Chapter 361 Nepotism

"What marriage news?!" Su Yun was stunned.

"Didn't you say that Zhuang Long is one of us?" Uncle Zhao was also a little confused. "Although the current atmosphere is more open than before, if you want to push him onto the international stage, you need to tighten the strings in your hands at the right time..."

Seeing that Su Yun still looked confused, Uncle Zhao thought for a moment, coughed lightly, and continued to educate her: "Uncle was young once too, and of course he knows that when you are young, you are deeply in love, so he always feels that nothing can stop true love and separate you..."

"Even if you're already dead, you can never overestimate or underestimate people. When two people get along, you have to do it like a business. Only when you manage it with your heart can it last long..."

The more earnestly Uncle Zhao, who was in charge of speaking, tried to persuade her, the more Su Yun, who was in charge of listening, became more at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

In colloquialisms, “行麦” literally means two people coming together.

However, Chinese people are ashamed to speak directly about certain things, so they use various concealed references. They are always good at using seemingly ordinary words to extend their usages. Therefore, in addition to the superficial meaning above, the word "行葬" also has a deeper meaning, which means that two people have already had a relationship.

Regarding Uncle Zhao's exhortations, Su Yun had no doubt that she had misunderstood the word...

After discovering that the meanings of "our own people" seemed to be slightly different from those of Uncle Zhao, Su Yun wanted to explain it to Uncle Zhao.

However, Uncle Zhao's next words made her give up this idea.

It turned out that after graduating from university, Uncle Zhao first worked as a practicing lawyer in the Shanghai District Court and the Joint Court.

After Uncle Zhao saw the corrupt side of business activities, he did not want to inherit his father's paint business. Instead, he set his sights on stage dramas, which were called "civilized dramas" at the time, and established Tianyi Film Company, which also relied on drama to influence people's hearts and change customs - this was also the predecessor of Zhao & Son Company.

Su Yun had heard from her cousin Zhao Liying that Uncle Zhao's Tianyi Film Company was once besieged by other established film companies because of the sudden rise of a new force. In the end, they had no choice but to send Uncle Zhao San and Zhao Rifu to Southeast Asia to open up new markets. The companies were transformed into Zhao Father & Son Company and Zhao Brothers Company respectively.

Although Uncle Zhao gradually handed over the management of the film company he founded to his younger brothers after he turned fifty and returned to Shanghai to recuperate, he did not retire. Instead, he continued to serve as a member of the third and fourth committees of the Shanghai Municipal Association. In addition, he used drama and film to promote the anti-Japanese war, making him a typical red businessman.

It was after the reform and opening up in 1979 that the motherland began to develop. However, his health was not as good as before, so he gave up his job and came to Southeast Asia to retire.

Unfortunately, after Uncle Zhao, a multi-talented man who was proficient in screenwriting, directing and business, retired, his younger generations, like him in his day, had few desires to take over the film business passed down by their elders.

"So you understand why Big Brother likes you and Liying so much." Uncle Zhao smiled, "Only you and Liying are the most like him, especially since you can direct, act and love your country. Liying, who is more inclined to work behind the scenes, has been surpassed by you..."

"Mary brought me good luck. I almost died in 1979 when I was sick. Later I heard from Hong Kong that the company's performance had finally improved after all those years of dismal performance. That was really exciting and calmed me down." Most of the older generation are a bit superstitious, even intellectuals like Uncle Zhao who have studied law are no exception.

"It is because you are most like me that I, your uncle, must teach you well..." Uncle Zhao kept talking, and at least he made Su Yun understand why he asked this question tonight.

When Uncle Zhao first started his business, not only was he badly betrayed by his partners, but the female artist Hu Jie, whom he had made famous, was also poached by someone with a high salary. The departure of a popular pillar was undoubtedly a devastating blow to a company that had just started.

Uncle Zhao was so afraid of the dark that he finally found Chen Shumei, the second female artist he planned to promote. He married her first and then invested heavily in promoting her: In this way, this female artist is both the pillar of the company and the boss's wife. Who can poach his talents?

Aunt Chen Shumei was indeed the one who worked hand in hand with Uncle Zhao and supported each other for many decades in what people considered to be a business union.

Therefore, Uncle Zhao later only trusted his wife, brothers and sisters, and relatives and descendants, who were "his own people", and directly and indirectly led to the habit of "nepotism" that was engraved in the bones of the Zhao family.

My goodness, is she planning to follow the old-fashioned romance route of having a "fake marriage" to please the elders?

