Chapter 132: Old Friends Arrive

Xiang Fei stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, his fingertips lightly tapping the phone screen. The night was deep, yet the city lights outside still shone brilliantly. He took a deep breath and dialed that familiar number.

"Hello? Brother Da?"

A hearty laugh from Wu Mengda came through the phone: "Ah Fei! Calling so late, could it be good news?"

A slight smile curved Xiang Fei's lips: "Detective Chinatown is about to start filming..."

"I'll fly over immediately, finally got the call!" Before Xiang Fei could finish, Wu Mengda eagerly agreed, "The earliest flight tomorrow, I'll have my agent cancel other engagements right now."

Hanging up, Xiang Fei dialed another number. When the call connected, the clinking of glasses and toasts still mingled in the background noise.

"Brother Wai, the Kun Tai I promised you last time..."

"Hahaha! I thought you forgot!" Zeng Zhiwei's voice carried a hint of drunkenness, "See you tomorrow!"

At the airport in the early morning, Wu Mengda dragged his suitcase quickly toward the boarding gate. He had specifically worn a baseball cap, yet he was still spotted by a few sharp-eyed fans.

"Uncle Da! Can we take a photo?"

Wu Mengda nodded with a smile, a few familiar wrinkles crowding the corners of his eyes. Just then, he heard a familiar voice from behind: "Hey! Isn't that our Brother Da?"

Zeng Zhiwei wore a floral shirt and sunglasses, looking exactly like a tycoon ready for a vacation. The two exchanged a smile and high-fived with perfect understanding.

"You're going to shoot Ah Fei's new film too?" Wu Mengda asked in a lowered voice.

"Of course!" Zeng Zhiwei leaned in mysteriously, "I'm playing Kun Tai, heard it's a very interesting role."

After the plane took off, the two quickly entered work mode. Wu Mengda pulled the script from his bag, while Zeng Zhiwei took out a notebook densely filled with notes on his understanding of the character.

"I think Kun Tai should be a character who is all bark and no bite," Zeng Zhiwei gestured, "Fierce on the surface, but actually..."

"Actually a coward!" Wu Mengda finished the sentence, and both burst into laughter simultaneously.

When the flight attendant brought drinks, the two were improvising a scene from the script. Wu Mengda suddenly slammed the table and stood up: "Brother Tai, you still want to help me?"

Zeng Zhiwei instantly got into character, putting on an exaggerated expression of terror: "I've already helped you run away!"

The surrounding passengers were all amused, some pulling out phones to secretly record. A young man wearing glasses couldn't help but ask: "Two teachers, is this a clip from a new film?"

"That's right!" Zeng Zhiwei proudly adjusted his collar, "Director Xiang Fei's Detective Chinatown, please look forward to it!"

In the airport arrival hall, Xiang Fei kept checking his watch. When he saw two familiar figures walking out chatting and laughing, he hurried forward to meet them.

"Brother Da! Brother Wai!"

The three embraced tightly. Wu Mengda patted Xiang Fei's shoulder: "Ah Fei, long time no see!"

Zeng Zhiwei then lowered his voice mysteriously: "Heard a newcomer is playing Qin Feng this time? Can he hold his own against our acting?"

Xiang Fei smiled without answering, simply making a "please" gesture: "The car is waiting outside, let's go to the hotel first. We'll talk over dinner tonight."

On the way to the hotel, Wu Mengda gazed at the scenery speeding past the window and suddenly sighed: "Last time working with Ah Fei was several years ago, right?"

In the hotel private room, the three sat around a round table. The table was filled with various delicacies, yet no one touched their chopsticks. Xiang Fei was explaining the shooting plan in detail.

"The first scene is under the archway in Tang Renjie, Brother Da, you need to..."

Wu Mengda suddenly interrupted him: "Brother Fei, I think Tang Ren should have an accent." He improvised a few lines, looking exactly like a street vendor.

Zeng Zhiwei's eyes lit up: "Great setting! Then the Kun Tai I play will speak Cantonese-accented Mandarin to create contrasting comedy."

The discussion grew more and more heated, the three sometimes arguing, sometimes laughing. When a waiter came in to refill tea, he happened to see Zeng Zhiwei standing on a chair, imitating the scene in the script where Kun Tai helps Tang Ren.

"Perfect!" Xiang Fei clapped and cheered, "Just act it that way!"

Night fell, and Xiang Fei escorted the two seniors back to their rooms. In the elevator, Wu Mengda suddenly spoke seriously: "Brother Fei, this newcomer..."

"Don't worry," Xiang Fei's gaze was firm, "You still don't trust my eye for people?"