Chapter 125: Wolf Warrior II

On the ruins of the constructed African battlefield, the smoke of gunpowder had not yet dispersed.

Cheng Long, playing Leng Feng, stood beside a battered armored vehicle, covered in wounds, but his gaze was resolute. He slowly drew from his chest a neatly folded Five-Starred Red Flag, carefully unfurled it, then wrapped it around his arm.

In the distance, sporadic gunfire rang out, but when he raised high the arm wrapped in the national flag and slowly walked through the crossfire zone, soldiers on both sides stopped their actions as if by unspoken agreement.

The camera pulled back; in the setting sun, Cheng Long's figure moved through the ruins, the red flag snapping loudly in the wind.

"Cut! Perfect!" Xiang Fei's voice rang out across the set.

The whole set fell silent for a second, then erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

Cheng Long stood in place, his eyes slightly red, lowered his head to look at the flag on his arm, and said softly: "It was worth it."

Mei Anhua was the first to rush up and threw her arms around him: "Big Brother! You acted brilliantly!"

Zhang Guorong stood beside the monitor, smiling and nodding: "This shot will become a classic."

Hong Jinbao patted Xiang Fei's shoulder: "Ah Fei, this film won't be able to be released until after 1997.

Hearing these words, the once noisy scene instantly fell utterly silent; no one spoke again. Everyone exchanged glances, at a loss for how to respond.

However, after a brief silence, people came back to their senses one by one and began stepping forward on their own to comfort Xiang Fei.

At that night's wrap party, everyone drank themselves silly.

Cheng Long raised his glass, stood on a chair and shouted: "To Ah Fei! To all our brothers!"

Xiang Fei stood up, looked around at everyone, his throat tight: "This film, without you all, simply couldn't have been made. The luckiest thing in my life, Xiang Fei's life, is to have you lot — brothers, sisters."

Mei Anhua jumped onto the table, raising her champagne high: "To Chinese-language cinema! To the Chinese people!"

Glasses clashed, laughter shook the heavens.

Hong Jinbao, drunk and red-faced, threw an arm around Lin Zhengying's shoulder: "Ah Ying, next time we'll play opponents again!"

Lin Zhengying, rarely, broke into a smile: "Sure, as long as you can beat me."

Liu Furong and Zhou Xingchi huddled together, quietly discussing some shot from the film, bursting into laughter from time to time.

Cai Shaofen leaned against Zhou Huimin, grinning: "Min-jie, next time I'll still be your supporting role!"

Zhou Huimin laughed and pinched her cheek: "Cut it out — you're clearly leading-lady material!"

The night deepened, and the banquet gradually dispersed.

Xiang Fei stood on the hotel terrace, gazing at Victoria Harbour in the distance, the clapperboard for "Wolf Warrior 2" clutched in his hand.

Zhou Huimin walked over and gently leaned against his shoulder: "Tired?"

Xiang Fei shook his head and smiled: "Just feel... like it's a dream."

From selling his house to make the film, to a constellation of stars gathering, to today's wrap — along this whole road, he had wagered everything, and everyone had wagered this round with him.

"Will the box office be good?" Zhou Huimin asked softly.

Xiang Fei looked at the clapperboard in his hand and slowly smiled: I reckon it won't be able to be released in Xiangjiang, only on the mainland, but if you don't try, how would you ever know? What do you say, dear?"

Zhou Huimin gazed quietly at the lover before her, a complex surge of emotion welling up in her heart. Over this period, she had clearly sensed his utter exhaustion, as if his entire body had been crushed. She understood his devotion to his film career and his deep feelings for the country, but at the same time she worried he might suffer enormous pressure and trouble on account of it. She knew that whichever path was chosen, it would bring different consequences. Supporting him to press on might pull him deeper into the whirlpool of public opinion; yet urging him to give up seemed to betray the conviction deep in his heart.

Zhou Huimin sighed deeply; she decided to respect his decision. After all, he was a man with his own views and a sense of responsibility — he must have thought it through carefully before making such a choice. Whatever the outcome, she would stay by his side, facing every difficulty and challenge together with him..

The night wind brushed past; the lights of Victoria Harbour remained as brilliant as ever.