Rebirth of Siheyuan starts in the 1980s

Chapter 395 It feels like you are bragging, but it doesn’t seem like you are bragging.

"Wow, cool, so cool!"

As soon as he walked into the lobby of Jianguo Hotel in Beijing and felt the completely different coolness inside and outside, Xu Qingdong immediately sighed.

"It's better to be in a big hotel with air conditioning. The temperature is so cool and comfortable!"

Seeing Xu Qingdong's slightly exaggerated look, Cao Zhiqiang shook his head with a smile: "Old Xu, where are you going? Otherwise, I will take you to the swimming pool to play, it will be cooler there."

"Ah?" Xu Qingdong was stunned, "Natatorium? This is inappropriate!"

"What's inappropriate about this?" Cao Zhiqiang asked curiously.

"That's true." Xu Qingdong frowned and said, "The swimming pool here is good, but it is not open to the public. Only guests here can use it. I am not qualified to play here."

Yes, Jianguo Hotel is a Sino-foreign joint venture hotel. Although there is a swimming pool inside, it is not open to the public at this time. Only guests staying in the hotel can use the swimming pool inside.

After Cao Zhiqiang understood, he immediately laughed: "What do I think? By coincidence, I am a guest here and a long-term tenant, so I am qualified to play here, and then as a guest here, I take my friends there

Take a swim, what’s the problem?”

"Long-term tenant?" Xu Qingdong was stunned, "Didn't you stay at the Peking Hotel before? Why do you also rent a room here?"

Cao Zhiqiang smiled slightly: "The Peking Hotel has expired, and I have had enough of it, so I moved here. The environment here is better and the service is better."

"Oh." Xu Qingdong nodded, and then sighed, "It's great to have money!"

Cao Zhiqiang smiled slightly: "Don't worry, you will be very rich in the future and can live in big hotels for a long time. I'm afraid you won't be happy to stay there."

"Me?" Xu Qingdong shook his head, "Are you kidding? Do you think everyone is just like you? Money is so easy to make?"

Cao Zhiqiang smiled slightly and said no more. Instead, he asked: "By the way, Lao Xu, can you swim?"

"Of course." Xu Qingdong chuckled, "I've been able to swim since I was a child, breaststroke, dog paddle, freestyle, everything."

"That's it." Cao Zhiqiang said with a smile, "Come with me, let's go to the swimming pool."

"Wait a minute." Xu Qingdong said, "I, I didn't bring my swimming trunks."

Cao Zhiqiang laughed: "Old Xu, Old Xu, I just said that you are well-informed. This swimming pool sells new swimming trunks. Just put them on when the time comes. It's mine."

Xu Qingdong smiled sheepishly: "Isn't this not good? It costs a lot of money."

"Hi!" Cao Zhiqiang curled his lips deliberately.

"Old Xu, we haven't been together long enough, so you may not know me well.

In fact, when I make friends, I don’t care about whether I have money or not, but only about my temper.

Although you are older than me, I feel that I am very close to you, have a special temperament with you, and want to be friends with you.

Since we are buddies, don't worry about these small issues of money or not.

So, just go with me, unless you don’t want to treat me as your buddy.”

"Hey!" Xu Qingdong grinned, "Since you have said so much, why don't I go now?"

"That must be done!" Cao Zhiqiang pretended to be cheerful and patted Xu Qingdong on the shoulder, "Okay, Old Xu, come with me!

It was such a hot day that I was sweating all over, which was very uncomfortable.

Let’s go to the swimming pool for a swim first, have some fun, and then talk about the main story after we feel comfortable!”

"Sure!" Xu Qingdong nodded, "I will listen to you! Cao...Xiao Cao!"

Cao Zhiqiang then grinned: "Hey, that's right, Lao Xu!"

Afterwards, the two parties laughed and walked towards the indoor swimming pool talking and laughing, while Xiang Dongfang followed behind with a smile.

Well, okay, actually Cao Zhiqiang deliberately took Xu Qingdong to the swimming pool, mainly because he couldn't stand the smell of Xu Qingdong's big smoking gun.

Originally, Cao Zhiqiang wanted to take Xu Qingdong to his room to chat, but after discovering that Xu Qingdong was a heavy smoker and never took off his cigarette, he became a little unhappy.

Although his predecessor also loved to smoke, Cao Zhiqiang restrained himself after traveling through time and slowly gave up the bad habit of smoking.

After all, he never smoked in his previous life, and he knew that smoking was harmful to health, so of course he couldn't smoke all day long.

He doesn't smoke himself, so he naturally hates other people smoking and then inhaling second-hand smoke himself.

