Chapter 84: New Beginnings in the Desert

“This.”

Zhu Qiang and Luo Peng couldn’t help but steal extra glances at the firefighting captain, their admiration for him growing by the second.

The firefighting captain, Li Minghua, is a genuine northwestern tough guy. In these units, practicality always trumps appearance.

Li Minghua’s concern shows his genuine hope that the Oasis will improve, ensuring a better experience for visitors.

“Captain Li, rest assured – the company has everything arranged!”

Snapping back to focus, Zhu Qiang replied.

“Everything arranged?”

Li Minghua was taken aback.

“Yes. For now, our fire brigade will strictly follow professional designs. Later, our company will renovate the building’s facade in an ancient style without compromising fire safety. It shouldn’t affect the other structures.”

Zhu Qiang explained.

In fact, the plans Li Minghua mentioned had already been discussed in a meeting – they just hadn’t informed Mingsha County yet.

“Excellent, that’s a win-win!”

“Exactly. So, Captain Li, just choose the right spot. For now, there’s no other ancient building project planned near Oasis 1.”

With that, Zhu Qiang spread out the complete map of the desert plot.

“How about here?”

Once his worries subsided, Li Minghua paused, then used a red marker to draw a small circle in a Shadou area between Oasis 1 and Oasis 2.

“This spot sits right between Oasis 1 and Oasis 2 – it balances both sides! Mingsha Tourism will definitely build a proper road between the two instead of just a wooden boardwalk.”

“Shadou area? Do you mean the fire station should be built in the Shadou?” asked Luo Peng after glancing at the marker.

Luo Peng took a quick look at the diagram.

“I was thinking of leveling this Shaji area. A fire station works best on flat ground!”

“Alright, that settles it. Just report the required area to Mingsha County, and we’ll make sure water and power reach the site immediately.”

Zhu Qiang nodded in agreement.

As Li Minghua pointed out, Oasis 1 and Oasis 2 will surely have more than just a wooden boardwalk – a proper road is inevitable, which will make the fire station more accessible.

And what about the building’s size?

“For the fire station, size isn’t a big deal. Mingsha County will offset the desert area used, so Mingsha Tourism won’t lose out in any way.”

“Oh, by the way, General Zhu, do you need our help with water and power? I saw several excavators and bulldozers working on the underground utility corridor today,” added Li Minghua.

Li Minghua remarked.

“No need at all! In the desert, unlike in a city, underground utilities aren’t everywhere. Digging the corridor is straightforward. In at most twenty days the water and power corridor will reach Oasis 1; for Oasis 2, it should take just over a month.”

Zhu Qiang waved his hand dismissively.

“Mingsha Tourism’s policy is simply to deliver water and power to the plot’s entrance. The remaining work will be handled locally to avoid quality issues and disputes later.”

“But once the fire station is completed, you’ll have to handle the grass lattice and landscaping around it yourselves!”

Zhu Qiang added.

“Of course!”

Li Minghua smiled.

“Now, Captain, let’s head over to Qixia Town to inspect the ancient town’s fire safety structures and see if any improvements are needed.”

“Alright!”

Zhe Province Film City

Under the blazing sun, Fang Hou sat along a traditional street, a small notebook in hand and a pen tucked behind his ear as he studied something intently.

“Bai Zhantang is sorted. Next up is Guo Furong.”

After a brief glance at his notebook, Fang Hou stood up, dusted off his pants, and headed toward a distant film crew.

A few days ago, Haofang Culture Media Co., Ltd. was officially registered at 256, Hongsha Gang Village, Mingsha County, with a registered capital of 2 million RMB (all paid), legal representative Fang Hou, and major shareholder Haoran Investment Co., Ltd.

As usual, the company opted not to disclose its shareholder structure.

After registration, Xu Hao went to Yan City, while Fang Hou headed to Zhe Province Film City to scout for actors.

Walking and observing along the way.

In just a few days, Fang Hou tapped into nearly all the resources and contacts he had built up in the film industry.

After countless persuasive talks and favors, Fang Hou finally assembled around ten capable extras based on the original script of ‘The Legend of the Wulin,’ even persuading them to sign contracts with Haofang Culture.

Tong Xiangyu, Lu Xiucai, Bai Zhantang, and Li Dazui were all secured; even the candidates for Inspector Xing and Yan Xiaoliu had been finalized. Only Guo Furong remained.

Once Guo Furong is secured, the crew can officially set up in Qixia Town.

“Sigh… This won’t do. Her acting is far too exaggerated! Guo Furong’s role needs tension, not over-the-top theatrics!”

Half an hour later, Fang Hou glanced toward the film crew where a female actress was performing energetically, then settled back under a sheltered eave.

“What now? The film crew at the film city has mostly moved on. Must we really search elsewhere? It seems wasteful to leave just the Guo Furong role unresolved.”

Fang Hou fished a lighter from his pocket and lit a cigarette.

After a moment, once he finished his smoke, Fang Hou hesitated before finally dialing a number.

Beep beep beep. Before long, the call connected.

“Fang Hou? Why did you suddenly call me?”

An astonished voice answered.

“Fang Ya, I need to discuss something with you,” the voice continued in surprise.

Fang Hou forced a reply.

Out of options and after racking his brains, Fang Hou remembered Fang Ya. Fang Ya perfectly fit the role of Guo Furong. Although she and Xu Hao had split due to unavoidable circumstances, their four-year camaraderie still held strong.

“They’re not bitter enemies destined to never speak again.”

Besides, sharing the same surname, Fang Hou and Fang Ya often joked about being siblings back in school.

“What’s up?”

After a brief pause, Fang Ya responded reluctantly.

“Here’s the deal. Xu Hao and I have a project, but we’re short a lead actress. Are you available?”

Fang Hou asked.

“You and Xu Hao have a project? Where did the money come from?”

“It’s a costume martial arts film. Didn’t he join that Survival in the Wild project recently and secure some funds? We’re considering investing 2 million to give it a try.”

Fang Hou quickly added.

He assumed Fang Ya knew all about Xu Hao’s operations, but since she had been holed up in intensive training with Longhai Brokerage in Zhe Province, she’d been completely out of the loop.

She wasn’t even clear why Tianchen Culture was filming in an ancient building courtyard located in Ning’an’s desert – she had been dragooned by her agent to a hotel in Ning’an County.

However, Fang Ya had long known about Xu Hao’s participation in the Survival in the Wild project to secure funds for the film.

“He succeeded in the challenge? Not bad, but how can 2 million make a film? It’d be better put to other uses.”

Snapping back to reality,

Fang Ya’s voice came through, sounding unexpectedly surprised yet coolly indifferent.

“Sigh, with such small capital, what choice do we have? That’s why I thought of you. A leading lady’s role – should I hold it for you?”

Taking a deep breath, Fang Hou got straight to the point.

“Leading lady? No way! I don’t have time. My agent already booked me for a big director’s project! You’d better look for someone else.”

Without much hesitation, Fang Ya immediately responded.