Su Yun complained a few words in her heart, but on the surface she was vague about the matter: Anyway, we would only be filming in Singapore for over a week, and after a while we could go to Thailand to continue work.

However, what she didn't expect was that after this vague situation, Uncle Zhao really treated Zhuang Long as her secret boyfriend. When he was free in the evening, he would ask her to bring Zhuang Long to the mansion for dinner.

When he had nothing to do, he would secretly chat with Zhuang Long, as if he regarded him as his future nephew-in-law.

Although Zhuang Long smokes, he rarely does so: firstly, Su Yun doesn't like the smell of cigarettes; secondly, he is not very fond of it and only smokes occasionally when necessary for social events.

As a result, after being taken care of by Uncle Zhao, who looked gentle and wore glasses but had a big cigar in his mouth in a domineering manner, I always had to cough for a while after returning home.

Su Yun couldn't say much about the cigar smoking habit that the old Shanghai bosses developed due to social activities. She could only advise Zhuang Long to smoke less and pay attention to health care.

Zhuang Long explained helplessly: "I was afraid of saying something wrong and being exposed, so I could only smoke as much as possible..."

After all, Uncle Zhao is an 80-year-old shrewd businessman with mixed political and business backgrounds. After so many years of ups and downs, his few tricks are really not enough.

If she was exposed, Su Yun would definitely be in trouble.

Fortunately, the filming work was quite tight, and Uncle Zhao didn't want to take up too much of Su Yun's time.

When he knew that Su Yun's next stop was Chiang Mai, he generously said that he had an old friend who ran a hotel there, and when Su Yun finished work early, they could go there to relax for a few days.

After Su Yun thanked Uncle Zhao, she called the entire crew to prepare to set off.

When the crew was waiting for departure in the terminal hall, Uncle Zhao Da and Uncle Zhao San, who were still in good health, insisted on coming over to see Su Yun off.

After thanking the two uncles for their concern again and promising to come visit them again when she has the chance, Su Yun then called on the rest of the crew to prepare to check tickets and set off.

Uncle Zhao looked at the long queue, leaned on his cane and thought for a while, then suddenly looked at Zhuang Long and said, "Come with me, I have something to say to you."

Zhuang Long looked at Su Yun with some worry, and Su Yun immediately pushed him away: "My uncle won't eat you, don't be afraid, just go ahead."

In the eyes of the "insider", it seemed that the young couple who were having a secret affair were called away by their parents to talk alone, so he felt uneasy.

Uncle Zhao pushed his glasses and motioned for Zhuang Long to take the suitcase. Then he slowly took him to an empty corner a little further away and spoke in a low voice.

Su Yun took a look and didn't find any situation like an evil mother-in-law making things difficult for her young daughter-in-law, so she continued to pack her luggage and wait for testing.

Not long after, Zhuang Long came back with a suitcase, looking confused.

"What did your uncle tell you?" Su Yun asked curiously, "Can you tell me something?"

Zhuang Long glanced at Su Yun, then at Uncle Zhao who was waving goodbye to him with a smile, and the complicated expression on his face became even more intense.

After a while, he spoke with some embarrassment and said simply: "It's just some ordinary reminders, let us have fun and pay attention to safety..."

"Old people always like to say these things. Just think of it as his good intentions and concern for us." Su Yun waved her hand.

In fact, seeing Zhuang Long's dilemma, it is estimated that Uncle Zhao might ask Zhuang Long, his shady "boyfriend", to look after her and watch over her - who cares? By then, the emperor will be far away and Uncle Zhao and his third uncle will not be able to control her.

The old man's kindness still needs to be accepted. Su Yun didn't think about it any more. If he didn't know, he would just pretend that he didn't see or hear it...

It only takes three hours by plane from Singapore to Chiang Mai. After the entire crew had a rest, they all threw themselves into the work of shooting the movie: the boss Su Yun promised that if the work could be finished ahead of schedule in these two weeks, everyone could have a holiday for the remaining three or two days, and then they would have one day off for New Year's Day when they returned to Hong Kong. This trip was equivalent to a funded tour!

With Su Yun's promise leading the way, the entire crew was really excited and finished shooting all the necessary materials three days before the end of the month.

Su Yun knew how to clearly distinguish between rewards and punishments and combine work with rest. Since everyone worked so hard, rewards were of course indispensable. She immediately chartered two buses and took the entire crew to Uncle Zhao's old friend's place.

Uncle Zhao's old friend had received the news long ago. After he asked his men to come up and welcome them, he began to take people in batches to distribute rooms and keys.

The small villa where Su Yun lived this time was a little far away from where other people lived.

