"Look at the person getting out of the car at the intersection ahead, doesn't he look like Gao Fei?"
"What 'looks like,' that's Gao Fei himself!"
"Who is this Director Feng that the newspaper asked us to interview? He actually managed to invite Gao Fei to show up!"
"There must be some kind of cooperation. Otherwise, with Gao Fei's status, why would he attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for an unknown brand!"
"I can't believe we'd run into Gao Fei at an event. This is big news!"
The reporters standing on the periphery of the crowd were in a heated discussion.
They had thought it would be a simple interview with a private entrepreneur, but they never expected to encounter the popular celebrity, Comrade Xiao Gao.
Instantly, all the cameras swiveled, focusing on Gao Fei.
Zhang Cheng and Xiang Guosheng, walking on either side of him, saw the reporters and cameras and immediately dropped their smiles, following him like bodyguards.
Gao Fei looked at the cameras pointed at him, feeling quite pleased. "A ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new factory actually invites reporters? This is exactly what I wanted..."
As the trio approached, in addition to the reporters who had spotted him first, the surrounding crowd finally noticed Gao Fei walking ahead with his hands behind his back.
"Wow, isn't that movie star Gao Fei? What's he doing here?"
"Director Feng must have invited him. Besides acting, Gao Fei is also a fantastic singer. He's probably going to perform later."
"Feng Kunlin managed to invite a big star like Gao Fei. It seems he's going all out for this new factory!"
"Gao Fei only brought two people with him to the event. He doesn't seem to have any star airs about him at all..."
Seeing the arrivals, the onlookers also started pointing and chattering.
Several young women and a few young men even pulled out their phones and ran forward, asking for photos and autographs.
Gao Fei didn't refuse, happily posing for pictures and signing autographs for them.
With the fans taking the lead, the surrounding crowd also followed suit, requesting photos and signatures.
After all, Gao Fei was a popular star of the new generation. Being able to take a photo with him and get his autograph would be something they could brag about to their friends and relatives later.
The commotion outside the venue quickly caught the attention of Feng Kunlin and his entourage.
Upon seeing Gao Fei surrounded by the crowd, the Director Feng's smiling face vanished instantly.
The district leaders standing beside him looked pleasantly surprised and astonished to see Gao Fei at the event.
"Old Feng, I didn't expect you to invite Comrade Xiao Gao. Do you have some kind of cooperation?"
"You, Old Feng, are truly a man of hidden depths. You actually have a connection with Gao Fei. Is the new factory's business related to Gao Fei?"
"Well done, Old Feng. By inviting Gao Fei to your event, and with a bit of media promotion, your new factory's business should boom. You might even become a major taxpayer for the district in the future."
The district leaders were full of praise for Feng Kunlin.
Everyone assumed that Gao Fei was cooperating with Director Feng, hence his presence.
Listening to the leaders' compliments, Feng Kunlin felt extremely awkward.
"What cooperation? Gao Fei is here to demand an explanation!"
Director Feng cursed inwardly. He wished he had dismissed everyone quickly after the ribbon-cutting ceremony and not given any welcoming speech.
Now, he had directly attracted the main character.
Moreover, Gao Fei's appearance had completely stolen the limelight from him and the new factory.
The district leaders, business partners, and invited guests, all mistakenly believing Gao Fei was cooperating with the new factory, were congratulating Feng Kunlin on his new venture.
Each word of congratulation made Director Feng's heart ache.
Yet, despite his inner turmoil, he forced a smile and nodded in agreement to the blessings from the leaders and friends.
At this moment, after signing autographs and taking photos with the crowd, Gao Fei strode towards Feng Kunlin, a playful smile on his face.
"Congratulations, Director Feng! Congratulations on your new factory's grand opening!"
He laughed heartily as he approached, as if greeting an old friend.
Feng Kunlin, unsure of Gao Fei's intentions, shook his hand calmly and echoed, "Mr. Gao's presence at our new factory's ribbon-cutting ceremony truly brings glory to our establishment."
"Oh, Director Feng is using idioms now. It seems you've been studying a lot lately!"
Gao Fei shot him a cold glance and, before Director Feng could reply, continued with a smile, "Director Feng used my six million to start a new factory, didn't even send me an invitation, and secretly opened for business. Are you not considering me a friend anymore!"
"No invitation?
That's not right. I clearly remember sending Mr. Gao an invitation. It must be that my subordinates were incompetent and failed to deliver the invitation to Mr. Gao.
At the dinner later, I'll have the person in charge apologize to Mr. Gao and make them drink until you're satisfied."
Facing the gaze of so many people, both on and off stage, Feng Kunlin dared not admit he hadn't invited Gao Fei. He shifted all the blame to his subordinates.
"Then Director Feng's subordinates are truly forgetful."
Gao Fei replied with a hint of sarcasm, "Our factories are in the same district, only two streets apart, less than a kilometer. How could they forget to send an invitation?
In my opinion, Director Feng, you're feeling guilty!
I bought your old factory for six million, and you immediately opened your new factory next door. Director Feng, you certainly know how to conduct business!"
Hearing these words, everyone present was stunned.
This wasn't a cooperation; it was an accusation!
Below the stage, the crowd understood the meaning behind the words and began pointing at Feng Kunlin on stage.
