Ye Zhou’s words seemed to open a new world for Cheng Ran. Before that, he had never thought of leaving Jiang Yu, let alone starting a new life without Jiang Yu.
Cheng Ran took a deep breath, his expression was somewhat complex, but his eyes held a hint of gratitude. Although he didn’t want to admit it, the truth proved that what Ye Zhou said was basically the best path he could choose at this stage.
He used to dislike Ye Zhou, attributing Jiang Yu’s repeated failures to Ye Zhou and Jiang Tingyuan, and thus, he tried his best to cause trouble for Ye Zhou.
Because of Jiang Yu, Cheng Ran viewed Ye Zhou as a formidable rival and thought that Ye Zhou felt the same way about him. But it wasn’t until just now that he realized he was neither a rival nor an enemy to Ye Zhou, but just an irrelevant person.
He had troubled Ye Zhou more than once, but even in such a situation, faced with his plea for help, Ye Zhou still helped him solve his confusion, waking him up from his muddled state and pointing him towards a new path.
If their roles were reversed, Cheng Ran didn’t think he would have Ye Zhou’s magnanimity, let alone give advice to someone who had repeatedly caused him trouble.
Thinking of this, Cheng Ran suddenly didn’t feel so ashamed anymore. Acknowledging others’ superiority and accepting his own mediocrity didn’t seem as difficult as he had imagined.
“Mr. Ye.”
Ye Zhou yawned carelessly and responded, “Hmm?”
“I’m sorry, and thank you.”
Apologizing for the ridiculous troubles he had caused before and thanking Ye Zhou for today’s heartfelt conversation.
Sensing the sincerity in his voice, Ye Zhou was taken aback and felt a bit embarrassed.
He didn’t say those words with Cheng Ran’s interests in mind, but rather to stir up trouble, hoping the main characters would torment each other and create chaos, leaving them no time to bother him.
That was Ye Zhou’s true intention in advising Cheng Ran – to see whose protagonist halo was stronger between the shou and the gong, both of whom had inherent protagonist halos.
But Ye Zhou was the type who was soft on the meek but tough on the arrogant. When Cheng Ran acted irrationally, Ye Zhou saw him as mentally challenged and couldn’t be bothered to reason with him. But now that Cheng Ran had suddenly become sensible and sincerely apologized and thanked him, Ye Zhou thought for a moment and added, “You don’t need to thank me. Just don’t cause any more trouble in the future.”
“Oh, and if you can’t guarantee not to leave evidence for Jiang Yu, it’s best not to touch his company’s money, no matter how much there is. You won’t be able to handle it. It’s better to let him give it to you voluntarily. You can take advantage of the little guilt he feels towards you. Don’t ask for it yourself. Before you get the money, it’s best not to break with him completely. The key is to find ways to get as much money from him as possible. The more you get, the less loss you’ll suffer over the years.”
Hearing Ye Zhou’s consideration for him, the tears Cheng Ran had been holding back all night suddenly streamed down his face. He tried desperately to wipe away the tears, but they kept flowing like a waterfall that couldn’t be stopped.
“I understand, thank you.”
Afraid that Ye Zhou would notice the strange tone in his voice, Cheng Ran didn’t dare say anything more. After thanking him in a low voice while holding back his sobs, he quickly hung up the phone.
Cheng Ran remembered Ye Zhou’s advice.
What Cheng Ran didn’t tell Ye Zhou was that his position in Jiang Yu’s company was far higher than Ye Zhou had guessed. Before Yu Qiuze returned to the country, Jiang Yu had actually treated him quite well, otherwise Cheng Ran wouldn’t have loved him wholeheartedly for so many years.
In fact, if Ye Zhou hadn’t woken him up, Cheng Ran couldn’t guarantee how long he would have continued to love Jiang Yu with all his heart.
Cheng Ran held shares in the company. After getting ‘Battle City 2’, the enormous debt from Jiang Yu’s company nearly caused it to shut down. At that time, Cheng Ran voluntarily offered to sell all the houses, cars, and luxury goods that Jiang Yu had previously given him to help with the company’s cash flow.
Jiang Yu was very touched, and after accepting that sum, he voluntarily gave Cheng Ran 6% of the company’s shares. As the company continued to lose money, Cheng Ran worked day and night to help him. When funds were tight, Cheng Ran went out to find investors.
Later, when Cheng Ran fell seriously ill one summer, Jiang Yu, with red eyes, took another 5% from his own shares and gave it to Cheng Ran. So, Cheng Ran held 11% of the shares.
However, Cheng Ran wasn’t satisfied with that. He knew Jiang Yu’s guilt and his need – he just wanted to get a heart transplant for Yu Qiuze, right? The heart was in Cheng Ran’s hands, so since Jiang Yu wanted it, it would depend on how much Jiang Yu and Yu Qiuze could afford.
