Magnate Tycoon: How Did Simply Enjoying Life Make Me a Male God?-Chapter 631 - 430: Yang Xiaoxiu’s Attitude (2)

As soon as he hung up the phone, Zhang Fuqiang realized that everyone in the private room was holding their breath, and a dozen pairs of eyes were staring intently at him.

His face instantly turned dark as ink, and he glared at everyone angrily: "What are you all staring at?! I'm just having a phone call with my uncle, why are you all craning your necks? Do you have a habit of eavesdropping on others' privacy?"

The crowd, like startled birds, quickly lowered their heads and pretended to eat, the sounds of clinking tableware chaotic, unable to conceal the tense atmosphere at the table.

Zhang Fuqiang snorted coldly, his gaze lingering on the unfazed Yang Xiaoxiu, his anger growing.

He signaled to the two guys beside him, then turned to scan the crowd coldly: "I'll deal with something outside, stay put."

He deliberately stressed his words, his eyes like a poisoned blade, "when I come back, if I find anyone daring to leave early..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the threat was clear enough.

With that, he slammed the room door and his footsteps gradually faded away down the corridor.

...

As soon as he reached the corridor, Zhang Fuqiang immediately dialed the producer's number but changed dramatically after speaking just a few words.

"Their props not only meet the standards but their quote is 30% lower than ours? This is absolutely impossible!"

Zhang Fuqiang's voice suddenly rose, echoing in the corridor.

The passing waiter was stunned, staring at the flushed man with suspicious eyes.

He glared fiercely at the waiter, who hurriedly walked away, forcing him to lower his voice to the barest whisper, almost squeezing words through his teeth:

"President Huang, this is definitely malicious competition! If they really can do it at this price, the quality of the props definitely cannot meet the standards!

We've been in this industry for so long, we all know the cost calculations clearly, they're definitely problematic, obviously targeting us! You mustn't be deceived by them!"

The sound of producer Huang Shi shuffling papers came through the phone, his tone almost cruelly calm:

"Old Wu has already conducted an on-site inspection, and the sample test reports are on my desk.

This company was personally selected by the producers, and the contract states in black and white that if the quality does not meet the standard, they'll pay three times the amount as breach of contract.

Their quotation sheet, schedule, and technical specifications are impeccable."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fuqiang leaned heavily against the cold fire hydrant box, the metal casing pressing painfully into him:

"President Huang, we previously touted to the entire crew that we settled on our company's props.

Now suddenly canceling the agreement, how will I remain in the crew? How will others perceive me? Isn't this a slap in my face?"

"There was no need to flaunt the intention to cooperate everywhere in the first place."

Huang Shi's voice suddenly cooled, "It was you who boasted loudly, now unable to wrap it up, who's to blame? Besides..."

He paused, as if considering his words, "your role in the crew has already been replaced. You won't be participating in this drama."

"What?!" Zhang Fuqiang's pupils shrank suddenly, fingers digging into the edge of the phone, "Forget about the props, how come even my role is being replaced? President Huang, what do you mean?"

"The producers just held an emergency meeting." Master Huang's tone was tinged with impatience, "The new investor added a 50 million investment, the only condition was to replace your role and put in their designated actor."

"Just to replace me? Invest 50 million?" Zhang Fuqiang's voice wavered with disbelief, "Who the hell are they? Isn't this clearly targeting me?"

"Their identity doesn't matter." Master Huang's voice turned completely cold, "A 50 million investment is just out there; the producers have no reason to refuse. Besides, the actor they recommended is professional-level, and the audition clips are praised as perfectly fitting the role."

Zhang Fuqiang spun around anxiously on the spot, his heels creating a panicked rhythm on the ground, "No way! I have to personally talk to the producers to clarify! This matter must be justified to me!"

"These decisions were made by him for me to tell you." Huang Shi interrupted his shouting, "If you insist on taking this to him, you're questioning my ability to handle matters. Zhang Fuqiang, if you still want to survive in this industry, let this matter go."

