Chapter 49: Heading to Heron Island!

In the hotel private room, the atmosphere was lively, and the main creative team of The Richest Man in Xihong City was all present.

Shen Teng, Xiao Tian, Li Li Qun, Chang Yuan, and the most eye‑catching Zhang Yiming all took their seats one by one.

Why is Zhang Yiming said to be the most eye‑catching?

This meeting.

It left Shen Teng, Xiao Tian and Li Li Qun utterly stunned.

"Old Zhang, your belly—your New Year meals must have been good. Are you secretly practicing some 'belly skill'?" Shen Teng, seeing Zhang Yiming's round belly, was instantly amused, his tone full of surprise and teasing.

Zhang Yiming, the actor who plays Zhuang Qiang.

In Charlotte's Trouble, he played the MC who clashed outfits with Xia Luo.

At the time his screen time was minimal; it was just a cameo.

Unexpectedly, Director Lin approached him and said the next film would have him play the second male lead.

Zhang Yiming was completely bewildered then.

He even thought he was dreaming.

When he heard Director Lin say he had to bulk up, gaining at least several dozen jin.

Zhang Yiming slapped his chest and said it was no problem.

Losing weight isn't easy; gaining weight is even simpler, right?

So,

From finishing Charlotte's Trouble to after the New Year, over those few months he was constantly bulking up.

Lin Mo had signed a contract with Zhang Yiming in advance.

After all, you have to give people some assurance.

They were even worried that once they got fat, you might suddenly say, "I've found someone else for your role."

"If Director Lin says the role needs it, I'll eat hard and grow hard!" Zhang Yiming laughed, patting his round belly, a look of satisfaction on his face.

Li Li Qun joined in from the side, smiling as he teased, "No kidding, you look much more pleasant now than when you were skinny before, you even have a more blessed look!"

His remark made everyone sway forward and backward, and the private room rang with continuous laughter.

Shen Teng and Chang Yuan were also fairly familiar with each other.

Previously the two had collaborated on a sketch.

In the private room, everyone chatted.

They were all waiting for Lin Mo.

It didn't take long.

Lin Mo arrived fashionably late.

"Director Lin!"

Seeing the main person arrive, everyone greeted him warmly.

"Everyone sit down. Since you've joined the crew, you're family; we'll be working together for months, so sit, sit, sit!" Lin Mo waved his hand, saying kindly.

After they sat, Lin Mo smiled at them and said, "How's it? You're all familiar now, no need for me to introduce you, right?"

"No need, no need!"

"Director Lin, we're all well acquainted!"

"Director Lin, we've already become one big group, no need for you to bother introducing."

Everyone responded in a chorus of chatter.

Lin Mo deliberately came later so they could get to know each other first.

Because Chen Zhong went to shoot Steal Pen.

So, Lin Mo specifically found a new Assistant Director.

The new one was also introduced by Teacher Wang.

His name is Luo Kai.

He's a few classes senior to Lin Mo.

Hearing he would cooperate with Lin Mo, Luo Kai was overjoyed.

The matter about Chen Zhong had already spread through the alumni circle.

Since collaborating with Lin Mo,

They're now directing their own dramas independently, which makes others envious!

Seeing the lively atmosphere, Lin Mo's smile grew wider; he lifted his tea cup, took a sip, surveyed the room, and said with a grin, "Looks like everyone gets along well, so I'm relieved. This film will take several months to shoot; let's work hard together!"

As he spoke, Lin Mo turned to Zhang Yiming, patted his shoulder, and said, "Old Zhang, you've worked hard!"

Hearing that,

Zhang Yiming grinned ear‑to‑ear, patting his belly proudly, and said, "Director Lin, your words are too generous; for the role, this sacrifice is nothing, I'm happy to do it!"

He didn't feel any hardship at all.

Just by gaining a few dozen jin he could land a second male lead.

It was like happiness raining down on his head.

Especially since it's Director Lin's movie.

【6】 Shen Teng interjected, his eyes teasing, "Old Zhang's belly could serve as a prop; in a critical moment it could even block a bullet."

Shen Teng interjected from the side, his eyes tinged with a hint of mockery: "Old Zhang's belly, I think it could even serve as a small prop, able to block bullets at a critical moment or something."

