Now, there were a few Hollywood film companies that had offered him roles.
But Wang He didn't agree.
They were all third-tier companies. There wasn't even a second-tier company.
None of them were A-grade or above either.
Wang He didn't want to make an independent movie either.
He needed commercial recognition.
Kidnapping had made him who he was. Now, he needed to consolidate his position.
So, he needed a commercial film that had hope of success.
Chen Zhao's power and connections were clearly a great help.
Wang He obviously didn't want to become enemies with Chen Zhao.
…
In the past, Chen Zhao had thought that the hardest job was being a doctor.
But now, he felt that the hardest job was being a kindergarten teacher.
When Chen Zhao returned home, Portia was already on the verge of breaking down.
Chen Zhao's return was like a beacon of light in a sea of misery for Portia.
"Boss, you're finally back." Portia's face was covered in tears.
"I was only gone for half a day. What happened to you?"
"Half a day? Why do I feel like half a century has passed? "
"Okay, go rest. I'll call you when it's lunchtime." Chen Zhao patted Portia's shoulder.
Portia rolled her eyes. "Boss, I'm not tired anymore."
"Oh, since you're not tired, you can go buy takeout."
"…"
"I'll go rest." Portia found a guest room and laid down. She was really tired.
Chen Zhao changed his clothes and leaned against the yard.
A few kids were playing in the front yard. Some were on the beach.
This was Chen Zhao's favorite state. Doing nothing.
Just then, a car entered Mingyue Villa.
Lola arrived with the three children.
"Hi, Lola."
Chen Zhao went up and kissed her. Then he looked at Vera, Ronnie, and Faith.
"Lola, how come you're free today?"
"Johnny went to Europe and I have to go to Australia tomorrow, so I can't take care of Vera and Ronnie. I could only bring them here."
"What about Faith?"
"Faith said that Vera and Ronnie aren't here and she's alone. After asking Dell, I brought her here too."
"Okay." Chen Zhao shrugged.
The three families were familiar with each other and trusted each other.
They both had children, so it was normal for them to help each other take care of their children.
He didn't know if Portia would go crazy after seeing three more children.
The three boys were already on the beach.
The three of them were no strangers to this place.
"Stay for lunch."
At the dining table, when Portia saw the three extra children, she looked as if she had nothing to live for anymore.
On the other hand, Chen Zhao and Lora were chatting away.
"By the way, is Johnny going to Europe for work?"
"It's about work." Laura nodded: "One of the Ocean Shipping Company's cargo ships has been hijacked in Somali waters, and the Somali pirates are now demanding a ransom of 50 million USD"
"Will Johnny be in danger?" Chen Zhao asked, frowning.
"He won't go to Somalia. Nothing will happen to him."
"I'm fine." Chen Zhao nodded.
Is Somalia a place for people?
He didn't even know when a bullet would be fired from the shadows.
"Where was Johnny's ship hijacked in the Somali waters? I know some pirates. Maybe they can help. "
"You know pirates?" Lora looked at Chen Zhao, surprised.
"You know my job. Pirates have appeared in my patient list before."
"Are you sure that the pirates you know can help? Our biggest problem right now isn't money, but how to ensure the safety of the crew. "
Lora's words weren't just for humanitarian reasons, but for universal values.
It also concerned the future of the Ocean Shipping Company.
If a company couldn't ensure the safety of its employees, it would be very passive.
"I'm not 100% sure, but there's still hope. Even if we have to negotiate, it's better to negotiate with pirates than with Johnny."
Of course, Chen Zhao knew that the Somali pirates were completely different from the pirates in other waters.
Most of the Somali pirates were actually rebels.
Plus, they wouldn't follow the rules, let alone be trustworthy.
Laura hesitated for a moment. "Do you want to give it a try?"
Lora wasn't confident.
Of course, she didn't want Risfar to take the risk.
But Risfar had always been very daring.
Who knew if he would really go to Somalia?
"Give me the cargo ship's information."
After lunch, Lora was about to leave.
"Chen, I'll leave it to you, but don't force yourself. At most, you'll have to pay a ransom. It's not unacceptable for us."
"I understand." Chen Zhao nodded.
After Lora left, Chen Zhao picked up the phone. "Guret, do you have any relationship with the Somali pirates?"
"They're just a bunch of barbarians. Why do you ask?" Guret asked, confused.
"My friend's cargo ship was robbed."
"I'm afraid I can't help you. My people and I are only active in the Pacific. We can't set foot in the Somali waters."
"Okay. Do you have any good suggestions?"
"What do you want?"
"My friend is in the shipping business, after all. Will there be any problems?" Chen Zhao asked.
"Don't worry. Those aren't normal pirates. They're just looking for an opportunity to do something. The power on the sea is at most a few small fishing boats. Next time, as long as we avoid this area and go a few hundred nautical miles, the Somali pirates won't be able to do anything."
…
"Mr. Risfar, it's too risky. You don't have to come here yourself."
"No, I do." Risfar was in the Somali waters at the moment.
He was on a modified armed ship.
Risfar's expression didn't look good.
He wanted to know why his cargo ship had been hijacked.
He had some connections with the local rebel government.
Every year, they would give him a few million dollars for passage.
Thus, his cargo ship often passed by this area. There had never been any danger or hijacking.
A few million dollars wasn't a lot, but it wasn't a small amount either.
If all the ships under his company chose to go around this area, the cost would increase correspondingly.
The price he would have to pay would be ten times more than the few million dollars.
He had to figure out if these pirates and the rebels behind them were still trustworthy and if they could still maintain courtesy.
After all, this wasn't a glorious thing. As the top ocean shipping company in Europe, if such a scandal was exposed, it would be a huge blow to the company's image.
Risfar couldn't tell the negotiation team, so he could only do it himself.
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