Reborn: Billionaire in College

For Chen Pingjiang, this year's Chinese New Year is naturally much more lively than last year.

Last year, three families of six people had New Year’s Eve dinner together, this year the number has increased to seven.

After getting up early, Chen Pingjiang put on a bright red Tang suit, looking very heroic.

"Another year has passed, and I'm 27 already." Chen Pingjiang pinched his son's rosy little face, then picked up the bottle and started feeding him.

It was not until the little guy could no longer drink that Chen Pingjiang took away the bottle and picked up his son for a walk in the yard.

It was only the morning, but Zhongshan Villa was already bustling with activity. The nannies and chefs were busy as they had begun preparing the New Year's Eve dinner.

After thinking about it, Chen Pingjiang called Zhai Fei to inquire about the progress of the filming.

Although he did not inquire about the specific operation of MCN, he knew that the first video would be about the New Year's Eve dinner and he was very interested in it.

What makes people even more curious is how much energy Li Ziqi can unleash once her team is complete.

…………

Mianyang, Sichuan and Chongqing.

Li Ziqi's farmyard is decorated with lights and big red lanterns hung high.

But if you look closely, you can see different camera positions in multiple places.

There are cameras carried by professional photographers, mobile phones tied to tree trunks, and even camera positions on the stove chopping board.

After a long period of practice, Liziqi has already been able to prepare a New Year's Eve dinner by herself, and she can complete it within the time limit, and it also makes the food look good, fragrant and delicious.

The most nervous and stressed person is undoubtedly Zhai Fei. Whether his first video can become a hit will largely determine the future ceiling of his personal career.

He knew very well that the boss had given him an opportunity, and it was up to him whether he could seize it.

Fortunately, there was no stopping and starting today, and Liziqi was completely allowed to express herself freely, and she finished it almost in one take.

Shots that are not so aesthetically pleasing will be replaced with those prepared earlier during post-editing, and it must be ensured that there are no mistakes.

For example, costumes, makeup, and props should be consistent.

"Will there be enough time?" Zhai Fei was sweating. "The video must be uploaded before 3 or 4 pm. Any later and the effect will be reduced."

Editor Xiao Liu patted his chest and said, "Definitely no problem. I divided all the editors into groups, and each person is responsible for one dish. Now the editors from the outsourcing companies in MY City and CD City are sitting in the office waiting for the materials.

On the other side, the cameraman also comforted: "Aren't these the last two dishes left? It's only 11 a.m., there's always enough time."

It's not easy for these people. They basically get up at dawn and start today's shooting tasks.

Fortunately, the early stages of the process were well coordinated and almost nothing was delayed.

Editor Xiao Liu chuckled and joked, "If you ask me, President Zhai, you are too strict and demanding. In fact, we have already filmed it earlier, so isn't it just right to release it today? There is no need to rush it."

"This is not the first time we have discussed this issue. During the first shoot, I was more inclined to set high standards, strict requirements and strong involvement," Zhai Fei explained.

Many people in the group had similar opinions, but he and Liziqi were the only ones who insisted on their own opinions and wanted to better fit the timeline.

About half an hour later, a "click" sound was heard, and as a long shot was completed and Li Ziqi brought the last dish to the table, the main shooting was completed.

The footage that was shot was then distributed via the Internet and the editors got to work.

"We went to the county town to take some pictures of the New Year atmosphere for later use."

This was discussed before the shoot, as everyone wanted to capture the authentic Chinese New Year atmosphere.

New Year means new clothes and shoes, red lanterns, firecrackers and fireworks...

Only in this way can the authentic New Year’s Eve dinner atmosphere be highlighted.

…………

"Last year, fireworks were only allowed to be set off at certain times, places and types, but at least they could be set off at night. This year, they are basically banned in the city. As a result, the New Year atmosphere has been reduced a lot."

Chen Pingjiang sighed while drinking tea.

Yan Liming smiled bitterly and shook his head: "It's like this in Dongjiang City, and it's like this in Hecheng. We know that the people have opinions. Everyone says that if we can't set off firecrackers during the New Year, it will lose the flavor of the New Year and wipe out the tradition. The government is also in a difficult position. It's not good to ban it, and it's not good not to ban it either."

"Nowadays, urban buildings are getting taller and taller, and the population is relatively dense. The setting off of high-altitude fireworks is very likely to cause fires, directly endangering the safety of people's lives and property. In the past, the frequency of fire brigade dispatching police during the Spring Festival was more than three times the usual. Moreover, in the process of setting off fireworks, the slightest carelessness can cause injuries and disabilities, most of which are injuries to the face, eyes, fingers, etc. This time of year is also the busiest time for hospitals in previous years."

