TL: Hua
Qi Xiaoyu propped his hands on the edge of the ancient city wall, taking a deep breath as he looked at the distant river. Something happened this afternoon that made him a little emotional.
Zheng Peizu called him and asked him if he was interested in investing in a movie called “The Turmoil in Mangchuan.”
According to Zheng Peizu, the film was more than half shot and was about to be finished, but the funding chain was broken, and it was forced to stop shooting for almost a week.
But even if the personnel and equipment are stopped, they still need to spend money. If there is no new capital injection, this movie may come to a premature end. After all, there are still a lot of costs for post-production.
Zheng Peizu called and asked if Qi Xiaoyu would like to invest.
“I’ve read the script, and it’s pretty good. Some of the clips that have been edited are also pretty good. If it can be released, the box office should be guaranteed. The director of this movie is a friend of mine. I know his character. He’s a person who’s passionate about making movies. To be honest, I also invested some money myself, but it’s not enough. I think it’s a pity that a good movie is stopped like this, and it’s also an opportunity to make money. Xiaoyu, see if you have any ideas.”
Qi Xiaoyu was slightly surprised when he heard this. He had an impression of this movie. Although the title “The Turmoil in Mangchuan” sounds like a historical drama, it is actually an ancient costume film set in a fictional location called Mangchuan.
The investment in this film is actually only 70 million. The director and actors are not famous, and there are no big scenes or big productions, but the story is humorous and funny. After its release, the box office was second only to “The Evil” in the same period.
But the investment in “The Evil” is nearly 300 million. In comparison, the return on investment of “The Turmoil in Mangchuan” is five or six times higher.
Qi Xiaoyu had a clear impression of it because this was the background introduction to Tang Yuning when he appeared in the original book.
“He left the domestic film industry for many years, but he attracted much attention as soon as he came back. Now he is not only an outstanding actor and a shining movie emperor, but also an investor with a precise and unique vision. The low-cost movie “The Turmoil in Mangchuan” that was revived by his investment started low and ended high. In just one week, the box office exceeded 100 million yuan, and now it is still on the rise.”
Qi Xiaoyu was surprised that the movie that was saved by Tang Yuning’s investment in the original book was now in his hands.
This made him a little confused for a while, not knowing which parts of this world were in accordance with the original book and which parts would change.
He immediately asked Zheng Peizu how much money “The Turmoil in Mangchuan” still needed.
Zheng Peizu replied that it was still about 7 million.
Qi Xiaoyu did some calculations in his mind. The money from the commercials, the variety show, the TV show, and this time’s paycheck added up to just about the same amount.
He had wanted to slowly save up to return it to Xun Qian, but now it would be good to take it out for a chance.
Because according to the original plot, this deal will definitely make money—the kind that earns several times the investment.
He only thought about it for a while and then agreed, “Okay, let’s sign the contract after I return from the crew.”
Thinking that Zheng Peizu could think of him at this time, he added, “Is the money urgent now? If it is, I can transfer part of it today.”
Qi Xiaoyu’s straightforwardness surprised Zheng Peizu for a moment. He contacted Qi Xiaoyu not because he couldn’t get an investment. He’s someone who’s been in the entertainment industry for many years and has known many people.
After reading the script and the sample film, he really felt that this was an opportunity to make money and invest, and he liked Qi Xiaoyu very much, so he recommended it to him, but he didn’t expect Qi Xiaoyu to agree so readily. After all, seven million is not a small number.
Zheng Peizu increasingly felt that he had not misread this person, and his tone was a little more enthusiastic than at the beginning.
“Don’t be in such a hurry; it’s better to go through the contract first before making the payment. Xiaoyu… This time, you are helping me in times of need. I will talk to the crew to give you a 5 percentage point higher share when signing the contract.”
An extra 5 percentage points means a few million more if the box office is high.
Qi Xiaoyu naturally thanked Zheng Peizu for his kindness.
The two of them happily negotiated the cooperation on the phone.
The investment was a good deal, but in hindsight, if “The Turmoil in Mangchuan” is a box office hit as it was in the original, would it mean that some of the plots that were already destined in the original book could not be changed by him?
Then which ones are changeable and which ones are unchangeable?
Qi Xiaoyu scratched his hair in annoyance, then took out his mobile phone and found the message that Butler Cheng sent him this evening.
Butler Cheng asked him when he would come back.
He never replied.
The last time they had a video call, Xun Qian said he would come to pick him up, but now he wanted to see Xun Qian, but he also didn’t want to see Xun Qian.
But it’s not good to ignore the message. He hesitated for a moment and sent a message first, asking, “How’s Third Master’s health these days?”
After sending the message, he turned around and leaned against the wall, waiting for a long time before he got a reply.
Butler Cheng called directly and said, “I accompanied Third Master to the hospital today and just came back. Xiaoyu, are you still filming?”
Qi Xiaoyu heard the first half of the sentence and immediately asked, “Going to the hospital? What happened to him?”
Butler Cheng’s voice was a little tired. “It’s an old problem. When it comes to the transition from spring to summer in April and May, Third Master’s lung disease becomes more severe than other times.”
“Didn’t Doctor Song say that the Third Master’s disease would gradually improve if he took medicine and took good care of himself? Why is it getting worse? Is it because he didn’t take medicine properly during this period?”
