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hapter 201: The Girlfriend's Supervision
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
If the boy went abroad, his status would change in a couple of years. He wouldn't remain unknown to the public.
The opposite side hadn't taken Qin Guan's fame and popularity in the domestic modelling and entertainment circle into consideration. He hadn't gotten close attention from top luxury bands or become as famous as a Hollywood actor yet.
In their eyes, Qin Guan was no different than a low-level model who had to participate in inferior shows and take eight jobs a day. Qin Guan heaved a long breath. Out of politeness, he was planning on saying goodbye to Qu Xuemei, the chief director of VOGUE.
The receptionist, who had just been promoted to secretary, stopped Qin Guan outside her office awkwardly.
"Prince Qin, she's busy now. She said she would call you once the sales volume comes out."
The girl winked. She felt sorry for Qin Guan. Our chief editor is too serious. She's not like other chief editors, who maintain a harmonious relationship with top models.
"Here is our gift. Would you please accept it?" She handed him a paper bag with the VOGUE logo on it.
Qin Guan was surprised, but he smiled happily. "Thank you." He winked back at her and walked out with the bag.
The girl touched her chest. She felt as if a hammer had hit her on the head. Dizzy, she tried to walk back to her seat. Calm down! Calm down! Oh, my god! My prince looked at me so gently! My heart stopped! Beautiful people can destroy a nation. Ancient people were quite right!
Behind the shades of her office, Qu Xuemei was staring at Qin Guan, who was talking with her secretary. When he blinked, she took a deep breath unconsciously.
She tried to come back to her senses and turned around to walk behind her desk. For a long while, she kept staring at the cover of a newly-released magazine. Finally, she touched Qin Guan's thin sexy lips on the photo. Suddenly, she drew her fingers back, as if she had been pricked.
She didn't know what to do. She opened a drawer at the bottom of her desk, where there was a full set of Lancome skincare products. It was a gift from Yin Yan. The bitch had wanted to make fun of her. She took out the case, which was covered in dust, and put it in her briefcase.
Qin Guan had no idea about his admirers at VOGUE. He opened their gift gladly and saw it was a set of Maybelline cosmetics.
It was a commodity even cheaper than a stickpin. Besides, what can I do with cosmetics? Oh, I could give them to my girlfriend!
My girlfriend! I'm terrible! I forgot about her. Those days, Qin Guan and his friends were drinking beer, eating kebabs, and watching TV. He had forgotten about Cong Nianwei, who was also in the capital for her studies.
Her birthday was drawing near as well. The cosmetics had come just in time. I can deal with this. She will forgive me if I do a couple of things!
Qin Guan grinned to himself in the rearview mirror. I'm so handsome. I will conquer this difficulty! I can change things on her birthday!
On his way home, Qin Guan didn't forget to purchase food from the supermarket. The first thing he did when he returned home was put the food in the fridge.
While he was busy working, he saw Liu Xiaoyang, who had just gotten up. He opened the fridge and took out a bottle of soda, his eyes still foggy from sleep. He opened the bottle with his teeth and said, "You're back? You came home early today. Good day at work?"
Qin Guan stared at him in surprise. "You're a local, yet you don't sleep at home during the summer holidays. Why do you choose to live in my shabby house and sleep in the same bed with Li Jie?"
Liu Xiaoyang replied, "It's pretty good here. There's food, drinks, a big bed... Li Jie's smell bothers me though. I hate cologne."
Qin Guan kicked him on the butt with his slipper. "That's not what I meant. And put some shorts on in my house! Finish your soda and go back to your room!"
Qin Guan put the instant frozen dumplings in the freezer. Liu ran to the couch and put a bottle of ice on Mu Lejiang's face, who was still sleeping.
"Motherf*cker!" Mu jumped up and shouted at Liu.
Liu smiled at him and walked his bare butt back to his room.
"What are you shouting for? We are tired from doing volunteering work yesterday." Ye Dong walked out of the master bedroom, massaging his messy hair.
When all the guys had gathered in the living room, the lock on the door made a noise.
"Who made a key?" Qin Guan asked them.
"Not us! There's always someone here, so we can just knock on the door. We don't need a key."
Qin Guan turned pale with fear suddenly. "F*ck! It's my girlfriend! Close the door, Liu Xiaoyang!"
Liu looked really frightened. He slammed the door right away.
"Ouch! It hurts! My fingers!" he cried. Qin Guan had no time to do anything but kick the empty cans under the couch. They had drunk beer the previous night.
The door opened. Cong Nianwei walked up to Qin Guan with a splendid smile and a large backpack.
Mu Lejiang subconsciously covered his chest with a quilt. The others greeted Cong Nianwei with an awkward smile. "Hello!"
Qin Guan stepped forward politely to take the bag from his girlfriend. "Why did you drop in so suddenly? You should call me so I can come pick you up."
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hapter 202: The Mighty Queen
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Cong Nianwei stood there looking guilty. She had participated in her tutor's group for the design plan of a government building, and she had been too busy to inform her boyfriend or call him.
It had been a happy misunderstanding. They both had a guilty conscience, one for having fun, the other for working.
Cong Nianwei kindly waved at Qin Guan's roommates and answered, "You don't need to pick me up. I have a key anyway. I can drop in during my spare time. I'm glad to see your roommates here. It seems like you won't be lonely during the holidays."
Qin Guan put her bag on the tea table and asked, "It's so heavy, what's in it?"
Suddenly, Mu Lejiang got up from the couch and returned to the bedroom with Ye Dong, leaving the living room to the couple.
"It's a model I made for you during my spare time in the studio."
Cong Nianwei opened the bag. There was a small garden inside it made of countless wooden blocks.
Her eyes always shined when she talked about architecture. "It's my dream house. It has a rural style garden and a pointed Gothic roof. Our cars can be parked in the barn beside the garden. I can also have a studio. The pool is not for swimming. It's at the back door, so it will be an outdoor one."
