Chapter 402: The Meeting of Two Dragons: Dragon vs. Phoenix (Requesting Monthly Tickets!)

"This is the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival!"

Gong Ying took the magnifying glass Wei Ming handed her: "This isn't a photocopy, is it?"

"Of course not—it's at least a few hundred years old." Wei Ming's Zhepihuo opened Gong Ying's eyes.

Gong Ying looked again: "The style differs from the one in the Palace Museum, but the details are just as rich, the brushwork natural—could this really be Qiu Ying's original?"

Wei Ming: "After we return to Beijing, I'll do a carbon-14 test first. If it's confirmed as Ming Dynasty, I'll take it to Rongbaozhai. Qiu Ying didn't paint just one Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival—mine might just be the real thing."

"Wait, what's carbon-14?"

"Oh, you can read about it in next week's issue of 'Black Cat Detective'—there's a story where the detective uses carbon-14 dating to solve a case. Simply put, it's a scientific method to determine age, though it has some margin of error and becomes unreliable for very recent dates."

Gong Ying nodded in awe—her little man was so learned!

She continued admiring the painting. Xuejie had seen it once at the Palace Museum, but through glass and amid crowds, she'd only caught a fleeting glimpse—nothing like now, where even touching it was possible, though she knew the rules and wouldn't dare.

But someone didn't follow the rules—Wei Ming quietly locked and bolted the door; Xuejie remained unaware until suddenly something pressed against her, and a pair of rule-breaking hands appeared.

"Ah! You—you just took off your clothes?!"

Wei Ming hugged his big sister from behind, nibbling her earlobe: "The night is short—let's finally consummate our marriage!"

"Won't someone hear us?"

"Last night, Linjie wasn't found either."

The next day, Wei Ming and Gong Ying saw off the newlywed Long and Ying family; Long reminded Wei Ming: "Don't forget my new story."

Wei Ming smiled: "First teach me a disciple who can handle 'Qin Shi Mingyue'—don't mess up this company's flagship."

"Definitely not—I'll review every script page, every drawing."

Wei Ming patted Long's shoulder: "Don't rush—enjoy your honeymoon first."

Gong Ying also gave Ying some practical advice.

"Don't rush to have a baby yet—your mother-in-law is pregnant too. The house will be chaotic, and you'll need to help out. If you get pregnant too, neither man will be able to focus on their careers."

"Oh no! Why didn't you warn me sooner!" Ying blushed deeply—she and Long had always used protection, except that one night in the bridal chamber.

"If it happens, it happens—it's fate. Then we'll find a way to get Mom to help. If I get the chance, I'll come visit you too."

"Mm," Gong Ying nodded, touched. "Sis, you and your husband take care—I'm already looking forward to seeing you two finally settle down."

Gong Ying smiled—settle down? They'd already gone down the wrong path.

After seeing them off, Wei Ming and Gong Ying parted ways—she went to the film set, while Wei Ming took Xiao Hong to Meiyingchang.

Under Wei Ming's witness, Hong Kong Lanning Toys signed a contract with Shanghai's Meiyingchang; Wei Lingling promised to transfer payment immediately upon returning to Hong Kong.

Wang Bairong also received the official script and began assembling his team—the crew was three times larger than that of 'Black Cat Detective,' packed with skilled hands, all recruited by Wang Bairong.

After signing the contract, Wei Lingling left without hesitation—Hong Kong was about to face its first wave of blind box mania.

Li Zhi felt some reluctance, but she had no say in the matter.

Wei Ming stayed behind in Shanghai to write the script for Cheng Long; Old Long was surely anxious, and Wei Ming also had to assist Wang Bairong in controlling the animation's style—it was a genre Meiyingchang had never touched before.

This was the first time Wei Jiefang hadn't spent the New Year at home—how refreshing!

He'd learned to drive, so during the holiday he took the car his sister gave him and drove Shufen all over Hong Kong Island—whatever they wanted to do, they did; whatever they wanted to eat, they ate. Even though her son was rich, in Beijing he couldn't just eat whatever he fancied.

But his sister returned, bringing a photo of Xiao Ming and Xiao Hong celebrating the New Year back home—Shufen couldn't hold back, tears pouring down as she missed her daughter, her son, and home.

Wei Lingling: "Don't worry—in a few days Xiao Ming will come. He's going to the U. . for an award and must transit through Hong Kong."

"What about Xiao Hong?"

"Xiao Hong has no choice."

Xiao Hong was thrilled—she'd finally seen the legendary 'Shaolin Temple.' On the way home, she repeated several times: "Li Lianjie is so handsome!"

Wei Ming wasn't surprised—back in his past life, she'd been obsessed with Little Li for a while after 'Shaolin Temple,' but her ideal man was tall—and Little Li clearly didn't fit.

