Although the film's budget was clearly not high, lacking grand productions or star-studded casts, it was entertaining and possessed a high-quality script.
However, the market was currently dominated by big productions, high-spec effects, and A-list celebrity ensembles, so they weren't very optimistic about this particular film.
Of course, they wouldn't be so blunt as to say that directly.
After the movie ended, these directors all praised the film's merits one by one, refraining from mentioning its box office prospects.
Qi Xuan had been by Ye Zhi's side the entire time, and his disappointment grew.
He hadn't expected that even when watching a movie with Ye Zhi, she would still be so busy.
It wasn't just her; after learning of his identity, all those industry insiders also came forward to curry favor with him.
In fact, the only quiet time he and Ye Zhi had was during the movie screening.
But even then, Ye Zhi was engrossed in watching the film.
As the directors gradually departed, they finally had some breathing room.
"Do you want to grab something to eat?" Qi Xuan asked.
"I am actually a bit hungry," Ye Zhi sighed, "But I really crave the simple noodle soup cooked by the butler! Let's go back and have a late-night snack!"
Qi Xuan: ...
Well, it was one thing that he couldn't buy snacks, but his plan to go out for a meal was also disrupted. It seemed he would be severely reprimanded by the butler tonight.
"Alright, I'll call the butler, and we'll go back to eat," Qi Xuan agreed.
The two left the cinema and departed in the same car.
The sight of them leaving in the same vehicle was noticed by some directors who hadn't yet departed, immediately solidifying their suspicions.
The relationship between CEO Ye and CEO Qi was definitely not simple!
Soon, the news spread, and by the time it reached the film industry circles, it had morphed into CEO Ye and CEO Qi being deeply in love.
This news even reached Ou Minghan's ears, but by the time he heard it, it had escalated to Ye Zhi and Qi Xuan preparing to get married.
Ou Minghan was shocked and furious. He immediately called Feng Jie, demanding to know why he was being kept in the dark about such important news.
"That's impossible!" Feng Jie was even more stunned than him. "How could they possibly be preparing for marriage? Ye Zhi's mind is solely focused on her career; how could she get married so quickly? It's fake news, absolutely fake news!"
"I also think it's fake news; it must be Ye Zhi's new publicity stunt!" Ou Minghan said through gritted teeth. "Feng Jie, what worries me now is something else. Qi Xuan actually attended the film premiere with Ye Zhi. What do you think? Could it be that Qi Xuan also invested in Taoxun? Or perhaps, my rival has always been Qi Xuan, not Ye Zhi?!"
Feng Jie: ...
He was truly at a loss now. Didn't Ou Minghan know about Qi Xuan's investment in Taoxun all along?!
Upon closer reflection, it seemed that was indeed the case.
At the very least, when Ou Minghan had instructed him to go undercover at Taoxun, he certainly didn't know.
Furthermore, Qianbai's investors had been very cordial with Ye Zhi, and they had formed a strong bond later on. However, Qianbai's investors were at odds with Ou Minghan and had always guarded against him. Therefore, even if they knew that the investor behind Taoxun was Qi Xuan, they wouldn't have told Ou Minghan.
And Ou Minghan himself had been busy dealing with his endless family affairs, then caused a scene in Country K, and after returning to take over Qianbai, he was busy salvaging it, squeezing out its last ounce of value. He simply didn't have the time to concern himself with who the investor behind Taoxun was.
However, this was also because both Qi Xuan and Ye Zhi were too low-key.
It was only now, with Ye Zhi and Qi Xuan attending a film screening together, and the news originating from the film industry, that it reached Ou Minghan's ears.
"Uh..." Feng Jie somewhat guiltily agreed, "...Maybe, possibly?"
"Heh! I knew it. That woman Ye Zhi doesn't have that much capability," Ou Minghan sneered. "So, it turns out Ye Zhi was just a puppet all along! It seems Qi Xuan is still holding a grudge over my rejection of his investment and is personally entering the arena to support Ye Zhi as revenge!
He thinks Qianbai is completely finished, so he's announcing his identity now, just to watch me regret it! But even he didn't expect that Ye Zhi would take advantage of his appearance to deliberately create dating rumors with him..."
Feng Jie: ...
He was impressed! He really wanted to crack open Ou Minghan's skull and see what was inside his head!
His rejection of Qi Xuan's investment was ancient history!
Back when Qianbai hadn't even developed, Qi Xuan investing in another shopping website would have been enough to deal with Qianbai. If Qi Xuan truly wanted revenge, why would he wait until now?
As for the subsequent speculations, Feng Jie felt his ears were being polluted just listening to them.
Although Taoxun had Qi Xuan's investment, Ye Zhi had always been Ou Minghan's rival. This guy was clearly just making excuses for his failures and refusing to face reality!
Feng Jie replied perfunctorily, "I'm not sure, perhaps..."
Ou Minghan became even more convinced his suspicions were correct and said with dissatisfaction, "Feng Jie, why haven't you returned to Kyoto yet? Have you done something that made Qi Xuan suspicious, so he's letting Ye Zhi keep you in exile like this?"
Feng Jie: ...
What was Ou Minghan's thought process? He couldn't keep up!
"Mr. Ou, I only learned that Qi Xuan is the investor of Taoxun today when you told me," Feng Jie said somewhat speechlessly.
"Can't you think of a way to return to Kyoto?" Ou Minghan was very displeased.
Feng Jie was quite speechless; he didn't have the final say.
But if he said that, it would surely enrage Ou Minghan.
Therefore, he skipped over the issue directly.
"Mr. Ou," Feng Jie said with great concern, "If our rival is truly Qi Xuan, what should we do? Even if I rush back to Kyoto now, it would be too little, too late. What about Qianbai, can it still be saved?"
"I've already let go of Qianbai, and I won't manage it anymore!" Ou Minghan's voice became lighter. "But don't worry, I have new plans recently. I've found a new backing and will soon make a comeback!"
Feng Jie's eyebrows slightly raised. Listening to Ou Minghan's cheerful tone, he cautiously asked, "Is it... the President's wife?"
"Hahaha! Feng Jie, you are truly perceptive! It seems you've heard about it too," Ou Minghan laughed heartily. "I never expected Ye Qinya to transform into Cen Ya, and a Duke's daughter at that! Although she's still throwing a tantrum, I'll be able to win her back soon!"
Not long after, Ou Minghan hung up the phone, and Feng Jie immediately dialed Ye Zhi's number.