46. ​​Shu Hui

Song Chengcheng is contacting several high-end brands to order dresses for Zhan Yan and Zhou Jin.

Since participating in "The Actors", Zhan Yan and Zhou Jin have gained considerable popularity and have received numerous gigs. They recently received an invitation to the Starlight Charity Gala.

In the past, only Ye Zhenzhen was qualified to participate in galas of this caliber, not because of her own abilities, but more because the organizers gave Ye Fengxing face.

This time, due to the influence of the "Shu Hui Project" in the industry, Ye Zhenzhen, as the boss of Taoyao Company, participated, while Zhan Yan and Zhou Jin, as recently popular artists, were invited, which shows that the outside world's attitude towards Taoyao has changed.

Although time was tight, fortunately, the boss was a major client of these brands, so the dresses weren't a problem.

"Assistant, several senior professors from Taoyao's side are waiting for you in the conference room."

Xiao He from the secretariat pushed open the door to Song Chengcheng's office and informed her that there was a visitor.

"Did they say why?" Song Chengcheng asked as she walked towards the conference room.

These senior professors in the field are all respected figures who are usually focused on teaching and rarely take the initiative to contact her. She was somewhat unsure why they had suddenly come all at once.

"I heard it's about asking the boss about that investment plan," Xiao He replied softly.

Song Chengcheng nodded, understanding the situation, and pushed open the conference room door to go inside.

"Assistant Song, isn't President Ye in the company?"

After everyone exchanged pleasantries, Professor Liu Xian, with his head of gray curly hair, was the first to ask a question.

"You can just call me Xiao Song. President Ye has some personal matters to attend to and isn't in the company today." Song Chengcheng looked at the group of professors with a sincere attitude. "If there's anything you need, just tell me, and I'll pass it on to President Ye."

The group had been at Taoyao for quite some time and knew that although Ye Zhenzhen was the boss, she didn't manage things much. All the big and small matters at Taoyao were handled by this assistant. They had actually come to see her today.

"We heard that President Ye is planning to invest 50 million yuan in emerging directors. Is that true?" Liu Siqi asked anxiously, his face serious.

"Yes, that's right. A press conference is being prepared," Song Chengcheng nodded with a smile.

The people present were all veteran professors with countless students, whose disciples were all over the entertainment industry. Seeing that they were interested, they took the initiative to ask questions, and Song Chengcheng answered them all without hesitation.

After listening to her words, the senior professors nodded repeatedly, praising Ye Zhenzhen's contributions to the film industry and saying that they would be there whenever Tao Yao needed them!

---

After discussing with several senior professors, the plan to cultivate emerging directors was named the "Shuhui Plan".

It is taken from the poem "Li Sao" which says, "I have cultivated nine acres of orchids and planted a hundred acres of eucalyptus."

The message is meant to nurture talent, hoping that emerging directors will grow strong and become pillars of society as soon as possible.

The news caused a huge uproar in the entertainment industry.

Wow, Princess Ye is really generous! 50 million yuan a year to support 5-8 new directors, and she doesn't interfere with their creative freedom. I'm kind of looking forward to it!

[Support Zhenzhen! This is such a precious opportunity for a young director. Looking forward to their wonderful films!]

[Hmph, so what if he has a few stinking bucks? His acting is terrible; all he does is throw money around.]

[Fans, please don't be so materialistic. This is just a game for rich people. Who knows if it's money laundering!]

[Please, don't let Bai Xue's mad dog come out and bite randomly. Didn't you see that the Film Academy and various official accounts have all reposted this?]

[Your idols always talk about money laundering and throwing money around, that's how they love to play the game!! They filmed a movie called "Jianghu" in just one month, and with such plastic-looking production quality, they dare to claim an 80 million investment? Pah!]

[Your idols get such high salaries, yet they still treat their fans like韭菜 (a metaphor for exploiting fans), and they can't even sing, yet they still record albums to make money. Ugh!!]

The war between haters didn't last long before it was overwhelmed by a surge of creators, and the comment section was immediately filled with praise and admiration.

[For the past two years since graduation, I've faced setbacks everywhere, begging and pleading but unable to secure investment. Ye Zhenzhen is an angel!!!]

[Mr. Ye, are you interested in investing in TV dramas? I'm begging you!!]

[Boss Ye, the animation industry also needs financial assistance!!! Our line of work is truly money-burning!!!]

Subsequently, a flood of investment offers came to Taoyao.

When Ye Zhenzhen returned from attending Gu Sinan's opening ceremony, she was stunned by the mountain of scripts piled up on the table.

"So many?!" she asked Song Chengcheng, who was following behind her, in surprise. "Wasn't it only released a day ago?"

"This is the initial screening result from Li Hong and several departments." Song Chengcheng handed her a document. "They have all been categorized by type. Here is a brief introduction; you can take a look at the ones that interest you."

"Okay, you go ahead and do your work. I'll flip through them." Ye Zhenzhen picked one up and started looking at it. With her previous experience in selecting scripts, she could tell some things from it.

