Huayu: Returned Overseas Chinese

Chen Jingming smiled and then recounted what had happened yesterday. Lin Dan was speechless after listening, looking at Chen Jingming with an expression that clearly thought he was childish.

"Mr. Chen, it's fine to have fun, but you can't joke around with the movie theater." Lin Dan warned Chen Jingming seriously, looking at his smug expression.

"Hehe." Chen Jingming chuckled and said, "President Lin, there's an old saying: even the best wine needs advertising. As a newcomer to the cinema industry, how can we attract customers if we don't make a splash?"

At this point, Chen Jingming paused for a moment, then continued, "Besides, we should at least inform people in the industry and announce our joining, shouldn't we?"

Upon hearing Chen Jingming's words, Lin Dan leaned back, resting his chin on his hand and rubbing his fingers back and forth. After a long while, he finally spoke, "Mr. Chen, do you mean relying on traffic? Like the kind of buzz on online forums, generating discussion? People are naturally curious. If we screen the documentary for free, it will attract a group of curious viewers. As for whether we can retain them, that depends on the quality of our cinema?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jingming immediately raised his hand, pinched two fingers together, making a crisp "snap" sound, and praised with a smile: "President Lin, you're right! Who are the main consumers of our cinema? Aren't they college students and white-collar elites? And these people like to browse around on Tieba the most, and they are more interested in new and interesting things."

Looking at Chen Jingming's confident expression, Lin Dan exclaimed, "Mr. Chen, you've only just turned 18 this year, why do I feel like you're so familiar with this track?"

"Mr. Lin, you flatter me," Chen Jingming said modestly. "While the internet may be in a downturn right now, we can't deny the convenience it brings. Before, we had to rely on the phone to stay connected, but now? As long as both parties are online, they can communicate anytime, anywhere, which brings people closer together. The internet is the future, and I happen to be a university student, don't I?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Dan nodded in agreement. Both of them, as overseas Chinese who had returned from the United States, deeply understood Chen Jingming's statement that the internet was the future—the internet had long been integrated into life in the US.

"If we really do that, and it blows up, the authorities will probably summon us for questioning," Lin Dan said with some concern.

Chen Jingming waved his hand dismissively and said, "President Lin, who are we? We are overseas Chinese. Although we don't have any special privileges, we still represent overseas Chinese. Moreover, our investment in China this time is so large that everyone is watching. Plagiarism is a minor matter. If anyone makes things difficult for us, the relevant departments won't stand idly by. Anyway, we won't get involved with those people."

At this point, Chen Jingming picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and continued, "Besides, we are the victims. If anyone should cry foul, it should be us, shouldn't it?"

Lin Dan looked at Chen Jingming's smiling face and immediately shook his head. Indeed, as Chen Jingming said, it was just a small matter. Besides, once he had two hundred screens in hand, he would be the client. So he said:

"Then you can do it yourself. I'm going on a business trip starting tomorrow. We can talk on the phone if anything comes up."

"Okay." Chen Jingming responded softly, then stood up, waved his hand, and said, "See you next time."

After saying that, he walked out of the office. Once outside the elevator, Chen Jingming went straight back to the school, showing no intention of lingering outside.

Time flew by and it was almost the end of September. During this month, Chen Jingming diligently attended classes at school and learned a lot of useful knowledge.

After class, he and his five roommates walked towards the cafeteria, chatting and laughing. Suddenly, Chen Jingming stopped and looked into the distance.

"Jingming, what's wrong?" Liu Tiejun was turning around to discuss what to have for dinner with Li Yang when he suddenly saw Chen Jingming standing there, staring blankly into the distance.

"It's nothing." Chen Jingming shook his head slightly and said, "You guys go to the cafeteria first. I'll run into an acquaintance and go say hello."

Although Liu Tiejun and the others were puzzled as to why Chen Jingming had other acquaintances besides his classmates at school, they didn't ask too many questions. They simply said they would bring him some food back to his dormitory and then left—after all, they were all adults.

Chen Jingming took a step closer, approaching the person who was intently taking photos. As he drew nearer, he confirmed his suspicions: it was indeed Ning Hao, the ever-changing star of Huayu Entertainment.

Ning Hao was intently taking pictures of a girl not far away with his three-megapixel digital camera. Under his guidance, the girl struck various poses.

Ning Hao noticed someone was beside him, but merely glanced at them briefly before turning back to continue taking pictures. After all, this digital camera had cost him a full nine thousand yuan from his savings, and he urgently needed to recoup his investment.

Chen Jingming watched quietly. The shoot finally ended about half an hour later. The girl walked over to Ning Hao, and the two looked down at the photos in the camera and discussed them. Chen Jingming didn't disturb them, simply waiting patiently.

A dozen minutes later, the girl confirmed the photos she wanted and said goodbye to Ning Hao. Ning Hao put his digital camera into the camera bag slung across his chest, then looked at Chen Jingming and asked suspiciously, "Excuse me, is something wrong?"

"Hello," Chen Jingming greeted him, "May I see the photos you took?"

Ning Hao frowned at Chen Jingming's request, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded. However, instead of handing the camera to Chen Jingming, he beckoned him to come closer to take a look.

Chen Jingming looked at the saved footage. It was indeed well shot, but compared to the mature Ning Hao of later generations, the current photography technique was still somewhat immature.

"Do you have time? Let's have dinner together, it's on me," Chen Jingming invited with a smile.

Ning Hao glanced at Chen Jingming and asked in a low voice, "Brother, just say what's on your mind. It doesn't matter whether we eat or not."

"I just think your photography skills are pretty good, and you'll probably develop into a director in the future, so I wanted to get to know you better," Chen Jingming explained with a smile.

Ning Hao was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant and laughed, "Brother, you're from the acting department, right? I don't even know if I can be a director, and you're already trying to get noticed."

"Haha, brother, you guessed wrong. I'm from the Management Department." Chen Jingming laughed and explained, "I saw your photography. Although it's a bit immature, the overall composition is good, and the use of light is also good. Actually, my family owns a film investment company. It's fate that we met today."

At this point, Chen Jingming paused, then continued, "If you ever want to make a movie in the future, or if you have a good script, we can collaborate. You agree, right? Having more friends means having more options."

Ning Hao nodded in agreement, but still declined, saying, "Not today. I need to print out the photos later; they need them before lights out. I'll treat you next time. By the way, my name is Ning Hao, what's your name?"

"Chen Jingming." Chen Jingming smiled and extended his hand. The two shook hands, exchanged phone numbers, and then went their separate ways.