Hong Kong Entertainment 1979: A Beating Up the Manager at the Start

Causeway Bay Huadu Ballroom.

Li Jiangbo sat in a corner booth, a glass of whiskey in front of him.

His gaze was fixed on the girl singing on stage.

The girl was wearing a black dress and a red ornament around her neck, and she was singing an unknown Cantonese song.

This person is the very person Li Jiangbo is looking for tonight—Mei Yanfang!

Anita Mui was only 17 years old at the time, and it would be two years before she debuted.

Zhao Yazhi had previously approached her and offered her quite generous terms, but Anita Mui's mother flatly refused.

After successfully acquiring an unknown record company, Li Jiangbo rushed to find Anita Mui.

He was very familiar with the diva's rise to fame.

In short: a father who disappeared, a mother who gambled, a brother who couldn't be helped, and a sister who was strong.

As the song ended, Anita Mui bowed and left the stage amidst sparse applause.

Seeing this, Li Jiangbo also got up and went backstage at the dance hall.

As soon as I reached the backstage entrance, I was stopped by security guards.

"What?"

Without saying a word, Li Jiangbo took out an envelope and stuffed it into the security guard's hand.

"I'd like to see Ms. Anita Mui."

The bodyguard rubbed the envelope to check its thickness, responded, and stepped aside.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door of the dressing room.

"Who?"

Li Jiangbo pushed open the door and walked in. "Ms. Mei, do you have a moment? I'd like to talk to you."

At this time, Anita Mui was still very thin and had dark skin, but she was still an incredibly beautiful girl.

Mei Yanfang glanced at Li Jiangbo, her face full of surprise, and asked, "Who are you? I don't know you."

Li Jiangbo smiled slightly, took out a business card from his pocket, and said, "I am Li Jiangbo. Have you seen A Better Tomorrow? I am the film director. I sent someone to contact your mother before."

Upon hearing this, Anita Mui froze on the spot. How could she not know about "A Better Tomorrow"? The name was everywhere in Hong Kong these days.

But when she heard that the caller was looking for her mother, Anita Mui's tone became harsh. "My mother isn't here. If you need anything, go to the public housing estate in Wan Chai to find her."

Li Jiangbo entered the dressing room and sat down next to Mei Yanfang. "I'm sorry, I'm not looking for your mother, I'm looking for you."

Mei Yanfang took the business card from Li Jiangbo with delight. "What do you want to talk about?"

Judging from Mei Yanfang's expression, Li Jiangbo knew that her mother had not told her about Time Records contacting her.

That's good, it saves us some unnecessary trouble.

He then pulled out a copy of the Time Daily newspaper, which featured a photo of Kwan, Chu, and Chung performing at the premiere of "A Better Tomorrow".

"My company wants to launch a new group, and we are currently lacking a powerful vocalist. I would like to sign you as the lead vocalist of the group."

Anita Mui is no longer a child just entering society. She started performing on stage at the age of four and has already witnessed the cruelty of society.

What terms can you offer me?

"The signing fee is 100,000 yuan, the basic monthly salary is 3,000 yuan, accommodation is provided, and the sales commission for records is calculated separately. Details can be discussed. All expenses during the training period will be borne by the company."

After saying that, Li Jiangbo added, "Of course, your film contract must also be signed with my company."

Mei Yanfang's eyes lit up instantly, but quickly went out again.

"What about my mom's side?"

After a moment's thought, Li Jiangbo slowly said, "As for your mother... we can do it another way. This money will be sent directly to you, and you can use it as you see fit."

Mei Yanfang's fingers clenched the hem of her clothes, her eyes filled with intense struggle.

She desperately wanted to break free from her mother's control. If her mother hadn't been a compulsive gambler, she wouldn't have started performing with her sister at the age of four to help support the family.

The terms offered by the person in front of her were even better than those offered by the record companies she had previously contacted.

Thinking of this, Mei Yanfang asked timidly, "Where are we staying?"