Cong Nianwei was getting more and more excited. Meanwhile, an ideological struggle was taking place in Qin Guan's mind.
How much will I have to pay for this house? Another plan for the future... He unconsciously started calculating his current income on his fingers.
Suddenly, Cong Nianwei felt a cold, greasy liquid flowing by her feet. She looked down and saw her favorite white-striped sandals soaked in a suspicious foaming yellow liquid that was flowing slowly from under the couch.
She stood up and ran to the bathroom calmly to clean her feet.
"Qin Guan! Come here!"
Qin Guan, who was concentrated on the money, was paying no attention to her. He only knew that his girlfriend had dashed into the bathroom.
"That's not good. You can't take a bath! There are so many people here!"
Qin Guan walked to the door of the bathroom, rubbing his hands.
"Nonsense! Come in!"
Cong Nianwei turned off the shower and pulled Qin Guan in. Leaving the door unlocked, she asked, "What's that liquid under the couch? Is that how your roommates think things work at your house? They can just pee on the spot if they fail to reach the bathroom in time?"
Qin Guan was disappointed to see she was still wearing her orderly clothes. "What liquid?" he asked.
Cong Nianwei's heart was still fluttering in fear. She pointed to the yellow liquid flowing from underneath the couch.
"That's beer. We drank some yesterday." Qin Guan bent down awkwardly to pick up the empty cans.
"Can you explain to me how our house became so messy during the summer?"
Six single men living in the same apartment was a terrible thing.
Cong Nianwei scanned the room, which she had arranged herself. There were dirty plates piled in the kitchen, two socks of different colors were stuck on the couch, beer was flowing on the living room floor, and stinky clothes were hanging in the closet in the bedroom.
She cast a fierce glance at Qin Guan, who immediately stepped forward with the most flattering smile. "I'll ask them to clean the house," he said before pushing open the door of the guest room where Liu was staying.
Liu was standing by the window with his back to the door. He was holding an empty bottle like an imaginary microphone, singing, "I was touched by you, a little, a little..." The lower part of his body was wrapped in a bed sheet.
Cong Nianwei pulled out a feather duster from a vase and whipped it against the couch.
Qin Guan shivered at the sound, and so did Liu. "A little, a little..." he repeated, sounding like a broken radio.
Cong Nianwei pointed at Qin Guan, the living room and the master bedroom with the duster. Before she could speak, Ye Dong and Mu Lejiang, who had been peeping from the crack of the door, walked in with flattering smiles.
The four boys were listening to the queen giving out orders. "You, clean the kitchen. Wash the bowls and pans and wipe the table."
"You, tidy up the bedrooms. Qin Guan, you clean the living room. Move it!"
"Yes, madam!"
They began to work right away, afraid of the whip of love.
Cong Nianwei smiled in satisfaction. When the house looked bright and new again, they left the master bedroom to the two lovers.
Cong Nianwei leaned on Qin Guan's chest, fiddling with her wooden house. They sat together silently, Qin Guan caressing her long, soft hair. Suddenly, he took out the Maybelline cosmetics.
"Do you like it?" he asked, setting the present on her legs.
Slightly surprised, Cong Nianwei put the house aside and opened the box.
Before Qin Guan could show off, she shouted happily, "You got me a gift again!"
Can she read my mind? How does she know it's a gift?
Cong Nianwei showed him the package. On the bottom, there were several engraved characters reading, "VOGUE Exclusive".
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Chapter 203: A Handsome Boy and a Fortunate Girl
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Qin Guan smiled awkwardly, disguising his guilt. "Gifts are always welcome. I thought you'd like it, so I kept it."
Cong Nianwei smiled and put the cosmetics away before lying down on Qin Guan's chest again.
Then she asked in a low voice, "Is it my birthday present? It's much more expensive than the belt I got you."
Qin Guan hugged her and replied guiltily, "Of course not. I wouldn't trick my wife."
"Hey, who is your wife? Is it really not my birthday present?"
"Don't mention it. Just kiss me! There's nobody here."
A keen girlfriend was hard to deal with.
"Okay, but then you'll take me back to college. I'm too busy to stay with you today. You can make your own arrangements."
"Okay, I'll pick you up on your birthday."
"Deal!"
They exchanged sweet words as his wicked friends tried to eavesdrop on them.
"You guys are supposed to be clever! Who said that we could hear them through a glass on the door?"
"Ye Dong, what are you doing? You shouldn't stand on someone else's shoulders, even if you're the oldest one! I'm too thin to carry you!"
"Hush! Silence! They're quiet. They must be up to something!"
While they were competing for the vantage point, a voice suddenly rang out above their heads, "I wonder what I'm up to!"
They all looked up in embarrassment and scattered quickly, trying to look calm. "Nothing, nothing. It's really hot today."
Cong Nianwei cast a supercilious look at Qin Guan, who was carrying her large bag on his back. While she wasn't paying attention, he picked her up too, shouting, "The Queen is leaving!"
Cong Nianwei screamed. Before she knew what was happening, she was carried away by her unreliable boyfriend.
As her screams faded away, Liu Xiaoyang's heart was still fluttering in fear. He poked his head out of the door, shrinking back.
He wiped imaginary sweat off his head and told the others, "As a single man, I don't envy Qin Guan at all."
Mu and Ye exchanged a glance before answering together, "Don't be afraid of girls. Our girlfriends are very gentle."
Liu tried to defend himself, "I'm a heterosexual." The problem was that Cong Nianwei reminded him of a carnivore animal. People felt inferior to her in terms of power, IQ and survival skills. It was not a pleasant experience.
"You couldn't date a woman more powerful than you?"
"Right, that's it. Qin Guan is her perfect match though!"
"A handsome boy and a fortunate girl?"
"You have a point! Ha ha ha!"