"Gao Fei bought Feng Kunlin's old factory for six million, and then Feng Kunlin used that six million to open a new factory next door. Damn, businessmen have no bottom line."
"I was wondering how Feng Kunlin managed to invite Gao Fei. So, he ripped off Comrade Xiao Gao, and he's here to demand an explanation in person."
"Using the money Gao Fei paid for the factory to open a new one next door. That old bastard Feng Kunlin is quite something!"
"They say business should be based on integrity. Gao Fei just won an award abroad, and he's being ripped off by a local businessman upon his return. If I were him, I'd smash this stage!"
The onlookers' gazes towards Feng Kunlin changed dramatically.
There was anger, mockery, and disgust...
After all, Gao Fei was now leading China's film industry to bring glory to the nation.
And Feng Kunlin, that old scoundrel, stabbing him in the back without warning, left the crowd with a disgusted impression of him.
The district leaders on stage, hearing the murmurs from below, involuntarily distanced themselves from Feng Kunlin.
The look in each leader's eyes towards him turned cold and annoyed, a stark contrast to their earlier expressions when viewing a potential major taxpayer.
The reporters standing outside the crowd, after grasping the full story, felt that their trip was worthwhile. They had stumbled upon a major scandal.
They had initially assumed Gao Fei and the new cosmetics factory were in a cooperative relationship.
But the truth was, not only were they not cooperating, they were in a competitive relationship.
Furthermore, Director Feng Kunlin had ripped Gao Fei off for six million!
This news, once reported, would undoubtedly bring them unprecedented traffic.
After all, Gao Fei was a walking traffic pool!
*Click! Click! Click!*
The flashbulbs popped below the stage, and all the reporters furiously snapped photos of the two figures on stage.
Feng Kunlin, his fig leaf torn away, looked grim. Gao Fei, on the other hand, looked at him with a provocative expression and said with a smile, "Director Feng, if I were you, I'd hurry back to the factory and hide.
See those cameras below?
What you and I have is definitely going to be the headline of tonight's evening news.
You ripped me off for six million, and I'll let you taste what it's like to be cyberbullied."
Feng Kunlin initially intended to call security to disperse the crowd.
But upon hearing Gao Fei's words, he immediately retreated into the factory, leaving the follow-up matters to the deputy director.
As for the district leaders and business friends present,
They all looked at Director Feng with indifference. Not a single one stepped forward to speak to him as he left.
Watching Feng Kunlin's embarrassed and hasty retreat, Gao Fei felt immensely satisfied. The anger that had been building up in his heart was finally released.
He offered an apologetic smile to the district leaders, "My apologies, esteemed leaders. I've ruined what was supposed to be a pleasant ribbon-cutting ceremony!"
"Comrade Xiao Gao, you're too kind!"
The highest-ranking leader, Ou Mingjing, stepped forward and patted his arm, smiling, "Xiao Gao, we're all very happy that you've chosen to establish a factory in our district.
It's just that we didn't expect you to have such a history with Feng Kunlin."
"District Chief Ou, please rest assured. No matter what conflict I have with Feng Kunlin, it won't cause any major trouble.
Moreover, once the factory starts operating, I will fulfill all tax obligations and hiring requirements."
The astute Gao Fei made it clear that his conflict with the old scoundrel Feng would not escalate into the kind of situation seen in Wutong District.
He also guaranteed that once the factory became profitable, it would pay taxes to the district.
With their positions clarified, Ou Mingjing was very pleased with Gao Fei's attitude.
"Xiao Gao, if you encounter any policy challenges or loan issues in the future, feel free to contact me directly.
You focus on running your factory well, and I'll bring some people to inspect your factory in a few days!"
"Understood, leader!"
With both sides having stated their positions, Ou Mingjing didn't linger. He left with his entourage from the side.
After they left, Gao Fei called out to the reporters, "Gentlemen, after all, it's their new factory's opening. Let's not block the entrance.
Please move to the side, and I will tell you all about my past interactions and history with Director Feng!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone moved to the street beside the factory and began interviewing Gao Fei.
The security guards at the factory, who had intended to disperse the crowd,
Were now at a loss as to what to do, seeing everyone being called away and no longer blocking the road. Each guard held their electric baton uncertainly.
Furthermore, with reporters present, the security guards dared not take any action against Gao Fei.
After all, no one wanted to become the focus of the evening news.
Just as Gao Fei was fabricating a story about being cheated by Feng Kunlin and speaking with great flourish, a luxury car suddenly drove out of the factory gates.
The car stopped beside him, and the rear window rolled down.
Kong Liwei, sitting inside, glanced at the reporters outside and then at Gao Fei, who was also looking over. He smiled and nodded.
There was a brief exchange of glances, lasting only a few seconds, with no communication between them.
Only after Kong Liwei rolled up his window and drove away did Zhang Cheng quietly introduce, "Old Gao, the person just now was Kong Liwei. I ran into him at school once!"
Gao Fei's eyebrows shot up. He finally understood why Feng Kunlin had dared to oppose him despite the risk of being exposed online.
It turned out Kong Liwei had already gotten involved!
At this moment, Xiang Guosheng, who had been like a transparent presence, stepped forward and quietly said, "Boss Gao, I have a channel that can help you obtain cosmetic raw materials!"