Chapter 50: Matters of the Qin Dynasty

"Master, when are you going to teach me real kung fu?" Scarlett asked through clenched teeth while holding a horse stance.

She had been doing this for a week now. Every morning before dawn, she would knock on Liu Jing's door, more punctual than any alarm clock.

"Once your lower body is steady, you can learn kung fu. Only when the foundation is laid deep and firm can a towering building rise from the ground," Liu Jing replied while practicing his boxing forms.

He had originally thought the little Western girl would retreat in the face of difficulties, but he had underestimated her resilience.

He decided to test her for a few more days; if she could keep it up, he would teach her some genuine skills.

"When will my lower body be considered steady?" Chicago winters were freezing, and Scarlett, wearing only a tank top, was covered in sweat.

Filming for *Home Alone 3* had been underway for nearly two months. Her role in the movie wasn't very large, and she could have left the production once her scenes were finished, but she chose to stay with the crew specifically to learn kung fu.

With his solid skills and exceptional acting, Liu Jing had also carved out a comfortable place for himself on the set.

After getting familiar with everyone, he realized these Hollywood actors and directors were nothing special—just regular people with one nose and two eyes.

"When I feel it is steady, then it is steady." Liu Jing's expression was serene. The past month had truly been fulfilling, broadening his horizons immensely.

The situation with Marvel was far from as simple as Jim had described; the waters ran very deep.

To alleviate his massive debts, Ronald Perelman decided to establish Marvel Studios. Bringing those comic book heroes to the big screen might just throw a lifeline to the ailing Marvel.

In 1993, ToyBiz granted Marvel a 46% stake. As a toy manufacturer, ToyBiz secured the rights to produce various toys based on Marvel characters. At the same time, Avi Arad acquired a 10% stake in Marvel.

Perelman decided to buy the remaining shares of ToyBiz and merge it with Marvel to form a new company, a plan that met fierce resistance from Marvel's existing shareholders.

Consequently, Perelman devised a strategy: file for bankruptcy. This way, he could restructure Marvel without needing the shareholders' consent.

In the words of major shareholder Carl Icahn, Perelman was like a plumber who came to fix your pipes, but instead of just destroying your house, he tried to steal it without paying a single penny.

Internal conflicts within Marvel intensified dramatically. Perelman wanted to file for bankruptcy, but the other shareholders were firmly opposed.

Jim had spent many years at Marvel and wanted to seize this opportunity to get a piece of the pie.

Liu Jing had spent a week at Marvel, nominally in the capacity of a creditor. Day in and day out, rain or shine, he used his "Daily Appraisal" ability twice a day on the company's sign.

[Note: Translated into Chinese, this means Marvel Comics.]

[Note: This sign is somewhat weathered and carries a certain history.]

[Note: Its material is...]

...

[Note: Even if you only hand over ten percent of it, that is still a colossal fortune.]

[Note: If this world had no Marvel, how monotonous the cinematic world would be.]

Because of these appraisal notes, coupled with what he had witnessed and learned that week, Liu Jing went to Zhang Min to borrow money once more.

A debt easily borrowed and promptly repaid is easily borrowed again.

He only had a little over ten million in his account, so he took another ten million-plus from Zhang Min, finally gathering a total of three million US dollars.

On top of that, he gave his maternal aunt one million RMB to fund the normal operations of the publishing company.

He didn't hand the three million dollars directly to Jim, always feeling that the old man was somewhat unreliable.

Since rumors of bankruptcy had already leaked, minor shareholders were frantically dumping their stocks. Liu Jing took the opportunity to quietly acquire a batch under his aunt's name.

His aunt had met the immigration requirements last year and was already a US citizen.

"I just hope this isn't throwing money into the water." Thinking of Marvel's current plight, Liu Jing couldn't help but feel deeply anxious. If Perelman's scheme succeeded, his money would be worth little more than pebbles tossed into the sea. But if Marvel rose from the ashes, he would become a minor shareholder.

"So when will you decide it's steady?" Scarlett's puzzled voice broke into his thoughts.

"When I can push you and you don't fall over, your lower body will be steady."

"Master, are you trying to take advantage of me? The place you pushed me yesterday..."

Liu Jing's face darkened. Scarlett was significantly taller than him; when she was holding her horse stance, where else could his hands push? Either her chest or her back.

Attacking someone from behind was not the act of a hero.

So yesterday, he had pushed her front, and Scarlett had collapsed right into him.

