Taking Off in the True Sense

A person should have self-awareness.

Since then, Mr. Zhou has never tried to visit again.

Meanwhile, Zhang Zhaohai and his wife, living in Hangzhou, naturally enjoyed sightseeing and exploring the Hangzhou's natural beauty. Under Yu Kaili's arrangement, they had a wonderful time.

The trip, which lasted for almost half a month, has come to a successful end.

The couple bid a reluctant farewell to Hangzhou and their Peach Blossom Spring mansion, which felt like a paradise, and set off back to Yinghai.

On the return trip, Yu Kaili personally arranged for a car to take them.

"I'm still a little reluctant to leave," Zhang Zhaohai said, clicking his tongue and looking at the scenery flashing past the window.

"What are you reluctant to give up? You're used to living in Peach Blossom Spring, so going back to a small villa won't be right, will it?" Song Wenqin said with a smile. "I'll tell my son later that his dad is eyeing his house."

"Hey, no, no, these kinds of things are just between my husband and me. Don't tell our son," Zhang Zhaohai said quickly, his face flushing.

"Look how anxious you are, don't worry," Song Wenqin said with a smile. "Besides, it's not like we won't come back when we go back. It's more fun to balance work and rest. We can come again next time we want."

"That's true." Zhang Zhaohai laughed heartily.

··

As autumn arrives, Soup King Hotpot is once again experiencing a surge in new openings across the country.

Each new store you open brings a wave of experience points.

Naturally, the upgrade will happen in no time.

Bite!

Congratulations, host, you have reached level 10.

Current level: Level 10 (0/800)

Current daily cashback: 350,000

Ding: You have an upgrade gift pack to claim (Claim now?)

Zhang Yang stood on the balcony of COFCO Seaview No. 1, his expression changing only slightly—there was joy, but more so, understanding.

These days, he's no longer easily swayed by a single upgrade.

The current upgrade brings him more material benefits.

But materially, he already possessed far too much.

For example, the daily cashback increased from 300,000 to 350,000 per day, which is only a few tens of millions more in cashback per year, which is better than nothing.

"Let's take a look at the upgrade gift pack," Zhang Yang muttered to himself.

Based on past experience, upgrade packages usually contain luxury homes, luxury cars, or properties, so there's nothing particularly new about them.

Bite!

Congratulations, host, you have acquired all the equity of Guangrui Media, valued at eight billion.

"Oh, it's that." Zhang Yang blinked, showing some interest.

It wasn't that the industrial value gained this time was particularly high, but rather that I felt a sense of novelty.

Guangrui Media.

A long-established domestic comprehensive entertainment group, primarily involved in investment and operation of films, television dramas, artist management, record production, entertainment marketing, and other fields.

It was once a major player in China's traditional entertainment industry.

Of course, with the rise of new media in recent years, Guangrui Media has lost its former glory. However, even a fallen camel is bigger than a horse. Today, it is still an indispensable company in the Chinese entertainment industry, witnessing the development of the mainland entertainment circle.

Even today, Guangrui Media still boasts a large number of well-known artists in the industry.

What exactly is "playing the game" in the film and entertainment industry?

Capital and connections are both essential, and Zhang Yang happens to have both.

"Looks like I'll have to accept this identity as a big shot in the entertainment industry, even if I don't want to," Zhang Yang suddenly chuckled.

With Guangrui Media in hand, coupled with the Huaying Film and Television Base under construction, and his capital and network of connections, he had the potential to achieve his goals.

It's just the entertainment industry; he can navigate it with ease.

Of course, playing games is just a way to pass the time when he's bored; it's not his main job.

That afternoon, he took his private plane straight to Beijing, and also went to take over his new business.

Guangrui Media, Beijing Headquarters.

Gao Zichang, the current general manager of Guangrui Media and a former senior executive who has held important positions in several major media companies in China, could not contain his excitement and rushed out to greet them with a group of senior executives.

"Hello Chairman Zhang, I am Gao Zichang, the current general manager of Guangrui."

Guangrui Media had been stagnant for a long time, finally welcomed a new owner today, and it turned out to be none other than Mr. Zhang, a well-known figure in Beijing...

Doesn't this mean that Guangrui Media's opportunity for another leap forward is about to arrive?

"Yes, hello, please lead the way." Zhang Yang raised his hand and shook hands with everyone, glancing at the headquarters building in front of him.

