Chapter 91: You Only Hate Having Too Little Money When You Need to Spend It

June 22, 2002, *Whiplash* set at the Central Conservatory of Music.

Today was the scheduled wrap date, yet the director, Lu Kuan, was somewhat distracted.

Qiu Yuanxu and Tian Zhuangzhuang from the Youth Film Studio were both present today to oversee the proceedings.

The latter was the executive producer of *Whiplash*, having helped him connect with the Youth Film Studio's production team and assisted with the film's censorship approval; it could be considered a gesture of mentorship toward a junior.

"Little Lu, what are you spacing out for?"

Tian Zhuangzhuang was smoking, two white dragons of smoke puffing from his nostrils, his deeply lined face shrouded in a haze.

"Yeah, it's finally time to wrap, why do you look so preoccupied?"

Qiu Yuanxu was also puzzled; even when the crew was being targeted by the hired hands Zhang Tianshuo had found, he hadn't seen this expression on him.

Only then did Boss Lu slightly relax his furrowed brows, smiling as he handed a cigarette to Tian Zhuangzhuang, then glanced at Old Qiu’s excited expression.

Go ahead and smile, Old Qiu, there’s a good chance your damn Youth Film Studio is going to end up working for free this time...

That’s right, at 2:30 this afternoon, in Gwangju, South Korea, the quarter-final match between the Koreans and Spain officially kicked off, and the first half had just ended.

A scoreless draw, safe but uneventful.

In this day and age, you couldn't check scores in real-time on a mobile phone, so he had found a crew member to stay in front of the television and report the score to him live.

Boss Lu’s 4 million had safely made it through those 48 minutes, though a free kick by Joaquín of Spain during the three minutes of stoppage time had nearly scared him into wetting himself...

The phone in his pocket vibrated, and Lu Kuan jumped.

Why is it this kid Zhang Ruoyun?

Lu Kuan signaled to Tian Zhuangzhuang and walked off the set.

"Hello? If you have something to say, say it fast!"

He was afraid the person reporting the score wouldn't be able to get through, so he urged Little Zhang to spit it out.

Zhang Ruoyun was articulate, and a string of words left Boss Lu dazed.

Liu Zeyu, Tangren, Wang Xiaolei, 1 million, the transfer agreement not yet signed—this information was enough for him to make a decision.

"Little Zhang, you’ve been a smart kid since you were little!"

"Study hard, and you'll be in my films in the future!"

"Okay, Director Lu! Making movies is much more interesting than the TV dramas my dad and the others make!"

High school student Zhang Ruoyun almost excitedly revealed his whereabouts inside the room.

"Hehe, alright, I'm hanging up now."

Lu Kuan stubbed out the cigarette butt on the sole of his shoe and immediately dialed another number.

"Wenwen, how much cash is in the company account right now?"

"A little over 1.5 million."

Damn! You only hate having too little money when you need to spend it.

During this period, the growth of blog users had been too rapid; part of the breach-of-contract fee paid by Yinghuang was swallowed up by server costs and ground-promotion expenses, and part was taken by Boss Lu to bet on the games.

The 4 million he originally had on hand had 1 million allocated to the *Blind Shaft* crew, plus purchases for film production supplies and partial payment of the Youth Film Studio staff's wages.

There was also the 600,000 in external debt owed to his senior brother, and the capital contribution for the stake in Red Star Dock that needed to be paid to Cheng Jing and Liu Xiao, which was being dragged out.

The remaining 1.5 million-plus was his final ammunition.

What to do? Go beg a few good sisters for help?

"Boss, are you still there?"

Sun Wenwen’s inquiry brought him back to his senses.

Lu Kuan checked his watch: 3:35 PM Beijing time, the second half had already started 2 minutes ago...

Bet it is! You damn Koreans, you better step up!

"Immediately arrange to withdraw all the cash. I’ll have General Manager Zhuang assist you. Go directly to Wang Xiaolei and get the adaptation rights at any cost."

