Chapter 58

"Alan, come, don't be shy, try the cooking of your future aunt-in-law!"

At the residence of Wu Cheng and Zhao Yazhi, Wu Shulan dined with them. Wu Cheng said with a playful smile, which made Zhao Yazhi pout and secretly kick Wu Cheng's foot.

"Uncle, why did you invite me to your home for dinner? I thought you were going to introduce me to someone!" Wu Shulan, who had noticed their small actions, said with a smile.

Wu Cheng pursed his lips and said, "Do you still need me to introduce you to someone? Isn't one big sister enough?"

Wu Shulan was taken aback for a moment, then pursed her lips and said, "You know very well that the people my mother introduces me to are either rich second-generation or officials' children... I don't look down on them, but how could someone with a bit of ability be used for a marriage alliance so easily?"

Wu Cheng chuckled and said, "You're a strong woman! Shouldn't you marry a man who is a bit weaker, so you can practice your feminism! If you marry someone stronger, can you handle it?"

Wu Shulan rolled her eyes and complained, "Uncle, I can be very gentle too! I'm a very traditional woman, and I hate men who live off their wives!"

"Don't worry, I'll introduce you to some super handsome guys later," Wu Cheng smiled and said, "I invited you to my home today because I have something important to discuss with you. It's not convenient to talk about it outside, I'm afraid of eavesdroppers."

"What's so important that you have to be so mysterious!"

Wu Cheng took a sip of millet wine and said, "I need to borrow money!"

"Borrow money? Are you short of money?" Wu Shulan asked in surprise, "The outside world says that your Donglong International's 'Five Lucky Stars' has made over ten million yuan!"

Zhao Yazhi also looked at Wu Cheng curiously, as she had not discussed this with him. As the company's financial officer, she didn't even know what he was planning!

Wu Cheng glanced at her and said with a smile, "I've been thinking about this for a long time, but I only decided this afternoon. I think if we're going to do it, we should do it quickly, without dragging our feet."

"What exactly is it? Aunt, you don't know either?"

Zhao Yazhi was defeated by Wu Shulan's "aunt" and said with a red face, "He's always so decisive, how would I know!"

Wu Cheng looked at them seriously and said, "I plan to acquire Lisheng Cinema, and I still need a shortfall of 27 million yuan, which is actually 30 million. I don't want to use the company's 3 million. Alan, how much can you gather? If you mortgage the Urban Entertainment Newspaper to the bank!"

"Mortgage the Urban Entertainment Newspaper?" Wu Shulan's eyes widened.

"Xiao Cheng..." Zhao Yazhi was also shocked, this was no small matter.

Moreover, Wu Cheng's actions would be seen by the Wu family as undermining their interests!

Seeing Zhao Yazhi's slightly reproachful look, Wu Shulan thought for a moment and said, "Uncle, are you serious?"

Wu Cheng put down his cup and nodded, "Of course!"

Wu Shulan nodded and said, "Alright, I trust you! If I mortgage the Urban Entertainment Newspaper, I can at least borrow 30 to 50 million."

"Didn't know you were such a rich girl, Alan!"

"This is all thanks to Uncle's help!" Wu Shulan said with a smile, as if the 30 million was no big deal, "Come, let's have a drink!"

Actually, the Urban Entertainment Newspaper was worth only one or two million at the beginning. But now, with nearly 100,000 copies sold and nearly 30,000 copies of the supplement, the total value of the Urban Entertainment Newspaper is at least tens of millions. What a huge difference!

And all of this was planned by Wu Cheng in just half a year.

The other members of the Wu family might not appreciate Wu Cheng's efforts, but Wu Shulan could not ignore them. In her view, with Wu Cheng's abilities, earning 30 million would not be difficult.

Not to mention, the Phoenix Clothing Company, if you add the value of the 'Red Girl' and 'Ace Men's Wear' brands, the total assets have already reached the million level.

Add to that his film company, with a net profit of tens of millions per film... with such superhuman earning ability, would you worry about him not being able to pay back the money?

If it were a regular person borrowing money, she might think more about it, but with Wu Cheng, she didn't need to worry. His earning ability was extraordinary.

Even Grandpa Wu felt that if Wu Cheng didn't go into the entertainment industry and instead went into business, he might earn even faster.

But clearly, Wu Cheng's interest was not in business, at least not now!

"Thank you, Alan, let's have a drink!"

...

After Wu Shulan left, Zhao Yazhi said with concern, "Xiao Cheng, is this really okay? I mean, your uncle..."

