Chapter 96 - 83: A Win No Matter What

Chapter 96: Chapter 83: A Win No Matter What

The video opened with an establishing shot of the Bamboo Culture Park, then cut to scenes of the bamboo forest, which seemed to have been filmed in the Bamboo Maze. Next came footage of craftsmen creating bamboo products, and it concluded with a showcase of the finished items, one after another.

In fact, the main part of the video was this product showcase. It featured not only bamboo fans but also other small bamboo items, such as bamboo cups, bamboo platters, and more.

With the enhancement from the Bamboo Culture Park’s attributes, every piece was exceptionally beautiful and exquisite, like a work of art.

Even he himself was captivated by the sight of these bamboo products.

A pleasant female voiceover accompanied the video:

"Throughout the ages, the vibrant green bamboo has captivated countless scholars and poets, inspiring thousands of myths, poems, and paintings that form an important part of our culture. Today, we’d like to introduce you to the unique Bamboo Culture Park at Li Yuan Farm, and its one-of-a-kind bamboo culture..."

The combination of narration and text overlays gave it much more charm than the video would have had on its own, preventing it from feeling bland.

Zhang Lin was satisfied. It was much better than the video he had shot, so he had Lin Muxue go ahead and upload the promotional video.

After taking care of that, Zhang Lin went to inspect the service center, but to his surprise, Chu Heng, the producer of *The Ultimate Brain*, came rushing over to find him again.

Seeing the man holding a folder, he guessed his purpose: it was likely about the special season for *The Ultimate Brain*.

They had previously agreed that the show would film a special season of *The Ultimate Brain* in the Bamboo Maze and pay the farm a fee of 10 million. It seemed the contract and paperwork were now ready.

He just wondered what they were going to call this special season.

’*The Ultimate Brain: Bamboo Maze Challenge*?’

’They probably wouldn’t use such a tacky name.’

Sure enough, as soon as Chu Heng reached him, he handed over the contract. "Boss Zhang, after I brought up the proposal back at the station, they approved the funding right away. So, I came to see you as soon as the contract was drawn up."

Zhang Lin wasn’t surprised.

’A mere 10 million... for someone like him, even with the farm, he didn’t have anywhere near that much in his account. But in the entertainment industry, as long as something generates buzz, 10 million is practically nothing. After all, the revenue from a single commercial could be much more than that.’

Zhang Lin looked over the contract. This one had a lot of clauses, so he once again took photos of the pages and sent them to his senior from university, who worked as a lawyer, to ask for his opinion.

His senior reviewed it quickly and replied, "The contract is fine. You can sign it. I had no idea Li Yuan Farm was yours!"

"Thanks for the help," Zhang Lin replied, then transferred 5,000 over to him as a consultation fee.

After that, he and Chu Heng signed the contract.

"Boss Zhang, the funds will be wired first thing tomorrow morning," Chu Heng said before hurrying off. He now had to figure out how to produce this season’s show.

Zhang Lin returned to his prefab office with his copy of the contract. He picked up his phone and saw another message from his lawyer senior: "Hey, I heard Lin Muxue is working at your place now?"

"Yeah, she is!" Zhang Lin replied.

"Hey now, back in our university club, I treated you pretty well, right? So if I come visit your farm, you’d have to host me, wouldn’t you? And we’re both alumni, so shouldn’t we get together for a meal?"

"You’ve got a point there."

Zhang Lin replied, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

’Looks like my senior, Lin Muxue, is pretty popular, huh.’

He understood what his senior was after, but he couldn’t just take it upon himself to play matchmaker.

By that night, the promotional video for the Bamboo Culture Park had started trending.

When Zhang Lin got home, he pulled up the promotional video for the Bamboo Culture Park to check on its performance.

"Are these really souvenirs? They’re so beautifully made!"

"Will the ones tourists buy look just like the ones in the video?"

"These bamboo products look like works of art! They’re even better than pieces I’ve seen from a master bamboo artisan!"

"I just looked up the master artisan the person above mentioned. Their work really doesn’t compare to what Li Yuan Farm is showing!"

"What’s that supposed to mean? A master artisan’s work is worse than a farm’s souvenirs?"

"What are you guys thinking? It’s definitely filters and special effects. How could a farm’s souvenirs possibly be that exquisite!"

