Chapter 7: Please Invest $30 Million in Me!

  "Uh-huh, for dreams, for movies. However, I hope you can understand." Zhou Shaoming said sincerely, pointing to the handcuffs on his left hand.

  "Oh, I know. You can put me by the toilet bowl, I don't want to hold it in anymore. Besides, there's a TV over there, I can watch something to pass the time." Christina also sat up and said calmly.

  "I'm very sorry, in a few more days if you really understand me, I'll let you go. Hope, hope you won't call the police to catch me." Zhou Shaoming handcuffed Kristina next to the sink by the toilet, brought her food and water, and carefully turned on the TV, putting the remote control in her hand.

  "I hope so, I hope you can wake up as soon as possible, or I convince myself to stop hating you." Kristina said with her head down, her tone full of resentment.

  Zhou Shaoming tidied up his clothes and was about to walk out the door when he heard Kristina say softly, "Smith Zhou!"

  "Huh? What's up?" Zhou Shaoming turned his head back.

  "The story of Inception you told yesterday, I think it would make a really great movie, extremely cool!" Christina's youthful face slightly tilted upwards, smiling calmly.

  "Ding!"

  "Christina's affinity with the host has increased by 10 points and is now at 10."

  Out of nowhere, an electronic female voice echoed in Zhou Shaoming's mind, informing him that Kristina had upgraded from extreme hatred to hatred.

  Haha, although she still dislikes or even hates herself, it's at least better than extreme hatred, this is a huge progress!

  One night of conversation just raised 10 points! If I find Kristen to talk for a few more nights, won't I be able to reach 80 points? This way, one of the conditions in my first task will be completed!

  Although Zhou Shaoming was constantlyYY, he didn't have the slightest carelessness. He had already understood that this house was due to his own special hobby in the past, so he specially strengthened the soundproofing facilities. As long as the door was closed, even if Kristina shouted her throat hoarse, no one would hear it.

  The house is a separate villa, the nearest other villa is at least 500 meters away. Zhou Shaoming was not afraid that Kristina's loud cry would attract others, so he did not plan to use tape to cover Kristina's mouth again.

  Zhou Shaoming apologetically waved his hand and walked out of the gate with confidence.

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  New Line Cinema, founded in 1967 as an independent film distribution company, primarily releasing low-budget European and American horror films to American colleges. In 1979, the company entered the production side of the business, investing in low-budget horror films. In 1993, New Line was acquired by Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), which was later merged with Time Warner in 1996; as a result, New Line Cinema became a subsidiary of Time Warner. However, at the time of the TBS acquisition, New Line's then-chief executive Robert Shaye retained a significant amount of autonomy and authority within the company, allowing New Line to operate largely independently from its parent company.

  The company has also released many popular films, but the real glory began in 2000. The famous Lord of the Rings trilogy was released by this company.

  Zhou Shaoming stood outside the door for a long time, the drizzle almost soaking through his gray coat. Looking at the people coming and going, he finally threw away the cigarette that had burned out in his mouth, steeled himself and walked into the Xin Xian Film Company without hesitation.

  Michael Lin, a high-ranking executive at New Line Cinema, was a close friend of his foster father and often accompanied them to golf courses, laughing together. Zhou Shaoming thought he was the most likely person to support him, so he came here.

  With his white hair and approaching 70 years of age, Michael Lin sat behind the large desk carefully examining documents. Suddenly, Zhou Shaoming burst in without knocking, and Michael Lin's face showed some displeasure, but he quickly put on a smiling face and greeted him: "Oh, Smith Zhou! I'm deeply saddened by your father's passing, he was an old friend of mine."

  "Thank you, thank you for your concern." Zhou Shaoming was at a loss, not knowing how to speak, and simply shook hands with Michael Lin in extreme embarrassment, then sat on the leather sofa, fidgeting uncomfortably.

  Michael Lin is a seasoned veteran, how can't he see through Zhou Shaoming's mind?

  Something's up, so he poured a glass of whiskey and handed it to Zhou Shaoming.