"With something that small, what advantage is there to take?" Liu Jing muttered grumpily.

"It's not small." Scarlett glanced down at herself, looking quite satisfied.

"Keep holding your horse stance." Liu Jing curled his lips. You're still far from matching Zhang Min, though there's promise for the future.

"Lu Jing, up so early." The director had just arrived on set when he spotted the two figures in the corner.

Everyone was used to it by now. At first, a few others had been curious and tried following the horse stance routine, but in the end, only Scarlett had persevered.

"Director, I feel that this pranking setup has some flaws. We could do it this way instead." Seeing the director, Liu Jing hurriedly pulled a blueprint from the bag beside him.

"Oh, My God, what an endlessly energetic kid. You should at least let me get a sip of water or wake up my rusty brain first." The director slapped his forehead; it looked like they were going to have to redesign the props once again.

In his past life, the scion had studied Mohism, and those memories had naturally been passed down to Liu Jing.

Over the past few days, Liu Jing had spent a great deal of time studying those mechanical devices and offering suggestions. The director strongly supported his ideas, leaving the props department caught between deep affection and utter exasperation.

His aunt wasn't on the set; with such major events happening at the company, she had also stepped in to participate in its management.

Liu Jing wasn't lacking people to order around, as the team arranged by Yongsheng was on standby at all times.

Liu Jing being cast in *Home Alone 3* had given Yongsheng a strong stimulus.

They had sent a team to Hollywood not just for show, but with a clear mission: to help Liu Jing negotiate various collaborations.

The team had drawn up a comprehensive plan, looking fully prepared to forge him into an international superstar.

Unfortunately, reality was reality. Not many production crews gave them the time of day, and Liu Jing hadn't received many audition invitations.

Hollywood was America's Hollywood; this was neither Southeast Asia nor Hong Kong.

After being busy for over a month, the team's results were thoroughly disappointing, with only one movie responding to their inquiries. That film was titled *Getting Even with Dad*, another movie centered around mischievous kids.

Liu Jing had already auditioned and was currently in the stage of negotiating his salary.

He urgently needed to make money to fatten up his empty wallet.

Without a million dollars in his account, he simply lacked a sense of security.

"Director, you really need to get some rest."

"Lucy, the makeup you did for Scarlett is fantastic. We have a saying in China: miraculous craftsmanship carved by ghosts and gods."

"Aunt Leia, this outfit suits you so well; you look gorgeous."

"Uncle Oleg, your performance today was so handsome. I must ask you for pointers when I have time."

...

As the day's shooting wrapped up, Liu Jing greeted the crew members one by one before heading back to the hotel.

As soon as he unlocked and opened his door, he heard the splashing sound of running water. Someone was taking a shower in his bathroom.

Ever since he turned six and started filming away from home, Liu Jing had been staying in his own hotel rooms.

Liu Jing frowned slightly. His aunt really didn't treat him like an outsider; she hadn't even closed the bathroom door properly.

"Zhou Wenqiong, have you ever heard the old saying? Grown sons should keep their distance from mothers, and grown daughters from fathers. You're almost thirty, and you have no sense of boundaries at all!" Liu Jing shouted toward the bathroom.

"Little blockhead, you're back. Help me grab my underwear—the black one is right there in the suitcase," a voice called back from the shower.

"How is it you?" Liu Jing was startled. The person washing up inside wasn't his aunt, but Zhang Min.

"What's wrong? I'm your creditor now; are you really that unwelcome?" Zhang Min sounded displeased.

"Of course not, you're welcome with open arms." Liu Jing shook his head. This woman had even less boundaries than his aunt.

His aunt didn't treat him like an outsider, but Zhang Min didn't treat him like a man.

He skillfully opened the suitcase, retrieved the undergarment, and handed it through the crack in the door.

"Why aren't you taking a shower in my aunt's room?" Liu Jing complained.

"They don't have the key to Wenqiong's room, and I didn't have time to book a new one. I'm going to make do and share a room with you tonight. You don't have a problem with that, do you?" Zhang Min replied. The splashing water finally stopped—she was finally done washing.

"Hmph!" Liu Jing certainly didn't want to agree, and just as he was searching for an excuse to refuse, he heard Zhang Min continue, "Blockhead, the laptop you wanted is on the desk. Did you write *The Stories of the Qin Dynasty*? I just read a bit of it; the novel is really interesting."