Chapter 36

(Listen, thank you to 'FlyingSky369' and 'PersonUnderUmbrella' for your generous donations, thank you!)

On the second day of the lunar new year, Wu Cheng set out early in the morning with some gifts. He first visited the Lan family, then the Zhong family. The Zhong family had even wanted Wu Cheng to stay for lunch, but he really didn't have the time, so he declined. Then, he carried the gifts and went to the Zhao family to pay his New Year's greetings.

The Zhao family was very pleased to see Wu Cheng. After playing a few rounds of chess with Zhao's father, everyone gathered around to have a hot pot. Seeing that there was plenty of food, Wu Cheng dug in with great enthusiasm.

However, before the meal was over, everyone was stunned.

Seeing everyone's expressions, Wu Cheng felt a bit awkward. Finally, Zhao's youngest sister couldn't hold back and giggled, saying, "Fourth Sister, was Chengzi always such a big eater?"

Zhao Yazhi chuckled and gave Wu Cheng a flirtatious look, saying, "He's actually quite restrained now! When he's really hungry, I bet he could eat half a pig."

Everyone was speechless again, making Wu Cheng even more embarrassed.

Seeing Wu Cheng's awkwardness, Zhao's mother smiled and said, "It's fine, it's fine. Being a big eater is a blessing. Chengzi's good appetite shows he's very healthy. And look how strong he's grown compared to a few months ago!"

Wu Cheng laughed foolishly, looking at their strange expressions, and explained, "Actually, this is a necessary process for martial artists. I think my appetite will gradually decrease in the future. My grandfather and father went through the same thing..."

"Hehe, I thought Chengzi had some strange illness and needed to see a doctor!"

"I did see a doctor, and he said I'm stronger than a bull!" Wu Cheng glanced at Zhao Yazhi and told a small lie. While part of it was true, it was still a lie.

"Alright, everyone, let's continue! I'll go prepare some more." Zhao Yazhi smiled. She had already prepared for Wu Cheng's visit.

After the meal, Wu Cheng and Zhao Yazhi went for a walk. An hour later, they headed to Hong Jinbao's house to pay their New Year's greetings and discuss the movie's release.

"Chengzi, Sister Jun is coming over tomorrow. She wants to stay with us for a while. What do you think?"

"Really?" Wu Cheng asked with delight. But seeing Zhao Yazhi's expression, he came to his senses and said somewhat guiltily, "Sister Zhi, do you think it's appropriate?"

Zhao Yazhi rolled her eyes at Wu Cheng and then smiled flirtatiously, "What do you think?"

Wu Cheng was speechless. He thought to himself, it's not like we don't have a guest room. There shouldn't be a problem with her staying. But the question is, can he make this decision?

Previously, when Wu Cheng bought a piano, they moved to the next-door apartment because it had a larger living room, which made placing the piano less cramped. It also had an extra guest room, making it convenient for guests. The move was easy and didn't disturb anyone, and they had a new home.

"Let her stay at a hotel then!" Wu Cheng shook his head and sighed, "I hope she won't blame us. We're just a small family, and it's not suitable for a big star to stay with us, Sister Zhi?"

"Oh, you big head, don't think I don't know what you're thinking! You're getting a good deal!"

"Is Sister Zhi agreeing then?"

"If I didn't agree, would you blame me?"

"How could I? Am I that kind of person?" Wu Cheng flattered, "Sister Zhi is always the most important to me. Anyone who makes Sister Zhi angry is making me angry..."

"Alright, alright, I know your little tricks, you're the one who always makes me angry!"

"..."

Wu Cheng thought, is my mind really that obvious?

At the Hong family, Wu Cheng and Zhao Yazhi resumed their previous intimacy, appearing hand in hand.

At the Hong family, Shenglong and the others were already there. They knew Wu Cheng was coming in the afternoon, and tomorrow was the release of their movie. At this moment, they were a bit nervous.

Although they had already seen the final cut and felt their performances were fine, they still had some doubts. Unlike Wu Cheng, they didn't know the strength of the movie.

Seeing their worry, Wu Cheng smiled and said, "Hasn't Brother Sanmao told you about the advance ticket sales? All the theaters, nearly forty of them, from the third to the seventh day of the lunar new year, have already sold out. They're still selling more. Can't you see that our movie is already a hit?"

Hong Jinbao laughed, "I told you, they're just worrying for nothing!"

"Master Brother, who was it that called us over to drink with you?" Shenglong directly betrayed Hong Jinbao. In fact, Hong Jinbao also felt this was a bit unreal.

The movie hadn't even been released, and the tickets for the first four days were already sold out. This had never happened before... Of course, no one had ever dared to pre-sell tickets before the movie's release, and no one had ever accepted it. Now, not only did people accept it, but the pre-sales were unexpectedly hot, making it feel like a dream.

