The literary era since 1979

Causeway Bay, cinema.

The ticket office was packed with people, and the line stretched from inside the house to the door, with a few ticket scalpers popping up from time to time along the way.

"Hey, I didn't expect there would be so many people watching the movie so late at night."

Keiko Matsuzaka turned her eyes to the poster of "A Better Tomorrow" posted on the wall of the cinema.

Fangyan looked around at the people queuing up. There were families with children, couples, groups of men, and even Rong Zhang's fan club. They were all wearing the same short-sleeved shirts with the words "Rong Zhang" printed on them.

"Wait here for a moment."

After saying this, he took the initiative to find a ticket scalper who looked only fourteen or fifteen years old.

"Boss, do you want a ticket?"

The young boy unfolded the densely packed movie tickets in his hands, some for today, and some for tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.

"What are the prices?"

Fangyan took a quick look and found that he was in the same group with the ticket sellers, parking attendants and others around him. They were probably some kind of young and dangerous gang, like "Brother Ji" and "Heavy Cannon" in "Young and Dangerous", one of the Thirteen Tigers of Tsz Wan Shan. Organizations like this are usually the reserve forces of social organizations.

Doing odd jobs, running errands, parking cars, selling tickets. Of course, there are also ruthless ones, such as the group in the movie "Three or Five".

"That depends on which seat you want!"

The young man grinned and said, "Look, the seats are in different locations, so the prices are naturally different."

Fangyan bought three movie tickets at a high price, and then asked casually, what gang are they in?

"We are from Hongxing! Hehe, we are the ones protecting this place!"

The boy pointed at the man sitting on the railing. It was obvious that the boy in the black vest and smoking was their leader.

Doesn’t that mean this is the Xiang family’s territory?

Fangyan smiled without saying anything, took the movie tickets, and walked into the cinema with Keiko Matsuzaka and Komaki Kurihara.

Watching his departing silhouette, the man in the vest felt like he had seen him before, but couldn't remember where he had seen him before. He then waved and called the boy over to him, "What were you talking about with the ticket seller just now? Why did you suddenly report the number?"

"He asked me where I was from, so of course I told him this was the territory of the Hongxing gang."

The young man shrank his head and said, "Boss, do you think he could be from Dongxing or Liansheng?"

Then he lowered his voice and said, "I think he has an extraordinary temperament. Also, his two girlfriends are so hot..."

"You're looking for death. You know he's not easy to mess with, but you're still looking around."

The man in the vest poked him unhappily and said, "Go sell the tickets quickly. How many tickets are left for today?"

"Not much left." The young man smiled. "What the boss said is indeed right. The tickets for A Better Tomorrow are really selling very well."

As they were talking, other ticket scalpers also came up and talked at the same time, all of them lamenting the unprecedented popularity of the movie "A Better Tomorrow".

"Of course. It is said that the script of this gangster movie was written by Fang Sheng himself. How can it not be popular?"

The man in the vest had awe in his eyes.

"Really!"

Instantly, there was an uproar, but one of the ticket sellers was puzzled and said, "That's not right, boss. Fang Sheng is a big shot who eats at the same table with the gambling king and Liu Ye. He has invited big names like Cheng Long and Lin Qingxia to his movies. Why would he invite Zhou Runfa and Di Long this time?"

"Yes, I read Ming Pao Weekly, and it says that people like Chow Yun-fat, Ti Long, and Ng Yu-sen are all more unscrupulous than the others."

The boy echoed: "Every movie they make ends up being a flop. They're all called 'box office poison.'"

"Otherwise, how can we show how helpful Fang Sheng is?"

The man in the vest curled his lips and said, "With this group of losers, the movie can make a lot of money."

The boy nodded and said, "Yes, I think the newspaper said that the box office exceeded 5 million in 1000 days."

The man in the vest patted him on the shoulder and asked, "Have you saved the tickets I asked you to save for the brothers?"

"Stayed!"

The young man said, "But boss, tickets for A Better Tomorrow are very popular right now, why don't we wait until later..."

"leave!"

The man in the vest was quite dissatisfied: "Why are you talking so much nonsense? I am showing you what brotherhood is. What do we Young and Dangerous rely on? Isn't it loyalty? Do you still remember the oath we made when we joined the group? Do you love brothers or gold?"

"Love brother!"

The young man suddenly shuddered and was the first to answer.

"Brothers or gold?"

The man in the vest turned his gaze to the other gangster.

"Love brother!"

One after another, they shouted out, all shouting "Love Brothers", and no one was stupid enough to shout "Love Gold" or "Love Sister-in-law".

"That's better. If you're a brother, then come with me and watch "A Better Tomorrow" to see the brotherhood between Brother Xiao Ma and Brother Hao!"

The man in the vest, arm in arm with his younger brothers, walked into the almost full cinema at the time of the movie screening.

