1990: Starting from Baojia Street

After the three of them returned to the studio, Zhou Yan first had someone arrange a few offices for Xiao Can to be used as crew offices. Now, whenever their studio is shooting a new movie, they will arrange additional crew offices.

Afterwards, he returned to his office and called Xu Feng, telling her that Xiao Can was going to shoot a new movie.

After hearing this, Xu Feng said without hesitation, "Just do as you say. I'll report to the company later. Although Director Xiao hasn't worked with you the longest, he has made a lot of efforts in the previous two films, so we can't treat him unfairly."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "It's mainly because I think his script is pretty good, otherwise I wouldn't have gone for it."

Although Zhou Yan is very willing to help people around him, he will not help without any bottom line. The other party must have certain talents before Zhou Yan will give him a platform.

Logically speaking, after all these years, the person Zhou Yan should have promoted the most is Li Hong, because Li Hong has been with Zhou Yan since his first feature film and is a real veteran.

However, Zhou Yan has not allowed Li Hong to take charge of a project on his own until now, because Li Hong does not have the talent to direct a film independently, and he is more suitable to be an assistant to others.

Of course, Zhou Yan did not treat Li Hong unfairly. In the entire film studio, Li Hong was treated the best, and he was also the deputy director of the director department. His development was no worse than that of other directors, it was just in a different direction.

Zhou Yan’s future plan for Li Hong certainly cannot be just an assistant director, or the director of the directing department.

In Zhou Yan's plan, Li Hong would eventually become a producer.

Although Li Hong is not suitable to be the chief director, he definitely has the potential to be a producer, and is also suitable for working with directors who have artistic talent but lack management skills.

There are many directors like this, who are talented and have ideas. However, making a movie requires more than just ideas and artistic talent.

Just like Chen Kaige, no one can deny that Chen Kaige is a talented director, but he is always unable to produce good works because he lacks a producer who can help him solve problems and correct his direction.

Of course, it’s not that Chen Kaige can’t find such a producer, it’s just that he is too arrogant now and won’t listen to anyone.

"I also went to Yanjing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama today and saw a lot of talented people. Sister Feng, are you interested in signing them?" Zhou Yan talked about his trip to school today.

Xu Feng smiled and said, "Let's not sign new people. Mainly because we don't have the energy to do such things. At this stage, our company still needs to focus on you and the band. Oh, yes, and Akina Nakamori. If we sign more, we won't be able to handle it."

Zhou Yan nodded. This was indeed Xu Feng’s usual approach.

Originally, Tang Chen had no artist development business, nor did it have a music business. Xu Feng opened these two sections for Zhou Yan. Initially, these two sections only served Zhou Yan.

However, Xu Feng did not expect that Zhou Yan’s development would be so good. Now a large part of their company’s income comes from music.

At first, Zhou Yan was the only one who made money, but now there is Akina Nakamori.

Akina Nakamori became popular again in Japan because of "Snow Flower". Now her business is developing very well and is gradually bringing substantial profits to Tang Chen.

"Since you are not interested, Sister Feng, I will ask my brother to pay attention to it."

"This is too much hassle. Why not just sign them to your own studio? If they sign with Zhou Entertainment, these students will be in Yanjing, and they will still have to contact your studio for specific business matters. Why add this extra process in between?"

“My studio doesn’t have an artist department yet.”

"Then build one. It's not a big deal. Besides, you can have school-enterprise cooperation with the Central Conservatory of Music, so why not with the Central Academy of Drama? Build an artist development department, and then have school-enterprise cooperation with these schools to bring students to your studio in advance."

Zhou Yan raised his eyebrows. Xu Feng really gave him some ideas. He could indeed consider establishing a school-enterprise cooperation with the Central Academy of Drama. After all, he had the conditions to do so.

Moreover, if the school-enterprise offices of Yenching Film Academy, Central Academy of Drama and Central Conservatory of Music were combined together, a complete film industry chain could basically be formed.

Zhou Yan provides them with a platform so that students can get in touch with projects as soon as possible and grow rapidly.

"Sister Feng, what you said really makes sense. We can indeed establish a school-enterprise cooperation with them."

"Really? You are the only one who has the conditions at this stage. But this thing is mainly about cultivating talents. It's not easy to make money on your own. The fear is that after you have cultivated talents, they will run away to other people's homes."

