Chapter 640: The Standards Of Affinity Value

Mu Lei got up to leave the room while Su Yang and Wu Feng watched him leave.

When the door was closed, Wu Feng said to Su Yang, “Brother Su, let’s keep talks like these private. You mustn’t talk about that outside. The entertainment industry is very complicated and it’ll be troublesome if someone misinterprets it.”

Su Yang knew that Wu Feng was telling him this for his own good. Hence, he nodded and said, “Don’t worry, Brother Wu. I only said that because I view Mr. Mu as an honest person. If it were someone else, I would definitely not say that my company’s special effects are number one.”

Wu Feng nodded and was relieved.

‘I really can’t see through Brother Su. He seems to have someone backing him up, but at the same time, he doesn’t seem to have one. He seems to know everything and can do anything, but there would always be some strange behaviours coming from him.

‘So, I’m slowly starting to get over it. After all, we’re just friends, so there’s no need for me to worry too much about it, it’s fine as long as we hit it off well. On the contrary, I might come across as ambitious if I think too much and we may not be able to stay friends anymore.’

This was the reason why Wu Feng was more relaxed and familiar with Su Yang at that moment. Furthermore, he would also remind Su Yang if the latter were to do something wrong.

Of course, Wu Feng only reminded Su Yang for his own good. However, it was up to Su Yang whether he wanted to listen or not.

After all, they were all adults, so they were responsible for their own actions and had the right to choose their own lives.

After chatting for a while, Su Yang opened the system and checked Mu Lei’s Affinity Points.

[Affinity (Friendship): 44 / 100 (Familiar, Hit It Off At First Sight*)]

Su Yang was surprised that his affinity had increased to 44 points.

Also, the status had also changed from being [Acquaintance] to [Familiar] and [Hit It Off At First Sight].

‘But, why are there two statuses? Also, why is there a star in the second status, [Hit It Off At First Sight]?’

With that thought in mind, Su Yang clicked on the help system and looked at it.

As expected, the explanation for this status popped up.

[Hit It Off At First Sight: Special status. It means that the two people share the same interests during their time together. Their values are aligned and it’s easier to increase their Affinity.]

‘I understand now. No wonder his Affinity Points got increased with just a few words, it’s because of this buff.’

Su Yang thought about it and felt that it was understandable.

‘Sometimes, no matter how much people interacted, some of them felt like they could not continue the conversation. However, some people felt like they had hit it off very well the moment they met and would even feel that it was a pity they had not met sooner.

‘As for the latter, it’s indeed especially easy to gain Affinity.’

After understanding this status, another interface popped up.

Su Yang took a look and realized that it was an introduction from the Affinity System.

[Friendship Rating: Friendship Rating is divided into seven levels. From low to high, they are: Passerby, Stranger, Acquaintance, Familiar, Friend, Close Friend, True Friend.]

‘[Passerby] Affinity is 0-10.

‘[Stranger] Affinity is 10-20.

‘[Acquaintance] Affinity is 20-30.

‘[Familiar] Affinity is 30-50.

‘[Friend] Affinity is 50-80.

‘[Close Friend] Affinity is 80-90.

‘[True Friend] Affinity is 90-100.’

Su Yang took a quick look and realized that the ranking system was in the shape of a spindle. ‘At the start, the Affinity requirement would be the lowest and just a little increase in Affinity Points would increase the level of their Affinity once.

‘Towards the middle, the range for [Familiar] and [Friend] have increased by 20 points and 30 points respectively.

‘This might be because in the real world, [Familiar] and [Friend] are the two most common relationships.

‘For example, a colleague that I’ve known for one or two years, saying that he’s my [Acquaintance] would be an understatement, but he might not be close enough to be considered a [Friend]. Hence, [Familiar] would be just the right term.

‘The same goes for [Friend]. Everyone has a few decent friends, but the number of those who can be close on an emotional level, or better known as [Close Friend] would be limited, while [True Friend] would be even lesser than that.

‘I’m guessing that the requirements to be a [True Friend] is very high, possibly even the kind of relationship that we’d only see in ancient times where one would be willing to forsake their wife and children for the sake of their true friend. That’s the kind of relationship that’s truly admirable, even making me… Dubious of whether such friendships actually exist.

‘At the moment, I’ve only met Mu Lei once and we’re already [Familiar], which I’m very satisfied with.

‘I think, if I continue to use my ability today, I might be able to become [Friend] with Mu Lei. This would make things easier for me in the future.’

With that thought in mind, Su Yang started to pay more attention to the dinner.

Soon, Mu Lei returned to the room with a smile on his face.

Seeing his smile, Su Yang and Wu Feng looked at each other. They both knew that the matter was most likely settled.

As expected, Mu Lei said, “Mr. Su, I’ve just asked my higher-ups and they don’t have a high evaluation of this copyright. The main reason being because you said it’s too difficult to film. Also, the copyrights department has talked to all the big and small film companies in the industry, but no one is willing to film or invest in it.”

As he spoke, he returned to his chair and sat down. He said, “This kind of movie has not been tested by the market and the investment required is huge, so it’s normal that no one dares to take over.”

“Especially since the local special effects are not matured yet. So, at the beginning, the higher-ups wanted to treat this movie as a long-term mission which would take a span of over five years where they would first build a crew and then slowly film it. After two years, when the special effects are mature, they will start the post-production.

“Now that they heard that you want to make this movie and after learning about your ability, the higher-ups were very happy. They even told you to do it without any worries or restraints. As long as the movie is good and National Films is willing to back you up, we will definitely make the necessary arrangements.

Su Yang did not expect that the matter would be resolved before the dishes were even served.

