Chapter 57 Studio

The next day, the new drama "Duds" directed by Liu Zhou and starring students from the 96 acting class caused a huge sensation at the Central Academy of Drama.

Not only did the teachers at the Central Academy of Drama praise it highly, but word of mouth also spread among the students, causing huge heated discussion.

Due to audience demand, "Duds Get Water" was performed again that evening in the Experimental Small Theater of the Central Academy of Drama, and the theater was packed again.

Seeing this situation, the relevant school leaders approached Liu Zhou, hoping that they could perform a few more shows.

It has been several years since the Central Academy of Drama staged such a popular play. The last time the Central Academy of Drama staged such a popular play was Dean Xu Xiaozhong’s final work “Chronicles of Sangshuping”.

Liu Zhou and a group of actors were very happy about this and performed five more shows in the small theater.

Later on, not only teachers and students from the Central Academy of Drama, but also some people from the Beijing Film Academy came to watch.

This not only made Liu Zhou and his friends famous in the school, but also in the drama circles in Beijing, and this fame was growing.

After the performance, Liu Zhou did not hesitate to take a group of people to Quanjude to eat roast duck.

There were more than ten people in the crew, including Yuan Quan and Dang Hao who had returned from filming. Liu Zhou generously ordered five ducks and some other side dishes.

The performance was a huge success and everyone was filled with happy smiles.

After everyone was seated, the conspicuous Qin Hao stood up and said:
"Our play was a success this time, and it also made us famous. First of all, we have to thank Lao Liu. Everyone knows what he has contributed. Let us toast him first."

Everyone agreed, and Liu Zhou, seeing that he couldn't refuse the kindness, also drank a glass.

After drinking, Qin Hao did not sit down, but coughed twice and said with a smile:

"I think everyone should thank me. Don't boo. Don't disbelieve me. I asked Lao Liu to write this script. Don't you guys have to thank me too?"

Qin Hao saw that his classmates were still booing, and Sun Minghao and Niu Qingfeng had already given him the middle finger, so he quickly said:
"If you don't believe me, you can ask Lao Liu."

Seeing everyone looking at him, Liu Zhou smiled and said:

"Haozi did ask me to write a script so that he could satisfy his acting craving."

"Look, look, I didn't lie to you."

"But when I gave him the script, he couldn't remember what he said."

"Hahaha……"

"Haozi, what else do you have to say?" Niu Qingfeng said with a smile.

"Even though I don't remember it, you can't deny that this drama was started because of me."

"It seems that what Haozi said is not wrong. Let's give him a toast, otherwise he will talk about this all night long."

No one had any objection to Liu Zhou's proposal, and everyone knew that it was just a joke.

After toasting this glass of wine, Qin Haozhi sat down with a proud look on his face.

At this time, the roast duck and dishes had been served, and everyone started to eat.

This was the first time Liu Zhou had eaten roast duck after coming to Beijing for so long, and it tasted really good.

Liu Zhou was eating attentively, while Zeng Li and Yuan Quan were whispering to each other beside him.

"Lizi, I really envy you for being able to play such a great role."

Hearing her friend's words, Zeng Li also smiled and said:

"I envy you for acting in movies."

"I was just the second female lead in that movie, so I didn't have much room to perform. You are the lead actress in the drama, and you are the focus of the whole show."

"Hehe, are you jealous? If you are jealous, go find your boyfriend."

"How can he be so talented? When can you ask Liu Zhou to write another script? I also want to act in his play."

"I can't tell him about this, but I can go and ask for you."

"Thank you, Lizi. I never realized that Liu Zhou was so powerful before. You have a good eye and took him down early."

Zeng Li couldn't help but think of her own boldness at the time. Her face turned slightly red. She couldn't help but glance at Liu Zhou next to her. She saw that he was eating roast duck with relish.

After a meal, everyone enjoyed themselves until after 10pm. After saying goodbye to their classmates one by one, Zeng Li followed Liu Zhou in Yuan Quan's surprised eyes.

She felt like she had just come back from filming a movie and suddenly discovered that many things seemed to have changed.

On the way back, Liu Zhou looked at Zeng Li who was holding his arm tightly, and couldn't help but say:

"What were you and Yuan Quan whispering about while we were having dinner just now?"

"It's a topic between us girls. I won't tell you."

"I heard you mention my name, tell me or I'll tickle you."

"Don't scratch your head. I said, she wants me to ask you to write another script. She also wants to act in your play."

"It seems that another person has been impressed by my talent."

Zeng Li also knew that Liu Zhou's narcissism was just a timely joke, and continued:

"So what do you think? Can you write another one?"

"A good script is not something that can be written easily. Besides, the play we are rehearsing is not finished yet."

"Isn't the performance over?"

"It's over, but Lao Huang found me today and talked to me. He asked me if I had any idea to move this play to a theater outside, the kind that sells tickets!"

"Really?" Zeng Li asked with a little surprise.

"Of course it's true. Tomorrow he will take me to talk to the theater outside about this matter."

"That's great. In this way, you might be able to earn back some of the money you invested."

"Your goal is too low. This time I want to not only make back the money I invested, but also make a lot of money."

“Can our student play really make money out there?”

"What's wrong with student drama? As long as the play is good, the audience will buy it. Don't you have confidence in yourself?"

"I believe in you!"

"Ha ha!"

Not long after walking, the two returned to Liu Zhou's courtyard.

Back in the house, they both felt much warmer.

Zeng Li boiled a pot of water, washed Liu Zhou's face, and then the two sat together to soak their feet.

"Zhou Zhou, if we go to a theater to perform outside, do we have to pay Qin Hao and the others a salary?"

"Of course, if we go out to perform, we can't be so informal like we are now.

I plan to register a studio, and then negotiate with those theaters in the name of the studio, and also give money to Haozi and others in the name of the studio."

"So you want to be the boss?"

Liu Zhou pinched Zeng Li's face and said with a smile:

"I've been a boss for a long time, you just didn't notice."

"You invested in the movie before?"

"Yes, I also registered a studio specifically for investing in movies, but this studio is in Hong Kong."

"How would I know? I thought this was an investment between friends."

After soaking her feet, Zeng Li went to pour out the water. When she came back, she saw Liu Zhou lying on the bed with a smile on his face waiting for her to come back.

"My lady, it's time to go to bed."

Zeng Li also turned off the lights with a red face.

(End of this chapter)