When Cheng Che returned home from Guo Xin's house, it wasn't completely dark yet.
Pushing open the door, the living room lights were on, and Cheng Jianguo and Jiang Xue were sitting together on the sofa, a rare sight, with a pile of papers spread out in front of them.
There were printed shop information, handwritten accounts, and several photos screenshotted from the internet.
" Cheche, come take a look." Jiang Xue waved to him, her smile impossible to hide. "We've chosen a storefront."
Cheng Che changed his shoes and walked over, sitting down on the single sofa next to the coffee table.
Cheng Jianguo pushed the top sheet of paper over:
"Next to Spring City Old Street Primary School, good location, surrounded by three primary schools and two middle schools, no problem with foot traffic. 300,000 yuan, property rights can be transferred directly."
Cheng Che took the paper and looked at it carefully.
"Hmm," Jiang Xue added from the side, "The previous tenant was in the stationery business for over ten years, and he was getting old and retiring. The shelves, counters, and plumbing are all already there; we don't need to do any renovations. We plan to open a cultural and creative products store."
Cheng Che looked up. "Cultural and creative industries?"
Cheng Jianguo rubbed his hands together, his tone tinged with a slightly embarrassed excitement:
"Yes, postcards, washi tape, keychains, fridge magnets, plush pendants, hand-painted fans, and traditional Chinese style bookmarks. I saw online that elementary and middle school students like them, especially during peak tourist seasons."
Cheng Che paused for a moment, then smiled.
He had assumed his parents would choose a restaurant or snack shop and continue doing what they used to do.
He had been worried that just as he was letting his parents rest, they would jump into a new kind of hard labor.
Creative and cultural shops.
Relaxed, clean, and stylish; no need to get up at 3 a. m. or deal with cooking fumes every day.
"Okay." Cheng Che put the paper back. "If you don't have enough money, just tell me."
Jiang Xue her eyes at him. "That's enough. The 300,000 you gave me before, plus what we saved ourselves, is just right."
"That's fine then." Cheng Che stood up, patted his pants, "But you have to promise me one thing."
"What?"
"Don't overwork yourself. Find suitable business hours, open at nine in the morning and close at seven or eight in the evening, just enough to make a living."
Cheng Jianguo and Jiang Xue exchanged a glance but neither spoke.
But Cheng Che could tell they weren't really going to listen.
never mind.
Take your time.
At nine o'clock in the evening, Cheng Che finished showering and sat down at his computer desk in his pajamas.
He had just turned on his phone when a message popped up on WeChat.
[ Guo Xin: Quick! Join the group! Five Shadows Conference!]
Cheng Che clicked in and saw a newly created group called " Culture and Tourism Squad," with only five members.
As soon as he went inside, Guo Xin initiated a video call.
Cheng Che answered the call, and four screens popped up on the screen.
Guo Xin's image was the first to pop up.
He had clearly just taken a shower; his hair was still wet, and he was wearing a loose basketball jersey. The background was his bedroom, which was piled high with clutter.
"Hey, hey, hey, has everyone arrived yet?" Guo Xin leaned closer to the camera, his face looking twice as big.
The second call was connected.
It's Su Qingyue.
She was wearing light pink pajamas, her hair was half-dry, and stray strands clung to her forehead, as if she had just washed it and hadn't had time to blow-dry it.
She was brushing her wet hair back with her hand when she saw Cheng Che in the camera lens. Her hand paused for a moment, and the tips of her ears turned slightly red.
" Cheng Che." She waved gently.
The third scene features Lin Xiao.
Her hair was tied in a bun with a few stray strands sticking out. She was wearing a loose-fitting pajama top with a cartoon print, and she looked very casual.
She waved naturally at the camera. "Hello everyone! Good evening!"
The last one is Zhou Mingxuan.
He sat at his desk, wearing a black T-shirt and headphones, with a wall covered in maps in the background.
He nodded at the camera but didn't say anything more.
"Alright, everyone's here!" Guo Xin cleared his throat, striking a pose like a host. "Today's meeting is mainly to discuss the filming plan for the cultural tourism promotional video. First, I have a complaint!"
He pointed to the three images on the screen: Su Qingyue, Lin Xiao, Zhou Mingxuan.
"When I first created the group chat, saying we were filming cultural tourism videos, all three of them were incredibly busy. Su Qingyue said she needed to study, Lin Xiao said she needed to learn to drive, Zhou Mingxuan said he needed to play games."
"When I said I was taking the picture for Cheng Che, the three of you immediately changed your expressions."
