In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

On the morning of August 21, a flight from Hong Kong Island to Kyoto landed smoothly at the Capital Airport.

Yang Guangming and his father, Yang Hongwen, disembarked from the plane with the crowd and set foot on Kyoto soil. The late summer sun was still somewhat scorching, but compared to the humid heat of Hong Kong Island, the dryness of Kyoto felt much more comfortable.

The father and son's clothing had changed drastically.

Yang Hongwen was dressed in a light-colored summer outfit; the fabric looked high-end, giving him a casual yet refined air. His leather shoes were gleaming, and a discreet but exquisitely crafted mechanical watch peeked from his wrist.

Yang Guangming was dressed in a simple white cotton short-sleeved shirt, paired with beige casual trousers and soft-soled leather casual shoes. He also wore a stylish wristwatch.

He was already tall and handsome, and this well-tailored outfit added to his fresh and elegant air of nobility, making him stand out among many passersby as he walked through the airport.

The two were each carrying a suitcase that looked quite heavy, and an airport staff member was following behind them, helping to push a luggage cart piled with several gift boxes and packaging bags of various sizes.

"Finally back." Yang Hongwen took a deep breath of the familiar air, his expression relaxed, but also carrying a sense of calm that came from weathering a great storm.

“Yes, home is still the best.” Yang Guangming smiled and agreed, his gaze sweeping over the airport’s slightly outdated but timeless decor, his eyes calm.

The father and son did not linger. They retrieved their checked luggage, hailed a taxi, and headed home.

The taxi wound its way through the streets of Kyoto. Looking out the window, Sunlight shone brightly. In just over two weeks, the city seemed unchanged, yet it felt strangely familiar.

Hong Kong Island presents a different picture of prosperity, with towering skyscrapers, neon lights illuminating the night, and a fast pace that can be almost unnerving. Kyoto, on the other hand, exudes a calm and steady sense of power, poised to unleash its full potential.

Yang Hongwen leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes to rest. The experience of the past two weeks had been just as impactful to him as the initial sight of those ten boxes of gold and a box of jewelry.

Let's rewind to August 1st.

That night, Yang Hongwen and Chen Zhiyun barely slept in their master bedroom. At dawn, as the first rays of sunlight pierced through the curtains, the couple had already made their decision.

At the breakfast table, the atmosphere remained somewhat delicate. Yang Guangming acted as usual, but the bloodshot eyes and slightly solemn expressions of Yang Hongwen and Chen Zhiyun betrayed the turmoil in their hearts.

"Obviously."

Yang Hongwen put down his chopsticks, his tone returning to its usual calm, but with an added decisiveness, "Your mother and I have discussed it. Converting that gold into cash domestically shouldn't be a problem. I have the channels; it will take time, but it's a safe bet."

But that box of jewelry…it's too conspicuous. There are currently no suitable and safe ways to liquidate it in China, and there's a lack of authoritative institutions to assess its value.

He looked at his son: "Didn't your master... that Mr. Yang, say that we should decide how to handle things ourselves? My idea is to go to Hong Kong Island."

That's a free port; the international auction houses, top collectors, and the jewelry industry are all well-established. It's safer to handle these items there, and you're more likely to get the price they deserve.

Yang Guangming was certain that this was exactly the direction he had hoped for.

He nodded: "Dad, you can decide. I have no idea what to do with so much jewelry."

What he said is perfectly reasonable. It's normal for a sixteen-year-old boy to feel flustered when he holds such a treasure.

Chen Zhiyun was a little worried: "Hongwen, are you going alone? Carrying so many valuables, is it safe on the road? Hong Kong Island is a place you don't know well."

Yang Hongwen pondered for a moment and said, "Safety is indeed an issue to consider. How about... I find two trustworthy friends..."

“Dad, I’ll go with you.” Yang Guangming spoke up at the right time, his eyes clear and firm. “I brought these things back, so I’ll feel at ease if I go with you. Besides… I also want to see what Hong Kong is like. Mom, don’t worry, I’ll listen to Dad and won’t run around.”

Chen Zhiyun looked at her husband, then at her son, and finally, worry prevailed: "No, it's too dangerous. I'm even more worried about the two of you going."

