The literary era since 1979

As the sun sets, the neon lights of the port city begin to flicker.

In the brightly lit conference room, Gong Xing was convening a meeting of the company's senior executives to discuss the filming and investment plans for the second half of the year.

"The registration period for the Venice Film Festival's main competition has come."

"According to the rules of the film festival, the preliminary selection can provide sample films that have not been completed to the final edit, right?"

"Yes, Mr. Gong."

Wang Jiawei adjusted his sunglasses.

"Then do it. Submit the rough cut along with the preliminary entry form to the Venice Film Festival organizing committee."

Gong Xing then asked about the editing progress of In the Mood for Love.

"It will be done in three days."

Wang Jiawei told the truth.

"Okay, Mr. Fang will be returning to Hong Kong in a few days, so we can hold a small preview within the company."

Gong Xing looked around and said, "If there is nothing else, today's meeting will end here. Thank you all for your hard work. The meeting is adjourned!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone scattered like birds and beasts, leaving the meeting room one after another.

As usual, Gong Xing was the last one to leave. He went straight to the basement and drove back to his villa in Repulse Bay.

The sky gradually darkened. A parasol stood by the swimming pool that was reflected with the sunset, shielding the golden afterglow for Wang Zuxian and Zhu Lin who were lying on the lounge chairs. Li Zhi, wearing a bikini, swam in the water like a fish, creating layer upon layer of ripples.

"Don't tell me you've been here all afternoon."

Gong Xing couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.

"How could that be? It'll only be an hour or two."

Wang Zuxian smiled and said, "Sister Xiaoxiang, do you want to come down and swim a few laps to relieve your fatigue?"

"It's already late, the sun has set."

Gong Xing didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Hurry up and pack up and put on your clothes. The wind is very cold at night. Don't catch a cold."

With a "splash", water splashed everywhere and Li Zhi emerged from the water, with her wet hair flying back like a mermaid emerging from the water.

Gong Xing handed over the towel and scolded with a smile: "Didn't you play mahjong in your free time before? Why don't you play today?"

"We want to, but we don't have enough people. Sister Qingxia has to accompany Sanmao to film Red Dust, and you've been busy."

Wang Zuxian pouted and said, "We are short of one player. How can we play mahjong?"

Li Zhi thanked her and wiped her hair with a towel while smiling, "Sister Xiaoxiang, Xiaoxian has been waiting for you to come."

"Sister Xiaoxiang, are you free to play a few games today?" Wang Zuxian's eyes flashed with anticipation.

"Mahjong, mahjong. Look how free you are. If you have so much free time, why not take on more plays?"

Gong Xing put his hands on his hips and said, "Let's talk about you, Xiaoxian. Director Xu is preparing for the second part of A Chinese Ghost Story..."

"Oh, I just finished filming the drama 'Across the World' not long ago, can't I take a break for a month or two?"

There was a hint of resentment in Wang Zuxian's tone.

"We want to take advantage of the residual heat of Ghost to continue to enhance the value of the screen couple Ning Caichen and Nie Xiaoqian."

Gong Xian rolled his eyes, "You're still complaining about it. Ask Li Zhi and Zhu Lin, how many people want to take pictures but don't have the chance."

"Yes, Xiaoxian."

Zhu Lin gave him some gentle advice, saying that he should make more classic screen works while he was in the golden period of his acting career.

Li Zhi also advised in the same way, without hiding her envy for Wang Zuxian. "You don't have to be envious."

Gong Xing said that the company is cooperating with Shaw Brothers to shoot "God of Gamblers 2: The Shanghai Knight" and has recommended Li Zhi to be the leading actress.

Li Zhi was surprised and delighted, her eyes sparkling, "Thank you, Sister Xiaoxiang!"

Gong Xing really deserved this thank you. Originally, the leading actress of "God of Gamblers 2: The Shanghai Gambler" was scheduled to be Gong Li, who had just been nominated for the Golden Globe and Oscar Best Actress. But whether for public or private reasons, he still chose Li Zhi, the "number one sister" who was being trained by the company.

"Sister Xiaoxiang, after talking about me and Lizhi, what about Zhu Lin?"

Wang Zuxian put her hands on Zhu Lin’s shoulders.

"I...it's okay..."

Zhu Lin didn't want to cause trouble for her good sister.

But Gong Xing didn't think so. He always remembered his promise to Zhu Lin. Although the movies currently invested by the company, such as "A Moment of Romance" and "My Dear Mr. Right", were not suitable for Zhu Lin, he still helped Zhu Lin find "The Wealthy Army" through the fruit of face.

"This is an anti-Japanese drama with a large cast of big names. Just by listening to the name, you should know that it is a light-hearted and humorous comedy."

“It’s really hard.”

Zhu Lin couldn't help but be moved.

"Don't say that."

Gong Xing said that although the cast of "The Rich Army" is luxurious and large, precisely because of this, Zhu Lin does not actually have many roles, and his main purpose is to make himself a familiar face in the circle. She has instructed the company's agent to find suitable movie scripts for Zhu Lin as much as possible.

Zhu Lin's eyes were full of gratitude. He took her hand and squeezed it gently.

"Zizzi."

Wang Zuxian looked at Gong Xing and smiled slyly, "Look at this strong woman's aura. No wonder everyone keeps saying that Xiao Xing is becoming more and more like Fourth Aunt. They call Fourth Aunt 'Big Fang Tai' and Xiao Xing 'Little Fang Tai'..."

"You are trying to make fun of me again. How can I compare with Fourth Aunt?"

When Gong Xing heard that he was being compared to TVB's Fang Yihua, a smug smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

Wang Zuxian repeatedly emphasized: "It's true, it's true, many people in the circle spread it like this."

"Okay, okay, okay, I don't trust you, go change into your swimsuit."

Gong Xing rolled his eyes, then told Aunt Wu, who had been waiting for a long time, that it was time to eat.

After a while, Zhu Lin, Wang Zuxian and the other two, who had changed their clothes, took their seats. Each of them had less than half a bowl of rice in their hands, and the food was very light, with at most a steamed grouper. After all, female stars have to control their diet and maintain their figure, so they have to strictly avoid certain foods.

"Lizhi, has the record company told you when Angkor Wat will premiere?"

Gong Xing cast an inquiring look.

Li Zhi replied that she had already made an appointment with Thunder 881 of Hong Kong Commercial Radio for the first promotional time, which would be on the Tuesday of the week after next.

"Oh, it's a rare occasion for us sisters to get together for dinner, so let's not talk about serious matters, let's talk about something interesting, shall we?"

Wang Zuxian talked about the biggest gossip in the Hong Kong entertainment industry today, which is the divorce between "Chu Liuxiang" Zheng Shaoqiu and "Fat Sister" Shen Dianxia.

Everyone's attention was quickly attracted by this big news that shocked the whole of Hong Kong, and even the dinner on the table lost its flavor.

Gong Xing couldn't help but sigh: "The water in Hong Kong's entertainment industry is deeper than Victoria Harbour."

“But this may not be a bad thing for In the Mood for Love.”

Zhu Lin pursed his lips. After all, the theme of "In the Mood for Love" is "extramarital affair".

"Forget it. If it's not done properly, it could easily backfire and have a negative impact on In the Mood for Love."

Gong Xing shook his head, thinking that even if Fang Yan were here, he would definitely give the same answer as her. (End of this chapter)