Sheng Quan sat in the silver luxury car, directing the driver to pull over to the side of the street. She leaned out slightly, handed over some money, and called out to the busy middle-aged woman at the roadside food stall, "Auntie, one jianbing guozi, with an egg, please."Autos & Vehicles

The woman, who looked to be in her fifties with streaks of gray in her hair, was engrossed in her work. She acknowledged Sheng Quan's order with a quick "Eh!" and reached out to take the money. But when she looked up and saw the scene before her, she couldn't help but freeze for a moment.

It wasn't just her. Even the customers gathered around the food stall were casting glances filled with a mix of confusion, shock, and a hint of excitement.

Sheng Quan, reclining comfortably in her seat, was unfazed. After all, if she had seen someone driving a multi-million-dollar luxury car to buy a four-yuan jianbing guozi in her past life, she probably would have reacted the same way.

Take, for example, the girl over there who kept sneaking glances while pretending to look at her phone. The angle made it obvious she was secretly snapping photos of the ridiculously good-looking luxury car.

Sheng Quan bet that after taking the photos, the girl would excitedly share them with her friends, along with the story of how she saw a wealthy person driving a luxury car to buy jianbing guozi.Forum & Chat Providers

Sheng Quan pretended not to notice. If it weren't for the fact that she was the one involved, she would have found the whole thing just as bizarre.

But what could she do? This damn system had only given her this eye-catching luxury car and a six-month stay in the penthouse suite of a hotel, all under the guise of "newbie benefits."

The benefits were real enough—the presidential suite was incredibly luxurious, the car was comfortable and stunning, and it turned heads wherever she went. Her outfit was top-notch, but the system hadn't given her a single cent.Autos & Vehicles

Sheng Quan had searched every pocket she had, but all she could scrape together was two hundred yuan.

Two hundred yuan—what could she do with that? Even ordering at a Shaxian snack place would require careful budgeting.

Thankfully, the penthouse suite came with some perks. Basic necessities were provided, and even the driver currently at the wheel was part of the suite's standard service. She didn't have to pay him a dime.

While she could eat at the hotel when she was there, it didn't feel right to pack hotel food to eat outside. So, jianbing guozi it was.

And even with the jianbing guozi, she could only afford to add an egg, not a sausage. After all, after more than ten days of spending, she was down to just ninety-eight yuan and fifty cents.

Ninety-eight yuan and fifty cents—she hadn't been this broke even before she transmigrated!

Perhaps sensing Sheng Quan's frustration, the system chimed in: [Once the host successfully provides financial support, there will naturally be a cashback.]

Sheng Quan glanced at the hardworking couple at the food stall, who were also sneaking glances at the dazzling luxury car. [I've already decided who my first beneficiary will be.]

In her past life, Sheng Quan had died in a car accident. After transmigrating, she had been bound to this system, which called itself the "Support System." It claimed to be formed from the collective wishes of people, with the sole purpose of supporting exceptionally talented individuals with outstanding character but tragic fates.

And how would it support them? With money, of course.

As the host, Sheng Quan's task was to find individuals with high moral character, provide them with financial support, and spend money on them. The amount of money the system would return to her, as well as the number of extra days she could "live," depended on the beneficiary's level of gratitude toward her and the height of their career achievements.

For example, if she found a suitable beneficiary and supported them with one million yuan, and they achieved great success in their career while also holding her in high regard, she could receive a minimum of over nine hundred thousand yuan and an additional ninety days of life. If the beneficiary only had high gratitude toward her but low career achievements, she might only get around three hundred thousand yuan and thirty extra days.Legal

If she ever received the full one million yuan, it would mean the beneficiary had achieved 100% career success and 100% gratitude toward her. The extra life she would gain in that case would be something extraordinary—though the system couldn't specify exactly how extraordinary, only that Sheng Quan would find out when the time came.

Having read plenty of novels in her past life, Sheng Quan's first thought upon hearing the rules was: Isn't this just a "divine tycoon" system?

The difference was that the system didn't just create money out of thin air. It was more down-to-earth than the systems she had read about in novels, directly transferring money to Sheng Quan through various legal means, such as the stock market, forgotten assets, buying and selling, and platform rotations. Sheng Quan felt that if the system were a person, it would be an exceptional trader.

But in reality, the system couldn't just trade at will. It was formed from the collective wishes of people, and only after Sheng Quan completed her support tasks could it proceed to the next step.

[Reminder to the host.] Although it was a newly born Support System, it was still very professional in its duties: [During the initial phase, the host can only choose one beneficiary per month. If the choice is incorrect, the host will lose the opportunity to support anyone for that month, so please choose carefully.]Legal

This was the second frustrating aspect of the Support System, aside from "giving you a car and a house but not a single cent." It couldn't evaluate a person's moral character—that was entirely up to Sheng Quan to judge.

If Sheng Quan chose a beneficiary with low moral character, the money would essentially be wasted, and she wouldn't get a single cent back.

But Sheng Quan was confident: [Don't worry, I won't make a mistake. I've read this book three times, so I know exactly who has high moral character.]Books

Yes, this was Sheng Quan's second "golden finger."

She had transmigrated into a novel.

Sheng Quan had discovered this on her first day in this world, while frantically catching up on its history and news. This world was actually the setting of a novel she had once passionately followed, titled *"The Stars Shine Brightly."*

*The Stars Shine Brightly* was a massively popular web novel serialized on Jinjiang Novel Website, set in an alternate universe centered around the entertainment industry. Its world-building was expansive, and its characters were numerous and richly developed. Even before the novel was completed, fan works were already everywhere, with almost every character having their own fanbase. The most popular characters were adored by the masses.

