Chapter 221: The Big Poster

The photos have all been taken; the next step is how to enlarge them so they can be posted above the storefront to attract customers.

Limited by current technology, it is impossible to enlarge photos directly unless an enlarger is used during the shooting process, but the developing difficulty is also very high. This is when a graphic artist is needed, which was also one of Wei Ming's jobs in his previous life.

In his previous life, he was often responsible for drawing posters for the People's Art Theatre's plays. The posters were very large and particularly eye-catching when posted outside, serving the purpose of publicizing information.

Current movie posters are the same. Ordinary cinemas might not even have posters, just the names of a few movies, but top-tier cinemas in big cities have graphic artists responsible for drawing large posters to attract audiences.

Wei Ming can manage to turn Sister Xue's and Sister Lin's photos into large posters, but because he requires a relatively large size, it is labor-intensive and material-consuming. He is afraid that time will be tight, and he also has other work, so he plans to spend some money to entrust it to others.

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

However, after thinking about it, these guys consider themselves artists and probably wouldn't be willing to accept this kind of non-creative work. Moreover, their basic skills aren't solid enough, and he is afraid they wouldn't be up to the task.

"Hey, I've got it!"

He remembers that when he passed by the Daguanlou Cinema yesterday, there was a poster for "Tonight's Starlight is Bright" outside. This is a war-themed movie invited by the August First Film Studio for Director Xie Xie Tieli to shoot, starring Li Xiuming and Tang Tang Guoqiang, which was just released recently.

The graphic artist at Daguanlou has a good level of skill, and he plans to find the other party to discuss it.

After Sister Lin recovered, Wei Ming reluctantly sent her back to her unit, then went to a photo studio to develop the photos at his own expense, and then came to Dashilan.

"Who are you looking for?" Wang Wang Qiankun, a clerk at Daguanlou, stopped the handsome young man who wanted to enter the work area.

"Hello, comrade. I'd like to find our cinema's graphic artist."

"Oh, Master Wei, someone is looking for you."

"Master Wei, what a coincidence, my surname is also Wei. We were one family five hundred years ago!"

Master Wei gestured in the air: "I am this 'Wei'."

Wei Ming: "I am the 'Wei' of Wei, Shu, and Wu. Then let's not try to get close. I have a job here, I don't know if you'll take it."

The time for a cinema's graphic artist is relatively free. When there is a new movie, they draw posters; if not, they don't have to. Some movies with small scale and poor popularity don't need them either; after all, paint and cloth cost money.

Teacher Wei and Master Wei went outside, handed over cigarettes, and discussed in a low voice.

Wei Ming wants to draw two large posters. He first showed Master Wei the photos, one of Gong Xue and one of Zhu Lin, both of which best reflect their personal characteristics and clothing features.

Master Wei looked at them with an appreciative gaze: "This is the actress Gong Xue, this one I don't recognize."

"Yo, you even recognize Gong Xue?"

"I read every issue of 'Popular Cinema'." Master Wei has a bit of a photographic memory. It has been almost half a year since Sister Xue last appeared on "Popular Cinema".

Wei Ming introduced: "The other one is Zhu Lin. She acted in the Xi'an Film Studio's 'The Traitor', which hasn't been broadcast yet, and she is not a professional actress either."

"Oh, I've heard of this movie. This comrade Zhu Lin also has an excellent image." In Master Wei's eyes, these two are no less than many active popular actresses, and even more beautiful.

Master Wei looked at Wei Ming, thinking that this self-employed individual has some substance. Where did he find these actresses?

However, when he heard the size Wei Ming requested—three meters by four meters, two of them, and such delicate work involving figures—Master Wei waved his hand.

"Can't do it, it's too big!"

"Our newly opened storefront is relatively large; if it's too small, it won't show." Wei Ming could imagine that when the two great beauties are hung on the left and right at Oriental Dongfang Xintiandi, Xidan will be blocked to what extent.

"I could draw it, but 'Lushan Love' is about to be released, and I have to draw posters for them. Besides, they aren't small either, so I can't spare the time."

Wei Ming originally thought about paying this graphic artist one hundred yuan to draw two, but now he has changed his mind.

"One hundred yuan per piece, but I require it to be completed before the release of 'Lushan Love'," Wei Ming tempted, "This price is not low. When Qi Bai Shi was alive, a painting only cost this much."

