Darkstone Code
Chapter 246 - 0244 Unlimited Scenery and Fishing by the Lake

Chapter 246: 0244 Unlimited Scenery and Fishing by the Lake

The presale box office and the first-day box office gave the Fox father and son quite an experience, an experience of easily earning clean money, and they were thus pursued by the stars and producers in society.

Compared to simple wealth growth, it’s actually the latter that they enjoy most, because they can finally proudly tell others they have stepped onto the first rung of the ladder towards high society.

It won’t be long before the father and son will become members of high society.

This is actually a rather strange... culture, or thought process, in the Bail Federal, where most people’s goal is wealth and money, but if you want to look for an ideal that’s somewhat similar, perhaps squeezing into high society is the only one.

Many young, beautiful women don’t shy away from bearing a title like a harlot, easily shedding their clothes, just to squeeze into the high society social circle under the name of "socialites."

It’s a very peculiar aspiration, yet it is the ultimate goal of most Federation people—to wander amidst dignitaries and social elites, bantering with them, as if doing this is the most wonderful thing.

The Fox father and son might have had this thought before, which is why Mr. Fox sent his kid to school, but they also realized the reality, even if young Fox completed his studies, without a distinguished background, it’s hard to step into that world, so he returned to Mr. Fox’s side to engage in the "family business."

But now, everything has changed, they tread on the red carpet, bask in the scorching heat of the spotlights, and banter with people, people laugh heartily at their not-so-funny humor, it’s all really terrific!

Apart from all of this, the feedback after the full release of the film was indeed somewhat surprising.

Judging from the current box office and word-of-mouth trend, this film may have the potential to explode, despite many film critics loudly cursing this film, it still couldn’t stop the alternative allure communicated by word-of-mouth.

Watching the body of a female star is an irresistible temptation for many movie fans, even if they know this star might not be famous, it still can’t stop their desire to explore.

The box office thus surged, and climbing along with it were the five filming agreements held by the production company, following Lynch’s advice to the Fox father and son, even if they initially had agreements with other adult film producers, they should conclude a staggered agreement or a betting agreement to ensure their interests.

The father and son, along with the leading actress, suddenly gained endless prestige; in the three days that followed, three days’ worth of box office data was released, they quickly became the most popular people in Laridemo.

Every day there were different producers, production companies, directors, screenwriters, even actresses carrying various materials into their rooms for help.

From investments of a few thousand bucks for small productions to experiencing different styles in exchange for an uncertain promise, everyone benefited from this investment.

The box office victory made the distribution company see even further possibilities, and after consulting with the Fox father and son, they decided to add another 350,000 Federation Sol for larger-scale promotion.

To make the publicity more effective, they came up with some unprecedented yet seductive little tricks.

For instance, selecting lucky audiences to have dinner with the leading lady, even enjoying a segment of dance art filled with an artistic atmosphere but unsuitable for underage viewers, this directly ignited a certain special group.

Some people to get a glimpse of the leading actress, planned to spend all the funds they could afford without affecting their lives just to repeatedly buy movie tickets, and all these eventually ended up in the pockets of the Fox father and son, as well as Lynch.

Three days passed quickly, the entire Laridemo went crazy for this film, which some viewed as entirely a lowbrow trash film, some capital began tentatively making selective investments, the entire Laridemo suddenly came alive.

"Federal Film" published an article titled "Era of Vulgarity"

"...even though we know it’s just a sleazy film to satisfy the sex craze, you can’t deny it, it activated the whole Federation’s film industry."

"More and more film projects are beginning to contact capital, some projects are officially approved and begin casting, it reminds me of Laridemo five years ago, with cameras and crews everywhere, film-making has already integrated into people’s lives, into people’s blood."

"I’m glad that our usual life is back!"

"I’m also saddened, because no one knows whether the upcoming era belongs to art or vulgarity!"

While the Fox father and son were immersed in the life that even the entire Federation people yearned for, Lynch had quietly returned to Sabin City, there he was not needed, he had nothing else to do over there.

Upon returning to Sabin City, the first thing he did was to call Jogriman out.

Jogriman, due to lack of trust from both the division and headquarters, had his power greatly reduced, making him almost become a marginal person in the bank.