In early February, 'Shaolin Temple,' which had already sparked a Li Lianjie craze in Hong Kong, officially premiered on the mainland. Though 'Heroes Born in Youth' had set a high bar, 'Shaolin Temple' had a uniquely charismatic and highly talked-about male lead, and its theme song 'Shepherd's Song' deeply moved audiences. The filming was far more meticulous—it had taken over a year to complete.

Even after the New Year holidays, movie theaters remained packed during the day; at night, long queues stretched out.

That morning, Huang Jiaoyan saw Zhao Debiao still asleep—even their daughter was crying, and he didn't stir. She leaned close to his ear and whispered: "Still sleeping? Little Li is famous nationwide."

"What? What?!" Zhao Debiao jolted awake.

Seeing his reaction, Yanzi burst out laughing, clutching her stomach—even Little Phoenix joined in.

Zhao Debiao felt embarrassed: "I stayed up late reading last night—preparing for the role."

Actually, he'd spent the whole night watching 'Shaolin Temple' alone—the crowds were overwhelming, the atmosphere electric, just like 'Mother, Again I Love You.'

Then he had nightmares all night—dreaming he and Yanzi hadn't married yet, but Little Li had become a national idol thanks to 'Shaolin Temple,' and even Yanzi had gone mad for him—he woke up terrified.

"I understand," Huang Jiaoyan picked up her daughter. "Go feed the cats and dogs at Beichi now—it's your turn today."

"When will Mingge come back?"

"You've only been feeding them for a few days—already tired?"

"That's not what I mean—I miss him. It's been ten days since the New Year."

Wei Ming: The joy here makes me forget Beijing.

As the saying goes, home is where your girlfriend is—but after a week, it was time to return to Beijing.

The Lantern Festival was coming soon; Xiao Hong had to return to school, and Wei Ming's work started even earlier.

Plus, their correspondence course students had to take an exam.

Wei Ming checked their shooting schedules—both would be busy until next month. The next half-month would be spent together.

Before leaving Shanghai, Wei Ming finished the script for Cheng Long. But since he'd pass through Hong Kong in a few days, he didn't mail it—he'd hand it over in person.

But Cheng Long was desperate. Unable to reach Wei Ming, he went straight to 'Maniac Comics,' claiming to visit—actually, he was asking Long, Wei Ming's Hong Kong representative, when he'd arrive.

No wonder—he felt threatened. 'The Best of Both Worlds' had easily surpassed 20 million in box office and was still climbing.

Meanwhile, the left-wing 'Shaolin Temple' had already passed 10 million. That kid Li Lianjie was about to surpass Cheng Long's best film, 'My Disciple, Out of the Gate.' And rumors said Japanese studios were intensely interested.

His own self-written, self-directed, self-starring 'Dragon Boy' had only earned 7 million in over half a month—and momentum was fading. He'd likely not even surpass 'My Disciple, Out of the Gate.' Of his four new films, he could barely edge out Liu Jialiang's 'Eighteen Martial Arts'—embarrassing!

He'd always believed great action was enough. But after 'Dragon Boy' released, critics slammed the script. Now, not just him—even Zou Wenhuai was eager for Wei Ming's new script.

A week ago, 'Maniac Comics' released five volumes of 'Qin Shi Mingyue.'

Thanks to high quality and normal pricing, it won rave reviews from manga fans—total sales in Hong Kong reached 600, 00 copies, exceeding Long's expectations.

Though they upgraded paper and layout for collectibility, 600, 00 copies still brought in huge profits—the biggest since 'Maniac Comics' was founded—and they were getting closer to recouping Wei Ming's losses.

But before the money was even warm, 'Maniac Comics' was launching a 'Hong Kong Manga Creativity' contest to discover new talent—another big expense ahead.

Just then, Cheng Long arrived. Long calmly said: "Brother Long, wait a moment—just a few more transactions."

Only after finishing the drawing did Liu Ruilong formally receive Cheng Long.

"What brings you here, Brother Long?"

Cheng Long didn't beat around the bush: "Ah Ming promised me a script—has he finished it?"

"Oh, I actually know—he'd have finished already if he hadn't gotten married in Shanghai recently."

Cheng Long was annoyed—couldn't you have picked a different day to get married?

"So it's not finished yet?"

"He says there's just a little left," Long said. "But he'll come to Hong Kong within a week—there'll be results."

"Wonderful!" Cheng Long beamed.

He took off his Rolex and shoved it into Long's arms: "We're both 'Longs'—Brother Long wishes you a happy marriage. Take it, take it."

The watch was clearly expensive. Long refused, but a pen-pusher couldn't outmatch a brawler like Cheng Long.

Feeling he'd be beaten if he kept refusing, Long reluctantly accepted.

Cheng Long grinned: "Let me know when he arrives in Hong Kong—here's my contact. I'm off."

"Wait," Long picked up a 'Historical Cat' blind box from the table and handed it to Cheng Long. "Take this too—Historical Cat blind boxes—they're super popular right now."

Popular? Cheng Long felt nothing—toys were for women.