Because the filming schedule was extremely tight this time, Wang Shu did not accompany the crew to the military camp. He did not understand professional filming matters yet, so he did not want to trouble Zhang Yimou. Just as Wang Shu and Xiao Su were about to hail a taxi back to the hotel, an unfamiliar phone call came in. After answering, Wang Shu realized it was the old station director.
"I heard you took me to the hospital last night?" the old station director asked directly on the phone. "No need to thank me, old station director." Wang Shu guessed that the old station director had sobered up and was calling to confront him. "That won't do, you must be thanked. If you hadn't brought me to the hospital, I probably wouldn't have seen today's sun!" the old station director said with a serious and earnest tone.
"That serious?" Wang Shu had initially thought the old station director was calling to pick a fight, but he didn't expect him to be genuinely grateful. "To tell you the truth, I have a hidden illness and usually dare not drink. Yesterday, I was too happy, so I drank a bit too much. If you hadn't sent me to the hospital in time, I would have lost my life." The old station director explained earnestly, but Wang Shu could feel that the old man's vitality was significantly weakened. He hadn't expected the old station director to have a hidden illness; it was fortunate he didn't just abandon him and return to the hotel yesterday. Otherwise, not only would the old station director be gone, but his payment would likely be lost too.
"It was just a small favor. Are you feeling better now? Shall I come to see you?" Wang Shu replied directly. Since the old station director could call him, it meant there wasn't any major problem. It was also a good opportunity to discuss his appearance fee. "Xiao Su, go buy me a bouquet of flowers, we're going to the central hospital!" Wang Shu said directly to Xiao Su beside him. After receiving the instruction, Xiao Su ran to a flower shop by the roadside, bought a bouquet, and brought it to Wang Shu. Wang Shu had already called for a car and was heading to the central hospital with Xiao Su.
About ten minutes later, they arrived at the hospital. Wang Shu remembered the ward where the old station director had stayed the previous night and led Xiao Su directly to it. "Director, are you feeling any better?" Upon entering, Wang Shu saw the director engrossed in scrolling through his phone and greeted him. "Are you here to see me or to visit my grave?" the old director had initially been happy Wang Shu came to visit, but when he looked up and saw him, he noticed Wang Shu had bought a bouquet of chrysanthemums. What's more, they were white chrysanthemums, which were essentially wishing him dead!
Wang Shu was also confused by the old director's words. He had come out of kindness to visit him, and not only was his gesture unappreciated, but he was also being spoken to like this. "Xiao Su, give me the flowers!" Wang Shu turned and asked Xiao Su to hand him the bouquet. To his surprise, Xiao Su handed him a large bouquet of white chrysanthemums. He immediately understood why the old man's expression had changed so rapidly. "Xiao Su, I asked you to buy flowers, why did you buy white chrysanthemums? These are for the dead!" Wang Shu sighed and said helplessly to Xiao Su.
"When I went to the flower shop just now, they said only this bouquet was already wrapped. The other flowers hadn't been arranged yet," Xiao Su said to Wang Shu with an embarrassed look. She didn't know that white chrysanthemums couldn't be given casually. She had thought they were quite pretty when she bought them, so she hadn't paid much attention. "Director, I actually brought these flowers for you to steep in water. White chrysanthemums are good for lowering blood pressure and clearing heat; they are excellent Chinese herbs." Wang Shu plucked a few chrysanthemums and began to brew them in a cup.
This action stunned the director, but he had to go along with Wang Shu's explanation. "Alright, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. You're here today to discuss the payment for yesterday's competition, aren't you?" the old director sat up and said, looking at Wang Shu. "There's no need to rush about the payment. We can discuss it after you're discharged," Wang Shu said with a smile. "No need. Your payment has already been arranged. You can go to the TV station's finance department this afternoon to sign the papers." The old director knew Wang Shu was being polite, but he was a man of his word. Wang Shu had brought such great honor to their station, so he wouldn't be stingy with money.
"How much is it specifically?" Hearing the old director's generosity, Wang Shu immediately asked. "Five hundred thousand. That should be enough, right? The station doesn't have much capital right now, and I've added quite a bit from my own pocket!" the old director replied. "It's indeed quite a lot. Thank you for spending so much, Director!" Wang Shu nodded in response. Although it was a little less than he had anticipated, five hundred thousand for participating in a competition was not a small sum. Moreover, the old director had contributed a significant amount from his personal funds, so he couldn't demand too much.