This headquarters building is an asset of Guangrui Media itself. They bought the land and built it themselves in the early 2000s. Now it seems to be one of Guangrui Media's important assets.

A moment later, Gao Zichang, known as the company's tyrant, bowed and scraped as he led the way.

Along the way, all the company's interns and signed artists watched this scene from afar, not daring to breathe.

As Zhang Yang walked, he glanced at each of Guangrui Media's functional departments.

Departments like Art Creation, Marketing & Publicity, Film & Television, Copyright Management, and Artist Management...

The architecture is comprehensive, with complete hardware and software facilities.

Its former glory is clearly evident.

Passing through the training room, Zhang Yang also saw a group of idol trainees with dreams of becoming famous, practicing their dance diligently.

The company's top floor, inside the office.

Zhang Yang sat in the boss's chair without hesitation, with the magnificent skyline of Beijing visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

In my hand is the company's current list of signed artists.

Zhang Yang casually flipped through the pages and saw many familiar names.

The overall composition of artists naturally presents a pyramid shape, with the most newcomers at the bottom and fewer established stars at the top.

"Huh?" Zhang Yang flipped through the pages and suddenly discovered a big problem.

Where are the top male and female artists who should be at the very top of Guangrui Media's contracted artists? Given Guangrui's former status, shouldn't it have at least a few A-list stars to maintain its presence?

"Chairman Zhang, there are indeed... for example..." Gao Zichang named several well-deserved big stars in the entertainment industry, "These are all stars that Guangrui has nurtured, but now it's popular for them to open their own studios. These few's contracts have expired and we're not renewing them."

"Got it." Zhang Yang said dismissively. "Call someone for a meeting..."

A moment later, the company's top executives gathered in the conference room, along with the company's contracted directors, musicians, and producers.

These are the company's true assets, especially the directors and musicians, who are all renowned figures in the industry.

Accompanied by Gao Zichang, Zhang Yang entered the venue, and the entire audience immediately stood up and burst into applause.

"Sit down, and let's get to the point," Zhang Yang said, looking around the room.

In the following meeting, Zhang Yang announced a comprehensive plan, including an incentive program, a film and television project, and an artist development program.

"Money is not a problem, nor are resources."

"I'll provide whatever you need; just produce results."

At the meeting, everyone looked excited and full of fighting spirit.

After the meeting, Zhang Yang sat in his office and made a few phone calls.

First, it was Tian Chuxi.

"I've acquired Guangrui Media, and now the top female star position is vacant. Do you want to come?" Zhang Yang asked bluntly.

"Oh my god, I'm flattered." Tian Chuxi's voice was full of surprise. "I don't like living under someone else's roof, but if it's you, then it's no problem?"

"Okay, the top spot at Guangrui Media is waiting for you," Zhang Yang said with a smile.

Now that several of Guangrui Media's former top stars have become independent, they have all chosen to leave and set up their own studios. So now, it is natural to need to cultivate new top stars.

With Tian Chuxi coming over, it's a good opportunity to channel resources towards her.

She already had a strong potential to become one of the four most popular young actresses in the Chinese entertainment industry. With him protecting her, she's sure to secure that position, and it's not impossible that she could even become the top of the four.

"Next..." Zhang Yang casually made another call to Ouyang Feifei and explained his purpose.

Upon hearing Zhang Yang's purpose, Ouyang Feifei across from her was clearly moved and extremely excited.

"Young Master Zhang... I... I really want to go, but..."

"You're talking about the contract issue, right? No problem, I'll handle it for you. It's just a matter of whether you want to come over," Zhang Yang said. "If you come to me, I definitely won't treat you unfairly. Haven't you always wanted more film and television resources? I have plenty."

Now that things have come to this, what is there to hesitate about?

"It's my honor that Young Master Zhang thinks highly of me, I'll go!" Ouyang Feifei didn't hesitate for a moment longer.

A moment later, after ending the call, Zhang Yang made another call.

As soon as the call connected, an extremely humble voice came from the other end.

"Mr. Zhang?"

"Hello, I'd like to ask you for someone..."

In no time at all, everything was settled.

Although he personally asked for the person, and the other party nodded almost without hesitation, Zhang Yang was not the type to let someone suffer a loss.

Therefore, he didn't hesitate to offer the appropriate compensation; he couldn't let the other party suffer a loss, could he?

In this way, after a few phone calls, Zhang Yang finalized the two men's participation.

