Chapter Nine: Roles Decided

“Ninth Brother!” Yan Xu opened the door and saw Ninth Brother standing outside. A strong wave of perfume drifted in, and behind him stood a bevy of lovely ladies.

“Wow, so many beauties,” Chicken Feather’s eyes sparkled as he stood behind Yan Xu.

“Hurry inside!” Chicken Feather ushered each lady in as if he couldn’t get enough of looking at them.

“This is Brother Nine Suns, the director of the film you’ll be auditioning for. This is Brother Chicken Feather and this is Brother Ghost Dong, both are producers.” Ninth Brother introduced Yan Xu and his companions to the group of women, then turned to Yan Xu, “This is Qingqing, this is Lanlan, this is Lala, this is Meixue…”

“What’s this young lady’s name?” Yan Xu wasn’t ogling like Chicken Feather and Ghost Dong, but was sizing up the women carefully. These women were to be the actresses in his film, and he was free to cast them in whichever role suited them best. All these women were working girls, dressed provocatively and heavily made up, some garishly so. Yet one among them caught his eye—not the prettiest, with an oval face, straight long hair, and only light makeup. Among them, she was the most pure and unadorned, and her look was perfect for the role of the female student killed by Lin Guoyu in the script.

“You have great taste, Director. Our Ah Zhen is very popular—everyone wants her to play the first love,” said the well-endowed woman holding Yan Xu’s arm—her ample chest rubbing against him. Ninth Brother had just introduced her as Meixue.

“Director, please look after me,” said Ah Zhen, who, contrary to her innocent appearance, slid into the seat beside Yan Xu, pressing her smooth thigh against his and guiding his hand to rest on her bare leg.

“There’s a female student in our film, one of the main roles. I think you’d be perfect for it,” Yan Xu said, his hand caressing Ah Zhen’s delicate skin—such an opportunity was hard to pass up.

“One of the main roles? Really?” Ah Zhen was overjoyed at his words, almost melting into his embrace.

“You’ve chosen well. Our Ah Zhen is the most convincing student here. She was the star at the nightclub until her gambling habits landed her in debt to Brother Wen, and she ended up working with us,” Meixue interrupted. Seeing that Ah Zhen secured a leading role with just a few words, Meixue grabbed Yan Xu’s other hand and pressed it to her own voluptuous chest. “Director, if Ah Zhen is the lead, what about me?”

“You…” Yan Xu looked Meixue up and down—curvy, with an especially prominent bust, wavy hair, a husky voice, and heavy makeup. She was the very image of a woman of the night. “There’s a perfect role for you, and it’s a significant one.”

“Really? But I don’t know how to act,” Meixue pouted, her red lips whispering hot breath in his ear.

“That’s no problem. You just need to be yourself. The part is a woman of the night,” Yan Xu replied, his arm slipping around her waist.

“Director, don’t forget me!”

“Me too!”

The other women, nestled against Chicken Feather and Ghost Dong, saw Yan Xu assigning the main roles to Ah Zhen and Meixue and quickly crowded in, each eager for a part.

“You’re all leads, all of you!” Yan Xu reassured them. Though he’d had his share of flings as an assistant director, never before had he been surrounded by so many women at once. Still, all he dared do was a bit of harmless flirtation. It wasn’t for lack of courage, but for fear of catching something—these women weren’t just nightclub girls, they were cheap and indiscriminate, often seeing a dozen or more clients a day.

With the female roles assigned, there was general satisfaction, especially from the plainest woman among them. She’d expected a minor part, but ended up with the substantial role of the policewoman—a part with the most lines and screen time.

“Chicken Feather has already agreed to play the male lead’s brother. Ninth Brother, Ghost Dong, you’ll have roles too,” Yan Xu said as the group grew lively. Most of the cast were company people, so Ninth Brother and Ghost Dong were naturally included.

“We have parts too?” Ninth Brother asked, surprised.

“You’ve read the script. There are a few key roles I can’t trust outsiders with. One is Inspector Lee, one of the leads, and the other is the fat cop. Inspector Lee’s role suits you perfectly, Ninth Brother, and Ghost Dong, you’re the fat cop.” Yan Xu explained—Inspector Lee was a police chief in his forties, and Ninth Brother fit the part. Ghost Dong, though not as hefty as the original, was still close enough. Yan Xu had merged two roles from the original script to streamline the cast.

“You want me to play a flashy cop? I don’t think I’m up to it,” Ninth Brother protested.

“Nonsense. Police and gangs aren’t so different—they both have hierarchies. You just need to act authoritative and lay off the cursing,” Yan Xu said.

“What about me? No cop would have a wolf’s head tattoo this big on his chest,” Ghost Dong said, patting his chest.

“Easy fix—just wear a dark shirt to cover it,” Yan Xu replied, having already thought out every detail.

“Don’t stay up too late. Tomorrow we need to decorate two rooms and pick up the rented tables and chairs,” Yan Xu reminded the group. The main house was well-furnished, needing little work, but the other three warehouses had to be converted into a police station, which would take some effort.

“You’re really not coming with us? There are eight girls—you could have two each,” Chicken Feather said, his hands roaming over the women beside him.

“All the better for you—take four, just don’t throw your back out,” Yan Xu laughed.

“Only four? I could handle two more,” Chicken Feather boasted, pulling Ah Zhen and Meixue closer.

“You can’t have them all. At least leave one for me,” Ghost Dong protested, kissing the women on either side.

“As if I don’t know you—built like a bull, even two would wear you out. Don’t be greedy. If anyone, I’d give one to Ninth Brother, not you.”

“Damn you, brat—” Ghost Dong retorted, and laughter filled the room.