Chapter 28: Qiusheng's Invitation

Xiang Qian stood by the roadside outside the apartment wearing sunglasses, an unlit cigarette pinched between his fingers. Morning sunlight spilled onto the streets, gilding the entire city in gold.

Suddenly, the roar of an engine echoed from the distance; a fiery red Ferrari charged forward at a nearly insane speed, drifting to a halt less than half a meter from Xiang Qian.

The window rolled down. Cheng Long, wearing exaggerated aviator sunglasses, grinned broadly: "Qianzai, get in!"

Xiang Qian frowned: "Have you been drinking?"

"Who drinks this early in the morning!" Cheng Long patted the steering wheel. "Hurry up, I'm taking you to meet my senior brother!"

Just as Xiang Qian fastened his seatbelt, the Ferrari roared forward.

"Holy shit!" Xiang Qian grabbed the handle above the door.

Cheng Long laughed heartily: "How's that? My driving skills aren't worse than your kung fu, right?"

The car executed a perfect drift around the bend, tires screeching against the pavement. Xiang Qian felt like he was about to vomit up his breakfast.

"Slow down!" Xiang Qian's face turned pale. "I damn well still want to be alive to meet Brother Hong!"

Cheng Long pressed the accelerator instead: "Relax, I'm a professional—Whoa!"

A truck suddenly burst out from a side road; Cheng Long yanked the steering wheel, the Ferrari grazing past the truck by a hair's breadth.

Twenty minutes later, the Ferrari drifted to a stop at the entrance of the Peninsula Hotel. Xiang Qian stumbled out, leaning against a pillar and dry-heaving twice.

Cheng Long triumphantly removed his sunglasses: "See? I told you it was safe, right?"

Pushing open the private room door, they found Hong Jinbao and Lin Zhengying drinking tea. Upon seeing the two enter, both men stood up simultaneously.

"So this is Xiang Qian?" Hong Jinbao smiled warmly, extending his hand. "I've long heard of your great name!"

Xiang Qian immediately bowed and shook his hand: "Greetings, Brother Hong. I am Xiang Qian."

Lin Zhengying also extended his hand: "Ah Long mentions you often."

Xiang Qian bowed again: "Greetings, Brother Lin."

Cheng Long made exaggerated faces from the side: "See? I wasn't bragging, was I? Qianzai's kung fu is amazing, and his character is even better!"

With the wine and dishes all served, the four began exchanging toasts. After three cups of Moutai, the atmosphere grew lively.

Hong Jinbao placed a shrimp dumpling in Xiang Qian's bowl: "Qianzai, I heard your recent album is a huge seller?"

Xiang Qian replied modestly: "Just good luck."

Lin Zhengying took a sip of wine: "I listened to your song 'Huo Yuanjia'; it has tremendous momentum!"

Cheng Long interrupted: "More than just unusual! You guys didn't see it—Qianzai knocked down dozens of people all by himself—"

Under the table, Xiang Qian stepped hard on Cheng Long's foot.

"Ouch!" Cheng Long let out a miserable cry. "I meant boxing! Boxing!"

After several rounds of drinking, Lin Zhengying set down his cup, his expression turning serious: "Qianzai, the truth is, we invited you today because we have an impertinent request."

Xiang Qian put down his chopsticks: "Please speak, Brother Lin."

"Director Liu Guanwei saw your performance in the competition," Lin Zhengying said. "He feels you are perfectly suited for the role of Qiusheng in 'Mr. Vampire'."

Hong Jinbao added: "This role requires real kung fu and a touch of comedic talent. Ah Long says you possess both."

Xiang Qian glanced at Cheng Long, who winked back at him.

"When does filming start?" Xiang Qian asked directly.

Hong Jinbao and Lin Zhengying froze, their prepared speeches stuck in their throats.

"You... you agree?" Lin Zhengying couldn't believe it.

Xiang Qian nodded: "It would be my honor to collaborate with two seniors like yourselves."

Hong Jinbao laughed loudly: "Good! Straightforward! Come, let's drain a cup!"

The four clinked their glasses together.

Cheng Long leaned close to Xiang Qian's ear: "Aren't you even going to ask about the salary?"

Xiang Qian replied in a low voice: "I'm not short on money."

Lin Zhengying sighed with emotion: "Young people these days are truly... Ah Long, if only you had been half as straightforward as Qianzai back in your day."

Cheng Long protested: "Hey! I was very straightforward back in my day, you know!"

Hong Jinbao teased: "Yes, straightforwardly demanding triple the salary."

Lin Zhengying took out the script: "The character Qiusheng is Ninth Uncle's disciple; he needs excellent martial skills and must be able to act comically."

Xiang Qian flipped through the script: "Are there any demonstration fight scenes?"

Hong Jinbao clapped his hands: "Prepared long ago!"

He produced a videotape and asked the waiter to play it. The screen displayed several choreographed fight sequences featuring battles between zombies and Daoist priests.

After watching, Xiang Qian nodded: "No problem, though I have a small suggestion."

"Please speak."

"Here," Xiang Qian pointed at the screen. "Wouldn't the effect be better if we added a backflip kick?"

Saying this, he stood up to demonstrate, executing a clean backflip, and upon landing, his right leg whipped out like a whip, stirring up a gust of wind.

Hong Jinbao's eyes lit up: "Excellent! Change it to that!"

After a few more rounds of drinking, Lin Zhengying was slightly tipsy; he patted Xiang Qian's shoulder: "Qianzai, you are truly... exactly to my liking! Come, another dry cup!"

Xiang Qian raised his glass: "To Brother Lin."

Cheng Long leaned over: "Hey, your alcohol tolerance is impressive!"

Xiang Qian smiled: "Slightly better than Big Brother's driving skills."

Hong Jinbao checked his watch: "It's getting late. Shall we discuss the specific details at my office tomorrow?"

Xiang Qian stood up: "Very well. Let me see the two seniors off."

At the hotel entrance, Hong Jinbao and Lin Zhengying got into their car.

Lin Zhengying leaned his head out the window: "Qianzai, make sure to come for the costume trial next week!"

Xiang Qian nodded. "I'll be there on time."

Watching the car drive away, Cheng Long slung an arm over Xiang Qian's shoulders. "How was it? I didn't lie to you, did I? A major production!"

Xiang Qian shot him a sidelong glance. "Give me the car keys."

"What for?"

"To drive you home." Xiang Qian snatched the keys. "So you don't end up on the headlines for drunk driving."

Cheng Long protested, "I only had two glasses!"

"Two glasses of Moutai," Xiang Qian said, shoving him into the passenger seat. "Enough to keep you asleep until noon tomorrow."

He hailed a taxi, pushed Cheng Long inside, and instructed the driver to take him home. Then he hailed another cab for himself and returned to the apartment.