After the Divorce, I Could Hear the Voice of the Future-Chapter 209 - 208: Investing in War Wolf 2

"Have there been any interview requests recently?"

Upon hearing Lu Liang's words, Wen Chao was taken aback, knowing that Lu Liang disliked being in the public eye, so such invitations were usually outright rejected.

He thought for a moment and answered, "Forbes magazine has been wanting to interview you, and there's also the municipal commendation ceremony."

The former wanted to interview this year's best investor. After all, Shen Peng had won the title for seven consecutive terms. Everyone had speculated that if it wasn't Shen Peng this year, it would at least be Zhu Hu. Unexpectedly, Lu Liang had emerged suddenly as a strong contender.

The latter was due to last year's tax settlement, where they had contributed a one-time tax payment of 51.2 million yuan, becoming a tax pioneer in Puxin District.

Although Puxin District is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers with enterprises paying billions in taxes every year, they had achieved over 50 million yuan in taxes in their first year of establishment, with more expected the following year.

The title of tax pioneer was well deserved.

Wen Chao continued, "Director Zhou from the municipal publicity department also mentioned that if Mr. Lu, you are willing to personally receive the award, they would also grant you the city's Top Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award, and next year, you may even have the chance to compete for the National Top Ten Outstanding Young Persons."

The municipal publicity department also cared about appearances, and if Lu Liang personally attended, then the award would definitely be his, no one else could take it. If Lu Liang decided not to show up, then it wouldn't concern him.

After pondering, Lu Liang said, "Tell Forbes I will first accept the municipal commendation, then their interview."

He previously didn't want exposure, so whether it was official or media reporter invitations, he had Wen Chao turn them all down.

Now wanting to take initiative in gaining exposure, an official platform was undoubtedly the best choice, and with the official commendation and Forbes' interview, there should be slightly fewer people paying attention.

Wen Chao was taken aback, then quickly responded, "Alright, then I'll contact the municipal officials first."

"Go ahead."

Lu Liang flipped through film projects, noticing War Wolf 2, Mermaid Legend, and Monkey King.

He was drawn to War Wolf 2's investment list; Little Wang had also invested 20 million yuan.

The previous film had good reputation and box office results, so by reason, a sequel shouldn't lack investment.

However, Wu Jing had screwed up; the original production cost of 110 million yuan, due to various reasons, had risen to 210 million yuan, an investment cost increase nearly approaching 100%.

Generally, a film's production cost multiplied by three was necessary just to break even, meaning the future box office needed to exceed 630 million yuan to be profitable.

A sudden funding shortfall of 100 million yuan forced Wu Jing to leave the production crew and return from Africa to the mainland in search of investors.

The plot of the film was not complex, akin to a typical commercial blockbuster promoting individual heroism, like Captain America, coupled with the influence of the red flag in Africa.

Lu Liang was interested, but one billion was not a small amount. After some thought, he called Little Wang, "Hello, I heard you invested in War Wolf 2?"

"It seems the project has circulated to you."

Little Wang laughed, having anticipated this, as investors able to spare one billion yuan for a film in the mainland could be counted on one hand.

Shen Peng and Zhu Hu could easily come up with the money, but they weren't interested in films. Nowadays in the mainland, the investors who had both the capability and interest were narrowed down to Lu Liang.

Little Wang added cheerfully, "The plot feels quite impactful, mainly because Wu Jing has good judgment."

"What do you mean by that?" Lu Liang was puzzled.

"He initially invited me to play the secondary male lead, that wealthy factory heir— isn't that evidence of good judgment?"

Little Wang was proud; Wu Jing had invested one million yuan inviting him to perform, but he didn't want to go to Africa, a place he disliked.

So in a good mood, he invested 20 million yuan.

Lu Liang, with a teasing face, speculated, "Is there a possibility that he's setting a trap, and the old man's intent isn't in the wine?"

Little Wang was at a loss for words, suddenly angry, "If you keep being so scheming, you'll end up without friends."

Lu Liang chuckled, ready to hang up, but Little Wang quickly called out, "Keep an eye on it, the project is desperately short of funds, I heard Wu Jing is even planning to sell his house."

"You are so kind-hearted?" Lu Liang was surprised.

Little Wang replied resentfully, "He set me up, I need to find someone to cushion the blow, plus the project is genuinely good. Don't you think it's a potential way to promote the benefits of the Silk Road?"

Lu Liang paused, musing, "I'll consider it."

