Chapter 115: Shoplifters Selected for Berlin

At seven in the morning, the set of "God of Gamblers" was still shrouded in thin fog. Xiang Fei was discussing today's shot blocking with the cinematographer when his mobile phone suddenly rang.

"Hello?" Xiang Fei picked up casually.

"Ah Fei!" Han Shanping's booming voice came through the phone. "Great news! 'Shoplifters' has been selected for the Berlin Film Festival main competition!"

The storyboard in Xiang Fei's hand dropped to the ground with a slap. "Uncle Han, are you serious?"

"Absolutely true!" Han Shanping could barely contain his excitement. "The jury specifically singled out your directorial skill. The festival opens on the 5th of next month—get your travel plans ready!"

Xiang Fei took a deep breath. "Thank you, Uncle Han! I'll arrange it right away."

After hanging up, Xiang Fei turned around and found Wu Mengda and Li Jiaxin standing behind him at some unknown point, both with eyes wide open.

"Berlin Film Festival?!" Wu Mengda's voice instantly carried across half the set. "Ah Fei, you're going to Berlin?"

Li Jiaxin covered her mouth. "Oh my God! The main competition? Isn't that alongside all those international master directors..."

Before Xiang Fei could answer, Wu Mengda had already thrown his head back and shouted: "Hey! Everyone come over! Big news! Director Xiang's film is in the Berlin Film Festival!"

The set instantly erupted. Zhou Xingxing, who was in the middle of makeup, ran out with half an eyebrow done: "What? Berlin? The one in Germany?"

Yuen Kui even abandoned his martial arts choreography, rushing over in three quick strides: "Ah Fei, is this for real?"

Zeng Zhiwei rolled up in his wheelchair like he was street racing: "Wow! Cannes last year, Berlin this year—Ah Fei's going for the full international grand slam!"

Xiang Fei was surrounded on all sides, questions coming at him from every direction.

"Which film got in?" Wang Jing squeezed to the very front.

"'Shoplifters,'" Xiang Fei explained. "An art-house film shot on the mainland."

Li Jiaxin's eyes lit up: "Will there be a red carpet? I want to see the photos!"

"Wait," Zeng Zhiwei suddenly realized. "Then the filming of 'God of Gamblers'..."

Xiang Fei was already prepared: "I'll go for a week and come right back."

Before noon, the news had already spread throughout the entire Xiangjiang entertainment circle.

"Ring ring—" Xiang Fei's mobile phone kept ringing nonstop.

"Hello? Ming Pao? Yes, selected for the main competition..."

"Oriental Daily? Not accepting interviews for now..."

"TVB? Wait for the official press release..."

Zhou Huimin's call also came in: "Ah Fei! Every TV station is broadcasting your news!"

Xiang Fei gave a wry smile: "I just found out too..."

Suddenly, a commotion rose outside the set. A crew member ran over in a panic: "Bad news! Dozens of reporters are blocking the entrance!"

Xiang Fei straightened his clothes: "Let them in. Can't avoid it."

In an instant, long and short lenses packed the set. Under the flashbulbs, Xiang Fei was pushed up against the casino backdrop.

"Director Xiang! What's the subject matter of 'Shoplifters'?"

"Which actress will you bring to walk the red carpet this time?"

Xiang Fei raised his hand for quiet: "Thank you all for your concern. 'Shoplifters' is a realist work, about..."

"I heard the budget wasn't much?" a reporter suddenly interrupted.

"1.87 million," Xiang Fei said frankly. "Small budget, big heart."

The scene broke into an uproar. Wu Mengda seized the chance to chime in: "Look! This is real talent! Small budget can still break into the international scene!"

The reporters turned to besiege the other actors.

"Da-ge, any thoughts on knowing your director is this amazing?"

Li Jiaxin was pressed: "Will you be jealous if the director brings another actress to walk the red carpet?"

Even Zhou Xingxing got pulled aside: "Xingzai, feeling pressured? Were you involved in Shoplifters?"

Zhou Xingxing stammered: "I wasn't involved in Shoplifters. Director Xiang filmed it on the mainland..."

Seeing the situation, Xiang Fei quickly stepped in to help: "Everyone, 'God of Gamblers' is still filming. Please don't disrupt the schedule."

At three in the afternoon, Xiang Sheng's call came directly to the set.

"Ah Fei! The whole company is going crazy!" Xiang Huasheng's voice was excited, "

Xiang Fei laughed despite himself: "Uncle, it's just a selection..."

"Just?" Xiang Huasheng raised his volume.

Xiang Tai snatched the phone: "Ah Fei, what do you need to prepare? A tuxedo? A PR team?"

"Sister-in-law, don't rush," Xiang Fei soothed her. "The mainland side will arrange things."

No sooner had he hung up than Xiang Qiang's call came in: "Ah Fei! Those old farts at Golden Harvest and Shaw Brothers are green with envy! Hahaha!"

At one in the morning, Xiang Fei finally returned to Shallow Water Bay. Zhou Huimin was still waiting for him.

"Exhausted?" she handed him a hot towel.

Xiang Fei let out a long breath: "More tiring than filming..."

Zhou Huimin turned on the TV. The news was reporting: "... Director Xiang Fei has once again been selected for one of the world's three major international film festivals..."

"Look, you've made history." Zhou Huimin's eyes were shining.

Xiang Fei shook his head: "Just lucky." He took Zhou Huimin's hand. "Come with me to Berlin next week?"

"Me?" Zhou Huimin was surprised.

"Take a few days off," Xiang Fei smiled. "I want to share this moment with you."

Late at night, Xiang Fei stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the lights of Victoria Harbour.

The phone rang again. It was Han Shanping: "Ah Fei, just got word—the jury president especially admires your visual language..."