Chapter 10

This highly classic "old father selling his daughter" business venture was a huge success, and the one most shocked was An Hanjian.

After Li Jingming negotiated the terms, he introduced An Hanjian to Ken Kelle, stating that An Hanjian was the head of his entertainment division and would be Cobie Caillat's direct superior after her. Although he wouldn't overly interfere with Cobie's career, some supervision was necessary. Regarding his youth, Li Jingming expressed his fondness for all things young and his confidence in Harvard's educational standards. Upon learning that An Hanjian was a high-achieving graduate from Harvard Business School, Kelle was reassured.

"John (An Hanjian's English name) will negotiate the next film. If possible, Mr. Kelle, please help sound out Warner Bros. If they can offer favorable terms for the theatrical release, I would be very grateful." Unlike the usual practice, major film companies, especially the Big Eight, would indeed distribute independent films, but they typically bought the rights outright rather than sharing box office profits. However, Li Jingming not only refused to let them buy the rights to his film but also planned to secure their distribution channels for his own use. This seemed illogical, but in his previous life, he had dealt with things far more complex than business, and he firmly believed that extraordinary means could achieve extraordinary goals.

Ken Kelle, satisfied with the 60% revenue share, nodded in agreement. After all, it was just a matter of talking, and whether it succeeded or not was not his concern.

After seeing off Ken Kelle, Li Jingming called the others over. They were immediately amazed by the broad outline of Li Jingming's intentions. A 60% revenue share was indeed high, but if the other party didn't come to them, they would have nothing at all. This was a display of boldness. They had nothing to begin with, just a pile of idle equipment, but Li Jingming's words about a potential stock made them all believe he was targeting Ken Kelle, the former top producer.

Li Jingming wouldn't say too much to them. The ancients of his homeland would spend a thousand gold pieces to buy a horse's bones, let alone a true千里马 (thousand-mile horse). As for Ken Kelle, his reputation could be useful in the future.

"John, tomorrow, no, this afternoon, I want you to find the woman on this card and negotiate the script. I'm giving you a budget of one million dollars. If you come in under budget, the remainder is yours. If it exceeds one million, then I think White won't need to go to Korea with me." Li Jingming handed over a card with a number and a line of small text.

The small text read: Diablo Cody, *Juno*.

Li Jingming had done his research. *Juno* had not yet started production, and the script was still in the hands of the writer, with no company willing to take it on. After all, it was a very sensitive topic. The Koreans didn't care about such issues, having already produced similar films like *My Little Bride* and *18 Again*. However, the situation was different in the United States, where many people were devout Christians. Unmarried pregnancy was a serious issue, and the film also involved the sensitive topic of abortion, which is why major companies were hesitant. But Li Jingming remembered that the film was released in the summer in his previous life, so why was it still a script now?

The answer was simple. His path in this life was completely different from his previous one, and this had caused significant changes in the American film industry, leading to a butterfly effect.

An Hanjian knew this was a test of his abilities and a great opportunity to gain Li Jingming's trust. He didn't need to know where Li Jingming got the information or why he had confidence in the script. He just needed to secure the filming rights by evening. However, he still needed to know Li Jingming's specific requirements: "Do you have any other requirements, senior?"

"You're very meticulous, which is good, because this is important," Li Jingming seemed to be waiting for this question. "I don't know how others define independent films, but I want the final credits to only show 'Guangguo Films.' I don't want any other company's name. By the way, put my English name in the producer's slot."

Li Jingming's attitude was one of determination, as if he had already secured the film and completed it. An Hanjian, who was easily swayed by such confidence, couldn't help but be impressed. If not for the others watching, he might have bowed down right then and there.

"Alright, don't look at me like that. I can only help you so much, senior." Li Jingming often said this to An Hanjian.

At noon, they ordered takeout and opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate. The future superpower in the global cultural industry was launched with only five people as witnesses.

In the evening, An Hanjian returned with good news. After confirming it wasn't a commercial scam, the other party had no other requirements except that the director must be Jason Reitman, as he was a friend who supported her.

Li Jingming had no other requirements. This would ensure that *Juno* was produced authentically. An Hanjian negotiated the script for $600,000 and didn't pocket the remaining money but planned to turn it over to Li Jingming. Li Jingming was furious, saying he could afford an apartment and a sports car, so why would he care about $400,000!

