The door of the courtyard house has been welded dead

In April in Guangzhou, the hot and humid air carries with it the moisture from the Pearl River, sticking to people's bodies and making them feel very uncomfortable.

Xu Damao has been in the Yongxing Video Studio for three whole days. He is like a gourmet obsessed with movies and TV shows. After taking his first look at the outside world, he becomes addicted to it.

When he first arrived, he frowned at the cigarette butts all over the floor and the air mixed with the smell of sweat and cheap perfume.

Now, he can easily walk through the crooked long benches and find a relatively clean seat in the front row to sit down.

During these three days, he seemed to be under a spell, completely immersed in the world of the videotape. The people watching the movie around him changed wave after wave, but overall, he could barely be considered a regular customer.

When the screen lit up, the vivid grudges, lingering love stories, and thrilling martial arts scenes in Hong Kong movies assaulted his senses again and again.

He could no longer take his eyes off those scenes. Even for meals, he would go back to the state-owned camp guesthouse, eat a few bites, and then rush back to the video room, for fear of missing out on the exciting scenes.

"Da Mao, you're here so early again!"

The owner of the video studio, Zhao Guoqiang, is a sturdy man with a full beard. At this moment, he is leaning against the wall with a cigarette in his mouth.

He had seen many highly sticky customers like Xu Damao who became addicted at first sight, but Xu Damao's level of obsession still made him unable to help but take a few more glances, and he even felt a little proud in his heart.

The movies shown in this extremely simple video room at home are much more exciting than those in the state-owned cinemas. Because of the Hong Kong videotapes, not many young people like to watch those old-fashioned movies anymore!
Xu Damao smiled and nodded, then skillfully took out a pack of cigarettes, took out one and handed it to Zhao Guoqiang.

He did not come here for nothing during these three days. He was thinking about how many people would come to watch movies every day and how much money a video studio like this could make.

"Boss Zhao, the movies you have here are really something I never get tired of watching. I've never seen anything this exciting in the north."

As he spoke, he paid attention to the movements of Zhao Guoqiang's hands.

Zhao Guoqiang took out a videotape skillfully and replaced it with a new one, his movements smooth and flowing.

Xu Damao's eyes were fixed on the videotape player. There was no doubt that this was a treasure that was secretly brought from Hong Kong. It was a bit old, but it was useful!

Even though the outer shell is a little worn, in Boss Zhao's eyes, it is more precious than any treasure. He has to change the strap himself. If anyone interferes, the boss will get angry immediately. It can be seen how valuable this thing is in his eyes.

"Boss Zhao, look at this machine, is it from Hong Kong?"

Xu Damao asked tentatively, and at the same time, he brought the struck match over to help Zhao Guoqiang light his cigarette.

Zhao Guoqiang narrowed his eyes, blew out a smoke ring, and looked at Xu Damao vigilantly.

In this mixed video tape business, he had seen too many people with bad intentions, but this man named Xu, neither in terms of his accent nor his behavior, did not seem to pose any threat to him.

The guests from the north seemed to be also tempted, and they immediately felt relieved.

"Da Mao, are you planning to go back and open a video studio? The north and the south are different."

He looked at Xu Damao with a half-smile and directly exposed the other person's thoughts.

Xu Damao was hit on the heart of the matter, but he didn't panic. Instead, he chuckled and moved closer, rubbing his hands together.

"Boss Zhao, I can't hide anything from you. I've been a projectionist in the north for many years, but the films there are so far inferior to what you have here. I thought that if I could bring these good films back to the north, they would definitely be a hit!"

After hearing this, Zhao Guoqiang showed a hint of pride on his face, mixed with a bit of caution.

"It's a good idea, but the videotape business is not that simple. Both the machine and the tapes are hard to get, especially the tapes. The channels for new films in Hong Kong are in the hands of a few people, and the prices change every day."

Xu Damao quickly took out his notebook and took notes carefully.

"Boss Zhao, please give me some pointers. I'm just a layman and I need your guidance."

As he took notes, he was thinking in his mind that he must have a channel to purchase goods. He was not in a hurry to buy the VCR player now, but he would have to build a screening room like this one in the future. Once it was really opened, maybe he could really create a new world in the capital.

"It's not like I'm asking for advice, Damao, but you have to dispel my worries. What if, you are...!" Boss Zhao laughed and glanced at Xu Damao with a suggestive look. As for what he meant, if he still didn't understand, then he might as well not do this business. In fact, this Damao is not suitable for doing business at all.

"Here is my letter of introduction. I live in a state-owned guesthouse. I came here because Sister Mei recommended me. I am a Beijinger. There is no way I can steal your business, right~!"

