1990s: Spring Water Family

Chapter 105 Modeling and Shooting Promotional Brochures
The night market was as brightly lit as ever, with all sorts of stalls lining both sides of the road.

In early July, with primary and secondary schools on holiday, the number of people visiting the night market increased significantly, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

After dinner, the three uncles and nephews arrived at the night market, where a large crowd had already gathered in front of the sporting goods store.

"I'm coming."

Upon seeing their uncle's tricycle, the crowd spontaneously parted to make way for them.

"Lin Daiyu, have you watched TV?"

Liu Ye walked out of the sports store with an excited look on his face, shouting at the top of his lungs: "The promotional video for Quanshui Renjia was broadcast on Shandong News Network. The part where Old Gu was writing calligraphy by Daming Lake was particularly eye-catching. And the scene of you and Gu Bin boating in the lotus pond, a perfect match of talent and beauty, was absolutely stunning. It can't be described with just the word 'beautiful'."

Lin Xiyu's eyes twitched when she heard the words "Lin Meimei".

She's being talked about as if she were Lin Daiyu, the delicate and frail character from "Dream of the Red Chamber." That character is from one of the Four Great Classical Novels; she's not worthy of such a comparison.

"We were too busy getting supplies."

My cousin said with a hint of regret, "It's such a pity I didn't see the news."

"They're famous now."

Liu Ye laughed and boasted, "With my buddy's looks, people would believe he's a top star."

"My sister is just as good."

His cousin teased him, saying, "The saying goes, 'Red flower complements green leaves,' but in front of my sister, your brother is at best a green leaf."

"Hehe, Sister Lei is right, I was blind."

Liu Ye grinned shamelessly: "Since our sister is so beautiful, it would be such a waste to waste such a resource. How about this, we'll ask her to help us by taking a promotional photo for our decoration company's opening brochure."

"You're quite the sly one, aren't you?"

My cousin was furious: "Using my sister to attract business, printing her picture in the brochures, what gives you the right? It's a matter of portrait rights, don't you understand?"

"Give me money, will you give me money?"

Liu Ye patiently reasoned with her: "Besides, Brother Bin also has shares in the decoration company, and you are also a business manager. Making money benefits everyone."

How much money?

My cousin's abacus beads clicked loudly as she said, "It can't be less. My sister is a celebrity now. To be honest, we wouldn't even look at a small company like yours."

"one thousand."

Liu Ye silently complained to himself.

What's with the attitude? Who's the boss here? Does anyone talk to their boss like that?

Of course, he only dared to say these words in his heart behind the sisters' backs; he would never dare to say them to their faces.

"A thousand? That's too little."

My cousin was dissatisfied: "Are you trying to fob me off like a beggar? My sister is worth at least 5 now, she won't do it for less."

"Sis, you're my real sister, okay?"

Liu Ye feigned misery, saying, "Our company hasn't even opened yet. Buying shops, hiring people, decorating the show flats—all in all, it's already cost nearly 100,000 yuan. It's our own business, so we have to save as much as we can."

"If you want to save money, why don't you ask your buddy to take the picture for you?"

My cousin wouldn't budge: "Gu Bin is also a shareholder. You said it yourself, his face is as good as a popular star, and he has more appeal than my sister. Why don't you go and persuade him?"

"How could I dare to lie to him?"

Liu Ye chuckled wryly, "That's a big shot; I can't possibly ask him to come."

"You don't dare to fool him, but you dare to fool us?"

My cousin looked at me with disdain: "Are you picking on the weak? Do you think we're easy to bully?"

"Good sister, how could I dare to bully you?"

Liu Ye clasped his hands together, almost kowtowing to her: "I'm just trying to reason with you nicely. 5 is really too much. It's just for printing a few brochures. It's really not worth that much money."

"Then 4 it is."

My cousin took a step back.

"One thousand and five."

Liu Ye bargained.

"Seven thousand."

My cousin's score dropped a little more.

"Sixteen thousand."

Liu Ye kept bowing and pleading, "Good sister, please have mercy on me. I really can't do any more. This is already the limit. If I add any more, I'll have to go to great lengths."

"Xi Yu".

My cousin turned her head and asked Lin Xiyu for her opinion: "Sixteen thousand, do you agree?"

Liu Ye spoke first: "Good sister, I'm begging you."

"Okay."

Lin Xiyu pretended to be troubled, but she was secretly overjoyed.

Her secret stash of money has been filled again.

If this continues, I can earn a lot of pocket money over the summer vacation.

"My sister is a straightforward person."

Liu Ye breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't stop smiling.

When will it be filmed?

Lin Xiyu calculated the time: "I'm afraid I can't do it during the day, so I can only do it in the evening, or very early in the morning, before 8 o'clock."

