Chapter 38: The Talk of the Town

"Cut! That's a wrap on the final take! Congratulations to you two kung fu father-and-son figures on finishing another film," Yuan Kui laughed.

He was a martial arts director by trade, but this film wasn't purely action-oriented; it contained many dramatic scenes.

"Woody, are you okay?" Jet Li helped Liu Jing up. The recent fight choreography was truly demanding for a child of just a few years old.

"It’s a breeze," Liu Jing replied, patting the dust off his backside. He refused the help and stood up with a fluid, kip-up motion.

"Woody, I’ve suddenly realized that performing dramatic scenes with you is even more comfortable than doing action sequences," Jet Li said with a smile. He was very familiar with Liu Jing; this was their fourth film together.

The little guy's martial arts skills were improving rapidly, but his acting in dramatic scenes was even more impressive. Usually, Jet Li set the pace for action, but in drama, he often found himself following Liu Jing’s lead.

"Hey! Little one, any interest in becoming an action choreographer? This industry should be cultivated from a young age; it has more of a future than acting," Yuan Kui asked while packing up his gear.

Whenever he helped Liu Jing arrange the choreography, Liu Jing would offer suggestions that were truly eye-opening for him.

"Yuan Kui, he’s only six. His main focus right now should be his studies. Our line of work isn't suitable for him, so don't lead him astray," Jet Li said bluntly.

Yuan Kui laughed it off. He had only asked casually, knowing full well that Liu Jing wouldn't agree.

Don't let his age fool you; the boy had a very strong sense of his own mind. Moreover, given the little guy's current fame, he likely didn't have any interest in the life of an action director.

Although few of the films Liu Jing had shot had been released, his popularity had grown faster in the last half-month than ever before.

In February of this year, *The New Legend of Shaolin*, starring Liu Jing, was released. In April, *Shaolin Popey* starring Shi Xiaolong hit theaters, and in July, *Shaolin Popey II: Messy Temple* featuring Shi Xiaolong and Hao Shaowen followed. The three child stars rose to prominence in the same year and were dubbed the "Three Little Dragons," becoming the hottest young stars in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Fatty Wang yawned and struggled to rise from his recliner. "Woody, where are those ex-girlfriends of yours? How come not one of them has come to visit the set?"

He was the screenwriter and producer of this film. Recently, to avoid the fallout from a scandal involving him getting beaten up, he hadn't dared to return to Hong Kong and had been staying with the film crew.

Shortly after *God of Gamblers II* wrapped, rumors about Liu Jing’s ex-girlfriends suddenly spread through the crew.

The rumors claimed that Jet Li’s protégé, Liu Jing—nicknamed "Woody"—had dumped three girlfriends at the age of six: Athena Chu, Vivian Chow, and Joey Wong. Even more sensational was the claim that he had a sister complex, with his sister being Chingmy Yau.

Tabloids embellished the story, and it quickly spread across Hong Kong and Taiwan, with echoes even reaching mainland China.

Before the film was even released, it had already generated plenty of buzz and captured everyone’s attention. Liu Jing strongly suspected that this had been intentionally arranged by the company or Fatty Wang to mask other news.

Under the influence of Chow Yun-fat, Chingmy Yau, and the three "ex-girlfriends," his fame was so widespread across Hong Kong and Taiwan that everyone knew his name, and the influence even spread to Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

The three "ex-girlfriends" were also very cooperative; whenever the media interviewed them, they would just giggle and acknowledge the rumors.

This level of cooperation wasn't due to Liu Jing, but rather Sharla Cheung. She had taken Liu Jing to visit them one by one, which was why they were willing to do him a favor.

Sharla Cheung had been preparing for a major move recently, though she hadn't told Liu Jing exactly what it was.

As his fame grew, many scripts were offered to Liu Jing. Some production companies were even willing to tailor scripts specifically for him. All of these were rejected by Win's Entertainment. Liu Jing was their cash cow, and he was only allowed to film the projects they designated. Since he had signed a contract with those terms, Liu Jing was helpless to change it.

"What about your ex-girlfriends? I haven't seen any of them show up either," Liu Jing retorted, never losing a verbal spar with Fatty Wang.

"I only have a current girlfriend, no ex-girlfriends," Fatty Wang said with a grin.

"Uncle Fatty, don't you think the title of this film is a bit off? It doesn't sound like a commercial film; it sounds more like a sappy art-house movie," Liu Jing said, seizing the opportunity of the wrap to voice his confusion.

"I want to show everyone that I, Wong Jing, can film more than just low-brow commercial entertainment; I can also make proper art-house films," Fatty Wang said proudly, feeling quite smug.

