[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend":3,"chapter-i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-chapter-13":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Only Know How to Ride the Trend!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2343494,4580,"Chapter 13: Investing in the Cinema!","i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-chapter-13",13,"\u003Cp>The summer breeze stirred the streets of Yanjing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The familiar, gentle melody, accompanied by sunlight, streamed through the newly opened door and fell upon Zhou Yang’s refined face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering the café, Zhou Yang greeted everyone with grace and impeccable manners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead, An Xiaoshi, wearing a mask, unconsciously turned to look back at Zhou Yang, who carried the screenplay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the sunlight, Zhou Yang, trailing behind, exuded a unique aura—his every word and gesture resembled a social elite, a celebrity gentleman, a noble heir… like every refined, noble character in television dramas, yet absolutely not like a con artist who stuffed bricks into his briefcase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man seemed born with an undeniable aura of confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in a cheap suit, shoes with unreadable labels, and non-prescription glasses, he carried himself with unmistakable elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“2003…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a very special year.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hollywood films swept the globe; the once-glorious island of cinema saw Hong Kong films gradually fade, while mainland cinema rose to prominence. Under deliberate capital consolidation, countless small and medium cinemas began forming theater chains—the great era of theater chains was just beginning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In this unique era, if you wish to control cinematic discourse in the future, you must begin with theater chains…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And theater chains are made up of individual cinemas. Until now, my efforts have always been focused on integrating cinemas that large capital hasn’t noticed—but which hold great potential…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the [Feihe Cinema] is one of them…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is Zhang Muxue, the general manager of the [Feihe Cinema].”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Manager Zhang, this is An Xiaoshi, director of [Love Ferris Wheel], and one of the directors of our copyright collaboration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The private room door opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Muxue saw Zhou Yang following behind a young, beautiful girl, explaining the situation of their [Feihe Cinema].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yang’s voice was gentle—so tender, patient, and meticulous that Zhang Muxue had never heard anything like it; it felt like spring breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words carried conviction. Though not spoken directly to her, those few brief sentences still kindled a glimmer of hope in her, once utterly despondent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stood up unconsciously and shook hands with An Xiaoshi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After shaking hands, she studied An Xiaoshi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xiaoshi was too young—only in her early twenties, wearing a mask that revealed only her eyes…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she looked somewhat inexperienced, her figure was taller than in online photos, and after removing the mask, even more beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xiaoshi was also studying Zhang Muxue—the woman with a faintly cold expression but exquisite beauty. She couldn’t help but glance again, especially lingering a moment at the woman’s chest, then instinctively turned her gaze back to Zhou Yang, who was calmly ordering food from the server. Her mind involuntarily recalled a few days ago: Zhou Yang leaning against his Audi A6 outside the Yanying campus, coldly ignoring countless girls who tried to approach him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holy shit, the female boss we’re collaborating with is this gorgeous? No wonder this guy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pretending to be aloof!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After ordering, Zhou Yang turned to face the two and noticed they were both staring at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Manager Zhang, I’ve already explained the specifics of the [Feihe Cinema] to Director An. She’s quite interested. Today, I invited Director An here for two reasons: first, to see if our cinema can reach a strategic cooperation agreement with [Love Ferris Wheel]; second, as one of the actors in [Love Ferris Wheel], I sincerely hope my film will be screened at our [Feihe Cinema], so more people can see it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief silence, Zhou Yang smiled at Zhang Muxue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Muxue nodded after listening, then looked at An Xiaoshi: “Director An, I’ve heard about [Love Ferris Wheel] for a long time and have been looking forward to it. General Manager Zhou has already conveyed my request—if possible, I hope our [Feihe Cinema] can secure the premiere rights for [Love Ferris Wheel].”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The [Feihe Cinema]’s funding crisis was now urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But worse than the capital problem was that the [Feihe Cinema] had no decent film rights to screen in this theater chain competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No good films meant no audience; no audience meant the cinema couldn’t break even, let alone attract capital or fetch a decent price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they could secure a film that drew audiences now, it wouldn’t revive the cinema—but at least it could boost its popularity and revenue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blockbusters were completely out of reach. Compared to blockbusters, [Love Ferris Wheel], a mid- to small-scale production with limited but real influence, was Zhang Muxue’s best option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Zhang Muxue looked at An Xiaoshi and handed her a cooperation agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director An, you know that most cinemas split revenue with producers at roughly 50-50, or sometimes 60-40, with the cinema taking 60%. But General Manager Zhou called me yesterday—he said you’re a straightforward director and producer who controls distribution rights. If we cooperate, our theater chain can offer a 40-60 split: you take 60%, I take 40%.