Cheng Ran also wanted to see how far Jiang Yu would go for Yu Qiuze and how high a price he could offer.
Ye Zhou was right. Since the feelings were gone, they shouldn’t talk about feelings anymore, but money.
——
Ye Zhou didn’t dwell on his late-night conversation with Cheng Ran. He had given his advice, but whether Cheng Ran would choose to take the money and leave or swallow his pride and stay by Jiang Yu’s side was his own choice.
He couldn’t be bothered to care about the protagonist’s troubles. With that time, he’d rather pat a lion and appreciate nature – isn’t that more enjoyable?
The only benefit Cheng Ran’s call brought Ye Zhou was solidifying his determination to turn off his phone. After that call, Ye Zhou immediately removed the SIM card and turned off his phone, keeping it off for over two months.
As it turned out, disconnecting from the world by turning off his phone was incredibly exciting.
Since the first day of filming the lions was unsuccessful, encountering that kind of accident, the entire team, from the filming crew to the two guides and safety officers, as well as the resident zoologists, were extremely careful in the following days.
Fortunately, although they encountered different accidents every day during the subsequent filming, nothing as risky as the first day ever happened again.
Time flew by, and before he knew it, Ye Zhou had been in South Africa for over two months. Compared to his fair complexion when he arrived, he was now a whole shade darker.
This trip to South Africa had brought Ye Zhou many things: friends, colleagues, countless breathtaking landscapes, and numerous precious shots and images.
Most importantly, it allowed Ye Zhou to successfully shed the melancholy he had when he arrived, and his face regained its smile. Now, he even smiled more than before.
However, happy times are always limited. After being nearly cut off from the world for almost two months, Ye Zhou received a satellite phone call that went directly to the camp, specifically asking for him.
When Ye Zhou answered, he realized the person on the other end was the screenwriter Ren Zi’an, whom he had forgotten about two months ago.
Upon hearing Ye Zhou’s voice, Ren Zi’an was so excited he almost cried. He rapidly spoke a long string of greetings, finally summarizing the key information, “The crew has finished all the preparations here, we’re just missing you. When do you think you can come back?”
Having been so immersed during this period that he completely forgot about the upcoming film he was supposed to direct, Ye Zhou answered sheepishly, “Soon, soon. The filming here is almost done, so I should be back by the end of the month.”
After receiving Ye Zhou’s reply, the weight on Ren Zi’an’s chest finally lifted. Teary-eyed, he advised, “Then please come back soon! We’re all waiting for you!”
“Alright, I got it, don’t worry,” Ye Zhou hurriedly reassured him. His gaze drifted towards the vast, endless grassland in the distance, and he felt a tinge of reluctance before shifting the topic: “Have you found investors yet? Who is it?”
After all, he had parted ways with Boss Jiang, and Ye Zhou was well aware of this. So, for the “Thriller Circus,” he hadn’t mentioned anything to Jingzhe or Boss Jiang.
It was a standard process to seek outside investment. This was usually the director’s job, but this unreliable director suddenly ran off to Africa, becoming an absentee landlord. So Ren Zi’an was handling the investment side.
Hearing him ask about the investment, Ren Zi’an immediately wiped away his tears. His voice brimming with excitement, he boasted, “We’ve found them, and the funds are already in place. The budget is even much higher than our initial estimate!”
“Oh? Which company?” Ye Zhou had a vague idea but felt it was unlikely. He shook his head, trying to dismiss the thought.
However, the next second, his unrealistic thought was confirmed.
“Jingzhe Pictures!”
It was no wonder Ren Zi’an was so excited. Jingzhe had a huge reputation in the industry. Despite having had successful works before, Ren Zi’an had never collaborated with Jingzhe due to differing styles. But that didn’t stop him from recognizing the company’s capabilities.
If Jingzhe was willing to invest, it meant they wouldn’t need to reduce the budget. In fact, they could even slightly increase it to achieve a more refined effect.
Moreover, with Jingzhe’s high reputation in the industry, in the eyes of the audience, a film that caught their attention and investment was like having insurance. No matter how bad it was, it wouldn’t be too terrible and would be easily accepted by the market.
Of course, most importantly, with a major company like Jingzhe behind them, they would face less resistance when the film was released. Even if it couldn’t be broadcast due to the subject matter, they could receive news promptly and make revisions. Jingzhe’s connections and access to information were far superior to smaller companies.
Ren Zi’an heard no response from Ye Zhou for a long time and assumed he was just as surprised and delighted as before. However, after a brief silence, Ye Zhou spoke firmly.
“No, let’s find another company.”
Hearing Ye Zhou’s rejection, Ren Zi’an’s smile froze on his face. He fumbled, trying to list Jingzhe’s various advantages to Ye Zhou. But no matter what he said, Ye Zhou remained indifferent, showing no signs of wavering.
Although Ren Zi’an did not understand why, he still respected his opinion. After several unsuccessful attempts at persuasion, he had no choice but to give up.
