Chapter 851: The Steel Supply is Running Low

Wang Yongnian shuddered all over, cold sweat breaking out instantly. He dared not quibble for even half a sentence: "District Chief, please rest assured. I know the limits; I will resolve this matter tomorrow."

"I told you, you're not a blockhead." After saying this, Duan Xiaojie hung up the phone with a snap.

Wang Yongnian stood under a streetlamp clutching his mobile phone. As the night wind blew, his back felt chilly and soaked with sweat.

Early the next morning, Ma Rui was sitting in the advertising company office, discussing follow-up plans for the jelly and calcium milk advertisements with Chen Jiadong.

The two of them had considered the worst-case scenarios. The most terrifying thing would be if the man surnamed Wang made them revise repeatedly and simply refused to grant approval; then, they would truly have no options left.

Just as they were worrying, Zhao Hu, smiling like a chrysanthemum, burst through the door and shouted: "Ma Rui! A call came from the Chaoyang Food Factory!"

Ma Rui lifted his head abruptly: "What did the man surnamed Wang say?"

"It wasn't the man surnamed Wang who called, it was Xiao Liu! He wants us to finish producing those two advertisements immediately, and they will pay us. He also said they are going to be broadcast soon, so we need to finish production quickly."

Ma Rui was stunned, then burst into laughter.

He knew that the phone call his aunt made last night had taken effect.

Chen Jiadong was also stunned. He leaned in and gossiped: "Ma Rui, you're something else. That man surnamed Wang was so arrogant yesterday; he became obedient in just one night?"

Ma Rui leaned back against his chair and let out a long breath: "It's just that I used some solid connections to put some pressure on him."

In his heart, he actually felt quite conflicted. On one hand, the matter was resolved, and he felt a huge sense of relief; on the other hand, he was also clear that if his aunt hadn't stepped in this time, he would likely have taken a massive tumble.

He turned his head and looked at Chen Jiadong earnestly: "Brother Chen, from now on, whenever we change a creative, we must have the other party sign and confirm every single change. This must be established as a rule."

Chen Jiadong nodded, his expression also turning serious: "This time was indeed precarious. Actually, Xiao Liu didn't tell the people at their factory about many things; he thought we had a good relationship with the Factory Director. If that man surnamed Wang had really been persistent, we might not have won this lawsuit."

Ma Rui nodded silently.

Just as they were talking, Zhao Weiguo walked in, fuming. He glanced at Chen Jiadong: "Your girlfriend came looking for you. I asked her if she was looking for you, and she wouldn't even acknowledge me..."

"You hit her and haven't apologized yet! Why would she acknowledge you?" He Yuzhu said.

Chen Jiadong hesitated. He actually didn't want to continue seeing Li Xin—he had become an unemployed drifter and didn't want to hold her back.

As soon as Ma Rui saw his expression, he understood: "Old Chen, even if you want to break up with her, you have to make it clear. What kind of way is it to just let it fizzle out?"

"I don't want to hold her back anymore," Chen Jiadong said in a muffled voice.

"Don't look for excuses. Is it because you resent her for not visiting you when you were arrested? Let me tell you, most people can't be tested," Ma Rui said bluntly.

Chen Jiadong didn't say a word; he stood up and walked out.

Just after he left, Liu Wei walked in: "Ma Rui, can I participate in the audition for your mother's film crew?"

Ma Rui laughed: "Anyone can. But don't count on me to open a back door; you have to rely on your own efforts. This time, even my mother can't decide the actors; my eldest uncle is the screenwriter, and he has the final say."

"Is your eldest uncle also in the film and television industry?"

Ma Rui shook his head: "He isn't, but you've definitely heard the songs he's written... The film we're shooting this time is a period piece with a touch of comedy. My mother hasn't filmed one before, but my eldest uncle knows what he's doing."

Liu Wei's eyes lit up: "Can you let me meet your eldest uncle? I want to ask him about the specific requirements so I can be better prepared."

Ma Rui was a bit curious: "We aren't allowed to go out and act during our freshman year. Even if you were chosen, it wouldn't work."

