Chapter 211 He's Here

"Look at what you're saying, Brother Haichao. That's too formal. I know you're worried about things getting awkward, but you're also considerate of my feelings. How about this, I happen to have some work at the company these two days. How about I take two days off?"

Jiang Haichao didn't know that Shi Shi really had something to do; he only assumed that she was avoiding him to save face. Seeing that Shi Shi had taken the initiative to back down, he breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little embarrassed.

After all, inviting Shi Shi first and then having Fu Zhixu make a cameo appearance is somewhat unfair.

Although neither of them explicitly stated it, art-house films like this have always had low box office returns. Jiang Haichao must have had the idea of ​​getting this divorced couple to collaborate, hoping to generate headlines and attract attention.

Is Shi Shi the type to suffer losses? Of course not!

Jiang Haichao: "Thank you so much, brother! Don't worry about two days off, any number of days is fine! Take as many days as you like!"

"Hehe, I'm so lucky. I can finally have a proper vacation."

Shi Shi then casually remarked, "Brother, I heard we still have some shortfall in our second round of investment? I wonder if I could lend a hand?"

Does Jiang Haichao lack investment? Not really, what he lacks are angel investors. What are angel investors? Simply put, they are people who are naive and have plenty of money, don't get involved in film-related matters, only spend a large portion of the investment, and take a small percentage of the profits.

Shi Shi was also involved in this project; trying to fool those outsiders wouldn't work.

It's all about investment, but once the contract is signed, everyone's talking about different profit-sharing arrangements. In the end, you're diluted to only a small amount. This kind of trap is common in the industry. After all, the entertainment industry has a high return on investment, that's common knowledge. Countless outsiders try to get involved, and many end up deeply mired in trouble.

Since she brought it up, Jiang Haichao had no choice but to give in.

"A shortfall of thirty million. Are you interested?"

The shortfall is definitely more than 30 million! It seems Jiang Haichao is quite confident in this film. He also invested in it, after all, he directed it himself. He took on the roles of director, screenwriter, and producer all by himself. His investment share isn't large, as he wants to share the risk. As the director, his salary isn't a fixed amount, but rather a share of the box office revenue.

Even close brothers should keep clear accounts, let alone those whose relationship is merely based on mutual benefit.

Thirty million is a small investment to test the waters; if it really makes a profit, it's a windfall. However, judging from Shi Shi's current perspective, the chances of this movie flopping are extremely small.

Judging from the cast, although they all invited veteran actors, their reputation is still solid. As for the young actors, Jiang Haichao simply picked a bunch of good-looking guys, each one a natural for the big screen.

With a good reputation, attractive appearance, and a touch of nostalgia, it should be able to make a decent profit without any problems.

"Okay, let's talk about this after I take leave and come back. We can't be so eager to invest that we don't even have the opportunity, right?"

Although Shi Shi's attitude was somewhat firm, Jiang Haichao had taken advantage of her first. He couldn't say anything, and simply laughed it off, saying, "Don't worry, don't worry! I'll definitely stick the investor identity on you!"

After hanging up the phone, Shishi snorted coldly. She knew that Jiang Haichao would definitely have some complaints about her after this call.

But who cares? If she were scared off by the name "Fu Zhixu," wouldn't she look like a coward? It'll just let him know she's not someone to be trifled with. Everyone has a temper!

Jiang Haichao hung up the phone and looked at Fu Zhixu sitting opposite him with great interest.

"What, regretting it?"

Fu Zhixu is no longer the handsome man he once was. Since joining the cast of "Sunlight Jungle," he has been exercising intensely. After all, the male lead he plays is a man with a wild, powerful presence, not his previous boyish image. He lost a marriage but gained a series of major IP male lead roles. How could he not work incredibly hard?

Fu Zhixu has matured rapidly. He's become more manly than before. Lighting a cigarette and putting it in his mouth, he said, "There's no point in regretting it. It's all meaningless."

Jiang Haichao nodded, his face showing agreement, but in his heart he didn't believe him.

They want to use this divorced couple's story to generate buzz and boost box office revenue. This isn't some kind of conspiracy; it's clearly an open scheme, laid bare before them. One is only concerned with their own interests, while the other pretends to still be hung up on the past.

When I first divorced these two, it was completely the opposite!

"Shi Shi is leaving the crew tomorrow, are you sure you don't want to see her?"

Fu Zhixu crushed the remaining half of the cigarette into the ashtray.

"They're gone; there's no need to annoy people unnecessarily."

Jiang Haichao patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, saying, "Young people don't understand what love and marriage are. Maybe the timing isn't right for you. Look ahead, there's always someone more suitable for you."

After all, he couldn't lie and say there were better girls than Shi Shi ahead of him. In his eyes, Shi Shi was ambitious, beautiful, cultured, and talented. They even had a brief, innocent romance. Jiang Haichao actually felt that Fu Zhixu would regret it more and more in the future, since he would never meet another girl as outstanding and loving as him. Men always appreciate things only after they've lost them.

Fu Zhixu remained noncommittal: "Brother, give me the script. And tell me more about the scene so I can get into character quickly." After all, he had a tight schedule; "Sunlight Jungle" was about to be released.

Jiang Haichao nodded and handed Fu Zhixu's notebook to him. It contained only two thin pages.

Fu Zhixu took it, staring at the few lines of dialogue he read, but his mind wandered elsewhere.

Shi Shi's room was downstairs from Jiang Haichao's, less than ten meters away as the crow flies. But he couldn't knock on her door. After all, he was the one who lost Shi Shi. Shi Shi was a person, not an object. Once lost, she couldn't be brought back.

Seeing Jiang Haichao staring at him, Fu Zhixu sneered inwardly. What was there to be afraid of? Would he really lose his temper and harass someone? He didn't have that kind of face.

After rehearsing their lines, Fu Zhixu suddenly asked, "Brother Haichao has had quite a bit of contact with her. I wonder if he's ever heard of who her boyfriend is?"

Jiang Haichao was taken aback for a moment, then realized that the "she" he was referring to was Shi Shi. He shook his head and said, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

Fu Zhixu lowered his head, his fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of the script, and said softly, "It's nothing. In the end, I'm the one who wronged her, and I want to know if she's doing well. If she's doing well, I'll be at ease, but if she's not doing well and has found someone even worse than me, wouldn't that be a tragedy?"

Jiang Haichao sighed inwardly as he looked at him, patted his shoulder and said, "Don't overthink it. That person is quite good. He's not from the entertainment circle. He's in politics, and holds a high position. It's obvious he values ​​Shi Shi."

He paused, then added, "Focus on acting from now on."

Fu Zhixu nodded, trying to bring his attention back to the script.