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When An Xiaoshi took the contract, she silently studied its terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sixty percent—given the cinema’s expenses for utilities, rent, and upkeep—was already the absolute limit of profit-sharing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xiaoshi stared at the contract for a long time, found no issues, then finally turned her gaze to Zhou Yang, who was leisurely eating the most expensive steak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes flickered to the bulging briefcase beside him—the one he always carried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she remembered the bricks stuffed inside, she couldn’t bear to look at this shameless freeloader anymore!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Zong… stop eating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think of this agreement?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve read it. I’ll sign.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the agreement have problems?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d helped draft every single clause himself…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xiaoshi nodded, flipped through the contract again, confirmed everything was fine, then signed her name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhang Muxue saw An Xiaoshi’s signature, a heavy stone in her chest finally lifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The process had been far simpler than she’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as everything was signed and both sides double-checked and found no issues, Zhou Yang pushed up his glasses and grinned: “General Manager Zhang, shall we sign one more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Director An makes films. I make films too…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Muxue stared blankly as Zhou Yang handed her another contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she saw the title: [Sun Wukong vs. Superman 2], she stared at Zhou Yang in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just sign. The terms haven’t changed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The afternoon sun was scorching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the café, Zhou Yang felt a wave of heat hit him, burning his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Xiaoshi silently walked to her Audi A6, and as she sat in the passenger seat, Zhou Yang cleared his throat and suddenly grew shy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director An…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you lend me some money?” An Xiaoshi stared, stunned, at Zhou Yang’s shy expression: “Aren’t you not short on money? Why borrow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not short on money—but you know, making films requires a lot, a lot of money…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Yang, I read the [Production Team Strategic Cooperation Agreement] you signed with me yesterday. Your crew has three people: you, Director Shen Long, and Chen Jianfeng. Everything else—cameras, even boxed meals—is borrowed from our [Love Ferris Wheel]. I just don’t get it: what money are you even spending on?” An Xiaoshi took a deep breath and fixed him with a piercing stare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough, cough, Director An, what do you mean ‘borrowed’? We’re in strategic cooperation, sharing resources. And honestly, I’m the one who’s suffered—I didn’t take my acting fee, I acted for free, and I sacrificed a lot…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough, Zhou Yang. Just tell me how much you need!” An Xiaoshi shook her head, fearing this shameless man would pull some ridiculous stunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not much—just thirty thousand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thirty thousand!” An Xiaoshi was utterly stunned: “Thirty thousand isn’t much? What are you going to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director An, to be honest—I’m not short on money. But you know, I’m currently consolidating theater chains and dealing with brands. Cash flow is tight. So, lend me thirty thousand, and I’ll pay you back thirty-five thousand in two months. Director An, you’re so beautiful, so generous, so talented. The moment I saw you, I felt you were a ray of light in my dark life…” Zhou Yang squeezed his briefcase, and the flattery poured out without cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t have thirty thousand!” An Xiaoshi was speechless at his audacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Twenty thousand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifteen thousand, maximum!” An Xiaoshi stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Fifteen thousand. Do you have cash?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So urgent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, I’ll get it for you. But Zhou Yang, don’t even think about running off with the money—I have your ID and documents.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director An, do I look like a con artist who’d run off with money? I’m an actor in [Love Ferris Wheel]. You picked me out of countless people—surely I’m worth fifteen thousand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the café.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Muxue sipped her coffee, silently staring at the two contracts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, the contract for [Sun Wukong vs. Superman 2] was too much to look at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That movie title was simply too explosive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What even is this…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this movie were released…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would it even make box office?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a knock came from the private room door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in—Zhou Zong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Muxue was puzzled to see Zhou Yang return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Manager Zhang… after careful thought, to build deeper cooperation in the future, I’ve decided to invest in our [Feihe Cinema]!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here is one hundred and fifty thousand—according to the valuation and agreement, I’m taking a ten percent stake!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1572,"2026-06-20T23:43:44.409Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8381947a4fdf74b1ceffaf8e178f4ca90ac0be005a93a1734bed5b408bb1a5bc","i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-chapter-14","i-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-chapter-12",101,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-only-know-how-to-ride-the-trend-cover.jpg"]