Chapter 420 - 257: Why Are You So Perky Again? (Part 2)
These days, a film like that could make way more than 1.441 billion. Even 4.1 billion wouldn’t be out of the question.
After all, some movie about losing weight raked in over three billion at the box office, to say nothing of *Xia Luote’s Troubles*.
"My company mainly handles commercial gigs and fashion shows for models. It might be difficult for us to collaborate," Fang Jie said with a helpless sigh.
"That’s a shame."
"However, I can put you in touch with people in that field. If you’re the investor, you can be the one to make the final call."
Lin Jiang considered it. That was actually a good idea.
’Taking charge of this myself would certainly be more reliable than leaving it to someone else.’
"Let’s go with your idea."
Fang Jie took out her phone. "Should we exchange contact info?"
"Sure."
They took out their phones and added each other.
After they were connected, Fang Jie glanced behind her and saw that Wei Xue was gone.
’She must have done that on purpose,’ Fang Jie grumbled internally.
"Should we give her a call?"
"Don’t worry about her. She’s probably tired and didn’t want to climb anymore."
’After all these years, she knew Wei Xue all too well. She definitely left on purpose.’
Seeing the fine beads of sweat glistening on Fang Jie’s chest, Lin Jiang deliberately slowed his pace for the rest of the climb.
About an hour later, they reached the midway resting platform.
Lin Jiang also learned a lot of inside secrets about her industry. A lot of it was quite interesting.
Many female stars who seemed so pure and innocent were secretly the mistresses of powerful men.
Even some A-list male celebrities found themselves "working hard" by the bedsides of wealthy older women at night.
Once they reached the platform, Fang Jie stood by the railing, admiring the scenery and taking photos with her phone.
Her long legs, her curvaceous back, her long hair fluttering in the wind—every movement exuded the charm of a mature woman.
Lin Jiang bought two cans of Red Bull, one for each of them, ready to continue the climb.
"Well, look who it is. You two are here, too."
Just as the two were about to start the second half of the climb, they heard a voice behind them.
It was Yu Bin and his friend, along with that parent, Zhang Li.
Seeing the three of them, Fang Jie gave a polite nod but didn’t say anything. After all, she didn’t know them and had no reason to.
"What a coincidence. I hear the second half is pretty steep. We should climb together so we can look out for each other," Yu Bin said.
Fang Jie remained silent. In this situation, her lack of response was an answer in itself.
In the world of adult social etiquette, a moment of silence is a clear rejection.
"Sure, let’s go together."
Lin Jiang shot Fang Jie a look. She understood immediately, and the two of them started toward the summit.
Fang Jie suddenly realized that Lin Jiang was very clever and quick-witted.
They had already been resting for a while, so their energy had recovered significantly.
But it was a different story for Yu Bin and his two companions. They had just arrived and were still out of breath. Starting to climb again right away would be exhausting.
Yu Bin didn’t even have a chance to celebrate before he saw the pair heading for the summit. He cursed them out in his head.
’I’m not even done resting yet, and you’re already leaving? How the hell am I supposed to follow you?!’
"Zhang, how are you holding up?"
"I’m done for. I need a break," said Yu Bin’s friend, Zhang Wanqiang.
"Brother Yu, I can’t either. This mountain is a little too steep, I can’t move," Zhang Li said.
"You two are really out of shape," Yu Bin said casually.
"I’m just getting warmed up. If I stop now, I’ll lose my rhythm. You two rest here. I’m going on ahead."
"You’re the man. Go on, we’ll just rest here for a bit."
Yu Bin nodded, gritted his teeth, and set off after Lin Jiang and Fang Jie.
By now, his throat felt as dry as a desert. He had planned to buy a bottle of water at the rest stop, quench his thirst, and take a break before continuing, but he hadn’t even gotten a moment to rest.
Gritting his teeth, Yu Bin picked up his pace and caught up to Lin Jiang and Fang Jie.
The pair maintained their steady pace, unconcerned by Yu Bin’s approach.
"Hey man, you guys aren’t going very fast. Were you waiting for me on purpose? I’m pretty quick, huh? Caught up to you in no time."
Lin Jiang glanced at the sweat-drenched Yu Bin.