She spent most of the day in her office, and just before she was about to leave work, a young lady from the secretariat knocked on the door and said that director Zhang Qingfeng was visiting.

"Director Zhang, weren't you going to film mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquer art? You finished filming so quickly?" Ye Zhenzhen rubbed her sore eyes and asked him to sit down.

After the secretary brought in the tea, she closed the door and left.

“No, it’s just that I heard about your big project, the Tree Virtue Project,” Zhang Qingfeng chuckled, handing over a notebook. “I also have a script, it’s really good, and I wanted to come back and try to get it.”

“The script needs to be reviewed before we can decide whether to invest,” Ye Zhenzhen took the script, flipped through it briefly, and saw that it was covered with annotations in colored pen, obviously the writer had put a lot of effort into it. “Let’s follow the procedure and have the company review it. But, what will happen to Fengming’s promotional video if you leave?”

Fengming now stands out in the industry by relying on various intangible cultural heritage methods, and its business has recently expanded.

The product sells well, and many loyal customers buy it every time new products are released.

Ye Zhenzhen thought of giving them some benefits, so she contacted veteran artisans specializing in mother-of-pearl inlay and lacquerware, and commissioned a batch of exquisite jewelry boxes. Zhang Qingfeng and his team also went along to film the production process.

Zhang Qingfeng quickly patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, whatever you want to film will always be my top priority!! Filming a movie won't stop me from making promotional videos for you!"

Thanks to the job opportunity provided by Ye Zhenzhen, he escaped abject poverty, became financially well-off, established his own studio, and his works gained recognition in the industry.

He was extremely satisfied with this wealthy and easy-going client, and he was determined to cling to this golden opportunity no matter what!

After a busy day at the company, Ye Zhenzhen received a call from Zhao Nanqiao, who teased her about being rich and powerful. After exchanging a few words, Ye Zhenzhen stretched and prepared to leave work.

Today, she was wearing a light purple dress with Suzhou-embroidered lotus flowers shimmering on the hem. She was carrying a thick notebook covered with colorful labels. She stepped out of the elevator and opened the door of a black Cayenne in the underground parking garage.

"Why are you bringing a script home?" Gu Tingshen had heard her talk about his "Shuhui Project" and even gave her advice. He knew she was currently screening scripts, but he rarely saw her bring one home.

Ye Zhenzhen is very focused when she works, but she also has some strange insistences, such as working overtime at the company and never bringing work home unless absolutely necessary.

She exercises in the morning and plays with Gu Sinan and Black Panther in the evening, enjoying quality time with her children. Her daily routine is very regular.

"Because this script is just so good, so mind-bending!" Ye Zhenzhen patted the script and excitedly introduced it to him, "Although the main plot is a traditional story of good and evil ultimately being rewarded, the characters are all very distinct, and the story structure is very complete..."

After talking for a while, she realized that the man hadn't started the car, but was sitting there intently watching her with a faint smile.

"Why aren't you going home?" Ye Zhenzhen stopped. "Am I too noisy?"

"No, your story is very interesting." Gu Tingshen's smile deepened. "Let's not go home first, we need to go back to the old house."

"Now?" Ye Zhenzhen picked up her phone and checked the time. "Won't it be too late? Nannan is still waiting at home."

"Mom and Dad are back. They took Nannan back to the old house," Gu Tingshen replied as he started the car.

"When did this happen? They said they weren't coming back just a few days ago," Ye Zhenzhen asked in surprise. "I was thinking of going to pick them up."

“The business in Country Y ended early. They knew you’ve been very busy lately, so they didn’t tell us,” Gu Tingshen comforted her. “I just got back at noon today and only told me this afternoon.”

"Then let's go back and check. It feels like this business trip has lasted so long." Ye Zhenzhen said, then remembered something and quickly pressed Gu Tingshen's arm. "Wait a minute, the gifts I gave to my parents are still upstairs. I'll have them bring them down."

After saying that, she picked up the phone and called the design department. They had been working overtime for nine days straight.

A moment later, a boy wearing glasses came out of the elevator, handed a bag to the car, and gave it to Ye Zhenzhen with a shy smile.

Ye Zhenzhen thanked them, the car started, and slid out of the parking space.

Gu Tingshen noticed that he stood there until their car drove out of the underground parking garage.

"Was that boy also a full-time employee?" Gu Tingshen asked casually. "He looked quite young. Why was he working overtime so late?"

“Oh, he’s Old Liu’s son. He just graduated from university this year and is only 20.” Ye Zhenzhen didn’t suspect anything and told him everything. “Fengming has been trying some new things recently. He ordered a batch of jewelry boxes, sachets, and antique mirrors. He can’t do without the patterns and designs. He’s been working overtime lately.”

"I'm not a heartless capitalist, I pay them all the overtime!" He added proudly, "They're incredibly motivated. If it weren't for the power outage at night, some of these workaholics would have stayed up all night."