Of course, it has to be one of Qi Bai Shi's small paintings, and the cost of the cloth and paint alone for these two giant posters is not low, but the profit is even higher. In this day and age, being able to draw is a very strong skill.

Master Wei, who is in his thirties and is the main breadwinner of his family, immediately had his eyes light up. He saw him run into Daguanlou and asked the manager for three days of personal leave.

"I'll take this job, but I need half the deposit first!" he said after coming out.

Wei Ming paid directly: "Deal!"

He will report the account to Xiao Mei later, and these two hundred yuan will come out of the company's account.

After settling this matter, Wei Ming drove home and happened to meet the postman. First, he received the manuscript fee slip for "The Brave's Game" published by "Juvenile Literature and Art", and at the same time, he received a package from A Min in Hong Kong.

The manuscript fee slip is for 600 yuan, so there will definitely be no shortage of living expenses for the next period of time.

Then he brought A Min's package into the house. After opening it, there were first some snacks. Xiao Hong and Xu Yunyun, the two greedy girls, are in for a treat.

Then there was a cassette tape. Wei Ming thought it was another song sung by A Min. He put it into the recorder, and then a young girl's voice came out, speaking Cantonese.

"Hello A Ming, what do you think about us communicating by voice? Just like making a phone call. I don't know if you can understand Cantonese, but I believe you are so smart that you will definitely be able to understand."

Wei Ming can almost understand it. After all, when A Long first transferred here, his Cantonese accent was very strong, and he had gotten used to it.

A Min: "Hee hee, maybe you can write Cantonese songs for me in the future. Thank you for the gift you promised. Of course, I will accept whatever songs you write for me in the future 100%."

Wei Ming smiled lightly. The market for writing Cantonese songs for Hong Kong is indeed larger, and there are simply too many Cantonese classics in his mind. It is completely no problem to create a few platinum kings of songs. However, Cantonese is not the language he has used since childhood, so it is not as handy to use.

A Min: "And I also want to learn Mandarin from you. Under your introduction, I have become curious about the mainland and you. Even if you don't come to Hong Kong to find me in the future, I plan to go to the mainland to find you."

These words implied some ambiguous atmosphere, but Wei Ming didn't hear it. In his heart, a 13-year-old girl has nothing, so how can she be as fragrant as a big sister?

He has decided to buy some blank cassette tapes and use them to communicate with the little girl in the future.

A Min continued: "A Lun's Mandarin record hasn't finished production yet, don't be in a hurry. However, it is said that the album 'Her Who Slips' has a very good response in Taiwan. Brother Ming Min also told me that it will soon reach a gold record. At that time, I will entrust me to send the lyrics and music royalties to you. I won't take a cut of this."

"Now our family's life has also undergone earth-shaking changes. Mom earned a lot of money selling snacks before, and now she wants to open a shop. I still have hope of becoming a rich second generation." After the little girl finished speaking, she giggled.

But wouldn't this snack shop be the one belonging to Lao Gui? Are they partners? Lao Gui wouldn't have any ulterior motives, would he?

The cassette tape can be heard with obvious pause points. It shouldn't have been recorded in one day. Moreover, a cassette tape can record for an hour. The little girl also shared with him many interesting things about her school, as well as her knowledge of entertainment, music, and movies.

This is really treating him as a confidant big brother. However, considering the little girl's voice is very sweet and she shouldn't be ugly, Wei Ming listened to it completely.

Let's record a Mandarin version of the reply for her later. Looking at the time, it is estimated that Xiao Hong and the others should be back soon. Wei Ming tidied up the house. Fortunately, there are two bathrooms in the house.

In the future, he can introduce Sister Lin to his sisters, but it's better not to let the children know about cohabitation before marriage; the impact is too great.

After eight o'clock, the two little girls came back.

Wei Ming asked them how they came back.

Xiao Hong said: "Our bus dropped us off at the entrance of the residential area."

Wei Ming nodded: "Tomorrow is the last day of this trip to the capital. You guys have a good time. Next, you will start working."

Participating in work means being able to earn money, and they are all very happy.

And what makes them even happier is A Min's package.

"Oh my, these French fries are so delicious!"

