Chapter 36: Celebration Banquet

The Peninsula Hotel banquet hall was alive with the celebratory banquet for the cast and crew of Mr. Vampire.

"Thirty-four million! Number one box office hit of the year!" Liu Guanwei raised his champagne, face flushed, "Everyone, cheers!"

"Cheers!" The crowd cheered, the clinking of glasses crisp and melodious.

Lin Zhengying sat at the head table, smiling. Hong Jinbao draped an arm over his shoulder, drunk and excitedly swaying his glass: "Ah Ying! This movie blew up! We've got to start preparing for the sequel right away!"

Lin Zhengying coughed twice, smiling bitterly: "Big Brother Hong, my body..."

"Pfft! Minor issue!" Hong Jinbao waved his hand. "Just take your medicine and control it!"

Zhou Huimin walked over with a glass of juice and softly interjected: "Big Brother Ying, didn't the doctor say you should have the surgery as soon as possible?"

Hong Jinbao froze, suddenly remembering—his good friend had lung cancer.

"Oh right!" He smacked his forehead in frustration, "How could I forget! Ah Ying, focus on getting better first—no rush with the movie!"

Hsu Kuan-ying also stepped closer, unusually serious: "Big Brother Ying, your life comes first—we'll wait till you're well to shoot!"

Lin Zhengying's eyes grew slightly red as he raised his tea cup: "Thank you, brothers, for understanding."

At that moment, a commotion erupted at the banquet hall entrance as Jackie Chan strode in with his signature smile.

"Congratulations!" He embraced Liu Guanwei first, then bowed to Lin Zhengying: "Big Brother Ying, this movie had me too scared to go to the bathroom at night!"

The crowd laughed. Jackie Chan's gaze shifted, suddenly locking onto Zhou Huimin: "Ah Min! My new film, Dragon Lord and Tiger Brother, needs a female lead—interested?"

Zhou Huimin instinctively glanced at Xiang Qian.

Xiang Qian gave a slight nod.

"Thank you, Brother Long!" Zhou Huimin beamed sweetly, "I'll work hard!"

Jackie Chan nodded approvingly, then glanced at Xiang Qian: "Qianzi, I heard you're working on an art film?"

Xiang Qian's eyes lit up: "Big Brother interested?"

"Of course!" Jackie Chan leaned in, whispering: "After years of action films, it's time for a change."

Xiang Qian eagerly set down his glass: "My film, Parasite, has a role for a 'poor father'..."

"Poor father?" Jackie Chan raised an eyebrow.

"On the surface, he's a humble driver, but in reality, he's a hidden boss." Xiang Qian gestured, "If played right, the Cannes Best Actor award won't be a dream!"

Jackie Chan instantly perked up: "Got a script? I'll read it right now!"

Xiang Qian pulled a crumpled sheet of paper from his suit pocket: "Just finished the third draft..."

Jackie Chan snatched it and began reading on the spot. Amid the banquet's din, his eyes grew brighter with each page—then he slammed the table: "Brilliant! I want this role!"

Nearby, Hong Jinbao looked at Lin Zhengying and filled his glass with guilt: "Ah Ying, I was stupid earlier..."

Lin Zhengying waved it off: "Big Brother Hong, don't say that—we're all happy."

"No!" Hong Jinbao suddenly stood, shouting at the top of his lungs: "Everyone! I announce it—Mr. Vampire Family is postponed! We'll shoot only after Ah Ying recovers!"

The room fell silent for an instant, then erupted in applause.

Wang Xiaofeng wiped her eyes: "Now that's what I call proper!"

Xiang Qian's peripheral vision caught Zhou Huimin surrounded by Yuan Biao and others, autograph-hunting.

Lin Zhengying walked over, solemnly saying: "Qianzi, thank you for convincing me to have the surgery."

"Big Brother Ying, you're too kind," Xiang Qian raised his cup, "Once you're recovered, we'll shoot Mr. Vampire Family!"

A night breeze brushed the terrace, Xiangjiang's lights glittering brilliantly. Xiang Qian gazed at the distant neon, a faint smile curling his lips—his era was unfolding slowly, steadily.