On New Year's Eve, the entire country was adorned with festive decorations.
In Fengyun City, from the shops in every alley and lane, to the office buildings and government agencies, and finally to every household in the urban area, red lanterns were hung and red couplets were pasted, creating an atmosphere of joy.
At Gao Fei's home, all the doors and windows were covered with red "Fu" characters he had personally written, and lanterns and couplets were also hung outside the main gate.
As the sound of firecrackers erupted in the city, the area outside the villa gate was filled with the crackling of fireworks welcoming spring.
According to the tradition of previous years, Gao Fei and Yang Lan would return to their rural hometown for Chinese New Year on New Year's Eve.
However, this year, Gao Fei would be returning to the capital shortly after the Spring Festival, and Yang Lan wanted to spend more time with her son.
If they went back to the countryside, she would have to cook the New Year's Eve dinner and entertain visiting relatives and friends, leaving her no time to spend with her son.
Gao Fei's maternal grandparents had passed away several years ago.
Now, in the rural hometown, there were only his elder brother and second brother, who had cut off contact with Yang Lan after her divorce.
Furthermore, since she had already severed ties with her sister's family, there was no reason for Yang Lan to return to the countryside for the New Year.
Therefore, she would rather stay in the city and spend the New Year with her son, avoiding the annoyance of seeing those people.
After lighting the firecrackers, Gao Fei returned to the kitchen to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner, with his mother assisting him.
Jin Qiqi, who had not returned home due to work, was filming nearby, documenting her first New Year's Eve away from home.
Last night, for the New Year's Eve dinner, the Spring Festival Gala was also starting. The three of them ate while watching and discussing each program of the gala.
At 11:59 PM, as the countdown from the Spring Festival Gala hosts ended.
The sound of firecrackers once again filled Fengyun City, and various fireworks bloomed incessantly in the night sky.
The new year had finally arrived.
...
In the following days, from the first to the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, Gao Fei's house was constantly filled with guests.
There were former teachers and classmates, franchisees of the catering business, and some retired official personnel...
For seven days, Gao Fei was busy entertaining guests who came to pay their respects.
In the evenings, he would also attend banquets and socialize with businessmen and merchants in the city.
When he had free time, he would also attend gatherings with Hu Xu and others, drinking, singing, and chatting.
Privately, everyone was inquiring about life in the military camp and curious about his current income.
Gao Fei concealed what he needed to conceal and exaggerated where he needed to exaggerate, maintaining a friendly demeanor with his friends.
At the gatherings, Hu Xu and his friends also had similar topics of discussion.
They were discussing the identity of the "Backstage Pianist" and whether the author of the novel "The Double-Faced Man" was a former front-line anti-drug police officer whose identity was being kept secret by the authorities. The topics all revolved around the hot news from before the holiday.
Gao Fei was certain that if there were any new developments regarding the Backstage Pianist or the novel, it would surely cause a stir.
For seven days, his schedule was packed.
He spent each day in a state of drunken revelry.
If not for his extraordinary physique, he would have likely been hospitalized for IV drips during these seven days.
February 2nd.
After the Spring Festival, airports across the country fully resumed operations.
At 12:00 PM.
A plane flying from Fengyun City to the capital slowly landed.
Jin Qiqi, dressed in a black trench coat, with black stockings and knee-high boots, and complemented by voluminous auburn waves, exuded a perfect goddess-like mature charm.
As soon as she stepped out of the airport, male passersby couldn't help but stare at her.
Gao Fei, wearing sunglasses and a mask, pulled a suitcase and walked out of the airport discreetly.
As long as his true identity was not discovered, he was merely an ordinary passerby.
"Sister Jin, can we try to change your style a bit, be a little more demure?
With the black stockings, the wavy hair, and the outfit under your trench coat... it's too eye-catching. Let's be more low-key!"
Gao Fei glanced at the low-cut top beneath the trench coat, his gaze sweeping over her fair bosom, and his heart began to chant sutras.