Although neither of them are super popular celebrities, they both have great potential and are very capable.

With proper support, becoming a superstar is only a matter of time.

On the same day, Guangrui Media announced the addition of Tian Chuxi and Ouyang Feifei, quickly filling the vacancies left by the departure of the original top stars.

The entire company was instantly invigorated.

··

On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the elections in the Gangge Republic, far away in Africa, have entered their final stage.

Zabol surged ahead with unprecedented dominance, defeating all his rivals along the way, and the presidency was practically within his grasp.

Although it's only one step away, the outcome is practically a foregone conclusion.

Once Zabol successfully comes to power, with the advantages of the system, it will almost only be a matter of time before he consolidates all local power in Gango into the central government.

By then, Africa will have a centralized state with a population of over 100 million and a vast territory.

This is of profound significance.

For Zhang Yang, this was an even more momentous event.

Although the presidential election results have not yet been finalized, he is already preparing to travel to Africa.

Because once everything settles down, his life will embark on an unimaginable new path.

Take off.

A true takeoff.

On the eve of his trip to Africa, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhang Yang returned to Yinghai from Beijing, ready to enjoy a proper family reunion.

It's that time of year again – the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Zhang Yang traveled lightly, walking alone along the streets of his hometown. Watching people come and go, he felt as if he were in another world.

I still remember everything that happened on last year's Mid-Autumn Festival night.

Before we knew it, Mid-Autumn Festival was here again.

Upon returning home, he didn't go anywhere—not to a hotel, not home. He simply walked alone through the streets and alleys that were once so familiar, savoring the sense of familiarity that every inch of this land brought him.

"Huh? Up ahead..."

Not far away, a long queue had formed at a mooncake shop, seemingly selling a very popular mooncake.

On a whim, Zhang Yang inexplicably went to join the queue.

He trailed at the back of the line, moving forward little by little with the group.

Finally, it was his turn.

"I want this..." Zhang Yang looked up at the signboard, about to speak.

"Sorry, handsome, you'll have to wait until the next round." Several uncles and aunties wearing chef's hats in the shop looked apologetic.

"It's nothing," Zhang Yang shook his head, amused.

When he has nothing, he will inevitably jump up and down and complain when faced with this situation.

But now, he just laughs it off.

Did he want to eat mooncakes? Probably not.

"Handsome, want some to try?" A few girls stood together not far away, secretly sizing up Zhang Yang for a while.

"Thank you, but no need," Zhang Yang waved his hand politely.

"Don't be shy." A girl stepped forward, opened the box of mooncakes in her hand, and said, "Take one and try it. If you like it, you can continue queuing. If you don't like it, don't bother queuing. It'll take a long time."

"Okay, thank you." Zhang Yang didn't refuse and took one.

Several girls looked at each other, gently nudging one another, until finally someone mustered up the courage.

"Um... handsome, can I add you on WeChat?"

"Sure." Zhang Yang took a bite of the mooncake; it was sweet and savory, and still warm.

He casually took out his phone, added her on WeChat, and showed her his QR code.

Several girls happily took out their phones and added each other on WeChat, all of them quite satisfied.

"Are the mooncakes delicious?"

"Not bad." Zhang Yang nodded.

"Then... then you line up here, okay? By the way... Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!" The young girls, full of youthful exuberance, wished Zhang Yang well.

"Happy Mid-Autumn Festival." Zhang Yang smiled and nodded.

"I'll be going now, talk to you later, bye-bye." The girls waved gently, then turned back several times as they left to say goodbye.

"Okay, bye." Zhang Yang smiled and watched them leave.

A moment later, he left carrying a box of mooncakes.

He had intended to go straight home, but somehow, he ended up passing by a restaurant with an exceptionally high-end and sophisticated decor.

[Memories of Jiangnan]

Compared to ordinary restaurants, the name seems a bit out of touch with reality, and the upscale decor makes it inaccessible to the average diner.

But Zhang Yang walked towards the store with a smile.

This shop was opened by him and his wife, the hot mom Li Xiaoxuan.

He paid for it, and the young, hot mom took care of everything else.

Each person owns half.

Although he had paid for it, this was his first time visiting the store. Li Xiaoxuan would occasionally update him on the progress via WeChat.

Honestly, how could he possibly care about such a small shop?

In other words, Li Xiaoxuan treats it as a career.

Judging from the current situation, it's clear that Li Xiaoxuan has put a lot of effort into this store.