79: Ning Hao's tears

"Li Xiuwu, will you play the role of Yang Guo in 'the return of the condor heroes'?" A media reporter seized the opportunity to conduct an interview, rushing to the front of Li Xiuwu and handing over a microphone.

Judging from the current situation, it seemed very likely that Li Xiuwu would take on this role.

"I certainly have the intention to play the part, but that still depends on Director Zhou's considerations. Director Zhou is very strict with film and television production," Li Xiuwu did not admit it.

The media immediately turned to ask Zhou Xiaowen.

"Li Xiuwu's image is very suitable; I will consider it," Zhou Xiaowen didn't admit it either; only by not admitting it would the topic maintain its popularity.

A small press conference was held in front of Golden Culture to discuss some news regarding 'Chinese Paladin' and 'the return of the condor heroes'.

"Director Zhang, do you think Director Zhou Xiaowen is suitable to serve as the producer for 'the return of the condor heroes'?" Some reporters, having no chance to interview Zhou Xiaowen or Li Xiuwu, ran over to interview Big Beard Zhang.

Big Beard Zhang grit his teeth. He wanted to say who the hell did Zhou Xiaowen think he was, but he couldn't say that openly in front of the reporters.

"Director Zhang, if you're here as a guest, we at Golden Culture would be very welcoming," Wang Cheng said to Big Beard Zhang with a smile.

"No need. I wish your company smooth work," Big Beard Zhang said through gritted teeth.

He had brought the reporters directly this time specifically to catch Golden Culture off guard.

He had calculated everything and knew that Zhou Xiaowen had collaborated with Golden Culture before, but he hadn't expected Zhou Xiaowen to be here today.

Wang Cheng had a smile on his face, but he was feeling ruthless inside. This bastard made him lose face in front of the boss; he wouldn't let him off.

After dismissing the reporters, everyone went back upstairs.

"Teacher Zhou, it seems 'The Condor Heroes' will require your efforts," Li Xiuwu said to Zhou Xiaowen with a smile.

"Haha, you're letting me be the producer for a script that Big Beard Zhang was fighting for. I'm actually getting the better end of the deal," Zhou Xiaowen laughed heartily, feeling very refreshed.

Having endured Big Beard Zhang's temper during 'demi-gods and semi-devils', he finally got some of his own back.

They chatted for a while, and Zhou Xiaowen left in a good mood.

"Boss," Wang Cheng said, feeling a bit apprehensive.

Li Xiuwu sat there in silence, making Wang Cheng even more anxious. Big Beard Zhang pulling a stunt like that in front of Li Xiuwu had made him lose a lot of face. It would surely make Li Xiuwu doubt his ability.

"Mm," Li Xiuwu looked up.

"For many things, I focus more on the results," he said before leaving Golden Culture.

After Li Xiuwu also left, Wang Cheng's face darkened as he returned to his office. Before long, he made several phone calls in a row and called Wu Jia in to sign off on funds.

Wu Jia looked at the several slips of paper, looking troubled.

"Disburse the funds. If there's a problem, I'll take responsibility," Wang Cheng said decisively.

He now somewhat understood Xu Muyang's feeling of throwing money at a problem first. Damn it, throwing money really did show results faster.

Wu Jia saw Wang Cheng's expression and returned to her office to disburse the funds... The next day, the media reported on the incident.

The media reported on the grievances between Big Beard Zhang and Zhou Xiaowen, centered around 'Demi-Gods' and 'Condor Heroes'.

They argued from an artistic perspective who was more suitable to be the producer, Big Beard Zhang or Zhou Xiaowen.

The media naturally split into two factions, each supporting one person and criticizing the other. One side said Big Beard Zhang had rich production experience, while the other side said Big Beard Zhang's adaptations were total nonsense, turning 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer' into 'Legend of the Fool'.

One side called the adaptation of 'demi-gods and semi-devils' a classic, while the other side immediately exposed that Big Beard Zhang hadn't spent a single day with the crew, and the filming was entirely controlled by the general director, Zhou Xiaowen.

"Everyone, I'm waiting for 'Chinese Paladin'. I heard Li Xiuwu and Liu Yifei are collaborating."

"I love the pair Duan Yu and Wang Yuyan so much."

"Zhou Xiaowen said he's considering Li Xiuwu for the role of Yang Guo in 'The Condor Heroes'."

"Who will be chosen for Little Dragon Maiden?"

"It has to be Liu Yifei."

"Director Zhou hasn't confirmed that Li Xiuwu will definitely play Yang Guo either."

The media sparked a discussion about the matter, and Li Xiuwu was also drawn into it... "Li Xiuwu, why have you been taking so much leave lately?" At school, Jiang Yiyan couldn't help but approach Li Xiuwu when she saw him.

With Golden Culture investing in 'the return of the condor heroes' and Li Xiuwu expected to star in it, her mind was racing.

Li Xiuwu was an actor under Golden Culture; could he recommend other actors?