He paused, the warning finally apparent in his tone, "Continue to entangle with this, and don't think about discussing any future cooperation with me." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Before Zhang Fuqiang could respond, the dial tone echoed in his ear.

Zhang Fuqiang's eyes went blank, slowly lowering his phone, staring at the steadily dimming screen, feeling as if all his strength had been sapped.

The commanding presence he had in the private room half an hour ago felt like a surreal dream, his face now pale as a sheet, sliding down the cool wall to the floor, the freezing cold tiles climbing up his spine to his heart.

The distant sounds of clinking tableware only highlighted the stark silence, as if commotion from another world.

...

After Zhang Fuqiang slammed the door and left, the private room was plunged into suffocating silence.

The hum of the central air-conditioning and the slight sound of porcelain spoons scraping against plates seemed particularly shrill at that moment.

About ten minutes passed, and the crowd's taut nerves slightly relaxed, the small whispers spread quietly through the banquet, like spring vines.

And when Zhang Fuqiang's two guys couldn't wait any longer and rushed out to check the situation, the long-suppressed discussion magnified instantly, echoing around the private room.

Everyone's gaze, as if drawn by invisible strings, occasionally flitted to the calm figure in the corner, who was resting with eyes closed.

Yang Xiaoxiu sat straight-backed against the chair, hands folded on her lap, composed, as if the surrounding undercurrents had nothing to do with her.

The assistant director's fingers repeatedly rubbed the table underneath, hesitating for a long time, before finally leaning closer, speaking in a low voice: "Xiaoxiu."

Yang Xiaoxiu slowly opened her eyes, softly asking: "Director Liu, is there anything you need?"

Yang Xiaoxiu knew well that although Director Liu occasionally went along with Zhang Fuqiang's bullying due to pressure, she felt that he wasn't genuinely serving Zhang Fuqiang.

Recalling details from the crew, the extra guidance on positioning Director Liu quietly gave, the late-night hot cocoa he offered after work, and every time he seemed to want to say something but stopped, his eyes held that helpless kindness made Yang Xiaoxiu maintain a last respect for him.

After a long silence, Liu Cheng carefully chose his words: "Xiaoxiu, you've managed to get this far, securing the role of the second female lead, it's truly remarkable.

Think about it, Beijing Film Academy, Central Academy of Drama, and Shanghai Theatre Academy, all top-performing schools in China, graduate thousands of students every year.

Countless people scramble, run in crews for ten years, twenty years as extras, not even getting a decent small supporting role.

But for you, to have such an opportunity at a young age, it's not just luck, your skill is also seen by everyone."

He paused, his voice more profound, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes full of worry, "But Xiaoxiu, you know every industry has its dark side, ours particularly deep.

Faced with difficult people like Zhang Fuqiang, when we don't have enough strength yet, sometimes it's appropriate to humble oneself...

This is truly not saying to give up your principles, but to pave the way for a better future, to retreat now and gather strength for a bigger leap forward."

Yang Xiaoxiu listened to these words, her expression still calm, without the slightest ripple, only quietly asking:

"Director Liu, now that I've broken with Zhang Fuqiang, do you mean I should apologize to him?"

Liu Cheng showed a helpless wry smile: "I can honestly see that Zhang Fuqiang doesn't really want to replace you.

It's not because he's benevolent, but replacing roles isn't easy?

It involves the production team, renegotiating contracts, everything costs money and effort; he has to pay a considerable price to persuade the producer.

So, there's still room for reconciliation. When he returns, say a few kind words, even if reluctant, outwardly soften your stance, don't let things become so tense.

Think about it, with his current strength and connections in the circle, if he truly wants to retaliate against you, the traffic, fame, and countless supporting fans you've arduously gained could be gone in a blink, what a pity!"

Yang Xiaoxiu could genuinely feel Liu Cheng's words were heartfelt advice, sincere for her sake.

Yet, after a moment of silence, she looked firmly at the other, her tone calm:

"Director Liu, thank you for your suggestion.

But my mind is made up, I won't compromise an inch with Zhang Fuqiang on this matter."