Chapter 279: Starlight Faces Bankruptcy

Xia Liangdong looked up as Xia Yangyang entered. His face changed, then he forced a smile. "Yangyang, why are you back?"

Xia Yangyang went straight to the point. "I ran into Weiwei at Gu Qichen's office. She borrowed five million from him. What's going on?"

Xia Liangdong's face fell. "That child! She went to him? I've told her countless times not to bother Ah Chen. This is a family matter."

Xia Yangyang was anxious. "What exactly happened?"

Xia Liangdong sighed. "I invested in several projects that all failed. Starlight is short of funds, and several top-tier artists' contracts expired; they won't renew. So…"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"What good would it do? We didn't tell Weiwei either. She probably overheard me talking to Aunt Liu and went to Gu Qichen. But five million won't solve anything. She's so foolish."

Xia Yangyang frowned. "How much funding do you need?"

Xia Liangdong hesitated, then said, "Two hundred million."

Xia Yangyang was shocked. "How could it be that much?"

Xia Liangdong's face was grim. "Yangyang, you don't understand the current situation. The entertainment industry isn't what it was ten years ago. Established players control half the industry. New media are rising, and the studio system is taking over. Big names are starting their own studios. I thought Starlight couldn't keep up, so I planned to exit, invest elsewhere, and leave a substantial estate for you and Weiwei. But those investments failed. Starlight's stock is plummeting, the bank won't lend, and we might face bankruptcy."

He lit a cigarette and took a troubled puff. Xia Yangyang, unfamiliar with business matters, was stunned. A two-hundred-million-dollar shortfall was only a temporary fix; the future remained uncertain. It was a gaping hole.

Xia Liangdong said, "Don't worry about it. Aunt Liu and I will handle it. Pretend you don't know."

But knowing, Xia Yangyang couldn't pretend. At dinner, Xia Weiwei smugly presented a check to Xia Liangdong. "Dad, this is from my brother-in-law. He didn't even hesitate about the five million, unlike my sister, who stalled. I wonder why."

Xia Yangyang responded, "Even if the Xia family goes bankrupt, we shouldn't beg for money. If you borrowed it, you should have a promissory note. That's proper."

Xia Weiwei retorted, "What right do you have to criticize me? I'm looking out for the family business! You're married into wealth; you think you're above it all! Every penny counts!"

She continued, "I borrowed the money, I'll repay it. What's it to you? If you won't help, fine, but don't say I can't solve problems!"