As Gao Fei met with Hank's assistant, Zero Degree Film and Television, which had been riding the coattails of the public's attention, unveiled another new tactic.
Online, Zero Degree Film and Television's popularity was nearly on par with Hank's, currently ranking eighth on the trending search list. However, their fame was built upon the骂声 from tens of thousands of netizens.
As soon as one opened the comment section of the topic, there were no positive remarks, only various insults.
At this moment, while netizens were still bombarding the new film company for its lack of manners, cultivation, and adherence to Dragon Country's hospitality, Zero Degree's official account went live again.
This time, the account did not post a message but released a video lasting over three minutes.
The video title was: "Apology to Mr. Hank, Mr. Gao Fei!"
Given that Zero Degree Film and Television's account was still being beaten and cursed by millions of netizens, the release of the video immediately attracted immense attention.
Within four to five minutes, the view count exceeded six hundred thousand.
The apology video, just over three minutes long, was quite solemn.
The person appearing on camera was precisely the president of Zero Degree Film and Television, Qiao Zheng, who had hosted Hank the previous night.
In the video, he wore a gray suit, standing solemnly in front of the camera, his eyes slightly red, carrying an expression of regret.
"Netizens in front of the screen, hello, I am Qiao Zheng, the president of Zero Degree Film and Television.
As this is my first time serving as company president, I am severely lacking in management and was negligent in reviewing some script content.
Ultimately, this led to a plagiarized outline that angered Mr. Hank Antonia, leaving Zero Degree Film and Television with a poor impression.
Here, I apologize to Mr. Hank for my negligence.
I am sorry, Mr. Hank."
In front of the camera, Qiao Zheng apologized to Hank in fluent foreign language. After finishing, he bowed ninety degrees, expressing his deep apology and remorse.
After apologizing to Hank, Qiao Zheng continued, "Mr. Gao Fei, I did not expect our company's screenwriter to plagiarize your film. Such shameless behavior not only embarrassed me in front of Mr. Hank but also makes me extremely sorry to you, Mr. Gao.
After the incident last night, I have fired the screenwriter who plagiarized Mr. Gao's film and will never rehire them.
Here, I apologize to Mr. Gao for my poor judgment in hiring.
I am sorry, Mr. Gao."
This time, Qiao Zheng did not use a foreign language but spoke in Dragon Country dialect, his every word and phrase extremely standard. However, to a professional ear, one could detect that his tone and delivery had been carefully refined when speaking Dragon Country dialect.
After delivering his apology, he also bowed ninety degrees towards the camera, expressing his sincerity.
Having finished his apologies to Hank and Gao Fei, Qiao Zheng began to reflect on himself. The issues he reflected upon were precisely those raised by the netizens during their criticisms.
For example, the venue used to entertain Hank. Netizens pointed out that as a renowned screenwriter in the global film industry and an artist, how could Hank be entertained at a clubhouse. Qiao Zheng took the netizens' accusations to heart.
In the video, he mentioned that the choice of the clubhouse as the venue for entertaining Mr. Hank was due to the company's vice president's lack of consideration. Now, the vice president had been dismissed, and further handling of the matter would be announced to the public.
Following this were issues regarding airport reception, vehicle arrangements, and so on. Qiao Zheng made corresponding responses in front of the camera to quell the netizens' anger.
At the end of the video, all the senior executives of Zero Degree Film and Television appeared on camera. Everyone wore apologetic expressions and bowed ninety degrees in the video, apologizing to Hank, Gao Fei, and the netizens.
After the three-minute apology video concluded, the comment section immediately exploded.
[The company president leads the apology, and all senior executives apologize to Hank, Gao Fei, and us netizens. This Zero Degree Film and Television has integrity.]
[After watching the video, I feel that Zero Degree Film and Television is seeking attention, but then again, it doesn't feel like it. The entire executive team apologizing with such sincere faces makes it hard for me to believe they are just chasing clout.]
[The company bears all responsibility alone and bows in apology. Looking at all the film and television companies in Dragon Country, it's unlikely any top leader could do this.]
[No need to guess, they definitely can't. This Qiao Zheng of Zero Degree Film and Television is capable of taking responsibility and admitting fault. He's a man who can bend and stretch. In my opinion, Zero Degree Film and Television will surely be a rising star in Dragon Country's film industry in the latter half of the year.]
Qiao Zheng leading the entire executive team in an apology was not only unique in Dragon Country's film industry but also unprecedented. Everyone understood that the entertainment industry figures in Dragon Country often held themselves in high regard.
Zero Degree Film and Television not only apologized to Gao Fei and Hank but also bravely admitted their mistakes to the netizens. This move immediately dispelled the anger of the netizens who had previously bombarded Zero Degree Film and Television, greatly appeasing their resentment.
In the video's comment section, apart from a small minority still venting their anger, most netizens chose to forgive Zero Degree Film and Television. A three-minute apology video had turned the tide, significantly boosting the public's goodwill towards Zero Degree Film and Television.
...
Fei Teng Investment Company.
Just as Zero Degree Film and Television's apology video was sweeping across the internet and garnering public favor, Leons, who had come to meet Gao Fei on a mission, finally revealed the purpose of his visit after a casual chat with Gao Fei and dismissing others.
"Mr. Gao, how much do you know about Zero Degree Film and Television?"
"Not much! Although Zero Degree Film and Television is registered in Dragon Country, I know very little about them."
