Against the Current Hong Kong 1979

Zhang Shuai'an looked around the living room, found a pen and a piece of paper, and began to think seriously.

Traditional novels shouldn't be copied; it's a thankless task. For example, copying "To Live" and "Red Sorghum" wouldn't fit the social environment in Hong Kong.

Novels that are too bizarre should not be copied, as it can easily backfire. For example, the novels I just mentioned, *The Mysterious Immortal* and *Lord of Mysteries*;

Novels that are too modern should also be avoided, as they are easy to be exposed. Examples include *Tiny Times*, *Ode to Joy*, and *Living with Space*.

……

After much thought, I realized that in Hong Kong during that era, martial arts novels were still relatively popular, and they could be adapted into TV series relatively quickly, which could make them famous in a short period of time.

However, when it comes to wuxia novels, apart from Huang Yi's novels, there really isn't much else to copy.

The main problem is with readers in Hong Kong and Taiwan these days. They grew up reading martial arts novels by Jin Yong, Gu Long, Liang Yusheng, Wolong Sheng, Chen Qingyun, and others. Copying novels by Feng Ge and Xiao Duan won't do much good.

People like Jin Yong and Gu Long have already gotten tired of copying their works, so if you plagiarize their disciples' novels, there's even less market potential for you.

Huang Yi also incorporated some innovative elements, such as the integration of the Hundred Schools of Thought and historical atmosphere, giving his martial arts novels a rare sense of depth and weight.

Although many of Jin Yong's novels are set in historical dynasties, they are not closely related to history and are mostly about the affairs of the martial arts world.

However, aside from the erotic scenes, Huang Yi's "A Step into the Past" and "Twin Dragons of the Tang Dynasty" still follow the general historical trend, only they are interpreted in a different way.

Therefore, it feels fresh and new to readers of this era.

After much deliberation, Zhang Shuai'an decided to use "A Step into the Past" as a backup plan. If he couldn't think of anything else to copy, he would copy this one, which at least guaranteed a market.

Zhang Shuai'an felt that just thinking about it wouldn't lead to any good solutions, so he stood up.

"What's wrong?" He Jiatong was engrossed in watching TV and looked at him with some surprise.

Zhang Shuai'an touched his mouth and said, "I'm going out to buy something. You stay here and behave yourself."

He Jiatong was a little confused: "Didn't my aunt say that it's chaotic outside and we should wait for her to come back at home?"

"I understand some Cantonese and I'm smart, so I'll be fine."

Zhang Shuai'an pointed to his head and said, "I'm going to buy some daily necessities while I'm at it. I can't expect your aunt to buy towels, toothbrushes, and underwear too, can I?"

He Jiatong also stood up: "That's true, then I'll go with you."

"You can stay here," Zhang Shuai'an explained. "If we all leave, your aunt will think something happened to us when she comes back."

"Then you can buy those odds and ends for me." He Jiatong thought it made sense, and as he spoke, he reached into his crotch to pull out the bag.

"Alright, stop taking money." Zhang Shuai'an was somewhat speechless, waving his hand and saying, "I earn more money than you, you don't need to pay for this little bit. Just wait, I'm leaving."

Before He Jiatong could say anything, he opened the door and went out, closing it behind him.

He Jiatong had just sat down to continue watching TV when she suddenly remembered something. She went to the door and called out, "Shuai An, Brother An... remember to bring me a pack of cigarettes, I'm about to burst."

Zhang Shuai'an casually hummed in response, not caring whether He Jiatong heard him or not.

He had only taken a few steps when he arrived at the door of room B6 again. This time the door was closed, so he was probably working there.

He slowly walked into the elevator, pressed the button for the first floor, and planned to wander around and buy some daily necessities, newspapers, and magazines.

As soon as we reached the fifth floor, the elevator doors opened, and a graceful figure gracefully stepped into the elevator.

When Zhang Shuai'an saw her, he was momentarily stunned. This girl looked like Cherie Chung, but she was different from the Cherie Chung he remembered. She seemed more innocent and naive.

"Excuse me." The girl noticed that Zhang Shuai'an was looking at her and thought she was blocking his view. She nodded slightly and then took a small step back.

Although Zhang Shuai'an suspected that she was Chung Chu-hung, he did not rush up to chat with her, as that would only scare her away.

Anyway, she lives in this building, so there will be plenty of opportunities to get to know her.

"It's alright," Zhang Shuai'an replied with a smile, and then said nothing more.

The elevator quickly reached the first floor. The girl must have something urgent, because she rushed out as soon as the elevator doors opened.

Just then, two South Asians tried to squeeze in, startling her so much that she quickly stepped back, which caused her to trip and fall.

Zhang Shuai'an reacted quickly and immediately reached out to hug her around the waist.

After helping her to sit up straight, he immediately let go and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

"N-nothing, thank you!" The girl was really embarrassed. After thanking him, she left in a hurry.

A notification sounded in Zhang Shuai'an's mind:

"[Name: Cherie Chung]"

"[Date of Birth: September 16, 1960]"

"【Debut Profile: 4th Place in Miss Hong Kong 1979】"

"[Future representative works: The Story of Hu Yue, Across the World, An Autumn's Tale, and The Female Warrior, etc.]"

"Current work: 'The Deadly Gold in the Cold Mountains and Clear Waters' has just finished filming and will be released next summer."

"【Starlight Level: Currently 1.5 stars (increasing by 1 star)】"

"[Star Potential: Rookie Phase (Superstar Level)]"

"..."

"A slight contact with Cherie Chung grants 15 Starlight Points, activating the buff [Unwavering Loyalty]."

"[Note: Make her fall in love with you, and she will be absolutely loyal and devoted to you.]"

Sure enough it was her.

The items they gave out are really overpowered; they're practically like a rule-based buff.

It's understandable, though. If nothing unexpected happened, she would have met a businessman named Chu Ka-ting at the end of the year. In 1984, Chu Ka-ting invited Cherie Chung to film a gay movie, and the two became friends. Soon after, Chu Ka-ting began pursuing Cherie Chung, and the two announced their relationship in 1988, marrying in Los Angeles in 1991. Chu Ka-ting passed away from colon cancer in 2007, and since then, Cherie Chung has remained single, never having dated again, truly demonstrating her unwavering loyalty and devotion to love.

Zhang Shuai'an's lips curled up slightly. Chung Chor-hung remained very popular throughout the 1980s and 1990s, so much so that there was a saying: "No one is more popular than Chung Chor-hung, and no one is more successful than Chow Yun-fat."

She's someone you can reliably monetize for over a decade, and if you slightly alter her life trajectory, monetizing for another twenty years wouldn't be a problem.

As for whether this will affect her marriage with Zhu Jiading, that's none of Zhang Shuai'an's business.

Zhang Shuai'an had no interest in considering other people's marriages and fates. He was a selfish person, and he was happy as long as he was doing well. Besides, he had already transmigrated to this era, and if he didn't build a harem, he would be letting down the gift of fate.

,