Yang Hongwen, however, saw a maturity beyond his years in his son's eyes. He recalled the clarity with which his son recounted his "master's" story, and his calm demeanor in the face of immense wealth. Perhaps his son wasn't as naive as he appeared.

More importantly, he had a deep-seated feeling that this windfall was due to his son, who might bring some kind of "luck" or "good fortune." Taking him along might make things go more smoothly.

“Zhiyun.” Yang Hongwen held his wife’s hand. “Let Mingming come along. He’s a big kid now, he should see the world. I’ll make the arrangements. Once we get to Hong Kong Island, we’ll stay in a proper hotel and contact the agency we’ve already found there to minimize our stay. We’ll go and come back quickly.”

Under her husband's insistence and her son's expectant gaze, Chen Zhiyun finally gave in, but repeatedly reminded him to be careful.

On August 5th, the father and son, carrying a small box of priceless jewelry and a small amount of spare valuables, boarded a flight to Hong Kong Island. Chen Zhiyun saw them off at the airport, her eyes slightly red, repeatedly giving them instructions until she watched their figures disappear through the security checkpoint.

The plane soared into the sky. Yang Guangming sat by the window, watching the surging sea of ​​clouds outside, but his thoughts drifted far away.

Hong Kong Island was no stranger to him. In previous lives, he had stayed here briefly, and even run businesses here for a period of time.

Although those memories are from a bygone era, the social landscape, economic pulse, and even some gray-area rules of Hong Kong Island during that period remain clear.

This time, he was no longer venturing out alone, but with his father from this life, with a clear goal and plenty of "ammunition".

Upon arriving at Kai Tak Airport on Hong Kong Island, a humid sea breeze greeted me. Before me lay the bustling and noisy scene typical of Hong Kong Island in the early 1990s: neon signs, double-decker buses, and well-dressed people hurrying by, all mixed with the cacophony of Cantonese, English, and Mandarin, creating a vibrant colonial urban landscape.

Yang Hongwen had contacted Mr. Chen, a jewelry broker in Hong Kong Island, through some connections on the mainland. Mr. Chen was in his forties, wore gold-rimmed glasses, spoke with a noticeable Hong Kong accent, and seemed quite capable. He picked up the father and son and arranged for them to stay at a long-established five-star hotel in Central.

After settling into the suite, Yang Hongwen didn't delay and immediately had a preliminary conversation with Mr. Chen in the room, showing him several samples from the jewelry box—a five-carat fancy vivid pink diamond and a ten-carat royal blue sapphire.

Even the well-traveled Mr. Chen couldn't help but gasp when he saw the actual gemstone. He examined it carefully for a long time before gently placing it back on the velvet cushion.

Mr. Chen adjusted his glasses, his tone complex, "Mr. Yang, these items are of top quality. Especially this pink diamond, its color and clarity are excellent, it's very rare. The sapphire is also top-grade."

If you entrust the auction to Sotheby's or Christie's and carefully plan an auction, you should be able to achieve a very good price.

Of course, if you're in a hurry to liquidate, I can also contact a few reputable private collectors. The price might be slightly lower than the auction price, but it will be faster and more discreet.

Yang Hongwen glanced at his son, and Yang Guangming nodded slightly.

“Mr. Chen, we are in a bit of a rush and hope to resolve this as soon as possible. As long as the price is fair and the method is safe, we are open to private transactions,” Yang Hongwen said.

Mr. Chen nodded: "Understood. I will arrange it as soon as possible. However, Mr. Yang, such valuable items require a very careful transaction process, which may take at least two or three days."

“Okay, we’ll wait,” Yang Hongwen replied calmly.

Over the next two days, accompanied by Mr. Chen, Yang Hongwen met with two low-profile wealthy collectors. The process went more smoothly than expected.

The other party clearly knew their stuff and had conducted a simple background check on Yang Hongwen and his son through their own channels—a family of intellectuals from the mainland, seemingly with some background, but not particularly prominent. This actually reassured them, leading them to believe it might be a family heirloom from their early years, now being sold off.

