Chapter 220: Rough Budget

Two days later, Li Yaofu arrived at Chen Mo with a completed budget breakdown.

Chen Mo looked at the various expenses Li Yaofu listed and frowned slightly.

It's not that the prices are shady; rather, these budgets differ somewhat from what Chen Mo expected.

Chen Mo looked at Li Yaofu and asked, "Are the actors' fees a bit too high?"

In the budget Li Yaofu prepared, the actors' fees alone accounted for half, far exceeding Chen Mo's expectations.

"Boss, our film's script is so good, of course we'll shoot it well. Moreover, the movie has many action scenes, and we need stars who can both act and fight, so the price is definitely not cheap."

Chen Mo placed the budget breakdown on the desk in front of him, his fingers tapping it continuously.

The actors Li Yaofu intends to hire aren't major stars, but they have some reputation.

Their fees range from a few hundred thousand at the low end to several hundred thousand at the high end.

It seems each amount isn't huge, but the film has so many roles!

Especially, Li Yaofu plans to invite the big star Du Juaner under the pretense of a friendly cameo to play the role originally meant for Tian Yang En.

Although she isn't the female lead, she already has the most screen time among the female characters.

Her fee alone is 880,000, and that's even a friendly price.

But spending so much on actors feels wasteful to Chen Mo.

After thinking, Chen Mo got an idea and picked up the phone to call Tian Yang Sheng.

"Ah Sheng, has Ah En's joint exam result come out yet?"

On the phone, Tian Yang Sheng replied awkwardly, "Um... Mo Ge, the results are out, but not very good."

"Didn't get into university?" Chen Mo's mouth twitched slightly.

Tian Yang Sheng said embarrassedly, "No, she doesn't want to study another year; I was actually hoping you could arrange a job for her."

Dongnan Middle School isn't a particularly good school, and Tian Yang En's grades there aren't great either.

Especially, although Tian Yang En was forced by a few older brothers to attend school and seemed relatively obedient there, she truly dislikes studying!

Moreover, her foundation is really poor.

Even with He Min and Zhu Wanfang tutoring her, her grades improved a bit, but still aren't enough to make up for years of lag.

Failing to get into university is actually quite normal.

"The job part is easy.

Coincidentally, our film company is preparing a movie; shall we let her try as an actress?"

This is the budget‑saving idea Chen Mo just came up with.

Let Tian Yang En replace Du Juaner and play her own role.

Given Tian Yang En's temperament, assigning her to sit in an office as a clerk would definitely make her restless.

Given Chen Mo's and Tian Yang Sheng's connections, placing her in a factory isn't appropriate either.

Getting her to act in the film company is definitely a good choice.

She isn't exactly beautiful, but not ugly either; with her martial arts skills and sharp aura, she'd make a fine kung‑fu actress.

Tian Yang Sheng was also delighted by Chen Mo's proposal.

"Really? That's great! I'll have her report to the film company right away."

Tian Yang Sheng, knowing his sister well, didn't even ask her opinion and simply gave his consent.

After hanging up, Chen Mo crossed out the Du Juaner line on the budget, causing Li Yaofu's mouth to twitch.

The film's biggest draw is gone.

"Alright, the role is set, and the actor will report to the film company soon."

"Boss, could you reconsider? What if the person you chose isn't suitable?"

Li Yaofu tried to argue further; after all, the other actors lack fame, and without Du Juaner there's no marquee name at all..

"Don't worry, they'll definitely fit." Chen Mo said confidently.

If even Tian Yang En's natural performance isn't suitable, then no one is.

Li Yaofu worried, "But… boss, without a big star, no one will watch the movie after it's finished!"

Chen Mo thought that sounded right.

Even if the project spreads widely in Gangdao, without a major star, few will go to the cinema.

So it seems we still need a big‑name star.

Chen Mo thought and asked, "What if we invite Long Wei to play a role?"

Li Yaofu was stunned.

What kind of move is that?

Just after objecting to a star's high fee, crossing out the big star Du Juaner, now he wants to hire an even pricier star, Long Wei.

Is the budget even enough!

But Li Yaofu didn't have time to think, so he quickly agreed, fearing Chen Mo would backtrack.

"Sure, that's perfect. If Long Wei agrees, this film will definitely make money."

"That works. Then, let's not hire these small stars for now.

There have been many people coming from the north lately; start looking among those big‑circle folks for anyone who knows kung‑fu, looks good, and could be a star—let them audition, and if they can act, cast them.

As for Long Wei, I'll invite him personally."

If Long Wei's fame backs the film, the small stars become negligible.

Then why spend a hundred‑plus thousand on them!

Better to find a few newcomers with star potential.

Besides being cheap, if any turn out promising, we can sign and cultivate them; when they become popular, they'll be a money‑tree.

A win‑win.

As for whether he can get Long Wei, Chen Mo isn't worried at all.

Thanks to Li Jie's connection with Long Wei and his son, and factoring in the incident a few days ago at Jun Du Hotel, Chen Mo could say he saved their lives.

Just on the basis of that life‑saving favor, Chen Mo invited him to make a film, and he wouldn't refuse.

Moreover, he wouldn't ask Chen Mo for a lot of money.

That saves the budget, doesn't it?

Finally, Li Yaofu left Chen Mo's office, holding the messy budget sheet Chen Mo had drawn, his face full of worry.

Finding a big‑circle guy who can be a star, act in movies, and know kung‑fu isn't that easy!

Back at the film company, Li Yaofu wore a worried expression, and Xian Shihui came over when he saw him.

"What's wrong? Is it because the money you asked for is too much and Mo Ge didn't agree?" Xian Shihui said, sounding a bit smug, "You're just making a movie; why would you need ten million?"

"For me, as long as I have a few hundred thousand, I can make the movie."

Li Yaofu, not in the mood to argue with Xian Shihui, said straight, "That's not it. The boss promised to give the money.

But the boss wants me to find a few big‑circle guys who know kung‑fu and have a star look for the film.

I don't even know any big‑circle guys; how am I supposed to find them!"

"Brother Hui, why don't you help Old Li think of a solution?" Chen Jia Mu, who had followed, asked Xian Shihui for help.

Xian Shihui's filmmaking skills aren't great, but after all he's mixed in the Triad Society, and he knows people from all walks of life.

Finding a few big‑circle guys is indeed not hard for him.

Anyway, they're looking for actors, not assassins. Kung‑fu, just being able to do it is enough; it doesn't have to be extraordinary.

"Right, right, Brother Hui, you know a lot of people, help me think of a way," Li Yaofu finally realized and also turned to Xian Shihui for help.

"Well…." Xian Shihui said, looking troubled.

Li Yaofu saw through Xian Shihui's little scheme at a glance; he just wanted a favor.

"Tonight we go to Bolán Street; Hui's expenses count as mine."

"Ah, why be so polite! We're all brothers; I'll take care of this for you!"