But in this era, many people smoke, especially those engaged in literary and artistic work, and there are very few non-smokers.

Especially this Xu Qingdong, who can't stop smoking.

Just now on the way here while driving, he lit one, which made Cao Zhiqiang embarrassed to say anything.

So after arriving at the lobby, he made an impromptu decision to take Xu Qingdong to the swimming pool for a swim and some exercise.

In this way, at least the smell of sweat and cigarette smoke can be removed from his body.

And if he smokes again, the swimming pool is so big that he won’t feel uncomfortable.

It would be uncomfortable if he smoked in his room.

Soon, the group arrived at the swimming pool. After changing into swimsuits in the locker room, they went to the indoor swimming pool to swim.

Not to mention, the Jianguo Hotel at this time was indeed the first joint venture hotel in Beijing. Not to mention that the equipment was all new, and even the indoor swimming pool was of high standard. It felt better than the professional swimming pool in the gymnasium.

Moreover, there are many lounge chairs around the swimming pool, and there are waiters at all times. If you want to drink or eat anything, just call the waiter. The service quality is completely incomparable to that in the gym.

It can be said that Cao Zhiqiang feels that the quality of the waiters at the Jianguo Hotel is similar to the quality of the waiters at the five-star hotels in his previous life. As for other hotels, anyway, even the famous Peking Hotel, simply speaking of service quality, is not.

Far worse than here.

At the very least, most of the waiters here are smiling when they come to serve you, while most of the waiters in Peking Hotel have a straight face when facing you.

This is normal. Most of the state-owned enterprises in the planned economy have poor service quality.

The Peking Hotel is still a state-owned enterprise, while the Jianguo Hotel is a joint venture, and all current service management is outsourced to the Peninsula Hotel in Xiangjiang, so the service quality is the best in Beijing, bar none.

Don't mention anything else, let's just say that the position of elevator lady is purely eye-catching and is not available in other hotels.

Of course, the elevator lady at the Jianguo Hotel was actually short-lived. It only existed when the Jianguo Hotel was just built and its management was fully contracted to the Peninsula Hotel. Later, when the management team was changed, the elevator lady position no longer existed.

After two rounds of swimming with Xu Qingdong, Xu Qingdong felt a little exhausted, so Cao Zhiqiang stopped insisting and went ashore with Xu Qingdong.

As soon as Cao Zhiqiang landed, Xiang Dongfang, who was wearing a one-piece swimsuit, immediately came over with two large towels.

"Thank you, Secretary Xiang." Xu Qingdong smiled and took the towel.

Immediately afterwards, Xu Qingdong teased Cao Zhiqiang and said: "Oh, Xiao Cao, you are so lucky to have such a good woman like Secretary Xiang by your side, taking care of you so meticulously. What a blessing, what a blessing!"

Cao Zhiqiang put on a big towel and laughed: "That's necessary. Who told me to look handsome?"

Xu Qingdong was stunned for a moment, and then burst into laughter.

After Xu Qingdong and Cao Zhiqiang both sat down in their respective chairs to rest, Xiang Dongfang quickly distributed the cut watermelon to everyone.

After Xu Qingdong took the watermelon, he thanked him again.

Cao Zhiqiang, on the other hand, took the watermelon and said, "Secretary Xiang, don't worry about us. You can go swim for a while and relax. We can do these little things ourselves."

"No need." Xiang Dongfang smiled slightly, "I don't like swimming very much, so this is good."

"That's right." Cao Zhiqiang nodded, then pointed to the seat next to him, "Then you can sit down too and let's eat together."

"Okay." Xiang Dongfang smiled, sat down generously, picked up a piece of watermelon and ate it.

After the three of them had eaten more than half of the watermelon, Xu Qingdong burped, leaned on the back of the chair, patted his belly and said: "Ah, comfortable, so comfortable, I haven't felt so comfortable for a long time!

The life of this rich man is so comfortable!

Doesn’t everyone like capitalism now?

It’s so evil, so evil!”

Cao Zhiqiang laughed, threw away the watermelon rind, picked up the wet towel on the table and wiped his mouth and hands, then said: "Don't worry, the days will be better in the future. Sooner or later you will live such a life of luxury and luxury."

"Me? Forget it." Xu Qingdong shook his head, "It's okay for now and then, but over time, I'm afraid I'll really get lost."

After sighing, Xu Qingdong said sternly: "By the way, Xiao Cao, you haven't given me any confirmation yet. Do you agree to affiliate with Youth Film Factory and film "Love in Guting" under the name of Youth Film Factory?"

Cao Zhiqiang shook his head gently: "I disagree."

"Don't bother me." Xu Qingdong frowned.

