Chapter 35: Filming Begins and the Premiere Ceremony

Kowloon Shaw Brothers Studio, the filming site for "The Lost City of Jingjue".

A red carpet was laid out, a high incense table was set up, and three sacrificial offerings were neatly arranged; Wang Jing held three sticks of incense, smiling as he stood in the very front row.

"Come on, come on, everyone bow and pray for a huge box office success!"

Liu Furong (playing Hu Bayi) stood beside him, jokingly chiming in: "Brother Jing, you, Wang Pangzi, don't even need makeup; you're just being yourself!"

Wang Jing patted his beer belly and laughed heartily: "That's right! I call this sacrificing myself for art!"

Jason (playing Big Tooth) leaned over with a worldly look on his face: "Brother Jing, if this movie blows up, you've got to give me more screen time!"

"More, more, more!" Wang Jing waved his hand dismissively. "If the box office passes thirty million, I'll have you play Uncle Ming in the sequel!"

Everyone burst into laughter, the atmosphere was lively.

At this moment, Xiang Qian arrived as the screenwriter; the scene instantly fell silent for a second, then everyone rushed forward to greet him—

"Brother Qian!"

"Mr. Wu!"

"Qian Zai, the script is absolutely brilliant!"

Xiang Qian nodded lightly, responding politely, but his eyes revealed a hint of detachment.

Wang Jing read the situation and immediately leaned over: "Qian Zai, how is it? Are you satisfied with this cast?"

Xiang Qian glanced over and nodded: "Not bad."

Liu Furong walked over and extended his hand proactively: "Brother Qian, I've long heard of your name."

Xiang Qian shook his hand: "Rong Zai, act well; the character of Hu Bayi has great depth."

Liu Furong nodded solemnly: "I will certainly not fail your trust."

Seeing that Xiang Qian was not in high spirits, Wang Jing rolled his eyes and whispered: "Qian Zai, there's a private gathering tonight, do you want to..."

Xiang Qian shook his head: "No, I have other matters."

Having said that, he turned and left, leaving a group of people staring at each other in confusion.

Back home, Xiang Qian sat directly at his desk, spread out his manuscript paper, and began writing the script for "Parasite".

The fountain pen scratched against the paper; his gaze was focused and cold.

"The smell of the poor..." he murmured the lines, his pen never stopping.

Suddenly, the telephone ring interrupted his thoughts.

"Hello?"

"Qian Zai!" Liu Guanwei's excited voice came from the other end of the line, "The premiere of "Mr. Vampire" is tomorrow; you and A Min must be there!"

Xiang Qian frowned: "Tomorrow?"

"Yes! The executives from Golden Harvest and Shaw Brothers will all be there; Sixth Uncle personally named you and wants to see you!"

Xiang Qian pondered for a moment: "Fine, I will be there."

After hanging up, he rubbed his temples, then dialed Wang Jing's number.

"Brother Jing, A Min is taking a day off tomorrow."

Wang Jing chuckled on the other end of the line: "What? The young couple has plans?"

Xiang Qian was too lazy to explain: "The premiere of "Mr. Vampire"."

"Oh, oh! Understood, understood!" Wang Jing immediately became serious. "No problem, her scenes will be rescheduled!"

The next day, Causeway Bay Lyric Theatre.

Both sides of the red carpet were packed with reporters and fans, with camera flashes going off one after another.

Xiang Qian and Zhou Huimin got out of the car together, instantly triggering screams—

"Qian Zai! A Min! Look over here!"

"Ahhh! Are they really together?"

Zhou Huimin held Xiang Qian's arm, her smile sweet; Xiang Qian, as always, remained indifferent, only occasionally lowering his head to whisper a few words to her, causing her to cover her mouth and giggle lightly.

Liu Guanwei greeted them from afar: "Qian Zai! A Min! We've been waiting for you!"

Xiang Qian nodded: "Director Liu, congratulations."

Liu Guanwei rubbed his hands together, saying excitedly: "The internal screening received an extremely good response; Sixth Uncle is here today, you must perform well later!"

Xiang Qian smiled faintly and said nothing more.

Walking into the cinema, Run Run Shaw was sitting in the VIP section; seeing Xiang Qian approach, he waved with a smile: "Qian Zai, come, sit next to me."

Xiang Qian walked over and respectfully said: "Sixth Uncle."

Run Run Shaw patted his shoulder: " "Mr. Vampire" was filmed well; I heard you are writing a new script again?"

Xiang Qian nodded: "An art film."

A glint of light flashed in Run Run Shaw's eyes: "Good, you have ideas! Shaw Brothers will fully support you!"

Xiang Qian smiled in thanks, but in his heart he knew clearly that this old fox was testing his loyalty.

Halfway through the premiere ceremony, when Xiang Qian went to the restroom, he was suddenly stopped by someone.

The movie ended, and the applause thundered.

Run Run Shaw nodded in satisfaction: "Qian Zai, this film will sell well."

Xiang Qian smiled faintly: "It is Director Liu's merit."

Zhou Huimin quietly tugged his sleeve and whispered: "Qian Zai, shall we go?"

Xiang Qian nodded and bid farewell to Run Run Shaw.

Walking out of the cinema, the night breeze was slightly cool. His phone rang again.

"Qian Zai!" Wang Jing's voice was filled with excitement, "I saw the first day's filming footage of "The Lost City of Jingjue"; it's amazing! Do you want to come take a look?"

Xiang Qian glanced at Zhou Huimin and said indifferently: "Let's talk about it tomorrow."

Hanging up the phone, he looked up at the night sky, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly.