Soul Returns to Hong Kong: From Tailor Shop to Richest Woman

In late July, posters for "The Magic Academy Exchange Student" could be seen everywhere on the streets of Hong Kong.

The poster's bottom line reads in large print: "Simultaneous global release on August 6th."

When Lin Qian first saw this poster downstairs, he stood in front of the pillar for a full three minutes, staring at it: "Sister, did you really write this?"

Lin Ying glanced at it and said, "Mm."

"It's even more impressive than the posters for 'Death by Light' and 'The Gambling King'."

Lin Lanying came out of the supermarket carrying groceries and saw the siblings standing in front of the poster: "Have you finished looking at it? If you're done, go home."

Friday, August 6th, arrived quickly.

That evening, Lin Lanying bought groceries early and called Lin Fu and Li Yuzhen in the New Territories to come out to see a movie. Lin Yaoying and Deng Hui also came with Lin Yue, and He Dazhu had taken the day off.

When the family arrived at the theater, there was already a long queue at the entrance. A number of young people were gathered around the posters, including students, office workers in suits, and a few foreigners standing to the side reading the English synopsis.

Lin Yue held Lin Ying's hand and whispered, "Big sister, is it scary inside?"

"It's not a horror movie."

"What if I can't understand it?"

"If you don't understand, just watch the show."

Lin Yue felt relieved: "Then I'll watch the show."

After entering, the lights dimmed; Lin Ying sat in the middle, with Lin Lanying to her left and He Dazhu to her right; this time, unlike the previous two, "Death by Light" was a small local Hong Kong project, her first attempt, gambling on novelty and pacing. "The Gambling King" was gambling on thrills. This film, "The Magic Academy Exchange Student," took an international approach.

Boss Peng spent a lot of money traveling overseas and to mainland China, staying on set, and overseeing the editing; she also put all her effort into writing a script that could be accepted by this era. If this film flops, outsiders will definitely say that Eastern content is just not suitable for Western audiences and will make them a laughing stock.

On screen, when the Eastern boy first entered the Western magic academy, the theater was relatively quiet. A few blond students deliberately knocked his sword to the ground with their wands, and a member of the audience muttered, "Damn, they're bullying him."

The story unfolds; the Eastern boy, unable to understand the rules, is punished by being made to stand, mocked, and placed in a cold, gloomy tower. He doesn't use a wand, only paper talismans to gauge the wind direction, and a wooden sword to practice his movements. Several Western students nearby laugh at him, calling him a "country bumpkin with a wooden stick."

A few scattered laughs drifted from the theater, all of them holding back, waiting for him to retaliate.

Lin Ying breathed a sigh of relief; the audience's emotions had caught up with the plot's pace.

In the latter half, the castle's dark magic spiraled out of control; wands snapped one by one, and the Western magic circles set up by the teachers were swallowed by the black mist. The once arrogant blond student, hiding behind the crumbling walls, asked, "Was your sword really effective?"

The young man from the East did not answer. He tore open his sleeve and used cinnabar to make the final stroke on the talisman paper. The moment the sword was drawn, golden talismans lit up one by one along the broken walls of the ancient castle.

After this scene finished playing, the entire theater went silent.

Immediately afterwards, the Eastern youth on the screen stepped onto the rubble, drew his sword, and cleaved through the black mist. Golden runic light surged from the ruins, and the collapsed Western magic circle was re-supported by the Eastern formation...

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The next day, newspapers were filled with reports: "Eastern Talismans Infiltrate Western Castles, 'Magic Academy Exchange Students' Premiere Receives Raging Reviews!"

[The yellow-skinned boy drew his sword and broke the deadlock, drawing thunderous applause from the audience!]

[From "Dead in the Light" to "The Gambling King," and then to eleven-year-old screenwriter Lin Ying in "Exchange Student at the Magic Academy," she has won three battles in a row!]

On the third day, the theater began adding extra shows.

On the fifth day, Boss Peng called first: "Screenwriter Lin! It's a hit! It's a hit in mainland China! There's news from London too, the initial audience feedback is excellent! In the US, we still need to see the weekend data, but the distributor has changed their mind and is urgently asking me if I have a sequel outline!"

Lin Ying breathed a sigh of relief: "Uncle Peng, there's no rush for a sequel."

"I know you want to study," Boss Peng laughed uncontrollably. "I'm not pressuring you to write now. I'm just telling you that you've really sent this young man from the East to a big city. Uncle Peng is also benefiting from your success. Now in Hong Kong, let's see who dares to say I only know how to speculate on real estate!"

The call had barely ended when Su Zhihao called again.

