Transmigration: The Cannon Fodder Suddenly Made a Comeback!
Chapter 679: Got Money to Buy Coffee but No Money to Pay Me Back, Huh?!

Chapter 679: Chapter 679: Got Money to Buy Coffee but No Money to Pay Me Back, Huh?!

"Cut, that’s a wrap!"

With Shao Changqing’s shout, the lights across the set brightened, and Luo Xingmu was lowered from the wire rig.

Seeing this, Shao Changqing hurried over, handing Luo Xingmu the coffee he was holding.

"Mr. Luo, you’re done for the day and can clock out now. Thank you for your hard work."

Luo Xingmu glanced at the coffee in his hand but took the thermos cup from his assistant instead.

"Director Shao, it’s late, I’d rather not drink coffee now. In the future, you don’t need to buy it for me; isn’t the production’s budget pretty tight? Saving a bit of money could allow everyone to eat a little better."

Shao Changqing knew that Luo Xingmu said this out of consideration for him, but it still felt bitter to hear.

But then again, the popular young actor was trapped in his production, unable to leave.

Whether they could afford to pay his salary was another matter, let alone whether the movie could be properly finished.

"I’m sorry, Mr. Luo. How about I give you a day off tomorrow? You’ve been working non-stop on set these past few days, and you must be tired."

"That’ll work." Luo Xingmu didn’t refuse and nodded.

He then saw Assistant Director Yin Le jogging over and took the chance to say, "It seems the assistant director needs you for something, so I’ll go remove my makeup now."

"Alright."

Yin Le, panting heavily, stopped in front of Shao Changqing and slammed the documents in his hand onto the table.

"This Fu Xiaoxiao is too much, just sends me an email and takes off on her own, saying we definitely couldn’t afford her salary and that we were cheating her. I wondered why she hadn’t signed the contract yet, turns out she was waiting for this moment!"

Shao Changqing’s brow furrowed, his expression growing grim.

Fu Xiaoxiao was their college classmate, and they’d always had a good relationship.

After graduation, she became an actress, though she hadn’t gained much fame.

So when he and Yin Le planned this movie, they approached her to play the lead actress.

Fu Xiaoxiao was a fine choice, had decent acting skills, and although she still needed some polishing, she could, without doubt, handle a role in a movie.

But unexpectedly, after a few days on set, she began to act arrogantly, finding fault with everything, and now she’d just up and left.

Shao Changqing felt extremely disheartened.

Not only was he chilled by the betrayal of a long-time friend, but he was also deeply despondent about his current plight.

"Let her go," Shao Changqing said, looking downhearted. "Her concerns aren’t unfounded; we really are stretched thin. We’ve been owing the crew’s wages for months now, never mind her salary. With her credentials, she truly deserves better."

Yin Le looked at him, then at the stack of documents, wanting to say something but only sighed deeply instead, then grabbing his hair he said, "We can’t not pay the wages; there are over two months until the New Year, and we absolutely have to settle these accounts before then. I’ll think of something, go borrow some money."

When it rains, it pours.

Just as half of the set lights went out, coincidentally, a noisy group of about a dozen people barged in.

"Where’s Shao Changqing? Where’s your director? Call him out here!"

The crew members exchanged uncertain looks at the sight of the dozen or so tall, muscular men with tattooed arms, then simultaneously turned towards Shao Changqing standing under the shed.

"Changqing..." Yin Le said anxiously, "They mean trouble. Should I call the police?"

"Forget it." Shao Changqing shook his head before stepping forward, calling out loudly, "I’m Shao Changqing. What do you want from me?"

The leader of the men slung a metal rod over his shoulder and sneered, "You’re Shao Changqing? Do you know you’re three months behind on the location fees? President Hu is furious. If you don’t pay up today, I’m smashing all these machines to sell. That should cover the payment, right?"

Shao Changqing’s face went pale in an instant.

They were shooting a sci-fi movie, the set required a lot, and President Hu’s land rent alone was more than three hundred thousand a month.

Most of the money in their account had been spent on equipment and props; where would they find millions to pay the fees?!

"Big brother, please, have mercy," Shao Changqing pushed the coffee towards them, "Sit down and warm up with a couple of cups of coffee. We can talk this over nicely."

The man swatted the coffee away with a slap.

"Drink your mother’s coffee, got money for coffee but not to pay me, huh?!"

"Hey, you guys are being unreasonable, aren’t you?" Yin Le stepped forward, shielding Shao Changqing, "It’s not that we won’t pay, it’s just that currently, we can’t pull together the money. We’re all trying to get by in the world, can’t we be a bit understanding of each other?"

"Hey, who are you to talk straight when you owe money? You think you can dodge payment today, is that it?!"

...

The commotion outside grew louder, disturbing Luo Xingmu, who was resting in the makeup room.

His assistant rushed in.

"Brother Mu, some debt collectors have come, and it looks like it might get violent!"

Luo Xingmu calmly took a sip of water and kept scrolling through his phone.

"What’s so strange about that? Aren’t those debt collectors here every day?"

Beside him, Luo Xingmu’s personal makeup artist also spoke up in frustration, "Brother Mu, why did you even take this film? You’re not short on roles. As soon as Director Zhang’s movie is released for the New Year, you’re lined up for Best Actor. Your status won’t be matched by ordinary folks. Why stay worried every day in this little production?"

"Exactly," the assistant chimed in, "they can’t even pay your salary! You might end up working half a year for nothing!"

Luo Xingmu’s expression remained inscrutable and nonchalant.

"What do you know? I owe Sister Jiang a favor, and even if this is a trap, I have to jump in."

He looked up at his assistant, "Have you forgotten, if it weren’t for Sister Jiang, I’d be six feet under by now."

"But you can’t just—"

"That’s enough." Luo Xingmu cut off the rebuttal. "I’m not a fool. I won’t jump into a hole knowingly. Just complete all my scenes peacefully, and my obligation is met."

He glanced at the crowd gathered outside, narrowing his eyes slightly, "As for the rest, I don’t plan, and shouldn’t, get involved. Let’s just turn a blind eye."

Jiang Li had already returned from Dragon Ridge Island, her prize money in hand.

Now she had enough strength.

It was up to her whether she wanted to deal with this mess any further.

If she had no intention of doing so, then why should he continue to wade into this chaos?

Inside the studio, the man signaled with his hand, and his cohorts surrounded everyone.

"If I don’t see the money today, none of you are leaving!"

"This is too much," Yin Le stomped angrily, "I’m calling President Hu right now to see what he really means!"