“…You also know that due to the subject matter, if we don’t accept Jingzhe’s investment, it might be difficult to find an investor of the same amount in the short term,” Ren Zi’an said in a heavy voice as he exhaled.
Ye Zhou suddenly asked, “How much did Jingzhe agree to invest?”
“One sum of twenty million and another of thirty million, totaling fifty million. The other party even said that if it’s not enough, they can add more on this basis.”
After a long contemplation, Ye Zhou said, “In that case, why don’t I invest that money myself?”
Ren Zi’an almost doubted if there was something wrong with his ears. What did he just hear! Their director was going to invest himself!
Wasn’t that a bit too… extravagant? This was fifty million, not five thousand or fifty thousand, but a whopping fifty million, and he just invested without batting an eye?
Ye Zhou’s words were not said casually. After breaking up with Boss Jiang, except for the money he temporarily could not pay back, he actually did not lack money.
Initially, two out of the three projects he casually invested in became cash cows in their respective industries. Especially ‘Starlight Youths,’ as the competition intensified, its influence was constantly rising. Currently, it had been the highest-rated show for two consecutive months, with its popularity remaining high and even igniting the whole internet.
Although ‘Tears Behind Bars’ has not been officially released, it had already been nominated for the Golden Wing Film Festival and was said to be greatly loved by the judges.
As long as Ye Zhou said he needed money, they would undoubtedly provide it without hesitation, for fear that if they were late, Ye Zhou would change his mind and decide not to take it.
Thus, the decision for Ye Zhou to invest in “Thriller Circus” himself was temporarily set.
Even long after the call ended, Ren Zi’an was still dazed, with a blank expression, unsure of how to react.
Is this the world of the wealthy? Simply put, too rich to be humane! TAT
Originally, Ye Zhou had planned to stay in South Africa for a while longer. However, after Ren Zi’an’s reminder, it was no longer possible.
After staying in South Africa for so long, Ye Zhou felt quite reluctant to leave abruptly. First, he informed his team about his plans to depart. When they learned that he was leaving, everyone offered to hold a farewell celebration for him.
That night, they had a modest farewell dinner together. The day before his departure, Ye Zhou and his teacher lay side by side on the grass, each holding a beer.
Gazing at the starry sky, the teacher asked him about his gains from this trip. Ye Zhou smiled, saying his gains were too numerous to recount.
More than the gains, what lingered in Ye Zhou’s mind was regret. Since the accident on the first day of filming, they had to halt the shooting.
The guides and safety officers had privately explored the lion’s territory several times, but the results were unsatisfactory. That lion king was too aggressive, and continuing to film could potentially cause casualties. The guide instructed them to change locations, and after discussing it, the team reluctantly agreed to abandon that lion king and its pride, turning their focus to a neighboring lion pride.
Those two months in South Africa were truly fulfilling. His only regret was that he did not capture footage of the new lion king.
After contemplating, the teacher stood up from the ground and walked towards the guide. The two engaged in a conversation, the details of which were unknown. Initially, the guide’s expression was very stern, shaking his head repeatedly. However, as the conversation progressed, he glanced toward Ye Zhou, and his demeanor seemed to soften slightly.
A few minutes later, the teacher said to Ye Zhou, “I’ve communicated with him. You have a night flight, and before sending you to the airport tomorrow morning, he will take you to the king’s territory one more time.”
“But you must also promise that if the king remains highly aggressive, you will listen to the guide’s instructions and prioritize safety above all.”
‘The King’ was the nickname the team had given to that exceptionally aggressive male lion.
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhou’s eyes lit up with excitement, and he could hardly sleep that night. The next day, before 4 AM, he had already packed and was waiting in the car for the guide to set off.
Since the accident, Ye Zhou had not entered the king’s territory. Now, revisiting the familiar place, he could hardly take his eyes off his camera, wishing he could capture more scenery as a memento.
Over the past two months in South Africa, he had seen dozens of lions, both male and female. However, the one that left the most vivid impression on Ye Zhou, the one he could not forget, was the king.
As they traveled, Ye Zhou wondered what the scene would be like upon encountering the king again, but he never expected the sight before him.
From a distance, Ye Zhou heard the wails of lions. Initially, he thought it was just animals fighting, but accompanying the lions’ cries were a few gunshots.
Ye Zhou vaguely saw two people standing in the bushes not far away, holding long guns aimed toward the direction of the lion pride. About fifty meters ahead, Ye Zhou saw the ground stained red with blood, approximately five hundred meters away from them.
“Poachers! They’re poachers! Run—!”
The car suddenly braked, and immediately after, the driver swiftly turned the vehicle around and sped off in the direction they had come from. However, it was already too late. The gun barrels from deep within the forest had somehow turned towards their car.
As if they had become the prey under the poachers’ guns, and in the next second, they might end up no different from the lions lying on the ground.
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