Chapter 20: President Huo, You Called the Wrong Number, Didn't You?

Chu Yan pouted in the car, "Bo Fan, if you want to invest in making a movie, I'll just ask my parents to invest for you.

Making a movie that costs a few billion is nothing for our Chu Family; why do you have to find Shiyan so early in the morning?"

Bo Fan replied, "The movie market isn't doing well right now; many films are massive financial flops. But in the past two years, Shixi's investment in two Youzi Film and Television movies made a huge profit. Once Shixi invests in our movie project, we won't have to worry about arranging screenings and promotions at theaters."

Chu Yan looked at Bo Fan, "Bo Fan, I don't want you to humble yourself and beg others. Wouldn't it be better if we just didn't make movies? After all, Fan Yan has already made a stable place in the entertainment industry."

Bo Fan pinched the bridge of his nose, "Michen is about to go public, with an estimated market value of a hundred billion. These past two years, Fan Yan has faced a cold spell in the film and television industry, with continually disappointing revenue. We urgently need these two big investment movies to succeed, to vindicate Fan Yan..."

The failure of oneself was terrifying enough, but the success of a brother was even more distressing.

If it were not for Gu Hanchen, but Chu Lin or Yu Qiao, Bo Fan would not be so anxious to make two big-budget movies to prove his capabilities.

Gu Hanchen had always been a wastrel, barely making it into the international class at Jiang University.

Gu Hanchen founded Michen, and nobody in Jiang City believed in him until two years ago when he bought the Lintian Building, which was sold by Bo Family, and renamed it Michen Building.

Gu Hanchen's success undeniably placed a lot of pressure on his peers.

The two movies that Bo Fan was now investing in could be said to be Fan Yan's gambles for a turnaround, and he couldn't afford to invest all of Fan Yan's liquid assets into them.

Seeking investment from the Chu Family was not his preference either, for one, the Chu Family was a traditional energy company with no connections to the entertainment industry; they could only provide money.

Furthermore, if the movies didn't meet expectations, he would never be able to lift his head in front of Chu Yan again.

But Shixi was different; Shixi's investments were all in the Internet industry, so they could provide not just money but also resources.

Chu Yan pouted, "Michen is about to go public, but it's not certain whether it will ring the bell successfully; Fan Yan is already public.

Bo Fan, if you need it, I can call my parents right now. It's not like Shiyan is the only person in the world who can invest in you; why do you have to come here early in the morning and beg Shiyan like a beggar!"

Bo Fan frowned, "Chu Yan! Shiyan's investment would be the optimal solution for Fan Yan."

Chu Yan also realized her words were inappropriate, so she wrapped her arms around Bo Fan's arm, "I just feel bad for you. Wake me up early tomorrow, and I'll come with you to wait for Shiyan."

…

On the second-highest floor of the Shiyi Hotel.

Yuan Xi slowly opened her eyes and fumbled for her phone, which she realized had been turned off at some point, and the alarm had not sounded.

It was already 8:30 in the morning.

Yuan Xi glanced at the messages in her phone and felt she was wearing a man's silk shirt when she got up. She vaguely remembered falling asleep while wearing a bathrobe.

So, had Shiyan changed her clothes?

Yuan Xi saw that Shiyan was sleeping soundly next to her, carefully got out of bed, went to the bathroom, and changed into her own clothes.

She left the room without disturbing Shiyan.

Michen Building was just a little over a kilometer away from Shiyi Hotel, so Yuan Xi decided to walk there.

As soon as Yuan Xi reached the hotel lobby, she saw a familiar Rolls-Royce, Bo Fan's car.

Chu Yan inside the car saw Yuan Xi and got out, saying, "Sister, were you staying at the hotel yesterday? You should have said so earlier; I would have had my parents book a room for you. The presidential suite here is much more spacious and comfortable than regular rooms."

Bo Fan also came up to greet her, "Yuan Xi, good morning."

Yuan Xi smiled lightly, "Good morning; I'm off to work."

"Wait," Bo Fan looked at Yuan Xi, "You've met Shiyan, haven't you?"

Yuan Xi paused slightly, "Mhm."

Bo Fan handed her his phone, "Could you see if Shiyan is among these people?"

Yuan Xi looked at all the clients that came out of the hotel early in the morning, captured by Bo Fan.

