Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

So Yang Che didn't waste any words.

"Old Liu, contact the *Life Times*. They'll most likely publish a report on Wang Fei's concert tomorrow. Ask them to focus on the song 'Fleeting Time.' Also, attach an article titled 'Who is Yang Che?' So, do you understand what I mean?"

"Wait, let me sort this out."

Yang Che's brow twitched, and he put a little force into his arm around Gao Yuanyuan, who was almost hanging on him.

Liu Chang took about two or three seconds to react before saying, "It's about how amazing 'Fleeting Time' is, how much of a sensation it caused, and then it introduces the lyricist and composer. After some searching by the author, it turns out that you are the screenwriter of 'My Sassy Girl,' and also mentions that Fan Bingbing starred in it, etc."

"Hey, right, this is called riding the wave of a trending topic. Lao Liu, you're more than capable of being the head of my publicity department."

"We'll talk about that later, but... never mind, I'll contact them now."

"It must be neutral and objective."

"Understood, hanging up now..."

The meeting ended abruptly, and Yang Che guessed that he must have had a reason to die.

The Life Times was a newspaper published in Beijing and the surrounding areas. Its content mainly covered the entertainment industry, making it one of the earliest gossip newspapers, but it was quite serious.

Of course, even the most serious person needs to eat. A little money will get a very talented editor to step in...

At this moment, Gao Yuanyuan drawled, "I'm so hungry."

"What would you like to eat...?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Che's phone vibrated. He picked it up and saw a text message from Wang Fei.

When Yang Che took out his phone, Gao Yuanyuan straightened up, looked away, and deliberately ignored him.

The task is arduous and the road ahead is long.

After muttering something to himself, Yang Che started reading the text message.

"Yang Che, there's a victory celebration banquet at the Yindu Hotel, would you like to come?"

Yang Che waved his phone: "Yuanyuan, Wang Fei invited us to a victory celebration party, should we go?"

Gao Yuanyuan then turned around, a hint of unease flashing in her eyes before she smiled and said, "I told you to go, so go ahead. You know me, I'm not going."

Yang Che shook his head: "I'm not going, I'll stay with you."

"Didn't you need to speak with her agent? Go ahead, but don't mess things up."

"It's just a matter of a few words, I won't go. Besides, I still have to take you to that food stall."

Gao Yuanyuan pursed her lips and tentatively said, "Honey, I'm so busy, and I've been taking care of the kids all this time, so I was a little careless... But I've personally invited you now, so don't be too..."

Yang Che blushed slightly, though it wasn't noticeable in the darkness. He coughed lightly and said, "It's true that I feel a little uncomfortable, but I'm not going to hold a grudge. I can't really connect with people in the music industry anyway."

"Weren't you chatting quite well with Xiao Ke?"

"That's all nonsense. Gao Yuanyuan, can you please stop undermining your man?"

"Haha, darling, you're so cute, haha."

"Honestly, many people in the music industry are better at being pretentious than me, but they're not good at it. Most of them end up being affected and pretentious, and being affected and pretentious for too long becomes really pathological. They look okay from a distance, but I feel embarrassed up close."

Gao Yuanyuan asked softly, "Is Wang Fei the same?"

"She really isn't."

Yang Che shook his head, picked up his phone, and texted Wang Fei: "I don't know you very well. It would be a hassle for you if I went, and I'd feel awkward too. Let's meet up alone sometime."

Wang Fei replied instantly: "Okay."

Yang Che showed it to Gao Yuanyuan: "You see, a pretentious person wouldn't talk like that."

Afterwards, the two took a long taxi ride to a street food stall that they had found out about in the afternoon. They ate and drank to their hearts' content, and Gao Yuanyuan turned into a pig again.

Midway through, Wu Shixian made a long-distance call.

Yang Che hesitated for a second before answering. It was an overseas call with roaming charges; it would cost two yuan per minute.

After answering the call, I waited another second before a voice called out, "Brother Che."

"You speak, I listen."

Two seconds later, Yang Che heard Wu Shixian say, "Oh, the company has been registered and is going through the process. I called you because I found a terrible forum while researching. There are a lot of talented people there, so I posted a job ad, and I received several calls a few hours later."

One of the calls came from Australia and I found it quite interesting. They were two students from Melbourne University of Technology. They were very creative and could be executive directors, cinematographers, or even actors. They said they didn't want any payment, as long as we covered their round-trip airfare from Melbourne to Hong Kong, as well as their food and lodging.

I think it's a good idea, what do you think?

One of the students was of Chinese descent, named James Wan.

Wu Shixian's voice, tinged with static, made Yang Che feel extremely uncomfortable. But when he heard the last sentence, he chuckled silently and then subconsciously looked up at the sky.

He shook his head and said, "Don't even mention covering their travel expenses, I can even pay them, but you have to make sure they come to New York to meet you. If they pass the interview, I'll reimburse their airfare; if they don't, they can go back to where they came from."

"Okay, I got it. Do you have any instructions?"

"Be more mindful of the time when you make calls in the future; it's almost 11 PM back home now."

"That's settled then. International calls are too uncomfortable, I'll hang up now."

Yang Che pursed his lips, knowing it was painful, yet he said so much.

Gao Yuanyuan wiped her mouth: "Wu Shixian?"

"Um."

"Honey, do you...do you have enough money?"

Yang Che looked at her somewhat cautious appearance and was speechless: "Yuanyuan, do you think I'm such a chauvinistic person?"

Gao Yuanyuan rested her chin on her hand and said very seriously, "You are..."

She laughed at herself after saying that, and laughed so hard she was shaking. Yes, she was definitely bigger than before, so some of her underwear was no longer wearable.

Gao Yuanyuan noticed his gaze and clicked her tongue.

With this interruption, she no longer had any reservations.

"Aren't you making your own movie right now? Anyway, I still have 25 yuan. I can lend it to you if you want."

Yang Che raised an eyebrow: "What? You want to take my peaches too?"

Gao Yuanyuan pouted: "Whether you like it or not, take it or leave it, I'm not giving it to you."

"Haha, I just can't say anything touching. Have you been keeping all your own money all this time?"

"If I don't keep my own money, who will? Hmm... my parents don't interfere."

Yang Che nodded: "I'll ask you for it when I need it, don't worry, I won't be shy."

"I'm not giving it to you anymore."

"Then I'll ask Little Fatty for it; she'll definitely be happy to."

Gao Yuanyuan threw down her chopsticks.

Yang Che naturally tried to appease him.

Okay, that bastard is using PUA again. We need to be fair to everyone, since Gao Yuanyuan's progress is a bit slow.

The effect was remarkable; when they left the food stall, Gao Yuanyuan was already affectionately linking her arm with his again.