I Found A Planet - Chapter 185

Chapter 185: 185

On the 28th of December, after some prompting by Chen Jin, Shi Xiaotao finally rushed to Shang Hai and gave the dailies for the second movie of the “Wa-wah Robot” series to Chen Jin .

In the President’s office, Chen Jin said with some impatience, “My million dollar director, it’s almost 20X1 and your movie is barely completed . Didn’t we agree to be amazing teammates for each other?” He could swoon over her efficiency, or lack thereof . She was given the project in March and it was already December . There were ten whole months in between . In the end, she was still somewhat of an impediment .

“I’m sorry, President Chen . It was not deliberate . ” Shi Xiaotao explained, “Based on the framework of the storyline that you provided, it’s virtually impossible to produce a story that is not cliche, yet exciting . Moreover, we had to do a comprehensive introduction of the Bang Bang robot’s various functions without cutting out any screen time for the Wa-wah robot . You’ve really given me a challenging issue . In order to produce a script that meets the standard, the producing team and I were kept busy for the whole month before we finally came up with a heart-warming, exciting, and comical story that is only slightly cliche… I think the storyline for this movie is better than the prequel . In addition, this movie has a duration of 118 minutes, almost 30 minutes more than its predecessor . The graphics are more sophisticated too . After all, I can’t rely on that amazing mystery team that you know . I hope that my ‘Taotao Studio’ can also produce sophisticated graphics that are comparable to that team’s . Therefore, I spent a little more time on the graphics production too . I hope you can understand . ”

Shi Xiaotao gave a slight bow . She did not want to be an “incompetent teammate,” but she did not want to be guided and assisted all the way in the production of her movie . She insisted on her own ways in many areas . The title of the “million dollar director” could not be easily held by anyone . It came with a crushing pressure that caused her to become very worried about messing up this sequel . One could see from her thinner face that she had poured way more time and effort into this second movie of the “Wa-wah Robot” series .

Chen Jin nodded . “I’ll watch it first . ” Moving his mouse, he played the dailies on his laptop . The movie started to play . He was engrossed within three minutes . He never stopped smiling until the end of the movie . Even the corners of his eyes were wet . There were no flaws in the production . The graphics were exquisite and the storyline was heart-warming . He put his thumb up and said, “Xiaotao, I was wrong about you . I can see that you’ve put in your best effort for this movie . I think this is much better than the prequel . The graphics’ quality is greatly enhanced . Your improvement is shocking . ” Based only on the plot, one could see that the story of “Wa-Wah Robot 2 — A New Family” was very cliche .

It began like this: the family that Wa-wah was staying with bought a Bang Bang robot . Once the new robot arrived, the limelight was taken away from Wa-wah . Bang Bang could fetch drinks, wipe the tables, conduct body check-ups and tell stories . It became the new focal point of the family . Wa-wah was frequently forgotten in one corner . After mopping the floor, it would lean disinterestedly against a corner of the wall . Even if the audience were separated from the immediacy of this scene by the screen, they would still feel Wa-wah’s sense of loss and disappointment .  After which, Wa-wah tried to do many things (for example, wiping the tables and fetching drinks) in the hopes of attracting their attention again . However, it overestimated what it could do and ended up with a load of criticisms instead . Wa-wah’s existence in the family became less important .

Wa-wah took the opportunity to run away from home during an “I love the environment” activity . It poured out its troubles and dejection to another cleaning robot called “Shuai . ” Following which, the two robots played and had fun outside for a few days .

Unbeknownst to Wa-wah, the family searched frantically for it everywhere . The two robots were tired of playing and went home . Upon reaching home, Wa-wah found a group of gangsters attacking its family! Unfortunately, both parents were out looking for Wa-wah . Only Lan Lan and Ah Bao were left at home . These gangsters were on the run from another area where they had left behind a trail of bodies . They were more violent and vicious than kidnappers . In order to save Lan Lan and Ah Bao, Wa-wah and Bang Bang joined forces . Together, they staged a thrilling battle that would make the audience’s heart jump out of their throats .

In the midst of this intense battle, a gas irritant was ejected from Bang Bang’s nose . A miraculous effect happened, where at least three of the gangsters were unable to fight anymore . In addition, with Dad operating Bang Bang after activating the “Ultimate Control” mode, its combat ability was greatly enhanced and it put another two gangsters out of commission .

Finally, only the leader was left standing . He held a bomb in one hand and was clutching Ah Bao in the other . In his desperation, he was ready to self-destruct . Bang Bang seized the bomb at the most critical moment, and put its arms around the leader as the bomb went off with a loud boom . The tear-jerking scene had arrived . The leader of the gangsters was dead but the Bang Bang robot had also been blasted apart; it was now a pile of separate components .

Lan Lan, Ah Bao, and the rest of the family cried terribly . However, the core chip of Bang Bang robot was undamaged and it was successfully repaired after a number of days . The reunion of the family and the robots in the end was heartwarming . Wa-wah recognized its own value, and there was a new addition to this family .

“Good, very good . ” Chen Jin nodded . “This movie would not only cause the audience to pity Wa-wah, but it would also allow them to gradually accept Bang Bang . All the functions of Bang Bang were introduced in the movie and even the Little Star learning machine was included as Lan Lan’s study equipment… It’s really perfect . I feel like I owe you 100 million in advertising fees . As for the box office sales, I won’t say that it’ll be better than the prequel, but five billion should be a piece of cake . After optimizing the graphics, it should be easy to rake in eight billion in global box office sales . ”

“I estimate that box office sales would be around three billion . Also…” Shi Xiaotao smiled slightly . Her estimation was on the conservative side . “I think that many film critics will really give it to me now . They will certainly be less generous for my second movie . After all, I’m already a million dollar director in Z country . ” She did not look happy about it; on the contrary, she looked very worried about her potential gains and losses . Fame was like that . It could bring you honor and glory, but also great pressure .

“Film critics?” Chen Jin’s eyes squinted and he said angrily, “What idiot would criticize such a good movie? Ignore those idiots . I have more than 30 million fans on Weibo . I’ll get them to argue against your naysayers . Who’s afraid of who?!” Not all of the 30 million fans were die-hard fans . But, even if only 1% of them supported him, it was enough to drown the cruel critics in their rancor and teach them a lesson about living humbly .

“Hehehe!” Shi Xiaotao pursed her lips in a smile as she instantly felt happier .

They discussed the movie’s announcement and release date in depth . The first screening of “Wa-Wah Robot 2 — A New Family” would be fixed on the 1st of February in 20X1 . Although it was within the Spring Festival film schedule, it was more than ten days before the start of the Spring Festival on the 12th of February . Moreover, it was in the proper order this time . Xing Hai Technologies’ new product, the Bang Bang robot, would be launched on the 10th of February . The movie would be released before the product launch so he could use the box office sales to drive the sales volume of the Bang Bang robot .

Chen Jin requested that Shi Xiaotao leave a copy of the dailies with him . She could go back and wait for the final version . The “amazing team” would complete optimization within a week and he would send the final version to her .

“Yes, thank you, President Chen . ” Shi Xiaotao left Shang Hai .

…

On the 29th, in Shang Hai City, at the Mount Hua Hospital, Li Xiao Lan received the final diagnosis in a report by a specialist . Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, intermediate stage . Looking at the diagnosis on the report, Li Xiao Lan started seeing spots in her vision and nearly collapsed .

Su Yun, who had accompanied her to the hospital, quickly held her up . She started crying . “How could it be like this? How? How?”