I really don't want to make bad movies!

Early in the morning, Xia Ming, who was in class, suddenly received a phone call from an unknown number.

He made an excuse to go to the restroom and pressed the call button in the hallway.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Xia. Can you recognize me?"

Xia Ming glanced at the number, recalling the Shaanxi accent he'd heard, and guessed, "Producer Ma?"

"Hey! That's right!"

Marco chuckled and chatted about daily life: "How are things on your end? Are you back at school, or still filming?"

"We finished filming a long time ago, and we're in class right now."

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry to have kept you in this position."

Judging from Marco's tone, it seemed he had something to say.

"Producer Ma, what brings you here to chat with me today?"

On the other end of the phone, Marco was standing by the window, thinking about how to bring it up with Xia Ming.

In fact, seeing the huge success of "The Swindlers" made him extremely regretful.

Initially, he was arrogant and looked down on web dramas, so he signed a contract with Xia Ming for a million-dollar investment. He never expected that Xia Ming would produce such a high-quality hit.

He regretted not casting more!

Moreover, it's an investment with no expectation of return.

As a co-producer, Marco also had the financial statements for "The Swindlers". After seeing the total financing of 12.5 million for the film, he realized that this million was nothing.

Even without his own million, "The Swindler" could still be made.

However, his own investment experience has ironically added a significant chapter to his book, "The Swindler."

Who knows you invested the money because of Jiang Wen?

People will just think you have a sharp eye as a producer, daring to cast even inexperienced newcomers!

"Nothing, I just wanted to ask when you're planning to start the second season of 'The Swindler'?"

Marco felt that Xia Ming had unlimited potential and was determined to become the major shareholder of the second season of "The Swindler".

"Producer Ma, it seems unlikely that a second season of 'The Swindlers' will be released anytime soon."

"Why? Right now, 'The Swindlers' is the best drama series of the year-end season. You should strike while the iron is hot and put the sequel on the agenda."

As a commercial producer, Marco has a very mature understanding of the film and television industry.

Unlike movies, web series are different. Audiences will wait for years for a good movie, but there are too many replacements for web series, and the intervals between sequels are too long, so the popularity will be lost quickly.

"Have you seen my interview with Tencent?"

"I haven't seen it."

"I want to make a movie first, and then come back to make the second season of 'The Swindler'."

"You're going to make a movie?" Marco became even more interested instantly.

"Yes, I want to make a science fiction movie."

Marco gasped, inwardly marveling at Xia Ming's genuine passion for science fiction and mecha.

Are producers interested in investing in this project?

Xia Ming's voice, like a devil's whisper, echoed in Marco's mind.

On the one hand, the huge success of "The Swindler" made him envious, but the fame of "The Big Hornet" made him fearful.

Films are much more difficult to make than web series, and science fiction is far more challenging than urban fiction.

"Hiss—I'll think about it."

"Okay, I'll hang up now."

Xia Ming hung up the phone.

Even if Marco doesn't invest, he doesn't lack the money to make "Atlantic Rim".

Although the revenue sharing from "The Swindler" hasn't arrived yet, filming "Atlantic Rim" should cost around 500,000, which is more than enough.

Of course, he will accept any investment requests from people.

Spend as much money as you have on marketing and promotion; you still get what you pay for.

In the past few days, Xia Ming has already come up with some clever ideas and is preparing to promote "Atlantic Rim".

"Buzz—"

The phone rang again, and Xia Ming saw that it was another unfamiliar number.

"Who is it?"

"Is this Director Xia Ming? Hehe, it's me."

"Who are you?"

Another low laugh came from the other end of the phone. The voice sounded mature, but it carried a fawning tone.

"I'm the regional manager for iQiyi's platform. I'd like to get to know you. Is now a convenient time? How about we have dinner together?"

Xia Ming held his phone away. What was with this strange tone of voice used during a blind date?

How disgusting!

"I'm in class."

"Oh? It's nothing, it's nothing. Which school do you go to? I'll wait for you after class."

"Please feel free to speak your mind."

"It's nothing, nothing at all! I just wanted to get to know you and make friends with some talented young people! I even bought you a gift; it's just a small token of my appreciation!"

Why does this sound more and more like a blind date?

Xia Ming couldn't take it anymore: "If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up now."

"Hey, don't hang up, don't hang up." Yang Xianghua finally revealed his purpose, "I mainly wanted to discuss the second season of 'The Swindler' with you. When are you free?"

Another company eyeing the second season of "The Swindlers".

"Sure, I'm at Beijing Film Academy, get out of class ends at 12."

