novellhall Chapter 65 Good things come to those who wait
Chapter 65 Good things come to those who wait
After leaving the Motorola building, Zhou Weidong opened the car door, got in, and started the engine. Li Si'an sat in the passenger seat, and Zhang Yibai sat in the back.
The car drove out of the parking lot and merged into the traffic on Jianguomenwai Street.
Zhou Weidong gripped the steering wheel. "Let's find a place to eat. Guo Lin's, it's just ahead."
Guo Lin's Home-Style Restaurant is located in the Tuanjiehu area. The storefront isn't large, but the interior is spacious. The three of them found a seat by the window.
Zhou Weidong didn't even look at the menu and casually ordered a few dishes—shredded pork with sweet bean sauce, stir-fried potatoes, eggplant, green peppers, and green peppers, stir-fried shredded pork with vinegar, and hot and sour soup.
The waiter brought over a teapot, turned over three glasses, and poured in tea. It was barley tea, lukewarm, with a hint of roasted rice aroma.
While waiting for the food, Zhou Weidong counted out three stacks of banknotes from his briefcase, placed them on the table, and pushed them in front of Zhang Yibai. "Final payment. Please count them."
Zhang Yibai didn't order anything, casually putting the item into his bag. "Brother Zhou, it's great to work with your nephew."
The dishes were served. Zhang Yibai picked up a piece of shredded pork with sweet bean sauce with his chopsticks, chewed it a couple of times, and put down his chopsticks. "Anzi, what about your remaining two songs, 'Running' and 'The First Time'? Are you going to make music videos for them?"
Li Si'an swallowed the three kinds of stir-fried potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers in her mouth. "It's not decided yet. I'll go to Jingwen this afternoon and discuss it with President Xu."
Zhang Yibai nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
After dinner, Zhou Weidong drove Zhang Yibai back to the Beijing Film Studio residential area, then turned around and drove towards Tianningsiqian Street.
Upon arriving at the China Record Corporation compound and going up to the third floor, Xu Zhongming was sitting behind his desk, holding an enamel teacup.
"You're here?" Xu Zhongming put down his teacup, gestured with his chin toward the sofa, and said, "Sit down."
Li Si'an and Zhou Weidong sat down. Li Si'an opened the small black box and took out the finished music video tape. "Mr. Xu, the music video for 'Fairy Tale' is finished. Please take a look."
Xu Zhongming took the tape and put it into the VCR next to his desk. The television turned on, and the picture started from the rented room.
Xu Zhongming leaned back in his chair, holding a teacup, and read from beginning to end.
When he saw the scene in the hospital room where Zhou Xun let go of her hand and her phone fell onto the blanket, the teacup in his hand hovered in mid-air for about two or three seconds before he slowly put it down.
The scene fades out. Xu Zhongming leans back in his chair and remains silent for a long while.
"You're really willing to spend money, kid. But it's definitely worth it. You get what you pay for."
He removed the tape from the VCR, placed it on the table, and then looked up at Li Si'an.
"Your two songs, 'Running' and 'The First Time,' need to have music videos made."
Li Si'an didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.
"In this market, music videos are useful for chart rankings, and TV stations are willing to broadcast them. It's a waste to just leave your face on album covers; you need to get it moving."
Besides, with your "Fairy Tale" album being filmed like this, and the other two parts lacking music videos, the album's overall impact is significantly diminished.
Li Si'an leaned back on the sofa and thought for a moment. "Mr. Xu, what do you think we should do with the remaining two songs?"
Xu Zhongming put down his teacup. "The song 'Running' is energetic and suitable for young people. The music video needs to capture that drive—the campus, the track and field, running, under the sun."
It doesn't need to be too complicated, but it should make people want to move along. As for the song "The First Time," it needs to be sweet, like first love, and capture that innocent, youthful energy.
As Li Si'an listened, he gradually began to understand. He leaned forward slightly.
"Mr. Xu, how about this? For 'First Time,' I plan to use Zhou Xun again. She'll have the same female lead as 'Fairy Tale,' and the romantic storyline will connect. It can be filmed as a prequel to 'Fairy Tale.'"
However, since it's part of a series, the style needs to be consistent, so this one also has to be shot on film.
Xu Zhongming nodded.
"No need for 'Running Man.' It's an inspirational and uplifting story; a regular camera will suffice."
"What about the setting?"
"On a university campus, on the sports field and along the tree-lined paths, you can capture that youthful energy in your photos."
Zhou Weidong, who was listening nearby, chimed in, "Then let's go to Beijing Normal University. You'll have to register there anyway, so getting acquainted with the school beforehand will make it easier to ask for leave later."
Besides, you're promoting the school; they'd be thrilled. I have connections there; I'll handle the venue arrangements.
Li Si'an nodded. "Okay, then Beijing Normal University it is."
Xu Zhongming put down his teacup. "What about the budget?"
"The first time was shot on film, so it would cost at least 30,000 to 40,000. The running was shot with a television camera, so it would probably only cost 7,000 to 8,000. The two together should cost less than 50,000."
"Then hurry up and film it. It needs to be done before the album is released."
"Uncle Xu, there's something else." Li Si'an sat up straight.
"I plan to release 'Fairy Tale' after Motorola has finalized their decision. The music video they're making uses the tune of 'Fairy Tale'."
