Chapter 207: Hollywood's Invitation

Manhattan, New York — the Four Seasons Hotel.

The wrap party for *Detective Chinatown 2* was being held in the top-floor banquet hall. Crystal chandeliers cast dazzling light, a champagne tower gleamed at the center of the long table, and cast and crew gathered in clusters to celebrate the successful end of three months of filming.

Xiang Fei stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out over the New York nightscape, a glass of whiskey in hand, his expression relaxed.

"Director Xiang, congratulations on wrapping!" Duan Long walked over and raised his glass.

Xiang Fei smiled and clinked glasses with him: "Hard work."

The two were chatting when his assistant hurried over, looking a little odd: "Director Xiang, downstairs… some uninvited guests have arrived."

Xiang Fei raised an eyebrow: "Who?"

The assistant lowered his voice: "People from Hollywood."

Xiang Fei started, but before he could react, the banquet hall's big doors had already been pushed open.

Several men in sharp suits walked in at the entrance, led by Steven Spielberg.

Close behind were James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, and a few Hollywood producers whose faces Xiang Fei recognized but whose names he couldn't place.

Even more surprising, several A-list actors followed behind — Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio (although he had already appeared in *Tang Tan 2*), Scarlett Johansson, and even Will Shi Misi, among others.

The banquet hall fell silent in an instant; everyone was stunned.

"Aiven, pardon the intrusion." Spielberg walked up with a smile and extended his hand. "We heard *Detective Chinatown 2* had wrapped, so we came specially to offer our congratulations."

After a brief moment of surprise, Xiang Fei quickly regained his composure and reached out to shake his hand: "Mr. Spielberg, I've long admired you."

Cameron also walked over, his smile broad and open: "Aiven, all your films have performed astonishingly well in the Asian market. We've wanted to meet you for a long time."

Nolan was more direct: "I've seen *Titanic*. The narrative pacing and visual language are both outstanding. Any interest in talking collaboration?"

Xiang Fei looked around and found that nearly every major figure in the Hollywood film circle had come.

He smiled without showing anything on his face: "It's an honor that you've all come so far. Why not have a drink first?"

The atmosphere of the banquet grew even more enthusiastic with the addition of the Hollywood contingent.

Tom Cruise, holding a glass of champagne, took the initiative to chat up Xiang Fei: "Xiang, your action-sequence design is very inventive, especially that chase scene in *Tang Tan 1*."

Xiang Fei laughed: "You're too kind. Compared to your practical stunts, we still have a lot to learn."

Elsewhere, Scarlett Johansson was chatting animatedly with Li Bingbing and Zhou Xun.

"Your character designs are so cool," Scarlett marveled. "Kiko and Chen Ying completely shatter the stereotypical image of Asian women in Hollywood."

Li Bingbing smiled: "Thank you. Actually, we're working hard to break through too."

Halfway through the banquet, Spielberg pulled Xiang Fei aside and got straight to the point: "Aiven, the real reason we've come is to formally invite you to join Hollywood."

Xiang Fei raised an eyebrow: "Oh?"

"Warner Bros., Universal, Disney — they're all willing to offer you top-tier resources," Spielberg lowered his voice. "The moment you say yes, your next film — budget, cast, global distribution — none of it will be a problem."

Xiang Fei deliberated for a moment and did not answer immediately.

Cameron also walked over and clapped him on the shoulder: "Aiven, your talent shouldn't be confined to the Asian market. Hollywood needs fresh blood."

Nolan added: "We can give you the greatest creative freedom."

Xiang Fei looked at them and suddenly laughed: "I appreciate the kind intentions of all of you, but this matter… I need to think it over."

As the banquet was drawing to a close, Xiang Fei ran into Will Shi Misi in the hallway on his way to the restroom.

"Hey, Aiven." Will greeted him first. "I hear you haven't accepted their invitation yet?"

Xiang Fei nodded: "It's too sudden. I need time to think."

Will smiled and lowered his voice: "Actually, Hollywood isn't as wonderful as they make it sound."

Xiang Fei looked at him: "What do you mean?"

"What they're after is your box-office draw, especially in the Asian market," Will shrugged. "But once you're in, how much creative autonomy you'll actually have — that's hard to say."

Xiang Fei looked thoughtful: "Thanks for the heads-up."

Will clapped him on the shoulder: "Still, if you really want to break into Hollywood, I can introduce you to some genuinely reliable people."

Xiang Fei smiled: "I'll remember that."

Back in the banquet hall, Xiang Fei found the cast and crew all waiting for him.

Wu Mengda asked with a smile: "Director, what did the bigwigs from Hollywood want to talk to you about?"

Xiang Fei looked around, saw the expectant eyes of Duan Yihong, Li Bingbing, Zhou Xun, Chen Daoming, Sun Honglei, and the others, and suddenly felt a warmth in his heart.

"They want me to go to Hollywood to make films," he said frankly.

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

"That's great news!" Li Bingbing said excitedly. "If Director Xiang breaks into Hollywood, we can all ride his coattails later!"

Zhou Xun, however, frowned slightly: "But Hollywood's creative environment… may not necessarily suit us."

Chen Daoming spoke with composure: "Director Xiang has his own considerations."

Xiang Fei looked at them and suddenly laughed: "Don't worry, I won't abandon you all."

He raised his glass and said loudly: "The *Detective Chinatown* series will continue, and —" he paused, "the next one, we're going to let the whole world see the power of Chinese-language cinema!"

The crowd cheered and raised their glasses one after another.

After the banquet ended, Xiang Fei stood alone at the hotel entrance waiting for his car.

The night breeze blew as he gazed at New York's neon lights, his thoughts adrift.

Hollywood's invitation was indeed tempting. But Will Shi Misi's words had also given him a wake-up call — once he stepped into that circle, many things would no longer be in his own hands.

"Hollywood… maybe one day I'll go, but not now."