Hollywood, I became a legend with special effects.

Chapter 43: Zhang Guo

Monday, August 2008, 5.

Los Angeles time, early morning.

Jiang Yu is doing his routine morning cardio on the treadmill in the gym at his Beverly Hills residence.

The television screen was divided into four sections, silently playing CNN financial news, BBC World Report, data streams from the Bloomberg terminal, and real-time status monitoring of a rendering farm at Light & Shadow Digital.

Everything seemed normal until the treadmill suddenly slowed down.

He stopped, picked up a towel to wipe his sweat, and turned his gaze to the television screen.

CNN suddenly switched to a scheduled financial interview, where the anchor's expression was unusually serious and his speech was rapid.

A bold, urgent news headline appeared at the bottom of the screen: "A strong earthquake has struck southwest China, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.8. The epicenter is located in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province..."

The treadmill was still spinning at a low speed, emitting a slight hum.

All his senses seemed to be instantly stripped away; all he could hear was his rapidly beating heart and the distant yet clear voice of the television anchor: "...The casualties are still unclear, communications are down, roads are severely damaged...This is one of the strongest earthquakes to hit China in decades..."

Although there are no specific casualty figures yet, the atmosphere of a cataclysmic disaster is already palpable through the screen.

The timing... is right.

Even today, with rebirth, some historical trajectories are too heavy to be changed.

He turned off the treadmill and walked out of the gym.

My phone was vibrating. It was Yang Siwei calling from Beijing, her voice tense and unusually panicked: "President Jiang, have you seen the news? Sichuan, a major earthquake..."

"I saw it." Jiang Yu's voice was unexpectedly calm. "How's the company? Do we have any business or personnel in Sichuan?"

"There's no direct business. Many of our employees are just browsing the news; work has basically stopped." Yang Siwei spoke quickly. "President Jiang, is there anything we need to do?"

Jiang Yu had already entered the study, turned on the computer, and was quickly browsing the latest reports from English and Chinese media. "Siwei, listen carefully. First, immediately donate 2000 million RMB each to the officially announced donation accounts in the names of Light & Shadow Digital and Light Chaser Pictures (BJ). Don't wait, do it now."

"2000 million? Each one?" Yang Siwei confirmed. In 2008, this figure was definitely a huge sum, especially for private enterprises that were not large state-owned enterprises.

"Yes. This is the first one. It will be from the company's working capital; if there's a shortfall, it will be drawn from my personal account."

Jiang Yu's tone left no room for argument: "Secondly, reassure company employees, allow them to reasonably focus on the disaster situation, and ensure that basic work order is not disrupted. For employees with relatives or friends in the disaster area, please compile a list, and the company will provide necessary support and leave."

"Understood!" Yang Siwei immediately wrote it down. "I'll take care of it right away."

......

After hanging up BJ's call, Jiang Yu immediately called David.

David had clearly seen the news too, and his voice was low: "Boss, this is terrible... Is there anything I can do? The North American company can start an employee fundraising campaign."

"Employee voluntary donations can be organized, but it's not mandatory," Jiang Yu said. "You need to do two things for me now: First, contact reliable medical supply suppliers and purchase a batch of emergency medical supplies; antibiotics, painkillers, bandages, disinfectants, simple surgical instrument kits, as well as tents, sleeping bags, emergency food, and drinking water purification equipment. I'll send you the list later, prepare enough for at least 5,000 people."

David gasped. "Five thousand servings? Boss, that's a huge quantity, and the transportation..."

"That's why I'm contacting you," Jiang Yu interrupted him. "Purchase it under the company name, go through the charity channel, and try to get it done as quickly as possible. Money is not an issue. The second thing is to get me in touch with a reliable private cargo or passenger/cargo jet company with intercontinental routes, the sooner the better. I need to get these supplies, and myself, back to China as quickly as possible."

"You're going back?!" David exclaimed. "The situation over there is unclear, there might still be aftershocks, it's too dangerous!"

That's why someone needs to bring things in.

Jiang Yu's voice was flat. "Do as I say, David. This is more important than me closing an investment of hundreds of millions of dollars."

