Chapter 74: The Master

In the makeup room, the stylist was crafting Gao Yi's look for Xiang Sheng.

"More oil on the hair!" Xiang Sheng directed. "He's a villain; he needs to look sufficiently treacherous!"

The makeup artist, trembling with fear, slathered half a bottle of hair oil onto his head.

The first scene to be filmed was Gao Yi secretly plotting against Gao Jin.

"Action!"

Xiang Sheng skulked over to the gambling table, sneering sinisterly at thin air: "Hehe, Gao Jin, you're dead meat..."

"Cut!" Xiang Fei pressed his forehead. "Uncle Sheng, Gao Yi is insidious, not lecherous..."

Dissatisfied, Xiang Sheng retorted, "Am I not portraying his cunning? Again!"

In the second take, Xiang Sheng suddenly pulled a toy gun from his bosom: "Gao Jin! Die!"

"Cut!" Xiang Fei was on the verge of collapse. "That's not in the script!"

Xiang Sheng spoke with righteous indignation: "I feel this adds more drama!"

Seeing the filming hit a deadlock, Zhang Min approached gracefully: "Mr. Xiang, would you like to try a different approach to the acting?"

Xiang Sheng's eyes lit up. "Does Miss Zhang have some brilliant insight?"

Zhang Min's red lips curved slightly upward. "The character of Gao Yi should embody a wickedness that remains outwardly calm." She leaned in close, whispering in Xiang Sheng's ear, "For instance... looking at Gao Jin while plotting his demise in your heart, yet wearing a smile on your face."

Xiang Sheng, dizzy from her orchid-like breath and fragrance, agreed eagerly: "Yes, yes, yes! Miss Zhang is absolutely right!"

For the remainder of the filming, Zhang Min 'guided' Xiang Sheng throughout.

"Mr. Xiang, at this moment you should slowly walk up behind Gao Jin," Zhang Min gestured. "Your eyes must be cold, but the corners of your mouth should carry a smile."

Obediently following her instructions as if bewitched, Xiang Sheng surprisingly managed to convey a hint of insidiousness.

Behind the monitor, Xiang Fei stared in dumbfounded amazement. "Ah Min, how did you manage that?"

Zhang Min offered a cunning smile. "It's a secret."

When filming the scene where Gao Yi harasses Gao Jin's wife, Xiang Sheng suddenly added lines: "Director! I think we should add a forced kiss here!"

The set instantly fell silent.

Xiang Fei jumped up abruptly. "No!"

Xiang Qiang slammed the script down. "Ah Sheng!"

Zhang Min, however, remained unperturbed. "Mr. Xiang, in the script, Gao Yi only uses verbal harassment; getting physical is too low-class."

Unwilling to give up, Xiang Sheng stammered, "But..."

Zhang Min suddenly leaned in close and whispered in his ear, "How about this: you gently trace your finger across my face; that would be far more seductive..."

Xiang Sheng's bones instantly turned to jelly. "Good, good, good! Let's film it exactly as Miss Zhang says!"

During the actual take, following Zhang Min's guidance, Xiang Sheng lightly caressed her cheek with his finger.

The moment he made contact, his hand shook like that of a Parkinson's patient. "M-Miss Zhang, your skin is so smooth..."

Suppressing her laughter, Zhang Min continued acting: "Gao Yi, please have some self-respect."

"I-I have plenty of self-respect!" Xiang Sheng stuttered, having completely forgotten his lines.

Everyone on set struggled to hold back their laughter until their insides ached.

Helplessly, Xiang Fei called, "Cut! Uncle Sheng, at least say your lines!"

Xiang Sheng's old face flushed red. "Again, again!"

After more than a dozen takes, they finally secured one barely usable shot. Xiang Sheng was drenched in sweat, while Zhang Min remained elegant and composed.

That evening at the wrap party, Xiang Sheng, drunk and red-faced, stumbled with a wine glass in hand toward Zhang Min.

"M-Miss Zhang!" he slurred, his tongue thick. "In all my years, Xiang Sheng has never encountered a woman as perfect as you!"

The entire room instantly fell silent.

Xiang Qiang's face turned iron-green, while Xiang Fei prepared to rush forward and intercept him.

Zhang Min, however, smiled beautifully, raising her glass to lightly clink against Xiang Sheng's. "Mr. Xiang's portrayal of Gao Yi was also quite unique."

Xiang Sheng immediately became giddy. "Th-then do you think there's any possibility for us..."

Zhang Min elegantly sipped her wine. "Mr. Xiang, in the drama, you are Gao Yi, and I am Gao Jin's wife." She winked. "As for outside the drama..."

She suddenly linked arms with Liu Liu Furong standing beside her. "Rongzai and I have already agreed to play a couple in our next film."

Liu Liu Furong looked utterly bewildered. "Huh? Me?"

Xiang Sheng looked as if struck by lightning, while Xiang Fei and Xiang Qiang couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The next day, before Xiang Sheng slunk away from Macau, he didn't forget to instruct Xiang Fei: "Ah Fei, whenever there are scenes with Miss Zhang in the future, you must call me!"

Xiang Fei replied helplessly, "Uncle Sheng, you'd better just focus on the work you already have on your plate."

Watching Xiang Sheng's retreating figure, Zhang Min walked over. "Young Master Xiang, I hope I didn't cause you any trouble?"

Xiang Fei said sincerely, "Ah Min, you are simply a fairy who tamed my uncle."

Zhang Min covered her mouth and laughed lightly. "To deal with men like that, one must know how to maneuver."

The two exchanged a smile, and the filming of *God of Gamblers* finally returned to the right track.