Chapter 60 I am a director

  The bookstore is not crowded, unlike the bustling Chinese bookstores. Now at 7:15 pm, there are only two or three customers selecting books that interest them.

  Zhou Shaoming looked around and found that the youngest customers here were all over 20 years old, and there wasn't a single beautiful and elegant 16-year-old girl in sight.

  "Sir, need any help? What kind of book are you looking to buy?" The pretty salesgirl walked over with a smile, seemingly very interested in the black-haired Zhou Shaoming.

  "Oh, I wasn't planning on buying a book, I was looking for someone, but it seems she's not here." Zhou Shaoming still smiled, then shrugged his shoulders regretfully.

  "Oh, you're looking for someone? So who do you want to find? Maybe I know where her home is, Napani town isn't big, we all know each other here." The salesperson was clearly interested in Zhou Shaoming and asked immediately.

  "Hmm, okay! Do you know a girl named Aimee Lavinia? I heard she often comes here to read and occasionally sings a few lines when she's in a good mood." Zhou Shaoming touched his own short hair.

  "You're talking about Little Witch Aimi? Haha, there's no one in this town who knows her better than me! What, are you a talent scout from some record company? Want to dig her up and make her sing? That's absolutely a great idea! Aimi is an irreplaceable talented young girl!" The sales clerk was shocked with his mouth wide open, then had a look of "you've struck gold" on his face.

  "Little witch? Forgive my impertinence, I'm not a talent scout for a record company. I am Smith Zhou, a Hollywood film director, and this time I've come to find Amy, hoping to invite her to star in my movie." Zhou Shaoming said with a humble expression.

  "Oh my god! You're a Hollywood film director? You're so young! Call me Sherry, everyone calls me that." Salesgirl Sherry flashed her pearly whites, thrilled to have met a young Hollywood director today.

  "Uh, Shirley, isn't Aiwei coming today?" Zhou Shaoming felt a bit uneasy. The twenty-something girl in front of him, upon learning that he was a film director, had eyes that lit up like a hungry wolf suddenly finding food.

  "Ah! She didn't come over today, wonder where she went with her guitar? Smith Zhou, what movies have you directed? Why don't you tell me about them? And do you think I have the looks to be a Hollywood movie star?"

  "Uh, you're very pretty, I believe you can do it!" Zhou Shaoming was stunned for a moment, kindly telling a lie.

  But he still underestimated a girl's desire for fame, and Zhou Shaoming was shocked to see the girl jumping with joy, almost throwing herself into his arms, and he retreated repeatedly.

  "Mr. Smith, I'm also good at acting! I often perform in community theater, can you see if I can go to Hollywood? Or, you come up with a performance topic to test me! Ah, Mr. Smith, don't leave!"

  Zhou Shaoming almost ran out of the bookstore, he didn't want to be bothered by Shirley who wanted him to be a star.

  To get rid of that extremely passionate and suddenly explosive girl who dreamed of being a star, Zhou Shaoming quickened his pace.

  Just around the corner, a girl with a wooden guitar on her back and roller skates suddenly appeared, flashing in front of him like the wind, giving Zhou Shaoming a big fright.

  "Hey girl! Be careful!" Zhou Shaoming exclaimed loudly, raising his solitary middle finger.

  The girl turned her head, stuck out her tongue and made a face, shook her chestnut-colored straight hair, then silently rode her skateboard far away.

  "This little girl!" Zhou Shaoming cursed under his breath, just thinking of turning around to grab a bite at the pizzeria, but suddenly stopped in his tracks.

  Brown hair, guitar, skateboard! Could she be Amy Winehouse?!

  Zhou Shaoming quickly took off after her, shouting as he chased: "Ai Weier! My heroine! Wait for me!"

  Pedestrians on the street curiously watched Zhou Shaoming, who was running wildly without stopping, as if this quiet and slow-paced town hadn't seen someone in such a hurry for a long time.

  Zhou Shaoming, who was running out of breath, finally stopped in his tracks. The skateboard girl appeared before him like an angel, and then vanished into thin air like the morning mist blown away by the wind.

  Waking up from a wonderful dream, Zhou Shaoming got out of bed, today was a big day, couldn't be lazy.

  After spending over ten minutes washing up, Zhou Shaoming picked out a jacket and paired it with the jeans that Kirsten had helped him buy, and excitedly went out the door.

  She dressed like this because Ai Wei'er is a punk rock girl, if she wore a formal suit and tie, it might give people the wrong impression, which wouldn't be good for inviting her to act in the movie, Zhou Shaoming knew that first impressions are very important.

  Out of the hotel gate, Napanee's late November had a bit of chill, soon white snow would cover this quiet and simple small town.

  Arriving at Ai Weier's middle school, Zhou Shaoming first met with the school principal, explaining his identity and intentions, which would make his plan proceed more smoothly.

  "Oh, I've never seen a director as young as you!" Principal Rouse Fiebern expressed his admiration and then said: "You traveled thousands of miles to Canada, to this small town of Napanee, just to find Amy to make a movie? How did you know there was such a girl? Forgive my impertinence, I'm not doubting your identity, but as her teacher and principal, I have to be serious."

  "I found out about her from a friend, who said there was this incredibly talented girl with a perfect voice and beautiful looks. He had met her occasionally at the bookstore chain where she would sing, and that's how he noticed her. This is my director's certificate, and my first film, 'Saw', is currently showing in theaters everywhere. I think Principal Laus will be seeing it soon at the Napa cinema." Zhou Shaoming nodded in understanding and handed his own director's certificate to Principal Laus.

  While Saw was released in late January 2000 in Canada, so it's normal that Principal Laus from Napanee, Ontario hadn't seen it.

  Taking the certificate, Raus looked at it seriously. Although he didn't know what kind of proof a Hollywood director would have, this beautifully packaged certificate in front of him didn't look like a fake.

  "Alright, Mr. Smith, please wait for a moment, I'll have someone call Amy over." Principal Laus had one of his teachers go and fetch Amy from her class, then smiled and said: "Please sit down, sir. May I ask what kind of movie you're planning to film? Is it a horror movie? Forgive me, I'm just curious."

  "It's my honor to introduce my film to you, Mr. Laus. This film is closely related to schools and students. It's not a horror movie, but a warm story about the love, tolerance, salvation and change between teachers and students. There's no blood, no violence, not even any dirty words in it. It's a heartwarming film like winter sunshine." Zhou Shaoming naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity to show off, so he sat on the sofa and began to explain the content of "The Spring of the Cowherd Class".

  "You are indeed a director with a strong sense of social responsibility! It's true that the future of every country and nation lies in its children and education. There are fewer and fewer directors willing to make films like this one. Nowadays, movies have become a source of violence and a school for criminals. Honestly, I wouldn't agree if you asked Amy to act in that kind of film, but for this movie, I'll go to the cinema to support you!" Principal Laus listened attentively to Zhou Shaoming's brief explanation and praised him sincerely.

  Zhou Shaoming smiled awkwardly, at this moment, the office door was knocked on.