Chapter 14

As the two men spoke, an elderly man with white hair entered the office.

"Lao Xu, that's not right—how can you make students work for you?"

He must've heard the students talking and came over to check!

Before Xu Jiandong could speak, Fang Hong interrupted: "It wasn't Teacher Xu who asked me—I volunteered. I'm about to graduate, so I wanted to do something useful for the school."

Fang Hong didn't know the old man's identity, so he could only call Xu Jiandong "Teacher"—he didn't know if this man was the real thing.

If he was the real thing, hearing "Teacher Xu" would surely upset him.

The main one hasn't retired yet, and the deputy's already taking over—who'd be happy about that?

This earned Fang Hong a look of approval from Xu Jiandong—he was too smooth, not awkward at all, and took full responsibility for everything.

"Secretary, please sit."

Xu Jiandong stood up and said: "The students are too enthusiastic. I've told him several times to go back and study hard, read more, and become someone useful to society—that's the best way to repay the school. But he won't listen."

Fang Hong couldn't stand hearing this—if it weren't for the money, he wouldn't be here at all; he wasn't actually that desperate.

"Oh, so that's how it is!" the secretary probed Fang Hong: "Student, don't you have class today?"

"We don't have class today," Fang Hong said.

Whether he had class or not, only he knew!

Hearing this, the secretary said nothing more, but chatted amiably with Xu Jiandong for a while before leaving.

He'd just come to check the situation, worried about bad impressions!

After the old secretary left, Xu Jiandong sat back in his main seat, waved Fang Hong over, and said: "Student, what's your name?"

Fang Hong had introduced himself yesterday—Xu Jiandong probably heard and forgot; now he was paying real attention.

"Fang Hong!" Fang Hong replied.

Xu Jiandong nodded and asked: "Was that movie project of yours really your own plan?"

"Yes, it was my own plan," Fang Hong said.

Xu Jiandong stared at him intently, his expression skeptical.

Fang Hong knew it sounded too advanced and added: "I had senior guidance, but I completed it myself."

That was more like it. Xu Jiandong extended his hand: "Give me your application materials."

Fang Hong placed the documents on the desk and pushed them over.

Xu Jiandong pulled another set of papers from his drawer and laid them on top—Fang Hong glanced at them: Beijing Film Academy Report on College Student Employment and Entrepreneurship.

This was what he'd been writing these past two days; Fang Hong had occasionally glanced at it while working, never imagining it was meant for him.

With this document, Fang Hong's application stood a better chance of success.

Honestly, this thing was useless if you looked at it one way, but useful if you looked at it another—it was just flattery for the higher-ups.

If they felt good, handing out money became no burden at all.

"I can't make this decision myself—I need approval and seals from above. I'll take it up for you," Xu Jiandong said.

"Thank you very much."

Fang Hong bowed to Xu Jiandong—regardless of success or failure, proper etiquette mattered.

Success would be best—it would give him an invisible advantage.

Think about it: if a film project funded by the Support Fund, spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture and Radio & TV, were offered to China Film Group for distribution, would they accept it?

Even if they refused, they'd still take a look at what it was—just to show face!

Radio & TV is China Film Group's superior department.

"Don't come back again," Xu Jiandong waved him off.

Though it was a dismissal, his tone carried clear hope—Fang Hong hadn't expected to win over this teacher in just two days.

With the matter settled, Fang Hong walked out of the classroom building and into the campus square, about to call someone, when he saw Yu Xian rushing over.

He stepped forward, hopeful: "How did it go?"

He cared deeply about this—he'd have to ask sooner or later.

"Let's go!" Fang Hong snapped his fingers.

"Holy shit, you got it?!"

Yu Xian got excited, threw his arms around Fang Hong, patted his back a few times—overly enthusiastic.

He'd thought this was impossible—no one had ever succeeded before—but somehow Fang Hong had pulled it off.

"Calm down—it's only half done!"

Fang Hong didn't get why he was so excited—he'd clearly never seen the real world.

"What do you mean?" Yu Xian asked, confused.

"The teacher agreed to take it up for me. Whether it succeeds is still uncertain, but I bet even if we don't get two million, we'll get at least a few hundred thousand."

Normally, once Xu Jiandong cleared it, there'd be no problem—just a question of how much money.

"That's still amazing."

Yu Xian hugged him again and bounced up and down, completely unaware that this posture in broad daylight was indecent.

It drew strange glances from nearby students—some might think they were a couple.

Just as Fang Hong was about to push Yu Xian away, a girl walked toward them, her large eyes fixed on them with curious, puzzled expression.

Fang Hong met her gaze; she passed by without stopping.

"Jing Tian is so beautiful!" Yu Xian watched her slender back.

Fang Hong pulled away from him: "You like her?"

"Of course I like her—but you know her status, no chance," Yu Xian sighed.

He could only fantasize behind her back; he'd never dare pursue or even speak to her—couldn't even meet her eyes.

Fang Hong put an arm around his shoulder and walked him out of campus: "Don't make her seem so mysterious—she's just a female celebrity."

"Like you know her background," Yu Xian said.

Fang Hong didn't know, but he knew she had no background later on.

The two casually gossiped; Fang Hong didn't take Jing Tian seriously—he was indifferent toward all celebrities, with no fan mentality, no idolizing attitude.

Nothing else—he'd seen too many in his past life, and now that he was reborn, his mindset had changed even more!

Fang Hong introduced Yu Xian to Chen Zhixi; these were his two capable subordinates, meant to build a new world together.

More people will enter this circle in the future, but no matter who comes in, this circle must center on Fang Hong, guided by his will.

He had always consciously steered things this way.

As for Liu Tianxian, she just needed to be the woman behind him!

At a Chinese restaurant, Fang Hong discussed filming details with them and set the shoot start date for April 15—just two days from now.

Chen Zhixi asked: "Will the remaining funds arrive on time?"

She cared only about this one issue—if the full amount didn't arrive on time, they'd have to halt production halfway due to lack of money.

If no one invested to resume filming, the movie wouldn't finish, and all the money already spent might vanish completely.

"It will," Fang Hong said firmly.

Even if the money didn't come, he'd write Liu Tianxian another IOU—wouldn't that girl just let him die? If she did, he wouldn't repay the three million.

Let her report him if she wants—things are already this bad!

Right now, Fang Hong had all these people on the fire—the movie wouldn't finish, and the fire wouldn't be extinguished.

Chen Zhixi invested one million—she had to see it through to the end!

Liu Tianxian was the same, but Fang Hong didn't want to borrow from her again; begging felt terrible, and his voice lost all conviction.

Mainly because their relationship hadn't advanced—creditor and debtor were unequal!

As for Yu Xian and the students, forget it—they were broke as hell; why make things hard for them? As long as they followed along obediently, that was enough.

(End of Chapter)