The guys had suffered defeat at Cong Nianwei's hands, yet they were making fun of Qin Guan.
Qin Guan had no idea about it. He was on the way to Cong Nianwei's college at the time. Amid that intense summer heat, even the air conditioner couldn't comfort him. That day, the first issue of VOGUE Asia would be released.
As a famous fashion magazine, its first issue would attract plenty of readers.
...
It was early in the morning, and the sun hadn't risen yet. Thick mist was still around. Several old men had gone for a walk in the park with their birds, hanging their beloved mynas on the most suitable twisted trees. An ordinary, quiet morning was of great significance to VOGUE.
Several directors of the urban district had conducted workers to carry the magazines in their own trucks. The magazines were newly published and wrapped in elegant packages. Qin Guan's black-and-white photo was on the cover.
They had received the first orders from VOGUE's Distributing Department, which covered ten provincial capitals of the developed area.
According to the information on the chief editor's hands, the total sum of the orders was only half as much as that of ELLE clothing.
As one of the most popular fashion magazines, its domestic average sales volume was 17,700 copies, including some second-tier cities.
The chief editor glanced at the elegant watch on her wrist. It was 5:30 a.m. The carriers were busy working under the tall buildings like ants.
The trucks had been unleashed in the capital, heading for the newspaper stands. The new magazine, which beared countless people's dreams, would finally debut with the readers.
Qu Xuemei didn't turn her head around until all the distributing trucks had left. Then she asked her assistant, "We have 80,000 copies of the first issue. How many does the capital get?"
"20,000."
"How about the entire printing volume?"
"200,000 in total. We've sent 80,000 all over the country. 120,000 copies are still in stock. According to our tentative analysis, we will run out of stock in a week. The sales volume should be 58% of ELLE clothing's volume."
Qu Xuemei frowned. The assistant hurried to explain, "Chief editor, the estimated results are pretty good. ELLE clothing is more than one year ahead of us. They have spread to more than 30 cities. We should be patient. The stock is enough for us."
Qu Xuemei picked up the magazine from the table. The transparent, elegant plastic package made a sound when her nails scratched it.
He light pink finger stopped on Qin Guan's lips. She gently pointed at his sexy lips and smiled. "Maybe we should be greedier."
"Everything will be clear tomorrow."
Qu Xuemei put her finger on her own lips and clucked.
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Chapter 204: A Shrewd Merchant
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Under the archway of an overpass, Wang Xiaor, a hard-working delivery boy, was waiting for his boss next to his tricycle.
He had just taken a cigarette from his colleague, who was in charge of West Street, when he saw a white minibus draw near on the dusty road.
The newspaper man called Pipe was the largest newspaper seller in the eastern part of the capital. He had more than 30 delivery boys working for him.
As a successful businessman, he believed in a professional vision. It was said that there would be a new magazine released that day, but he hadn't paid attention to it. The distributing bureau assigned a basic magazine volume to him, so he had to trust them.
He had the ability to swallow magazines up after all.
Pipe stamped on his brakes and parked his car between his delivery boys.
When he opened the trunk, his men gathered around to help him carry the magazines down.
Pipe took out a cigarette, and Wang Xiaor lit it up.
"Be careful with the names. Don't mix them up. Today there's a new magazine coming out. Follow our old rules and distribute it to your own newsstands."
"What? Boss, did you have a look at it yet? They have issued an excessive volume."
"They are just overconfident. The magazines will be returned to the periodical office after a week."
Wang Xiaor's hand trembled. He was still holding the lighter. My business expands to only two newsstands! What will this mean for me?
With the cigarette in his mouth, Pipe shouted at his men, "Shut up! I'm a considerate man! When did I cheat you?"
They all sighed in relief. If the stands returned the magazines though, they would have to share the loss. Labor cost was also an expense after all.
"Stop with that rubbish! Ask your men to be diligent. It's six already. Hurry up! Carry them away!"
They all got to work. The magazines and newspapers were carried away in a short while.
Countless tricycles left the archway, heading in all directions like tidewater.
Pipe spat the bottom of his cigarette out and stamped on it with his shoe, preparing to return home.
A copy of the new magazine was left in his truck. Pipe took it out and saw the gift in the package. It was a red lip gloss.
Ha! I can give this to my wife as a gift. She's asking for expensive cosmetics all the time!
He tore the elegant plastic package, and the lip gloss fell in his hand. He took a look at the cover.
Those foreign publishers were wealthy and generous. An elegant magazine and a gift that cost 15 yuan.
Pipe was attracted by VOGUE. The colorful box of the lips gloss was overshadowed by the beautiful model on the cover though.
Pipe flipped through the pages and closed the magazine again with trembling hands. His eyes were fixed on the cover. That black-and-white photo gave him an unusual feeling.
He felt like he was 18 again, and he and his wife were hiding in a haystack like they used to do in the summer. It was so romantic and passionate.
I have to do something for the model on the cover. Pipe picked up his cell phone and dialed a familiar number.
"Hello, Lao Li? Yes, it's me. The new magazine is out today, yes. VOGUE, the one with the black-and-white cover. I have ordered at least 20 copies for each stand, right? I want an extra 6,000 copies for more than 600 stands. No, no! Not reserved. I want the goods before they're sold out. There's enough stock? Great! I'll count on you!"
Pipe let out a long sigh of relief and hung up. He smiled like silly in the quiet and put the lip gloss on Qin Guan's lips before driving home to his wife.
Meanwhile, Wang Xiaor was busy cycling. The first stand was really close.
Lao Zhang, the boss, was throwing away the dam-boards from his stand when he got there. He greeted Wang right away, "Unload! I'm busy now!"
"No problem!" Wang Xiaor responded. He put the magazines and newspapers on a shelf outside the stand.
That's the first one done. If I hurry up, I could deliver everything before seven o'clock.
Wang Xiaor left. Lao Zhang untied the nylon rope and put the magazines and newspapers in order on the shelf according to their different categories.
