Hong Kong variety show: I Am a Tycoon

Chapter 187 We are legitimate businessmen

Five o'clock in the evening.

The film crew wrapped up work early.

Doom and the others stayed at the entrance of the film set without bothering them or affecting their work.

"Brothers, we're done for the day." Chow Yun-fat, Fan Hai-sheng, and Leung Ka-yan walked out of the film set together.

"please."

Doom invited them into the Mercedes.

After finishing his work, Chen Jiajun specially booked a high-end seafood hot pot restaurant to treat Chow Yun-fat and others to dinner.

The group found Chow Yun-fat, Fan Hai-sheng, and Leung Ka-yan sitting in the private room.

"Hello, Mr. Fan, Mr. Zhou, Mr. Liang."

The group looked at the handsome, refined young man dressed in sunshine, and were somewhat taken aback. He had such a big presence and was so young. He didn't seem to be the so-called big boss Jun. They couldn't figure out his background either. Zhou Runfa stood up and shook Chen Jiajun's hand, saying, "Hello."

After taking off his glasses, Chen Jiajun looked at Dafei and asked, "Have you ordered the food yet?"

"Boss, is there anything you'd like to add?" Dafei quickly handed over the menu.

Upon hearing this, Chow Yun-fat and his two companions were utterly shocked. The legendary Hong Kong underworld emperor, Boss Jun, was so young and handsome.

With looks like that, why bother being a gangster? It would be much better to make movies with them!

"Add more seafood, three of you. Order whatever you like." Chen Jiajun took the menu, instructed the waiter, and then handed the menu to Zhou Runfa and his two companions across from him.

"Brother Sheng, Brother Ren, can you take a look?"

Chow Yun-fat took the menu and handed it to Fan Haisheng and Liang Jiaren.

"Boss, what's your name?"

"Chen Jiajun," Chen Jiajun replied, exhaling a puff of his cigar, then asked in return, "I wonder if Mr. Zhou has read the script?"

Popular actor Chow Yun-fat sat upright, looking somewhat uneasy. He said, "I've read it. After receiving it, I carefully read it twice."

To his surprise, it wasn't some erotic film he was supposed to be making, but a proper movie script.

"The script is very well written overall. It tells the story of men's grudges and love affairs, which is very attractive, especially that one line."

Chow Yun-fat coughed and recited the classic line with great emotion: "I've waited three years for an opportunity. I want to prove myself, not to show off, but to show that I will get back what I've lost."

Although Chow Yun-fat is currently enjoying immense popularity in the television industry, his film career seems to be flopping with every project he makes.

It was a proper movie with such an outstanding script. He cherished this job opportunity very much. He needed a movie and a role to prove himself.

It was clear that Chow Yun-fat had indeed studied the script very carefully. Chan Ka-chun nodded and said, "Come on, eat, eat, get your chopsticks moving."

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Chen Jiajun invited the group to the magnificent Finnish sauna at the Guojun Building.

As two well-behaved female masseuses massaged Boss Jun's feet, Boss Jun puffed on a cigar and waved his arms, becoming increasingly friendly with Chow Yun-fat and the others. Chow Yun-fat asked Chan Ka-Chun with a sincere expression, "Mr. Chan, how much are you prepared to pay to hire me?"

Chen Jiajun grew two fingers.

"Two million?" Chow Yun-fat was shocked.

It's not too low, it's too high.

Two million is a salary that only top stars in the industry can get. Chow Yun-fat suddenly felt dizzy. What did he do to deserve such high regard from the big boss Jun?

Chen Jiajun shook his finger and said, "Sorry, Fat, you misunderstood. It's only two hundred thousand."

It's not that he's stingy, but rather that actors' incomes in the 1980s were what they were, and Chow Yun-fat wasn't a big star in the film industry. Nowadays, he's basically playing the second male lead in movies.

He can't exactly inflate prices in Hong Kong's entertainment industry.

"I'll take it." Chow Yun-fat cursed inwardly, then said, "Mr. Chan, the 200,000 yuan fee is a bit difficult for me. Could you increase it a little more?"

"boom."

Doom pulled out his Browning hand and slammed it on the table: "Fatty, how dare you talk to my brother like that?"

