Chapter 270: The Arrival of Xiang Sheng

Evening. Lights blazed inside Xiang Fei's villa.

In the dining room, Xiang Fei, Zhang Guorong, Mei Yanfang, Tang Hede, Zhou Huimin, and Xiang Yang sat around the table, which was laden with a lavish spread of dishes.

Zhang Guorong picked up a piece of sweet-and-sour spare ribs and said with a smile to Xiang Fei, "Ah Fei, your cooking keeps getting better and better."

Xiang Fei smiled. "Brother, you're too kind. This dish was actually you who taught me."

Mei Yanfang took a bite of the steamed fish, her eyes lighting up. "This fish is steamed just right, the flesh so tender — whose handiwork?"

Zhou Huimin pressed her lips into a smile. "Ah Fei made it. He's been secretly practicing for ages lately."

Xiang Yang raised his little hand and said proudly, "And me! I helped wash the vegetables!"

Everyone laughed. Tang Hede ruffled Xiang Yang's hair. "Our Yangyang is really something."

Just then, the doorbell suddenly rang.

Xiang Yang blinked. "Daddy, someone's at the door!"

Xiang Fei nodded. "Yangyang, go open the door."

Xiang Yang bounced to the door, stood on tiptoe to open it, and the moment he saw Xiang Sheng standing outside, he cried out in delighted surprise, "Little Grandpa!"

Before Xiang Sheng could react, Xiang Yang had already leapt straight into his arms. Xiang Sheng hurriedly reached out to catch him and burst out laughing. "Oof, Yangyang, you missed Little Grandpa?"

Xiang Yang wrapped his arms around his neck and asked with a grin, "Little Grandpa, why did you suddenly come?"

Xiang Sheng pinched his little cheek. "Of course I missed you. I also came to discuss something with your daddy."

Xiang Yang immediately turned his head and shouted toward the house, "Daddy! Mommy! Godfather! Uncle Tang! Auntie Mei! My Little Grandpa is here!"

After shouting, he grabbed Xiang Sheng's hand and tugged him inside. "Little Grandpa, come in quick, we're eating right now!"

Zhang Guorong, Mei Yanfang, Tang Hede, and Zhou Huimin heard the commotion and all rose.

Zhang Guorong smiled and nodded. "Mr. Xiang, it's been a long time."

Mei Yanfang also greeted him with a smile. "Boss Xiang, what brings you over today?"

Xiang Sheng laughed heartily. "Ah Rong, Ah Mei, Mr. Tang, Ah Min — sorry to interrupt your meal."

Xiang Fei walked over and clapped Xiang Sheng on the shoulder. "Little Uncle, perfect timing. Try mine and Brother's cooking."

Zhou Huimin thoughtfully brought over a set of bowl and chopsticks and set them in front of Xiang Sheng. "Little Uncle, please sit."

Xiang Yang could not wait and pointed at a plate of stir-fried greens. "Little Grandpa, this dish I stir-fried! Try it!"

Xiang Sheng burst out laughing, picked up a chopstickful and put it in his mouth, then nodded with exaggerated praise. "Mm! Yangyang's cooking is really not bad!"

Xiang Yang lifted his little face proudly. "Of course!"

After the meal, Zhang Guorong suggested, "How about a few rounds of mahjong?"

Mei Yanfang immediately agreed. "Great! Just right to try out the new mahjong table Ah Fei bought."

Tang Hede smiled and looked at Zhou Huimin. "Vivian, in?"

Zhou Huimin nodded. "Sure."

Xiang Yang raised his hand. "I want to watch TV!"

Xiang Fei ruffled his hair. "Go ahead, but don't watch too late."

Soon, the four of them went to the entertainment room, while Xiang Yang curled up on the sofa watching cartoons.

Xiang Fei and Xiang Sheng walked to the balcony. The night breeze was slightly cool, and in the distance lay the brilliant lights of Beijingcheng.

Xiang Sheng lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled a plume of smoke. "Ah Fei, after the editing of 'Avatar' is done, how did the preview screening go?"

Xiang Fei nodded. "Mm, we just did a preview screening at China Film today. The response was very good."

Xiang Sheng smiled. "What was the reaction from Han Shanping and the others?"

The corner of Xiang Fei's mouth lifted slightly. "Uncle Han directly greenlit a global synchronized release. The new footage and the Wang brothers are also going all out to cooperate with the publicity."

Xiang Sheng thumped his chest. "Nephew, don't worry about the publicity and release in Xiangjiang and Taiwan. Yongsheng is handling it with full authority."

Xiang Fei raised an eyebrow. "Little Uncle, that confident?"

Xiang Sheng snorted. "You still don't know Yongsheng's distribution channels in Southeast Asia? Forget Xiangjiang and Taiwan — even Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia, I can set it all up properly for you."

Xiang Fei laughed. "Alright, then I'll leave it to Little Uncle."

Xiang Sheng flicked the ash from his cigarette. "Right, take me to see the finished cut tomorrow."

Xiang Fei nodded. "No problem."

The night grew late. The sounds of mahjong and the television drifted faintly over, and for a moment the balcony fell quiet.

Xiang Sheng suddenly asked, "Ah Fei, with Fei Min's operation spread this big now, is the capital chain holding up?"

Xiang Fei's gaze drifted into the distance. "No problem for now, but 'Avatar' has to succeed."

Xiang Sheng pondered for a moment. "Does the family need to help?"

Xiang Fei shook his head. "No need. I know what I'm doing."

Xiang Sheng clapped him on the shoulder. "Alright, just say the word if you need anything."

Xiang Fei smiled. "Thanks, Little Uncle."