After several rounds of negotiations, the small box containing a total of thirteen top-quality gemstones was finally packaged and sold for US$12.8 million to one of the wealthy Chinese businessmen with a powerful background and businesses throughout Southeast Asia.

The transaction was witnessed by a lawyer throughout, and the funds were transferred in batches to the company account that Yang Hongwen had just opened at a Hong Kong Island bank through a secure offshore account channel.

When the notification came that the first large sum of money had arrived, even though he was mentally prepared, Yang Hongwen's hand holding the hotel room phone still trembled slightly.

More than ten million US dollars—an astonishing fortune he could never have imagined before!

He looked at his son, who was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper. Yang Guangming looked up and smiled at him, a calm smile that suggested he had everything under control.

“Dad, this is just the beginning.” Yang Guangming put down his newspaper, walked to his father’s side, and said in a low voice, “Last night… I received a call from Master.”

Yang Hongwen's heart skipped a beat: "What did your master say?"

"The master said that we handled this matter very decisively, and he was very satisfied with what he heard."

Yang Guangming lowered his voice, a hint of excitement and mystery subtly appearing in his eyes. "He said... this is only a small part. More 'things' will be delivered later, and we should prepare to receive and process them in Hong Kong."

He suggested...we could consider setting up a company on Hong Kong Island specifically to manage these funds and make some investments. He said...there are many opportunities on Hong Kong Island and in the future mainland.”

Yang Hongwen's breath hitched. More? Setting up a company? Investing?
This was a huge amount of information. But considering the huge sum of money he already had and his son's unwavering claim that "his master had told him," he couldn't help but believe it.

"What else did your master... say? What advice did he give regarding investment directions?" Yang Hongwen's voice was dry.

"He didn't go into details. He just said that if I had any questions after the company was established, I would contact my mentor."

Yang Guangming shook his head. "Under my persistent questioning, my mentor only said that he would give specific guidance after the company was established."

"And another thing," Yang Guangming added, his tone becoming more serious, "My master reminded me that while one should be low-key in one's actions, one can have a grand vision. When wealth comes, one should make it work and create greater value. Always hiding it away or just depositing it in the bank is too conservative."

These words completely ignited the long-suppressed ambition deep within Yang Hongwen's heart.

He was a shrewd businessman by nature, but previously, limited by capital, he could only struggle in a small pond. Now, a vast ocean seems to have suddenly appeared before him.

In the days that followed, the father and son became exceptionally busy.

Under the banner of "Master's advice" from Yang Guangming, Yang Hongwen used the US dollar funds as start-up capital and, with the assistance of Mr. Chen and his legal team, quickly registered several companies in Hong Kong Island.

At its core is an investment company called "Qiming Capital," along with several related shell companies, paving the way for future business operations.

Registering a company, leasing an office in Central as an office, recruiting initial finance, legal, and assistant staff... all of this was completed at an astonishing speed thanks to money and the efficient operation of intermediaries.

Yang Hongwen demonstrated exceptional learning and adaptability, quickly getting into the swing of things and beginning to think and act as a company boss.

Yang Guangming, "at the opportune moment," once again used the excuse that "his master arranged for someone to deliver it" to take out a portion of the gold and jewelry stored in his space and hand it over to his father in several installments.

Each time, someone would deliver the items to the hotel when Yang Hongwen was not around.

The amount of stuff kept increasing, from hundreds of kilograms of gold to several boxes of top-quality jewelry. Yang Hongwen went from initial shock to numbness, and then to a mix of excitement and tension as he was swept forward by a tremendous force.

With more "ammunition," the monetization efforts continued. This time, it wasn't limited to top-tier jewelry; large quantities of gold also quietly entered the market through various channels.

As Asia's financial center, Hong Kong Island has an extremely strong absorption capacity. As long as the goods are good, the price is right, and the source seems "reasonable," there will always be buyers.

Meanwhile, at Yang Guangming's "suggestion," Qiming Capital's accounts began to become active.

Yang Guangming didn't immediately give specific stock codes or trading instructions. Instead, he casually discussed with his father some economic viewpoints that "his master had mentioned," such as the development potential of US tech stocks, the long-term value of certain Hong Kong blue-chip stocks, and his absolute optimism about the prospects of China's reform and opening up...

