After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future-Chapter 210 - 209: Selective Picking

"Mr. Lu, 120 million, what do you think?"

Wu Jing pondered seriously. A total investment of 210 million would barely cover the completion of the entire film, but if he had an additional 20 million, he could arrange a few more large-scale live-action scenes.

At the very least, he could rent several more tanks, avoiding the need to skimp and scrap using obviously fake CG effects, and producing shockingly better results when shot.

Lu Liang smiled at the corner of his mouth, "Mr. Wu, think it over carefully, you only get one chance."

"Mr. Lu, I'm sure, 120 million is already enough, any more would just be a waste of funds." Wu Jing didn't dare to ask for more; he believed that a box office of over 1 billion would be considered a success for War Wolf 2.

As long as Lu Liang agreed, the total investment for the project would reach 230 million, with an estimated break-even box office of 690 million.

The remaining 310 million, after deducting the box office share, would guarantee at least a 15% return on investment, which should satisfy the investors.

Lu Liang nodded with a smile and called for Tang Caide and Wu Jing's agent to speak, "Mr. Wu, the crew is still in Africa, right? You can go back to filming at ease. I'll have Mr. Tang transfer the funds to your account as soon as possible."

"Oh, okay." Wu Jing was stunned, momentarily daydreaming; previous encounters with investors involved haggling over tens of millions.

This was an investment of 120 million in real silver, and it took less than ten minutes to finalize?

It seemed simpler than having a meal.

"Mr. Wu, don't have any worries."

Lu Liang wore a smile, and although Wu Jing was 11 years his senior, it didn't matter as he patted Wu Jing's shoulder.

The reason he could invest so decisively was also due to the future message received last night.

[On September 28, 2017, War Wolf 2 ended its run with a total box office of 5.694 billion.]

As soon as Lu Liang received the message, he immediately had someone investigate whether the movie was involved in money laundering.

Having ruled out the suspicion of money laundering, the investment became natural; the higher the investment stake, the larger the profits.

Tang Caide giggled, "That's Mr. Lu's style. As long as it's a project he favors, even tens of billions would be the same."

To date, the highest single investment of their company is probably the 520 million US dollars in Ningde Era.

At that time, because they were the sole investors and due to the large sum of money involved, Ningde Era had been established for some time, so they took a week to investigate the financials.

But film projects are similar to real estate developments; essentially, a new company is built for each project, and if they are willing to open the data, the investigation doesn't even take half a day.

Wu Jing was suddenly taken aback, his expression serious, "Mr. Lu, rest assured, I will deliver a performance that will satisfy you."

"Just do your best."

Lu Liang chuckled and said no more.

They had been buying up US stocks and A-shares lately, still having 32.3 billion in capital; an investment of a bit over one billion was nothing but a drop in the bucket.

If it weren't for the astonishing 5.4 billion box office results and the fact that the movie market is difficult to manipulate,

Even if Lu Liang intervened, the situation would develop positively; for example, his fame could cause the box office to rise further.

If not for these reasons, this message might have been ignored by Lu Liang like the few before it.

After all, his capital was too large now, and too many people were watching; he could no longer pilfer as surreptitiously as he wished.

Just like last month with Sanjiang Shopping, thanks to Ali's entrance, the stock price soared tenfold, like it was injected with adrenaline.

Lu Liang knew the price would increase tenfold beforehand, but even after a tenfold increase, it would only grow from 1.8 billion to 18.2 billion, with a market circulation share of 25%.

If he joined, it might even reach 30 billion, but there was a high probability he would become a long-term shareholder of the company.

So often, he chose projects that were hard to influence, rather than blindly following trends.

Suddenly, Wu Jing had an idea, "Mr. Lu, why don't you play the role of Zhuo Yifan in the film?"

Last year, he invited Little Wang not because he thought Little Wang had a particularly good image, but because he was the super internet sensation of the year.

His film had all its budget allocated to filming, with actor salaries accounting for less than 8%, and desperately needed the addition of big names.

Undoubtedly, Lu Liang was a more appropriate choice; it was said that this year, his popularity had already surpassed that of Little Wang, becoming the number one internet sensation.

The agent, sweating profusely, hurriedly offered an apologetic smile, "Mr. Lu, please don't take offense, Jing works so hard he seldom goes online."

Lu Liang's preference for remaining out of the spotlight had become a well-known secret, otherwise, the internet wouldn't still be without a clear portrait of his face.

Wu Jing's invitation for him to act was akin to dancing in a minefield; if it upset Lu Liang, the 120 million investment could evaporate in an instant.

