“Your father said you have a film project and want to discuss shoes with me?”
Zhang Zemin got straight to the point, his voice carrying the shrewdness typical of a businessman.
“Yes, Mr. Zhang, one of the female leads in my film is a women’s shoe designer, and the shoe styles for both female leads are also fashionable…” Wu Chen explained in detail.
“A women’s shoe designer, your father didn’t mention that to me.” Zhang Zemin was silent for a few seconds after hearing this, a hint of interest in his tone.
“But film projects have long cycles and high risks. I’m not investing in shares; it’s purely an advertisement. I need to see what you’re capable of.
I’m flying to the capital tomorrow. Can we talk the day after tomorrow?”
“Film Story Restaurant, at 4 Xitu Cheng Road, which is near my school. It’s easy to find. We can set the exact time later!”
“Alright!” Zhang Zemin readily agreed and hung up the cell phone.
Wu Chen put away his cell phone, let out a long breath, and turned around to see Liu Yifei and Zhou Yang staring at him, secretly peeking. Pu Songri also came over, looking curious.
“Junior Brother, did you find a film crew?” Liu Yifei blinked, her voice full of curiosity.
“No.” Wu Chen shook his head, “You’ll know later.”
Pu Songri looked thoughtful upon hearing this, but with so many people around, it wasn’t convenient to speak openly, so he acted as if nothing had happened.
“Mysterious!” Liu Yifei pouted, but being a girl, she forgot about it in an instant and excitedly started talking about adding her to QQ.
“Hurry up and add me, this is my QQ number!”
“Oh, why do you just use the character ‘Chen’? Can’t you pick something nicer?” Liu Yifei started complaining as soon as she added him.
“As if yours is so good, ‘Fei Lai Fei Qu’ (Flying Back and Forth), why don’t you just fly into the sky then?” When Wu Chen said this, everyone laughed.
Liu Yifei clenched her small fist, making a gesture to hit him.
Wu Chen dodged repeatedly, and the two went back and forth, making a ruckus.
“Yawen, what are you looking at?” Luo Jin stood aside, watching Zhu Yawen’s occasional glances, and couldn’t help but ask.
“Ah? Nothing!” Zhu Yawen snapped back to reality, quickly retracted his gaze, his eyes flickering.
Luo Jin saw through it but didn’t say anything. He and Zhu Yawen shared a dorm, so he knew a thing or two about his roommate’s situation.
On the way back in the evening, Pu Songri finally spoke, whispering, “Chen Ge, is your project going somewhere?”
“Yes, it’s about halfway to success. Let’s walk faster, I’m planning to go find Lao Mu again.” Wu Chen didn’t hide it, as most of his roommates knew about these things anyway.
“Then won’t we be able to do something big?” Pu Songri couldn’t help but get excited as he spoke.
Wu Chen smiled but said nothing more.
Matters succeed in secrecy. Before it’s done, it’s important to maintain a sense of crisis. This is also why Wu Chen didn’t disclose too much other information to the outside world.
“Help me set up the equipment. I’ll go over first…” Wu Chen put down the equipment and greeted Pu Songri.
“Alright, Chen Ge, you go ahead, I’ve got this.”
“Okay!”
Wu Chen originally thought he could catch Mu Deyuan before he left work, but when he arrived, the office door was already locked.
Coincidentally, Xu Bin was carrying a briefcase, clearly about to leave work. Seeing Wu Chen, he asked, “What’s wrong, Wu Chen? Looking for Director Mu for something?”
“You’re out of luck. He was just chatting with us about your class and left a few minutes ago. If it’s urgent, call him. You have his number, right?”
“Yes, I do. Thank you, Teacher Xu.” Wu Chen nodded in response.
“Okay!” With that, Xu Bin tugged at his coat and quickly departed.
A cold wind swept through the corridor, carrying a few swirling dead leaves.
Wu Chen wrapped his woolen coat tighter, took out his cell phone, found Mu Deyuan’s number, and pressed the keys twice.
The phone rang a few times, and then Mu Deyuan’s slightly tired but still robust voice came from the other end: “Is there news from your advertiser?”
“Yes, I’ve scheduled to meet him at the Film Story Restaurant the day after tomorrow. I wanted to ask about your availability?”
Mu Deyuan pondered for a moment, “Noon, let’s set it for twelve o’clock! You, too, prepare yourself. Don’t think you can rely entirely on me. How much advertising fee you can get still depends on you.”
“Got it!”
Wu Chen chuckled. With Mu Deyuan presiding, the matter was already half done.
As for what comes next, he had lived half a lifetime in his previous life, so he still had a few tricks up his sleeve for attracting investment.
As night deepened, only a few dim lights flickered in the dark corridor. The wind rustled the tree branches. What should have been a desolate and melancholic scene felt extraordinarily lively to Wu Chen.
“Look, how vibrant it is. In this deep winter, it should be just like this.”
Wu Chen hummed a little tune and returned to the equipment room, then dragged Pu Songri to dinner.
The next day, Wu Chen and Pu Songri continued to work as laborers in the Performance Department.
However, today’s task was exceptionally light. Wang Jinsong only arranged for them to film two scenes: the first and the last.
The first scene was for today’s improvements, while the last scene was for later, leading up to the official performance.
The sunset glow filled the third-floor small theater of the Performance and Directing Building. The north wind blew lightly, mixed with the smell of car exhaust from the direction of Jimen Bridge and the crisp, cold scent of distant bare branches, bringing a touch of coolness.
“You’ve worked hard these past two days.” Wang Jinsong walked down from the stage, script in hand, and called out to Wu Chen and Pu Songri, his tone carrying a rare gentleness.
“It’s what we should do.” Wu Chen replied with a smile.
“Are you busy later? We’re having a get-together, come join us!” Wang Jinsong patted Wu Chen’s shoulder.
“Teacher Wang, that’s not good, we’re afraid of disturbing your class…”
Before Wu Chen could finish, Liu Yifei pulled Zhou Yang over and, smiling, called out, “Junior Brother, what’s there to be embarrassed about? Many people in the class want to thank you. The filming was really good and saved us a lot of time.”
“Then it’s settled. That ‘Old Capital Lamb Hotpot’ place on the street corner, you should know it… If not, just let Yifei and the others take you there. Come early, okay?” Wang Jinsong happily finalized the plan.
Wu Chen and Pu Songri exchanged glances, both feeling a bit helpless.
They had just eaten at that restaurant a few days ago. Eating lamb hotpot twice in one week wasn’t appealing anymore.
“So, do you know how to get there? If not, just call me ‘Senior Sister,’ and I’ll take you!”
Liu Yifei said with a smile, her hands behind her back, her body leaning slightly forward. Her pear-blossom-like face looked exceptionally fresh in the sunset, and her eyes were clear and lively.
“I could get there with my eyes closed!” Wu Chen sighed weakly.
“Oh, then walk with your eyes closed, let me see!”
Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei immediately crossed her arms, looking ready to enjoy the show.
“Pfft!” Zhou Yang couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Wu Chen was stunned.
Damn, this girl, why doesn’t she play by the rules…?