Against the Current Hong Kong 1979

Actually, Jackie Chan and Hung King-po weren't wrong either.

Movies are definitely not something that just anyone can handle. Even someone as popular as Cheng Shao-chiu simply works as an actor and gets paid for his roles.

For example, after Liu Songren became a sensation, he opened Zeus Film Production Company this year. With the investment and support of the left-wing Phoenix Film Company, and with some of his own savings, he commissioned Du Qifeng to make a film called "The Deadly Gold in the Cold Mountain". The film flopped at the box office, and the company went bankrupt.

However, Zhang Shuai'an is a time traveler. Apart from the current lack of funds, he has unique advantages in other aspects, which can guarantee that he will not fail.

However, he couldn't tell others about this, because if he did, they would just think he was crazy.

Therefore, Zhang Shuai'an's current strategy is to quickly accumulate fame by filming a few TV series, and then find Jackie Chan or Hung Ching-po to gain experience in filmmaking, while also making some money. Then, it will be much easier to attract investment to make movies.

After having dim sum, Zhang Shuai'an asked Jackie Chan, Hung King-po, and Lam Ching-ying for their contact information.

Before leaving, Jackie Chan still slipped the prepared 100,000 yuan check into Zhang Shuai'an's pocket.

"There's no reason to take back a check that's already been written," Jackie Chan said with a smile. "You must have a lot of expenses, so just take this money and spend it. I'll give you the rest after filming is finished, so you don't get carried away and end up with nothing."

"Thank you, Brother Long." Zhang Shuai'an didn't stand on ceremony any longer and readily accepted the gift.

Jackie Chan saw him put away the checks, smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and then left.

Zhang Shuai'an also took He Jiatong back to the Shaw Brothers Studio dormitory to pack their things so they could move out at any time in the next couple of days.

As dusk approached, Ling Zhijian ran over to Zhang Shuai'an and said, "Anzai, based on your requirements, I've found a reasonably suitable place to live. When are you going to go and take a look at the apartment and then decide whether you want to rent it?"

"No need to look anymore, just rent this one."

Zhang Shuai'an didn't want to waste time on the issue of renting a place, since it would probably just be a temporary place to stay anyway.

Ling Zhijian was taken aback: "You didn't even ask where it is, what the conditions are like, or how much it costs?"

"I trust your judgment," Zhang Shuai'an chuckled. "Would you really try to trick me?"

Ling Zhijian shook his head resolutely: "Of course not. I, Ling, may not have much else, but I keep my word and never cheat anyone. No one in the entire Clearwater Bay questions my character!"

Zhang Shuai'an asked, "After packing everything, I can just take your car there. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"No problem." Ling Zhijian nodded, and added, "The house is in Xiangsi Bay, not far from here, but it's a bit out of the way. You'd better buy a car for easier transportation."

Zhang Shuai'an pointed at He Jiatong: "Have A-Tong go to learn to drive in a couple of days. You can recommend a good instructor for him."

"That's easy to say." Ling Zhijian nodded: "Learning to drive is very simple, and getting a license is also easy."

A short while later, there was a knock on the door.

Wang Pangzi leaned against the doorway, panting, and looked at Zhang Shuai'an, saying, "Thank goodness you're back. I've finally found you."

Zhang Shuai'an asked, "Brother Jing, is there something you need?"

"Of course there are."

After catching his breath, Fatty Wang waved and said, "Shao Sheng needs you to come over."

Zhang Shuai'an hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm packing my things; I'm moving soon."

"Don't you understand which thing is more important?"

Fatty Wang said speechlessly, "What's wrong with delaying the move? Shao Sheng will definitely discuss your future plans with you. This concerns your career, so you can't skip it."

Zhang Shuai'an smiled and clapped his hands: "Alright, let's go over and hear what Boss Shao has to say."

He washed his hands and, before leaving, instructed He Jiatong, "Once you're ready, you can go with Brother Jian to the rented apartment first. You can come pick me up later."

He Jiatong nodded in response: "No problem."

"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Jian." Zhang Shuai'an then said softly to Ling Zhijian, "When you're done, please call a few reporters over, the kind with cameras."

Ling Zhijian paused for a moment, then nodded: "Okay, no problem."

Zhang Shuai'an followed Fatty Wang to Shao Yifu's office in the main building.