Wu Cheng sat on the sofa, slowly smoking. This bad habit had resurfaced on the set. In his previous life, Wu Cheng would feel something was wrong if he didn't light a cigarette while writing, and now this bad habit had returned.

"Don't worry! Even if Uncle finds out, he will only feel proud. Besides, the Urban Entertainment Newspaper was originally a property given to Alan by Uncle to test her abilities and to silence the other members of the Wu family. What does it have to do with them if Alan mortgages it for a loan? Moreover, I can pay back the money within a year..." Wu Cheng slowly closed his eyes and said, "Maybe even less than a year!"

After a pause, he added, "Sister, prepare some documents, mortgage Donglong International to the bank, and borrow 5 million first. If you can borrow 10 million, that would be even better!"

"Okay, I'll check tomorrow!"

...

The filming continued, at the 'Drunken One' set.

After Wu Cheng shouted "Cut," he put down the clapperboard and beckoned to Shenglong, who ran over with an awkward look and said, "Xiao Cheng, I..."

Wu Cheng put his hand on Shenglong's shoulder and said, "A very confident person, when hit, will only become more determined. But when the opponent is too strong, he may start to give up, feeling there is no hope. Huang Feihong is a very confident young man, with resilience and determination, never giving up. This is a highlight of his character, and you have portrayed it well..."

Wu Cheng encouraged him and then added, "But now you need to portray him as a young man, whose character is not yet fully formed. Our plot is to use the comfort and advice of Thirteen Aunt to help him form his character and become a responsible man!"

This scene is where Huang Feihong is humiliated by Yan Tixin, feels he is no match for him, and starts to give up. But after Thirteen Aunt's encouragement, he regains his spirit, goes to find Su Huazi, and asks him to take him as a disciple, hoping to avenge his humiliation in the future.

This scene tests Shenglong's acting skills.

"Think carefully, what does giving up look like? And what does regaining spirit look like... Props master, is the water wheel ready? We'll start shooting again in ten minutes!"

Wu Cheng walked over to Zhao Yazhi, who was wrapped in a coat, and said, "Sister, are you okay?"

Zhao Yazhi smiled and said, "No problem, I'm wearing a waterproof suit, and I've had ginger soup. The temperature isn't too low, so there's no issue. I hope we don't have to reshoot!"

"That guy is no good, making you suffer too, I'm really sorry!" Yuanhua said, feeling awkward seeing Zhao Yazhi like this.

Zhao Yazhi smiled and said, "Don't say that, Long is working very hard. Compared to the beginning, he has improved a lot. It's just that his action scenes overshadow his acting. His action scenes are his strong point."

After a pause, she added, "To be honest, I think Xiao Cheng's standards are a bit high!"

Wu Cheng shook his head and said, "If we don't polish him now, it will be too late once he's set in his ways!"

Wu Cheng knew how much effort Shenglong had put into winning the Golden Horse Award. But his film style always featured spectacular action scenes that overshadowed his acting. The Golden Horse Award also did not favor action actors, so it was no wonder he was so unlucky. He had worked for decades without achieving his goal.

Of course, Wu Cheng didn't think that his involvement could turn Shenglong into a film emperor, which was unrealistic. But at least this could make him set higher standards for himself in future productions, thus increasing his chances.

"Xiao Cheng, I'm ready, let's try it!"

"Okay, everyone, get ready, we're starting..."

...

A week later, HSBC agreed to lend 10 million yuan to Donglong International.

At the same time, Cen Jianxun received a message that the owner of Lisheng Cinema was willing to sell it for 38 million yuan, including the land, but the payment had to be in cash.

This price was within Wu Cheng's budget, so Cen Jianxun gave the owner a positive response. Then, Wu Cheng received a message from Wu Shulan that the 30 million was ready.

In just a week, Wu Cheng had gathered 40 million yuan in cash.

Wu Cheng's negotiations with the owner of Lisheng Cinema were done quietly, and the set was handed over to the executive director and action director, Yuan Heping.

In less than ten days, Wu Cheng took over nine theaters, the largest of which could serve as the flagship with over 2,000 seats.

The three theaters that did not originally belong to Lisheng were also transferred to Wu Cheng's name through the owner's efforts, the cost of which was not Wu Cheng's concern.

On this day, Wu Cheng personally signed the contract with the owner of Lisheng Cinema, accompanied by Hong Jinbao and Cen Jianxun. After signing, Wu Cheng announced that Lisheng Cinema would be renamed Feilong Cinema, symbolizing that the dragon of Donglong International would soar to the sky!

He also announced that Cen Jianxun would be the manager of Feilong Cinema.