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Chapter 803: Chapter 698: Review (Please Subscribe)
After Zheng Lin returned home in high spirits,
Zheng Xing watched the sample film once more.
Unlike the first time, this time, he viewed it with a much more professional scrutinizing eye.
Just like some people watch TV.
The first time, they enjoy focusing on the protagonist, noticing everything about them.
The second time, they prefer observing the supporting characters and extras around, partly for fun and partly to discern another layer of quality behind the movie, including things easily overlooked during the first viewing,
This time.
Zheng Xing had more time to think.
When the final scene ended,
Zheng Xing had already mentally labeled the movie as an ’excellent work.’
The visual effects were flawless, the plot was close to perfect, and the acting was superb. Although there were no familiar faces among the seasoned actors, the casting was meticulous and thoughtful. This was fundamentally a movie without celebrity participation.
However, once he remembered that the core of this movie was not the human face,
Zheng Xing came to terms with it.
Such a movie.
It had transcended the need for recognizable faces; the focus was on the special effects and the ideas propagated within.
Positive and uplifting.
Thought-provoking.
Watching it twice made Zheng Xing a complete fan of the movie, and from the new human crisis that appeared at the end, he knew there would be a sequel. If well-crafted to maintain this quality, it could likely become the highest-grossing science fiction movie series in history,
ushering Huaxia films genuinely onto the world stage.
...
Monday.
Ten o’clock in the morning.
Guangdian.
Zheng Lin had arrived here early.
He made his way upstairs with practiced ease.
"Young Master Zheng."
"Ah, Director Wang, hello, long time no see. I heard your son just got married, congratulations," Zheng Lin said with a smile as he greeted people.
"Haha, thank you. What brings you here today?"
"Just some errands, you’re busy, I’ll head up now."
"Alright."
He hadn’t gone far.
"Young Zheng, what brings you here today?"
"Uncle Zhu, I’m here on an errand. Xiao Hao mentioned that you’ve been suffering from back pain recently. That’s likely caused by sitting too long. Do walk around more when you can; playing with a hula hoop can be very effective," he addressed the director this way without any impropriety,
Xiao Hao, one of his close underlings.
"Haha, thanks for your concern, that rascal Xiao Hao, telling everything."
"It’s because he cares about you."
"..."
Zheng Lin had many acquaintances here,
Although he did not come often.
But with social skills almost maxed out, and his family’s internal system connections, the various transfers had already made Zheng Lin well-known across all departments here; he had contacts everywhere.
Exchanging greetings all the way,
he made it to the office of his cousin Meng Rongfei,
who was also the second in command here.
While he could have approached the head honcho, his cousin was closer after all.
"Young Master Zheng."
Seeing Zheng Lin swagger over,
Meng Rongfei’s Secretary hurried over to greet him.
"Hello there, you’ve lost weight; it seems working with my cousin is tough. Eat more, exercise less, put on some weight," Zheng Lin cheerfully called out. He had none of the aloof air of a spoiled rich kid, a reason why he was well-liked, earning him face with everyone.
"Hehe, sure, you’re right, Young Master Zheng. Please, Vice Director Meng is already waiting inside," the secretary said with a smiling face,
Secretaries genuinely detest being ordered around by superiors’ relatives, but fortunately, he hadn’t encountered that. The Zheng family, a prominent clan, strictly disciplined and trained their descendants, and so he carried out his duties with dignity,
"Alright, I’ll head in now."
Saying so,
Zheng Lin boldly pushed the door and walked inside.
The secretary closed the door behind him.
Upon entering,
Zheng Lin saw Meng Rongfei busy writing at his desk.
Not wanting to disturb Meng Rongfei, Zheng Lin confidently walked over to the tea cabinet, took out a packet of tea leaves from his pocket, tore it open, and skillfully began to brew the tea. Soon, a strong aromatic fragrance filled the office.
Zheng Lin deeply enjoyed a sip.
Refreshing body and mind.
These tea leaves were all cleverly acquired from Tang Qing.
He couldn’t fathom how Tang Qing got hold of so many extraordinary items, be it food, drink, or use. They were hard to find in the market, even the tea leaves, which entirely overturned his understanding of them.
If it weren’t for Tang Qing drinking them too,
he would have suspected them of having additives.
This time coming back,
he and Chai Ren had both spirited some away.
Biluochun and Longjing.
Half a pound each.
The two were thrilled when departing,
but looking at Tang Qing’s cabinet full of enough tea leaves to start a shop and half a basement of fruit wine, they thought about robbing Tang Qing, even these so-called powerhouses had such a thought.
The aroma of tea filled the air.
Meng Rongfei, who was signing documents, twitched his nose,
Delightful scent.
He looked up,
and saw Zheng Lin blissfully drinking tea behind him,
No need to ask, the fragrance was coming from there.
As a seasoned tea enthusiast,
Meng Rongfei was certainly a professional,
yet he had never encountered such intensely rich tea fragrance. This tea could be used as a fragrance on its own.
"Xiao Linzi, what tea is that? Make me a cup to try," Meng Rongfei couldn’t resist. This definitely wasn’t his own tea.
Zheng Lin obviously wouldn’t just make one for himself.
