Chapter 25: Chapter 25 An Nuannuan: It's so lonely being home alone.

Musen began analyzing the shooting locations.

Qiang Zi also returned with the items he had accompanied Musen to purchase, such as some shading boards and lights for the shoot.

The mother didn't understand what her son was up to, but she was still happy at the thought of her son being willing to help lighten the family's burden.

Having this intention in their child was enough for her.

Musen was busy until noon, continuously filming; under the lens, the flowers in the shop looked incredibly vibrant.

There was a certain petit bourgeois sentiment to it.

And moreover, Yao Mingyue appeared in the frame.

As she held various flowers, her stunning beauty made the flowers even more enchanting. Sitting amidst the blossoms, every frown and smile, even the slight furrowing of her brow, exuded a charm beyond that of her peers.

A pretty good girl, it's just a shame she has a "sickly cute" brain.

By noon, many of the neighboring shops had seen Musen carrying his camera and shooting all morning, and they were all a bit curious.

The mother took the three of them to a small eatery across the street for lunch.

Yao Mingyue probably hadn't eaten at a streetside stall in a long time; the small table seemed a bit greasy to her.

Yao Mingyue, in her form-fitting jeans and a printed shirt, with her tall figure and distinguished temperament and looks, was completely out of place in this environment.

"Xiaoyue, just bear with it for now, and I'll make you something delicious when we get back tonight," said Musen's mother, afraid that she might have slighted Yao Mingyue.

Yao Mingyue smiled and shook her head, even helping Mom wipe down the chopsticks: "It's okay, Auntie, anything tastes delicious when I'm with you."

"You sweet talker," Mom was blooming with joy from her words.

Musen rolled his eyes without strength.

Qiang Zi also felt an indescribable atmosphere at the table; why did it feel like a scene of a daughter-in-law trying to make her mother-in-law happy?

On the way back after lunch, Qiang Zi couldn't help but approach Musen and start talking: "Are you and Yao Mingyue keeping something from your buddy?"

"Keeping what from you?"

"Still pretending? I've seen everything. Yao Mingyue knew you needed a camera, so she specifically prepared one for you.

She didn't go shopping on Sunday but came to help out at your family's flower shop.

And just now, that scene, it felt just like a daughter-in-law trying to please her mother-in-law..."

"Don't talk nonsense."

Musen gave him a look; this was something that could not be misunderstood.

"That's enough, I think there's still hope for you two. Yao Mingyue is a bona fide rich girl; if you cling to her, do you still need to start a business and struggle on your own?"

Qiang Zi had a 'you-don't-know-how-lucky-you-are' expression.

Musen, on the other hand, felt resigned; in the eyes of others, he did seem to be unaware of the good before him.

A rich woman with top-notch looks and body, and willing to spend money on you.

Others might break their ribs to make her soup if they could.

But there's a saying that goes well.

The fed don't know the hunger of the starving, and the starving don't know the emptiness of the fed.

Musen stretched out his hand and patted his shoulder: "Qiang Zi, I'll give you a piece of advice, don't always look for shortcuts, young man. Do you know the language of steel wool and happiness beads?"

"?"

Qiang Zi looked confused, feeling that his buddy had been acting a bit odd lately.

Musen did not explain further; he would understand eventually.

At that moment, his phone suddenly buzzed with a new message.

Upon opening it, he saw that someone had added his QQ.

A cute hand-drawn rabbit avatar.

Remark: Your friend.

Musen was momentarily stunned, but soon guessed who it was. S~eaʀᴄh the NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

After passing the friend verification, Musen sent a message.

"Nuannuan?"

Musen had given her his QQ number on Friday so the two could communicate in a timely manner.

Looking at her account, which didn't even have a space activated, it might have been newly registered.

"It's me. (Smiley face.)"

After a good while, the chat box finally received a message. This smiley face made Musen feel a bit odd.

This smiley face expression is often used among young people to indicate a speechless mood, carrying a sense of being looked down upon.

"Musen, you're the first person I've chatted with on the phone, and the first time I've given it to you, I'm so happy. (Smiley face x3)"

What outrageous words!

Musen's phone almost dropped to the floor.

"Are you possessed?" Qiang Zi commented.

