Chapter 155: Press Conference

Peninsula Hotel, Xiangjiang, the press conference venue was packed.

Xiang Fei stood on the stage in a crisp suit, with Zhou Huimin and Zhang Guorong beside him. Flashbulbs kept flashing, and reporters held recording pens, waiting for this sudden press conference to reveal the mystery.

"Thank you all media friends for coming." Xiang Fei's voice was steady. "Today, we officially announce that *The Mortician* has been shortlisted for the main competition unit of the 49th Venice Film Festival."

The audience was in an uproar.

"Director Xiang, why did you choose to announce it at this time?" a reporter wearing glasses asked first.

Xiang Fei smiled slightly: "Art needs the right timing, and today is that timing."

Zhang Guorong took the microphone: "It is my honor to participate in such a work. Thank you to Director Xiang Fei for his trust."

Zhou Huimin gently held Xiang Fei's hand, silently conveying support.

Just then, a thin, tall man suddenly stood up in the back row: "Director Xiang, there are reports that you are using Yongsheng Film to launder money. How do you respond to this?"

The whole venue went quiet instantly.

Xiang Fei's gaze turned cold, looking directly at the reporter: "This gentleman, which media outlet are you from?"

"*Star Weekly* reporter, Li Zhiming." The other party did not back down.

Xiang Fei sneered: "*Star Weekly*? I remember your publication was ordered to pay 3 million in damages for defamation last month."

A few light laughs sounded from the audience.

Li Zhiming's face changed slightly, but he still said toughly: "Please answer my question directly!"

Zhang Guorong suddenly spoke: "This friend, today is a press conference for artistic creation, not a courtroom. If there are false reports, we will naturally solve them through legal channels."

Zhou Huimin also said softly: "I hope everyone will focus on the movie itself, this is the hard work of all the creative staff."

Xiang Fei took the topic smoothly: "*The Mortician* tells the story of respect for life, and I believe the Venice judges saw this. As for other groundless talk..." He paused, "My lawyer will handle it."

After the press conference, Xiang Fei just returned to the backstage when his mobile phone rang.

"Young Master Xiang, it's clear." The person on the other end of the phone was Xiang Sheng's confidant, A-Yong. "*Star Weekly* is funded by the Chen family, Old Ghost Chen just had dinner with 'it's' people last week."

Xiang Fei's eyes froze: "Sure enough. Keep watching, I want to know their next move."

After hanging up, Zhang Guorong asked worriedly: "Is it very troublesome?"

"Just clowns." Xiang Fei straightened his tie. "Brother, you fly to Italy tomorrow, and Huimin and I will go over after handling things here."

Zhou Huimin held his hand: "We will face it together."

Late at night, the old Xiang family residence was brightly lit.

Old Master Xiang sat in the first seat, with Xiang Yan, Xiang Qiang, and Xiang Sheng sitting on both sides. Xiang Fei stood by the window, holding half a glass of whiskey.

"Old Ghost Chen is looking for death!" Xiang Sheng smashed his fist on the table. "If it weren't for our mercy back then, he would have sunk to the bottom of the sea long ago!"

Xiang Qiang frowned: "Now is not the time to use force. 'it' is weak, but its remaining power is still there. The Chen family is just a mad dog, and to beat a dog, you have to look at the owner."

The old master spoke slowly: "Ah Fei, what do you think?"

Xiang Fei turned around, a flash of sharpness in his eyes: "Grandpa, I want to use force to fight force."

"Oh?" The old master became interested.

"Isn't the Chen family playing media war?" Xiang Fei sneered. "Then I'll play a big one with them."

The next day, *Oriental Daily* published an exclusive news on the front page: *Yongsheng Group will invest one billion to build an Asian Film Fund*.

At the same time, TVB noon news broadcast an exclusive interview with famous director Li Hanxiang: "*The Mortician* is a major breakthrough in Chinese-language film, and the suppression of Director Xiang Fei's talent is obvious to all."

