Chapter 20: Insane! (Second Update! Request Follows)

“Xu Boss…”

Morning.

The sun shone brightly.

Outside [A Li Fast Food].

Xu Xueliang, about to open the door, saw a man in a suit step out of an Audi A6.

Xu Xueliang instinctively looked up and saw Zhou Yang, briefcase in hand, smiling at him and offering a cigarette.

Xu Xueliang took the cigarette, lit it, exhaled a smoke ring, and grinned at Zhou Yang: “Zhou Zong, why so early today? We don’t serve breakfast…”

Zhou Yang was a regular at [A Li Fast Food].

Over the past month, Zhou Yang came here to eat nearly every few days.

He ate slowly, often finishing only when [A Li Fast Food] was about to close.

During that time, Zhou Yang always took opportunities to chat with the shop owner and waitstaff.

He was talkative, well-read, and effortlessly friendly; gradually, Xu Xueliang grew familiar with him.

“I’m not here for breakfast—I came specifically because you’re free today…”

“Oh?”

“I’m planning to shoot a movie…”

“A movie?”

Xu Xueliang froze at this, sizing up the briefcase-carrying Zhou Yang: “What kind of movie?”

“A fantasy film—we’ll be filming nearby, but we haven’t settled lunch for the crew. I thought of you… I’ve eaten here a long time, your food’s good and clean. I was wondering if we could order boxed meals from you…”

“Sure! I guarantee the best ingredients. Come in, come in!”

Xu Xueliang’s eyes lit up; he hurriedly ushered Zhou Yang inside and hurried to pour him tea.

[A Li Fast Food] was located on the outskirts of Yanjing, near the Yanjiao Industrial Park.

A year ago, the restaurant’s business was still decent; nearby factory workers came regularly to eat.

But since this year, after the EU announced a global pollution policy, China began overhauling high-emission factories nationwide.

Factories in the Yanjing region were naturally a key focus of consolidation.

Under leadership directives, large-scale relocations and renovations swept through the nearby industrial park; [A Li Fast Food]’s business gradually declined.

In June, after the last nearby factory, [Mingxiang Plastic Factory], moved over ten kilometers away, the restaurant’s business became dismal.

If he kept going, he’d inevitably go bankrupt.

And the landlord showed no intention of lowering rent.

So these past two days, Xu Xueliang had been considering moving out after the rent ended at the end of July.

“When does filming start?” Xu Xueliang asked Zhou Yang.

“Tomorrow.”

“So soon?”

“Yes!”

“How much investment?”

“A few million. By the way, Xu Boss, when are you moving?”

“End of next month. Renovation’s almost done. Why?” Xu Xueliang poured Zhou Yang tea, gazing silently at the increasingly desolate industrial park, and sighed: “The overall environment’s bad…”

“Xu Boss, have you ever considered building your own brand, expanding nationwide like a franchise?” Zhou Yang sipped his tea, then fixed his gaze on Xu Xueliang.

“Franchise?”

“Yes. Create your own takeout fast-food brand…”

“Zhou Zong, don’t joke. My highest annual revenue was only around 200,000, mostly from factory workers—thin profits barely cover costs. How could I afford to build my own brand? Advertising’s too expensive…” Xu Xueliang shook his head bitterly.

He’d never considered this.

“I can help you advertise…”

“You? How?”

“My movie still has a few ad slots left. If you’re interested, I’ll place your ad in them…”

“Zhou Zong, don’t joke. Movie ads cost at least tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands. I’m opening a new shop—rent, utilities, labor, renovation—all huge costs…” Xu Xueliang’s smile turned even more bitter.

To him, movies were high-end, prestigious things.

Product placements in films started at tens of thousands.

How could he afford this while opening a new shop?

After saying this, Zhou Yang quietly scanned the fast-food shop’s interior, then fixed his gaze on Xu Xueliang: “Xu Boss… you’re a good man. I’ve eaten here a lot these days. Here’s what I’ll do—I’ll place your takeout shop ad in my movie for free.”

Xu Xueliang’s eyes widened: “Free? Zhou Zong, did I hear right? Free?”

“Yes,” Zhou Yang’s eyes locked onto Xu Xueliang: “Not just free—I’ll even get celebrities to eat at your new shop and boost your popularity.”

