Chapter 245: Preparing for Release

In the following weeks, Chen Mo was rushing to the film crew every few days just to pressure Li Yaofu to speed up the schedule.

Under Chen Mo's relentless pressure, Li Yaofu hadn't had a full night's sleep for half a month.

He filmed with the crew during the day and edited at the company at night.

After the shoot wrapped, Li Yaofu began working around the clock on post‑production and dubbing.

By the end of the month, Li Yaofu's two dark circles were about to rival a giant panda's.

While Chen Mo was flirting with Liu Piaopiao in the film company's office, Li Yaofu knocked on the door, entered with a messy hairdo and two dark circles, and carried a tray of videotapes.

"Boss, with honor, the film is done. Would you like to watch it first?"

In this era, movies are shot on film; after editing, they are copied onto videotape for test screenings and submission.

Chen Mo privately felt relieved that he had only been moving his hands earlier and hadn't done anything improper.

Otherwise it would have turned into a live erotic scene.

He let Liu Piaopiao go from his arms and tidied his clothes.

"Alright, Piaopiao, go call Chin, and we'll go see it together in a moment."

Liu Piaopiao still had a flush on her face, forced a calm tone and said, "Alright, I'll go call Chin."

Qin Huilian now also has her own private office; it's small but perfect for her to write scripts quietly alone.

Hearing that Liu Piaopiao said post‑production was finished, she instantly became interested.

The few of them brought the videotape, found a projector, and started watching it in the conference room.

This version of the film runs only an hour and a half, half an hour shorter than the original version Chen Mo remembered.

The scenes featuring Police Officer Wei Jinghao from the original plot were basically cut.

Anyway, his subplot wasn't closely tied to the main story, and removing it actually made the plot tighter.

The film opens with Liu Piaopiao buying a ring in a jewelry store.

It was obvious that Li Yaofu gave Liu Piaopiao special treatment, and the resulting footage was exceptionally good.

Although Liu Piaopiao only appears for a few minutes, her irresistibly pure face will surely catch everyone's eye.

In the later plot, Long Wei abandoned his usual humorous fighting style, instead appearing cold and fierce, which was striking.

Gao Gang and the other rookie actor playing the male police lead were a bit green, but their fight moves looked great.

Tian Yang En also played himself; he lacked acting skill, but his presence fit the character's setting.

Finally, considering Long Wei's fame and the need for approval, this version boosted his combat rating considerably, yet he still dies at the hands of two police officers in a plot‑driven death.

An hour and a half later, the film finished playing.

Everyone was very satisfied with the film.

"Well done, Old Li, not only did you finish the task early, the filming turned out great. Rest well today, and tomorrow take the videotape for submission."

"I've already spoken with Boss Chen of Xinbao Film Line; once approved, we'll send the film reel to him."

"Boss, I don't need rest; I can submit it for review today."

After watching the finished cut, Li Yaofu was also excited.

Although he edited the film himself, this was his first time seeing the complete final product.

The ample budget, excellent script, and top‑tier martial‑arts stars made the final quality far exceed his expectations.

Even though he had already worked with Long Wei several times, he felt this film would become his signature work.

Now Li Yaofu just wants the film released as soon as possible.

He has been waiting for a chance to make a name in the Gangdao entertainment circle for many years.

Although he filmed for several years at Cao's Film Company and the movies made money, they never won awards, let alone any chance for fame.

Unexpectedly, the wish he'd kept hidden for years was about to be fulfilled by Chen Mo, the Triad Society troublemaker.

Seeing Li Yaofu's current frantic state, Chen Mo couldn't help but advise, "The release date is set, and the review is just a formality; you should rest first."

"When you get back, sleep first; looking like this, I'm afraid you'll have a sudden death!"

Chen Mo couldn't help but worry; Li Yaofu's eyes were blood‑shot, his complexion wax‑yellow, clearly over‑exhausted.

If he dies suddenly, Chen Mo would have a hard time finding another workhorse like him!

That night, Chen Mo met Jimi in the office, someone he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Jimi, have Old Sun's stocks been cleared out?"

Jimi nodded: "Cleared. The stocks have been rising these days; Old Sun sold at relatively high prices, recouping 2.5 billion, plus 70 million from Sister Mei and Brother Bin, and the 1 billion you deposited earlier, totaling 2.67 billion."

"All that money has been exchanged through Citibank into US dollars, a total of 340.2 million."

Chen Mo gave a slight nod: "Hmm, that's about enough."

340 million US dollars, once in Meiliguo, negotiate with a broker and lever it ten to twenty times—there's potential.

Jimi, thinking the money was still insufficient, continued: "Mo Ge, there's still about 70 million HKD of stocks in the Hong Kong account, Sun's own capital."

"If you're still short, perhaps you could borrow from Mr. Sun?"

Shen Guodong, standing nearby, added: "Mo Ge, you've given the brothers a lot of money this year; we've all been trading stocks lately and made a good profit."

"And Brother Gao Jin's Shen Shui Bu branch also has plenty of cash."

"If you need it, we could pool together and probably raise about 100 million HKD."

"No need." Chen Mo declined, "Three hundred million US dollars is enough; let the brothers keep their money."

"By the way, remind them later to sell all their stocks quickly; the Hong Kong bull market is ending, don't get stuck. It's not easy for anyone to make money."

Chen Mo never considered raising funds among his subordinates.

He roughly knew how much money his subordinates had, and even pooled together it wasn't much.

Even with leverage, the extra profit would be minimal and not worth the hassle.

"Mo Ge, is the bull market really ending? When I asked Mr. Sun before, he said it would last a long time!"

Hearing Chen Mo remind to sell off stocks, Jimi was somewhat worried about Lu Bin Sun's life savings.

The bull market will of course pass, but pulling out within half a month should still be in time.

"As for Old Sun, just let him be." Chen Mo said helplessly, "His own money, let him play with it himself; if he doesn't listen to advice and something happens, he can't blame anyone else."

He had already reminded Lu Bin Sun several times to quickly pull out of the Hong Kong stocks. He refused to withdraw, and there was nothing others could do.

The little old man is too stubborn.

However, even if he loses all his money, it's not a big problem.

As long as he doesn't go to the rooftop, the salary Chen Mo pays him is high enough that he won't starve.

It's just that his retirement savings will have to be built up again.

But that might be better; he'll work harder from now on.

"Get ready these few days, take a few people and go to Meiliguo first to lay the groundwork. After the movie has been out for a few days, I'll go there too."