Chapter 25

"Hey, hey, wait up!"

On the tree-lined path, Ye Wei ran like he was making a solo attack on a green field, and soon caught up with the three girls who hadn't gone far. He slowed down, smiling, and greeted them, "Hi, Lily, Trista, and...?"

"Connie-Hunter, an eighth-grader, nice to meet you." Connie was a bit excited; after all, VIY was too cool! Trista, however, was a bit nervous, looking at Lily and then at him, "Hi, Wei."

"So, you're a hunter's descendant, cool! Unlike my ancestors, who were cheerleaders." Ye Wei made a joke, which made Connie laugh, but he quickly turned to Lily, who hadn't said a word.

"What do you want, bastard?" Lily's face was expressionless, her eyes sharp, showing no mercy, "If you're trying to hit on girls, go away. There are no brainless, hot girls here for you."

She almost said even harsher words, feeling a strange annoyance surging in her heart, a pain or a sting that made her very uncomfortable... She realized that the feelings she had that day were all illusions, because she was too happy about getting the Jane Eyre doll, too happy, and had been a fool for several days!

Inviting her out on a date? Going to Santa Monica for dinner and a view of the sea? Trying to buy alcohol? Doing something crazy together? Little Christie!?

Ah! Wasn't this exactly what she had been thinking about occasionally these past few days? Lily felt her heart twist into a mess, a ridiculous, terrible mess. It had been more than three days without any contact, and she thought it was because he was too busy and wanted to take things slowly, but she had been looking forward to Sunday, hoping he would call...

But he was laughing and chatting with two hot girls, making plans for a date... "My little Christie"...

What did that make her? A funny fool! And "bush," "tomboy," "hairy monster," that monster's name is Sally!

She knew her eyebrows were thick, so what? It was her personal mark, and she liked it!! Even if it made her stand out and look like a fool, what did those people know? Her mother said, "Lily, this is a gift from heaven, making you so special." He wouldn't understand; he liked fine-eyebrowed, blonde, big-breasted sluts, a shallow bastard...

Fortunately, she was now fully awake and didn't want to talk to this guy anymore, not a single word. If she could, she would kick him a few times.

"Speak up, what do you want?" Lily couldn't suppress her anger, raising her thick, long eyebrows and glaring at him.

"Say hello?" Ye Wei shrugged slightly, not knowing what to say. Was it a misunderstanding? I have no relationship with those two girls?

The problem was, what relationship did he and Lily have? They were far from that level. A week ago, they weren't even friends; they had just had a pleasant stroll. Maybe they had some mutual affection, but that was all.

He had been busy with the crowdfunding project, talking on the phone non-stop, and thinking that they had just become friends, he didn't want to scare her by being too clingy, so he hadn't contacted her. He had thought about whether he could ask her out on Sunday, but now the situation had become a bit complicated.

She was angry, right? He could tell, but what was she angry about? He couldn't be sure.

"Since you've said your piece, can you leave now?" Lily said coldly, "Your little Christie is waiting for you."

Connie was a bit stunned, not understanding the situation, feeling it was quite subtle?

Trista, on the other hand, felt a headache. Indeed, the relationship between VIY and Lily hadn't improved! She thought Ye Wei was coming to chat them up, so she explained, "Wei, we're not friends with Christina Sleet and her group. They love to mock us, like Lily's eyebrows, my glasses and braces, Connie's big forehead..."

"Trista, don't tell him these things!" Lily said urgently, "He's the kind of person who mocks us... no, that kind of idiot!"

Ye Wei had a pretty good idea of the reason, so he winked, "Ladies, I have a few words to say to Lily alone, so..."

"Oh, okay..." Trista and Connie tactfully continued on, their faces curious. The students passing by also cast glances.

Lily didn't know why she stayed, but she didn't walk away. Politeness, yes, it was out of politeness! Her slightly flushed face turned away, not looking at him, "Say what you have to say."

"Quickly, finish it."

"That guy was really mean, I've already scolded her. Anyway, I think your eyebrows look great." Ye Wei said seriously, "In fact, I'm not friends with them. I just wanted to play a trick on her; you know how much of a slut she is. But forget it, it's not worth it, it just lowers my standards."

"This has nothing to do with me... and I don't care what she says..." Lily's voice softened, her bright eyes still not looking at him.

"Right, don't take us idiots seriously." Ye Wei laughed, seeing the ice begin to melt, and couldn't resist making the invitation he had been thinking about for days: "I have an idea, are you free tonight? Let's go out? I want to learn how to be a mature kid from you."

You just want to play with me! Lily's feelings became even more chaotic. She had indeed heard his scolding, and with their once-friendly stroll, his dating others shouldn't offend her. She seemed to have no reason to be angry... So, should she let it go? Forgive and agree to him?

Her heart rate instantly accelerated, a surge of anticipation. She almost did it, but the "okay" just about to come out of her mouth was swallowed back. How could she!

No matter what, he's a bastard! No way! The second friendly stroll or first date invitation she had been thinking about for days, and it turned out like this? She wouldn't! Only a fool would agree... How despicable, such an invitation is despicable... She wouldn't agree...

"I'm not free." Lily's tone returned to cold, "And our friendship isn't as good as you think. It's not at the level where we go out on weekends. You understand, right?"

What are you saying! Just saying the first part would have been enough, right? Give him a lesson, and there would still be... a chance! Why say the second part? She was in a panic, don't care!

"Uh!" Ye Wei was stunned, his smile fading.

