Against the Current Hong Kong 1979

Chapter 89: Which law prohibits pulling? (Please subscribe)

When you turn on the computer.

Zhao Yazhi stood next to Zhang Shuai'an.

Zhang Shuai'an asked softly with concern, "Sister Zi, are you alright?"

"It's alright." Zhao Yazhi blinked her beautiful eyes, looking at him with some confusion. "Why do you ask that?"

Zhang Shuai'an actually wanted to ask about that night, but he changed the subject before he could say it: "I've noticed you haven't had a proper rest lately. You just finished filming 'Chu Liuxiang' and then came here to film this one. Don't you feel tired?"

"I'm tired, but there's nothing I can do." Zhao Yazhi was indeed feeling bitter.

Although many people know that she is pregnant, she has no plans to announce it to the public yet. She wants to film more dramas before giving birth to cover her hiatus.

That way, once she's given birth and her body has recovered enough, she can seamlessly start filming new dramas.

Zhao Yazi is a very career-oriented woman, and she really loves being an actress.

Zhang Shuai'an said at the right moment, "Let me give you a massage, it can relieve most of your fatigue."

"What are you doing? This is a film set, there are so many people watching!"

Zhao Yazhi was startled, glared at Zhang Shuai'an, and whispered, "If you want to—we'll talk about it tonight."

"That's not what I meant." Zhang Shuai'an waved his hand with a smile and said, "Sister Zi, have you forgotten? Last time you were injured, it was my massage that helped a lot."

Zhao Yazhi remembered too, and spat out, "Last time you were just trying to take advantage of me!"

A reporter captured the close interaction between Zhao Yazhi and Zhang Shuai'an, and suddenly started stirring things up during the interview.

A female reporter came up and asked, "I'm Zhao Yazhi, a reporter from Entertainment Express. I just saw that you and Mr. Zhang Shuai'an seemed very intimate. Are you dating?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yazhi's face instantly darkened: "Do you know what you're saying? I'm married! Please don't spread rumors! Anzai and I are just very good friends."

Another reporter asked Zhang Shuai'an, "Mr. Zhang, are you interested in Ms. Zhao? Is your relationship really just that of good friends? Aren't you worried that Ms. Zhao's husband, Mr. Huang Hanwei, will find out about your close relationship?"

Zhang Shuai'an, on the other hand, was much calmer and said in a serious tone, "To me, Sister Zi is like an older sister, and Mr. Huang Hanwei is my brother-in-law."

Of course, I also really want to get to know Mr. Huang Hanwei and recognize him as my elder brother. That way, one day I can proudly announce to you all, "This is my elder brother, and this is my elder sister-in-law!"

The reporters below sensed Zhang Shuai'an's sincerity and didn't make things difficult for them anymore.

Zhao Zhenqiang noticed that the reporters seemed to have ulterior motives and were asking rather pointed questions, so he decided to end the segment early and directly announced: "May 'Shanghai Bund' have a successful start to filming and enjoy soaring ratings!"

The others joined in the shout.

The opening ceremony then concluded.

Zhang Shi'an couldn't help but complain a bit; compared to later generations, this opening ceremony still felt somewhat amateurish. However, given Shao Yifu's style of doing things, the fact that they arranged it this way already showed they took it very seriously.

The production team of "Shanghai Bund" was divided into three groups: the outdoor shooting group, the indoor shooting group, and the night shooting group.

After the opening ceremony, Zhang Shuai'an and Zhao Yazhi parted ways.

Zhang Shuai-an was going to film the opening battle scene at the train station in the first episode, while Zhao Ya-zi went to shoot solo outdoor scenes.

Before long, Lü Liangwei, who had finished his makeup and changed his clothes, walked up to Zhang Shuai'an and bowed, saying, "Brother An, I heard that you recommended me to Producer Zhao. Thank you very much."

Zhang Shuai'an chuckled: "Your acting skills are fine, your image is okay, and we've worked together before. Who else would we ask if not you? The most important thing is that Director Zhao agrees."

"That's what I say, but how can I play this role if you don't give me the opportunity?"

Lü Liangwei, however, clearly distinguished between the two, saying half-jokingly, "I'm grateful to have a producer, but I know you're in charge of this film, so of course I have to stick close to you."

Huo Yaoliang was the executive director of this scene. He came over to explain the scene to Zhang Shuai'an and Lü Liangwei, mainly about the blocking and on-site arrangements.

He then went to the stuntmen and said, "Later, when your two groups are fighting here, make your movements big and look intense. You two rush towards Anzai and make him look a bit disheveled. But don't use too much force; he's the main character, he can't get hurt."

After explaining the situation, Huo Yaoliang went to report to Zhao Zhenqiang.

"Everyone, take your positions, actors, get in place."

After receiving reports from various departments, Shao Zhenqiang immediately issued the order, "Action!"

"Kill them!"

Inside the well-decorated station, vendors and travelers were coming and going when suddenly two groups of people rushed in, slashing at each other. People around screamed and scattered, instantly turning the scene into chaos.

Seeing this, Zhang Shuai'an shook his head inwardly; the dispatching skills were truly poor.

