Chapter 37: The Big Shots Assemble

Sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains into the bedroom. Xiang Qian frowned slightly and slowly opened his eyes.

His head was splitting with pain.

He instinctively tried to raise his hand to rub his temple, only to find his arm pinned by something. Looking down—Zhou Huimin was resting her head on his arm, sleeping soundly.

Last night's memories came back in fragments—drinking too much at the celebration banquet, being helped into a taxi by Sun Li and Zhou Huimin…and after that…

Xiang Qian gently pulled his arm free and rose carefully, afraid of waking her. Standing by the bed, he looked at Zhou Huimin's slightly curled-up sleeping posture, and the corner of his mouth lifted unconsciously.

He bent down, tucked the blanket around her, then tiptoed out of the bedroom.

In the kitchen, Xiang Qian tied on an apron and took eggs, ham, and toast out of the fridge.

Amid the sizzle of frying eggs, he heard footsteps behind him.

"Awake?" He didn't turn around, continuing to flip the eggs in the pan. "Two more minutes, breakfast will be ready."

No response.

Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around his waist from behind, and Zhou Huimin's face pressed lightly against his back.

"…Qian-zi." Her voice still carried the soft, mushy quality of just having woken up.

Xiang Qian's movements paused, then he chuckled lightly: "What? I'm the one with the hangover, yet you're the one acting clingy?"

Zhou Huimin said nothing, just tightened her arms and nuzzled her cheek against his back.

Xiang Qian turned off the heat and turned to look at her: "What's wrong?"

Zhou Huimin looked up, her eyes sparkling: "I just feel…this is really nice."

Xiang Qian ruffled her hair: "Go wash up, then eat."

On the dining table, the toast was toasted golden, the edges of the fried eggs slightly crisp, and the ham was steaming. Zhou Huimin sipped milk in small mouthfuls, sneaking peeks at Xiang Qian from time to time.

"Going to the crew today?" Xiang Qian asked.

"Mm, Director Wang Jing said today they're shooting Shirley Yang's makeup stills." She paused, "What about you?"

"Prep for 'Parasite.'" Xiang Qian bit into the toast. "Haven't rounded up the cast yet."

Zhou Huimin hesitated: "Want me to ask around for you?"

Xiang Qian shook his head: "Sister Fang's already handling it."

After breakfast, Zhou Huimin cleared the dishes, and Xiang Qian saw her to the door.

"Tonight…" Zhou Huimin hesitated, wanting to say more.

"I'll come pick you up." Xiang Qian finished the sentence for her.

Zhou Huimin's eyes lit up. She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, then walked off quickly with a flushed face.

Xiang Qian sat in the Shaw Brothers office, with the script for 'Parasite' spread out before him.

The phone rang. It was Fang Yihua.

"Qian-zi, I've rounded up the cast for you." Her voice carried a note of smugness. "I guarantee this art film of yours will be star-studded."

Xiang Qian raised an eyebrow: "Who's in it?"

"The tycoon—De Long."

"The son—Zhou Xingxing."

Xiang Qian nearly choked on his saliva: "Xing-zi?"

Fang Yihua laughed: "What? Just a newcomer."

"The poor mother—Kara Wai."

"The poor daughter—Lin Qingxia."

"The tycoon's wife—Angie Chiu."

"The tycoon's daughter—Carina Lau."

"The younger son—just grabbed some random guy off the street."

"The housemaid—Cheng Pei-pei."

"The housemaid's husband—Ricky Hui."

Xiang Qian: "…"

This lineup—any single one of them pulled out at random could carry a box office, and now they're all crammed into one art film?

"Sister Fang," he rubbed his temple, "isn't this a bit over the top?"

Fang Yihua chuckled lightly: "What, afraid you can't hold the set together?"

Xiang Qian: "…"

Three days later, the opening ceremony for 'Parasite.'

In the largest soundstage at Shaw Brothers Studio City, a tall incense altar was set up and a red carpet laid on the ground.

Xiang Qian stood at the entrance, watching luxury car after luxury car pull in, his scalp tingling.

The first to arrive was Jackie Chan, wearing sunglasses and a casual outfit, who grinned and patted Xiang Qian's shoulder: "Qian-zi, I read the script carefully—it's brilliant! This time I'm taking Best Actor!"

Xiang Qian gave a dry laugh: "Go for it, big brother…"

Right after came De Long, in a sharp suit, his presence commanding. Xiang Qian hurried forward and bowed: "Hello, Brother De Long!"

De Long gave a slight nod: "A young man with ideas—not bad."

Zhou Xingxing jogged over and greeted him properly: "Hello, Brother Qian! I'll definitely act seriously this time!"

Xiang Qian patted his shoulder: "Give a good performance."

Lin Qingxia and Angie Chiu arrived together. The moment the two goddesses appeared, the scene fell silent for a second.

Xiang Qian took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed: "Hello, Sister Qingxia! Hello, Sister Yachi!"

Lin Qingxia chuckled lightly: "Qian-zi, I heard this film has real depth?"

Xiang Qian nodded: "I hope it won't disappoint you."

Zhao Yazhi said gently: "I'm looking forward to it."

Hui Yinghong and Liu Jialing arrived one after the other; Xiang Qian bowed again: "Sister Hong, hello! Sister Jialing, hello!"

Hui Yinghong waved her hand generously: "Don't be formal—I love the script!"

Liu Jialing blinked: "Qianzi, I turned down three films to come for this."

Xiang Qian: "…Thank you, Sister Jialing, for your presence."

Finally came Zheng Peipei and Xu Guanying.

Xiang Qian's waist ached from bowing so much, but he still held the bow: "Sister Peipei, hello! Brother Ying, hello!"

Xu Guanying grinned and slung an arm around him: "Qianzi, I heard this film might win awards?"

Xiang Qian smiled bitterly: "I hope so…"

After the launch ceremony ended, Xiang Qian stood outside the studio to catch his breath.

Fang Yihua walked over and said meaningfully: "How are you holding up?"

Xiang Qian rubbed his aching waist: "Sister Fang, next time can you please not invite so many big names…"

Fang Yihua chuckled lightly: "This is nothing yet."

Xiang Qian gazed at Zhou Xingchi, who was laughing with Cheng Long in the distance, and murmured: "When the troops come, send the generals to meet them."

The clapperboard snapped with a "click."

"Parasite, Scene One, Take One, Action!"

Before the camera, Cheng Long hunched his back, his eyes humble yet sinister—completely overturning his kung fu superstar image.

Behind the monitor, Xiang Qian faintly smiled.