First, after the father has a correct understanding of the overall picture, we can then start discussing specific operations.

Yang Guangming helped his father grow up quickly through this method.

In just half a month, Qiming Capital emerged quietly in the sea of ​​capital in Hong Kong, like a rising star injected with enormous energy.

Before leaving Hong Kong Island, the father and son had accumulated more than US$84 million in cash by selling gold and jewelry.

Part of this money remained in an overseas account, while the rest was injected into Qiming Capital through compliant channels, marking the initial stage of its financial restructuring.

Yang Hongwen's heart remained in suspense.

Such a large amount of money being transferred in such a short time often woke him up from his dreams, fearing that it was all an illusion and that unpredictable risks would befall him at any moment.

But every time he sees his son's calm face and hears his affirmation in the name of "Master," he forces himself to calm down.

Unbeknownst to him, behind all this lay Sunshine Ming's accumulated knowledge over generations: a clear memory of the global and regional economic and financial trends during this period, and a highly secure profit-making path tailored to the unique environment of Hong Kong Island.

Those seemingly casual "mentor suggestions" are actually carefully selected by Yang Guangming, representing directions with relatively low risk and clear expected returns.

On their last night in Hong Kong, the father and son dined at the hotel’s rooftop restaurant, overlooking the dazzling night view of Victoria Harbour.

“Mingming.” Yang Hongwen swirled the red wine in his glass, his gaze somewhat deep. “These past two weeks have felt like a dream. Sometimes, I’m really afraid I’ll wake up from this dream.”

“Dad, it’s not a dream.” Yang Guangming cut his steak with composure. “The ingredients are real, the money is real, and the company is real. Master… has given us an unprecedented starting point.”

“Yes, it’s a starting point.” Yang Hongwen sighed, looking at his son. “The pressure is unprecedented. So much money invested; if we make a profit, great, but what if we lose it…”

"You won't lose money."

Yang Guangming raised his head, his eyes appearing exceptionally clear and resolute under the soft restaurant lights. "I trust Dad's judgment, and I also trust... Master's assessment. Even if there are setbacks, as long as the general direction is right, we can afford to lose this principal. Didn't Master say this is just pocket money?"

Yang Hongwen smiled bitterly.

Pocket money? More than 80 million US dollars in pocket money? Just who is this Mr. Yang?
But he didn't ask any further questions.

Some things are better left unknown. All he needs to know is that his son is the bond, wealth is the tool, and now he has a stage where he can truly realize his ambitions.

“I’ll go back and stay for a while to arrange things at home and on the business. I need to come back as soon as possible,” Yang Hongwen planned. “Qiming Capital has just been set up and needs someone to oversee it. I also need to keep an eye on the investments. In addition…”

He paused, then lowered his voice: "The matter your master mentioned, the ATV shares... I've asked around, and there are indeed rumors that the Chiu Te-ken family intends to sell their controlling stake. However, many people are eyeing it, including bigwigs like Lim Por-yen and Cheng Yu-tung. With our limited funds, it's too difficult to snatch food from their mouths."

Yang Guangming smiled slightly: "Dad, anything is possible. Just because we don't have enough now doesn't mean we won't have enough this time next year."

The key is to plan ahead. Once we have the strength, we can start operating immediately and let others see our strength and sincerity.

"Since Master brought it up, he must have his reasons. We'll do our best. If we succeed, great; if not, we can still gain experience and connections." Yang Hongwen watched his son speak eloquently, his heart filled with emotion.

He had witnessed the changes in his son over the past two weeks. Although he still retained the appearance of a young boy and occasionally showed innocence, his composure, knowledge, and perspective in his speech and behavior far exceeded his age.

Perhaps this is the result of the influence of that mysterious master.

"Okay, let's take it one step at a time." Yang Hongwen raised his glass, "For tomorrow."

"For tomorrow." Yang Guangming also raised his juice glass and gently clinked it against his.

……

The taxi stopped at the entrance of the residential area. Yang Guangming paid the fare and, together with his father, unloaded the large and small bags of luggage from the car.

As they walked into the familiar neighborhood and saw the familiar scenery, the father and son smiled at each other, both feeling a subtle sense of "returning home in glory," despite their best efforts to hide it.

