Chapter 56

The next morning, Xia Hou Zhongying arrived at DSP Company early. At the entrance of DSP Company, Lee Hyori saw the dejected Xia Hou Zhongying and immediately asked him what was wrong with a puzzled look.

"Big Sister, you've really done me in," Xia Hou Zhongying said with a mournful face. "Last night, my dad gave me a huge scolding and even refused to recognize me as his son, saying he can't afford to lose face."

After listening to Xia Hou Zhongying's account, Lee Hyori couldn't stop giggling, which made Xia Hou Zhongying even more depressed.

Yesterday, after receiving the bottom line from Xia Hou Zhongying through Lee Hyori, DSP's president, Lee Haoying, was already quite satisfied. Not only could he get rid of those actors who couldn't act well, reducing the uncertain factors that might affect Lee Hyori's reputation, but he could also have Lee Hyori bring along a few trainees or artists from his own company. He genuinely believed in the potential of this script.

In fact, the bottom line Lee Haoying told Lee Hyori yesterday wasn't his ultimate bottom line; he was just setting a high price. He was prepared to offer more than five positions, but unexpectedly, he got a good deal. Even now, it's still five positions, but the male roles in the script are not significant. Even the main male lead has less screen time than any of the eight female leads, all of whom are just minor characters. After all, Xia Hou Zhongying originally wrote the script for the eight female leads.

Although there would be no financial income, DSP Company's participation in the film wasn't entirely without benefits. The content of the film has a significant warning effect on some issues in Korean society, making it a quasi-public service film. This would also have a positive impact on DSP's image.

The most criticized aspect of DSP Company is its connection to the Black Society, which makes many companies and artists reluctant to work with DSP. Although this move seemed to bring no benefits, Lee Haoying was still willing to support it in his heart. However, he was unwilling to let his biggest competitor, S.M. Company, get half the benefits without any effort.

Since both sides had already negotiated almost everything in private, today, DSP didn't ask for more. Although giving up the lead female role was somewhat regrettable, they knew Xia Hou Zhongying wouldn't give it up. The negotiations didn't drag on, and the deal was quickly finalized.

After finishing the negotiations with DSP, Xia Hou Zhongying met the director DSP had found. They needed to get to know each other, as they would soon be participating in the auditions together. It would be best to communicate beforehand. He was not only the assistant director but also the scriptwriter, and he needed to be present for the actor selection.

In Korea, the status of scriptwriters is very high, whether in films or TV dramas. Although the final decision on actor selection doesn't lie with the scriptwriter, their opinions are very important.

The director's name was Kim Jaejoong, a third-tier director. When he met Xia Hou Zhongying, he was stunned for a while. When he received the script, the DSP staff had mentioned that the scriptwriter and assistant director was very young, but he didn't pay much attention. He really liked the script, which is why he took it on.

Seeing Xia Hou Zhongying in person, Kim Jaejoong felt a sense of collapse. "Young?" he thought. "This is a kid, right? Are you kidding me?"

After confirming with the DSP staff that this kid was indeed his assistant director, Kim Jaejoong lost all hope in his abilities.

"Have you taken any directing courses?" Kim Jaejoong asked, trying to suppress his discomfort.

"I attended a one-month night class for directing," Xia Hou Zhongying replied. Kim Jaejoong was annoyed with Xia Hou Zhongying, who was also irritated by the director asking the DSP staff if they had made a mistake. Moreover, after being scolded by his father the previous night, he was regretting giving up the position of chief director without much thought. Seeing this person who was replacing him, he was even more annoyed.

"Those night classes? What useful things can you learn from them?" Kim Jaejoong sneered, losing all hope in Xia Hou Zhongying's abilities. "Just stick to being the scriptwriter. I'll find someone else to be the assistant director."

Kim Jaejoong didn't understand the relationship between Xia Hou Zhongying and DSP. He thought Xia Hou Zhongying had just submitted a script, which DSP liked, and then he asked for the position of assistant director, which DSP agreed to for some reason, without knowing that Xia Hou Zhongying had given up the position of chief director.

Xia Hou Zhongying frowned, ignoring Kim Jaejoong, and turned to the DSP staff. "Is he the director you found?"

"Mr. Xia, you have to understand our difficulties. We approached many directors, and only Director Kim was willing to take on this script," the DSP staff explained.

"Whether it's difficult or not is your problem. I don't care about his abilities, but I don't like his attitude. Either you change the person, or I'll do it myself," Xia Hou Zhongying said, turning to leave, ignoring the DSP staff calling out to him.

The DSP staff felt frustrated. He was just an employee; why was Xia Hou Zhongying angry at him?

Seeing Xia Hou Zhongying's attitude towards DSP Company, Kim Jaejoong was stunned.

"Who is he?" Kim Jaejoong couldn't help but ask the DSP staff.

Kim Jaejoong wasn't a big-name director, just a small one with little fame. The DSP staff didn't take him seriously. Now, with Xia Hou Zhongying's frustration, the DSP staff also had a bad attitude towards Kim Jaejoong.