"Would tomorrow morning be alright?"

Liu Ye asked tentatively.

"can."

Lin Xiyu nodded: "Tell me the address where you want to film, and I'll go there myself."

"Dongguan Street is very close to your house."

Liu Ye took out his business card from his pocket and handed it to her: "It's less than two hundred meters after you cross the moat."

"Dingsheng Decoration?!"

Lin Xiyu looked at the business card and praised with a smile, "This name is great! Who came up with it?"

"of course"

Liu Ye straightened his back, just about to boast a little, when he caught a glimpse of Gu Bin riding his bicycle around Furong Street. He immediately changed his tune: "Brother Bin, no one but Brother Bin has the ability to come up with such a bright and grand name. Just for this name, our company can make a lot of money."

"Your flattery is so over the top, it's suffocating me."

My cousin couldn't stand his fawning attitude; she practically rolled her eyes to the sky.

"It's settled then. See you at your company entrance at 7 a.m. tomorrow."

Lin Xiyu suppressed a laugh and put the business cards away.

What are you going to the company for?

Gu Bin approached the three people and got out of the car.

"Brother, let's go inside and talk, so as not to delay their business."

Liu Ye was afraid that if Gu Bin got involved, the cooperation that had been so hard to reach would fall through again, so he hurriedly pulled Gu Bin away.

"go Go."

Lin Xiyu was in an extremely good mood because she was making money.

Seeing her smiling happily, Gu Bin smiled slightly and didn't bother arguing with that ignorant person.

After the two left, my cousin set up her business stall and started doing business.

The crowd immediately erupted in noise, with onlookers eager to watch the spectacle and appreciate the fashion show forming a dense, impenetrable barrier.

"Come on, come on, the latest export-style clothing, ten yuan a piece."

"Do not miss passing through."

"Exported products now sold domestically, genuine products guaranteed."

"Buying one item isn't much, buying two is still a good deal, and buying three or four is even more cost-effective. The more you buy, the bigger the discount."

My cousin instantly perked up and started shouting at the top of her lungs. Her intonation and rhythmic delivery made the onlookers chuckle with amusement.

As usual, Lin Xiyu picked out her favorite clothes and went to the dressing room.

As expected, when the pretty young woman came out of the dressing room after changing her clothes, the crowd erupted in excitement again, starting a new round of shopping frenzy.

-

Dongguan Street is located outside the moat, not far from Donghua Street. According to the zoning of old Jinan city before liberation, it was already considered to be outside the city wall.

This area was redeveloped relatively early, with dilapidated old houses replaced by towering high-rises. Narrow roads were widened into two-way lanes, lined with restaurants and shops on both sides, their neon lights flashing, creating a bustling atmosphere.

Dingsheng Decoration Company is located on Dongguan Street, less than 200 meters from the moat.

The area directly opposite the company's main gate is under construction; it is said that a large-scale wholesale market for small commodities will be built there.

The wholesale market is expected to be completed in October, followed by the leasing and sale of shops, with the official opening expected in early 1994.

The period from the end of October to the two months before the opening is the golden period for renovation.

Wang Fan chose this location for his company because he saw the business opportunities in the small commodity wholesale market.

-

Lin Xiyu got up very early, leaving home at 6:30 a.m., and arrived at Dongguan Street in less than 15 minutes by bicycle.

My cousin was worried about her being alone, so she insisted on coming along and kept yawning in the back seat.

When the two sisters arrived, Gu Bin and Liu Ye were already there. The model room had been prepared and converted into a temporary photography studio.

After a brief exchange, Lin Xiyu changed into her outfit as requested by the photographer, and the photoshoot began immediately.

The decorated show flat has three rooms in addition to the kitchen and toilet.

A study, a bedroom, and a living room.

The filming scene in the study required her to dress as a stylish professional woman, sitting in front of a computer typing.

She filmed a documentary with the "Spring Water Family" program crew and learned some of the essence of filmmaking.

The moment the bright light comes on, you immediately get into the zone.

A sophisticated career woman, dressed in a white shirt, pencil skirt, and high heels, sits elegantly in front of her computer, her hands rapidly typing on the keyboard.

She had never used a computer before and didn't know how to play games, but that didn't hinder her outstanding performance.

She struck a pose, pretending to be looking at the screen very seriously, her hands tapping away incessantly.

At first glance, he really does look like a computer expert.

My cousin was very excited watching from the sidelines, and Liu Ye gave her a thumbs up.

She was the only one staring at the jumbled mess on the screen, secretly amused.

Her joy was involuntarily reflected on her face; the corners of her lips turned up slightly, curving into a charming arc.