Not long after, the stand beside the subway station would experience its peak sale time.
Hurried office workers would walk to the subway, carrying bags of breakfast.
Most of them would stand by the newspaper stand to have a look and choose something to read on their long way to work.
"A Rayli, please!" A fashionable young girl was looking at the magazines while taking out her purse.
"No, wait a moment." Her eyes had been attracted by a black-and-white cover among colorful ones.
She picked up the magazine from the shelf to see the whole picture.
Among all the female stars, Qin Guan's face was the most striking.
With his light eyelashes, blank expression and slightly open lips, he was really a shocking beauty. He was still manly though. He had a slender neck and a beautiful Adam's apple.
"I want this one. Oh, there's a gift? I want two!"
I can give one to my friend in the office as a gift. She has the same taste as me. Besides, it's the first issue. I can't miss such an elegant magazine.
"Thank you, 30 yuan."
The girl took out three bills and grabbed another copy from the shelf.
Lao Zhang touched his jaw, as if thinking of something. He looked at the vacancy on the shelf and carried all the VOGUEs outside. He put four more copies in a line on the shelf, making them more obvious. People would be able to see the black-and-white cover among the bright red and green ones from afar.
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Chapter 205: Hot Sales
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
"Hey, give me a copy of the morning newspaper. Huh? Is that a new magazine? A copy of VOGUE too."
"I'll take that VOGUE!"
An office worker threw 15 yuan in the box and grabbed the last VOGUE without hesitation before hurrying away.
The white-collar worker stared at the empty shelf in shock. Her magazine had been taken away.
"Do you have one more copy?" she asked the stallholder.
Lao Zhang's face was as wrinkled as a blooming chrysanthemum. "Don't worry, I'll keep one for you in the evening."
"Okay, don't forget. I'll drop by at six o'clock. I want the VOGUE with the black-and-white cover."
"No problem!" Lao Zhang promised.
He unconsciously glanced at his watch. It was just half past eight. If the delivery was on time, it would catch the end of morning peak time.
He called Wang Xiaor.
"The number you are dialing is busy now, please call again later..."
"Hello, Mr. Zhang?" Wang Xiaor answered. His phone was hot. "Do you want more copies? How many? Okay, wait for me."
"No, I don't know how much stock there is. I wouldn't lie to you. We all like money. Just wait for my call."
Wang Xiaor hung up. His five newsstands were all out of stock. He received an extra 100 orders that day. That new magazine was selling like hot bread!
I should have been aware of this situation. Other colleagues must be experiencing the same problem. I have to hurry and find Brother Pipe.
It was silent inside the VOGUE headquarters. The assistant looked at the clock on the wall. It was 8:40. Morning peak time would end in one hour and 20 minutes.
The phones on the table were ringing one after the other.
"Hello? Yes, this is the Distributing Department. Okay, an extra 12,000 copies. No problem!"
"Hello, 6,000 for today and 50,000 for tomorrow. Okay!"
They answered the phones in a muddle. In two minutes, the statistics were on the desk of the director. The total tally was 17,000.
SH: 21,000
TJ: 8,000
GZ: 12,000
...….
The statistics from 10 cities came out before the sales peak time. The amount reached 80,000 on the first day.
Qu Xuemei made several calls. The machines in the printing factories started running again. In one day, 70% of the stock had been sold out. She was expecting the final sales volume during the first week.
No one would stand in her way. Everyone was in awe of her foreseeing abilities. She was a charismatic leader in their eyes.
The total sales volume on the first day was 170,000, which was equal to ELLE's sales volume.
Looking at the ELLE building and its neon lights across the street, Qu smiled imperceptibly. This was only the beginning. The bold always had the last laugh.
In time, the sales volume gradually fell down. After the first golden week, it was not worth mentioning anymore.
An analysis of VOGUE appeared on their competitors' desks.
Its sales volume was 1.7 times higher than ELLE's and 1.3 times higher than Rayli's. VOGUE was the champion of the month.
This was the first time this had ever happened in China. Forcing a smile, Yin Yan threw the report into her paper shredder. As she watched the paper stripes fall in the dustbin, she felt something bitter in her mouth, as if she'd just drunk a cup of espresso without sugar.
There was a chance in front of me, but I didn't take it. If I could start over, I would have shouted at Qu Xuemei, "Leave him to me! Leave Qin Guan to me!"
Nearly all the advertising departments of the best brands, including watches, accessories, bags, shoes, etc, had received VOGUE's statistics.
Satisfied with the surprising numbers, they had drawn a circle around VOGUE.
On the party for the final editing of "Graceful Princess", Fang Pingping flipped through the latest VOGUE absent-mindedly. She showed the cover to her agent unhappily.
"I want to be VOGUE's cover girl."
"Impossible!"
"Why? Qin Guan is on the cover."
"This is the Asian version, not the original one."
"That's okay!"
Her agent licked her lips awkwardly. "VOGUE has exceptional taste. Their tradition is to invite famous models to be on their covers. I guess it's possible for Chinese actresses to be cover girls, but you are not that famous."
Fang Pingping got angry. "Which actress would be qualified enough? Tell me!"
"Zhang Manyu!"
"She's nothing special! She just debuted earlier, that's why she's more popular! If I could get a good script, I'd be more famous too!"
Fang Pingping stared at the aesthetic cover photo. If I could be a cover girl, I'd be as pretty and dazzling as Qin Guan!
Reality was cruel though. Luck did not always favor people.
In one week, the resumes of models from various agencies were piled on Qu's desk.
Most of them were willing to take a shot for free. Qu stared proudy at Qin Guan's cover photo, which was hanging on the wall. It had been expanded several times. She caressed his sexy jaw.
He is my fastest horse...
Those battles didn't influence Qin Guan, who was carrying two boxes of beer home from the nearest supermarket.
