After parting ways with Fangyuan at the bar, I hurried straight to the company. Distracted by thoughts about Fangyuan, I had accumulated a significant amount of unfinished work. Additionally, I wanted to discuss with my investors the idea of a “Music Caravan” project. I had made a preliminary estimate that the investment, covering equipment and personnel costs, would be at least in the seven-figure range. Such a large investment required the support of the investors before it could be implemented.
By the time I finished dealing with the backlog of work, it was already 8 PM. Meicai hadn’t called me during this time; she was likely busy with company matters too. After lighting a cigarette and taking a short break, I dialed Jianwei’s number.
Jianwei answered after a few rings, clearly occupied with something. She asked succinctly, “What’s up?”
“Uh… I have a plan I want to discuss with you. If you’re busy now, we can talk tomorrow.”
“I’m currently discussing with a client the performance plan for next month’s multi-star concert in Suzhou.”
“So your company is now getting into the event business too?”
“Diversified operations are the future trend for advertising companies. I now have such resources, so of course I should make use of them. In the future, we might even establish a professional media company and comprehensively enter the entertainment and film industry.”
After hearing her words, I couldn’t help but question whether such energy could really exist within her delicate frame. Besides pushing forward the company Luxu to dominate the travel market, she now wanted to cultivate her advertising company into a media enterprise. Her commercial ambition was beyond my imagination.
Seeing that I didn’t respond, she continued urgently, “Wait for me half an hour. I’ll come find you after finishing here, and we can talk in detail.”
“Oh… okay, I’ll wait for you at the company.”
Without any response, Jianwei hung up the phone… It seemed my call had come at a very inconvenient time!
…
Right after ending the call with Jianwei, before I could even wash my face, Meicai called. I hurriedly answered. She asked first, “Have you eaten?”
“I’m still working overtime at the company!”
“Then I’ll go buy some vegetables first. I miss your cooking.”
I replied honestly, “Okay, come directly to my company after you’re done. I still need to talk with Jianwei later.”
Meicai seemed to ask on purpose, “Would my coming over disturb you two?”
“Of course not! I’d be more than happy if you could keep me company after work!”
Meicai laughed and replied, “You two talk. I’ll buy the vegetables and go to the old house to clean them first. Otherwise, we won’t be eating until midnight.”
“Indeed, you’re the boss. You handle life’s little chores so efficiently!”
“Don’t be silly. Hurry back after finishing work. I’m still hungry from working all day!”
Though Meicai’s words sounded like complaints, I felt them as happiness in my heart. I quickly agreed. Because I knew she wanted to spend more time with me before going abroad. This time, we would face a long separation. As for whether she would return in a good mood and condition, no one could tell. At this moment, our indulgence in each other’s company indeed felt like seizing the day and enjoying the wine at hand.
…
Exactly half an hour later, Jianwei arrived at my office. At that time, one department in the company was still working overtime, so we weren’t completely alone.
After entering the office, Jianwei sat down on the client sofa opposite me. She rubbed her temples with her fingers before asking, “President Zhao, what plan do you have to discuss with me?”
“I plan to launch a ‘Music Caravan’ that will tour cities along the Cultural Road, performing and promoting the spirit and essence of this Cultural Road. Additionally, I also plan to produce a short film related to this project, which will of course aim to express the spirit and essence of the Cultural Road.”
Jianwei seemed to be considering the feasibility of this plan. After a while, she said to me, “This idea is great. I was just discussing with Uncle Yang about the promotional vehicles for the Cultural Road project. The promotional approach of the Music Caravan really fits the spirit of the Cultural Road and has a strong cultural vibe. However, the project budget is relatively fixed, while the short film budget has more flexibility. Are you planning to use top-tier stars or newcomers?”
“A mix. Use both newcomers and established stars.”
“Hmm, at least one top-tier star is necessary to attract attention. Who do you think would be suitable?”
I thought for a long time but couldn’t think of any domestic stars who possessed that kind of cultural aura. Jianwei also seemed to be thinking about suitable candidates. Suddenly, she had an idea and said to me, “There’s one person who would be perfect.”
“Who?”
“Yao Le… I recently got insider news that the art film she starred in before withdrawing from the film industry has been selected as the best film at the upcoming film festival. She has also won the Best Newcomer award. Moreover, she is widely recognized in the industry as a cultural actress. It would be most appropriate for her to play the female lead in the short film.”
Thinking about it, I realized she was right. Yao Le not only possesses the temperament of a cultural actress but also has enough star power. Having her as the female lead in the short film was indeed the most suitable choice nationwide.
Jianwei continued, “I’ve always felt sorry about her leaving the entertainment industry. If she could return through this opportunity, it would settle a long-standing wish of mine. If she is willing, after the short film is completed, I will definitely use the best resources and connections to pave the way for her return to the entertainment industry. Of course, she herself must realize that this is the best opportunity for her comeback. After winning this award, with just a little public relations effort, she will gain a brand new public image, and those messy rumors will gradually fade from the public eye.”
I naturally agreed with Jianwei’s words. However, whether or not she would be willing to seize this opportunity to return to the film industry depended on Yao Le’s own willingness. After thinking for a moment, I told Jianwei, “I will communicate this with her, but she herself does not seem very eager to return to the entertainment industry.”
Jianwei shrugged and said, “Who knows? The career span of an artist in the entertainment industry is very limited. She should plan her life and career carefully.”
I didn’t respond, but her words made me more acutely aware of the different types of women. Yao Le and Jianwei represented two extremes: one could skillfully use her wisdom and resources to dominate the business world, while the other was idle and lazy, wasting her most precious youth in idleness.
In my silence, Jianwei changed the subject and asked, “I heard that Meicai wants to remove Fangyuan from Zhuomei?”
I looked at her in some surprise and asked after a while, “Where did you hear this from?”
“Xiangchen told me.”
I nodded and said, “Yes, there is such a thing.”
“Meicai’s approach must have put you in a difficult position, right?”
“Yeah, it’s been really tough for Fangyuan to get to where he is today. I’ve been trying to persuade her to give up this idea.”
Jianwei smiled and said, “Is it really that hard for Fangyuan to find a new job? At the very least, with his relationship with Xiangchen and the work experience he’s accumulated over the years, getting a vice president position at Xiangchen’s company should be no problem at all, right?”
“This…”
“Meicai is a smart woman; her logic must be very rigorous. I think you’d better not interfere with her decision… Besides, wherever Fangyuan goes, he won’t starve!”
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