Liu Wei smiled: "It's already January. The lead actors haven't been decided yet, so this production won't start until summer vacation at the earliest. Maybe I can finish filming during the summer."

Ma Rui waved his hand: "No way. A forty-episode drama takes three months to film. Even if you were chosen, the school wouldn't let you go."

Liu Wei blinked: "Do you know? Last time I donated my entire advertising endorsement fee to the department. The director said that if there's a particularly great director or a particularly good play, I can ask him for leave..."

"Liu Wei, you are too cunning," Ma Rui said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"It's not that I'm cunning, it's that I'm serious. My grades are the best in our class. The director knows that even if he lets me go for a few months, I won't neglect my studies."

Ma Rui compromised: "Then come to my eldest uncle's house with me today. But don't act too clever; my eldest uncle is a sharp one, he'll see through your intentions at a glance."

"I know," Liu Wei said, her eyes curving into smiles.

Huangtingzi Bar.

Li Xin gulped down a large glass of beer and immediately started coughing violently, taking a long time to recover.

"Jiadong, I don't want to break up with you."

Chen Jiadong said expressionlessly: "All my money has to go toward paying Zhao Weiguo's medical expenses; it's going to cost tens of thousands. I'm not in the mood to date."

Li Xin grew anxious: "Why are you telling me all this? I'm not after your money. I think you're just narrow-minded, blaming me for not visiting you when you were arrested, but I didn't even know where you were being held! I asked around, and nobody knew."

Chen Jiadong sneered: "If you had really wanted to see me, you would have found a way."

"You are so narrow-minded. And another thing, did you hear something from someone else? I don't have that kind of relationship with Li Xiang; he's the one spreading rumors!"

Chen Jiadong turned his face away: "Let's not talk about those groundless things. I've been fired; I'm just an unemployed drifter, and from now on, I'll just be a drifter hanging around film crews. I don't want to hold you back."

"You're just an ungrateful wretch! Now that you've climbed up to a high branch, you're ignoring me!" Li Xin's eyes turned red.

"If you think Ma Rui is a high branch, then so be it. But I'll say it again—our statuses have changed, and it's not appropriate anymore."

Li Xin stood up abruptly, picked up a glass of beer, and splashed it all over Chen Jiadong's face.

Ninety-five Courtyard.

Yan Bugui was squatting in front of his door making honeycomb briquettes. When he looked up and saw Ma Rui bringing in a pretty girl, he immediately leaned over: "Ma Rui, do you have any cigarettes? I haven't smoked in two days."

Ma Rui took out a pack of Zhonghua and handed it over: "Third Grandpa, take it and smoke."

When Yan Bugui saw it was Zhonghua, he curled his lip: "You kid are extravagant enough, smoking this while still in school?"

Ma Rui ignored him and led Liu Wei into the East Cross Courtyard.

Inside the room, He Yuzhu was talking with Fang Deng, while He Xiao was pouring tea for everyone on the side.

He Yuzhu asked: "Ma Rui, is this pretty girl behind you Liu Wei?"

Ma Rui widened his eyes: "Eldest Uncle, are you a deity? I never told you about her."

He Yuzhu laughed: "Are you here today bringing Liu Wei to see me because you want to act in *My Fair Princess*?"

Liu Wei hadn't expected this middle-aged man before her to have such keen insight.

Liu Wei was also a sharp person. After the shock, she quickly leaned toward He Yuzhu and said with a smile: "Uncle He? I heard from Ma Rui that you wrote this script? I just want to hear what the personalities of the female characters are like; I'd like to try for a role."

Her tone was so sincere that it was impossible to refuse.

He Yuzhu cleared his throat and perked up: "Alright, then I'll tell you all about this story."

Once he started speaking, he couldn't stop; from the overall story to the character details, he told it vividly, with spit flying everywhere.

Beside him, Fang Deng and He Xiao kept their ears pricked, listening intently.

At first, they were just curious, but as they listened, their eyes grew brighter and brighter, and they were completely drawn in.

He Xiao couldn't help but interject: "Dad, this show sounds really good! It's so interesting. When will it be broadcast?"