"...Understood, boss. I'll get on it right away." David's voice became serious.

In Los Angeles, David and his assistant were frantically making phone calls, contacting suppliers, comparing prices and delivery speeds, and coordinating air freight permits.

In Beijing, Yang Siwei personally led the finance and administration staff to banks and contact the local government to handle large-sum transfers, while also reassuring the company's worried employees.

On the afternoon of the 13th, the news that Light & Shadow Digital and Light Chaser Pictures (BJ) each donated 2000 million RMB has not yet been officially announced to the public, but it has been conveyed through relevant channels.

This figure stands out among the initial donations from numerous companies.

Light Chaser Animation, in particular, has attracted even more attention as a rising star that recently gained fame for its investment in "Iron Man".

On May 13th and 14th, David worked almost non-stop in Los Angeles, relying on his years of accumulated connections and the current golden brand of Light Chaser Animation Studios, and managed to purchase, inspect, and pack the first batch of emergency medical and living supplies weighing tens of tons within 48 hours, and also chartered a modified Boeing BBJ business jet.

Jiang Yu simplified his luggage, only bringing a backpack.

December 16st, early morning.

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Sichuan Province.

The airport had by then partially transformed into a hub for the transfer of earthquake relief supplies; the atmosphere was orderly but somber.

After coordination, Jiang Yu's private jet was granted permission to land. The cabin door opened, and humid, stuffy air rushed in.

As he stepped off the gangway, he immediately spotted Yang Siwei and several core employees of BJ Company waiting at the edge of the tarmac.

Everyone looked travel-worn, with bloodshot eyes and tense nerves.

"President Jiang!" Yang Siwei quickly greeted him, dressed in simple sportswear and hiking shoes, a stark contrast to her usual capable image in the office. "You must be tired from your journey. The supplies are being unloaded and handed over, and the liaison from SC province will be here soon."

Jiang Yu nodded, his gaze sweeping over the bustling scene at the airport: "When did you arrive?"

"Yesterday afternoon, we first contacted the provincial earthquake relief command center to understand the most urgent needs, and then coordinated the designated use of our first batch of donations, mainly for purchasing emergency medicines and wound dressings, which have already been distributed."

"Well done." Jiang Yu patted her shoulder, a simple gesture that eased Yang Siwei's tense nerves.

Soon, several people wearing command post badges came over, led by a cadre in his forties.

"Mr. Jiang Yu, thank you very much for your and your company's generous assistance! I am Zhao, the deputy head of the Provincial Command's Materials Coordination Group."

Team Leader Zhao's voice was a little hoarse, but very clear, "Your donation and this batch of urgently needed supplies airlifted here are truly a godsend! Especially those specialized medical kits and water purification equipment, which are desperately needed by frontline hospitals and resettlement sites!"

"It's what we should do." Jiang Yu didn't stand on ceremony. "Team Leader Zhao, please make sure this batch of supplies is delivered to the front lines where they are most needed as quickly as possible. If you need anything else, please give a list to my colleague Yang Siwei, and we will continue to procure it in North America and China."

Team Leader Zhao nodded emphatically, his eyes slightly red: "Thank you! On behalf of the people in the disaster area, thank you! We lack nothing now, except time! This batch of supplies can save many lives!"

The handover process proceeded in a tense but efficient manner, and the heavy feeling in his heart caused by the prophet's inability to prevent the disaster was slightly relieved.

In a simple tent near the temporary command post set up at the airport, Team Leader Zhao solemnly handed two bright red certificates to Jiang Yu and Yang Siwei.

"This is the relevant department's gratitude and commendation for your company's righteous act. Money and goods have a price, but this sentiment is priceless."

The certificate is printed with a golden national emblem and the name of the awarding organization, along with words of gratitude to Light Chaser Pictures Holdings and its subsidiaries for their generous donation.

He didn't linger, knowing that he and his team were not professionally suited to the situation, and staying might only cause trouble.

The engines roared again, and the plane soared into the clouds.

(Hoping those with monthly passes can give me some support!)