Reborn in the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the 1980s

Mingxu was resentful. If those celebrities were truly skilled in martial arts, that would be one thing, but they all just knew how to pose, yet they made those with real skills carry their sedan chairs. If they actually went to carry sedan chairs, how would they ever face the world again? How would they explain it to their fans? The people they had promoted were now going out there groveling, like clowns, getting beaten to a pulp by those stiff, pretentious main characters—

I'm afraid that if he doesn't succeed in Hollywood, he'll also lose the market in Hong Kong.

Having been neighbors with Hu Xiaoxiao for several years, Mingxu and Hu Xiaoxiao had discussed the situation of Hong Kong stars in Hollywood more than once. All indications suggested that Hollywood was simply not a viable path.

Besides that, there was another very important reason why Mingxu had no interest in trying to break into Hollywood: the injuries he sustained from filming action movies were not a long-term solution, and he was considering transitioning to directing or producing.

Anyway, he has already made enough money. Over the years, he has made a lot of money by investing with Xie Zhiheng and Hu Xiaoxiao. With these investments, he will not lack money in the future. He might as well do what Hu Xiaoxiao wants to do and realize some of the ideals he wants to pursue.

Mingxu had shared some of these ideas with Hu Xiaoxiao before, but they hadn't made a decision yet. Now that Mingxu had made up his mind, Hu Xiaoxiao naturally supported him.

Filming kung fu movies is too physically demanding, and kung fu actors can't do it forever. When they get older, they can't perform the stunts anymore. Once they can't, audiences stop buying tickets. Moreover, the Hong Kong film market is experiencing aesthetic fatigue with kung fu movies, and box office revenue is declining year after year. It would be better to take advantage of their current peak and leverage their accumulated fame to transition to a different genre; perhaps they can reach new heights.

“This is an untapped treasure trove, Mingxu. Perhaps you can achieve great things here,” Hu Xiaoxiao encouraged him.

Mingxu laughed, his eyes shining brightly. "As long as you support me and think I can do it, I definitely can."

If it weren't for Hu Xiaoxiao's guidance back then, he wouldn't have entered the film industry and built his current career.

Xie Zhiheng interjected, "I have nothing else but money. If you need any investment, just come to me."

Although the Xie family's business doesn't include film and television, he doesn't mind doing more business that can make money.

“Okay! I’ll come to you first if I need money,” Mingxu said.

Xie Zhiheng, with a stern face and a businesslike demeanor, said, "Money is not a problem, but the contracts that need to be signed must be signed, and the interest that needs to be paid must be paid."

If it were Hu Xiaoxiao, she would give whatever amount was asked, regardless of whether it was repaid. But with other people, Xie Zhiheng is a very qualified capitalist.

Mingxu had known Xie Zhiheng for so many years, and they were neighbors who often played mahjong together. How could he not know Xie Zhiheng's temperament?

Friendship is friendship, and business is business; that's fine.

Although Mingxu knew exactly what was going on, he still teased Xie Zhiheng without any politeness, saying, "I knew you were stingy. You wouldn't even accept a ten-dollar discount when we played cards."

"We can still be brothers if we don't talk about money," Xie Zhiheng said, adding that he could hurt feelings, but not money.

Meanwhile, after Hu Xiaoxiao and Dong Peiyu chose their apartment, they began talking quietly about work. Hu Xiaoxiao told Dong Peiyu about her participation in the Spring Festival Gala. Dong Peiyu took this very seriously and, after much deliberation, still felt uneasy. She said, "It would be best if I went there myself."

Although Huang Yuliang was the boss, no one knew Hu Xiaoxiao's work better than her, her agent. Dong Peiyu was also a workaholic; after signing the purchase contract, she immediately bought a plane ticket to handle these matters.

With several months to go before the Spring Festival Gala, Hu Xiaoxiao wasn't in a hurry. She was mainly focused on the release of "Baogang Inspector Wears Skirts 3" in mainland China, especially the operation of the first Shengshi Cinema.

After obtaining the license to enter the mainland market for "The Inspector Wears Skirts 3", Shengshi Entertainment began a series of promotional activities, including accepting interviews from various media outlets and paying to appear on the front page of newspapers.

Riding on the buzz generated by her collaboration with a mainland film and television company, whenever a mainland television station came to interview her, Hu Xiaoxiao would bring up "Baogang Inspector Wears Skirts 3," stating that it was an important milestone in the collaboration between the two regions.

Hu Xiaoxiao was very cooperative during the interview, and the reporter took the opportunity to include "Baogang Inspector Wears Skirts 3" in the article, which served as a great promotional tool.

Large advertising posters for "Baogang Inspector Wears Skirts 3" were posted and hung in major areas of the city with high foot traffic, and cinemas also posted promotional posters in prominent locations.

Despite the constant barrage of advertisements, Hu Xiaoxiao had not yet received detailed box office figures for other cinemas, but Shengshi Cinema was almost always packed, achieving remarkable results.

Seeing the successful start of Shengshi's first mainland cinema, Hu Xiaoxiao felt relieved and began to travel to other parts of the mainland, partly to observe the film market in various places, and partly to explore the land more.

She not only visited major cities, but also explored many mountains and rivers. This state made her feel very comfortable, even more relaxed than a vacation.

As she walked, she no longer wanted to go back to Baogang.

It's still more comfortable staying in my hometown.

Unfortunately, her work is still mainly in Baogang, and she has to go back to handle her work.

Hu Xiaoxiao returned to Baogang, bringing back box office success from the mainland.

The box office performance of "The Inspector Wears Skirts 3" in mainland China shocked the Hong Kong film industry. Its mainland box office alone surpassed the total box office of "The Inspector Wears Skirts 2." "The Inspector Wears Skirts 2" was released in several regions, yet its combined box office still didn't reach the mainland box office of "The Inspector Wears Skirts 3," breaking the historical record for Hong Kong films in mainland China.

Those who had previously been pessimistic felt their faces burning with embarrassment.

Some with keen insight have begun to pay attention to the mainland market. Of course, others are short-sighted, believing that Hu Xiaoxiao was simply lucky…

The huge box office success of "The Inspector Wears Skirts 3" in mainland China, along with the impressive revenue of the first Shengshi Cinema in mainland China, boosted the confidence of all employees at Shengshi Entertainment, motivating them to fully support the company's development.

Dong Peiyu's trip to the mainland not only helped Hu Xiaoxiao secure the Spring Festival Gala, but also helped Hu Xiaoxiao get several advertising endorsements.

Back in Baogang, Dong Peiyu took the advertising contracts to Hu Xiaoxiao's office. After reviewing them and finding no issues, Hu Xiaoxiao picked up a pen and began signing.

"Xiaoxiao, there's one more thing." Dong Peiyu sat opposite Hu Xiaoxiao and took out another fax. "Hamlet Film Company has sent another invitation, asking you to play the female lead."

After signing the contract, Hu Xiaoxiao looked up and asked, "Again? What movie is it this time?"

"You didn't expect this, did you? It's the same movie as last time. I didn't expect it either; they haven't even started filming that movie yet." Dong Peiyu found it utterly unbelievable.