"It doesn't matter. Even if he runs away, I won't lose anything." Zhou Yan said with a smile.

"Of course you won't lose much money, but you will waste your energy. So I say, only you can do this. You have the money, the ideas, the equipment, and the reputation. It would be impossible for someone else to do it."

"It's not that exaggerated. If anyone really wants to do it, they can definitely do it."

"That price is much higher than yours."

"That's true."

"Okay, I'll take care of Director Xiao's affairs. Is there anything else?"

"Gone."

"That's it, I'll tell you when I have new box office data for 'Time Traveler'."

"Ok."

……

After hanging up the phone with Xu Feng, Zhou Yan got up and prepared to go to the cafeteria to eat, but as soon as he got up, Liu Hang knocked on his office door.

Seeing Liu Hang, Zhou Yan smiled and said, "You came at the right time. I have two things to tell you. The first thing is that Director Xiao Can is preparing to shoot a new movie. I have asked someone to arrange an office for him. If he needs anything else, please try to cooperate."

"Well, I just heard about this. Don't worry, boss. I will definitely treat Director Xiao like the director of our studio and cooperate with him to the fullest."

"I'm confident in your work." Zhou Yan nodded and said, "The second thing is that a group of teachers and students from the Central Academy of Drama will come to our school tomorrow. Please make arrangements for them."

"Approximately how many people?"

"There are four or five teachers, and I estimate there are 50 to 80 students."

"Come here in the morning?"

"Come in the afternoon. You don't have to prepare lunch, just dinner."

"Okay, I understand. I'll arrange it in a moment."

"Well, what do you want to see me about?"

"I came here mainly to ask about Director Xiao's new movie. In addition, the office for school-enterprise cooperation has been decided and will be placed in Building No. 4. The room has been simply renovated. Boss, do you want to go and take a look?"

"Forget about it today. I'll go and see it tomorrow. Since you mentioned this, let me tell you that there may be other school-enterprise cooperation projects in the future, so you can arrange for someone to build two more offices in advance."

"Are you collaborating with the Central Academy of Drama?" Liu Hang asked.

The Central Academy of Drama will come to visit the studio tomorrow. Zhou Yan mentioned the idea of ​​adding more school-enterprise cooperation projects. Liu Hang naturally thought that this new school-enterprise cooperation project would be a collaboration with the Central Academy of Drama.

"It's possible, but it's not confirmed yet. Just be prepared."

"clear."

"Is there anything else?"

"There's nothing else to do... Did you know that Ms. Nakamori came to the studio?"

Zhou Yan asked in surprise, "Today?"

"He came yesterday."

"What is she here for?"

"It seems like there's going to be some kind of event tomorrow. I came here mainly to practice singing these past two days. I thought you knew about this, boss."

It was normal for Liu Hang to think so. Akina Nakamori had a very good relationship with Shizuka Kudo, and Zhou Yan also had a very good relationship with Shizuka Kudo. Moreover, Zhou Yan also wrote a popular song for Akina Nakamori. He naturally thought that Zhou Yan and Akina Nakamori also had a good personal relationship.

Since Akina Nakamori came to Yanjing, Zhou Yan should know about it. But after Akina Nakamori came yesterday, Zhou Yan did not move in the office, and ran out today. Liu Hang knew that Zhou Yan should not know about it.

"Has she never left, or has she come to Yanjing again?"

Before the writers' congress, Akina Nakamori came to the studio, and Zhou Yan went to see her at that time. But he never saw her again after that, and he didn't know whether she left or not.

"Left, and back again."

Zhou Yan nodded and thought about it. If Akina Nakamori hadn't left, she would have attended the premiere of "Time Traveler".

……

After dinner, Zhou Yan went to practice room No. 2.

Akina Nakamori was practicing her voice alone in the practice room. When Zhou Yan pushed the door open, she was practicing her high notes. When she saw Zhou Yan, her voice stopped abruptly.

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Sorry to bother you while you're practicing your voice."

"No, I was about to end it." said Akina Nakamori.

Zhou Yan was a little surprised. Less than twenty days had passed since their last meeting, and Akina Nakamori's Chinese had improved again.

She speaks even more fluently now than the last time we met.

