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The Chen and Huang families did most of their business overseas, while the Chu Family's business was based on the mainland. The two regions were close enough, though, that the families knew each other in passing.

Representing the Chen and Huang families at the film festival were the heads of their respective families' sons. Both family heads were over seventy, and their sons were in their forties or fifties. Thanks to good care, they looked barely over forty. Though their faces had wrinkles, their wealth had lent them a refined air that made those imperfections easy to overlook.

One was Chen Jiawang, and the other was Huang Yonghui. They looked at Chu Xiyue with the kindly affection reserved for someone a generation younger.

Chu Xiyue was a generation apart from them, and they had little in common. They exchanged only a few pleasantries.

Chen Jiawang patted Chu Xiyue on the shoulder and spoke to her in halting Mandarin. "My dear niece, you're an impressive young woman. Helping your daddy shoulder the burden at such a young age! Give him my regards."

Huang Yonghui nodded. "Yes, yes. Tell him to join us for tea when he has time."

Chu Xiyue smiled politely and nodded, then looked ahead as though concentrating on the interview.

In front of them, the creative team behind a Hong Kong film was being interviewed. Titled Glory, the film portrayed the everyday lives of ordinary people beneath the glitter of 1990s Hong Kong Island. It was not due for release until May, so Chu Xiyue had not seen it, but she had heard of its director, Wang Guxin.

Wang Guxin was one of Hong Kong Island's two most renowned directors. He had won the Golden X Award for Best New Director and Best Director, and his films had