Chapter 62: Liberation

Late at night, the Xiang family villa was brightly lit.

"Hahaha!" Xiang Xiang Huaqiang slapped the table and laughed, "Wang Jing, Liu Liu Furong, Zhou Xingxing, and Sun Li's entire team! Fei-zi, that kid, quietly pulled away so many people!"

Xiang Sheng swirled his wine glass, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "Big Brother, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"I said it long ago," Xiang Xiang Huaqiang stood up excitedly, "Fei-zi, that kid, has a future! Now even Shaw Brothers can't keep him!"

The two brothers exchanged glances, simultaneously revealing smiles of assured victory.

"First thing tomorrow morning," Xiang Sheng set down his wine glass, "we'll go to Shaw Brothers to meet Li Guoming."

The next morning, at the headquarters of Shaw Brothers Film Studio.

Xiang Qian pushed open the door to Li Guoming's office, walked calmly to the desk, and placed a document on top of it.

"Director Li, I want to terminate my contract."

Li Guoming was drinking tea when he nearly choked upon hearing this: "What?"

"According to Clause 17 of the contract," Xiang Qian pointed at the document, "I can pay an 80 million breach penalty to terminate the contract early."

Li Guoming put down his teacup, a sneer forming on his face: "Wu Xiangqian, 80 million is no small sum. Can you produce it right now?"

Xiang Qian took a script out of his briefcase and pushed it in front of Li Guoming: "This is the complete script and storyboard for 'Infernal Affairs'; I can use it as collateral."

Li Guoming flipped through the script, his expression gradually changing. As an industry veteran, he immediately recognized the value of this script.

"Director Wu," Li Guoming closed the script, his tone softening, "why make things so awkward? The company can readjust your contract..."

"No need." Xiang Qian cut him off, "Director Li, we both know very well that Shaw Brothers now treats me only as a cash cow."

The office door was suddenly pushed open.

"Mr. Li! Long time no see!"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang's booming voice echoed through the entire room. He and Xiang Sheng strode in, followed by two bodyguards carrying metal cases.

Li Guoming's face changed drastically: "Mr. Xiang? What is the meaning of this..."

Xiang Sheng signaled the bodyguards to place the cases on the desk; with two clicks, the lids sprang open—inside were neatly stacked bundles of thousand-dollar bills.

"Here is 80 million," Xiang Xiang Huaqiang patted the case, "Xiang Qian's breach penalty, down to the last cent."

Cold sweat beaded on Li Guoming's forehead: "Mr. Xiang, shouldn't we discuss this matter further..."

"There's nothing to discuss." Xiang Sheng produced another case and snapped it open, "This is Zhou Zhou Huimin's 80 million breach penalty. 'Longling Mystery Cave' has wrapped filming; she is free as well."

Li Guoming jumped to his feet: "Wu Xiangqian! You planned this all along, didn't you?!"

Xiang Qian smiled slightly: "Director Li, in the business world, each party takes what they need."

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang placed a hand on Xiang Qian's shoulder: "Mr. Li, is Xiang Qian a free man now?"

Li Guoming's face turned iron-green, but looking at the two cases filled with cash on the desk, he finally gritted his teeth and said: "...Shaw Brothers will not obstruct."

"Decisive!" Xiang Xiang Huaqiang laughed loudly, "Then we shall take our leave!"

Xiang Qian took a deep breath of the air of freedom, as if every cell in his body was cheering with joy. He felt a fresh surge of power flow into his body, instantly dispersing the exhaustion of recent times without a trace.

He turned around to face Xiang Xiang Huaqiang and Xiang Sheng, genuine gratitude flowing from his eyes. He slowly bent at the waist, bowing deeply to them, then straightened up and said, "I thank both Mr. Xiangs for saving my life. Had you not stepped in to help, I fear I would have long since perished."

A hint of confusion colored Xiang Qian's voice as he frowned and continued, "I have always been puzzled by this matter. Last time I raided your Xin Yi An hall; by all logic, you should hate me to the bone. So why do you keep helping me?"