“Not to mention the noise pollution, the smog in Dongjiang was quite serious in the middle of this year. I guess the city government discussed it for a long time before making the decision.”

Chen Guangming smiled and said, "Old Yan, you are making excuses for Dongjiang and yourself. In short, you both have your reasons and your own difficulties. But no matter what, the New Year atmosphere is indeed much less now than before. I have been too lazy to watch the Spring Festival Gala in the past two years. The more I watch, the less interesting it is. Since Zhao Benshan and his group stopped performing, the skits nowadays are well performed at the beginning, but they have to mess with people's mentality at the end, make the audience cry, and make people think deeply."

"The first Spring Festival Gala was broadcast live in 83. I was not very old at that time. I clearly remember that on New Year's Eve of that year, I rode my bicycle for half an hour to the next town to watch the Spring Festival Gala. At that time, there was a phone-on-demand service. All the actors sat around a round table in the front row, and whoever the audience called would go on stage to perform. Later, in 87, I got married and bought a 14-inch Panda color TV. That year, the neighbors gathered together to watch Fei Xiang's Spring Festival Gala."

Yan Liming smiled and continued, "A Fire in Winter?"

"Yes! Women were crazy about it at that time. Fei Xiang became famous overnight." Chen Guangming nodded. "Later in 95, Yang Yuying sang the song "Tell You Gently" on the Spring Festival Gala. It was also very nice."

Chen Pingjiang listened to the two old men reminiscing about the past and asked curiously, "Didn't Yang Yuying appear on CCTV in 92?"

The old man rolled his eyes and said, "Can you know better than me? She was on 'Revolving Stage' in 92. For many years, people were shocked by her delicate features. She wore a light yellow dress and sang beautifully. I still remember she sang 'Tea Mountain Love Song'. You were only this old at that time."

Chen Guangming made a gesture.

"Hey, Dad, you were also a star chaser? Does my mom know?"

"Your mom? Your mom likes it too."

Yan Liming agreed, "It's not surprising. She was incredibly popular in that era. Our entire camp watched this song on Liaodong TV and the whole place was in complete silence. There were no sound cards, no beauty filters, and no colored contact lenses in that era. This is what it means to be beautiful and sing. At that time, I smiled and said that if I shook hands with Yang Yuying, I would not want to wash my hands for a week."

"In the north, there is Yang Yuying, and in the south, there is Teresa Teng."

It was quite interesting to see the young and old chatting about the past.

Especially the past that Chen Pingjiang, at his age, had never known.

Perhaps the reason why the New Year atmosphere was so strong in the past was because of a certain degree of material scarcity and delayed information transmission.

Nowadays, everyone lives in high-rise buildings, and relatives don’t visit each other as often. Many times, a New Year’s greeting phone call can solve the problem.

Especially after the emergence of mobile phones and the Internet, there is an invisible layer of alienation between people.

"Okay, gentlemen, stop chatting, come out, wash your hands and prepare for the New Year's Eve dinner." Soon, Xu Fangjuan's voice was heard outside the house.

Chen Pingjiang looked at the time, it was four o'clock, so he took out his mobile phone, opened Douyin, and turned to Li Ziqi's homepage.

Fortunately! The first video - "New Year's Eve Dinner" has been uploaded.

………………

The beginning of the video is very poetic.

The morning light was just beginning to appear when photographed at the top of the mountain. The sky in the distance had just turned red, and the surroundings were still a little dim. The clouds were low hanging, as if covering the top of the mountain.

This was followed by the crowing of a rooster.

What a beautiful picture! The morning sun is shining, the rooster is crowing, awakening the sleeping earth.

Chen Pingjiang couldn't stop nodding, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Let's go, your mother is calling you to eat." Chen Guangming was curious why his son was still sitting still, so he urged him again.

"Take a look at this video, it was made by the company under me. It can be considered a New Year's short film." Chen Pingjiang smiled and pulled the two old men to watch it together.

The camera turned and Li Ziqi, who was dreaming, heard her mother-in-law calling her. She struggled to get up and rubbed her sleepy eyes.

After washing up, it’s time to write couplets and post Spring Festival couplets.

Every frame of the picture is beautiful, unlike other short videos that are crudely made nowadays. The decorations on the table are also carefully designed to complement the surrounding scenery.

Making fire, picking vegetables, killing chickens, cleaning, the scene progresses in an orderly manner.

"Are you preparing the New Year's Eve dinner?" Yan Liming became interested and leaned over, pulling a chair and sitting down.

