"I disagree with banning the film. Many mainland tourists come to Hong Kong specifically to see this movie. If it's banned, how much revenue will we lose?"
"Those tourists are here to see the movie? They're coming to Hong Kong to chase stars, seeing the movie is just a bonus. Wake up!"
"Hong Kong is known as a hub for cultural exchange in Asia. If we ban a film simply because it scared people into the hospital, how do we explain it to film distributors from the mainland, locally, or even internationally? We can't exactly say we banned it because it was too terrifying, or no one will dare release horror films in Hong Kong again."
"Just scared people into the hospital? Take a look at the statistics. This film has caused such severe psychological trauma to audiences. Since its release, over 100,000 people have sought therapy. If it's not banned, the consequences will only spread and cause panic. Even today, mainland audiences have required on-site medical attention."
"Regardless, I disagree with banning it!"
"This film must be banned!"
The twelve individuals in the conference room voiced their opinions.
They were arguing fiercely over whether to ban the film "Haunted Cop" (山村老尸).
Seated at the head of the table, a middle-aged man calmly sipped his coffee, observing the group arguing heatedly over the film. He appeared relaxed, neither speaking nor intervening excessively.
This man was Guo Zhenliang, the deputy director of the Entertainment Affairs Management Office.
The meeting to decide whether to ban the film had been initiated by him.
After nearly half an hour of arguing, the meeting room gradually quieted down.
Seeing everyone take a sip of tea to moisten their throats, Guo Zhenliang smiled and said, "Are you all tired from arguing? Please continue! You can argue all night, it's still early."
Witnessing his composure and smile, everyone swallowed, daring not to speak further.
After all, they were in the same department, and they knew Deputy Director Guo's temperament very well. He was clearly on the verge of anger, and no one wanted to provoke him.
Guo Zhenliang's smile vanished, and he cast a cold gaze over everyone. "Today's meeting is for you to discuss whether or not to ban 'Haunted Cop,' not for you to bicker like you're at a market."
He slammed the table heavily, his authority evident. The leadership present shivered, not daring to breathe.
"The votes from the subordinates on whether to ban 'Haunted Cop' were submitted this afternoon. Now it's your turn. Please vote quickly."
Guo Zhenliang wasted no more words, instructing the twelve leaders present to vote. Within their department, when opinions differed, decisions were mostly made by voting. Compared to other departments that operated as a one-man show, the Entertainment Affairs Management Office's approach could be considered fair and just.
After more than two minutes, all twelve senior leaders' votes were placed into the ballot box.
Guo Zhenliang gestured to his assistant, who put down his notebook, walked quickly to the ballot box, and began counting the votes.
"Seven votes in favor, five votes against."
After reading the votes of the twelve senior leaders, the assistant continued, "The voting results from other colleagues in the department are as follows: thirty-five in favor, thirty against, and six abstained. The total votes are now forty-two in favor and thirty-five against."
With the results tallied, Guo Zhenliang looked at the twelve senior leaders present. "The outcome on whether to ban 'Haunted Cop' is now clear. Old Chen, draft a document for tomorrow to be sent to Gaoyue Pictures and the seven cinema chain companies, issuing the ban notice."
"Yes, Deputy Director Guo!" a man on the left responded.
With the ban decided, the executives who had opposed it were filled with helplessness. One of them couldn't help but ask, "Deputy Director Guo, what reason should we use to explain the ban on 'Haunted Cop'?"
"What other reason do we have? The truth," Guo Zhenliang replied. He then instructed, "Publicly release the real-time data on audience members being hospitalized due to watching the film, as well as the data on psychological illnesses caused by viewing it."
The executive who had asked the question sighed and nodded in agreement.
Just as the decision to ban "Haunted Cop" was about to be finalized, Guo Zhenliang's phone vibrated. He glanced at the number, gestured for everyone to quiet down, and then answered.
"Director Yang."
As Guo Zhenliang spoke on the phone with the director, the twelve senior leaders were curious why Director Yang was calling. Then, they saw Guo Zhenliang's smile freeze, and his furrowed brow deepen.
After the call, Guo Zhenliang's expression remained stiff. He looked at the twelve senior leaders who were watching him, took a deep breath, and said, "Director Yang called. 'Haunted Cop' cannot be banned for now."
"Not banned?" The executives who had supported the ban looked surprised. The executives who had opposed the ban showed joy, casting provocative glances at their colleagues with opposing views.
"Deputy Director Guo, what exactly is going on?" Old Chen, who had led the push for the ban, asked with a frown.
Guo Zhenliang sighed inwardly and explained, "An hour ago, the Development Bureau called the higher-ups. Today, in addition to those tens of thousands of mainland celebrities' fans, nearly a million mainland viewers entered Hong Kong at 8 PM, all specifically to watch 'Haunted Cop.' After statistics and investigation by our mainland colleagues, Hong Kong will continue to see a surge in tourists for the next week. The purpose of these people coming to Hong Kong is simple: to watch the film 'Haunted Cop' and travel. Therefore, the higher-ups have temporarily ordered that the film not be banned. We will proceed with the ban management after this wave passes."
After hearing Deputy Director Guo's explanation, the executives who had favored the ban looked stunned. Someone couldn't help but ask, "A million people coming to Hong Kong just for a movie? Are our mainland people that idle?"
