Chapter 147: Actors in Position

Han Shanping took off his reading glasses, gently placed the script on the rosewood desk, and his fingers unconsciously tapped the cover.

"Ah Fei..." Han Shanping took a deep breath, "this script..."

Xiang Fei's hand holding the teacup hung suspended in mid-air.

"Absolutely brilliant!" Han Shanping suddenly slapped the table and rose, "You kid are truly a genius!"

Tea splashed onto Xiang Fei's suit, yet he remained completely unaware: "Uncle Han thinks it's feasible?"

"More than feasible!" Han Shanping paced excitedly in the office, "Handling the theme of life and death with such poetry." He suddenly turned around, "Have you decided on the cast?"

"Leslie Cheung plays the male lead Kobayashi," Xiang Fei set down his teacup, "Director Chen Kaige plays the president, and for the wife, I'd like to invite Gong Li."

Han Shanping's eyes lit up: "What a coincidence! They are currently filming 'Farewell My Concubine' in Studio 3!"

Pushing open the heavy soundproof door, blinding spotlights and overlapping shouts of "Action" hit him. Xiang Fei squinted and saw Cheng Dieyi, dressed in red, spinning under the mercury lamps.

"Cut!" Chen Kaige's voice came from behind the monitor, "That take is done!"

The moment the lights dimmed, Leslie Cheung was the first to notice the commotion at the door: "Eh? Ah Fei?"

The entire set immediately grew restless. Leslie Cheung jogged over, his costume's water sleeves fluttering in the wind: "Ah Fei, how did you find time to come?"

"Brother, you came to Jingcheng and didn't even come see me?"

Hearing this, Leslie Cheung hurriedly explained, "Time was too tight, closed-set filming, couldn't get out. By the way, you didn't just come to drop by, did you? After all, who would believe the director of 'Titanic' just dropped by?"

Xiang Fei smiled and embraced him, "I brought a script and wanted to find you."

At that moment, Chen Kaige approached with Gong Li, Zhang Fengyi, and others. Leslie Cheung immediately introduced: "Director Chen, this is Xiang Fei."

"I've long heard your name!" Chen Kaige shook hands warmly, "I've watched 'Titanic' three times."

Gong Li, in a simple cheongsam, smiled and nodded: "Hello, Director Xiang."

Zhang Fengyi joked: "Director Xiang isn't here to poach talent, is he?"

Amidst everyone's laughter, Xiang Fei took the script from his briefcase: "To be honest, there is indeed a new project..."

The stagehands quickly brought over several folding chairs. Leslie Cheung took the script; the three brush-stroke characters 'The Undertaker' on the cover were still wet with ink.

"The Undertaker?" Gong Li leaned over curiously.

Xiang Fei explained: "It tells the story of a cellist who switches careers to become an undertaker."

Leslie Cheung opened the first page and read softly: "'Death is like a door...'" He suddenly paused, and when he looked up, his eyes were slightly red, "This..."

Chen Kaige took the script and scanned it quickly, his brows gradually relaxing: "Interesting... very interesting!"

"I want to ask Brother Rong to play the male lead," Xiang Fei looked directly at Leslie Cheung, "Director Chen as the president, and Sister Gong Li as the wife."

Zhang Fengyi feigned dissatisfaction: "What about me?"

"If Fengyi is willing," Xiang Fei smiled, "he can make a cameo as the male lead's father."

Gong Li flipped to a certain page and suddenly chuckled softly: "This bathroom scene is written wonderfully."

Leslie Cheung had already reached the end, his fingers trembling slightly: "Director Xiang, this role..."

"Only you can play it." Xiang Fei stated decisively.

Chen Kaige closed the script: "I play the president? Interesting! When do we start filming?"

"After A-min gives birth," Xiang Fei said, "just in time for Brother Rong to transition from Cheng Dieyi to Kobayashi Daigo."

Leslie Cheung pondered: "Two extremes... one vivid and colorful, the other plain as water..."

The script supervisor suddenly ran over: "Director Chen, the next scene is ready!"

Chen Kaige stood up: "Director Xiang, shall we have dinner tonight to discuss in detail?"

"I couldn't ask for more." Xiang Fei smiled.

On the round table sat several home-style dishes; Leslie Cheung had specifically changed into casual clothes and was pouring wine for Xiang Fei.

"So," Gong Li picked up a piece of braised pork, "why does this undertaker need to learn the cello?"

Xiang Fei raised his glass: "Because music and death are both the purest expressions of life."

Chen Kaige slapped his thigh: "Brilliant! Just like Peking Opera is to Cheng Dieyi!"

Leslie Cheung swirled his wine glass lightly: "I understand this character now... he treats the deceased as if they were artworks."

"Exactly!" Xiang Fei excitedly put down his chopsticks, "Giving warmth to the cold, giving dignity to death."

Zhang Fengyi distributed cigarettes to everyone: "Director Chen, do you have any thoughts on playing the president?"

Chen Kaige blew out a smoke ring: "I'll just play him based on my grandfather's image."

Amidst everyone's laughter, Gong Li suddenly asked: "For that bathroom scene, will it be full nudity?"

Leslie Cheung choked on a mouthful of wine.

"No, no," Xiang Fei hurriedly waved his hands, "We'll use mist and water droplets for cover; the focus will be on facial expressions."

Chen Kaige squinted: "We could consider using a long take, one continuous shot..."

A waiter serving dishes interrupted the conversation. Chen Kaige raised his glass: "Come, a toast to 'Farewell My Concubine', and a toast to 'The Undertaker'!"

Amidst the crisp clinking of glass cups, Xiang Fei saw the glimmer of tears in Leslie Cheung's eyes. He knew this film was a success.

After bidding farewell to everyone, Xiang Fei walked alone towards his car. Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind him.

"Ah Fei!" Leslie Cheung caught up, his costume jacket casually draped over his shoulder, "Can we talk about the script again?"

Under the moonlight, the two leaned against the car smoking. Leslie Cheung pointed to a page in the script: "Here, Kobayashi's reaction when he first touches a corpse..."

"It should be curiosity mixed with fear," Xiang Fei blew out a smoke ring, "just like touching a lover's body for the first time."

Leslie Cheung's eyes lit up: "What a great metaphor!"

Xiang Fei listened silently until the cigarette burned his fingers. Finally, Leslie Cheung tightly grasped his hand: "Thank you, Ah Fei, I will definitely play this role well."