Chapter 69

In China, hardly anyone doesn't know Hengdian Film and Television City; the vast majority of domestic film and television productions come here to shoot.

But those who know Hengdian Film and Television City is in Jinhua, Zhejiang, are few and far between.

This film city boasts over a hundred movie- and TV-grade studios. The number of period, historical, and contemporary filming sets runs into the thousands—over two thousand in total. On average, more than fifteen production crews are hosted daily; there was even a news report saying that as many as fifty crews filmed here simultaneously.

That gives you some idea of how massive Hengdian Film and Television City is.

Compared to Hengdian Film and Television City, most Chinese people know Jinhua better through Yiwu's small commodities; not just among Chinese, but worldwide, the words "Yiwu" are famous.

As for Jinhua, Qin Yun's knowledge ended there. Oh, he also knew about Jinhua ham!

Driving from Hangzhou, it took a little over two hours to reach Dongyang City—Hengdian is in Dongyang, Jinhua.

Around lunchtime, he parked at a temporary lot and called Lin Yao.

"Brother Yun, you're here?"

"I'm here. Send me your location—I'm already in Dongyang."

"Got it, right away."

After hanging up, he opened Lin Yao's location and saw it was just over a kilometer away. In less than five minutes, he spotted Lin Yao.

At first, Lin Yao's envious gaze drifted over the Land Rover, but only when the car stopped beside him did he notice the driver.

"Brother Yun!"

Lin Yao stood frozen, mouth agape, eyes wide, staring at Qin Yun behind the wheel.

Qin Yun parked, turned off the engine, stepped out, and seeing him like that, gave him a light punch, grumbling, "What're you staring at? Like you've never seen the world before."

"Brother Yun, did you buy this car?" Lin Yao reached out to touch the hood, his shock still evident.

"Yeah, nothing much, nothing much." Qin Yun smiled, slinging an arm around the kid's shoulder, "Come on, let's find somewhere to eat—talk while we eat."

Lin Yao was reluctantly dragged away; the two found a nearby restaurant and ordered a few dishes at random.

"Brother Yun, I heard you got divorced?"

Qin Yun nodded: "Yeah, over two months now."

"So you're not in Beijing anymore?"

"I'm divorced—why stay in Beijing?" Qin Yun tasted the food; it was edible, but bland. Still, judging by the restaurant's sign and furniture, it had clearly been open for years.

If a place like this could last so long, maybe Lin Yao's idea of opening a restaurant was actually viable.

"Enough about me—what about you?" Qin Yun glanced at him. "Quitting your job to come to Hengdian for your white moonlight—is it worth it?"

Lin Yao's face flushed red, embarrassed.

"Brother Yun, I just wanted to try again—maybe LuLu will agree to be with me?"

"On what grounds? Your wealth? Your charm? Which one do you have?" Qin Yun bluntly shot back. "Do you even know Shi Lulu's current situation?"

"LuLu told me—her finances are dire, she's drowning in debt, owing millions domestically alone." Lin Yao's smile vanished, his expression serious. "But I think those are minor issues—if I work hard, I can pay it all back."

Qin Yun was stunned. This guy's devotion was beyond absurd—was his brain even working right?

He had already retracted half his intention to invest in this guy's restaurant.

"Did you lend Shi Lulu money?"

Lin Yao hesitated, then nodded: "Yeah, I lent her fifty thousand. She said her freelance photography gear needs to be better, or she'll miss fleeting moments because of poor equipment."

"…………"

"Do you know she also borrowed fifty thousand from Su Huan?"

"I didn't know."

"Forget it—Shi Lulu's affairs are none of my business. It's yours." Qin Yun gave up trying to reason with him and shifted to the restaurant.

"Where are you planning to rent a shop?"

"On Shili Street. A Jiangxi stir-fry owner plans to return to his hometown and is closing up. I checked the location and surveyed foot traffic—I think it's worth investing in. If I can build connections with production crews, I can land some boxed meal contracts—thirty thousand a year is doable."

Seeing him speak so coherently, Qin Yun asked: "So you're planning fast food?"

"Not exactly fast food—more like this kind of place." Lin Yao glanced at the restaurant they were in.

"What's the main customer base on Shili Street?" Qin Yun didn't know Hengdian's situation, but it had to be production crews, locals, and tourists.

"Locals and production crews make up about seventy percent of customers; the other thirty are tourists—I've researched this." Lin Yao spoke without pause, clearly prepared. "Shili Street is near the Ming-Qing Palace Complex and close to the influencer street, with good transport and lots of hotels. I'm confident—if the food's good, it'll succeed."

"You're confident, alright. How much is the rent?"

"Eight thousand a month, paid yearly, three-year contract."

"How much money do you have? How many employees will you hire?"

Lin Yao calculated: "I have ten thousand left. I'll hire two employees—I'll be the boss and the chef."

Damn, ten thousand to open a restaurant? Risking total loss?

Qin Yun shoveled a few bites, then, lying through his teeth, asked the owner: "Brother, how long has this place been open? The food's pretty good."

The owner chuckled: "Six or seven years. Are you tourists?"

"Yeah, just visiting." Qin Yun made it up. "You run this place alone? Doesn't that get overwhelming?"

"Who can afford to hire help?" the owner shook his head. "One employee costs four or five thousand a month—that's fifty or sixty thousand a year gone. I make less than two hundred thousand a year—no point hiring. Besides, I mainly serve production crews. If I relied on locals and tourists, I'd starve from low turnover."

Outside the restaurant, Qin Yun suddenly asked: "You haven't already rented that shop, have you?"

Lin Yao nodded: "It was hotly contested. Luckily I moved fast—if I'd waited, I wouldn't have gotten it. I paid an extra month's rent."

