013 The Next Film

Inside the office.

Pei Duoduo’s face was lit up with a warm and affectionate smile.

Qian Lang felt deeply comforted.

Yet, there was a trace of curiosity in his heart.

Though they were about the same age, for some reason, Pei Duoduo seemed to radiate a sacred brilliance.

It was irresistible—one just wanted to draw closer.

And not only that.

How to put it?

Right now, he even felt like a newcomer freshly entering society, standing before a seasoned magnate, filled with an eager hope for recognition.

“Strange,” Qian Lang muttered inwardly.

But on the surface, he maintained an expression of attentive listening.

“Director Qian, I have some ideas for the next film.”

It seemed this was the important matter Pei Duoduo had mentioned needing to discuss.

Qian Lang immediately showed himself ready to listen attentively.

Inside, he was quite stunned.

President Pei was truly bold!

Although he had some confidence in “Crazy Stone,” the box office earnings were yet to be seen.

And already preparations for the next film were underway?

Just like that, placing such trust in him?

He had to admit, Pei’s heart was as kind as a bodhisattva’s, yet her methods were as swift and fierce as thunder.

This also indirectly showed that Galaxy Films was financially robust.

Wonderful!

This company would surely last until retirement!

Though, admittedly, the office environment left something to be desired.

But that was inconsequential.

“President Pei, what are your instructions?”

For no reason, a sudden respect welled up in Qian Lang’s heart.

Workplace thorns.

Everything else was base, but trust was supreme.

A soldier dies for his confidant.

Yet within moments, some inexplicable thoughts flashed through his mind.

“Director Qian, I’ve always appreciated your work ethic.

Forget the idle gossip online; focusing on the work itself is what matters most.

The investment in the last film was really too low.

I believe it seriously limited your potential.

Therefore, for the next film, I want the investment to reach over a hundred million!”

Hearing this, Qian Lang’s heart surged with excitement.

An investment of over a hundred million?

This would be the first large-scale production he had ever handled!

Back at Starshine, this had been nothing but a dream.

Though he had produced three films there, none had cost more than five million to make.

Otherwise, a profit-driven company would never throw money away like that.

Starshine’s alleged purpose was to cultivate newcomers.

In reality, it was more like nurturing a poisonous insect.

That was Qian Lang’s later analysis:

casting a wide net, using the volume of films to test the market’s response.

The director who rose to prominence would then receive the company’s concentrated resources.

Thus, the atmosphere at Starshine was far from harmonious.

Colleagues were fierce competitors, each fighting for survival.

One person’s success made everyone else restless.

“I will still grant you full creative authority for this film, but I have a few minor requests regarding the genre.

First, the actors’ star power must be elevated.

Second, I want the film to be a period drama.”

Pei Duoduo, unaware of Qian Lang’s wandering thoughts, continued to share her ideas.

“Crazy Stone,” as a contemporary urban piece, had unknown actors and casual costumes.

For any typical company, this was welcome, as it kept investment costs low.

For example, to fit the characters, Wang Bo’s costumes were just market stall clothes.

The production hadn’t even spent money on wardrobe, and I heard they saved quite a bit on makeup as well.

How could that be acceptable?

System cashback was based on the investment cost.

Invest ten million, get twenty million back.

If it were an ordinary company, that might be fine.

But she, holding the system, was a favored daughter of heaven.

This rate of profit was simply too low.

Period dramas, however, were a different story.

Costumes and makeup were expensive.

Plus, she ordered the hiring of big-name stars.

Perhaps the film would even receive additional investment during shooting.

Ha! This was a perfect twofold benefit.

High investment meant high cashback, and as investment increased, the system would upgrade.

Then the cashback multiplier wouldn’t just be a simple double.

Ha ha ha.

She, regarded by others as a carefree rich second-generation, actually possessed wisdom no less than that of Mr. Wolong.

Wait? Something feels off.

Qian Lang had already bestowed the title “Wolong” upon himself.

What if she took the title “Fengchu” instead?

Just as Pei Duoduo was lost in these musings—

“It shouldn’t be a problem.”

Qian Lang spoke.

Though his mind had been elsewhere, every word Pei said had landed clearly in his ears and heart.

Raise the actor’s star power?

Currently, the only true superstar in Daxia was Big Brother Fang Long.

But his salary was very high.

Though the investment was one hundred million, more than half would have to go to him.

Still, Pei’s desire for a period drama caught his attention.

Images flashed through his mind.

Got it!

Big Brother Fang Long, as a kung fu superstar, was looking to transition.

Kung fu film box office was no longer promising.

If there was a film tailored for him now, he might be willing to accept a lower salary.

The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

“President Pei, I’ve got an idea!

I’ll have the script ready as soon as possible—let’s say tomorrow—and then I’ll present it for your review!”

Qian Lang’s tone was firm.

After a brief moment of surprise, Pei Duoduo broke into a beaming smile.

Not bad!

Mr. Wolong!

A script ready by tomorrow?

Ha ha, no doubt it would be another dud.

“All right, then I’ll await your good news!”

Pei Duoduo was in high spirits.

She offered some passionate words of encouragement.

Qian Lang was fired up with even greater determination.

This meeting ended with both parties reaching a preliminary agreement in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Pei Duoduo busily handled matters related to the film’s release.

Qian Lang went off to work on the script.

For some reason, Galaxy Films had completely forgotten to prepare a premiere event for the new release.

Though a premiere wasn’t strictly necessary.

Still, Pei was annoyed.

It was another opportunity to spend some money.

She had taken the lead in funding the project, but the investment account still had only tens of thousands left from the ten million.

That wouldn’t do.

All of it had to be spent before the release.

So, within the system’s allowance, she gave each employee a bonus of twenty thousand yuan.

Under the grand name of a “pre-congratulation reward”!

The remaining money was used to buy some office equipment.

After all, Galaxy Films’ working environment was quite poor.

This move also sparked some inspiration.

Who said investment had to be spent solely on film projects?

Basic fixed asset investment could also be allocated to the project.

Currently, the company had only one film.

So all these expenses counted toward the project cost.

It looked legitimate enough.

But when there were more films made in the future, these costs would no longer suffice.

Therefore, fixed asset investment had to increase.

Pei Duoduo prepared to initiate the new film project and began advancing related work.

To this end, she decided to entrust the task to Chen Yuanyuan.

This round-faced young woman was truly catching a lucky break, being promoted to assistant to the chairman.

Thanks to the positive atmosphere at Galaxy Films, other employees bore no jealousy or resentment—only envy.

Everyone worked harder, hoping to win Pei’s favor.

For a time, Galaxy Films genuinely felt like a thriving family.

Everyone appeared vibrant and full of promise.

All the actors involved in “Crazy Stone” who wished to stay signed long-term contracts.

Wang Bo felt a surge of energy coursing through him.

And the new film he had long hoped for was finally set to release during the summer season.

At last, it was time to see if it was a mule or a horse.