My Landlord is an Idol Singer - Chapter 128

Gu Zhinan couldn’t hide the awkward expression on his face, but Lai Jingming didn’t seem to feel any guilt at all. In fact, he had already pulled Situ Hongwei aside to start discussing their grand plans for the future.

Situ Hongwei, having found himself caught in what felt like a pyramid scheme, seemed to have resigned himself to his fate. The moment he decided to give it one last shot for the sake of his youth, he knew there was no turning back.

“When you guys head to the capital, I’ll bring a team to purchase the equipment we need for this building and fix up the storefront. Otherwise, the government won’t even let you register the company.”

Situ Hongwei spoke with determination, if they were going to do this, they had to do it right.

“As for actors, that’s on you guys. Honestly, it doesn’t have to be someone from the Beijing Film Academy. Other theater schools are great too. Haipu Drama Academy is fine. What we need is solid acting skills. For the rest, we can go scout in Hengdian. There are always a few good actors hanging around there.”

Having said all that, Situ Hongwei finally turned to look at the two of them.

“Have you found a filming location yet? Finding a school isn’t easy. Are you planning to shoot in Hengdian, or do you have another place in mind?”

“Hmm…” Gu Zhinan looked at Lai Jingming. Lai Jingming looked back at Gu Zhinan. Eventually, Lai Jingming threw an arm around Situ Hongwei’s shoulder and spoke in a serious tone, “Brother Situ, we’re counting on you for that!”

“???” Situ Hongwei held back for a long moment before finally blurting out, “Damn it!”

So these two were really just running on blind enthusiasm! This was absurd!

Still, having spent years shooting wedding photos around Hangzhou, sometimes even outside the city, he did know quite a few potential locations. He simply nodded silently and agreed to try to find one.

After wrapping up their discussion, Gu Zhinan promptly transferred 500,000 yuan to Situ Hongwei to help renovate the old building. He and Fatty were heading off to Beijing.

They agreed to convert the third floor into a living space, just a simple setup would do. The second floor would serve as the main office. As for the first floor, a basic reception desk would suffice. After all, they wouldn’t be spending much time there while filming; they just needed to meet the requirements for company registration.

“What’s the company called? I’ll design a logo in the next couple of days and get it made.” Situ Hongwei asked cautiously. His square-jawed face looked a bit tense. Surely they had thought of a name by now?

He looked at Gu Zhinan, and Lai Jingming did the same. After all, Gu Zhinan was funding this venture, he was the main boss now. Gu Zhinan rubbed his nose and fell silent, deep in thought. The other two just watched him quietly.

“How about ‘Natural Entertainment’? Sounds okay?”

After a few minutes of silence, Gu Zhinan finally spoke, his lips curling into a faint smile as he looked at the two of them.

“Natural Entertainment?” Lai Jingming and Situ Hongwei glanced at each other and nodded.

“I don’t have any objections,” Situ Hongwei said frankly. “Just not sure how long this company will last.”

His relationship with Gu Zhinan was more of a partnership right now. Once this movie was done, he might just go back to running his bridal shop.

Lai Jingming also paused for a moment before asking, “Is there a meaning behind the name?”

“Oh, there is.” Gu Zhinan gave a quiet chuckle and looked at them. “I just can’t tell you yet. I’ll explain it later.”

“???” The two were puzzled, but didn’t press him further. If Gu Zhinan didn’t want to explain, there wasn’t much they could do.

And so, “Natural Entertainment” was born inside this run-down little building. Situ Hongwei took on the task of designing the logo and doing a bit of renovation. Meanwhile, Gu Zhinan and Lai Jingming boarded their flight to Beijing.

Situ Hongwei was left feeling oddly sentimental. Just that morning, he’d been hesitating, now, he was fully part of what felt like a pyramid scheme. As he watched Gu Zhinan and Lai Jingming’s departing figures and held the key to the beat-up old building in his hand, he sighed.

He hadn’t even told his team at the bridal shop yet. Those ten or so people were his staff. He wasn’t sure how many were interested in film or how many would stay. During the shop’s closure, he would still pay their salaries as usual. It would be up to them whether they wanted to follow him on this new path.

To his surprise, their response far exceeded his expectations. When he shared his decision with them, all ten of them supported him and said they were willing to give it a try.

“We’ve always known the boss had a thing for movies,” one of them said. “Sometimes we even joked that one day he’d just run off to shoot a film and now it’s actually happening!”

“Exactly! We’re curious, too. What’s the difference between shooting a movie and filming weddings or bridal photos?”

“I want to try doing actor makeup for once. I’m so tired of bridal looks!” two of the young makeup artists said excitedly.

Situ Hongwei’s team was well-rounded, makeup artists, cameramen, even people who handled set decoration. As long as Gu Zhinan and Lai Jingming came back from Beijing with some actors and a filming location, they could start shooting immediately.

With full support from his staff, Situ Hongwei was overjoyed. He beamed and said, “Everyone, wrap up your current tasks today. Starting tomorrow, we’ll head to the new boss’s company to help with renovations. Once they’re back, we’ll start filming. All your efforts will one day leave a mark on the history of global cinema!”

The whole bridal shop erupted in cheers, with everyone waving their arms enthusiastically. Then Situ Hongwei froze for a second, was he actually good at this pyramid scheme thing after all?

On the plane, Lai Jingming couldn’t hold it in any longer and asked Gu Zhinan, “So, what does ‘Natural Entertainment’ actually mean?”

Gu Zhinan shot him a look and said nothing. Lai Jingming could only sigh and drop the question, he was just curious, that’s all!

“Then what are you going to Beijing for?” Lai Jingming asked again.

“To deliver a song.”

“A song?”

“Yeah.” Gu Zhinan then told him about the phone call he received last night from Master Du Guangyu.

Lai Jingming was stunned. He knew the show well, one of his professors at the Beijing Film Academy was actually one of the directors of that program. He gave Gu Zhinan a strange look, like he was staring at a monster, and finally murmured, “That porcelain-themed song Lin Xi couldn’t even manage… you actually have one?”

“Yeah, I’ve got one. I’ll give it a shot. If they don’t want it, that’s fine. I just wonder if I can get reimbursed for travel expenses.”

“…” Lai Jingming was speechless. He replied slowly, “My professor, Liu Nian, is one of the directors of that national heritage program. If he can help us, finding actors in Beijing Film Academy should be way easier. That’s actually why I’m going to find him.”

“Huh?” Gu Zhinan turned his head. “But isn’t he a directing professor? Can he even help with acting students?”

“You kidding? This is Liu Nian we’re talking about! Don’t you know who he is?”

Seeing Gu Zhinan’s confused expression, Lai Jingming let out an exasperated sigh.

“My professor is a big deal. The movies he directed in his youth were all national projects. After joining China Central Television, he directed countless programs, even the Spring Festival Gala!” 

Lai Jingming’s tone grew more admiring as he went on. “He’s been teaching at the Beijing Film Academy for fifteen years, and his students are everywhere. Plus, he loves giving young people opportunities. A lot of today’s rising stars were handpicked by him, people were fighting tooth and nail to get in!”

“Really now?” Gu Zhinan looked thoughtful. In that case, his “Porcelain” song had to impress this Liu Nian guy. If he did, maybe he could convince him to help them select a few actors directly.

A cunning little plan started forming in Gu Zhinan’s mind.