Chapter 195: Clashing Agendas and Cultural Revelations

The announcement released by Mingsha Tourism must be genuine. I just searched, and it turns out the Ancient Architecture forum actually holds an event every March 31st!

So does that mean the Director Association’s announcement was just wishful thinking?

It has to be!

This is really something!

Absolutely. And the fact that Mingsha’s Ancient Culture Inheritance Forum has piqued my curiosity is even more interesting.

Exactly!

In the past, when Mingsha Tourism built the wooden Tengwang Pavilion and Wudi City, there wasn’t nearly this much fuss. This project is anything but ordinary—I’m really eager to see what eye-catching marvel they come up with this time.

This is one to watch.

I don’t know why, but I’m actually starting to look forward to this cultural forum. The Film Festival always just cycles through the same old stars—nothing new at all.

Yeah! Even if you go, you’ll just be stuck on the outskirts; security wouldn’t even let you see the stars!

So if I had to choose, I’d definitely go check out Mingsha.

Some netizens were discussing Mingsha Tourism’s first two announcements, while others focused on the third.

Mingsha Tourism is really stepping up its game!

Exactly! Unlike those run-of-the-mill film cities that casually throw film festivals, nothing like this would ever be considered—no matter how many small festivals there are.

But the most important part is the next announcement.

The next announcement?

It states that Haofang Culture’s films and Haofang Agency’s artists will no longer participate in the Film Festival! Think about it—if Haofang Culture later produces a blockbuster and their stars become huge, would the festival invite them?

Maybe they would?

No way—they simply won’t show up! Not inviting them means that with Haofang Culture’s heavy influence, the film festival loses all its depth and value.

This is a total fallout!

Yeah, if it were me, I’d go the same route. I never even applied for the Film Festival, yet you still had to trample on Ning An Cultural Tourism!

Haha, I’m dying to see how the Director Association responds!

Wait!

7 PM

As more netizens and the public joined the discussion, Mingsha Tourism’s response quickly hit the top of the entertainment headlines. Even many professionals from the film and entertainment sectors joined the fray.

In the film industry’s eyes, Haofang Culture’s move is a disaster. The film festival’s presence might dwindle until hardly anyone notices it.

This is a huge blow to the entire circle.

After all, this year it was only the Director Association’s turn to host the festival—it doesn’t mean they’re in charge forever.

So,

Some couldn’t stand it any longer and called the Director Association to demand an explanation, maybe even an apology from Mingsha Tourism.

However, these professionals were only calling the Director Association out for their own interests.

At Ning An Cultural Tourism’s Chairman’s Office, President Qi, upon seeing Mingsha Tourism’s announcement, practically jumped for anger.

“This is bullshit!”

While cursing, his rage surged. If Ran Xiangfei were here, he’d have gotten a good beating.

Ever since the Film Festival application process started until the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, Ran Xiangfei had been setting the stage, insisting that Mingsha Tourism was the biggest competitor and that every official needed to be managed.

But what happened? Mingsha Tourism had its own matters—they never even applied for the Film Festival.

Even worse, on the application deadline, Ran Xiangfei called promising a big surprise!

Looking back now—what a crappy surprise. Since Mingsha Tourism didn’t apply, Ning An Cultural Tourism got the opportunity. Imagine if Mingsha had applied—the outcome could have been completely different!

“You bastard!”

The more President Qi thought about it, the angrier he got.

Ran Xiangfei really played him from start to finish this time.

Remembering how Ran Xiangfei tried to reassure him that morning—and all the boastful jabs—he couldn’t take it anymore! This guy could handle failure and even netizen hate, but he wouldn’t stand for being duped by someone he trusted.

“President Qi, please calm down,”

the Deputy Director said from across the desk, hesitating.

“Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down?”

President Qi’s eyes were bloodshot.

No one could understand his state of mind. All he could think about was calling Ran Xiangfei for an explanation.

“President Qi, um…”

“Hand me the phone, I’m calling Ran Xiangfei right now. If he doesn’t explain, we’re canceling this year’s Film Festival altogether!”

Bang! Furious, he pounded his desk and immediately dialed Ran Xiangfei’s number.

“Sorry, the number you dialed is off! My bad.”

But the call wasn’t answered—only a robotic voicemail came through.

“Damn it! Off at a time like this? Fine, Ran Xiangfei, if you’re heartless, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

At that moment, President Qi completely broke down! Little did he know, Ran Xiangfei hadn’t had a chance to answer his call; he was in the office, nervously wiping cold sweat from his forehead, with his phone long switched off.

Simply put,

Too many calls were coming in, so he had no choice but to turn his phone off.

But turning it off didn’t mean no one would try to reach him. Meanwhile, Ding Xiaoping had already taken a seat right across from him.

“Old Ran, is this what you meant by ‘no problem’?”

