Influence

Netizens who woke up early on the first day of the Lunar New Year were flooded with a piece of news as soon as they opened their Weibo accounts: “The new Berlin Film Award winner has come out publicly. Is it true or a joke?” The first reaction of every netizen who saw this news was to say “WTF” in their hearts. What was going on?!

After clicking in, they saw the following report: At 5:00 am on February 15th, Beijing time, the awards for the main competition of the Berlin Film Festival were announced. “The Legend of Wang Xuance” won the Golden Bear Award for Best Film, and Lu Yan won the Silver Bear Award for Best Actor. The newly crowned Berlin Film Emperor announced his marriage in his acceptance speech, and made a statement that seemed to come out in the interview after the meeting. Whether it was true or the film emperor was playing a joke on everyone had not been further confirmed.

Netizens were almost going crazy in their forwarding comments. The news that the actor was suspected of coming out had completely overwhelmed the good news of winning the award at the film festival and became the real headline news. Netizens had all kinds of reactions. Some were overjoyed that the male god was gay; some were upset that all good men were gay; some thought that the actor had a sense of humor for making such a joke on the first day of the new year; some said, “Wow, another gay man” and were already desperate about this gay world. However, most netizens still thought that this was just another fabrication by the media. After all, it was not the first time that various entertainment media outlets had distorted the facts in order to attract attention. Some fans even said that they were waiting for the male god’s studio to make a statement to clarify the matter, or even better, to sue these media outlets so that they could tone down. Only a few fans expressed enthusiastic celebration for the male god’s re-election in such a large wave of comments, and said that all rumors could not shake the male god’s status.

However, more than an hour later, a Weibo post shook all the netizens who expressed doubts. The blogger of this Weibo post was the officially certified actor Lu Yan, and the content was a photo. There was no one in the photo, only two hands holding a trophy. Both were left hands, and the key point was that they were wearing the same style of rings on their ring fingers; and the trophy was naturally a silver bear trophy. The two hands were slender, white, and had distinct joints. They were really beautiful. Even the most picky hand fetishist couldn’t find any flaws. However, these were obviously two men’s hands. The text accompanying the picture was just one sentence: “The happiest is nothing more than this!” The profound meaning was self-evident.

Netizens were once again shocked. If it was just this Weibo post, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but coupled with the previous hot reports, it was hard to say what it meant. Even the most unconvincing fans had to admit that the idol was really out, unless this Weibo post was not posted by him. So a large number of fans kept tagging the official website in the hope of getting confirmation. However, the site officials quickly made a statement that there was no abnormality in the Weibo post that day. The last desperate struggle was also declared a failure.

Reporters began to contact Lu Yan in the hope of getting further confirmation. However, Lu Yan’s phone was turned off and he could not be contacted. The call to the agent Qin Feng went through smoothly, but the gold medal agent only said one sentence, “I know what everyone wants to know. Don’t worry, we will give a positive response soon. But now please have a good New Year. Happy New Year!”

What else could they do when people say so? But who the hell was in the mood to have a good New Year if they were kept on suspense like this? Every reporter who called shed bitter tears.

Unable to get a response from the artist and his studio, the reporters turned their attention to other artists. They contacted all the artists they could, and asked them about their opinions on Lu Yan’s suspected coming out, whether by phone or in person.

At this time, how good Lu Yan’s popularity in the circle was once again demonstrated.

Gu Yang: This guy is so mean. He didn’t even tell me that he was getting married. He was worried that I couldn’t afford the red envelope. Oh, you’re talking about this. I don’t think it’s a big deal. True love knows no gender. If this is true, I will happily bless him. But he should bring his partner out to see, don’t hide it.

Shan Chuyu: Lu Yan is out? Wow, he is such a real man! I admire his frank attitude the most. Of course I will bless him, good brother, no doubt. By the way, the wedding must be lively, and you must buy me a drink at that time. It is also okay for me to be the best man.

Zhao Tianer: How do I feel? Of course I am happy for him. I wish Lu Yan and his lover a long and happy marriage. Sexual orientation? Is gender so important in the face of true love?

Ding Mujie: The male god is indeed the male god, he is so handsome! He said he would come out of the closet without any hesitation. What era is it now? Don’t be so old-fashioned. What’s wrong with homosexuality? There is true love among homosexuals. Don’t tell me that you discriminate against homosexuals, then I will definitely discriminate against you.

Xia Ying: I wish Lu Yan and his lover all the best.

…

At the end of the interview, the reporters didn’t even have the energy to complain due to the almost monotonous congratulations and support. The only one who wanted to say something different, Yan Shaohui, immediately changed his words at the agent’s cough. Although his tone was not very good, he also expressed his support.

Some reporters were unwilling to give in, and with ulterior motives hinted during the interview with Han Yuan that since Lu Yan was a homosexual, then did Han Yuan feel harassed during the filming of “Uncontrollable” with him?

Han Yuan thought this question was both infuriating and ridiculous, and asked back, “If you say that, shouldn’t you first ask all the female actresses who have worked with heterosexual male actors whether every one of them has been harassed? Your question itself is an insult, and I don’t want to talk to you anymore. There must be a limit to discrimination.” 