Following that, he reviewed several other projects, during which Wen Chao returned to inform him that the commendation ceremony was confirmed for this Thursday, with Forbes' visit scheduled for Saturday.

The next day, while Wu Jing was at the bank processing the mortgage of multiple properties to continue filming, he suddenly received a call from his agent, "Jing, hurry back, we've found a financier."

"Who is it now?" Wu Jing sighed, his eyes weary, having no more hope.

He had looked everywhere for institutions, but now all the investments were from small investors who provided little money and created a lot of trouble.

They'd invest a few hundred million and either want to harp on the unwritten rules with the female lead or have their own children or lovers play significant roles.

Wu Jing wanted to curse; he genuinely didn't want to deal with them.

All he wanted now was to quickly mortgage his house, obtain enough capital, and then rush back to Africa to resume filming, as the production crew sitting idle each day was costing him millions.

"Guess what," his agent said excitedly.

"Guess my ass, spit it out if you have something to say."

Wu Jing spoke harshly. If his agent had been standing in front of him, he would've given him a piece of his mind.

The agent smiled awkwardly, "Jing, calm down, it's Lu Liang who contacted us."

"Tianxing's Lu Liang?" Wu Jing was surprised. Even though he had been busy with "War Wolf 2" recently, he had heard of Lu Liang's big name.

In his early thirties, with a cash flow of several hundred billion, unchallenged in the international market, a real financial mogul.

"I just took a chance and reached out to Mahua's Zhang Chen, asking him to recommend our project to Lu Liang."

The agent was extremely excited; he thought it was a long shot, but unexpectedly, Lu Liang's secretary got in touch with him, inviting them to Modu for a detailed discussion.

If Wu Jing could persuade Lu Liang to invest, the one billion funding gap would be just a drop in the ocean for this mogul. There wouldn't be any need to look for other investors.

"Holy shit, why didn't you say so earlier? When are we going to Modu?" Wu Jing asked urgently.

He decisively put away the house deeds; it was always better to let others invest if possible.

If he mortgaged the house and the movie flopped, decades of effort might go down the drain.

"An hour and a half later, I'll meet you at the airport. We're scheduled to meet Mr. Lu at three o'clock in the afternoon."

"Wait for me; I'll be right there."

The two headed to the airport from different locations and arrived at the New International Building half an hour early at half-past two.

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Wu Jing's face was tense, and he couldn't help but jitter his leg to relieve his anxiety, the agent by his side was no less anxious.

After all, they were about to meet the most mysterious and legendary financial mogul in the country.

It had just turned three o'clock.

Lu Liang arrived at the reception room right on time, with a smile on his face, "Mr. Wu, Mr. Li, hello, have you been waiting long?"

He sized up Wu Jing; the first time he saw him on screen was during middle school summer break, in the film "Little Li Knife," starring Jiao Enjun.

Decades had passed, the once fair-skinned young actor had now turned into a dark-skinned, crew-cut strong man. It was hard to imagine that next year, he would make a historic mark with "War Wolf 2."

With a box office of 5.494 billion, it was more than double that of last year's champion "Monster Hunt," which even involved money laundering.

A film involved in money laundering only dared to circulate 2.4 billion. Mr. Lu was curious about how a clean film managed to make it to 5.4 billion at the box office.

"Mr. Lu, hello, we just arrived too," the agent said with a big smile plastered on his face, Wu Jing was also sizing up Mr. Lu.

His first thought was how young he was, then he quickly averted his gaze, as staring was impolite.

He was still hoping to secure Mr. Lu's investment.

Lu Liang pondered for a moment, smiled, and said, "I've looked at the synopsis of the movie. It's very good."

He bluntly asked, "Is one billion enough?"

The two exchanged glances, seeing surprise in each other's eyes. Mr. Lu's offer was unexpectedly generous.

These words from Mr. Lu clearly indicated his decision to invest and even suggested the possibility of adding more funds.

Are all moguls this straightforward?

Or perhaps, was one billion just a number to him?

Possibly, considering the rumors that Mr. Lu currently controlled cash flows amounting to several hundred billion.

The agent was about to say it was enough when Wu Jing scratched the back of his head, his face showing an embarrassed smile, "Mr. Lu, if we could get a bit more, the quality and storyline of the movie could be improved even further."

Mr. Lu chuckled, "As long as it's a project I believe in, no amount of money is a problem. So, Mr. Wu, just boldly name a figure."