Lu Liang didn't mind and just laughed it off, "Maybe next time. The role has too many scenes, and I can't handle it."

Wu Jing obviously wanted to say more, but his agent pinched his palm, so he could only leave with a resigned air.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the two walked out of the building, the agent cradling the contract, feeling as if it was all a world away.

One hour, to lock down 120 million in film investment, as long as Tianxing's financial review found no issues.

Within three days, the money would be wired into the public account.

Wu Jing's face was full of indignation, "Why didn't you let me speak just now."

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With Lu Liang's involvement in the movie, he was confident the projected box office could go up to 1.5 billion, or even more.

To let such a big publicity opportunity slip away.

"Don't be ungrateful, Mr. Lu doesn't like showing his face, even if you offered him 200 million in remuneration, he wouldn't take on the role."

The agent glared at him irritably, speaking of Lu Liang's various personas, the secretive speculative tycoon being just one among many.

It was one thing to ask him to play a role, but to expect him to go abroad? Who didn't know that Lu Liang had repeatedly clashed with Wall Street funds and taken them down.

To go to some godforsaken place in Africa, a backstabbing bullet might suddenly appear. If anything happened to Lu Liang, his investors would surely tear Wu Jing to pieces as a sacrificial offering to the heavens.

Wu Jing was taken aback, not expecting there to be these reasons. He laughed awkwardly, "I can't thank you enough, Brother Zeng. Please book a ticket for me, I'll return to Africa tonight, and I'll leave logistics headquarters to you."

In the night, Lu Liang met Little Wang at a riverside bar.

Little Wang looked perplexed, "You're going to the city's award ceremony tomorrow?"

Lu Liang had covered the remaining investment for War Wolf 2, which didn't surprise him at all; given Lu Liang's capabilities and his previous investments in several film projects.

But the key was Lu Liang planning to attend the award ceremony and deciding to step out from behind the scenes. That was what truly surprised him.

"Your information is quite up to date?" asked Lu Liang, astonished.

Little Wang snorted proudly, "I'm no big deal, just last year's top ten outstanding young entrepreneurs of the city, next year I'll be one of the country's top ten."

Lu Liang frowned, and a smug Little Wang said, "I'm just one year your senior, so how about calling me 'senior'? That wouldn't be too much, right?"

Lu Liang glanced at him and drank his drink, a look of dejection on his face, "Isn't the honor a bit too trivial?"

He had been looking forward to it, the last time he received an official honor was for coming third in high school sprinting.

Hearing that Little Wang was also an awardee, and one year his senior, and that he was about to be recognized as a national outstanding young entrepreneur, Lu Liang suddenly felt less enthusiastic, as if he wasn't particularly looking forward to it anymore.

Little Wang's eyes flashed dangerously, but he could only sigh helplessly in the end, "Lu, do you know, everyone else calls me Mr. Wang or Mr. Wang's son; if nothing else, they just call me by my name."

Only this damn jerk Lu Liang.

Calling him Little Wang all the time, and the worst part was, he became desensitized and seemed to have accepted the nickname.

"Is that so? I hadn't noticed," Lu Liang teased with a smile.

"Forget it, I won't hold it against you."

Little Wang suddenly relaxed and with a forced smile said, "Hellos Goddess is planning for a second season, are you interested in being a judge?"

"Not interested," Lu Liang rejected without a second thought, decisively.

He was trying to avoid exposure, not wanting to be dug into too deeply by netizens, leaving too profound an impression, and he would try to reduce exposure as much as possible in the future.

Unless it was really time for him to step out as a spokesperson, and quite clearly, Little Wang's Panda wasn't up to par.

Little Wang's face darkened, the rejection too blunt, and he started cursing, "Believe it or not, I'll leak your scandals."

Lu Liang smiled nonchalantly, "And do you believe, you won't be able to leak them, or that they just won't get around?"

Little Wang was suddenly lost for words, silent.

He took the bottle and began guzzling his drink.

He believed.

Mid-last month, the unofficial video had elevated Lu Liang to a very high status.

Once Lu Liang stepped out from behind the scenes, his protection would only improve; so-called scandals were probably impossible to leak.

"Little Wang, take your time drinking, I need to get up early tomorrow, so I'll head back to rest."

Lu Liang was in high spirits, giving Little Wang a pat on the shoulder and waving to the distant bodyguards.

There were four of them, from a professional security company, each tall and strong, towering around 1.8 meters.

Little Wang was fuming, and he lost the mood to drink anymore. Bars were suited for old people; for someone as vibrant as him, he should be at a club, enjoying the dazzling nightlife.