[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hong-kong-1984":3,"chapter-hong-kong-1984-hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-41":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Hong Kong 1984",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2223704,4066,"Chapter 41: An Unexpected Guest","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-41",41,"\u003Cp>In the banquet hall of the Peninsula Hotel, crystal chandeliers refracted brilliant light, while the champagne tower shimmered with a golden luster under the lamps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qianzai! Congratulations!\" Cheng Long strode over, raising his wine glass, an excited smile on his face. \"Cannes! I haven't even been there in my whole life!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian smiled and clinked glasses with him. \"Brother Long, this time you are surely going to win Best Actor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha, I borrow your auspicious words!\" Cheng Long patted his shoulder. \"But speaking of which, you filmed this picture truly ruthlessly; even after I finished acting, I had nightmares for several days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Xiang Qian was about to speak, Fang Yihua's voice came from behind: \"Qianzai, Sixth Uncle is looking for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaw Yifu stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, a cigar in hand. Seeing Xiang Qian approach, he smiled slightly. \"Young man, a few months ago you were merely a new star just stepping into the industry, yet now you have become Xiangjiang's most sought-after director.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian said respectfully, \"I dare not forget Sixth Uncle's nurturing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Yihua stood nearby, approval in her eyes. \"That 'Parasite' could be nominated for Cannes is something even I did not expect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaw Yifu exhaled a ring of smoke and sighed, \"The younger generation is formidable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, the banquet hall doors were pushed open, and the entire room fell silent for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two brothers, Xiang Huaqiang and Xiang Sheng, walked in, followed by four bodyguards in black, two of whom were carrying a golden plaque that glittered brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long's eyes narrowed, and he instinctively stepped in front of Xiang Qian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Yihua narrowed her eyes slightly and whispered, \"Don't be nervous; they are probably here to offer congratulations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Huaqiang wore a smile as he strode toward Xiang Qian, his voice loud and clear: \"Young man, you have great potential!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Sheng signaled his men to set down the golden plaque, upon which were carved four large characters: \"Xiangjiang's New Star.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian was stunned. \"...What does this mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Sheng patted his shoulder and laughed, \"It's a gift for you. Keep it up, young man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian frowned and lowered his voice. \"Some time ago, I picked a fight with your lodge, and now you come to celebrate me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Huaqiang burst into laughter. \"Matters of the jianghu are settled within the jianghu. Films are films. We, the Xiang family, have always respected those with ability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaw Yifu approached at the right moment, smiling to smooth things over. \"Qiangzai, Shengzai, long time no see. How has business been lately?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Huaqiang shook his hand. \"Thanks to Sixth Uncle's blessings, it is not bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Yihua also joined the pleasantries; the few of them talked and laughed as if the earlier tension had never existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After chatting for a while, Xiang Huaqiang looked at Xiang Qian and said meaningfully, \"Qianzai, make good films. The future of Xiangjiang still depends on you young people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, the two brothers left with their men, and the atmosphere in the banquet hall only then became lively again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long leaned in and whispered, \"Qianzai, what trick are they playing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian stared at that golden plaque and sneered. \"Who knows? Perhaps they want to curry favor, or perhaps it is a warning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Yihua walked over and said lightly, \"Although the Xiang brothers are domineering, within the film circle, they truly respect talented individuals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian nodded. \"I understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the eve of the music awards ceremony, Zhou Huimin still rushed back, arriving at the banquet just as it was nearing its end. As the banquet drew to a close, Zhou Huimin quietly tugged Xiang Qian's sleeve. \"Are you going to the music awards ceremony tomorrow?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian raised an eyebrow. \"What, you want me to watch you win an award?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin's face flushed. \"Who... who said I would definitely win an award?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian chuckled softly. \"Rest assured, I will definitely go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long teased from the side, \"Aiyo, Qianzai, are you planning to be her flower-protecting escort?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Qingxia also laughed. \"Young people are so sweet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Huimin bowed her head in shyness, while Xiang Qian calmly took a sip of wine, though a trace of tenderness flashed in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When leaving the banquet hall, Xiang Qian turned back to glance at that golden plaque, which sparkled brilliantly under the lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Yihua stood beside him and said softly, \"At tomorrow's music awards ceremony, the Xiang brothers might also appear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian sneered. \"Then we shall see exactly what tricks they intend to play.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night breeze brushed past; the neon lights of Xiangjiang remained brilliant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet behind this interplay of light and shadow, the undercurrents had only just begun to surge.\u003C\u002Fp>",796,"2026-06-17T20:24:38.058Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","27c725e7769b7b047dec808b631ce65a362dfaa548282d0a00721e94432cf78d","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-42","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-40",152,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhong-kong-1984-cover.jpg"]