Chapter 47: Shelter from the Storm

Kowloon Tong, Xinyi'an Tea House.

Xiang Yan sat in the main seat, fingers lightly tapping the table, his gaze sweeping over the several Xiangjiang gang bosses present.

"Wang Yu has crossed the line this time." His voice was low, yet carried an unquestionable authority, "The film industry has its own rules. Bringing Triad members from Taiwan to cause trouble in Xiangjiang is a slap in the face to everyone here."

"It's simple." Xiang Yan sneered, "Make him understand that Xiangjiang is not Taiwan, not a place where he can do as he pleases."

The leader of 14K nodded: "My men have already been watching several of his venues; we can act at any time."

The head of Wah Sing Ho exhaled a smoke ring: "I heard he's been contacting Zhu Yanping recently?"

Xiang Yan waved his hand: "Courtesy first, force later. If Wang Yu is sensible, this matter will be dropped."

The next morning, Shaw Brothers Studio.

"The car is ready." Fong Yee Wah handed Xiang Qian a set of car keys, "Uncle Six arranged it specifically; the driver is a retired SDU member."

Sun Li hurried over: "Just received news; Wang Yu's men have already set up a cordon near the airport."

Jackie Chan rolled up his sleeves: "Do you want me to call a few brothers?"

"No need." Xiang Qian shook his head, "Uncle Six has already made all the arrangements."

On the airport expressway, a black Mercedes drove steadily.

"There are cars following behind." The driver glanced at the rearview mirror, "Two Toyotas, at least eight people."

Zhou Huimin nervously grabbed Xiang Qian's hand.

Just then, a silver van suddenly surged out from a side road, blocking the middle of the highway!

"Hold on tight!" The driver whipped the steering wheel, and the car drifted to avoid the collision.

Seven or eight men in black, wielding batons, jumped from the van. The leader grinned as he rapped on the window: "Director Wu, our big brother wants to invite you for tea!" Xiang Qian was just about to step out when—

Suddenly—

"Bang!"

A dull thud sounded, and the leader of the black-clad men fell to the ground instantly.

Two men in sportswear emerged from the shadows; one held a baton, the other was cracking his knuckles.

"Three seconds." The man with the baton said.

"Enough." His companion chuckled lightly.

The scene that followed left Xiang Qian dumbstruck—the two men moved like tigers entering a flock of sheep; within just ten seconds, all the black-clad men were on the ground groaning!

The man with the baton tapped the window: "Director Xiang asked me to convey a message: safe travels."

At Beijing Airport, Wang Jing and the staff had been waiting for a long time.

"Qianzai! A-Man!" Wang Jing warmly greeted them, "The hotel is all arranged, right next to the film base."

Zhou Huimin let out a long sigh of relief: "Finally safe."

Xiang Qian turned to look back towards Xiangjiang, lost in thought: "Wang Yu's reach doesn't extend this far."

That evening, at the crew's welcome banquet.

"I heard things have been unstable in Xiangjiang recently?" Wang Jing asked in a low voice.

Xiang Qian smiled: "That's why filming on the mainland is the safest."

Just as he spoke, his phone vibrated. A message from Jackie Chan arrived:

"Wang Yu is furious! He's trying to find out the background of those two people everywhere! Zhu Yanping has already been invited by him to discuss 'Island of Fire'!"

Xiangjiang, Peninsula Hotel VIP private room.

"Director Zhu, the budget for 'Island of Fire' has no ceiling!" Wang Yu pressed his cigar out in the ashtray, "I want an all-star cast: Jackie Chan, Ti Lung, Tony Leung Ka-fai, not one can be missing!"

Zhu Yanping wiped the sweat from his forehead: "Mr. Wang, this film's subject matter is sensitive, I'm afraid..."

"Fifty million." Wang Yu interrupted him, "I'll transfer twenty million to your account first."

Seeing Zhu Yanping still hesitating, Wang Yu suddenly lowered his voice: "I heard Director Zhu's daughter is studying film in Los Angeles? Hollywood doesn't lack accidents."

The teacup in Zhu Yanping's hand "clattered" to the floor.

One week later, the headline on the entertainment section of Oriental Daily:

"Triad Blockbuster! 'Island of Fire' Assembles Four Best Actor Award Winners"

In the accompanying photo, Wang Yu and Zhu Yanping stood before a banner reading "Island of Fire Crew," with Jackie Chan, Ti Lung, Tony Leung Ka-fai, and Hung Chun-pao clearly visible behind them.