141: What? You're not using me, Wang Tianwang, to compose the music, but Lin Pei?
Outside Wang Jing's entertainment company at that moment, a flashy sports car pulled up to the entrance.
Wang Feng smoothed back his slicked-back hair and was about to get out of the car when Xiao Li shyly tugged at him.
"Brother Feng, maybe I should call and ask first?"
"Director Wang's music team only reached out to us briefly; the matter isn't confirmed yet, is it?"
Wang Feng snorted coldly.
"What's the meaning of this? He's the King of Bad Movies; my willingness to help him with music is already giving him a lot of face."
"How could their team possibly end up not wanting to collaborate with me?"
"Hopefully, this new film has some quality, so the hit theme song can propel me to the headlines."
Xiao Li didn't dare to stop him and could only agree.
"Brother Feng is right. Let's go."
The two got out of the car and entered the company.
The receptionist recognized Wang Feng, assumed he had a prior appointment, and directly led them to find Wang Jing.
However, after searching through all the offices on the second floor, they couldn't find Wang Jing anywhere.
Finally, Wang Feng's sharp ears caught some loud noises from the restroom. Going over, he discovered a group of people, including Wang Jing, having an animated discussion inside.
Wang Feng was puzzled and turned to ask the receptionist who had brought them.
"Is your company holding meetings in the restroom?"
"That's quite the heavy taste."
The receptionist was extremely embarrassed and immediately called everyone out.
Everyone had been so engrossed in the conversation earlier that they momentarily forgot they were in a restroom.
If they had continued any longer, Lu Guanting would have finished composing the entire piece based on Lin Pei's humming.
Hearing that someone was looking for him, Wang Jing glanced around and spotted Wang Feng standing in the corridor.
This person seemed to be a mainland singer. Why had he come to his company?
Before he could ask, Xiao Li spoke up first.
"Hello, Director Wang. Regarding the theme song for your new film, our Heavenly King Wang hopes to expedite the process and move the collaboration onto the schedule as soon as possible."
"Originally, Heavenly King Wang's schedule is very tight, but he is very interested in this film and has managed to free up some time to come and discuss it in person."
"Director Wang, when do you think we can sign the contract?"
Wang Jing wasn't aware that Lu Guanting had contacted Wang Feng. But now that the theme song was already finalized, there was no need for another new composition.
"Oh, Mr. Wang, the thing is, the film's theme song has already been decided."
"Perhaps we can collaborate next time?"
Wang Feng frowned.
They had only been in contact a few days ago. How could a film's theme song be finished so quickly?
It would take him a month to compose a piece himself. What kind of quality could something finished in just a few days possibly have?
Lu Guanting was in the corridor, continuing to finalize details with Lin Pei, when he happened to look up and see Wang Feng.
He was also puzzled.
A few days ago, he had only made indirect contact with Wang Feng and hadn't confirmed any collaboration. Why had the man come directly here?
He offered an apologetic smile.
"Teacher Wang, I'm sorry, but our theme song has indeed just been finalized."
"By the way, it's an impromptu piece by this Teacher Lin Pei here. It fits the tone of this film perfectly."
Lin Pei?
Wang Feng's eyes widened. Wasn't this the guy who had dominated the hot searches a few days ago, preventing him from making headlines?
How come he was composing music now too?
An actor whose footwork was better than a National Football Team Member's—could his compositions possibly sound good?
Wang Feng disdainfully shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather pants.
"Oh? Could you all let me have an early taste?"
Lu Guanting looked troubled.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible. The theme song will only be released publicly when the film premieres."
"Please understand, Teacher Wang."
Wang Feng felt a surge of anger.
"A film's theme song is very important; it needs careful polishing and can't be handled so hastily."
"Would you reconsider composing a new one? Because I really like this film, I could do it for you for free."
Wang Jing politely declined again.
"I think Lin Pei's impromptu piece is better than many meticulously composed songs."
"Mainly, it fits the film very well."
"Let's discuss collaboration another time."
After being rejected repeatedly, Wang Feng felt his pride was hurt and couldn't bring himself to stubbornly push further.
Before leaving, he shot Lin Pei a fierce glare.
Lin Pei was baffled. He and this singing king Wang Feng seemed to have never met before. Why was this guy glaring at him with such hostility?
Is this guy sick?
Lu Guanting saw it too.
"Teacher Lin, I don't think you should overthink it."
"Probably Teacher Wang's reading glasses are too thick, making his eyes look a bit stiff and fierce."
Lin Pei had just nodded when he saw Wang Feng, who had reached the staircase ahead, take off his glasses, revealing a pair of eyes that looked even fiercer.
These eyes gave Lin Pei another piercing glare before Wang Feng continued on his way.
???
Lin Pei and Lu Guanting exchanged glances again, realizing it definitely wasn't about the reading glasses.
Lu Guanting said,
"Huh, he really does seem to be glaring at you."
Wang Jing snorted a couple of times.
"He's jealous that all of us are handsomer than him, so he's picking Lin Pei as the representative to glare at."
!!!!
The staff from the music team suddenly felt a complex mix of emotions.
They both wanted to admit they were handsome and didn't want to admit The Director was just as handsome as them.
Lin Pei also wondered: Was Wang Feng really envious and jealous because he was better looking?
That really might be possible.
Why compare anything else? He had to go and compare looks with a man like him, who was about to play the God of Gamblers, Gao Jin, possessing both looks and charisma.
Is he crazy?!
...Downstairs, Wang Feng angrily returned to the car and slammed the door shut with a bang.
"Dammit, is Lin Pei some kind of monkey? Why is an actor constantly jumping into different fields all over the place?"
"Stealing my hot search spots is one thing, but now he's even stealing composing opportunities. How can he be so multi-talented? Look at him showing off."
"It's infuriating! How utterly unreasonable!"
His assistant, Xiao Li, quickly tried to calm him down.
"Brother Feng, calm down."
"That Lin Pei is just a bit more handsome, manly, and charismatic."
"When it comes to musical talent, he's definitely far behind you. These people really have no eye for true talent."
"Isn't it just quick composition? Back in Brother Feng's peak days, composing a piece in a few days was nothing."
Wang Feng narrowed his eyes.
It felt like the assistant was praising him, but he didn't feel any better. What was going on?
He gnashed his teeth in resentment.
"Xiao Li, spend money to have paparazzi keep an eye on Lin Pei."
"I refuse to believe that an actor in the entertainment industry doesn't have a single scandal that can be photographed."
"Doesn't he love being on the hot searches? Once we get some news, we'll expose it and let him have his fill of headlines."
Xiao Li nodded.
"Don't worry, Brother Feng. I'll handle this."
...In the afternoon, Lin Pei and Wang Jing signed the contract. Because the journey back was long, Lin Pei politely declined The Director's invitation to dinner.
As he was preparing to go home, he received a call from Restraint of Arrogance.
"Master, my martial brother and I will be filming the new show with you."
Lin Pei cleared his ears and shook his head vigorously.
"No need, I'm fine filming by myself."
"Besides, our Film Crew probably doesn't need any martial arts directors."
God knows how much Restraint of Arrogance and Monk would bicker around him—eight hundred arguments a day, making his head buzz every day.
And now they wanted to join him this time too? Absolutely not!