Chapter 183: Back

June 30, 1997, 23:59, Xiangjiang Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The British flag slowly descended, the Union Jack waving one last time in the night breeze.

Inside the venue, countless eyes watched this scene; some were silent, some wept, but most were expectant.

When the second hand swept past twelve, July 1, 1997, 0:00—

The flag of Huaxia rose!

"The March of the Volunteers" echoed through the Xiangjiang night sky; on both banks of Victoria Harbour, countless people sang the national anthem, their voices shaking the clouds.

Xiang Fei stood in the crowd, beside him were Zhou Huimin, Leslie Cheung, Jackie Chan, Anita Mui, Andy Lau, Chow Yun-fat... all the actors who participated in "The Battle at Lake Changjin" were present.

"Finally back," Xiang Fei said softly.

Leslie Cheung looked at the waving flag, his eyes slightly red: "Yes, we're home."

Dawn, long queues formed outside major cinemas across Xiangjiang.

"Heard 'The Battle at Lake Changjin' premieres today?"

"Yes, directed by Xiang Dao, starring all Xiangjiang artists, a gift for the return!"

"Must watch!"

The cinema manager stood at the entrance, watching the surging crowd, shouting excitedly into the walkie-talkie: "All halls, screen 'The Battle at Lake Changjin' exclusively, add shows! Add more shows!"

The lights dimmed, the screen lit up.

The three large characters "The Battle at Lake Changjin" appeared, accompanied by a majestic symphony, the scene cutting into a battlefield of ice and snow.

Leslie Cheung, playing Wu Qianli, led the soldiers lying in ambush in the snow, frozen into the "Ice Sculpture Company"; Jackie Chan, playing Mei Sheng, charged enemy tanks clutching an explosive pack; Chow Yun-fat, playing Yu Congrong, shouted amidst a hail of bullets: "For the Motherland!"

In the audience, sobbing rose and fell.

"So tragic..."

"Did these soldiers fight for us like this back then?"

When the movie played the scene where the entire "Ice Sculpture Company" froze to death on the battlefield yet still maintained their combat stances, the whole cinema burst into tears.

The movie ended, the lights came on.

A line of text slowly appeared on the screen:

"Dedicated to the most lovable people's soldiers—Xiangjiang's gift to Huaxia."

The entire audience stood up simultaneously, thunderous applause lasting for a long time.

Someone shouted: "Long live Huaxia!"

Immediately, the entire cinema responded in unison: "Long live Huaxia!"

Evening, Victoria Harbour.

All Xiangjiang artists gathered together, standing on a temporarily built stage.

Xiang Fei took the microphone, his voice slightly choked: "Today is the day Xiangjiang returns to the Motherland, and also the day 'The Battle at Lake Changjin' premieres. This film is a gift from all Xiangjiang filmmakers to the Motherland."

Below, all artists waved the national flag, shouting: "Long live the Motherland!"

"Now," Xiang Fei took a deep breath, "please everyone, sing with us—"

Music started, Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui, Jacky Cheung, Wang Fei, Andy Lau, Chow Yun-fat, Jackie Chan, Zhou Xingxing... all artists stood in a row, singing loudly together:

"I love you, China, I love you, China~"

The audience below joined in singing, the song spreading from Victoria Harbour across all of Xiangjiang.

Night deepened, brilliant fireworks bloomed over Victoria Harbour.

The fireworks formed a giant national flag pattern, illuminating all of Xiangjiang.

Xiang Fei looked at the sky, saying softly: "This day has finally come."

Zhou Huimin tightened her grip on his hand: "Yes, we waited too long."

Leslie Cheung stood aside, smiling: "From now on, Xiangjiang will forever be part of Huaxia."

Jackie Chan raised both arms, shouting into the night sky: "Motherland! We are back!"

That night, Xiangjiang was sleepless.

Inside the cinemas, "The Battle at Lake Changjin" was still screening, every showing packed.

On streets and alleys, people discussed the movie's plot, discussed those soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.

"So the Motherland once protected us like this..."

"From now on, we are also members of Huaxia!"

The singing at Victoria Harbour continued until late night, until the last batch of audience left the cinemas, until the last burst of fireworks dissipated in the night sky.

Xiangjiang has finally come home.