Chapter 139: Visiting Amin on Set

A silver-gray Mercedes screeched to a halt in front of a small building bearing the sign "Jian's Garage."

Despite the garage looking perfectly ordinary and somewhat dilapidated, the area outside was swarming with people. It wasn't just the neighbors from the surrounding streets; there were also reporters clutching cameras, all waiting in anticipation.

Wong Jing was currently filming his new movie, *The Romancing Star*. Although filming movies in Hong Kong is a common sight, it still drew countless curious neighbors who came to watch and show their support.

Two scenes were being shot at the garage today. One involved Traffic Light, Ng Jun-siu, and Lau Ting-kin, who, despite having their faces covered in lipstick marks, were looking smug until they were exposed for having bought mosquito-repellent skin cream. The other scene was the one where "Rotten Mouth" Fat’s identity as a garage employee was revealed. The first scene only involved four actors, but the second required almost the entire main cast. Consequently, nearly every lead actor was present, which explained the large crowd of onlookers and journalists.

The arrival of the gray Mercedes didn't attract much attention, and Yan Xu, dressed casually and wearing sunglasses, went unrecognized.

"Look, that’s Chow Yun-fat!"
"He’s so handsome. I love his performance as Hui Man-keung."
"As expected of a fresh-faced sweetheart, Vivian Chow is truly beautiful, and her singing is lovely too."
"Exactly! I’d gladly trade ten years of my life just to be her boyfriend."
"Ten years? I’d give up twenty!"
"Keep dreaming. She’s the nation’s sweetheart; she belongs to all of us and will never marry."
"Is Eric Tsang really that short? His movies are hilarious."
"I prefer Natalis Chan. He’s got such a cheeky face."
"Rhino Skin is pretty good too, always looking so serious."
"With the three of them together, this movie is bound to be funny."
"Hey, who’s that beauty? I’ve never seen her before. Is she a newcomer?"
"What newcomer? That’s Chiang Lai-ping. She’s from a wealthy family, has released a few albums, and done some acting. Haven't you seen *The Foundation*? She played the opera singer in that."

As he neared the crowd, Yan Xu overheard the chatter. Filming hadn't started yet, so the area wasn't cleared.

Hearing the name Chiang Lai-ping, Yan Xu glanced toward the young woman in the short-sleeved shirt with a wavy perm. Though she was a bit far off to see clearly, her youth and beauty were evident. History is always so coincidental; *The Romancing Star* was being filmed more than a year earlier than in his past life, yet she was still the actress playing the role of the mosquito-repellent girl. Yan Xu didn't have a particularly deep impression of her, only knowing she was the daughter of Hong Kong entrepreneur Chiang Chen. She was considered a lady of high standing, and having a bachelor's degree before entering the industry was rare in the Hong Kong entertainment world. Of course, what Yan Xu remembered most was her performance at the Spring Festival Gala, which made her a household name across the country, though the heavy makeup she wore then wasn't quite to his taste. At the height of her career, she married and faded from the scene. Later, she became religious and began preaching. Yan Xu had seen photos of her from this time; though no longer young, she possessed the refined charm of a mature woman.

"Excuse me, please. Thank you." Struggling with a crate of fruit, Yan Xu asked the crowd blocking his path to move. One couldn't visit a set empty-handed. Although his main reason for visiting was to see Vivian Chow, he couldn't make it too obvious in front of everyone. Flowers would have been inappropriate, but fruit was perfect—it served everyone on the crew and showed his consideration as the boss.

"What are you doing? We're all just watching the show, stop shoving!" a few people standing in front of him complained, assuming Yan Xu was just another fan trying to push his way in.

"I’m with the crew," Yan Xu said, feeling a bit helpless as his path remained blocked.

"You think you can pretend to be crew just by carrying a crate? If you want an autograph, wait in line like everyone else. Some guy just tried to pretend he was delivering lunch, but he didn't even check the time." The crowd was packed with people wanting autographs or photos, and many tried to sneak in. The "lunch delivery" guy had been a poor attempt, as it wasn't even three o'clock yet—hardly time for another meal.

Yan Xu couldn't help but laugh at the irony; he couldn't even get into his own set.

"I really am with the production team." Realizing he wouldn't get in without revealing his identity, he set the crate down and took off his sunglasses.

