[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hong-kong-1984":3,"chapter-hong-kong-1984-hong-kong-1984-rise-of-the-cultural-empire-chapter-103":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},2224980,4066,"Chapter 103: The Wang Brothers' Probe","hong-kong-1984-rise-of-the-cultural-empire-chapter-103",103,"\u003Cp>When Xiang Fei pushed open the apartment door, a blast of air-conditioned chill mixed with the aroma of coffee hit him. Cai Wen was bent over the long table in the living room; inside an open leather folder, the list of graduating actors from the Class of '86 at the Beijing Film Academy and the Central Academy of Drama was densely circled in red ink, with newspaper clippings and handwritten notes pasted alongside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah Fei, take a look at these names.\" Without lifting his head, Cai Wen slid over an A4 sheet marked \"High Potential.\" \"Ceng Jiang Wen from the Beijing Film Academy's Class of '86 just finished filming 'The Last Empress,' Chen Daoming from the Central Academy of Drama became a sensation with 'Fortress Besieged,' and then there's Gong Li—only a sophomore, yet already spotted by Director Zhang Zhang Yimou to star in 'Red Sorghum'...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Fei leaned in for a closer look. Besides the names already making waves, several others were marked with question marks in blue ink. \"Never heard of these?\" he asked, pointing to \"Li Li Xuejian\" and \"Wang Wang Zhiwen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Wen removed his glasses to wipe them, his eyes behind the lenses sharp and seasoned. \"Li Li Xuejian just finished 'Yearning'; his acting is impeccable, but he lacks resources. Wang Wang Zhiwen is still playing bit parts, yet his command of dialogue is praised even by the teachers at the Central Academy of Drama. I think we need to plan ahead.\" He pulled out another document. \"I've contacted the head of the Performance Department at the Beijing Film Academy. There's a graduation showcase next Friday; we can go scout talent in person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a mobile phone rang shrilly. Xiang Fei saw an unfamiliar Jingcheng number on the screen and pressed answer. A hearty male voice came through: \"Young Master Xiang? This is Wang Wang Zhongjun from Huayi. I heard from a friend that you've come to Jingcheng to start a company. Would you honor us with dinner tonight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Fei exchanged a glance with Cai Wen, then smiled and agreed. \"Director Wang is too kind. I was just looking for an opportunity to pay my respects. I'll definitely be there tonight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As night fell, Xiang Fei and Cai Wen drove to the Wangfu Hotel. Under the crystal chandeliers, Wang Wang Zhongjun approached with his younger brother, Wang Wang Zhonglei. The gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses scanned the two up and down. \"We've long admired the Xiang family's reputation. Who would have thought Director Xiang was so young!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Wang flatters me,\" Xiang Fei said, shaking hands with both men. \"Making my way in Jingcheng, I'll need to rely heavily on seniors like yourselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several rounds of drinks, Wang Wang Zhonglei picked up a piece of roast duck and asked, seemingly casually, \"I heard Director Xiang just met Han Han Han Shanping?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Wen set down his wine glass and took over the conversation. \"Just a newcomer paying a visit to seek advice. On the other hand, I've heard Huayi has considerable expertise in film and television investment. I hope you two won't hesitate to share your wisdom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swirling his wine glass, Wang Wang Zhongjun chuckled lightly. \"Sharing wisdom is too grand a term; we simply have some resources we can share. For instance, at the new film bidding conference held by the Film Bureau next month, my brother and I can take Director Xiang along to see the world.\" Then he shifted tack. \"I hear Director Xiang is recruiting? Our company has several screenwriters, all top graduates from the Central Academy of Drama...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Fei keenly detected their probing. Raising his glass with a smile, he said, \"To be honest, we are indeed planning to build our own screenwriting team. However, if Director Wang is willing to make introductions so we can meet some industry veterans, that would be even better.\" He took a proposal out of his briefcase. \"This is the project plan for our first film.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Wang Zhonglei took the proposal, scanned it quickly, and raised an eyebrow. \"The subject matter is novel, but films of this type face strict censorship, and the investment risk is considerable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's precisely why we're looking for reliable partners,\" Cai Wen added at the right moment. \"Huayi is rich in experience regarding resource integration. If we could develop projects together, I'm sure we'd achieve twice the result with half the effort.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Wang Zhongjun put down his chopsticks, leaned back in his chair, and sized them up. \"Since Director Xiang is sincere, I won't hide anything either. In Jingcheng's film and television circle, both connections and sensitivity to policy are indispensable. We can provide resources, but we must hold a thirty percent stake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Fei and Cai Wen exchanged a glance, then shook their heads with smiles. \"Director Wang, we are just starting out, with limited capital and resources. How about a twenty percent stake, plus priority cooperation rights on future projects? What do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere instantly froze, with only the faint sound of wine glasses swirling. After a long pause, Wang Wang Zhongjun suddenly burst into laughter. \"Director Xiang truly deserves his reputation as the man behind 'Titanic'; even negotiating business, you carry such ruthlessness! Very well, let's do it your way!\" He raised his glass. \"To a pleasant cooperation!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the car on the way back, Cai Wen let out a long sigh. \"The Wang brothers are not simple. They seem enthusiastic, but in reality, they are probing us at every step.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it also shows they are interested in us,\" Xiang Fei said, gazing at the neon lights outside the car window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Jingcheng night, this dinner was like a stone cast into a lake, its ripples quietly spreading. Both Xiang Fei and Cai Wen knew clearly that on this unfamiliar land, every raised glass and every agreement was a stepping stone toward the future.\u003C\u002Fp>",987,"2026-06-17T21:13:31.588Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","7d0bf1ea8698ee36938ab641ff2efba4ce0f2b31da71e06b5a1a7010b97f2d00","hong-kong-1984-rise-of-the-cultural-empire-chapter-104","hong-kong-1984-rise-of-the-cultural-empire-chapter-102",152,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhong-kong-1984-cover.jpg"]