Literary Master 1978.

Chapter 430 Clearwater Bay Studios

For some reason, Lin Chaoyang felt that the light flashing in Li Shifei's eyes was a little dangerous.

"Great, it's great to be young, full of inspiration and extraordinary creative efficiency!" Li Shifei happily praised Lin Chaoyang a few words, and then asked him for the manuscript so that he could have a sneak peek.

After receiving the manuscript, Li Shifei sat quietly on the sofa and read it for a long time. He sat there motionless and didn't even have time to drink water.

It was not until Tao Yushu returned home and made some noise that Li Shifei was awakened.

"It's so late?" Li Shifei looked at his watch and said a little embarrassedly, "Chaoyang, I'm sorry to bother you."

"It's okay, stay home for dinner tonight."

Lin Chaoyang was preparing dinner in the kitchen while Li Shifei was chatting with Tao Yushu.

First they talked about Tao Yushu's resignation due to pregnancy. She is now four months pregnant and her belly is slightly bulging, but she moves as fast as the wind without any impact.

Then Tao Yushu asked Li Shifei what he thought of Lin Chaoyang's new work. He pondered for a while before speaking.

“Chaoyang’s choice of subject matter for this new work is very bold, and it can be said to be a breakthrough from the past.

However, his bold breakthrough was also correct. The previous work "Crossing the Guandong" had left a deep impression on readers.

If the new work chooses a realistic story, it would certainly be safe, but it would probably be difficult to surpass "Crossing the Guandong".

Readers will inevitably compare these two works. By then, even if the new work is of good quality, it may not win much reputation.

The subject matter Chaoyang has chosen now is much more novel and bold, and the writing is... unexpectedly good.

His talent is really enviable. He can write anything he wants. Reading his novel reminded me of George Orwell's "1984".

If they were in Yanjing, Lin Chaoyang would definitely let Li Shifei stay at home. Unfortunately, they are in Hong Kong now and the space at home is too cramped to accommodate guests.

Hearing Lin Chaoyang's question, Li Shifei did not answer immediately.

The main reason why he rushed to Hong Kong this time was because of Lin Chaoyang's letter.

"The Boat Crossing" and "Crossing the Guandong" made Huacheng Publishing House a huge success and also brought considerable economic benefits. Naturally, they could not sit idly by and watch Lin Chaoyang, such a cash cow, being poached by Yenching Publishing House.

Before Li Shifei came this time, he didn't expect that Lin Chaoyang's new work was almost completed. He originally wanted to find out the bottom line with Lin Chaoyang and then leave.

Now that he has seen the new work, he no longer thinks so.

As the saying goes, those who are close to the water get the moon first. When Lin Chaoyang was in Yenching, Huacheng Publishing House was out of reach, so Yenching Publishing House poached his talents unscrupulously.

Now, Lin Chaoyang has come to Hong Kong and is about to finish writing his new work.

This is a godsend opportunity. Li Shifei made up his mind that he must get Lin Chaoyang's novel.

"I came here just for your new work!"

What do you mean? You're not leaving even if you can't get the manuscript?
Li Shifei had no idea of ​​Lin Chaoyang's thoughts, so he continued, "I'll discuss the royalties with the publishing house later, and I'll definitely give you a satisfactory price."

Lin Chaoyang nodded and stopped putting pressure on Li Shifei.

In the evening, after Li Shifei left, Tao Yushu said, "Chaoyang, my sister-in-law is going to take me to the Qingshui Bay Studios tomorrow. Do you want to go with us?"

Clearwater Bay Studios is the Shaw Brothers' headquarters, where hundreds of films were produced over the decades.

Li Hanxiang had extensive connections in Shaw Brothers. If Tao Yushu wanted to become familiar with the film industry, he naturally had to familiarize himself with the filming process. Shaw Brothers' Clearwater Bay Studio was a very suitable place.

"No, I have to finish my manuscript."

Lin Chaoyang plans to finish writing the novel in the next few days, and then start writing the script, hoping to complete it within a month.

The next morning, Zhang Cuiying drove to pick up Tao Yushu.

Clearwater Bay Studios, as the name suggests, is built in Clearwater Bay, located in the east of Hong Kong, far away from the city center. If you go there by yourself, it will take at least an hour by bus and subway.

Zhang Cuiying drove with Tao Yushu and they arrived in half an hour.

The sign on the side of the road at the intersection reads "Shaw Studio, Shaw Brothers (Hong Kong) Film Company".

Not far from the main entrance of the studio is the administrative building. There is a huge abbreviation of the two English letters "SB" on the roof. If Lin Chaoyang came and saw it, he would definitely feel it was full of funny.

After parking the car, the two got out. Zhang Cuiying waited at the entrance of the studio for a while, and then a baby-faced young man ran out from the studio.

"Mrs. Li!"

"Ah Xi!"

After the two greeted each other, Zhang Cuiying introduced each other.

The young man's name is Huang Jiaxi. He just has a baby face, but he is actually 36 years old. He is now a producer for Shaw Brothers.

When he first joined Shaw Brothers, he worked as a handyman in Li Hanxiang's crew. He gradually rose from a script supervisor to a producer, and this was largely due to Li Hanxiang's support.

Huang Jiaxi took the lead, with Zhang Cuiying and Tao Yushuo two steps behind, explaining the situation to them in a low voice.

In May in the south, the Qingshui Bay Studio is full of greenery, with vines growing everywhere, and the buildings are hidden among the vast expanses of green.

Walking up along Yinying Road inside the studio, on the left is Shaw's dormitory, on the right is Shaw's building, and at the end is Shaw's villa.