Jin Qiqi covered her mouth and chuckled, nodding, "Since Boss doesn't like it, I won't wear it next time. But in private, if Boss wants to see it, it's not impossible!"
Watching her continuously adjust her clothes, deliberately teasing him, Gao Fei inwardly cried out in guilt and quickly shifted his gaze.
"Sister Jin, what are you doing in the parking lot?"
"Driving, of course!"
A moment later, the roar of a sports car engine echoed from the parking lot.
A red sports car sped away from the airport amidst the gaze of onlookers.
Noticing that the woman in the car was the mature one, and the low-key young man was in the passenger seat, the men and women couldn't help but utter three words: 'gigolo.'
...
Fifth Ring Road, Starry Light Office Building, Capital.
'Female CEO' Jin Qiqi and 'Little Assistant' Gao Fei walked side-by-side out of the parking lot.
As they reached the exit, a luxury car happened to pull up.
"Xiao Fei, Sister Jin!"
Wang He, revealing his face from within the car, waved with sunglasses on, "Wait for me, we'll go up together!"
A moment later, Young Master Wang, dressed in casual attire, walked to the exit, and Jin Qiqi immediately gained another 'assistant.'
He first offered belated New Year greetings to Gao Fei and Jin Qiqi, and then began to explain the current work progress of 'Fei He Pictures.'
According to the original plan, the new film company was to be established before the holiday, and after finding a crew and actors, filming would commence immediately after the New Year.
Now, the crew was in place, but there was a temporary problem with the actors.
The protagonist in the novel, Zhang Haisheng.
The actor Wang He had chosen for this role was Ou Linfeng, a young actor currently popular and skilled in China.
Before the holiday, they had privately agreed on the salary and other terms, and he was confirmed to join after the New Year.
However, due to his agency suddenly scheduling commercial performances for him after the New Year, his schedule conflicted, and he had to regretfully decline.
The female protagonist of the novel, Yang Xiaoxiao.
The actress Wang He had chosen for this role was Bai Lingling, who was currently famous and talented.
But due to her agency's last-minute addition of a film contract, she was under pressure from the company and had to turn down Wang He's invitation.
Now, both the actors chosen for the male and female leads had refused.
The plan to start filming after the New Year was also temporarily put on hold.
Filming could only officially commence after new actors were selected.
After hearing the entire process, Jin Qiqi sneered, "You bypassed the agents and agencies and directly invited actors to privately participate in the film.
This is already a major taboo in the industry!
The companies asking their artists to politely refuse you is already giving you ample face!"
Looking at Wang He, who seemed unconvinced, Sister Jin continued, "Do you really think that just because you, Wang He, can casually insult any celebrity online or say that certain female celebrities lead chaotic lives, you are part of the entertainment industry?
In the eyes of the powerful figures in the entertainment world, you are just a clown. If it weren't for the Wang Group backing you, they would have found ways to deal with you long ago. Who would give you face?"
Wang He frowned and replied unhappily, "Sister Jin, what you're saying is a bit much!"
Jin Qiqi was about to say more, but then seemed to recall something, her eyes dimming slightly.
Finally, she simply said, "Believe it or not!" and stopped speaking.
Seeing the awkwardness caused by the private invitation to film, Gao Fei immediately tried to ease the atmosphere and changed the subject, saying, "Brother He, didn't you say there were actors coming for auditions today? Tell me, which artists are coming, and are the actresses attractive enough?"
Hearing this, Wang He immediately perked up and started naming several currently well-known actresses.
Jin Qiqi, knowing that Gao Fei was trying to ease the tension, walked aside to listen.
On the 8th floor of Building A, Fei He Pictures company.
A handsome but somewhat effeminate man, after finishing his audition, became furious upon hearing his role and salary.
"I, Wu Zongfan, am currently a promoted artist of AC Company, with twenty million fans. The web drama I acted in last year is still number one in viewership.
And you're only offering me a supporting role? And a salary of only one hundred thousand yuan?
What the hell kind of director is this? What kind of damn company is this?"