“Cheng Ge, what happened?” Lin Xiao Hua didn't speak much, but she was very observant. This was normal. People who don’t talk much are usually very sensitive.
Zheng Bai Cheng put his arm around Xiao Hua and comforted her, “Xiao Hua, I was just daydreaming about something, but it would require a huge investment, so I need to think about it carefully.”
“Cheng Ge, it’s very risky, maybe we shouldn’t do it.”
Zheng Bai Cheng laughed, “Not really. It’s just external risk, there’s a chance of losing everything, but if the investment is small, it should be fine.”
Lin Xiao Hua said, “Cheng Ge, tell me what kind of business it is. Let’s brainstorm together. Like in your novels, three heads are better than one.”
“You’re so smart. Let me tell you. Today, we went to Hollywood. I was thinking about making movies. You know, I'm a novelist, I want to make some films. A novelist, they're almost as good as someone in the film industry.”
Zheng Bai Cheng spoke with a bit of nervousness, but he thought it might be easier to make movies during this time period.
Hearing Zheng Bai Cheng’s idea, Lin Xiao Hua’s words made Zheng Bai Cheng even more nervous.
“Cheng Ge, will you be rumored to be with those female stars in the future?” Lin Xiao Hua’s tone was serious. She then said, “I saw in the newspaper that there are often female stars going to Shao Liu Shu’s villa. They say these female stars are willing to do anything to get ahead.”
“Xiao Hua, what are you reading all day? Movies are art. Those female stars who go to see Liu Shu, they’re discussing art, such as getting a deep understanding of the script, or discussing art. You shouldn't think too much about it. One person can’t achieve anything by studying art alone.”
“Hmm, I understand.”
“That’s right. I won’t get involved with any female stars. I only want to be with you.”
Zheng Bai Cheng's words alleviated Xiao Hua's worries, but she still felt something was wrong. She couldn’t say what it was. If she were in a later era, the age of entertainment to death and information explosion, she would probably know that Zheng Bai Cheng was not being honest.
However, it didn’t matter. The next morning, as they were eating breakfast, Zheng Bai Cheng stopped eating and looked at Hans. This guy was holding a bowl and eating mashed potatoes with a big spoon, grabbing a chicken leg from time to time. It was gone in one bite. It looked delicious, but he was already full. Amanda, who was eating very gracefully, looked at Zheng Bai Cheng and thought, “Why did he stop eating? He’s a bit strange.”
Lin Xiao Hua, who was sitting next to Zheng Bai Cheng, quietly ate her sandwich and drank her egg soup. When she saw Zheng Bai Cheng stop, she knew he was about to say something.
“Uh-huh.”
“Jason, are you sick or something?” Amanda’s words almost choked Zheng Bai Cheng.
“I’m fine. I have something to say.”
“Then what’s with the ‘uh-huh’?”
“Amanda, don't dwell on that. Let's talk about my stuff, OK?” Zheng Bai Cheng realized that Amanda was really annoying.
“Oh, go ahead then.”
Zheng Bai Cheng said, “Amanda, you said you want to be an actress, right?”
“Yes, boss. I want to be an actress.”
“OK!” Zheng Bai Cheng showed a smug smile, then said, “I want to make a movie.”
“WHAT!?” Amanda was startled. Then she said to Lin Xiao Hua, “Alice, your fiancé’s not right in the head, is he? He says he wants to make a movie. It’s very risky!”
“He told me yesterday. Cheng Ge said he wants to make a movie. It’s okay to try it out as long as the investment is not too much. It’s fine.”
What Lin Xiao Hua meant was that as long as the risk was controllable and the investment was low, she didn’t mind. All the money was her own anyway.
“Okay, I'm just afraid he won’t be able to pay my salary.”
“Amanda, do you have any friends here? We can ask around about how to make a film. I have some good ideas and the cost will be very low.” He paused, then said, “I also need to register the script copyright, that way, when we make it, no one will be able to plagiarize it.”
“I don’t know how good you are at making movies, but your copyright awareness is probably ahead of many people.”
“Thanks!”
Zheng Bai Cheng was a man of action. He left the task of gathering information to Amanda and Hans. Hans had become Amanda's driver. Zheng Bai Cheng started writing scripts. He had two scripts: one called “Never Stop” and the other called “That Guy From Earth.”
“Never Stop” was a horror film. This film tells the story of a director who wanted to make a zombie movie and filmed it in a place where many people had died. Through the actors, the director talks about the terrifying aspects of this place. But the effect of the shooting was not as good as the director’s idea, and after filming for many days, suddenly, a lot of zombies emerged from the ground in this place.
The director, seeing this, didn’t care about the people’s lives and started filming, shouting and yelling.
The other film, “That Guy From Earth,” tells the story of a man who lived from ancient times to the present day. In a small cabin, he boasts to others, telling them about his experiences over the countless years…
Just as he was writing the script, Amanda and Hans came back. As soon as they came in, they grabbed a bottle of sugary soda and drank it, while Hans took a sausage and some bread, layered them together, and started munching away.
“Hey, why do you look like refugees? Are you out of money?”
Zheng Bai Cheng’s voice came from the stairs. He seemed a bit smug.
“Humph, it’s all because of you. We’ve been running around all day! You’re still making fun of us. Humph! If it wasn’t for this big idiot, would I be like this?”
“Oh, what happened?” He wanted to say, “What’s got you down? Tell me, so I can have a good laugh too.” But he didn’t dare. He was afraid that Amanda would get angry and give him the cold shoulder. What if she did something sneaky at work? That would be a real hassle.
“This guy eats too much. The hundred dollars I brought was not enough for him alone.”
Amanda’s description made Hans feel a bit wronged. “The food there was too good. I couldn’t stop…” His voice faded until it was silent.
“What a sad story. Next time, let Hans eat his fill before you go out. You’ve worked hard, Amanda.”
“Humph!”
Perhaps Zheng Bai Cheng’s words made her feel a bit better. She didn’t say anything more.