Chapter 139

Actually, I only grew up to eight years old in Gourd Village; after eight, I followed my aunt to the southern town.

Living conditions in Southern Town are much better than in Gourd Village.

At my aunt's house I saw a television for the first time, and electric lights for the first time,

Only then did I realize how wonderful the world beyond the mountains is.

Then, at around sixteen or seventeen, I went to live in Qi he zhen.

There I met Zhou Hailong, Lao Wai, and others.

After something happened, I returned to Beishan, where I met Qiao Jie.

This is the trajectory of my life,

also part of my growing-up experience; I am not entirely a mountain person.

But I never talk about these things to outsiders, nor do I want people to know too much about my past.

I only tell others that I grew up in Gourd Village, that I am a child who grew up in the mountains.

"I've certainly heard of Gourd Village; the natural scenery there is very beautiful. Last year I went there to gather material and take photos." Boss Chuan Yun said.

"You've been to Gourd Village; where are the photos you took? Let me see them." I said.

"In there." Chuan Yun pointed to another private room in the bar and said.

I then walked into that private room,

and indeed many photos were hanging,

they were all scenic photos of Zaocheng,

among them several were photos of Gourd Village,

from the photos one can see that Gourd Village has not changed at all over the years.

still houses built of stacked stone,

stone-paved roads,

the streets are deserted and quiet,

only a single dog gazes into the distance.

there is also an old man sitting alone by the door.

his gaze is vacant; the already aged old man is waiting for death.

This is the current state of Gourd Village; seeing it makes one feel somewhat sorrowful.

Looking at it fills me with heartache; the city is developing day by day, while our village keeps deteriorating.

Chuan Yun's photography is very artistic,

he uses black-and-white photos to portray the village,

making the mountain village seem like a corner forgotten by the world.

At this moment I took out a cigarette from my pocket and examined the photos carefully.

After looking for a while,

I said to Chuan Yun, "The photos are taken very well, full of artistic vigor."

"They expose the village's loneliness, making viewers feel quite sorrowful."

Chuan Yun, however, laughed and said, "Chairman Zhao, this sorrow is only part of it; actually I want to show the village's future more."

"The city is developing rapidly, while the mountain village seems cut off from the world."

"This is a utopia isolated from the world."

"Only here can we stop our steps and look at our souls."

"We have all been moving too fast."

"Our souls can't keep up."

I took a puff of my cigarette,

"What Teacher Chuan Yun said is very evocative; yes, these years of rapid development have made us all focus on material aspects."

"People only consider things from the perspective of profit,"

"many people and many things have lost their souls."

"The mountain village has little contact with the outside world, but its living environment is unacceptable to modern people."

"Transportation is inconvenient, lacking modern facilities,"

"one can visit the mountain village for a glance, but to actually live there is utterly impossible."

"As for the village's future, I am not optimistic."

After I finished speaking,

Chuan Yun said, "Chairman Zhao, the village's environment can also be changed; everything is man-made."

"If someone is willing to invest, the village can likewise become a beautiful place."

I was about to say something,

Xiao Fang at the side said, "We'll talk about the village later; right now we need to discuss the new building launch. Chairman Zhao, the reason I asked you to meet at Chuan Yun Bar is mainly to have Teacher Chuan Yun guide the planning of the event."

"Look, he proposed live performances, which could allow some rock bands to participate,"

"this would greatly boost the atmosphere on site."

"Moreover, he suggested not having any leader speeches or such things."

"Those are too outdated."

"We want to create a completely new launch event."

"Let the on-site audience participate and directly give opinions on the property."

"The more opinions they give, the stronger their desire to purchase becomes."

You just need to have someone from your group answer these viewers' opinions on site.

Moreover, they are positively guiding these people's questions.

Chairman Zhao, what do you think of this idea?

After I heard Xiao Fang finish speaking,

After a moment of deep thought, he said: This idea is very innovative. In the past, we were afraid of customers giving feedback when selling properties; everyone just said nice things to make the houses sell.

Such a creative activity is reverse thinking,

It is to show customers that Da Heng Group is an honest company that can make corrections whenever customers give feedback.

I support this idea.

Xiao Fang, the suggestion by Teacher Chuan Yun to have a rock band participate can be considered.

However, to liven up the atmosphere, we could also have crosstalk performers participate; they are better at boosting the mood.

As I said, have you invited Da Yi Ge?

"Inviting them is too vulgar; they just imitate others' songs, which isn't art at all. I oppose inviting them to perform," said Chuan Yun.

"Art comes in many forms; as long as everyone likes it, that's fine. I think our event should be inclusive."

Da Yi Ge is currently very popular; he comes from the countryside, representing ordinary people, a story of a salted fish turning over.

It's very inspirational; moreover, after becoming famous, he hasn't forgotten his roots, which is truly remarkable.

This event must have him participate," I said directly.

Xiao Fang laughed in the middle,

"Alright, you two stop arguing. We are planning a new property launch event, not an artistic performance."

We must first consider the on-site audience's acceptance capacity.

If it's too highbrow, no one will agree, making it meaningless; if it's too vulgar, it easily becomes lowbrow,

and it would damage Da Heng Group's image.

We aim for both refined and popular tastes.

Moreover, we need to launch Da Heng Group's new property project and have customers accept it.

Getting them to buy is the key; the performance is secondary.

After hearing Xiao Fang's words, I clapped.

"What Xiao Fang said is right; our goal is to sell houses, and the performance is just to attract people. Artistic things are not what we consider."

Furthermore, I have already agreed with Xiao Fang that this time's fee will be based on commission from the transaction volume.

If after planning the event's performance we don't sell a single unit,

then everyone is just busy for nothing, right, Xiao Fang?

Xiao Fang nodded.

Chuan Yun smoked without speaking.

I then said: "Teacher Chuan Yun, we'll discuss artistic matters later, especially regarding mountain village affairs, which I'm very interested in. But my main job now is selling houses."

Alright, I have other matters; Xiao Fang, I think that planning activity is fine.

Just add a few more performers.

Don't change anything else.

Xiao Fang then asked: "Chairman Zhao, I want to know when the event will be scheduled so I can invite performers; some people are busy, so we must book them in advance."

I said: "For now it's not set, but anyway within this month you can give a deposit to those hard-to-book performers."

Our company will cover this cost.

Xiao Fang then said: "Okay, I understand; as long as we settle this matter, that's enough."

Chairman Zhao, have a drink here before leaving; the cocktails at Chuan Yun Bar are quite flavorful.

I laughed,

"Anyway, I don't like mixed drinks; I prefer single varieties, like a certain kind of baijiu."

After hearing my words, Xiao Fang also laughed.