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Chapter 1095 The Death of a Small Household, the So-Called Nobleman

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The lighter's grinding wheel made a soft scratching sound, and a burst of flame leaped up.

After the two found a quiet place to talk, Lao Tian accepted his beloved apprentice's specially provided giant panda without any hesitation.

In today's martial arts world, there are probably not many people who can get the Grand Commander of Jiangdong to personally light their cigarettes.

And Lao Tian happened to be one of them.

Zhou Yutang also joined in, which was quite rare for him.

Chen Duling turned her head and glanced at the firelight that was being held in place by a hand, and it flickered and then went out.

The boss's stern profile seemed to be shrouded in a hazy light amidst the rising mist.

Tian Zhuangzhuang leaned back on the single sofa, a cigarette with a purple filter between his fingers, listening quietly.

"The protagonist of the story is Xiao Hu, a left-behind child in a rural area in northern China. His parents work away from home all year round, and he grew up with his grandmother."

“Xiao Hu was not good at studying. After graduating from high school, he barely passed the entrance exam for a junior college, but dropped out after half a year.”

“He thought about joining the army. For a family like his, joining the army was a way out. Unfortunately, he failed the physical examination because of his nearsightedness. He also wanted to take the civil service exam, but he couldn’t even get into the interview stage. He struggled until he was 22 years old, but still hadn’t accomplished anything.”

"Later, Xiao Hu followed the villagers to the city to try his luck. He first worked as an apprentice in a car repair shop, but after a year he found it too tiring, so he went to deliver food. However, he fell off his electric bike in the winter, lay in bed for half a month, and then quit."

After years of aimless wandering, this small-time entrepreneur, unwilling to succumb to despair, suddenly started posting videos online, hoping to ride the wave of the internet boom.

"What video should I post?" Tian Zhuangzhuang finally asked.

"It's basically a comparison between abroad and China. The air abroad is sweeter, and the moon is rounder than in China."

Zhou Yutang exhaled a smoke ring and continued:

"He actually managed to build up the account."

"and after?"

Hearing this, Lao Tian nodded slightly and glanced at his beloved disciple across from him.

He didn't find anything amazing about it; it was just the growth experience of an ordinary person.

After a pause, Zhou Yutang continued, "He monetized his traffic, earning tens of thousands a month. In a small county, that would be considered a success. He married a reformed foot masseuse."

"The two got married. Xiao Hu decided to expand and strengthen the account, and began to create more intense confrontation and spread anxiety. As a result, he crossed the red line of Internet regulation and his account was banned overnight."

"Xiao Hu's world collapsed, but not completely, because he came into contact with virtual currency that could change his life."

"cryptocurrency?"

"this."

Seeing the huge question mark on Lao Tian's forehead, Zhou Yutang rubbed his temples and patiently explained:
"It's a kind of digital asset online, with prices that fluctuate wildly, and some people have become rich overnight because of it."

"Is it that Bitcoin that was mentioned in the news?"

Old Tian suddenly realized.

"Yes, that's it."

Zhou Yutang hadn't expected that Old Tian would actually be so up-to-date; bringing it up again like this wouldn't be troublesome at all.
“Xiao Hu invested all his savings, even borrowing money and taking out loans, going all in. As a result, the cryptocurrency crashed, and all his savings were lost. He also incurred millions of dollars in debt due to the loans.”

"Poverty-stricken couples face endless sorrows. They argued every day at home. His wife, even while pregnant, insisted on a divorce. In the end, he lost the baby, and the marriage ended in divorce."

"Xiao Hu became increasingly irritable. He always felt that the domestic environment was too restrictive, which prevented him from achieving the success he deserved. So he thought about going to America, his dream paradise, but he couldn't even get a visa, so he had to find ways to sneak over there."

"After many hardships, he finally made it to America."

"On the day he arrived in America, he tore his passport to shreds, cutting off all his escape routes, and celebrating his newfound life in heaven."

Hearing Xiao Hu eating discounted donuts, planning his future fortune, and singing hymns to America, Lao Tian's expression changed slightly.

As he listened, Lao Tian forgot about smoking.

Life in paradise is not as wonderful as Xiao Hu imagined.

Because they are unregistered residents, small businesses can only do the most basic jobs.

However, life is full of unexpected events. After a traffic accident, Xiao Hu was plunged into despair because the second-hand car he bought on loan was uninsured.
The ensuing torrent of medical bills and violence at the bottom of society.
The last remaining family members became homeless in paradise, forced to sleep on park benches and wait in line for church charity food.
That winter was very cold. Xiao Hu closed his eyes forever, and his favorite donuts rolled onto the ground.
But the sky remained as clear and blue as ever, and the air was filled with the spirit of freedom.

No one knows if Xiao Hu is dead; there is no longer any news about him online.

Three years later, the cryptocurrencies that had caused small investors to lose their positions surged again, reaching several hundred times their original value.
"What's the name of this notebook?"

Old Tian asked, somewhat unsatisfied, "It's a good story, but it seems like something's missing?"

Chen Duling, who was standing next to her, glanced over with her beautiful eyes.

