Don't call me a singing god, I just want to go back to doing scientific research.

Meanwhile, Ling Luo was already sitting in the editing room of the small film crew.

On the monitor in front of me, a pre-edited clip is playing.

The composition of the scenes is skillful, and the use of light and shadow is just right. You can see the crew's dedication from even an inconspicuous prop detail.

He asked casually and learned that most of the people in the film crew were students who had not yet graduated.

Ling Luo understood. No wonder the 20 million budget could afford such professional costumes and props; it turned out they had cashed in on their personal connections and labor.

Upon further inquiry, it was discovered that producer Lin Xia's father was Lin Hongyu, a director with some renown in the industry. During filming, Lin Xia frequently invited this renowned director to serve as a free technical advisor.

Even these expensive filming equipment were rented cheaply from acquaintances, costing almost nothing.

The real bulk of the expenses are probably the custom-made props and post-production special effects.

Ling Luo did a quick mental calculation and realized that this low-budget web series had actually woven a pretty large network of connections.

"Um...Mr. Luomu," a timid voice interrupted his thoughts. It was producer Lin Xia, a young-looking girl, "Could we...reconsider the price for the film and television rights to your song?"

She rubbed her hands together somewhat embarrassedly: "The copyright fees we can squeeze out right now are only 800,000 yuan."

It would be difficult to raise even a million.

This was a sum of money they painstakingly saved from their already meager advertising budget after repeated calculations.

Ling Luo didn't answer immediately. She tapped her fingertips lightly on the script and then looked back at the screen.

The quality of this drama is indeed good, the core of the story is solid, and although the actors are still a bit green, their eyes are expressive, and you can tell they put their heart into it.

He watched the last segment and nodded.

"Okay," Ling Luo closed the script. "Based on the market price of classic old songs, eight hundred thousand, I'm getting a good deal."

After all, it's just film and television rights. For a small, unknown production team, this price represents a significant investment of their entire savings.

Lin Xia's eyes lit up instantly: "Thank you, Teacher Luo Mu! Don't worry, we absolutely won't make any drastic changes!"

After signing the contract, Ling Luo got into the car.

"Brother Mingjun, could you please go to the tax bureau?"

The revenue share from Xingchen Entertainment, the fees from selling the two songs last time, and the performance and broadcast revenue settled by the "Changba" program team have all been credited to his account by noon today.

The numbers are considerable, and of course, the taxes payable are also substantial.

After leaving the tax bureau, Ling Luo glanced at a text message on her phone: 1.67 million yuan in taxes had been paid.

Li Mingjun peeked over from the side and gasped, "Mr. Ling, the taxes alone are enough for me to buy a large apartment back in my hometown..."

Ling Luo smiled, didn't reply, and directly picked up the phone to call Tang Enmin at the research institute.

The phone rang twice before being answered.

  

"Mr. Tang, is it convenient for you to speak now?"

"It's convenient, what's up, kid? What's the matter?" Tang Enmin's voice was as energetic as ever.

"It's nothing serious. I just wanted to let you know that I'll transfer some money to the research institute's account later, and you can use it to buy some things for the institute."

Tang Enmin paused for a moment, seemingly not quite understanding: "Send money? Did you win the lottery?"

"I made some money from selling songs," Ling Luo said calmly, "around ten million. Didn't you mention there was a problem with the climate simulation chamber last time? Could you see if we could buy one or two top-of-the-line ones?"

A coughing sound came from the other end of the phone, followed by Tang Enmin's raised voice: "How...how much?! Ten million?!"

He could hardly believe his ears: "Have you been scammed? Singing is so lucrative now?!"

Tang Enmin felt that the world was a bit magical.

Then, his tone turned serious, stern and unquestionable: "Nonsense! I heard from Old Zhou that it will cost a fortune to heal your hand. Keep it for yourself, don't try to be a hero!"

A few question marks popped into Ling Luo's head. When did he mention money to Old Zhou?

"I don't lack money, Minister Tang. My hands don't need that much money either. Perhaps Teacher Zhou misunderstood."

"Huh? That's not what I meant?"

After receiving Ling Luo's confirmation, Tang Enmin remained silent for a moment on the other end of the phone, seemingly weighing his options.

"Alright. But this money can't be transferred directly to the research institute's account," Tang Enmin's tone became serious. "You silly boy, do you think it's okay to do good deeds anonymously? I may not understand the messy things in the entertainment industry, but aren't there enough examples of disputes over donations online every year? This matter must go through the formal donation procedure. It will be better for you. Wait, I'll go ask the higher-ups."

Ling Luo felt a warm glow in her heart.

Minister Tang of the research institute, Professor Zhou, and many other researchers used to only have scientific research and national affairs in their minds, and at most they would have time to read science and technology newspapers. Now they have started to worry about the ins and outs of these circles for him.

"Thank you, Minister Tang."

"It's nothing, just get some rest and don't overthink it. Remember, I'll come find you in five months!"

Ling Luo smiled helplessly.

Minister Tang is serious this time.

But at the current rate at which he's accumulating emotional points... he'll probably disappoint the old minister in five months.

After hanging up the phone, he told Li Mingjun to drive home.

Ling Luo wondered how Gu Yang's practice was going. She thought to herself, "There must be someone even worse off than him."

……

The efficiency is surprisingly high.

That evening, Tang Enmin called and gave him an account.

"All the procedures have been arranged for you. The funds are processed through the Red Cross Foundation, and you can check the donation details on the official website at any time. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASS) oversees the process. The money is ultimately transferred directly from CASS to our research institute for designated purposes, and no one can touch it."

"When you have time, go and sign the donation agreement. Let Li Mingjun handle the rest."

"Okay," Ling Luo agreed. "By the way, is Mingjun's salary paid by the research institute or...?"

"The military is issuing it," Tang Enmin immediately interrupted him, as if he had anticipated what he was going to say, "I advise you not to get any funny ideas. Li Mingjun is still officially part of the military system. If you send him money privately, the nature of the transaction changes; that's bribery, understand?"

The old minister's voice carried a hint of exasperation: "If you really feel bad about it, then behave yourself! A hand injury isn't a brain injury. Stop making a scene all the time, and focus on your research. That's better than anything else!"

Ling Luo chuckled. This minister really didn't treat him like a patient at all. It was the same last time; he kicked him without warning.

"I understand. I'm currently working on a new theoretical study, in the verification phase, and it's not yet documented."

"That's more like it." Tang Enmin's tone softened a bit, and he gave a few more instructions before hanging up the phone.

Putting down his phone, Tang Enmin let out a long sigh and rubbed his throbbing temples.

He spent the whole afternoon visiting several departments to secure Ling Luo's donation. Fortunately, his superiors gave him the green light all the way; otherwise, it would have taken at least three to five days to get it done.

Old Zhou sat quietly on the sofa in the office. Only after he finished his call did he speak with concern, "Xiao Ling... how has he been lately?"

"His voice sounds alright, much better than before when he sounded weak and listless." Tang Enmin poured himself a glass of water.

Old Zhou sighed, but the worry in his eyes did not lessen.

Seeing this, Tang Enmin decided to reassure him: "Don't worry. That kid just said on the phone that he hasn't been idle lately; he's been working on a new theoretical study."

He looked at Old Zhou and said, word by word, "He hasn't given up, that's the best news."

Old Zhou finally nodded: "Indeed...it's good news."