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hapter 206: Trouble in Business
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
On that day, the Asian Preliminary Competition for the World Cup in South Korea and Japan officially began.
It was Qin Guan's happiest time after Cong Nianwei's birthday.
All his roommates had gotten the day off work. They had put a large mat before the couch and arranged the iced beer and dishes as they were waiting.
Wang Lei threw a green soy bean in his mouth. "Why are you so nervous? You even want to drink in advance!"
"Nonsense! All fans will get ready before the match."
"An hour in advance?"
"You're ruining the atmosphere! It's not even funny!"
Looking at his noisy friends, Qin Guan took a sip of his beer. Suddenly, his phone rang.
"Yes, it's me. I'm free now, I'm just watching the match. What? To your club? I have six friends here. Okay, great!"
Qin Guan hung up and told them, "It's boring to watch TV at home. We can go somewhere else. My treat, okay?"
Annoyed, Ye Dong said, "Don't use your job as an excuse. It's really hot outside. We have everything here. What idiot would accompany you to some unknown place?"
"That's right!" those cunning monkeys answered in one voice.
Qin Guan stood up and started to change clothes. Disappointed, he said, "Fine. I wanted to treat you to the most professional foot massage in the city, but it seems that I have to go alone. Don't blame me."
"F*ck! Why didn't you say so? Was there something wrong with my ears just now? Did anyone else hear that he would take us to a foot massage shop to watch the soccer match?" They all looked at Qin Guan, putting their beer cans down.
Qin Guan fastened the buttons on his shirt calmly and turned his head around. "Your ears are working fine. My customer is the owner of a club. He has a massage centre."
The large board on the roof entered his mind automatically. He shook his head to drive it away. "Will you go with me? I'm leaving."
"Yes, yes! I'll go with you. We are best friends after all!" Liu Xiaoyang jumped up and handed Qin Guan the key apologetically.
"We share each other's fortunes. We have to support you!" They finished their beers noisily and clustered around Qin Guan to leave.
When the car arrived at the original location of the pedicure shop, Qin Guan saw that it was already in ruins. The guys, who were competing over who would get there first, suddenly fell silent.
Clearing his throat, Qin Guan awkwardly called Bu Qinglu on the phone. "Brother Bu, it's me! Where is the pedicure shop? Where did you invite me to? Oh, no. It's been a long time since I was last here. Okay, I'm going."
Qin Guan started the car again. His roommates sighed in relief and resumed fighting. We did not come in vain after all.
Qin Guan drove around the Fruit & Candy Club and saw that the two-storey buildings were decorated. There were three splendid gates next to each other.
There was also a pedicure center, a beauty salon, and a chess & card room. They looked immeasurably different than the previous ones though.
They got out of the car and climbed up the fire exit ladder, following Bu's instructions. They saw a large room protruding out.
They knocked and found Bu inside. He was smoking and frowning.
Before he could even greet Bu, Qin Guan was pulled in.
Bu Qinlu craned his head carefully to have a look at Qin Guan's friends. Then he ordered a strong bald man, who was in the room, "Da Niu, take them to the pedicure room."
Da Niu was surprised. "Brother Bu, today we are..." he tried to remind Bu.
"This is not business. Shall we not serve our own brothers?"
The bald man bowed before answering, "No problem. I'll take them. Brother Bu, I'm also free now. Could I have a massage, too?"
Bu waved him away impatiently, and the man led Qin Guan's roommates downstairs.
Wang Hailiang was sitting on the couch, sighing in despair. Bu Qinglu was standing behind him with a serious expression. "What's the matter?" Qin Guan asked.
Bu pouted, but Wang took out the three account books.
"Son of a b*tch! People envy our business and sent a fake customer to look for mistakes. Our staff were wary of strangers, but she seemed like a normal customer. She had treatments and bought some underwear. The girls didn't give her an invoice. It's a latent rule of the industry."
"We were reported to the Tax Bureau."
"Yesterday, they came to inspect us and ordered us to stop business for internal rectification. They even took away our account books. F*ck! I'd break his legs if I knew who that son of a b*tch was!"
Qin Guan knocked on the table in front of the couch unconsciously. Data started rolling around in his mind automatically.
He closed his eyes to recall the statistics, and then opened them again. "Don't be nervous. It's only a temporary suspension. According to my estimation, they didn't find much. Maybe just the one thing."
"I remember everything in this field. There are no loopholes. To this day, there is no charge for tax evasion. The Tax Bureau is smarter than anyone. Best case scenario, you make up the invoice and taxes. Worst case scenario, you get punished."
Wang Hailing looked at the wall. "How much?"
"Not much. There's the overdue fine and the tax penalty, which is five times the original tax. That's nothing for you. With proper handling, there'll be no administrative penalty. Anyway, you two are law-abiding businessmen. You have all the certificates, right?"
The two guys sighed in relief and thanked Qin Guan. "You are the right man for this job. You might just be helping us, but we believe in you!"
Qin Guan shook his head modestly. "It's nothing. An honest accountant wouldn't cheat you. You still have a steel safe in your domain, right?"
Wang was surprised. "How did you know? The room has been redecorated."
Qin Guan pouted and looked towards the wall, reminding him. "I know where it is, and I know all your improper actions. You didn't listen to me. You put all the cash inside. You were afraid of trouble."
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Chapter 207: A Girl Named Mou
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
"Listen to me! Deposit your cash in the bank every day, it's not too much trouble."
"Stop! Stop! We'll deal with those affairs later. Go downstairs to the Heaven-Flying Room. Your friends should be there to watch the match."
Qin Guan was pushed out of the room by Wang Hailang.
"Hey! Tell me, how much do you put in the safe? Listen to me..."
The door was closed with a bang. Wang shouted at him from inside, "You will get older sooner if you think too much! Just enjoy yourself, boy!"