Wu Cheng smiled, "Alright, everyone, get ready to become famous!"

So, a group of people at Hong Jinbao's house started a hot pot and drank before dinner. In the end, almost everyone was drunk.

Wu Cheng's alcohol tolerance was average, so he was controlling himself. He didn't want to end up like a pile of mud again, needing Zhao Yazhi to help him back and agreeing to more unrealistic things.

"Everyone, keep going, I'll go to the bathroom first!"

Shenglong stood up, but stumbled and almost fell. Yuan Biao, standing nearby, tried to support him, but he pushed him away, saying, "I'm fine, no need to help!"

He swayed and stumbled all the way to the corner before finally stopping. Everyone saw this and couldn't help but laugh.

Little Tianming also laughed along with everyone, clapping his hands excitedly. He tried to imitate Shenglong, but since he had just learned to walk and was still unsteady, he fell to the ground and rolled around, making everyone laugh even more.

Even Zhao Yazhi couldn't hold back, covering her mouth and laughing, her body trembling slightly.

Seeing this, Wu Cheng couldn't help but think of a term—Drunken Fist.

Thinking of this, Wu Cheng remembered the two Drunken Fist movies Shenglong had starred in.

However, the two Drunken Fist movies were made many years apart. One was at the end of the 1970s, and the other at the beginning of the 1990s, a gap of over a decade. Shenglong's acting had naturally improved, and the scenes and fighting styles had also changed significantly.

One could say that the first was an old-style fighting style, rigid and methodical, pausing after each move. The second was a new-style fighting style, still with moves and techniques, but more fluid and visually appealing.

Just like the fighting style in the movie they were currently filming, "Five Lucky Stars," which had also undergone a significant change from the old-style fighting. This is why everyone was so excited when they saw the action scenes. The new-style fighting was clearly different from the old-style fighting.

Moreover, it was closer to daily life, more realistic, and easier to accept.

Wu Cheng knew that Shenglong had become famous through "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow" and "Drunken Fist." He hadn't seen "Snake in the Eagle's Shadow," so he had to give up on that movie. However, he had seen "Drunken Fist" and thought it could be adapted, even combining elements from the second part to improve the first part's script. The romantic subplot in the first part was left unresolved, which was a bit unsatisfactory.

Of course, the romantic subplot in the second part was also thin, but the character of Huang Feihong's "little mother," played by Mei Yanfang, was quite outstanding.

Speaking of the character of Huang Feihong, Wu Cheng felt that Li Lianjie's portrayal of Huang Feihong was more appealing, especially the character of "Thirteenth Aunt," who was like a goddess.

Therefore, Wu Cheng decided to include the character of "Thirteenth Aunt" in "Drunken Fist."

The character of "Thirteenth Aunt" held a special place in all Huang Feihong films and TV series. Historically, there was no such person, and many believed she was based on Huang Feihong's fourth wife.

Actually, if the "aunt" character in "Drunken Fist" was changed to a distant cousin of the main character's father, that girl could become "Thirteenth Aunt."

As for the ending, the female lead could be changed to going abroad to study, and in the second part, Li Lianjie's version of "Thirteenth Aunt" could appear, with a more modern and fashionable look.

The more he thought about it, the more Wu Cheng felt it was feasible and suited his taste.

"Chengzi, what are you thinking about? Why are you smiling so strangely?"

Zhao Yazhi, who was paying attention to Wu Cheng, found his self-satisfied smile strange and asked.

Wu Cheng shook his head and then nodded, smiling, "Seeing Ahlong like this, I had an idea. I think the next movie should star Ahlong."

As for the female lead, Wu Cheng thought Zhao Yazhi would be perfect. When the next part came out, Zhao Yazhi would have a significant transformation, which would likely have a great effect.

However, the thought of the female lead being teased by Shenglong made Wu Cheng a bit uncomfortable.

In the end, he didn't decide on the female lead.

After saying goodbye to Mrs. Hong, Wu Cheng and Zhao Yazhi returned home, and Wu Cheng started writing the script.

For the next three movies, Wu Cheng had already planned them out. One of them was the next year's box office champion, "Money Crazy," for which the script was already written, and he planned to have Wu Yusen direct it.

Another was "The Kid with the Kung Fu," starring Yuan Biao and featuring Hong Jinbao. This "Kung Fu Kid" was Yuan Biao's breakthrough role, and he believed Hong Jinbao would be willing to support his brother.

The last one was the "Drunken Fist" that Wu Cheng wanted to make. For the action choreography, he could hire Master Yuan Dabian. Of course, he could also give him the position of assistant director.

And now, he was writing the script for "Drunken Fist."

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