"We haven't decided on a name yet; it's just a rough outline at the moment."

Zhou Yutang leaned back into the sofa, relaxed but with clear eyes. "Many details, including the entry point, need to be carefully refined. I would like to ask you, teacher, for your advice."

"That's interesting."

Tian Zhuangzhuang was silent for a moment, then slowly exhaled: "When do you plan to do it?"

"There's no rush now."

Zhou Yutang's answer was unexpected: "It would be best to wait a few more years."

"In a few more years?"

Old Tian nodded with some surprise: "You can totally take over this project yourself."

"I'll forget it."

Zhou Yutang stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray on the luxurious stone coffee table, a gentle smile playing on his lips.

"Once I finish up the projects I have on hand next year, I plan to spend more time with my daughter."

Tian Zhuangzhuang was slightly taken aback.

The fact that the King of Rolls suddenly stopped rolling made him feel a little uneasy.

Zhou Yutang chuckled softly, "After thinking about it, I think it's most suitable for you, teacher, to do this project."

Upon hearing this, Tian Zhuangzhuang fell into a long silence.

His brows furrowed for a long while before, as if he had made up his mind, he casually stubbed out the cigarette that had burned out.

"it is good."

Old Tian uttered a single word, crisp and decisive: "I can make this notebook."

"That's exactly what I've been waiting for you to say."

Zhou Yutang's smile also relaxed.

……

The hustle and bustle has come to an end.

After arranging for a driver to take Tian Zhuangzhuang away, Chen Duling followed Zhou Yutang into the familiar black Maybach.

Gazing at Zhou Yutang's profile through the soft light from the car roof, she suddenly felt a little dazed.

There seemed to be a mysterious aura surrounding their boss.

It's hazy and indistinct, making it hard to see clearly, yet it's also alluring and makes people want to explore it.

"Beep beep?"

"Eh?"

"We'll connect to the film crew via video in five minutes."

Chen Duling quickly made an OK sign when her thoughts were interrupted by Zhou Yutang's gentle call.

After quickly sending the notification message, she twirled her soft black hair with her slender fingers and finally couldn't help but ask, "Boss, when did you make this notebook?"

"Just recently, I had a dream, and after waking up, I suddenly had an inspiration."

Zhou Yutang looked down, seemingly texting some woman.

"Then you must be a dreamer."

Chen Duling maintained a polite smile on her face, but inwardly rolled her eyes. Having worked for Zhou Yutang for several years, she was well aware of her boss's habits.

Generally speaking, when a creative idea flashes into my mind, I immediately write it down and save it for when I need it later.

"Go and inform the floor planner that the creative center should cooperate with Lao Tian to ensure the script is completed properly."

"Okay, I'll make arrangements right away."

As the helmsman of an entertainment behemoth with a market value of over 100 billion, it is no exaggeration to say that Governor Zhou is extremely busy.

With my schedule packed every day, it's impossible to personally polish every script like I used to.

Even with "Mulan," he only grasped the core concept and overall direction, leaving the specific scriptwriting to the screenwriting team at the creative center.

The same applies to this notebook.

The story about the small household had left Lao Tian speechless for a long time.

Chen Duling also felt that the aftereffects were extremely strong.

It is said that the sixth generation of Chinese directors, represented by Jia Zhangke, are good at focusing their lenses on the grassroots and marginalized groups during the social transformation period, which touches people's hearts.

Then, it is depicted using so-called documentary aesthetics techniques.
In professional terms, it is a process of simultaneously recording the evolution of the nation, but it also raises questions about whether it is for winning awards or catering to Western preconceived notions about China.

In Chen Duling's opinion, it was not as good as the story of the small family that Zhou Yutang told tonight. It seemed to be just the tragedy of an ordinary person, and was rather unremarkable.

However, upon closer examination, one can clearly sense that it also conveys the specific experiences of individuals within the torrent of history.

However, Zhou Yutang's perspective is undoubtedly more expansive, as he makes a horizontal comparison of the living conditions of the lower classes in both Eastern and Western societies.

On his way home, Zhou Yutang managed his time perfectly, listening to Rao Xiaozhi report on the crew's work progress.

I took leave from the film crew this time because I was urgently summoned by my superiors.

Today the Huabiao ceremony concludes, and tomorrow morning I'll be flying directly to Wuzhen to attend the World Internet Conference.

Rao Xiaozhi is known for his composure, and the remaining scenes in the studio went without any major mishaps.

After Zhou Yutang returned from Wuzhen, he met directly with the crew in Chongqing to continue location shooting.

After explaining the subsequent arrangements for the production crew, I chatted with my secretary for a bit during my free time, and the topic turned to Bitcoin.

Chen Duling was still bothered: "Boss, cryptocurrencies are really hot right now, but it seems like they've already dropped quite a bit."

"You didn't sell the one you have, did you?"

Zhou Yutang asked a question.

"I haven't sold it yet, but I plan to sell it after the New Year when the price goes up."

Chen Duling couldn't help but ask, "Boss, are you very optimistic about it?"

Bitcoin has plummeted by more than 80% from its peak of $17500 this year, and is currently trading at around $3000.