The young demon slaves rolled up their sleeves, wanting to persuade them with reason.

Looking at Browning on the coffee table and Doom, who looked so strong he could knock him down with one punch, Chow Yun-fat quickly waved his hand and changed his mind: "Two hundred thousand it is. Take one more penny, and I, Ah Fat, will be your son."

The 200,000 HKD salary was more than what he earned at Shaw Brothers, and besides, Chow Yun-fat really liked the script for this movie.

"Okay, it's a deal."

Chen Jiajun exhaled a puff of his cigar, nodded with satisfaction, and said, "Fa-zai, don't worry, I won't treat you unfairly."

"When will your company's movie begin filming? Have the other main roles and the director been decided yet?"

Chow Yun-fat began to consider the issue from a professional perspective.

"This isn't something you should be worrying about. Anyway, don't worry, we'll start filming as soon as I've adjusted everyone's schedules," Chen Jiajun said with a smile.

After securing the lead actor, Chow Yun-fat, the next step was to get the director, John Woo.

The following day. Guojun Building.

Xu Ke led a delegation including directors Wu Yusen and Dillon, handpicked by the big boss Jun.

"Mr. Chen."

Several people said hello one after another.

Chen Jiajun smiled and pointed to the sofa in front of him: "Gentlemen, do you enjoy the red wine?"

Before the group could even express their gratitude, Chen Jiajun had already gotten up and poured them drinks.

Sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, Chen Jiajun looked at the group and said, "What do you all think of the script? Wu Yusen, do you have any ideas?"

“Mr. Chen, my contract is with Jiahe, and it’s an exclusive one. I was warned by Boss Zou for making a movie for Yicheng before.” Wu Yusen held a glass of red wine and smiled bitterly.

Wu Yusen was struggling to make ends meet and was on the verge of losing his job.

At one dinner party, someone joked with him, telling him to stop making movies, saying he was out of touch with the times.

The movie "A Better Tomorrow" truly touched his heart.

“These aren’t problems for me, I’ll take care of them for you right away.” Chen Jiajun said nonchalantly, “The question is, do you have any ideas for the script of this movie?”

Wu Yusen was immediately relieved. Since Boss Jun had said so, he must be able to solve these problems for him, and he really wanted to invite him to make a movie.

Wu Yusen cautiously said to Chen Jiajun, "Mr. Chen, no modern gunfight film has ever been successful in Hong Kong. It is very risky to create a new genre rashly."

This is what he thinks.

"I know it's very risky. Comedy films are the mainstream style in Hong Kong right now, but so what?"

Chen Jiajun smiled and said, not taking it seriously, then he added:
"The male lead will be played by Dillon, the second male lead will be played by Chow Yun-fat, the third male lead will be played by Leslie Cheung, and Tsui Hark will serve as the producer."

Chow Yun-fat, you all know he's box office poison; John Woo, you're a down-on-his-luck director; Dillon Kwan, you're a washed-up martial arts star. Men always encounter setbacks, always have their low points. The movie *A Better Tomorrow* tells the story of a down-on-his-luck gangster. I hope you can incorporate your insights into life into the film.

"Take your time and tell a good story; that's the essence of filmmaking."

"I hope you put your heart and soul into making this movie. If there are any problems, I will take care of them."

"Also, you're coming with me to meet your boss tomorrow."

The following day. Jiahe Film and Television Building.

Jiahe Films is currently at its peak, and when boss Zou Wenhuai heard that Wu Yusen wanted to switch to Hongxing Films, he didn't care.

Wu Yusen has been with Jiahe Films for five or six years. Although he had some brilliant performances, they were very short-lived, like a shooting star.

In the past two years, Wu Yusen's films have not performed well at the box office, and have even caused the company to suffer losses.

"Ah Sen, since Chen Sheng values ​​you, you must perform well after you start working for him."

After a brief exchange, Zou Wenhuai quickly agreed.

His background and abilities were not simple. He worked at Shaw Brothers when he first joined the film industry and later became the third most important person at Shaw Brothers.

However, his achievements were so great that Shaw had no more rewards to bestow upon him, and as astute as Raymond Chow was, he had already realized the danger he was in the company.

"When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked; when the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away."

