52. Barrier

After leaving the meeting room, Xiao Ma, a new employee, followed his boss Li Hong toward the production department's office area.

"Brother Hong, aren't these contracts too generous to them?"

He's been in the industry for a while now, and as a new director who hasn't proven himself in the market, it's very difficult to get such a lucrative contract. Not only is the profit sharing high, but he also has greater freedom.

"The director hasn't proven himself, and neither has Taoyao in film and television production and distribution. Isn't it all because we haven't had the opportunity?" Li Hong sat down in his office chair, took a sip of tea, and smiled. "How much money we can make from that investment is not what our CEO Ye cares about. The key is never money, but opportunity."

Xiao Ma walked away thoughtfully. Li Hong walked to the French windows, looked at his reflection inside, touched his bald head, and was filled with emotion.

They can make decisions and also know how to delegate.

President Ye's magnanimity and demeanor are truly a testament to the saying "like father, like daughter!"

I thought I came to Taoyao to retire, but I'm getting more and more motivated!

Ye Zhenzhen was completely unaware of the changes in her image in Li Hong's mind.

Three contracts were finalized today, which is a big step for Tao Yao. She was happy and sat in the car looking at the comments online, chuckling to herself.

"So happy?" Gu Tingshen was driving, and his emotions were also affected, with a clear smile on his face.

"Hehe, I've also experienced the joy of investing." Ye Zhenzhen shook her head, extremely proud. "If I plant three seedlings in the summer, I estimate I can harvest three wonderful works next year!"

"So confident in yourself?"

“I’m not confident in myself, I’m confident in the three directors I’ve chosen!” Ye Zhenzhen turned her head. “I’ve been the president for a few months, so I have some experience. Professional matters should be left to professionals. Outsiders shouldn’t give orders to insiders.”

"Even expert directors make films that are neither critically acclaimed nor commercially successful. How can you be sure they can definitely make excellent works?"

"Because professionals have already approved it, and I've also talked to them. I feel that these three people are all capable of focusing on creative work, and the scripts have all been meticulously polished. At the very least, the integrity of the story is guaranteed."

As Ye Zhenzhen spoke, she organized her thoughts and continued, "Although I don't know much about making movies, I am a seasoned audience member and can represent the viewing needs of the vast majority of people."

She turned her head and spoke with great enthusiasm, the neon lights outside the window reflecting in her eyes, dazzling and brilliant. "I think that movies are about directors using visuals to tell their stories. Many bad movies have beautiful visuals and amazing special effects, but the stories they tell are just a mess, so of course the audience doesn't like them."

"Moreover, after working in the film and television industry for a while, I discovered that in addition to being able to make movies, a director's management and coordination abilities are also very important, as is aesthetic sense! Aesthetic sense is the most crucial factor! Some directors' aesthetic sense is quite indescribable. You can tell they put in a lot of effort and spent a lot of money, but the result is just not good. It's because their aesthetic sense is too low. At least the aesthetic sense of those three directors' previous works was quite good."

"I didn't realize you had such a good grasp of Taoyao despite not having been in charge for long."

“That’s right,” Ye Zhenzhen raised her chin, “Art is all interconnected.”

When she was confined to her hospital bed with nothing to do, she watched all kinds of Chinese and foreign films and television shows, and also dabbled in literature and painting.

The more I see, the more I realize that all forms of art are similar.

Whether it's film or literature, good works invariably need a complete story core with a beginning and an end, and only then can appropriate casting, filming, editing, special effects, and so on be considered.

Amidst the snail-paced traffic of rush hour, Gu Tingshen turned to look at her with a smile, "Are you praising your own sophisticated taste?"

"Hmph, I think I'm pretty good at it. I have an eye for beauty!" Ye Zhenzhen's eyes crinkled as she smiled proudly. "Look at the actors I personally selected for Peach Blossom. Putting aside their acting skills, their faces are all top-tier in the country. They come in all shapes and sizes, from plump to slender, cool to handsome, and all types. They're not all the same, and they don't do any of the more demanding roles. They're all masterpieces created by the goddess Nuwa!"

Gu Tingshen was amused by her. "Yes, you are simply the embodiment of love and beauty, Aphrodite, hmm."

That husky, low "hmm?" tinged with laughter, its tone rising at the end, made Ye Zhenzhen blush and her heart race.