In the end, An Hanjian took the money. But the money wasn't what mattered to him. What mattered was Li Jingming's final words: "Don't call me senior anymore, call me brother."

Whether it was the screenwriter or the director, Li Jingming had to meet them in person; otherwise, his title as producer would be meaningless. However, it wasn't the right time now. The music company deal had just been settled, and he hadn't expected it to go so smoothly. Smooth sailing meant that the next steps had to be completed quickly. The next day, he planned to visit his film company, which he had prepared earlier and more carefully than the music company, although its progress was slower.

Hollywood had countless film companies, with new ones joining and old ones going bankrupt each year. Li Jingming had no connections here and had to continue his work of scavenging, looking for a company that no one wanted. He had been thinking about this since he came to the United States, and after securing deals with Apple and Facebook, he started looking for suitable targets. Unfortunately, after a year, he still had nothing.

Finally, unable to wait for the "right opportunity," he decided to piece together a film company. This was easier said than done, as there were always people losing their jobs due to company bankruptcies, even in Hollywood. There was a talent market here, with various professionals like script supervisors, lighting technicians, cameramen, and prop masters, some of whom were talented but buried in obscurity. Li Jingming began gathering these unemployed Hollywood workers and realized how difficult it was without specialized knowledge. He hired a talent agent to help him, and it took a year to form the basic structure of a company.

Without a reputation or a track record, it was unsettling when others asked if they had produced any films. Although Li Jingming paid salaries, and even higher than other small companies, many people suspected it was a front for money laundering and were hesitant to join. The company's personnel were as unstable as floating weeds. Li Jingming, who was not one to compromise, was determined to make a big splash in his second life. Various reasons led to his Guangguo Film Company not starting production, and the team was not fully assembled.

The company's head, Johnny Howard, was originally a famous Hollywood child actor's agent. Unfortunately, the young actor went off the rails, becoming a drug addict after gaining some fame. Howard, as his agent, had no idea how the sixteen-year-old got involved with drugs and always acted like a good boy in front of him. Howard's reputation was ruined, and his failure to manage his client was a severe dereliction of duty. It was the father's job to handle such issues, but the father always had the final say, leaving Howard to do the hard work.

Howard wasn't a major figure in Hollywood, but his experience and professional skills were solid. He had connections and recruited capable people for each position. Li Jingming's tasks were completed well. When Li Jingming handed over the plan for the first film, Howard breathed a sigh of relief. Many in the company suspected it was a money laundering operation, and he was terrified. Although he knew the big boss was a shareholder in several famous companies, he couldn't be sure that a famous company's shareholder couldn't be involved in the underworld. Being caught was a minor issue; being entangled with the underworld was a matter of life and death.

The next day, Li Jingming, along with the four others, met the screenwriter and director. With a stroke of his pen, he allocated a budget of ten million dollars. He not only wanted to produce the film but to produce it well, better than the *Juno* he knew. Money knows no nationality, and the ten million dollars made everything smooth. If needed, casting could begin the next day. However, Li Jingming knew the quality of *Juno* and was determined to make it a masterpiece. If necessary, he would invest more to ensure perfection. He also set up an accounting team to monitor the expenses, responsible for all the company's financial matters.

In the film company's office, Li Jingming was carefully watching a video on his computer.

The video showed a blurry figure holding a candle, exploring a dark cave. A bright light in the distance indicated the exit. Upon reaching the exit, the camera pulled back to reveal a beautiful, bright land outside, like a paradise. The camera then turned, and a天真可爱 (innocent and cute) little boy, who was the figure holding the candle, emerged from the cave, running and jumping joyfully in the light. The scene continued as the camera entered the cave again, where an extinguished candle was left on a stone, at the boundary between light and darkness. A wisp of smoke rose from the wick, and the candle's shadow formed the letter "L." Upon closer inspection, the top of the shadow had a faint flame shape.

The candle then transformed into the letter "L," and the words "Light Nation Film Company" appeared on the screen.

This was created by an animation company at Li Jingming's request and would be the opening animation for all his future films. The "L" represented himself.

Some candles continue to burn even after they are extinguished, while others are extinguished even as they burn.

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