novellhall Chapter 12 Rise
Chapter 12 Rise
11:30.
A sliver of grayish-blue sunlight peeked through the gap in the curtains.
Lin Dong's eyes were open, one hand resting on his forehead. His lower back was slightly sore. He thought about the cause for a moment, then decided to ignore it.
Li Jiaxin was like an overcharged battery. Every time he thought she had finally calmed down, her hand would come over again, her lips would press against his, and her voice would ring in his ear again—"Adong, let's do it again."
He rolled over.
Li Jiaxin was curled up next to him, wrapped in a blanket, her face buried in the pillow, her hair spread out in a large patch, sleeping soundly.
After struggling all night, she finally managed to discharge the electricity.
He watched her for a while, then reached out and brushed the hair from her forehead. She didn't wake up, just snorted and buried herself deeper into the pillow.
Lin Dong sat up in bed, put on his pants, walked barefoot out of the bedroom, and closed the door behind him.
The living room was quiet. The curtains were still drawn, and the pre-dawn light squeezed in through the gaps, drawing a thin, long, bright line on the floor.
The dress that Li Jiaxin had changed out of yesterday was still draped over the sofa.
He went to the kitchen, poured himself a glass of water, and had just taken a sip when his phone rang.
"Mr. Lin," Chen Xinjian's voice was crisp and clear, "I've found an office space. Central, Des Voeux Road Central, Bank of East Asia Tower. The entire 12th floor, 2,000 square feet. I've already negotiated the rent and property management fees; it's 10% below market price."
Lin Dong took a sip of water.
The deal was finalized yesterday afternoon, and by noon today he had already visited all the venue, rent, and property management offices.
This person is indeed decisive and efficient in handling matters.
"Mr. Chen, you don't need to show it to me. You can decide for yourself."
There was a pause on the other end of the phone.
"Mr. Lin, this office is for you—"
"I don't need it." Lin Dong leaned against the kitchen counter. "You're in charge of the company's daily operations, and you're the one sitting in the office. What you find pleasing to the eye is more important than what I find pleasing. It's settled, it's signed. The lease will go through your signature."
There was a moment of silence.
"Okay." There was something different in Chen Xinjian's voice, not very obvious, but Lin Dong could tell. "Then I'll take it."
"There's one more thing. The company is registered under the name Tengda. Tengda Film and Television Investment Company."
The sound of a pen nib gliding across paper came from the other end of the phone.
"Tengda. Soaring into the sky, reaching out to benefit all under heaven." Chen Xinjian read it aloud, then chuckled, "Lin Sheng, what a grand name."
Lin Dong did not explain.
He was thinking of a novel he had read in his past life, in which the protagonist's company also had this name.
But the protagonist makes money no matter what he invests in, while he will be the opposite—Lin Dong, with his memories from his previous life, can easily lose money no matter what he invests in.
Choosing this name is a toast to the protagonist, and also a toast to the decades of my past life.
"Don't worry, Mr. Lin," Chen Xinjian's voice regained its efficient rhythm, "I'll get the company registration done within three days. The lease for the East Asia Bank Building will be signed this afternoon. Recruiting staff will proceed simultaneously; we'll assign one person each for legal, finance, and project follow-up, to get the framework up and running first."
"OK."
After hanging up the phone, he finished his water and placed the cup on the table.
Tengda Film & Television Investment Company. The name has been decided. Thirty million for Yongsheng, one hundred million for Huang Baiming, and five million for Wang Yalin—three projects, three lines, proceeding simultaneously.
The phone rang again.
Xiang Yeqiang.
"Mr. Lin!" Xiang Yeqiang's voice boomed as soon as the call connected, full of energy. "One hundred million! That film by Huang Baiming, you just threw in a hundred million! Mr. Lin, I, Xiang Yeqiang, have been in Hong Kong for so many years, and I've never seen anyone invest like you before. You've got guts!"
Lin Dong smiled but didn't respond. "Xiang Sheng, is there something you need?"
"Yes. It's important." Xiang Yeqiang's voice became a little more subdued. "The pre-production for 'Prince of the Black Horse' is almost complete. Wang Jing's side is moving very quickly—the script is finalized, the crew is assembled, and several location scouting sites have been completed."
"Tomorrow at 2 PM, Andy Lau's studio will have a makeup and photoshoot. Both Andy Lau and Jiaxin will be getting their makeup done. Mr. Lin, you're the investor, so you'll be there tomorrow to oversee the process. If you're not satisfied with Jiaxin's styling, change it on the spot."
Lin Dong didn't hesitate. "What time?"
"2 PM. Tsim Sha Tsui, Andy Lau's studio."
Okay. See you tomorrow.
After hanging up the phone, he leaned back on the sofa and placed his phone on the coffee table.
From the day Xiang Yeqiang hosted the banquet at the Peninsula Hotel, it's been less than five days. The script, crew, and location shooting are all in place, and the costume fitting will be tomorrow.
Wang Jing may be fat and greasy, but when he gets to work, he's incredibly fast.
The bedroom door opened.
Li Jiaxin walked out barefoot, still wearing his white shirt. Her hair was messy, her eyes were half-open, and she seemed to float to the sofa as if sleepwalking, then fell down next to him, resting her head on his lap.
"Whose call was that?"
"Xiang Sheng. The costume fitting for 'Prince Charming' is tomorrow at 2 PM."
She hummed in agreement, rolled over, and buried her face in his legs. "Let's go together!"
Her voice was muffled, as if she wasn't fully awake. But as she spoke, her hand was already on his knee.
Lin Dong glanced down at her. Her shirt collar was open, and the mark left on her collarbone last night had turned from light red to dark red. Her breathing had evened out again, as if she might fall asleep again at any moment.
Outside the window, afternoon light streamed through the gaps in the curtains, falling directly on her calves. Those calves were long and smooth, with slender ankles and Achilles tendons whose lines flowed as if written in a single stroke.
He watched her for a while, then reached out and brushed the hair from her forehead.
This woman loves money, is shrewd, and calculating. But she is also decisive, clear-headed, and knows when to follow without hesitation.
…………
Mong Kok, tenement building, second floor.
Lai Chi sat in a chair, facing Wang Yalin and director Huang Jiahui. The script lay open on the table, the ink on the four characters "Mongkok Street" already dry.
"Mr. Lin specifically asked for you," Wang Yalin said bluntly, "The female lead."
Li Zhi did not respond.
Lin Dong. A billionaire, spending money like water, making headlines in all Hong Kong newspapers. His affair with Li Jiaxin has been a constant presence in the news ever since that night at the Peninsula Hotel. Now he's specifically asking her to be the female lead—she knows exactly what that means.
"Sister Wang," she began, "Mr. Lin and Miss Li..."
"You don't need to worry about those things." Wang Yalin leaned forward. "Lin Sheng invested money, we want the show. You're an actor, just play your role well. Don't think too much about the rest."
She stopped talking.
"This character is an ordinary girl on the streets of Mong Kok—kind, gentle, and stubborn—a perfect match for you."
Huang Jiahui added from the side, "Lin Sheng invested five million."
Wang Yalin stared at her: "If you refuse, you'll lose the five million. Think about it yourself."
Li Zhi lowered her head, her fingers gripping the edge of the script. A few seconds later, she looked up.
"I'll take it."
Wang Yalin breathed a sigh of relief. Huang Jiahui had already started flipping through the schedule.
"Preliminary preparations will be completed within a week. The contract will be signed tomorrow. Mr. Lin will be coming on the day filming begins, so get ready."
Li Zhi nodded.