120 A Son Encourages His Mother to Read More

Filming "Doomsday Guardians" required a vast array of equipment. Boss Li immediately instructed the company to contact two universities in Jianye and outright purchased an entire motion capture laboratory, including the system and testing facilities, for over sixty million.

This move stunned Park Inyong, the director of the online business department.

“P-President, diverting half the company’s liquid assets—isn’t that a bit...”

“Hey, Old Park, in business, you’ve got to be bold. For premium assets, we use our own money without hesitation; for less premium ones, we lean on bank loans. I’ve applied for an 80 million loan from the bank, so funds won’t be a problem,” Boss Li said, patting Park on the shoulder reassuringly.

His “creative ability” might not be his strong suit, but to lack “creative ability” altogether was almost impossible.

In short, just trust the process, Mr. Park!

“Then... what about online promotions for the stunt doubles?”

“Push hard! We must loudly proclaim that our company’s stunt doubles are the best in the world! And don’t forget the special effects—our special effects are top-notch, bar none!”

“Y-Yes...”

Park felt a pang of guilt earning money in China under these circumstances.

Back then, he thought action scenes just meant stunt doubles swinging on wires from one spot to another, with some post-production polishing—that’s normal for small companies.

But “Creative Ability’s” action scenes?

The boss himself performed stunts, leaping from over thirty meters down to ten meters, then to the ground.

Or he personally hoisted a heavy motorcycle with both hands and threw it repeatedly.

As for spinning two and a half times in midair and throwing six throwing knives the moment he landed—Park wasn’t inexperienced, he was genuinely unprepared.

Now, whatever the boss said went.

The online commenters and fans were adorably naive—all thinking those were special effects?

No, they were real, absolutely real!

“By the way, President, ‘Miaoxiangshan Entertainment’ wants to collaborate. They have a girl group interested in singing the theme and character songs for ‘Black Cat Patrol,’ plus some interactive events.”

“Are they big?”

“Huh? The girl group members? Big?”

Boss Li, thinking Park didn’t understand, made two large circles with his hands.

“They can be very big!!”

Park responded without hesitation.

“Then let’s start big and collaborate later. Remember, at ‘Creative Ability,’ we don’t aim to be the best, only the biggest!”

“Yes, President, I’ll keep that in mind!”

“How’s the work rhythm here? Getting used to it?”

“Thanks for your concern, President. I really like the work environment now; the pressure isn’t as intense as before. That’s all thanks to you shielding us like a mountain. I am forever indebted...”

Watching Park’s flattery grow slicker and stronger, Boss Li was deeply gratified.

At the newly built Stage Two, Ding Wei was practicing looking cool.

Striking poses and crafting stylish images is the essence of tokusatsu shows—the cool yet cheesy lines, awkward poses that make you want to scratch your feet, and, of course, the dazzling transformations!

As for the plot, positive energy suffices.

Not that kids can’t handle dark, gritty stories, but adults can’t either.

If the villains don’t get defeated, why bother watching?

The values in “Masked Gourd Hero” were problematic. Other tokusatsu or live-action animations focus on education; here, there’s zero tolerance—everyone is swept up in one net.

Some parents organized complaints, but Mr. Su, an anonymous legislator, planted agents in the “Parents’ United Group.”

Want to complain about “Masked Gourd Hero”?

Then we’ll ramp up the complaints to all possible shows.

He even planted more abstract agents to sow discord among parent groups, spreading rumors that some were bribed.

If you oppose my “Gourd Hero,” I’ll escalate matters—highly effective.

Let parents fight among themselves—what’s that got to do with me, Su Yongzhi?

I’m just a power-hungry, wealth-seeking ordinary legislator.

Boss Li wasn’t even aware of these plots, as they were easily quashed early on by his wife’s grandfather.

Official notices declared that all online and offline cultural works in the province strictly complied with rating standards, with no violations found.

After “Black Cat Patrol” made a small profit, Boss Li promptly donated funds, books, and social practice positions to schools affiliated with government departments.

Though he had never met the daughter of a certain legislator, Boss Li signed and stamped her social practice approval, praising her for contributing to social fairness and women’s rights through a “Creative Ability” project, enhancing the company’s engagement in social justice...

No S-level rating, otherwise it would have been an S++!

Boss Li’s reputation was surprisingly good. After paying over twenty million in taxes to Canglong District, he sold three adjacent warehouses to “Creative Ability.”

Those warehouses originally belonged to a notorious defaulter, normally a hassle to deal with, but now to promote social righteousness and cultural industry development, they had to support outstanding entrepreneurs.

“Creative Ability” had recently added three companies and one factory, covering motion capture, software effects, talent management, and film prop design and production.

They created 500 new jobs. Although the newly established “Cat Prop Design & Production Factory” frequently shipped orders, Factory Director She Buzheng always felt the boss personally drove the deliveries—was that a bit too attentive to clients?

But at 33, Boss Li was focused on making money; if he wanted to drive himself, that was his prerogative.

“Wei!”

Hearing his name, Ding Wei quickly put down his throat-soothing purified water and struck a signature pose.

“Second Hero ‘Orange of Wisdom,’ reporting for duty!!”

Almost thirty, Ding felt an urge to peel off his own skin from embarrassment, but thinking about earning tens of thousands per episode, his spirits soared.

“Masked Gourd Hero Part Two” was greenlit for forty episodes, about ten more than the first season. Li Jie starred in the first episode, a simple “passing the torch” plot loved by kids.