’He looks like absolute shit, and he has the nerve to say he caught up to us ’in no time’?’
"We were, actually. Go on, show us just how fast you can climb."
"I love hiking. I’ll take the lead."
To save face, Yu Bin used every last ounce of his strength, scrambling to get about ten meters ahead of them.
There was a steep incline ahead, and Yu Bin’s legs were already starting to tremble.
Leaning against a large tree, Yu Bin gasped for air, getting a brief moment to catch his breath.
Looking up at the steep slope, an idea struck Yu Bin. He saw his chance and scrambled up on all fours.
"This slope is a little steep. Here, let me pull you up."
Yu Bin reached his hand out to Fang Jie.
"Thanks, you’re a real saint."
Lin Jiang reached out, took his hand, and used the leverage to pull himself up with ease.
Yu Bin, on the other hand, lost his footing and tumbled right back down the slope.
Fang Jie almost burst out laughing, struggling to hold it in.
"Come on up. This slope really is a bit tricky."
Lin Jiang offered his hand. Fang Jie took it and easily made her way up the slope. Then, the two continued their climb.
Yu Bin stood there, wanting to curse someone’s mother.
’Dammit!’
’Did he do that just to screw with me?!’
Once they were past the steep section, the pair picked up their pace. Yu Bin, his energy depleted, was left far behind.
Watching Lin Jiang, Fang Jie’s admiration for him grew, and she felt a surprising sense of security.
Now free of Yu Bin, the two continued their steady ascent.
By the time they reached the summit, Yu Bin was still nowhere in sight.
Leaning over with her hands on her knees, Fang Jie panted for a while to catch her breath.
The curve of her peach-like rear was perfectly defined, a truly delightful sight.
As she was catching her breath, Fang Jie suddenly noticed a shadow fall over her.
She turned to find Lin Jiang standing right behind her, his back to the rest of the summit.
At first, she didn’t understand why.
Then she noticed the other people on the summit. Realizing she was wearing yoga pants, she knew that bending over and sticking her butt out like that wasn’t exactly a graceful pose.
But he had stood there to block the view for her.
In that instant, Fang Jie’s heart fluttered wildly.
’He’s even more considerate and gentlemanly than I thought.’
"Climbing all the way up in one go... really takes a toll on your stamina."
Yu Bin staggered up to them, looking completely wiped out.
"Back in the day, I could’ve done this climb easily, without even breaking a sweat."
"You’re really something else," Lin Jiang said with a laugh.
"It’s nothing, really. I used to be an athlete, so this is no big deal for me."
Yu Bin turned away to look at the scenery below, not wanting Fang Jie to see him gasping for breath.
"I’ve just been busy with work lately and haven’t had time to train. Otherwise, I would’ve been even faster."
"I’m not trying to brag, but I’ve climbed mountains way higher and steeper than this one. We should all go together sometime."
When he got no response after all that, Yu Bin turned around to find that the other two were already at the cable car station.
"We’re done with the view," Lin Jiang called out. "You take your time. We won’t bother you."
Yu Bin: ???
’You motherfucker! Couldn’t you have waited a minute?’
’Are you messing with me on purpose?’
As they boarded the cable car, Fang Jie couldn’t help but laugh, her ample chest bouncing with the movement.
"Good thing this mountain isn’t too tall, or you would’ve run him into the ground."
"You can’t blame me. He was the one who couldn’t keep up. But I have to give him some credit, his persistence is commendable. Making it to the top in one go shows some real guts."
"That guy tries too hard to act like a big shot. We’re clearly not cut from the same cloth."
"So, does that mean you think we *are* cut from the same cloth?"
"Of course. We’re business partners now, aren’t we?"
They sat side-by-side in the cable car. Fang Jie was a little nervous, but she tried her best not to show it.
"You mentioned that casting is underway. Who have you selected so far? Tell me about it."
"I organized a national cheerleading competition in partnership with iQiyi. The champions will be given a shot at a role, but whether they’re up to the task will be up to them."
Fang Jie looked at Lin Jiang, her eyes wide with surprise.
"The Super-Play Cup Cheerleading Competition... don’t tell me you’re the one behind it?!"
