Chapter 36

Zheng Father decisively named the two, sparing them the trouble of further polite exchanges.

After the matter was settled, Zheng Father also showed strong support for the studio and the micro-film project the two children had come up with. It was rare for the children to find something meaningful to do, and the cost was not too high. After hearing Xiahou Zhongying's plan, he was quite surprised by his ability to consider all aspects of the issue and propose solutions.

Moreover, when he learned that the idea of the micro-film was first proposed by Xiahou Zhongying and then developed further, he was even more astonished, couldn't help but look at Xiahou Zhongying a few more times, and thought to himself that this child was not simple. At such a young age, he could organize a matter that even adults found complex in a well-ordered manner, consider all the necessary aspects, and even propose a complete plan. He would surely achieve great things in the future.

Zheng Father suddenly remembered that Zheng Mother had the idea of pairing their daughter with Xiahou Zhongying. Now, it seemed like a good idea, and he also started to take it seriously.

"Dear, Xiahou Zhongying is really a good kid. At his age, I don't think there are many in the whole of South Korea who can surpass him," Zheng Father whispered to Zheng Mother as they were about to sleep.

"I told you so," Zheng Mother rolled over and propped her head up with one hand, looking at Zheng Father. "Where can you find such a good kid? He's capable and a good person. If Xiuyan misses out, it would be a great loss."

"Yes, I also feel that missing out on Xiahou Zhongying would be the biggest loss for Xiuyan in her life," Zheng Father sighed.

"Then we should find a way to bring them together," Zheng Mother said.

"But you know Xiuyan's temper; it's hard to change," Zheng Father said helplessly. "And Xiahou Zhongying is also a very competitive person. It's impossible for him to accommodate Xiuyan."

"What can we do?" Zheng Mother was worried.

"We can only take it one step at a time. Both children have their own minds. If we get involved, it might not be good and could even have the opposite effect," Zheng Father said helplessly. "We can only see if they have a connection."

Zheng Mother thought about it and sighed in agreement.

The next day, after Xiahou Zhongying returned to school, he gathered his three lackeys together.

"Big Brother, what do you need us for?" the fat lackey asked.

"You were all asking me what I was going to do these days, right? Now I'm going to tell you," Xiahou Zhongying smiled and said.

The lackeys quickly put on a serious listening face.

"I plan to start a studio," Xiahou Zhongying said seriously, looking at the three. "A film studio."

"Film?" The three lackeys knew that whatever Xiahou Zhongying was keeping secret must be significant, but they never expected him to plan something so big. They were stunned.

"Big, Big Brother, you, you're going to make a film yourself?" the fat lackey was so shocked he couldn't speak clearly.

"Yes, a micro-film," Xiahou Zhongying said, looking at the three. "So I plan to start a studio and need your help. You might even need to play some roles in the film."

The three lackeys were so shocked they sat down on the chairs. Could they really be involved in the film?

"Big, Big, Big Brother, can we, can we participate?" Song Zhenhuan felt like he was dreaming and asked uncertainly.

"It's not certain yet, but there's a chance, depending on your performance," Xiahou Zhongying nodded. "If your acting is really bad, I'll have to replace you."

The three were both surprised and delighted, feeling like they were in a dream. Regardless of the outcome, at least they had a chance, right? They could even become movie stars?

The thin lackey was so happy he thought he was dreaming and couldn't resist biting the fat lackey's arm.

The fat lackey screamed in pain, pushed the thin lackey to the ground, and shook his bitten arm, angrily shouting, "Thin one, what are you doing?"

"I wanted to see if I was dreaming. You feel pain, so it must be real," the thin lackey said, laughing foolishly as he got up.

"Why didn't you bite yourself to see if you were dreaming? Why bite me?" the fat lackey was furious.

"Biting myself would hurt, and your meat is soft, so it feels good," the thin lackey said.

"I'll kill you," the fat lackey charged at the thin lackey in a rage.

"Stop fooling around, sit down right now," Xiahou Zhongying's face turned dark, and he couldn't help but roar.

With Big Brother angry, the two stopped and sat down obediently like children.

"Listen up. You only have a chance now. Whether you get the role depends on your performance. I plan to start filming at the beginning of next year. If you don't want to be cut, you need to find acting classes and learn acting over the next two months," Xiahou Zhongying glared at the fat and thin lackeys, scaring them into silence, and continued, "If you can't do it, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Xiahou Zhongying chuckled coldly. He wanted to execute this plan well and didn't want the three to have any侥幸心理 (侥幸心理 means侥幸 psychology, which can be translated as '侥幸 mentality' or '侥幸 attitude'). They shouldn't think they could get away with anything.