Xu Xueliang was stunned.

How could this be possible?

He stared at Zhou Yang—he knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. After a moment, he shook his head: “Zhou Zong, I never went to school, I don’t understand tricks. Just tell me straight—what do I need to give you?”

Hearing this, Zhou Yang looked around, then smiled: “How much for half a month of boxed meals?”

“How many people in your crew?”

“Not many—a small crew, about twenty.”

“Twenty people, average combo meal at five yuan per person, three meals a day—that’s about 300 yuan daily, 4,500 yuan for half a month…”

“Are you willing to pay 4,500?”

“…”

Xu Xueliang’s eyes widened.

Looking at Zhou Yang, who didn’t seem to be joking, he couldn’t believe it: “What… 4,500 buys you an ad slot in your movie?”

“Not just any ad slot—a prominent one. Some scenes can be customized for your new shop.” Zhou Yang adjusted his glasses, staring at Xu Xueliang: “And it’s not just 4,500—there’s also crew night snacks during night shoots…”

At this, Xu Xueliang’s mind went blank.

He felt like he was dreaming.

Was this really not a fairy tale?

He glanced unconsciously at the Audi A6 parked nearby, dazed.

“Zhou Zong, are you joking?”

“I never joke.”

“Then what else do I need to do?”

“Nothing. Just ensure food safety.” Zhou Yang pulled out a contract from his briefcase and handed it to Xu Xueliang: “Xu Boss, in life, we face countless choices. Seize the right one, and we can soar.”

Xu Xueliang stared at the contract—still felt like he was seeing a ghost in broad daylight.

He lowered his head, read the contract carefully, then stared into space afterward.

“Zhou Zong, you’re saying if I sign this, my fast-food ad will be in your movie?”

“Yes. And it’ll be customized for you.”

“4,500—you won’t get cheated, you won’t get ripped off…”

Zhou Yang narrowed his eyes. As he finished speaking, he accidentally dropped the Audi A6’s keys.

He picked them up, placed them on the table, and smiled warmly at Xu Xueliang.

…

Half an hour later.

Xu Xueliang stared blankly as Zhou Yang, contract in hand, walked out of the fast-food shop.

He looked down again at the contract.

Holy shit, this feels like a dream!

He slapped himself.

“Slap!”

Damn it!

That slap actually hurt!

I’m not dreaming?

As Xu Xueliang stared blankly into the distance,

he saw Zhou Yang, smiling again, walking into another tool shop…

About half an hour later, Zhou Yang walked out, smiling.

He instinctively walked over to the tool shop.

“Are movies cheap now?”

“Just provide some tools, and you get a custom movie?”

“??”

“…”

He saw the tool shop owner staring blankly at a contract, muttering to himself.

…………………………

“What!”

“Zhou Zong, you’ve already signed over ten contracts for endorsements?”

The night grew deep.

Inside the rented apartment.

Shen Long stared wide-eyed at the stack of contracts on the table.

He sucked in a sharp breath!

In his entire life!

He had never seen such a deranged person!

He took a deep breath and carefully flipped through the contracts.

From the crew’s tools, to their boxed meals, to their costumes, even some locations and warehouses…

Everything—everything—was free!

How could such a deranged person exist?

He swallowed hard.

Then…

He looked at Zhou Yang under the light.

He saw Zhou Yang smiling at him.

“Can we shoot the movie tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

“Everything’s in place—why not shoot? If you still need anything, tell me—I’ll get it for you.”

“I…”

Shen Long lowered his head, staring at the stack of contracts.

In his mind, the props needed for the film reappeared…

It seemed…

Everything was complete.

It seemed…

Could they shoot now?

But…

“Do all these ads have to be embedded?”

Shen Long looked at Zhou Yang in despair.

“Embed them all. Oh, and give these ads some plot—preferably vivid, lively…”

“I… I… all of them…”

Shen Long’s hands trembled slightly.

“I… I can’t do this…”

“You can. Believe in your talent!” Zhou Yang clapped him on the shoulder.

“I…”

Shen Long slumped into his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.

So many ads…

Fuck, this is insane!

(Today’s three updates—three chapters coming this afternoon. Please follow and recommend—this is crucial for a new book.)