Xia Hou Zhongying played the most significant role in this film. DSP was indirectly tied to the project through Lee Hyori, and they didn't have the initiative. They couldn't back out now. If Xia Hou Zhongying really wanted to replace Kim Jaejoong, DSP couldn't stop him.

"Who is he? You dare to speak to him like that without knowing who he is?" the DSP staff said irritably. "He wrote the script, secured the school's support, and brought in the sponsorship from the E-Land Group. Lee Hyori agreed to participate because of him and his script. All the actors being auditioned today are his people. The entire film is his project, and he even gave up the position of chief director. Who do you think he is?"

The DSP staff then ignored Kim Jaejoong and rushed to the president's office to report the situation.

Kim Jaejoong stood there, stunned, his mind racing. Who was this person who could challenge DSP Company and even get the E-Land Group to support him? If he didn't have significant backing, how could he do this? Now, he had offended Xia Hou Zhongying on their first meeting. If Xia Hou Zhongying held a grudge and retaliated, he would never have a chance to succeed. He was deeply regretful.

After being scolded by his father, Xia Hou Zhongying's biggest regret was giving up the position of chief director. Without a say during filming, how could he ensure the film was made according to his vision?

When Kim Jaejoong tried to dismiss him as an assistant director, Xia Hou Zhongying was even more annoyed. This made him realize the importance of the chief director's position. For the sake of the girls and the film, he had to get it back. That's why he said those words to the DSP staff.

Xia Hou Zhongying walked out of DSP Company's door and saw Zheng Xiuyan and the others gathered. He nodded and waved to them. "Let's go. No more auditions. We're going back."

The group was stunned. Although they didn't understand what had happened, no one asked. If Xia Hou Zhongying wanted to explain, he would. If not, they wouldn't press him. They silently followed him out.

"Zhongying, wait," Lee Hyori called out, chasing after Xia Hou Zhongying and the others. She had received an urgent call from President Lee Haoying, instructing her to stop Xia Hou Zhongying and the others from leaving.

Although Lee Hyori didn't know what had happened, the urgency in the president's voice made her act quickly.

Seeing Lee Hyori chasing after them, Xia Hou Zhongying couldn't ignore her. Besides, he wasn't really planning to leave; he just wanted to put on a show for DSP to get the position of chief director back. His father's words had reminded him that DSP was in a difficult position. The news had already spread, and if the collaboration failed, they would become a laughingstock in the industry. Therefore, DSP wouldn't let such a thing happen.

"Zhongying, what's going on?" Lee Hyori took a few deep breaths to calm her slightly rapid breathing from running.

"Big Sister, we can't talk here. Let's find a place to sit down," Xia Hou Zhongying said with a smile.

"I'll call the president first," Lee Hyori nodded and made a call to the company president. After hanging up, she said to Xia Hou Zhongying, "There's a coffee shop across the street. The Blue Mountain coffee there is good. Let's go there."

"Big Sister, you're paying, right?" Xia Hou Zhongying glanced at the group, feeling a bit nervous. With so many people, it would cost him almost a month's living expenses.

"Fine, I'll pay," Lee Hyori said, amused and exasperated by this frugal young man.

With Lee Hyori's promise, Xia Hou Zhongying was happy to take advantage. He led the group from ZX Studio into the coffee shop and said generously, "Find a place to sit. Order whatever you like. We'll pay together, and Big Sister is treating us."

Seeing Xia Hou Zhongying's generosity at her expense, Lee Hyori wanted to strangle this little rascal.

"Now, can you tell me what's going on?" Lee Hyori and Xia Hou Zhongying found a quiet spot and sat down.

"Big Sister, I consider you like a sister, so I'll tell you the truth. I won't say this to your company," Xia Hou Zhongying said seriously.

Lee Hyori nodded lightly, indicating that she understood and wouldn't reveal the conversation.

"Big Sister, I've changed my mind. I don't want to give up the position of chief director. I can't let the film be made according to someone else's vision. This is my film," Xia Hou Zhongying said softly.

Lee Hyori fell silent. She understood Xia Hou Zhongying's feelings. Imagine if anyone had done all the work, negotiated with the school, written the script, secured the sponsorship, and was ready to start filming, only to have someone else take over. They would feel the same way. When Xia Hou Zhongying suddenly said he would give up the position of chief director a few days ago, she found it hard to believe. It seemed he had acted on impulse.

However, saying this now was inappropriate. DSP Company wouldn't agree, and it might cause conflicts, even leading to a breakdown in negotiations.

Lee Hyori didn't know what to say. If she wanted the film to proceed smoothly, Xia Hou Zhongying should continue as the assistant director. But now, it seemed he really wanted to take back the position and direct the film himself. Rationally, she supported finding another director, but emotionally, she was on Xia Hou Zhongying's side.

"Do you have a solution?" After a long silence, Lee Hyori asked.

"I have one," Xia Hou Zhongying replied after some thought, knowing that Lee Hyori was asking how to break the deadlock with DSP.

"What is it?" Lee Hyori asked curiously. She had thought a lot but couldn't come up with a solution.

"Do you want to be a director, Big Sister?" Xia Hou Zhongying asked with a smile.