And then, the author started killing off the characters one by one.

The one who loved singing more than life itself had their voice destroyed and could never sing again. The one who loved dancing freely on stage was in a car accident and bid farewell to the stage forever. The one who dedicated themselves to honing their acting skills was blacklisted. The one who pursued their dreams in the entertainment industry with unwavering passion left in disappointment. The most beautiful one, who cherished their appearance, was relentlessly bullied and ultimately had acid thrown on them by an anti-fan...Autos & Vehicles

The fans were furious!

The author perfectly demonstrated what it meant to "create the most beautiful characters and then slowly destroy them." No matter how much the readers begged and pleaded, the author remained steadfast in dimming the light of each vibrant character, as if plucking a beautifully blooming flower for a cruel joke.

As a fellow reader, Sheng Quan angrily declared: This isn't funny at all!

She didn't have a favorite character; she simply enjoyed watching the characters pursue their careers. But not only did the novel have a terrible ending, it was the kind of ending that left readers feeling utterly frustrated. As someone who loved seeing characters succeed, Sheng Quan was deeply upset.

The novel quickly went from being "this year's best-selling novel" to "the most infuriating novel of all time." Countless readers turned into anti-fans of the author, wishing they could grind their bones to dust. Sheng Quan herself was one of those fans-turned-haters who, in a fit of rage, stayed up all night typing out a ten-thousand-word comment passionately criticizing the author.Books & Literature

The next day, due to lack of sleep, she wasn't alert enough to avoid a car that ran a red light.

Thinking about this, Sheng Quan felt like cursing the author again. She suspected that the "wishes" the system mentioned were actually the collective resentment of readers like her. She was sure that her resentment alone could have sustained ten Xie Jianxians!

So, it seemed perfectly reasonable that such resentment could give rise to a system.

In any case, Sheng Quan had quickly adapted to the series of unscientific events that had led to her death, rebirth, transmigration, and acquisition of a divine tycoon system that could extend her life. After all, there wasn't much in her past life to miss—her parents had remarried and neither wanted her, the grandparents who raised her had passed away, and she only had a few friends, none of whom were particularly close.

As for a romantic partner? Forget about it. Someone who worked from dawn till dusk every day didn't have time for love.

Even though she only had a few dozen yuan in her pocket now, if someone asked Sheng Quan whether her past life or her current life was better, she would definitely say the current one!

Now, the top-floor suite priced at 188,000 yuan per night was her daily residence, and the limited-edition luxury car worth 25 million yuan was her means of transportation. She had a chauffeur to drive her around, and every staff member in the hotel treated her with utmost respect, catering to her every need. Everything she used was the best and most expensive. In her past life, Sheng Quan could never have afforded such a lifestyle no matter how hard she worked. But now, all of this had become her daily reality, and it would continue to be so in the future.Autos & Vehicles

After a brief moment of confusion, she couldn't help but feel happy.

The only problem was that her life now had a countdown.

【006, how many days do I have left?】

The mechanical voice of the system responded: 【Host, you have 30 days, 12 hours, and 50 minutes remaining.】

It was precise, down to the minute.

Hearing that she only had 30 days left to live, Sheng Quan accepted it quite well. After all, strictly speaking, she wasn't originally from this world. In her own world, she was already considered "dead." Every day she lived now was a bonus for her.

And most importantly, with two cheat codes in hand, Sheng Quan felt incredibly secure.

She wasn't like those die-hard fans of popular characters who poured their hearts into their admiration. After discovering that she had transmigrated into a novel, Sheng Quan quickly decided to focus her investments on these characters. After all, they were the ones she was most familiar with in this world. By selecting those with impeccable moral character to invest in, she was certain to succeed.Books & Literature

【Besides, they are all incredibly talented. I can even sign them on. Speaking of which, if I invest in a movie, as an investor, I can get a share of the box office revenue.】

Sheng Quan happily calculated in her mind: 【Adding the cashback from the system, that's two sources of income. Oh wait, I can also sell the rights—that makes three streams of income. Even without relying on the system's cashback, I can live a very comfortable life.】

The system didn't know how the conversation had turned into a discussion of the host's 100 ways to make money: 【...But we are a funding system.】

【Exactly.】 Sheng Quan replied matter-of-factly: 【As long as the funding is done properly, there's no rule saying I can't make money while funding, right? There's no such rule, is there?】

The system: ...

It felt like there was something off about the host's reasoning, but as a system that had been created less than a month ago, it couldn't quite pinpoint what was wrong. It could only slowly respond: 【...No, there isn't.】

Sheng Quan: 【Then it's settled. Let's do it this way!】

Just as she finished her mental calculations, the boss lady handed over the wrapped jianbing guozi. Although Sheng Quan's attitude was normal, just like any other ordinary customer, her actions were inevitably a bit awkward and cautious in front of such an expensive luxury car.Autos & Vehicles

Here, your Jianbing Guozi is ready.

"Thank you, auntie." Sheng Quan smiled as she took it and glanced at the person pushing two carts toward her.

He was around thirty, tall but not intimidating. His features were soft yet dignified, giving off a warm, spring-like vibe. Even with sweat on his forehead, he still looked refreshingly clean.

