I became a movie star at the age of three; Dilraba and I are childhood sweethearts.

Wu Mengda became excited, and his voice rose several decibels.

"I can see your passion for acting."

"That kind of tenacity is exactly the same as Ah Xing's!"

"The first time I met you, I felt that you two would get along very well."

"He has high standards for acting, and so do you."

He paused, then let out another long sigh.

This sigh dampened the excitement from before.

"only……"

Wu Mengda looked at Xiao Chen, his eyes filled with helplessness.

"You might have to go to the audition by yourself this time."

"Ah Xing and I... I'm afraid we won't see each other again for a long time."

His voice was bitter as he said this.

The once inseparable brotherhood appears so fragile in the face of time and misunderstandings.

Xiao Chen saw clearly the inner struggle in Wu Mengda's heart.

He wanted to help himself, but was hesitant because of his feelings.

This dilemma is something ordinary people have to bear, let alone celebrities who are in the public eye.

Xiao Chen didn't take those words to heart. He put down his chopsticks and slowly wiped the corner of his mouth.

"Uncle Da, thank you."

"I'm already very happy that you even thought of me."

"As for meeting Director Zhou, you don't need to worry about it."

"Take good care of yourself and don't put too much pressure on yourself."

Wu Mengda looked at Xiao Chen, whose overly handsome face possessed a composure beyond his years.

This child has really grown up.

Xiao Chen just smiled.

Actually, he had already thought it through.

Stephen Chow, the name itself is a golden brand.

The film "Kung Fu Hustle" is a legend in the history of Chinese-language cinema.

Of course he'll go.

Xiao Chen will not miss any opportunity to witness a good role or a good movie.

As for the rift between Wu Mengda and Zhou Xingchi, Xiao Chen was also pondering it in his mind.

If given the opportunity, perhaps he could do something.

But now, the most important thing is to seize this opportunity.

The next day, Xiao Chen got up very early.

He didn't let Ye Huimei see him off; he went to the filming location of "Kung Fu" by himself.

The location is somewhat remote, but the scale is enormous.

The old GG sign and the mottled walls perfectly replicate the unique atmosphere of that era.

Before they even entered the Pig Cage Fortress, a deafening roar erupted from within.

"Cut! Cut! Cut!"

"What are you doing? Are you a pig? Can't you even walk properly?"

"I want that arrogant, domineering, and utterly disdainful feeling!"

"You walk out looking like a sleepy landlord! Your eyes! Where are your eyes? Look at them!"

The voice was shrill, with a strong Hong Kong accent, and full of impatience and irritability.

At the edge of the film set, several production assistants and staff members hunched over, barely daring to breathe.

An actor with a dragon tattoo on his arm was standing in the center of the stage, sweating profusely, being verbally abused.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Stephen Chow, I..."

Behind the monitor, a man wearing a simple T-shirt and a baseball cap suddenly stood up.

The finger almost poked the actor's nose.

"Sorry? What's the use of apologizing to me? Doesn't film cost money?"

"Don't you think the entire crew of hundreds of people are willing to spend their time waiting for you alone?"

"Try again! If that doesn't work, you're fired today!"

Stephen Chow is not tall, and is even somewhat thin.

But the aura he exuded at that moment silenced the entire set, and the temperature dropped several degrees.

No one around dared to make a sound, and they even deliberately kept their breathing quiet.

This is Stephen Chow.

On screen, he is the king of comedy, bringing laughter to countless people with his witty banter and sharp wit.

Privately, on set, he was a tyrant feared by everyone.

His standards for films have reached an almost obsessive level, to the point of being nitpicky.

Every shot, every expression, even the way the extras walk.

If you don't meet his standards, you'll face a torrent of scolding.

No one dared to disobey him.

He had a complete cinematic world in his mind, and he just wanted to bring that world into reality without any discrepancies.

I both love and fear it.

This is the shared feeling of everyone in the crew about him.

Xiao Chen stood not far away, quietly watching this scene.

He was neither afraid nor surprised.

True artists are mostly fanatics.

Having spent so many years as an extra in his previous life, he had seen countless directors with strange tempers.

In contrast, Stephen Chow's irritability is more like an anxious frustration at someone's lack of progress.

He just loves movies too much.

Just then, the script supervisor, with sharp eyes, spotted Xiao Chen standing at the entrance and paused for a moment.

This child...

She's so beautiful!

The twelve-year-old boy was tall and straight.

A simple white shirt and jeans, yet she exudes a clean and refined aura.

The script supervisor was stunned for a moment before he reacted and quickly ran over.

"You...you're Xiao Chen? Director Xiao?"

"Director Xiao, what brings you here? Are you...are you looking for someone?"

Xiao Chen had just won the Golden Rooster Award for Best Director not long ago, so the script supervisor naturally knew this talented young man.

Xiao Chen's voice was very pleasant as he spoke softly.

"I'm here for the audition."

The script supervisor was taken aback, then realized something.

"An audition?"

"You're the one Uncle Da introduced..."

The script supervisor's voice wasn't loud, but the name "Uncle Da" still clearly reached the ears of the man behind the monitor.

Zhou Xingchi turned his head and looked directly at Xiao Chen.

The gazes of everyone else on set followed his and focused on the handsome young man who had suddenly appeared.

He was being watched by dozens or even hundreds of eyes, including a particularly oppressive scrutiny.

Any other child would probably have panicked by now.

But Xiao Chen did not.

He simply looked back at Zhou Xingchi calmly and nodded slightly as a greeting.

He was neither arrogant nor humble, and there was no fear in his eyes, only a calm and composed demeanor.

Stephen Chow frowned.

He stared at Xiao Chen for a good ten seconds.

The image of Wu Mengda's lonely yet hopeful face flashed through my mind.

"Ah Xing, I recommend a kid to you, his acting is really good."

"Just meet him, as a favor to me..."

On the phone, my old friend's voice sounded tired and hoarse.

It had been a long time since they had spoken on the phone so calmly.

Because of the movie "Kung Fu Hustle," because of scheduling conflicts, and because of various misunderstandings, a rift had already developed between the two.

Rumors are rife that Stephen Chow is mean-spirited, prioritizes profit over friendship, and even broke up with his longtime partner.

He never explains.

Those who understand him need no explanation.

Explaining it to someone who doesn't understand him is useless.

He poured his heart and soul into this film.

It took three whole years from scriptwriting to preparation.

The start date was repeatedly delayed, even at the risk of offending people, and Wu Mengda was replaced at the last minute, with Yuan Hua, who had been retired from acting for many years, being brought in.

It's simply because Yuen Wah has real kung fu skills, which better suits the role he envisioned.

His passion for film transcends all social niceties.

But Wu Mengda...

Ultimately, they are still different.