Chapter 132: Investing in the Detective Dee Series

Xu Ke cast a playful, indifferent glance at Lin Fan.

A cold sneer involuntarily rose in Lin Fan’s heart. A great director is truly a great director—everything is clearly distinguished: money is money, art is art.

In the eyes of these top directors, if the money doesn’t meet their standards, then nothing else matters.

“Director Xu, just say how much you want. Art is priceless!” Lin Fan, unfamiliar with the rules of the film industry, could only resort to his usual catchphrase.

At that moment, Li Li, dressed in formal attire, came downstairs. Seeing Lin Fan and Xu Ke in the reception room, she quickly greeted them.

“You, as a guest, immediately talk about investing so I can continue shooting the Detective Dee series? What’s the source of your money? It’s not money laundering, is it?” Xu Ke crossed his legs and scrutinized Lin Fan with a discerning look.

Lin Fan was taken aback; he hadn’t expected such suspicion from a renowned director. This man had made films for Hong Kong and Taiwan markets before—who knew how much money he had laundered—and now he was suspecting him?

Considering his own status, Lin Fan suspected that Xu Ke looked down on him, a wealthy newcomer unfamiliar with the world.

After all, the other was a famous director whose films were both critically acclaimed and commercially successful—high expectations but low tolerance were typical.

Perhaps Xu Ke resented the idea of Lin Fan casting numerous talentless internet celebrities into the film.

“It’s all legitimate; rest assured,” Li Li whispered softly in his ear.

Lin Fan pretended not to hear and calmly said, “I’ll first invest 3.5 billion yuan, allowing Sister Li Li to continue playing Shangguan Wan’er. As for the smaller roles, I’ll have some of my female artists take them to get some exposure and hone their acting skills. Director Xu, what do you think?”

Xu Ke was stunned.

“You’re investing through Li Li?”

“Yes, I don’t have many artists under my name. Only a handful can act. I’m not asking them to be leads—just palace maids or messengers will do.”

Lin Fan mimicked Xu Ke, crossing his legs deliberately, raising himself a notch to appear confident.

After a few seconds of silence, Xu Ke’s expression suddenly changed. He extended his hand and smiled broadly.

“Mr. Lin, thank you for appreciating my films. Since you’re willing to invest, I’ll gladly cooperate. When do you want to start shooting?”

Xu Ke had come to invite Li Li to play a female boss in his latest documentary.

In recent years, Xu Ke had made few films—only one in two years—due to aging and the decline of Hong Kong-Taiwan capital, leading to a sluggish film industry and mediocre box office results. Consequently, no big companies sought him for high-budget productions.

Now, Lin Fan’s sudden offer to invest billions was like a godsend.

After the collapse of his previous investment company years ago, Xu Ke’s finances were precarious, barely sustained by his lifetime savings.

He had often expressed in interviews his wish to complete the Detective Dee series before he died, but without an investor willing to spare no expense, the series would remain shelved indefinitely.

Meeting Lin Fan, a wealthy benefactor today, was the fulfillment of that dream.

He was almost ready to kneel and call Lin Fan “Master.”

“Of course, the sooner the better. Let’s finish your documentary first, then prepare for the Detective Dee series. I’ll start with 3.5 billion yuan in Li Li’s name, and add more if needed…” Lin Fan knew Xu Ke was faster than most directors, but a big production still took at least a year or more to release. Besides, Xu Ke was over seventy; there was no need to rush him.

“Mr. Lin, your generosity will make this series happen. I’m confident it will become the highest-grossing film series in history,” Xu Ke said, clasping Lin Fan’s hand tightly, nodding eagerly and laughing.

But then Lin Fan suddenly changed the subject.

“I don’t like your assistant. His attitude just now seemed to look down on me. How about replacing him?”

Lin Fan cast a cold glance at the somewhat sly-looking man behind Xu Ke.

The assistant was startled, suddenly nervous.

“Just an assistant? I’ll fire him immediately. I can even kneel and apologize to you if you want!” Xu Ke instantly turned on him, showing what it means to be a traitorous actor—changing faces faster than turning pages.

He harshly scolded the assistant in front of Lin Fan and then kicked him out of the company.

Seeing Xu Ke’s masterful performance left Lin Fan deeply impressed—no wonder he was a great director. His acting alone was something Miao Tiantian and others could study for a lifetime.

This also taught Lin Fan a lesson: with these high-profile entertainment figures who care only about money and not people, there’s no need for unnecessary words. Just pay enough, and they’ll call you “Master” without hesitation.

The term “master” itself originated from the film industry.

Xu Ke’s earnest friendliness towards Lin Fan also made Li Li somewhat flustered.

She still had to be respectful towards Xu Ke, but now that Lin Fan mentioned investing billions, Xu Ke immediately shed his arrogance and treated Lin Fan with great courtesy, calling him “Mr. Lin” warmly.

The three then went to a nearby upscale restaurant and reserved a private room, spending the entire afternoon talking.

They even signed a letter of intent on the spot, confirming that filming would begin shortly after the Chinese New Year, about four months from now—just enough time for pre-production.

During these four months, Lin Fan could select his favorite actors, and Xu Ke would set up a training class to coach them.

Because the Detective Dee series emphasized fantasy martial arts, all roles required combat skills, so Lin Fan had to choose female artists carefully.

In other words, he was warned not to cast random internet-famous faces without acting skills.

Li Li even suggested producing a shorter web series of the same name first to test the waters and help Lin Mu and others practice their acting.

Lin Fan agreed.

That evening, Li Li and Lin Fan returned to the seaside villa together.

After Lin Fan and his assistant helped Li Li lie down on the sofa, the assistant left on his own.

Seeing him prepare to leave, Li Li suddenly waved him back.

“Lin Fan, little brother, are you just going to leave me here alone?”

Lin Fan was stunned on the spot.

Was she hinting at something?

On the way here, Li Li had already changed how she addressed him—from “Mr. Lin” to “little brother Lin Fan.”

Seeing Li Li’s flushed, intoxicated face and the affectionate look she gave him, an inexplicable mischievous fire ignited within Lin Fan.

Before he had the system, he never dreamed he’d ever cross paths with a top star.

Now, not only had he connected with a leading celebrity, but he had also entered her home. A man and a woman alone in the same room, the air thick with an ambiguous, strange tension.

A wicked voice whispered in Lin Fan’s mind, constantly urging him: since Li Li clearly liked him, why not let something happen?