Chapter 221: Opening Soon, Daily Profits Pour In

The photos have already been taken; now it's about making them larger so they can be posted above the shop entrance to attract customers.

Limited by current technology, photos cannot be enlarged directly unless a magnifier was used during shooting, but developing such photos is extremely difficult—this is when the art director becomes essential, one of Wei Ming's past jobs.

In his previous life, he frequently designed posters for the People's Art Theatre's plays; the posters were large, prominently displayed outside, serving as effective advertising.

Movie posters today work the same way: ordinary cinemas might display nothing but the film's title, but top-tier cinemas in major cities employ art directors to paint massive posters that draw audiences.

Wei Ming could turn Xue-jie and Lin-jie's photos into large posters, but since he wanted them unusually large, it would be labor- and material-intensive—he feared there wouldn't be enough time, and he had other work himself, so he planned to pay someone else to handle it.

Wei Ming first thought of Zhong Acheng and others he met at the Star Art Exhibition.

But after thinking it over, he figured these guys considered themselves artists and probably wouldn't want such uncreative work, and their foundational skills weren't solid enough—he worried they couldn't handle it.

"Hey, I've got it!"

He remembered passing Dazhalan yesterday and seeing the poster for *Tonight the Stars Are Brilliant* outside Daguanlou Cinema—it was a war film directed by Xie Tieli, commissioned by Bayi Studio, starring Li Xiuming and Tang Guoqiang, just recently released.

Daguanlou's art director was quite skilled; he planned to approach him.

After Zhou Lin recovered, Wei Ming reluctantly saw her back to her workplace, then went to the photo lab to pay for developing the photos himself, and headed to Dazhalan.

"Who are you looking for?" Wang Qiankun, a staff member at Daguanlou, blocked the handsome young man trying to enter the work area.

"Comrade, hello—I'd like to find your cinema's art director."

"Oh, Master Wei, someone's here for you."

"Master Wei, small world—I'm also surnamed Wei! We're probably from the same family five hundred years ago!"

Master Wei made a vague gesture in the air: "I'm this Wei."

Wei Ming: "I'm the Wei from 'Wei, Shu, and Wu'—so no need for family ties. I've got a job—wonder if you'll take it?"

Cinema art directors had flexible hours: they painted posters only when new films premiered; otherwise, they didn't need to work—especially for low-budget, low-attention films, since paint and fabric cost money too.

Wei Ming and Master Wei stepped outside, lit cigarettes, and began whispering.

Wei Ming wanted two giant posters—he showed Master Wei the photos: one of Gong Ying, one of Zhu Lin, each capturing their most distinctive features and outfits.

Master Wei examined them with appreciation: "This one is the actress Gong Ying—I don't recognize the other."

"Oh, you know Gong Ying?"

"I read *Mass Film* every issue," Master Wei replied—he had an almost photographic memory; Xue-jie had appeared on *Mass Film* nearly six months ago.

Wei Ming explained: "The other is Zhu Lin—she acted in Xiying Studio's *The Traitor*, not yet aired, and she's not a professional actress."

"Ah, I've heard of that film—this comrade Zhu Lin also has an excellent appearance." In Master Wei's eyes, both women rivaled, even surpassed, many of today's popular actresses.

Master Wei looked at Wei Ming, thinking: this private entrepreneur has some connections—where did he find these actresses?

But when he heard Wei Ming's requested dimensions—three meters by four meters, two of them, and detailed portraits—Master Wei waved his hand.

"Can't do it—too big!"

"Our new storefront is large—small posters won't stand out," Wei Ming imagined the scene: two stunning beauties flanking Dongfang Xintiandi, turning Xidan into a traffic jam.

"I could paint them, but *Love on Lushan* is about to premiere—I have to make its poster too, and it's no small job—I can't spare the time."

Wei Ming had originally planned to pay a hundred yuan for both posters; now he changed his mind.

"One hundred yuan per poster—but they must be finished before *Love on Lushan* premieres," Wei Ming tempted him. "That's not cheap—Qi Baishi's paintings in his prime sold for this much."

Of course, that was for Qi Baishi's small works—but these giant posters required expensive fabric and paint alone, yet the profit would be greater; in this era, being able to paint was a powerful skill.

Master Wei, in his early thirties and the main breadwinner for his family, immediately brightened—he dashed into Daguanlou and requested three days' leave from the manager.

"I'll take the job—but you must pay half upfront!" he said upon returning.

Wei Ming pulled out cash immediately: "Deal!"

He'd report the expense to Xiao Mei later—these two hundred yuan would go through company accounts.

Having settled that, Wei Ming drove home and met the postman—he received a royalty slip for *The Game of the Brave* published in *Youth Literature*, and also a package from Ah Min in Hong Kong.