Sheng Quan took a bite of the jianbing guozi, savoring the dry, fragrant taste melting in her throat, much like the comforting feeling the man gave her—gentle and soothing.

Even though she had only read about him in the book, Sheng Quan recognized him immediately. This was Yan Hui, the character described as "a gentleman as gentle as jade, a peerless young master" in the novel.Books

In *Starlight*, Yan Hui wasn't the most popular character, but he was definitely the one with the best reader appeal. He was the epitome of a gentleman, so much so that it felt like such a perfect person could only exist in a fictional world.

This was also why Sheng Quan was here. When it came to moral character, Yan Hui was the first person she thought of.

Moreover, Yan Hui was an excellent actor. If it weren't for the fact that he had been exploited by a shady company for ten years and had offended someone while helping others, preventing him from showcasing his immense talent, Sheng Quan wouldn't have had the chance to pick him up now.

Under Sheng Quan's subtle gaze, Yan Hui walked over. Perhaps to make work easier, he was wearing a faded shirt with his sleeves casually rolled up. His well-defined but not overly slender fingers rested on the cart.

It was worth mentioning that *Starlight* was a feast for those who appreciated beauty. Even a character like Yan Hui, who wasn't heavily featured in the book, had such striking good looks that it was impossible not to notice.

While reading the book, the impact wasn't as strong, but seeing Yan Hui in person, Sheng Quan, a self-proclaimed beauty enthusiast, was immediately drawn to his gentle and refined aura.Books

As Sheng Quan secretly admired him, Yan Hui walked over to the boss lady and finally looked up. When his gaze fell on the eye-catching luxury car, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but unlike others, he didn't linger. Instead, he quickly averted his gaze and bent down to unload the boxes from the cart.

The boss's wife offered to help, but he gently refused: "Mom, your back isn't good. Let me do it."

Sheng Quan watched him bend down efficiently to work, thinking to herself, *But your back isn't in great shape either.*

Yan Hui had an old back injury from a filming accident, which hurt whenever he exerted himself. However, he was always good at hiding his pain, so few people knew about it. But of course, it couldn't escape Sheng Quan, who had the reader's omniscient perspective.

The boss lady continued working while muttering: "I told you I could handle it. You've been working all day, you must be tired. You should rest at home. You still have the night shift later."

Yan Hui listened patiently to his mother's nagging, his hands moving deftly as he helped. He simply smiled and replied: "I've been sitting in the office all day. I needed to move around a bit."

Looking at his relaxed smile, no one would guess that he had been doing hard labor at a construction site all day. One of the things Sheng Quan admired most about Yan Hui was that even when he was utterly exhausted, he would do everything in his power to hide it from his loved ones to avoid worrying them.

Others might be fooled, but with her omniscient perspective, Sheng Quan could see the fatigue in the corners of Yan Hui's eyes and the faint strain in his smile.

This was probably the most desperate and painful period of Yan Hui's life. With his father seriously ill and in need of money, he had given up his dream of pursuing acting to return home and shoulder the family's burden. To quickly raise funds, he took on grueling manual labor, all while pretending to his mother that he was working a respectable office job. According to the book, he woke up at 4 a.m. and didn't sleep until 1 a.m.Currencies & Foreign Exchange

Having been exploited by a ruthless boss in her past life, Sheng Quan could deeply relate to the part in the book where Yan Hui worked from 5:30 a.m. until midnight.

The difference was, after just half a month of such a schedule, Sheng Quan had turned sallow, her eyes dull, and her temper short. Yet Yan Hui had endured this for two months and was still smiling for his mother.

Even more astonishing was that despite getting only three hours of sleep a day and looking so worn out, he was still incredibly good-looking.

As Sheng Quan openly admired him while her mind wandered, she finished the last bite of her jianbing guozi and called out: "Hello."

Yan Hui, who had been busy, immediately looked up at the sound of her voice, his eyes questioning.

Then he saw the girl sitting in the luxury car handing him a piece of paper and a pen.Autos & Vehicles

The girl smiled, her eyes curving into crescents: "Are you interested in acting? If you are, could you leave me your phone number? I have a project, and I think you'd be a good fit."

"Of course, this isn't a direct offer. If you're interested, you'd still need to audition."

Yan Hui was stunned. It had been so long since he'd acted that hearing the word "audition" felt like a distant memory. Before he could respond, the landlady eagerly agreed:

"Oh! That's wonderful! My son is an actor! Thank you so much! Yan Hui, quick, write it down."

"Mom." Yan Hui called out helplessly, wanting to say that he didn't have the time or energy for auditions right now, but his mother shoved a pen into his hand.

The boss's wife urged him: "Hurry up, don't keep the boss waiting."

Yan Hui had no choice but to write down his information and hand the pen and paper back to Sheng Quan. Since he had offended someone, he had been rejected too many times. He didn’t hold much hope for this opportunity, as disappointment had become a familiar companion. Still, he sincerely thanked Sheng Quan, saying, “Thank you.”

Even if the chances were slim, he was genuinely grateful to this girl who had shown him kindness.

“You’re welcome,” Sheng Quan replied with a smile, signaling the driver to start the car.

The driver, clearly a professional, showed no reaction to the fact that Sheng Quan, who stayed in luxurious hotels and drove a limited-edition luxury car, had come to eat street-side pancakes and even offered an audition invitation to the pancake vendor’s son. He simply focused on his job, driving in silence.Hotels & Accommodations

As the eye-catching luxury car started moving again, Sheng Quan sat inside, looking down at the phone number in her hand. It was as if she could see waves of life points and money fluttering toward her like little winged creatures.

