While agonizing, Zhang Tianxing's phone rang.
"Hello, son, I have something to tell you. Your canned food factory currently has over a million in cash. What do you plan to do?" Old Buddha Liang Juan's voice came through.
Upon hearing this figure, Zhang Tianxing was stunned for a moment. "Mom, first, let's expand production. That canned food factory needs to scale up, otherwise, its output will be easily limited."
The canned food factory could make money quickly, like a hen laying eggs, and eggs hatching more hens, for an endless lineage.
"We've already started the expansion. The district approved the land, and our factory building is almost complete. We'll need to order two fully automatic production lines then."
It seemed his mother's vision had broadened, immediately thinking of two fully automatic production lines.
"Do we still have money in the factory then?" Two fully automatic production lines were no small expense. Could the canned food factory afford them?
"There's no problem. The factory's current earnings far exceed your imagination."
"Okay, I understand. I'll contact you about the production lines right away."
"Oh, and do you want that million? If you do, have Shengnan transfer it to you. Don't mistreat yourself when you're out there, and listen to your teachers. If things really don't work out, buy a couple of apartments in Zhonghai City."
Good heavens, so that's why my dear mother is sending me money, asking me to order production lines and buy apartments. A million seems a bit low. My elder is truly at ease, aren't they afraid I'll squander this million?
Men tend to go bad when they have money, and that money usually refers to the threshold of one million.
However, Zhang Tianxing was indifferent to this amount now. A million was still a bit too little.
He wanted to invest in all three of Guo Jiajia's projects, and he also wanted to buy a car.
One million could only accomplish one thing. He was still too poor.
Now, it all depended on how well "A Chinese Odyssey" performed at the box office.
The better the box office, the higher Tianxing Investment Company's standing in the industry would be.
Now, it all hinged on how far "A Chinese Odyssey" could go at the box office.
On the fourth day, the box office figures were released. "A Chinese Odyssey" overshadowed "Stealing the Trap," and on the fourth day, its daily earnings surpassed "Stealing the Trap."
People couldn't believe their eyes. They never expected a movie that most people didn't have high hopes for to outperform "Stealing the Trap" at the box office.
As long as there were no major changes, "A Chinese Odyssey" would surpass "Stealing the Trap" in the Chinese domestic box office.
This greatly boosted the confidence of film industry professionals.
Now, it seemed that Chinese films weren't inherently bad, but rather that Chinese cinema needed to adopt a route of quality, producing commercial films with substance.
People's attention now turned to the movie "Star Wars Prequel." How far "A Chinese Odyssey" would be from "Star Wars Prequel" was a topic of great concern to countless people.
Surpassing "Star Wars Prequel" was impossible. "Star Wars Prequel" was a globally popular film.
It was the undisputed box office leader in countless countries and regions.
The content and quality of the movie also lived up to its number one title, whether it was the director's arrangements or the actors' performances.
"Chinese films are about to rise, and 'A Chinese Odyssey' has overpowered the foreign blockbuster 'Stealing the Trap' this time!"
"Whenever I watch foreign blockbusters, I wonder when domestic films will reach this height. I never expected 'A Chinese Odyssey' to get this far."
"Although 'A Chinese Odyssey' is still below 'Star Wars Prequel,' I think it's great. How many days did it take to shoot 'A Chinese Odyssey,' and how much did it cost? How much did 'Star Wars Prequel' cost, and how many days did it take to shoot? These two are incomparable, so I think 'A Chinese Odyssey' is amazing."
Guo Jiajia's eyes widened like cartoon characters when she learned that "A Chinese Odyssey" had surpassed "Stealing the Trap."
"Mr. Zhang, Zhang Tianxing, I'd like to ask, how did you know 'A Chinese Odyssey' would be a hit? How did you choose this movie?"
This question had been on Guo Jiajia's mind for a long time. Why was "A Chinese Odyssey" chosen among so many movies?
Especially since its lead actor, Stephen Chow, had fallen to being a second-rate actor, she couldn't understand why "A Chinese Odyssey" became popular.
"There's really nothing special about it. I just felt deeply moved when I watched 'A Chinese Odyssey' and realized it was a classic that shouldn't be buried. So, I wanted to promote it." Zhang Tianxing also didn't expect the box office surprise to come so suddenly.
Initially, he just wanted to prevent this movie from being lost to the annals of history. If others wouldn't pick it up, he had to do it himself.
Fortunately, he had a million. Without money, even the cleverest cook couldn't make a meal without ingredients. Everything happened at the right time.
It seemed the box office success of "A Chinese Odyssey" was not accidental; the movie was indeed a classic.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to break through among so many classic blockbusters.
However, it seemed that this was the extent of its reach. "A Chinese Odyssey" stopped its frantic growth trend from the previous few days.
Countless people sighed with regret. If only it could have surpassed "Star Wars Prequel."
If that had happened, it would have been the annual box office champion.
It was amusing to think that a movie from five years ago could reach the top three in box office rankings.
Was the enemy too weak, or was our army too strong?
But without a doubt, Tianxing Investment Company had made a fortune this time.
Hao Fangfang even sent a text message to remind Zhang Tianxing.
"Zhang the Skinflint, you've made money again this time. Don't forget, it was I who threaded the needle and led the way for you. Don't forget me."
Zhang Tianxing glanced at it. He thought about calling to thank her, but then he put his hand down.
Forget it. As long as he knew about it, a phone call wasn't necessary.
On the fifth day, "A Chinese Odyssey" and "Star Wars Prequel" both maintained their box office performance from the previous day. It seemed the box office battle had concluded.
Tianxing Investment Company profited handsomely.
...
Taking advantage of the box office heat of "A Chinese Odyssey," Stephen Chow also re-entered the public's view.
Invitations to film with Stephen Chow poured in. However, after rejecting all offers, Stephen Chow only said one thing:
"I want to make a good movie, to say goodbye to the past few years. I want to prove myself."
Everyone was stunned. What did Stephen Chow want to do? Did he still want to make his own movies?
The success of "A Chinese Odyssey" after five years was pure coincidence. If this next one flopped again, there would be no chance of a comeback.
Andy Lau advised, "Sing, you can choose a suitable script to film. Everyone inviting you this time is very sincere. I don't know what you're thinking."
"Brother Hua, it's like this. I want to say goodbye to the past. If I don't say goodbye, I feel like my acting can't break through. Just like these past few years, I've been relegated to being a second-rate actor." Stephen Chow said in a deep voice.
Everyone vied to invite him, but they were only drawn to the fame of "A Chinese Odyssey." If he couldn't be reborn from the ashes, he would only fade into mediocrity as a second-rate actor.
After he finished writing his script, he would go to the mainland to visit that Tianxing Investment Company. They were his destined benefactors.
Without them re-releasing "A Chinese Odyssey," Stephen Chow might have lost the courage to continue acting in the entertainment industry.
One moment of fame brings renown to the world; one moment of downfall leaves one isolated.