Chapter 828: Chapter 818: Then I’ll Take You as My Adopted Son

The next day, Su Qing, as usual, went to the East City Public Security Bureau with Tang Nan to watch her training and resolve Du Qiang’s wish.

Online news was as consistent as ever, with "Demon Capital Fortress" still being ridiculed on the ground. Its daily box office had dropped to just a few million, not even comparable to Su Qing’s invested "Life-changing Matters," or many low-budget films were exceeding its daily box office, leaving it far behind.

If it hadn’t grossed 70 million on the first day, its overall box office would have almost disappeared from sight by now.

That’s why netizens mockingly called it the "one-day earning movie."

One can’t deny that this evaluation is quite apt; isn’t it true that it only earns on the first day? In short, it’s fraud!

How many people were lured in by the sci-fi craze ignited by "Wandering Earth"? The boastful promotions at the time have now all become faults.

The director Teng Hua held a press conference to apologize to the public, seemingly to apologize but actually to shed some of the responsibility, giving investors and audiences some explanation.

The other actors of the movie are now afraid to open comments or simply not bothering.

Though the supporting actors joked, the leading roles are top-tier domestic artists, and naturally, they want an explanation from Teng Hua for such a mess.

However, Teng Hua is already overwhelmed, unable to bother. His current concern is how to calm the investors and protect his reputation; otherwise, he might have to bid farewell to his directing career for good.

At this time, the total box office for "Life-changing Matters" had surpassed 400 million, and the daily increase over the past few days had been particularly vigorous, even exceeding the first-day box office of "Demon Capital Fortress."

But Su Qing knew that despite this, it was still in the rising phase; the buzz should last for about half a month, providing a continual boost. In the latter half of the month, the box office will gradually decline, then go offline.

In other words, these few days are the box office peak period, with daily changes so significant that it could reach a billion in daily revenue, which is not impossible.

Su Qing was looking through the joyous news sent by Director Wang Jiang while searching online for information about the "Life-changing Matters" movie, very satisfied.

Because of the excellent reputation, as time passed, not only were netizens sharing the news, but some bloggers even started voluntarily recommending this movie, pushing the movie’s popularity higher. But overall, it wasn’t as much of a hit as "Wandering Earth" at the start of the year.

There was no way around it; those phenomenon-level movies don’t come out easily, and the total box office for "Life-changing Matters," as per his investment reminder, was estimated at around 1.6 or 1.7 billion, just a third of "Wandering Earth."

Nevertheless, Su Qing didn’t mind because the total investment only amounted to 60 million, much less than "Wandering Earth."

Crucially, he himself held half of the total investment, making the revenue quite significant. When the box office splits, he might earn even more than "Wandering Earth," so how could he not be happy?

What does the box office matter? As long as it makes money, isn’t that enough?

"By the way, when did you come back, and you even received a henchman?" Li Zijun couldn’t help but ask in the office.

At this point, Su Qing was sitting opposite her, with Du Qiang by the side serving him like a henchman, quite willingly.

"Brother Qing, are you thirsty? Drink some Coke, ice-cold Coke. Brother Qing, I even bought a watermelon from town; you’ll taste it later!"

After speaking, Du Qiang went behind Su Qing to give him a shoulder rub, which made Li Zijun cringe.

"Ha, I left for over a month and only came back on the 6th. As for him, isn’t he seeking my help? Don’t worry, Xiao Qiang, I already spoke with Director Liao to arrange a speaking role for you, though not the kind you mentioned."

Su Qing took a sip of the ice-cold Coke, feeling a chill spreading from his throat to his stomach, making him feel like he was floating — refreshing!

"Really? That’s fantastic! You’re the best, Brother Qing; you’re like my real brother!"

Hearing this, Du Qiang put more effort into the shoulder rub.

Arranging an extra for a small role was no issue for him. Even for significant supporting roles or leading roles, he could manage, even if his investment in the project was minimal.

But for Du Qiang, a speaking extra role was sufficient; after all, he wasn’t genuinely interested in acting; he just wanted the experience.