It was Chen Zhiyun who opened the door. She had obviously been waiting at home, and quickly walked to the door when she heard the key.

When the door opened, Chen Zhiyun saw her husband and son, who were unharmed and even looked better than when she left. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

"Mom, we're back!" Yang Guangming called out with a smile, put down his luggage, and gave his mother a hug.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!" Chen Zhiyun hugged her son, looked him up and down, and then looked at her husband, "Hongwen, are you... alright? Is everything alright?"

"Smoothly, very smoothly." Yang Hongwen nodded with a smile, his eyes warm. "Zhiyun, I'm sorry to have worried you."

The three entered the house and closed the door. Only then did Chen Zhiyun notice the new clothes worn by the father and son, as well as the pile of obviously "Hong Kong goods" on the floor.

"What are you doing here..." she said, somewhat surprised.

"Mom, Dad and I bought you lots of gifts in Hong Kong!"

With a flourish, Yang Guangming began rummaging through her luggage, pulling out several exquisite paper bags and gift boxes. "Look, this is the dress I bought for you, from Chanel, and this set of skincare products, from Lancôme... And this necklace and earrings, Dad picked them out, I think they suit you perfectly!"

He took out a pearl necklace and earrings inlaid with small diamonds, which shimmered with a warm and dazzling light under the living room lights.

Chen Zhiyun is an artist and has a natural sensitivity to beauty.

The dress's cut and fabric, the skincare brand, the jewelry's design and luster—everything exuded an air of immense value. She accepted it, pleased with it, but feeling a sense of unreality and a pang of heartache.

"This...how much does this cost? It's too expensive..." She touched the smooth fabric of the dress and scolded, "You two, you can't just waste money like this."

“Zhiyun”.

Yang Hongwen put his arm around his wife's shoulder, his tone gentle yet firm, "Before, our circumstances were limited, but now it's different. We can afford these things. You've worried about our family for so many years, it's time for you to enjoy yourself. Mingming's actions show your filial piety, so please accept them."

Yang Guangming chimed in, "Yeah, Mom, you should try it! It'll definitely look amazing!"

After being persuaded by the father and son, Chen Zhiyun reluctantly took the clothes and jewelry into the bedroom. A little while later, she changed into a new dress, put on a necklace and earrings, and came out.

The light beige dress, with its well-fitting cut, perfectly accentuated her elegant and intellectual temperament.

The pearl jewelry shimmered subtly around her neck and ears, enhancing her overall elegance without being ostentatious. Already well-maintained, she was even more radiant with this touch of adornment.

"It's so beautiful!" Yang Guangming exclaimed sincerely.

Yang Hongwen's eyes were full of appreciation and affection: "I told you this set would suit you."

Chen Zhiyun felt a little embarrassed by the stares from her husband and son, but a happy smile still appeared on her face.

No woman doesn't love beauty and enjoy being cherished and praised by her loved ones. She walked to the full-length mirror, looked herself over, and the guilt she felt about the purchase gradually faded with joy.

"You guys..." she turned around, her smile gentle, "always trying to make me happy. Come on, sit down and rest. Are you hungry? I'll go make something to eat. What would you like to eat?"

"Mom, just make some simple home-cooked dishes. I don't like the food in Hong Kong, so I just want to eat your cooking," Yang Guangming said with a smile.

“Yes, something light,” Yang Hongwen agreed.

Chen Zhiyun smiled and agreed, took off her new clothes, carefully put them away, changed into her pajamas, tied on an apron, and went into the kitchen. The familiar sounds of pots and pans clattering filled the air, and the warm atmosphere of home instantly filled the entire space.

Yang Guangming and his father put away the gifts they brought back. The gifts for relatives and friends were ordinary Hong Kong specialties, such as snacks, medicine, and small appliances—nothing out of the ordinary. The truly valuable items were carefully put away.

Lunch was a feast, consisting of Chen Zhiyun's signature home-style dishes.

The family sat around the dining table, eating and chatting.

Yang Hongwen gave a general account of his experiences in Hong Kong, avoiding specific transaction details and amounts. He only mentioned that things went smoothly, he made some friends, investigated the market, and that there might be some business dealings in the future.

