Chapter 51: The Production Crew is Out of Money

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What else could Su Xiang say?

“Don’t worry. Once I get back, I’ll have the director arrange some easier scenes for me. It’ll be fine.”

Su Xiang truly could not win against Qi Fei. At a little after four, he personally saw her onto the plane.

Since Qi Fei had chosen to become a star, rushing from one engagement to another was part of the job. He could not make the decision for her and tell her to stop filming.

Her new assistant, Lu Yi, had come to pick her up this time.

Even though Qi Fei was wrapped up from head to toe, Lu Yi recognized her at a glance and hurried forward to take her suitcase.

This was also Qi Fei’s first time riding in her own dedicated car. She now had both an assistant and a driver.

She had to admit, it felt rather strange.

“Yi Yi, wake me when we arrive. I’m going to sleep for a while.”

Although Lu Yi could tell that Qi Fei looked unwell, this was only their second meeting. When Qi Fei closed her eyes to rest, Lu Yi did not ask anything and simply assumed she was tired.

It would be a lie to say she was not uncomfortable. Her stomach still felt awful.

When Qi Fei heard Su Xiang say how much she had drunk, even she had been startled. After that, she herself had no idea how much she had consumed.

Covering her stomach, she sighed. Who had said that getting drunk could drive away every sorrow? Whether her troubles had disappeared or not, she had ended up in the hospital.

Still, after all that turmoil, Qi Fei had indeed managed to pull herself out of her previous state of mind.

The world was different now. Indulging in self-pity would do nothing except affect her mood, and it certainly would not bring Youyou back.

She glanced at the endless traffic outside, then closed her eyes again to rest. The good news was that she did not have to return and start work immediately. She could still go back and get a proper night’s sleep.

When Lu Yi saw that Qi Fei had fallen asleep, she quietly reminded the driver to go slowly. The car proceeded steadily toward the hotel where they would be staying.

But only two days after Qi Fei returned to filming, Director Yao Kang informed her that the production had run out of money.

A flock of crows seemed to fly over Qi Fei’s head.

While Qi Fei had been away filming a variety show, the production’s funds had already begun to run low. After more than ten days, they had been completely exhausted.

[If filming continued, he would not even be able to pay Qi Fei’s fee.]

[If he had not been desperate and utterly unable to attract investors, he would never have told Qi Fei about it.]

Yao Kang glanced at Qi Fei.

[Qi Fei has worked incredibly hard on this drama. From the first day of filming, she has done everything asked of her without complaint. Even if there is no money left, her fee must be kept aside.]

When Qi Fei heard that the production had run out of funds, her first instinct was to ask, “If you can’t find an investor, will I still get paid?”

Before she could say it aloud, Yao Kang gave her an answer.

She had not expected that even with the production out of money, the director still had no intention of defaulting on her fee. Qi Fei consequently thought more highly of Yao Kang.

She had gone from reluctantly joining the production simply to avoid paying a penalty, to genuinely approving of it.

The director’s dedication, together with the care put into the costumes, makeup, and styling, had made Qi Fei very optimistic about the online drama.

Although it was only an online production, its quality was already so high that there was hardly any difference between it and dramas broadcast on television.

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It was not difficult to guess why the production had suddenly run out of money. After all, the director had repeatedly reinstated expensive scenes that had already been cut, and Qi Fei had seen it all.

Was she really going to give away her money before it had even had time to warm in her hands?

“You really can’t find an investor?” Qi Fei asked, wanting to make sure.

Yao Kang glanced at her and lowered his head.

[It’s all because your former company made such a mess. I’ve thrown in my house and my car, and it still isn’t enough.]

Only then did Qi Fei learn that all the production’s original investors had withdrawn. Up to now, the entire drama had been financed by Director Yao Kang himself.

He had no money, yet he still dared to spend like this!

“How much more do you need?”

They had filmed for less than two months in total. At the very least—or, putting it conservatively—they would need another two months to finish the drama.

The thought of handing over money that had barely reached her hands made Qi Fei’s heart ache.

But however painful it was to spend, she knew the quality of the drama. Investing in it was unquestionably a sound decision.

“If I give you ten million, can you make it to the end?” Qi Fei asked tentatively.