Even though Mu Lei made it sound easy, Su Yang, who was familiar with the style of government-owned enterprises and related departments, knew that Mu Lei must have put in a lot of effort, but just did not want to claim credit.

Therefore, he stood up with a glass of alcohol in his hand and said sincerely, “Brother Mu, thank you! Allow me to raise a toast to you!”

Mu Lei laughed as he stood up and clinked glasses with Su Yang.

The two of them drank their alcohols in one gulp, acknowledging each other in the process.

Soon, the dishes were served and the three chatted as they ate.

Mu Lei also took the opportunity of having alcohol in his system to talk about some sensitive matters about the incident.

Actually, the reason why National Films released the copyrights so easily was not only because of Su Yang’s outstanding production skills and Mu Lei’s contributions. It was also because… “Wandering Planet” was not an important copyright.

That year, after Da Liu won the Hugo Award, National Films bought the copyrights to several of Da Liu’s decent novels.

And which of them was Da Liu’s masterpiece?

“Four Bodies”, of course!

As the pinnacle of China’s science fiction writing, this was the most important project for National Films over the next five to ten years.

This was the kind of movie that was internationally influential was a real milestone.

As for “Wandering Planet”…

It was a short story that did not have many words.

Even though the imaginations involved were outstanding, to be honest, there were many novels that were just better than this one.

Plus, short stories are not suitable for adaptation.

Therefore, this copyright had always been regarded as the backup to a backup to another backup and was not highly regarded.

After all, to adapt a short story, other than requiring a largely imaginative brain, everything else had to be rewritten to expand the worldview and plot. Therefore, no one knew if the expanded worldview and plot would be welcomed by the audience.

Therefore, it was a safer choice to adapt “Four Bodies” which was more popular and more suitable to be adapted since it was a long sci-fi novel.

Therefore, with this prerequisite, Su Yang was able obtain the copyrights so easily.

When Su Yang heard that, his gratitude toward Mu Lei did not decrease. ‘Although this is true and it may have indeed been very easy. But… It doesn’t matter if I didn’t manage to obtain the copyrights in the end, so Mu Lei is still very important.

‘Also, I feel that Mu Lei is a good person. This was all possible clearly because of him, yet he refuses to admit it, nor is he arrogant about it. He’s truly a person who’s suitable to be friends with.’

As for how Su Yang knew that Mu lei had contributed to the success… Was because he had [Space Traversing Eyes].

When Mu Lei said, “Actually, I didn’t say anything to help.” “I didn’t do much for this.” “Our boss agreed immediately.”, [Space Traversing Eyes] judged it as [Lie] and [Modest].

Hence, Su Yang knew that Mu Lei was someone worth befriending.

Hence, after the dishes were served, Su Yang secretly took out an item that he obtained previously that could increase Affinity Points, [Lady Pan’s Gold Spoon] as a common spoon to scoop up some soup for Mu Lei.

The effect of this item was that if someone was fed with this spoon, it would increase their Affinity by 2 points. If it was scooped into a bowl however, it would increase by 1 point. Furthermore, the daily limit this item could be used was five times.

Thus, after five spoonfuls, Mu Lei’s Affinity increased by 5 points, reaching 49 points. He was only one point away from being a [Friend].

As their relationship improved, the atmosphere at the table became more harmonious.

Strangely enough, no matter what Su Yang said next, even though Mu Lei was certain or had a heated discussion with Su Yang, their friendship did not increase.

Right now, Su Yang’s obsessive-compulsive disorder was kicking in a little. ‘It’s already 49 points and I’m just short of 1 point, I must settle this no matter what!

‘Who knows, something different might happen.’

Hence, he began to wonder how on earth he was going to have that 1 point added…

Now that the conversation was over, it did not look like Mu Lei’s Affinity could be added anymore. ‘Even if I can use my special item, I can’t just spoon feed him now, can I?

‘That would be too awkward.

‘What should I do then?’

As he thought about it, Su Yang suddenly thought of [The Pork Shoulder That Can Roast]…

‘Eh? I seem to recall that that’s a special item that can forcefully add 1 point to Affinity if I successfully roast someone. So, should I roast him once then?’

With that thought in mind, Su Yang sized up Mu Lei and said to him with a smile, “Brother Mu, in my opinion, the management of the National Films is a little short-sighted. “Wandering Planet” is obviously more suitable to be adapted into a movie than “Four Bodies”.”

The moment Su Yang said that, the atmosphere at the table turned cold.

Wu Feng’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at Su Yang in shock.

‘Is Brother Su drunk? Why did he suddenly say something like that? Is he purposely mocking and scorning National Films’s management?

‘Why did he suddenly say that, especially now that the matter had already been resolved? If he angers Mu Lei again, what are we supposed to do if the matter turns sour?

‘Especially when Mu Lei’s face has darkened visibly. This is definitely a sign that he’s unhappy.

‘Oh no, oh no.

‘Why did this suddenly happen?’

While Wu Feng was worried, Su Yang was also nervous.

However, he was not thinking as much as Wu Feng was because he believed in the system’s ability. ‘As hard as it was to entertain Guo Xiaoying with her personality, I was able to not make her angry because of [The Pork Shoulder That Can Roast], so Mu Lei shouldn’t be angered all the more.’

As expected, in just a moment, a notification floated above Mu Lei’s head. [Roast successful, Affinity +1]

‘I’ve succeeded!’

Su Yang took a quick look at Mu Lei’s Affinity. ‘It has indeed increased to 50 points. Our relationship has also changed from [Familiar] to [Friend]. However, the special status, [Hitting It off At First Sight] has disappeared.’

‘Also, at that moment… Mu Lei’s expression had changed completely.