Chapter 81: Old Veteran Joins the Cast

The lobby of Yongsheng Pictures. The elevator doors slid open with a "ding."

Xiang Tai strode out in high heels, followed by seven or eight actors. The receptionist scrambled to her feet: "Mrs. Xiang, Fei Shao and the others are waiting for you in the conference room."

"Got it." Xiang Tai waved without looking back, addressing the group behind her as she walked: "Everyone follow me, first let's meet—"

In the conference room, Xiang Fei was discussing the script with Qian Xiaohao and Cai Shaofen. The door swung open and Xiang Tai filed in with her entourage.

"Ah Fei, I've brought everyone back for you." Xiang Tai dropped into the head seat and gestured behind her. "These are all the important supporting roles I handpicked."

Xiang Fei's eyes lit up and he rose at once to greet her: "You've worked hard, Auntie."

Qian Xiaohao and Cai Shaofen quickly stood as well. The newly arrived actors nodded in greeting one after another, and the conference room instantly buzzed with life.

Xiang Tai began introducing them one by one:

"This is Ceng Jiang."

Ceng Jiang gave a slight nod; his commanding, dignified presence silenced the entire room.

"Qin Pei."

Qin Pei nodded with a smile: "It's been ages since I played such a serious role."

"Mr. Liu Xun."

Liu Xun pushed his glasses up with scholarly grace: "I'll prepare seriously for the shipwreck scene."

"Wan Ziliang."

Wan Ziliang rubbed his hands together and laughed: "Finally I get to play a proper worker."

"You already know Hui Yinghong."

Red Sister crisply cupped her fist: "Leave the action scenes to me."

"Yuan Biao."

Yuan Biao smiled: "Hello, Xiang Shao."

Qian Xiaohao stepped forward excitedly: "Teacher Ceng Jiang! I grew up watching your films!"

Ceng Jiang patted his shoulder: "The young are truly formidable—this one's on you."

Cai Shaofen nervously grasped Hui Yinghong's hand: "Red Sister, please take care of me."

Hui Yinghong laughed heartily: "Don't be nervous. The most important thing in acting is to relax."

Wan Ziliang sidled up to Liu Xun: "Old Liu, we finally get to play proper scenes opposite each other."

Xiang Fei clapped his hands: "Everyone, you've all read the script, right?"

The group nodded.

"Good. Tomorrow we start the costume and makeup photo shoot, and the day after we begin the official table read." Xiang Fei swept his gaze across the room. "This time we're going to make the most stunning disaster-romance film in Chinese cinema history. I'm counting on all of you."

Ceng Jiang suddenly spoke up: "Xiang Shao, I have a suggestion."

"Please go ahead, Teacher Ceng."

"The role of Cal could use more layers." Ceng Jiang's gaze was sharp. "He can't just be a one-note villain—you have to bring out the pride and helplessness of an aristocrat of that era."

Xiang Fei's eyes lit up: "Excellent! We'll revise it exactly as you say."

The conference room door swung open again, and Xiang Sheng walked in with Zhang Min.

"Sorry we're late." Xiang Sheng smiled. "I just went to pick up A Min."

Zhang Min nodded to everyone: "Hello, seniors."

Xiang Tai raised an eyebrow: "A Min is here too?"

Xiang Fei explained: "Zhang Min is playing Rose—she should get familiar with all of you seniors."

Hui Yinghong warmly pulled Zhang Min over: "Come, sit next to me."

Qin Pei suddenly suggested: "Since everyone's here, why not run through a scene first?"

The group voiced their agreement one after another.

Liu Xun looked at Qian Xiaohao: "Young man, how about the scene where Jack first meets Rose?"

Qian Xiaohao instantly grew so nervous his palms went sweaty. Cai Shaofen's face flushed red too.

Ceng Jiang said in a deep voice: "Relax, just treat it as rehearsal."

Qian Xiaohao drew a deep breath and slipped into character in an instant. When he delivered the line "You jump, I jump," the purity in his eyes struck everyone present.

After the audition ended, Xiang Tai whispered to Xiang Fei: "Looks like we bet on the right horse this time."

Xiang Fei watched the actors deep in lively discussion and said softly: "With these seasoned veterans escorting them, the newcomers can grow faster."

Xiang Tai suddenly lowered her voice: "About Li Guoming..."

Xiang Fei smirked coldly: "Let him keep jumping. When the film hits theaters, he'll have his day to cry."

That evening, Yongsheng's official account released the costume and makeup photos. In the photos, Ceng Jiang stood ramrod-straight in a suit, Qin Pei looked imposing in his captain's uniform, Liu Xun appeared steady in his engineer's outfit, Wan Ziliang's face was smeared with coal dust, Hui Yinghong cradled a "baby," Yuan Biao gripped the helm tightly...

The caption was a single simple line: **"Titanic" — A Yongsheng Pictures Honor Production**