"You're the producer, you call the shots," Liu Jing shrugged. "Anyway, I'm just here to collect my paycheck; everything else has nothing to do with me."

"Little one, when you go home this time, discuss it with Professor An. I will definitely put my heart into polishing the script for *God of Gamblers: The Immortal*. It will stun everyone," Fatty Wang said, patting Liu Jing on the shoulder earnestly. "God of Gamblers, Knight of Gamblers, Saint of Gamblers—those are other people's titles. Little one, in my gambling films, having your own title as the 'Immortal of Gamblers'—how proud that would be!"

"Okay," Liu Jing answered crisply, knowing full well that Professor An would never agree.

Professor An was stubborn and set in his ways; once he had decided on something, it was hard to change his mind.

Fatty Wang wanted Liu Jing to take the lead in a standalone gambling film. Once Professor An learned of this, he flatly refused. It was one thing for his child to make a cameo in a gambling film, but having him as the lead, playing against others at a gambling table—that was absolutely out of the question.

Fatty Wang tried to sweet-talk Professor An, saying that the audience was looking forward to it and that it was just acting, all fake.

Professor An scolded him, "The audience may want to see it, but our child won't perform it. If he acts out gambling today, he might end up at a real gambling table when he grows up. Director Wong, you are a father of two and a top-university graduate; please, act like a decent human being."

Since Professor An’s work had shifted, his tone had become increasingly sharp.

"Hey! Little one, I heard you bought a house in Beijing. Shouldn't you invite Uncle Fatty over as a guest?" Fatty Wang was in a good mood today; the beating incident had finally died down as the media found a new target: a certain actress had been kidnapped.

Compared to that news, his own beating was nothing.

"Sure! Sister Sharla is at home doing laundry; I’ll page her and have her prepare some food," Liu Jing replied readily.

Fatty Wang grunted. If Sharla Cheung was there, why would he go and ask for trouble? Just to be met with cold stares?

Liu Jing’s eyes suddenly brightened, and he abandoned Fatty Wang. "Sister Mui, that outfit looks amazing. Don't move, let me take a picture for you."

Ever since he got his camera, he no longer asked actresses for photos. Whatever style or pose he wanted, one camera was all it took. His photography skills had improved rapidly over the past few months, and he was no better than a professional photographer.

"Sister Mui, congratulations on your record sales hitting ten million. I bought a hundred copies of *It’s Like This*; can you sign them for me?" Liu Jing chattered while snapping photos.

Anita Mui was torn between laughter and tears. "Little one, I signed ten for you last week, and now a hundred more? Are you running a wholesale business?"

"A hundred isn't enough; compared to ten million, it's just a drop in the ocean," Liu Jing grinned. Despite his smooth words, he hadn't actually prepared a single copy.

For some reason, he enjoyed listening to plays, but wasn't very fond of pop songs. The ten signed records last time were requested by his aunt, who asked him to get them signed by Anita Mui.

The singing was just noise; it wasn't as pleasing to him as watching dance. He couldn't understand why his aunt liked it so much.

"Where are the records? Let's sign them after I finish taking photos, and don't forget to treat me to a meal," Anita Mui said with a smile. She was quite fond of the little boy for liking her music so much.

Liu Jing chuckled awkwardly. He hadn't prepared anything; he had just said it to build rapport with these "big sisters" so it would be easier to visit the sets later.

"Sister Mui, stand over here. Yes, yes, closer to the window. Sweep your hair to the side, pull up the hem of your skirt a bit... yeah, that's it, to the left, to the right..." Liu Jing tirelessly directed Anita Mui’s poses, quickly making her forget about the signing.

"Little one, you've taken so many photos of me, where’s my royalty fee?" Anita Mui asked, speechless at how particular the kid was.

"Don't be so formal. Aren't you holding a concert tour in the mainland next year? I'll be your guest performer for free," Liu Jing said, clicking the shutter repeatedly while humming a tune: "Queen's Road West and Queen's Road East, hey, Queen's Road East turns to Queen's Road Central, ha, why is there no palace on Queen's Road East, hey, Queen's Road..."

Anita Mui’s face paled. "Don't! You can take all the photos you want, I can't afford to have you as a guest."

The little guy’s singing voice was truly indescribable, and she had suffered enough of it on set; she was genuinely terrified.

"How was it? Was it better than Lo Ta-yu’s version?"

"Mm-hmm..."

"Actually..."

"That's enough! See you later!"

Anita Mui lifted her skirt and jogged away, fleeing the set.