Chapter 50: Mystery of Origins

Xiang Qian stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, the cigarette between his fingers burned to the end, ash rustling down onto the Persian carpet.

"Xiang Sheng, wish you a smooth journey..."

He chewed over these words repeatedly, his brows furrowing tighter and tighter. The sound of waves crashed outside the window, yet it could not drown out that absurd thought in his mind.

"Impossible..." he murmured softly, "Absolutely impossible..."

"Qian Zai!"

Zhou Huimin's voice came from the entrance, accompanied by chaotic footsteps. Xiang Qian turned and saw Zhang Guorong and Anita Mui following her, walking briskly into the living room.

"Are you alright?" Zhang Guorong took three steps in two, approaching to examine Xiang Qian closely. "I heard the Wang Yu Sect sent people to block you?"

Anita Mui said nothing, merely staring at Xiang Qian for a long moment before suddenly clasping her hands together: "Thank goodness, thank goodness..." Her voice trembled slightly. "Thank goodness you are all safe."

Xiang Qian pinched out the cigarette butt, hesitated for a moment, then spoke: "Do you remember, last time I provoked the Kowloon branch..."

The living room fell silent instantly.

Zhang Guorong's expression froze. He slowly walked to the bar, poured himself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling in the glass.

"That day..." he took a sip of wine, "When Xiang Qiang arrived with his men, you were looking coldly at Xiang Qiang, then Brother Qiang took one look, turned around, and left."

Zhou Huimin looked at everyone uneasily: "What are you talking about? Oh right!" Zhou Huimin suddenly raised her voice, "The first-week box office for 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' broke ten million! Sixth Uncle is holding a victory banquet!"

Zhang Guorong seized the opportunity to speak as if granted a reprieve: "Yes..."

"Sixth Uncle said we should celebrate properly." Anita Mui added, trying to break the somewhat solemn atmosphere.

Xiang Qian waved his hand, "Let's not talk about this victory banquet for now. I always feel that incident of provoking the Kowloon branch wasn't that simple. Xiang Qiang left directly after seeing me; his reaction was too strange."

Zhang Guorong set down his wine glass, furrowing his brows as he analyzed: "Could it be he recognized something about you? But if so, why didn't he attack you directly?"

Anita Mui pondered on the side, her eyes suddenly lighting up: "Could it be related to your background? You suspected the Xiang family before. Perhaps Xiang Qiang knows your identity, which is why he showed mercy."

Xiang Qian's heart jolted; this coincided with the absurd thought he had just had by the window. "No matter what, I must find out the truth." He clenched his fist, his eyes firm.

At this moment, Zhou Huimin worriedly grabbed Xiang Qian's hand: "Qian Zai, you must be extremely careful." Xiang Qian returned a gentle smile: "Rest assured, I know my limits. Let's go handle Sixth Uncle's victory banquet first; I will investigate slowly afterwards."

Xiang Qian looked at Anita Mui with full curiosity and asked: "Sister Mei, what have you and Brother been busy with recently? How did you suddenly disappear for so long?"

Anita Mui smiled slightly and explained: "Oh, it's like this. We have been filming a movie recently called 'The Rouge'. This is a very important work, so we have been in closed filming and knew very little about outside matters."

Zhang Guorong smiled slightly and said softly: "Yes, only after coming out did we know so many things happened. However, you sweeping so many awards is indeed very impressive!"

Zhou Huimin leaned affectionately against Xiang Qian, her beautiful eyes twinkling like stars in the night sky. She looked at Xiang Qian with full admiration, as if he were the brightest star in that night sky.

Xiang Qian felt Zhou Huimin's gaze; a smile involuntarily rose at the corner of his mouth. He gently patted Zhou Huimin's hand and said: "This is all thanks to everyone's support and help."

Having said that, he raised his wine glass and said to Zhang Guorong: "Come, let us all raise our glasses to celebrate Sister Mei and Brother's return!"

Everyone responded in turn, raising their glasses. The crisp sound of clinking glasses echoed throughout the room. The glasses collided, producing a sound like pleasant musical notes, interweaving together to form a cheerful symphony.

Everyone tasted the fine wine while chatting freely about each other's lives and work. Laughter and voices rose and fell, the atmosphere extremely harmonious.