"Hey, this guy looks familiar."
"He looks like a star."
"I know! He was in that... what was it called..."
"He’s a director. He directed *The Mansion No. 1*."
"Ah! It’s Yan Xu!"
"I’m a fan!"
"Young Master Yan is here! Young Master Yan is visiting!"
"Young Master Yan, are you here to visit the set? When does your new movie start?"
"Young Master Yan, what’s your take on Director Wong Jing’s film? Can you predict the box office?"

Recognized by the crowd, he also alerted the nearby reporters. They rushed over with cameras and microphones, flashes erupting as a barrage of questions was thrown his way.

Yan Xu knew this would happen if his identity was exposed. Fortunately, the commotion caught the attention of the crew, and several staff members quickly rescued him from the crowd. Someone naturally helped carry his crate of fruit inside.

"Young Master Yan!"
"Boss!" The crew members set aside their work to greet him.

"Ah Xu, what brings you here?" Wong Jing waddled over, looking him up and down. His film was progressing smoothly, and the cast was cooperative, so he was in high spirits.

"Just visiting the set and checking on your progress," Yan Xu said, pulling a banana from the crate and offering it to Wong Jing. "Here, Fatty, have a banana. I bought them especially."

"I'm a grown man; I'll stick to an apple. Bananas are more for the ladies," Wong Jing said, putting the banana back and grabbing an apple. He wiped it on his sleeve and took a bite.

"Oh, so you prefer the 'peach' instead?" Yan Xu replied, catching the double entendre in Wong Jing’s words.

"Pfft, you're the one who likes the 'peach.' I don't have such peculiar tastes," Wong Jing said, stopping mid-bite. "Visiting the set is just an excuse—you're really here to see someone, aren't you?"

Wong Jing was a clever little fellow; Yan Xu’s feelings for Vivian Chow couldn't be hidden from him.

"You're too sharp," Yan Xu said with a laugh. "Go on, pass these out to the crew and tell them that once shooting wraps today, dinner is on me."

Yan Xu was always generous with his employees. Having made a fortune, he never skimped on the small stuff.

"Deal! You said it. I heard you made a killing in Spain, so I'll have them wrap up early," Wong Jing said, calling over a staff member. "Hey, you! Distribute the fruit, and tell everyone the boss is treating us to a late-night snack."

"Ah Xu, aren't you starting a new project? How do you have so much free time? We’re going to eat well tonight!" As Wong Jing finished, four men of varying heights and builds approached. Leading them was Natalis Chan, with his wide eyes and cheeky expression.

"Brother叻, Brother Wei, Brother King, Brother Fat," Yan Xu greeted the four leads.

"Young Master Yan, don't be so formal. Just call me Fat-jai," said Chow Yun-fat. Among the four, he was the most handsome and famous, but also the one struggling the most in the film industry. Despite winning Best Actor, he had been labeled "box office poison." Hardly anyone wanted to hire him. As an actor, his life depended on performing, and if he couldn't get roles, he’d be forced back to television. But since joining the Dragon Clan, his luck had turned. The company had arranged two films for him, both as the lead. He was deeply grateful to Yan Xu and dared not act superior in his presence.

"It’s not me being formal; it’s you. You’re older than me, so calling you Brother Fat is only right. We’re all friends here; there’s no need for boss-employee formalities," Yan Xu said. Looking at the future "God of Gamblers," he dared not put on airs. Besides, Chow was his company’s future cash cow and a key talent. Even though some investors saw him as a jinx, Yan Xu knew that once he succeeded, many would try to poach him. When that time came, Yan Xu would rely on the cards of loyalty and being the one who gave him his start.

"Exactly! I don't mind if Ah Xu calls me Brother Wei," Eric Tsang chimed in with a laugh. "Though, to be honest, that nickname is a bit awkward. You should at least add a 'Chi' to the front, otherwise, it makes me think of those little blue pills." In recent years, Eric Tsang had become increasingly popular, achieving great success as both a director and an actor in the *Lucky Stars* series.

"Calling you Brother Wei is perfectly accurate. Look at how you're dressed—you look just like one, and you’re always popping pills like a medicine cabinet," Natalis Chan teased. He and Tsang were close friends who never held back.

Tsang was wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt that did indeed resemble the pill in question. He was also famous for his love of the nightlife. Although married with four children, his second wife had been living in Canada for the past two years, essentially leaving them separated, which allowed him to rotate through a constant stream of beauties.

"What? I don't need those things! I'm still in my prime, I can handle three or four without breaking a sweat!" Tsang said, flexing his chubby biceps.

"Get lost!" Not just Natalis Chan, but everyone around him gave him the middle finger.