Chapter 111: Lover Waiting

Beijing Film Studio, 7:30 in the morning.

When Xiang Fei pushed open the door to Han Shanping's office, he unexpectedly found that Han Shanping had already brewed two cups of tea.

"So early?" Xiang Fei raised an eyebrow and casually closed the door behind him.

Han Shanping pointed to the chair opposite: "Sit." He pushed a cup of tea forward, "Just arrived Wuyi Mountain Da Hong Pao."

Xiang Fei took a sip; the tea fragrance bloomed on his tongue: "Good tea."

Han Shanping took a document from the drawer and gently pushed it toward Xiang Fei.

"'Shoplifters' has entered the main competition section of the Berlin Film Festival." Han Shanping spoke in a flat tone, as if discussing the weather.

Xiang Fei's fingers paused on the teacup: "So soon?"

"The film is good, so the process is naturally fast." Han Shanping smiled, "The head of the jury is Claire Denis; she likes this kind of subject matter."

Xiang Fei opened the document and saw the official seals of the National Film Administration and the Berlin Film Festival on the registration form: "You prepared this long ago?"

"From the day I saw the script." Han Shanping leaned back in his chair, "Once selected, who do you plan to bring?"

"Bring the entire creative team." Xiang Fei closed the document. "Han Shanping suddenly changed the subject: "Have you made any moves recently?"

Xiang Fei looked out the window; the morning mist over Beijing was dissipating: "Return to Xiangjiang."

"So urgent?" Han Shanping frowned, "There is still a pile of things waiting for you here."

Xiang Fei turned the teacup in his hand: "Ah Min is waiting for me in Xiangjiang."

Han Shanping snorted: "Just for that?"

"Not only that." Xiang Fei raised his eyes, "To make a patriotic film."

Han Shanping's teacup slammed heavily onto the table: "A political subject? Are you crazy?"

"Not a political film." Xiang Fei shook his head, "It is the story of soldiers."

"Shoot it in Xiangjiang?" Han Shanping narrowed his eyes, "With the current situation?"

Xiang Fei spoke calmly: "It is the right time."

The two stared at each other for a moment; Han Shanping suddenly laughed: "You kid, your courage is getting bigger and bigger."

Han Shanping pulled open the drawer and took out a check: "Beijing Film Studio can invest."

Xiang Fei did not take it: "I want to use funds from Xiangjiang."

"Why?" Han Shanping's face darkened.

"Issues of stance." Xiang Fei looked directly at the old man, "This film needs to remain neutral."

Han Shanping's fingers tapped on the table: "Do you know what this means?"

"I know." Xiang Fei nodded, "Pleasing neither side."

Han Shanping suddenly pushed a business card forward: "Lin Jianyue of Media Asia in Xiangjiang, an old friend of mine."

Xiang Fei took the business card: "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." Han Shanping raised one finger, "Beijing Film Studio wants to be listed as a co-producer."

Xiang Fei smiled: "Agreed, but no interference in the creative process."

"You brat!" Han Shanping laughed and scolded, "After returning from Berlin, bring your fiancée to my home for dinner."

As Xiang Fei stood up to take his leave, Han Shanping suddenly called out to him: "Wait."

The old man took a long, rectangular box from behind the bookshelf: "A gift for you."

Xiang Fei opened the box; it was an old fountain pen: "Montblanc?"

"A limited edition from 1949." Han Shanping said meaningfully, "

When the plane landed, Xiang Fei's phone rang the moment he turned it on.

"Have you arrived?" Zhou Huimin's voice came through the receiver.

Xiang Fei looked at Victoria Harbour outside the window: "We are taxiing."

"I am waiting for you at the exit." Zhou Huimin paused, "My father is here too."

Xiang Fei tightened his grip on the tea box in his hand: "Perfect, I have a gift for him."

In the arrival hall, Zhou Huimin stood among the crowd in a white dress. Beside her was a middle-aged man.

Xiang Fei walked over quickly and bowed first to the middle-aged man: "Hello, Uncle."

Zhou Fu sized up Xiang Fei: "You've lost weight." He took the tea box, and his pupils contracted slightly upon opening it, "Not bad, you still remember..."

Zhou Huimin looked at the two curiously: "What riddle are you playing?"

Xiang Fei took her hand: "We'll talk when we get home."

The three walked toward the parking lot; the sunset stretched their shadows very long. In the distance, the neon lights of Xiangjiang began to turn on one by one.