The remark instantly sparked hearty laughter from everyone.

Li Li Qun also praised the script, "Director Lin, this script is fantastic; I've read it several times, and the lines hit my sense of humor precisely!"

He stopped there.

Shen Teng nodded in agreement, "Exactly, exactly. I got the script a couple of days ago, and those lines made me so happy!"

Chang Yuan also said cheerfully, "There's no need to talk about Director Lin's script; it's definitely a masterpiece. As long as we follow Director Lin's direction, there'll be no problem!"

Lin Mo felt delighted by the praise, but he modestly said, "Not at all. I'm good with scripts and directing, but acting relies on everyone. We're a team; we can't do without anyone. In the coming months, we'll work together wholeheartedly!"

Having said that, he lifted his teacup and suggested, "Cheers, to our film and to our team!"

Everyone responded enthusiastically, and the private room filled with laughter and chatter.

Re Ba went to Hengdian to film with Yang Mi a few days ago.

There's nothing we can do.

Now at Jiaxing, apart from Yang Mi, only Re Ba can hold the line.

So she also has to work hard on filming.

Over here.

Lin Mo's new movie is about to start shooting.

Director Xu, Teng Hua Tao, and Director Ning also called to offer their regards.

"Junior brother, you're moving fast—just after the New Year and the new film is already ready to shoot?" Director Xu Zheng was still a bit surprised.

Lin Mo replied cheerfully, "Hey, this project was set up before the year ended, senior brother—you know I just finished a film, and my hands are itching~"

"Haha, indeed. When I finished my first film, I was eager to start the second one!"

The two laughed together, as if they'd found a kindred spirit.

That might be a common flaw among directors.

When a rookie director finishes their first film, if the box office is at least decent, they probably can't wait to assemble their own crew for a second one.

The filming location of The Richest Man in Xihong City was chosen to be Lu Dao.

That place is quite suitable.

As for the hotel.

Lin Mo had Liu Qin arrange the hotel and everything clearly before the year began; after all, this film has unusual standards and must be prepared in advance.

That's just how he is.

When he's lazy, he doesn't even want to move.

But once work calls, he becomes diligent.

He thinks about getting it done early and cashing out early.

This time, the movie's total investment is different.

55 million!

Besides the actors' fees,

the most expensive part is the land rental and usage.

Anyway, he has money now.

And this amount isn't a problem.

Charlotte's Trouble grossed a total of 1.5 billion at the box office.

After deducting various taxes and theater shares,

he ends up with roughly 500 million.

Now he's living lavishly.

On the first day arriving at Lu Dao.

Lin Mo went straight to the crew.

Luo Kai, his deputy.

He had come earlier to set up the shooting locations.

As for the directing team,

it's still the same batch as before.

Mainly because they're handy.

And

everyone's familiar with them, making filming even easier.

"Director Lin!"

Luo Kai saw Lin Mo arrive and hurried over.

Lin Mo asked with a smile, "Brother Luo, everything all set?"

"Director Lin, rest assured, everything's settled!" Luo Kai patted his chest and said.

He's really giving it his all.

Mainly because there's Chen Zhong's precedent there.

He also wants Lin Mo's approval.

Maybe.

He might be the next Chen Zhong.

That's true.

His company now lacks capable directors.

After all, Lin Mo bought so many novel rights; without directors, they can't film.

So,

He must mentor each director, letting them get accustomed to his filming style, so that later they can operate independently.

Xiao Tian arrived earlier and was sitting there reading the script.

"Senior brother!"

Upon seeing Lin Mo arrive, they immediately trotted over.

Although Lin Mo hasn't arranged an agent for her temporarily, an assistant is definitely needed.

They are about the same age as Xiao Tian.

Because there are no outsiders present.

So, in private, Xiao Tian always calls Lin Mo senior brother.

Only when there are many people around does she use the position title.

"You came so early!"

"Hehe, it's not like I have nothing to do~"

Lin Mo looked at her with a smile, eyes narrowed: "Have you finished memorizing the script lines?"

Xiao Tian looked confident: "Of course, senior brother, I've memorized it all; don't believe me, test me!"

That look, just like a primary school student waiting for the teacher's praise, is extremely cute.