In the office, besides Shao Yifu, Fang Yihua was also there, along with Zhao Zhenqiang and several other key members of the creative team.

"Anzai, you're here. Have a seat."

When Shao Yifu saw Zhang Shuai'an, a rare smile appeared on his face, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out: "Abang, serve tea to someone."

A middle-aged man with a solemn expression poured Zhang Shuai'an a cup of hot tea.

"Thank you."

Zhang Shuai'an casually thanked him and placed the teacup on the table.

Shao Yifu looked around and clapped his hands: "Everyone's here, so I'll begin. This time, 'Young Detective Bao Qingtian' was filmed exceptionally well, with a viewership rating exceeding 85%, far surpassing ATV's ratings, and even setting a new record for the highest viewership. This is a good thing, so I've decided to give you all a bonus of 20 yuan."

These words stunned everyone below.

It's truly unprecedented that Boss Shao would actually take out extra money to give out bonuses.

"Don't be surprised."

Shao Yifu glanced around and said with a smile, "I know people outside say I'm stingy and miserly... but I don't mind at all. What boss isn't frugal and thrifty? It's not a bad thing."

Zhang Shuai'an thought to himself, "But you're not just stingy, you're so stingy that even the leading actresses and TV kings of all time have to go out and find work to earn a living."

Wang Pangzi and his friends were quite excited, and they were already thinking about how to divide the money.

Shaw Yi-fu continued, "The biggest contributors to this film are On-jai and Ah-keung, so each of them will receive 80,000. Shih-yu, Ah-liang, Ah-fung, and Ching-jai will each receive 10,000. Any objections?"

Upon hearing this, Fatty Wang, Du Qifeng, and the other two exchanged glances, their expressions slightly unnatural.

However, they didn't have any objections.

Zhang Shuai'an is the original author and main screenwriter of "Young Detective Bao Qingtian". Without him, there would be no project, so it is only right that he takes the lion's share.

Zhao Zhenqiang was the producer and main director of the entire series, so there's nothing wrong with him taking the 80,000.

"Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Shao. I will definitely work harder in the future and make better films."

Zhao Zhenqiang was genuinely grateful to Boss Shao. He had only been married a short time, and his family's expenses had increased. This extra 80,000 yuan in income would really solve a lot of problems.

"Thank you, Mr. Shao." Zhang Shuai'an felt indifferent. His original purpose was to gain fame. He had received a check for 100,000 from Jackie Chan that morning, so he naturally had no resistance to this 80,000.

He knew Boss Shao's temperament; this man was very particular about every penny of his money, and it wasn't easy to take it.

Shao Yifu asked with a smile, "Ah Qiang, what are your plans for your next film?"

"We've already made progress." Zhao Zhenqiang had indeed thought it through, and perhaps the preliminary work had already begun: "I plan to adapt Gu Long's novel 'The Famous Swordsman', and Brother Shiyu has agreed to do it together."

Liu Shiyu nodded: "The script outline has been completed, we have found several screenwriters to work on it, and the main actors have also been agreed upon in advance. We can start filming in another half month."

Fang Yihua asked, "Who did you cast for the male and female leads?"

Liu Shiyu replied, "The male lead is Xia Yu, and the female leads are Huang Minyi, Han Mali, and Pan Yingzi."

Zhang Shuai'an found this choice utterly absurd. Xia Yu is at least 35 years old this year, how could he possibly play the young swordsman Yu Peiyu in "The Legend of the Swordsman"?

"Okay." Shao Yifu pondered for a couple of seconds, then nodded in agreement.

Seeing that Shao Yifu agreed without any objection, Zhang Shuai'an felt relieved; that's just how casual things are at TVB.

Shao Yifu then looked at Fatty Wang: "Jingzai, what about you?"

Fatty Wang replied, "My dad asked me to go help him, so I'm going to work on the set of 'Chu Liuxiang' tomorrow."

Then they asked Huo Yaoliang and Du Qifeng.

Finally, Shao Yifu fixed his gaze on Zhang Shuai'an and asked with a smile, "Anzai, I heard you went for morning tea this morning?"

"Yes." Zhang Shuai'an was a little surprised. In this day and age, even without cell phones, information can be transmitted this quickly?

He had tea with Jackie Chan and the others in the morning, and by evening Shao Yifu knew all about it.

Shao Yifu then asked with a smile, "I heard that people from RTV also came to see you. What did you talk about?"