Qin Guan shook his head and went to watch the watch. It was time. The Heaven-Flying Room had a beautiful name. Ever since those two had started their business, they had nearly become poets.
They would have been happy to hear that comment. "The service in our massage room will make you fly to Heaven!"
Qin Guan pushed the door open and found his roommates lying on the bed next to each other. The TV was hanging from the ceiling just above their heads.
The commentator was speaking, but nobody was paying attention.
The bald man was enjoying a massage. "Ah! Ouch! Nice! Your skills are wonderful, Xiao Xue."
The boys couldn't bear to watch. The fierce, tough man with the scars on his head was as tame as a rabbit under Xiao Xue's hands.
They were listening to him compliment the girl with disgusting words.
"Are you tired, Xiao Xue? Sit here and take a break."
The girl glared at him. "You're asking me to take a break? Who will pay me if I don't finish the massage?"
Qin Guan pushed in and asked, "What are you doing? Did the match begin? Why are you having a massage now?"
Li Jie replied, "Qin Guan, it's been a pleasure to be your brother. Nobody knew you were working part-time here. If we'd known that you are good at massages, we would have enjoyed ourselves in our dormitory."
Qin Guan sat on an empty bed and took off his shoes. A girl standing by walked over with a bucket in her hands.
Qin Guan took a sip of the juice and kicked Li Jie. "Who told you I'm giving massages here? I'm the CFO, understand? C-F-O!"
"A CFO has to be familiar with the business." Liu Xiaoyang put a small white cube on his forehead. The ice water would calm his up-flowing blood.
The girl serving him was wearing a black silk gown. Her fair neck was as elegant as a swan's.
Liu Xiaoyang was dizzy. His blood was flowing back again. Before he could see clearly, the opening whistle was heard and the match began.
At the beginning, the teams pressed each other on the whole field. They did not let up, which was common for a soccer match.
The UAE team was not a weak one. They had to be treated carefully.
Suddenly, the Chinese centre forward intercepted the ball and started advancing. His teammates followed him, trying to protect him.
After a perfect cooperation, Li Xiaopeng got the ball and shot without hesitation.
"Goal!" In only two minutes, the Chinese team had scored its first goal.
The commentator was shouting loudly in excitement.
The boys were also shouting, "Nice goal!"
"How awful!"
Da Niu got scared. His foot jerked and he accidentally kicked Xiao Xue.
They looked at each other in astonishment. Da Niu's face turned red, but Xiao Xue smiled. Before she could speak, the door was pushed open.
"Who's shouting? We're closed. Who let you in?"
Everyone stared at the uninvited guest in surprise.
"Senior Qin?"
"Mou Xiaoliu?"
Astonished, Qin Guan asked her, "What are you doing here?"
Mou Xiaoliu was wearing a club uniform. She looked both happy and uncomfortable to see Qin Guan there. Pointing at Da Niu, she said, "He is my fellow villager. He recommended me to work here."
"The club gives us room, board and a high salary. I had nothing to do in the summer holidays, so I came here."
Recalling Mou's power, Qin Guan looked at Da Niu seriously. He had to be a mighty fighter himself. Looks could fool people after all.
Mou asked back, "Why are you here, Senior Qin?"
Qin Guan coughed before explaining to her, "I also work part-time here. There's a match today, so the boss lent us a room for entertainment purposes. Come here and watch it with us!"
Mou Xiaoliu hesitated before shaking her head. "No, enjoy yourselves. Take care of Da Niu for me. He's silly around Xiao Xue. I have to go."
Qin Guan nodded. Da Niu was still staring at his own foot, which had touched Xiao Xue. He was paying no attention to Mou.
The door was shut again. Mou leaned against the wall outside and took a deep breath, covering her pounding heart.
Senior Qin is still so handsome... I thought time would make everything fade away, but it seems I was fooling myself. I don't want to grow up. Things will only get more difficult. I have to let him go. I'll just keep the beautiful memories in my mind.
Opening her eyes, Mou waved her fists towards the sky and then disappeared at the end of the corridor.
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Chapter 208: The Quiet Before the Storm
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Everyone in the room focused on the match. The stars were favoring the Chinese team. Several shots from UAE were unsuccessful.
Another shoot from Qi Hong!
"We're still at 19 minutes! Another goal!"
Qin Guan roared along with everyone else. After so many years of the same experience, he was still as crazy as ever.
Boxes of iced beer were opened. A match without beer was no match after all.
The chef of the club had also made some simple tuna salad for them and stolen some pot-stewed meat from the buffet in exchange for a seat in front of the TV.
Being considerate, the girls finished their work early. Their customers were not in the right mood to enjoy their skills.
They thought wrong though. The boys might not have quit midway if they'd known what would follow [1].
"It's the 33rd minute, and Hao Haidong has scored a third goal! We're less than half-way through the game! This is a good beginning in the competition!" The goals were all shown in replay.
"What a powerful national team!"
"We will have a place at the World Cup in South Korea and Japan."
"This is our rising National Soccer Team!"
Qin Guan suddenly calmed down at those words.
Recalling the development of Chinese soccer, he sighed in sorrow. The god of destiny makes fools of people.
The Chinese team didn't score any goals in the second half, but nobody was upset about that. 3:0 was enough for everyone.
After the match, they finished all the food and drinks in excitement. When they went out of the room, they saw that the stars were shining in the sky.
They stumbled towards Qin Guan's car. It was not the wine that had intoxicated them. It was the drinker who got himself drunk.
"When's the next match?"
"August 31st, China versus Oman."
"They're playing here in SY."
"F*ck! Should we buy tickets and go watch it live?"
"Stop dreaming, they were sold out a month ago," Wang Lei ruined their dreams with only a few words.
"How do you know?"
"I couldn't depend on you guys. I tried to buy tickets myself, but there weren't any." Wang Lei sighed.
"Let's just stay home and watch the match on TV then."
