Chapter 164: Changes in Wangyue Village

If that is the case, I will have several teams from Haicheng come over to rehearse and give it a try! Seeing that Zhu Lan was prepared, Director Zhang did not raise any objections. After all, the better this grand ceremony was held, the greater the benefits for the province. Provincial Governor Liu had given special instructions: as long as it did not violate national regulations, whatever it was, it should be satisfied to the utmost!

Well, I will have someone deliver the smart receiving devices as soon as possible! Hearing that Director Zhang had taken charge of that part, Zhu Lan directly stated that the smart devices would be sent over swiftly. Such smart Bluetooth devices required practically no effort to make; a few thousand of them could be manufactured in half a day!

In that case, how many people will be needed? Director Zhang looked at Xu Donghua.

Xu Donghua thought for a moment. If this is how we do it, we will probably need about three thousand people!

Good, then I will arrange for three thousand people to assist you!

Placing three thousand people on the stage vessel was not a problem at all.

The stage vessel was a super cargo ship of 100,000 tons, 260 meters long and originally only 40 meters wide, but it had now been extended to 46 meters. Because of the modifications for the stage, its height was reduced from the original 45 meters down to 30 meters.

As a result, the draft of the stage vessel would be reduced to less than 12 meters, which was just right.

The stage vessel's original tonnage was that of a 160,000-ton super cargo ship, but after retrofitting, its weight was reduced to under 100,000 tons by dismantling a vast amount of internal components. Fortunately, the vessel itself had a relatively low intrinsic value, so it could be dismantled freely.

The opening ceremony is settled, and now let me talk about the order of the performances!

As all of you know, this grand ceremony at Chenwen Port is unprecedented and peerless. This time, it must be shocking enough!

This, this, and this! Zhu Lan pointed at nine programs in a row. Cut them all!

Cut them? Then what about them?

Xu Donghua opened his mouth in surprise.

Zhu Lan shook his head. Scatter them into other programs. Let them perform on stage together with others!

However, many programs have already been finalized as solo performances, and the songs themselves are independent tracks, making it impossible to add more people to them!

Xu Donghua felt somewhat dissatisfied with Zhu Lan's arbitrary commands, but given Zhu Lan's status, could Xu Donghua really voice any objections?

Indeed! Zhu Lan, if we do this, many programs will be completely disrupted, and moreover, a lot of slots will be left empty, which means we will have to select brand new programs to fill them!

I know! Zhu Lan waved his hand.

His pointing device indicated the list on the virtual interface. Not just these few, but also this one, this one, and these four Japanese stars. They must be reassigned elsewhere as well!

Reassign these too? Xu Donghua was dumbfounded. This was practically a major surgical operation!

Zhu Lan nodded. Just assign these four to other programs and turn them into joint Sino-Japanese performances!

Also, these guests—their allocated segments are still too underwhelming. As the hosts, since they have traveled thousands of miles to come here, we are being too stingy!

Was there anything Xu Donghua could say to that?

If the songs do not fit, change the songs. If any individual is unwilling, replace them. There are still plenty of people waiting behind!

Tang Shenghong nodded helplessly.

But what about the vacated slots?

Zhu Lan smiled mysteriously. I was well prepared for this!

He operated his wristwatch, and the virtual holographic interface shifted.

A simple video appeared before the three of them.

In the video, robots were walking with a very peculiar gait!

What is this?

The moonwalk, a true moonwalk! Zhu Lan said with a smile.

I will install a gravity device on the stage vessel, and this device can counteract a large portion of Earth's gravity to achieve a zero-gravity effect. You will need to provide the performers for this; I need a stunning dance troupe!

A gravity device?

Zhu Lan nodded. Exactly, a gravity device. This performance will be the first one right after the opening ceremony, and the subsequent stars coming on stage will also be able to utilize the gravity device to execute their grand entrances. I think this will definitely be shocking enough, don't you?

Tang Shenghong was at a loss for words to describe his feelings; Zhu Lan's tricks were truly endless!

Aside from this, I have prepared quite a few other programs. Since there are too many, I will explain them one by one later, and which ones to choose will be entirely up to you!

Zhu Lan stayed at the Tianhai Gymnasium for four days, discussing matters regarding Chenwen Port with Tang Shenghong and the others every day. After ruling out numerous possibilities, the program list was finally finalized.

The invitations had also been sent out and completed.

Now, there were twenty-three days left until Chinese New Year's Eve.

Having finished his work in Chenwen Port, Zhu Lan did not return to Fantasy Technology.

Instead, he asked Kong Yan to drive him back to Wangyue Bay.

Walking along the familiar road, Zhu Lan nodded in satisfaction.

The road leading to Wangyue Bay had been completed, and right now, Zhu Lan's car was driving smoothly on the brand-new asphalt road.

Upon arriving at Wangyue Village, Zhu Lan was surprised to find a considerable number of vehicles parked there, many of which were sedans.

Zhu Lan found it strange—how could there suddenly be so many cars in the village?

However, when he looked through the glass at the license plates, he became even more puzzled.

The license plates came from all over the country, and quite a few were from out of province.

Zhu Lan opened his laptop and looked it up. When he saw the displayed information, he could not help but smile wryly.

Wangyue Village had always been isolated. In the past, there was only a muddy dirt road, and without a local guide, it was practically impossible to find.

