Chapter 80: Shaking Xiangjiang

Oriental Daily front page headline: "Yongsheng Gambles 200 Million! Newcomers to Star in Epic Blockbuster!"

Ming Pao entertainment section: "Xiang Fei Backs Newcomers! Employs an All-New Cast!"

Sing Tao Daily, citing industry insiders, commented: "Has Yongsheng lost its mind? Two newcomers, Qian Xiaohao and Cai Shaofen, carrying the whole thing?"

The entire Xiangjiang entertainment circle exploded.

####【Yongsheng Pictures Emergency Meeting】

Xiang Tai slammed a stack of newspapers onto the conference table: "The whole territory is questioning our casting!"

Xiang Qiang puffed on a cigar: "Two newcomers, 200 million investment—the risk is too great..."

Just then, Xiang Sheng suddenly found Xiang Fei, his face wreathed in smiles, and said to him: "Hehe... nephew, could you possibly arrange a small role for Ah Min in your film?"

Hearing this, the corner of Xiang Fei's mouth curved up slightly, revealing a faintly mischievous smile. He looked Xiang Sheng up and down and asked, half-laughing: "Oh? Why should I arrange a role for her?"

Xiang Sheng scratched his head awkwardly, stammering: "Well... it's just that I think she's quite suited for acting, and she's always wanted to develop in this area, so I thought I'd let her give it a try."

The smile on Xiang Fei's lips grew more pronounced as he teased: "Oh, is that really so?"

Xiang Sheng's face flushed red in an instant. He lowered his head like a child who had done wrong, just grinning foolishly without speaking.

Seeing this, Xiang Fei found it rather amusing. He picked up the script from the table, flipped through a few pages, then pointed at one of the roles and said: "Alright, since you're so sincere, I'll arrange a role for her. There's Rose's best friend here—not many scenes, but she can show her face. What do you think?"

Xiang Sheng was overjoyed at once. He nodded repeatedly and said gratefully: "That's wonderful, nephew, thank you so much! I'll go tell her the good news right now!" With that, he turned and left in high spirits.

Shaw Brothers Pictures president's office.

Li Guoming laughed out loud at the newspaper: "Qian Xiaohao? Cai Shaofen? Never even heard of them! Yongsheng is out to tear down its own Great Wall!"

Li Guoming immediately called a reporter: "Write me a piece titled 'Yongsheng's Desperate Gamble, 200 Million Bet Likely Lost'!"

Inside the Yongsheng training room, Qian Xiaohao was diligently rehearsing his lines.

Cai Shaofen walked over carrying an English-style teacup: "Hao-ge, take a break."

Qian Xiaohao wiped his sweat: "Ada, do you really think we two newcomers can carry such a massive production?"

Cai Shaofen said softly: "If Fei-ge says we can do it, then we definitely can."

Just then Zhang Min walked in, with Xiang Sheng following behind: "Ah Min said she wanted to come familiarize herself with the environment."

Zhang Min smiled and nodded at the two newcomers: "You're working very hard."

Movie Biweekly exclusive interview set.

The reporter asked sharply: "Xiang Shao, why not cast Zhou Runfa or Liu Furong as the male lead? Why pick a newcomer instead?"

Xiang Fei responded calmly: "Jack needs a youthful, pure quality. Newcomers, on the contrary, aren't bound by any fixed image."

"And Cai Shaofen? She has absolutely no experience."

"Precisely because of that, she can portray Rose's innocence and unworldliness."

Late at night, Xiang Sheng and Zhang Min walked side by side.

"This role suits you very well," Xiang Sheng said. "Not many scenes, but very memorable."

Zhang Min smiled: "The script really is very well written. I like it a lot."

In the distance, Xiang Tai whispered to Xiang Qiang: "Ah Sheng has been in a good mood lately."

Cai Shaofen was practicing the falling-into-water scene when Zhou Huimin suddenly arrived.

"Ada, you need to relax this posture a bit more," Zhou Huimin demonstrated personally. "Imagine you're really in the icy sea."

Cai Shaofen said gratefully: "Thank you, Sister Vivian!"

Qian Xiaohao was practicing sketching not far away. Zhou Huimin walked over: "Hao-zai, Fei-ge said you draw quite well?"

Qian Xiaohao shyly showed his drawing: "Still learning..."

Clear Water Bay studio, in front of the giant ship set.

Xiang Fei raised a megaphone: "Everyone! Today, officially begins filming!"

Qian Xiaohao and Cai Shaofen stood in the front row, nervous yet excited.

Zhang Min stood among the lineup of actors. Xiang Sheng, beside her, whispered something that drew an understanding smile from her.

Xiang Tai noticed and said to Xiang Qiang: "Sheng-ge has been much more cheerful lately."

#At Shaw Brothers Studio City, Li Guoming read the report on Yongsheng's start of filming and smashed his teacup violently.

"Get me every cinema chain! Yongsheng's films get no good release slots whatsoever!"

The secretary said nervously: "But... Golden Princess cinema chain has already agreed to give Yongsheng the best..."

"What?!"