Chapter 79

I slept really well, got up and stretched, rubbed my face—this feeling is awesome!

Translation: "I slept really well, got up, stretched, rubbed my face—this feeling is awesome!"

I slept really well, got up and stretched, rubbed my face—this feeling is awesome!

I came to the table by the pool, picked up a bottle of water, gulped it down, and felt refreshed.

Translation: "I walked to the table by the pool, picked up a bottle of water, gulped it down, and felt great!"

Chiang Tiansheng was already sitting in a chair, smiling as he waited for him.

Translation: "Jiang Tian Sheng was already sitting in a chair, smiling and waiting for him."

Li Xin took out a check from his pocket, placed it in front of Chiang Tiansheng, and said, "Mr. Chiang, this is the payment for that film."

Translation: "Li Xin took out a check from his pocket, placed it in front of Jiang Tian Sheng, and said, 'Mr. Jiang, this is the payment for that film.'"

Because we changed the production company and redid the accounting, it's a bit less—only about two million. Don't complain about it being small; next time we can get more.

Translation: "'Because we changed the production company and redid the accounting, it's a bit less—only about two million. Don't complain; next time we can get more.'"

Chiang Tiansheng spat out the water in his mouth and quickly said, "Not less! You can get two million for just ten points? That's too harsh!"

Translation: "Jiang Tian Sheng spat out the water in his mouth and quickly said, 'Not little! Just ten points and you get about two million? That's too violent!'"

Li Xin modestly waved his hand and explained, "This time it's still a bit low because we have to give the theater a cut and pay the entry fee; once those are accounted for, next time it'll be much better."

Translation: "Li Xin modestly waved his hand and explained, 'It's still a bit less this time; we have to account for the theater share and entry fees, so next time it'll be much better.'"

Chiang Tiansheng was dumbfounded, "Damn, are those losers messing with him?"

Translation: "Jiang Tian Sheng was stunned for a moment—damn, are those losers messing with him?"

Note: The original has a double question mark and period. We'll keep punctuation as close as possible but natural English. We'll output: "Jiang Tian Sheng was stunned for a moment—damn, are those losers messing with him?" We'll keep one question mark.

I invested over a million and saw no return; having Ah Xin go through the motions, ten points nets two million in pure profit—who can I reason with?

Translation: "I invested over a million and saw no return, yet letting A Xin just show up gets him two million in pure cash for ten points—who can I reason with?"

This is so frustrating!

Translation: "So frustrating!"

Holding the check, tapping it with my finger, this movie is making too much money—should I also start a film company?

Translation: "Holding the check, tapping it with my finger, this movie makes too much money—should I also start a film company?"

Ah Xin already has theater distribution; he can release it all at once, and the more I think about it, the more it makes sense.

Translation: "A Xin already has theater chains; a direct vertical release makes more and more sense."

He directly asked, "Ah Xin, what do you think about me starting a film company? Is there any potential?"

Translation: "He directly asked, 'A Xin, what do you think of me starting a film company? Any prospects?'"

Li Xin immediately got energized; as long as Chiang Tiansheng joins, we have Red Signal Film Company, Strong Victory Film Company, plus Chiang Tiansheng himself—making three companies.

Translation: "Li Xin immediately perked up; as long as Jiang Tian Sheng joins, Red Trust Media, Strong Victory Film Company, plus Jiang Tian Sheng himself, that makes three."

Films produced by these three companies can truly be self-sufficient, and the theater circuit will instantly bounce back to full strength.

Translation: "Films produced by these three companies can truly be self-sufficient, and the theater chain will instantly revive."

This is great!

Translation: "This is great!"

We must support him, give him maximum assistance, and let him take the stage.

Translation: "We must support him, give him maximum help, and let him enter the fray."

Li Xin didn't speak right away; instead, he pretended to think for a moment.

Translation: "Li Xin didn't speak right away; instead, he pretended to think for a while."

Then he said, "Mr. Chiang, find two reliable directors, pull together a filming crew, and this film company will be good to go."

Translation: "Then he said, 'Mr. Jiang, find two reliable directors, pull together a filming crew, and this film company can get started.'"

"I can't guarantee profits, but if we avoid crooked directors, we definitely won't lose money."

Translation: "'I can't guarantee profits, but if we avoid crooked directors, we definitely won't lose money.'"

"If you're not confident, you can partner with Jingkun!"

Translation: "'If you're not confident, you can partner with Jingkun!'"

"He has a team; even though they shoot small clips, the process and operations are the same."

