pjbooks Chapter 49: [We need to come up with a filming plan]
Chapter 49: [We need to come up with a filming plan]
With a knock on the door, the father pushed it open and came in, carrying a cup of hot tea.
"Have a cup of tea after your meal to help with digestion." He placed the teacup on the corner of the table. "It's a rare day off today, so don't look at the computer and go take a nap."
"Don't you usually catch up on sleep around this time? Don't mess up your schedule."
"Understood," Liu Zhuohao replied.
Seeing that I was busy, my father didn't stay long.
It's been a long time since I've had this experience: I'm playing on the computer inside while my parents are drinking tea outside, and then they make me a cup and bring it in.
Calm and peaceful, seemingly without any turmoil or pressure.
As far as I can remember, it was more than a decade ago.
What happened after I was reborn? I've been constantly busy, especially with the night market, I haven't been able to see my parents at all.
They didn't go home at noon, and when they returned in the evening, they were already at the night market. By the time they got home, they were all asleep.
After all, even if I come back, I'll already be thirty years old.
He's not that kid who just graduated high school anymore.
He couldn't possibly take it for granted that his parents were protecting him from all the hardships.
Liu Zhuohao picked up the warm teacup, took a sip, and his gaze returned to the screen displaying the line, "Isn't it said that you need connections to get these things done?"
The rising steam blurred my vision, but it made the familiar awkwardness and tentative exploration of a child from a small town all the more vivid.
He understood that feeling all too well.
"That's a government-issued student loan for education. As long as the conditions are met, everyone gets one." Liu Zhuohao took a deep breath and carefully chose his words to avoid letting the child miss out on the opportunity to study.
It's not easy to get into a second-tier university by participating in the regular college entrance examination as a vocational high school student.
He paused, then explained in a more easily understandable way, typing on the keyboard:
"And this is a loan, not one that doesn't have to be repaid."
"You can't apply for the loan, have someone else take it, and then be the one to pay back the debt, can you?"
For many ordinary families, especially children from small towns, the idea that "you need connections to get things done" is almost ingrained in their bones.
Liu Zhuohao used to think the same way: "Why should someone apply for and approve my application when I'm just a kid from an ordinary family?"
Fortunately, his university advisor was a nice person. Seeing that he was always working part-time on campus, he brought it up.
However, Liu Zhuohao did not apply.
Firstly, I was studying at a third-tier university, and the student loan amount wasn't enough to cover the tuition fees.
Secondly, even if it's interest-free, he's not sure he'll be able to pay it back in the future.
Deep down, he didn't really want to owe money, even money owed to the country.
But Liu Honghao is different.
He got into a second-tier university, so he should be able to afford the tuition with student loans. His living expenses might be a bit tight, but he can manage by taking on part-time jobs occasionally.
In the chat box, Liu Honghao didn't reply anymore; even the typing indicator stopped.
After a long while, his message finally popped up:
"Is it really that good?"
Liu Zhuohao could almost see the doubtful expression on the other person's face through the screen.
He was somewhat helpless, but more understanding, and typed again to emphasize:
"If it's really that good, you can ask the relevant department at the school. Anyway, asking won't hurt you."
Even after 14 years, this policy is still not in its "complete" form.
Upon arrival, Liu Zhuohao recalled that not only were the loan amounts higher, but also, it seemed that if the loan was repaid within a few years after graduation, there would be virtually no interest.
In a sense, it means that as long as there are no other family-related or personal reasons for not wanting to study, as long as you pass the exam, you can study there.
There are even scholarships, work-study programs, and other ways to provide some assistance with living expenses.
Of course, whether or not "connections" are needed for scholarships and work-study programs is another matter, Liu Zhuohao recalled the news from the following years.
There isn't much reporting on it.
There are always a few woodworms on a tree.
In the future, almost everyone can become a self-media blogger and share their daily life online. In an era where everyone is chasing traffic, only a few news stories still show any real impact.
This time, Liu Honghao's "typing..." message lasted even longer.
Finally, only two simple words appeared on the screen:
"Thanks."
Liu Zhuohao replied:
"Need not."
Liu Zhuohao looked at the "thank you" and paused his fingers on the keyboard.
Someone who can get into a second-tier university in a vocational high school environment, and who is wary of unfamiliar information but willing to listen, must have good patience and perseverance.
Perhaps, online management, which requires meticulousness and composure, is actually more suitable for him, and...
Liu Zhuohao recalled the email about 4G during his interview; it was clear-headed and forward-thinking.
He typed a line:
"By the way, since you're so knowledgeable about internet trends, have you ever had any experience with video editing, filming, or post-production? Or, what was your major in college?"
……
……
The food truck drove slowly through the evening traffic. Huang Weixiong and Li Zekai sat next to each other, chatting casually about when they would take a driving test.
Liu Zhuohao gripped the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, but his mind was racing with other thoughts.
Business is good; at this rate, I can earn hundreds of thousands a year.
But this high return comes from low cost.
The stall is small, there's no rent, and the staff is simple.
Liu Zhuohao murmured, and said in a low voice:
"Let's wait a few more months."
Huang Weixiong turned his head: "What?"
"It's nothing." Liu Zhuohao shook his head; he was thinking about the shop.
With a little over 100,000 yuan in working capital, he had been thinking about one question during his break yesterday – whether he should open a shop.
Having a shop has many advantages.
No more braving the elements, worrying about the weather, being able to set fixed business hours, serving lunch and even breakfast, gradually building a loyal customer base, and even trying to put up a sign...
However, there are also many problems. The food delivery industry in this small city has not yet taken off, and the cost of recruiting full-time riders for delivery, like KFC and McDonald's, is too high.
Moreover, once you open a store, the investment is huge: transfer fees, decoration, equipment, licenses, rent with a deposit of three months' rent and one month's rent in advance, reserve funds... all these things add up to at least 200,000 yuan.
More importantly, once you open a store, the competition changes.
When he sets up his stall, his competitors are other food stalls in the night market.
But once he opened the shop, he had to compete with brands like KFC, McDonald's, and Wallace for customers, as well as with local restaurants that had been open for over a decade and had a stable customer base.
These days, young people who like to eat out haven't become the main consumers yet; the older generation is more used to eating at home.
The limited dine-in customers have long been divided up by those established brands.
After careful consideration, Liu Zhuohao temporarily abandoned the idea of opening a store.
A restaurant business for 25 years is doomed to fail.
I've been in the restaurant business for 14 years, and it hasn't been that great.
Liu Zhuohao's fingers tapped the handle unconsciously.
How can I increase my win rate like I did when I was running a street stall?
As this question arose, an answer simultaneously emerged in his mind. Without a doubt, there was only one answer—the Internet.
The influencer effect.
"We should come up with a filming plan."
Liu Zhuohao suddenly spoke.
"..."
Huang Weixiong and Li Zekai were discussing the registration process when this sudden remark left them somewhat bewildered.
"What project?"
Li Zekai, who is usually quiet, suddenly blurted out, "The Magic Mirror?"