Now, however, Zhu Lan had funded the construction of a new road that connected directly to the ring expressway.

The newly appeared road also had road signs, and some passing drivers, driven by curiosity, had turned in.

Upon arriving at Wangyue Village, the pristine scenery instantly captivated many visitors.

After returning home, many people spread the word, and as time went on, more and more people began to visit.

Because Wangyue Village had been secluded for so long, its environment was exceptionally well-preserved. Coupled with the presence of Wangyue Bay, the scenery was by no means inferior to any so-called 5A-rated scenic area. Furthermore, there were several high mountains covered in lush forests. Having remained undeveloped for hundreds of years, centuries-old trees could be seen everywhere, and in terms of scenery, it was one of the few places in the entire south that could rival top-tier natural spots.

Zhu Lan also discovered that Wangyue Village had undergone massive changes. Glancing across the landscape, aside from a few old houses remaining at the foot of the mountain, all the rest had been replaced by large, luxurious villas. It was practically a newly emerged wealthy village of the modern era.

In just a few short months, Wangyue Village had transformed dramatically. Every weekend or holiday, a multitude of urban white-collar workers would flock here, and the local government, aware of Zhu Lan's influence, was developing the area comprehensively in an attempt to secure his support.

Under the government's development efforts, Wangyue Village had become a renowned tourist resort far and near. While it might not yet have reached peak fame, its popularity was already booming.

Today was Wednesday; if it were the weekend, the place would undoubtedly be packed with cars.

Arriving in front of the gate of his home, Zhu Lan got out of the car and looked at his new residence, which was so transformed that he could hardly recognize it.

Zhu Lan rarely concerned himself with matters in Wangyue Village, having only instructed Lan Tianxin to look after his family. It wasn't that Zhu Lan was unfilial, but rather that he simply could not pull himself away from his responsibilities elsewhere.

Judging by the current state of things, however, Lan Tianxin had done an exceptional job.

Lanzi? The door opened, and Zhu Lan's mother looked in astonishment at Zhu Lan standing before the threshold.

Mom!

You brat, you come back without even making a phone call! Zhu Lan's mother stepped forward, scolding him affectionately, though her face beamed with undisguised joy.

Mom, I just happened to pass by and dropped in to see you!

Alright, come inside! What kind of behavior is it to come home and not even step through the door? Without further reproach, Zhu Lan's mother pulled him inside by the hand.

Zhu Lan's new home was a three-story small villa nestled against the hillside, with a beach located not far away. Lan Tianxin had somehow managed to construct this magnificent villa.

The villa was extremely spacious, and Zhu Lan noticed that the open backyard had also been extensively remodeled and landscaped.

Mom, are you satisfied with this house?

Sitting down, Zhu Lan held his mother's hand and asked with a smile.

You child, why did you spend so much money on this?

Although she chided him, the house was already built, and complaints were now futile.

Mom, your son is wealthy now, so you and Dad should just enjoy yourselves. If you aren't satisfied, I'll build another one for you!

No, no, no, spend less money. This is already enough. Your father and I aren't quite used to living here yet; it's just a bit too extravagant!

Mom, if you need anything, you can just buy it yourself! Didn't I give you ten million? Don't always try to pinch pennies; your son has money now. If ten million isn't enough, I'll give you a hundred million!

Oh, Lanzi! When are you going to bring a girlfriend home for your mother to see? Right now, your mother doesn't want anything else—I just want to hold a grandchild! I know you've made it big, but don't let yourself get scammed. You must never get involved with those gold-digging women!

Zhu Lan smiled wryly. Mom, my career comes first right now. But don't worry, Mom, by next year at the latest, I will definitely bring a daughter-in-law you'll be satisfied with back home. How about that, Mom?

Well, I still trust your word, Lanzi!

Where is Dad? Zhu Lan looked around, failing to see his father, and asked with perplexity.

Your father? He's a cadre now!

A cadre? Zhu Lan was baffled.

Well, it's like this. The government developed our village and established what they call the Wangyue Tourism Management Center, and your father is the director there! You have no idea how impressive your father acts now. He comes home very late every day, drinking wine constantly! At this, Zhu Lan's mother looked quite exasperated.

What could Zhu Lan say to that? This was obviously a deliberate move by the local government to butter him up.

Mom, you should tell Dad to resign from that job! Your son's money is more than enough for you two to enjoy yourselves.

Sigh, I've told your father several times already, but you know what his stubborn temper is like!

Zhu Lan smiled wryly.

Alright, Lanzi, let's not talk about your father anymore. As for that man, let him do whatever he pleases!

Lanzi, you must stay home for a few days. You've lost weight out there!

Zhu Lan nodded. Mom, no problem, I'll stay and keep you company for a few days!

Hearing this, Zhu Lan's mother smiled. You wait here, I'm going out to buy groceries. Tonight, I'll cook your favorite steamed sea fish!

Zhu Lan nodded. Mom, I haven't eaten that in ages; I almost forgot the taste!

Don't worry, Lanzi, tonight I'll make sure you eat your fill. Just wait, I'm going right now to buy the food!

Zhu Lan nodded.

After his mother left, Zhu Lan walked up to the third-floor balcony. Leaning against a chair on the balcony, he let the warm sunlight wash over his face!