Chapter 71: The God of Gamblers Project Launches

Xiang Fei sat before the desk, the ashtray piled high with cigarette butts; a stack of script drafts lay spread out on the table, two gilded characters glaring on the cover—"God of Gamblers".

He stared into the mirror, slowly adjusting his suit and tie, a devilish smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"The role of Gao Jin..." he murmured to himself, "belongs to no one but me."

The next morning, Xiang Qiang was reviewing the budget report for "Infernal Affairs" when the office door was suddenly pushed open.

"Uncle Qiang!" Xiang Fei strode in, slapping the script onto the table, "Take a look at this!"

Xiang Qiang frowned: "Brat, don't you know to knock before entering?" Yet he picked up the script anyway. "What new trick is this?"

"My second directorial work!" Xiang Fei pulled out a chair and sat down. "I plan to direct it myself, and—" he paused, "I will play Gao Jin."

Xiang Qiang raised an eyebrow: "God of Gamblers? You play it?"

"That's right!" Xiang Fei stood up and performed the classic card-fling move. "I've studied this role for three months."

Just then, Chen Lan entered with a cup of coffee: "Oh, Ah Fei is here?" She set down the coffee cup and leaned over curiously. "What script is so mysterious?"

Xiang Qiang handed her the script: "This brat wants to direct and star in a gambling film himself."

Chen Lan flipped through it quickly, her eyes lighting up: "Gao Jin loses his memory and becomes an idiot? That setting is interesting!" She looked up at Xiang Fei. "Are you sure you can handle this role?"

Xiang Fei grinned: "Auntie, do you want me to act out a scene for you right now?"

Before anyone could answer, his expression suddenly turned dull, his gaze scattered, his mouth twisted, looking exactly like a mentally disabled youth: "Chocolate... I want to eat chocolate..."

Chen Lan was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing: "You act just like him!"

Xiang Qiang couldn't help but nod: "It's interesting. But..." he tapped the table, "being a director isn't that easy."

"Uncle Qiang," Xiang Fei said seriously, "don't forget, I'm the one who won the Palme d'Or."

"I had almost forgotten about that," Xiang Qiang said with a laugh.

Chen Lan turned to the cast list: "Do you have ideas for the other actors?"

Xiang Fei was prepared: "For Chen Xiao Dao, I want to find Lau Fook Wing; that roguish charm of his is just right."

Xiang Qiang frowned: "Rong Zai is currently filming Infernal Affairs; he probably won't have time."

Chen Lan said: "Let Wang Jing shoot Rong Zai's scenes first."

"As for Lung Ng..." Xiang Fei looked at Xiang Qiang and grinned, "Uncle Qiang, how about you play the role?"

Xiang Qiang was stunned: "Me?"

"Yes!" Xiang Fei exclaimed excitedly. "Lung Ng is Gao Jin's bodyguard, a cold tough guy. Just standing there, Uncle Qiang, your aura alone would be enough to intimidate the whole room!"

Xiang Qiang pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Brat, you want me to play a supporting role for you?"

"Not a supporting role, a golden partnership!" Xiang Fei laughed. "Besides, haven't you always wanted to try acting?"

Xiang Qiang snorted: "Fine, I'll do it. But if the filming turns out bad, watch out, I'll deal with you."

Chen Lan continued reading: "What about Gao Jin's wife?"

"Cheung Man." Xiang Fei answered without hesitation. "Her cold, glamorous, noble aura is perfect for playing the God of Gamblers' woman."

"What about Chen Xiao Dao's girlfriend?"

"Wang Cho Yin." Xiang Fei smiled. "The love scenes between her and Xiao Dao will be very watchable."

Xiang Qiang suddenly interjected: "What about the villains? Who will play Gao Yi and Chen Jin Cheng?"

Xiang Fei was prepared: "For Gao Yi, let's get Ng Chun Yu; sinister and ruthless, he's best at that. As for Chen Jin Cheng..." he smiled mysteriously, "I plan to invite Teacher Bao Fong."

"Bao Fong?" Chen Lan was surprised. "That veteran actor rarely takes roles anymore."

"Just tell him this role was tailor-made for him, and he will definitely be interested," Xiang Fei said confidently.

Xiang Qiang stood up and paced around the office: "What's the budget?"

"Three million." Xiang Fei was prepared. "Mostly shooting in Macau; the casino side, Wynn, has already agreed to lend us the venue."

Chen Lan added: "For costumes, I can find an Italian designer; we must make the God of Gamblers' look grand enough."

Xiang Qiang suddenly turned: "Ah Fei, are you sure you want to go on the front lines yourself? Why not find a professional director..."

"Uncle Qiang," Xiang Fei said seriously, "I wrote this script word by word; no one knows better than me how to shoot it."

After a moment of silence, Xiang Qiang suddenly laughed loudly: "Good! Bold! Then it's settled."

"No problem!" Xiang Fei agreed readily.

Just then, the office door was pushed open again; Xiang Sheng walked in with a cigar in his mouth: "Oh, so lively?"

Chen Lan handed him the script: "Ah Fei is going to be a director."

After glancing through it, Xiang Sheng suddenly slammed the table: "I want to play the role of Gao Yi!"

"Ah?" the three said in unison.

"I'm serious!" Xiang Sheng insisted relentlessly.

Xiang Fei quickly tried to smooth things over: "Uncle Sheng, this role has a lot of fight scenes; it's very hard work..."

"Looking down on me?" Xiang Sheng glared.

In the end, Chen Lan resolved the situation: "Fine, let him come."

Xiang Sheng was finally satisfied: "That's more like it!"

Xiang Qiang picked up the phone: "Secretary Cai, notify all department heads; meeting at three this afternoon. The 'God of Gamblers' project officially launches!"

Hanging up the phone, he patted his nephew's shoulder: "Ah Fei, don't disappoint me."

Xiang Fei nodded solemnly: "Uncle Qiang, rest assured; I will definitely make 'God of Gamblers' the flagship of Wing Shing!"

Chen Lan had already started dialing: "I'll notify Wang Jing first..."

Watching his family's full support, a warm current surged in Xiang Fei's heart.