"I prefer potato chips."

"This chocolate tastes so strange!"

"This candy is so delicious!"

The two little girls tasted them excitedly, but before they ate, they would let Wei Ming taste them first. It wasn't to let him test for poison; this is respect for the head of the family.

However, Wei Ming is very health-conscious and doesn't like to eat snacks.

Because A Min was mentioned, Wei Ming let the two girls listen to Zhang Mingmin's cassette tape.

"Brother, these, these songs were all written by you!" Xiao Hong was shocked again by her big brother's talent, and Xu Yunyun was already so shocked that she couldn't speak.

"Not all of them, the best ones were written by me," Wei Ming said modestly.

Xiao Hong suddenly felt it was a pity. Such excellent songs, but they couldn't be heard in the country. Pacific hadn't officially launched them yet.

"Brother, what if we put a recorder in our shop and play these songs on loop? It should also attract customers to come in," Xiao Hong suggested.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Hong is not only good at math but also understands business, using the tricks of barbershops in later generations.

Wei Ming encouraged: "You can mention it to Manager Mei."

Xu Yunyun envied Xiao Hong's brain. If only she could be smarter.

The Gouzitun primary school travel group reached the last day. The children became more and more energetic, having already tossed the residents of Li Li Guangfu's house enough. Lao Li was happy while apologizing.

The last day was to go to Badaling to climb the Great Wall. After all, one who fails to reach the Great Wall is not a true hero. Wei Ming has already been a hero too many times, so he won't be one this time. It was still Xiao Mei leading the team, and he loved it.

The plan was to finish climbing in half a day and start the return journey at noon. Wei Ming used the morning time to continue running the procedures for the house. When the bus dropped off Xiao Hong, Xu Yunyun, and Mei Mei Wenhua at the Overseas Chinese Apartment at noon, Wei Ming immediately came out with his bag and got on the bus.

He brought them back himself, and he felt it was necessary to bring them back completely. He was afraid that something would happen on the road, so he personally escorted the bus. If Lao Lao Wei were here, this should be his job.

"Xiao Hong, Xu Yunyun, you two follow Brother Mei Wenhua to participate in training these two days. I will be back soon," Wei Ming finally urged.

Xiao Hong waved her hand: "Brother, don't worry. Oh, and Brother Mei Wenhua agreed to my suggestion. He is going to buy a recorder!"

In the Mount Yimeng Mountain area of southwest Shandong, the "Cow and Cow Two" crew had already started filming for a week. In fact, they hadn't started filming the cow's scenes at this time. Wu Tianming was just worried that the cow would not adapt to the local climate, so he asked Lao Lao Wei to bring it over in advance to adapt, and at the same time check how these cows were trained.

Lao Lao Wei was a little unhappy. You are not filming the cow's scenes now, so why did you ask me to come? This caused him to miss his daughter's college entrance examination. The key is that he couldn't award prizes to the students as an honorary principal and lead the team to travel to the capital.

This is simply a huge regret!

And after Wu Tianming saw how obedient these three cows were in Lao Lao Wei's hands, he lowered his posture in front of Lao Lao Wei. When local leaders invited them to dinner, they let Lao Lao Wei sit in the guest of honor position, and the fish head also faced him.

Learning that Lao Lao Wei was actually the father of the great writer Wei Ming, the local leaders were shocked, and then came to visit the crew every few days.

Because Wu Tianming had to be busy with the crew's affairs, the reception work was handed over to Lao Lao Wei, and Lao Lao Wei was like a fish in water.

And today, after Liu Liu Xiaoqing finished filming "The Mysterious Buddha", she also officially joined the crew. The leaders set up a banquet again.

Liu Liu Xiaoqing can be said to be a first-line actress today, with much more face than Director Wu Tianming and the male lead Li Li Baotian, but tonight the fish head still faced Comrade Lao Lao Wei. This is face.

!

Lao Lao Wei came back drunk and received a letter from his hometown again.

After the Ming-Hong siblings left, Xu Xu Shufen wrote this letter to her husband, reporting on her daughter's exam, village primary school grades, and other issues.

Seeing that Xiao Hong's college entrance examination went smoothly and she did quite well, Lao Lao Wei was very happy and immediately replied to his wife.