"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it. I'm just a Sailor Moon at best, how could I compare to the goddess?"

...

The two chatted and laughed, and didn't find it boring even while stuck in traffic.

When they arrived at Mantingfang, Ye Zhenzhen was puzzled to find that Gu Sinan and Black Panther were nowhere to be seen after getting off the bus.

"Where are Nan Nan and Black Panther?" She closed the car door and looked towards the doghouse in the backyard. It was empty; there was no sign of them.

"He probably went inside to play. Let's go." Gu Tingshen didn't mind, carrying her bag in one hand and casually placing the other on her waist as he walked into the house.

"You're back?" Kong Shuyun stood up from the sofa with a big smile. "Old Li just said you'd probably be home soon. Have you eaten?"

Gu Tingshen put down his bag, helped Ye Zhenzhen change her shoes with one hand, and frowned slightly as he looked at the few long clothes racks that had appeared in the corner of the living room.

The place was covered with clothes with tags still attached, mostly women's clothing, but a few pieces were clearly men's clothing.

"Mom, what brings you here? Where are Dad and Nan Nan?" Ye Zhenzhen asked Gu's mother after changing into her slippers.

“Your dad is with Nannan while she practices the piano. Nannan came home today and said that her school is going to hold a concert during the National Day holiday, and she wants to sign up too.”

"Then we need to practice more." Ye Zhenzhen was also happy to hear that and wanted to go and take a look.

“You guys eat first, he still has a long practice session ahead of him,” Kong Shuyun quickly stopped him. “It’s getting late, if you eat any later, it will be hard for you to digest your food.”

“Okay, let’s eat first and then go.” Ye Zhenzhen turned around and called to Gu Tingshen, “Come on, Lao Gu, wash your hands and come eat.”

Gu Tingshen looked at her sweet smile, said nothing, and silently sat down to eat.

Seeing that Gu's mother had gone to the music room, Ye Zhenzhen leaned closer to him and whispered, "Hey, what's wrong? Why are you suddenly unhappy?"

"nothing."

"Impossible, you had such a long face just now." Ye Zhenzhen narrowed her eyes and leaned closer to interrogate her.

Although the wording is somewhat exaggerated, no one else could possibly discern anything from that handsome face.

Don't be fooled by the fact that men usually don't show much expression; once you spend a lot of time with them, Ye Zhenzhen can clearly discern their emotions.

Considering the strained relationship between him and Gu's mother, Ye Zhenzhen was somewhat worried.

The two sat very close, and because their summer clothes were light and thin, their arms were pressed against something soft because the person next to them was turned to the side.

Gu Tingshen's Adam's apple bobbed, and he subtly adjusted his posture, his displeasure vanishing as she stirred it up.

He pinched her delicate chin with his hand and turned her to a corner of the living room. "Look there."

"Oh, where did all these clothes come from?" Ye Zhenzhen then noticed the spectacular scene over there, which looked like the shelves of a luxury store had been emptied.

She turned to look at Gu Tingshen, who was picking up food with his head down, and immediately realized that this was probably Gu's mother's doing.

It's a domineering CEO style that's both strange and familiar.

I used to read novels with scenes like this: the domineering CEO takes the female lead shopping for clothes, clears out the store first, points to a few pieces of clothing, and waves his hand: "Wrap up everything except these few!"

She rubbed her forehead, feeling a little embarrassed. If this scenario happened in real life, she would just want to say to her domineering mother-in-law, "Why let luxury goods merchants make a profit? You might as well just give me the money directly!"

After finishing her meal, Ye Zhenzhen went to a pile of clothes racks and rummaged through them. Wow, there were new styles from all the major luxury brands, as well as limited edition haute couture pieces.

"Wow, that's a lot..." The more she looked, the more her heart bled. If this money were given to her foundation, it would be enough to upgrade the school buildings of several schools or build libraries.

You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. Before she established the foundation, she thought she was a rich woman, but now she has to stretch every penny in half.

There's no way around it, it's really expensive to do some legitimate charity work!

I'm even more motivated to make money now!

"You don't like these things," Gu Tingshen said quietly from behind her. "She's always like this, making decisions without ever considering whether you want them or not..."

Ye Zhenzhen had a gut feeling that he was talking about more than just the pile of clothes in front of her.