  "My friend, don't be down. Here, this is genuine Scotch whisky, have a taste. Is there anything I can do for you?"

  Zhou Shaoming took a big swig of whiskey, the fiery liquid flowing down his throat and almost setting him ablaze.

  "Uh, I...I, I want to make a movie for my adoptive father! I want to use the movie to commemorate him. I think you, Mr., can help me fulfill this wish." Zhou Shaoming stared into Mike's eyes.

  "Oh? Making a movie? My dear friend, making a movie is not a simple matter. Of course, if you don't care about the box office, then it's fine. But making a movie requires a lot of funding, I heard your brother left you with nothing, right?" Michael Lin also took a sip of whiskey, thoughtfully gazing at Zhou Shaoming who was even more anxious and uneasy, lit up a Cuban cigar and started smoking by himself.

  "Yes, my brother drove me out of the house. These are not the point, I can make a movie that makes money! I only need $30 million, and I can make a movie that grosses $500 million at the box office! I don't want a single penny, all the money earned will be yours, just please help me, invest $30 million in me." Zhou Shaoming put down his heart and laid out his trump card.

  Mike's face was first stunned, then shocked, and finally enlightened with a hint of guessing Zhou Shaoming's cunning mind: "Haha! My friend, this is the funniest joke I've heard all year!"

  With a sarcastic smile, Michael Lin continued: "Who are you? You're Smith's Chinese foster son. I've seen you grow up! You've been in the US for ten years now. What have you achieved besides sleeping with hundreds of women? I'm not talking about you, but you spend all day hanging out with a bunch of second-generation rich kids at bars, getting drunk and dreaming. Now suddenly you come to me and say you want to make movies! How can I trust you? Trusting someone who doesn't even know how to write a movie script, a 22-year-old kid who's still wet behind the ears?"

  Zhou Shaoming hung his head, rubbing his hands hard: "I know you don't believe me, I swear on the emperor's name that I'm not trying to cheat your money and run away, I really can make a movie with a box office of 500 million US dollars! If 30 million is too much, then I only need 20 million, no, 15 million, 15 million is enough!"

  Zhou Shaoming suddenly lifted his head, the fervor and determination in his eyes slightly moved Michael Lin's heart for a moment, but soon he shook his head, patted Zhou Shaoming's shoulder: "Smith Zhou, movies are not child's play, they can't be valued solely by box office. From this point on, you're wrong. $1.5 million isn't much, but I won't help you. Maybe you'll find someone who believes in you somewhere else."

  －－－

  Zhou Shaoming didn't know how he walked out of the Xinxian Film Company in a daze, he just found that the rain outside was getting heavier and heavier, the dark clouds seemed to be pressing down on his heart, making it hard to breathe.

  Against the wall of a high-rise building, Zhou Shaoming silently watched the passing pedestrians, perhaps due to the cold winter rain, his hands were trembling slightly.

  He rummaged through his pocket with a rustling sound, pulled out a crumpled cigarette, put one in his mouth, searched back and forth for the lighter, slowly lit it, and lit the cigarette.

  Taking a deep breath, Zhou Shaoming felt the tobacco flavor deeply entering his lungs. He was somewhat resentful of himself for tearing off his face and running to beg others for help, even more resentful of his own weakness, and resentful that others' ridicule could make him unbearable.

  The rain curtain continued to fall, and Zhou Shaoming's feet also produced a circle of smoke. He really didn't know whether he should continue or not, once again enduring others' ridicule and sarcasm. Having never experienced the true society before, he finally knew how difficult it was to bear the reality of university life.

  The electronic female voice of the director system in his mind suddenly rang out with a "ding".

  "Due to the host's poor quality, a movie can be randomly selected for filming, please choose carefully!"

  Zhou Shaoming suddenly felt as if he was sucked into a space, and in that space, a circle of golden light flashed and rotated like the screen of an old slot machine, dazzling and mesmerizing.

  "Please select the type of movie: Romance, Science Fiction, Horror, Comedy, Thriller, War, Action, Others. Please make a careful selection within 60 seconds. Countdown starts now."