Chapter 552: The Parrot
A week later, they celebrated the billion-dollar success of their new series. Tina, the hidden owner of Horizon Entertainment, chose to attend the celebration behind the scenes. Generously, she handed out thirty million dollars as a celebratory bonus for breaking the billion-dollar mark.
"Boss, this is a billion-dollar breakthrough, and Horizon Entertainment, being the main investor, made a fortune. And you're giving out just thirty million in bonuses?" Arthur Woodwind, holding a parrot he had sneaked out from the dojo, teasingly chided Tina.
Tina, having not seen this silly bird for a while, actually missed it a bit and reached out to shake it. However, Arthur had fattened up the parrot considerably and it had grown quite haughty, deftly avoiding Tina's hand. Tina raised an eyebrow, "The thirty million will come out of Arthur Woodwind's bonus. Your foolish bird can wait to eat!"
Upon hearing this, the parrot protested, "Stinky girl! Stinky girl!" These were the words the parrot used when it first met Tina, and when it saw Master Tam, it would call him "stinky old man." Hayden and a few others often plucked its feathers for this.
Tina slapped the parrot's head, "You recognize me and still pretend you don't see, you're asking for it."NôvelDrama.Org © content.
"Boss, it's not me who's asking for it, you can't deduct this from my bonus! I've already bragged to my mother, swearing off living expenses, if I lose the bonus, I'll starve to death!" Arthur Woodwind pleaded desperately, but Tina, as if she didn't hear, didn't respond at all.
Serves you right for your cheek.
"Did you upset our boss again?" Juliet, dressed in the couple's costume from the series along with Ember Saffron, walked over. The celebration was to be live-streamed, attracting many fans, especially the fervent followers of the series, who wouldn't miss the leads appearing together.
Arthur Woodwind indeed knew these two marketed with their lives, never missing any opportunity to be seen by fans.
"Sis, please put in a good word for me, I don't want my bonus deducted!" Arthur handed the parrot to Juliet, "If you help me, I'll give you this little bird."
Juliet rolled her eyes, "Keep your stupid bird, can't you give it a better name?"
Arthur Woodwind was terrible at naming; the parrot was called Little Bird, the border collie was Little Dog, the American Shorthair was Little Cat-simply naming animals exactly what they were, getting back to basics.
Arthur then looked hopefully at Ember Saffron, who shrugged helplessly, "Brother, I'm powerless when it comes to the boss."
Juliet, deciding to ignore the situation, took Tina's arm and walked off to chat. "The company has handed me a few scripts recently, I plan to choose carefully. It's been hard to make a comeback, and after this series, Ember and I will split up, so I want to play a solo role next time. What do you think?"
Tina never involved herself in her employees' careers; as long as it made money, that was fine by her.
Unfortunately, her boss's eyes only saw money!
"Whatever works, discuss it with your agent, as long as it brings in money, I support it," Tina blinked, not hiding her mercantile nature.
Just then, a shout came from afar.
"Oh my God, it's Mr. Farrell, he actually came too, and he donated fifty million, how handsome!"
Tina looked over, this wasteful Uncle, always splurging.
Although, half of this bonus money would end up in Tina's pocket eventually.
Still, it's like taking wool from the sheep, tsk tsk, she needed to give a good lesson sometime.
Just as Tina was about to rise and greet him, she heard Arthur Woodwind's bird shrieking like mad, "Stinky old man, stinky old man!"
Tina paused upon hearing this nickname.
"Stinky old man" was the phrase the parrot would shout whenever it saw Master Tam.
Master Tam had previously mentioned that this parrot was the most spirited, remembering scents so well that no matter how someone disguised themselves, they would be exposed in front of the parrot. Tina turned around and saw everyone curiously watching the parrot, except for one person who was heading in the opposite direction.
Tina clenched her fist and said to Jared, who was approaching, "Catch him!"
Jared, unaware of what had happened, hastened after hearing Tina.
However, the parrot continued its incessant cries of "stinky old man."
Arthur Woodwind, annoyed, pressed the parrot's beak saying, "You silly bird, shut up. There are no old men here! It's all dear sister Jared, don't offend anyone."
The parrot, far from obedient, shouted even louder, "Stinky old man! Stinky old man!"
Meanwhile, Jared had caught someone, but it was just a crew member. Then, more people dressed like the crew member started dispersing in all directions.
Jared took off his coat, saying, "I'll bring the person back to you."
Tina stopped him, "No need, we have the bird."
"Huh?" Jared glanced at the parrot in Arthur Woodwind's hands.
Tina smiled and nodded, "Yes, it!"
Tina walked over to Arthur Woodwind, grabbed the parrot by the neck, and whispered something to it.
The parrot then flew directly into the crowd, startling everyone as they dodged.
The well-fed parrot, raised by Arthur Woodwind, flapped its wings vigorously, its feathers fluttering down.
Arthur Woodwind, slightly embarrassed, was aware of the live cameras. It was obvious, the top trending news would soon be-Arthur Woodwind's bird freaks out and attacks guests at the event! "Boss, what did you say to this stupid bird? Why did it suddenly go crazy?" Arthur Woodwind, having raised it for many years, had never seen the bird act like this.
Tina sat calmly on the sofa, holding a glass of wine, "You don't need to worry about it."
Hearing this, Arthur Woodwind could do nothing but stand by and watch the excitement.
Then, the parrot swiftly targeted one individual in the crowd, moving as fast as a cat upon seeing a mouse, and landed squarely on the person's head.
It pecked vigorously at the man's head while loudly shouting, "Stinky old man! Stinky old man!"
The man, who had been dignifiedly watching the commotion with a glass in hand, now frantically tried to dodge.
Tina watched his movements, recognizing the unique mincing steps taught only by Master Tam.
Among many, she was the only one who had learned it.
Yet, she had never used it before, as these steps were designed for escaping fights by Master Tam back in his days. Tina had never had to run away.
"Uncle, bring him to me," Tina said, twisting her wrist with a flash of cold intent in her eyes.