After thinking about it, he wrote another letter to his son in Yanjing, cautiously asking him if he was very familiar with Liu Liu Xiaoqing?

"She just arrived at the crew today. She kept asking about you during dinner. Let me tell you, at her age, I call her 'Big Sister', and she has a husband..."

The flower world is fascinating. If you don't beat up the brat, it won't work.

When Lao Lao Wei was writing to his son, Wei Ming had already arrived home. He will stay in his hometown for one night tonight and return to the capital tomorrow.

Wei Ming slept very soundly this night, but more than a dozen families in Gouzitun were almost sleepless all night.

Jia Zhengdao was talking endlessly on the kang to his father Jia Jia Saner about his various experiences in the capital.

"That building is so tall, and the lights are still on. It's so beautiful! We also took photos on the Great Wall, but they haven't been developed yet. The Great Wall is too long!"

Shen Wei Xiaobao took out the large group photo of Tiananmen that Wei Ming had hurriedly developed and showed it to his mother and grandmother. This was the first photo of this extremely poor family.

"We also took photos at Peking University," at the same time, he solemnly swore to them, "I want to be admitted to Peking University and Tsinghua University. Mom, Grandma, I will work hard, definitely!"

Qi Cousin Qi Delong also solemnly expressed to his mother: "I want to be a Yanjing person!"

Hearing this made Fan Fan Chunhua's nose sore. Because of the policy, his father had hope of becoming a Yanjing person again, but because she was a rural person, the son she gave birth to could only be a rural person.

"Son, then you should study hard and make progress. Get admitted to Yanjing yourself. Don't be like your useless father."

Qi Qi Kexiu: "How am I useless? You wait. When my novel is published, Qi Cousin Qi Delong, you will be a second-generation writer, you know! Even your farts will be fragrant in the future!"

Many families in Gouzitun this night were determined to send their children to college even if they had to sell everything, letting them walk out!

And after tonight, this idea will deeply influence the entire Gouzitun and even the surrounding villages through those exciting group photos and the children's storytelling.

Early the next morning, his mother packed a large bag of local specialties for Wei Ming, and he followed the village's donkey cart into the county town.

What they didn't expect was that many uncles, aunts, and grandmothers he wasn't very familiar with brought their children out to see him off. The scene was very spectacular.

The old branch secretary Zhou Zhou Xingbang even held Wei Ming's hand: "Xiao Ming, you must continue this study tour, even if the village has to pay some money."

Wei Ming patted the old branch secretary's hand: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

Afterwards, Wei Ming waved goodbye, hanging a smile all the way. Soon he arrived at the county bus station. Taking the bus is one aspect, and he also had to settle the final payment.

Using one driver and one car for a total of four days, the fee was not high. This is all his celebrity effect. Local newspapers are already preparing to go to Gouzitun to interview and investigate Wei Ming's study tour.

Afterwards, Wei Ming went to the district to take the train. On the way, he bought a copy of "Hebei Daily".

On the second page of the newspaper, he saw his article, but the content related to bandits and road bullies was removed, turning it into a positive article about rural primary school students' study tours.

But at the same time, in a village leading to Yanjing, a roadblock toll point set up by villagers was successfully destroyed by the police, and the relevant personnel and village leaders were taken away for criticism and education.

Wei Ming returned to the embrace of the capital smoothly. He first returned to his home in the Overseas Chinese Apartment. There was no one at home. The two girls should have gone to receive training.

It was getting late. Wei Ming rode his motorcycle to the shop in Xidan. People were indeed there. Xiao Hong and Xu Yunyun were both wearing new clothes, which were unified uniforms, but not tempting.

The renovation had ended, and because there were no synthetic chemical materials, it could be entered and stocked after drying for two days.

"Brother, you're back. We were just about to go out to eat."

Wei Ming: "What's up, is Manager Mei treating?"

"If I treat, I treat. The two sisters want to eat meat, so let's eat at Kaorouwan today." Mei Mei Wenhua patted his leather bag. He finally understood why Wei Ming loved to treat guests so much. This feeling of squandering and enjoying the admiring gazes of others is too good, especially the admiration of little girls.

Wei Ming fulfilled Xiao Mei's wish for this meal. During the meal, he told Mei Mei Wenhua: "I've asked around. 'Lushan Love' will be released in Yanjing on the 16th. We will start trial operations on that day. Don't make a big deal out of it. Wait until the 20th for the official opening to make it more lively."