Her mood instantly brightened.

[System, this opportunity is to support Yan Hui.]

Hmm…

At least this time, Yan Hui

As the luxury car drove away, the diners, who had been acting nonchalant just moments before, immediately started buzzing with excitement.Autos & Vehicles

"What kind of car was that? It looks so expensive!"

Most people aren't experts on car brands, but the difference between a regular car and a luxury one is obvious to the naked eye. The luxury of a luxury car lies in the fact that even if you don't recognize the brand, you can tell at a glance that it must be incredibly expensive.

"That's a Bugatti Veyron," someone who knew about cars immediately chimed in. "And it's a limited edition, worth at least 25 million."

"Wow! 25 million!"

"Someone that rich eats jianbing?!"

"Maybe it's just the unique taste of the wealthy. Or maybe they're nouveau riche, but even so, to be that rich is pretty impressive."

For them, the fact that the owner of a 25-million-yuan luxury car came to eat jianbing was a great topic of conversation. After all, it had nothing to do with them, and by the end of the day, they would probably forget about it.Feed Aggregation & Social Bookmarking

But for Yan Hui's family, this was a hugely uplifting event.

As soon as they got home, Yan's Mother excitedly urged Yan Hui to rest in his room: "You don't know when they might call you for an audition, so don't work night shifts these next few days. Make sure you're in good shape. And what about that face mask? Shouldn't you be using it?"

Yan Hui didn't rest when he got home. As soon as he arrived, he went to the kitchen with the dishes to wash them. Hearing his mother's words, he just smiled: "They might have just been saying it casually. Don't get your hopes up too much, Mom."

After ten years of ups and downs, he had grown accustomed to fleeting opportunities. At first, he would still feel excited and hopeful, but later, those feelings would always turn into disappointment. Over time, he had learned to take things in stride.

Acting is a profession that favors the young. He hadn't made it big by the time he was twenty, and now that he was thirty, his chances seemed even slimmer.Visual Art & Design

"How can you say there's no hope? You're such a good actor! And that girl, even though she's young, she seems really rich. I heard them say that car was worth over 20 million. Someone that rich wouldn't just play around with you. It must be real."

Yan's Mother knew better than anyone how much her son loved acting. When Yan Hui found out about the family's situation, he insisted on coming back. She never said it out loud, but deep down, she felt guilty for holding him back. Now that there was such an opportunity, she naturally hoped he could seize it.

Seeing her tone grow more and more sorrowful, Yan Hui knew she was starting to blame herself again for the family's struggles. He sighed inwardly but forced a smile and said soothingly:

"Alright, Mom. If they call me, I'll definitely go to the audition and try to land a role."

Only then did Yan's Mother cheer up again, continuing to nag her son to rest.

Yan Hui didn't listen to her. Their house didn't have hot water throughout, and while the weather wasn't particularly cold, constantly handling cold water was still uncomfortable. So he always took on the task of washing the dishes, not letting his mother lift a finger.

Deep down, he also felt guilty. Guilty that at over thirty years old, he still hadn't achieved anything, leaving his parents to worry about their livelihood and even struggle to cover his father's medical bills.

Yan Hui lowered his eyes, letting the cold water run over his palms as he carefully washed the dishes.

For the first time in a long while, he felt a pang of regret. Maybe, back then, he shouldn't have entered the entertainment industry at all.Arts & Entertainment

****

"Ahhh, this is the life!!!"

Sheng Quan, with a face mask on, flopped onto the plush, oversized bed, feeling utterly content.

As soon as she stepped into the hotel, the dedicated butler had thoughtfully prepared a full-body massage service for her to relieve the day's fatigue. During the massage, freshly cut fruits and just-made pastries were placed within her reach, ready for her to enjoy at any moment. If she wanted soothing music, it was there. If she wanted a cinematic experience, that was available too.

The masseuse had soft hands, applying just the right amount of pressure. Whenever her eyes lingered on a particular fruit, another attendant would immediately hand it to her.

What made Sheng Quan happiest was that all of this was free. Because she had booked the most expensive penthouse suite for half a year, she had automatically been upgraded to the hotel's gold card membership, and these services were part of the perks.Visual Art & Design

The life of the wealthy is truly delightful.

While basking in this luxurious comfort, Sheng Quan didn't forget her money-making plans. Glancing at the balance in her account, she directly called the hotel butler and asked for Director Wan Bao's phone number.

The butler asked her to wait for a moment, and three minutes later, he called back with Director Wan Bao's number, expressing his eagerness to assist her.

This was another benefit of being wealthy that Sheng Quan had come to appreciate.

High-end hotels like this, which were far beyond the reach of ordinary people, had extensive networks that rivaled even banks. As long as the guest's status was high enough, they were more than willing to help with small matters like providing contact information.Hotels & Accommodations

This was also why Sheng Quan had spent most of her time in the hotel researching these past few days. Now that she had resources, she needed to figure out how to use them.

The life of the wealthy was even more seamless than she had imagined. For example, if she was willing to spend the money, the hotel could assemble a professional investment team for her within an hour.

Now that she had identified her target and the system's funds had been transferred, Sheng Quan felt fully confident.

In the first few days after arriving, Sheng Quan had thought the system might be a bit of a scam—it hadn't even left her enough money to buy a phone. But now, she felt it was incredibly thoughtful.

