Before Jiang Hexi went to the countryside, Ms. Zhou called her to the dressing room and measured her bust, waist, and hips on the spot.

"The production team is really something. They said they would film the variety show next Monday, but suddenly moved it up by three days. The tailor was supposed to come over on the weekend to take your measurements and make you a dress, but now all the plans are ruined."

"What kind of clothes are you tailoring?"

"Making cheongsams."

Ms. Zhou glanced at her measurements and said with a smile in her eyes, "Which qipao master in Suzhou doesn't have to book six months to a year in advance to get an embroidered qipao made?"

Jiang Hexi muttered, "Mom, why did you make me a cheongsam for no reason?"

"Don't ask about these things. You'll be wearing them eventually anyway."

Ms. Zhou was too lazy to talk to her anymore and went about her own business.

Jiang Hexi was extremely grateful that the variety show started filming three days earlier than scheduled; otherwise, if she had stayed at home, she would have been driven crazy by Ms. Zhou, like a Barbie doll.

She flew from Shenzhen and Hong Kong to northern Henan, then took a bus on the highway and arrived at Canglang Village smoothly at 3 p.m.

Upon entering the village, she didn't rush to put her luggage in the stone courtyard, but instead went to the fields to check on the growth of the corn and sorghum.

The overall situation is not optimistic.

The corn and sorghum were slow to grow taller and were a little shorter than the crops next door.

It's time to add more compound fertilizer.

Jiang Hexi returned to the stone courtyard with a heavy heart, and all the other guests had also arrived.

As usual, Director Chen announced the previous revenue figures:

"As of now, your net assets are still negative. After deducting last month's water, electricity and labor expenses and offsetting the income from free-range eggs, the current total profit is 37,428."

“I just went to the fields for a walk,” Jiang Hexi said, looking at everyone present. “If we don’t apply fertilizer to the sorghum and corn soon, there’s no hope for a good harvest.”

Chu Yang suggested, "How about we go to Zhu Dali's fertilizer factory again and get some compound fertilizer for free?"

"Go if you want, I'd rather die than go."

Yu Xiangwan firmly objected, saying, "I've already been ridiculed by the entire internet once; I can't be ridiculed a second time."

The living room fell silent for a moment.

Yan Jie asked Shen Yingyu, "How much money is left in the account?"

"More than 20,000 but less than 30,000 yuan, most of the money was invested in the development project of the ecological wetland park."

There's a saying: "One should press on with one effort, but the momentum will wane on the second and be exhausted on the third."

Yan Jie made a decision and said, "The opportunity is rare. The ecological wetland park project should not only not be stopped, but we should continue to invest money in it. The matter of applying fertilizer should also be put on the agenda."

The opportunity he referred to was the boost from live-streaming variety shows. If this "opportunity" was missed, even if an ecological wetland park was built later, without the hype, the tourism industry in Canglang Village would be difficult to develop.

Xie Wanyi then asked, "Where did the money come from?"

Yan Jie: "If you don't have money, borrow it."

Xie Wanyi: "Whom do you want to borrow it from?"

Yan Jie smiled and looked up at Director Chen silently.

The remaining six understood immediately and turned around in unison, looking at Director Chen with eager anticipation.

Director Chen cursed inwardly and said with a fierce look, "Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Chu Yang replied matter-of-factly, "Director, borrow money to farm."

"The production team is dirt poor, they're even having trouble eating, where would they get the money to lend you?"

Director Chen dismissed them with extreme impatience:

"If you don't have money, find a way to earn it. Don't think that you can get money by talking a few nice words. There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Shen Yingyu took out his phone and read a passage of text without any emotion:

"The production team sold the broadcasting rights for the second season of the farming variety show to three major video websites, setting a record for the highest copyright fee for a variety show in history."

"In addition, the program team also authorized the development of farming-related derivative products, including but not limited to snacks, jewelry, cosmetics, commemorative badges, etc., which generated a profit of up to nine figures in just one quarter, achieving profitability through multiple channels."

"Director Chen, the production team is rolling in money, and you're still complaining about not having enough cash. Is that appropriate?"

The assistant director glanced nervously at Director Chen, who stood firmly behind the live broadcast camera, and he straightened his back as well.

Yan Jie said bluntly, "Director Chen, we can help in an emergency, but not in a long-term relationship. Let's lend you 200,000 first."

The living room fell silent abruptly, then erupted in a series of roars.

Director Chen, unable to contain himself any longer, launched into a tirade against them:

"You're no good at farming, but you're number one in debt. Who wouldn't pretend to be poor when they see you? Go ask around the village and see which household would dare to lend you money!"

"You think you're right just because you're broke? You're being arrogant and trying to extort money. The production team made some money, not that they owe you any."

"If you ask me, I won't lend you a single penny. Don't try to play the victim or appeal to my sentiments. I'm not lending you anything, and I mean it."

[Chen Yimao is so stingy! He's such a miser, he's making me laugh so hard!]

[I never would have guessed that Director Chen, that stingy and miserly man, is actually so rich...]

High-end business plans often require only the simplest approach: starting a business with borrowed money.

[The aggressive attitude of the five chaebol members clearly indicates they haven't asked for money. If they were even slightly more humble... emmm... that assumption is impossible.]

[Everyone worked without rest, from dawn till dusk, in the fields, resulting in a debt of one million. If I were Director Chen, I wouldn't dare lend that money either.]

"Is being rich a great thing?"

Chu Yang rolled his eyes and grumbled, "If you don't want to lend it, then don't. Why are you shouting so loudly?"

Jiang Hexi suddenly realized a very serious problem: "I participated in two seasons of a farming variety show and didn't receive a single penny in appearance fees. Did you receive any?"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!