Zhou You and his advisor checked in and then headed downstairs.
"Hey, Old Shi, I've arrived. Where are you? I'm on the first floor," Professor Wang said as he contacted someone.
"I'm on the first floor too. Wait for me at the reception, I'll be right there," the other party replied.
After hanging up, Professor Wang turned to Zhou You and said, "Wait for Professor Shi—he's the advisor I mentioned to you. You can pursue your PhD under him later."
As expected of a prized disciple, the teacher's efficiency was top-notch. He had barely settled in before starting to make connections for him.
No sooner had he spoken than a man in his fifties, dressed in a casual suit, walked over. From a distance, he burst into laughter: "Every time I invite you, you never come. If it weren't for your student's matter, I doubt you'd show up this time either."
"What's so great about this place of yours? Every time I come, I have to listen to you show off. Sooner or later, our school will set up a doctoral program, just so I don't have to deal with your nonsense," Professor Wang shot back.
The two shook hands as they spoke. Professor Wang turned sideways to introduce Zhou You: "This is Zhou You, my last disciple. He's currently a teacher at our school. You're getting a bargain—you'll have the chance to be his teacher too."
Zhou You quickly bowed slightly and shook hands with Professor Shi.
"No need to be formal, Xiao Zhou. I'm Shi Zhongshan, your teacher's classmate—we were in the same class back then," Shi Zhongshan said without any airs.
Come to think of it, in this field, Zhou You had rarely met any senior professors who put on airs.
Occasionally, he'd see a few younger teachers trying to act important, but those were usually ones with strong backgrounds—either children of officials or the wealthy, coming to the school either to gild their resumes or to enjoy an easy life.
"Hello, Professor Shi. Hearing you say that makes me feel even more at ease. I look forward to learning under your guidance," Zhou You said humbly, since the man was a friend of his teacher.
The three of them chatted as they walked to a nearby lounge to sit down.
"We haven't seen each other in years. You don't like to move around much anymore. Back in the day, you used to travel everywhere. What, are you staying home to take care of the wife and kids now?" Shi Zhongshan, clearly very familiar with Professor Wang, spoke without any restraint.
"My family status? I don't need to serve my wife. Besides, my child is so outstanding—no need for me to teach him. He's naturally gifted," Professor Wang said. His greatest pride was his child, who had never caused him worry and excelled academically.
Hearing this, Professor Shi's head ached: "You know my daughter—she was spoiled since she was little, very rebellious. Her grades were decent back then, but she insisted on applying to the Beijing Film Academy to become a star. I'm just a small-time teacher with no money, and now I can't control her. I'll just have to wait until she hits a wall and sees for herself."
"Heh heh, you think I came here to beg you? I'm here to help you. This student of mine—his side gig is teaching, but his main gig is being an investor. He's invested in a few films and knows some directors. I'll have him make some connections for you. But whether it'll be useful, I don't know—he just graduated not long ago," Professor Wang finally revealed his true intent. "You have to take this student, whether you like it or not."
Shi Zhongshan was quite surprised. He had only glanced at Zhou You casually, thinking he was just doing an old classmate a favor by taking on an in-service doctoral student. But if what his old classmate said was true, this favor would be huge.
"Teacher Zhou also works in investments? That's quite a career shift, isn't it?"
"Professor Shi, I mainly enjoy being a university teacher, but as you know, the pay for our profession is pretty poor, so I have to find some side work," Zhou You said modestly.
"That's true. Nowadays, young university teachers in our field are struggling. Especially in our specialty—project funding is scarce, and it's hard to turn research into practical applications. Those with family wealth can manage, but those without mostly leave. After all, you have to make a living," Shi Zhongshan sighed, acknowledging the current state of the industry.
"Could you share some basic information about your daughter? I've indeed invested in a few films and know some directors, but since I just graduated, I haven't delved too deep. I can't guarantee I'll be able to help, but let me ask around first," Zhou You said politely. After all, the entertainment industry was a deep pool, and no one could promise anything.
Seeing Zhou You's demeanor, Shi Zhongshan didn't think he was bluffing. Besides, such a claim would be easy to verify. So he briefly outlined his daughter's situation.
"She's the same age as Wang Le, about to graduate from undergrad. Following their tradition, she definitely won't pursue graduate studies. In the past two years, she hasn't landed many roles at school, and even when she did, they were just fleeting appearances—nothing that brought her any fame."
"I wanted her to continue with graduate school and a PhD, then become a university teacher—that would be a good path. But the kid won't listen."
"Professor Shi, do you have her resume? Could you send me a copy?" Zhou You figured it would be easier to get the resume directly than to rely on the professor's vague description.
Hearing this, Shi Zhongshan paused for a moment. Because of his daughter's rebelliousness, he hadn't paid much attention to her and didn't actually have her resume. "Hold on, let me call and ask."
He picked up the phone: "Xiuxiu, do you have a resume? Send me your resume—I have a friend who's interested."
Since they were sitting close, Zhou You could hear what was being said on the other end.
"Who do you know? Don't get scammed. Don't worry about me—I'll graduate soon, and once I do, I'll find a company to sign with," Shi Wenxiu said, her tone full of impatience. After all, her father had never introduced any resources before. Besides, what resources could an old man have?
Shi Zhongshan looked a bit embarrassed. He glanced at Professor Wang, feeling helpless, unsure how to continue.
Seeing this, Zhou You gestured to Professor Shi to hand him the phone.
Shi Zhongshan, with no other option since communication was strained, passed the phone to Zhou You: "Xiuxiu, hold on—let someone else talk to you."
Zhou You took the phone: "Hello, Xiuxiu. I'm Professor Wang's student and Wang Le's older brother. My name is Zhou You. Last year, I invested in a couple of films—'Mr. Tree' and 'Love is Not Blind.' Have you heard of them?"
Shi Wenxiu was startled to hear an unfamiliar voice on the phone and was about to hang up, wondering what random person her father had found. But hearing what he said, she hesitated.
She had been at school for nearly four years, about to graduate, yet she remained obscure. Watching classmates with connections land roles, some even making it to the big screen, while she hadn't even acted in many TV dramas and remained a nobody, she felt restless and uncertain about her future.
Now, out of the blue, someone claimed to have invested in two films last year, and he was Wang Le's older brother, a student of Professor Wang.
He probably wouldn't be trying to trick her, would he?