[What are you talking about?]

[Even though most of the expensive scenes have already been filmed, finishing the drama with ten million would still be a fantasy.]

Fine. She was offering him money, and he was actually looking down on it.

“I’ll invest ten million. Ten million exactly. Do you want it or not?”

The studio itself did not have the funds to invest.

At those words, Yao Kang sprang to his feet. The despondency on his face vanished completely.

“Yes, of course! This money is nothing short of a lifesaver for the production.”

[With these ten million, he would have time to look for more investors. Perhaps he might actually find one.]

Looking at the director’s expression, one would never have guessed that he had considered the amount insufficient only moments earlier.

“Besides this ten million, how much more do you need? I’ll see whether I can find an investor.”

Qi Fei planned to drag Su Xiang in as the production’s patron investor.

One reason Yao Kang could not find investors was that even if he did manage to bring someone in, the newcomer might interfere with the script and dictate how the drama should be made.

But Su Xiang would be different.

Qi Fei wanted to bring Su Xiang in because she had confidence in the drama and believed it could make money. That was why she wanted him to take a share.

Even taking the worst-case scenario into account, surely the investment would not lose money.

She was willing to help find investors because she genuinely believed in the drama. If it had been a terrible production, she would not have helped attract investors; she would have been looking forward to the crew disbanding as soon as possible.

“Thirty million. I only need thirty million more, and I guarantee I can finish this drama with both quality and quantity intact.”

Yao Kang had not failed to consider asking Qi Fei for help.

It was only that Qi Fei had just left her former company. Now that she was relying on herself, he assumed she had few resources.

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Resources and connections were practically synonymous. Connections meant wealthy patrons, and wealthy patrons meant investors.

Why had he assumed Qi Fei had no resources? Because she had spent more than a month on set without taking a single day off to attend outside engagements. If he were some major director, that might have meant something.

But he was not.

That was why he had believed Qi Fei had little access to resources. He had never expected her to be so capable—not only producing ten million for the investment, but also able to find other investors.

The moment Yao Kang heard Qi Fei say this, he knew there was hope. If she had no one in mind, she would never have spoken so confidently.

She was his benefactor, his savior!

This drama represented his entire fortune. If it ended in failure after all this effort, every bit of his earlier investment would be lost.

If not for the intimidating force Qi Fei radiated, the director would truly have thrown his arms around her.

“Fifi, I’ll leave the production’s investment to you, then.”

Seeing Yao Kang’s face crinkle into a smile like a chrysanthemum, Qi Fei quickly chose to retreat. It was terrifying.

During a break, Qi Fei called Zhou Ying and told her about her decision. Zhou Ying did not immediately refuse or agree. Instead, she asked, “You really have confidence in this online drama?”

Qi Fei explained how refined and well-made the production was.

“The quality has already surpassed that of most online films. And I have confidence in my acting. This investment should not lose money.”

In Zhou Ying’s eyes, Qi Fei had struggled in the entertainment industry for so many years that she must have developed a reliable eye for scripts.

Those words naturally made Zhou Ying trust Qi Fei’s judgment.

“All right. Leave the contract to me. I’ll bring someone over right now.”

Zhou Ying also knew that the production was running short of funds, so she did not suggest waiting until the next day.

The studio could continue operating normally without this investment. If the drama truly became popular, the studio, as an investor, would naturally appear in the credits and gain publicity, which would also raise its profile.

More importantly, Zhou Ying trusted Qi Fei’s judgment.

Qi Fei had no objection. She still understood the contracts of this world only vaguely.

Besides, the original Qi Fei’s former company had already taken advantage of her. Zhou Ying would never allow her to sign anything recklessly on her own.

After registering the studio, Zhou Ying had asked her family to find her a capable lawyer. From then on, the lawyer had to be present whenever she signed any contract.

Since Zhou Ying had already set out, Qi Fei called Su Xiang.

The explosion investigation had finally yielded some leads, and Su Xiang was at the police station. When he saw Qi Fei’s call, he walked aside before answering.

“What is it, Qiqi?”

“The online drama I’m filming has run short of funds. Do you want to invest?”

Su Xiang was speechless.

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