Chapter 15: Xu Zheng, Huang Bo, Ning Hao — First Meeting the Iron Triangle!

Noon.

Lin Mo looked at the address Teng Dao sent him.

It's not far from where he lives; by car it would be about half an hour.

Of course, that's assuming no traffic.

Meanwhile.

Inside a business car.

In the back seat were three familiar stars.

One of them had no hair, sporting a shiny head.

The three were Xu Zheng, Huang Bo, and Ning Hao.

"Old Xu, where are you taking us?" On the road, Huang Bo asked curiously.

Likewise, Ning Hao looked at him doubtfully.

"Have you all heard of the movie 'Lost in Love 33 Days'?" Xu Zheng said, looking at the two.

Huang Bo immediately chimed in: "How could you not know? It's a box-office dark horse, even crazier than our old 'Crazy Stone'! Though speaking of which, 'Crazy Stone' back then was also a low-budget high-return film—invested 3 million, got back 23.5 million; just thinking about it now makes me happy."

Exactly.

"Crazy Stone" invested 3 million and ultimately grossed 23.5 million, making it a fairly well-known small-budget, big-return film.

But compared to the box office and investment of 'Lost in Love 33 Days', the difference is worlds apart.

Of course.

This also has an important connection to the era.

After all, 'Crazy Stone' was released in 2006.

If it were released now, it might even break a few hundred million at the box office.

Ning Hao also nodded in agreement, but then changed the subject: "What does this movie have to do with you?"

Hearing that, Huang Bo also looked at him.

Xu Zheng gave a mysterious smile: "Teng Hua Tao, my old classmate—this guy's lucky, got a good script, his fame is off the charts! But today the main person we're meeting isn't him; it's the behind-the-scenes investor of this film, who supposedly also attended Shanghai Theatre Academy and is still a third-year student..."

Huang Bo and Ning Hao's eyes widened upon hearing that: "What? A college student? That's impressive!"

Huang Bo then sighed: "Do college students nowadays all have this kind of guts? Back in our day we didn't have this kind of nerve."

Ning Hao also shook his head: "Indeed, it's surprising."

Xu Zheng laughed as he explained: "I'm just curious, want to see what this junior disciple is all about; besides, I haven't seen Teng Hua Tao in a while, so let's take this chance to catch up."

Huang Bo gave Xu Zheng a contemptuous glance, then said to Ning Hao: "Come on, you just want to ride on Teng Dao's coattails, haha!"

Xu Zheng then shoved Huang Bo: "Get lost, get lost, get lost—I'm not that kind of person; I mainly just want to meet my junior disciple!"

Ning Hao stood aside smiling silently; the atmosphere among the three was relaxed and pleasant.

Indeed.

Given Xu Zheng's current fame, there's no need to hitch a ride on Teng Hua Tao's popularity.

Xu Zheng is actually the first Chinese-language film director to break the billion-yuan mark.

Back then, his film 'Lost in Thailand' shattered multiple records!

As for why they got together, it's simple: they just finished working on the movie 'Heart Flower Road', with Xu Zheng and Huang Bo starring and Ning Hao directing—this iron triangle trio.

Around 12:30.

Lin Mo had just arrived.

He arrived at the door and knocked on the private room door.

Not two seconds later,

he saw a familiar figure appear before him.

Holy shit!

Isn't that Bo Ge?

"Are you Lin Mo? Come in quick, come in quick!"

Huang Bo hurriedly ushered Lin Mo inside.

"Bo Ge!"

Lin Mo then greeted him.

After entering the private room,

he then discovered that besides Bo Ge, there were also Xu Zheng and Ning Hao.

Teng Hua Tao was chatting heatedly with Xu Zheng.

"Yo, Boss Lin's here!"

"Come on, come on, let me introduce you: this is Lin Mo, my and Zhengzi's junior disciple, studying directing, top of his class..."

Teng Hua Tao's words made Lin Mo a bit embarrassed; he quickly waved his hands: "Cough, cough, Teng Dao, what you're saying makes me feel awkward!"

Seeing that,

Xu Zheng and Huang Bo also burst out laughing.

Ning Hao also started laughing.

From Lin Mo entering the door and saying that line,

everyone could tell

this guy is also a man of temperament.

"A genius emerges from youth, Lin Mo—I just heard from Teng Dao about your story, and I'm truly impressed with you!"

Huang Bo pulled Lin Mo to sit down.

He absolutely admires Lin Mo.

He only met Teng Hua Tao once.

After reading the script, he invested 4 million the next day.

The key person is still studying.

That boldness is truly awesome!

"You think everyone is like you!" Xu Zheng laughed and scolded Huang Bo.

Then Xu Zheng turned to Lin Mo and said, "I noticed it when *Love is Not a Crime* just premiered; I never expected the investor behind it to be so young. Lin Mo, I'm Xu Zheng—let's keep in touch."

"Senior brother!"

Lin Mo's "senior brother" sounded natural and friendly.

"Huang Bo, you know, and also this one, Ning Hao, Director Ning!"

Teng Hua Tao seized the chance and introduced Ning Hao to Lin Mo.

After some small talk, the four chatted animatedly.

"Let's not just chat, let's talk business and fun too," Teng Hua Tao slapped his thigh and suggested.

Then Xu Zheng curiously asked, "That *Love is Not a Crime* film, junior brother, you have such a unique eye—small investment, big return, a legend in the industry. Tell senior brother, how did you spot the script at first glance?"

Lin Mo answered with a smile, "Honestly, there wasn't much—just thought Teng Dao's script was close to life, characters vivid, resonant, and I had a little market research, so I invested. Who would have thought the movie would explode? I didn't expect that."

Hearing this, Huang Bo's eyes brightened: "Kid, you have vision! Our just‑finished *Heart Flower Road* also takes a down‑to‑earth route, a road comedy, laughs with tears—you young people will love it."

Xu Zheng took the cue, saying mysteriously, "Right, right, and we also played many tricks in the film—laughs, tears, a bit of philosophy, guaranteeing you'll laugh and cry, with endless aftertaste."

He had indeed watched *Heart Flower Road* in a past life.

It even contains a classic iconic scene.

That's the damn Lei Jiayin.

That demonic damn me…

Even now, Lin Mo remembers it vividly.

"Hearing senior brother say that, I can't wait to watch it—Is it like *Lost on the Road* with all kinds of bizarre encounters?" Lin Mo said with a smile.

"Ha ha, even more exciting!" Huang Bo laughed loudly, "I tell you, we suffered a lot in the film, but we enjoyed it. Especially those improvised segments—thinking of them now makes me want to laugh."

Ning Hao, listening nearby, couldn't help but interject, "Nowadays romance movies are rare; Lin Mo, your investment eye is sharp."

"No, no, just luck!" Lin Mo was quite modest.

After all, we just met.

If they were familiar friends…

I'd guess Lin Mo would start showing off.

That's right, bros are that awesome!