When well-fed and warm, lustful thoughts arise; when hungry and cold, thieving intentions stir.
Moderation—for a better future, moderation is key. Zhou You gradually tried to control his pace. Though his body could handle it, these past few days had indeed left him indulging in newfound pleasures, forgetting all about home.
Luckily, Zhao Yun saved him. After returning, Zhao Yun got in touch with a friend from the CCTV documentary channel. Zhou You was surprised to learn that in this day and age, someone was still investing in documentaries.
"Teacher Zhou, they agreed. But do you have time? You'll need to meet face-to-face. It's best if you go to Beijing. They've already started the project, and various teams are selecting materials. Director Ren Changzhen is in charge—you can contact him directly," Zhao Yun said simply and directly.
Zhou You was thrilled. It was the perfect time to take a trip to Beijing in the crisp autumn air. To be honest, it was a bit embarrassing—he had never properly explored the capital. He couldn't help but sigh at how tough life could be.
"Brother Yun, are you free? Could you come with me? Otherwise, I'd feel a bit lost," Zhou You said, trusting Zhao Yun. After all, Zhao Yun was easy to get along with, and at least when discussing matters, he wouldn't leave Zhou You confused.
"I'm not busy lately. I can go with you. Let's set it for the day after tomorrow. I'll head over then," Zhao Yun replied straightforwardly.
With the itinerary settled, Zhou You began preparing. Wang Fangfang had nothing to do, so Zhou You invited her along.
Traveling with a beauty—one of life's great joys.
He booked a five-star hotel in advance. These days, he wouldn't skimp on comfort. Besides, he was playing the role of an investor now; staying in a shabby place wouldn't look good. Most importantly, Zhou You wanted to.
Getting off the plane, Zhou You's first reaction was how crowded it was—oppressively so. He followed the flow of people, glad he hadn't brought a suitcase. No need to wait for luggage, or who knows how long it would take to leave the airport.
Hailing a taxi, the long wait began. From the airport to the hotel took a full two hours. He wasn't sure if he was just unlucky or if this was the norm.
Listening to the taxi driver ramble gave him a headache. He knew Beijing drivers could talk, but he hadn't expected them to be this chatty.
Luckily, Wang Fangfang saved him. She rested his head on her lap and gently massaged it, and before he knew it, he fell asleep.
At the Sheraton Hotel, they checked in first. Wang Fangfang looked around curiously, taking in the surroundings. It felt a bit better than the hotels she'd stayed at for competitions, but nothing extraordinary.
They had arrived a day early and already planned what to eat and do on the way. Wang Fangfang was mainly in charge of the itinerary. Zhou You had initially thought about hiring a guide to follow them around, but Wang Fangfang didn't want to be disturbed. Since there was nothing urgent, they might as well take their time exploring.
After freshening up and resting a bit, it was already dinner time. They still hadn't decided what to eat.
Downstairs, they strolled through the streets.
Wang Fangfang held Zhou You's hand, taking small steps, swinging their arms back and forth. She looked at the crowd heading home from work with a sense of curiosity.
"You Ge, let's just wander around nearby and see if there's anything good to eat," she said. Young girls always love all kinds of snacks.
Zhou You didn't mind. His mindset was much more relaxed now, no longer rushing to do things.
In the past, everything he did had a goal—a typical rational man. He'd go to the supermarket and buy only a few specific items, finishing in no time. He rarely went shopping, and even leisure and entertainment were goal-oriented.
Life was always chasing him, constantly whipping him forward, not allowing him a moment to catch his breath.
Watching Wang Fangfang smile, Zhou You was reminded of youth. This was what youth should look like. Happiness should be this simple.
"Alright, you decide."
Hand in hand, they walked forward happily, la la la.
"I'm a happy little foot."
"Haha, what song is that?" Zhou You found it amusing.
"I just made it up on the spot. Now you've interrupted me."
After a hearty meal, they returned to the hotel.
Time for some exercise to digest.
Pulling her ponytail, looking down at the ants below,
Listening to the sound of flowing water, pattering away,
Until later, lying down,
Playing with the bunny,
Enjoying the automatic pleasure.
They slept until they naturally woke up.
At noon, they waited for lunch at the Sheraton. Zhou You had booked a small private room. Two people came from CCTV, and there were three on their side—a small group, perfect for discussing business.
Zhao Yun made the introductions, and the host and guests took their seats.
"President Zhou, you're truly accomplished at such a young age. Zhao Yun told me about your story, and I was deeply impressed. There are fewer and fewer people with your ideals these days," Director Ren praised, flattering him.
"Not at all. It's mainly a personal interest, and I happen to have some spare cash," Zhou You humbly replied.
"Actually, it's not just this documentary. If I come across something interesting and suitable later, I'll consider it. The documentary market is too narrow right now. Even if I want to watch something, I can't find it, haha."
Director Ren nodded in agreement. Being in the industry himself, he understood this even more deeply.
Turnover at CCTV was high, especially among behind-the-scenes staff. Many quit or were poached. After *A Bite of China* became a hit, Chen Xiaoqing and Ren Changzhen both left, which led to a decline in the third season's reputation.
This documentary wasn't a priority for CCTV either. They treated it like the others, even airing it late at night for the first time. No one expected it to blow up.
It wasn't until later, with repeated reruns and continuous dominance of prime time, that it gained traction.
No one paid much attention. The agreement was simple: CCTV invested 4 million, and Zhou You invested 2 million. Considering it was a pure investment without providing other resources, he only got a 20% share.
Zhou You was very satisfied with this ratio. He would have been happy with even 10%, given his weaker position. It was only because documentaries weren't taken seriously that he managed to snag a deal.
The agreement was signed under the name of Xincheng Investment Culture Co., Ltd.
Everyone was pleased.
Director Ren wanted to maintain a good relationship with the investor. After all, he might leave CCTV someday to make his own films, and he'd definitely need funding then. Who would turn away potential investors?
Zhou You, too, had never been exposed to this circle before and was full of curiosity. Listening to them talk about industry matters, he realized how tough independent documentaries were. Many people had ended up bankrupt or broken. The bloody lessons of so many predecessors scared off countless newcomers.
This only strengthened Zhou You's resolve. After all, once basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, and transportation were met, people needed higher spiritual pursuits.
Compared to many tycoons, Zhou You's wealth wasn't much, but it was enough for him to live freely for the rest of his life. As for the future, as for his descendants—that wasn't something money could decide.
The higher you stand, the harder you fall. Staying low-key was the way to survive.
He had read quite a few books by Zeng Guofan back in the day and later looked into his descendants. Most were ordinary people, but they stood out among the ordinary—and that was enough.
Zhao Yun had things to do the next day and left in the afternoon. Before leaving, he gave Zhou You a deep, envious look. He had met many wealthy people, but few were like Zhou You.
There are many ways to live life, but living it on your own terms is the happiest.