373: Chapter 367: A Visit 373: Chapter 367: A Visit In the bedroom, Xiang Laoshi remained inside for nearly ten minutes before emerging.
Just making a phone call shouldn’t have taken that long.
After the call, he even held his head and smoked a stifled cigarette in there.
“I apologize, Young Master Chen, the previous incidents were indeed misunderstandings.”
“I should thank that brother; his slaps woke me up.”
“I was indeed too arrogant before, a bit ignorant of my place…”
The Xiang Laoshi who came out of the bedroom seemed like a changed person.
When he entered, his face was sullen, and his gaze was as if he wanted to devour someone.
But now, he was all smiles, and when speaking to Chen Hai, he even had a noticeably ingratiating look on his face.
The only thing slightly discordant was the clear fingerprint marks on his swollen face.
“Brother Xiang, you’re too kind.
It’s like we didn’t get acquainted until we fought!”
Seeing that his attempt to win over with reason seemed to be genuinely effective, Chen Hai nodded with satisfaction and responded with a smile.
“Exactly, it’s like we didn’t get acquainted until we fought.”
“Fatty Wang mentioned that you were looking for him to get in touch with Miss Qingxia to help shoot an advertisement for you?”
Echoing Chen Hai’s words, Xiang Laoshi quickly said.
Before Chen Hai could reply, he turned to Fatty Wang, who looked perplexed and instructed, “I’ll have the assistant director take over the set for a few days.”
“During this time, you don’t need to do anything else, just helping Young Master Chen shoot the commercial is fine.”
“I’ll give Miss Qingxia a heads up; if I ask her, she will definitely give me this face.”
“You can contact her directly a little later…”
Xiang Laoshi explained amicably.
This Fatty Wang, although not remarkable in appearance, was definitely one of the top film directors in Xiangjiang.
His movies weren’t known for being particularly profound or artistic.
However, when his films were released, they rarely lost money; it was just a matter of how much more they would earn.
Such a director was naturally the most welcomed by investors.
Having the assistant director replace Fatty Wang to start the shoot would certainly impact the movie invested in by Yongsheng Company.
Regarding this, Xiang Laoshi felt helpless, but what choice did one have but to bow one’s head under someone else’s roof?
With a few phone calls to Capital City, it didn’t take long for him to learn from a well-connected young master about Chen Hai’s relationship with the Ye Family.
Xiangjiang, geographically, was part of Yuedong.
After the ’97 handover, although Xiangjiang practiced self-governance, the influence of the Ye Family could already radiate over here.
The Xiang Family had some clout and status in Xiangjiang.
Compared to the Ye Family, if the latter wanted to get serious, they could easily crush them with just one finger!
Was he supposed to stubbornly confront Chen Hai over a momentary fit of pique?
If Boss Xiang, who truly controlled Xinji, heard of this, he would probably slap him without a second word.
“Alright, Brother Xiang, so now I…” Fatty Wang was startled, but quickly, he caught on.
This guy was a sharp one.
From Xiang Laoshi’s complete change in demeanor, although Fatty Wang was unclear about the specific reason for this transformation, he could guess that Chen Hai must be someone with significant backing and powerful connections — otherwise, with Xiang Laoshi’s temperament, how could he behave like this now!
His words appeared to be seeking Xiang Laoshi’s opinion, but his gaze kept glancing towards Chen Hai.
“Xiang Dong, Uncle Baoshan, and the rest of you, go and liaise with Director Wang!”
“We need to discuss some general requirements for the advertisement shoot; have a good talk with Director Wang,” Chen Hai said after a moment’s thought, looking toward his subordinates.
“A-Tai, A-Xing, you guys should step out too,” he ordered.
“This place is very safe, Chen Hai.
I don’t need you to keep following me around here.”
As Chen Hai’s subordinates began to leave the room one by one with Fatty Wang, Xiang Laoshi quickly followed suit, giving his own orders to his subordinates.
Soon, the crowded suite’s living room cleared out, leaving only Chen Hai and Xiang Laoshi behind.
“Laoshi, I’ll trouble you with the advertisement matter.
As for the cost with Miss Qingxia and Director Wang, just let me know the amount after you’ve negotiated and I’ll pay them directly.”
“Chen Hai, it’s truly too formal of you to speak of money with me.
I was once ignorant and offended you; let me handle the advertisement as an apology!”
“Wouldn’t it be improper for you to bear the costs, Laoshi?”
“There’s nothing improper about it.
Knowing you, Chen Hai, is my good fortune as Xiang Laoshi.”
…
Xiang Laoshi was patting his chest with resounding thumps, choosing his words to sound nothing but agreeable.
As for Chen Hai, perhaps he felt that it was helpful to build a closer relationship with Xiang Laoshi, especially in a place like Xiangjiang.
Seeing Xiang Laoshi’s flattering behavior, he also showed an intention to make a deliberate connection.
At first, their courtesies were somewhat stilted.
But as they talked more, they began to chat as enthusiastically as long-lost friends.
If someone who wasn’t involved saw Chen Hai and Xiang Laoshi in this state, they probably couldn’t imagine that not so long ago, they were both wielding firearms, nearly coming to a blazing shootout.
It wasn’t until around six or seven o’clock in the evening that Xiang Laoshi finally took his leave.
The next day, at a little past one in the afternoon,
Ms.
Gong Yuxin, whom Chen Hai had been waiting for, arrived with sunglasses on, escorted by Chen Zhengcong, and finally rang the doorbell of Chen Hai’s room.
Chen Hai opened the door and invited them in.
He boiled a pot of water and made each of them a cup of hot tea.
“Master Chen, is this gentleman the expert you mentioned?”
“Is he the one you said has a way to rescue my husband?”
Gong Yuxin, who had been studying Chen Hai intently, looked him over for quite some time.
After a long silence, she finally spoke, seeking confirmation from Chen Zhengcong at her side.
Her expression made it clear she was highly skeptical of Chen Hai’s abilities.
Considering the circumstances, her reaction was quite understandable.
After all, Chen Hai looked far too young.
It was difficult for Gong Yuxin to relate Chen Hai, with his youthful appearance, to the hermit-like expert Chen Zhengcong had described.
“Ms.
Gong, the ancients have always said, ‘Those with ambition aren’t constrained by age.'”
“Since you’ve managed to find me, I trust you have confirmed the fact that your husband, Wang Dehui, has been kidnapped.”
“If my calculations are correct, the kidnappers have already contacted you this morning!”
“They’re demanding a ransom of sixty million US dollars.”
“I know, Ms.
Gong, that you are willing to pay, but how can you be sure that once they receive the money, they will definitely release him?”
Chen Hai spoke calmly and deliberately, gazing straight at Gong Yuxin.
To increase the chances of this business deal succeeding,
after divining this matter, he had exhausted himself to the point of weakness for several days, casting another divination specifically about this case.
Besides the mastermind planning the crime, no one had a clearer understanding of the future direction of this case than Chen Hai.