Starting from a Fake University
Chapter 909 - 501: This is totally not cool! (Please subscribe)_2

Chapter 909: Chapter 501: This is totally not cool! (Please subscribe)_2

"Huh?"

When Zhu Youzhao and Su Yangfan saw the office door open and Principal Ding’s robot Big White at the doorway, they quickened their pace and walked over with curiosity.

"Hello."

Big White greeted the two people before him.

These two individuals were in the database of Mist City Arts and Science University’s staff, so even if Big White had never met Director Zhu Youzhao and Director Su Yangfan, it could still recognize their identities.

"You... hello, Big White."

Director Su Yangfan was quickly captivated by Big White and greeted it.

"Big White, is Principal Ding in the office?"

Director Zhu Youzhao asked.

"Principal Ding is on the way back," Big White answered.

"I have heard that Principal Ding’s robot Big White is very artificial intelligence, and seeing it now, I can tell it’s true. This artificial intelligence technology is pretty advanced, isn’t it?"

As a science fiction enthusiast, Su Yangfan was quite surprised and delighted to see real-life artificial intelligence robots that had previously only existed in science fiction movies.

Moreover, Big White was a rather well-known domestic IP animation character.

Most importantly, this well-known domestic IP animation character was created by the Mist City Arts and Science University’s School of Film and Animation!

It must be said that Mist City Arts and Science University was truly impressive.

"It is said that this Big White was created by the Computer Science Department, incorporating cutting-edge technology in its systems and all that, but the specifics, I don’t quite understand," Zhu Youzhao said, shrugging his shoulders.

Just then, Ding Yue arrived upstairs.

"You’re here so soon?"

When Ding Yue reached the top, he saw Director Zhu Youzhao and Director Su Yangfan gazing at his artificial intelligence robot Big White at the entrance of his office.

They had actually arrived before him, which was quite fast considering he hadn’t seen them at the bottom of the Administration Building just before.

"Principal Ding."

Upon seeing Principal Ding, both Zhu Youzhao and Su Yangfan immediately turned around and called out.

"Come in and have a seat."

Ding Yue said, allowing them into his office, then entered the office himself with Big White and his secretary, Wen Ruohan, following him.

Once inside the office, Wen Ruohan said quietly to Big White, "Big White, please serve the tea."

"Okay."

"So, what’s the situation with our ’Wandering Earth’ project?"

Having taken his seat in his office chair, Ding Yue asked calmly.

By now, Ding Yue had seen so much of the university’s various affairs that he had become unflappable.

No matter what the situation,

one must stay level-headed, then solve any problems that arise or, if it’s good news, simply be happy for a while.

After all, with such a vast Mist City Arts and Science University to run and with so many things happening, if Ding Yue fretted over every little problem, he figured he wouldn’t live very long.

"Principal Ding, our film ’Wandering Earth’ is almost at the end of shooting, and the special effects production has started, but we’ve run into some issues with the special effects. We had a partnership with Summer Light Shadow Studio, one of the top special effects studios in the country. Initially, our negotiations went well, but... just two days ago, as ’Wandering Earth’ entered the special effects production phase, Summer Light Shadow Studio held us up."

Director Zhu Youzhao briefly outlined the situation to Principal Ding.

"Held us up?"

Upon hearing this, Ding Yue couldn’t help frowning, "Do you mean what I think you mean?"

Director Su Yangfan nodded and said, "Yes, Principal Ding, the price we initially agreed upon was already quite high, but now Summer Light Shadow Special Effects Studio wants more money."

Well, well!

Ding Yue suddenly understood.

It turned out that the special effects partner for ’Wandering Earth’ was asking for more money at this critical moment.

"How much more?"

Ding Yue asked curiously.

If the increase was not significant, it could be considered; after all, the other party was one of the top special effects studios in the country. Their value was clear, and paying a bit more to ensure the special effects work for ’Wandering Earth’ was reliable seemed reasonable.

Especially for a sci-fi movie like ’Wandering Earth’, where special effects were crucial.

"They want to increase by fifty percent!"

Director Su Yangfan replied.

"That much, are they robbing us?"

Upon hearing this, Ding Yue almost jumped up in shock.

Wasn’t this blatantly trying to rob them, Ding Yue dismissed his earlier thoughts!

Special effects production was already burning through money, the budget for "Wandering Earth"’s special effects was estimated to be at least around one hundred million yuan, now, adding another fifty million yuan onto that, wasn’t this outright robbery?

"Principal Ding, with such a price hike, it’s really difficult for us to accept and make a decision, that’s why we immediately came to report to you, Principal Ding. But it seemed you were not at the school yesterday."

Director Zhu Youzhao sighed and said.

"True, I went to Yancheng yesterday and it did cost a fair amount of money."

Ding Yue nodded in response.

Going to Yancheng yesterday to purchase a domestically produced C919 jumbo jet cost him over two hundred million yuan, but Ding Yue at least thought it was money well spent. Having a C919 could set the path for the development of the Aeronautics and Astronautics Faculty.

The Aeronautics and Astronautics Faculty could also expand design or upgrades based on the C919, and there would certainly be great returns.

But the special effects for "Wandering Earth," which already required an investment of one hundred million yuan or more, now faced a fifty percent price increase—that was excessively steep.

Even Ding Yue found it unacceptable.

And for Summer Light Shadow Special Effects Studio to do this, it was simply unfair.

"Speaking of which, Director Su, where did you find this studio? They’re really not playing fair!"

Ding Yue complained, then asked, "Didn’t you sign a contract initially?"

"Principal Ding, we were planning to sign the contract before the special effects production began. Just before signing, Summer Light Shadow raised their prices. I feel there must be a problem behind this, as such situations have never occurred before," explained Director Su Yangfan.

"Really?"

Upon hearing this, Ding Yue’s brows knitted tightly.

As Director Su Yangfan explained, there indeed seemed to be something suspicious about the situation.

Over the years, Summer Light Shadow Special Effects Studio had never done such a thing as raising prices by fifty percent at the last minute. And now, Mist City Arts and Science University happened to be the first to encounter it.

Could it really be such a coincidence?

"Principal Ding, if we don’t collaborate with Summer Light Shadow now and look for other special effects studios, there will be some delays. The most crucial issue is..."

Director Su Yangfan paused mid-sentence.

"What is it?"

Ding Yue lifted his head and asked Director Su Yangfan.

"The most crucial issue is that we have also contacted other top domestic special effects studios, but their prices are too high," Director Su said helplessly.

"What do you mean? Has the market rate for special effects gone up?" Ding Yue asked.

"Not at all, Director Zhu and I were discussing this on the way here, and it feels as if someone is targeting us," Director Zhu Youzhao replied immediately.

"So how do we resolve this? We definitely need special effects for ’Wandering Earth,’ and only the best will do. What are your suggestions for a solution?" Ding Yue looked to Director Su Yangfan and Director Zhu Youzhao.

Both of them were silent at this point.

Director Su Yangfan even shook his head, and after a long pause said, "If we find a foreign special effects production company, it will be even more expensive."

Director Su Yangfan was right in saying this.

Ding Yue had previously looked into information about this aspect of Parallel World.

The domestic film industry was quite mature and was on par with international standards in terms of visual effects, ensuring that domestic special effects could meet the requirements of large productions, with the key advantage being that they were cheaper than Hollywood.

If they were to switch to a Hollywood visual effects company now, costs would definitely rise.

Although Ding Yue was confident "Wandering Earth" could recoup the investment,

he couldn’t let himself be swindled like this, could he?

"Huh?"

Suddenly, a bold idea flashed through Ding Yue’s mind...