The next day.
Liu Weiqiang, who had received Gao Fei's promise earlier, had been waiting at home for news.
All preparations for "Monkey King" were now complete, with only the special effects company's confirmation pending.
Therefore, Director Liu was like an ant on a hot pan, sending Gao Fei five or six messages and making three or four calls a day.
He hadn't even been as attentive to his own wife.
After waiting for three consecutive days without receiving any news, Liu Weiqiang finally couldn't sit still any longer.
Learning that Gao Fei had just arrived at the company, he stepped on the accelerator and arrived at Feihe Films in fifteen minutes.
In the office.
"My CEO Gao, are you avoiding me? You don't answer calls or reply to messages."
After cornering him in the office, Liu Weiqiang complained and sat on the sofa with a look of a wronged wife.
Seeing his face full of complaints, Gao Fei felt even more troubled. "Director Liu, no, Uncle, Uncle Liu. It's only been three days. Getting a permit takes at least seven days.
Three days, and you've been like a debt collector, calling three times a day, morning, noon, and night, and even harassing me late at night. Can't I avoid you!"
"I just want to bring your script and our Feihe Films back to the international stage!"
Liu Weiqiang also knew his behavior was excessive. He coughed awkwardly and continued, "Boss, just tell me the truth, can this special effects company matter be settled?"
"We've got word, just wait a bit longer!"
"Still waiting?"
Gao Fei rolled his eyes at him helplessly. "Don't people need time to get visas when they come from abroad to Longguo? And it's a whole team, so it takes even more time.
Go back and wait another two or three days. Once they land, I'll arrange for you to meet them immediately.
Alright, Uncle Liu?"
Since the special effects company was confirmed, Liu Weiqiang stopped pressing. His earlier resentment dissipated considerably.
He looked at the helpless Gao Fei and curiously asked, "Which country are the foreign special effects team from? Give me a hint, won't you?"
"I can't tell you for now!"
Gao Fei waved his hand at him and instructed, "Their identities need to be kept secret. Once they arrive in Longguo, no one except you and me can see them.
Also, you need to keep secret what I just told you and when they are coming to Longguo."
Liu Weiqiang nodded thoughtfully, having a general idea of this special effects team in his mind.
During this period, they needed to secretly protect the other party's identity and prevent others from meeting them.
Their itinerary also had to be completely concealed. He had a rough guess of which country the team was from.
Liu Weiqiang narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice to confirm, "From across the ocean, that place called 'Old Beautiful'?"
Gao Fei nodded slightly, confirming his guess.
Director Liu understood with a smile and stopped pressing further.
Just as the two were discussing how to proceed discreetly and where to arrange for them, there was a sudden knock on the office door.
Instantly, both of them fell silent in tacit understanding.
When Liu Weiqiang opened the door, Jin Qiqi walked in with a suspicious look.
She glanced at the two of them, who were being secretive. "Two men locking the door in broad daylight and sitting in the office without a sound, what big national matters are you plotting?
Or do you two have some unspeakable secrets?"
"Go, go, what are you guessing about!"
Gao Fei glared at her and asked without changing his expression, "What do you need me for?"
"What else? The company's three currently filming crews want your approval for money!"
Jin Qiqi opened the files and handed them over.
During Gao Fei's month-long absence, the company had signed three new directors.
The director of "You Are the Apple of My Eye," a recent powerhouse in youth romance films, was Bai Zhan.
The director of "God of Gamblers," Liu Huaqiang, specialized mostly in gang-style and niche social films.
The director of "The Corpse in the Mountain Village," Xu Cheng, was a newcomer, but his horror-themed online films had all received positive reviews from audiences, making him a capable new director.
All three directors were introduced by Liu Weiqiang.
Before inviting the three men to join the company, Director Liu had put a lot of thought into his persuasion tactics and methods.
But as soon as they heard it was Feihe Films, they signed the contract without a second word, leaving Director Liu with no room to exert himself.
Although Feihe Films' overall strength couldn't compare to major companies like Huánqiú Films and Pàiwèi International, they had an incredibly formidable boss in terms of fame, popularity, and status.
Therefore, without Director Liu needing to do much, all three agreed to join the company upon hearing it was an invitation from Feihe Films.
With the signing of the three men, the three previously planned new projects immediately began filming.
Looking at the funds applied for by the three film crews on the documents, Gao Fei frowned.
"I remember the budget funds applied for by the three crews before filming started have already been transferred. Why are they suddenly applying for so much money now?
Each crew is applying for an additional budget of one million dollars simultaneously, which is a bit strange!"
As he finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Liu Weiqiang.
Director Liu took the files and scanned them briefly, frowning. "I can vouch for their integrity with my own reputation. They absolutely wouldn't take kickbacks or anything.
The sudden application for an additional million dollars should mean that the three crews have encountered something."
He handed the files back and said, "How about this, I'll go down and investigate. If anyone is taking money, I'll send them straight to jail."
"Thank you for the trouble, Director Liu!"
Liu Weiqiang nodded, picked up his phone and bag, and walked out of the office.
After they left, Jin Qiqi brought Gao Fei more news.
"Boss, Zero Degree Films just posted on their account that their new movie is about to be released in theaters."
"What type of movie?"
"The same genre as their online movies, crime investigation!"
"Zero Degree Films is playing a clever game. They used online movies to gain fame and traffic, and after conquering the web series market, they're now preparing to conquer the theatrical market."
Gao Fei chuckled and analyzed, "But I have to say, Zero Degree Films' movies, whether in terms of plot or the actors' performances, their quality surpasses two-thirds of the movies on the market.
They conquered the online market not through hype, but through skill!"
Hearing his assessment, Jin Qiqi glanced at him with some surprise.
After all, her boss didn't casually evaluate anyone or any company.
"I just received news that Huánqiú Films is taking the lead in uniting several powerful companies to suppress Zero Degree Films.
Whenever Zero Degree Films releases a movie, they'll release theirs on the same day.
Boss, do you want to join in?"
Jin Qiqi tentatively asked.
"Besides the three new dramas currently filming, our company only has one other, 'Black and White Border.' Let them fight. We'll just watch the show."
Gao Fei shook his head, unwilling to get involved in their disputes.
He took a document from his desk and handed it to Jin Qiqi, saying, "Although we won't participate, we should at least join in the fun and add some fuel to the film market!
Give this document to Zhang Zhiwei and the others. Do it discreetly, so no one finds out."
Jin Qiqi glanced at the content of the document, and her eyes widened instantly.
As expected, the boss couldn't stay quiet and wanted to stir up trouble behind the scenes.
At the same time.
After Liu Weiqiang left with his pledge, he immediately began a discreet investigation into the three new film crews.
When Director Liu received the news about why the three film crews had suddenly applied for one million dollars,
he was stunned.
"Damn it, it's the venue rental fee again!"