Chapter 188: Casting the Lead

9:00 a. m., Feimin Entertainment President's Office.

Xiang Fei sat in a large office chair, with the script for "Drive My Car" spread out before him. He picked up his phone and dialed Hong Jinbao's number.

The call connected quickly, and Hong Jinbao's cheerful voice came through: "Hey, A-Fei, what's up? Is there something that requires your Brother Hong to step in?"

A slight smile curled Xiang Fei's lips: "Brother Hong, I have a script here and I'm looking for you to play the male lead. Interested?"

"Oh?" Hong Jinbao became interested. "What kind of film is it?"

Xiang Fei lowered his voice, pretending to be mysterious: "I'll tell you secretly, Brother Hong, this film of mine is preparing to compete for the Oscars."

Silence fell on the other end of the line for two seconds, followed immediately by Hong Jinbao's voice raised an octave: "What?! You're competing for the Oscars?!"

Xiang Fei could even imagine Hong Jinbao's eyes widening on the other end of the line and couldn't help but laugh: "Yes, Brother Hong, so, what do you say, will you take it?"

"Take it! Of course I'll take it!" Hong Jinbao declared firmly. "A-Fei, send the script over to me and notify me when filming starts!"

Xiang Fei deliberately teased him: "Brother Hong, aren't you going to ask about the salary?"

Hong Jinbao's hearty laughter came through the phone: "You decide! Alright, I'm busy for now. A-Fei, let's talk when I get to Jingcheng!"

After hanging up, Xiang Fei called Zhou Xingxing.

The call was answered almost instantly, and Zhou Xingxing's respectful voice came through: "Brother Fei, what's wrong?"

A hint of cunning flashed in Xiang Fei's eyes as he spoke in an exaggerated tone: "Uncle Xing, I have a drama here ready to start filming. I wonder if Uncle Xing, your old self, has the time to come and play a role?"

Instantly, Zhou Xingxing's panicked voice came from the other end: "Brother Fei, don't make fun of me! How dare I be called Uncle Xing! Just call me Ah-Xing!"

Xiang Fei held back his laughter: "So, Ah-Xing, are you interested?"

"I will definitely act in Brother Fei's movies!" Zhou Xingxing declared eagerly. "Brother Fei, send the script over and let me know when filming starts; I'll ask Sister Sun Li to arrange my schedule!"

After chatting for a while, they hung up. Xiang Fei leaned back in his chair, feeling pleased.

Meanwhile, on the set of "Lucky Long Long":

Zhou Xingxing held his phone, his face unable to conceal his excitement.

Ge Min Society, standing nearby, leaned over: "Ah-Xing, what's so happy about?"

Zhou Xingxing took a deep breath and lowered his voice: "Brother Fei asked me to shoot a new film!"

"Director Xiang Fei?" Ge Min Society's eyes widened. "That Xiang Fei?"

Zhou Xingxing nodded vigorously: "And this time it's a film aiming for the Oscars!"

Ge Min Society gasped: "Wow! Then isn't Xiang Shao achieving the Grand Slam?"

Zhou Xingxing rubbed his hands, his eyes shining: "I must tell Sister Sun Li right away to adjust my schedule!"

"Everyone come over! Uncle Xing has already been cast in Xiang Shao's new movie!" Ge Min Society shouted loudly.

Wang Jing, Ng Man-tat, and others gathered around. "What's wrong? What's wrong with Ah-Xing?"

"Uncle Xing has already been cast in Xiang Shao's new movie! I heard Xiang Shao's film is aiming for the Oscars!" Ge Min explained with animated gestures.

At noon, Xiang Fei pushed open the door to the Vice President's office and saw Zhou Huimin reviewing documents.

"President Zhou, care to join me for lunch?" Xiang Fei leaned against the doorframe, feigning playfulness.

Zhou Huimin didn't even look up: "Is President Xiang in a good mood today?"

Xiang Fei walked in and closed the door: "Brother Hong and Ah-Xing are both settled."

Only then did Zhou Huimin look up, a smile in her eyes: "I told you they would definitely agree."

Xiang Fei walked behind her and gently massaged her shoulders: "It's thanks to my wife's sharp eye for talent."

Zhou Huimin closed her eyes comfortably: "The role of the female driver..."

"Is naturally yours." Xiang Fei leaned down and whispered in her ear.

In a Cantonese restaurant near the company, Xiang Fei served a shrimp dumpling to Zhou Huimin.

"For the role of Zhang Yin, I plan to hold a nationwide audition," Xiang Fei said.

Zhou Huimin nodded: "New actors can bring more freshness."

On the way back to the company, Zhou Huimin held Xiang Fei's arm: "A-Fei, if we really win the Oscar this time..."

Xiang Fei tightened his grip on her hand: "Then we will make more good films and let the whole world see the power of Huaxia cinema."

Sunlight bathed the two of them, casting long shadows on the ground.

What they didn't know was that at this moment, in the editorial offices of major newspapers across Xiangjiang, reporters were rushing to finish their drafts— "Xiang Fei's New Film Locks in Hong Jinbao and Zhou Xingxing, Aiming for the Oscars!"