Chapter 177: Travel

At the wrap party for "Megalodon," the champagne tower stood taller than a person.

"One billion!" Han Shanping raised his glass, face flushed, "China's first billion!"

Zhang Weiping slung an arm around Xiang Fei's shoulder: "Xiang Shao, when's your next film shooting? I've already got the funding ready for you!"

Cheng Long squeezed over, still holding half a chicken leg: "I've already thought up the sequel script—title: 'Megalodon 2: Duel of the Two Sharks!'"

Xiang Fei smiled, sipped his wine, waited until the crowd's noise subsided, then set down his cup: "I'm going on a trip."

The entire room fell silent.

"T-travel?" Jia Jingwen nearly dropped her champagne glass.

Wang Zhonglei stared wide-eyed: "Now? The box office just broke one billion!"

Xiang Fei shrugged: "Yeah. When I come back, I'll see if any director in China can challenge me."

Everyone wanted to argue with Xiang Fei's arrogance, but they had no ground to stand on—he was the director who swept European film festivals and had two films break the hundred-million mark; he had every right to say it. Not just in China—probably not even across all of Asia.

Late at night, on the terrace of Xiang Fei's villa.

"Antarctica?" Zhou Huimin blinked. "You're serious?"

Xiang Fei draped a coat over her shoulders: "Yeah. I'll stay for a while."

"How long is 'a while'?"

"About three years."

Zhou Huimin spat out the red wine she'd just swallowed: "Three years?! What about Yangyang?"

"Send him to Xiangjiang to be raised by Grandpa," Xiang Fei had already planned it. "Aren't you always saying you want to experience a different kind of life?"

Early the next morning, Xiang Fei strolled into the company.

Cai Wen was reviewing a new project proposal, not looking up: "Oh? The boss finally shows up for work?"

"Wen Ge," Xiang Fei plopped himself onto her desk, "I'm going on a trip."

Cai Wen's pen paused, then she slowly lifted her head: "…How long?"

"Three years."

"Pam!" Cai Wen slammed her pen on the desk. "Xiang Shao! Do you know how many investors are lining up to meet you right now?!"

Xiang Fei scratched his ear: "That's exactly why I'm running."

Cai Wen grabbed her file folder to hit him, then sighed and let it drop: "Fine, go! But remember to bring me back souvenirs!"

At the Xiang family's old villa in Shallow Water Bay, Xiangjiang, the house buzzed like it was Chinese New Year.

"Mom, I'm leaving Yangyang with you," Xiang Fei shoved his son into his adoptive mother's arms.

Xiang Tai pinched her grandson's cheek: "Go with peace of mind—we'll finally get to spend quality time with Yangyang!"

Yangyang squirmed and shouted: "Mama! Papa!"

Xiang Yan peeked over his newspaper: "What's so fun about Antarctica? Should I send two bodyguards?"

"No need," Xiang Fei wrapped his arm around Zhou Huimin. "We're planning to experience ordinary life."

The whole family rolled their eyes—like anyone believed that.

At the airport VIP lounge, Cheng Long suddenly burst in wearing sunglasses and a mask.

"Made it just in time!" He shoved a package into Xiang Fei's hands. "Antarctic specialty list!"

Xiang Fei opened it: "How to Tame a Penguin," "Polar Survival Guide," "One Hundred Ways to Cook Seal"…

Zhou Huimin laughed until she couldn't breathe: "Dragon Brother, we're going to live there, not survive in the wilderness!"

Cheng Long clapped Xiang Fei on the shoulder: "Fei, remember to bring me back souvenirs. When will I ever be as carefree as you?"

"Of course I'll bring you something, Dragon Brother. When I come back, let's make a movie together—you write the script, and me and Huimin will star in it, for free, how's that?" Xiang Fei looked at the melancholy Cheng Long; Zhou Huimin nodded beside him.

"Alright, it's a deal—don't you dare back out. I'll be waiting for you," Cheng Long said as he walked out, waving his hand, his figure vanishing.