"Of course I wrote it!"
Hearing Lu Chen doubt her, Zhong Lan replied without batting an eyelid, "If you can find a second copy on the Blue Star, I'll eat my hat."
"Good enough."
Hearing Zhong Lan say this, Lu Chen naturally stopped doubting her and went straight to his second question.
"I see the script is divided into nine episodes in total. How do you plan to shoot it? Like a micro-drama?"
"Why go to all that trouble? Just make it the length of a normal movie, and broadcast the nine stories back-to-back."
Lu Chen nodded.
Indeed, dividing it into nine episodes would make it too disjointed. It would be better to use storyboard transitions to tell the story.
He had thought about this himself last night.
"That leaves just one final question."
Zhong Lan sat up straight, extended a hand, and said with the utmost seriousness, "Please go ahead."
"You mentioned before that you set up a film and television company, right?"
Zhong Lan froze, her cheeks flushing slightly.
She had indeed set one up—only inside her head.
This guy surely couldn't be unaware that she had lied last time.
Looking closely into his eyes, Zhong Lan panicked even more.
He actually seemed to think she had registered a film and television company.
"Here's the thing: this script leans toward sci-fi and suspense, and the story segments inside still require some acting chops from the actors. I want to know if the actors you know can perfectly bring out what's in the script."
"Ah, actors?"
Zhong Lan was even more baffled, and instinctively replied, "We don't need actors!"
Lu Chen: "?"
Seeming afraid he would misunderstand, Zhong Lan hurriedly explained.
"You've read the script too. It's called *Calls*."
"The nine story segments inside all involve people communicating over the phone, letting the audience understand the story and experience plot twists through the dialogue."
"Plus, since this is my first movie, I know the initial investment definitely won't be huge, and I don't have the budget to build massive sets or hire actors for shooting."
"So, to save money and innovate, I plan to... I plan to spend the money mainly on hiring a few professional voice actors, and have them record the audio to finish it."
"..."
Lu Chen fell silent.
Putting all this information together left him momentarily at a loss for how to process it.
He thought carefully for a moment before finally looking up and asking uncertainly, "You mean, shoot a... radio drama?"
"Yes... Ah, no."
Zhong Lan first nodded, then immediately shook her head. "It's not completely without visuals either; we can just make a few audio-waveform visual effects for the dialogue."
With that, she nervously cast a stealthy glance at Lu Chen.
She had to admit, her decision was very bold.
But she had no choice.
As a rankless director, she was lucky to scrape together any investment at all. Relying on that paltry sum to actually shoot a professional theatrical release would undoubtedly be daydreaming.
This was also why she had chosen the movie *Calls*.
Because it was a genuine money-saver!
When this movie appeared in her past life, it shocked all viewers.
Aside from having two phone icons on the left and right in each story segment to indicate people talking on the phone, the entire screen featured nothing except audio waveforms moving up and down to accompany everyone's voices.
Yet, simple as it was, that didn't detract in the slightest from the brilliant stories within, making the film a minor hit globally.
After who knows how long, Lu Chen took a deep breath.
"How much investment do you need?"
He wanted to take a gamble.
Not because of whatever "innovation" Zhong Lan mentioned, but purely because of the script.
As long as it wasn't shot too outrageously, he believed he could still make some money back and avoid losing his shirt completely.
"You agreed?!"
Zhong Lan's face was full of delight.
But the question quickly followed: how much should she ask for?
Judging from this guy's attitude yesterday, he didn't seem particularly wealthy either.
After much deliberation, Zhong Lan tentatively extended a single finger. "C... can we do this?"
"One million? Fine, let's sign the contract!"
"Ah?"
Zhong Lan covered her mouth in shock.
She had actually meant to say one hundred thousand.
"What, is that not enough?"
"No, no, no, it's enough, it's enough."
Zhong Lan pressed her hands excitedly against her fair knees, yet even so, her body couldn't stop trembling slightly.
Could her dream of becoming empress finally take its first step?
"That settles it."
Lu Chen stood up. "Add me on WeChat, then send me your company name and receiving account. I'll go prepare the contract now, and once I've got it ready and signed, I'll transfer the funds."
At this, Zhong Lan stiffened slightly.
Where on earth was she supposed to get a company?
"Any problems?"
"N... no problem. You get the contract ready first, and I'll send it to you later." Zhong Lan brushed him off casually, then hurried away.
Watching her hurried, retreating figure—
"Pfft—"
Lu Chen couldn't hold back any longer and laughed out loud on the spot.
To be honest, ever since yesterday, Zhong Lan's clumsy acting had already been seen right through by her.
He simply hadn't wanted to expose her; after all, this script genuinely had substance, and the other person was truly a talented individual.
The reason he brought up the company matter today was also just to tease her.
He was very curious to find out what kind of surprises this woman could ultimately bring him.
...
Early in the morning, the banks of the Xin'an River were already quite lively.
Aside from various film crews near the studio base busy at work, people running and doing exercises could be seen everywhere along both banks of the river.
Zhong Lan stood at the edge of the embankment, gazing down at the flowing water below, and calmly lit a slim Xuanhemen cigarette.
She had forgotten when she first started smoking.
Though she often drew strange looks from outsiders, she didn't care.
Why couldn't she do what men could do?
Besides, having experienced all sorts of twists and turns in her past life, she was already tired enough.
In this lifetime, she didn't want to live for others or mold herself into someone fitting other people's perceptions. Instead... she would live for herself for once.
Alright, she was digressing.
In truth, the reason she wanted to smoke right now was purely because she was panicking inside.
She had finally, with great difficulty, managed to secure an investment.
If it all fell through because her fake company got exposed, she might as well just jump straight into the river.
No, she couldn't jump in the river.
What if she died and couldn't time-travel again, but instead was gone for good? Then she'd be completely screwed.
She still had to become empress!
An empress would never easily kick the bucket!
When the cigarette burned down to the filter, Zhong Lan took a deep breath.
Company or no company, this lady was going to open one!
She opened her phone and checked her bank account balance—only a little over ten thousand left.
If she budgeted carefully, it should be enough.
Zhong Lan gazed into the distance, looking at a utility pole far off to the side.
She walked over slowly.
A multitude of small advertisement stickers were pasted across that utility pole.
[Certificate making: XXXXXXX]
[Cure for hemorrhoids: XXXXXX]
And... [Company registration agency, bookkeeping, tax filing: XXXXXXX]
After searching thoroughly on the utility pole and comparing them one by one, she finally found an ad with the cheapest quote.
Without hesitation, she dialed the number on it directly.
"Hello, I want to register a company!"