This wasn't just a hotel; it was like the magical gourd from *Calabash Brothers*, granting her every wish without hesitation.Hotels & Accommodations

Humming a tune, she removed the face mask. These masks were expensive, but the bathroom was stocked with two full boxes, and before she could finish them, someone would replenish the supply, just like the array of expensive skincare and makeup products on the table.

Since coming here, Sheng Quan hadn't stayed up late, and her skin had been in great condition. So she couldn't really tell if these high-end skincare products were making a difference, but applying them still gave her a boost of happiness.

Once again, she marveled at how wonderful the life of the wealthy was.

After her skincare routine, Sheng Quan used the hotel phone to call Director Wan Bao.

The first time, he didn't answer. She checked the time and decided to try again in ten minutes.

Director Wan Bao was a minor character in the novel, mentioned only briefly. But perhaps because of her transmigration, Sheng Quan found that her memory had improved dramatically. For instance, she could now recall the exact lines from the novel about Director Wan Bao.Film & TV Production

In the novel, a popular character had watched *The Road of Life* and loved it, but couldn't find any information about the director. When they asked someone, this was the reply they got:

"Director Wan is a good person and very talented, but he's just had bad luck. Before *The Road of Life*, he made a flop. While filming this one, the investors suddenly pulled out. He refused to compromise on quality, so he scraped together his own money to keep going. In the end, this good series bankrupted him and left him with health problems. Later, someone else took over, and *The Road of Life* became a hit, but by then, it had nothing to do with him anymore."Film & TV Production

The entertainment industry may seem glamorous, but those familiar with it know it's a money-eating machine. Whether it's TV dramas, movies, or even releasing music, everything requires money.

There are many directors who have gone bankrupt filming TV series. Once production starts, money burns every second. You either have to finish before the budget runs out, or the director has to scramble for funds. That's why wealthy investors are so highly sought after in the industry.

Director Wan Bao was clearly one of those directors who had been drained dry by the series he was filming.

The series was good, and it became popular, but he, who had contributed the most, got nothing in return.

The novel didn't mention what happened to Director Wan Bao afterward, but Sheng Quan guessed that something tragic must have occurred, possibly even his death. Otherwise, even if he didn't make money, a director capable of creating a hit series would have no trouble finding work. He wouldn't be mentioned with such regret.Film & TV Production

As she was recalling the plot, the phone rang.

When she answered, a tired male voice came through: "Hello, sorry I missed your call earlier. What can I do for you?"

At this point in the story, Director Wan Bao was in the middle of filming *The Road of Life* and desperately seeking investors.

Even without knowing the plot, Sheng Quan could tell from his tone that things weren't going well for him.

She confirmed once more, "Are you Director Wan Bao?"

"Yes, I am. And you are?" On the other end of the phone, Wan Bao couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose. He had spent the day trying to secure investments, doing his utmost to showcase the brilliance of his script and the lucrative returns it could bring to investors. However, due to the lackluster performance of his previous project, not many were interested.

The sudden withdrawal of funding had thrown everything into chaos. To make matters worse, the investors had cleverly structured the contract to avoid any penalties. Wan Bao was at his wit's end, but giving up on this project was out of the question—it was a labor of love, poured with all his heart and soul.

He had a strong feeling that if this project could be fully realized, it would be a massive hit.

Yet, no investor seemed to believe him. After all, every director pitching for funding said the same thing.Film & TV Production

Wan Bao was now relying entirely on his personal savings to keep things afloat. But he knew that if this continued, he wouldn't last much longer. Stopping now, however, would mean all his previous efforts would go to waste. So, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and press on.

As his mind wandered through these thoughts, a crisp female voice came through the phone: "Hello, my name is Sheng Quan. I have some interest in *The Road of Life* and would like to make a personal investment. Would it be possible for you to send me the project presentation materials? I’d like to delve deeper before making a decision."

Investment?!!

Wan Bao's eyes lit up instantly. His headache vanished, his fatigue dissipated, and he suddenly felt as energized as if he had just downed a liter of energy drink. Even his previously weary tone became lively:

"Of course, of course! Miss Sheng, please give me your email, and I’ll send it over right away…"

Then, thinking it might not be enough, he quickly added, "Or, if you’re currently in the country, I can come to you immediately and explain everything in detail. It won’t take much of your time."Feed Aggregation & Social Bookmarking

Sheng Quan: "..."

It was clear that Director Wan Bao was in desperate need of funds.

But this worked in her favor. The more eager he appeared, the easier it would be for her to negotiate terms. After all, they had never met before, and there was a chance Wan Bao might not be the type to accept investors dictating cast members.

If possible, Sheng Quan didn’t want to switch projects. Based on her recent analysis and research, *The Road of Life* was the most suitable project for investment at this time.

She promptly provided the address of the hotel where she was staying. Upon hearing the name of the hotel, Wan Bao felt a wave of relief.

This hotel was renowned for its luxury, with even the most basic rooms costing over 50,000 yuan per night. The fact that Sheng Quan was staying there indicated that she had substantial financial resources, and the amount she could invest would likely be significant.Hotels & Accommodations

He was at the end of his rope, and this sudden opportunity felt like a lifeline. Without a second thought, he hung up, booked a ticket, and took the earliest flight to Shanghai.

He didn’t even stop to question the authenticity of the call. In his current situation, even a one percent chance was worth pursuing with everything he had.

