[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hong-kong-1984":3,"chapter-hong-kong-1984-hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-28":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Hong Kong 1984",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2223691,4066,"Chapter 28: Qiusheng's Invitation","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-28",28,"\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The window rolled down. Cheng Long, wearing exaggerated aviator sunglasses, grinned broadly: \"Qianzai, get in!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian frowned: \"Have you been drinking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who drinks this early in the morning!\" Cheng Long patted the steering wheel. \"Hurry up, I'm taking you to meet my senior brother!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Xiang Qian fastened his seatbelt, the Ferrari roared forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Holy shit!\" Xiang Qian grabbed the handle above the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long laughed heartily: \"How's that? My driving skills aren't worse than your kung fu, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Slow down!\" Xiang Qian's face turned pale. \"I damn well still want to be alive to meet Brother Hong!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long pressed the accelerator instead: \"Relax, I'm a professional—Whoa!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long triumphantly removed his sunglasses: \"See? I told you it was safe, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this is Xiang Qian?\" Hong Jinbao smiled warmly, extending his hand. \"I've long heard of your great name!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian immediately bowed and shook his hand: \"Greetings, Brother Hong. I am Xiang Qian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Zhengying also extended his hand: \"Ah Long mentions you often.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian bowed again: \"Greetings, Brother Lin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the wine and dishes all served, the four began exchanging toasts. After three cups of Moutai, the atmosphere grew lively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Jinbao placed a shrimp dumpling in Xiang Qian's bowl: \"Qianzai, I heard your recent album is a huge seller?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian replied modestly: \"Just good luck.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Zhengying took a sip of wine: \"I listened to your song 'Huo Yuanjia'; it has tremendous momentum!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long interrupted: \"More than just unusual! You guys didn't see it—Qianzai knocked down dozens of people all by himself—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the table, Xiang Qian stepped hard on Cheng Long's foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ouch!\" Cheng Long let out a miserable cry. \"I meant boxing! Boxing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian put down his chopsticks: \"Please speak, Brother Lin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"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'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Jinbao added: \"This role requires real kung fu and a touch of comedic talent. Ah Long says you possess both.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian glanced at Cheng Long, who winked back at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When does filming start?\" Xiang Qian asked directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Jinbao and Lin Zhengying froze, their prepared speeches stuck in their throats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... you agree?\" Lin Zhengying couldn't believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian nodded: \"It would be my honor to collaborate with two seniors like yourselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Jinbao laughed loudly: \"Good! Straightforward! Come, let's drain a cup!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four clinked their glasses together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long leaned close to Xiang Qian's ear: \"Aren't you even going to ask about the salary?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian replied in a low voice: \"I'm not short on money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long protested: \"Hey! I was very straightforward back in my day, you know!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Jinbao teased: \"Yes, straightforwardly demanding triple the salary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian flipped through the script: \"Are there any demonstration fight scenes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Jinbao clapped his hands: \"Prepared long ago!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching, Xiang Qian nodded: \"No problem, though I have a small suggestion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here,\" Xiang Qian pointed at the screen. \"Wouldn't the effect be better if we added a backflip kick?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Jinbao's eyes lit up: \"Excellent! Change it to that!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian raised his glass: \"To Brother Lin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long leaned over: \"Hey, your alcohol tolerance is impressive!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian smiled: \"Slightly better than Big Brother's driving skills.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Jinbao checked his watch: \"It's getting late. Shall we discuss the specific details at my office tomorrow?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian stood up: \"Very well. Let me see the two seniors off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the hotel entrance, Hong Jinbao and Lin Zhengying got into their car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Zhengying leaned his head out the window: \"Qianzai, make sure to come for the costume trial next week!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian nodded. \"I'll be there on time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Qian shot him a sidelong glance. \"Give me the car keys.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To drive you home.\" Xiang Qian snatched the keys. \"So you don't end up on the headlines for drunk driving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Long protested, \"I only had two glasses!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two glasses of Moutai,\" Xiang Qian said, shoving him into the passenger seat. \"Enough to keep you asleep until noon tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>",1101,"2026-06-17T20:24:38.058Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","7d276909d7d0e9e197d47acc4729dee1a21022593c8b63cbc99b8da8b5a6056f","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-29","hong-kong-1984-entertainment-empire-chapter-27",152,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhong-kong-1984-cover.jpg"]