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Black Sky Studio...
"Elizabeth, the Marvel Studios guys are offering you internal shares—an easy way to make a fortune. Why aren't you taking it?"
Elizabeth didn't even look up, picking at her foot lazily."I don't get stocks. What if I lose everything, even my underwear? Plus, I don't wanna get too tied up with Marvel Studios. This company's boring as hell anyway. Those two ice queens ganged up on me, and it's driving me nuts."
Honestly, with Elizabeth's temper, no big boss would ever really like her.
She didn't even suck up to investors. What kinda hard-headed attitude is that?
Maybe that's also why, back when they were filming Crimson Tide, Little Birdie dared to act up—She knew Marvel Studios wasn't gonna back Elizabeth up.
It wasn't like with James, where Marvel Studios would puff up their chests and scare off people like Robert from even dreaming about stealing his spotlight.
Chen had to stay stuck as the second lead, just trying to steal some extra scenes here and there.As for rising in rank? Dream on.
Still, this stubborn streak is probably why Elizabeth and David got along so well.
If Elizabeth had been the type to kneel and suck up, David would've looked down on her hard.
At best, she would've treated her like she did with Fawn and Ms Ma—play around, collect another stamp in her social album, and move on.No way they would've become real friends.
David tried to talk some sense into her."You don't need to know stocks, I do. Once Marvel Studios goes public, the Jonny brothers are gonna do everything they can to boost the stock price. Those internal shares you're sitting on? Golden eggs, girl."
"Just wait a year for the lock-up to expire, sell 'em, and cash out."
Elizabeth paused, surprised."You know how to play stocks?"
David leaned back and crossed his legs, looking smug."Don't underestimate me. I'm the King Cobra of the investment world!"
Elizabeth scoffed."That sounds like one of those dumb nicknames you made up for yourself."
David rolled her eyes.
"Believe it or not, up to you."
Elizabeth still looked a little skeptical, but she was definitely interested.After all, who doesn't like free money?
"You really think it's a sure thing? Big Boss Jonny offered me 500,000 shares—one buck a share, and they're even throwing in an extra share for each one. If you're serious, I'll buy them."
David nodded."Bro, would I screw you over? If you don't want 'em, give 'em to me. I'll buy 'em myself."
Elizabeth laughed."Alright, I'll buy them."
"You trust me that much?"
Elizabeth grinned."You're all talk, always sweet-talking girls, but you wouldn't screw over a friend. I know people."
She added with a smile,"After I buy them, you're in charge of helping me manage it."
David flashed an OK sign."Deal!"
Investing without knowing the outcome is gambling.Investing when you already know the outcome? That's called free money.
Marvel Studios's IPO was gonna skyrocket.The Jonny brothers weren't exactly saints—they'd definitely pull every trick to pump the stock price.
Snagging 1 million shares for just 500k?Once it went public, it was basically picking money up off the ground.
If David actually cared more about money, he would've taken them for himself the second Elizabeth hesitated.
After a quick shower and a change of clothes, David called up his mentor, Dean.
He actually should've called yesterday, but he got caught up eating with Barbara and her husband... and then spent the night horseback riding and hunting deer.
So it got delayed.
Today he was planning to drop by the school anyway—to visit his old mentor and ask about his graduation certificate.
"Teacher, it's me, David."
"I know it's you, you little rascal. Signed your contract yet?"
"Yeah, signed it. 5 million investment for a 40% stake. I mean, damn, you've got serious clout, old man—why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"If I had, you would've completely wrecked the place! You already fooled around with almost every girl at school—even the counselors weren't safe. Plus the ones at Central Academy, Hollywood Dance Academy, and Communication University.If I gave you a heads-up, you probably would've aimed for the moon too!"
David chuckled."Heh, no one knows me better than you, Master. I'll be over soon. Want me to bring you anything?"
"Finally showing some conscience, huh? Bring a couple of good bottles of booze!"
"You got it! I'll grab two bottles of Moutai for you!"
After hanging up, David looked over at Elizabeth, lounging on the sofa.
"You busy today? Lend me your car. I'm heading back to school."
Elizabeth tossed him the keys and couldn't help asking,"Didn't you blow all your cash buying gifts for your ex? Where the hell you getting money for Moutai?"
David grinned, waggling his eyebrows.
Elizabeth blinked, then immediately caught on."You bastard. Scamming and looting, huh? Which poor sucker gave you money this time?"
"Don't ask. Bros have professional ethics. No gossiping about hookups."
Elizabeth flipped him off with a look of pure contempt.
David grabbed the keys, hopped in the car, and headed out.On the way, he stopped to buy two bottles of Moutai and three cartons of Huazi cigarettes.
The little shopping spree cost him nearly 20k.
Typical David style—generous when he had cash, scavenging when he didn't.
He pulled up at the gates of Hollywood Film Academy.
Hadn't been back for a few months.Standing there, he suddenly felt a wave of nostalgia.
"Tom, pass these around to the guys for me."
He tossed over two cartons of Huazi.
Tom, the security guard, lit up when he saw him."Look at you, doing pretty well, huh? Driving a nice car now."
"Not mine. Friend's."
"I get it."Tom gave him a wink and a big thumbs-up."Soft rice hard eat*—you're the man!"
(*Soft rice hard eat = a guy who lives off women but still acts tough about it.)
"Alright, enough chatting. I'm heading in."
"Go on in, kid."
Old Sue, another guard, laughed and raised the gate for him.
David was tight with all the guards.After all, he'd spent half his nights sneaking female students out.
Being friendly made life easier.
After parking, David strolled into Dean's office like he was walking into his own house, gifts in hand.
Inside, Dean was sipping tea, chatting with a middle-aged man.
"Teacher, here's the good booze you asked for."
Dean gave a slight smile but kept his tone flat."Put it down. Pour your own tea. This is Nick Howard—graduated from the cinematography department.Your senior."
Then he turned to Nick Howard and smirked,"This is David. You've probably heard of him—not exactly for the best reasons."
David and Nick Howard locked eyes, gave polite smiles, and shook hands.
Both of them were a little surprised.
David definitely knew who Nick Howard was—future director of Crazy Stone.
Unfortunately, Nick Howard had some clear weaknesses. His worldview and sense of humor were pretty narrow, so he hit a ceiling pretty fast.
Crazy Stone was his peak—after that, no real growth.
Still, even that was enough to dominate American cinema for a while.When you can make money lying down, why bother getting up?
While David was sizing him up, Nick Howard was doing the same.
Finally seeing the infamous David in person—the so-called "Love God of Hollywood Film Academy," the guy who swept through Beiying, Central Academy, Hollywood Dance, and more.
The guy who collected all the campus belles like trophies.
The guy who once dated an entire dorm room's worth of girls at the same time—without getting caught for a month.
If you paved the roads David walked with all his exes, you'd smooth out every bump.
Even the counselors weren't safe from him.
Among all the university guys, he was a legend—a beast everyone insulted, but secretly wished they could be.
"Hey, Junior," Nick Howard greeted with a smile.
"Hey, Senior," David smiled back."Perfect timing. Got booze—wanna drink?"
"....."