140: He's a musical genius; even a casual hum is so moving.

Director Wang stared, utterly transfixed.

Whether the Young Man had ever gambled or not was unknown, but this card-shuffling move was simply too cool!

What training could he possibly need? Even an instructor couldn't perform better than that.

Lin Pei made the 'poker dragon' fly through the air a few times before placing the cards back on the table and spreading them out.

The playing cards, which had been thoroughly shuffled earlier, were now rearranged into a perfect sequence!

"Crack!"

Director Wang's jaw made a sound, nearly dropping off.

Wait, and they say he hasn't gambled? He just shuffled out a perfect sequence in a few moves. Even those minor 'Gambling Saints' in Macau's casinos today couldn't pull that off, could they?

Lin Pei himself was a bit bewildered.

He had just done it casually, and the cards were perfectly arranged. Why did he feel a little handsome just then?

Huh, how did he suddenly become so skilled?

A minute later, he finally realized something... Right, the system had recently given him some skill called "King of Gamblers."

No wonder everything felt so smooth just now—shuffling, changing cards—it was all effortless.

And as for that so-called 'Gambling King aura,' he was starting to understand it too.

Whenever the system granted him a new skill initially, his aura inevitably underwent some changes.

Director Wang said his aura was even more natural and innate than the Gambling King mentioned in the records.

Exactly.

Any Gambling King or God of Gamblers in this world might have moments of failure, but he wouldn't.

So he could be more composed and unflappable. How could his aura not be natural?

Seeing Director Wang's stunned expression across from him, Lin Pei chuckled and casually spun a lie.

"Director Wang, don't misunderstand. I really haven't gambled."

"This shuffling move, I actually learned it from the famous Magician, Lau Chin."

As for Lau Chin, Director Wang had indeed heard of him.

That Magician was truly impressive. Not only was he skilled with cards himself, but he could also teach everyone how to perform tricks on the Spring Festival Gala.

That night, except for a few hosts who failed to learn and got frustrated, the rest of the audience successfully replicated his moves.

So that's how it was!

Director Wang grew excited again.

"Lin Pei, with that shuffling move of yours, you're practically the living embodiment of Ko Chun in my mind!"

"Please promise me you'll play the male lead, Ko Chun, in this movie, okay?"

Lin Pei was taken aback.

So Director Wang wanted him to play the male lead?

When Director Wang mentioned his 'casino aura' earlier and said he wanted him to play a lead role, Lin Pei had assumed it was the villainous gambler.

That would have been a villainous male lead, after all.

But if it was playing Ko Chun... why not? It would definitely be good.

Back in the day, Chow Yun-fat became widely known for his role as the "God of Gamblers," Ko Chun.

That black overcoat, the slicked-back hair, and the subtle habit of spinning his ring—all left a deep impression.

Lin Pei looked at himself: his build, his somewhat handsome face, and this supposedly innate aura.

If he played the role of Ko Chun, he might even outperform Chow Yun-fat.

Seeing that Lin Pei didn't agree immediately, Director Wang thought he had some reservations and began to persuade him.

"Lin Pei, although our movie is about 'gambling,' it absolutely does not encourage people to gamble."

"What it truly promotes are positive values like loyalty, courage, love, friendship, and heroism."

"I hope you won't have any concerns about this."

In his past life, Lin Pei had already seen the finished film, so of course he believed what Director Wang said.

"Director, I understand."

"I'd be honored to play the role of Ko Chun."

Director Wang excitedly came over and shook his hand.

"Ah, that's wonderful!"

"Come on, let's discuss the contract and the script. I'll treat you to dinner later."

Lin Pei nearly gasped.

This director's handshake was even stronger than Director Gong's—it felt like being pinched by a praying mantis.

Rumors said this Director Wang knew Praying Mantis Fist. It seemed he really did... For the next hour, the two of them chatted happily.

Director Wang excitedly slapped his thigh repeatedly, exclaiming that Lin Pei's understanding of the script was incredibly deep and every point hit the mark.

Watching the flesh under Director Wang's shorts gradually turn blue and purple, Lin Pei was utterly shocked.

When this director gets serious, even his Praying Mantis Fist targets himself.

Not long after, Lin Pei went to the restroom.

After talking so much with Director Wang, his mind was filled with scenes from "God of Gamblers."

While relieving himself, he automatically started humming the highly infectious BGM from the movie in his past life.

"Dang dang dang, dang dang dang..."

"Dang dang dang, dang dang dang..."

"..."

After his emotionally charged humming ended, a burst of enthusiastic applause suddenly erupted around him.

Lin Pei was so startled he nearly forgot to pull up his pants. Turning around, he found a crowd gathered behind him.

What the hell.

Are the people in this company okay? Do they enjoy spectating others in the restroom?

The crowd, however, seemed unconcerned about Lin Pei's predicament. They applauded while praising.

"Full of twists and turns, soul-stirring—it's truly a great melody."

"So beautiful. This tune fits our 'God of Gamblers' perfectly."

"Right, why bother looking for other musicians? Let's just go with this one."

"Even just humming it is so impactful. I can't wait to hear the finished music."

...Director Wang was actually among the crowd.

"Excellent, this is it."

"Lin Pei, I never knew you had such extraordinary musical talent. You just casually hummed and solved our theme song problem."

He immediately introduced Lin Pei to the group.

"These are our company's music team."

Lin Pei was both surprised and puzzled.

Does their company's music team usually go to the restroom in groups like this?

As soon as Director Wang finished the introductions, a bald, scholarly-looking man rushed toward Lin Pei and shook his hand.

Lin Pei flinched.

"Sorry, I haven't washed my hands yet."

The man replied honestly.

"It's fine. I haven't washed mine either."

"..."

Director Wang pointed at the man.

"This is Old Lu, the person in charge of the music for our film."

Old Lu?

Lin Pei remembered. Wasn't this the famous musical genius Lu Guanting?

No wonder he looked familiar earlier.

Lu Guanting's expression was complicated.

"Teacher Lin Pei, right? Was that melody you just hummed really improvised?"

Lin Pei nodded.

He had hummed it without any preparation—wasn't that exactly 'casual'?

Lu Guanting's eyes instantly welled up.

"You truly are a genius."

"Why can't I compose something like this?"

Lin Pei was stunned.

This was turning things upside down. Wasn't this melody composed by Lu Guanting himself in his past life?

But Lin Pei couldn't explain it, so he could only respond politely.

"Teacher Lu, you're too kind. Your musical talent is widely recognized."

"I love all the music you've composed; I could hum any of them casually."