Chen Guangming also nodded: "This girl doesn't look very old, but she works very well. She doesn't look like someone who can pose for photos. It's obvious that she works a lot. She looks like an old hand when she sees her cooking oil."

The scene continues to advance, and exquisite dishes are presented one after another.

There is also a touch of worldly affairs in the beauty, and this touch is just right. A little more would make it seem a bit vulgar, and a little less would make it out of touch with reality.

While the meal was being prepared, the sound of firecrackers and fireworks outside the house added to the festive atmosphere.

"This chopped pepper fish head looks delicious. Have you ever made it at home? Especially the sizzling sound when the oil is poured on at the end. It's amazing."

“The presentation is also very exquisite, and the sound of firecrackers is a good omen.”

"Garlic vermicelli shrimp? You gave it an artistic name by arranging the dish, Blooming Fortune and Flowers?"

"These four balls are called Fu Lu Shou Xi, which means good fortune."

…………

"What are you guys looking at? You seem so engrossed in it." Mother-in-law Li Yuhua came over curiously and looked at the three grown men huddled together staring at their cell phone screens.

The video has been played to the point where the New Year’s Eve dinner is ready.

The scene changed, and Liziqi packed up some food and sent it to the lonely elderly people nearby, which made people feel warm in their hearts.

Before the New Year's Eve dinner begins, fireworks and firecrackers need to be set off according to Chinese traditional customs.

Amid the crackling sounds of Chinese New Year greetings, brand new red envelopes were given out. At this time, the camera was moved farther away and gradually became blurry.

A line of red floated across the screen.

"I wish you all peace and happiness, and may all your dreams come true." In the foreground of the picture, there is an upside-down "Fu" written on a big red lantern, which means good fortune is coming.

The video ends, leaving people wanting more, and giving them a warm feeling from the bottom of their hearts.

It's unclear.

Is it a beautiful vision for the new year or a remembrance of the past year?

Yan Liming smacked his lips and commented: "The images are beautiful, and the emotions are simple and true. Although it is a simple New Year's Eve dinner, it tells the Chinese culture and tradition vividly. You should vigorously promote videos like this on Douyin."

Chen Guangming also smiled and nodded: "I think it's better than the CCTV New Year program this afternoon. Let's go, let's have the New Year's Eve dinner."

Chen Pingjiang stood up and called Zhai Fei again.

Regardless of what the data is, at least Chen Pingjiang recognizes the quality of this video, and he recognizes even more the work results of Zhai Fei during this period.

He praised the other party a few words on the phone and asked him to keep up the good work.

When he arrived at the living room, Chen Pingjiang saw that everyone was already seated.

There is a table full of sumptuous dishes, steamed, fried, boiled and stir-fried, including anything flying in the sky, running on the ground, and swimming in the water.

With his parents, elders, and lovely wife by his side, and his infant son in his arms, Chen Pingjiang felt a warm feeling in his heart.

“Is it downloaded here?”

"Yes, that's it."

Li Yuhua, who was sitting opposite, was fiddling with her mobile phone and downloading Tik Tok under the guidance of her husband Yan Liming.

She just took a look at it and found it interesting. She wanted to join in and share the joy.

Yan Yan, dressed in a red cheongsam, is charming and bright. She looks more maternal, festive and graceful than any fairy in the past.

As usual, she filled the glasses of wine for her elders and husband, then handed them to Chen Pingjiang and smiled: "Is this the MCN you mentioned before? It's up and running so quickly, and the videos have been uploaded."

Chen Pingjiang's eyes were full of affection, and he nodded with a smile: "It's out, you can take a look later, I'm quite satisfied."

"You always have such good taste. Tomorrow I'm going to watch the Lunar New Year movie produced by Senior Wan's company. It's called "Ex-Files", right?"

As he was speaking, his mother-in-law Li Yuhua also interrupted and asked, "I've seen all the publicity online recently, and I understand. It must have cost a lot of money to make a movie like this? But you just put it online for everyone to watch for free?"

"It's not free, it's a great marketing move. My colleagues are all talking about it. It's a pity that this movie is for young people, and we probably won't understand it. Haha."

Xu Fangjuan waved her hand and said, "Let's talk later. The food will soon get cold. I suggest that we raise our glasses together and celebrate the new year."

"Okay, let's have a drink together."

"Happy New Year!"

"Moms and dads, stay healthy!"

"You all need to be happy too, especially my eldest grandson, Xiao Feifei, who also needs to grow up happily and healthily."

"Give the little guy a sip of milk, and let us toast together as a family." (End of this chapter)