Chapter 666

Jin Li deeply suspected that for projects that hadn't even been officially launched yet, one had to write the script title straightforwardly enough for people to grasp its profound core at a single glance.

She said with some helplessness, "Sister Fang, for a title like this, don't I need to save some face... Alright, although before I started live-streaming my studies, I really was a poor student."

Sui Lingfang was amused and nagged like a mother hen:

"Don't look at the title 'Poor Student Charges Forward'; I've read the script, and it's genuinely quite good. It can be made into a youth inspirational film.

Among all film genres, youth inspirational themes are guaranteed to have one release every summer break. Although those films are often shot poorly and netizens criticize them for being terrible,

they are never absent from the summer lineup, and their box office performance is never ridiculously bad. Occasionally, they can even break into the top three, which means there is a market audience for this type of film."

The key is that shooting youth films is also incredibly cost-effective!

Modern settings don't cost much, the props used are minimal, and there's no need for special effects. The biggest expense is the actors' salaries.

Youth films are often used by many investors to promote new actors, and new actors' salaries are low.

As long as the film isn't bad to a certain degree, it can basically break even.

If the box office performance squeezes into the top five—no, forget the top five, if it can enter the top ten during the fiercely competitive summer season, it's a guaranteed profit.

Jin Li maintained a rational attitude: "I haven't read the script, and I don't know if it's inspirational or just aimless moaning."

Sui Lingfang immediately said: "Absolutely inspirational, and there's no romantic subplot."

Jin Li looked over.

Sister Fang said in the next second: "But you will receive help from many people; a cold, aloof academic genius will help you with tutoring.

But rest assured, I have repeatedly asked the director, this academic genius is purely kind-hearted and wants to help a younger neighbor; it won't develop into a romantic subplot."

Jin Li laughed: "Sister Fang, you don't need to explain too much. Nowadays, netizens can ship anything. Even such an obscure pairing as Lin Daiyu and Voldemort can be shipped. I believe they can find a romantic subplot even without one.

There are all kinds of emotions in the world; it's not just love that makes people obsessed. I haven't read the script yet, so I don't know how the screenwriter plans to arrange the plot.

If the plot develops naturally, I don't mind adding some romantic scenes. At my current age, it's impossible for me to only shoot scripts without romantic subplots forever.

Jealousy, madness, desire... these are all keys to shaping a character. Being clear about love and hate can actually make netizens remember the character."

Sui Lingfang's eyes lit up: "So you are willing to take this role?"

Jin Li shook her head and said calmly: "No, I'm just going to take a look. I haven't seen how the plot is arranged yet, so I won't make a decision rashly."

Sui Lingfang: "I brought the script, you can read it now."

Jin Li originally wanted to accompany Sister Fang for a stroll. Although she came to the school more frequently than the company's senior management, she always came and went in a hurry and had never properly looked at the scenery on campus.

Today was a rare moment of leisure, but she ended up being dragged along for forced overtime.

Jin Li shook her head and found a corner to sit down.

It is a good thing for an agent to have career ambition; it helps in accurately positioning the artist's style and prevents chaotic scheduling of appearances.

Moreover, with "Ordinary Road" currently airing, she had taken the opportunity to hide in the campus to rest for two months; she had indeed rested for a bit too long.

Besides, if the script is finalized, it won't be ready to shoot immediately.

The production team still needs to secure various investments, make big promises, and flesh out the crew.

It's already November; even if the script is finalized now, by the time winter break arrives in January or February next year, it's not certain they'll be able to assemble the crew.

Seeing Jin Li reading the script seriously, Sui Lingfang felt relieved and went to wander around elsewhere.

Qingbei University is indeed a great place. The students here only care about studying, there are no obsessive fans, they don't ask for autographs when they run into Jin Li on the road, and the paparazzi can't get in...

Suddenly, Sui Lingfang felt that it was quite good for Jin Li to be at school. If she could stay at school all the time, that would be even better.

Outside, there is a risk of being followed and exposed by paparazzi, while at school, the most she'd face is netizens worrying about whether her studies are up to par.

On the other side, Jin Li was looking at the script, and having read halfway through, she felt a bit thirsty.

A shadow appeared before her eyes. She looked up and saw Gu Cheng blocking the direct sunlight for her.

He was dressed very refreshingly in a basketball uniform, holding a basketball in his hands. His forehead was slightly sweaty, he wore a headband, and his hair was a bit damp, which made his hair quality look excellent.

When he spoke, his voice was like refreshing sparkling water, full of the taste of summer.

"Why are you sitting here reading? The sun is too strong; you look like a lightbulb with the brightness turned up."

