Chapter 287 - 287: Review
“Hey, Director Li, could you please stay for a moment? I’d like to consult you about something!” A thought flashed through Zhou Chao’s mind, and he quickly halted Li Qi, who had been about to leave.
Li Qi, confused, looked at Zhou Chao, wondering, “What does this important figure mentioned by Qilin want to discuss with me?”
Seeing this, Qilin quickly suggested, “Why don’t we sit down and chat?”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chao nodded, and Guo Qilin led the two of them into the shaded area. They took their seats, and Guo Qilin’s assistant served each of them a cup of tea.
Once they were all seated and had taken a few sips of tea, Zhou Chao set down his tea cup and turned his gaze towards the assistant director, Li Qi.
“Director Li, you’ve been filming here for quite a few years now. I’d like to hear your thoughts on the management team of this film city.”
Zhou Chao’s words not only left Li Qi stunned, but even Guo Qilin, who was standing beside, was also taken aback. After all, he knew that this film and television city belonged to the man before them.
Li Qi remained silent for a moment, lifted his teacup, took a sip, and then said, “I’ve been shooting here for about five or six years. As for the management of this film and television city, 1 don’t know how to describe it. Hmm… let me think, they all seem quite fortunate in their appearances.”
“You mean they look quite wealthy,” Qilin interjected abruptly.
“Yes, exactly, incredibly wealthy! It’s not just ordinary wealthy!” Li Qi heard Guo Qilin’s words and couldn’t help but clap his own hand in agreement.
Zhou Chao wasn’t naive; he knew how things worked in the entertainment industry. People had to tread carefully with their words, and it was essential not to offend anyone unless there was no other option. He understood what Li Qi was implying.
“I didn’t expect Director Li to have such a keen sense of humor,” Zhou Chao remarked, and the three of them couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Oh, by the way, Director Li, Young Master Zhou wants to experience what it’s like to be an extra. Could you please mention it to the director and arrange it?” Qilin hadn’t forgotten Zhou Chao’s request from the previous night.
Li Qi glanced at Zhou Chao, then hesitated before saying, “Well, arranging for you to be an extra isn’t a problem, but Young Master Zhou’s image and demeanor are too exceptional. It could easily disrupt the overall harmony of the scene, making it less coordinated. So, the director is unlikely to agree.” Zhou Chao was well aware that he had undergone significant changes in the past few months, and his demeanor and appearance had transformed accordingly. Asking him to suddenly play the role of an ordinary passerby would be like inserting a 1000-watt bulb into a socket designed for a 10-watt bulb, instantly overshadowing everyone else.
“It’s alright; 1 just wanted to experience it. If the opportunity doesn’t arise, it’s no big deal. There will be opportunity in the future,” Zhou Chao said, waving his hand to indicate that he didn’t mind.
Qilin, on the other side, seemed to understand something and nodded in agreement.
At that moment, Zhang Ruoyun, Song Xiaoyi, and the others, who had just finished filming, were chatting and walking in their direction.
“Ruoyun, isn’t that Zhou Chao, the one we had dinner with last night?” Sharp-eyed Song Xiaoyi immediately spotted Zhou Chao, who was sitting in the shade with Qilin.
“Oh, it is! Let’s go over and join the fun,” Li Qin Qin suggested upon seeing Zhou Chao sitting there.
Upon hearing Zhang Ruoyun and Song Xiaoyi’s words, they exchanged glances and nodded before walking over to Zhou Chao and the others.
“Why are you three here? Have you finished filming?” Zhou Chao asked curiously as he looked at the approaching trio.
“Zhou, take a look at the time. It’s already 12:00 noon. Even if we were filming, we’d have to eat first!” Song Xiaoyi retorted directly, not mincing words with Zhou Chao.
Zhou Chao checked his watch and realized it was already 12:15 PM.
“Well, fortunately, I’m not your boss, or I’d definitely be squeezing every ounce of work out of you! Hahaha,” Zhou Chao joked back, and everyone burst into laughter.
“Oh, no way! Handsome Master Zhou is secretly a slave driver? How terrifying!” With these words, Guo Qilin took a half-step backward behind Zhang Ruoyun, making everyone, including Guo Qilin’s group, laugh even harder.
Even Zhou Chao couldn’t help but burst into laughter due to Song Xiaoyi’s teasing.
“It’s getting late. Where are you guys planning to have lunch? Are you going to a restaurant outside?” Zhou Chao was curious about their lunch plans and wondered if they were going to have boxed lunches like the rest of the crew.
“Young Master Zhou, we have a little cooking spot. If you don’t mind, you can join us!” Zhang Ruoyun stood up and extended an invitation to Zhou Chao.
“Really? Then I won’t be polite!” Zhou Chao patted his thigh and stood up from his chair.
With that, Zhou Chao followed the other four people as they made their way outside. Li Qi, being tactful, excused himself, and the group chatted while walking, with several assistants following behind.
A large group of people arrived at an open area with several RVs parked on it. Zhou Chao even noticed that many people were busy packing and preparing meals.
They arrived at an RV, and Zhou Chao noticed the word “Guo” posted on it, guessing that it belonged to Guo Qilin.
Sure enough, Guo Qilin took a few quick steps, boarded the RV, and returned after a moment.
“We might have to wait for about 10 more minutes before the meal is ready. Feel free to sit down for now!”
Zhang Ruoyun and the others found chairs and took a seat.
“You can chat for a while; I’ll make a phone call and be right back!” Zhou Chao informed the group and then walked to the side.
Zhou Chao skillfully opened his call history and dialed a familiar number.
“Hey, boss, you always call at the perfect time!” As soon as the call was connected, Zhou Chao heard the bustling noise from Ling Chen’s end, indicating that he was probably having lunch in the cafeteria.
“I have something to discuss with you.”
“Boss, give me a moment. I’ll find a quiet place!” As soon as Ling Chen heard that there was an issue, he quickly got up from his chair and headed outside.
About thirty seconds later, Ling Chen’s voice came through again.
“Boss, it’s quiet now. What do you need me to arrange?”
“Well, over in Yongcheng, at Xiangshan Film City, I want you to send people to initiate an inspection. Send two or three managers to take over, and conduct a thorough check of the middle and upper management here. If anyone is involved in corruption, send them straight to the police. For less severe cases, fire those who need to be fired and demote those who should be demoted.” Zhou Chao was ready to take swift and decisive action, having the group’s personnel conduct the inspection.
“Boss, when did you acquire a film city? I had no idea!” Ling Chen’s mind was now filled with question marks.
“You don’t know about a lot of things. Send people over today, and I’ll be waiting here!” Zhou Chao replied without much patience.
In his mind, he couldn’t help but think, “Should 1 have told you that I received the film city ownership from my check-in?”
“Got it, Boss. I’ll arrange it as soon as 1 finish my meal!”
“Alright, that’s it!” Zhou Chao hung up the phone and turned to head back towards the RV..