245: Chapter 245 Heading to Hengdian

Zhu Jianfeng looked at Chen Shaoping and Cai Guoqiang expressionlessly and said indifferently, "The two of you must be Young Master Ping and Director Cai."

Chen Shaoping was preoccupied with picking at his nails, his phone screen glowing as it lay beside him.

Seeing that Chen Shaoping hadn't responded, Cai Guoqiang thought he hadn't heard and was about to speak when Chen Shaoping gave him a quick tug.

Zhu Jianfeng's expression shifted constantly; the attitude of the two men made him feel quite embarrassed and stuck.

He glanced subtly at the middle-aged man to his left.

The middle-aged man understood the signal, stood up from his seat, and said loudly with a smile,

"Teacher Young Master Ping, Director Cai."

"I am Fan Hua, representing Hang City Television Station at this meeting."

"This is the Deputy Director of our Culture and Tourism Bureau, Zhu Jianfeng. He will be presiding over today's meeting."

"We are very interested in your proposal to film a television series to promote Hang City."

"How about the two of you greet everyone first, and then we can discuss the details?"

Hearing this,

Chen Shaoping's eyes sharpened. Hang City Television Station? That wasn't his goal; what he wanted was a partnership with Zhejiang Province Television Station.

At this point, he didn't have the slightest desire to stay a moment longer.

"Old Cai, that Wang Lin said he was going to make tea for us, but he hasn't shown up for ages. Let's go out and find him!"

After saying that, Chen Shaoping stood up, grabbed Cai Guoqiang, and walked out.

Cai Guoqiang followed his lead closely without a moment's hesitation.

No one blocked them.

In fact, many people just watched as if they were at a play, remaining completely detached.

Just as they reached the door, Zhu Jianfeng spoke up, his tone icy.

"The two of you are just leaving like this? That's hardly appropriate. Without the approval of our Culture and Tourism Bureau, your TV series won't get made."

Chen Shaoping didn't turn around, but he did reply.

"You still have the word 'Deputy' in your title, don't you? With such a big mouth, shouldn't you remove that 'Deputy' first before talking?"

"Even if it can't be filmed here in Hang City, I'll just not film it at all, fine? Or I'll just change the script; it won't even take a day of my time."

Then he strode out with his head held high.

Seeing that the two weren't intimidated by his threat at all, Zhu Jianfeng grabbed the teacup on the table and smashed it onto the floor.

With a crisp crack, the teacup shattered, and the tea inside splashed out, soaking the pant legs of those nearby.

Once outside the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Chen Shaoping, with a dark face, immediately apologized.

"Old Cai, I'm sorry! I made you suffer through that embarrassment with me."

"It was my lack of foresight; I forgot how complicated the system can be."

Cai Guoqiang waved his hand and said with a smile, "Chen Boy, don't forget, I've spent time within the system too."

"I've seen this kind of situation plenty of times."

Then his expression shifted, "You aren't really planning to give up on filming this TV series, are you?"

"No, I plan to stop dealing with the Culture and Tourism Bureau and go directly to Zhejiang Province Television Station for a partnership."

"If they agree, we film immediately."

"If they don't, then we either put it aside for a while or just change a few names in the script, and then we can film."

Cai Guoqiang nodded, "That's a good idea. When do you plan to go to Zhejiang Province Television Station?"

"Definitely not today. I have some business in Hengdian; I'll see about it after I get back."

After thinking it over, Chen Shaoping decided to make a trip to Hengdian World Studios.

"By the way, are you coming with me, or will you wait for me in Hang City?"

"I won't go with you. Go on your own; I'll take the chance to catch up with some old friends," Cai Guoqiang replied.

"Alright then, I'll help you book a hotel."

"Enough, enough. Rest easy, do you really think I can't find a place to stay?"

"Hurry up and go. It's more than a two-hour drive from Hang City to Hengdian."

Chen Shaoping didn't want to be overly sentimental. After finishing a meal with Cai Guoqiang, he went straight to a car rental company.

After paying to rent a car, he drove toward Hengdian.

Meanwhile, at the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism,

Wang Lin, who had been held up in an office, finally regained his freedom and was called into Zhu Jianfeng's office.

Hearing that Chen Shaoping and Cai Guoqiang had left in a hurry without even starting the meeting, he felt incredibly guilty.

His expression was grim.

"Little Wang, call that Young Master Ping right now. Tell him to come back so we can have a proper talk."

"You will participate then too; just do as I say."

Zhu Jianfeng's tone was icy. If it weren't for the fact that Director Kuai Feng was also following this matter,

He wouldn't have bothered talking to Wang Lin about it at all.

Furthermore, because of Chen Shaoping's attitude, he already held a grudge against Wang Lin.

As long as he was around, Wang Lin's path to promotion would be very difficult.

Wang Lin was equally displeased. What was supposed to be a good thing had been ruined because this Deputy Director Zhu Jianfeng insisted on interfering, making everyone unhappy.

"Deputy Director Zhu, he won't answer my call. He definitely won't deal with me again."

Wang Lin didn't want to make the call; even if he were to apologize, it should be done in person.

"Little Wang, what's wrong with you? You haven't even tried; how do you know he won't answer?" Zhu Jianfeng's voice rose.

"Hurry up, get your phone out." Seeing that Wang Lin remained unmoved, he urged him again.

"Deputy Director, I won't make the call. Even if it goes through, I wouldn't know what to say."

"When Director Kuai returns, I will report the situation to him truthfully."

"At that time, I will do whatever Director Kuai arranges."

Wang Lin stood his ground. After saying that, he turned and walked out.

"Stop right there!" Zhu Jianfeng stared coldly at Wang Lin. "Is this how you defy your superior? If you dare walk out, I'll make sure you regret it."

Wang Lin stood still for a few seconds, then resolutely walked out.

His heart was pounding; he felt guilty toward Chen Shaoping and worried that Zhu Jianfeng would make life difficult for him.

He walked out of the Culture and Tourism Bureau gates, took out his phone, and dialed Director Kuai Feng.

The call connected.

"Wang Lin, is everything settled?"

Wang Lin said with a hint of grievance, "I'm sorry, Director. Things have been ruined..."

Then, he gave Kuai Feng a full report of everything that had happened.

On the other end of the line, it suddenly went quiet.

Only Kuai Feng's heavy breathing could be heard.

"Apologize to Chen Shaoping first. I'll handle the rest when I get back."

"Alright, Director. I'll call Chen Shaoping immediately," Wang Lin said firmly.

By the time Chen Shaoping arrived in Hengdian, it was already past six in the evening—prime dinner time.

He wasn't sure if the crew had finished for the day.

He took out his phone to call Yang Mi to see if she was still with the crew.

He lightly swiped away the three missed calls from Wang Lin, marking them as read.

It wasn't that he was intentionally avoiding the calls; he just really didn't know what to say if he answered.

Yang Mi had just finished a scene and was resting when her assistant, Hong Ying, walked over with a phone.

"President Yang, it's a call from Teacher Young Master Ping. He's already called twice!"

"I didn't dare answer."

Yang Mi smiled as she took the phone. "Teacher Young Master Ping, what's come over you today?"

"You're actually taking the initiative to call me?"

Chen Shaoping's voice came through the phone.

"Sister Mimi, I'm in Hengdian. Are you around?"

"Oh!"

Caught off guard, Yang Mi slipped from her seat and landed right on her bottom.

As her assistant rushed to help her up, she scrambled to her feet, a look of pleasant surprise on her face.

"Really? You're not lying to me? I'm coming out right now."

Still in her costume, Yang Mi ran out of the filming set.