Zhao Wenshu's new film, Blazing Fire, was a Lunar New Year release. With its realistic subject matter, it stood out among all the fantasy romances. Since Shen Lian played Lu Xiaokai in the film, he naturally had to help promote it.
Before the nine-photo grid was posted, his fans were indignant but helpless: [Come on, man, give us something! It's the New Year. Asking for a few everyday photos isn't too much, is it?]
Once the Lu Xiaokai poster came out, his fans said: [Okay, bro, you came through!]
Chu Yilan stuck to his usual policy: any employee who watched Blazing Fire could take their proof of purchase to the company's finance department for reimbursement.
Lin Fu, who played the protagonist, Feng Zheng, called Shen Lian on the morning of the fifth day of the New Year, unable to hide his excitement. "A few Golden Scale Award judges contacted me and hinted that I could start preparing an acceptance speech. Shen Lian... whether I win or not, this award is finally within reach!"
Shen Lian laughed. "Congratulations! What did Director Zhao say?"
"Director Zhao said it's in the bag."
"Then it's in the bag." Shen Lian knew the Golden Scale Award carried considerable weight. Unlike popularity awards decided by fan votes on certain platforms, its winners were chosen through detailed analysis and evaluation by genuine film professionals. Lin Fu was an excellent actor, one of the best of his generation, so it was only fitting that Blazing Fire should take his career to the next level.
Online discussion of Blazing Fire grew increasingly heated, but unusually, there were no fights over billing.
Shen Lian's fans kept their hands tucked away and politely said they would be grateful if Lin Fu's fans included Shen Lian in their edits.
Naturally, Shen Lian