The drama's filming had stabilized. The actors working with Director Liu for the first time had already gotten accustomed to his working style. Even when he yelled at them with a megaphone until they were thoroughly scolded, they could stand firm.
Zhang Miaomiao, in particular, received the most scolding and was the most flexible in her reactions. Eventually, Director Liu himself ran out of steam, saying, "If you ng again, I'll..."
Zhang Miaomiao calmly replied into the intercom, "I'll eat a prop on live stream."
Director Liu: "..."
He turned and glared at the assistant director. "Are young girls this tough nowadays?"
The assistant director chuckled. "It's because they know you're a paper tiger with a tough exterior but a soft heart."
Director Liu was exasperated. "Zhang Miaomiao, even if you eat props, you need to understand the character first!"
Zhang Miaomiao raised her hand towards them, forming a circle with her thumb and index finger.
Xia Weiliang, sitting beside her, laughed. "Doesn't it feel like the kids are in charge?"
Director Liu turned his head and looked at her suspiciously. "Hey! Are you getting too comfortable with me? I haven't even said anything to you yet, have I?!"
"Not comfortable, not comfortable at all!" Xia Weiliang quickly scooted her stool further away. Then, smiling, she leaned over and offered him some sunflower seeds. "Director, would you like some?"
Director Liu took a deep breath. "Security! Security!"
Xia Weiliang sighed heavily and picked up her chair. "Calling security again! Calling security again! Don't these people have anything else to do? Can't you avoid giving them more work?"
The drama's security guards immediately ran over. "Miss, please come with us."
"Got it!"
Xia Weiliang was once again honorably escorted away, followed by laughter from everyone around.
These were the daily occurrences on set. Coincidentally, a reporter came for a visit, and the news of Xia Weiliang being escorted away by security after sneaking a peek at the monitor had everyone in stitches.
They all lamented that this female celebrity seemed to be naturally funny, and anything related to her was never normal!
Meanwhile, filming was underway, focusing on a crucial scene for Xi En, a scene requiring significant emotional outburst.
The entire crew was focused, and Xi En's performance was also good, reaching his usual standard. However, he felt he could do better and was discussing it with the director.
Just then, the assistant director hurried over and whispered a few words into Director Liu's ear.
Director Liu looked impatient. "Let the producer handle this. Can't you see I'm filming?"
"But... the producer said that the person has arrived and you must go and see them."
Director Liu impatiently took off his headphones and tossed them aside. "Can't a person film in peace anymore!"
Despite his grumbling, he followed the assistant director away, leaving the filming to the director of the B-team.
Xi En sat in his chair to rest. Xia Weiliang, holding her small notebook, ran over. "Teacher Xi, I have a small question I'd like to ask your guidance on."
Xi En looked up, stared at her for a few seconds, then shifted his gaze. "What question?"
Although Xia Weiliang could clearly feel him deliberately distancing himself from her, she had a clear conscience. He was the one who felt threatened by her talent, so she wouldn't hesitate to ask her questions!
Xi En earnestly answered her questions, and she nodded repeatedly. "So that's how it is."
Across the way, Zhang Miaomiao sipped her goji berry and chrysanthemum tea while glancing over.
"It's just asking a question, why are they standing so close? Is the goddess all for him to monopolize..."
Her assistant, Guoguo, heard this and also looked over, puzzled. "They aren't that close, it's a normal distance!"
"What's normal!" Zhang Miaomiao said indignantly. "Don't you realize Xi En's gaze towards the goddess is always unusual?"
Guoguo strained her eyes but couldn't see anything. "Is there?"
"His gaze lingers on other people for about 1 to 2 seconds, but when he looks at my goddess, it's a full 3 to 4 seconds!"
Guoguo: "..."
Is she timing it?
How could she have such precise data?!
Having received the answers she wanted, Xia Weiliang thanked Xi En repeatedly. "Little Xi, not bad, not bad! Your skill is indeed similar to mine! But you can't be complacent, you must continue to work hard!"
Xi En raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I'll remember that."
Just as Xia Weiliang was about to return to rest, she saw Director Liu return in a fit of rage. "If he wants to withdraw funding, let him withdraw! Does he think he can cast some网红脸 as the female lead? Dream on! I won't indulge him!"
The assistant director was constantly trying to placate him. "Director Liu, please calm down! Regardless, he's the investor, the financier. We can't offend him. Otherwise, how will this drama be filmed?"
"I'm offending him today! Even if this drama can't be filmed, I won't use his recommended person!"
Director Liu's temper was well-known in the industry. Although he looked like a cheerful Buddha when he was idle, being friendly and smiling at everyone, he became irritable when it came to matters of principle.
That's exactly what happened just now. As soon as he heard about bringing in the investor's person, and a网红 with no talent at that, Director Liu refused on the spot. Now, having offended the financier, they had cut off all funding for the drama with a single phone call!
Even though it was a campus drama, Director Liu was filming it with the standards of a movie, making every frame beautiful and demanding extreme attention to lighting. As a result, they could only shoot a few scenes a day, making the progress slow and the costs high.
If the funding was cut off, the crew would have to shut down, resulting in even greater losses.
Everyone understood the consequences, but Director Liu refused to budge. He'd rather not film than force himself to focus on a stiff, surgically enhanced face.
The producer reported that the financier was completely offended and they wouldn't be getting any more investment from him.
But with a quarter of the drama already filmed, the producer had to find new investors. With the golden reputation of Director Liu, Xi En, and Xia Weiliang, finding investment shouldn't have been difficult. Who would have thought that the previous financier had declared he wouldn't invest in this television series anymore, daring anyone else to take it on!
Investors are kings. Sacrificing one drama was better than offending the king.
Therefore, "Light and Arrogant," hailed as the strongest production team of the year, couldn't find a buyer!
Filming cost money every day, from location fees and costume and makeup to the crew's boxed lunches. After the funding was cut, Director Liu used his own money to keep things going, but he would soon run out of funds.
Xia Weiliang finished her last scene for the day. After removing her makeup and changing clothes, she came out to see the drama's crew gathered together.
In the center was Director Liu, and opposite him was a man in his forties, looking wealthy and powerful, with a young girl in her early twenties in his arms – a typical网红 face, beautiful in a uniform way that made her forgettable at a glance.
"Heh heh, Mr. Yang, I just happened to pass by to see you. What, is the crew still filming?"
"Mr. Yang, you don't need to worry about my crew!"
"I heard you're almost out of steam. Tsk tsk, why bother? Wouldn't it have been better to accept my proposal earlier? But, even if you agree now, it's too late." Mr. Yang kissed his girlfriend. "There are plenty of people willing to do what you're unwilling to do!"