The man stood in the shadows, a mocking smile on his face.

Ye Zhenzhen's fingers trembled slightly, and she whispered, "How could you..."

"Zhenzhen, do you like the clothes Mom picked out for you?" Kong Shuyun walked out of the music room, saw the two of them standing there, and walked over with a smile.

As we got closer, we realized the atmosphere was heavy, and we slowed our pace.

"Mom, why did you suddenly decide to buy so many clothes?" Ye Zhenzhen stepped forward and smiled at Gu's mother, her fair hand behind her back, gently squeezing the man's large hand.

The man's hand naturally grasped hers, and he stood behind her, head bowed, silently playing with her fingers.

Gu's mother's smile was a little stiff as she carefully said, "When I saw you come home the other day, you were still wearing the dress I made for you. You've just taken over the company and are so busy that you don't even have time to go shopping, so I had them send you clothes in your size. If you don't like these styles, I'll have them send you the new ones so you can choose from them?"

Ye Zhenzhen tried to pull her hand away from behind, but couldn't. So she used her free arm to hold onto Gu's mother and walked towards the sofa.

"No need, thank you, Mom," Ye Zhenzhen explained with a smile. "It's not that I don't have time to go shopping, it's just that the clothes you and my mom made for me before were so comfortable that I don't like wearing those fashionable clothes anymore, they're too restrictive. Look at this dress, I picked out the fabric myself and designed the style myself, isn't it beautiful?"

Kong Shuyun touched it and said, "This kesi fabric is really nice. It's been a bit chilly at night lately, so it's perfect for you. It looks good on you and suits you very well."

"Really? If you like it, I'll make you a few sets too. I went to Suzhou yesterday and saw a lot of beautiful Suzhou embroidery fabrics."

"Let's wait until you're less busy. You've looked thinner lately." Kong Shuyun smiled kindly, relieved.

Ye Zhenzhen, with her curved eyebrows and wearing a traditional Chinese dress, sat there, making Su He seem like a fleeting image to Su He.

They look so alike.

The same cheerful smile, the same gentle and insightful nature.

"Let me take you upstairs to see some of my drawings, and see if you like them."

The two walked upstairs hand in hand, affectionately, leaving Gu Tingshen watching their retreating figures with a complicated expression.

---

Kong Shuyun remained silent until she left Mantingfang by car.

"What's wrong?" Gu Henian patted his wife's hand. "Did you have a fight with your son?"

"Is your son the kind of person who would argue with people?" Kong Shuyun glanced at him. "I wish he could argue with me."

“That’s probably difficult,” Gu Henian laughed. “Our son is just like you; the angrier he gets, the colder his face becomes, and his mouth is frozen shut, he can’t even open it.”

Seeing that his wife ignored him, he advised her again, "Young people's perspectives are definitely different from ours. In the future, you should worry less and learn to let go. I think Zhenzhen's approach is quite good. I heard from Nannan that he now makes his own decisions about eating, clothing, and buying toys, and Zhenzhen supports him in choosing according to his own ideas."

Kong Shuyun didn't speak again, quietly looking out the window. The streetlights outside reflected on her face, sometimes bright and sometimes dim.

---

Jiang Wei called the Gu family's housekeeper and directed the driver to drive into the villa.

After recording so many episodes, the production team has become quite familiar with Mantingfang.

In the courtyard, several floor-standing clothes racks were filled with clothes. Uncle Li was directing a group of young men to move things out. There were floor-standing clothes racks full of clothes and huge storage boxes. The scene was like a house move.

"Oh, Ms. Ye, are you moving?" Jiang Wei walked up to Ye Zhenzhen and asked curiously.

"Take these back to the company and give them to Director Cheng." Ye Zhenzhen was instructing her assistant, Xiao Cai, when she turned around and saw Jiang Wei and his group. She smiled and invited them in.

"Director Jiang is here, come in and let's talk." Ye Zhenzhen waved for Xiao Cai to take the people to get busy, and casually explained to him, "No, I just cleaned out the closet at home."

The assistant carrying the camera behind Jiang Wei was secretly astonished. If she wasn't mistaken, many of the latest luxury brand items, still with their tags on, had already been cleared away.

These rich people are so wasteful!!

Damn, I kind of want to go treasure hunting in the trash cans of Mantingfang!