Sun Wenwen paused: "Boss, didn't you say to go through Liu Bei..."

"There's a mole, the deal is off!"

"Zhang Jian has already sent people to negotiate; their offer is 1 million. You have the discretion to go up to 3 million, but you must secure the adaptation rights!"

"Yes, Boss Lu!" Sun Wenwen agreed efficiently.

Lu Kuan hung up the phone, hesitated for a long time, but still didn't call Anita Mui.

Human favors are very fragile.

Setting aside his intimate relationship with Anita Mui, he had pointed out her medical condition, and she hadn't blinked before giving him a 3 million reward, connecting him with resources in Xiangjiang, participating in a cameo for free, and helping promote the blog; she had already treated him more than well.

If he won this bet, everything would be easy to explain, but if he lost and then asked to borrow money, the trust would shatter instantly.

Lu Kuan believed Anita Mui would agree to his request, but that wasn't how you maintained a relationship.

"Lu Kuan, what are you spacing out for!"

Liu Yifei suddenly patted him from behind.

Liu Xiao pretended to lecture her daughter: "Call him Director on set, don't be so informal."

She was just saying that; Lu Kuan didn't get angry when he was off the clock and people joked around.

Once on set, he basically evolved into a Tyrannosaurus Rex; no one should get caught making a mistake, or it would be a full-blown hairdryer treatment.

Boss Lu came back to his senses; the decision was made, so he wasn't as anxious anymore.

"Little Liu, your scenes are all finished, what are you still doing here? Trying to crash the wrap party?"

"You eat too much, pay for yourself tonight; our crew is small and can't afford you."

Liu Yifei wrinkled her cute nose and said coquettishly: "Such a big director, and you have no ambition, crying poor every day!"

Boss Lu glanced at her—it’s because you’re too weak right now and have no ability to make money, hindering me from being a kept man!

Shaking the distracting thoughts from his mind, he now had to finish the final shoot.

Watching Lu Kuan sit down in front of the monitor, the set instantly went quiet. All the actors took their positions, ready to film the final segment in this Central Conservatory auditorium.

The teacher, Zhuang Zhong, had tricked the drummer, Xu Huan, into the band, playing him for a fool in front of everyone by not giving him the sheet music. He wanted to make Xu Huan make a complete fool of himself in such a musical temple and lose his pursuit of his dream forever.

Or perhaps, to erupt in silence and truly become the next jazz drumming master, Charlie Parker.

Lu Kuan sat before the monitor, watching the sullen Zhou Jielun return to the center of the stage, interrupting Zhuang Zhong’s speech, then returning to his seat to start playing his own piece.

At this moment, there was no one in his eyes, only himself and the jazz drums.

Ning Hao followed Lu Kuan’s instructions, providing a skull light and a slightly soft stage spotlight; instantly, all the background in the frame blurred, leaving only one person and one drum set.

Zhuang Zhong was surprisingly not angry; watching Xu Huan, who was getting into the zone and even seemed possessed, he revealed an expression of appreciation in his eyes and signaled the band to start accompanying him.

The faster Xu Huan hit the drumsticks, the more sweat appeared on his face. The entire theater was shocked by his performance, and Zhuang Zhong’s emotions were also driven to the point of eruption.

Lu Kuan sent another cameraman to shoulder-mount a shot from behind Feng Yuan, pushing straight toward Zhou Jielun, who was completely immersed in the performance.

Then it cut to a close-up, until the first drumbeat exploded from the drumsticks in Zhou Jielun’s hands like a thunderclap...

If you aren't obsessed, you won't succeed.

"Cut!"

Lu Kuan quickly reviewed this climax. The emotions of Feng Yuan and Zhou Jielun had completely erupted in this segment, showing the smoothest performance and the most perfect chemistry since filming began.

Lu Kuan looked at everyone who was nervously staring at him and smiled brightly: "That's a wrap, it's in the can!"

(End of chapter)