Gu Tingshen couldn't help but chuckle. "Yes, you're quite the famous 'Good Fortune Girl' now, and you're deeply loved by your employees."

Since Tao Yao launched the "Shu Hui Plan," there have been some trolls in the comments section who have been sour, saying that she is so poor that all she has left is money.

But countless fledgling directors who couldn't find investment saw a glimmer of hope, praising Ye Zhenzhen as beautiful and kind-hearted, as radiant and charming as a free-spirited fairy!

"...Why doesn't this sound like a compliment to me?" Ye Zhenzhen looked suspiciously at the man driving so seriously, noticing the curve of his lips, and instantly became angry and embarrassed. "Were you smiling?? Huh?? I saw it!!"

Gu Tingshen couldn't help but laugh out loud. His deep voice made Ye Zhenzhen's face even hotter, and she reached out to pinch his cheek.

Unsurprisingly, she was easily subdued by the man with one hand.

By the time we arrived at the old house, it was already dark.

As she got out of the car, Ye Zhenzhen suddenly reached out to sneak up on Gu Tingshen, but she couldn't even touch his face. She was still resentful for not getting revenge for being mocked.

Seeing that she was eager to try, as if she was ready to scratch him at any moment, Gu Tingshen simply grabbed her mischievous hand, held it in his palm, and pulled her into the courtyard.

Ye Zhenzhen was carrying a bag in one hand, while he grabbed her other hand, and she couldn't break free. She rolled her eyes several times.

"Grandpa, look, Black Panther can shake hands!" Gu Sinan said to the little guy squatting next to him, "Come on, Black Panther, shake hands!"

The black panther stretched out its healthy right foreleg and placed it precisely in his palm. Gu Sinan felt the soft touch of its furry paw and paw pads and happily hugged its head and stroked it.

"You're so clever! You've trained it very well." Gu's father praised him, then turned to look at his wife beside him as Gu Sinan proudly raised her chin.

Looking at her happy grandson and the quiet little dog, Ye's mother had mixed feelings, but she still praised, "Clean and smart, very cute."

As Gu Tingshen led Ye Zhenzhen into the courtyard, he heard this sentence. He paused for a moment, then walked in with a normal expression.

Black Panther suddenly raised his head and looked towards the gate.

"Dad, Mom, you're back!" Gu Sinan looked up and saw them. Excitedly, she pulled Black Panther over and ran into Ye Zhenzhen's arms.

"Did our elementary school student have a good day?" Ye Zhenzhen bent down to catch him, smiled and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Seeing him nod, she stood up and greeted Mr. and Mrs. Gu.

"Alright, alright, stop standing here talking, let's go inside and eat first." Mr. and Mrs. Gu had noticed the two of them coming in hand in hand earlier. They were even happier to see their son and daughter-in-law getting along so well.

The table was covered with dishes that everyone loved. Ye Zhenzhen had been busy all day, and with her daily exercise, she was quite hungry. She ate with great relish. Gu Tingshen casually placed a crystal shrimp on her plate.

"Mmm! This is delicious, you should try some too," Ye Zhenzhen picked one up and put it in her mouth. Her eyes lit up, and she picked one up for Gu Tingshen and Gu Sinan respectively. "Nannan, you should try it, it's very chewy."

"Mmm! It's delicious!" Gu Sinan picked up another sweet and sour pork and put it on Ye Zhenzhen's plate. "Mom, try this, it's good!"

Seeing his wife about to speak, Gu Henian patted her hand.

Kong Shuyun came from a prominent family with generations of scholars, and she was very strict about the rules and etiquette of her children.

Ting Shen and his sister were taught from a young age not to talk while eating or sleeping, and even Gu Sinan used to be polite and silent when eating.

At this moment, it was as if there was an invisible wall on the dining table, separating the two sides.

On one side was a relaxed and carefree family of three, chatting and laughing; on the other side was a couple with straight backs, silent and aloof.

But looking at the smile on his son's face and the lively expression on his grandson's face, Gu Henian felt that all those rules were unimportant.

He smiled and picked up a shrimp for his wife as well.

Kong Shuyun stared back at him blankly, then turned to look at the children's smiling faces at his prompting. She put a shrimp in her mouth, swallowed it, and looked up at her husband, saying, "It's delicious."

Gu Henian placed his hand on the back of his wife's hand and squeezed it. "Eat more if you like it. You haven't been eating well these past few months abroad. You need to make up for it when you get back."

"Mom, you don't like the food from Y country either?" Ye Zhenzhen, who was engrossed in her meal, immediately looked up to complain, "When I first went abroad to study, the school cafeteria was full of terrible food. I was so hungry that it cured my picky eating habits..."

Gu Henian chuckled and added, "Your mother's Chinese stomach can't handle white food. She couldn't stand it after a few meals."

The dining table was filled with complaints about the terrible cuisine of Country Y. Amidst the laughter and chatter, the invisible barrier slowly melted away, and the entire table was enveloped in warmth.