Yang Weiyang was still muttering about which female celebrity could be so lucky.
Then she thought for a moment and suddenly said.
"By the way, Xiao Ci, Brother Long from Wu Minlong is also overseas. Do you want to take the time to see him?"
"I added him on WeChat and chatted with him. Brother Long is a really good person and really wants to give you, Xiao Ci, this opportunity. But he lacks funds, and his decisions might be influenced by investors."
Yang Weiyang sighed.
Three months into the industry.
She also knew that celebrities, who appear glamorous on the surface, are not as easy to be as they seem.
There will be many moments when they are not in control of their own lives.
Yang Weiyang murmured.
"Brother Long said he flew overseas this time to meet overseas investors and collaborate with overseas special effects studios."
Yang Weiyang was very troubled.
"Because he has invested too much effort into this movie... basically, he has bet his entire fortune on it. And I heard he might have even sold his house. He can't afford to lose. If he can't secure investment, it will all be like a mirage."
"So, in terms of casting, he might be forced to concede a little bit of power."
"Regardless, I think you, Xiao Ci, can go talk to Brother Long."
"I'm quite optimistic about this project. It might be our first sci-fi epic series!"
Lin Mu Ci readily agreed.
...
The next morning, she asked her assistant to drive her to the agreed-upon location.
The coffee shop was booked out. As she pushed open the door, she could hear a heated argument inside!
"Mr. Long, we cannot provide the largest investment for your project. The reason is simple: we don't believe you Easterners can make any truly good movies!"
"Furthermore, science fiction films are projects you have never been involved in before."
The middle-aged Caucasian across from him looked disdainfully at the Chinese martial arts star.
"In a field that is extremely unfamiliar to you, how can you possibly do well?"
"I think this is completely equivalent to a fairy tale for you. No matter what, you cannot produce a truly good project!"
Wu Minlong's face turned slightly green as he was insulted with words by the other party.
"I..."
"I believe we can do it."
"And this project is just the beginning. We will eventually show you even greater achievements."
"My movie is for the whole world. I want to make a good movie that can resonate with audiences worldwide. I hope humanity can achieve a shared destiny..."
The other party still pursed his lips mockingly.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't be so idealistic!"
"Bah! You just want to invest and only know how to draw a grand vision. What kind of skill is that?"
"Let me ask you, do you have first-class actors?"
"Do you have first-class special effects artists? Do you have the industrial system that we in Hollywood have accumulated over so many years, enough to guarantee the birth of a truly excellent science fiction film?"
"You have nothing. What are you talking to me about?"
The overseas investor stood up with great arrogance and turned to leave. Wu Minlong gritted his teeth tightly, his dignity not allowing him to beg submissively overseas.
However, this project was something he had gambled everything on, with his staff behind him. The team he had painstakingly built.
He couldn't afford to lose.
"Wait a moment, can we talk again..."
"If the one hundred million dollars I'm asking for is too much, then can we discuss fifty million?"
He tried his best to negotiate.
The other party, however, sneered.
"Even ten million dollars feels like too much."
This investment was also extremely small compared to any Hollywood project.
It proved that the other party's attitude was essentially dismissive, like shooing away a beggar.
Wu Minlong's expression grew even more unpleasant. A sharp glint filled his eyes, and he clenched his knuckles deeply.
He would never stoop to subservience. If one place doesn't keep him, there are other places that will!
At worst, he could go back home and find connections.
He would absolutely not be controlled by these Western investors, riding on his head and acting imperiously.
And at the door, a clear and bright voice suddenly rang out.
"Who says Brother Long doesn't have good actors?"
"Who says Brother Long doesn't have a good script? He doesn't lack investors in the first place. Letting you invest was giving you an opportunity. Who knew you were blind? Tsk, tsk. People who lack vision are destined to miss out on one of the world's most outstanding and remarkable films."
It was important to know.
Wu Minlong's future interstellar series.
It had been assessed by the system as an eight-star film series... a globally explosive success, destined to be recorded in cinematic history.
The overseas investors who had given up on him would regret it to the bitter end when the movie was released.
Lin Mu Ci smiled, then walked to Wu Minlong's side.
"Brother Long, I'm Lin Mu Ci, who you met at the charity gala."
Polite and well-behaved.
"Yang Weiyang sent me."
The Western investors across from them sneered.
"What, you Chinese stick together? It's useless to stick together. A trash script is still a trash script. In my opinion, this script is completely unnecessary to film. You yellow people can't make good movies, let alone expect to achieve a global explosion. It's a pipe dream! A futile delusion!"
His tone clearly conveyed extreme mockery towards Lin Mu Ci.
However, Lin Mu Ci did not show any annoyance. She only looked intently at Wu Minlong.
"Brother Long?"
"Let's go."
Wu Minlong looked at the clear-eyed young girl before him and gave a wry smile.
If he couldn't secure investment, the movie couldn't even be filmed. This young girl wouldn't be able to help him.
On the contrary, if he let her join the crew, it would be a waste of her time and harmful to her.
He felt a little guilty and embarrassed at being seen in such a dishevelled state by a junior. Unexpectedly, Lin Mu Ci leaned close to his ear and whispered softly.
"Brother Long?"
"Don't worry about the investment."
Wu Minlong stared blankly at Lin Mu Ci.
She winked slyly.
"Trust me, things will get better."
Wu Minlong followed her out of the oppressive coffee shop. Although he was a tough and strong man, he let out a slight sigh.
His eyes were a little red.
"I'm straightforward. For so many years filming in China, I've seen injustices and unfair situations. I've stood up for others, suffered many losses, and offended many people."
"Many people in China don't believe in my filmmaking and want to see me fail."
"Moreover, the subject matter I'm filming hasn't been successfully tackled by anyone before. Everyone thinks I'm just wishful thinking."
"But..."
Wu Minlong gave a wry smile.
"Isn't life about this little bit of obsession?"
"You and Yang Weiyang are young and don't understand. Sometimes, a person truly has no choice. A single penny can defeat a hero."
"When I seek investment, I have to be humble and submissive. I've seen so many contemptuous glances, alas."
"That's just human nature... if no one supports me, then no one is willing to help me!"
Lin Mu Ci understood, of course.
But as she looked at Wu Minlong, she remained full of confidence.
"Don't worry, Brother Long, you will succeed."
An eight-star movie script. As long as the investment is in place, it will definitely be a massive hit! And bring in a fortune!
As for the investment... it should stay within the family.
Isn't this the time for Madam Lin Cui Ping to step in?