Chen Zhiyun listened attentively. Although she still had doubts, seeing the long-lost sharpness in her husband's eyes and her son's safe and seemingly more composed state, she chose to trust and support him.

After the meal, Yang Hongwen did not rest. He changed into ordinary clothes and hurriedly went out.

Although the trip to Hong Kong Island was very rewarding, there were still some things at home that needed to be arranged.

His small-scale educational publishing company and art training center, though insignificant compared to the business he was about to embark on, were still the fruits of his labor and needed to be properly managed in preparation for his potential long-term travels to Hong Kong Island or overseas.

Furthermore, domestic channels for converting gold into cash need to be further developed. He's uneasy about keeping so much gold at home; he feels more at ease converting it into cash and depositing it in a bank.

Yang Guangming stayed at home, chatting with his mother, helping her with housework, and telling her about the local customs and culture of Hong Kong, which made Chen Zhiyun laugh continuously.

As evening fell, Yang Hongwen returned, his face showing signs of fatigue, but his eyes were bright.

Dinner was, as usual, a warm family time. After finishing the meal and tidying up, the three of them sat on the living room sofa, drinking tea and watching TV.

The evening news ended, and commercials began. Yang Hongwen picked up the remote and turned the volume down, and the living room quieted down.

He picked up the teacup, blew on the floating leaves, took a sip, then put the cup down, looked at his son, and his expression became somewhat solemn.

"Mingming, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

Yang Guangming was peeling an orange when he heard this and looked up: "Dad, what is it?"

Chen Zhiyun also put down her knitting needles and looked over.

"It's about your future development." Yang Hongwen carefully chose his words. "Haven't you always been interested in acting and wanted to go to acting school to become an actor?"

Yang Guangming nodded. This was indeed the original owner's dream, and one of the directions he planned to experience in this life.

“This afternoon, I went to the training class and heard some news,” Yang Hongwen said. “You know Jiang Wen, right? The one who acted in ‘Red Sorghum’ and ‘Hibiscus Town’, a very talented actor, is now transitioning to directing and is preparing to shoot his directorial debut, called ‘In the Heat of the Sun’.”

Yang Guangming's heart skipped a beat. He certainly knew this film; it was a classic. The filming time also matched up.

"This movie is currently casting, especially for the male lead," Yang Hongwen continued. "The male lead is named Ma Xiaojun, and he's supposed to be a sixteen or seventeen-year-old kid. You're the perfect age."

Chen Zhiyun's eyes lit up: "This is an opportunity! Jiang Wen is a big star, his movie will definitely get a lot of attention."

Yang Hongwen shook his head slightly and looked at his son: "However, there is a problem. I heard from a friend inside that Jiang Wen has a very stubborn idea about the male lead's appearance - he wants the actor to look like himself."

He paused, looking at his son's exceptionally handsome face: "Mingming, you are too handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a high nose, and you have absolutely no resemblance to Jiang Wen."

This is the biggest obstacle.

So, I just heard about this opportunity and felt I should tell you, but the chances of success... are probably slim. Whether you want to give it a try is up to you. Even if it doesn't work out, it'll be a learning experience.”

Yang Guangming remained silent for a moment, his mind racing.

In "In the Heat of the Sun," Ma Xiaojun is a truly memorable character. The original actor possessed acting skills and a high level of talent, while Ma Xiaojun himself had a profound understanding of the character and human relationships gained from his experiences across multiple lifetimes. He was confident that with preparation and adjustment, he could handle the role and might even bring a different flavor to it.

But my father was right, my appearance is a major flaw.

As a director, especially for his debut film, Jiang Wen's imagination of the characters is likely to be very specific and persistent. If he considers "like himself" as an important or even decisive criterion, then his chances are indeed slim.

However… with an opportunity right in front of him, giving up without even trying is not his style. Moreover, he now has “bargaining chips” that he didn’t have before.

"Dad, Mom." Yang Guangming put down the orange, wiped his hands, sat up straight, and said with clear and serious eyes, "I want to give it a try."