Hearing Leons mention Zero Degree Film and Television, Gao Fei couldn't help but ask curiously, "By the way, Zero Degree Film and Television was the first to invite Mr. Hank. Is there a secret behind this?"
"That's correct." Leons leaned in and whispered next to Gao Fei, "Mr. Hank was invited by Zero Degree Film and Television because he received a call from a certain important leader in Gaul Country, which compelled Mr. Hank to engage with Zero Degree Film and Television."
Hearing this news, Gao Fei paused, his gaze rippling. He looked at Leons with confusion and lowered his voice, "Does Mr. Hank suspect that the manipulator behind Zero Degree Film and Television has official backing from Dragon Country?"
"Exactly! Mr. Hank told me privately that someone who can converse with that leader from Gaul Country cannot be just a businessman or an entertainment mogul. It's likely someone from the upper echelons of Dragon Country, or a descendant of someone from the upper echelons."
With no outsiders present, Leons directly conveyed Hank's thoughts. Gao Fei nodded thoughtfully. If Zero Degree Film and Television truly had the backing of a high-ranking official from Dragon Country, or was of noble lineage, then Zero Degree Film and Television might quickly rise to become a first-tier film company.
Just as Gao Fei was pondering who the big boss of Zero Degree Film and Television might be, Leons took out his phone and pressed the play button on a video.
"This is..."
"This is a video of Mr. Hank's meeting with Qiao Zheng at the clubhouse last night. To be safe, I secretly record every meeting Mr. Hank has."
Gao Fei took the phone and began to watch the video seriously. However, halfway through, upon hearing Qiao Zheng speak the stiff Dragon Country dialect, he immediately frowned and stated directly, "Leons, I can be sure that this Qiao Zheng is definitely not from Dragon Country."
"How do you know, Mr. Gao?"
"The Dragon Country dialect Qiao Zheng speaks is too stiff; it sounds like it's from a little devil from Sakura Country."
"So, you mean Zero Degree Film and Television might be from Sakura Country?"
"I'm not sure yet, but as long as we follow the trail of Qiao Zheng, the person controlling the company behind the scenes will soon surface."
Leons, with his blond hair and blue eyes, nodded and said, "I've heard about Mr. Gao's influence in Dragon Country. If you can find out, please inform me as soon as possible. Mr. Hank also wants to know who this person is."
"Rest assured, I will notify you immediately if I have any news." Gao Fei replied casually and then paused, narrowing his eyes at Leons. "I recall Mr. Hank already has my private number. Why didn't he contact me directly but sent you to see me secretly? Is there another secret here?"
Being scrutinized, Leons felt uncomfortable. He coughed and explained, "Mr. Hank cannot meet you in person due to your other identity, Mr. Gao."
Upon hearing this veiled hint, Gao Fei chuckled and shook his head. "You dare not meet me because of my identity as the chief engineer of the navigation system?"
"Yes!" Leons nodded, and then continued, "Mr. Gao, your identity is too sensitive, and China's civilian navigation system is directly leading the world. Many countries are now eyeing this navigation system. Therefore, if Mr. Hank were to meet with you, and the news leaked out, we would face political threats. Please understand."
"So, you mean I not only have no opportunity to cooperate with Hank now, but even meeting him is difficult?"
"That's essentially what it means. However, in a place like Dragon Country, if Mr. Gao makes the necessary arrangements, Mr. Hank and you will surely have the chance to meet and discuss cooperation."
"Understood. Tell Hank that I will meet him in the next couple of days."
"Okay!"
After they chatted about some international affairs, Leons put on his hat and sunglasses and left.
In the reception room.
Gao Fei leaned back in his chair, spinning a pen. Jin Qiqi, who entered the room, saw his preoccupied look and curiously asked, "Boss, it's just a meeting with Hank's assistant. Why are you hesitating?"
"Sister Jin, I might... not be able to compete in the Oca Night in the United States."
"What happened?" Jin Qiqi looked surprised. She knew very well how much effort Gao Fei had put into competing in Oca Night, fulfilling the bold promise he made at the Jiada Film Festival, and had made many preparations in private. Discovering now that he couldn't compete made her both shocked and confused.
Gao Fei sighed, leaning back in his chair, and roughly recounted his conversation with Leons. After listening, Jin Qiqi frowned. "You mean, if you want to compete in Oca Night, you might face threats from the United States, and the reason is your identity as the chief engineer of the navigation system?"
"Yes!" Gao Fei exhaled and chuckled. "According to Leons, led by the United States, many countries have suppressed the announcement of Dragon Country's civilian navigation system on various social media platforms. Because our civilian navigation system was released early, it would shake the United States' hegemonic position. As the chief engineer, if any film I direct goes abroad, it will surely be suppressed by the United States."
"Is there a solution?" Jin Qiqi sighed and asked helplessly.
"There's a rough plan, but I need to have a secret meeting with Hank first." Gao Fei's eyes flashed with brilliance. Facing potential suppression and annihilation by the United States, he felt an even greater urge to break through. Jin Qiqi looked at his confident demeanor and couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief. Because she understood Gao Fei very well, he never did anything without certainty.
Just as Gao Fei was planning how to deal with the future suppression, Zero Degree Film and Television, after greatly improving its public image, was also preparing for its second phase of action.
(I don't know what's happening, I've had diarrhea all along and feel completely exhausted. I'm only feeling a bit better today.)