The executive who had opposed the ban explained, "Our country has over a billion people, and there are certainly those with peculiar hobbies. Millions or tens of millions of viewers coming to see a movie is just a small minority among over a billion people, so there's nothing strange about it. Besides, 'Haunted Cop' was written by mainland celebrity Gao Fei, who has nearly fifty million fans. Fans will undoubtedly come to watch it for him. You need to understand, mainland fan culture is very serious."
This executive, who provided the explanation, clearly understood the social situation in mainland China. A year prior, Thailand had become a viral sensation online due to a breathtaking landscape photo, immediately drawing hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists. Such phenomena were commonplace in mainland China.
With the executives who were well-acquainted with mainland China providing explanations, the seven executives who had advocated for the ban were left speechless. They hadn't expected a single movie to boost not only Hong Kong's film industry but also its tourism.
With the decision from the higher-ups, Guo Zhenliang no longer brought up the matter of banning the film. He gestured for everyone to quiet down and then instructed, "You are all aware of the film's terror level. Now, go down and contact the cinema chain company representatives, and ensure they take all safety measures. If mainland audiences experience any discomfort on-site, ensure they receive timely medical attention."
"Yes!" Everyone stopped talking and began contacting the heads of the seven cinema chains.
...
Longyu Hot Spring Resort.
After understanding Xu Yuejin's situation in the afternoon, Gao Fei did not give many instructions. Instead, he had Jin Qiqi use special channels to transfer some money to Xu Yuejin and asked him not to return to Hong Kong for the time being. It was a sensitive period. Since he was already hiding in the mainland, they would have to wait for the upcoming major transition to make further arrangements. However, he had noted down the three triads who wanted to freeload off the box office revenue for future reckoning.
After arranging for Xu Yuejin, Gao Fei headed to the resort under Qin Yu's guidance. Wang He and Qiao Sisi were invited guests, accompanied by over five hundred fans. As the initiator, he should make an appearance. Furthermore, he had other matters to discuss with Wang He and the others.
The private beach of the resort.
Over six hundred people gathered on the beach for a bonfire party. Facing the beach was a small, temporary stage. Wang Anyu and others were performing personally on the small stage to satisfy the fans' requests.
Since mobile phones were not allowed for filming at the event, and the fans were all wearing swimsuits, there was no fear of photos from the party leaking out. The resort staff had all undergone strict training and would not violate the resort's regulations.
Villa No. 6, not far from the beach.
Gao Fei arrived at the resort discreetly and met with Wang He and Qiao Sisi in the villa.
"Xiao Fei, are you saying that Hong Kong might ban the movie?"
"That's right. I haven't found out exactly when it will be banned. So, I want to make another profit before it's banned. If you two are willing to join me, there will be plenty of benefits."
Wang He and Qiao Sisi were aware of Gaoyue Pictures' background. Now that Gao Fei wanted to make a profit before the ban and offered them benefits, they were instantly enticed.
"Tell us, how can we help you?" Wang He asked directly, setting down his wine glass.
"Like this..." Gao Fei leaned closer to the two of them and began explaining the plan in his mind.
A moment later, Qiao Sisi and Wang He gave him a thumbs-up, acknowledging their defeat, and exclaimed, "Shrewd businessman."
Gao Fei smiled nonchalantly. "Ten percent profit for everyone, are you in or out?"
"We're in! If we don't make money, we're turtles!" Hearing the ten percent profit share, Wang He agreed without hesitation. Qiao Sisi shrugged helplessly and joined Gao Fei's team of shrewd businessmen.
After the discussion, Gao Fei left the villa to meet the fans. His appearance immediately brought the bonfire party to a climax. He readily agreed to all requests for autographs, photos, and other interactions.
After a night of revelry.
The fans returned to the mainland under the arrangements of Wang He and Qiao Sisi. Hao Yacheng, Wang Anyu, and Dilireba, due to other schedules, discussed some cooperation matters with Gao Fei and then also departed by plane.
Mainland netizens saw on the internet that the fans had returned by plane and were all envious.
Just as everyone thought the fan meeting was over, several mainland celebrities posted their itineraries on social media, stating that they would be meeting with Mr. Wang and Ms. Qiao in Hong Kong. If any fans came, they would also hold fan meetings. The posts quickly became trending news online again.
At the same time, the fans of these celebrities immediately formed groups and headed to Hong Kong.
For a full week.
Wang He and Qiao Sisi met with over ten mainland celebrities in Hong Kong. Since everyone openly shared their itineraries instead of private meetings, Hong Kong experienced nearly forty million tourists in October, but most of them were fans coming to meet celebrities. And for these celebrities' itineraries, besides visiting tourist attractions, they all coincidentally went to watch the movie "Haunted Cop."
In half a month, "Haunted Cop" had broken through six hundred million at the box office. This box office figure shocked the entire Hong Kong film industry. Xu Yuejin, the boss of Gaoyue Pictures, gradually became the subject of discussion among all film company executives. Companies with triad backgrounds also began to target Xu Yuejin as a lucrative prospect.
...
The next day, in a farmhouse in Shenzhen.
Xu Yuejin, Chen Dawei, and Xiong Hai were fishing and chatting in the backyard. The place they were currently staying had been arranged for them by Jin Qiqi. As for why only Chen Dawei and Xiong Hai were there? It was because of the emergence of triads; only Chen Dawei and Xiong Hai remained with Xu Yuejin, while the other three had returned to Beijing.
"Old Xu, do you think the triad people from Hong Kong will find this place?"