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Zhang Haoxuan, male, 32 years old—just the same as the current reverse—graduated from the Film Academy, a small-time director at an unremarkable local TV station, frustrated and with no way forward, just muddling through day by day. This was his information before he crossed over, but it's already useless now.
If I hadn't been ostracized, would I have become that kind of failure? I would have long been a famous director, exploiting others left and right. Zhang Haoxuan cursed inwardly. It couldn't be denied that when he entered the Film Academy to study directing, he had some unsavory motives. But when it came to his studies, he was very serious, with his proudest achievement being watching ten movies a day continuously for several days, setting a new record!
Watching ten movies wasn't just casual viewing—it involved analyzing the shots, studying the techniques, pondering the director's intentions, and presenting pros and cons based on his observations. Besides that, he read a lot of movie scripts, and even sought advice online to find many original scripts of Hollywood blockbusters. He often argued passionately with his mentors and professors.
But exactly because of this, he was ostracized after graduation. Not to mention realizing his "grand ambition," he almost couldn't even find a job, and it took great difficulty to become a small assistant at some local TV station. Although he eventually struggled to become a director step by step, what could a director at a small local station achieve?
Even when he was down and out to this degree, his former classmates from the Film Academy wouldn't let him go at the reunion. As soon as he showed up, they took turns toasting him, intending to drink him under the table.
In the end, Zhang Haoxuan really was drunk to death. He could even clearly remember the last sentence before he crossed over was in a slightly alarmed voice from someone: "Oh no, he seems to have stopped breathing!"
Well, dying drunk and being reborn, he was probably the first.
Stop thinking about it. It's all irrelevant now. Zhang Haoxuan waved those thoughts away from his mind. Clearly, some powerful being, perhaps Hongjun or Yehovah, had given him another chance, and he couldn't waste it.
Hollywood! Zhang Haoxuan mumbled the name. Having watched so many movies in his previous life, how could he not know what it represented? The center of the world's entertainment industry, a place all aspiring and beautiful men and women dream of.
So... why not plant seeds in Hollywood?! A strange idea suddenly emerged from his mind, making his breath quicken. Clearly, Zhang Haoxuan shared some thoughts with Adrian in certain areas.
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A stylish silver-gray Ford car stopped by the roadside. The young man getting out tossed a coin into the meter, adjusted his tailored handmade suit, and walked into the adjacent elegant coffee shop.
Guided by the server, he quickly spotted his target, walked a few steps over, sat down in front of the other person, and said lazily, "What do you need me for, Ed?"
"Very simple, Crow. I want you to help me rob the Japanese." Zhang Haoxuan—or, more accurately, Adrian—closed the newspaper and set it aside, raising his head to stare directly into the other's eyes with a smile.
"Creative," the other couldn't help but whistle, "Just tell me the time and place. The Los Angeles Police Department might award me a good citizen medal."
"Right now, all of the United States is robbing the Japanese. I just want to seize the opportunity for a piece of the pie." Leisurely, Adrian pushed the paper in front of him; the economic section's article analyzing the Nikkei index was very conspicuous.
"When did you start enjoying reading economic news?" Claude half-teased, half-wondered aloud.
"I believe you've been doing the same recently, though The Godfather must be restraining you," Adrian avoided answering directly and began explaining. "My funds aren't much, just about 6 million, but I can let you take full charge. How's that for a deal, Claude?"
"What are you talking about, Ed?" Initially with a bit of humor, Claude now turned serious.
"Do you really want me to repeat myself, Claude?" Adrian crossed his legs, interlocked his fingers on the table.
Seeing the familiar gesture, Claude unconsciously raised a hand, "You know, Ed, for a few seconds there, I thought someone else was sitting in front of me—why'd you suddenly bring this up?"
"Well," Adrian weighed his words, "I indeed have changed due to certain events."
He shifted his posture, "Remember the other day on the phone, when I told you about getting shocked by the bedside lamp while trying to fix it?"
"Of course," Claude nodded, puzzled, "Did it leave any aftereffects?"
"In the time I was unconscious from the shock until I woke up, I had a dream. I saw a light, the light of God. Many things suddenly flashed before me. I wanted to grasp them but couldn't. Suddenly, I realized something had to be done. And so, after several days of thinking upon waking, I came to you." Adrian concluded with a profound expression.
