Chapter 122: From a Desperate Last Stand to Light at the End of the Tunnel

Xiang Fei slumped exhaustedly on the sofa, his fingers tapping the armrest unconsciously. Suddenly, he felt something hard in the inside pocket of his suit. He pulled it out and saw it was a gold-embossed business card — Lin Jianyue's contact information from Media Asia.

"How did I forget about this..." Xiang Fei sat bolt upright and grabbed the phone on the coffee table.

"Drr... drr..."

"Hello?" Lin Jianyue's voice, slightly drowsy, came from the other end.

"Mr. Lin, this is Xiang Fei. Director Han referred me to contact you..."

"Oh! Xiang Dao!" Lin Jianyue instantly sobered up, "I've long admired your name — returning home in glory from Berlin!"

Xiang Fei got straight to the point: "I have a new project I'd like you to take a look at."

"How about tomorrow? Mandarin Oriental, Central, ten o'clock."

After hanging up, Xiang Fei let out a long breath. Zhou Huimin walked over carrying hot milk: "Any breakthrough?"

"Hopefully." Xiang Fei took the cup, his brow still unrelaxed.

The next day at 9:50 a. m., Xiang Fei was already seated in a corner of the café. The screenplay lay neatly on the table, the title "Wolf Warrior 2" on the cover especially eye-catching.

"Xiang Dao! Sorry to keep you waiting." Lin Jianyue, in a casual suit, walked over with elegant poise.

The two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. After the waiter served coffee, Xiang Fei pushed the screenplay over: "Mr. Lin, please take a look."

Lin Jianyue flipped through the screenplay carefully, his expression gradually turning solemn. Twenty minutes later, he closed the script and sighed softly.

"Xiang Dao, the screenplay is excellent..." Lin Jianyue chose his words carefully, "but Media Asia's current investment direction..."

Xiang Fei cut him off: "Please speak frankly, Mr. Lin."

"The subject matter is too sensitive, the risk is too great." Lin Jianyue spread his hands helplessly, "The current market environment..."

"Understood." Xiang Fei gathered up the screenplay, forcing a smile, "Thank you for taking the time, Mr. Lin."

Lin Jianyue stood up and shook hands: "I hope there's a chance to work together in the future.

Watching Lin Jianyue leave, Xiang Fei stared blankly at his coffee cup. It was only when the waiter came to refill his water that he realized he hadn't taken a single sip.

The sound of the apartment door opening startled Zhou Huimin, who was arranging flowers. She turned her head and saw Xiang Fei's dark expression; the scissors in her hand clattered to the floor.

"Failed again?" she asked softly.

Zhou Huimin walked into the bedroom and came out a moment later holding a passbook: "We still have 5 million."

Xiang Fei looked up sharply: "That's all our savings!"

"Let's sell the Shallow Water Bay house too." Zhou Huimin's tone was calm, "We'll produce it ourselves."

"No!" Xiang Fei stood up, "That's our home!"

"Home?" Zhou Huimin suddenly raised her voice, "You gave up even Yongsheng to make films, and now you care about a house?"

Xiang Fei was left speechless by the question. Zhou Huimin, her eyes red: "If you're going to do it, do it to the end — don't give up halfway!"

At two in the morning, the two sat on the balcony. Xiangjiang's night view was as dazzling as ever.

"Made up your mind?" Zhou Huimin leaned on Xiang Fei's shoulder, "Once we sell the house, we can only rent an apartment."

Xiang Fei gripped her hand: "Scared?"

"Scared of what?" Zhou Huimin laughed lightly, "Worst case, I'll support you."

The next day at noon, Xiao Chen from Centaline Property stared dumbfounded at the celebrity couple before him.

"Mr. Xiang, Mrs. Xiang... you're really selling the Shallow Water Bay villa?"

"Yes, as soon as possible." Xiang Fei handed over the keys, "The price is negotiable."

Xiao Chen swallowed: "At current market rates, probably around 8 million..."

At the accounting firm, the old accountant pushed up his reading glasses: "Including the savings, a total of 13 million. But the budget for 'Wolf Warrior 2'..."

"13 million." Xiang Fei said with iron resolve, "I'll figure out the rest."

The news spread like wildfire. The entertainment headline of Oriental Daily: "Xiang Fei Sells House to Film, No One Dares to Invest in New Movie"

In the cha chaan teng, film industry people buzzed with discussion:

"Crazy! Golden Bear Award-winning director reduced to selling his house?"

"I heard even Yongsheng didn't dare invest..."

"What kind of film is this scary?"

On the third day, Xiang Fei received a call from Jackie Chan: "Ah Fei, I heard you need funding?"

"Brother Long..." Xiang Fei's throat tightened.

"I have a friend in America willing to invest 20 million." Wu Yusen said, "But there's one condition..."

"What condition?"

"I play the lead."

That same afternoon, Wang Jing suddenly showed up: "Fei-ge! Yongsheng is willing to invest 10 million!"

Xiang Fei was shocked: "Does Uncle Qiang know?"

"Mrs. Xiang is sponsoring privately." Wang Jing gave a mysterious wink, "She said... don't embarrass her."

Late at night, Zhou Huimin looked at the recalculated budget sheet: "That's enough, 43 million."

Xiang Fei hugged her from behind: "I'm sorry for dragging you into this risk..."

"Cut it out." Zhou Huimin turned and poked his chest, "Remember to save me a good role."

Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting mottled shadows on the budget sheet. The three characters "Wolf Warrior 2" stood out strikingly in the night. Xiang Fei's film dream, at this moment, was truly in his own hands.