"Sixty million to ask me to play the male lead?"
"Yes, Mr. Gao!"
The astronomical film fee quoted on the unknown call surprised not only Gao Fei but also Director Liu, who gasped.
A salary of sixty million was comparable to that of a top-tier star.
"Mr. Gao, our boss greatly admires your talent. You are his designated male lead. If you are not satisfied with the price, we can discuss it further!"
They could even increase the price?
As the man on the phone continued to make his offer, Gao Fei had a general idea of the caller's background.
He didn't refuse directly but asked cautiously, "If your boss can offer me sixty million, your company must be quite significant.
Could you reveal which company you represent?"
The other party didn't reveal it but invited him to meet at the Hill Hotel for further discussion at noon.
Liu Weiqiang, who had remained silent, asked after the call ended, "President Gao, is this person targeting the company?"
"The big fish hasn't shown itself yet. The one who contacted me is just a small player."
"A sixty million film fee is already a high price in the domestic industry.
President Gao, it seems the person targeting the company has quite a background!"
As they spoke, Gao Fei's phone rang again, also from an unknown number in Kyoto.
Upon answering, the caller, just like the previous one, invited him to star as the male lead.
However, this call offered an even higher film fee, an astronomical eighty million.
The caller also did not reveal their company name over the phone, similarly inviting a private meeting.
At this moment, Gao Fei and Liu Weiqiang understood.
It wasn't just one person targeting Feihe Pictures.
But rather, two influential figures in the industry were simultaneously trying to blacklist them.
Finally, Gao Fei arranged for everyone to meet at the Hill Hotel, preparing to confront both parties.
After confirming the time and place, he also contacted Wang He, informing him that people targeting Feihe Pictures had contacted him.
Upon receiving the message, Young Master Wang immediately put down his work and rushed to the set.
After hearing the entire story at the set, Wang He was initially shocked that someone would offer nearly a hundred million to poach Gao Fei.
He immediately realized that the two hidden factions were trying to destroy him and Feihe Pictures.
...
At noon, the Hill Hotel.
Gao Fei arrived alone for the appointment on time.
When he entered the hotel and announced his name, the lobby manager respectfully led him the way.
On the third floor of the hotel, a private room with a pavilion.
As Gao Fei pushed the door open and entered the private room, he saw a familiar female artist sitting beside a man, both of them laughing and chatting.
The man, seeing him approach, was first stunned, then quickly stood up and said, "Hello, Mr. Gao, my name is He Yuan."
"Hello!"
Gao Fei shook hands with him, and under He Yuan's flattery, took the main seat.
As soon as he sat down, the female artist, very tactfully, came forward, poured tea, and introduced herself, occasionally brushing her soft body against Gao Fei's arm, making her intentions clear.
Just as He Yuan was getting to the point, discussing the sixty million film fee and the possibility of further negotiation, Gao Fei interrupted him.
"Excuse me, Mr. He, another friend is coming. Let's wait for them first!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a knock sounded from outside the private room.
The door opened, and a man in his forties, accompanied by two female artists, strode into the room.
Clearly, the latter man was more ostentatious than He Yuan, bringing two young and beautiful female artists with him.
Upon meeting, both men were surprised to see each other.
"Old He!"
"Old Chen!"
They quickly realized that their respective bosses were using the same tactic against Feihe Pictures.
That is, to poach Gao Fei with an exorbitant film fee, leaving Feihe without a lead actor.
Chen Chao and He Yuan exchanged knowing smiles and signaled the female artists they brought to attend to Mr. Gao.
Shortly after, fine wines and delicacies from the hotel were served.
Gao Fei had intended to get straight to the point and ask which companies were behind them.
However, they gave him no opportunity to ask, skillfully evading the question.
After several rounds of drinks, Gao Fei let out a burp and, with slurred speech, asked, "Gentlemen, since I have accepted your invitation to meet privately.
Shouldn't you also show some sincerity and tell me which companies you represent?"
As he spoke, the private room door was pushed open again.
Zhang Zhiwei and Zheng Ying, who had been waiting, entered side-by-side.
Looking at the slightly tipsy Gao Fei, they couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
"You are..."
"Hello, Mr. Gao, I am Zhang Zhiwei, a director at Global Pictures!"
"Mr. Gao, I am Zheng Ying from Paiming International Pictures, hello!"
As the two big figures appeared, He Yuan and Chen Chao stood up respectfully and moved to stand behind their respective bosses. The female artists also wisely picked up their bags and left the private room.
Gao Fei leaned back in his chair, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and looked at the two of them with a swagger.
Zhang Zhiwei and Zheng Ying frowned at his nonchalant demeanor.
Gao Fei's image was vastly different from his online persona.
"Gentlemen, let's be frank. You're offering me a sky-high film fee to act. State your conditions directly."
Despite his inner displeasure, Zhang Zhiwei replied with a smile, "It's simple: withdraw from your role as the lead in Feihe Pictures' current film!"
"As long as Mr. Gao withdraws, we will cover any breach of contract," Zheng Ying added in unison.
"You two gentlemen are truly generous!"
Gao Fei gave a thumbs-up, his gaze gradually clearing. "Gentlemen, according to the information you have, I am the lead actor in the movie being filmed by Feihe, correct?"
At this point, Zhang Zhiwei and Zheng Ying began to feel something was amiss.