"I used to be a movie projectionist, but it was boring to show the same movies over and over again~!"

He stuffed the cigarette in his pocket over to the boss and took out ten yuan. It wasn't a lot of money, but Xu Damao just wanted the boss to reveal some useful information.

Boss Zhao glanced at the letter of introduction in Xu Damao's hand, accepted some benefits, then nodded, lifted the curtain and motioned for him to come in.

"There are two types of video recorders on the market in Hong Kong. One is the small video recorder made by Sony. This one was made earlier and has more films, but it's not cheap~!"

"The other is also a small company called JVC. They came out with a big VCR last year. It's a little late, but it's different from Sony. It's cheaper, but it produces fewer tapes."

The money was not collected in vain. This thing was given because Xu Damao was from Beijing. If he was a local, let alone ten dollars, even if it was a hundred, Boss Zhao would not reveal any information.

"I knew that Boss Zhao is an honest man. If I hadn't heard from you, I would have fallen into a trap. If I succeed in this business, I will definitely remember your kindness. Thank you~!"

Xu Damao really didn't know the difference between the small VCR and the big VCR. He had only seen the one outside so far.

"This one of mine is a Sony Marcos, shipped from Hong Kong. Although it's second-hand, you can see the effect. You may not have heard of Sony, but it's a well-known brand all over the world. It's not a big deal if the machine doesn't stop working. I've also seen JVC, but the videotapes it can play are too few. It's cheap but not cost-effective~!"

"In our business, we watch movies. If there are many movies, and they attract many people, then we can succeed. You are lucky to have come here. If you were two years late, others would have taken it first."

"Ten dollars, that's all the information. I can't tell you anything else. You have to do the rest on your own. Business can't be done just by talking or making connections. Everyone has their own ways."

To be honest, Xu Damao was already very satisfied to get this information. He was not an insider and did not understand the difference. If he bought the wrong videotape and people couldn't watch it when he got it back, he would be screwed. He would not be able to sell it, and he would not be able to rent it out.

"I understand, I understand. Boss Zhao, you are so loyal that you have already pointed out a clear path for me. When you go to Beijing in the future, just come to me directly. I, Xu Damao, am not an ungrateful person~!"

Boss Zhao nodded modestly. To receive praise from a projectionist at a state-owned factory was quite refreshing for a gangster like him who used to hang out on the streets. He quite enjoyed the feeling of being respected.

"As for the film selection, you've probably watched most of them in the past few days, and you've also taken notes in your notebook. I've carefully selected them before bringing them here, so you've got a lucky break~!"

"No need to say thank you or not. Money is real. In the future, I think we should just focus on money. But our business is still like rats in a sewer. It's not easy to be a self-employed person. We have to help each other~!"

"You are in the capital, which is the heart of our country and the place where all kinds of news are received the fastest. I don't expect anything else from you, but if there is any disturbance in this business in the future, for example, the higher-ups want to crack down on it, you can give me a call so that I can prepare in advance. It can also be considered a good relationship for both of us."

Boss Zhao, looking at the cigarette, squinted his eyes and looked at Xu Damao. Most importantly, he wanted to have a news channel in Beijing.

Needless to say, as for Yuezhou, since he is doing this, he must have his own connections. But once the capital starts to tighten the control, it would be better for those below to be the first to get notified.

VCRs, TVs, these big items are not cheap. If the wind blows in the wrong direction and they are confiscated, he won't even have a place to cry.

"It's not easy for everyone. Next time you come, you'll have to know where new movies are coming out. I can provide you with some information. It's a win-win situation. We both get what we need."

"What do you mean?"

"No problem, absolutely no problem. If you want to talk about other things, I may not be able to help you, but if there is any news about the movie, I am in Beijing and I guarantee that I will know it better than anyone else."

"Brother Zhao has been kind to me and treated me well. Let's form an offensive and defensive alliance, one in the south and one in the north. I, Xu Damao, will never say no."

The two hands clasped together again. In this complex environment, they were like self-employed individuals holding each other together for warmth. It didn't matter if they were looked down upon by outsiders, as long as they could make money, nothing would happen.

"There are televisions in Beijing anyway, so I won't say much. As for VCRs, go to Sungang. But don't pay for them easily. Insist on trying them. They're really expensive. The tapes are okay, though!"

"It's best to try everything before buying it. Buy less foreign movies for now, as many of them contain pornographic scenes, which can attract people, but once you're caught by the police, it's hard to deal with it."

"At the beginning, take it slow. Since good-looking Hong Kong movies can make money, don't do those crooked things~!" (End of this chapter)