Even more fatal was that in the afternoon, the Securities and Futures Commission suddenly announced an investigation into the Chen family's listed companies, citing "suspected illegal capital operations."

Yongsheng Film office, Zhang Min knocked on Xiang Sheng's door anxiously.

"Come in."

Zhang Min walked in: "Ah Sheng, I... I want to withdraw from the filming of the new play."

Xiang Sheng squinted his eyes: "Why?"

"Young Master Chen came to me last night..." Zhang Min's voice trembled. "He said if I don't cooperate, he will publish those photos..."

Xiang Sheng stood up abruptly: "This bastard!" He took a deep breath. "Ah Min, don't be afraid. I'll handle this matter."

Zhang Min was tearful: "But..."

"No buts." Xiang Sheng picked up his coat. "You go home and rest first, remember, from now on, don't answer any strange calls."

Just as Xiang Fei was about to leave the company, the secretary suddenly reported: "Mr. Xiang, Mr. Lin Jianyue is here to visit."

Xiang Fei raised his eyebrows: "Please let him in."

Lin Jianyue walked in, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, and went straight to the point: "Mr. Xiang, my father asked me to bring a message: The Lin family is willing to cooperate on the film fund project."

Xiang Fei's heart moved: "Uncle Lin is so optimistic about this project?"

"I won't speak in riddles." Lin Jianyue lowered his voice. "The Chen family has been too arrogant these years, it's time for someone to teach them a lesson."

Xiang Fei smiled: "Thank Uncle Lin for me. However..." he said meaningfully, "this matter might involve 'it'."

Lin Jianyue didn't care: "When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter, everyone understands this truth."

Repulse Bay villa, after Zhou Huimin coaxed Yangyang to sleep, she found Xiang Fei standing on the balcony smoking.

"Smoke less." She took the cigarette from her husband's hand. "Things aren't going well?"

Xiang Fei shook his head: "Smoother than expected. Just..." he sighed, "I'm sorry to involve you in these rights and wrongs."

Zhou Huimin leaned on his shoulder: "Silly, we are husband and wife."

The night wind blew, and she said softly: "Actually, I'm a little scared. When I went to find Sister Mei today, I felt someone was following us."

Xiang Fei's body stiffened: "When did this happen?"

"Just this afternoon. But A-Yong and the others stopped them quickly."

Xiang Fei immediately dialed the phone: "A-Yong, send more people to protect the wife and young master. Also, check who sent the people following us today."

The next morning, as soon as Xiang Fei entered the office, Xiang Sheng hurried over: "It's clear, the one following Huimin is Old Ghost Chen's man. And..."

He handed over a document: "Old Ghost Chen secretly met with 'it's' second butler last night."

Xiang Fei flipped through the document, his face getting colder: "Looks like they want to fight to the end."

"What should we do?" Xiang Sheng asked.

Xiang Fei pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Since you want to play, let's play a ruthless one. Contact *Ming Pao*, I want to break a bigger story."

In the afternoon, *Ming Pao* special extra shocked the whole city: *Well-known entrepreneur suspected of organizing prostitution, police have filed a case for investigation*.

Although the article did not name names, various details pointed directly to the Chen family. Even more fatal was the publication of intimate photos of Old Ghost Chen with many women.

Xiang Fei stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of the office, overlooking the night view of Xiangjiang. The phone rang, it was Han Shanping: "Ah Fei, stop while you're ahead."

"Uncle Han, this has just begun." Xiang Fei's tone was calm.

The other end of the phone was silent for a moment: "Be safe."

After hanging up, Xiang Fei turned to Xiang Sheng: "Prepare the plane, we will fly to Venice as a family tomorrow."

"Then here..."

"Don't worry." Xiang Fei sneered. "When we come back from Venice, Xiangjiang will be a different world." ===== CHAPTER 156 =====