“Looking good, let’s shoot it like this! Tomorrow, some students from labor schools in Zhuque District will visit. Wei, you won’t be nervous, right?”

“‘Gourd Hero’ fears nothing!”

“Yoshi~~ You’re really something!”

“...”

Boss Li’s visit was mainly to see his tiger mom; chatting with Ding Wei was incidental. Still, he handed a red envelope to Dong Sharen.

“Little Dong, buy some drinks for Wei.”

“Yes, boss!”

Little Dong was smart—he bought drinks and snacks like cakes and biscuits, because actors needed something to eat during breaks. The boss couldn’t always come by to treat them; that was the director or lead actors’ responsibility.

If Li Jie wasn’t around, Ding paid out of pocket; if Li Jie came, no need.

“Mom, you lost weight?”

“Working every day, how can I not? But I’ll be back at Little Red Star tomorrow—will gain it all back soon.”

“...”

Tiger Wenjing hadn’t been sneaking the kids’ snacks. The welfare home had advanced equipment now, requiring fewer old ladies to be active. Without movement, fat accumulated quickly.

Unlike at “Creative Ability,” where the work was purely physical labor, earning ten to twenty thousand yuan wasn’t easy.

“Hey, don’t think I, as a son, don’t care. Here’s a ‘Family Bucket’ set for your fat loss.”

Opening the bag revealed burgers, fries, and cola—of course, chicken breast was included. No way would a fat loss diet skip chicken breast.

Breaded with cheese, coated in seaweed flakes, crispy and fragrant.

Tiger Wenjing loved it.

Mother and son each held a cola in their left hand to avoid excess calories and began eating.

“Seems like ‘Hengqiang Real Estate’ is quiet lately. The Pingjiang City Council has withdrawn the previous welfare home downsizing proposal. Does this mean the demolition might happen?”

“Anyone discussing compensation?”

“Xiuqin said they’re considering allocating one percent for reconstruction funds. Also, someone in the council proposed ensuring normal operations of district welfare homes while setting standards for welfare home closures—social opinions are being solicited. Seems okay, I guess.”

Taking a third of a double-layer beef burger in one bite, Tiger Wenjing expertly avoided spilling the low-calorie sauce and cheese.

“Bullshit. They’re just fooling us old ladies.”

“Huh? But setting closure standards sounds good?”

“Is Little Red Star public or private?”

“Public.”

“Well, I’m a private owner. If I start a charity foundation and run a private welfare home, would that count as a non-governmental, non-profit organization?”

“Uh... yes.”

Tiger Wenjing chewed and swallowed. Too slow to think it through, she took another bite of her burger. Some sauce leaked, but no worries—licking fingers clean was part of fat loss. No harm in extra zero-calorie sauce.

“So, in the future, private clinics and some schools will have underage mothers who abandon their babies after birth. Charities provide nutrition funds, and these babies go to private welfare homes, not traditional public ones like Little Red Star. Mom, does that sound reasonable?”

“Hmm... reasonable?”

Slurp.

The last bite of the double beef burger vanished magically, and the juice was sucked clean.

Then Tiger Wenjing grabbed a chicken drumstick, holding it felt like a chicken wing root, biting down to expose the bone instantly.

“Okay, so over the next year, Little Red Star’s intake decreases while private charity homes increase. When public welfare homes like Little Red Star meet closure standards set by the council, do you think closing them is illegal or legal?”

“...”

Glug glug glug...

Tiger Wenjing chewed the chicken, taking a big gulp of iced cola.

Cold, refreshing cola had no calories—a must for fat loss.

“Why didn’t they use this tactic before?”

“Well, that’s because Little Red Star was nothing before.”

“...”

“Times change; so do strategies. Before, Shu Ma stormed the government gate with pesticide—everyone suffered. Now, if you do that, you’re breaking the law. You can’t drink pesticide as a ‘gut cleanser’ anymore.”

“Smart people are smart.”

Tiger Mom fully agreed, understanding her eldest son’s explanation. While not as simple as Li Jie’s, the logic was sound.

“The people watching Little Red Star are educated, too. Wenjing, you should read more yourself. Don’t let intellectuals fool you, got it?”

“What about Xiuqin?”

“No worries. Like I said: the past is past, the present is present. I said Little Red Star would survive, so it will. Mom, I’m basically Superman now—super powerful.”

“Don’t eat fries. Eat this.”

Tiger Wenjing ignored her eldest son’s assurances, knowing those “cheese-stuffed fries” would get laughed at back at Little Red Star. But here at Li Jie’s place, she could eat whatever she wanted without caring about childish labels.

Taking an egg tart from Tiger Mom, Li Jie immediately protested, “I like savory egg tarts. I don’t want this sweet one.”

“Suit yourself.”

Since Tiger Mom didn’t like it either, she pulled out a double roasted duck pineapple burger, juicy and dripping. Pineapple rings were canned, so lots of juice was normal.

Though Li Jie disliked tarts, he found a way—dabbing some steamed fish soy sauce made the tart palatable.

Tiger Mom grimaced at his method, then retreated to enjoy her fat-loss meal in a corner alone.

Only when this old lady ate did her mind start working, reflecting slowly on her eldest son’s reasoning.

After finishing the double roasted duck pineapple burger and picking up the teriyaki chicken thigh burger, Tiger Mom finally nodded.

“Hmm... yes.”