"Ah Ying, you're something else now," Su Zhihao said bluntly. "People outside are already calling you a screenwriter of masterpieces. Three plays, all three were hits. Do you know what those movie bosses are saying?"

Lin Ying asked, "What do you mean?"

"Whoever gets your notebook is the first to touch the God of Wealth's shoes!" Su Zhihao laughed. "These bastards are eyeing it red with envy. Some of these shady companies, with a little dirty money in their hands, think they can buy anything in Hong Kong. You absolutely mustn't meet with anyone indiscriminately lately!"

Lin Lanying happened to be carrying the dishes out when she heard this and immediately came over.

Lin Ying glanced at her mother and said into the phone, "Second Uncle, if I have a good script, I'll think of you first. But I haven't had any new inspiration lately."

"No, no! Don't force yourself to write something just for those people's money!" Su Zhihao now acted like a big shot. "Boss Peng and I will hold them off outside for you! If any fools dare to come looking for you, let them come have tea with me, Su Zhihao, first!"

Things developed even faster than Su Zhihao had predicted; in less than a week, the Lin family's phone was ringing non-stop.

A newspaper reporter wanted to arrange an exclusive interview. An entertainment magazine wanted to come to Taikoo Shing to take photos of Lin Ying writing a script at home. A TV station representative even said they wanted to do a feature on "genius screenwriters".

Lin Lanying initially declined politely, but after receiving an overwhelming number of phone calls, she eventually invited Shen Yanwen, the top lawyer from across the hall, to come over.

Attorney Shen sat in the living room of Taikoo Shing, flipping through several business cards that paparazzi had slipped under the door: "Mrs. Lin has refused them all. Lin Ying is a minor, and any interviews, filming, or public appearances require her guardian's consent. They can't force you to agree."

Lin Lanying asked, "What if we get stuck downstairs?"

"Call security, and if that doesn't work, call the police." Shen Yanwen told Lin Lanying the seriousness of the situation: "Hong Kong has clear laws protecting minors. Especially since she's not an ordinary child now, but a minor with great commercial value, we need to be even more careful to prevent capital from using her as a gimmick."

Lin Lanying sighed, "Alas, it's true what they say, 'People are afraid of becoming famous, just as pigs are afraid of getting fat.'"

Lin Ying sat in her bedroom, working on the latest math Olympiad problems;

Lin Lanying walked to the door and looked at her daughter: "Aying, you really won't do an interview?"

"I won't accept it." Lin Ying closed the book. "The less I talk now, the more valuable I become."

In the past few days, Boss Peng and Su Zhihao have indeed shielded her from a lot of people.

With his overseas distribution and the huge success of "The Magic Academy Exchange Student," Boss Peng now wields far more influence in Hong Kong's entertainment industry than before. When someone asks him about Lin Ying, he simply smiles and deflects the question: "The kid's about to enter middle school; don't scare her with your money."

When someone tried to bypass him and offer a high price for the script, he simply gave them the cold shoulder.

When the owners of several small film companies asked Su Zhihao about it, Su Zhihao's expression immediately changed: "I already told you he needs to study! He's still a student, he's busy with his grades, he doesn't have time, he doesn't have time!"

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When the news came back, Lin Lanying was very satisfied: "These two people can still handle things."

Lin Ying leaned back in her chair, twirling a pen in her hand: "They didn't just stand there for nothing. They're waiting for my next notebook too."

Lin Lanying looked at her: "So, when you told your second uncle you had no inspiration, was that true or false?"

Lin Ying stopped what she was doing.

She had too many mature themes that had been proven successful in later generations: comedy, crime, urban, science fiction, business warfare, each of which could bring in tens of millions of dollars.

Lin Ying knew very well.

With three movies hitting theaters in a row, she's been elevated to a very high status. At this point, if she were to casually pull out a script, it would only make everyone think she can endlessly write money-making scripts and produce content without rest.

A smooth journey is more likely to lead to trouble; things that are too easily obtained are often taken for granted by capital. Money can never be fully earned, but a person's talent and energy are ultimately limited.

"To be honest, I just started secondary school in September. I won't be writing any more scripts for the next year."

"Not writing for a whole year?" He Dazhu was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, I'll take a year to reflect," Lin Ying continued. "The more I'm fawned over, the more I want to gracefully withdraw."

Lin Lanying nodded: "Then let's focus on our studies first. Mommy will handle anything else outside."

Lin Qian whispered from the side, "Sister, will you still write movies in the future?"

"Write."

"When will you write it?"

Lin Ying looked at the news on TV: "Let me see the details. Next time, we'll find out what the audience is willing to pay for."