Four hours later, Wan Bao arrived at the hotel, its exterior exuding understated opulence.

To be honest, he had never stayed here before.

His most famous work had only achieved modest success, and the investment he had painstakingly secured had fallen through. As a relatively unknown director, he lived a frugal life.Film & TV Production

It was now 1 a.m., and as he stood at the entrance of the luxurious hotel, feeling out of place, a cold breeze brought a moment of clarity to his investment-fueled excitement.

Only then did he start to ponder the myriad of questions swirling in his mind.

Who had referred Sheng Quan to him? In his excitement, he hadn’t even asked. She hadn’t mentioned how much she was willing to invest either. What if she only offered a small amount? And was this call even real? Could it be a prank? He had heard of similar hoaxes before. If it turned out to be fake, this whole night would have been a waste.

With a sense of unease, Wan Bao approached the hotel staff and mentioned Sheng Quan’s name. His heart pounded, fearing they might say, "We have no guest by that name."

Fortunately, that didn’t happen. The staff smiled and said, "Miss Sheng has informed us. Please follow me, sir."

Wan Bao breathed a sigh of relief.

As he was led into a private elevator and watched it ascend directly to the top floor, his excitement reignited.

He knew that this hotel had only one suite on the top floor, and it was naturally the most expensive.Hotels & Accommodations

The fact that Miss Sheng, who was staying in such a room, had reached out to him for investment…

He had made the right bet.

Having rushed from another city without even changing his clothes, Wan Bao’s mind raced with these thoughts.

When he saw two hotel-assigned bodyguards stationed outside the room, along with a duty manager and two attendants, his confidence soared. This wasn’t just a stroke of luck—it was a golden opportunity!

If he didn’t seize this chance… No, he *would* seize it.

Wan Bao quickly adjusted his mindset and mentally prepared his approach to negotiating with Miss Sheng.

His stance was clear: whatever the terms, as long as the money came through, he was willing to agree.

It went surprisingly smoothly.

Sheng Quan had expected Director Wan Bao to be cooperative, but she hadn’t anticipated him to be *this* cooperative. He kept smiling at her with such enthusiasm that his face seemed to bloom like a chrysanthemum.

In her previous life, she hadn’t paid much attention to the entertainment industry, and since *Starlight* was set in a fictional world, many of its settings differed from what she was familiar with. Afraid of being taken advantage of as an outsider, she had spent several days holed up in her hotel room, cramming to gain a basic understanding of this world’s entertainment scene.

This was typical of Sheng Quan’s approach to things. Even though she had a "tycoon system" and had transmigrated into a novel, she wasn’t the type to charge forward blindly without first understanding the world she was in.

She had finished reading the original novel of *The Road of Life*, confirmed that her intended beneficiary, Yan Hui, had both the looks and the temperament to fit the role she wanted for him, and only then did she contact Director Wan Bao.Movies

When Wan Bao heard that Sheng Quan was familiar with the characters in *The Road of Life*—and quite deeply at that—he felt a sudden sense of clarity. "Are you a fan of the book?" he asked.

That explained it. A wealthy individual investor appearing out of nowhere? If she was a fan who wanted to invest in the adaptation after reading the book, it all made sense.

A wealthy female fan—he got it.

Sure, he’d never seen one as young and beautiful as Sheng Quan before, but that wasn’t important. What mattered was that she had money.

Sheng Quan was happy to let Wan Bao misunderstand. "You could say that. I particularly like the character Qin Heng. I heard your team hasn’t finalized the actor for that role yet?"Movies

Wan Bao immediately perked up, sensing where this was going. "That’s right. We had someone lined up, but there were some scheduling conflicts, so the role is currently open."

It was common for investors to recommend actors for roles. The quality of the role usually depended on how much money the investor was willing to put in and how influential or strong-willed the director was.

Wan Bao, who was currently so broke that all he had left was equipment, was well aware of his situation. In the past, he had been against the idea of actors being brought in through investments, but after being beaten down by reality, he had shifted from "I’d rather not take the money if it means compromising the project" to "As long as it doesn’t mess with the main plot, you could send a dog to play a cat, and I’d be fine with it."

Qin Heng’s role was one of those that could attract a lot of fans if done well, but even if it wasn’t, it wouldn’t ruin the viewing experience. It could add value if executed properly, but if not, it wouldn’t make much of a difference.

Why was Wan Bao so clear on this? Because the actor originally lined up for Qin Heng had been recommended by an investor. When that investor pulled out, the actor left too, leaving the role vacant.Movies

Sheng Quan asking about Qin Heng was a much better scenario than Wan Bao had feared. After all, he’d already "sold" the role once; selling it a second time didn’t weigh on his conscience at all.

Wan Bao immediately took the initiative. "Does Miss Sheng have someone in mind?"

He didn’t even bother asking if she was sure about the investment. If she was recommending an actor, he was confident she’d follow through with the money.

"There is someone," Sheng Quan admitted.

She couldn’t help but marvel at how shrewd people in the entertainment industry were. She didn’t even have to bring it up—Wan Bao had handed her the opportunity on a silver platter.

She wasn’t one to beat around the bush. In the entertainment industry, money was king.

Sheng Quan set down the *Project Presentation Materials* she was holding and got straight to the point. "I’ll invest ten million. The specifics, including profit-sharing and rights, will be handled by my team. The condition is that I get to decide who plays Qin Heng. If you have no objections to that, we can proceed."