Jin Li chuckled and cleared her throat.

Gu Cheng unscrewed the mineral water he was holding and handed it to her: "I haven't drunk from it."

After Jin Li picked it up, she found it was at room temperature. This was quite rare; they all liked to drink ice water when playing ball, even though everyone knew drinking ice water wasn't healthy.

Jin Li took a sip and felt her throat was much more comfortable, then asked: "Aren't you drinking?"

Gu Cheng: "I already drank some earlier."

Jin Li looked at the basketball in his hand, "Went to play basketball?"

Gu Cheng sat down in front of her. The two young lovers were talking about very mundane things, asking questions they already knew the answers to; that was also the warmth in ordinary days.

"Yes, there was a basketball game in the department today."

Jin Li complained: "Why didn't you call me to watch? I haven't seen you play basketball yet."

Gu Cheng was even more innocent than her: "I didn't know I would be playing either. I originally thought I was just going to sign in as a spectator and could leave after checking in, but I ended up being pulled into the circle and told I was a substitute.

Being a substitute is fine; sitting on the bench is also a form of rest. Who knew the starters wouldn't be up to the task? They ran and jumped until they had no strength left, and their shooting hands went soft. I had no choice but to sub in."

He paused and said: "If I had known I would be playing, I definitely would have told you in advance and let you come over to take photos of me."

Jin Li smiled, "You could have told me when you were a substitute too."

Gu Cheng said with a bit of pride: "It's embarrassing to sit on the bench, so I didn't say anything. Besides, you just finished the debate competition yesterday, and I wanted you to have more time to rest today."

Jin Li sighed and shook the script in her hand.

"I wasted your good intentions. I was dragged out by my agent early in the morning to stroll around campus, saying I had rested enough lately and telling me to finalize a script. I said I hadn't seen a suitable one, and she shoved this youth inspirational drama at me."

Although she had only read half of the script, Jin Li was already clear about the general plot direction.

No wonder Sister Fang said this movie was suitable for her; no wonder Sister Fang had to specifically emphasize that this was a movie adapted from her own learning experience.

She really wasn't wrong; this movie was indeed about her story.

Gu Cheng asked curiously: "A youth inspirational drama, a campus film?"

Jin Li shoved the script to him: "You can read it; after all, you'll also be playing a role in it."

As for that cold, aloof male god Sister Fang mentioned, it would definitely be Gu Cheng. If it weren't Gu Cheng, let alone whether Guangyue Media would agree, the netizens definitely wouldn't approve.

As one of the only two celebrities to take the college entrance exam this year, and with Gu Cheng already having a degree from a prestigious foreign university, if Jin Li were to look for someone to tutor her, it would definitely be him.

Gu Cheng flipped through the script very quickly. He only picked the parts he was interested in and soon locked onto his role.

"The role of the cold, aloof male god is meant for me, but do I look very cold and aloof?" Gu Cheng pondered.

Jin Li smiled very sweetly: "Maybe your external temperament gives people the feeling of being cold and aloof, but I know you aren't. If you hadn't taken the initiative to pursue me, I wouldn't be with you."

Gu Cheng also smiled, a hint of a smile crossing his handsome face.

"The first time I saw you, I couldn't help but pay attention to your news. Later, I found out we were in the same industry. You had achieved great success, and the media said you had already entered a retirement lifestyle. I was afraid you would run away, so I took the initiative."

He added: "If I didn't take the initiative, I was afraid my wife would retire from the industry."

Jin Li's eyes widened slightly, her almond eyes big and round, and she couldn't quite react.

After a good while, her ears turned a bit red. She glared at Gu Cheng and took the script back, "I told you not to call me that, I won't let you read it!"

Gu Cheng stood up immediately, "I'll go back and change my clothes first, and have a meal with your agent at noon."

He stopped talking nonsense, even though Jin Li's blushing look was very good-looking.

After he left, Sui Lingfang, who had been observing from the shadows, immediately ran over and asked nervously: "What were you two talking about just now?"

Jin Li asked back: "What do you think?"

Sui Lingfang said without concealment: "Why do I feel like it was a bit like flirting?"

Jin Li thought for a moment: "It's not a bit like it, it seems it was."

Sui Lingfang:...

You're not even acting in front of me anymore, are you??

She suddenly felt again that Jin Li shouldn't stay at school; there was a wicked wolf at school wanting to snatch away the little white rabbit!

Staying at school, Jin Li's relationship status is in jeopardy!

After Jin Li finished reading the script, she didn't reply immediately but took Sister Fang to the cafeteria to eat, and "ran into" Gu Cheng again on the way.

