Chapter 61: Friendship

Xiang Qian sat at the desk in his apartment, before him spread the Shaw Brothers contract terms and breach-of-contract penalty calculation sheet between him and Zhou Huimin.

This figure was like a massive boulder pressing on his chest. He rubbed his temples, picked up his phone, and dialed several investors.

"Hello, Mr. Chen, it's me, Xiang Qian."

"Oh! Director Wu!" the voice of Mr. Chen on the other end was enthusiastic, "What brings you the time to call me? Is there a new project?"

"Indeed, there is a cooperation I wish to discuss." Xiang Qian's tone was calm, "But it is not a film; it is a personal investment."

"Oh?" Mr. Chen, "How so?"

"I need a sum of capital for turnover; interest calculated at the market's highest point." Xiang Qian paused, "If all goes smoothly, I will repay principal and interest within half a year."

Silence fell on the other end of the phone for a few seconds.

"Director Wu, you wouldn't be planning to..."

"Buy out my contract." Xiang Qian admitted bluntly and decisively, "Shaw Brothers refuses to release Zhou Huimin and me from our contract."

Mr. Chen became embarrassed: "160 million is no small sum, Director Wu. Recently, all the funds in my hand have been invested in projects. I'm sorry."

Xiang Qian breathed a sigh of relief: "It's fine."

Just as he hung up, the phone rang again.

Caller ID: "Wang Jing"

"Hello, Fatty." Xiang Qian answered, his tone relaxed.

"Qian-zai!" Wang Jing's loud voice made Xiang Qian hold the phone further away, "Are you preparing to terminate the contract?"

Xiang Qian was stunned: "How did you know?"

"Ridiculous!" Wang Jing shouted, "Ah Min already told me and Rong-zai,"

Xiang Qian fell silent for a moment, then finally admitted: "Yes, I am preparing to leave."

The other end of the phone suddenly went quiet.

A few seconds later, Wang Jing's voice was much lower: "Damn it, Rong-zai and I have also decided to terminate our contracts and follow you."

Xiang Qian sat bolt upright: "What did you say?"

"Rong-zai and I have discussed it," Wang Jing's tone was firm, "If you leave, we leave too."

Xiang Qian's heart shook; he hadn't expected Wang Jing and Liu Furong to be so loyal. But he quickly calmed down: "Fatty, don't be impulsive."

"Impulsive my ass!" Wang Jing cursed, "Shaw Brothers treats us like beasts of burden now; if we stay any longer, we'll eventually work ourselves to death!"

"Listen to me," Xiang Qian said after a moment of silence, "Finish filming 'The Dragon Ridge' first, hand in the report to Shaw Brothers, then leave. If you terminate the contract now, your penalty will be even higher than mine."

Wang Jing was silent for a while, finally sighing: "Alright, I'll listen to you. But it's settled: when you leave, you must take Rong-zai and me with you!"

"Definitely." Xiang Qian promised solemnly.

After hanging up, Xiang Qian leaned back on the sofa, his heart a mix of many flavors.

The phone rang again; this time it was Zhou Xingxing.

"Hello, Xing-zai."

"Qian... Qian-ge..." Zhou Xingxing's voice was somewhat nervous, "I... I heard..."

"Heard what?"

"You're terminating the contract..." Zhou Xingxing's voice grew quieter and quieter, "I... I also want to go with you..."

Xiang Qian paused for a moment, then smiled: "Xing-zai, how much time is left on your contract?"

"One month..."

Xiang Qian rubbed the space between his eyebrows: "Xing-zai, you are the one Shaw Brothers intends to promote heavily; I think they won't let you go easily."

"But... but..." Zhou Xingxing's voice suddenly became firm, "I don't want to film those... those TVB dramas anymore..."

Xiang Qian was silent for a moment, then finally said: "Alright, if you really want to leave, I will find a way."

"Th-thank you... Director Xiang..." Zhou Xingxing's voice carried gratitude.

Just after hanging up Zhou Xingxing's call, Sun Li's call came through.

"Hello, Sister Sun."

"Qian-zai," Sun Li's tone was blunt and decisive, "My team and I have discussed it; if you leave, we leave too."

Xiang Qian felt warmth in his heart: "Sister Sun, you don't have to..."

"Cut the nonsense," Sun Li interrupted him, "Following you these years, we've long been fed up with Shaw Brothers' exploitation. Wherever you go, we will work with you."

Xiang Qian took a deep breath: "Alright."

Late at night, Xiang Qian stood on the balcony, gazing at the Shaw Brothers building in the distance.