The main characters and meanings are unclear, the identities of the two sides fighting are also unclear, there is absolutely no background information, and there are no markings on their clothes to distinguish friend from foe. It is a completely invalid scene, just a spectacle.

What he found even more unacceptable was that three or four of the actors were clearly just going through the motions, shouting loudly but their movements were so bad they were unbearable to watch.

Given the circumstances at the time, it was understandable that the low-level thugs all dressed the same. However, television dramas are visual representations, so some differences can be made. Even with the same clothes, slight variations in color can make a difference.

One downside of Shaw Brothers films and TVB dramas is that they share the same prop library. Often, the male lead will wear the same outfit in one film, and then the main villain will wear it in the next. There's not much difference between the costumes of the main characters and the minor characters.

Although Zhang Shuai'an felt uncomfortable, he did not forcefully intervene.

Only after this scene was filmed did I go over and mention this issue to Zhao Zhenqiang.

Zhao Zhenqiang said helplessly, "There's nothing we can do about the costumes. Manager Fang won't approve them, so we can't get new clothes. Besides, the budget for props has been cut in half."

Regardless of the budget, cut it in half upon meeting. This has become a "fine" tradition established after Fang Yihua took over.

Zhang Shuai'an then turned to the aspects that could be changed: "The movements could be redesigned a bit; they were too chaotic just now."

"That's feasible." Zhao Zhenqiang laughed, pointing at Zhang Shuai'an and saying, "I almost forgot, you're a choreography artist; even Jackie Chan wants to hire you as his assistant."

Zhao Zhenqiang immediately clapped his hands and shouted into the distance, "All you Dragon Tiger Martial Arts Masters, come over here for a moment."

The stuntmen stepped forward and looked at Zhao Zhenqiang: "Director Zhao, what are your orders?"

Zhao Zhenqiang said to them, "Anzai has a new idea about the chaotic scene just now. Listen to him and then do as he says."

After he said that, someone became unhappy and muttered, "Even though he's the male lead, he can't control us stuntmen, can he? Does he even know how to design action sequences?"

Someone replied, "He really does know how; even Jackie Chan has to ask him for help."

"Take it. Jackie Chan is nothing, just lucky. His moves aren't even as good as mine."

"The action movie industry is a deep and complex place. Just focus on being the male lead and don't try to tell us what to do!"

"Just got out of the water a few months ago, and already getting six million for a movie? Wow, that's impressive. Trying to steal our meager earnings again?"

"...

'

Zhang Shuai'an sensed that something was amiss. Although the Dragon Tiger Martial Arts Masters were arrogant, they generally wouldn't cause trouble without a reason.

The main reason is that he has been too popular lately, which has aroused jealousy and resentment among many people.

These stuntmen think they've been working like slaves for Shaw Brothers for years, yet they only get paid so little. Why should Zhang Shuai'an, a mainland guy who just came ashore, get millions?

Zhao Zhenqiang frowned, about to reprimand him.

Zhang Shuai'an smiled and took two steps forward, saying to the martial arts instructors, "It's normal that you don't respect me."

But you fought so perfunctorily just now, do you even deserve to be called a martial arts master?

"I can tell you're just freeloading. Did you play cards all night or go gambling? If you don't want this job, just say so. I can tell Boss Shao to kick you out right now."

One of the martial arts instructors immediately retorted angrily, "Kid, you think you're so tough! Who do you think you are?!"

"Arrogant?" Zhang Shuai'an retorted with a laugh, "Is there any law that says people can't be arrogant? If you were so capable, you could be arrogant too, but unfortunately you aren't. All you do is gamble, pick up girls, and act like trash!"

"What the hell are you pretending for!"

These words instantly enraged the stuntmen, one of whom, wielding a prop knife, swung it at them, yelling, "I'll chop you to death, you bastard!"

"Brother An, be careful!" Seeing this, Lü Liangwei tried to block Zhang Shuai'an.

Zhang Shuai'an reached out and pressed him down, channeling his [Innate Divine Strength] into his body, and then kicked the Dragon Tiger Martial Arts Master.

"Bang!"

The martial arts master was sent flying several meters away, crashing into the prop wall and instantly creating a hole.

The saying "hitting someone is like hanging a painting" perfectly describes this situation.

The others were so shocked their eyes popped out. Was this some kind of power that a human should have?

Even Bruce Lee back then couldn't do that!

"Something terrible has happened! Murder!" someone suddenly shouted.

"Stop yelling!" Zhang Shuai'an shouted coldly. "I held back. At most, I'll break two bones and recover in a month or two."

The advantage of the [Innate Super Strength] buff is that it allows you to freely control the strength, as well as the degree and range of damage inflicted on enemies.

Several people went forward to check and found that although the man had fainted, he was actually not seriously injured.

This terrifying power once again shocked the martial arts masters.

Zhang Shuai'an didn't speak, but just looked at Zhao Zhenqiang.

Zhao Zhenqiang immediately snapped out of his daze and shouted, "Hey you, disrupting the filming, settle your wages immediately, get out of Shaw Brothers studios, and don't let any production team use you again."

"We're sorry, we didn't recognize your greatness!"

The lead martial arts instructor immediately came over to apologize to Zhang Shuai'an: "Please forgive us, we will never do such a stupid thing again."