Classmate Li is both quick and excellent.

Though they say that a good actor naturally becomes a director, Li Jie had only played a dog for a few days—now he was directing? Director Lu couldn't comprehend it. He remembered how, back in his own day, he had to scrape together funding with everything he had, even resorting to the "Rich Lady Steel Wool" scheme, just to achieve his dream of directing. Yet here was "White Dog God," who, after shooting two scenes with Erlang God, went home and became a director himself. Was there any justice left in the world? One could only sigh at others’ good fortune.

However, upon recalling that Li Jie was an orphan, Director Lu found it hard to envy him. After a couple of conversations with Ai Shoujin, he learned that Li Jie was filming “Masked Gourd Hero.” It seemed reasonable enough—after all, he really was the “Masked Brother” Gourd Hero in real life. Director Lu mused that Li Jie was probably just joining the fun, shooting a short web series to earn some pocket money. It would likely take three to five months to finish, by which time the hype would have died down. Not everyone could work as efficiently as himself; quick directors like him were rare in the industry.

But what Director Lu didn’t know was that as soon as Li Jie obtained the production and shooting permits, he immediately pulled off a move so audacious that his agent Chen Pi’s mind went blank.

“Huh? Wait, Old Li, what are we doing here in Qijiang County?”

“You don’t know a thing—just follow me and we’ll make money.”

They hadn’t traveled all the way to Qijiang County for crab roe soup dumplings. After getting off the high-speed train, they rented a luxury business vehicle and headed straight for the Qijiang County Television Station.

After checking in, they entered the lobby and were greeted by a balding middle-aged man in a POLO shirt, who smiled warmly as he approached. “You must be Xiao Li? I’m Su Ling. Your uncle told me you’re tall and imposing, and now that I see you—well, you truly are a striking figure.”

“Hello, Second Uncle.”

“Good, good, come in quickly. What would you like to drink? We have all sorts—tea, soda, you name it.” Su Ling kept his affable smile, inviting Li Jie and Chen Pi into the reception room, where the coffee table was laden with snacks and fruit.

The young woman in the tea room bustled about, sneaking glances at Li Jie, wondering what relation he had to Deputy Director Su. If he was a relative, perhaps they could dine together tonight. She could order a pair of dumplings—meat, not crab roe.

Su Ling was the nephew of Su Yongzhi, that is, the younger cousin of Su Jianping. Unlike Su Jianping, who relied on his elders and sought beautiful wives, Su Ling was professionally trained and had steadily worked his way up to Deputy Director of Qijiang County Television Station.

Although the rank wasn’t particularly high, in a county town, how much higher could one go? He was, at least, a respectable official.

“Second Uncle, a small gift.” Li Jie set down two boxes, “Just some local specialties—mutton from my godfather Ai Shoujin’s hometown. Nothing too expensive.”

It was called mutton, but actually consisted of cured beef shank from Chang’an and air-dried mutton leg—both extremely pricey and not always available.

But with “Ai Shoujin” mentioned, Li Jie’s already imposing stature grew even greater in Su Ling’s eyes. Though Director Ai wasn’t a giant in the industry, his disciples and protégés were scattered across the country.

The phrase “peaches and plums everywhere” couldn’t describe Director Ai, since his “peaches and plums” hadn’t really learned much from him. Director Ai often comforted himself with, “A disciple need not be inferior to his master.”

“It’s rare for you to visit and so polite, too! When you and Yaoyao get married, I’ll be sure to drink a few extra cups.”

“Of course, Second Uncle, you must drink plenty then.”

While the two exchanged polite words, Chen Pi blinked, dumbfounded: What the hell? Old Li wasn’t just cozying up to a rich lady—he’d attached himself to a truly eccentric heiress.

Respect!

After the pleasantries, Li Jie produced documents—not only the production and shooting permits, but also the contract between “Creative Ability Ltd.” and Crouching Tiger District Television Station.

Su Ling glanced at it, noting the eighty thousand per episode, with only first broadcast rights, not exclusivity. He wondered if Liu Deyu was the son of his future niece-in-law. He knew Director Liu well—a man with a voracious appetite. This level of “generosity” must have been due to Uncle Su Yongzhi’s influence.

Only a twelve-year Crouching Dragon District councilman could subdue Liu Deyu so thoroughly.

“The materials are fine, but our Qijiang TV doesn’t have the funding that Crouching Tiger District TV does. Our ratings are lower, so we can’t pay eighty thousand per episode. I won’t hide anything from you—usually the maximum is five thousand an episode. But since you’re family, I can break the rules and add three thousand more. I can’t do eighty thousand, but eight thousand, I can approve.”

“Thank you, Second Uncle!”

This is why they say, “Blood is thicker than water”—it’s all about familial connection!

Orphan or not, surname aside, they were all children of Huaxia, descendants of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Love transcends time.

Chen Pi, who had spent the whole meeting handing over and collecting documents, felt his head buzzing: Wait—another first broadcast contract?

If they shot twenty episodes, wouldn’t that be over a hundred thousand?

After a sumptuous meal in a luxury restaurant and the full suite of services at the most lavish local entertainment club, Li Jie reluctantly bid farewell to Su Ling.

“Yi Yi” was one of the top performers at “Golden Splendor Entertainment Club,” and looked like a genuinely wholesome girl.

It was clear Second Uncle Su was quite taken with her—his hand never left her waist, and his cheeks were covered in lipstick prints.

After returning the car to the station, they caught the last train to Xiaopei District. Tomorrow they had a meeting with Xiaopei District TV and had to hurry.

“Li, are you tired? I heard from ‘Miss Gao’ there’s some energy drink—want a can?”

“I’m going to sleep for a bit. Don’t bother me.”

“Okay.”

Chen Pi nodded, quickly retreating to his business seat.

He rested his hands on the armrests, stretched out his legs, and gazed at the nightscape outside the window, sighing inwardly: Business class really is comfortable.

Shentu Sheng, Deputy Director of Xiaopei District TV, was Su Ling’s high school classmate. Both came from Xiaopei District, and thanks to good timing and various reasons, they’d managed to do well back home.

Most of their classmates from back then hadn’t reached this level, so Shentu Sheng was quite satisfied with his job and life.

And even more satisfied with the three thousand per episode kickback from his old classmate’s nephew-in-law!

“Xiao Li, Old Su already told me about you—said you’re family, so don’t worry. Family is trustworthy, right? Come, try our local dog meat. They say dog meat isn’t fit for banquets, but family eats whatever tastes good...”

Eight thousand! Still eight thousand! Eight thousand per episode for first broadcast rights, with three thousand going to Deputy Director Shentu, leaving five thousand.

Sitting there, eating and drinking, Chen Pi quickly calculated: Goodness, if they shoot twenty episodes, that’s another hundred thousand!

Li, you’re my real grandpa!