Being wealthy, famous, and handsome, every aspect of him attracted her to get closer, but Li Xiuwu always avoided her.

"I have some private matters to handle," Li Xiuwu replied casually. This woman really wouldn't give up.

"Do you have time for dinner tonight?" she invited decisively with a hint.

"What? Yiyan, you're treating us to dinner? Are you treating everyone?" Zhu Yawen happened to appear behind her.

Before Jiang Yiyan could answer, Zhu Yawen said decisively, "Jiang Yiyan suggested a group dinner tonight. Is anyone signing up?"

Zhu Yawen didn't say Jiang Yiyan was treating; for a group dinner, everyone could just split the bill, which was fine.

"I'm in," someone who liked excitement immediately responded.

"Okay, Jiang Yiyan and I will take note. Everyone, sign up enthusiastically; it's not mandatory," Zhu Yawen pulled the reluctant Jiang Yiyan along to record the names.

Li Xiuwu looked at everyone, feeling that his classmates were quite interesting.

It wasn't impossible to arrange some supporting roles for his classmates in 'flying immortal from beyond the heavens' and 'strange tales from a chinese studio'.

His phone suddenly rang, showing an unknown number on the caller ID.

After a moment's thought, he walked out of the classroom and answered.

"Is this Junior Li Xiuwu?" A man's voice sounded very apprehensive.

"You are?" Being called "Junior," it should be a student from the Beijing Film Academy, but he didn't recognize the voice.

"I'm Ning Hao."

"Oh, Senior Ning. Have you had a change of heart? Do you have a new script for me to see?" Li Xiuwu felt a bit of interest.

"No, I filmed that script," his voice sounded constrained.

Li Xiuwu recalled for a moment and asked, "'Green Grassland'?"

"Yes," Ning Hao answered immediately.

Li Xiuwu suddenly lost interest.

"I'm not very interested in this script."

"I know," Ning Hao's voice was dry and tense, but he finally grit his teeth and spoke: "There was an accident with the crew. A car overturned, and a child was seriously injured."

"How much money are you short?" Li Xiuwu went silent for a moment and then asked immediately.

"One hundred thousand." Ning Hao's voice was trembling. One hundred thousand was life-saving money to him. He had borrowed from everyone he could, and even used up his family's and his girlfriend's savings.

"Give me your account number." Li Xiuwu could hear the awkwardness in Ning Hao's voice.

"Okay, okay, I'll give it to you right away." After quickly finding his bank card, he gave the number to Li Xiuwu.

"Thank you, Junior," Ning Hao was almost in tears. During this time, he had suffered too much; borrowing money was truly difficult.

"Can the movie still be filmed?" Li Xiuwu confirmed the bank card number.

"It can't be filmed anymore," Ning Hao's voice was incredibly despondent.

"A child actor has a fractured hip and a cut on his head that needed six stitches. Also, an actress has a fractured collarbone, and a lot of the crew's equipment was damaged."

Because of this accident, the crew had to bear the cost of the actors' treatment and compensation, as well as compensation for the equipment. The crew hadn't raised much money to begin with, and it wasn't enough for treatment and compensation.

If the crew stopped filming, all the invested money would surely go to waste.

"How much money is needed to continue?" Li Xiuwu asked him.

"One hundred thousand," Ning Hao's voice was low.

"A total of two hundred thousand. It should arrive in your account today," Li Xiuwu told him.

"What?" Ning Hao's voice rose a few octaves.

"Just consider it my investment in dreams. Keep it up," Li Xiuwu said and hung up the phone.

Ning Hao listened to the dial tone, looking dazed.

"Ning Hao, what's wrong?" Xing Na looked at Ning Hao's expression; tears were flowing from the corners of his eyes.

Her face was also full of exhaustion. She had also been worrying about the crew and this accident.

"Don't you worry. I'll find another way regarding the money. My parents wanted to buy a house for my brother; let's borrow that first."

"No need," Ning Hao wiped away his tears and grabbed Xing Na's hand.

A smile appeared on his face: "My junior promised to lend me two hundred thousand. Not only can it solve the treatment and compensation issues, but it can also allow the movie to continue filming."

"Really?" Xing Na was pleasantly surprised.

"That junior, do I know him?"

"Li Xiuwu, the one who played Duan Yu."

"The one who sang 'wish you prosper'?" When Duan Yu was mentioned, Xing Na immediately remembered who it was; she had heard his voice quite often during the New Year.

Seeing Ning Hao nod, she said with a sigh, "He's handsome and kind; no wonder he can make a fortune."

They had really been driven crazy by the money problem during this time, trying every possible way they could think of.

"Junior saw this script before, but he didn't like it. He told me to let him see the next script," Ning Hao sighed. At that time, he thought Li Xiuwu was just fooling him, but he didn't expect that at the final moment, it would be him who opened his wallet so generously.

"Don't you go scamming him again. Better not look for him for the next script," Xing Na gave her boyfriend a sidelong glance.