In front of the agent, the two didn't dare to act up and were much more honest.

Sui Lingfang secretly gave a warning to "prioritize career" and then emphasized "taking safety measures" before leaving gracefully.

Jin Li took the opportunity to leave before Gu Cheng could speak.

If she didn't leave, Gu Cheng would definitely take the opportunity to complain that he hadn't done anything but was already thought of that way by the agent, or maybe he should just do it for real?

Tsk, rascal.

Jin Li wouldn't follow.

Returning to the dormitory, she read the script again. This time she looked at the details and also noticed the production team's note.

If she agreed to shoot this drama, the copyright fee for adapting her personal experience would be paid as a box office share, with only the actors' salaries paid first.

If she refused to shoot, a copyright fee would be paid.

From this, she could see that the production team was determined to shoot this story.

Even if she didn't star in it, this drama was definitely going to be shot.

This is a real-life inspirational drama. Jin Li used her personal experience to tell everyone—

No one is born a poor student; poor students can also make a comeback!

Only by looking down on yourself do you beat yourself into the dust!

Struggle is to achieve a better self!

But at the same time, Jin Li also had a trace of doubt about whether to take on this drama.

Because she remembered that her fans had said they wanted to edit her live-streaming clips into an inspirational movie.

She had even responded to them at the time that if they needed the video copyright, she would communicate it, and the fans wouldn't need to pay a copyright fee.

Now the summer break had passed, but that movie hadn't been edited yet.

What Jin Li was worried about was, if she took on this movie, would the plot in the movie clash with what the fans spontaneously edited?

Besides, the fans had already started editing. With the fans generating power for love, was there any need for her to shoot a movie?

"Should I shoot it or not?"

In the evening, Jin Li returned to her apartment and video-chatted with Gu Cheng.

Their apartments were right across from each other, but they didn't chat directly to prevent paparazzi.

Although the security level of this building was quite good, on the surface, they still had to avoid suspicion.

Gu Cheng pondered for a while and said: "I think you shouldn't consider this drama from your own perspective, but from the perspective of netizens."

"Do you think netizens need this kind of movie?" he asked back.

A trace of confusion flashed in Jin Li's eyes, "I'm not sure."

Gu Cheng said affirmatively: "I think netizens need this kind of real-life adapted inspirational story. This can be discovered through data."

"I took the college entrance exam with you. My score was much higher than yours; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call me the top scorer, but the career boost I gained from this exam wasn't big."

"Netizens prefer your experience, and the media also likes to use you as a selling point because you inherently carry the attribute of a comeback. Netizens are already tired of seeing the success of the wealthy; they prefer to see a comeback from the bottom."

"The number of times I've trended on search isn't even half of yours, the endorsements I've received aren't as many as yours, and the weight isn't as heavy as yours. That is the gap."

Gu Cheng said with a calm expression: "This world needs dreams, and ordinary people need them even more.

This is like news about disabled people finding a way out through struggle, which is more moving; content that clears family debts through self-media has higher click rates; overly conventional content without characteristics has already made netizens tired of watching."

He pondered: "I've read the script and the production team's note. Even if you don't agree to shoot it, they will find someone else to shoot the story, so why shouldn't it be you?"

Jin Li was silent for a while and said somewhat sadly: "It's not that I don't want to shoot it, but the plot written in the script uses various learning methods that I actually haven't used.

I know very well that I can do well in exams not because I learned so well, but because I was focused enough and efficient, which is why I could get a high score.

But I know even better that there is no second me in the world. I can use this method, but others can't. I know my experience is very inspirational, but I also know it's unrepeatable. I don't want to deceive the public."

Gu Cheng's voice softened, and he said gently: "Jin Li, creating dreams for others is not deception. As long as it can bring people the energy to struggle, that is enough."

A trace of thoughtfulness flashed in Jin Li's eyes.

A few days later, she called Sui Lingfang and agreed to take on the movie, but they had to prepare for crisis management in case the plot turned out to be similar after the fans edited their video.

Sui Lingfang: "Don't worry, leave it to us."

The company had also considered this point and had long prepared a promotional plan. Instead of actively announcing it, they used a method of letting netizens vote to decide whether Jin Li should shoot the inspirational movie adapted from her own experience.

Coincidentally, at this time, the video edited by Jin Li's fans also went online!

The news released by Chenxi Entertainment officially formed a linkage with the video edited by Jin Li's fans, constantly pushing the video's playback volume to rise, the discussion level to climb step by step, and it even dominated the Bilibili search list for several days.

This instead made netizens look forward to the full-length movie even more.