Chapter 166: Fei Min Restructured

March 1994, Jingcheng, Fei Min Entertainment headquarters.

Xiang Fei stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the city as it was waking. Sunlight streamed through the glass onto him, casting a long, slender silhouette.

"Fei-ge, all the department heads are here." Bai Long pushed the door open and walked in, a stack of documents in his hand.

Xiang Fei turned, took the documents: "Where is Cai Wen?"

"Waiting for you in the conference room."

Xiang Fei nodded, straightened his suit and tie: "Let's go, time to meet everyone."

He pushed open the conference room's big door, and the noisy chatter stopped short. A dozen-plus department heads stood up in unison.

"Good morning, President Xiang!"

Xiang Fei waved a hand to signal everyone to sit, his gaze sweeping over each face: "I called you all here today to announce the company's new organizational structure."

Cai Wen, seated at the rightmost seat of honor, pushed up his glasses: "Fei Min Entertainment has developed to the point where standardized management is needed."

Xiang Fei picked up the thread: "From today, I will serve as company President, Cai Wen as Vice President and General Manager, Ms. Zhou Huimin as Honorary Vice President. When I am not here, Ms. Zhou Huimin holds veto power."

A round of applause rose from below. Li Xin of the Publicity Department whispered to Dong Xiaoming of the Artists Department: "Has Miss Zhou formally joined the company's management?"

Dong Xiaoming winked: "The boss's wife has to hold down the fort, of course, but she won't be coming to the company."

Xiang Fei rapped the table, and the conference room fell silent once more.

"Next, I announce the appointments for each department head."

"Artists Department, Dong Xiaoming."

A middle-aged man with a buzz cut stood and bowed.

"Film and Television Department, Li Kai."

A middle-aged man in black-framed glasses rose and acknowledged the room.

"Publicity Department, Li Xin."

A fashionable young girl smiled and waved.

"Finance Department, Li Mei."

A stern middle-aged woman gave a slight nod.

"Public Relations Department, Li Yi."

A sharply dressed young man stood and adjusted his tie.

"Post-Production Department, Li Tian."

A man with stubble gave a simple, honest smile.

"Creative Department, Li Hao."

A young man in casual clothes flashed a victory sign.

Cai Wen added: "All departments will report directly to the General Manager's office; major decisions require the President's approval."

Xiang Fei walked to the projector and pressed the remote.

"In addition, the company has decided to establish two wholly-owned subsidiaries."

The screen displayed the logos of "Fei Yang Music" and "Min Yang Special Effects."

"Fei Yang Music will have Zhang Yadong as General Manager, responsible for all the company's music business."

Zhang Yadong, seated in a corner, stood and bowed slightly: "Please guide me."

"Min Yang Special Effects Company will have Zhang Hong as General Manager, focused on film and television special effects R&D."

Zhang Hong pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting an excited gleam.

Li Mei of the Finance Department suddenly raised her hand: "President Xiang, the special effects company's budget..."

Xiang Fei cut her off: "An initial investment of fifty million, with additional funds added based on R&D progress."

The conference room erupted in an uproar.

Li Mei stood up directly: "President Xiang, isn't this investment too aggressive? There simply isn't a mature special effects market in the country right now!"

Li Kai of the Film and Television Department chimed in: "Exactly, our 'The Meg' sold just as well using traditional filming methods."

Xiang Fei braced both hands on the conference table: "Have any of you seen 'Jurassic Park'?"

The crowd exchanged uncertain glances.

"Hollywood has already entered the digital special effects era. If we don't catch up now, in five years we won't even be able to see their tail lights."

Cai Wen interjected at the right moment: "Min Yang Special Effects will operate commercially, taking on advertising special effects work during R&D to achieve self-sustaining blood flow."

Zhang Hong added: "We have already reached a technical cooperation agreement with the Beijing Film Studio; the first batch of equipment will arrive next week."

Li Hao of the Creative Department raised his hand: "As Honorary Vice President, what specific business will Miss Zhou be in charge of?"

The corner of Xiang Fei's mouth lifted slightly: "Vice President Zhou has no business duties,."

"Wow!" Li Xin of the Publicity Department's eyes lit up,"

Li Yi of the Public Relations Department keenly seized the point: "Do we need to prepare a press release to announce Miss Zhou's appointment?"

Cai Wen picked up the thread: "No public announcement for now; we'll let it come out naturally when 'The Meg' starts filming."

Xiang Fei took out a thick stack of documents from his briefcase.

"These are your employment contracts and equity agreements. Executives with over five years of service will receive company stock options."

Li Mei of the Finance Department quickly flipped through the contract, suddenly widening her eyes: "Min Yang Special Effects' R&D budget is written into the contract?"

"Black and white on paper." Xiang Fei picked up a fountain pen, "Either sign now, or..."

"I'll sign!" Li Mei snatched the pen and was the first to sign her name.

Seeing this, the others stepped forward one after another to sign. When Zhang Hong finished signing the special effects company's contract, his hands were trembling.

After all the documents were signed, Xiang Fei raised his coffee cup: "From today, Fei Min Entertainment will open a new chapter."

Cai Wen added: "In three months, 'The Meg' will begin filming, and we will attempt digital special effects shots for the first time."

Suddenly, Dong Xiaoming from the Artists Department asked, "Director Xiang, has the lead actress for the new film been decided?"

Xiang Fei gave a mysterious smile: "Not yet."

Li Yi from the PR Department immediately pulled out his phone: "I need to prepare the press release in advance..."

"No rush." Xiang Fei pressed down his phone, "First, let's finalize today's appointment."

The meeting ended, and people drifted out in twos and threes.

Cai Wen called Xiang Fei to a stop: "Does Amin know you split the company name to name the subsidiaries?"

Xiang Fei chuckled lightly: "Fei Yang, Min Yang — taken from our children's names. How could she possibly object?"

In the corridor, Zhang Hong caught up with Zhang Yadong: "Director Zhang, if your Music Department needs MV special effects, you can give us priority!"

Zhang Yadong laughed heartily: "Don't worry, I'll definitely save the toughest case for you!"

In the CEO's office, Xiang Fei stood by the window, watching the bustling crowd below. Bai Long walked in: "Fei-ge, long-distance call from Xiangjiang."

Xiang Fei took the phone, and Zhou Huimin's gentle voice came through: "Is everything arranged?"

"Mm," Xiang Fei gazed at the sunlight outside the window, "just waiting for you to come."