Chapter 105: The Shoplifters

At six in the morning, Xiang Fei sat before the floor-to-ceiling window of his suite, typing the final period on his computer. Outside, the dawn light of Beijingcheng had just pierced the thin mist, dyeing the skyline a pale gold. He rubbed his sore eyes, closed the laptop, and let out a long sigh.

Finally finished.

He picked up his phone and sent a message to Zhou Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin:

"The script is done. It's called 'The Shoplifters'."

Less than three seconds later, the phone vibrated.

"So fast? Don't tell me you stayed up all night?"

Xiang Fei chuckled and replied:

"I slept for two hours; even in my dreams, I was revising dialogue."

Zhou Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin sent an angry emoji:

"If you pull another all-nighter, I'll fly over and watch you sleep."

Smiling, Xiang Fei set down his phone, picked up the printed script, and slipped it into his briefcase. Today, he was going to meet someone—Hanshan Ping.

At ten in the morning, Xiang Fei's car pulled up in front of the Beiyingchang building. He adjusted his suit collar, grabbed his briefcase, and strode into the elevator.

The moment the elevator doors opened, Hanshan Ping's assistant was already waiting:

"Director Xiang, President Han is waiting for you in the conference room."

Xiang Fei nodded and followed the assistant down the corridor. As he pushed open the door, he found Hanshan Ping sitting at the conference table drinking tea; seeing him enter, Han smiled and stood up.

"Ah Fei, what wind blew you here?"

Xiang Fei shook his hand and said with a smile:

"Uncle Han, I've written a new script and would like you to review it."

Hanshan Ping raised an eyebrow:

"Oh? You wrote it yourself? Not adapted from a purchased novel?"

Xiang Fei took the script out of his briefcase and handed it over.

"An original story, finished just last night."

Hanshan Ping took the script and opened the first page.

The conference room fell so silent that only the sound of turning pages remained. Xiang Fei lifted his teacup, observing Hanshan Ping's expression without revealing his own thoughts.

Hanshan Ping's brows furrowed slightly at first, then gradually relaxed; upon reading a certain passage, he even smiled unconsciously.

Half an hour later, Hanshan Ping closed the script, took off his glasses, and let out a long sigh:

"Ah Fei, you truly are a genius."

Xiang Fei was taken aback:

"Uncle Han, you flatter me."

Hanshan Ping shook his head, his tone serious:

"No, I mean it. This script—it's extraordinary."

He lifted the script and pointed to a section:

"This concept of a 'shoplifter family' appears to be about crime on the surface, but its core is warmth. Especially this 'father' character; though he is a swindler, he acts more like a father than many real fathers."

Xiang Fei smiled:

"What I want to explore is—what constitutes a true 'family'."

Hanshan Ping nodded and turned to another page:

"In this dialogue, when the little girl asks, 'Why do we have to steal?' and the old man replies, 'Because no one gives us anything'—those two short sentences cut straight to the heart of social issues."

Xiang Fei took a sip of tea:

"I hope the audience will fall silent after watching, and then begin to think."

Hanshan Ping slapped the table:

"Brilliant! A script like this comes once in a decade!"

Hanshan Ping stood up and paced around the conference room:

"Ah Fei, this film must be made, and quickly."

Xiang Fei raised an eyebrow:

"Do you think it will pass censorship?"

Hanshan Ping laughed:

"I wouldn't dare say that for other directors, but your name, Xiang Fei, is a passport in itself."

He sat back down at the table and said solemnly:

"Beiyingchang can provide full investment. What is your budget?"

Xiang Fei thought for a moment:

"Three million. We'll shoot on location; no special effects needed."

Hanshan Ping made the decision immediately:

"I'll give you two million, and you can choose any actors you want."

Xiang Fei shook his head:

"No big stars. I want newcomers, even non-actors."

Hanshan Ping was stunned:

"Why?"

Xiang Fei smiled:

"This story needs to feel real; celebrities cannot convey that kind of street-life atmosphere."

Hanshan Ping pondered for a moment, then nodded:

"Fine, I'll listen to you. But the female lead needs a guarantee—will Zhou Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin play her?"

Xiang Fei chuckled:

"She's not suitable; she can't convey that kind of feeling for this role."

Han Han Han Shanping teased:

"What's wrong, afraid your fiancée will get jealous?"

Xiang Fei shrugged:

"I'm afraid the audience will lose immersion."

Han Han Han Shanping picked up the phone:

"I'll have the Distribution Force approve the project now. Can we start filming next month?"

Xiang Fei shook his head:

"No rush. I need to find actors first; preparation will take at least three months."

Han Han Han Shanping nodded:

"Alright, if you need any resources, come straight to me."

Xiang Fei stood up and shook his hand:

"Thank you, Uncle Han."

Han Han Han Shanping walked him to the door, then suddenly asked:

"Ah Fei, is there a real-life prototype for this story?"

Xiang Fei paused, then said softly:

"Yes. When I was a child, I saw a family like that in Jiulongcheng."

Just before the elevator doors closed, Han Han Han Shanping said one last thing:

"This film can win awards."

Walking out of Beiyingchang, Xiang Fei stood in the sunlight and let out a long breath. He took out his phone and dialed Zhou Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin.

"How did it go?" Her voice carried a smile.

Xiang Fei smiled: "Uncle Han called me a genius." A light laugh came through the receiver: "He finally told the truth." Xiang Fei looked up at the sky:

"I miss you."

Zhou Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin said gently, "Then fly back tonight?"

Xiang Fei shook his head, even though she couldn't see it: "No, I have to find actors first."

Zhou Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin pretended to be angry:

"Director Xiang, do you love me, or do you love your movie?"

Xiang Fei laughed:

"I love you, which is why I want to make better movies for you to watch."

There was two seconds of silence on the other end before Zhou Zhou Zhou Zhou Huimin said softly, "Come home early."

Xiang Fei hung up the phone and walked toward the parking lot. Beijing's sunlight spilled over his shoulders, warm and bright.