Chapter 181: It

Xiang Fei pushed open the heavy door of the Yongsheng Film Conference Room; outside the window, a torrential rain battered the glass, as if foreshadowing something. Xiang Qiang was flipping through documents, Xiang Sheng stood by the floor-to-ceiling window holding a cup of coffee, and Xiang Tai was bent over, writing something.

"Ah Fei?" Xiang Qiang looked up, his brows furrowing slightly, "You're here so late; what's wrong?"

Xiang Fei did not answer immediately; he walked to the conference table and placed a document upon it.

"I want to make a movie." His voice was very calm, but his eyes were unusually determined.

Xiang Sheng set down his coffee cup and let out a light chuckle: "Don't you want to make a movie every day?"

"This time is different." Xiang Fei took a deep breath, "It's not for the box office, nor for making money."

Xiang Tai stopped writing, looked up at him, and asked, "Then what is it for?"

Xiang Fei fell silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "'It' is leaving."

The conference room instantly fell silent, with only the sound of rain tapping against the windows remaining.

Xiang Qiang and Xiang Sheng exchanged a glance; they understood what "It" referred to in Xiang Fei's words—the times were changing, Xiangjiang was about to return, and some things would inevitably become history.

"What do you want to film?" Xiang Qiang asked in a deep voice.

"A movie dedicated to Huaxia." Xiang Fei's gaze swept over the three of them, "A movie that makes everyone remember that Xiangjiang is forever a part of Huaxia."

Xiang Qiang fell silent for a few seconds, then suddenly slammed the table: "Film it! Yongsheng will fully support it."

Xiang Sheng's eyes lit up: "Best to get all the actors and singers in Xiangjiang to perform together; the lineup must be unprecedented!"

Xiang Tai had already picked up the phone: "I'll contact Shaw Brothers, Golden Harvest, and Emperor Group to get them to contribute."

Xiang Fei nodded: "Uncle Qiang, this movie must be made even if it loses money."

Xiang Qiang smiled: "Lose money? Yongsheng can afford to lose money."

Xiang Sheng suddenly thought of something: "Ah Fei, do you have any ideas for the script?"

Xiang Fei stood up: "Yes, I'll go back and write it."

Back at home, Xiang Fei sat at his desk and spread out the manuscript paper. Outside the window, the rain had lessened, but the night remained deep.

Zhou Huimin brought a cup of hot tea and asked softly, "Making a new drama?"

"Mm." Xiang Fei rubbed his temples, "A very important movie."

"About what?"

Xiang Fei picked up his pen and wrote three large characters on the paper—The Battle at Lake Changjin.

Afterwards, he added a line of small text below: Celebrating Xiangjiang's Return to Huaxia.

Zhou Huimin looked at the script title, slightly stunned: "A war film?"

Xiang Fei nodded: "The War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the Battle at Lake Changjin."

He paused, then continued: "I want everyone to know that the peace forged by Huaxia soldiers with their flesh and blood will never be forgotten by Xiangjiang."

Three days later, Yongsheng Film convened a conference for all filmmakers in the city.

The conference room was packed—Jackie Chan, Chow Yun-fat, Zhou Xingxing, John Woo, Lin Zhengying, Andy Lau, Liang Chao, Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui, Jacky Cheung, Wang Fei... almost all the top artists of the entire Xiangjiang entertainment industry had arrived.

Xiang Fei stood on the stage, looking around at everyone: "I invited you here today to make a movie together."

Jackie Chan laughed: "Ah Fei's new film? I'm the first to sign up!"

Xiang Fei shook his head: "It's not a commercial film; it might even not make money."

The crowd below exchanged confused glances.

Xiang Fei continued: "This is a movie dedicated to Huaxia, celebrating Xiangjiang's return."

Leslie Cheung raised his hand: "Do you have the script?"

"Yes." Xiang Fei signaled his assistant to distribute the script outline, "The Battle at Lake Changjin, telling the story of the Battle at Lake Changjin in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea."

Anita Mui opened the script and read softly: "The Ice Sculpture Division..."

Andy Lau closed the script and stood up first: "I'll act, no fee."

Chow Yun-fat nodded: "Count me in."

Jackie Chan slammed the table: "For a film like this, we'd make it even without pay!"

Jacky Cheung laughed: "I'm okay at singing, maybe a bit lacking at acting, but playing an extra is no problem!"

John Woo: Ah Fei, Brother Ying and I have discussed it; we'll take your orders.

Wang Fei raised her hand: "I can sing the theme song."

Xiang Fei looked at the passionate actors below, took a deep breath, and bowed: "Thank you, everyone."

Leslie Cheung stepped forward to support Xiang Fei and said, "Ah Fei, you don't need to do this; we are Huaxia people too."

Xiang Tai added from the side: "The filming will be very hard; there will be many scenes in ice and snow."

Zhou Xingxing smiled: "Compared to the warriors at Lake Changjin back then, what is this little hardship for us?"