Chapter 36: Celebration Banquet

In the banquet hall of the Peninsula Hotel, the celebration party for the cast and crew of "Mr. Vampire" was in full swing.

"34 million! Box office champion of the year!" Liu Guanwei raised his champagne, his face beaming, "Everyone, cheers!"

"Cheers!" The crowd cheered, the clinking of glasses ringing out crisp and pleasant.

Lin Zhengying sat at the main table, wearing a smile. Hong Jinbao had his arm around Lin's shoulder; the alcohol had gone to his head, and he excitedly shook his wine glass, "Ah Ying! Our film is a hit! We must start preparing the sequel immediately!"

Lin Zhengying coughed twice and said with a bitter smile, "Brother Hong, my health..."

"Ah! Minor issue!" Hong Jinbao waved his large hand, "Just control it with medication!"

Zhou Huimin approached holding a glass of juice and softly interjected, "Brother Ying, didn't the doctor say surgery should be performed as soon as possible?"

Hong Jinbao froze, only then suddenly remembering—his good brother was suffering from lung cancer.

"Ah, right!" He slapped his forehead sharply and said regretfully, "Look at my memory! Ah Ying, get treated first; the film matters can wait!"

Xu Guanying also came over, unusually serious, "Brother Ying, your life comes first; we'll wait until you're well before filming!"

Lin Zhengying's eyes turned slightly red as he raised his teacup, "Thank you, brothers, for your understanding."

At that moment, a commotion arose at the banquet hall entrance as Cheng Long strode in with his signature smile.

"Congratulations!" He first embraced Liu Guanwei, then bowed with clasped fists toward Lin Zhengying, "Brother Ying, that film scared me so much I didn't dare go to the toilet at night!"

Everyone burst into laughter. Cheng Long's gaze shifted and suddenly landed on Zhou Huimin, "Ah Min! My new film 'Dragon Twins' needs a female lead; are you interested?"

Zhou Huimin subconsciously looked toward Xiang Qian.

Xiang Qian gave a slight nod.

"Thank you, Brother Long!" Zhou Huimin immediately broke into a sweet smile, "I will definitely work hard!"

Cheng Long nodded satisfactorily, then glanced at Xiang Qian, "Qian Zai, I hear you're working on an art film?"

Xiang Qian's eyes lit up, "Big Brother is interested?"

"Of course!" Cheng Long leaned in and whispered, "After making nothing but action films all these years, it's time to transform."

Xiang Qian excitedly set down his wine glass, "In this film of mine, 'Parasite,' there happens to be a role for a 'poor father'..."

"Poor father?" Cheng Long raised an eyebrow.

"On the surface, a humble chauffeur, but in reality, a hidden boss," Xiang Qian gestured as he spoke, "If played well, winning Best Actor at Cannes is no dream!"

Cheng Long instantly became energized, "Do you have the script? Let me see it now!"

Xiang Qian pulled a crumpled stack of manuscript pages from his suit jacket's inner pocket, "Just finished the third draft..."

Cheng Long snatched it away and began flipping through it on the spot. Amid the banquet hall's noise, his eyes grew brighter the more he read; suddenly, he slapped the table, "Brilliant! I want this role!"

Not far away, Hong Jinbao looked at Lin Zhengying and, filled with guilt, poured his cup full, "Ah Ying, I was confused just now..."

Lin Zhengying waved his hand, "Brother Hong, don't say that; everyone is just happy."

"No!" Hong Jinbao suddenly stood up and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Everyone! I announce that 'Mr. Vampire Part 2' is postponed! We will film only after Ah Ying has recovered!"

The entire hall fell silent for an instant, then erupted in applause.

Wang Xiaofeng wiped the corners of her eyes, "Now that's more like it..."

From the corner of his eye, Xiang Qian saw Zhou Huimin being surrounded by Yuan Biao and others asking for autographs.

Lin Zhengying walked over and said solemnly, "Qian Zai, thank you for persuading me to undergo surgery back then."

"Brother Ying is too polite," Xiang Qian raised his cup, "Once you recover, we'll film 'Mr. Vampire Part 2'!"

A night breeze swept across the terrace, while the lights of Xiangjiang sparkled brilliantly. Gazing at the distant neon, Xiang Qian curved his lips slightly; the era belonging to him was slowly unfolding.