"Alright then, Director, you should rest. I won't bother you further. Remember to drink more chrysanthemum tea when you have the chance." Since he had accomplished what he came for, Wang Shu saw no need to stay any longer. He stood up and bid farewell to the old director. The old director nodded upon hearing Wang Shu's words. Afterward, Wang Shu and Xiao Su left the hospital and headed for Jiangnan Television. For Wang Shu now, getting the money was the most important thing. He had saved nearly six to seven million yuan by now. After deducting company expenses and daily costs, he had six million yuan in his hands. If he could receive this fifty thousand yuan payment today, he could immediately purchase the next piece of scientific research technology. He also noticed that he only had a little over ten days left to live and couldn't help but lament how quickly time passed. He remembered that it hadn't been long since he had spent five million to extend his life, and now he was about to spend all the fortune he had saved during this period again.
Upon arriving at Jiangnan Television, Wang Shu found the finance department as directed. After entering the finance office, the old director had clearly already made arrangements. As soon as Wang Shu entered, a dedicated finance officer came to assist him. Under the officer's guidance, Wang Shu filled in his bank account and other details, and then signed his name. "We will transfer the funds to your account this evening. Please check for receipt!" the finance lady said to Wang Shu with a smile. "Thank you, miss!" Wang Shu thanked her politely for her thorough service.
"Mr. Wang Shu, I have a request! Could you please sign an autograph for me? I'm a fan of yours!" the finance lady asked Wang Shu courageously. "No problem, where should I sign?" Hearing that she was his fan, Wang Shu readily agreed with a smile. "Sign here!" The finance lady pointed to the raised area on her white shirt. "Here... it might not be appropriate, right?" Wang Shu was surprised. The lady seemed demure in her attire, but she was so bold as to want him to sign on her chest. "It's okay!" the finance lady said to Wang Shu with anticipation. "Alright then!" Wang Shu reluctantly took a marker pen from the finance lady and began to sign with a fluid motion. As he signed, Wang Shu could clearly feel the contours of her form, and the finance lady's face turned flushed as his hand moved.
"Alright, let's meet again if fate allows!" After signing, Wang Shu smiled and left the finance office. The finance lady, with a smile, gazed at Wang Shu's name on her shirt, her heart filled with joy.
... At five in the afternoon, the five hundred thousand yuan arrived in Wang Shu's account. Wang Shu immediately purchased the "Azure Dragon Drone Technology" from the system mall, priced at 6.5 million. According to the system's description, this technology would allow him to build an advanced military drone with extremely high maneuverability, stealth, and stability, representing the world's highest level of drone technology. Wang Shu quickly organized this technology into relevant research papers and submitted them to the Dragon Research Institute's email using his usual method.
[Ding! Detected that the host has unreservedly contributed "Azure Dragon Drone Technology" to the nation. Contribution value +65.] "Redeem 35 days of lifespan!" Wang Shu continued. He did not choose to use all his contribution points to redeem lifespan. He wanted to open three chests first. A few dozen more days of lifespan wouldn't bring about a significant qualitative change, but acquiring new skills could potentially generate more wealth for him.
[Congratulations to the host for successfully extending lifespan by 35 days.] [Contribution value: 30] [Lifespan value: 47] "System, open three Big Treasure Chests for me!" Wang Shu continued. He kept thirty contribution points to open more treasure chests, hoping to get more powerful skills.
[Contribution value -30] [Big Treasure Chests opened *3] [Congratulations to the host for obtaining: God of Racing skill (Host gains driving skills surpassing world racing champions).] [Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Master National Martial Arts Legacy (Obtains martial arts legacy from a master of grandmaster-level national martial arts).] [Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Max-Level Acting Talent (Watching any acting scene will improve acting proficiency).] As the system's prompts sounded one after another, Wang Shu couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. He seemed to have drawn quite good items this time. With just this national martial arts skill, he felt he could directly participate in underground boxing matches and win prize money. Similarly, with the God of Racing skill, he could participate in racing competitions. As for the max-level acting talent, he could directly act in film and television dramas and become a movie star! Actors earned money much faster than singers.