Chapter 46: Wang Yu

In the banquet hall of the Peninsula Hotel, crystal chandeliers refracted brilliant light.

"Qianzai," Cheng Long leaned in with a glass of champagne, lowering his voice, "see that man in the navy blue suit over there? He's been staring at you since he walked in."

Xiang Qian followed his gaze; a man in his early forties was raising a glass in greeting. The man's features were stern, his eyes sharp as blades, a faint smile playing on his lips, while two expressionless bodyguards in black stood behind him.

"Wang Yu?" Xiang Qian frowned. "Why would someone from the Bamboo Alliance be here?"

Lin Qingxia appeared behind the two at some point: "I heard he's been trying to clean up his image lately, investing in several film companies." She took a sip of red wine. "But everyone on the streets knows he's still the Bamboo Alliance's second-in-command."

Zhou Huimin gently took Xiang Qian's arm. "Shouldn't we leave?"

"Don't panic," Xiang Qian soothed, patting her hand. "He wouldn't dare cause trouble in a place like this."

Before the words had fully left his mouth, Wang Yu had already pushed through the crowd, the sound of his leather shoes on the marble floor exceptionally clear.

"Director Wu, a long time no see." Wang Yu's voice was deep, carrying a slight rasp unique to men of the underworld. As he extended his hand, a corner of a tiger-head tattoo peeked from his cuff. "The Parasite was well made."

Xiang Qian shook his hand briefly. "Mr. Wang is also interested in films?"

"I recently invested in a film and television company." Wang Yu chuckled lightly, his gaze shifting to Zhou Huimin. "Miss Zhou is even more beautiful than on screen."

Zhou Huimin nodded politely. "Thank you."

"I heard Director Wu is looking for investment for his new film?" Wang Yu suddenly said. "I can provide the funds and guarantee no one will dare cause trouble on set."

Cheng Long immediately interjected. "Qianzai's films have always been invested in by Shaw Brothers."

Wang Yu narrowed his eyes. "Run Run Shaw is old; now Xiangjiang belongs to the young."

The banquet hall suddenly grew a bit quieter, and several guests quietly glanced over in their direction.

The next day, in the Shaw Brothers Studio conference room.

Fong Yat-wah spread a stack of documents on the table. "Wang Yu, 45 years old, second-in-command of the Bamboo Alliance, controlling the gang's operations in Hong Kong and Macau. He started cleaning up his image ten years ago and now owns three film companies and five nightclubs."

"Last year he acquired a 20% stake in Taiwan's Central Motion Picture Corporation," Run Run Shaw adjusted his reading glasses. "Now he is trying to break into the Xiangjiang film industry."

Lin Qingxia flipped through the files. "The films he invests in have one characteristic—"

"They must use actors he specifies, and during filming, there are always 'staff members' loitering on set." Xiang Qian stared at the cast and crew list for Black Tide on the report. "This is money laundering."

Late at night, in Xiang Qian's apartment.

The phone suddenly rang, an unknown number displayed on the screen. Xiang Qian pressed the speaker button, and Wang Yu's voice came through:

"Director Wu, how have you considered it? My big brother arrives in Xiangjiang tomorrow; he very much wants to chat with you about films."

In Run Run Shaw's study, sandalwood incense curled upward.

"Wang Yu this time is coming for Shaw Brothers." The old man stroked the dragon-head cane. "They want to use films to launder black money and, in the process, control the Xiangjiang film and television industry."

Xiang Qian frowned. "Why target me?"

"Because you broke the rules." Run Run Shaw opened a drawer and took out a yellowed contract. "Back then, they also wanted to control Bruce Lee, but failed. Now you are their new target."

Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, illuminating the words "1973" on the contract.

On a rooftop in Central, the rain poured down like a flood.

Wang Yu's suit was soaked through, yet his voice remained remarkably clear. "Tomorrow at noon, in the VIP private room at the Peninsula Hotel, my big brother wants to see you."

Xiang Qian wiped the rain from his face. "What if I don't go?"

Wang Yu sneered. "The security at Miss Zhou's frequent beauty salon seems a bit insufficient."

A flash of lightning struck, illuminating Xiang Qian's clenched fist.

Inside the apartment, Zhou Huimin wrapped herself in a blanket, watching the rain curtain beat against the sea.

"Should we call the police?"

Xiang Qian handed her a cup of hot milk. "It's useless; they have people within the police force too."

The phone suddenly rang, and Cheng Long's urgent voice came through:

"Just received news! The Bamboo Alliance boss is bringing over a dozen key members to Xiangjiang tomorrow!"

The next day, the front page of the Oriental Daily:

"500 Million in Gang Funds Floods the Film Industry! Bamboo Alliance Makes a High-Profile Entry into the Film Business"

In the accompanying photo, Wang Yu stood with several men in black at the entrance to Shaw Brothers Studio, the headline strikingly alarming.