"So you approached me for managing your investment, and after making money..." Claude gestured seriously, "Build some beautiful cathedrals and donate to various church organizations?"
"If you agree, I'll immediately notify Wilson, the lawyer," Adrian ignored his joke, "I'll let you take full charge and see only the results—this money has to increase at least five to ten times!"
"Five to ten times?" Claude appeared surprised again, "You realize it's getting late in the game..."
"That's why I came to you," Adrian interrupted bluntly, "Don't tell me you've lost your sharpness after two years in your father's company, Claude."
"Don't try that trick, Ed," Claude twitched his mouth, "Seriously, what exactly do you want to achieve?"
"Simple," Adrian smiled slightly, turning serious, "I want to control Hollywood."
"Control Hollywood?" Claude furrowed his brow, tapping his fingers on the table before speaking again, "If you had said this goal right from the start, I would have just laughed it off. But now..."
He showed a "sympathetic" gaze, "I could introduce an outstanding doctor to you, Ed. He's highly skilled in mental and psychological areas. Maybe you could find time to talk to him."
"Save the humor, Claude. I'm being very serious about this." Adrian raised his hands.
"Do you know what you're saying, Ed?" Claude finally became earnest, "Leaving aside how ridiculous this idea is, to even begin towards this goal, you first need a lot of money."
"Aren't I asking you to help make money now?"
"Help make money? Even if I reach your target, it'd still just be 60 million US dollars. Starting a medium-sized film company and investing in a few medium-sized films, then that'd be about it. If the movies don't make money, you'll be waiting for bankruptcy."
"What if they do?"
"Then we keep making money until it goes public," Claude straightened up, looking into Adrian's eyes, "Until your film company's market value exceeds 20 billion, you can only focus on making money, Ed. And besides this..."
"A lot of connections and fame are needed," Adrian picked up the topic, "Actually, that's easy."
"Easy?" Claude rolled his eyes and spread his hands a bit helplessly.
"First, we already have some connections; we just need to use them well. Second, by producing a few box-office hits, people will naturally rush to invest. Lastly, if we can make a few actors stars, like winning the Oscar for Best Actor and Actress, people will also scramble to collaborate with us." Adrian spoke without haste.
"Truly easy," Claude immediately sneered, "Provided God blesses us into getting royal flushes whenever we deal, anything would be easy."
"I'm already preparing the script, Claude," Adrian once again showed a profound smile, "I'm confident several film companies in Hollywood will be very interested. Once we've established footing this way, I'll immediately start directing movies, gradually expanding my influence, while all you need to do is ensure financial security."
"You're saying... you're writing a script, and also want to direct?!" Claude seemed visibly mentally stretched.
"Why not give it a try, Claude? See if I can create a miracle, you only need to spend a year's time, and find ways to expand this 6 million at least tenfold. Regard it as leaving your parents' care and going through some good training, how about that? You have nothing to lose." Adrian squinted, smilingly said.
Claude silently watched him for a while, finally speaking: "I remember you always quoted a saying from your Chinese grandmother, something about... guiding the other side methodically and making them follow your rhythm and think along. You said courting women needed this approach, didn't expect now it was used on me."
"The word is 'guiding and inducing'; it's actually a commendatory term." Adrian shrugged, "I learned quite a bit of Chinese from my Chinese grandmother. If you want to learn..."
"Alright, alright, Ed, stop this topic," Claude raised both hands, "I agree."
"Don't be that way, Chinese is actually quite simple... wait, what did you say?"
"I agree, as you said, after all, I have nothing to lose. Besides, I'm curious to see what kind of miracles my lifelong friend can create." Claude said, spreading his hands.
Gazing at him earnestly for a while, Adrian finally laughed, "Great, I don't think you'll regret this decision, Claude!"
Although still maintaining the sophisticated demeanor of an upper-class person, Adrian finally inwardly sighed in relief, having finally resolved a big problem. Convincing Claude wasn't an easy task indeed. It looks as if both his memory and emotions, along with his way of dealing with matters, have integrated well. This should be a reason for celebration, shouldn't it?
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