Raymond Chow, who implemented Shaw Brothers' various policies, finally left Shaw Brothers in 1970 due to a "disagreement" with his superiors, taking many of Shaw Brothers' key figures with him to establish Ka-Ho.

Along with Shaw Brothers, they became the "Southern Titans and Northern Pillars" of the Hong Kong film industry, and fought fiercely against each other in the 1970s and 80s.

As a big name in Hong Kong's film and television industry, Raymond Chow had long been a part of Hong Kong's high society, and he naturally knew how capable this handsome young man in front of him was.

In fact, when Chen Jiajun first entered the film industry, Zou Wenhuai already knew about Chen Jiajun and his work.

To put it simply: This is not someone Zou Wenhuai can afford to offend.

In Zou Wenhuai's view, Wu Yusen was just a young man with some talent. Since Mr. Chen came to ask for him in person, they should just give in.

"Mr. Zou, thank you for stepping down." Chen Jiajun raised his teacup, smiling broadly.

"Thank you for your care over the past two years, Mr. Zou." Wu Yusen also raised his teacup at the same time.

"No need to thank me." Zou Wenhuai picked up a teacup and poured water for the two of them.

Chen Jiajun took two deep drags on his cigar, slowly exhaled, and then said, "By the way, there's another matter I came here for today. Mr. Zou, have you considered letting me invest in Jiahe Cinemas? The price is negotiable, and I'll pay in full once we've agreed on it."

As he spoke, he took out a cigar, and Wu Yusen, who was standing next to him, immediately took out a lighter and lit it for the new boss.

The reason he wanted to invest in Jiahe Cinemas was mainly for future considerations; his real goal was to build a media empire.

Then, this media empire became the vehicle for the image representation of Guojun Group and Hongxing Group.

After listening, Zou Wenhuai shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Mr. Chen, our Jiahe Cinemas is currently operating well and has no need for financing."

His tone already implied refusal. At this moment, he was locked in a fierce battle with Shaw Brothers, determined to prove himself superior. How could he possibly let Chen Jiajun invest rashly?
In addition, it should be noted that Chan Ka-Chun is the head of Hung Hing, and Chow Man-Wai does not want any triad forces to get involved in his cinema chain.

Doom, who was standing nearby, immediately slammed his fist on the table and yelled, "You son of a bitch! Are you...?"

"Doom".

Chen Jiajun stopped him in time. He looked up at Zou Wenhuai and said, "My subordinate was a bit impulsive and lacked manners. I'm sorry. Also, regarding the Jiahe Cinemas issue, if you think it through in the future, feel free to call me anytime."

"excuse me."

After speaking, Chen Jiajun stood up, smiled, and waved.

After leaving Jiahe Cinema, I got into a Mercedes-Benz Pullman.

Leslie Cheung called: "Mr. Chan, it's me, Leslie."

"Rongzai, what's your decision?" Chen Jiajun answered the cell phone.

"Mr. Chen, of course I'd accept your invitation to make a movie," Leslie Cheung said with a broad smile.

"You should think this through carefully. The director, the male lead, and the second male lead are all washed up."

Chen Jiajun took a puff of his cigar and said.

“Mr. Chen, I really love this movie. I’ve already talked to my agent, and I’ll arrange the schedule. I’ll come no matter how many days we shoot,” Leslie Cheung explained shyly.

Wu Yusen, who was listening nearby, was secretly delighted. He had already read the script of "A Better Tomorrow" so many times that the edges were worn out. The role of Song Zijie in the play was perfectly suited for a young and handsome actor like Leslie Cheung.

"Okay, I'll have someone notify you to come to the meeting as soon as possible."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Jiajun said to Dumu, "Dumu, immediately send someone to investigate Zou Wenhuai. I'm going to offer him a deal he can't refuse. You understand what to do, right?"

"Understood. I'll ask Old Prison to do the dirty work. Is it a finger or a leg?"

Doom pulled out his cell phone as he spoke.

"Damn it! We're legitimate businessmen and philanthropists! How could we do something like this?"

Chen Jiajun glared at him, his words righteous and stern.

"Understood." Doom grinned, revealing a rugged smile.

"I'm so scared." Wu Yusen, who was standing nearby, felt a shiver run down his spine.

So this is what the martial arts world is like.

(End of this chapter)