Chapter 71: God of Gamblers Project Initiated

Xiang Fei sat at his desk, the ashtray piled high with cigarette butts, a stack of script drafts spread out before him, the cover boldly displaying two gilded characters—"God of Gamblers."

He stared into the mirror, slowly adjusting his suit and tie, a wicked, charming smile curling the corners of his mouth.

"The role of Ko Chun..." he murmured to himself, "belongs to no one but me."

The next morning, as Xiang Xiang Huaqiang was reviewing the budget report for "Infernal Affairs," his office door was suddenly pushed open.

"Uncle Qiang!" Xiang Fei strode in, slapping the script onto the desk. "Take a look at this!"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang frowned. "You brat, don't you know to knock before entering?" Yet he still picked up the script. "What new trick are you up to now?"

"My second directorial work!" Xiang Fei pulled out a chair and sat down. "I plan to direct it myself, and—" he paused, "I will play Ko Chun."

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang raised an eyebrow. "God of Gamblers? You're playing him?"

"Exactly!" Xiang Fei stood up, performing a classic card-flicking motion. "I've been studying this role for three months."

Just then, Chen Lan walked in carrying coffee. "Oh, Ah Fei is here?" She set down the cup and leaned over curiously. "What script is so mysterious?"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang handed her the script. "This kid wants to direct and star in a gambling film."

Chen Lan flipped through it quickly, her eyes lighting up. "The God of Gamblers loses his memory and becomes a fool? That's an interesting premise!" She looked up at Xiang Fei. "Are you sure you can handle this role?"

Xiang Fei grinned. "Auntie, want me to perform a scene for you right now?"

Without waiting for an answer, his expression suddenly went blank, his gaze unfocused, his mouth crooked, perfectly mimicking a mentally disabled youth. "Chocolate... I want chocolate..."

Chen Lan froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "That's incredibly realistic!"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang couldn't help but nod. "It has potential. However..." he tapped the desk, "being a director isn't that easy."

"Uncle Qiang," Xiang Fei turned serious, "have you forgotten? I'm a Palme d'Or winner."

"I'd actually forgotten about that," Xiang Xiang Huaqiang said with a laugh.

Chen Lan turned to the cast list. "Any ideas for the other actors?"

Xiang Fei was well prepared. "For Chan Siu-do, I want Liu Liu Furong; his rogueish handsomeness is perfect for the part."

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang frowned. "Wing is currently filming 'Infernal Affairs'; I'm afraid he won't have time."

Chen Lan spoke up. "Let Wang Jing film Wing's scenes first."

"As for Lung Ng..." Xiang Fei looked at Xiang Xiang Huaqiang with a grin. "Uncle Qiang, how about you play the role?"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang was stunned. "Me?"

"Yes!" Xiang Fei said excitedly. "Lung Ng is Ko Chun's bodyguard, a cold, tough guy. Uncle Qiang, just you standing there, your presence alone would dominate the screen!"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang pondered for a moment, then suddenly laughed. "You brat, trying to make me your supporting actor?"

"Not a supporting actor, a golden partner!" Xiang Fei laughed. "Besides, haven't you always wanted to try acting?"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang snorted. "Fine, I'll do it. But if the film turns out poorly, beware, I'll deal with you."

Chen Lan continued reading down. "What about Ko Chun's wife?"

"Zhang Min," Xiang Fei answered without hesitation. "Her cold, elegant, and noble temperament makes her perfect for the God of Gamblers' woman."

"And Chan Siu-do's girlfriend?"

"Wang Wang Zuxian," Xiang Fei smiled. "The romantic subplot between her and Siu-do will be quite compelling."

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang suddenly interjected. "What about the villains? Who will play Ko Yee and Chan Kam-shing?"

Xiang Fei was ready. "For Ko Yee, let's get Ng Chun-yu; he excels at playing sinister and vicious characters. As for Chan Kam-shing..." he smiled mysteriously, "I plan to invite Teacher Pau Fong."

"Pau Fong?" Chen Lan exclaimed in surprise. "That veteran actor rarely takes roles anymore."

"Just tell him this role was tailor-made for him, and he will definitely be interested," Xiang Fei said confidently.

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang stood up and paced around the office. "What's the budget?"

"Three million," Xiang Fei replied, prepared. "We'll mainly shoot in Macau; Wynn has already agreed to lend us their casino location."

Chen Lan added, "I can contact designers in Italy for the costumes; we must ensure the God of Gamblers' look is sufficiently magnificent."

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang suddenly turned around. "Ah Fei, are you sure you want to take the lead yourself? Why not hire a professional director..."

"Uncle Qiang," Xiang Fei said seriously, "I wrote this script word by word; no one understands how to film it better than I do."

After a moment of silence, Xiang Xiang Huaqiang suddenly laughed loudly. "Good! You have guts! Then it's settled."

"No problem!" Xiang Fei agreed readily.

Just then, the office door was pushed open again, and Xiang Sheng walked in with a cigar in his mouth. "Oh, such a lively scene?"

Chen Lan handed him the script. "Ah Fei is going to be a director."

After glancing through it roughly, Xiang Sheng suddenly slammed the table. "I want to play the role of Ko Yee!"

"Huh?" all three exclaimed in unison.

"I'm serious!" Xiang Sheng insisted relentlessly.

Xiang Fei quickly tried to mediate. "Uncle Sheng, this role involves a lot of fight scenes; it's very strenuous..."

"Looking down on me?" Xiang Sheng glared.

In the end, Chen Lan resolved the situation. "Fine, let him do it."

Only then was Xiang Sheng satisfied. "That's more like it!"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang picked up the phone. "Secretary Cai, notify all department heads; we're holding a meeting at 3 PM. The 'God of Gamblers' project officially launches!"

Hanging up the phone, he patted his nephew's shoulder. "Ah Fei, don't disappoint me."

Xiang Fei nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, Uncle Qiang, I will make 'God of Gamblers' the flagship title of Wing Sing!"

Chen Lan had already started dialing. "I'll notify Wang Jing first..."

Watching his family offer their full support, a warm current surged through Xiang Fei's heart.