Her words were depressing. Put bluntly, it was "I don't hate you, but I don't like you either. You're nothing to me, don't bother me with your delusions!" No matter how much anger was in her words, he was depressed. A pleasant stroll once didn't mean anything, did it? Okay, okay...

In the past, he might have pursued her relentlessly, but now he wouldn't. He nodded, "OK, OK, maybe I was thinking too much. I understand, but I want to say one more thing."

He smiled and said sincerely, "Los Angeles is a city that loves fine eyebrows. People wish they had no eyebrows at all, so you'll face some stupid attacks. But the truth is, your eyebrows are a gift from heaven. You have a beauty that can change people's perceptions, so protect them. Whether they're British or American bushes, make them your mark."

"Thanks." Lily's face remained unchanged, but she felt a warmth in her heart, and at the same time, became even more anxious. Lily, Jane, thick eyebrows, what to say, say something more!

"I have to go, I still have to deal with the crowdfunding. See you." Ye Wei was quite disappointed. His sincere praise didn't bring even a hint of a smile to her face. It seemed she really didn't care about his thoughts.

"See you..." Lily's voice was stiff. When he turned and left, she looked at his retreating back, feeling a sense of helplessness: Is this what I wanted? Or did I mess it up? Damn, damn... I don't want this...

She tilted her head back, then suddenly lowered it, and walked forward with a staggering gait, as if she had lost something.

On the other side, Ye Wei couldn't easily let it go either, frowning as he thought about it. He had to agree with those old sayings: girls' hearts are harder to understand than the universe!

Before he reached the library, his phone vibrated with an incoming call. He quickly took it out, but it wasn't Lily; it was Gale Wilson, the production manager of Focus Films.

In the past few days, he had called Gale every day to ask about the latest news on the buyback, but Gale had never called him first. Now that he was calling, it couldn't be good news.

"Gale, hello." Answering the call, Ye Wei heard Gale's nervous voice, "Vig, the buyback side has a matching offer of $500,000. You might need to raise your bid."

Ye Wei cursed under his breath, "FUCK," it was almost certain this was Focus's strategy to raise the price! He had to deal with it properly...

He walked into the quiet woods and asked, "What did they say specifically? No matter what the competitive price is, they must get the project back?"

"Their determination is strong, and $500,000 is a price they can match. They are still seeking new investments, like the producer Mark Tetro, who took over the script before. He's a rich man, and if he's convinced, he might spend $1,000,000 to buy back the script. You really need to prepare more money."

"Ha ha." Ye Wei laughed. He might not understand girls' hearts, but with someone like Gale, it all came down to money!

He already had a plan and said with a slow, confident smile, "I don't think so. If someone was willing to pay $1,000,000 for the 'Little Miss Sunshine' script, he would have shown up already. Gale, to be honest, you should help me buy the script and work together to block the buyback. Even if we lose a few thousand dollars, that's the smart thing to do, isn't it?"

"Why?" Gale's voice was doubtful, and a bit awkward.

"I have a question for you. If there was no right of first refusal, and everyone bid $500,000, who would you sell the project to?"

"We have no personal preferences... it's just a matter of the highest price."

"But you should have a preference! Think about it. If the buyback side gets the script, who knows if they'll make a good movie. But if I get the script? I know myself, I'm just playing around. You know, I have full control over the project. I produce, I direct, and even my dad won't interfere.

So I registered a new production company, my own company! But even though I think I'm a genius, I don't expect my 16 or 17-year-old debut to be a classic. Mainly, it's just cool."

"What... what, you're only 16?"

"I won't be 16 until next February." Ye Wei shrugged, smiling into the phone, "Sell it to me, or to the buyback side. I think you should know which is better, right?"

In the headquarters of Universal City, the office was relatively quiet on Saturday with few people working overtime.

In the Focus Films production office, Gale looked helpless, and the supervisor Robert Harmon, listening on speakerphone, frowned deeply. Despite his discomfort, he had to agree with the 15-year-old's argument... If 'Little Miss Sunshine' was made into a good film by the buyback side, Focus would be embarrassed, and everyone who advocated selling the project today would be seen as incompetent fools.

When things got out of hand, the two co-CEOs would be fine, but they, the supervisors and managers, would be in trouble, possibly losing their jobs.

"We'll consider it..." Gale was noncommittal, looking at Harmon, who nodded. Once Ye Wei confirmed he had the money to buy, they would emphasize to the buyback side that the script was terrible, to discourage their resolve. Gale continued, "But your purchase price must be at least $500,000, and it's best to finalize it within the next week."

"I'll try. I have a few friends who also want to play this filmmaking game. We're discussing the distribution of shares, and I'll contact you once it's settled."

"Alright, we'll let you know if there's any new news."

Ending the call, Ye Wei sighed, kicked a pile of leaves, and thought, there will always be the ugly realities of the world, persecuting the beauty of dreams. He wouldn't bow to ugliness but would play games with it. $500,000, not a cent more!

He suddenly remembered the classic line from Truffaut's 'Day for Night': "You filmmakers are really morally corrupt!" He couldn't help but laugh; it was well said. Filmmakers are not angels, just as no one is an angel. Filmmakers like to lie, weaving lies that captivate people, and people also lie...

Wait, was Lily lying just now? Was what she thought different from what she said?

He rolled his eyes. It was a self-indulgent thought, but isn't pursuing a girl like this? You can't let a girl's thoughts dictate your actions; your actions should dictate her thoughts! Yes, do something!

Then he had a good idea, a good idea for both crowdfunding and pursuing a girl!

Ye Wei didn't go to the library but turned around excitedly and ran to the academic center, his target: the Dream Chasers Club!

"Ha ha, guys, we have something to do!"