Later, in response to another reporter’s question, Han Yuan said, “Lu Yan is an outstanding actor, and his sexual orientation does not affect his amazing talent. His passion for film art and his efforts for it are no less than any real filmmaker. I think people should pay more attention to what kind of good movies he has made and what kind of good roles he has played, rather than whether the person he loves is a man or a woman. Of course, as a friend, I still want to congratulate him and wish him a happy marriage. “

The reporters had experienced Lu Yan’s influence in the industry. It was not uncommon for such a large number of people to speak well of a person, but it was definitely very rare. Of course, there were also some dissenting voices, but those artists who expressed their disapproval were either unfamiliar with Lu Yan or had some blemishes in their conduct, which could basically be ignored.

On the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Yan’s official website and other media finally reported news about Lu Yan again, saying that he would participate in a live talk show in three days and would give a positive response to the issues that everyone was concerned about recently.

Three days later, Lu Yan appeared in the program studio on time.

The interview program that Lu Yan chose to participate in had a high audience rating, and the host Shu Hang was also an old acquaintance. The program had been previewed three days in advance, so the ratings skyrocketed as soon as the time came. According to subsequent statistics, the ratings that night had already set a new high in recent years, and that did not include the live broadcast on the Internet.

The reason why Shu Hang had been able to stand firm in the hosting industry for so many years and his position could not be shaken by anyone, in addition to his qualifications, the most important thing was his hosting style. It was like flowing water, not aggressive, making people feel comfortable and relaxed, but they would unconsciously speak out their inner thoughts and feel very happy.

This was not the first time the two had worked together. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they quickly got into the groove.

Shu Hang: First of all, I want to congratulate Lu Yan for winning another heavyweight Best Actor award. I still remember the first time you appeared on my show more than four years ago. At that time, you played a sentimental second male lead in a movie. I never thought that four years later, you have already won four heavyweight Best Actor awards, and two of them are international. It is really unexpected. You have achieved such an achievement at such a young age, which can be said to be unprecedented.

Lu Yan: Life is a matter of chance and destiny. I can only say that I am extremely lucky.

Shu Hang: You are so lucky that it reminds me of an old saying.

Lu Yan: Oh, which one?

Shu Hang: Luck is also a kind of strength!

After saying that, they both laughed.

After laughing, Shu Hang got to the point.

Shu Hang: You know that our program is live, right?

Lu Yan: Of course.

Shu Hang: So every word we say will be presented directly to the national audience, but there is no chance of deleting or editing it.

Lu Yan: I understand.

Shu Hang paused, looked in the direction of the director, and then smiled: “The director just reminded me that the current ratings have reached a new high. Lu Yan, your influence is really enviable.”

Lu Yan: It is my honor to receive everyone’s attention.

Shu Hang: Let’s get down to business. I think the audience can’t wait any longer.

Lu Yan: Okay.

Shu Hang: Is the news on the Internet some time ago about you allegedly coming out of the closet true?

Lu Yan smiled and said very frankly: Yes.

Shu Hang: Are you married?

Lu Yan: Yes. I went to the Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands in early January.

Shu Hang: I think the audience is very curious about who that person is.

Lu Yan smiled mysteriously: It is not convenient to tell you for the time being, but I promise that day will come.

Shu Hang: Is there any special reason?

Lu Yan: It’s my personal reasons. He is so nice, and I am not qualified to stand with him publicly now.

Shu Hang: Now that you say that, I think everyone must be even more curious.

Lu Yan smiled slyly: Then, just hold back your curiosity and wait patiently. If you want to know the answer earlier, there is another way, which is to support me more.

Shu Hang: Is Lu Yan publicly attracting attention?

Lu Yan: Haha, I guess so.

Shu Hang: Actually, I have a question that I am particularly curious about. What made you decide to come out like this? After all, you know, even heterosexual idol artists may choose to have a secret marriage for the sake of their acting career. And you are… after all, a little bit special.

Lu Yan: Actually, from the moment we got together, I had no intention of hiding anything. Whether it was love, marriage, or the person I was going to marry, I was willing to tell everyone honestly. Hiding anything would be unfair to both my lover and my fans. Loving someone is a beautiful thing and should not be hidden. As an artist, I must give up some privacy to a certain extent, and fans also have the right to know.

Shu Hang: Aren’t you worried about losing the support of your fans because of this?

Lu Yan: If that’s the case, there’s nothing we can do about it. But I think honesty should be considered a virtue at all times. I do what I think is right and I bear the consequences. I believe that people who truly love me will not abandon me because of my sexual orientation and honesty. Those who don’t love me won’t like me just because I changed my sexual orientation. So why should I give up my principles for those who don’t accept me? I will only work hard for those who like me and support me.

Shu Hang: I think Lu Yan’s fans will be very moved to hear these words.

Lu Yan: Actually, I should thank them. It is their support that gives me more courage.

…

During the live broadcast of the program, a high building was built in the entertainment area of ​​a certain community. From this live broadcast, it continued intermittently until the day when the final answer was revealed.

And tonight was just the beginning.