"Broadcasting: You'll be living with three of the company's artists."

Upon hearing this, Anita Mui lowered her head. "I...I need time to think about it."

Li Jiangbo nodded. "Of course you can. I remember you have an older sister; you can talk to her about it. Once you've made up your mind, call me anytime."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I'm currently preparing for a film, and I need a female character with a compelling backstory who can sing and act. It's a significant role. I think your temperament is a good fit. If you're interested, you can come and audition."

Mei Yanfang suddenly looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

Movie roles? That's practically another world for her.

"I...I will seriously consider it. Thank you, Mr. Li."

Li Jiangbo smiled, said nothing more, and turned to leave the dance hall.

It's 1 a.m.

After singing her last song, Anita Mui removed her heavy makeup and walked out of the back door of the Huadu Ballroom.

There are no buses now, so she has to walk home.

Half an hour later, she arrived downstairs. After climbing eight floors, she breathlessly took out her keys and opened the door.

Then she smelled a pungent odor of smoke, along with the sounds of her mother and her card-playing friends laughing and joking as they shuffled the cards.

Mei Yanfang didn't say anything, but placed the money she had earned that day in front of her mother.

Then, without looking back, she went into her and her sister's room.

The room, though called a room, could only fit a single bed, and the two sisters had slept in this cramped bed since they were little.

After a while, the door opened again.

Mei Aifang also returned home, chatted with her mother for a few words, and then went back to her room.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw Mei Yanfang sitting on the bed in a daze.

"Did you leave early tonight?"

"Um!"

Mei Aifang took off her clothes, sat down next to her younger sister, and asked softly, "What's wrong? Something on your mind?"

Mei Yanfang handed her business card to her sister, "Sister, someone is looking for me tonight."

Mei Aifang took the business card from her sister and could only make out the words on it by the flickering light.

"Li Jiangbo? The director of 'A Better Tomorrow'?"

Anita Mui nodded, "A signing bonus of 100,000, a monthly salary of 3,000, accommodation included, record revenue sharing is separate, and there's also a film contract."

Mei Aifang was clearly shocked by the conditions her sister had set, repeatedly saying the number, "One hundred thousand..."

Mui Yim-fong suddenly looked up, her eyes slightly red, "Sister, I want to go."

Mei Aifang looked at her for a long time.

This younger sister, who has been singing with her since childhood in Liyuan, nightclubs, and all sorts of mixed-race venues, is only seventeen years old this year.

She should have been like other girls her age, wearing school uniforms to and from school, discussing which male celebrity was the most handsome, instead of practicing how to protect herself with adult sophistication in the mirror of the dressing room.

"What about Mom's side..."

Mei Yanfang was silent for a moment, then said decisively, "I will tell her that I will not keep a single penny of this money; I will give it all to her."

Mei Aifang didn't speak. She pulled her younger sister into her arms and whispered, "I'll stay with you."

The negotiations on the second day went much more smoothly than expected.

As usual, Qin Meijin raised her voice at first, complaining that the conditions were not good enough.

But when Anita Mui calmly said, "The signing fee of 100,000 is all yours, I won't keep a penny," she opened her mouth but couldn't find any more reasons to bargain.

That money was enough to cover his losses, and he still had 20,000 left.

For her, it was no longer a matter of refusing or not refusing, but rather continuing to dangle her in limbo, waiting for the gang members to come and cut off her hands and feet.

The signing took place in the meeting room of Time Film and Television.

Anita Mui and her sister sat together, quietly waiting for their mother to sign the papers.

After signing his name, Qin Meijin hurriedly left, saying he was going to the bank to deposit a check.

Mei Yanfang picked up a pen and wrote her name crookedly on the contract.

After Mei Yanfang finished signing, Li Jiangbo handed her a key.

"Broadcast Drive, two bedrooms and one living room. Rosamund Kwan, Chu Lin, and Cherie Chung all live there. You and Rosamund Kwan will live together, and you can move in tonight."