Huayu: Just started as a stagehand, but the director's comeback system

In the early hours of February 3, everyone was waiting for box office news at Yihuai Media. Jiang Huai's phone was on the table, waiting for a call from China Film Group.

There was still a lot of barbecue on the table, most of which was already cold. Even though everyone knew that the box office was probably going to be fine, the closer it got to the announcement, the more anxious people became.

"Tap tap... tap tap tap"

As soon as the Nokia ringtone came on, Jianghuai immediately answered it.

"Director Jiang is a hit! The box office reached 290 million on the first day, and it will rise even more after the number of screenings is increased tomorrow."

Han Sanping sounded excited on the other end of the phone. Crazy Stone had already surpassed Mastermind at the box office by 300,000. If they could maintain this momentum, they might even become the box office champion during the Spring Festival. That would be a significant achievement.

"I understand, Chairman Han. I'll visit you at China Film Group another day."

Jiang Huai spoke calmly, but his voice kept rising in pitch.

The film was originally negotiated with theaters for a 40.5% revenue split. After deducting the mandatory 8.3% tax on the total box office revenue, the film would be able to recoup its costs once it grossed eight million.

With a box office of 290 million on its opening day, the film can recoup its costs in just three days, and will be a complete profit from the rest of the movie.

After hanging up Han Sanping's call, the somewhat dull atmosphere immediately dissipated, and everyone present cheered. Since there was no one else around the company at midnight, they shouted wildly inside.

Some of Huang Bo's drinks were so strong that he had even taken off his shirt, and he kept muttering "I've become a star."

None of them went home that night; they all lay sprawled on the company floor.

It was Fu Lulu, who had received the news that morning, who came to find Jiang Huai. Seeing the group of men lying on the ground shivering from the cold, she quickly woke Jiang Huai up and then asked him to wake up the rest of the group one by one.

Early in the morning, everyone's faces were still flushed, it was unclear whether it was because the effects of yesterday's alcohol hadn't worn off or because it was so cold at night.

Everyone wanted to share the news with their friends, so they didn't linger. They found their phones, tidied their clothes, and left the company immediately.

"Congratulations! You've really become Director Jiang this time."

Although Fu Lulu was driven to impatience by Jiang Huai's various tasks while he was filming a movie, she is now genuinely happy for him.

"It's still early, but it'll be soon."

In front of Fu Lulu, Jiang Huai didn't pretend to be calm. He went to his office, struck several poses on the boss's chair, and asked each of them which one looked like a successful person.

While they were playing around, Jiang Huai's phone rang again. He thought it was a classmate congratulating him, but when he took out his phone, he realized it was his mother.

"Hey, Mom, what's up?"

"The box office results are out, hurry up and take your aunt home tomorrow."

Fu Yi got a little annoyed when she heard Jiang Huai's somewhat lazy voice. This kid dared not come home for the New Year, and he didn't even tell his mother when the movie's box office results came out. She had to go to his workplace to get the data.

"Hey Mom, I was just too busy last night. I was just about to call you. We're still so in sync."

Hearing his mother's voice about to explode, he realized that there couldn't be a video call on the phone, otherwise he would have already dragged Fu Lulu down to kneel and talk to her.

He was so excited in the early hours of the morning that he completely forgot to tell his mother, and now he can only try to make amends.

"Alright, stop joking around, your grandpa wants to see you."

Fu Yi heard her son's voice trembling, kicked her husband off the bed, finished her business, and hung up the phone.

"Ouch, why did you kick me? Let me say a few words to my son."

"All he does is drink all day. Go call your son yourself."

Fu Yi kicked Jiang Jianguo, who was lying on the ground, again, and then turned to go find Jiang Huai's maternal grandparents.

Fu Yi and Fu Lulu's father, Fu Xuan, is not a big shot, but he has worked in the performing arts troupe for many years and has some connections in today's entertainment industry.

However, the old man loves his children and his own reputation. He will help younger generations find stable jobs in the industry, but Fu Xuan would never use his connections to help someone like Jiang Huai who wants to make movies.

However, Jiang Huai has now managed to carve out a place for himself in the entertainment industry, so Fu Xuan still wants to give him a few words of advice, lest he suffer a loss without knowing who did it or who to turn to for help.

While the old man was thinking about what Jiang Huai would tell him after his return, Jiang Huai was also discussing with Fu Lulu how to make his homecoming more impressive.

Although the box office revenue hasn't been split yet, Jiang Huai is now considered a millionaire in advance, and he can't keep going back to his hometown by plane like before.

Fu Lulu was also somewhat tempted by Jiang Huai's proposal. In the past, if she didn't plan to get married, her relatives would always give her advice. Now, if she went back in style, she could shut them up.

"Ahem, nephew, how much of the box office revenue are you planning to give me?"

Fu Lulu has been busy with Jiang Huai's movie, and even has the title of assistant director, so she should get a bigger share of the money so she can go home in style.

"Auntie, I remember the breakfast place downstairs is pretty good, I'm a little hungry."

After splitting the profits with China Film Group, they will definitely have to pay Lulu's salary. Including the 100,000 yuan he borrowed before, Jiang Huai plans to round it up and give them 500,000 yuan.

Based on the opening day box office, Crazy Stone is likely to gross around 20 million yuan. Jiang Huai would then receive nearly 5 million yuan, and after deducting taxes, he would still have about 3 million yuan. Giving away 500,000 yuan is not a big deal; he can always borrow it back from Fu Lulu if he runs out of money later.

But since he'd already spent so much money, he figured he had to make things difficult for the other party first.

Although Fu Lulu was a little angry when she heard Jiang Huai's words, she had no choice but to go downstairs to buy breakfast, since her salary was still in Jiang Huai's hands. She forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Director Jiang, can we talk about my salary now?"

"Sigh, my neck is a bit sore. If someone could massage it for me, I might be able to give them a little more money."

"Okay... Director Jiang, let me massage you."

After gritting her teeth and responding to Jiang Huai, Fu Lulu pinched the back of his neck and then pretended to be pitiful as she rubbed it for him.

"Ahem, Fu Lulu, I was just about to give you 500,000, but now I'm going to deduct 100,000 from your account."

Jiang Huai, who was strolling around drinking soy milk, choked on his drink when Fu Lulu slurped it up, and the fried dough ring in his hand fell to the ground.

"Oh dear, Auntie, it was an accident, nephew. Please have pity on me."

Upon hearing that Jiang Huai was going to give her 500,000 yuan, Fu Lulu stopped exerting herself and immediately started massaging him seriously. As for the subsequent talk about deducting her salary, she completely ignored it.