Chapter 243: Billion-Dollar Gamble

"Detective Chinatown 2" wrapped up perfectly with a 2 billion box office, and at the celebration banquet, glasses clinked together as entertainment industry bigwigs and stars gathered in one place.

As the leads, Wu Mengda and Duan Long were swarmed by agents from major film and television companies, their wine glasses clinking nonstop, laughter rising and falling.

"Brother Da, how about considering our Huayi for your next film?"

"Mr. Duan, our Enlight has a script that's a perfect fit for you!"

On the other side, Chen Daoming was being pestered by a few bejeweled rich women; he wore a smile, but a hint of helplessness had already crept into his eyes.

"Mr. Chen, I'm hosting a private wine party—would you do me the honor?"

"Mr. Chen, our company is preparing to invest in an art film and would like to invite you as artistic consultant…"

In a corner, Li Bingbing and Zhou Huimin sat together, chatting in low voices.

"Sister Huimin, is Director Xiang putting together a new project lately?" Li Bingbing asked softly.

Zhou Huimin smiled faintly: "Why, interested?"

"I'm just asking…" Li Bingbing took a sip of red wine, her eyes flickering.

Not far away, Zhou Xun and Sun Honglei were chatting animatedly with other actors and directors, laughter nonstop.

And the core of the entire banquet was the table where Xiang Fei sat—Zhang Weiping, Wang Zhongjun, Wang Zhonglei, Han Shanping, several entertainment industry bigwigs sat together, the atmosphere subtle.

Han Shanping set down his wine glass and smiled at Xiang Fei: "A-Fei, the day before the premiere, you mentioned a project…"

The moment he spoke, Zhang Weiping and the Wang brothers' gazes immediately focused over.

Xiang Fei smiled faintly: "That's right, there is one."

"How much is the production budget roughly?" Zhang Weiping asked bluntly.

Xiang Fei paused thoughtfully: "It might be a bit much."

"A-Fei, just spit it out!" Wang Zhonglei laughed. "What kind of scene haven't we few seen?"

Han Shanping nodded as well: "A-Fei, the Beijing Film Studio will support all your production plans—name whatever figure you need."

Zhang Weiping slapped the table: "Right, A-Fei, stop keeping us in suspense!"

Xiang Fei picked up his wine glass and clinked it lightly with everyone; as they tipped their heads back to drink, he tossed out a line offhandedly—

"About 3 billion."

"Pfft—"

"Cough cough cough!"

Zhang Weiping sprayed a mouthful of wine, Wang Zhongjun choked and coughed violently, Han Shanping's hand trembled and his glass nearly dropped to the floor.

"A-Fei, how much? 3 billion?!" Zhang Weiping's eyes went wide.

"A-Fei, each time you go bigger than the last!" Wang Zhonglei laughed bitterly.

Wang Zhongjun wiped his mouth: "A-Fei, if you'd said 200 or 300 million, we few could still grit our teeth and come up with it…"

Xiang Fei's expression was calm: "Uncle Han, Mr. Wang, Mr. Zhang, what I want to shoot this time is the sci-fi blockbuster 'Avatar.'"

"Sci-fi?" Han Shanping frowned slightly, then smiled. "Besides you, no one else would dare touch this subject."

"That's exactly why it's an opportunity." Xiang Fei's gaze was firm. "Have you forgotten 'The Meg'?"

Zhang Weiping shook his head: "A-Fei, 3 billion is no small sum. What if the box office…"

Xiang Fei said lightly, "'Avatar' is no ordinary sci-fi film; it's an epoch-defining work."

Wang Zhongjun deliberated: "Can the technology keep up?"

"Feimin has its own Minyang special effects team," Xiang Fei said. "And Minyang will use the most advanced technology."

Han Shanping narrowed his eyes: "A-Fei, are you serious?"

"I never joke."

The table fell into a brief silence.

Finally, Zhang Weiping sighed: "This matter is too big; I need to go back and think it over."

Wang Zhonglei and Wang Zhongjun nodded as well: "Right, we need to assess the risk."

Han Shanping patted Xiang Fei's shoulder: "A-Fei, the Beijing Film Studio will give full support, but 3 billion… I need to report to my superiors."

Xiang Fei smiled faintly: "Understood."

After the banquet ended, Xiang Fei and Zhou Huimin got into a car.

At the same time, the moment Zhang Weiping got in his car, he dialed: "Call a board meeting immediately, there's something big to discuss!"

In the Wang brothers' car, Wang Zhonglei said in a low voice: "Brother, Xiang Fei is playing too big this time."

Wang Zhongjun narrowed his eyes: "But he's never failed…"

Elsewhere, Han Shanping sat in his car and said to his secretary: "First thing tomorrow morning, arrange a meeting for me with the SARFT leadership."

Three days later, Huayi Brothers headquarters.

Wang Zhongjun set a report on the table: "Sigh, 3 billion! Has Xiang Fei lost his mind?"

Wang Zhonglei shook his head: "He hasn't lost his mind; he's spotted a gap in the market."

"But what if it fails…"

"So we can't go all in." Wang Zhonglei tapped the table. "At most invest 500 million, share the risk."

New Picture Film Industry.

Zhang Weiping stared at the CFO: "How much capital can the company mobilize?"

"At most 300 million; any more would affect other projects."

Zhang Weiping gritted his teeth: "Then 300 million it is!"

Han Shanping stood in the conference room, facing a group of executives: "The 'Avatar' project must be secured!"

"But 3 billion…"

"The Beijing Film Studio puts up 1 billion," Han Shanping said resolutely. "Let the other companies share the rest."

Feimin Pictures, President's Office.

The assistant hurried in: "President Xiang, Huayi has agreed to invest 500 million, New Picture 300 million, and Beijing Film 1 billion."

Xiang Fei nodded: "Still short by 1.2 billion!"