The three lackeys quickly promised to work hard and learn.

Xiahou Zhongying then explained the concept of a micro-film to the three lackeys. Although it wasn't a regular film, it still excited them, and they resolved to learn acting diligently.

After that, Xiahou Zhongying shared his ideas and asked the three about the problems he had encountered, such as communicating with the school and finding sponsors, to see if they had any solutions or could help.

The three looked at each other, unsure how to handle these matters, and cautiously shook their heads. Xiahou Zhongying was so angry he wanted to kick them to the sky. Three useless people, none of whom could help when needed.

Helpless, Xiahou Zhongying could only sigh. With no help, he would have to do everything himself.

After school, Zheng Xiuyan and Jin Taeyeon, among others, met Xiahou Zhongying at Kent School. From the excited expressions of the girls, Xiahou Zhongying could tell they had already learned the general details from Zheng Xiuyan.

Upon seeing Xiahou Zhongying, the five girls, except for the Zheng sisters, were very excited and greeted him enthusiastically. The establishment of the studio made the girls see that things were starting to develop positively. Although no substantial steps had been taken yet, Xiahou Zhongying's detailed plan had already made them see the possibility of success, and they couldn't help but be excited.

Xiahou Zhongying chatted with the girls and briefly introduced his plan again. "We either don't do it, or we do it well. So during this time, you need to improve your acting skills."

"I know your company has acting classes. Although your training is mainly in singing and dancing, you can also attend acting classes. So when you have free time, you might as well learn more," Xiahou Zhongying thought for a moment and continued, "I have a few male classmates who you've met. They haven't taken any acting courses, and we can't hire actors, so I hope you can communicate and teach them acting in your free time, so we have male actors available if needed."

"No problem," Lin Yoon-a confidently patted her chest and promised.

The girls also understood the importance of this and pledged to teach them well.

After parting with the girls, Xiahou Zhongying frowned, feeling worried. Many things couldn't rely on the girls' help, and the three useless lackeys couldn't help either. Everything had to be done by himself, and he was short of manpower. Unable to think of any solutions, Xiahou Zhongying decided to ask his father for help.

"Father, I have something to discuss with you," Xiahou Zhongying said as he walked to where his father, Xiahou Shang, was reading documents on the sofa in the Seoul villa.

"What is it? Not enough money?" Xiahou Shang asked casually without looking up.

"No," Xiahou Zhongying shook his head. "I want to make a film, but I lack manpower. I want to ask for your opinion and see if you can lend me a couple of people."

"Make a film?" Xiahou Shang looked up in surprise and asked.

"Yes," Xiahou Zhongying nodded and explained his idea to his father, then handed him the plan to read.

Xiahou Shang glanced at Xiahou Zhongying strangely, put down his documents, and read the plan carefully.

The more he read, the more surprised he became. It seemed that Xiahou Zhongying's sudden desire to make a film wasn't a feverish idea. From the detailed plan, it was clear that he was serious and determined to do something. He had considered all aspects and made various contingency plans. Moreover, his idea was interesting and innovative, with low costs. If not for profit, the plan had a high chance of success.

Xiahou Shang rhythmically tapped the armrest of the sofa, a habit he had when thinking seriously. Xiahou Zhongying watched his father nervously, hoping for his approval. This was the first time he had tried to do something seriously.

"Your idea is good, and the practical feasibility is very high," Xiahou Shang finally nodded after a long thought. After a moment, he continued, "Moreover, if handled properly, the effect could be very good. As long as the children's acting isn't too bad, it might even create a few stars."

Getting his father's approval, Xiahou Zhongying's nervousness eased, and he couldn't help but sigh in relief, looking at Xiahou Shang with joy and hope. "Father, you agree? Then about the manpower..."

"Since you've started to think about doing something, it shows you've grown up," Xiahou Shang looked at his son with satisfaction and nodded.

Seeing Xiahou Shang nod, Xiahou Zhongying almost jumped for joy. His biggest headache, the manpower issue, was solved. Everything else would be easier. He was thinking about asking his father for some funding to make things even smoother.

Before Xiahou Zhongying could speak, Xiahou Shang continued with a smile, "Growing up means taking responsibility. Starting next month, your living expenses will be halved, and your credit card will be taken back. I'll cover your necessary expenses, like tuition. If you want to live as well as before or better, you'll have to find a way to earn money. Things like buying clothes and eating will be your responsibility. As for manpower, you'll have to figure it out yourself. It's for your own good."

Xiahou Shang's words almost made Xiahou Zhongying spit blood and faint.