"Xiao Cao, yes, Qingying Studio and the others do have their requirements.

For example, if you want to change the script or add some Sino-Japanese friendly content, you don’t like these things, but I understand.

After all, no one likes others to randomly change their script.

But these are not impossible to discuss.

Everything is easy to discuss. We can have dinner with the director of the Youth Film Studio, and that may not mean we can't be accommodating.

Don't refuse immediately.

In fact, if you want to be affiliated, Qingying Film Factory is the best choice. After all, they are an affiliated factory of Nortel, so the problems are the least.

If you want to switch to another film studio, it won't be so easy to talk to."

Cao Zhiqiang smiled slightly: "That's not necessarily the case. For example, I know that there is a film studio that can support us unconditionally. We can do whatever we want. We have the final say on everything."

"Is there such a good thing?" Xu Qingdong asked in surprise, "That movie studio?"

"Hongguang Film Studio." Cao Zhiqiang said with a smile.

"Hongguang Film Studio?" Xu Qingdong frowned, "Hey, why have I never heard of it? Where is it?"

"It's from Beijing." Cao Zhiqiang said with a smile.

"From the capital?" Xu Qingdong shook his head quickly, "No way, there are only a few film studios in the capital. I know that, but I have never heard of another Hongguang Film Studio."

"You're right if you haven't heard of it." Cao Zhiqiang said with a smile, "This is a new establishment and it just opened today."

"Newly established? Just opened for business today?" Xu Qingdong blinked.

Speaking of this, Xu Qingdong looked at Cao Zhiqiang's expression, then frowned and asked: "Xiao Cao, are you kidding me?"

Cao Zhiqiang shook his head: "I may tease you about other things, but I will never do this serious business."

"Then, then..." Xu Qingdong frowned and thought for a while, "Hongguang Film Factory, Hongguang...wait, it couldn't have been done by your Hongguang Machinery Factory, right?"

Cao Zhiqiang nodded with a smile: "Of course, you guessed it right!"

Xu Qingdong looked at Cao Zhiqiang in surprise: "Isn't it right? Your Hongguang Machinery Factory is so powerful? Even a movie studio can do it?

This is no small matter, it costs a lot of money.

I also know that Hongguang Machinery Factory was indeed a big factory in the past. I heard that it also produced tank guns.

But the current Hongguang Machinery Factory is long gone. How can it have such capabilities? What kind of film factory should it open?

You didn’t trick me, did you?”

"How can that be possible?" Cao Zhiqiang smiled.

"Lao Xu, Hongguang Film Factory is real, but I paid for the registration fee for this film studio, and I also asked Director Shi of the Film Bureau for the license.

And the Hongguang Film Factory is only nominally owned by the Hongguang Machinery Factory, but in fact it is actually a film factory that I am personally contracted to operate.

In a sense, this is the first film studio in China that is contracted and operated by an individual and is completely responsible for its own profits and losses. It can also be regarded as a pilot project of the film bureau."

"Do you really want to set up a film studio?" Xu Qingdong frowned, "Xiao Cao, it's not me who said that opening a film studio and making movies are two different things.

To make a movie, you just need to find someone with a millionaire to make it.

But setting up a movie studio is not that easy.

Don't tell me that you set up a film studio just for this movie of yours."

"You're really right!" Cao Zhiqiang smiled, "I once told people that I made a meal of dumplings just because of my jealousy.

In the same way, this time, I really set up a film studio just for this movie of mine.

What I want is nothing else but one word - power!"

"right?"

"That's right!"

Cao Zhiqiang nodded: "I am a person who can be open-minded about some things, but I like to be more serious about other things. I have the final say on whatever I like.

If we don't open this film studio and affiliate ourselves with other studios, as you said, we will inevitably have to accept other people's additional conditions.

Just like this script, if you are affiliated with someone else's film studio and use their name, it means you have to look at other people's faces.

When the time comes, they ask you to change the script and change the actors. If you still want to continue filming, you will have to hold your nose and recognize it.

I don't like this, so I want to open my own film studio and shoot what I want to shoot.

My game, my turf, my rules.

I use my own film studio, my own funds, my own equipment, to shoot my own scripts, how cool is that, don’t you think?”

Xu Qingdong nodded: "Well, it's really nice to be able to shoot what you want without being restricted by others."

"That's it." Cao Zhiqiang said with a smile, "To others, money is very important, but to me, money is a bastard. I have to make money if I don't have it.

So, I don't care how much it costs at all, I only care about whether I feel good.

Fortunately, I can now open a film studio by myself. Even if it is a contract operation, this is a rare opportunity.

Don't miss the opportunity now. If you want to open a movie studio like this in the future, it may not be that easy.

