Chapter 209: Returning to the Country

Morning light was just breaking over New York's Kennedy Airport.

The core creative team of "Tang Tan 2" was saying their final goodbyes in the VIP lounge. Leonardo DiCaprio had made a special trip to see them off; he wore a dark blue jacket and sunglasses, holding a cup of coffee, looking quite energetic.

"Hey, Aiven, don't forget our deal!" Leonardo patted Xiang Fei's shoulder, emphasizing it half-jokingly, "I'm waiting for the script for 'The Meg 2'!"

Xiang Fei nodded with a smile: "Rest assured, I won't forget."

Leonardo grinned in satisfaction, then lowered his voice: "Seriously, even if it's just one scene, I want to act. You know, I've loved monster movies since I was a kid."

"Alright." Xiang Fei joked.

Leonardo laughed heartily: "Deal!"

Ng Man-tat, standing nearby, chimed in: "Mr. Leonardo, next time you come to Xiangjiang, I'll treat you to the most authentic roast goose!"

"Definitely!" Leonardo agreed cheerfully, then looked at Hiroshi Nagano standing a bit further away, "Hey, Nagano!"

Hiroshi Nagano had been standing quietly nearby; hearing Leonardo call him, he immediately walked over quickly and bowed slightly: "Mr. Leonardo."

Seeing this, Xiang Fei suddenly remembered something and said to Hiroshi Nagano: "By the way, Nagano, I still plan to find you for 'Tang Tan 3'. Remember to tell your agent when you get back to save your schedule in advance."

Hiroshi Nagano was stunned, then his eyes lit up; he bowed repeatedly in excitement: "Thank you, Xiangdao! I will definitely arrange the time! I absolutely won't delay the filming!"

He bowed so deeply he almost bumped into Li Bingbing standing nearby, causing a round of laughter from everyone.

Zhou Xun teased: "Nagano, if you keep bowing like that, the plane is going to be delayed."

Hiroshi Nagano finally straightened up, scratching his head awkwardly, though the excitement on his face was impossible to hide.

The broadcast sounded, announcing that boarding for the flight had begun.

Xiang Fei and Leonardo shook hands one last time: "Keep in touch."

Leonardo nodded: "Waiting for your news."

Everyone took turns saying goodbye to Leonardo and Hiroshi Nagano, dragging their luggage toward the boarding gate. Hiroshi Nagano stood in place, waving continuously until their figures disappeared at the end of the jet bridge.

On the plane, Xiang Fei sat by the window, fastened his seatbelt, and let out a long sigh. Three months of filming had finally come to an end.

Duan Long sat beside him, flipping through a magazine, and suddenly asked: "Xiangdao, what are the plans next?"

Xiang Fei closed his eyes to rest, replying casually: "Rest for a few days first."

Duan Yihong instantly looked dejected: "Alright."

The corner of Xiang Fei's mouth curled up slightly; he said nothing.

On the other side, Li Bingbing and Zhou Xun were huddled together looking at their phones, occasionally letting out soft laughs. Chen Daoming was gazing out the window. Ng Man-tat had already taken out a bag of melon seeds and was leisurely cracking them.

A flight attendant walked over and asked with a smile: "Mr., would you like a drink?"

Xiang Fei opened his eyes: "A glass of warm water, please."

The flight attendant nodded and left; a moment later she brought a glass of water. Xiang Fei took it, took a sip, and closed his eyes again.

The plane flew smoothly, the cabin lights dimmed, and most people began to rest.

In a half-dream, half-awake state, Xiang Fei heard Ng Man-tat's voice from the back row: "Do you know? There's a hot pot mutton place in Jingcheng that's been open for over sixty years; the taste is absolutely amazing!"

Li Bingbing asked curiously: "Uncle Da, have you been there?"

"Of course!" Ng Man-tat said proudly, "Last time I came to film, a local took me there. This time I must go again!"

Zhou Xun laughed: "Then why not all together? Xiangdao, will you go?"

Xiang Fei lazily replied: "You guys go; I'll head straight back to the company."

Ng Man-tat clicked his tongue in regret: "That's a pity; their sesame paste dipping sauce is one of a kind..."

Listening to their idle chat, Xiang Fei unknowingly fell asleep.

More than ten hours later, the plane landed at Jingcheng International Airport.

Everyone dragged their weary bodies off the plane, passed through the jet bridge, and arrived at the baggage claim area.

Just as they exited the gate, Xiang Fei saw Bai Long and Hei Hu standing not far away, dressed in black suits, looking particularly conspicuous.

Bai Long stepped forward and took Xiang Fei's luggage: "Brother Fei, the car is ready."

Xiang Fei nodded, turned to the others, and asked: "How are you all arranging things?"

Duan Long: "I'll fly directly to Min's dorm."

Ng Man-tat said with a smile: "I'm going to eat hot pot mutton! Anyone want to join?"

Chen Daoming smiled faintly: "I'll accompany you; I'm craving it too."

Sun Honglei scratched his head: "I... I'm going back to school; my supervisor is waiting for me to submit my thesis."

Li Bingbing looked at Zhou Xun, smiling at Xiang Fei: "The two of us will also accompany Brother Da and Brother Daoming."

Hearing this, everyone laughed.

Xiang Fei waved his hand: "Alright, then everyone go their separate ways."

At the airport exit, everyone parted ways.

Duan Yihong got into his agent's car; Li Bingbing and Zhou Xun hailed a taxi; Chen Daoming and Ng Man-tat got into a car arranged by Ng Man-tat's assistant, heading straight for that legendary hot pot mutton restaurant.

Sun Honglei stood by the roadside, looking around somewhat bewildered.

Xiang Fei walked over: "What's wrong?"

Sun Honglei smiled awkwardly: "Um... Xiangdao, I forgot which direction my school is in..."

Xiang Fei was speechless; he turned to Hei Hu and said: "Take him back to Central Academy of Drama."

Hei Hu nodded: "Yes."

Sun Honglei thanked them repeatedly gratefully: "Thank you, Xiangdao! Thank you, Brother Hei Hu!"

Xiang Fei waved his hand, turned around, and got into his own car.

As the car door closed, Bai Long asked: "Back to the company or home?"

Xiang Fei leaned back in the seat and rubbed his temples: "Back to the company first; there are some documents to handle."

Bai Long nodded and said to the driver: "To Feimin Entertainment."

The car slowly started, entering the traffic of Jingcheng.

Outside the car window, Jingcheng's prosperity remained unchanged: skyscrapers stood tall, and vehicles surged like a river.

Xiang Fei gazed at the familiar streetscape and suddenly felt as if he had crossed a lifetime.

For so long, he had taken his team to New York to begin filming "Tang Renjie Detective 2." Now that he had returned, everything seemed unchanged, yet everything felt different.

Hollywood's invitations, Puff Daddy's parties, Leonardo's warmth, and those endless days and nights abroad…

His phone vibrated, breaking his thoughts.

It was a message from Zhou Huimin:

"Have you arrived in Jingcheng?"

Xiang Fei smiled and replied:

"Just got off the plane."

After sending the message, he exhaled deeply and closed his eyes.

The car continued forward, heading toward Feimin Entertainment's building.