Butler Cheng sighed, “If the Third Master takes good care of himself, goes out for exercise regularly, and takes medicine in accordance with the examination, he will gradually get better. But the Third Master’s leg… you also know. And the long-distance flight he took to New Zealand last time was not good for his lungs… The company’s affairs have also been quite troublesome recently…”
Butler Cheng paused here and then continued, “Third Master doesn’t let us tell you about these things. Just forget it after you’ve heard it.”
Qi Xiaoyu didn’t say anything. He just remembered how Xun Qian acted in front of him every time—his suppressed cough and his nonchalant expression.
Then he thought of Xun Qian’s leg again.
Xun Qian’s leg was injured when he was fifteen years old during a horse race with Tang Yide.
Tang Yide was his mother’s lover.
Xun Qian didn’t like that man. Although he was only fifteen years old at the time, he could see, at a glance, that man’s naked and undisguised desire for the Xun family’s wealth.
That man obviously didn’t like Xun Qian either. He had a son of his own. Of course, he wanted to get rid of Xun Qian as soon as possible rather than try to please Xun Qian.
Fifteen-year-old Xun Qian was like a child walking on the road with a gold ingot in his arms, coveted by countless people.
The two agreed to compete at the horse farm.
It had just rained that day, and the racecourse was slippery with faint raindrops in the wind, making it hard for people to open their eyes.
Tang Yide’s horse slashed through and rushed in front of Xun Qian.
The horse neighed, and the wind and rain were gloomy.
After a brief but fatal panic, Xun Qian was thrown down, and Tang Yide broke his neck and died on the spot.
When Qin Xueyin arrived, she threw herself on her lover’s body and wailed, not caring in the least about her son’s life and death.
The scene was chaotic, and there were marks on Tang Yide’s chest from being pressed down by the horse’s hooves.
From then on, everyone said that he personally strangled his mother’s lover to death on the horse.
At that time, Xun Qian missed the best treatment period, and he himself didn’t want to receive treatment anymore. Once it was delayed, he became accustomed to using a wheelchair.
Qi Xiaoyu was not overly concerned about Xun Qian’s legs before, firstly because he had no such thoughts for Xun Qian, and secondly because he was too busy with work. More importantly, in the original novel, Xun Qian’s legs were healed and he could walk, but this had nothing to do with him; rather, it was the story between Xun Qian and Tang Yuning.
But how did he get better…it seems that the original plot did not explain much. The original novel was obsessed with describing how crazy “he” was and how abnormal the love between Xun Qian and Tang Yuning was. Other plots with reference significance were hurriedly skipped.
“Xiaoyu?”
Perhaps because Qi Xiaoyu had not spoken for too long, Butler Cheng called out tentatively.
“Yes, I’m here.”
Butler Cheng asked again, “When will you come back after finishing the filming? I will ask Mama Li to prepare in advance.”
“I…”
Qi Xiaoyu had been hesitant about whether to let Xun Qian pick him up. Now, when he heard Butler Cheng say that Xun Qian was not in good health, he immediately thought about not letting him make an extra trip, so he said vaguely, “The filming will be finished in the next few days. The specific time cannot be determined yet. It depends on the arrangement of the director team. There is no need to ask Mama Li to prepare anything. I will tell you when I get on the plane.”
After Qi Xiaoyu finished the call, he stood on the city wall for a while. He hadn’t paid that much attention to the development of the original relationship line.
His story line is so messed up, and all he wanted was to change his fate and not let this character repeat the mistakes of the original.
Now he wanted to calm down and think about it, but he felt a little uncomfortable.
Should he wait for Tang Yuning to appear in a few months to accompany Xun Qian to heal his legs?
Or let Xun Qian continue to be sick like this?
At the same time, the Xun family has been in turmoil recently.
Xun Qian was half lying on the bed, holding a few documents with his scallion-white fingers.
His eyes indifferently swept past the document. “She’s quite willing to let that Tang family kid inherit all the property. Has she signed it yet?”
Zhang Han and Butler Cheng stood in front of the bed, one by one.
Zhang Han said cautiously, “Yes, today the lawyers from both sides are here, and the old madam has signed.”
Butler Cheng looked at his face and added, “Last time, after the old madam went back, she was not in good health. She might have made the decision in a confused state. Don’t take it to heart, Third Master.”
Xun Qian raised the corner of his mouth and smiled. “Why should I take it to heart? She can dispose of them however she wants.”
After speaking, he looked up at Zhang Han and asked, “Have you cleaned up the remaining personnel in Xu Xiucheng’s hands?”
Zhang Han, “All cleared, but it also affected some of our normal operations.”
Xun Qian nodded. “Make a copy of the assets I have now and give them to me as soon as possible.”
“Yes.”
After speaking, Butler Cheng and Zhang Han lowered their heads, looked at each other, and dared not speak.
After a long while, Xun Qian waved his hand and let the two go.
It was another dark night.
The spring breeze blew in through the open window.
The little black dog poked its head out, and while Butler Cheng was opening the door, it slipped in through the crack of the door, then pawed at the edge of the bed and looked at Xun Qian.
With a hook of his hand, Xun Qian took the little black dog into his arms.
The little black dog could probably sense Xun Qian’s emotions and lay obediently in his arms without moving, just carefully licking Xun Qian’s fingers.
He wondered what Qi Xiaoyu was doing at this moment. Is the filming difficult? Will he be injured while hanging from the wire…
He had originally thought that he could accompany Qi Xiaoyu for as long as possible; the longer, the better.
But now it seemed that something was coming faster than he had imagined.
Unlike his sister, he never felt guilty about Tang Yide, but he also knew that this matter would not end well.