Sure enough, the more I come to China, the faster my language skills improve.

"You are still alone, where is Ida Chengzi?"

"She has already gone back. I asked her to pick me up in the evening."

"Don't do it too late, it will be unsafe."

"okay, thank you."

"You're welcome. Just treat this place like your own home. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Everything is going very well. I don't need anything else."

Zhou Yan nodded, "Okay, I won't bother you anymore."

After saying that, Zhou Yan smiled, then turned and left.

……

When Zhou Yan was in the office until half past eight, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in."

The door was pushed open and Akina Nakamori stood at the door.

Seeing that it was Akina Nakamori, Zhou Yan was a little surprised, "Ms. Nakamori, what can I do for you?"

Akina Nakamori pursed her lips, looking very embarrassed, "Teacher Zhou, could you please find someone to take me back? Chengzi's car broke down on the way."

"What's the problem? Do you need help?"

"No need to help, she has already asked someone to tow the car for her. Although she said she would come back after towing it away, I still asked her to deal with the car first."

Zhou Yan nodded, "No problem, I'll take you back."

Akina Nakamori said quickly, "You don't have to send me there in person, just ask someone else to send me there."

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "At this time, all the drivers have gone off work, so I am the only one who can take you there."

"Then...I'm sorry to trouble you."

"I already told you, you're welcome."

Zhou Yan took the key, put on his clothes, and walked out with Nakamori Akina, "Are you still staying at the Asahi Wind Hotel?"

"Yeah, I still live there."

"That's not far."

As they talked, the two walked out the door.

Just then a gust of cold wind blew by, and Akina Nakamori suddenly hugged her arms and shivered.

Only then did Zhou Yan notice that she was only wearing a thin coat on her upper body and a woolen dress underneath. The hem of the dress just reached her knees, and the area below was completely bare.

Zhou Yan felt cold just looking at her dressed like this.

"Let's go quickly."

Fortunately, the car was parked not far away and I could reach it in just a few steps.

After entering the car, although there was no wind, the seats were cold. Zhou Yan clearly saw Akina Nakamori shivering when she sat down.

Zhou Yan rolled his eyes, lit the fire, then took off his coat and covered Akina Nakamori's legs with it.

After covering it, he tucked the edges in and placed it under Akina Nakamori's legs.

Zhou Yan's series of actions made Akina Nakamori a little flustered. She wanted to refuse, but she swallowed the words back as soon as they came to her lips.

The coat still carried Zhou Yan's body temperature, wrapped around her legs, instantly isolating her from the cold seat, and she began to feel warm.

Just thinking that the warmth on the coat came from Zhou Yan, Akina Nakamori felt a little strange inside. She thought of that night when Zhou Yan hugged her from behind.

Although the temperature in the car did not rise, Akina Nakamori's face had already turned red.

Zhou Yan didn't start the car immediately, but waited until the car was a little warmer before serving the meal.

The distance from the studio to the Asahi Wind Hotel is very short and we arrived there quickly.

After the car arrived at the hotel entrance, Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Ms. Nakamori, we're here."

Akina Nakamori, who was originally in a daze, came to her senses and quickly picked up the coat covering her legs and wanted to give it to Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan smiled and waved his hand, "You put it on first, and give it to me when we get inside."

This time, Akina Nakamori still did not refuse. She nodded gently and got out of the car holding the clothes.

Zhou Yan accompanied Akina Nakamori to the entrance of the hotel lobby and was about to ask her for clothes and then go back. Suddenly Akina Nakamori said, "Do you want to go upstairs and sit for a while?"

After she said this, not only Zhou Yan was stunned, but she herself was also stunned.

Akina Nakamori didn't know why she suddenly said such a thing. On a night like this, inviting a man to her room was too easy to make people have bad associations.

I just want to thank him for sending me back, and I don’t mean anything else. I’m sure he won’t think too much about it, Akina Nakamori tried to convince herself.

Zhou Yan was a little confused about Akina Nakamori's thoughts. This woman was avoiding him before, so why was she suddenly saying such things now?
Just as the two fell into silence, a firework exploded in the air, and its light illuminated their faces.

Zhou Yan didn't look up, but he had already seen the shape of the fireworks, because the fireworks also bloomed in Akina Nakamori's eyes. (End of this chapter)