By the time Linghui Entertainment's account reposted it, the internet had already been buzzing with excitement.
Seeing Linghui Entertainment's belated celebration, netizens even mocked them.
【What's wrong with your operations? You're always a step behind! We only know the latest information from marketing accounts. You need to seriously reflect on this!】
But when Xiao He reposted it using his own account, the comment section was filled with blessings from Xiao He's fans and their anticipation for the movie "No Bait".
【Looking forward to "No Bait" becoming a huge hit! Let's go!】
Seeing the drastically different comment styles of the two accounts, Linghui Entertainment's operations team was at a loss.
Sure enough, in the fan community, the studio and the fans are always in an adversarial relationship. Regardless of whether the owner behind the studio is the artist himself, what they always hope for is the next better studio.
The online buzz has continued to grow, with more and more people noticing the name "No Bait" and adding it to their watchlist for the May Day holiday. Even some marketing accounts that don't generate much buzz have started analyzing and predicting the box office performance and awards for "No Bait".
Xiao He paid no attention to any of this.
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A villa district in Beijing.
This time, Xiao He did not return to Shanghai, but went directly to Beijing to visit Director Ning at his home.
Liu Rulan had visited Director Ning's home before. She had gone directly to Ning Jiaqi's house to enthusiastically promote Xiao He and submitted Xiao He's resume. Only then did Director Ning finally take notice of Xiao He and give him a chance to compete with other Best Actor winners.
The final result was naturally excellent. Liu Rulan's sales pitch was a great success, and Xiao He successfully defeated Shu Han, the protagonist of that year, to become the undisputed male lead of "No Bait".
Now, he has successfully entered the hall of fame at Cannes with "No Bait".
So at this moment, sitting in the living room of Director Ning's villa, Liu Rulan's state of mind was completely different.
At that time, Liu Rulan was quite nervous. She braced herself and recommended Xiao He with her completely new resume. She was even ridiculed by Director Ning, who felt that she was exaggerating her artist's abilities. But the truth was that they had all underestimated Xiao He's abilities.
When Ning Jiaqi saw Liu Rulan and Xiao He again, his face was full of smiles.
"I really didn't expect that, even though I'm almost retired, I would still have the opportunity to travel around. It's truly a rare opportunity."
Ning Jiaqi also ventured abroad in his early years, but he was young at the time, and many of his works were limited by various circumstances. In the end, he was defeated by reality and began to focus on box office success.
After all, no matter how many awards you have, can they compare to the real money you'll receive?
As a result, the art world lost a director with aspirations, while the business world gained a director with box office earnings of tens of billions.
Since deciding to retire, Ning Jiaqi has become more open-minded. If it weren't for the fact that he was always thinking about the script "No Bait" which he hadn't finished for many years, Ning Jiaqi would really be preparing to transfer his entire team to his apprentices and then start his leisurely retirement.
Unexpectedly, life is like this: when you struggle to obtain something, it is something you crave but cannot have in your youth; when you no longer expect such success, it will give you its own response at the last moment.
Whenever he thought of this, Ning Jiaqi would shake his head helplessly.
If this were to be discussed publicly, people would criticize it to the extent that it's a Versailles affair.
Tsk tsk, I didn't mean anything by it, just showing off.
Liu Rulan smiled and said, "This shows that Director Ning is still a seasoned veteran, and his works can still be recognized. I think you shouldn't think about retiring, Director Ning. There's still a lot to do."
Ning Jiaqi laughed and scolded, "Look at what you're saying. Do you think I can't retire early and preserve my good reputation?"
Look at those old folks next door, the things they produce have already become "high-class" works of art judged by the audience. If he doesn't run away sooner, is he going to wait until he ruins his reputation in his later years?
Ning Jiaqi sneered inwardly.
He wouldn't be that stupid.
Anyway, he's made enough money and there are successors, so he's happy to relax.
“I know you well enough.” Ning Jiaqi glanced at Liu Rulan. “My apprentices are all very fond of your artists now. Instead of thinking about me, you should try to get more of their scripts.”
Then a smile appeared on his face: "I do know that they have a few rare and valuable notebooks. If you're interested, I can tell you all about them later."
Actually, while Liu Rulan may covet the resources they have, they are just as eager to acquire Xiao He, the future Best «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» Actor.
There are too many scripts to film, and they can only manage to film one or two a year at most, but the number of actors they can work with is limited.
If we don't get more involved now, and then we find that the actors' schedules are booked for years to come, we'll be left with nowhere to turn.
The two exchanged compliments back and forth, and then burst out laughing at the same time.
"Okay, let's get back to the main topic."
Ning Jiaqi turned serious, "It's really a good thing that 'No Bait' was selected for Cannes this time, so our current plan is not to hold any more preview screenings, but to have the global premiere on May 1st."
"A simultaneous global premiere on May 1st?"
Liu Rulan further confirmed this.
"right."
When the topic of box office came up, Ning Jiaqi became more serious. "To be honest, I was aiming for commercial success with 'No Bait,' so more than awards, I hope it can achieve box office success domestically and even overseas."
Seriously though, money is more important.
"I heard Xiao He is planning to go to the US next month to join a film crew?"
"Yes, it's not a major role. We'll try our best to come back before the premiere on May Day."
"Then we'll have to trouble you to help promote this while you're in the US. We'll arrange the event in advance, and you just need to coordinate with the staff to get there."
As he spoke, Ning Jiaqi seemed to have thought of something, and then said to Xiao He with a smile, "Speaking of which, Xiao He has been quite popular overseas recently. I heard that he just won a racing championship not long ago? Some netizens even joked that you are a gangster's son."
Xiao He was stunned for a moment, then awkwardly dug his toes into the ground: "Hehe, Director Ning, you like watching these kinds of things too?"
Damn it, Director Ning is already so old, why does he still like to watch those random things on the internet?
Even keeping track of overseas developments!
I never expected you to be like this, Director Ning!
"Ahem, as a director, you have to keep up with the times. Besides, in this day and age, it would be strange if you didn't use a mobile phone or connect to the internet, right?"
Ning Jiaqi coughed lightly and immediately found a reason for himself, as if it were perfectly reasonable.
Anyway, he doesn't go to foreign websites to look at those pretty girls!
He's just interested in fashion!
Xiao He and Liu Rulan: "...Whatever makes you happy."
Perhaps feeling that he had become too proud and lost face in front of his juniors, Ning Jiaqi said a few more words to the two about the next arrangements, and then, with a sullen face, chased Xiao He and the others away.
They were originally planning to have a meal together, but now all that's left is Xiao He and Liu Rulan looking at each other in bewilderment.
After a long silence, Xiao He finally spoke slowly: "I think they are indeed of the same lineage, teacher and student."
Liu Rulan: "? What do you mean?"
Xiao He: "Look at Director Zhuang, on the surface he is a domineering CEO and director, but in reality he is a fan of anime. Yan Shaohan on the surface is naturally naive and easy to talk to, but in reality he is a super devil when filming, strict to an outrageous degree. Finally, their teacher, Director Ning, is old in age but young at heart, and loves to browse foreign websites."
How can it not be considered a sense of contrast passed down through generations?
Liu Rulan rolled her eyes: "Go away, go away, you talk too much!"
You've really caught my eye!