According to the staff who led the way, this area is the highest-end villa area under their company. The environment is better than that of the other area, with mountains, water, flowers and trees. In addition, the distance between each villa is farther, so it is not easy to be disturbed by others or disturb others.

"Many people like to choose the small villas in this area for their honeymoon. If the boss's friend hadn't booked it in advance, you probably wouldn't be able to stay here..." After the staff introduced the internal environment, they also briefly told Su Yun about the popularity of small villas in this area.

After looking at the elegantly decorated living room and the super large round bed in the room, Su Yun nodded with satisfaction and took the key from the staff.

Then, under Su Yun's confused gaze, the staff handed the other key to Zhuang Long who was standing beside her.

After coming to her senses, Su Yun discovered that her uncle had actually booked a "couple room" for her. She was silent for a moment, and then took the initiative to send away the staff member who explained with a smile that there were no extra villas available for rent.

"I thought he brought me here first, and then took you to the other building..." Su Yun sighed as he closed the door.

"It's okay. I'll sleep on the sofa. This long sofa is pretty big." Zhuang Long felt that he was the elder, so he took the initiative to help break the awkward atmosphere. "If we gather tomorrow, I'll go earlier and leave you at a different time. If anyone asks, I'll say we live alone and just happened to be assigned to the same area."

"Fortunately, everyone else is in another area..." Su Yun breathed a sigh of relief and started to pack up, "That's it."

While packing, I had to deal with the long-distance call from Uncle Zhao: "Yes, yes, I understand, thank you, uncle..."

"Don't worry, I will definitely pay attention!" This is probably the tone that elders always use when telling their children. The core meaning of this advice is "have fun and pay attention to safety". Su Yun has heard it countless times since she was a child.

"Do you have any mosquito repellent?" After hanging up the phone, Su Yun took out an empty bottle and turned to look at the living room. "Mine is out."

Zhuang Long was tidying up the sofa in the living room so that it would be convenient for making the bed later. When he heard Su Yun's words, he naturally said without even raising his head: "I have more in my suitcase, you can get it yourself."

This was not the first time the two of them had stayed in the same room. Although Su Yun was now an adult, the days of sharing joys and sorrows in the early years had fostered a familiarity between the two that was not like family but better than family. So Su Yun readily responded and ran directly to the cabinet to drag out Zhuang Long's suitcase.

Before Su Yun had searched for long, Zhuang Long's pupils shrank as he suddenly realized that there seemed to be something "problematic" with his suitcase. He put down the blanket in his hand and rushed to the cabinet. Su Yun was already holding a package in a beautifully wrapped envelope and looking at him with a scrutinizing look.

"Let me explain..." Zhuang Long subconsciously wanted to explain.

However, Su Yun, who felt that she had already figured out what was inside the package by feeling around from the outside, did not give him a chance to explain and said, "No wonder my uncle called you over secretly at that time. It turns out that he wanted to give you these shady things..."

“It’s not what you think…” Zhuang Long felt that he was speechless at the moment.

"It's not what I thought. With this size and volume, what else can it be but a cigarette box?!" Su Yun didn't care about the complicated expression on his face, and almost scolded him with a sullen face, "How many times have I told you not to smoke! But there are five boxes in this pack!"

"Do you think there's a cigarette box inside?" Zhuang Long asked in disbelief.

The next moment, his expression seemed to relax a lot, and his voice, which was originally full of tension, also slowed down: "Yes, I understand. I will try to smoke less in the future. Let me take it and throw it away."

"You wish!" Su Yun completely ignored the hand he extended, tightly grasped the package in her hand and stepped back.

"Give it to me..." Zhuang Long took a step forward and continued to hold out his hand, but Su Yun was really determined not to give it to him. As the two of them exchanged words, Su Yun only paid attention to Zhuang Long's movements and accidentally turned the seal of the package downwards...

Zhuang Long thought to himself that this package was not sealed tightly. Moreover, when he curiously opened it to check the contents, he found the contents were too... indescribable, so he stuffed it back into the suitcase in a panic without rewrapping it properly.

As the sounds of cartons falling to the ground were heard, several small cartons with fancy packaging and particularly sexy colors fell around Su Yun.

Seeing Zhuang Long turn away, Su Yun thought he felt he was caught red-handed and therefore was too ashamed to face her, so she lowered her head with a smug smile, wanting to pick up these "evidences" so that she could speak more confidently in front of him in the future.

Unexpectedly, when I lowered my head, what caught my eye were boxes of products with the words "ultra-thin", "moist", "spiral", "granules" and the insane "5 pieces/box" arranged in a chaotic but orderly manner...