The royalty slip was six hundred yuan—his living expenses for the coming period were secured.

He brought the package inside, opened it, and found snacks first—Xiao Hong and Yunyun, two greedy girls, were in for a treat.

Then came a cassette tape—Wei Ming assumed it was another song by Ah Min—he inserted it into the recorder, and a youthful girl's voice, speaking Cantonese, emerged.

"Ah Ming, hello—what do you think of communicating by voice, like making phone calls? I don't know if you understand Cantonese, but I'm sure someone as smart as you will get it."

Wei Ming understood most of it—he'd grown accustomed to Ah Long's thick Cantonese accent after he transferred schools.

Ah Min: "Hehe, maybe you'll write me Cantonese songs someday—thank you for your promised gift. Of course, no matter what song you write me in the future, I'll accept it wholeheartedly."

Wei Ming smiled faintly—writing Cantonese songs for Hong Kong's market was indeed more profitable; he had countless classic Cantonese tunes in his head—he could easily create several platinum-selling singers. But Cantonese wasn't his native language—he couldn't wield it as effortlessly as Mandarin.

Ah Min: "And I also want to learn Mandarin from you. Through your descriptions, I've become curious about the mainland—and even if you never come to Hong Kong to find me, I plan to go there to find you."

These words carried a hint of ambiguity, but Wei Ming didn't catch it—in his mind, a thirteen-year-old girl had nothing to offer; how could she compare to his sisters?

He decided to buy some blank cassettes and use them to correspond with the girl.

Ah Min continued: "Ah Lun's Mandarin album isn't finished yet, so don't rush. But *The Slippery One* has been receiving great feedback in Taiwan—my brother Mingmin told me it's about to go platinum; when it does, I'll send you your share of the royalties—no cut for me."

"Our family's life has changed completely—Mom made a lot selling snacks, and now she's opening a shop—I still have a chance of becoming a rich second-generation!" The girl giggled.

But wouldn't that snack shop be the same one run by Old Ghost? Are they partners? Could Old Ghost have ulterior motives?

The cassette had clear pauses—obviously not recorded in one sitting—and one tape could hold an hour; the girl shared many amusing school stories and her thoughts on entertainment, music, and film.

She truly treated him like a trusted older brother. But since her voice was sweet and she was probably not unattractive, Wei Ming listened to the whole thing.

He'd record a Mandarin reply for her later—he checked the time; Xiao Hong and Yunyun should be back soon. He tidied the house—thankfully, there were two bathrooms.

He'd introduce Zhou Lin to his sisters eventually, but he wouldn't let the kids know about his cohabitation—it would be too shocking.

After eight p. ., the two girls returned.

Wei Ming asked how they got back.

Wei Hong said: "Our bus dropped us off at the neighborhood gate."

Wei Ming nodded: "Tomorrow is the last day of this Beijing trip—have fun. After this, you'll start working."

Starting work meant earning money—they were delighted.

Even more delighted were the contents of Ah Min's package.

"Oh my, these fries are delicious!"

"I like the chips better."

"This chocolate tastes weird!"

"These candies are amazing!"

The two girls eagerly sampled everything, but before eating, they always offered some to Wei Ming—not to test for poison, but out of respect for the head of the household.

But Wei Ming valued health and didn't like snacks.

Since Ah Min was mentioned, Wei Ming played the cassette of Zhang Mingmin's songs for the girls.

"Brother, these songs—you wrote them!" Xiao Hong was stunned again by her brother's talent; Yunyun was speechless with awe.

"Not all of them—the best ones are mine," Wei Ming replied modestly.

Xiao Hong suddenly felt deeply regretful—such wonderful songs, yet unheard in the mainland; Pacific hadn't officially launched yet.

"Brother, what if we put a recorder in our shop and loop these songs? It might attract customers," Xiao Hong suggested.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Hong wasn't just good at math—she understood business too, applying a future barbershop tactic.

Wei Ming encouraged her: "You should suggest it to Manager Mei."

Yunyun envied Xiao Hong's cleverness—she wished she were smarter.

The Gouzitun elementary school trip group reached its final day—the children grew livelier than ever, having thoroughly exhausted the residents of Li Guangfu's household; Old Li apologized repeatedly while laughing.

The final day was climbing the Great Wall at Badaling—after all, "He who hasn't climbed the Great Wall isn't a true man." Wei Ming had been a true man too many times—he wouldn't climb this time. Xiao Mei led the group again—he adored her for it.

The plan was to finish climbing by noon and return. Wei Ming spent the morning finalizing housing paperwork. When the bus dropped off Xiao Hong, Yunyun, and Mei Wenhua at the Overseas Chinese Apartment, Wei Ming immediately grabbed his bag and boarded.

