Just because I wrote "Zhu Xian," the school beauty sent me razor blades.

Chapter 52 Betting on the Sky

October 7th, 2 PM.

Tianxing Entertainment Headquarters, 32nd Floor Conference Room.

Five people sat on either side of the long table.

On the left are three senior executives of Tianxing: Chairman Sun Heming, Chief Financial Officer Lü Fang, and Business Director Chen Yuan.

On the right are Fei Zhao and Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan was the youngest face in the room, and also the least likely person to be sitting at this table.

But he sat very steadily.

Sun Heming was in his early sixties, with gray hair but a vigorous spirit. He wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and looked at Lin Yuan as if he were reading a venture capital report.

"Fei Zhao told me that you wanted to make a movie," Sun Heming said bluntly.

"Yes." Lin Yuan nodded.

How old are you this year?

"eighteen."

There was a two-second silence in the conference room.

Lü Fang adjusted her glasses, her smile professional: "Lin Yuan, let me be frank. You're currently Tianxing's most promising artist; the success of 'Suspended' and 'Summer Wind' speaks for itself. But being a musician and a film director are two different things. You've already achieved some success in the music industry, and now you suddenly say you want to make a movie—and a movie of this scale, forgive my bluntness, but the risk is too great."

Chen Yuan nodded in agreement: "Besides, you're still in university. How are you going to balance your studies? If the movie flops, the reputation you've built in the music industry will also be affected. It's a lose-lose situation."

Lin Yuan did not rush to refute.

He knew that in this situation, saying "I can do it" a thousand times was less effective than letting the script speak for itself.

"I understand everyone's concerns," Lin Yuan said calmly, "but before discussing whether it can be filmed, I'd like everyone to take a look at the script."

He took out a stack of neatly bound A4 papers from his backpack and pushed them along the long table one by one.

Three portions, one for each person.

The cover has three words printed on it.

Qian Xuesen.

Sun Heming lowered his head and turned to the first page.

Then, no one spoke in the meeting room.

Twenty minutes later.

Sun Heming finished flipping through the first half, then glanced at a few more pages before finally closing the script.

His expression was complicated.

Lü Fang leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling, as if she was digesting something.

Chen Yuan turned back to the first page and rewatched the previous episodes.

Fei Zhao picked up his teacup and took a sip, glancing at Lin Yuan out of the corner of his eye—the kid was sitting calmly, as if waiting for a result he had already anticipated.

"This script..." Sun Heming put his glasses back on, his voice a few decibels deeper than before, "Did you write it?"

"right."

"You, an 18-year-old freshman, wrote this?"

"Age and script quality are not causally related," Lin Yuan said. "Good stories don't discriminate by age."

Sun Heming stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"Alright, I won't beat around the bush." He tapped the script on the table. "The script, at least the parts I've seen so far, I approve of. The story is solid, the characters are fleshed out. It's definitely not comparable to those projects on the market that just slap on a patriotic label and rely on slogans."

Lü Fang and Chen Yuan sat up straight at the same time.

"However," Sun Heming changed the subject, "there's an unavoidable issue when making this film."

He looked at Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan understood, opened the folder in front of him, and cleared his throat.

"This subject matter involves core and sensitive areas such as national defense, aerospace, and the 'Two Bombs, One Satellite' project," Chen Yuan said seriously. "This isn't something you can just do by shooting an urban idol drama, finding a few actors, building a set, and calling it a day. Films and television works on this kind of subject matter must go through the formal project approval process."

He held up one finger and proceeded to list them one by one.

"First, joint project approval. It must be approved jointly with the military, aerospace, and other relevant official units; it's not something we at Tianxing can decide on our own. If you want to film scenes like missile launches or Gobi test sites, without official backing, location scouting, filming, and coordination won't proceed."

"Second, script review. The entire script needs to be reviewed page by page by aerospace and military experts, covering technical details, historical events, and character relationships; not a single line of dialogue can be ambiguous."

"Third, background checks on the main creators and actors. Especially for core roles, their political stance, public image, and past public opinion must not be problematic."

"Fourth, control over props and equipment. Missiles, launchers, and experimental equipment appearing in the film, whether real equipment, decommissioned equipment, or simulation models, must be approved. What can be filmed, how to film it, and to what extent are not decided by the production team itself."

