Chapter 34: The Xiang Family's Fury

Xiang Yan sat in the study, a freshly delivered intelligence report pinched between his fingers.

"Ni Kuang's grandson?" He let out a cold laugh and flung the document onto the desk. "Quite the nerve, daring to lay a hand on someone from my Xiang family."

Ah Zhong stood to one side and said quietly, "Brother Yan, want me to handle it?"

Xiang Yan stood up and adjusted the cuff of his suit. "No need. I'll go myself."

Half an hour later, Ni Kuang was hauled into the Xiang family basement by two men in black.

"Mr. Xiang… Mr. Xiang?" Ni Kuang's face went deathly pale, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "What… what is the meaning of this?"

Xiang Yan sat in a chair, leisurely puffing on a cigar. "Mr. Ni, your grandson's been very active lately."

Ni Kuang's heart gave a jolt. "A-Zhen? What… what did he do?"

Xiang Yan didn't answer, just gave a wave of his hand.

The next second, the men in black pinned down Ni Kuang's hand—crack! —a finger was hacked clean off!

"Aaaagh—!!!" Ni Kuang let out a heart-wrenching scream, fresh blood spattering across the floor.

Xiang Yan rose to his feet and looked down at him. "Keep your grandson in line. Next time it won't be just one finger."

Ni Kuang, his bandaged hand pressed to his chest, returned home with an ashen face.

"Master! What happened to you?" The butler rushed forward in alarm.

Ni Kuang didn't answer, just roared, "Where's Ni Zhen?!"

"Y-young master hasn't come back yet…"

"The moment he's back, bring him to me immediately!"

Late at night, Ni Zhen pushed open the door humming a little tune—and before he could react, he was pinned to the ground by two bodyguards.

"Grandpa? What is this…"

Ni Kuang snatched up a rattan cane and lashed him hard across the back. "You little bastard! Who the hell did you offend?!"

Ni Zhen screamed in pain. "I… I didn't offend anyone!"

"Didn't offend anyone?" Ni Kuang was so furious he laughed instead. "Xiang Yan personally chopped off my finger! And you say you didn't offend anyone?!"

"Xiang Yan?!" Ni Zhen's face went the color of ash in an instant.

"Don't know?" Ni Kuang froze for a beat, then flew into a rage. "You think hard for me—I'll beat you till you remember!"

The rattan fell like raindrops, and Ni Zhen's screams rang through the entire Ni family mansion.

At the same time, in a VIP private room at the Peninsula Hotel.

Wang Jing had his arms around two beauties as he smilingly poured wine for Xiang Qian. "Qian-zi, how about you directing *The Ancient City of the Ghost Blows Out the Light*?"

Xiang Qian swirled his wine glass and said lightly, "Brother Jing, for the role of Shirley Yang, I want Zhou Huimin to play her."

Wang Jing's eyes lit up. "No problem! Absolutely no problem!" He leaned in closer. "Then what about Hu Bayi…? Qian-zi, won't you consider it?"

Xiang Qian shook his head. "No, I'm planning to shoot an art-house film myself."

Wang Jing sighed inwardly with regret, but kept a smiling face. "Ah, Qian-zi, you're truly a man of all talents! Writing books, singing, acting—and now you want to be a director too!"

Xiang Qian smiled. "Brother Jing, don't worry. The box office of *The Ancient City of the Ghost Blows Out the Light*—I guarantee you a record-breaker."

Wang Jing was overjoyed and promptly raised his glass. "Then it's settled! Cheers!"

Shaw Brothers Tower.

"Ah-Min, come to the conference room for a moment."

She pushed open the door and found Wang Jing, Andrew Lau, and a whole group of directors inside.

"Qian-zi? What's this…"

Xiang Qian slid a contract in front of her. "Lead role in *The Ancient City of the Ghost Blows Out the Light*, Shirley Yang—it's yours."

Zhou Huimin's eyes went wide. "Me? But…"

Wang Jing burst out laughing. "Ah-Min, Qian-zi handpicked you—you'd better give a great performance!"

Zhou Huimin's eyes reddened slightly as she said softly, "Thank you…"

Xiang Qian looked at her, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Don't thank me. You've earned it."

Three days later, Ni Zhen was finally able to get out of bed.

He tottered unsteadily into the living room and found Ni Kuang reading the newspaper.

"Grandpa…"

Ni Kuang didn't even look up. "From today, you're under house arrest for three months. Dare to take one step out of this house and I'll break your legs."

Ni Zhen opened his mouth, then finally lowered his head. "…Yes."

At the Shaw Brothers office, Xiang Qian handed a proposal to Mona Fong.

"*Parasite*?" Mona Fong raised an eyebrow. "An art-house film?"

Xiang Qian nodded. "I'm going for the awards."

Mona Fong pondered for a moment. "I can approve the funding, but there's one condition—"

"What condition?"

"After you finish this one, you have to star in *Ghost Blows Out the Light 2*."

Xiang Qian smiled. "Deal!"