Translation: "'He has a team; although they shoot short clips, the process and operations are the same.'"

"It'll come together easily; just follow the director's lead, distribution you can relax—I've got you!"

Translation: "'It'll come together easily; just follow the director's lead, distribution you can relax—I've got you!'"

"We're our own people; we wouldn't screw anyone over, especially not you, right?"

Translation: "'We're our own people; we can't screw anyone else over without screwing you, right?'"

"Besides, I can also train your crew for you—full disclosure, no fluff."

Translation: "'Besides, I can also give you a training crew there—full process, no reservations, no fluff.'"

"It's basically impossible to lose money! It's definitely a great business, and you can even pick or custom‑make roles—doesn't that sound promising?"

Translation: "'It's impossible to lose money! It's definitely a great business; you can even pick and play roles yourself, even customize them—doesn't that sound promising?'"

Li Xin spoke until his mouth was dry, pushing for theater development as well.

Translation: "Li Xin grew parched from speaking; for the theater's development, he's also giving it his all!"

Chiang Tiansheng was instantly fired up by those words, feeling he could make a name for himself in the film world, especially with Ah Xin's backing—what's there to fear? Worst case, we don't make money.

Translation: "Jiang Tian Sheng was instantly fired up by those words, feeling he could also make a name in the film and TV world with A Xin's support—what's there to fear? At worst, he won't make money."

Spending money to buy reputation is also good.

Translation: "Spending money to buy some reputation is also good."

No delay—have Chen Yao call Jingkun to come over.

Translation: "No delay—he ordered Chen Yao to call and bring Jingkun over."

"Ah Xin, what should I name my company? It needs to be impressive, something that sounds grand at first hearing and is easy to remember."

Translation: "'A Xin, what should I name my company? It needs to be impressive, something that sounds grand at first hearing and is easy to remember.'"

Li Xin thought for a moment, then suddenly recalled the private film and TV giant from his past life—this name would be perfect.

Translation: "Li Xin thought for a moment, then suddenly recalled the private media mogul from his past life—this name would be perfect."

"Mr. Chiang, I've come up with one—how about Hongyi Brothers Film Company? Doesn't it have great meaning?"

Translation: "'Mr. Jiang, I've thought of one—how about Hongyi Brothers Media? Doesn't it have great meaning?'"

Chiang Tiansheng muttered, "Hongyi Brothers Film Company, Hongyi Brothers, Hongyi, brothers."

Translation: "Jiang Tian Sheng muttered under his breath, 'Hongyi Brothers Media, Hongyi Brothers, Hongyi, brothers.'"

"Good, this is good—the name is sonorous, the meaning is lofty, and it carries a certain ambiance."

Translation: "'Good, this is good—the name is resonant, the meaning is lofty, and it carries a certain ambiance.'"

"This name is well chosen; one shouldn't forget one's roots—I, Chiang Tiansheng, could never sever ties with Hung Hing in this life, so I'll keep it firmly in mind."

Translation: "'This name is well chosen; one must not forget one's roots—I, Jiang Tian Sheng, could never sever ties with Prosperity in this life, so I'll keep it firmly in mind.'"

"Great! Really great!"

Translation: "'Good! Very good!'"

"Ah Xin, you're truly a timely rain and a wise star—nothing can stump you."

Translation: "'A Xin, you're truly timely rain and the Wise Star—nothing can stump you.'"

Upon hearing Chiang Tiansheng's words, Li Xin's face turned green—what kind of weird compliment is this?

Translation: "Hearing Jiang Tian Sheng's words, Li Xin's face turned green—what the hell kind of praise is this?"

Are you sure this isn't an insult?

Translation: "Make sure it's not an insult?"

Oh!

Translation: "Ah!"

Lack of education is truly frightening—those two losers don't have a single good thing about them.

Translation: "Being uncultured is truly terrifying—those two losers have nothing good about them."

Comparing me to them? In my past life I was just an ordinary clerk—I didn't do any wrongdoing!

Translation: "Comparing me to them? In my past life I was just an ordinary clerk—I didn't do any evil!"

Isn't this wrongfully killing someone?

Translation: "Isn't this framing an innocent person?"

August snow in Hong Kong Island.

Translation: "August, Gangdao—flying snow."

A heavenly strange injustice!

Translation: "A strange injustice under heaven!"

Li Xin quickly interrupted Chiang Tiansheng: "Mr. Chiang, please, never compare me to those two losers—I don't deserve it."