"Have you guys never heard of ’expectation vs. reality’?"

"A farm’s souvenir is more exquisite than a master’s? Are you dreaming or what?"

"..."

As Zhang Lin read the comments, he suddenly realized something was wrong. A full-blown argument had broken out in the comments section.

"Lin, it looks like people are trashing the farm online! Some old man is saying we’re faking everything!" his mother’s voice called out as she rushed over to him, phone in hand.

She was very invested in the farm now, refreshing its videos on her phone every day after getting home.

Zhang Lin looked at the video his mother showed him.

The old man in the video was furious right from the start. "I suddenly found a lot of people tagging me, and when I saw why, I became very angry. It turns out some farm is just seeking cheap publicity, using fake products to ’promote’ bamboo culture. I took a look at their bamboo products, and yes, they’re exquisite. But I can tell you with certainty that they are absolutely fake. No one would sell craftsmanship of this caliber as mere souvenirs. And I’d ask everyone to please stop comparing their things to my work. I earned my title as a master through generations of inherited skill, not through false advertising!"

Zhang Lin felt a bit awkward.

’Don’t tell me this is the master bamboo artisan everyone was talking about in the comments?’

’He looks like he’s flying into a rage out of sheer embarrassment.’

But he could understand. ’Everyone these days is fighting for online traffic and fame. This whole thing is probably affecting his interests.’

Just then, he noticed that his farm’s account had posted a new video: "Li Yuan Farm Sincerely Invites Master Zhao for an Exchange on Bamboo Craftsmanship!"

Lin Muxue’s team must have posted it. Master Zhao was, of course, that master bamboo artisan.

’This was the advantage of having a marketing team.’

’An invitation like this was the perfect way to go viral.’

The master artisan had voiced his doubts, so they obviously had to respond. The key was that Lin Muxue’s team didn’t try to defend themselves or get into a flame war. Instead, they invited him for an exchange, which put the ball in his court.

This way, whether he came or not, it would be the center of public attention, drawing even more buzz for the Bamboo Culture Park.

If he actually showed up, then it would be a massive windfall for Old Guo and the other craftsmen.

As he was thinking about this, Zhang Lin suddenly saw that the tourism bureau had also posted a video: "You City’s Traditional Bamboo Arts Society Invites Master Zhao to You City for an Exchange on Craftsmanship!"

Nice!

’He realized Director Zhao knew how to chase trends, too!’

Now they were really holding this Master Zhao’s feet to the fire.

Meanwhile, in a villa somewhere, an old man’s furious voice could no longer be contained. "Is that Li Yuan Farm completely shameless? I’ve made myself perfectly clear, and they still don’t get it? Aren’t they afraid I’ll actually go over there and expose their whole charade?"

A middle-aged man beside him suddenly spoke up. "Dad, there’s a new development. The tourism bureau in You City has also issued an invitation for you to come for an exchange."

Another middle-aged man chimed in, "Dad, what’s their game? It’s obviously false advertising, yet they’re so insistent on you going. Are they trying to ride your coattails to boost the Bamboo Culture Park’s reputation? Are they planning to bribe you in private once you get there?"

"What else could it be? We’ll just ignore them. Once tourists actually buy their products, the truth will come out on its own!" Zhao Kang was extremely confident and proud of his inherited bamboo craftsmanship.

After all, his bamboo craft was the source of everything he had: his villa, the house for his son’s marriage, his cars, and the respect of his family.

So, he had his son help him record another video, in which he stated directly, "My standing in the world of bamboo arts is not such that I must go wherever I am invited. Furthermore, I have no interest in playing along with false advertising. Everything will become clear once the tourists buy their products!"

This Master Zhao chose not to take the bait.

But the buzz around the Bamboo Culture Park had already been stoked by the controversy. Regardless of the outcome, Li Yuan Farm and the You City Tourism Bureau had already won.

The massive online buzz meant that an ever-increasing number of people were now aware of it.

Naturally, even the bamboo craftsmen at the Bamboo Culture Park saw the news. Led by Old Guo, they diligently watched Master Zhao’s old videos, taking note of his villa, his cars, and the deferential way his sons treated him. They were now filled with even greater anticipation for the Bamboo Culture Park’s grand opening the next day.