Chapter 66: Chen Lan

Afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the office, where Xiang Fei was bent over reviewing the casting list for "Bus Forty-Four" when a soft knock sounded at the door.

"Ah Fei, busy?" Xiang Xiang Huaqiang pushed the door open, followed by a woman with a capable demeanor.

Xiang Fei looked up, his gaze landing on the woman—Chen Lan, Xiang Xiang Huaqiang's wife, and in this life, his "aunt." He immediately stood, a proper smile gracing his face.

"Uncle Qiang, and this is?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang laughed, pulling Chen Lan forward: "Come, come, let me formally introduce you; this is your aunt, Chen Lan!"

Chen Lan laughed heartily, striding forward to pat Xiang Fei's shoulder: "Aiya, so this is our family's great talent! Ah Qiang praises you daily at home until my ears are about to grow calluses!"

Infected by her straightforward nature, Xiang Fei shook his head with a smile: "Aunt, don't listen to Uncle Qiang's nonsense; I just got lucky."

"What luck? I've read both 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' and 'Infernal Affairs'; the scripts are truly beautiful!" Chen Lan's eyes sparkled. "And those songs you wrote for Ah Min? I hum them all day at home!"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang interjected: "Enough, enough, don't start praising him endlessly the moment you meet." He turned to Xiang Fei: "Your aunt heard you're short on hands here and insisted on coming to see."

Chen Lan glared at Xiang Xiang Huaqiang: "What, can't I show concern for my own nephew?"

Xiang Fei couldn't help but laugh: "Of course you're welcome! I happen to be discussing recruiting artists with Uncle Sheng this afternoon; would you like to join us, Aunt?"

Half an hour later, in the conference room of Wing Shing Pictures, the four sat around a table.

Chewing on a cigar, Xiang Sheng flipped through the list in his hand: "Currently, the company has only three signed artists: Zhou Zhou Huimin, Liu Liu Furong, and Zhou Zhou Xingchi; indeed, far too few."

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang tapped the table: "We only have Wang Jing and Chen Chen Kexin as directors; simply not enough."

Chen Lan suddenly spoke up: "I actually know a few promising talents." She pulled a stack of documents from her bag: "This model named Li Li Jiaxin has a very unique aura; and Zhang Zhang Jiahui, though just debuting, possesses solid acting skills."

Xiang Fei took the documents, his eyes lighting up—Li Li Jiaxin and Zhang Zhang Jiahui, both future award-winning actors! Suppressing his excitement, he remarked calmly: "Aunt has a sharp eye; these two are indeed excellent."

Xiang Sheng leaned in to look: "Not bad, Sister-in-Law; your connections are even wider than mine!"

Chen Lan lifted her chin proudly: "Of course; by the time I was making my way in the industry, you lot were still playing in the mud!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Xiang Fei wrote several names on the whiteboard: "We need to proceed in two steps: first, sign established artists; second, cultivate new talent."

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang nodded: "I'll handle negotiations for established artists; I know the bosses of Liu Qingyun and Tony Leung Chiu-wai well."

Chen Lan raised her hand: "Leave the female artists to me; I can secure meetings with Joey Wong and others."

Xiang Sheng exhaled a ring of smoke: "As for directors, I'll be responsible for poaching Tsui Hark and Johnnie To."

The meeting lasted until dusk, during which the four detailed a recruitment plan:

-Artists: Xiang Xiang Huaqiang and Chen Lan to leverage their networks to recruit major stars;

-Directors Team: Xiang Sheng to contact renowned directors while simultaneously nurturing emerging talent;

After finalizing the last details, Xiang Xiang Huaqiang stretched: "Alright, that's it for today." He turned to Xiang Fei: "Care to come over for dinner tonight? Your aunt will cook personally."

Chen Lan's eyes lit up: "Yes, yes, let me show off my skills!"

Xiang Fei nodded with a smile: "Then I shall impose on you."

In Xiang Xiang Huaqiang's mansion, the rich aroma of food wafted through the air.

Chen Lan, wearing an apron, busied herself in the kitchen; when Xiang Fei tried to help, she shooed him out: "Go, go, men shouldn't enter the kitchen!"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang pulled him into the living room: "Let your aunt work; she rarely has the mood to cook."

At the dining table, Chen Lan served her signature dishes: braised chicken with abalone, steamed leopard coral grouper, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables with crab meat. Xiang Fei took a bite and praised sincerely: "Aunt, your culinary skills are good enough to open a restaurant!"

Chen Lan proudly placed more food in Xiang Fei's bowl: "If you like it, come often! Look how thin you are; are you working too hard?"

Xiang Sheng teased: "Sister-in-Law, your favoritism is too obvious!"

The four chatted and laughed, enjoying a harmonious atmosphere.

As night fell, Xiang Fei stood on the balcony, gazing out at the night view of Weigang.

Chen Lan walked over and handed him a cup of hot tea: "What are you thinking about?"

Xiang Fei took the teacup and said softly: "I just feel... it's wonderful to have family support."

Chen Lan patted his shoulder: "Silly child, family doesn't speak two different languages." She paused, then added: "By the way, that girl Ah Min is nice; when will you bring her home for a meal?"

Xiang Fei's ears grew hot: "Aunt..."

Chen Lan laughed loudly: "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. Just remember, Wing Shing is our Xiang family's business, but more importantly, it is your dream. We are merely here to build the stage for you!"

A night breeze swept past; Xiang Fei tightened his grip on the teacup, his heart filled with strength.