Chapter 112: The Gambling Saint Project

"Auntie, good day." Xiang Fei greeted respectfully.

Zhou Mu stuck her head out from the kitchen: "Ah Fei, I heard you opened a branch company on the mainland? Is it exhausting?"

"It's fine, Auntie," Xiang Fei pulled out a chair for Zhou Huimin, "just the food's hard to get used to."

"Ah, I knew it!" Zhou Mu set down a pot of slow-simmered soup, "I specially boiled this for you to nourish your body."

Zhou Huimin smirked: "Mum, you're biased! I never got this when I came back!"

Back at the Shek O villa, Zhou Huimin had just shut the door when Xiang Fei swept her up in his arms.

"Ah!" she gasped, "Put me down!"

Xiang Fei grinned mischievously: "Nope. Tonight, you're my Gambling Saint."

"What's a Gambling Saint…" Zhou Huimin's words were cut off by a kiss.

Two hours later, the bedroom was in disarray. Zhou Huimin leaned against Xiang Fei's chest, tracing circles on his chest with her finger.

"Ah Fei, are you really going to make 'The Gambling Saint'?"

"Mm," Xiang Fei played with her hair, "the script's already written."

"But…" Zhou Huimin hesitated, "gambling films are sensitive now—won't it…"

Xiang Fei kissed her forehead: "Don't worry—I'm going for comedy this time. I'm going to get Star Boy."

"Star Boy?" Zhou Huimin sat up in surprise, "Is he suitable?"

"Trust me," Xiang Fei said confidently.

Zhou Huimin leaned back into his arms: "You're always right…"

Their breathing gradually steadied as they fell asleep entwined.

The next morning, Wing Sing Tower.

"Good morning, Young Master Xiang!"

"Young Master Xiang's back!"

Employees greeted him one after another. Xiang Fei nodded in reply; as he stepped into his office, the door burst open.

"Ah Fei!" Xiang Qiang stormed in, "You're finally back!"

Zhou Mu followed closely: "Did they treat you poorly on the mainland?"

Xiang Sheng entered last, closing the door: "Did anyone bully you?"

Xiang Fei laughed helplessly: "Uncle Qiang, Auntie, Uncle Sheng, I went to open a company, not to war."

Zhou Mu scanned him up and down: "You've lost weight! You definitely didn't eat well!"

"Auntie," Xiang Fei sighed, "I've gained three pounds…"

Xiang Qiang plopped onto the sofa: "Enough chatter—tell us about the mainland situation."

Xiang Fei poured four cups of tea and gave a brief report on the mainland branch's progress.

"Not bad!" Xiang Huasheng nodded, "More successful than I expected."

After the laughter subsided, Xiang Fei pulled three documents from his drawer.

"Back to business," he said seriously, "these are my new project proposals."

Xiang Huasheng took the documents: "'The Gambling Saint'? A sequel to 'The God of Gamblers'?"

"Mm," Xiang Fei explained, "same universe, but a completely new story. The protagonist's a country boy with special abilities."

Xiang Fei had already prepared: "I plan to cast Star Boy as the lead."

"What?!" Zhou Mu exclaimed, "Star Boy?"

Xiang Sheng also objected: "Ah Fei, this is a major production—Star Boy is just a comedian. I don't have much faith in him!"

"Uncle Sheng," Xiang Fei remained calm, "you didn't believe in 'Titanic' either."

Xiang Qiang slammed the table: "How can you compare them? Cai Shaofen is an actress—Star Boy is just a clown!"

"Precisely because of that, it's special," Xiang Fei insisted, "his absurd style is exactly what 'The Gambling Saint' needs."

The three exchanged glances. Zhou Mu sighed: "Ah Fei, are you sure?"

"I'm certain," Xiang Fei said firmly, "give him a chance—he'll become Yongsheng's golden trademark."

The debate lasted two hours.

Xiang Sheng rubbed his temples: "Budget can't exceed three million."

"No problem," Xiang Fei agreed immediately, "it might even cost less."

Xiang Qiang still wasn't convinced: "What if it bombs at the box office…"

"I take full responsibility," Xiang Fei declared decisively, "I'll cover any losses myself."

Zhou Mu suddenly smiled: "Ah Fei, you've really grown bolder."

Xiang Sheng finally relented: "Fine, do it your way. But polish the script again."

"Thank you, Uncle Sheng!" Xiang Fei breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiang Qiang shook his head, sighing: "You really are impossible to reason with…"

At three in the afternoon, Zhou Xingxing stood trembling at the door of the Yongsheng conference room.

"F…Fei-ge wants to see me?" he nervously asked the secretary.

The secretary smiled: "Yes, Mr. Zhou. Please wait a moment."

The door opened; Xiang Fei waved: "Star Boy, come in."

Zhou Xingxing shuffled in, legs weak at the sight of the entire senior team.

"Sit," Xiang Fei pushed a file toward him, "take a look at this role."

Zhou Xingxing flipped open the script, eyes widening: "P…Protagonist? Me?"

"Salary: eight hundred thousand," Xiang Fei said bluntly, "training starts tomorrow. Any problems?"

Zhou Xingxing was so excited he spoke incoherently: "No... no problem! Thanks, Brother Fei! I will... um... go all out!"

Xiang Fei patted his shoulder: "Remember, I don't want Zhou Xingxing; I want the God of Gamblers."

In the evening, Xiang Fei returned to the Clear Water Bay villa, where Zhou Huimin was reading the script.

"How did it go?" she asked without looking up.

Xiang Fei loosened his tie: "Done. Zhou Xingxing will star in The God of Gamblers."

Zhou Huimin looked up and smiled: "I knew you could convince them."

"Just like when I chose you to play Rose," Xiang Fei said, sitting beside her, "my taste is never wrong."

Zhou Huimin leaned on his shoulder: "The God of Gamblers... sounds very interesting."

Xiang Fei embraced her: "Just wait and see; this will be a work that changes Xiangjiang's comedy films."