Participating in Activities to Expand Connections: Wang Xiaoshuai and Chen Yong

Zhou Yan looked at the card in his hand. It was a "pass" with the words "Nanhua" written on it.

"This is your ID. With this, you can go directly into the inner area," Song Yuanfei explained.

This event was officially organized, and although its scale and impact were relatively small, it wasn't open to just anyone!

"What's this again?" Zhou Yan opened the handbag and looked at the contents.

"Books?" Zhou Yan took out the books.

"This is the published 'Legend of the Magic Mirror,' I'll get you a set!"

"This is good," Zhou Yan said, looking at the "Legend of the Spirit Mirror" in his hand. It was also a three-volume set, priced at 21 yuan, with each book costing seven yuan.

"If you like it, that's great!"

Zhou Yan signed a new contract in Song Yuanfei's office, and the original contract was voided with the consent of both parties.

The royalty will be based on the latest contract.

After carefully reading it, Zhou Yan signed his name and pressed his fingerprint.

Song Yuanfei retrieved the official seal and signed his name.

The new contract has officially come into effect.

Zhou Yan became the exclusive contracted writer of "Shanghai People's Publishing House"; and Shanghai People's Publishing House also increased Zhou Yan's revenue sharing, so both parties got what they needed and benefited from each other.

On New Year's Day, January 1, 1999, the entire city of Shanghai was bustling with activity.

Many factories and shopping malls are celebrating New Year's Day, and some savvy businesses are even holding celebratory events to boost consumer spending.

Zhou Yan went to attend the "Film and Television Literature Awards Ceremony" with her credentials.

Because the ceremony was jointly organized by Shanghai Publishing House, Shanghai TV Station, and the Shanghai government, many writers, screenwriters, directors, and even local Shanghai celebrities attended.

Zhou Yan didn't know many people. Led by the staff, he arrived at his table.

I had barely sat down when someone came over to strike up a conversation.

"Brother, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time here?" A middle-aged man sat down next to Zhou Yan, acting very familiar with him.

"Yes, this is my first time here," Zhou Yan nodded, not recognizing the other person.

"Wang Xiaoshuai, director and screenwriter," Wang Xiaoshuai said, extending his hand.

"Zhou Yan, actor and writer," Zhou Yan said, quickly extending his hand in return for the courtesy shown to him.

"You're a writer?" Wang Xiaoshuai was taken aback and looked at the ID card in front of Zhou Yan, which bore Zhou Yan's name—Nan Hua.

"Wow, Nan Hua?" Wang Xiaoshuai exclaimed in surprise, "The Nan Hua who wrote 'The World's Number One'?"

Wang Xiaoshuai's tone was filled with disbelief.

"I did write 'The World's Number One'," Zhou Yan said, puzzled by the other party's strong reaction.

"So young? I thought he was an old man," Wang Xiaoshuai said, explaining his surprise. Zhou Yan was completely different from the "Nanhua" he had imagined.

The other person is not only a young man, but also so handsome and dashing, it's truly enviable.

Zhou Yan smiled faintly. He came to this event to reveal his identity in order to increase his fame and popularity.

Having fame and recognition can help with both book sales and acting opportunities.

"Excuse me, how old are you?"

"Seventeen!"

"Amazing, truly amazing," Wang Xiaoshuai thought to himself, involuntarily giving a thumbs up.

While I was still in school at seventeen, he had already written best-selling works such as "The World's Number One" and "Water Moon Cave".

Have to admire.

"This is a genius," Wang Xiaoshuai thought to himself.

"I was also lucky to have benefited from the era's dividends," Zhou Yan said modestly.

"That's a good point," Wang Xiaoshuai agreed wholeheartedly, as he too had benefited from the era's dividends.

The two got along very well as they talked, and Wang Xiaoshuai couldn't see any trace of a seventeen-year-old in Zhou Yan.

Mature and steady.

A bit like a seasoned veteran!

"Besides writing, you're also an actor?"

