Chapter 32: Shaw Yifu's Invitation

Xiang Qian had just set down his wine glass from the wrap party for "Mr. Vampire" and returned to his apartment when he immediately plunged into revising "Longling Miku." The pen scratched against the manuscript paper until a shrill telephone ring suddenly shattered the night's tranquility.

"Hello?" Xiang Qian answered with a frown.

"Master Wu, Mr. Shaw Yifu wishes to see you tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock," came a crisp and capable female voice from the other end, hanging up before receiving any response.

Xiang Qian held the receiver, stunned for two seconds, before a playful smile curled the corner of his mouth: "Interesting."

The next afternoon, in the chairman's office of Shaw Brothers Studio.

"Heroes emerge from youth!" Shaw Yifu rose from his leather chair and personally poured a cup of tea for Xiang Qian. "I watch 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' every night without fail, and I always keep the album 'Rebirth' playing in my car."

Xiang Qian accepted the teacup with both hands. "Uncle Six honors me too much."

Shaw Yifu narrowed his eyes, sizing up the young man before him. "I hear you believe Shaw Brothers should focus solely on films?"

"TVB is already the leader in television," Xiang Qian said, looking directly at the entertainment tycoon, "but Shaw Brothers Film... has been beaten down by Golden Harvest in recent years."

A flash of sharp light passed through Shaw Yifu's eyes before he suddenly clapped three times. The office door opened at the sound, and a rotund figure shuffled in.

"Let me introduce you," Shaw Yifu said with a smile. "Wang Jing, a new director here at Shaw Brothers."

Wang Jing rubbed his hands as he hurried over. "Oh my! Master Wu! I've long admired you! I watched 'Jingjue Ancient City' three times!"

Xiang Qian stood to shake his hand. "Director Wang's films are the true classics."

"Where, where..."

"Enough." Shaw Yifu suddenly interrupted their mutual business flattery. "Ah Jing, take Qianzai on a tour of the building."

Wang Jing's fat face stiffened. "Now?"

"Now." Shaw Yifu had already picked up some documents, clearly issuing an order to leave.

In the corridor, Wang Jing immediately revealed his true colors. "Damn it, what scheme is that old fox plotting now..." Suddenly realizing his slip of the tongue, he quickly offered an apologetic smile. "Qianzai, don't take offense!"

Xiang Qian smiled ambiguously. "What is Director Wang filming lately?"

"The Frog Prince!" Wang Jing pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat. "Why not visit the set tomorrow? I'll have Ah Hong (Chung Chuhung) dine with you!"

Just as he spoke, the door to the Artists Department Director's office suddenly opened.

"Xiang Qian," Fang Yihua's cold and glamorous face appeared at the doorway. "Do you have a moment to chat?"

Inside the office, Fang Yihua paced around Xiang Qian in her high heels, the scent of Chanel No. 5 filling the air.

"Sun Li has recently praised you to the heavens," she said, suddenly stopping in front of Xiang Qian. "Diligent, talented, capable, and handsome..."

Xiang Qian maintained his smile. "Sister Fang honors me too much."

"Do you know why you have caught my eye?" Fang Yihua suddenly leaned forward, her red lips nearly touching his ear. "Among all the newcomers, you are the only one who has netted the company seven figures."

Xiang Qian leaned back imperceptibly. "Just good luck."

"Luck?" Fang Yihua suddenly burst into laughter. "A million in serialization fees for 'Ghost Blows Out the Light,' double platinum for the 'Rebirth' album, and an invitation from Hung Kambo for 'Mr. Vampire'... is that luck?"

After a long pause, Fang Yihua actually let out a soft laugh. "Interesting... No wonder Uncle Six said you resemble him in his youth." She pulled open a drawer and tossed out a document. "Take a look at this."

Xiang Qian opened the file, his pupils contracting sharply—it was Shaw Brothers' screening schedule for the next three years.

"What does Uncle Six mean by this?"

"It is my meaning." Fang Yihua lit a slender lady's cigarette.

Half an hour later, Xiang Qian walked out of the Shaw Brothers building.

Wang Jing appeared out of nowhere. "How did it go? Did the tigress eat you alive?"

Xiang Qian gazed at the sky. "Director Wang, 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' is going to be made into a movie."

"Holy crap!" Wang Jing grabbed him tightly. "I must be the director! I'll treat you to a full dragon banquet!"

Xiang Qian smiled without speaking. As he looked up, the setting sun dyed the Shaw Brothers logo blood-red. Xiang Qian knew that his era was about to begin.

At that very moment, Fang Yihua was watching Xiang Qian's retreating figure through the surveillance monitors.

"Have you found out?" she asked coldly into the phone. "What exactly is the relationship between him and Xiang Yan?"

A muffled response came from the other end of the line.

Fang Yihua's gorgeous face gradually twisted. "Interesting... The crown prince of the Xiang family is actually here with us..."

She slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, which morphed under the setting sun into a shadow shaped like a dragon.