He had brought them here—he felt responsible for bringing them back safely, fearing accidents along the way, so he personally escorted them. If Old Wei were here, this would be his duty.

"Xiao Hong, Yunyun, you'll join Brother Wenhua for training now—I'll be back soon," Wei Ming added his final instruction.

Xiao Hong waved: "Don't worry, Brother! Oh, and Brother Wenhua agreed to my idea—he's buying a recorder!"

In the Yimeng Mountains of southwestern Shandong, the crew of *The Cow and Niu Er* had been shooting for a week. The cow scenes hadn't started yet—Wu Tianming feared the cows might suffer from environmental shock, so he had Old Wei bring them early to acclimate and check their training progress.

Old Wei was annoyed—he wasn't filming cow scenes now, so why was he here? He'd missed his daughter's college entrance exam, and worse, couldn't attend as honorary principal to award students and lead them on the Beijing trip.

It was a tremendous regret!

But after seeing how obedient the three cows were under Old Wei's command, Wu Tianming humbled himself before him. Local officials hosting meals always seated Old Wei as the honored guest, with the fish head facing him.

When they learned Old Wei was the father of the great writer Wei Ming, the local officials were stunned—and began visiting the set frequently.

Since Wu Tianming was busy managing the entire production, reception duties fell to Old Wei, who thrived in the role.

Today, Liu Xiaoqing, having finished *The Mysterious Buddha*, officially joined the crew—officials hosted another banquet.

Liu Xiaoqing was a top-tier actress, far more prominent than director Wu Tianming or lead actor Li Baotian—but tonight, the fish head still faced Old Wei—that was status.

!

Old Wei returned home, pleasantly drunk, and found another letter from home.

After the Minghong siblings left, Xu Shufen wrote to her husband, reporting on her daughter's exam results and the village school's performance.

Learning Xiao Hong had passed the college entrance exam smoothly and well, Old Wei was delighted and immediately wrote back to his wife.

He thought a moment, then wrote a letter to his son in Beijing, cautiously asking if he knew Liu Xiaoqing well.

"She just arrived at the set tonight and kept asking about you. I'll tell you—she's around my age, I call her 'Big Sister,' and she's married already…"

The world is dazzling—this boy needs a good scolding.

While Old Wei wrote to his son, Wei Ming had already returned home—he'd stay overnight in the countryside and return to Beijing tomorrow.

Wei Ming slept soundly that night, but over a dozen families in Gouzitun barely slept.

Jia Zhengdao lay on the kang, enthusiastically recounting his Beijing experiences to his father, Jia Saner.

"Those buildings were so tall, lit up so beautifully! We even took photos on the Great Wall—but they haven't been developed yet—the Great Wall is so long!"

Shen Xiaobao showed his mother and grandmother the hastily washed photo of the Tiananmen group picture—this was the family's first photograph, in an extremely poor household.

"We took photos at Peking University too," he solemnly swore to them, "I'm going to apply to Peking University and Tsinghua. Mom, Grandma, I'll work hard—I promise!"

Qi Delong also solemnly told his mother: "I want to become a Beijinger!"

Fan Chunhua's nose grew stiff with emotion—because of policy, his father had a chance to regain his Beijinger status, but since she was a rural woman, her sons could only be rural too.

"Son, study hard and strive—go to Beijing on your own merit. Don't be like your useless father."

Qi Kexiu: "How am I useless? Just wait—when my novel gets published, Qi Delong, you'll be a second-generation writer, you hear? Even your farts will smell sweet!"

That night, many households in Gouzitun vowed—even if they had to sell their pots and pans—they'd fund their children's college education and get them out.

After tonight, this mindset would deeply influence Gouzitun and surrounding villages through those inspiring photos and the elementary students' stories.

Early the next morning, his mother packed Wei Ming with a large sack of local specialties; he would ride into the county on the village's donkey cart.

To their surprise, many uncles, aunts, and elder women he didn't know well came out with their children to see him off—the scene was magnificent.

Old Party Secretary Zhou Xingbang grabbed Wei Ming's hand: "Xiaoming, you must carry out this study tour—even if the village has to chip in some money."

Wei Ming patted the old secretary's hand: "Alright, I'll follow your advice."

Then Wei Ming waved goodbye, smiling all the way, and soon reached the county bus station—partly to catch a ride, partly to settle the final payment.

He hired one driver and one vehicle for four days, but the fee wasn't high—thanks to his celebrity effect; local newspapers were already preparing to visit Gouzitun to report on Wei Ming's study tour.

Afterwards, Wei Ming took a train from the district, and on the way bought a copy of Hebei Daily.

On page two of the paper, he saw his article—but all references to bandits and highwaymen had been removed, turning it into an uplifting piece about rural elementary students on a study tour.

