purposes. His return to the American business world, what he was thinking of was not to compete with his rival again, but to resolve the conflict with his rival and to be a partner.
On the surface, that was indeed the case.
Yu Jiayang had dealt with him for many years. For Eric to bow his head so easily, to resolve the grievances of many years so easily, was also unreasonable. After all, he was still a businessman. It was impossible for him not to have some calculations in his heart. Back then, they had fought tooth and nail to get the highest-level designer award. And during the business war, to let their own company climb to the highest peak, they had also fought to the death. In the end, Yu Jiayang had won, and Eric had gone bankrupt.
“I’ll think about it.”
Yu Jiayang gave an empty promise.
Eric, on the other hand, did not say anything, just smiled and said nothing. He picked up his wine glass, swirled it, and said with a smile:
“Kevin, you’ve had a very painful time these years. I’m very sorry about your matter. Actually, you could have been much happier.”
Speaking of this matter, Yu Jiayang’s eyes dimmed. The taste of the wine was not so fragrant anymore, but quite bitter.
Yu Jiayang had a lifetime of pain, one that he would absolutely never be able to forget. Not long after the business war with Eric had ended, Yu Jiayang’s child, who was not yet two years old, had unfortunately gone missing. That year was really a very painful year. And then, he had gone around in circles, had spent a very long time, and in the end, with the help of the police, he had found the child’s bones and clothes, as well as the amulet that was worn on her body at that time. At that moment, he had really felt that the sky was falling.
His wife was even more dejected. Slowly, she had withdrawn from her own career and had left Hollywood. But he could not fall. He still had to walk on with strength and lead his company to prosperity. At that time, how much pain he had been through, only he himself knew.
“It’s all in the past.”
“That’s right. Believe me, my friend. You’ve already learned to accept reality. I also believe that you will do better than before. Do you want another drink?”
“No, no more. I’m going back first.”
Yu Jiayang did not look very happy. He went to the front desk, paid the bill, and left. And Eric was swirling his wine glass, a wry smile on his face. This appearance of his, clearly in a lot of pain, yet still having to be strong, was really too different from more than ten years ago. It was as if he had become a different person. Thinking like this, Eric drank his wine in one gulp.
The bar was playing happy music, and a cheerful atmosphere filled the shop, just like a person’s heart, very pleasant.