Ding Xiaoping’s eyes were nearly squinted into slits.

Ran Xiangfei had said he’d post an announcement to explain things this morning, but who would have thought he’d mention Mingsha Tourism in it? Isn’t that just asking for trouble?

“Old Ding, I had no choice back then. Netizens kept asking why we didn’t hand over the venue to Mingsha Tourism—I had to come up with some excuse.”

Ran Xiangfei murmured.

He no longer had the calm demeanor he’d had during that morning call.

“An excuse? Why not just state in the announcement that Mingsha Tourism never applied for the Film Festival? The public and netizens would understand perfectly! Why beat around the bush?”

Ding Xiaoping glared steadily at Ran Xiangfei.

Within just half an hour, he’d received over a dozen calls from leaders of the Television and Actor Associations, all urging him to defuse the situation.

But what could he do?

He was completely at a loss.

“I…”

Ran Xiangfei hesitated.

If not for all the intertwined interests with President Qi, he’d have said it plainly. But letting the other side take over the Film Festival application involved a bit of spin—he couldn’t just state it outright.

He hadn’t expected Mingsha Tourism to be so direct—just a casual mention, and suddenly the issue was laid bare without any concern for face.

“Quick, figure out how to respond to them now!”

Before he could think further, Ding Xiaoping nudged him.

“Old Ding, now, now!”

Ran Xiangfei mumbled a couple of words.

Dingaling. At that very moment, Ding Xiaoping’s phone rang again.

With an exasperated glance at the caller and a stern look at Ran Xiangfei, Ding Xiaoping stepped aside to answer.

“President Ma, hello!”

“Chairman Ding, your Director Association’s tactics are making things extremely difficult for us. Our Actor Association cannot afford to lose the lifeblood provided by Haofang Culture and Haofang Agency—many actors dream of deep cooperation with Haofang Culture in the future!”

“What a mess,”

“Chairman Ma, here’s what’s happening.

After the Spring Festival, the days grew longer, the nights shorter, and the weather warmer.

8 PM

At the Long Kingdom Ancient Architecture Institute’s staff housing, Li Jue and Liu Shan were casually chatting in front of the building.

“They say Xiao Xu’s house is ready, but he still hasn’t moved in.”

Glancing up at the darkened fifth floor opposite, Li Jue remarked wistfully.

With Xu Hao’s current rank and title, it’s hard to imagine he hasn’t been allocated a house in the staff building.

“Exactly! But there’s nothing we can do—he’s been too busy over there to come home.”

Liu Shan nodded in agreement.

“After May, he should be staying in the house for a while.”

After a pause, Liu Shan continued.

On the first day back after the holiday, the Ancient Architecture Institute received documents from higher authorities confirming that the materials submitted before the New Year had been approved.

The Long Kingdom Ancient Architecture Institute will officially begin maintaining the three grand halls in 49 Imperial City and restorative work on parts of the West Sixth Palace’s courtyards at the end of May.

Xu Hao will serve as the team leader, while he, as Deputy Leader, will coordinate alongside.

It’s safe to say that Xu Hao has truly become the backbone of the Ancient Architecture Research Institute. If the Imperial City restoration succeeds, not only will Xu Hao cement his position at the Institute, he’ll also gain significant influence and advisory power in higher-level departments.

“Are you talking about the Imperial City restoration?”

Li Jue stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Yeah!”

“The plan is set. I’m just not sure if Xiao Xu will catch wind of it in time, especially since there’s word of a xianxia drama tentatively scheduled for May!”

You know how it is—knowing Xiao Xu’s personality, the scenes for this drama will definitely be far more elaborate than those at Wudi City or Langya Pavilion.

Li Jue said with concern.

They knew Xu Hao was busy, so unless it was urgent, they wouldn’t disturb him; this was the kind of news you could pick up online.

“Now that the construction is getting better, I’m tempted to visit again.”

Liu Shan nodded in full agreement.

After watching videos of Langya Pavilion’s intricate guest reception designs, they realized that regardless of whether Mingsha hosts the Ancient Culture Inheritance Forum, the matters at the Ancient Architecture Institute were almost set in stone—the only uncertainty was whether the title of Mingsha Ancient City could be secured.

“Me too! By the way, Old Liu, did you see Mingsha Tourism’s announcement today?”

At that, Li Jue suddenly thought of something and asked,

“Are you referring to that statement?”

Liu Shan furrowed his brow.

“Yeah.”

Li Jue nodded.

“I saw it. Some associations are so mired in internal chaos that without a serious overhaul, things just can’t continue. But that aside… I’m even more intrigued by what Xiao Xu is renovating this time. I have no idea what he’s up to!”

Liu Shan glanced at Li Jue.

“That’s right. Last time, I called him to stress the importance of this cultural forum—and the buzz it stirred was off the charts.”