Chapter 74: Master

In the makeup room, the stylist was giving Xiang Sheng a Gao Yi hairstyle.

"More oil on the hair!" Xiang Sheng commanded. "Villains need to look truly treacherous!"

The stylist nervously smeared half a bottle of hair oil onto his head.

The first scene to shoot was Gao Yi secretly scheming against Gao Jin.

"Action!"

Xiang Sheng crept over to the gambling table and sneered at the air: "Hehe, Gao Jin, you're dead..."

"Cut!" Xiang Fei rubbed his forehead. "Uncle Sheng, Gao Yi is cunning, not sleazy..."

Xiang Sheng, dissatisfied: "Aren't I showing his cunning? Let's do it again!"

Take two: Xiang Sheng suddenly pulled a toy gun from his coat. "Gao Jin! Die!"

"Cut!" Xiang Fei was nearly broken. "There's no such scene in the script!"

Xiang Sheng replied confidently: "I think it's more dramatic this way!"

As filming hit a deadlock, Zhang Min walked over gracefully: "Mr. Xiang, would you like to try a different approach?"

Xiang Sheng's eyes lit up: "Young Lady Zhang, what's your insight?"

Zhang Min's red lips curved slightly: "Gao Yi is evil without showing it. She leaned close and whispered in Xiang Sheng's ear: "For example... look at Gao Jin like this, thinking of how to harm him, yet still smiling on your face."

Xiang Sheng, dazed by her breath's sweet fragrance: "Yes yes yes! Young Lady Zhang is absolutely right!"

For the rest of filming, Zhang Min personally guided Xiang Sheng.

"Mr. Xiang, at this moment you should walk slowly behind Gao Jin," Zhang Min demonstrated, "Your eyes cold, but your lips smiling."

Xiang Sheng obeyed like he was bewitched—and actually conveyed a hint of villainy.

Xiang Fei stared in disbelief from behind the monitor: "Ah Min, how did you do that?"

Zhang Min smirked: "Secret."

When filming the scene where Gao Yi flirts with Gao Jin's wife, Xiang Sheng suddenly added: "Director! I think we should add a forced kiss!"

The set fell silent.

Xiang Fei leapt to his feet: "No!"

Xiang Qiang threw the script down: "Asheng!"

Zhang Min remained calm: "Mr. Xiang, the script has Gao Yi only speaking flirtatiously—physical contact would be too crude."

Xiang Sheng protested: "But—"

Zhang Min suddenly leaned close and whispered in his ear: "How about this? Gently trace your finger across my cheek—it's more sensual..."

Xiang Sheng's bones turned to jelly: "Yes yes yes! Do it exactly as Young Lady Zhang says!"

During filming, Xiang Sheng followed Zhang Min's instruction and brushed his finger lightly across her cheek.

The moment he touched her, his hand trembled like a Parkinson's patient: "Y-Youn Lady, your skin is so smooth..."

Zhang Min suppressed her laughter and continued acting: "Gao Yi, please show some restraint."

"I-I am restrained!" Xiang Sheng stammered, completely forgetting his lines.

Everyone on set held in laughter until they were in pain.

Xiang Fei sighed and called Cut: "Uncle Sheng, say your lines!"

Xiang Sheng blushed: "Again! Again!"

After over a dozen takes, one was barely usable. Xiang Sheng was drenched in sweat; Zhang Min remained elegant and composed.

That night at the wrap party, Xiang Sheng, face flushed, staggered up to Zhang Min with a glass in hand.

"Y-Youn Lady!" he slurred. "In all my years, I've never met a woman as perfect as you!"

The entire room fell silent.

Xiang Qiang's face turned ashen; Xiang Fei was ready to rush forward.

Zhang Min smiled sweetly, raised her glass, and lightly tapped Xiang Sheng's: "Mr. Xiang's Gao Yi is quite unique too."

Xiang Sheng instantly floated on air: "Then... do you think we might...?"

Zhang Min sipped her wine gracefully: "Mr. Xiang, in the film you're Gao Yi, and I'm Gao Jin's wife." She blinked. "Outside the film..."

She suddenly linked arms with Liu Furong: "I've already made plans with Rongzi to play lovers in the next film."

Liu Furong looked bewildered: "Huh? Me?"

Xiang Sheng was stunned as if struck by lightning; Xiang Fei and Xiang Qiang burst into laughter.

The next day, before leaving Macau in disgrace, Xiang Sheng still reminded Xiang Fei: "Ah Fei, if there's ever a scene with Young Lady Zhang, make sure to call me!"

Xiang Fei sighed: "Uncle Sheng, just focus on the job you're doing now."

Watching Xiang Sheng's retreating figure, Zhang Min walked over: "Young Master Xiang, did I cause you any trouble?"

Xiang Fei said sincerely: "Ah Min, you're literally a fairy who tamed my uncle."

Zhang Min covered her mouth with a light laugh: "To handle men like this, you must know how to maneuver."

The two exchanged a smile; filming of The God of Gamblers finally got back on track.