"Fifth, confidentiality. From preparation and filming to post-production, all relevant information and materials must be kept strictly confidential. Core members of the crew must sign confidentiality agreements, filming materials must be stored in designated locations, and post-production must be completed in a controlled environment."

After Chen Yuan finished speaking, he closed the folder and looked at Lin Yuan.

"To sum it up in one sentence—this is not an ordinary commercial film project, but a co-production that requires deep official involvement. Tianxing is willing to push it forward, but we do not have the capability to complete this process independently."

The meeting room fell silent for a few seconds.

Lin Yuan showed no surprise.

He had already thought about these things when he was writing the script.

"Joint project approval, script review, lead creator review, prop control, and full confidentiality." He answered each point one by one, his tone steady. "I understand all of these, and I am mentally prepared for them."

He looked at Sun Heming.

"Chairman Sun, Tianxing has been rooted in the industry for so many years, there are some doors that only you can open. You know more about joint projects than I do."

Sun Heming tapped his fingers lightly on the table without saying a word.

"Let me add something," Lin Yuan said clearly and confidently, "Once this kind of subject matter is approved, passes censorship, and receives joint endorsement from the military and aerospace units, its weight changes. It's no longer just a film from Tianxing Entertainment, but a work with official participation and support. This label is more effective than most marketing during the Spring Festival season."

Chen Yuan's eyes lit up slightly.

His business intuition told him that the kid was right.

Once the film is jointly credited by the military and aerospace units, it instantly transforms from an "entertainment company's commercial project" into a "significant patriotic work." The theatrical release schedule, media coverage, and audience expectations will all change dramatically.

Sun Heming remained silent for a long time.

It took so long that Fei Zhao almost wanted to speak up in support.

Then he stood up, walked to the French windows, and looked at the sky outside for a few seconds with his back to everyone.

"Fei Zhao," he suddenly said.

Do you think he can do it?

Fei Zhao answered without hesitation, "Yes."

What makes you so sure?

"Based on the script he wrote," Fei Zhao said calmly. "I've been in the industry for fifteen years and have met countless screenwriters and directors. Few can tell a story well, and even fewer can tell a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. He's only eighteen, but what he wrote is more sincere than the vast majority of professionals I've met."

"Not enough sincerity." Sun Heming turned around.

"So Tianxing assembled a team for him," Fei Zhao said. "We found a senior executive director to lead the team, and the best cinematographer, art director, and composer. He was responsible for the direction and quality, while the executive director oversaw the process and provided experience. It was a collaboration between two generations, each contributing their strengths."

Sun Heming sat back down in his chair, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Lin Yuan and Fei Zhao twice.

Sun Heming did not speak immediately.

For Tianxing, this wasn't simply betting on a new director, but rather on an opportunity to shift towards mainstream film and television production.

If you bet successfully, the company can move up a level; if you bet unsuccessfully, the losses go beyond just money.

"Chen Yuan," he called out.

"exist."

"You are responsible for liaising with the aerospace system and relevant military units to see the window of opportunity and procedures for joint project approval."

Chen Yuan nodded: "Understood."

"Lü Fang."

"exist."

"Let's work on a budget. This film needs a lot of money, but we can't just throw it away recklessly. We need to make sure every penny is spent wisely."

"good."

"Fei Zhao, don't formally negotiate with the theaters yet. Let's get a feel for their opinions first. We need to figure out the possibility of a release during the Spring Festival in advance. We can't wait until everything is ready and then find that the window of opportunity is gone."

"good."

After making his arrangements, Sun Heming looked at Lin Yuan one last time.

The scrutiny in his gaze had faded considerably, replaced by something... that Lin Yuan couldn't quite understand.

It's like anticipation, and it's like gambling.

"Lin Yuan," Sun Heming said, "give me a reason why Tianxing would place such a huge bet on you."

Lin Yuan met his gaze directly, without beating around the bush.

"Because this story is worthwhile."

That's it?

"That's it," Lin Yuan said. "A good story is the best reason to invest."

Sun Heming looked at him for three seconds.

Then he reached out his hand.

"It's a pleasure working with you."