Hearing this,
he picked up another cup and walked over to Meng Rongfei with a big smile.
As for the nickname Xiao Linzi,
he had resisted it for many years because it always reminded him of Lin Pingzhi, the tragic young master of the Fuwei Escort Agency who practiced the ’Evil-Warding Swordplay’. Unfortunately, he couldn’t overcome the elders’ perverse sense of humor.
Actually, thinking about it,
you get used to it after a while.
What else can you do?
Throw a tantrum on the floor and beg for a name change?
Meng Rongfei quickly took the tea cup, smelled it, and his eyes lit up. After taking a gentle sip, he didn’t know what to say; he decided to drink the tea first—such fine tea shouldn’t be wasted.
Then,
neither of them said a word.
They blissfully drank their tea, as if nothing else mattered.
"Great tea," Meng Rongfei looked at his empty cup, still relishing it.
"Of course! I went through a lot of trouble to get it, my grandfather doesn’t even have it. If he knew, let alone you, even I might not get to drink it," Zheng Lin felt lucky.
"You unfilial grandson," Meng Rongfei laughed and scolded.
But the next moment,
"Remember to save some for me, or I’ll snitch," Meng Rongfei extorted Zheng Lin without any guilt.
Zheng Lin inwardly smiled wryly. Alright, consider it a ’public relations expense’.
"I’ll save you a couple,"
"Five loads,"
"Dream on, two."
"Three... Deal."
"... I didn’t say ’deal’ yet. You bully,"
Zheng Lin lost the negotiation.
"Speak up, what brought you here to bribe me with tea?" Meng Rongfei didn’t forget the main issue.
Zheng Lin chuckled, "Uncle, there’s something. The first movie produced by the film company I invested in is coming out. We are planning to release it on New Year’s Day. The application will be submitted today. I hope the review here can be expedited so we can start scheduling the promotion."
"The science fiction movie?" Meng Rongfei remembered last time Zheng Lin mentioned making a science fiction movie.
He had visited for a script review, but not sought him out as script reviews are generally straightforward; as long as they don’t cross any lines, they usually pass, although they still require a review after being filmed.
Zheng Lin kept nodding.
"Yes, I’ve already shown it to Grandpa, and he said it was excellent, which relieved me. Otherwise, I’d surely be dragged out for a critique during the New Year dinner."
"Grandpa saw it? He said it was okay?" Meng Rongfei was surprised.
"Yes, he was very complimentary. He fully supports my actions. If well-executed, this movie will be a milestone in our country’s science fiction cinema history and could be an opportunity for Huaxia films to break into the global market..." Zheng Lin went into boasting mode.
Meng Rongfei of course only believed half of it.
It’s common in this industry.
Exaggerated advertising has become the norm.
Milestone.
The first.
A pioneering work.
A grand drama.
...
To attract attention, the wording is usually quite lavish. His half-belief was still influenced by his relationship with Zheng Lin. However, getting Zheng Xing’s approval and Zheng Lin’s strong endorsement usually meant it wouldn’t be bad.
"Enough bragging, you’re nearly blowing it into outer space," Meng Rongfei said somewhat irritably.
"This movie is about going into outer space."
"..."
Meng Rongfei resignedly said, "I know, I’ll keep an eye on it and expedite the review process. If it’s fast, we might have results this week."
"Make it quick, the sooner the better, our promotions are all set up and waiting," Zheng Lin urged, talking this casual only because they were family. Otherwise, even with good relationships, it would be a waiting game.
Meng Rongfei gave Zheng Lin a look.
The number of people who could rush him was truly few, but what could he say to his own junior family member? As long as it wasn’t excessive, he’d indulge him.
"Got it. Leave the tea leaves, and off you go," Meng Rongfei glanced at him.
Zheng Lin smiled.
"Alright, I’ll come check again tomorrow."
"...Are you the boss, or am I?" Meng Rongfei couldn’t help but smile wryly.
It seemed like a supervision visit.
He wasn’t upset as long as it wasn’t about personnel issues or against principles, he’d fulfill Zheng Lin’s requests.
"Alright, see you."
Said and done,
he left behind three loads of tea.
Zheng Lin left with brisk steps.
Meng Rongfei shook his head ruefully and called his secretary in.
"Keep an eye on a movie called ’Civilization: Soul of the Stars,’ and expedite the review once it’s registered," Meng Rongfei instructed.
The secretary hurriedly agreed,
and went out.
to pass the message below.
...
Three days later,
under the daily close attention of Zheng Lin,
the movie was quickly reviewed.
Needless to say,
all the reviewers were astonished. Could this really be a movie produced by a Huaxia special effects company? Are you sure it’s not an American special effects company, especially since the main theme is so fitting for the times? The United States emphasizes individual heroism, a single person saving the world.
Huaxia values unity as strength.
This science fiction movie fits this perfectly, with no villains, only surpassing thoughts of civilization and the conflict for living space.
So,
without a second lost,
it passed entirely.
When this news reached Comet Film and TV,
everyone felt like they were living a dream. It hadn’t been long since Monday’s submission and a Wednesday approval—this speed was kind of unreasonable. If other film companies knew, they would be green with envy.
