Chapter 170: Actors

Six in the evening, Feimin Entertainment president's office.

Xiang Qian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, holding a glass of whiskey in his hand; the amber liquid shimmered with golden light under the setting sun. Gazing at the city lights gradually brightening outside, he suddenly spoke:

"Is Wang Zhiwen available recently?"

Dong Xiaoming, who was organizing documents, looked up and adjusted his glasses: "Let me check." He quickly flipped through the artist schedule he carried with him. "There's a two-month free period."

Xiang Qian turned around, the wine glass spinning lightly between his fingers: "Have him play Zhang Suyin's father, Dr. Zhang."

"Understood." Dong Xiaoming wrote it down in his notebook. "Any other arrangements?"

"Cast Zhou Xun as Jax." Xiang Qian took a sip of wine. "Her elfin and quirky temperament suits this role perfectly. Notify everyone."

Dong Xiaoming closed his notebook: "Yes, I'll go handle it right away."

At the elevator entrance, Dong Xiaoming happened to meet Li Xin, who was preparing to get off work.

"Still working overtime so late?" Li Xin looked curiously at the notebook in his hand.

Dong Xiaoming lowered his voice: "Just received an important task; need to discuss the new film with Wang Zhiwen and Zhou Xun."

"Mega Shark?" Li Xin's eyes lit up. "What roles will they play?"

"Wang Zhiwen will play Dr. Zhang, and Zhou Xun will play..." Dong Xiaoming suddenly glanced around cautiously. "This hasn't been announced yet; don't spread it."

Li Xin made a zipping motion across her lips: "Don't worry, my lips are sealed."

The two exchanged a smile as the elevator doors slowly closed.

At nine in the evening, Xiang Qian returned to his mansion in Chaoyang District.

The lights in the foyer automatically turned on. He casually tossed his car keys into a crystal bowl; the crisp clinking echoed through the spacious living room. His gaze inadvertently fell on the family photo on the fireplace mantle—it was taken last year in Venice, with Zhou Huimin holding one-year-old Yangyang, her smile brighter than the sunlight.

Xiang Qian reached out and gently wiped the picture frame, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting.

"What is that silly girl doing now..."

He took out his phone and dialed the number he knew by heart.

"Hello?" Zhou Huimin's soft voice came from the other end, with the sound of a TV program in the background.

"It's me." Xiang Qian's voice unconsciously softened. "What are you busy with?"

"Just finished reading a bedtime story to Yangyang." Zhou Huimin chuckled lightly. "

"Why do you have time to call today?" Zhou Huimin's voice carried concern. "Is the preparation for Mega Shark going smoothly?"

"Just finalized Wang Zhiwen and Zhou Xun." Xiang Qian walked to the bar counter and poured himself a glass of water. "Wang Zhiwen will play Dr. Zhang, and Zhou Xun will play that female scientist."

"Wow!" Zhou Huimin exclaimed in delight. "This lineup is fantastic! Wang Zhiwen's acting is impeccable, and Zhou Xun is full of spirit..."

Listening to his wife's excited voice, Xiang Qian leaned back on the sofa, his fatigue vanishing instantly. The two talked from film casting to the new words Yangyang had recently learned, then to Zhou Huimin's newly recorded album...

"... By the way, Mom said she's coming to Beijing next month..."

Suddenly, silence came from the other end of the phone. Zhou Huimin listened carefully and heard steady breathing.

"Asleep again..." she murmured softly, her tone full of tenderness. "Rest well, my great director."

Zhou Huimin gently kissed the mouthpiece before reluctantly hanging up the phone.

The next morning, Xiang Qian was awakened by a piercing phone ring.

He groggily reached for his phone: "Hello?"

"President Xiang!" Dong Xiaoming's excited voice came through. "Wang Zhiwen and Zhou Xun have both agreed! Wang Laoshi even specially read the script, saying the role of Dr. Zhang is very challenging!"

Xiang Qian rubbed his temples: "Excellent..."

"But Wang Laoshi has a small request..."

"What request?"

"He wants to bring his own makeup artist to the set."

Xiang Qian chuckled lightly: "Approved. Tell Wang Laoshi the production crew will give him the best treatment."

After hanging up, Xiang Qian walked to the window and pulled open the curtains. The morning sun was just right; a new day had begun.