Translation: "Li Xin quickly interrupted Jiang Tian Sheng: 'Mr. Jiang, please, never compare me to those two losers—I'm not worthy.'"

Chiang Tiansheng curiously asked, "How come? Aren't those the heroes from Water Margin?"

Translation: "Jiang Tian Sheng curiously asked, 'How come? Aren't they all heroes from Water Margin?'"

Look at his clueless eyes and his thirst for knowledge.

Translation: "Look at that clueless gaze, and the desire for knowledge."

Li Xin directly said, "Mr. Chiang, the timely rain Song Jiang—let's not talk about him; he disrupts the harmony of our conversation!"

Translation: "Li Xin directly said, 'Mr. Jiang, Timely Rain Song Jiang—I won't even mention him; he disrupts the harmony of our talk.'"

"Let me tell you about the 'Wise Star' Wu Yong—this guy is the type who'll do anything to get things done, with no scruples whatsoever."

Translation: "'Let me tell you about the Wise Star Wu Yong—this guy is the sort of person who, to get things done, has no bottom line, a total loser.'"

"To rope people in, he'll even get a kid to urge a fool to kill—and there's plenty more like that."

Translation: "'To recruit people, he'd even get a kid to urge a fool to kill—and there's plenty more like that.'"

"I consider myself not a good person, but compared to him I feel I could become a role model for others, earning praise from the world."

Translation: "'I consider myself not a good person, but compared to him, I feel I could become a role model for others, earning praise from the world.'"

"And the 108 heroes of Water Margin aren't all good men—some are worse than a donkey; at least a donkey doesn't eat its own kind. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be only one person: the monk Lu Zhishen, the Flowery Monk."

Translation: "'Besides, the 108 heroes of Water Margin aren't all good fellows—some are worse than the short mule; at least the short mule doesn't eat its own kind. If I had to pick a favorite, it's only one person: the Flower Monk Lu Zhishen.'"

"Especially his poem before his death—it's very carefree."

Translation: "'Especially his poem before his nirvana—it's very unconstrained.'"

"In life he never cultivated virtue, only loved killing and arson. Suddenly he broke free of golden shackles, here he tore apart jade locks. Hey! The tide arrives on the Qiantang River—today I finally know who I am."

Translation: "'He never cultivated good deeds in life, only loved killing and setting fires. Suddenly he broke the golden shackles, here he snapped the jade lock. Hey! The tide on the Qiantang River brings news—today I finally know I am myself.'"

"Whether in life or death, as long as he's done something, he owns it—that's what makes a true hero."

Translation: "'Whether in life or death, as long as he's done something, he'll own it—that's what makes a true hero.'"

Li Xin gave Chiang Tiansheng a lecture, leaving him dumbfounded, his eyes spinning.

Translation: "Li Xin lectured Jiang Tian Sheng until he was dazed, his eyes spinning."

Chiang Tiansheng bluntly said, "So the gangs' red poles still invoke the 108 heroes? Isn't that just illiteracy?"

Translation: "Jiang Tian Sheng then said, 'Do those club red poles still spout the 108 heroes? That's outright illiteracy!'"

Jiang Tian Sheng directly said: "Do the red sticks of each club still bring up the 108 Heroes when they talk? This is fucking illiterate, isn't it?"

Hmm! Indeed.

Li Xin immediately agreed.

Jiang Tian Sheng looked at his expression, realized, pointed at Li Xin and laughed and scolded: "You scoundrel, you dare to scheme against even me, you really are not a good thing."

Li Xin did not deny; he had no shame in admitting what he had done, it just depends on whether you know or not!

If you know, you ask me, I will admit.

If you don't know, then forget it!

When he kicks the bucket, I can also say, "Today I finally know who I am."

The matter of the film and television company has been settled.

Jiang Tian Sheng then spoke of Chen Yao's matter: "A Xin, A Yao just wants to get the agency rights from you; he feels this business could be good, so he's a bit anxious, don't be as narrow-minded as him."

Li Tong said: "Mr. Jiang, there's no need to say more about this; it's impossible. I've already handed this business over to Grey Dog."

Beat up someone's dog so many times, shouldn't give some compensation?

As for Chen Yao! Just let him stay away from me in the future, annoying him.

Damn, usually when there's nothing, why isn't he more enthusiastic towards me? Now that there's benefit, it's like he's changed into a different person.

This scoundrel!

Chen Yao, who just came out...

Chen Yao suspected that this scoundrel Xin spoke up only after seeing him come out!

He still has no way!

Can only listen.