Hong Kong films in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s were basically Cantonese films, in stark contrast to the Hong Kong film market in the 1950s and 1960s which was dominated by Mandarin films. The subtitles were all in traditional Chinese characters, and most of them were "Hong Kong slang". Fortunately, "A Better Tomorrow" was going to be released overseas, especially in Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, so there were versions with both Chinese and English subtitles, as well as a few versions with Mandarin subtitles.

Fangyan, Keiko Matsuzaka and Komaki Kurihara watched the film in both Chinese and English. Although the subtitles were still in traditional Chinese, with Fangyan explaining with a smile, Keiko Matsuzaka and Komaki Kurihara were able to barely understand the story of "A Better Tomorrow".

Although it was still difficult to watch, I gradually became deeply attracted by the violent aesthetics displayed in the picture.

The hail of bullets and the exciting gun battle scenes can all bring out the unique tension of gangster films through the camera.

"Hiss."

It was the first time that Keiko Matsuzaka saw a gangster film shot like this, and she couldn't help but cover her mouth and exclaim.

Kurihara Komaki shared the same sentiment and said, "It feels like watching a Chinese martial arts film and a Japanese swordplay film."

"You are absolutely right. This is the 'aesthetics of violence' that combines oriental martial arts films with modern gunfight action films."

Fang Yan said: "Violence is no longer cold and bloody, but has a sacred sense of ritual, fate and unique artistic beauty."

"You are indeed worthy of being Mr. Fangyan."

Kurihara Komaki exclaimed repeatedly that "The Ring", which has not yet been taken off the screen in Japan, has already set off a wave of innovation in the concept of horror films in the Japanese film industry. If "A Better Tomorrow" was introduced to Japan, it would definitely make many people re-examine the subject of "gangster films".

Keiko Matsuzaka readily agreed. Compared with "A Better Tomorrow", Japanese gangster films seemed to be a whole century behind.

Fangyan smiled and thought that Takeshi Kitano had not yet suffered from facial paralysis due to the car accident, and should still be showing off with manzai and being the "Guo Degang" of Japan.

In our sight, Xiao Ma Ge and Song Zihao completed a counterfeit money transaction, and the two of them were laughing in the car.

There is a kind of ruffian temperament in Xiao Ma Ge's laughter, anger and scolding, which complements Ah Hao's image of being righteous and determined.

Seeing this scene, the man in the vest sitting in the back row and his younger brothers were immediately excited and couldn't help but applaud and whistle.

"Wow! Brother Hao is already impressive enough, and Brother Xiao Ma is so handsome too!"

"Yeah, using US dollars to light a cigarette is really cool!"

"..." The man in the vest raised his hand to stop their loud noise, but it was not because of the public noise prohibition and fear of disturbing other people's viewing experience, but because the noise had disturbed his own viewing of "A Better Tomorrow". The rough and wild rivers and lakes in the movie, the friendship between the brothers, and the blood-pumping gun battles all made him yearn for it. After all, when Xiao Ma Ge was down and out, he also made a living by parking and washing cars for others.

Thinking about myself, I entered the society and worked hard after graduating from high school.

He tried more than 10 jobs, including dishwasher, supermarket clerk, security guard, etc. Finally, under the influence of his bad friends, he joined the Hung Hing gang and became a gangster, working as a parking boy at the lowest level in the gang. He believed that one day he would be able to be as cool as Mark.

"You don't owe me anything. I never force a friend to do anything he doesn't want to do!"

"I have my own principles, and I don't want to be trampled underfoot all my life."

"I've waited three years for this opportunity. I want to fight for it!"

"I'm not trying to prove how great I am, I'm trying to tell people that I will definitely get back what I lost!"

"........."

Whenever Xiao Ma Ge appeared, there was applause in the theater, but when Song Zijie showed up, there was booing.

Fangyan shook his head and laughed, it was a good thing that it was played by Zhang Guorong, even if he failed to win the audience's favor, a superstar like him would not lose much.

When the movie ended, it was already midnight and the previously bustling streets had become deserted with few pedestrians.

People gradually came out of the cinema. The boy at the end of the crowd nudged the man in the vest with his elbow:
"Boss, that's the person who just asked me where I was."

"Hey, why does he look so much like..."

The man in the vest looked from afar, and when he saw Fangyan's face clearly, his head started buzzing as if he was struck by lightning.

The young man continued to speak without restraint: "Big brother, look at his two girls, they are so hot, with long legs and curvy bodies, so beautiful."

"Snapped!"

The man in the vest patted his mouth with the back of his hand, "You are courting death. How dare you say such things? They are not the ones you can think about."

The young man covered his face with his hands in grievance, "I don't dare to worry about it, but it seems that Tony and the others are worried about it!"

Following the direction of the younger brother's finger, the man in the vest looked over and saw Tony, who was staring at the beautiful girl with lustful eyes, walking towards Fangyan and others who were waving for a taxi with a few ruffian-like younger brothers. Knowing Tony's character, he was immediately startled and ran up hurriedly.

"Hurry up and stop them with me!"

"We stop Tony?"