"Okay, I'll pick you up at the school gate then."

……

At 12:10, Xia Ming saw a Bentley parked at the school gate as soon as he stepped out.

It feels like I'm playing some kind of simulation game, with the car that picks me up getting higher and higher level.

As he took out his phone to check the license plate number, Wang Zhengchuan's WeChat call popped up.

"Ming-ge, where did you go? You disappeared as soon as get out of class ended!"

"North Gate, what's wrong?"

"Why do you keep going to the north gate?"

"What's up? Want to have dinner together? I'm busy today."

"It's nothing, just asking. Bye."

Xia Ming was baffled. He hung up the phone, looked at the license plate number sent to him in a text message, and got into the Bentley after confirming that it was correct.

Three minutes later.

Yan Shu arrived at the North Gate, panting, and looked around, but couldn't find Xia Ming anywhere.

She was already tired from running because of her large breasts, and when she reached her destination but didn't see her target, she felt even more tired.

……

Kiwi headquarters.

As soon as Xia Ming stepped out of the elevator, he was warmly welcomed by Huang Xuke.

"Xia Xia! Long time no see, long time no see!"

"Senior, it's been a long time."

Xia Ming shook hands with him, then looked up and found that all the employees of the Kiwi company were subtly observing him.

"Please come in!" Yang Xianghua stepped forward, bent down, and extended his hand to lead Xia Ming in.

Xia Ming looked at Huang Xuke with a puzzled expression, his eyes asking, "Why is he being so polite?"

Huang Xuke laughed and didn't say anything.

Xia Ming was invited into the conference room by Yang Xianghua, where several Kiwi executives were also sitting.

Xia Ming found it strange that so many people needed to hold a meeting just to discuss the copyright of the second season of "The Swindler".

Can't even the CEO of a TV drama division make a decision?

The three took their seats in turn, and Huang Xuke was the first to speak.

"Mr. Yang, please."

Yang Xianghua glared fiercely at Huang Xuke, but when he saw Wang Hui sitting in the main seat, he put on a smiling face and turned to Xia Ming.

"Um, Director Xia, the main reason I invited you here today is to ask if you have any plans to film a second season of 'The Swindler'?"

"I know Tengzi has definitely extended an olive branch to you, but please believe me, we kiwifruit can definitely offer a better price."

"Among those present are our marketing executives from iQiyi, professional producers, and direct managers of celebrity studios. They can all provide convenience for your team building. Please feel free to ask for any needs you may have."

After Yang Xianghua finished his enthusiastic opening remarks, Xia Ming shook his head and said, "We can't film it."

The brief three-word statement plunged the meeting room into silence.

Yang Xianghua smiled awkwardly, lowered his head, and asked softly, "Have you encountered any difficulties, Director Xia?"

Xia Ming spread his hands and said, "The plot for the second season has already been decided. Chen Kun has been promoted from a major supporting role to a leading role. He simply doesn't have the time and can't film it in the short term."

Yang Xianghua looked at the producer beside him and asked about Chen Kun's schedule, but received a negative answer.

"It's alright, we can sign a contract with you first, pay a deposit, and confirm the copyright of the second season of 'The Swindler'."

Yang Xianghua seemed to have been prepared, and pulled out a contract to push to Xia Ming: "Don't worry, the price is very favorable."

Xia Ming held the contract down without even glancing at it, and smiled directly at Wang Hui, who was in the main seat, saying, "Although the second season of 'The Swindler' can't be filmed for the time being, I have another project that I've been preparing carefully, and I can make some money during the Spring Festival season."

"I watched the 'Chinese Paladin 4' on your platform, and it seems to have lost some momentum, with both its popularity and reputation declining."

"Perhaps your platform needs a title to offset the losses incurred by 'The Legend of Sword and Fairy 4'?"

Yang Xianghua quickly raised his hand: "Hey, don't talk nonsense, 'The Legend of Sword and Fairy 4' didn't lose money..."

Wang Hui interrupted him directly: "Besides 'The Swindler,' does Director Xia have any other scripts?"

Xia Ming clasped his fists under his chin, bypassed Yang Xianghua, and spoke directly to Wang Hui, who appeared to be the highest executive officer: "Of course, but not a web series, but a movie script."

"Movie?!"

Wang Hui was stunned; this was not a project that Kiwi Fruit was good at.

But Xia Ming's words did pique his interest, and he tentatively asked, "What is the expected scale of the project, Director Xia?"

Xia Ming extended his index finger and held it up in front of everyone.

"One hundred million."