Reborn in the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the 1980s

Director Ge didn't understand what he meant at first. "When are we going to start? Xiaoxiao, we should choose the roles as soon as possible and get them training. Otherwise, if we keep dragging this out, we won't be able to start filming this year."

There are many action scenes in "Mu Guiying" because this is a drama mainly about women. The actresses basically have to learn action scenes, so time must be set aside for them to train. It is precisely because of this that Director Ge is so anxious.

Hu Xiaoxiao remained calm, believing that good things come to those who wait. "After the anniversary celebration."

Director Ge counted the days; the anniversary celebration was only a few days away, and she could accept the wait of just a few days. "Whatever you say."

But seeing Hu Xiaoxiao so calm, could there be another change at this year's TVB Anniversary Awards? The rumors that Hu Xiaoxiao won no awards are inaccurate?

Hu Xiaoxiao's calm and composed demeanor also influenced Director Ge, whose anxiety and impatience dissipated considerably, and whose confidence and anticipation began to grow.

"The actresses who previously rejected Director Ge's offers don't need to consider it anymore," Hu Xiaoxiao said.

Director Ge got extremely angry when this was brought up, saying, "You don't need to tell me, I won't look for him again."

Three days before the TVB Anniversary Awards, Hu Xiaoxiao suddenly received a notification asking her to prepare a song for a performance with Mingxu and the entire cast of "The Legend of Long Yijiang".

The person who came to inform her was Lu Sheng.

The other party came in person and seemed to be in a good mood.

"Lu Sheng seems to be in good spirits lately," Hu Xiaoxiao said with a smile.

Lu Sheng said amiably, "Not bad, not bad. I remember you used to sing quite well. How long has it been since you practiced? You should be able to sing a song now, right?"

"No problem, I've been practicing. Is it a duet with Mingxu?"

"No, no, no." Lu Sheng said "no" three times in a row. "Mingxu is tone-deaf, so let's not torture the audience's ears. He can just be your backup dancer. This year, your drama with Mingxu has the best ratings, and you two are known as a screen couple. I believe the audience will like your performance."

Hu Xiaoxiao never disappoints her superiors: "We will definitely live up to Lu Sheng's and the audience's expectations. We will definitely perform well."

She has never stopped practicing singing, so this is a good opportunity to test her voice.

Hu Xiaoxiao was selecting a song, choosing one that was very popular this year, and also notified Mingxu to come over to discuss the backup dancers.

As in previous years, it is best for the performers to wear the costumes from the play, which will not only leave a deep impression on the audience but also enhance the stage effect.

Hu Xiaoxiao had someone bring over the costumes and was pondering how to design the dance when Mingxu arrived.

He was eating a pineapple bun and also brought a freshly baked egg tart for Hu Xiaoxiao. "I bought you some egg tarts because I saw they were freshly baked when I passed by that bakery."

Hu Xiaoxiao thanked him, put down her costume, took the food, and ate it while it was still hot. Then she looked up at Mingxu; he had lost a lot of weight and looked handsome again. "You've lost a lot of weight. How many pounds have you lost?"

"I haven't lost a single pound, and I haven't been dieting." Mingxu pulled up a chair and sat down, eating the pineapple bun in big bites, and even took a bottle of cola from the bag to drink.

Hu Xiaoxiao didn't believe it and walked around Mingxu once. "Then why does he look thinner to me?"

After stuffing the last bit of pineapple bun into his mouth, Mingxu lifted his T-shirt to show Hu Xiaoxiao, "Look! Look closely! Look carefully! What is this?"

He simply stood up, letting Hu Xiaoxiao see him clearly, and pointed to his emerging abs, saying, "Newly developed, how about it? Pretty manly, right?"

Hu Xiaoxiao not only looked at it, but also tried it out herself, and nodded, "It's much stronger than before. Have you been practicing these days? You're quite diligent."

"As long as I don't go hungry, I'm not afraid of any hardship." Mingxu was reluctant to put down the clothes and walked to the full-length mirror to admire them. He said, "The more I think about your advice last time, the more reasonable it seems. Going hungry all the time is not a solution. What is the purpose of making money? Isn't it to eat well and dress well? If you can't even eat to your heart's content, then no matter how much money you make, life is meaningless."

It's really unpleasant to have my stomach rumbling every day.

"So, you've decided to go for the tough guy image?"

"Yes, I want to train to become a man who looks slim in clothes but muscular when undressed. Xiaoxiao, remember to give me a few more episodes of shirtless scenes in 'Mu Guiying,' I, Mingxu, want to become famous overnight!"

Hu Xiaoxiao couldn't stand his smug look. "We're making a serious film, not a pornographic one."

She threw Mingxu's costume at him and told him to change into it quickly and see if it fit. If it didn't fit, she should have it altered as soon as possible.

Although Mingxu has been training hard these days, he is still much fatter than when he played Long Yijiang. The costume is so tight that it risks bursting off when he makes a big movement.

"How about I just perform a shirt-ripping act on stage? That would be really entertaining, and the audience could admire my newly developed muscles." He's gained weight but isn't sagging, and his skin has improved since he gained weight; the untanned areas are smooth and supple. Mingxu suddenly felt a strong urge to share this with the audience.

Hu Xiaoxiao saw through his thoughts: "Then you can become famous overnight, right?"

Mingxu praised, "You truly understand me. What do you think of my plan?"

"If you're not afraid that Charlie will get so angry that he'll jump on the stage and beat you up in front of the entire Hong Kong audience, then I'm free to do whatever I want."

Perhaps because he had been reprimanded by Charlie too many times, Mingxu wrapped the clothes up a little cowardly, but the clothes were too tight, and no matter how he altered them, he couldn't change the fact that they were a size too big, especially the arms.

After striking a few poses in front of the mirror, Mingxu looked at Hu Xiaoxiao, who still looked ethereal in her costume, and was filled with envy. "You eat just as much as I do, so how come you don't look fat?"

"Naturally beautiful, you can't envy that."

"I suddenly had an idea..."

Mingxu pulled Hu Xiaoxiao aside and whispered something to her.

After hearing this, Hu Xiaoxiao looked at Mingxu with a strange expression. "Are you sure?"

"Definitely! I'll look fatter in this costume anyway, and it'll only make me look worse. I might as well not wear it; maybe that will distract the audience and make them forget about my weight gain."

Hu Xiaoxiao thought for a moment, "It's not impossible...it could even have a comedic effect."

"Then it's settled." Mingxu quickly took off his costume and threw it at Hu Xiaoxiao, then ran to the costume department to ask the staff for help.

Time flies, and the day of the anniversary awards ceremony has finally arrived.

Hu Xiaoxiao performed on stage last year at the TVB Anniversary Gala, and she will again this year. The difference is that last year she was a supporting actress, but this year she is the lead actress with her own program—although she will also be accompanied by Mingxu and other characters from "The Legend of Long Yijiang".

However, she is undoubtedly the center of attention.

On stage, the accompaniment for the song she had chosen, "A Pair of Old Leather Shoes," had already begun to play.