In the past, everyone working in the bank would voluntarily greet him when they saw him, a simple "Mr. Jogriman, good morning" would make him feel a bit happier.

But now, hardly anyone is willing to greet him. Even those approaching mostly keep their heads down or look elsewhere. Even if they can’t avoid Jogriman’s gaze, they merely nod briefly as a perfunctory gesture.

This disparity makes him feel very uncomfortable. Just because some people think he’s doing well, others want to suppress him. Doesn’t that sound absurd?

But for someone like him, such a "small figure," this is the fate he has no choice but to endure.

The two met by the lakeside villa. Since the start of the general strike, his family had moved to the lakeside villa. The originally deserted villa area suddenly had a lot of people, becoming lively.

Many wealthy individuals, to avoid any eventuality, have moved to live here. They have spontaneously hired a fully armed security guard team from the community service company to protect their safety.

The truth is, there is a deeper meaning here. If something special were to happen, they could have the security guards directly shoot the intruders. By relying on their social connections, they could easily suppress these issues.

The two arranged to meet in the afternoon. When Lynch saw Jogriman, he was fishing by the lake, looking... full of old-age exhaustion, just like a retired old-timer wasting time and waiting to age and die.

"Fishing is a very interesting thing!" Jogriman said without turning his head when he heard footsteps, his gaze always fixed on the slightly rippled water surface. "You know, the fish are the fattest at this time. They’ve accumulated fat throughout the autumn, letting the fish oils seep into their every strand of muscle."

Lynch stood aside, watching the water’s surface, yet his heart was completely calm. "I thought you wouldn’t like to eat freshwater fish. I don’t know what fish are here, but I do know that freshwater fish have lots of bones."

Indifferently, Jogriman fixed the fishing rod, stood up, and stretched his shoulders. "My servant will help me pick out the bones, so to me, freshwater fish, sea fish, they’re no different."

After saying that, he paused, the pleasantries were over, and Jogriman directly asked the purpose of Lynch’s visit, "Speak up, is there something I can help with?" He turned to look at Lynch. "But you know, my value is limited now. If I can’t help you, I’m very sorry for making you come all this way."

Lynch shook his head. "You can help me with this. Didn’t you say last time that the division assigned you an assistant?"

Upon hearing Lynch’s question, Jogriman’s expression showed a hint of change. He suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart, nodded, and asked, "Yes, do you want his contact details?"

From his words, Lynch perceived his displeasure towards his question. Yet Lynch didn’t immediately display any antagonistic emotion. He merely smiled and said, "No, you misunderstood my purpose. I wanted to ask why you feel he can’t be on your side?"

Jogriman nearly blurted out, "He was sent from above to deal with me..."

Lynch nonchalantly nodded, "There are no permanent enemies, only eternal interests, Mr. Jogriman, my friend."

"If you don’t try, you get nothing. But if you try, at least there’s a possibility. What do you say?"

Jogriman looked deeply at Lynch for a few moments before he skipped over the already rooted topic in his heart, "Tell me your purpose, maybe I can help you."

Lynch stopped beating around the bush. "The Ristone Group won’t escape; I’ll find a way to push this matter. I’ve also reached certain agreements with some people. When the time comes, part of Ristone’s industries will be auctioned to gather compensation funds for workers injured over the years, losing their livelihood and working ability."

"I need to ensure that the auction prices aren’t too high and that I’m the sole buyer."

Jogriman furrowed his brows. In the Bail Federal, judicial auctions are generally subcontracted to banks, and the court system isn’t supposed to intervene in these matters to prevent cheating phenomena.

Originally, he could control these things, but now his power has been undermined. Without his assistant’s consent, many things cannot be resolved.

Jogriman’s expression grew increasingly grave and serious. He thought for a long time and shook his head. "I’ve hinted at some things before, you know, but his attitude is tough. I think maybe the top wants him to take my current position."

If the bank’s division indeed has such thoughts and arrangements, recruitment is definitely a joke.

Lynch wasn’t too surprised. He changed tack, "If you can’t recruit him, can’t you destroy him?"

"Everyone has weaknesses, some of which can make people stand on your side because you can help them compensate for these weaknesses."

"But there are also some weaknesses that you use to destroy."

He glanced at the suddenly rippled lake surface, "Your fish has bitten the hook!"