This is a ticking time bomb; no one dares to step into it until they understand its patterns.

Fortunately, Liu Rulan knew Deng Lei somewhat, and privately analyzed with Xiao He the patterns in Deng Lei's filming quality—

In short, this Director Deng never plays when he's at a disadvantage!

"Buzz—Buzz—"

Before Xiao He could say anything, Deng Lei's phone rang again.

"Wait, wait a minute—"

Deng Lei smiled and gestured to Xiao He, then walked aside with his phone in his hand.

"Hello, Mr. Chen."

"Oh, it's like this, our production team has indeed encountered some issues and we need your support again..."

"Yes, yes, that's about right. Don't worry, everything will definitely go smoothly once filming officially starts."

"Sigh, as you know, if the door frame on this side isn't fixed, no one can use the front door—"

"Okay, okay, I understand..."

Xiao He thought for a moment, but couldn't recall anything wrong with the gate just now.

Liu Rulan, however, had already seen through everything and whispered in Xiao He's ear, "It's just a sales pitch to attract investment."

Xiao He's lips twitched: "Filming hasn't even started yet, and the production team is already out of funds again?"

This is what Liu Rulan and Xiao He said before: Deng Lei can only play well when things are going his way, not when things are going his way.

If the production team has ample funding and everything goes smoothly, providing Deng Lei with a good creative environment, then he will be able to perform exceptionally well and complete everything perfectly, achieving the best possible result.

However, if the production team faces a shortage of funds and various problems arise, then what Director Deng produces won't be so wonderful...

For example, a TV series adapted from an IP had excellent preconditions, such as a good script and high popularity, but it ended up with very little funding because the actors they invited were too expensive. Most of the budget went to the actors' salaries, leaving very little for actual filming.

The investors above are also stingy. They believe that popular celebrities can bring popularity and are unwilling to increase investment. Instead, they pressure the director and crew to create a good work.

So, under all the pressure and in a tense atmosphere, Deng Lei made a huge mistake, and the TV series flopped completely.

Turning the tide against all odds? That's not an option for Deng Lei.

It's the same old story: he can only live a life of wealth, not a life of poverty.

He was used to spending lavishly on film sets, and he couldn't even tolerate the architectural style of the buildings here. He forced the crew to renovate and rebuild the buildings, and no one could stop him.

Once the production team runs out of money, or is slightly short of funds, he will go around asking the production team's "sugar daddies" for investment and requesting an increase in the investment amount.

At first, some investors got annoyed by Deng Lei's persistent nagging and made additional investments. Others suspected that Deng Lei was planning to abscond with the funds. Still others simply ignored him, didn't want to say a word, and blocked Deng Lei directly.

Ultimately, there's no doubt that Deng Lei's actions, sometimes divine, sometimes demonic, caused many investors to suffer greatly.

But his ability, which is both loved and hated, has also enabled him to take on big projects and production crews, and even secure more investment.

There's no way around it; if Deng Lei can make a good film, he'll really make money!

As long as the "money-giving rule" is upheld, Deng Lei is a god, and the more money he invests, the more amazing his performance becomes!