Chapter 160: Casting Confirmed

In the Yongsheng conference room, the air conditioner hummed, blowing steadily as a stack of scripts lay spread across the table.

Xiang Qiang, a cigar dangling from his lips, squinted as he flipped through a few pages: "Ah Fei, this 'God of Gamblers' wants dual male leads? Zhou Xingxing and Lau Fook-wing?"

Xiang Fei leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk: "Yes, Zhou Xingxing handles the comedic timing, Lau Fook-wing handles the cool factor. The last 'Infernal Affairs' got a great response; the chemistry between the two will absolutely explode."

Xiang Tai: "Wang Jing to direct? He's currently filming, his schedule..."

"Tell him to stop first." Xiang Fei cut in directly, "We can delay, but this film must hit the New Year's slot."

Xiang Sheng frowned: "So urgent?"

"The market is flooded with terrible gambling films right now." Xiang Fei opened the calendar, "Shoot in three months, two months for post-production, release right at Spring Festival."

Xiang Qiang picked up the phone: "Ah Yong, contact Zhou Xingxing, Lau Fook-wing, and Wang Jing immediately, tell them the company is looking for them."

After hanging up, Xiang Fei added: "Also call Anita Cheung to play the female lead; she has great chemistry with Zhou Xingxing."

Xiang Tai wrote quickly: "What about supporting roles? We definitely need Ng Man-tat, right?"

"Of course." Xiang Fei smiled, "Uncle Tat is Zhou Xingxing's golden partner; without him, the comedic effect is cut in half."

Xiang Sheng suddenly thought of something: "Who for the villain? How about Chan Lap-ban? He's cunning enough."

"Works." Xiang Fei nodded, "Find Tony Ching to design the action scenes; the poker table showdown must feel like wuxia. Also bring in Chan Fa-yung; Uncle Qiang, you still appear as Lung Ng, and Chan Fa-yung plays Lung Gau inside!"

Xiang Qiang nodded, Xiang Tai recorded beside him, and Xiang Sheng said, "Easy, I'll handle it."

Two hours later, the Yongsheng conference room was packed with people.

Zhou Xingxing, with hair like a bird's nest, burst in: "Big shots, I'm only halfway through filming my movie!"

Lau Fook-wing, suit impeccably pressed, was far more elegant: "Xiang Sheng, calling me so urgently..."

Wang Jing, belly protruding, still held the 'Kung Fu Hustle' script in his hand: "Brother Fei, congratulations on the Grand Slam!"

Xiang Fei raised a hand to signal silence: "Everyone sit. New film 'God of Gamblers', dual male leads, Zhou Xingxing and Lau Fook-wing, Wang Jing directs, shoot in three months, release for New Year."

Zhou Xingxing's eyes lit up: "Gambling film? What do I play?"

"You still play the God of Gamblers, Zuo Zongxing, the comedy relief." Xiang Fei turned to Lau Fook-wing, "You play the God of Gamblers, Chan Daozai, the apprentice of the first God of Gamblers, responsible for being handsome and chivalrous."

Lau Fook-wing smiled: "No problem."

Wang Jing rubbed his hands: "Where's the script?"

Xiang Fei pushed the script over: "The outline is here, you and Zhou Xingxing polish the details tonight, filming starts tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?!" Wang Jing nearly slid off his chair.

Anita Cheung pushed the door open, a wave of perfume hitting the air: "Hello, bosses."

Xiang Fei waved her over: "Sister Min, come, you play Meng Luo inside, with a romance scene with Zhou Xingxing."

Anita Cheung blinked: "Is there a kissing scene?"

Zhou Xingxing coughed awkwardly, while Lau Fook-wing teased: "Wow, Sing is shy!"

Ng Man-tat shuffled in: "Heard there's a role? Is the box lunch unlimited?"

Xiang Tai laughed: "Brother Tat, you play Zhou Xingxing's Third Uncle, the greedy and lecherous type."

"Playing myself again!" Ng Man-tat slapped his thigh.

Chan Lap-ban walked in with a sinister grin: "The villain is mine, right?"

Xiang Fei nodded: "You're the God of Gamblers' adopted son."

Chan Fa-yung, as a newcomer, silently raised her hand: "Xiang Shao, what about me?"

Xiang Fei stared at her: "Lung Gau, Uncle Wu Qiang's sister, partner with Lau Fook-wing."

Tony Ching entered last: "How many days for action design?"

"No time." Xiang Fei stated firmly, "Think while shooting, I want to see shots of cards flying off the table and slicing watermelons."

The production manager ran in, sweating profusely: "The venue is booked, the Grand Lisboa Casino agreed to lend it to us for three days."

The costume designer carried big and small bags: "Twenty suits ordered, thirty floral shirts."

Xiang Qiang frowned: "Why so many floral shirts?"

Zhou Xingxing raised his hand: "I requested it! For comedic effect!"

Lau Fook-wing spoke weakly: "Can I wear a proper suit?"

Xiang Fei checked his watch: "It's four PM now, actors go for makeup tests, Wang Jing revises the script, six AM tomorrow, assemble at the Grand Lisboa Casino."

Everyone groaned: "So early?!"

"What else?" Xiang Fei glared, "Shoot in three months, sleep four hours a day, that's my word."

After the meeting, Lau Fook-wing pulled Xiang Fei aside: "Brother Fei, do I really have to partner with Sing? His acting is too improvisational..."

"Relax." Xiang Fei patted his shoulder, "You stabilize the plot, he handles the comedy; the audience gets the story and laughs their stomachs off."

On the other side, Zhou Xingxing clung to Wang Jing: "Director, can I add a scene where I eat shit? Absolutely hilarious!"

Wang Jing nearly threw the script in his face: "Do you eat it or do I?!"

Xiang Tai walked over: "Ah Fei, what if the budget is exceeded?"

"It won't." Xiang Fei was confident, "Zhou Xingxing and Lau Fook-wing joining forces, box office starts at least fifty million."

Xiang Qiang blew a smoke ring: "What if it loses money?"

Xiang Fei smiled: "Then I'll personally run around naked to apologize."

Late at night, the Yongsheng office remained brightly lit.

Wang Jing, dark circles under his eyes, revised the script: "Add a twist to the final gamble, Lau Fook-wing is actually Zhou Xingxing's long-lost..."

"Stop!" Xiang Fei tossed a can of Red Bull over, "Don't do soap opera plots, aim for high-class humor."

Zhou Xingxing suddenly pushed the door open, wearing a floral shirt and green pants: "Brother Fei, look at my look!"

Xiang Fei held his forehead: "You're a gambler, not a parrot..."

Lau Fook-wing arrived too, in a pristine white suit, elegant and proper: "Is this okay?"

"Perfect!" Xiang Fei gave a thumbs-up. "Remember, you're the Gambling God. No matter how funny it gets, you must not break character."

At four in the morning, everyone lay scattered across the conference room.

Xiang Fei gently closed the door and said to Xiang Sheng, who was waiting outside, "Notify the crew. Filming starts promptly at five-thirty."

Xiang Sheng gave a bitter smile. "These madmen..."

"Exactly." Xiang Fei looked at the fish-belly white dawn breaking in the east. "But only a madman's film can create miracles."