The photographer raised his camera, clicked, and captured the perfect moment.

-

The second scene is the living room setting.

The living room is decorated in a classic style, with mahogany tables and chairs, and a complete tea set on the coffee table.

Lin Xiyu pretended to be very knowledgeable about tea ceremony, and brewed and rinsed the tea.

Liu Ye gave her a simple explanation of the steps of tea ceremony, which Lin Xiyu memorized and practiced several times according to the procedure.

Once everything was ready, the moment the bright light shone, the girl in the classic cheongsam instantly transformed into a highly skilled tea master.

A beautiful woman brewing tea is a delightful sight.

To the eye, the tea seemed exceptionally fragrant and sweet.

The photographer was also captivated by the beautiful scenery, and the camera shutter kept clicking away.

After the filming ended, Gu Bin went to the coffee table, took the teacup from her hand, and drank it all in one gulp.

My cousin was a little slow and missed the teacup. Instead, she picked up the teapot and drank heartily from the spout.

Gu Bin glared at her with some displeasure.

"What's wrong? My sister made the tea, can't I drink it? I'm her older sister, her own older sister, understand?"

My cousin met her gaze defiantly, deliberately emphasizing the word "kiss."

Gu Bin: "."

I tolerated it for my girlfriend's sake.

-

There was a slight hiccup during the filming of the third scene.

Liu Ye wanted to film in the bedroom, but Gu Bin disagreed and decided to film in the kitchen instead.

The two women were arguing and both looked at the two sisters.

Lin Xiyu naturally supported Gu Bin, and she didn't want outsiders to see her in her pajamas.

The silk pajamas felt cool and comfortable to wear, and my cousin couldn't help but blush when she saw how little fabric was used.

With the support of the two sisters, Gu Bin won 3-1.

Liu Ye had no choice but to give up and had the photographer move the camera equipment to the kitchen.

Lin Xiyu put on an apron and transformed into a virtuous wife and loving mother, equally at home in the living room and the kitchen.

She can cook and is used to being busy in the kitchen, so she is very skilled at filming.

The photographer circled her from all sides and quickly selected the best angle.

"Crack."

The camera shutter clicked, the shoot was over, and the photographer, still feeling a bit unsatisfied, put away his camera and gave her an OK sign.

“How’s the effect?”

Liu Ye asked impatiently, "When can we get the photos?"

"The earliest would be the morning after tomorrow."

The photographer thought for a moment and said, "I have a lot of work to do right now, so I'll try to wash yours first."

"Thank you, brother."

Liu Ye took out a red envelope and handed it to him as a thank you for the service.

The photographer didn't stand on ceremony, putting the red envelope in his pocket. As he packed up his camera equipment, he gave Lin Xiyu a meaningful look.

Lin Xiyu's eyelids twitched. The moment he looked over, she felt a surge of discomfort, as if she were being stared at by a wolf.

-

My cousin was determined and went to the soy sauce factory to resign that very morning.

The soy sauce factory was already struggling financially and was planning to lay off employees. The deputy factory manager in charge of personnel agreed without hesitation.

My cousin walked out of the factory gate with her June wages of 400 RMB, feeling like a bird released from its cage. She was overjoyed, and even the sky, which seemed no different from any other day, appeared exceptionally blue.

Wang Fan assigned her the job of a business manager, responsible for receiving customers who come to inquire, and she would receive an extra commission for each successful deal.

She was called a manager, but the company had just been established and she didn't have a single salesperson under her; she was a complete lone commander.

Fortunately, Wang Fan spared Lin Xiyu's feelings and did not exploit her.

Her working hours are from 9 am to 6 pm, with weekends off, and she can get double pay for overtime.

My cousin's base salary is 1,000 yuan a month, which averages out to 33 yuan a day. Double that would be 66 yuan.

She was secretly delighted, thinking about how she could earn double the money over the weekend.

On her first day at work, she had already planned it out: she would have to take leave from Monday to Friday if anything came up, and she had to earn the double pay on weekends.

-

The promotional video for Quanshui Renjia (a local community) was featured on CCTV's News Broadcast, which greatly boosted the morale of the production team.

The scene of handsome men and beautiful women dressed in Hanfu boating on Daming Lake was very well received. Director Du had a stroke of genius and decided to film an extra episode at Baotu Spring, where the two would play two well-known Song Dynasty celebrities, Li Qingzhao and Xin Qiji, to promote Jinan's history and culture.

The production team finished filming at No. 1 Xigengdao Street in the morning and rushed to Baotu Spring without taking a break.

Li Qingzhao was a famous historical figure in the Song Dynasty. Her emotional experiences were rich, and the lines that need to be memorized are also very long.

(End of this chapter)