Chapter 47: Shelter from the Storm

Kowloon Tong, Xin Yi An Teahouse.

Xiang Yan sat in the seat of honor, fingers tapping lightly on the table, his gaze sweeping over the several Xiangjiang triad bosses present.

"Wang Yu has crossed the line this time," he said in a low voice laden with unquestionable authority. "The film industry has its own rules; bringing people from the Bamboo Union to stir up trouble in Xiangjiang is showing no respect to any of you here."

"It's simple," Xiang Yan said with a cold sneer. "Make him understand that Xiangjiang is not Wanwan, not a place where he can do whatever he pleases."

The spokesperson for 14K nodded. "My people are already watching several of his venues; we can move anytime."

The leader of Wo Shing Wo exhaled a ring of smoke. "I hear he's recently been contacting Zhu Zhu Yanping?"

Xiang Yan waved his hand. "Courtesy first, force later. If Wang Yu knows what's good for him, we'll let this matter drop."

The next morning at Shaw Brothers Studio.

"The car is ready." Fang Fang Yihua handed Xiang Qian a set of keys. "Uncle Six arranged it specially; the driver is a retired Flying Tiger."

Sun Li hurried over. "Just received news; Wang Yu's people have already set up surveillance near the airport."

Cheng Long rolled up his sleeves. "Should I call in a few brothers?"

"No need," Xiang Qian shook his head. "Uncle Six has already made all the arrangements."

On the airport highway, a black Mercedes drove smoothly.

"There are cars following us," the driver glanced at the rearview mirror. "Two Toyotas, at least eight men."

Zhou Zhou Huimin nervously grabbed Xiang Qian's hand.

Just then, a silver van suddenly rushed out from a side road, blocking the center of the street!

"Hold on tight!" The driver yanked the steering wheel, the car drifting to avoid the collision.

Seven or eight men in black jumped down from the vehicle wielding clubs, their leader grinning viciously as he hammered on the window: "Director Wu, our boss wants to invite you for tea!" Xiang Qian was just about to step out when—

Suddenly—

"Bang!"

A dull thud rang out, and the leader in black collapsed instantly.

Two men in tracksuits emerged from the shadows, one wielding a telescopic baton, the other cracking his knuckles.

"Three seconds," said the man with the baton.

"Enough," his companion chuckled lightly.

The scene that followed left Xiang Qian dumbfounded—the two men moved like tigers among sheep, and within a mere ten seconds, every man in black lay on the ground groaning in pain!

The man with the baton tapped on the car window. "Young Master Xiang asked me to convey: have a safe journey."

At Beijing Airport, Wang Jing and the staff had been waiting for some time.

"Qianzai! Ah Min!" Wang Jing welcomed them warmly. "The hotel is all arranged, right next to the film and television base."

Zhou Zhou Huimin let out a long sigh of relief. "Finally safe."

Xiang Qian turned to look back toward Xiangjiang, lost in thought. "Wang Yu's reach cannot extend here."

That evening, at the welcome banquet for the crew.

"I hear things in Xiangjiang aren't very peaceful lately?" Wang Jing asked quietly.

Xiang Qian smiled. "That's why filming on the mainland feels most secure."

Just as he spoke, his phone vibrated. A text message from Cheng Long arrived:

"Wang Yu is furious! He's asking around everywhere about the identities of those two men! Zhu Zhu Yanping has already been summoned by him to discuss 'Burning Island'!"

Xiangjiang, Peninsula Hotel VIP private room.

"Director Zhu, the budget for 'Burning Island' has no ceiling!" Wang Yu extinguished his cigar in the ashtray. "I want an all-star cast: Cheng Long, Di Long, Leung Ka-fai; not a single one can be missing!"

Zhu Zhu Yanping wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Mr. Wang, this film's subject matter is sensitive; I'm afraid..."

"Fifty million," Wang Yu interrupted him. "I'll transfer twenty million to your account first."

Seeing Zhu Zhu Yanping still hesitating, Wang Yu suddenly lowered his voice. "I hear your daughter is studying film in Los Angeles? Hollywood certainly doesn't lack accidental mishaps."

The teacup in Zhu Zhu Yanping's hand crashed to the floor with a sharp snap.

One week later, the headline on the entertainment page of the Oriental Daily read:

"Triad Mega-Production! 'Burning Island' Assembles Four Best Actor Winners!"

In the accompanying photo, Wang Yu and Zhu Zhu Yanping stood before a banner reading "Burning Island Production Team," with the figures of Cheng Long, Di Long, Leung Ka-fai, and Hung Kam-po clearly visible behind them.