Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 74, Section 73: Learning to Meow
On the morning of August 19th, sunlight streamed through the glass windows of Shengying Media's dispatch center office, illuminating even the finest dust particles floating in the air.

Wang Shengzheng and Huo Jianqi were discussing the camera angles and lighting effects for the scene in "Family Harmony Brings Prosperity" where "Grandpa" makes his first appearance dressed as a woman, aiming to convey warmth amidst the humor.

There was a gentle knock on the office door, and Secretary Gao from the factory's Youth League Committee walked in with a warm smile.

"President Wang, Director Huo, are you busy?" Secretary Gao greeted them with a smile.

"Secretary Gao, what brings you here? Please have a seat." Wang Sheng quickly stood up to greet him, and Huo Jianqi also stood up.

"I won't sit down anymore. I just want to say two things." Secretary Gao waved his hand and took out a folder from his briefcase: "Good news, your forum speech on 'Technology Empowering the Development of the Cultural Industry' has been approved!"
The leaders gave it high praise, saying the content was solid, the viewpoints were novel, and it possessed both practical depth and the vigor and vision of young people.

He handed Wang Sheng a document stamped with a red seal: "The forum opens on the morning of the 27th. You are one of the representatives and speakers for the cultural and technological integration topic. Your time limit is 15 minutes. You still have a few days, so practice more and make sure you speak without notes and with conviction."

Wang Sheng took the document, glanced at it quickly, and felt relieved.

"Thank you, Secretary Gao, and thank you to the factory for the recommendation and support. I will definitely prepare diligently and will never let Beijing Film Studio down," Wang Sheng solemnly stated.

"Yes, we trust you." Secretary Gao nodded, his tone softening slightly. "As for the song, it's currently in the expert review stage. The selection process for the theme song of such a large-scale event is complex, with many steps and factors to consider. We'll have to wait for news on which song will be used in the end. However, your song has a top-notch concept, lyrics, and music, so it has a very good chance of being chosen."

"I understand. We should do our best and leave the rest to fate. It's an honor to be able to participate," Wang Sheng said modestly.

Secretary Gao offered a few more words of encouragement before taking his leave, as he still had other matters to coordinate for the forum.

After seeing Secretary Gao off, Wang Sheng and Huo Jianqi continued their work, finalizing the storyboards for several key scenes. Time flew by in their focused concentration, and it was nearly noon before they knew it.

……

After finishing his work in the afternoon, Wang Sheng glanced at the wall clock; it was almost four o'clock.

He remembered Li Xiaoran's phone call yesterday, saying that she was taking a flight back to Beijing this afternoon.

Wang Sheng called his assistant Li Tingting: "Tingting, tell the car team that I need to use that Santana to pick someone up from the airport now."

"Okay, boss."

Li Tingting responded and left.

……

The black Santana drove out of the Beijing Film Studio and merged into the afternoon traffic in Beijing.

The poplar trees lining both sides of the airport expressway rushed past.

Wang Sheng leaned back in the passenger seat, closed his eyes to rest, and went over the preparations for "Harmony Brings Prosperity" in his mind.

He didn't make any special preparations for picking up Li Xiaoran. On the way there, he simply had the driver stop at a newly opened department store and went in to buy her a bracelet.

Upon arriving at the domestic arrivals hall of Beijing Capital International Airport, the flight information board showed that Li Xiaoran's flight, which had just landed from Lucheng and stopped in Hangzhou, had just landed.

Wang Sheng stood at the arrival gate, looking at the bustling crowd.

Not long after, a familiar tall figure emerged, dragging a suitcase and looking slightly tired.

It was Li Xiaoran.

She was wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, with no makeup and her long hair casually tied back. When she saw Wang Sheng, her eyes, which had been somewhat tired, instantly lit up, like stars had been scattered around her, and she quickened her pace and jogged over.

"Have you been waiting long?" Her tone was filled with excitement and a hint of barely perceptible coquettishness.

"Just arrived." Wang Sheng naturally took her suitcase and looked her over: "You've gotten a bit tanned."

"The sun is too strong over in Nanxi River; I'm out and about every day."

Li Xiaoran muttered to herself, but naturally took Wang Sheng's arm, looked up at him, her eyes full of longing: "I didn't have many scenes, but the director required me to learn from the crew, so we've finally wrapped up filming. I thought I wouldn't make it for tomorrow's Qixi Festival, which is our first Valentine's Day!" She emphasized this point.

"Yes." Wang Sheng led her towards the parking lot: "Was the journey smooth?"

"It's okay, just a little tired." Li Xiaoran nestled against him, leaning almost half her weight against him, feeling incredibly safe and secure.

Once in the car, Li Xiaoran noticed a delicate paper bag on the back seat.

"Hey, what is this?"

"Oh, I just bought it on the way. Here you go," Wang Sheng said casually, starting the car.

Li Xiaoran curiously took the paper bag, opened it, and saw a very beautiful bracelet, exactly the style she liked.

Her face immediately lit up with a smile, as if she had received a precious treasure. She fastened the bracelet to her wrist and exclaimed, "It's so beautiful! Thank you, Wang Sheng! I love it!"

For her, the value of the gift itself was not important; what mattered was Wang Sheng's thoughtfulness in remembering to bring her something.

At this moment, Li Xiaoran rummaged through her backpack and pulled out a small red velvet box, handing it to Wang Sheng somewhat shyly: "Um... I don't know what you boys like... Tomorrow is Qixi Festival... I bought you this..."

Wang Sheng took the box, opened it, and saw a bright yellow, heavy gold necklace that looked to weigh at least ten grams.

In an era where gold chains are fashionable, this gift is quite "simple and practical".

"Wow, it's quite heavy." Wang Sheng picked it up, weighed it in his hand, and smiled: "It's good, it holds its value."

He didn't find it vulgar at all; on the contrary, he found Li Xiaoran's straightforward way of expressing herself rather endearing.

Seeing that Wang Sheng didn't object, Li Xiaoran breathed a sigh of relief, her face flushed, and she whispered, "I'm glad you like it... I spent a long time choosing..."

……

evening.

Wang Sheng didn't plan on having a romantic dinner; he simply had his driver take him to a Beijing-style restaurant he frequented near Li Xiaoran's home.

We ordered a few home-style dishes.

The two of them chatted while eating.

Li Xiaoran excitedly recounted the interesting things she encountered on set, which actors she met, how beautiful the scenery of Nanxi River was, and how she learned a lot despite the hard work.

Wang Sheng mostly listened, occasionally interjecting a question or two, asking about her future plans.

After dinner, it was already dark and the streetlights were on. Wang Sheng told Master Yang to go home and then went back to Li Xiaoran's residence with her.

As soon as she entered the room, Jindouyun jumped off the sofa with a "meow" and rubbed against Li Xiaoran's legs, expressing her longing for them after not seeing each other for many days.

Li Xiaoran picked up the cat and affectionately rubbed her face against its fluffy head.

The young man and woman, who hadn't seen each other for many days, were alone in a room, and an unspoken longing filled the air.

After a quick wash, the two naturally embraced and fell onto the bed in the bedroom.

……

Confined in the living room, the Somersault Cloud listened intently to the "meow" coming from the bedroom, a sound somewhat similar to its usual meow yet completely different. Confused, it tilted its head, its round eyes filled with bewilderment.

It flicked its tail, jumped onto the windowsill, gazed at the neon lights outside, and decided to ignore the constant noise in the bedroom that was overloading its cat brain.

(End of this chapter)