Yuan Xi shook her head without looking closely, "President Huo isn't here. Did you need him for something? I can pass on a message."

Chu Yan repeatedly said, "I need to discuss some business cooperation with President Huo."

Chu Yan didn't want Yuan Xi to think they had come so early to seek investment from Huo Shiyuan because Fan Yan was only experiencing the winter season in film and television; it wasn't that they were unsuccessful.

Bo Fan looked at Yuan Xi, "Yuan Xi, do you have a photo of President Huo?"

Yuan Xi thought about it and realized she did have one; it was on their marriage certificate.

But officially, Gu Hanchen had told her not to disclose President Huo's identity.

Privately, Yuan Xi also didn't want to reveal Huo Shiyuan's identity. After all, they were "family" now. If Fan Yan was seeking investment from Shixi, it would be difficult for Huo Shiyuan to refuse, but Yuan Xi didn't want Chu Yan to owe Huo Shiyuan a favor.

They might be married, but they aren't close.

Yuan Xi said, "Sorry, I do have a photo, but I can't give it to you. Mr. Gu has instructed me not to reveal President Huo's whereabouts. I need to start work now, so I have to go."

Chu Yan snorted softly as she watched Yuan Xi's retreating figure, "Knowing Huo Shiyuan has really gotten to her head, and she's even saying she can't give us a photo of Huo Shiyuan.

Our movie will definitely be a box office hit. If President Huo finds out that she missed out on such a good project because of her, it'd be strange if he doesn't blame her."

Bo Fan continued waiting under the Shiyi Hotel, but after a long wait, she did not see any young man who might be Huo Shiyuan leaving the hotel.

It wasn't until almost noon at twelve o'clock that Chu Yan saw a man exiting the hotel entrance.

Chu Yan nudged Bo Fan in the car, "That's Yuan Xi's husband. Really has the air of a petty bourgeois, leaving just before check-out time, not willing to waste even a little bit of time."

Bo Fan whispered softly, "Yanyan, there's no need to focus on such people, understand?"

Chu Yan nodded and said, "Mmm."

...

Yuan Xi was very busy all morning, her work shift had changed from "007" to eight hours, and there were too many tasks to handle.

As lunchtime approached, seeing a pile of files on the OA and the red dots in her inbox, Yuan Xi regretted requesting not to work overtime.

"Yuan Xi! The Chu Family is holding a welcome back banquet for you tomorrow, why didn't you invite me earlier?"

Gu Hanchen came over with an invitation, "It was Chu Lin who brought it over."

Yuan Xi replied, "You have a meeting tomorrow night."

Gu Hanchen smiled at Yuan Xi, "I will postpone that meeting. I must attend your welcome back banquet to support you! I heard your husband also attended Si Chen's wedding last night. If I had known, I wouldn't have left early. I would have stayed to see what your pretty-faced husband looks like!"

Yuan Xi was busy managing emails.

"Will your pretty-faced husband be at your welcome back banquet tomorrow?"

"Gu Hanchen, stop calling him 'pretty-faced!' He is not a pretty boy."

Gu Hanchen tapped Yuan Xi on the head, "If he's not a pretty-faced guy, then you're just lovestruck, blinded by some village guy. Is it worth giving up your career for him? Do you want to rely on your husband and eat potatoes and tomatoes every day? Even your family's cow has become angular in the shoulders?"

Yuan Xi replied, "I don't plan on giving up my career, I just want a job from nine to five with weekends off, so I can balance work and spending time with my children. And my husband's family doesn't raise cattle..."

Gu Hanchen said, "I must see tomorrow who this pretty-faced guy is that has you so enchanted!"

Yuan Xi's phone rang.

Gu Hanchen glanced at it, noticing the call was from Huo Shiyuan, "Huo Shiyuan? What does he want now? He really has too much free time. With Shixi investing in so many companies, he just has to focus on Michen, right? He might as well just send someone to replace me as the CEO. Answer it."

Gu Hanchen slid the answer button and pressed speakerphone, and Huo Shiyuan's mellow voice came through:

"Come to the garage. I've had the chef make you some sweet and sour ribs."

Gu Hanchen raised an eyebrow, "President Huo, did you dial the wrong number?"