Chapter 1344 - 505: The Investment Project Is Finally Paying Off_2

Chapter 1344: Chapter 505: The Investment Project Is Finally Paying Off_2

After applying for the flight route, it takes time for the route to be approved, and there’s no definite timetable for how long that might take. So, Qin Miao had no specific landing time and chose not to have someone pick them up.

The plane landed, and Qin Miao called a Didi to the hotel that Guo Fan and his team had prepared for them.

Guo Fan and his team, indeed, did not meet Qin Miao at the airport, but they arranged for staff at the hotel entrance.

As soon as Qin Miao got out of the car, someone around the same age enthusiastically approached them.

"Qin Miao! Hello, I’m a staff member from The Wandering Earth crew, sent by Director Guo to assist you. Let me take that off your hands, and I’ll take you to your room to rest. It’s been a tough journey."

Qin Miao was a bit surprised but didn’t refuse, handing over their suitcase while carrying the backpack themselves.

As they walked into the hotel together, Qin Miao curiously asked, "Is the movie edited? How much of my scenes were cut?"

During filming, Qin Miao had a few scenes with Wu Jing, and naturally, they chatted while waiting for the crew to wrap up. During those talks, Wu Jing mentioned that the director would inevitably cut actors’ scenes to maintain plot coherence, as many scenes are shot but ultimately only a few make it to the final cut.

In the end, perhaps only two or three scenes remain.

Qin Miao hadn’t thought about the film much before, but being in Beijing made them curious, so they asked casually.

The person shook their head with a smile, "I’m really sorry, but we signed a confidentiality agreement and can’t say."

Qin Miao raised an eyebrow, "I’m watching the premiere on the 18th anyway, can’t you tell me now?"

The person shook their head but then genuinely said, "You’ll find out then, but I must say, your scenes are quite impressive."

Qin Miao nodded, understanding that while they couldn’t explicitly say it, they could hint.

With that comment, it was clear to Qin Miao that their scenes were at least retained in the film, but how much was not disclosed.

The subsequent process was routine — checking into the hotel and settling in.

Guo Fan and his team were still preparing and wouldn’t arrive until the 17th.

Qin Miao had arrived relatively early.

This time, Qin Miao decided not to play games endlessly like at Zhou Guanyu’s place in Shanghai. Despite the lack of training facilities at the hotel, they continued exercising and explored Beijing out of curiosity.

Coincidentally, this period coincided with the Spring Festival travel rush, reducing the population significantly compared to normal times. After renting a car, Qin Miao followed an online winter travel guide and explored the capital alone.

As the capital, the first stop was Tian’anmen, a staple for any tourist’s itinerary in China. Naturally, Qin Miao couldn’t miss it.

Qin Miao set out early, leaving at three in the morning and arriving by three-thirty to catch the flag-raising ceremony.

In the dead of winter, even with Qin Miao’s robust constitution, they were shivering like a leaf while waiting for the flag to rise at Tian’anmen.

And during the Spring Festival rush, although there were spectators at the flag-raising, the crowd was far less than usual, and Qin Miao didn’t need to book two days in advance.

Next were the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, and two of the nation’s top universities.

Qin Miao visited all these places.

Qin Miao clearly remembered receiving invitations from these universities to give a lecture after winning the first world championship, maybe to share their experiences.

Honestly, Qin Miao felt ashamed seeing the invitation.

As a high school graduate who never attended college and only knew a bit about driving, what right did they have to share experiences with these highly talented students?

So, Qin Miao directly refused.

Now, seeing students still studying on campus during the break made Qin Miao consider whether they should pursue a university education after retiring.

If nothing else, they could always try for an adult bachelor’s degree...

After all, money wasn’t a concern anymore.

But Qin Miao was just musing; they hadn’t tired of F1 races yet.

Soon, it was the 17th, and Qin Miao went to meet Guo Fan.

Director Guo looked much better than when Qin Miao last saw him on set, appearing refreshed and full of energy.

Maybe the film was finally finished, and although the upcoming work was tiring, it required less mental effort, visibly relaxing his tense spirit.

After the usual pleasantries, Qin Miao didn’t linger long with Guo Fan. They were there to see their film, while Guo Fan had to prepare for the screening.

However, before Guo Fan left, Qin Miao asked if they could take an electronic copy of the film home after the screening.

Guo Fan made it clear, "Technically, that’s not allowed."

Qin Miao gave a slight smile.

"Technically not allowed" usually means it’s practically possible, while "technically allowed" often means it’s not.

Strange, but a mutual understanding nonetheless.

Of course, agreeing involves certain preconditions.

Qin Miao, though unfamiliar with such things, understood Guo Fan’s implication and joked, "If there are requirements, just say so."

Guo Fan chuckled, "Qin Miao, regardless, you’re part of our The Wandering Earth 2 crew, right?"

Qin Miao nodded.

"Then at tomorrow’s screening, shouldn’t you make a public appearance?" Guo Fan smiled warmly, void of any scheming expression.

But Qin Miao clearly understood the ploy.

Despite winning two world championships, they had no intention of capitalizing on their fame.

Although the peak of interest had passed, no one found it strange, as Qin Miao rarely participated in activities.

This was widely known, and while some fans were initially unaccustomed, they eventually accepted it.

Because Qin Miao seldom appeared in other public events domestically, their fame had only been compressed, not disappeared.

If Qin Miao’s first public appearance upon returning was for The Wandering Earth, a media blitz would follow, and Guo Fan would reap tons of exposure.

Then, Guo Fan added, "Moreover, considering you invested quite a sum in this film, promoting it means more money for you, right?"

This was a two-pronged approach.

In truth, Qin Miao was unlikely to refuse; they genuinely wanted to show the film to their family.

Even without the final argument, Qin Miao would have agreed with Guo Fan.

After Guo Fan’s final words, Qin Miao had even less reason to decline.

Additionally, it was after Guo Fan’s reminder that Qin Miao realized, they had indeed invested in The Wandering Earth.

Still, Qin Miao had a question, "How much did I invest in The Wandering Earth?"

Guo Fan: ?

What? You could forget something like that?

Despite the disruption from Qin Miao’s comment, Guo Fan clearly remembered the investment amount.

"Initially, you invested 30 million, and later, for the director’s cut, another 10 million, totaling 40 million."

Qin Miao nodded, "Then how much will I get back?"

Guo Fan shrugged, "I don’t know, it depends on the box office. Honestly, discussing this makes me anxious, as I’m uncertain if the sequel will resonate with audiences."

"It’ll succeed!" Qin Miao reassured, patting Guo Fan’s shoulder.

Hearing this, Guo Fan had an inexplicable foreboding feeling, but he shook it off, saying, "Alright, no more chatting. I’ve got to prepare for tomorrow’s screening..."