Chapter 75: God of Gamblers Wraps

"God of Gamblers, Take 98, Shot 36, Action!"

On the monitor, Ko Chun, played by Xiang Fei, dressed in a black suit, slowly turned around, his gaze sharp as a blade. He flicked his finger, and an Ace of Spades shot toward the camera like an arrow.

"Cut! Perfect!" the assistant director shouted excitedly, "God of Gamblers has officially wrapped!"

The set instantly erupted in thunderous applause and cheers. The lighting crew switched on all the spotlights, making the casino hall as bright as day. Xiang Fei stood where he was, momentarily dazed—three months of frenzied filming had finally come to an end at this very moment.

Liu Liu Furong was the first to rush over and hug him: "Young Master Xiang! We did it!"

Only then did Xiang Fei snap out of it, hugging back tightly: "Wing-jai."

Zhang Min walked over gracefully and lightly kissed Xiang Fei's cheek: "Congratulations, Director."

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang stood not far away, wearing a gratified smile.

In the top-floor banquet hall of the Grand Lisboa, a champagne tower had already been assembled.

Xiang Fei raised his glass, his voice slightly choked: "These past three months, thank you all, brothers and sisters, for supporting me, Xiang Fei."

Having said this, he suddenly found himself unable to continue.

Liu Liu Furong laughed and picked up the thread: "Hey, Director, getting this emotional isn't very God of Gamblers-like!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed.

Xiang Sheng appeared out of nowhere, slinging an arm around Xiang Fei's shoulders: "Director Fei, your skills are getting better and better!"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang snorted coldly: "If Miss Zhang hadn't cleaned up your mess, would Ko Ngai, as you played him, even be watchable?"

Xiang Sheng refused to accept this: "Big Brother, didn't I act very well in that final scene? Even Miss Zhang praised my improvement!"

Zhang Min pressed her lips together in a smile: "Indeed, Mr. Xiang's final take was done in one shot."

Xiang Sheng immediately became brimming with pride, while Xiang Fei and Liu Liu Furong exchanged a helpless glance.

Halfway through the banquet, the staff wheeled out a giant cake, atop which a classic still from God of Gamblers had been sculpted in chocolate.

"Director, this is a gift from the crew," the producer said with a smile.

To his surprise, Xiang Fei noticed an exquisite gift box placed beside the cake. Opening it, he found a deck of playing cards crafted from pure gold, the back of each card engraved with the signatures of the crew members.

"This deck cost me half a month's salary!" the lighting technician joked loudly.

Taking a deep breath, he said solemnly: "Thank you, everyone. I will treasure this deck for the rest of my life."

After several rounds of toasts, the scene was already filled with people staggering drunkenly.

Liu Liu Furong, arm around Xiang Fei's shoulders and thoroughly drunk, said: "Brother Fei, honestly, when I first heard you were directing and starring, I had my doubts..."

"But!" Liu Liu Furong declared loudly, "These three months have made me see you in a new light! Arriving earliest on set, leaving latest, striving for perfection in every shot..." He suddenly turned serious: "You are a good director."

On the other side, Xiang Xiang Huaqiang, rarely so drunk, was holding onto Zhang Min's hand and refusing to let go: "Miss Zhang, thank you for looking after my good-for-nothing younger brother..."

Zhang Min replied gently: "Mr. Xiang is too polite; Mr. Xiang Sheng is very... unique."

Hearing this, Xiang Sheng immediately leaned in: "Miss Zhang, let's collaborate again on the next film!"

Xiang Xiang Huaqiang shoved him away: "Get lost!"

As the sky began to show the first pale light of dawn, the banquet finally drew to a close.

The crew began packing up their equipment while the actors bid each other farewell. Liu Liu Furong and Wang Wang Zuxian agreed to collaborate on the next film, while Xiang Xiang Huaqiang and Bao Fang discussed the inheritance of craft among veteran actors.

Xiang Fei stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the streets of Macau gradually wake up.

Zhang Min appeared beside him without him noticing: "What is the Director thinking about?"

Xiang Fei smiled: "Thinking that these three months felt like a dream."

"Was it a good dream?"

"There was pressure, there were arguments, there were all-nighters rushing to meet deadlines..." Xiang Fei turned to look at her, "But indeed, it was a good dream."

Zhang Min lightly clinked her glass against his: "Then I wish the Director's dream comes true, and that God of Gamblers becomes a huge hit."

As the last to leave, Xiang Fei stood at the hotel entrance, watching the staff load the final batch of equipment onto the trucks.

The assistant director approached and asked: "Director, would you like to join us for breakfast?"

Xiang Fei shook his head: "You go ahead; I want to be alone for a while."

After everyone had departed, he walked alone through the streets of Macau, rubbing the golden deck of cards in his hand. In the morning light, his shadow was stretched very long.

His phone suddenly rang; it was a text message from Xiang Xiang Huaqiang: "Ah Fei, don't overthink it."