"I've only acted in one TV series so far, and it was a supporting role," Zhou Yan said frankly, without feeling ashamed of playing a supporting role.

Most actors started as supporting roles.

At least he was much luckier than Stephen Chow; his very first role had lines and acting opportunities!

"What about supporting roles? A well-acted supporting role can be just as good as a lead role!" As a director, Wang Xiaoshuai is well aware of the importance of supporting roles.

"By the way, what TV series did you act in?"

"The sequel to Journey to the West!"

"Not bad, bro," Wang Xiaoshuai's address had changed. "This is going to be a huge hit. For your first project, you're getting to work on such a high-quality TV series. You've got talent!"

Wang Xiaoshuai gave a thumbs up.

"Dude, don't tease me, I was just lucky!"

"Well, luck is also a part of ability!"

The two felt like they had known each other for a long time.

"Hey bro, what's your phone number? Give me your number," Wang Xiaoshuai said casually.

But he regretted it as soon as he said it; he forgot to ask if the other person had a phone number!

"My phone number is..." Zhou Yan said, giving his phone number.

"Wait a moment, I'll write it down," Wang Xiaoshuai said, taking down Zhou Yan's phone number and then making the call.

"Here's my phone number. Leave it with me, I'm going to take a look around over there."

"Okay, you go ahead and get busy!"

"Don't just stay here. Take this opportunity to get out and about and expand your network," Wang Xiaoshuai advised.

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Zhou Yan understood Wang Xiaoshuai's good intentions.

Regardless of whether there are dates or not, let's grab a couple first!

"That's more like it," Wang Xiaoshuai said to Zhou Yan, and then went to make friends with other people and expand his network.

Zhou Yan got up and headed towards a less crowded area.

Since we don't know each other, let's start by getting to know each other from the side with fewer people!

"Hello, I'm Zhou Yan," Zhou Yan said proactively, though he hadn't yet reached the point where others would take the initiative to get to know him.

However, I believe that day is not far off!

Wang Nan turned his head and glanced at Zhou Yan, only to see that he was a young and handsome man.

His face looked somewhat youthful.

He doesn't look particularly old.

Wang Nan examined it carefully and confirmed that he did not recognize it.

Wang Nan turned his head away and ignored it, chatting and laughing with his friends as if he hadn't seen anything.

Zhou Yan smiled calmly, not angry at all, and turned to make friends with other people.

The saying goes, "Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together." Since we don't know each other, there's no need for us to be subservient.

Some people are quite enthusiastic and take the initiative to chat with Zhou Yan.

Some people are similar to Wang Nan, quite arrogant.

The people who can come here are all extraordinary, and Zhou Yan has indeed made some connections with them.

One of the men, a middle-aged man named Chen Yong, was very enthusiastic after learning that Zhou Yan was from Nanhua.

Chen Yong wanted to collaborate with Zhou Yan to invest in the production of "The World's Number One" and "The Legend of the Mirror," but Zhou Yan declined.

"It's okay, feel free to call me anytime if you want to cooperate in the future," Chen Yong said, showing no disappointment.

Business deals are never that easy to close.

"Okay," Zhou Yan and Chen Yong exchanged phone numbers.

"Xiao Zhou," a voice rang out behind Zhou Yan at that moment.

"Teacher Song," Zhou Yan turned around and saw Song Yuanfei walking towards him.

"Come with me, I'll introduce you to a few people," Song Yuanfei said, leading Zhou Yan away.

"Mr. Chen, I'll go over there first," Zhou Yan said to Chen Yong.

"Okay, you go ahead and get busy!" Chen Yong didn't try to stop him.

Watching Zhou Yan's departing figure, Chen Yong felt a sense of unease.

"No wonder he refused so readily; Nan Hua's identity is not simple!"

Chen Yong was not familiar with Zhou Yan, but he was familiar with Song Yuanfei and knew that the other party was the editor-in-chief of the Shanghai People's Publishing House!