Simply making a movie is nothing.

Opening a movie studio is nothing.

Not only do I want to open a movie studio, I will also open movie theaters in the future, many, many movie theaters.

I want to build my own theater chain, control my own distribution channels, and form my own film and television group.

Let’s put it this way, there is no future in simply making content, but making a platform is the real future.

But before the platform is established, I can only create content first."

Xu Qingdong was stunned for a while, then smiled bitterly:

"Xiao Cao, you are really, I don't know how to say you are good.

It feels like you are bragging, but it doesn't seem like you are bragging.

All I can say is that I, a sparrow, do not have the ambition of a swan like you!"

Cao Zhiqiang laughed, then looked at Xu Qingdong and said:

"You're right. Talking about it now is just like bragging. Let's be more realistic.

Look, Lao Xu, now I have my own film studio, a regular one.

In addition to the film studio, I also have my own equipment, the only one in the country.

By the way, there is no shortage of scripts and funds. Do you think this movie can be made?"

"Yes!" Xu Qingdong laughed, "Of course I can, that's great!"

Immediately afterwards, Xu Qingdong winked at Cao Zhiqiang: "So, you still want to ask me to be a counselor to assist you in making this movie. You still want to be the director yourself, writing, directing and acting, right?"

"Yes!" Cao Zhiqiang nodded and said, "Why, you don't agree?"

"Why don't you agree to this?" Xu Qingdong said, "The salary you offer is so high, two thousand yuan, how can I not agree to it?"

"Then it's settled!" Cao Zhiqiang said,

"I have solved all the problems for you, such as equipment, funds, and reputation. Everything else, like recruiting members of the film crew, is all up to you.

Three days, I only give you three days, can you assemble a film crew?"

"Okay." Xu Qingdong nodded, "These days, as long as there is no shortage of funds and equipment, it is easy to set up a film crew.

If the Beijing Film Studio fails, the worst I can do is go to Nortel, which still has no work to do.

Especially now that the university is on summer vacation, many people have nothing to do. If they can make movies and the salary is high enough, they will definitely be happy to come."

"That's good." Cao Zhiqiang said, "Old Xu, I am very efficient, I..."

Speaking of this, Cao Zhiqiang suddenly rolled his eyes: "By the way, what do you think of this Jianguo Hotel? Is it comfortable?"

"Of course it's comfortable." Xu Qingdong smiled.

Cao Zhiqiang nodded: "Let's do this. In order for you to have a good rest and work well, you can stay here during the filming of the movie. I will open a separate room for you. The cost will be my personal expense and not the public account of the film crew.

This way, it will be easier for you and me to keep in touch, after all, I live here too, what do you think?"

"Hey, really?" Xu Qingdong opened his mouth in surprise, "You, you want to open a room here for me to live in? For a long time?"

"Of course!" Cao Zhiqiang nodded, "Not only will I stay here for free for a long time, but I will also cover the food expenses."

Xu Qingdong blinked: "Well, what about the other members of the film crew?"

"That's definitely not possible." Cao Zhiqiang chuckled, "But I won't treat them badly.

If you are shooting on location, you must be picked up and dropped off by a car, and if you rest, you will stay in a nearby hotel.

Food expenses and travel expenses are all of a high standard, and the wages are also of a high standard. Anyway, they are twice as high as those of Beijing Film Studio, how about that?"

"That's no problem." Xu Qingdong said, "If you are really twice as high as Beijing Film Studio's standard, I can pull up the team for you in one day!"

"Then it's settled!" Cao Zhiqiang slammed the table, "Without further ado, you hurry up and gather the team.

After the team is gathered, they will stay at the guest house of our Hongguang Machinery Factory for the time being. I will ask someone to send a car to pick them up.

It's already August, and I hope to finish filming the movie by the end of this month. Are you confident?"

"It's hard to say." Xu Qingdong shook his head.

"How long it takes to shoot a movie depends on the specific circumstances. How can you set a date in advance?

But, the plot of your script is actually very simple. If you don’t add any additional content and just follow your second version, if you hurry up, you should be able to finish it in a month.”

"That's it!" Cao Zhiqiang slapped the table, "Tomorrow, tomorrow I will meet the film crew, and in three days at most, I will start shooting the movie!"

"So urgent?" Xu Qingdong frowned.

"It's so urgent!" Cao Zhiqiang nodded, "Because next month, I have to go abroad. By then, I'm afraid I won't have time to make movies in China."

"Going abroad?" Xu Qingdong was stunned, "Where are you going?"

Cao Zhiqiang smiled slightly: "Go to Japan."

(End of chapter)