Chapter 62: Liberation

Deep night, the Xiang family villa was brightly lit.

"Hahaha!" Xiang Qiang slammed the table and laughed, "Wang Jing, Liu Furong, Zhou Xingxing, and the entire team of Sun Li! That kid Fei has quietly lured away so many people!"

Xiang Sheng swirled his red wine glass, eyes gleaming: "Big brother, this is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity."

"I've always said it," Xiang Qiang stood up excitedly, "that kid Fei has real potential! Even Shaw Brothers can't hold onto him now!"

The two brothers exchanged a glance and simultaneously smiled with confidence.

"Tomorrow morning," Xiang Sheng set down his wine glass, "we'll go to Shaw Brothers and meet Li Guoming."

The next morning, Shaw Brothers Studios headquarters.

Xiang Qian pushed open Li Guoming's office door, walked calmly to the desk, and placed a document on it.

"Director Li, I'm terminating my contract."

Li Guoming was sipping tea; at this, he nearly choked: "What?"

"According to Clause 17 of the contract," Xiang Qian pointed to the document, "I can pay 80 million in breach penalty to terminate early."

Li Guoming put down his teacup and smirked: "Wu Xiang Qian, 80 million isn't small change. Do you even have it now?"

Xiang Qian took a screenplay from his briefcase and pushed it onto the desk: "Here's the complete script and storyboard for 'Infernal Affairs.' I'll use it as collateral."

Li Guoming flipped through the screenplay; his expression gradually changed. As a veteran insider, he instantly recognized its value.

"Director Wu," Li Guoming closed the screenplay, his tone softening, "Why make things so difficult? The company can renegotiate your contract..."

"No need." Xiang Qian cut him off. "Director Li, we both know Shaw Brothers now only sees me as a money tree."

The office door suddenly swung open.

"Mr. Li! Long time no see!"

Xiang Qiang's booming voice filled the room. He and Xiang Sheng strode in, two bodyguards carrying metal cases behind them.

Li Guoming's face darkened: "Mr. Xiang? What is this..."

Xiang Sheng gestured for the bodyguards to place the cases on the desk. Two sharp "clicks" echoed as the lids sprang open—inside, stacks of thousand-yuan bills were neatly arranged.

"Here's 80 million," Xiang Qiang slapped the case, "Xiang Qian's breach penalty, every cent accounted for."

Sweat beaded on Li Guoming's forehead: "Mr. Xiang, can't we discuss this further..."

"Nothing to discuss," Xiang Sheng pulled out another case, snapped it open with a "snap," "Here's 80 million for Zhou Huimin's breach penalty. 'Dragon Ridge Mysterious Cave' has wrapped; she's free too."

Li Guoming shot to his feet: "Wu Xiang Qian! You planned this all along, didn't you?!"

Xiang Qian smiled faintly: "Director Li, in business, everyone seeks what they need."

Xiang Qiang pressed his hand on Xiang Qian's shoulder: "Mr. Li, is Xiang Qian now a free man?"

Li Guoming's face turned ashen, but staring at the two cases brimming with cash, he finally gritted his teeth: "... Shaw Brothers won't interfere."

"Splendid!" Xiang Qiang laughed loudly, "Then we'll take our leave!"

Xiang Qian drew a deep breath of the free air, as if every cell in his body was cheering. A fresh surge of energy flooded his body, instantly dissolving all the fatigue he'd carried in recent days.

He turned to face Xiang Qiang and Xiang Sheng, his eyes filled with sincere gratitude. Slowly, he bowed deeply to them, then straightened and said: "Thank you, both Mr. Xiangs, for saving my life. Had you not intervened, I would surely be dead by now."

A hint of confusion colored Xiang Qian's voice; he frowned and continued: "I've always been puzzled. Last time I raided your Xinyian's branch—logically, you should hate me with every fiber of your being. So why have you repeatedly helped me?"