Chapter 234 The film cannot be made

Unlike Steven who was worried, the carefree Hu Xiaoxiao was already thinking about what to eat tonight.

This incident did not cause any psychological trauma to Hu Xiaoxiao.

Ma Chengyou's side was in turmoil, with crew members testifying that he was the first to strike. Not only did he fail to successfully sue Hu Xiaoxiao, but he was also nearly diagnosed with mental illness by Hu Xiaoxiao's lawyer.

After several unsuccessful attempts to sue Hu Xiaoxiao, Ma Chengyou finally realized that there was someone behind Hu Xiaoxiao, so he had to give up. However, he swore in his heart that he would teach Hu Xiaoxiao a lesson after his injuries healed.

When Hu Xiaoxiao arrived at the set in the morning, he found that everyone was dejected. No one was working and they were sitting together in groups of three or four, listlessly.

"Haven't you had breakfast yet?" Hu Xiaoxiao took out his mobile phone and said, "I'll treat you to morning tea."

Assistant director Wu Haifeng said to Hu Xiaoxiao with mixed feelings: "Ms. Hu, the film can't be made."

"Why? Isn't the filming going well?" Hu Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and asked, "Is it because Wang Shimo's role is missing? Just find someone else to fill his place."

It takes a hundred days to heal a broken bone, so Ma Chengyou can forget about going out for the time being.

Wu Haifeng hesitated to speak. This matter had nothing to do with Hu Xiaoxiao, but he couldn't blame Hu Xiaoxiao. After all, it was Ma Chengyou who started it. Moreover, Ma Chengyou relied on his status as an investor and always looked down on the crew members. They also had no good impression of Ma Chengyou.

But I lost my job, which made me feel a bit lost, and it was a pity about the movie.

"Ma Chengyou invested a lot of money in the crew. He is now in the hospital and wants to withdraw his investment if the show cannot be performed," said Wu Haifeng.

The film was already short of money, and Ma Chengyou was now forcing Director Zheng to return the money. Director Zheng was so poor that he had to sell his house and car. How could he come up with the money to return it to him?

However, in order to obtain investment, the contract signed was unfavorable to Director Zheng. If the money was not returned, Director Zheng was afraid of facing a lawsuit.

Hu Xiaoxiao thought it was a big deal and said, "If he wants to withdraw his investment, then he can withdraw it."

"But Director Zheng has no money." Wu Haifeng sighed.

"Where is Director Zheng?" Hu Xiaoxiao asked.

Wu Haifeng pointed to the workshop and said, "He's inside. He hasn't come out yet. I only smell the strong smell of smoke coming from there."

Hu Xiaoxiao used his mobile phone to order a few tables of snacks from a nearby teahouse. He said to everyone, "Don't be sad yet. Eat and drink well first. I'm going to talk to Director Zheng."

Wu Haifeng quickly thanked Hu Xiaoxiao for the treat on behalf of everyone.

When Hu Xiaoxiao came to the workshop, she saw a strong smell of smoke coming out of the door. She knocked on the door a few times and only opened it after hearing Zheng Pingxin's hoarse voice calling her in.

The room was filled with smoke, which choked Hu Xiaoxiao and made him take a few steps back.

The ashtray on Zheng Pingxin's desk was full of cigarette butts. He was holding a lit cigarette in his hand. He looked depressed, as if he was several years older than yesterday, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"Ms. Hu." Zheng Pingxin saw Hu Xiaoxiao and said with guilt, "I'm sorry, Ms. Hu, this movie can't be made, and I'm afraid I can't pay you the salary I owe you."

Hu Xiaoxiao covered his mouth and nose and said, "Open the window first and get some fresh air. Forget it, just come out. It's too choking in there. I don't want to go in."

Zheng Pingxin put out his cigarette, opened the window for ventilation, and walked out of the studio. He said, "Ms. Hu, the movie hasn't been filmed yet. Can we discuss not paying the salary?"

Because the initiative in the contract he signed with Hu Xiaoxiao lies with Hu Xiaoxiao, even if the movie cannot be made, as long as Hu Xiaoxiao asks for it, according to the contract, he must pay Hu Xiaoxiao's salary.

When Zheng Pingxin thought about owing another huge debt, he kept scratching his head with worry.

Hu Xiaoxiao looked Zheng Pingxin up and down, "You didn't sleep all night?"

Zheng Pingxin nodded. "Ma Chengyou called last night and said he wanted to withdraw his investment. If I couldn't return the money to him within three days, he would sue me. I came to the crew to see if there was anything I could sell to raise the money."

But the money he had already invested had been almost spent, so what else could he sell? He spent the entire night agonizing over what to do.

Hu Xiaoxiao frowned. Ma Chengyou knew the crew was broke, yet he still forced Zheng Pingxin to pay back the money. He was deliberately trying to stop the filming. "How much did he invest?"

Zheng Pingxin said hoarsely, "Five hundred thousand."

"Five hundred thousand?" Hu Xiaoxiao looked at Zheng Pingxin in shock.

Zheng Pingxin smiled bitterly and said, "Yes, five hundred thousand. I can't even come up with that much money..."

"It's only 500,000 yuan. Are you so worried?" Hu Xiaoxiao was almost shocked. He thought he had invested 5 million yuan. It was only 500,000 yuan. How could Ma Chengyou dare to be so arrogant on the set?

"For Ms. Hu, 500,000 yuan isn't much, but for me, it's the straw that broke the camel's back..."

"I'll give you five hundred thousand, and you pay him back."

Zheng Pingxin continued, "I've borrowed from every friend I could. I really have no other choice but to borrow at high interest rates... Wait, Ms. Hu, what did you just say?"

Hu Xiaoxiao looked at Zheng Pingxin, who looked a little dazed, and said, "It's only 500,000 yuan. I'll lend it to you. You can pay him back, terminate the contract with him, and remove him as an investor."

Zheng Pingxin's decadent face seemed to be instantly injected with vitality. He asked in disbelief, "Ms. Hu, say it again, you want to lend me 500,000 yuan?"

"Yes, you heard it right. I will lend you 500,000. Aren't you short of funds and can't shoot many plots? I will invest another one million in you to improve the plot." Hu Xiaoxiao said.

"Really, really, really..." A huge surprise hit Zheng Pingxin on the head, making him a little dizzy as if he was dreaming.

Wu Haifeng, who had been paying attention to this place, was much more sober than Zheng Pingxin. When he heard that Hu Xiaoxiao was going to inject capital, he ran over happily and woke up the dazed Zheng Pingxin: "Director Zheng, you heard it right, your ears are not broken. Miss Hu will not only help you pay off your debts, but also invest another one million!"

It took Zheng Pingxin a while to believe this unexpected surprise. He looked at Hu Xiaoxiao, and suddenly his throat was blocked and he couldn't speak. His nose was also sore. He wanted to say thank you to Hu Xiaoxiao, but his lips were shaking and he couldn't make a sound.

"Okay, okay, don't cry. It's too corny. I can't stand it." Just then, the waiter from the teahouse arrived. She said to Zheng Pingxin, "I guess you haven't eaten yet. Finish your meal first and then we can talk. I ordered some porridge. Have some to soothe your stomach first."

"Ms. Hu, thank you, thank you." Not only Zheng Pingxin looked grateful, but the other crew members also thanked Hu Xiaoxiao gratefully when they knew that they could continue to work and their wages were settled.

"Don't thank me too soon." Hu Xiaoxiao said to Zheng Pingxin, "My investment is conditional."

Zheng Pingxin's heart skipped a beat. He asked, "Wh-what conditions?"

"I want to add more drama."