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"And my 8%!"
Rob continued: "It's written in black and white in our contract. I negotiated this price for you and handled all those messy contracts. It's worth this amount!"
Cassius calculated. 8% of 2.4 million was 192,000 dollars.
This money was well spent!
Rob had given him a hand when he was at his lowest, and now helped him secure such a high salary!
"Yours is last!"
Rob had calculated the approximate number by now: "About 1.2 million or so!"
"Let the accountants figure out the exact number. They'll help you with some reasonable deductions, but don't expect to save too much!"
"Remember, playing games with the IRS in Hollywood has consequences more serious than offending a studio. They are much harder to deal with than Hannibal!"
A few days later.
A sum of $1,218,500.00 hit Cassius's account.
Looking at the exact number on his mobile banking app, Cassius felt a sense of unreality!
Thinking back half a year ago when he was an extra, saving a few hundred or thousand dollars was a struggle!
Later, he had income from cameos and red packets, and the pay from Thor!
But those could only bring changes to his daily life, not change his destiny!
And this paycheck!
A full 1.2 million dollars!
Enough to change the trajectory of his life!
However, he didn't let the money go to his head!
Joking!
Having awakened a golden finger and relived this life, he had to look further ahead!
This just solved the problem of food and clothing!
He first replaced all his phone and computer with the latest models!
He felt it wasn't necessary before, but now considered it a reward for himself!
In the evening, he invited Kristen to dinner at a restaurant that was hard to book.
When ordering, he didn't even look at the prices!
Kristen noticed his change. While waiting for the food, she gently nudged him with her foot under the table, a playful smile on her face.
"Wow, our Mr. Cass has a different aura today. A bit of that 'new money' confidence!"
Cassius knew she was joking and retorted:
"This is called reasonably improving quality of life. After all, I'm a member of the annual million-dollar club now; can't embarrass the club!"
He used a phrase often used by Hollywood insiders for teasing.
"How does it feel to get your first big income in life?"
Kristen took a sip of wine, her tone becoming more serious.
Cassius thought for a moment and said:
"Feels like before I was struggling in the Hollywood sea wearing a life jacket. Now I finally have my own small sampan. Although it still rocks when waves come, at least I can steer a little bit!"
Kristen nodded.
"Vivid metaphor! Remember this feeling, but don't be led by the nose by money. Too many people in this industry lose their heads after their first million!"
Cassius poured her a glass of wine. "Relax, I'm still me!"
...
The explosion of 2 Broke Girls and the seven-figure deposit in his bank account significantly accelerated the pace of Cassius's life.
Scripts screened by Rob piled up on the coffee table in the living room.
Next to them were various brand collaborations and media interview invitations.
This afternoon.
He just finished talking to Rob about several newly submitted movie scripts when his phone rang!
The other party had clearly been calling repeatedly!
It was Lee So-yeon!
As soon as he picked up, Lee So-yeon's voice came through the receiver:
"Oppa! Help! Huge emergency!"
Cassius was stunned by her tone. "What's wrong? Speak slowly."
"Don't tell me you set the kitchen on fire!"
Cassius suddenly remembered Lee So-yeon's passion for Chinese food and stir-fried pork with chili!
It wasn't impossible!
If that was the case, Cassius could only sponsor a plane ticket for her to fly away quickly!
Lee So-yeon took a deep breath on the other end, speaking rapidly:
"How is that possible? My cooking skills are great now. I'll make it for you some other day!"
Before Cassius could speak, Lee So-yeon continued:
"Oppa, do you remember those short films you came back to USC to help us cameo in?"
"The one about the insomniac courier, and the one about the immigrant restaurant..."
Lee So-yeon rattled off quite a few short films in one breath.
Cassius had mostly forgotten!
He only remembered frantically doing cameos back then to absorb enough attribute orbs!
Cassius wouldn't admit his poor memory. He vowed solemnly:
"Remember, what about them?"
"The short films are going to be officially screened!"
"The School of Cinematic Arts is holding an Excellent Student Works Showcase at the end of this semester, and our films were all selected!"
Lee So-yeon's voice trembled with excitement:
"But here's the problem!"
"Now everyone in school knows you, Cassius oppa, used to be at USC and came back to help us film!"
"They all want to invite you, oppa, to attend the showcase!"
"As a special guest!"
Cassius raised an eyebrow, not responding immediately.
He indeed had some fame now, but a dropout student going back to school specifically for a student showcase!
It was somewhat inappropriate!
The cameos before were small-scale, confined among students.
Attending the showcase now would definitely involve many teachers and school leaders. Attending with his current status might cause trouble!
Hearing no movement on the other end, Lee So-yeon got even more anxious!
"Oppa! Do you know how hot your name is on YouTube and Twitter right now? Han Lee's coin trick! If you can come, our showcase will definitely explode!"
"And reporters will come! This is too important for us students; it's our first break!"
Lee So-yeon pleaded bitterly: "Oppa~! Please! Just treat it as visiting your alma mater?"
"Oh right! Professor Anderson will also attend. He knows you're coming back and specifically mentioned it to me!"
Cassius's heart moved.
Anderson was a professor at the School of Cinematic Arts. Cassius had bumped into him when he went back for cameos before!
"When?"
Lee So-yeon's voice on the other end suddenly became excited:
"Next Friday night! In the school's screening hall! Oppa, you agreed?"
"I'll confirm the schedule for that day with Rob. If there's no problem, I'll go!"
"Yes!"
Lee So-yeon's excited voice came through:
"I'll tell my classmates this good news right away! They'll definitely go crazy!"
"Oh right, oppa!"
She suddenly remembered something else:
"If you really come, could you mention looking forward to the USC student showcase or something on Twitter or Instagram by the way!"
"Aigoo, that way our films will definitely get more attention!"
"No problem!"
Cassius agreed readily.
This was also beneficial for his future plans!
"Daebak!"
"You're truly the best oppa! Then I won't disturb you! Waiting for your good news!"
Lee So-yeon hung up the phone in a whirlwind!
Cassius shook his head, but a smile lingered on his lips.
He sent a message to Rob asking about the schedule for next Friday night.
Rob replied quickly:
"Nothing going on that day. Remember to dress handsomely when going to school; you're our visual representative now!"