Chapter 46: Film Rights, TV Series Rights, Overseas Distribution Rights!

The entrance to the exam hall was packed with students, almost all with young, inexperienced faces, unlike the previous two College Entrance Exams which still had some middle‑aged participants.

Enter the school gate, find the exam room, do the hair curl, answer questions…

During the three days of the exam, Xu Yuexin's mind was filled with nothing but solving problems, again and again.

When he finished the last English paper, he felt a sense of final relief.

The submission bell rang, Xu Yuexin walked out of the classroom, pushed his bicycle out of the bike shed, and left the exam hall with the crowd.

The school gate was jammed with people everywhere.

After Xu Yuexin left the school gate, he saw Chen Qiaoqiao standing on the opposite side of the dirt road, tiptoeing to look for him, looking very cute.

However, her gaze was fixed on the distance, and she didn't notice even when Xu Yuexin walked behind her.

"Comrade, who are you looking for?"

Xu Yuexin asked deliberately, patting her shoulder.

Hearing the familiar voice, Chen Qiaoqiao turned around happily and made a goofy face at him: "I'm looking for my partner."

"Where do you want to eat? Say it."

Xu Yuexin stepped onto the bike lane.

"Today marks the end of your College Entrance Exam; you get to decide."

Chen Qiaoqiao hopped on the bicycle, hugging his waist and said.

"Since I'm the one who decides…"

After thinking seriously for a while, Xu Yuexin came up with an idea, "Let's go to Xin Qiao Hotel; they have dishes from every country there."

Xin Qiao Hotel was founded in 1954 by 18 patriotic overseas Chinese, becoming the first joint‑venture hotel in New China's history; its standards were exceptionally high, its status lofty, and it has remained steadfast through turbulent eras.

If Lao Mo is a luxury choice for ordinary people, then Xin Qiao Hotel is the current standard upscale venue, with diners that include many domestic and foreign celebrities.

Whenever Hong Kong or foreign businessmen come to Jingcheng, they invariably choose this nation's only four‑star hotel as their preferred lodging.

"Mm, I'll broaden my horizons following you."

Chen Qiaoqiao had heard of Xin Qiao Hotel's reputation and could roughly guess its price level.

Even if my muscles ache, today is an important moment in Xu Yuexin's life, and she won't object to wherever we eat.

Renmin University Affiliated Middle School is located in the later era's Bei Si Huan, about a dozen kilometers from Xin Qiao Hotel.

When Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao set off it was still afternoon, and by the time they arrived the hotel was already lit with early evening lights.

Xin Qiao Hotel sits at the heart of Jingcheng; a step away is Dong Chang'an Street, and a short walk further leads to Wangfujing.

The street in front of the hotel was ablaze with brilliant, endless lights; even in later times it would be described as a metropolitan spectacle, a world apart from other parts of Jingcheng.

The interior light shining from the hotel was bright and solemn, casting the building in the night like a jade sculpture.

The entrance featured Roman columns, brand‑new glass curtain walls, and white stone set into the window frames…

After the outward‑opening Chunfeng breeze passed, Xin Qiao Hotel, to welcome merchants from all quarters, carried out a round of interior renovation training per higher‑up directives, and now its appearance is completely renewed.

"How grand."

Chen Qiaoqiao looked at the magnificent hotel and sighed, feeling a little nervous.

Xu Yuexin, on the contrary, seemed relaxed and composed, locking his bike and leaving without the usual habit of having someone watch it in the bike shed.

Since the founding of New China, this area has been the safest part of the city, and Buddha Masters never dare to frequent it.

Any passerby here could be an undercover officer.

The two walked together to the hotel entrance and saw most of the comings and goings dressed in suits, sporting glossy pompadours, with their female companions equally fashionable.

Their conversation while walking was also lofty.

"Liu Sheng, are you sure the officials here permit foreign capital? If that's the case, I'll come invest right away."

"This place is truly a gold mine. Look at the people we saw during the day; many dress identically. I can't believe they lack personality or dislike fine clothes. Just the clothing alone is a huge market!"

…Cantonese, Minnan, and English…

Various accents converged, reaching the ears of Xu Yuexin and Chen Qiaoqiao.

Chen Qiaoqiao found it fresh; it was her first time experiencing such a commercially minded environment.

Through the opulent glass revolving door, Xu Yuexin and she entered the hotel together.

Unlike ordinary hotels of this era, Xin Qiao Hotel's first floor features a double‑height design, equivalent to three or four regular floors, giving a spacious feeling inside.

The golden‑splendid crystal chandelier casts light over the marble floor, which reflects the hall's brilliance, making the entire first floor bright and expansive.

Directly opposite the revolving door are the hotel reception and a spiral staircase leading upward; after dining on the first floor, guests can go straight upstairs to stay.

Seeing the two enter, two servers in suit vests with bow ties immediately greeted them: "Ladies and gentlemen, hello, we're delighted to serve you."

"May I ask what you need?"

Chen Qiaoqiao was slightly surprised; she had never encountered such enthusiastic service while dining at state‑run hotels before.

"Come here to eat."

Xu Yuexin said calmly, his demeanor no different from the Hong Kong businessmen accustomed to this place, "What cuisines do you offer?"

"We have Cantonese, Huaiyang, Shandong cuisine, as well as Southeast Asian dishes and French cuisine; whatever you both like can be found here."

The server, with a courteous smile, introduced and led the two to a table covered with a snow‑white tablecloth.

Chen Qiaoqiao looked at the crystal‑clear tall wine glasses on the table, the exquisitely bound menu, and then glanced up at the opulent crystal chandelier above, feeling that Xu Yuexin had taken her to a beautiful world she had never seen.

Her heart unknowingly became enamored.

Xu Yuexin had already picked up the menu and started ordering.

"One steamed grouper, one garlic‑sauce mantis crab, another braised small yellow croaker, and a bottle of French wine."

After speaking, Xu Yuexin handed the menu to Chen Qiaoqiao, "Order whatever you want."

Chen Qiaoqiao, as if waking from a dream, took the menu, and unsurprisingly was shocked by the prices upon opening it.

Even a single dish on the list could equal several days' wages for an ordinary person.

"One serving of plain stir‑fried broccoli will do."

Chen Qiaoqiao said a little nervously.

The waiter noted their order and left; the two began chatting while waiting for the dishes.

"The exams are over, we're getting married soon."

Xu Yuexin looked at Chen Qiaoqiao with affectionate eyes and said, "Do you have any thoughts? Like what to buy."

Earning money is for spending on oneself and one's wife; that's what gives the motivation to type diligently every day.

"Being with you is already happiness."

Chen Qiaoqiao lowered her eyes, stared at the table, and with a faint smile at the corner of her mouth said, "Of course after marriage, we can't be so extravagant."

"Earning money is for spending."

Xu Yuexin tapped the table lightly with his finger and said nonchalantly, "As society keeps advancing, people like me who write books will have more and more ways to make money."

"Film rights, TV drama rights, overseas distribution rights... all of these can be turned into real gold and Silver in the future."

"There's no need to worry about running out of money; it never runs out."

Overseas distribution? TV drama rights?

One fresh name after another sprang from Xu Yuexin's mouth, leaving Chen Qiaoqiao a bit dazzled as she seriously pondered everything he said.

"Young man, you're full of ideas."

At that moment, a voice with a strong southern accent came from behind Xu Yuexin and said, "Do you know that the copyright prices here are being squeezed hard right now."

(End of chapter)