Chapter 59: Demon Exploitation

At nine in the morning, Xiang Qian pushed open the door to the Shaw Studios conference room and collided head-on with a dozen scorching gazes.

"Director Xiang, congratulations!" Finance Director Chen Lin Zhiqiang was the first to rise, beaming as he handed over a cup of coffee. "Winner of the Palme d'Or; all of Asia is currently discussing *Parasite*!"

Xiang Qian took the coffee and gave a slight nod. "Thank you."

In the seat of honor, Run Run Shaw was notably absent, replaced by several shareholder representatives. Fang Fang Yihua sat in the corner, her brows slightly furrowed, her fingers tapping incessantly against a file folder.

"Director Wu," Executive Director Li Guoming cleared his throat. "The company has decided to strike while the iron is hot; this year, we are arranging three film scripts and the production of two music albums for you."

The conference room instantly fell silent.

Xiang Qian set down his coffee cup, his voice calm. "Director Li, isn't this workload a bit..."

"Not too much at all!" Marketing Director Liu Meiqi interjected. "You are now the hottest director in Xiangjiang; audience expectations are through the roof!"

Fang Fang Yihua finally spoke. "Director Wu has just completed an international-level work; he needs time to settle..."

"Miss Fang," Li Guoming cut her off, "this is the board's decision."

Xiang Qian's gaze lingered on Fang Fang Yihua's face for a second, catching a flicker of helplessness in her eyes.

After the meeting concluded, Xiang Qian was asked to stay behind alone.

"Director Wu," Li Guoming handed over a contract. "This is the new agreement; the profit-sharing ratio has been increased by five percent."

Xiang Qian flipped through the contract and found the clauses densely packed; one stipulation read, "Shaw Studios holds the right of first refusal for investment in all works produced over the next five years."

"Director Li," Xiang Qian closed the document. "I need time to consider."

"Time waits for no one," Li Guoming said meaningfully. "Audience enthusiasm will fade, and competitors will not wait for you."

Stepping out of the conference room, Xiang Qian encountered Fang Fang Yihua at the corridor corner.

"Let's talk in my office," she whispered.

Once the door to Fang Fang Yihua's office was shut, she immediately sighed. "Mr. Shaw has been unwell recently; company affairs have been handed over to the board of directors."

Leaning against the window, Xiang Qian asked, "So now Li Guoming calls the shots?"

"Not just him." Fang Fang Yihua shook her head. "Several major shareholders want to cash in big on your award." She handed over a report. "This is their planned shooting schedule; they intend to use your scripts to churn out a film every three months, completely disregarding quality."

Xiang Qian scanned it and let out a cold laugh. "Treating me like a money-printing machine?"

"I tried my best to mediate," Fang Fang Yihua said wearily, rubbing her temples. "But before capital, art counts for nothing."

After a moment of silence, Xiang Qian suddenly asked, "Sister Fang, if I were to leave..."

Fang Fang Yihua looked up sharply. "Have you decided?"

"Not yet." Xiang Qian gazed out the window at Weiduoliyagang. "But some things cannot be forced."

For the following week, Xiang Qian unusually cooperated with all of Shaw's arrangements.

He attended the new film press conference, accepted countless interviews, and even began preparing a low-budget comedy—on the surface, completely complying with the company's directives.

"Has Director Wu changed his tune?" crew members whispered among themselves. "He actually agreed to write scripts for such fast-food movies."

Only Fang Fang Yihua knew the truth. Late one night, Xiang Qian quietly came to her office and handed over a thick document envelope.

"This is..."

"The complete scripts and storyboards for *Hail the Judge*, *Once Upon a Time in China V*, and *The New Legend of Shaolin*," Xiang Qian smiled. "Consider it my final gift to Shaw Studios."

Fang Fang Yihua opened the scripts, growing more shocked the further she read. "With this level of quality... why bring these out now?"

Fang Fang Yihua's eyes suddenly turned red. "You planned this all along?"

"Not really. I intended to direct these films myself within the next two years, but now I have no other choice."