A group of younger brothers were timid, because he was from the same gang as them, and was a "straw sandal" with a professional title. His status was much higher than those of them who were not nominally part of the society as reserves, and committing crimes against superiors was a big taboo in the society.

"Just do as I say, and nothing will happen to you!"

Seeing the man in the vest approaching Fangyan quickly, many loyal young men, including the teenager, bravely followed his instructions.

"Hey, kid, are you guys trying to get in my way?"

"You're looking for death, where's Gu Zai? Call him to see me, how disrespectful!"

Tony glared in dissatisfaction, and suddenly heard the man in the vest shouting respectfully and loudly, "Mr. Fang, can you give me an autograph?"

"I didn't expect you to recognize me."

Fangyan was quite surprised, but what was even more surprising was that the leader of this gang was actually Louis Koo.

Moreover, it is not the bronze-colored "Black Ancient", but the pure white "White Ancient". This appearance is just ordinary.

"Hey, who in Hong Kong doesn't know you?"

Gu Tianyue handed over a pen and paper and said in a low voice, "But Mr. Fang, next time you go shopping, it would be better for you to bring a few more people with you."

Fang Yan noticed Tony and the others looking at him from the corner of his eye, and signed with a smile:
"Thank you for your reminder, but can you handle this situation?"

"No problem, keep it on me!"

Louis Koo said it is usually difficult to get a taxi here and you have to go to the next street corner.

Fang Yan smiled and pretended to ask his name casually, "Hongxing Gu Tianle, right? I'll remember you."

Gu Tianle was so excited that his blood was boiling. He immediately called a younger brother and asked him to lead Fang Yan and the others, while he went to deal with Tony and the others.

Tony was quite sensible. Unlike the other gangsters who didn't use their brains, when he heard the name "Mr. Fang", he realized that something was wrong.

"Gu Zai, who is the 'Mr. Fang' you were just chatting with? Is he worthy of you to dare to block my way for him?"

"Brother Tony, do you know that I just saved your life?"

Gu Tianle rolled his eyes in annoyance.

The more panicked Tony was, the more he pretended to be tough: "Don't try to scare me with your words. Where is he from?"

"Mr. Fang, is there anyone else in Hong Kong who is worthy of the name 'Mr. Fang'?"

Louis Koo said: "Of course it's Mr. Fang who wrote "A Better Tomorrow"! Mr. Fang who was rumored to be dating Lin Qingxia! Mr. Fang who chatted and laughed with Mr. Fok, the gambling king, Mr. Shao Liuye and others!" As he spoke, he displayed Fang Yan's signature in front of them.

The signature on the paper caused an uproar and a strong reaction from everyone present.

"So he is Fang Sheng... I sold the ticket to Fang Sheng, to Fang Sheng..."

The young man felt a sense of pride in his heart, and soon realized why Louis Koo had just warned him not to think too much about it.

"what?!"

Tony was startled at first, then he thought about how audacious he was to actually think about the woman next to Fang Yan. He immediately felt a chill on his back, his face turned pale, and his mind went blank. The nerves of the gangsters following him also tensed up one by one.

"Brother Tony, you are so brave!"

Gu Tianle said secretly that if the leader of Hongxing and the uncles in the gang knew that you dared to provoke Fangyan, who even Mr. Huo and the gambling king had to treat as a guest of honor, and even dared to have ideas about his woman, it was estimated that this day next year would be your seventh day after death, and they would have to sprinkle paper money in the river for you.

Tony was sweating profusely, and he forced a smile and said, "Gu Zai, hey, thank you, I'll treat you guys to cart noodles!"

"No way, Tony, my boss saved you from the brink of death. Is your life worth just a few bowls of cart noodles?"

The young man selling tickets was dissatisfied and blurted out.

"What are you talking about? You have no respect for your parents."

Tony's eyes were wide open with anger, and he raised his hand to hit Gu Tianle in frustration, but was firmly blocked by him.

"Brother Tony, don't take it out on me."

Louis Koo was so angry at his stinginess and rudeness that he almost wanted to yell, "Fuck you."

At this moment, the younger brother who was assigned to lead the way for Fang Yan, Matsuzaka Keiko and others to take a taxi came back. In addition to handing over Fang Yan's generous tip, he also handed him a business card, "Boss, this is... this is what Fang Sheng asked me to give you."

Gu Tianle took a closer look and saw Fangyan's name and a contact number simply written on the business card, and his heart was immediately filled with excitement.

"Hey, Brother Yue, you are right!"

Tony was stunned on the spot, and quickly changed his expression, "Cart noodles are nothing, I'll treat you guys tonight and take you all the way!"

"Brother Yue, when you become rich in the future, don't forget us."

All the gangsters around him praised Louis Koo for their business, just like the saying goes "If you become rich, don't forget your friends".

Koo Tin-yue's heart was pounding, and he thought of Mark's line, "I've waited for three years, just for one chance, I want to fight for it!" (End of this chapter)