Su Qingyue said, "Then I have time." Lin Xiao said, "You can learn to drive at night." Zhou Mingxuan said, "You don't have to play games."
"Tell me, what kind of behavior is this?" Guo Xin slammed his fist on the table. "This is double standards!"
On the screen, Su Qingyue and Lin Xiao both smiled sheepishly.
Zhou Mingxuan's tone was very flat:
"It's your own fault for not explaining clearly. You said 'Let's film a video together' from the beginning, but who knows what that means?"
"Now I'll make it clear: I'm filming for Cheng Che!"
"That's why I came," Zhou Mingxuan said.
Guo Xin was speechless for a moment, and finally managed to stammer, "You... you're quite eloquent."
Cheng Che watched from the side and couldn't help but laugh.
"Alright, alright," he interrupted. " Guo Xin, tell us your proposal first."
Guo Xin cleared his throat, set up his phone, and picked up a piece of paper covered in writing from the table.
"My plan is simple: film Cheng Che's Day. From practicing basketball in the morning, to studying or exercising during the day, to resting at night. Film for several days in a row, accumulate footage, and then edit it into a video."
After he finished speaking, he looked at the others and asked, "How was it?"
Su Qingyue thought for a moment, "It feels pretty good. It's immersive."
Lin Xiao nodded. "I think so too. Besides, Cheng Che is good-looking, so people will watch whatever he films."
"Superficial!" Guo Xin said, "But you're right."
Cheng Che did not rush to express his opinion.
He looked at Zhou Mingxuan.
Zhou Mingxuan leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he spoke.
"There is no differentiation."
Guo Xin was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"Too many people are making these kinds of videos." Zhou Mingxuan's voice was flat. " Douyin and Bilibili are full of 'recording my daily life,' 'a day at Tsinghua University,' 'a day in the life of an athlete.' They just film their daily lives, without any unique features, and viewers will swipe away after one glance."
Guo Xin opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but couldn't find the words.
Zhou Mingxuan continued:
" Cheng Che has fame, which is an advantage. But fame alone isn't enough; he also needs memorable elements. Since this is a cultural tourism video, not just a simple record of daily life, it needs to include cultural tourism elements. We can intersperse scenes of ordinary life with quick cuts showcasing the unique features of Caiyun Province."
"Finally," Zhou Mingxuan said, " Cheng Che said something to the camera to wrap things up."
"What did you say?" Guo Xin asked.
Welcome to the City of Caiyun.
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
Cheng Che watched the video on the screen and then imagined the scene Zhou Mingxuan had described.
"Sure."
He was genuinely shocked.
Zhou Mingxuan's proposal is a level above Guo Xin's "shooting everyday life".
It combines Cheng Che's personal style with the official attributes of the cultural and tourism sector, as well as the rhythm and memorable moments required for short videos.
" Mingxuan," Cheng Che said, "It's a shame you're not a director with that kind of brain."
A shy smile appeared on Zhou Mingxuan's face, completely different from his composure on the field. "I saw it online too."
"You didn't see that online!" Guo Xin shouted from behind, "You came up with it yourself! Don't be modest, brother!"
Su Qingyue and Lin Xiao also praised it repeatedly.
Zhou Mingxuan felt embarrassed by the praise and lowered his head, saying, "Then let's do it this way."
Guo Xin waved his hand:
"Okay! It's settled then! The first step is to film Cheng Che's daily life! Tomorrow, we'll film his morning practice!"
Cheng Che's expression was strange. "You guys really want to film this?"
"Of course!" Su Qingyue and Lin Xiao said in unison.
Zhou Mingxuan said, "It doesn't matter, I'm free tomorrow."
Cheng Che glanced at the four faces on the screen, then shrugged.
"Alright then. I'll get up at 5 a. m. tomorrow and practice at the park at 5:30 a. m. If you want to come, meet me at the entrance of Clearwater Bay Residential Complex before 5 a. m."
There was a two-second silence in the video.
Then the four sounds rang out almost simultaneously:
"Ah?"
"Five o'clock?! It's not even dawn yet!"
Cheng Che watched the reactions of the four people on the screen, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up.
"It's okay if you don't come," he said. "I'll take the photos myself."
"No way!" Guo Xin was the first to jump in. "How can you go back on your word! Five o'clock it is! Who's afraid of who!"
"Can you get up?" Cheng Che asked.
Guo Xin puffed out his chest. "I can't get up."
"..."
"But I can get my mom to call me!"
Cheng Che smiled.
Okay. See you tomorrow morning.