They didn't insist on it. Before getting in the car, someone said, "There's another KTV club around here. Take us there to watch the next match, Qin Guan!"
Those boys were insatiable.
Qin Guan carried his drunk roommates into their room, finding them both funny and annoying.
Meanwhile, he was thinking of something.
Sister Xue had made a serious call to Qin Guan and Huang Bo, forbidding them to attend any parties or balls related to celebrities.
There was a storm all over the entertainment circle, and they could be crashed with the slightest misstep.
There had been an incident concerning the 19th China Silver Eagle TV Festival, which had been scheduled to open in November, 2001. The festival had some kind of connection to Qin Guan.
The TV show "The Legendary Swordsman" had applied for some festival awards, and for the first time, the awards would be decided by the audience's vote.
The powerful directors preferred to see their works judged in a dignified, imposing contest.
It was a pity that they wouldn't get their wish. Zhang Jizhong had failed for some strange reason. Unexpectedly, Zhao Baogang's city life show had failed to get chosen.
This was a great influence on the actors. Those stars who had been likely to win awards were confused.
Qin Guan, Huang Bo and Sister Xue were in a small office at New Silk Road, analysing the situation in the domestic entertainment circle.
Sister Xue lit up a cigarette and shared all the gossip with them in a low voice. "Several days ago, Zhang Jizhong called me. He said he was planning on taking you to the award ceremony of the Silk Eagle Festival. If the show passed the primary selection, he would recommend you for best male supporting actor. "
"His application was turned down though, and no other CCTV show succeeded either. I wanted to know more about it, but the director and producer changed the topic. They're guarding the secret closely. I gathered information from the crew though."
"Do you know who the most famous actress is right now? Zhao Wei! What happened to her this year though? The army flag incident!"
"This reminds us that arrogance can't withstand wind or waves. It is said that some other superstars are not on the list of winners either. You'd better be good boys these days. Consider it carefully before you accept any offer. Understand?"
Qin Guan and Huang Bo nodded conscientiously.
Huang looked a little worried. He stared at Sister Xue with pathetic small eyes. "But I have a family to support. I can't stay at home."
Sister Xue smiled meaningfully. "Don't worry. We can't participate in the official competition, but there's another way."
"Another way?"
Sister Xue looked at them excitedly. "I'll take you to Zhang Yang's party. You have to grab that opportunity! We should stay away from popular films, but we can work in indie films."
Translator's Thoughts
Lan Lan
[1] Some skills men would enjoy.
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hapter 209: Artists in the 798 Plant [1]
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
Qin Guan shook his head repeatedly. "Sister Xue, I have collaborated with him. Don't you remember 'Sunflower'? Do you know his opinion of me?"
"What opinion? I don't know." Sister Xue pretended to be ignorant.
Qin Guan covered his forehead helplessly. "He put his hands on my shoulders without a word, and after a long while, he said, 'It's a pity that you have no chance of cooperating with this generation of directors.'"
"Those were his exact words. Directors of his generation are either looking for good acting skills and hiring actors as extras, or focusing on reality and ordinary people. Those who engage in films like that are still struggling to find their way. According to Zhang Yang, I was gifted by the gods, but I have nothing in common with other actors."
"Huang Bo will be welcomed by that group. If you bring me though, I will hurt their confidence."
Huang was listening to their conversation, taking pleasure in Qin Guan's misfortune. Despite his perfect looks, he's also been turned down. He felt quite comfortable.
Then he realized what Qin Guan was saying. "What are you talking about? I'm also an actor. I am!"
Qin Guan told Huang seriously, "You must go to that meeting. Gold always shines in the end. You will succeed one day."
Huang was shocked by his words. They stared at each other with a meaningful expression before Sister Xue decided that both of them would go.
It was slightly cold at night, and the industrial street by the 798 plant was shining in the white moonlight.
Concrete, waste and machines parts were everywhere. Even the small stand that sold snacks at the end of the street couldn't warm the night.
Zhang Yuan spit out the dust in his mouth. He walked to his secret base with some pot-stewed meat and beer in a plastic bag.
There were some hungry friends there, waiting for him and the food.
It was silent along the long, narrow path that led to the warehouse. Zhang Yuan headed directly for the only room with a light on.
Suddenly, the dazzling headlights of a car shined behind him. Scared and alert, he turned around and covered his eyes, trying to see the intruders clearly.
The driver saw Zhang Yuan and turned off the engine politely. Sister Xue poked her head out and asked Zhang loudly, "Is this warehouse 1122?"
Zhang Yuan nodded. Three people, a woman and two men, got out of the car.
They walked up to Zhang, who was estimating the distance between him and the secret base. It was said that workers there had been mugged several times. It seemed that it was impossible to escape that fate.
Zhang Yuan took a deep breath and decided to beg for his life. He was lost in thought, when he suddenly saw one of them more clearly.
Silver moonlight was shining, forming a slender shadow behind Qin Guan. He looked like a fairy.
As a director, Zhang Yuan had a romantic heart and boundless imagination. In 0.01 of a second, Zhang had convinced himself that Qin Guan was not human.
"Are you a ghost, a demon or an immortal?"
Huang immediately took over the conversation, trying to flatter Zhang, "Directors are really different from ordinary people. Your greeting is very creative!"
Zhang coughed awkwardly to cover up his mistake. "Are you Zhang Yang's friends? He told us that several partners would be coming over and he would introduce us to an actor. Follow me, we're all curious!"
Zhang Yuan came back to his senses and began to talk nonstop. "F*ck! You convinced me. I originally thought Zhang Yang was messing with us. What's your name? Qin Guan? The same as the ancient grand secretary [2]? A good name indeed! You are really an exception among inferior actors."
Qin Guan was boasting silently.
"Before skilful actors can even show their talent, your face will attract all the attention. The audience will long for your presence."