"What do you mean?"
"Mr. Gao is unwilling to withdraw from Feihe's lead role?"
President Zhang and President Zheng frowned.
"You still don't understand what I'm saying..."
Gao Fei placed his hands on the table, leaning forward to look down at them, his eyes narrowing, and he said with a cold smile, "Not only am I the male lead in the movie Feihe Pictures is filming.
I am also one of Feihe Pictures' investors, holding an equal share with Wang He."
"What? You are one of Feihe Pictures' investors?"
Zheng Ying exclaimed in disbelief.
Zhang Zhiwei straightened up, not daring to believe it.
Neither of them had ever received news of Gao Fei becoming an investor in Feihe Pictures.
They intended to poach the lead actor, but who would have thought they would end up trying to poach a shareholder.
*Clang!*
The private room door was pushed open again.
Wang He entered with a dark expression, radiating anger.
He glanced at Zhang Zhiwei and Zheng Ying, who were frozen in their seats, and nodded forcefully, "I knew it. I wondered who had been targeting Feihe Pictures all along.
So it was you two old bastards!"
"Wang He, watch your mouth!"
Zheng Ying yelled, slamming his hand on the table.
"Targeting me, blacklisting Feihe Pictures, and you expect me to talk to you calmly? What kind of garbage are you?" Wang He retorted furiously.
The atmosphere in the private room instantly became tense.
Only Zhang Zhiwei, who remained seated, spoke calmly, "Little Wang, be careful with your words.
You say that Old Zheng and I are targeting you and blacklisting Feihe Pictures. Which eye did you see that with?"
Wang He was momentarily speechless, unsure how to refute.
Although Gao Fei had been contacted today to poach him away from Feihe Pictures' film production.
There was indeed no direct evidence at present to prove that the two were secretly blacklisting Feihe Pictures.
The experienced Zhang Zhiwei sneered and looked at Gao Fei, who had outmaneuvered him and almost exposed him and Zheng Ying. He nodded forcefully.
"I didn't expect Mr. Gao to also be an investor in Feihe Pictures. I was ill-informed and my judgment was poor!"
He gave a thumbs-up and left with his entourage without another word.
Before leaving, Zheng Ying glanced at Gao Fei, then at Wang He, who was glaring at him, and also left in silence.
After they left, Wang He complained, "Xiao Fei, couldn't you have waited for those two old guys to admit it before revealing yourself? That opportunity was a once-in-a-lifetime chance."
"Given Zhang Zhiwei's caution, do you think he would admit it?
Unless we have concrete evidence of them targeting our company, these two old foxes will never confess."
Gao Fei spoke the truth.
Even if he could trick the two old foxes into admitting they were targeting and blacklisting Feihe Pictures.
Without tangible evidence, it would be useless.
He might as well have revealed his identity directly to intimidate the two old foxes.
Otherwise, given their status in the industry and their underhanded tactics, it would have been impossible for the film crew to complete the filming smoothly.
In the hotel parking lot.
Zheng Ying and Zhang Zhiwei never expected that Gao Fei, whom they had tried to poach with millions in film fees, was actually an investor in Feihe Pictures.
With their identities revealed, they no longer continued their discussion about targeting Feihe Pictures and instead got into their respective cars and left.
As soon as Zheng Ying got into his car, his trusted subordinate Chen Chao immediately asked, "Boss, do we still want to continue using methods to target Feihe Pictures?
I still have ways to deal with them!"
"Targeting? Target what nonsense!"
Zheng Ying cursed angrily and said directly, "Don't you understand Gao Fei's meaning?
By revealing himself as an investor in Feihe Pictures, he was actually warning us. If we continue to target them, the game will no longer be played by the rules of the industry, but by a different set of rules.
Think about it, which department does Gao Fei have backing him?"
Gao Fei—the military!
Thinking of Gao Fei's connections, Chen Chao shivered and dared not speak further.
Whether to ease up on targeting Feihe Pictures, given that the formidable Gao Fei was backing them... Zheng Ying leaned back in his seat, deep in thought.
Meanwhile.
Zhang Zhiwei, who had also left, had the same thoughts as Zheng Ying.
Gao Fei revealing his identity now was a warning to them.
Did they have to relax their targeting of Feihe Pictures? And let people audition for roles?
But thinking of Wang He's face and the movie Feihe Pictures was filming, he felt a surge of anger.
Just as the two entertainment industry titans finished their confrontation with Gao Fei, the rules for the International Film Selection were also finalized that day.
...
General Administration of Press and Publication.
After the representative from the General Police Department and the representative from the Press and Publication Administration finished discussing the film selection for the end of March, they began to review the rules point by point.
"Officer Liu, how about adding a new rule?"
"What rule?"
The representative from the Press and Publication Administration pointed to a rule and said, "At the end of March, the shortlisted films will be released in cinemas nationwide. After one week of box office performance, the top ten films will be selected for internal evaluation."
"Explain the reason for keeping it!"
"The promotional film for International Day this time will be screened in foreign cinemas. If the actors' performances are not recognized by the Chinese public, they are unlikely to be recognized by foreigners.
Therefore, this rule can also be seen as allowing the Chinese public to help us screen them in advance, allowing the fittest to survive."
"Agreed!"
The latest rules also began to spread to various film and television companies that day.
And because of this new rule, the industry was about to experience a bloody storm.