Chapter 102: Han Han Shanping's Probe

As Cai Wen dragged two suitcases out of the Capital Airport, neon signs were casting the words "Beijing Welcomes You" across the square in front of the station. Xiang Fei leaned against a black business van, waving at him; the cuff of his suit revealed half of a titanium-steel watch gifted by Zhou Zhou Huimin—a lucky charm he had deliberately chosen to wear.

"Brother Wen, you've worked hard!" Xiang Fei took the luggage and stuffed it into the trunk. "First, I'll take you to your residence; it's very close to the company."

Gazing at the flowing lights and colorful buildings lining Changanjie, Cai Wen couldn't help but remark, "The night in Jingcheng feels even more like a city that never sleeps than Xiangjiang."

"There will be plenty of time to see it later," Xiang Fei said as he started the car. "The residence is a duplex apartment, fully equipped with appliances. Starting tomorrow, the foundation of Feimin Entertainment will rely on you to stabilize it."

The car stopped at a high-end residential complex in the city center, and the elevator went straight to the 23rd floor. Pushing open the door, under the warm yellow lighting, brand-new furniture and daily necessities were all ready. Cai Wen set down his luggage and sat on the leather sofa in the living room: "Young Master Xiang has considered everything too thoroughly."

Xiang Fei took two bottles of red wine from the cabinet; the glass clinked crisply as they toasted. "Don't call me 'Young Master Xiang'; here in Jingcheng, just call me Ah Fei. Your tasks are divided into three parts: first, build a core team, recruiting individuals capable of standing alone in every link from planning and production to promotion and distribution; second, establish connections with major academies and talent agencies, as we need to cultivate our own new stars; and finally..." He paused. "Use every resource Win's Entertainment has in Xiangjiang that can be utilized, but remember, this is Beijing; the rules and the game must be relearned."

Cai Wen tilted his head back to down his beer, wiped his mouth, and smiled: "Rest assured, I worked at Win's for eight years; I have enough adaptability for this."

"Tomorrow I am going to Beiyingchang to visit Han Han Shanping; you first familiarize yourself with the company's renovation progress, and contact me anytime if there are issues."

The next morning, Xiang Fei changed into a dark blue Zhongshan suit, deliberately pinning on a silver maple leaf brooch—that was something Zhou Zhou Huimin had bought while traveling. Before the main gate of Beiyingchang, the crimson walls and the golden factory plaque reflected brilliance upon each other, while staff members coming and going at the entrance moved with hurried steps.

"Hello, I have an appointment with Factory Director Han." As Xiang Fei registered at the guardhouse, he noticed the visitor logbook was filled with dense records of visits.

Passing through the tree-lined avenue, ginkgo leaves in front of the administrative building rustled in the wind. When he knocked on the carved wooden door of Han Han Shanping's office, he heard the scratching sound of a pen moving across paper from within.

"Come in."

Pushing open the door, a fragrance of sandalwood and tea wafted toward him. Han Han Shanping sat behind a large desk, his gaze beneath gold-rimmed glasses steady as a deep abyss. He put down his pen and pointed to the rosewood chair opposite: "Director Xiang has arrived!"

"Greetings, Factory Director Han." Xiang Fei presented a gold-stamped business card with both hands. "Feimin Entertainment has just established itself in Jingcheng. Having long admired Factory Director Han's contributions to Chinese cinema, I have come specifically to seek your guidance." He took a proposal out of his briefcase. "This is our company's plan for the next three years, focusing on combining main-melody films with commercial productions. For instance, set against the backdrop of Reform and Opening-up, telling stories of ordinary people's struggles."

Han Han Shanping opened the proposal, his gaze behind the lenses gradually becoming focused. Xiang Fei continued: "I know Beiyingchang possesses deep historical accumulation, as well as many excellent scripts and talents. What Feimin Entertainment wishes to do is build a bridge—combining the mature commercial operation models of Xiangjiang with the cultural depth of the interior."

The office fell into a brief silence, with only the ticking of an old-fashioned wall clock on the wall. After a long while, Han Han Shanping closed the proposal: "Director Xiang is very ambitious. But filmmaking is not simply one plus one; there are cultural differences, market demands, policy orientations..."

"That is precisely why we need a guide like Factory Director Han."

Han Han Shanping smiled and asked, "I hear Director Xiang has very close ties with the Xiang brothers of Win's?"

Xiang Fei sat up straight, his tone sincere: "Win's is my family enterprise, but Feimin Entertainment operates independently. I came to Jingcheng to prove my own capabilities and to make some new attempts for Chinese cinema."

The ginkgo leaves outside the window rustled again. Han Han Shanping stood up and walked to the window, looking at the staff members coming and going within the factory compound: "It is good for young people to have drive. How about this: I will find time to review all the films you have shot."

A surge of joy rose in Xiang Fei's heart; he immediately stood up to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Factory Director Han, for your nurturing!"

As he saw Xiang Fei out, Han Han Shanping paused on the steps of the administrative building: "Jingcheng is not like Xiangjiang; the waters of the film circle run deeper here. But..." He turned his head, revealing a meaningful smile, "for young people with ideas, I have always been willing to give a hand up."

Walking along the tree-lined avenue of Beiyingchang, autumn sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, sprinkling onto Xiang Fei's shoulders. This meeting had gone more smoothly than he expected; although Han Han Shanping's attitude was cautious, he clearly maintained an open mindset toward new things. His phone vibrated in his pocket; it was a message from Cai Wen: "Company renovation progress is ahead of schedule; the first batch of interview lists has been organized."

After replying to the message, Xiang Fei gazed at a film crew shooting in the distance, where the roar of cameras and the shouts of floor managers intertwined into a unique urban symphony. In the martial world of Jingcheng's cinema, he had finally taken his first formal step.