Wan Bao froze.

His mind was spinning with the words "ten million, ten million, ten million."

Ten million!!!!

To put this into perspective, the entertainment industry in this world was highly polarized when it came to investment amounts. Unlike the inflated budgets of Sheng Quan’s previous world, in *Starlight*, the industry was split between the cheap and the exorbitant, with prices directly tied to fame.

This applied to directors, actors, singers, composers—everyone.Movies

Some projects were dirt cheap, while others were ridiculously expensive.

In this context, ten million was a formidable sum.

For a director like Wan Bao, leading an ordinary crew, managing to secure five million in funding would have been a stroke of incredible luck. Since most of the actors weren’t well-known and thus didn’t command high fees, four million would have been enough to cover the entire production.

Of course, Wan Bao wasn’t satisfied with just four million. The quality of this drama was high, and as everyone knew, improving the quality of a TV series required one thing above all else: money.

Beautiful cinematography, multiple takes, elaborate sets, custom costumes, hiring actors, crew, post-production, editing, dubbing, location scouting—it all cost money.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that every director’s dream was to have an unlimited budget once filming began.

Directors without money had no choice but to cut corners, and those like Wan Bao, who refused to compromise on quality, had to struggle relentlessly. Even the rights to the novel had been acquired because the book was relatively obscure—well-written but not a commercial hit.Movies

And now! Sheng Quan was offering him ten million!!!

The investor who had pulled out had only put in four million!

"Miss Sheng, I’m willing, of course I’m willing. You can decide who plays Qin Heng. I’ll sign a Level Six contract with you. I—as long as you invest, I’m fine with anything…"

Wan Bao was so excited he could barely string his words together. This was the first time since graduating that he’d encountered such a massive investment, especially one that came as a lifeline. If he weren’t afraid of scaring Sheng Quan off, he’d have jumped up and kowtowed to her on the spot.

Having read the novel and done her research, Sheng Quan knew what Wan Bao meant by the highest-tier contract. In this world’s entertainment industry, investment contracts were divided into seven levels.

Each level increased in benefits and authority for the investor, with various subcategories. The higher the level, the more advantageous it was for the investor, while lower levels favored the production side.

Most investments only reached Level Four. From there, the higher the level, the more the investor stood to gain, and the lower, the more the production side benefited. Wan Bao offering Level Six outright showed just how serious he was.

While Sheng Quan did want to make money, she didn’t want to strip Wan Bao of too much control. Her investment was substantial by current standards, but fairly speaking, Level Five was already pushing it in her favor. Wan Bao was clearly trying to lock her in by offering such a lucrative deal.Crafts

Sheng Quan loved dealing with honest people like him, but she wasn’t the type to take advantage of their honesty. "Would it be possible to arrange an audition in the next few days?"

Wan Bao was first surprised that Sheng Quan hadn’t jumped at the Level Six offer, but her mention of an audition left him even more stunned.

He hesitated for a moment before asking softly, "Will the audition be open to the public?"Arts & Entertainment

Some investors liked to go through the motions, holding auditions for roles they’d already decided on, just to make it seem like the chosen actor had fairly beaten out the competition.

Wan Bao didn’t say it out loud, but he wasn’t a fan of this practice. If the role was already decided, why invite other actors to audition? It was unfair to those who prepared diligently, only to find out they never stood a chance.

Fortunately, this new, incredibly generous investor didn’t seem to enjoy toying with people. She replied naturally, "No, it’s just for him."

"While I think he’s a good fit for the role, we won’t know for sure until he auditions, right, Director Wan?"

Though Wan Bao’s internal monologue was more along the lines of *"Ten million! Even if he’s not suitable, I’ll praise him until he’s perfect!"* he quickly agreed, "Absolutely, that’s exactly what I think. We’ll give him a fair shot, no problem with an audition."Arts & Entertainment

Sheng Quan didn’t pick up on Wan Bao’s inner turmoil. Despite all her preparation and feeling confident about the outcome, she was still in a good mood now that things had gone so smoothly.

Next, all she needed was to coordinate with the hotel to assemble a professional negotiation team.

Money wasn’t an issue this time. Since the investment in *The Road of Life* was meant to "support" Yan Hui and help him secure the role, all related expenses could be covered by the system’s funds.Finance

Sheng Quan made a few phone calls and signed a few checks, and by the next day, she had secured a contract filled with sincerity.

Having traveled through time for so many days, this was the first time she felt the joy of spending money lavishly. Back when she used to read stories about the ultra-rich, she thought ten million wasn’t much, but now that she had her own system, she truly realized just how massive that amount of money was—and the feeling of spending it was... absolutely exhilarating!

As the one who had received this fortune, Wan Bao was even more eager than her to finalize everything. By the time everything was settled, this chubby, bearded director in his early thirties, who looked like he was in his forties, was practically ready to take off.

Holding the contract that had been signed at lightning speed, he was completely immersed in the euphoric emotion of, "Ah~ I'm so happy I could faint," unable to snap out of it.

At a time when no one believed in him, when he was at his most desperate, Sheng Quan had descended like a fairy from the heavens, believing in his talent, recognizing his abilities, and giving him such a massive sum of money. Wan Bao was so overwhelmed with gratitude that he could barely contain it. He felt like swearing to the heavens that he would pour his heart and soul into making this TV series, ensuring it would shine in its most perfect form, so as to repay Sheng Quan, his investor, with substantial profits.Crafts

"I will definitely make this series well. Thank you, truly, thank you so much..."