"Why am I so excited though? Directors with good taste don't focus on box office success." He was chattering endlessly. His hungry brothers could hear his voice from afar.
"He must have met someone interesting."
"God! Give me some earplugs, or I'll go deaf tonight."
"Hush! Don't answer him. Quiet, they're coming!"
Suddenly, they all fell silent around the tumbledown table, leaving the groggy yellow lamp above them on.
The door was pushed open. Zhang Yuan put the beers and food on the table and drank some water from a porcelain jar.
Then he gestured at Qin Guan and Huang Bo, introducing them, "Hey! You should meet this guy. He is Qin Guan. Director Zhang often talks about him!"
He thought he was funny, but nobody answered him. They were all stunned by Qin Guan, who was standing under the dim 20-watt lamb.
Zhang Yang got a grip on himself and broke the silence first.
Translator's Thoughts
Lan Lan
[1] The 798 plant used to be a state-run industrial plant. Nowadays, it's a new landmark of Beijing urban culture that attracts plenty of public attention.
[2] Qin Guan (1049-1100), an important litterateur during the North Song Dynasty, who was famous for writing Song lyrics.
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Chapter 210: A Clash of Emotion and Reality
Translator: Lan Editor: Efydatia
"Ha ha! Surprise! I'm not boasting. Stop laughing at me! How did you guys dare belittle my taste and call me blind?"
Hey, we are all professionals here. Don't act crazy!
Zhang Yang broke the charged atmosphere, and the other directors began to ask each other questions.
Among the sixth generation, some directors were renowned and some were not. Many of them had won awards overseas, but the majority were still nobodies at the time. Some of them were hunted by the government for their underground films. Only a few of them could actually make profits. Most of them had nothing at all.
They made jokes with their three new friends and drank to their heart's content. Nobody talked about money or sordid merchants.
Finally, all the rivers flowed into the same sea. They reached the most concerning topic.
"Do you have any new plans? You have to lead the way for young men."
"Here are some volunteer actors. They're the best support for us. Ha ha!"
They all roared with laughter. It was great to have free actors again! The muscles on Huang Bo's face twisted slightly. Where are all the high taste directors? Where's my reward? This is beyond my imagination!
"Stop beating around the bush! Let's talk business! Who will get investors and make new films in 2001 and 2002? Hands up!"
Silence prevailed. Only the sound of people chewing peanuts could be heard.
Zhang Yuan spoke first, "As you all know, I spent all my money on 'Beijing Bastard', but the film didn't pass the investigation. I secretly participated in the Tokyo Film Festival with it, which irritated the Competition Department. Before I could explain, they forbade me to shoot another film again. Those sons of b*tches! It's so unfair. That big film studio robbed me! They cancelled our contract for renting lights and cameras..."
"I lost everything! I even had to sell my pants at a pawnshop. The situation was getting worse and worse. No film or TV studio was allowed to cooperate with me. I'm Zhang Yuan though! I participated in competitions secretly. I shot commentary films to make money! They couldn't control me! I won an award in Venice! I fought back! Then the ban was revoked. I could shoot anything I liked. My film 'Going Home for the Spring Festival' was in theaters in China. Do they admire me? Those sons of b*tches! That's my strength!"
Zhang Yang kicked Zhang Yuan on the leg. "Stop boasting. We were talking about how young men can seize opportunities! Tell us about your plan!"
Zhang Yuan shouted at him indifferently, "I have no money for films! After all this effort, my film didn't earn its budget back! I have a family to support! Who would invest in my films? Can I even live on indie films? If you want to make profits, you have to be obedient. They are watching you from above. I'll be waiting for the motherland's arrangements. I have resigned myself to my destiny."
His head fell down on the table unconsciously. He was already drunk.
The other men smiled bitterly. Jia Zhangke said, "You know, my shooting style is the same as other independent film producers'. I engage in international releases. I have nothing to do with the domestic film market. Would you like to act in films like that?"
"To tell you the truth, Qin Guan, you'd never get a part in my films. Even if you covered your face with mud, you would still not look like a poor man. You'd seem more like a prince facing a misfortune. Foreigners don't expect to see such actors in my films. I could look for roles for Huang Bo, but not this year. Right now I'm obsessed with my new documentary 'Public Places', which is financed by foreign investors. I'll win another award for it. You could ask Lao Lou, he's the most literary one among us. Everything in his films is extremely beautiful.
"You didn't see his film 'River in Suzhou'. If you don't beautify outdoor scenes, you know the results. Tell them, Lao Lou."
Lou Ye touched his nose in shame. "This is self-dramatizing. I'm only an aesthete with romantic feelings. Wait for me, Qin Guan. I'll give you a part in my next film. It's fixed. It's a pity that I can't use Zhou Xun as the heroine though. There's a large difference in height between you two. I couldn't ask you to bend down for the whole film."
"Ha ha ha!" They all liked jokes about actresses. Those rough directors had no idea how famous they would become in the future. In the deep dark night, even the moon seemed to be asleep. They drank and laughed happily.
When the first ray of light shone through the broken roof, the drunk talented men fell asleep.
Sister Xue managed to get up and lead the two guys out of the secret warehouse. The two of them were quite different from each other.
Qin Guan had a great spirit, and he had learned a lot from that conversation. He now knew about film concepts and skills, as well as about passionate, beautiful stories.
During that sleepless night, he'd heard the voices, thoughts and future concepts of a whole generation of directors. He hadn't fully expressed his own opinion though.
Huang Bo, on the other side, had earned compliments from all the directors who engaged in films about real life. In a daze, he remembered countless shadows telling him the same thing, "You'll be the protagonist in my next film."
That was enough for him to go to bed reassured.
They walked along the dirty path. After that overnight meeting, they were feeling hungry. The breakfast stand at the end of the industrial area was the perfect solution to their problem.
In that plant area full of ruins and waste, the three mini casseroles they bought were like a feast in fairyland.
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