Musen quickly secured his phone. This little girl was really pushing the envelope, spouting all sorts of nonsense.

"Nuannuan, some words shouldn't be used casually, they can easily be misunderstood."

"Oh. (Smiley face.)"

"Also... don't use this smiley face expression anymore either."

"Why?"

"Because it feels a bit uncomfortable to look at, it's cuter for a girl to use more animal or plant emojis."

"Oh..."

A message popped up on the screen a second or two later.

"Xu Musen, I'm home alone, without you, I feel so lonely (rose x3)"

Xu Musen: ...

For a moment, he doubted whether the person on the other end was An Nuannuan or an online card dealer.

This line of thinking though.

Xu Musen couldn't help but laugh and cry, "Where's your family?"

"My grandparents are out busy, and Xiang Ayi went to pick up my sister. I'm eating alone."

"I see, make sure you eat well, nutritious food will help you get better fast."

Xu Musen, remembering her body, felt even the speed of his typing become more gentle.

It took a while before the reply came from the other side of the phone.

"Xu Musen."

"Hmm?"

"I want you to touch my leg. (rose)"

"... "

Xu Musen was at a loss for words.

"Why aren't you responding to me?"

"... It's a massage, from now on don't ever leave out details when you speak."

"But none of them are as comfortable as when you do it..."

Xu Musen, caught between laughter and tears, always felt like he was coaxing a little girl into naughtiness.

Thinking that tomorrow was Sunday and his first round of reward funds would finally be available, it was the perfect opportunity to invite her to a celebratory dinner.

"Okay, so are you free tomorrow? I'll treat you to dinner."

"Sure!"

An Nuannuan finally included some emotive punctuation in her message.

Xu Musen smiled, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards Yao Mingyue.

Girls who are too smart are hard to manage.

The overly naive ones need to be coaxed and taught.

If you could just blend the two... that would be perfect!

Yao Mingyue always keenly sensed Xu Musen's gaze and, turning her eyes quietly, she saw his gaze stayed on her.

She felt a bit triumphant in her heart.

Humph, this was no waste of the jeans she wore on purpose.

I'll bewitch you, just you watch!

...

After returning, Xu Musen began editing videos on his computer.

He Qiang was sifting through materials and asked, "Moriko, you've been busy all day, what exactly are you planning with all this hustle?"

Xu Musen just smiled.

"Actually, my idea is quite simple.

The game is free, but you get rewards for watching ads.

So naturally, the money comes from these advertisers..."

The reason Xu Musen initially chose to hawk his goods was mainly to precisely control the local traffic.

Even now, ninety percent of the game users were local to Zheng City.

The user base and target customers were extremely precise; the traffic was bound to be high as long as someone was willing to advertise.

But as the internet was just emerging, most people's perception of advertising was still stuck with TV or banners, or hiring celebrities for endorsements.

Big companies can burn through cash.

But small shops can't afford that much, so they usually hire people to distribute flyers or attract customers at their storefronts.

Time-consuming and inefficient.

Which is why video walk-throughs promoting shops exploded in popularity in the past life, they hit right at this pain point.

"A few thousand yuan for a bespoke advertising campaign, many shop owners are willing to give it a try..."

Xu Musen explained with a smile, to which He Qiang, though a bit confused, couldn't help but interject.

"People these days want to see results before they pay, especially for untried methods like this. They won't easily give up their money..."

"That's why I start with my own place first."

Xu Musen nodded, "If we were to actively approach each shop, it would arouse suspicion.

The key to business negotiations is initiative.

Whoever has the initiative, has the bargaining power.

Speaking with genuine customer traffic, wait for the neighboring shops to come and inquire of their own accord.

At that point, once you reveal the reasons, credibility soars instantly. By then, they will naturally come to us, eager to collaborate."

Xu Musen said leisurely, smiling at him, "Remember why I made sure the surrounding shops saw me filming today? I've already begun reeling in potential customers."

He Qiang felt a bit dizzy, but after listening, he couldn't help but raise a thumbs up.

"Damn, Xu Musen! These psychological tactics of yours, one day there will surely be a monument of you on the avenues of capitalism!"

"Get lost!"