Chapter 97: Divergence and Touching Moments

In the conference room on the top floor of the Wing Shing Building, a fierce discussion concerning the future was underway.

"The Mainland? Going to the Mainland to make movies now? Ah Fei, have you been carried away by the success of Titanic?" Xiang Sheng slammed the table, splashing tea from his cup.

Xiang Fei calmly organized the documents in his hands: "Little Uncle, the Mainland has a billion people; the market potential is enormous. With reform and opening-up underway, now is the perfect time for us to establish a presence."

Xiang Qiang frowned and interjected: "But the average monthly income on the Mainland is less than 100 HKD! Who would spend several dollars to watch a movie?"

"Yes, Ah Fei," Lady Xiang, Chen Lan, said gently yet firmly, "we have just secured our footing in Xiangjiang; we should consolidate the local market first."

Xiang Fei stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, and pointed north: "Look at Shenzhen. Three years ago it was a fishing village; now it is filled with high-rises. The Mainland's development speed will exceed everyone's imagination."

"That still doesn't mean we should risk the company's money!" Xiang Sheng declared decisively. "The profits from Titanic should first be invested in a few comedy films guaranteed to earn returns."

The conference room fell silent. Xiang Fei took a deep breath: "In that case, I will fund the opening of a branch office in the Mainland myself."

"You!" Xiang Qiang jumped to his feet. "Ah Fei, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Xiang Fei shook his head: "Uncle Qiang, Wing Shing will always be our Wing Shing. I simply wish to pave an additional path for the future."

Lady Xiang sighed: "Ah Fei, please reconsider..."

"I have already considered it thoroughly." Xiang Fei gathered his documents, turned, and left the conference room, leaving the three of them staring at each other in bewilderment.

That evening, at the Repulse Bay villa.

"What's wrong? Did the talks not go smoothly?" Zhou Zhou Huimin handed Xiang Fei a cup of hot tea, observing his gloomy expression.

Xiang Fei shook his head and recounted the details of the meeting to her one by one.

Zhou Zhou Huimin said nothing, took a bank card from a drawer, and pushed it toward Xiang Fei: "There are 80 million HKD here, my entire savings from these years. Take it and use it."

"Ah Min..." Xiang Fei's voice choked with emotion, "It's not that I lack funds, it's just..."

"I know you have money." Zhou Zhou Huimin gently interrupted him. "But this is our future together, and I want to contribute my share."

Xiang Fei's eyes instantly turned red. He tightly grasped Zhou Zhou Huimin's hand but could not speak.

"Silly," Zhou Zhou Huimin laughed softly as she wiped the tears from the corner of his eye. "You worked so desperately when filming Titanic; why have you become so sentimental now?"

Xiang Fei took a deep breath: "Ah Min, thank you. With your support, I will definitely succeed in developing the Mainland market."

"I believe in you," Zhou Zhou Huimin said firmly. "Just as I believed Titanic would surely succeed."

One week later, at the Beijing Hotel.

"Mr. Xiang, I have long admired your name!" Han Han Shanping, the director of Beiyingchang, warmly shook Xiang Fei's hand. "We have all heard about Titanic's performance in Xiangjiang."

Xiang Fei smiled modestly: "The Mainland market is even larger; I hope to cooperate with your factory to jointly develop it."

The negotiations proceeded very smoothly. That evening, Xiang Fei called Zhou Zhou Huimin from the hotel:

"Ah Min, it's done! Beiyingchang is willing to provide filming locations and equipment, while we handle the funding and technology."

From the other end of the line came Zhou Zhou Huimin's joyful voice: "That's wonderful! I knew you could do it!"

"However..." Xiang Fei's voice lowered, "I may need to stay here for several months..."

"It doesn't matter," Zhou Zhou Huimin said gently. "I will fly over to see you often. Remember, I will always support you."

Hanging up the phone, Xiang Fei stood by the window, gazing at the heavy traffic on Changanjie. He knew this was not only a turning point in his career but also a new starting point for Chinese-language cinema. The Wing Shing vessel, this giant ship of the East, was carrying his dreams toward the vaster Mainland market.