Chapter 168

At the CEO's office of Feimin Entertainment, the city lights outside the window were just beginning to glow; Xiang Fei stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, gripping a satellite phone, his knuckles slightly pale. He took a deep breath and dialed the familiar number.

"Duuu—duuu—"

"Hello?" A calm voice came from the other end of the line: Xiang Huaqiang.

"Strong Uncle, it's me, Afei."

"Afei?" Xiang Huaqiang's voice rose noticeably, "Why are you calling so late? What's happened?"

Xiang Fei instinctively straightened his posture: "Nothing's happened—I have a project I'd like to discuss with you."

"Oh? Go on."

"We're preparing to shoot a monster movie, 'Megalodon.' We're still short on funding…"

"How much?" Xiang Huaqiang cut in directly.

This blunt question left Xiang Fei's carefully prepared speech stuck in his throat. He smiled wryly and shook his head—of course, it was still Strong Uncle's style.

"Twenty million national currency, plus 15% promotion in Xiangjiang and Taiwan."

There was a three-second silence on the other end.

"Alright." Xiang Huaqiang's voice remained calm. "Yong will fly over this afternoon to sign the contract."

"Strong Uncle, don't you want to ask about the details…"

"No need." Xiang Huaqiang interrupted.

The dial tone buzzed as the call ended. Xiang Fei gazed out at Chang'an Street, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

That evening at eight, the VIP entrance of the capital airport.

Xiang Fei leaned against his Mercedes, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the car door. Bai Long and Hei Hu stood on either side, glancing occasionally toward the exit.

"Fei Ge, Yong's flight is delayed by half an hour," Bai Long checked his watch.

"Wait a little longer." Xiang Fei pulled out a cigarette pack, about to light up, when his eyes suddenly brightened: "Here he comes!"

At the end of the corridor, a tall man in a black leather jacket and sunglasses strode forward, two assistants trailing behind carrying bags.

"Yong!" Xiang Fei hurried forward to meet him.

Chen Yong yanked off his sunglasses and opened his arms for a firm embrace: "Xiang Shao! Long time no see!"

After they pulled apart, Chen Yong studied Xiang Fei up and down: "Tsk tsk—you've become a big boss in Jingcheng, your aura's completely changed."

"You're teasing me, Yong Ge," Xiang Fei laughed and shook his head. "Let's go back to the company and sign the contract first."

"Why the rush?" Chen Yong slung an arm around Xiang Fei's shoulder. "We haven't seen each other in so long—won't you treat me to a drink first?"

The conference room at Feimin Entertainment was brightly lit.

Cai Wen pushed the prepared contracts in front of Chen Yong: "Yong Ge, please review. This is the investment agreement, this is the distribution rights agreement…"

Chen Yong flipped through them casually, then suddenly looked up: "Xiang Shao, Strong Brother asked me to pass on a message."

"What message?"

"Don't worry about anything else—just make sure it's good," Chen Yong imitated Xiang Huaqiang's tone.

Xiang Fei shook his head with a smile: "Thank him for me—but…" his gaze suddenly sharpened, "this one will only make money, not lose it."

Chen Yong laughed loudly and picked up his pen: "Now that's guts! Where do I sign?"

Cai Wen quickly pointed out several spots: "Here, here, and here need signatures…"

The pen scratched softly across the contract. When the final signature was placed, Cai Wen exhaled deeply: "Done!"

Chen Yong stretched: "Business is done—time to relax now, right?"

By Houhai, the four sat in a private room at an old Beijing hotpot restaurant.

"Here, Yong, try this sesame paste," Hei Hu mixed the dipping sauce.

The copper pot bubbled steadily; Chen Yong picked up a paper-thin slice of lamb, swished it in the broth for three seconds, dipped it in the sesame paste, and put it in his mouth.

"Mmm!" His eyes lit up. "Authentic! Better than those fake Beijing hotpots in Xiangjiang!"

Bai Long quickly added another plate of lamb: "Yong, eat more."

Xiang Fei raised his glass: "Yong Ge, when the movie comes out, tell Strong Uncle I'll go to Xiangjiang myself to invite him to the premiere."

Chen Yong clinked his glass against his: "Then you'd better prepare a victory banquet!" He tossed back the drink in one gulp. "By the way—what's this 'Megalodon' even about?"

"Simply put, scientists discover a prehistoric giant shark in the deep sea," Xiang Fei gestured, "then the shark swims into shallow waters and starts eating people."

"Sounds thrilling!" Chen Yong picked up a piece of frozen tofu. "Is there a female lead? Should I pull some actresses from Yongsheng over?"

Xiang Fei shook his head with a smile: "Not decided yet—we're going global."

"Tsk tsk—you're playing big," Chen Yong clicked his tongue. "Come on, one more round!"

The next morning, the front page of Ming Bao:

"Five Alliances Unite! New Picture, Huayi, Beijing Film Studio, Yongsheng, and Feimin Invest 120 Million to Shoot 'Megalodon'!"

The Oriental Daily devoted its entire front page:

"The Xiang Uncles Join Forces to Create the Largest Investment in Chinese-Language Film History!"

Outside Feimin Entertainment, dozens of media reporters had blocked the entrance completely.

"Mr. Xiang! Isn't a 120-million investment too risky?"

Amid flashing cameras, Xiang Fei stood on the steps, facing the reporters' barrage, and spoke only a few brief words:

"This is the first step for Chinese cinema to reach the world."

He turned and left under the escort of his bodyguards, leaving behind a storm of murmurs.

In the office, Chen Yong watched the news report on TV and shook his head with a smile: "Xiang Shao, you're getting more and more like the Old Man."

Xiang Fei handed him a cup of coffee: "Yong Ge, want to climb the Great Wall today?"

"No way!" Chen Yong waved his hands frantically. "My head's still pounding from last night—let me sleep a little longer…"