Chapter 18. Investors
"I think I am going insane. I am afraid I will die of heart attack from the anxiety."
The CEO of Forest production said as he tapped his finger continuously on the table. It had become a habit for him now.
Whenever he will be anxious, he would always tap his finger on the table.
"I think it's going to be fine. The project is being led by Director Zhu."
The Project Director said as he sipped his coffee. There were dark circles around his eyes because of continuous work.
"If that bastard would have done his job properly, then I will be not be anxious here and the investors would not come to inspect the set."
CEO Shin said as he sighed. The reason he was anxious was because the investors are coming to inspect the set.
"Isn't it good? If the investors were impressed by the shooting, then we can get more budget for the marketing."
"Yeah and if they didn't like the shooting, then what. We can lose the small amount of money we have."
"You are only thinking negatively, CEO. Think positively."
"I would have thought positively if that bastard Hong had not decided to change the script midway and increase the budget. Because of him, I am taking pills here."
"CEO, you should drink water and calm down. I am sure that the movie would be good."
"The last time you said that, the movie was a disaster. I was even admitted into the hospital because of you."
"….."
Although he said that, he still drink some water to calm down. His mind was filled with anxiousness over the movie.
At first, when Director Zhu had brought over the project, he was very optimistic about it. He was thinking of breaking the stereotype and becoming the head of the production house which produced a successful spy drama.
But his views changed midway, the writer suddenly changed the script in the middle of the filming and the budget increased.
Only he knew how he had convinced the investors to get more money. Not only that, the release date also got delayed.
Because of these reasons, the investors are making a big fuss and rumours had already started running around in the industry.
His days are now filled with worry and anxiousness about the future.
"Director, something bad happened."
As his mind was filled with worry, a Producer hurriedly entered the room. His face was filled with distress and worry.
"What happened, now? Did the investors refused to spend more money?"
"It's worse than that. The new movie which was going to be released at Christmas is now releasing at the same time as us."
"Whhat??"
Both the Project Director and the CEO was startled by the news.
"You mean, the movie starring Zhang Yu and Yan Ming, what was its name, yeah, «Silly love» or something, right."
"Yeah, the one which is going to be produced by Mermaid Production, right."
When the Producer nodded his head, both the Project Director and CEO Shin face slumped down and their expressions were both pale.
In spite of anger, CEO Shin started hitting the table. His foot was hurting but he just want to let out some of his anger.
"CEO, you will only hurt yourself if you hit the table."
"So, what do I do? Our movie is going to be a big flop at this rate."
"But it also will not be a hit if you keep hitting the table."
After some persuading and letting out his anger, CEO Shin finally calmed down and slumped into his chair.
He really didn't knew what to do now. He can just hope that it's going to be okay.
"We need a X factor."
"Huh??"
When CEO Shin said those words, both the Producer and the Project Director titled their heads and let out confused voices.
"Yeah, a X factor. Something which can startle the audiences. Something new that can surprise them. Something like that."
"But that type of thing don't happen often."
"Yeah, it almost impossible for their to be something like that."
"Well, what can we do. The other side had more popular stars and their marketing team had more budget. We could just hope that their film flopped."
CEO Shin said as he sighed. He looked outside the window and saw black clouds in the sky.
The sky looked gloomy just like his mind.
'I wish I get a X factor that can make the film succeed.'
He thought as he kept staring at the sky. He didn't knew that after two days, he would really find his X factor.
* * *
"Do you want one?"
Ren said to Li Xinru who was looking at him with longing in her eyes. More specifically, she was looking at the lunch box in his hands.
They were currently in the dressing room eating their lunches. They had already completed their morning shoot and now, were having a lunch break.
"I don't need it. I have my own food to eat."
Li Xinru said as she glanced at her lunchbox. It was filled with a salad of cabbages, spinachs and bean sprouts. There were also some chicken breast and lean beef in it.
Then, she looked at the Ren's lunch. It was filled with tasty meat patties and delicious side dishes. There was even rice with a boiled egg on top of it.
It was simply mouth watering for her, who was eating fried vegetables and chicken breast for three months.
"It is really delicious!!"
She was not only jealous of Ren, even White bear was making her jealous.
He was frantically eating his lunch as if he is afraid that somebody would snatch it if he didn't eat it.
"Why don't you just have a taste of my lunch? I am also trying to eat less these days."
"Really??"
Li Xinru practically hopped up from her seat when she heard that. She really wanted to eat delicious food, right now.
"Will you not be hungry, Ren?"
White bear asked him while eating his lunch.
"No, it's okay. I have a plentiful breakfast in the morning."
Although Ren said that, he was lying. He was just not able to ignore the longing expression on Li Xinru's face.
That's why he asked her to take his lunch.
"Ah, okay. I will take some then. I can't ignore a request from my sweet junior, right."
"Stop there, you can't eat that food."
Li Xinru was very close to the food when suddenly, Su Ling entered the room.
"You will again get fat if you eat that. Do you want people to call you chubbier."
She glared at Li Xinru as she said that.
"Ah, bu-but, Sister Ling, just one bite will not do anything, right."
Li Xinru said as she pleaded. She was really desperate for just one piece of meat.
"Eat if you want but don't come to me if you get fat."
"Waaah, Don't say that. I don't want to be fat."
Li Xinru said as she faked a imaginary tear but Su Ling just ignored her and took a seat besides White bear who was still eating his lunch, ignoring all the commotion.
He was fully focused on his food.
"Can't you just let her eat one bite?"
Ren said as he looked at Su Ling.
"Yeah, it's just one bite. I will not eat more."
Li Xinru also added and Su Ling had to give up after seeing her expression. She was looking too pitiful.
After getting the okay signal, Li Xinru happily ate the patties from Ren's lunch. She was looking like someone who had gained her country while eating.
Ren smiled as he watched her. He felt that she looked more prettier while eating.
"I was worried for him before but it looks like everything is fine."
Su Ling said as she whispered to White bear who had almost finished his lunch.
"Yeah, he is not the type to fret over things for a long time."
"Isn't he worried about the investors?"
White bear tilted his head when he heard that and replied with a smile.
"At first he was but he had changed or I should say that, he had matured lately. He was worried at first but he knew that he just had to give his best and after having this thought, he became calm."
"Really. Well, he did seem like the calm type."
"Yeah, he is also a good person."
"You two seem to be very close."
"Yes, we are. Hehehe."
White bear said that with his usual cheerful and silly laugh and Su Ling just smiled seeing this.