Qin Yun sighed: "Alright, let's go see your shop."

Soon, Qin Yun drove to the address Lin Yao gave and parked under a sign still reading "Jiangxi Stir-Fry."

To the left was a hardware store; to the right, a guesthouse; further on, several local cuisine restaurants.

It was a four-story building, clearly privately built, its red bricks weathered, many signs faded.

Lin Yao rolled up the shutter. The dining area was clean; the kitchen was a mess—Lin Yao had clearly been cleaning.

"Have you applied for the business license?" Qin Yun had completely given up on investing—but he'd still lend the money.

"I'm on it, should be soon."

Nodding, Qin Yun pulled over a stool: "I'll lend you the money, but bro has one thing I hope you can remember."

"Brother Yun, go ahead."

"Given your diligence, I'm not worried about your shop's profitability, but you said you'd give yourself three years — that's too long."

Seeing Lin Yao about to speak, Qin Yun waved his hand: "Don't rush. Shi Lulu is currently at Hengdian on a whim wanting to do photo-doubling work. Do you think she can stick with it? If she doesn't stick with it and leaves after a few months, what will you do? Follow her too? That's not how you chase a girl."

"A restaurant is a hard-labor business — as long as you're willing to put in the effort, you'll always get returns. Plus, the way you're licking boots chasing a woman, I think it wouldn't be hard for you to get to know some crew people. If you could latch onto a crew's momentum, maybe you really could build a career here — at least more than you'd earn writing code in Hunan."

"Lulu's family is right in Jinhua, she won't go to any other city."

Qin Yun shook his head: "Send me your account later, I'll transfer it to you. I won't ask you to repay within three years. Look out for yourself."

As his words fell, Qin Yun stood up, preparing to leave — to play tourist and stroll around the scenic area.

But just then, the system's voice suddenly rang in his ear, and at the same time a panel dropped into his line of sight.

【Check-in task issued: please proceed to Hengdian World Studios and experience roles in five crews to complete the check-in.】

Being an actor… no wait, being an extra — how could a regular person like him land a real role? But if he went to experience being an extra, that should already be a business here in Hengdian, right?

Qin Yun wasn't sure, so he asked Lin Yao.

"A-Yao, I heard that Hengdian extras — can tourists experience that too?"

Lin Yao was completely baffled: "I don't know, I've only been here a few days myself. But I have a childhood friend who's also in Hengdian — want me to contact him and ask?"

"Sure, go ask."

As for Qin Yun wanting to experience being an extra, Lin Yao didn't find it strange either. Most tourists who came to Hengdian had had such a thought at some point; if he didn't have serious business, he'd want to try it too.

After all, everyone has the idea of showing their face in front of the camera.

After a while, Lin Yao got through on the phone. The other side, knowing Lin Yao had come to Hengdian, sounded very happy from his voice. After a few pleasantries and getting to the main point, the other party immediately said he was a bit busy now, and they'd meet up somewhere else at six in the evening.

Hanging up, Lin Yao said: "Brother Yun, my childhood friend's name is Jia Tian. He came to Hengdian right after graduating high school, and now it seems he's running his own extra crew."

A young man clinging to a star dream, Qin Yun thought to himself.

"Oh right, Brother Yun, want me to call Lulu?"

Qin Yun shook his head and refused outright: "No need. Ever since she went to the US and voluntarily cut off contact with me, I don't want to know her anymore."

You think everyone treasures her the way you do?

But the next moment, a call came in — Shi Lulu was coming to find Lin Yao.

Qin Yun was speechless, waved his hand, signaling him to do as he pleased.

A quarter hour later, a sharp, neat figure appeared in his line of sight. Not much different from the Shi Lulu in his memory, but with a head of bleached hair, slightly parched skin, and eyes clearly lacking any spark.

She saw Qin Yun, a flicker of awkwardness crossing her eyes, but she quickly cast it aside and switched to a look of pleasant surprise.

"Senior Qin, is that you, Senior?"

One doesn't strike a smiling face — Qin Yun gave a faint smile: "Shi Lulu, long time no see."

Shi Lulu patted Lin Yao's arm and said with mock annoyance: "Senior's here and you didn't tell me in advance — I came over without even dressing up."

Lin Yao scratched his head sheepishly: "I didn't expect you'd contact me today either. Brother Yun just got here too."

"Senior, I'll treat you tonight, let's have a meal together. It's been so long since we last saw each other."

Shi Lulu didn't mention the going-abroad-and-cutting-contact matter at all, acting all warm and enthusiastic.

"No need, A-Yao has plans with a childhood friend tonight."

"Then can I come along? A-Yao?"

"Of course no problem." How could Lin Yao refuse. "It's good timing that you're here — dinner's still a while off. I'm planning to tidy up here — want to help me?"

Shi Lulu looked at the filthy storefront and wanted to refuse, but Qin Yun was right here, making it impossible for her to voice that refusal. She gritted her teeth and agreed.

"Of course no problem — I came here to help you tidy up. How could a guy like you clean things properly?"

Lin Yao immediately broke into a delighted smile: "Really?"

"Truer than real gold."

Shi Lulu replied, her gaze falling on Qin Yun. Although Qin Yun wasn't wearing any name brands, you could tell a person's class just from their spirit and bearing.

In her eyes, Qin Yun was still as handsome as ever — good-looking enough to beat many celebrities, far better than that dopey Lin Yao beside him. Suddenly her eyes lit up as she spotted a Land Rover Defender parked nearby.

"Wow… this car is so pretty. I've seen it online — over a million."

Simp Lin Yao reported at the opportune moment: "Brother Yun bought this car."

Shi Lulu's eyes gleamed!

…………………………

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