Meanwhile, in a village en route to Beijing, a roadblock toll station set up by villagers was successfully dismantled by the authorities; the personnel and village leaders were taken away for criticism and education.

Wei Ming returned safely to the embrace of the capital. First, he went back to the Overseas Chinese Apartment—no one was home; the two girls must have gone for training.

It was getting late, so Wei Ming rode his motorcycle to the store in Xidan. They were indeed there—Xiao Hong and Yunyun had both put on new uniforms, identical but not alluring.

Renovation was complete; since no synthetic chemicals were used, two days of airing out was enough to move in and stock goods.

"Brother, you're back! We were just about to go out for dinner."

Wei Ming: "What, is Manager Mei treating us?"

"If I treat, I treat—two little sisters want meat, so today we eat at Kao Rou Wan." Mei Wenhua patted his leather bag—he finally understood why Wei Ming loved treating people so much; the feeling of splurging and basking in others' admiration, especially young girls' admiration, was too good.

That meal, Wei Ming let Xiao Mei take charge. During dinner, he told Mei Wenhua: "I checked—Lu Shan Lian will premiere in Beijing on the 16th. We'll start trial operations that day, quietly. Then on the 20th, we'll open officially with a big splash."

Xiao Mei frowned: "Why wait until the 20th?"

Yunyun: "What's trial operation?"

Wei Ming: "Because the 20th is Sunday—more people are off work and shopping. That's when we'll create a frenzy of bandwagon effect. By then, Lu Shan Lian's hype should be peaking. The first few days of trial operation are for spotting and fixing problems."

Xiao Hong listened intently—she never knew running a business involved so much strategy.

Mei Wenhua once again realized how far he was behind Ming-ge. For the first time, he learned the term "service consciousness" from Wei Ming—back then, sales clerks had no service consciousness; they were all goddesses.

Back home, after a day of service consciousness training, Xiao Hong and Yunyun turned off the TV and went straight to sleep.

But Wei Ming wrote for a while longer in his study—he never forgot that his pen was his true path, though lately, with so many things going on, he could only write in fragments.

Looking at the thickening stack of manuscript pages, Wei Ming felt deeply satisfied—he'd soon be able to send letters to Mei Linda for foreign exchange!

The next day, Wei Ming returned to Peking University's campus publication office. After nearly half a month away, he was finally back at work—but with few students around, the publication's cycle had lengthened, workload dropped sharply, so everyone was slacking off, doing nothing serious.

So Wei Ming planned to take more leave to finalize the housing paperwork.

Wei Ming also told his good friend Yang Hao that a clothing store was opening soon in Xidan—he could go there to shoot footage.

"Oh, great, when?"

"The 16th."

On the 16th, Lu Shan Lian officially premiered in Beijing and other cities.

Wei Ming bought evening tickets and invited Zhu Lin to watch together.

But at noon, he rode his motorcycle to her workplace to pick her up.

At 8 a. ., Dongfang Xintiandi had already opened its doors for business—but Wei Ming wasn't there; he was slacking off at work, writing his novel.

At 9 a. ., Yang Hao arrived on his bicycle, camera slung over his shoulder, at Xidan Street. The unnamed store Wei Ming mentioned was the one.

It was easy to find—he often came here. Outside the shop, many curious customers had already walked in.

In Xidan, even on a weekday, there were plenty of idle people—here, even opening a paid toilet could make a fortune.

Most intriguing were the two beautiful women in uniform standing at the entrance—Xiao Hong and Yunyun, whose Mandarin wasn't fluent enough, had been assigned as greeters.

But their high looks were still very attractive; many male customers looked, then walked in.

Yang Hao stayed rational—he also noticed large signs on the door: "16th–19th: 20% OFF during trial operation!"

"Trial operation?"

Yang Hao loved to ponder new terms—he quickly understood what it meant.

Oh, so that's trial operation—no wonder they didn't make a big fuss or put up a sign.

Inside, Yang Hao's first impression was brightness: three women in identical uniforms smiled as they greeted customers and introduced the clothing.

Mei Wenhua himself handled cash and accounting at the counter.

He was already taking money. For trial day, he'd hoped to just cover rent and wages—but customers came in droves; within an hour, they'd sold three pairs of men's jeans, one women's top, and one scarf—revenue barely exceeded 100 yuan!

Even with the 20% discount, profits were astonishing. At this pace, today's profit would surely be no less than 100 yuan.

Watching Mei Wenhua beam with genuine joy, Yang Hao marveled: Damn, it's him!

Yang Hao knew Mei Wenhua—he was Wei Ming's friend, and had heard he quit his job.

He was just about to admire Mei Wenhua's boldness, sensing he'd hit it big—when suddenly, Yang Hao realized: Wait, who's the real owner of this store?

……

(Yesterday's base update! Requesting monthly votes!)

(End of Chapter)