Xiao Mei didn't understand: "Why wait until the 20th?"

Xu Yunyun: "What is a trial operation?"

Wei Ming: "Because the 20th is Sunday, there are many people resting and shopping, which can create a hot follow-the-crowd effect. By then, the popularity of 'Lushan Love' should also be up, and the trial operation in the previous few days is used to discover and solve problems."

Xiao Hong listened very carefully. She didn't expect there to be so much knowledge in doing business.

Mei Mei Wenhua once again realized the gap between himself and Brother Ming. He learned the word "service consciousness" from Wei Ming for the first time. In this day and age, where do shop assistants have service consciousness? They are all grandmothers.

Returning home, Xiao Hong and Xu Yunyun, who had undergone a day of service consciousness training, didn't turn on the TV and went straight to sleep.

However, Wei Ming wrote for a while in the study. He always remembered that the pen was his main direction, but he had been busy recently and could only use some fragmented time for creation.

Looking at the gradually thickening paper manuscript, Wei Ming was very gratified. He would soon be able to send letters to Melinda to earn foreign exchange!

The next day, Wei Ming returned to the Peking University School Journal Office. Having been away for nearly half a month, he finally returned to his work unit. But because there were no students, the update cycle of the school journal became longer, and the workload was greatly reduced, so everyone was slacking off and had no serious business.

So Wei Ming planned to continue asking for leave to run the house procedures.

Wei Ming also told Yang Hao, who had a good relationship with him, that a clothing store was about to open in Xidan recently, and he could go there to shoot material.

"Oh, okay, when?"

"The 16th."

On the 16th, "Lushan Love" officially landed in cities like Yanjing and Modou.

Wei Ming bought tickets for the evening and made an appointment with Zhu Lin to watch it together.

However, at noon, he rode his motorcycle to her unit to pick her up.

And at eight o'clock in the morning, Oriental Dongfang Xintiandi had already opened its doors for business. However, Wei Ming didn't come over at that time. He was slacking off and writing novels at his unit.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Yang Hao hung his camera and rode his bicycle to Xidan Street. Wei Ming said that the new shop without a signboard was the one he was talking about.

Actually, it was quite easy to find. After all, he came here often. Arriving outside the shop, there were already many customers who walked in out of curiosity.

In this area of Xidan, even on weekdays, there are many idlers. Let alone opening a shop here, even opening a paid toilet could make a lot of money.

And what made people most curious was that two beauties in unified uniforms were standing at the door. Because their Mandarin was not standard enough, Xiao Hong and Xu Yunyun had to act as greeters.

However, because of their high appearance, they were still very attractive. Many male customers walked in while looking.

Yang Hao was still rational. He also noticed that a few large characters were posted at the door: "20% off the whole store during the trial operation from the 16th to the 19th!".

"Trial operation?"

Yang Hao understood what it meant soon after hearing the fresh vocabulary and pondering it.

Oh, so it was a trial operation. No wonder there was no big fanfare, and the signboard wasn't lit up.

After going in, Yang Hao's first feeling was that it was bright. Three women in the same clothes were greeting customers with smiles, introducing clothes to them.

And the one responsible for collecting money and bookkeeping at the counter was Mei Mei Wenhua himself.

He had already started collecting money. Today was the trial operation. He originally thought that it would be enough to earn back the rent and employee wages, but he didn't expect the customers to be so enthusiastic. In just one hour of opening, three pairs of men's jeans, one women's top, and one scarf had already been sold, and the turnover had just broken 100 yuan!

Even with a 20% discount, the profit was still amazing. At this speed, today's profit would definitely not be lower than one hundred.

Looking at Mei Mei Wenhua, who was showing his big teeth and was happy from the bottom of his heart, Yang Hao exclaimed: Damn, so it was him!

They were all Wei Ming's friends. Yang Hao certainly knew Mei Mei Wenhua and had also heard that he had resigned.

He was just about to sigh that Mei Mei Wenhua had courage and was going to be successful, when Yang Hao suddenly reacted. Wait, who is the real boss of this shop?

(Guaranteed yesterday! Seeking monthly tickets!)

(End of chapter)