Nobody knows movies better than me

Chapter 42 Study hard and make progress every day

Zhang Jun didn't take the conflict at the industry exchange meeting to heart. As long as Lu Chuan didn't provoke him in the future, he wouldn't bother to argue with her.

However, the industry exchange meeting was still very valuable for Zhang Jun, as he met so many people in the film industry.

The Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and Zhang Jun is about to fly back to see his family whom he has never met. To be honest, this is more nerve-wracking than attending an industry conference.

He bought a lot of things in Beijing, sent them back by courier, and then carried all the bags and packages himself onto the plane back home.

The original owner always traveled by train, whether coming to or returning to the capital, which was very difficult.

In this day and age, high-speed rail has not yet begun large-scale construction. Even if there were high-speed rail, traveling from Beijing to Kunming would be a difficult journey.

Having enjoyed the high-tech era of the future, Zhang Jun is quite disgusted with this era without smartphones, mobile entertainment, or short videos.

Let him experience another journey on a green-skinned train; he might as well commit suicide and travel back in time...

However, this did remind Zhang Jun that he could make some investments when he had some money in the future.

He doesn't understand technology, nor can he manufacture mobile phones, but he can invest in successful companies.

Tencent and Alibaba are too late; at most, they can buy some stock when others go public.

Other things, like Douyin and miHoYo, are also worth investing in.

Of course, investing is not a simple matter; it requires careful consideration.

Zhang Jun's first task is to achieve success in the film industry, which he excels in.

Back home, Zhang Jun seemed a little out of place. However, Zhang Yuncheng and Yao Xia simply assumed he was feeling homesick after being away for so long.

They never imagined that their son had been switched at birth.

"Son, is it cold in Beijing? Is the food good?"

While putting meat into Zhang Jun's bowl, Yao Xia inquired about Zhang Jun's life in Beijing.

"It's great, the accommodation is good, the boss rewarded me with an apartment, so I don't need to buy one anymore."

While eating, Zhang Jun said, "Dad, Mom, you don't need to worry about me. I can take care of myself. But Xiao Wan will be a senior in high school soon, so she'd better hurry up."

"Did you hear what your brother said?" Yao Xia pointed at Zhang Linwan from the side.

Zhang Linwan glared fiercely at her brother, who was trying to shift the blame, and focused on the delicious food in front of her.

Zhang Yuncheng then inquired about Zhang Jun's career: "How's your directing going? The boss is investing in you, so don't waste the opportunity."

Zhang Linwan, who was standing nearby, immediately chimed in: "Brother did a great job! I read the newspaper and it says the box office is over 40 million."

Brother, how much of the forty million will you get?

"A house, plus a two million bonus, and two hundred thousand in director and screenwriter fees," Zhang Jun replied.

"what?"

Zhang Linwan was somewhat disappointed: "So little? I thought you'd at least get half!"

Yao Xia patted Zhang Linwan's head: "You're talking nonsense, kid. Half of that is twenty million, is that even possible?"

Zhang Jun explained with a smile, "It's normal that Xiao Wan doesn't understand the film market very well. This 40 million yuan has to be split with the cinemas, and the remaining amount is what the production company gets."

I'm the director and screenwriter, not an investor. The fact that they're willing to give me a prize is already more than enough.

"So that's how it is!" Zhang Linwan suddenly realized.

Zhang Jun placed a piece of pork rib into Zhang Linwan's bowl: "Study hard, and if you get into a university in Beijing in the future, I'll take you around the city."

"Can I go watch you filming and get the autographs of those celebrities?" Zhang Linwan asked with a hint of excitement.

"Of course!" Zhang Jun nodded.

"Yay!" Zhang Linwan cheered immediately.

"Stop joking around, hurry up and do your homework after you finish eating."

"oh!"

Zhang Linwan, still a student, naturally had to study hard, but Zhang Jun didn't have to. After dinner, he sat with his parents from this life, watching TV and chatting.

Zhang Yuncheng and Yao Xia also told him many interesting stories about school, such as how Zhang Jun became a role model for the school and was used as a teaching material to inspire students every year during the college entrance examination season.

Yao Xia also complained about several students she had caught dating before: "These students, they don't study properly in school, what do they know about liking someone at such a young age? They're already so in love they're dying for each other."

They go their separate ways right after high school graduation, and when they break up, they'll be the ones who suffer. Don't they think about that?

Zhang Yuncheng held a tolerant attitude towards this: "It is normal for students to develop feelings for each other during their youth."

As teachers, our role should be to guide, not to forcibly separate us.

Yao Xia complained to Zhang Jun, "Look at that, your dad is no wonder he's a homeroom teacher, he can talk a good game about these things."

Zhang Jun agreed with him, but his thoughts began to wander during the conversation.

If I remember correctly, in a few years, angst-filled youth films will become very popular. When abortion, car accidents, amnesia, and studying abroad all come together, the scene will be quite spectacular.

Regardless of the quality of these youth films, many of them have made a fortune in the film market.

Zhang Jun certainly wouldn't make such a film; frankly, it would damage his reputation. However, if he were to make one now, he would likely become a pioneer of youth films.

He really does have a movie that's perfect for him, a movie that not only tells a story of love and friendship, but also explores personal growth and family relationships, and even has some fantasy elements.

If Boss Wang was still hesitating, Zhang Jun decided to finish making the movie first.

The Spring Festival is nothing more than visiting relatives. Although the relatives did not know much about Zhang Jun's specific job, his status as a graduate of Tsinghua University still made him the focus of their attention.

When Zhang Jun returned to his hometown, he was often asked the same old questions.

What kind of work do you do now?

"How's the salary?"

"Have you found a girlfriend yet?"

When asked about his job and salary, Zhang Jun gave selective answers, only telling his relatives that he worked in the film and television industry, making movies.

However, when he answered no to the question about girlfriends, his well-meaning relatives immediately started to take notice and prepare to introduce him to a few.

Fortunately, Zhang Yuncheng stopped him: "Xiao Jun's career is just starting out and it's not very stable yet. Let's talk about it when it's more stable."

Since the father had spoken like that, the relatives felt too embarrassed to continue trying to arrange a marriage. However, Yao Xia still urged Zhang Jun to bring someone back as soon as possible, so she could feel more at ease.

Zhang Linwan was happiest during the time Zhang Jun was back. She could clearly feel the changes in her brother; he was more generous and mature, completely different from the bookworm he used to be.

However, she didn't think much of it, assuming that Zhang Jun had undergone some changes during his four years of university, so she thought it was normal.

It wasn't until the eighth day of the first lunar month that Zhang Jun left home amidst the reluctant gazes of his parents and younger sister, flying back to the capital.

Before leaving, he mischievously reminded Zhang Linwan to study hard. Seeing his little sister pouting, Zhang Jun felt happy.

After returning to Beijing, Zhang Jun met with Guo Fan, whom he had arranged to meet before the New Year.

He officially resigned from his position at Travel Channel to become Zhang Jun's assistant director.

However, for him to be effective as an assistant director, he needs film projects.

Since Boss Wang hadn't replied yet, Zhang Jun decided to ignore him for now and submitted a script according to his own plan.

The movie is called "About Time".