Sheng Quan sent off the sleep-deprived, dark-eyed but highly energetic Director Wan, who kept expressing his loyalty to her every now and then. Once he left, she immediately had her driver take her to buy a new phone.

She was using the system's funds. Presumably, the system was worried she might run out of lifespan before she could even get the returns. For her first task, the system had given her a generous beginner's package—a whopping twelve million. After deducting the ten million and various other expenses, she still had over a million left, which was nothing to scoff at.

When she was broke, she didn’t have much to spend on, but now that her card was loaded, Sheng Quan naturally wanted to splurge.

When Sheng Quan bought the phone, the system raised a slight objection. After all, according to the rules, until she received the returns, the money could only be used for matters related to the person she was funding.Finance

She had a solid reason: 【I need the phone to contact Director Wan and discuss the auditions for the person I’m funding. Tell me, how am I supposed to follow up without a phone? Right?】

The system: ...That seems reasonable.

Then Sheng Quan bought a computer: 【This computer will let me receive emails from Director Wan. Everyone uses email for work these days. It’s totally reasonable.】

The system: ...I guess that makes sense too.

And so, Sheng Quan went on a shopping spree, happily buying one thing after another all afternoon. She ended up with a pile of beautiful clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry—all for when she would meet Yan Hui.

The system watched and grew anxious: 【Host, friendly reminder, you only have one month of lifespan left.】

【No rush.】 Sheng Quan was calm. Since she had spent days understanding the situation and laying the groundwork, she was fully prepared: 【Thirty days might be tight in other industries, but in the entertainment industry, it’s more than enough. Similarly, in other industries, you might need to hurry, but in the entertainment world, rushing won’t speed things up.】Business & Industrial

Just the filming and release of a TV series alone would take a long time.

After picking out her bags and clothes, Sheng Quan looked at her long hair in the mirror. Ever since she stopped staying up late, her hair seemed to have gained more shine—though it might also be thanks to the expensive conditioner and hair oil in the hotel.

Since she had all these, it would be rude not to get her hair done. After all, a good hairstyle is perfect for discussing collaborations, and a well-dressed investor would definitely boost the morale of the crew.

Sheng Quan: 【006, isn’t this reasonable?】

The system: 【...Reasonable.】

Sheng Quan smiled and praised it: 【Our 006 is getting smarter and smarter.】

This was the first time the system had been praised. After all, it had only been born less than a month ago. Hearing Sheng Quan’s cheerful tone, it even felt a slight sense of shyness. It quickly pushed aside its minor objections and even enthusiastically offered advice:Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

【Host, buy these shoes. They look great.】

While Sheng Quan was happily shopping and successfully winning over the system, Yan Hui, who was busy working at a construction site, exhausted, received a call notifying him of an audition.

He was stunned for a full two seconds. After confirming the details of the production team and the time and location of the audition, he calmly hung up the phone.

The audition was in Wuzhou, as the crew was filming there, and all the crew members were stationed there, so naturally, the audition would be held there as well.

That night, Yan Hui sat in his room, lost in thought for a long time.

It would take two and a half hours to fly from Wuzhou to Shanghai, and even longer by train. For him, this would be a trip that would disrupt his current work and drain his wallet.

Yan Hui didn’t think the distance was the production team’s fault. After all, many auditions were like this, and not every production team held auditions in the same location. Actors who wanted a role had to find a way to get there themselves.Movies

In the past, he would have gone without hesitation, but now...

Yan Hui looked down at the phone in his hand, where he had written down the address. His slender fingers tightened around it, as if holding onto the acting career he had loved and pursued since he was a child.

For some reason, he thought of the young woman who had handed him the pen and paper with a smile that day.

Her gaze had been filled with admiration. Though their interaction had been brief, Yan Hui could tell that she genuinely believed he deserved this audition opportunity.

If Director Wan knew that Yan Hui was hesitating because of the distance, he would have felt extremely wronged. From his perspective, as long as Yan Hui showed up for the audition, he would definitely get the role. He could arrive that day and stay with the crew immediately.Movies

How could he have known that the wealthy investor behind the production team hadn’t communicated this to Yan Hui?

The system, however, had predicted this: 【Host, what if Yan Hui decides not to go because it’s too far?】

【He’ll go.】 Sheng Quan was happily trying on new clothes in front of the mirror. After a whole day of shopping, she showed no signs of fatigue and was glowing with energy.

She smiled at her reflection, showing none of the anxiety one might expect from someone with only thirty days left to live: 【If someone wants to succeed in their career, it’s not enough for me to just throw money at them. They still have to put in the effort and make the choices themselves.】Crafts

【What I want isn’t just a short-term extension of my life. Sure, I could push him up now, but how long would he last? Achievements have to be earned step by step to truly belong to someone. Besides, I’m a fan of the novel.】

If Yan Hui, with his gentle exterior, didn’t have even a hint of edge, how could he have won over so many readers?

After picking out her outfit, Sheng Quan picked up her new bag. She used to think spending over a hundred thousand on a bag was a waste, but now that she had the means: a hundred-thousand-dollar bag really does look amazing~

【Alright, let’s go too.】

The system was puzzled: 【Where to?】

Sheng Quan opened the door: 【Of course, to the audition. As the big investor, I should go take a look at the production team, show off a little... I mean, broaden my horizons~】