Chapter 32: Shao Yifu's Invitation

The moment Xiang Qian set down his glass at the wrap party for Mr. Vampire, he returned to his apartment and threw himself into revising Candle in the Tomb: The Lost Cavern. The fountain pen scratched across manuscript paper, when suddenly the shrill ring of the telephone shattered the night's quiet.

"Hello?" Xiang Qian frowned and picked up the phone.

"Mr. Wu, three o'clock tomorrow afternoon—Mr. Shao Yifu wants to see you." A crisp, capable female voice came through the line, and hung up without waiting for a response.

Xiang Qian held the receiver, stunned for two seconds, then the corner of his mouth curled into an amused smile: "Interesting."

The next afternoon, the office of the Chairman of Shaw Studios.

"A hero in his youth!" Shao Yifu rose from his leather chair and personally poured Xiang Qian a cup of tea. "I read Candle in the Tomb every night, and I keep the album Rebirth playing in my car."

Xiang Qian accepted the teacup with both hands: "Uncle Six, you're too kind."

Shao Yifu squinted, sizing up the young man before him: "I hear you think Shaw Brothers should focus on film?"

"TVB is already the leader in television," Xiang Qian met the entertainment mogul's gaze, "but Shaw Brothers films... have been getting crushed by Golden Harvest these past few years."

A sharp glint flashed and vanished in Shao Yifu's eyes. He suddenly clapped three times. The office door swung open at once, and a round, rolly figure waddled in.

"Let me introduce," Shao Yifu smiled, "Wang Jing, our new director at Shaw Brothers."

Wang Jing rubbed his hands together as he shuffled over: "Oh oh oh! Mr. Wu! I've long admired you! I've watched The Ancient City three times!"

Xiang Qian stood and shook his hand: "Director Wang's films are the real classics."

"Not at all, not at all..."

"Enough." Shao Yifu suddenly cut off their mutual flattery. "Ah Jing, take Qian Zai on a tour of the building."

Wang Jing's chubby face stiffened: "Now?"

"Now." Shao Yifu had already picked up his documents—a clear signal to leave.

In the corridor, Wang Jing immediately dropped the act: "Dammit, what is that old fox up to now..." Suddenly realizing he'd misspoken, he quickly forced a smile. "Don't take it to heart, Qian Zai!"

Xiang Qian smiled, half amused: "What have you been filming lately, Director Wang?"

"The Frog Prince!" Wang Jing pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat. "Want to come visit the set tomorrow? I'll have A-Hong (Cherie Chung) keep you company for dinner!"

Just as they were talking, the door of the Artists Department Director's office suddenly swung open.

"Xiang Qian," Fang Yihua's cold, striking face appeared in the doorway, "do you have a moment to chat?"

Inside the office, Fang Yihua paced around Xiang Qian in her high heels, the scent of Chanel No. 5 lingering in the air.

"Sun Li has been singing your praises to the skies lately," she suddenly stopped in front of Xiang Qian, "hardworking, talented, can fight, and good-looking..."

Xiang Qian kept smiling: "Sister Fang, you're too kind."

"Do you know why you caught my eye?" Fang Yihua suddenly leaned in, her red lips almost brushing his ear. "Among the newcomers, you're the only one who's netted the company seven figures."

Xiang Qian subtly leaned back without changing expression: "Lucky."

"Lucky?" Fang Yihua suddenly burst out laughing. "Candle in the Tomb's serialization fee hit a million, the Rebirth album went double platinum, Mr. Vampire got an invitation from Sammo Hung... and you call that luck?"

After a long pause, Fang Yihua actually let out a soft laugh: "Interesting... no wonder Uncle Six says you're like him when he was young." She pulled open a drawer and tossed out a document. "Take a look at this."

Xiang Qian flipped open the file, his pupils contracting sharply—it was Shaw Brothers' cinema circuit release schedule for the next three years.

"Uncle Six's idea?"

"Mine." Fang Yihua lit a slim lady's cigarette.

Half an hour later, Xiang Qian walked out of the Shaw Brothers building.

Wang Jing popped out from god knows where: "How'd it go? The tigress didn't eat you, did she?"

Xiang Qian gazed at the sky: "Director Wang, Candle in the Tomb is being made into a movie."

"Holy shit!" Wang Jing grabbed him. "The director has to be me! I'll treat you to the whole package!"

Xiang Qian smiled without answering. As he looked up, the setting sun dyed the Shaw Brothers logo blood-red. Xiang Qian knew—the era that belonged to him was about to begin.

Meanwhile, Fang Yihua was watching Xiang Qian's retreating figure through the surveillance camera.

"Is it confirmed?" she said coldly into the phone. "What's his relationship with Xiang Yan?"

A muffled reply came through the line.

Fang Yihua's beautiful face slowly twisted: "Interesting... the young master of the Xiang family is actually here with us..."

She slowly exhaled a smoke ring, which in the setting sun morphed into the shadow of a dragon.