"Director? You’re not talking about the crew with Tang Nan, are you?" Li Zijun couldn’t help but ask upon hearing this.

Almost everyone in their bureau knew about the director who came and Tang Nan’s cooperation with the film crew.

Tang Nan personally promoted the anti-fraud campaign for their bureau, and reportedly, even senior leaders approved the decision to support this effort. For example, they allowed bureau or sub-bureau members to act as extras without interfering with their work, and even agreed to the "Suspense Case" crew’s request for outdoor scenes — a mutual win-win.

"Yup, I invested a bit in this crew, but mostly it’s Tang Nan’s deal; I’m just helping connect some dots, all familiar faces. A minor extra wouldn’t matter. Why? Is Sister Zijun interested? Should I talk to someone for you too?"

Just a minor extra — even if he didn’t speak up, Director Liao would likely need someone to take it, let alone Du Qiang, who’s a professional, originally a detective, playing himself... how could Director Liao refuse?

"No need. I’m not as idle as he is, just recovering at home from an injury. But I’ve heard from my mom that you went home with her? Fast timing, is the date set?" Li Zijun replied jokingly.

Since opening up a conversation with Shen Yi last time, although she felt somewhat troubled, upon reflection, it didn’t seem too distressing.

The two had just become too familiar with each other, having grown up together, and with Su Qing’s dramatic change over the past year, she felt somewhat disoriented.

Everyone knows that the more familiar two people are, the harder it is for them to come together. Simply put, it’s too familiar for her to easily get him undressed.

This is how it is between Su Qing and Li Zijun. Su Qing only felt respect and fear towards her. Mainly, his childhood trauma was too severe; getting her undressed? Are you crazy? Probably get kicked from the bed to the door by her instead?

As for Li Zijun’s view of Su Qing, it seemed only after Shen Yi appeared did she unconsciously become a little defensive, something not typically there.

Fortunately, among themselves, they resolved everything on their own, so hearing about Su Qing and Shen Yi returning home naturally made her curious.

Upon hearing this, Su Qing waved his hand repeatedly: "No, we just went to take a look, not that quick! And this past month, I haven’t been dealing with just that; I checked other projects, and there’s a new project coming up next month, so I haven’t been idle!"

"You’re really busy; over the past month, I’ve been seeing your news from time to time online—if you’re free, you should come around more often, as you’re still our bureau’s criminal advisor. Enhance your presence, besides our food shouldn’t come without work, right?"

"Uh... naturally, but not tomorrow; I have something tomorrow. Once I finish my current tasks, I’ll spend some days at the bureau."

"Alright, I’ll talk to my mentor later, let him keep work around for you; you can’t just eat without handling assignments, right?"

At three in the afternoon, Tang Nan finished a day of training and called him to prepare to head home together.

Su Qing was waiting not far from the police station entrance when a car raced toward him at speed.

But he wasn’t the least bit nervous, for it was his landlady’s sports car from the underground garage — he had driven it before.

Moreover, the narrator gave clear cues.

[Don’t panic; the driver is an experienced driver; you won’t get hit!]

Soon, there was a screeching sound from the tires on the tarmac, and the car stopped abruptly twenty centimeters in front of him while Su Qing remained composed.

The next moment, Tang Nan stuck her head out, looked disappointed, and said, "Eh, that’s dull; why didn’t you dodge?"

Su Qing: "Because I wasn’t afraid!"

Tang Nan: "Why weren’t you afraid?"

Su Qing: "I wasn’t afraid because I wasn’t afraid!"

Hearing this, Tang Nan’s eyes turned: "Then I’ll adopt you as my godson! I want you alive, not dead!"

Su Qing: ???

Damn, taking advantage without justification? Almost sprained his old waist.

"Scram, I’ll adopt you as my goddaughter instead; call me Dad!" Su Qing yanked open the car door, sat in the passenger seat, and retorted.

Seeing him so flustered, Tang Nan laughed and hit the wheel:

"Hahaha, not me; let your Little Yi call you dad, then we’ll have three generations under one roof!"

Su Qing: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

"I’ll choke you!"

...

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