Chapter 7

Let's set aside for now the absurdity and fear of Huang Meiying and Kim Tae-yeon, and focus on Li Zhong, who is currently in the apartment.

After finishing the script for "The Chaser," Li Zhong began to think about how to raise the funds needed for the film. He couldn't rely on film production companies; no one would invest in him, so he had to fund it himself and make it an independent film.

Li Zhong started calculating on a piece of paper. First, his most valuable asset was this apartment, which could theoretically be sold for 1 billion won, but if he needed to sell it quickly, the price might be lower. Next, he had stocks worth about 200 million won, which was an unexpected gain from his initial 50 million won. Finally, there was the film support fund from the Korean Film Council. If he could get the maximum 400 million won, and borrow some from friends, it should be enough.

As a new director, Li Zhong was theoretically eligible to apply for the film support fund from the Korean Film Council, which is the highest non-official film authority in Korea. It handles policy formulation, industry promotion, fund review and execution, talent cultivation, education and research, and domestic and international marketing. The film support fund is specifically for film school students and independent directors, with a maximum of 400 million won or 30% of the film's budget.

After doing the calculations, Li Zhong estimated it should be enough. "Alright, I don't believe I can't raise the funds for the film," he said, lighting a cigarette and taking a deep puff.

Determined, Li Zhong went to the Korean Film Council early the next morning to apply for the new director's film support fund. After waiting for an hour, a staff member told him, "Your conditions meet the requirements for the film support fund, but since your film is a commercial one, you cannot receive the fund. However, we can offer you a low-interest loan of about 600 million won. Do you think you can accept it?"

Li Zhong frowned. He didn't expect that commercial films were not eligible for the film support fund. Although it was a low-interest loan, he would need collateral, and he only had the apartment. However, his apartment was worth 1 billion won, and this price was too low. So, Li Zhong declined the low-interest loan from the Korean Film Council.

After leaving the Korean Film Council, Li Zhong thought he might try his luck at the bank. But at the bank, with his current house as collateral, he could only get a loan of 700 million won, and no more. Li Zhong realized it still wasn't enough, and selling the house would be better. So, he had to give up on the bank loan. Now, he had two options left: borrowing from old friends or taking a high-interest loan.

Li Zhong thought about it and recalculated the budget for the film, which needed at least 2 billion won. In the best-case scenario, selling the house would yield 1 billion won, and he had 200 million won in stocks, leaving 800 million won unaccounted for. Even if he took out his social insurance, it would only be 100 million won, still not enough.

Sitting on a bench by the Han River, Li Zhong sighed. He couldn't ask his family for help, as they wouldn't have that much money. So, he could only borrow from wealthy people, but that would bring a lot of trouble.

Li Zhong picked up his new phone and dialed Zheng Yin-yue's number.

"Beep, beep, beep, oppa, I just finished the draft and went to sleep. What do you want...?" A sleepy female voice came from the phone.

"Hehe... It's already 3 PM, and you're just going to sleep? Get up and come to the usual place. I need to talk to you about something," Li Zhong said and hung up without waiting for Zheng Yin-yue to ask anything.

Li Zhong dialed another number, hesitating for a long time... Finally, he gritted his teeth and dialed. He silently thought, "If I die, I die. As long as I can make the film, I'll endure it..." The phone hadn't even started ringing when...

An angry voice roared, "Li Zhong, you still dare to call me? Didn't you refuse to answer my calls before? I risked being involved in a scandal to go to your house, and you wouldn't even open the door. If I didn't worry about disturbing the neighbors, I would have torn down your apartment..." Li Zhong held the phone far from his ear but could still hear the angry voice.

"Um... Sister Xiaoli, it's not my fault... I didn't sleep for two days and two nights. I just fell asleep for less than an hour when your call came. How could I answer? You kept calling... So, I couldn't bear it and had to reject your calls. Then you sent a threatening text saying you would come to my house to teach me a lesson, so I couldn't open the door. I was afraid you would tear me apart..." Li Zhong said innocently.

"Ah... You, you make me so angry!!" Li Xiaoli felt frustrated. Her agent saw Li Zhong's blog update and knew he had finished his military service. She adjusted her schedule to visit him, but Li Zhong was so exhausted that he ignored everyone and just wanted to sleep. So, Li Xiaoli had to hold her anger.

"Sister Xiaoli, I need your help with something, a financial matter. Can you come and discuss it?" Li Zhong saw that Li Xiaoli had vented her anger and explained his request.

"What happened? How much do you need? I'll get it for you right away." This was the first time Li Zhong had asked Li Xiaoli for money. From the time they met, Li Zhong had never discussed financial matters with anyone, as he earned a lot in music, even more than Li Xiaoli.

"Um, the amount is quite large. You should come over, and we can discuss it. It's at 'Past Like the Wind,' and I'll be waiting on the second floor," Li Zhong thought it was better to discuss financial matters in person.

"Okay, I have a job, but I'll be done by 7 PM. Wait for me," Li Xiaoli immediately agreed. After hanging up, she felt worried. If Li Zhong couldn't solve it himself, it must be a significant amount. Li Xiaoli was preparing to change her management company, so she didn't have much cash on hand.

Suddenly, Li Xiaoli had an idea and smiled. "Li Zhong, Li Zhong, I'm helping you." She thought of a wealthy person who was definitely richer than her. As for how Li Zhong would deal with her, that was up to him. The girl wasn't as easy to handle as Li Xiaoli. The more she thought about it, the happier she became, and she couldn't help but laugh.