The industry is in despair, with countless people pessimistic, calling it the crypto winter.

"Are you short of money?"

"Not too much."

Chen Duling blinked and answered truthfully.

As the Grand Commander's female secretary, in addition to her high-level salary, she also had a social media account to manage, from which she received a considerable share of the profits.

They may not be extremely wealthy, but among their peers, they are definitely rare.

"If you don't need it, just take it and don't touch it. Don't be like the greyhound."

Zhou Yutang offered a slight suggestion: "Looking back in a few years, there might be some pleasant surprises."

"Ah."

Chen Duling couldn't help but smirk.

It is said that when one person succeeds, the whole family will prosper.

This sentiment was perfectly embodied in the Grand Commander of Jiangdong.

Take cryptocurrencies for example. Zhou Yutang was interested in playing with them for a while a few years ago, but then he abandoned them and handed them over to a professional investment company.

On the contrary, his good brother Zhang Ruojun perfectly embodies what it means to be both bad at the game and love to play.

After years of back-and-forth trading, I went from having a thousand or so Bitcoins to just a few dozen, but I still made a hefty profit of several hundred thousand US dollars.
It's said that it's hard to find a mentor, and sometimes the right choices are indeed more important than hard work.

As the Grand Commander's secretary, Chen Duling truly understood the significance of those words.

In this position, she often has access to information that ordinary people would never have access to.

That is the wealth code that allows ordinary people to achieve upward social mobility.

……

"The Jiangdong faction stands out with the Huabiao Award! The award was presented personally by the leaders of Longxuan, a truly prestigious honor!"

"Half of the domestic entertainment industry is now under our control! Governor Zhou delivers a speech with three blockbuster films, aiming to take control of the industry's future!"

"In the 40th anniversary of reform and opening up, the history of China's film development has been rewritten, and the order of the three major domestic entertainment awards has been reshaped!"

"."

Just as Zhou Yutang boarded the plane heading south, news about last night's Huabiao Awards had already swept the headlines of the entertainment sections of major portal websites.

Forum posts and Weibo trending topics are all buzzing about this annual film and television extravaganza.

In fact, the appearance of the frequently-visited TV tycoon Long Xuan and the long-awaited return of Governor Zhou to the Huabiao Awards ceremony are just some of the reasons why this event was held.

It's clear that the higher-ups attach far more importance to this award than ever before.

On their journey south, Chen Duling and Mao Xiaoyu were enthusiastically following the latest gossip in the entertainment industry.

It is said that a member of a former popular idol group in Taiwan was exposed for dating three men at the same time, shattering the illusions of countless fans.

"Tsk tsk, three? You can actually eat that?"

Zhou Yutang peeked at the tablet screen and was immediately alarmed by what he saw, his brows furrowing.

"How can I be involved in something like this?"

This group debuted in the same year as him and was quite popular.

Back then, as rising stars, they inevitably met at award ceremonies and banquets, and even took photos together.

They were originally completely unrelated, but now that this guy has come out of the closet, the way he looked at him with such longing back then... it's become somewhat complicated.

Outrageous gossip such as "the two had a past relationship" began to circulate.

The Jiangdong PR team might turn a blind eye to ordinary gossip, but when it comes to this kind of thing, they will definitely strike hard.

Thanks to her boss's 100% participation in the group, Chen Duling was forced to work overtime all night. She forced a smile and said:

"Boss, Manager Xu from the public relations department reported that many of the registered IPs are from Taiwan."

The recent downfall of the Golden Horse Awards by the Grand Marshal, coupled with the rising status of mainland awards, has clearly made some people in the Taiwan film and television industry uneasy.

If they don't have the courage to confront Governor Zhou head-on, do they not have the guts to smear him from the shadows?
No matter how influential Zhou is in mainland China, he can't extend his reach into the entertainment industry in Taiwan.

However, for Zhou Yutang, these clowns were not worth his time.

With the Jiangdong PR team and the media channels controlled by the Jiangdong Group, they are more than capable of handling such a small-scale event.

As the year draws to a close, the film and television industry is becoming increasingly lively.

While Governor Zhou was heading south to Wuzhen, La Peikang was putting all his effort into planning for the Spring Festival film season, and another major project by China Film Group was also officially announced to have started filming.

In other words, Tsui Hark personally directed the film, and Wu Jing, Zhang Yi, Zhang Ziyi, Jing Boran, Hu Ge, and Wang Jingchun starred in the main cast of the patriotic commercial film "The Climbers," which is adapted from the true historical events of the Chinese mountaineering team's two ascents of Mount Everest in 1960 and 1975!
It's worth mentioning that Hong Kong media previously reported extensively that after breaking up with Huayi Brothers, Xu Ke was preparing to take a break and travel with his girlfriend to relax.

As a result, the head of China Film Group visited Hong Kong three times and finally persuaded this genius director to come out of retirement.

When Zhou Yutang came across the film and television news on Toutiao, he just watched for the fun of it.

However, upon seeing Wu Jing, it suddenly seemed as if something came to mind.
(End of this chapter)