My plan is... I'll release my song whenever their GG plays. The large volume of GG airing is basically free publicity for my song.
Xu Zhongming leaned back in his chair. "How confident are you?"
"Their marketing director immediately said he would report it to the Asia-Pacific headquarters. Judging from his attitude, it's probably 80-90% likely."
Xu Zhongming remained silent for a while. Outside the window, the old locust tree in the yard rustled in the wind.
"Okay, then we'll wait! Good things come to those who wait. You can use this time to film those two music videos."
When Zhou Weidong left Jingwen, the sun was already setting. He opened the car door, got in, and started the engine.
The car drove out of the China Record Corporation compound and turned onto Tianning Temple Front Street. Li Si'an leaned back in the passenger seat, watching the shadow of the Tianning Temple Pagoda stretched long by the setting sun outside the window.
Zhou Weidong gripped the steering wheel. "For the film 'First Time,' are we going to use Zhang Yibai again?"
"Okay. I'll call him tomorrow."
Where is Zhou Xun?
"We'll look for someone too. But this time we'll have to increase the pay, as we agreed last time."
Zhou Weidong nodded. The car drove slowly down Tianning Temple Street, the old locust trees on both sides receding into the distance.
"What's the situation with Motorola?"
"Zhao Hongyu isn't the type to talk nonsense. If he said he'd report it, he probably genuinely thinks it's going to work."
The car turned off Tianningsiqian Street and onto the main road. The setting sun shone through the windshield, making people squint. Zhou Weidong pulled down the sun visor.
"Then you should focus on filming the music video these next few days. Let me know when you hear anything from Motorola."
"Alright."
Zhou Weidong drove Li Si'an back to the shop, parking his car at the entrance. Li Si'an got out, and Zhou Weidong rolled down the window, adding, "Let me know if you hear anything from Motorola."
Li Si'an pushed open the shop door, and the wind chimes rang once. Tang Yun was squatting next to the freezer arranging soda bottles when she heard the noise and looked up.
"You're back?" She stood up, wiping her hands on her apron. "How was it?"
Li Si'an put her bag on the counter, plopped down in a chair, and let out a long sigh:
"As for Motorola, Zhao Hongyu said he'd report it to headquarters. Judging from his attitude, it's probably true. But we'll have to wait and see when it'll be approved."
Tang Yun's eyes lit up. "So there's hope?"
"There's hope." Li Si'an leaned back in her chair. "I also went to Mr. Xu's place. We'll wait for Motorola to release the album; whenever they release it, that's when our song will be released. In the meantime, we can film the remaining two music videos."
"How will the music video be filmed? Who will be the female lead?"
"We'll still cast Zhou Xun for 'First Time'. This film is a sister piece to 'Fairy Tale', so it has to be made as a prequel. The style has to be consistent, and only she can do it."
Tang Yun nodded and squatted back down to continue sorting the soda bottles.
That evening, the shop closed. Chen Dong locked the back door and went home. The roller shutter was pulled down, leaving only the lamp on the second floor of the small building. Tang Yun came out after taking a shower, her hair still wet. She dried it with a towel and walked over, her bare legs slapping against the floor in a pair of plastic slippers.
Li Si'an leaned against the headboard, watching her. She bent down to reach for the hand cream on the bedside table, her T-shirt collar drooping down, revealing a section of her collarbone. He reached under the pillow, pulled out the metal box, and opened the lid.
Hearing the noise, Tang Yun turned around and saw what he was holding, her face immediately turning red.
"What are you trying to do now?"
Li Si'an placed the metal box on the bedside table and reached out to pull her over. Tang Yun lost her balance and fell into his arms, her hands bracing against his chest.
"Didn't Motorola have a breakthrough today? We should celebrate!"
Tang Yun lowered her head, her face flushed, and didn't say anything. Li Si'an rolled over and pinned her down.
(Turn on the light)
When they were finished, Tang Yun lay on his chest, still breathless. Her hair was scattered all over his arm, wet and smelling of shampoo mixed with her own faint, sweet fragrance.
Li Si'an placed one hand on her lower back, his fingers idly drawing circles.
"Would you like to act in the music video for 'Running'?"
Tang Yun's finger stopped on his chest. "Huh?" She looked up, resting her chin on his chest, her eyes wide open.
Li Si'an smiled when she saw her expression. "You're the one. You can play the role."
"I've never acted before..." Tang Yun's voice was muffled. "Will I be able to do it?"
"The song 'Running' is inspiring and uplifting, and the whole scene is set at Beijing Normal University. But if the entire music video just shows me running on the track, it would be too monotonous."
Li Si'an tapped her lower back with his finger. "You can play a school beauty. Just stand there, smile at me, and you're all set. No acting skills required."
Tang Yun buried her face in his chest and didn't say anything.
"You're so pretty, wouldn't you be perfect for playing a school beauty? The audience will love watching you just stand in front of the camera."
Tang Yun lay on his chest, silent for a few seconds. Then she stirred and buried her face closer to his chest.
"If you think it's okay, then I'll go and film it."
The voice was still muffled, but the ending note rose slightly.
Li Si'an didn't speak, but placed her hand on her lower back, her fingers continuing to draw circles. After a short while, her breathing became light and slow; she had fallen asleep.