Huayu: This director is so eager to improve.

No sooner had Jianguo left than Guo Fan returned, yawning.

Downstairs, the two met face to face.

Naza greeted them and quickly ran away with her head down.

Pushing open the door to the rented room, Qi Yue was sitting in front of the computer, the screen still displaying the complex storyboard of "Day and Night".

"Qi Yue, I was just downstairs..." Guo Fan deliberately dragged out his words, plopped down into the old sofa next to him, and winked.

"You two... must have had a good time last night, right?"

Qi Yue didn't even look up, his fingers sliding across the touchpad.

"She drank too much and threw up all over herself, so I gave her one of your old shirts to change into."

"Don't change the subject," Guo Fan leaned forward.

"A man and a woman alone in a room, and the girl was so drunk... didn't you really have any thoughts about it?"

Article 236 of the Criminal Law stipulates that anyone who takes advantage of a woman's intoxication, deep sleep, or other state of ignorance or inability to resist to have sexual intercourse with her shall be punished as having committed rape. The punishment is imprisonment for not less than three years but not more than ten years. In serious cases, the punishment is imprisonment for not less than ten years, life imprisonment, or death.

Guo Fan: "...Huh?"

Qi Yue: "So what are you trying to say?"

"Never mind, never mind. I really wonder if you were a cop in your past life. Sometimes you're more cunning than anyone else, and other times you're as still as a rock."

He shifted to a more comfortable position, and then got back to the main topic.

"Let's get down to business. I sounded out Sister Xu about that 'joint production' proposal you mentioned. She carefully reviewed our project proposal and budget and thinks it's feasible."

"Joint investment, shared risks, while we retain core creative and final editing rights. This model is currently the most advantageous for us, and the big boss can also accept it."

"Okay," Qi Yue nodded, this was exactly the result he wanted.

A mere contractor is always in a passive position; only by becoming the producer can one gain more say and control over profit distribution.

Looking at Qi Yue's calm expression, Guo Fan couldn't help but ask the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time.

"Qi Yue, I don't understand. Isn't it good the way we are now? Sister Xu is paying us, and we're just responsible for making the film well and earning the director's fee and production fee we're entitled to. It's a safe bet."

"Why bother becoming a producer yourself? That's real money at stake! What if, and I mean what if, 'Day and Night' doesn't become as popular as 'Yu Zui,' or even loses money? Wouldn't all the savings we've worked so hard to accumulate be wiped out? The risk is too great!"

Qi Yue stood up and found the window.

Downstairs, breakfast stalls were starting to get busy, and people were hurrying by.

"Brother Fan," he said slowly, "do you remember what was the hardest part when we were filming 'Yu Zui'?"

"Of course! No money, no connections, we have to beg and plead everywhere!"

"That's right!" Qi Yue turned around. "We're just 'doing the work.' Investors can withdraw their funding at will, and platforms can arbitrarily lower prices, modify, or even bury our work."

"The success of 'Yu Zui' was due to our hard work and luck, but I don't want to always rely on such an ethereal thing as luck."

"As for the risks," he walked back to the table and tapped the thick script of "Day and Night" with his fingers:

"What's risk-free? Does being an employee mean there's no risk? Brother Fan, 'Tongfan Pictures' isn't just about making a few good films. What we're building is a film and television business empire that can continuously produce high-quality content and has autonomy. If we don't even dare to try, this empire will never be built."

Guo Fan was stunned by these words.

He followed Qi Yue, from being naive and enthusiastic at the beginning to being dazzled by Qi Yue's various actions.

Sometimes he felt that Qi Yue was too bold and too calculating. But only now did he clearly see the ambition and blueprint beneath Qi Yue's calm exterior.

That's not about being content with a modest life.

After a long while, Guo Fan let out a heavy sigh and wiped his face:

"Damn it...you're right. I was being narrow-minded. Working for so long, I almost forgot why we mortgaged the photo studio in the first place. Go for it! Your brother Fan is with you!"

A genuine smile appeared on Qi Yue's face as he patted Guo Fan on the shoulder.

"Brother Fan, we have the foundation of 'Yu Zui,' the current team, and partners like Sister Xu. This is the best opportunity. In the future, it won't be others giving us red envelopes, but us giving them to others."

"Okay," Guo Fan's enthusiasm returned. "I'll go and refine the details of the joint production plan right away, and ask Sister Xu to expedite it!"

Watching Guo Fan's hurried departure, Qi Yue sat back down in front of the computer.

But this time, Qi Yue did not immediately return to work.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and let his consciousness sink into the void that only he could perceive.

The long-lost pale blue light screen reappeared before my eyes, simple yet cold.

[Director Skill Point System]

[Host: Qi Yue]

Available Funds: 223,632 yuan (Director's salary for "Yu Zui")

Current skills: Script insight (elite level), camera language control (proficient level), actor coaching (beginner level)...

[List of skills available for purchase/upgrade (refreshes based on funds and permissions)...]

The funds are much more plentiful than before, but there is still a significant gap between them and the top-tier skills and special items that cost millions or tens of millions.

While some conventional improvements, such as "advanced storyboard composition" and "advanced color aesthetics," are useful, they are not what he urgently needs at this moment.

The script for "Day and Night" is solid enough, the cast is top-notch, and he and his team are more than capable of handling the standard directing skills.

Finally, his gaze settled on a newly appeared skill icon, shimmering with a faint light.

[Skill Name: Hitchcock's Bomb]

[Skill Description: Master and skillfully apply Alfred Hitchcock's classic suspense theory—the "bomb theory." This is a suspense technique created through information asymmetry. This skill will provide in-depth analysis of the theory, dissection of classic examples, and advanced guidance on how to creatively apply it in film and television production.]

Purchase Price: 200,000 yuan

[Skill Level: Special Theory/Technique (Cannot be upgraded; mastery equals proficiency)]

Hitchcock's Bomb: A film theory created by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.

But those who have studied high school Chinese should know the saying: knowing what something is does not necessarily mean knowing why it is.

Not to mention how to use it accurately and effectively in complex film and television production.

It's not just about creating fear, but about building a deeper, more lasting psychological pressure and narrative drive.

For a hardcore suspense drama like "Day and Night," which features parallel storylines, identity swaps, and the gradual unveiling of the truth, this is a different story.

This extreme control over the rhythm of information release and psychological rhythm is perhaps more crucial than having more explosion scenes or dazzling long takes.

It can tell the audience "where the danger is", but let the audience watch the characters walk towards the danger without realizing it, or brush past the danger. That sense of participation and anticipation is one of the highest enjoyments of the suspense genre.

"Buy."

Qi Yue did not hesitate at all

[Payment confirmed: 200,000 yuan.]

[Funds deducted.]

[Skill "Hitchcock's Bomb" loading...]