Yang Hongwen and Chen Zhiyun both looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

“I know that appearance might be a problem,” Yang Guangming said slowly. “But I think that ultimately, acting is about whether you can bring a character to life. I can try to make up for the difference in appearance with my acting skills, or see if I can make some adjustments to the styling. After all, Ma Xiaojun in the script doesn’t necessarily have to look like Jiang Wen herself, right?”

"That's true, but it's hard to change a director's first impression and preconceived notions," Yang Hongwen said realistically.

“If… if the acting and styling adjustments aren’t enough,” Yang Guangming changed the subject, looking at his father, “could we try a different approach? For example… investment.”

Yang Hongwen raised an eyebrow: "Investment?"

"Correct."

Yang Guangming nodded. "Dad, you have that ability now. If we get involved as investors and support director Jiang Wen's film, wouldn't we have some say in the selection of the main actors?"
I'm not saying we should force a selection process, but rather that we should strive for a fair audition opportunity where we can let our abilities speak for themselves.

If my acting skills can truly move him, coupled with the investors' goodwill and support, would he be willing to reconsider his physical appearance standards?

He paused, then added, "Moreover, investing in this film could be a good business opportunity in itself. Jiang Wen's directorial debut will garner a lot of attention. Even if not for my sake, it's worth considering from a purely commercial perspective."

Yang Hongwen fell into deep thought. His son's suggestion coincided with a thought that had crossed his mind during his journey home that afternoon.

In the past, if he were asked to invest millions in a movie just to give his son a chance to play the lead role, he would have thought it was crazy and would have needed to weigh the risks repeatedly.

But now, the family's assets have been completely transformed. Tens of millions of US dollars lie in their Hong Kong account, and 100 kilograms of gold in mainland China await liquidation. A few million RMB is indeed just a "small sum."

Using this "small amount of money" to pave the way for your son's dream and to try a cultural investment project that may bring returns seems like a worthwhile "deal."

More importantly, he was touched by the longing and earnestness in his son's eyes.

Since his "adventure," this child has become too sensible and too composed, and has hardly ever made any personal requests. This is the first time he has clearly expressed his desire to fight for a certain opportunity.

As a father, now that I have the means, why shouldn't I support him?

Chen Zhiyun listened from the side, somewhat surprised by her son's line of thinking, but even more surprised that her husband was actually seriously considering it.

She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but seeing her husband's thoughtful expression, she held back. She didn't understand business matters, but she trusted her husband's judgment.

After a long while, Yang Hongwen raised his head, his gaze becoming firm.

“You’re right, Mingming,” he said in a deep voice. “That’s one way of thinking. Investing can support talented artists on the one hand, and it can also create opportunities for you on the other. If Jiang Wen insists on his appearance, then there’s nothing we can do. But if he’s willing to give you a fair chance to compete, I believe in your acting skills.”

He looked at his son, a smile appearing on his face—a smile that carried both a father's tolerance and a businessman's sharpness.
"It's just an investment, right? Our family can afford it. Even if the movie loses money in the end, we can still afford to lose a few million. Consider it fulfilling a dream for you and buying you a valuable experience."

A warm feeling welled up in Yang Guangming's heart. His father in this life had indeed not disappointed him. He was responsible, decisive, and knew how to adapt.

"Thank you, Dad!" he said sincerely.

"Don't thank me yet."

Yang Hongwen waved his hand, "Whether it will work out or not depends on whether Jiang Wen needs money and how we negotiate."

I'll contact her tomorrow morning to see if we can arrange a meeting with Jiang Wen to talk things over in person. Although we're not close, we've met at school, so getting you an audition shouldn't be a problem.

"Get ready. If the appointment goes through, you'll come with me. When you do, do your best and let Jiang Wen see your talent and potential."

"Yes!" Yang Guangming nodded vigorously.

Chen Zhiyun watched as the father and son reached a consensus. Although she still felt that the method was a bit "extravagant," she was mostly gratified.

The husband and son are of one mind and work together towards their goal; that's better than anything else.

“Then you should talk to them properly tomorrow,” she said softly. “Whether it works out or not, you need to be polite. Jiang Wen is a famous actress after all, so you need to respect her.”

"Don't worry, Mom," Yang Guangming said with a smile. (End of Chapter)