Huang Jiaxi pointed to Tao Yushu as they walked and introduced: "That's Dormitory No. 2. Cheng Peipei, Ti Lung, David Chiang, Lin Dai and a group of people all lived here before."

The movie stars he introduced were all very popular in the 1960s and 1970s, and a hint of pride flashed across his face when he mentioned these names.

"Let me take you to the set where I'm currently supervising the production!"

Huang Jiaxi led the two to the studio. There are a total of 10 studios in Shaw Studios, which can meet different filming needs. The movie he is currently supervising is "Modern Cinderella", which is filmed in Studio 6. When Tao Yushu and others entered the studio, filming was in progress here.

"Ka-ka-ka! Hey, pretty girl, can you be more expressive? Don't have a wooden face. Are you crying?"

A bespectacled fat man was sitting in the director's chair. He looked relaxed and didn't sound angry when he spoke, but his tone was very hurtful.

The actress whom he called "beautiful girl" stood there after being scolded by him, feeling a little at a loss.

"The director of our play is Wong Jing, the one sitting on the chair. The male lead is Nat Chan, and the female lead is Maggie Cheung, who was Miss Hong Kong two years ago. She is really pretty!
But... the acting is a bit poor."

Huang Jiaxi introduced the situation to Tao Yushu and the others, and couldn't help but complain about the heroine's acting skills.

If a scene is not done, the crew has to prepare again, and the complaints of a group of behind-the-scenes staff filled the set without any reservation.

"What the hell? It's not a close-up. How can this be NG?"

"As for a vase, it's enough for it to be pretty!"

Tao Yushu looked at the scene in front of her with curiosity. It was her first time to come to a movie shooting site in person and she was full of curiosity about everything.

Even a few meters away, she could feel the heroine's embarrassment and shame.

Tao Yushu could understand why these staff members complained. If they made a NG every time, they would have to do the work again, so of course everyone was unhappy.

But isn’t this state a bit too unscrupulous?

Tao Yushu whispered to Zhang Cuiying, who said:
"People in the crew are like this. They are full of complaints when asked to do more work.

Maggie Cheung has just debuted and is not very famous, so they dare to be so unscrupulous. Let's see if they dare to be so presumptuous when Liza Wang comes instead!"

The two chatted casually and visited the place casually. Led by producer Huang Jiaxi, they came and went freely in the crew.

Wang Jing noticed the two women following Huang Jiaxi and suddenly stood up.

He greeted Zhang Cuiying enthusiastically, "Aunt Ying, why are you here on the set?"

"I brought my friends here to visit the set." Zhang Cuiying introduced Wang Jing and Tao Yushu to each other with a smile.

"Lin is so good!"

"Hello, Director Wang!"

Although he had been there for many days, Tao Yushu was still not used to the way Hong Kong people addressed married ladies.

"Jingzai has really made it. He's a big director now!" Zhang Cuiying praised with a smile.

"Aunt Ying, please stop making fun of me. I'm just trying to make a living."

Wang Jing wears glasses and has a fat face, and his eyes disappear when he smiles.

Wang Jing's father is Wang Tianlin. In his early years, he and Li Hanxiang both came from Yonghua Pictures, which is the predecessor of Dianmao. Wang Jing grew up under the care of Zhang Cuiying.

After the acquaintances met and chatted for a few more words, Wang Jing continued filming, while Zhang Cuiying and Tao Yushu watched with interest on the set.

"Modern Cinderella" is a typical romantic comedy in the style of Wong Jing, so the actors' body language and facial expressions are required to be a bit exaggerated.

During the whole morning, the leading actress Maggie Cheung kept making NGs. The more Wong Jing scolded her and the more the staff complained, the more nervous she became and the worse her performance became.

Finally, Wang Jing waved his hands helplessly, "Let's have the food! Let's have the food!"

The crew was having lunch break, and Wang Jing came to talk to Zhang Cuiying again, "Aunt Ying, I'm sorry. The crew is too busy filming, otherwise I would definitely treat you to a meal today."

"It doesn't matter, there will be another chance next time."

"Okay, my dad will treat us, let's invite Uncle Xiang!"

"Miser!"

Zhang Cuiying chatted with Wang Jing for a while, then asked Tao Yushu, "How is it, Yushu, are you used to the boxed lunches on the set?"

"This kind of food is already very good." Tao Yushu said with a smile.

Zhang Cuiying spoke Cantonese when she was talking to Wang Jing, and Mandarin when she was talking to Tao Yushu. Her introduction of Tao Yushu just now was also very vague. Wang Jing listened to their conversation and couldn't help but glance at Tao Yushu.

Judging from her accent, this "Mrs. Lin" must be from the mainland. She has a bright and attractive appearance and outstanding temperament, not inferior to a celebrity at all. I guess she comes from an extraordinary family.

Wang Jing thought that Li Hanxiang had been filming movies in the mainland in the past two years. It was possible that he was a high-ranking official or a noblewoman whom he met in the mainland and came to Hong Kong for a visit. Otherwise, how could he let Zhang Cuiying accompany him?
"Mrs. Lin is from the mainland?" Wang Jing asked in poor Mandarin.

"Yes."

“Are you an actor?”

"No, I used to work as a literary editor."

Wang Jing added: "You have such outstanding appearance that when I first saw you I thought you were a mainland movie star!"

The fat boy flattered Tao Yushu so loudly and clearly. Tao Yushu rarely enjoyed such treatment and didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Zhang Cuiying laughed, "Jingzai, you don't want Yushu to be an actor, do you?"

"Mrs. Lin has the qualifications to be the leading actress, but she is afraid of losing her status."

Wang Jing's words not only praised Tao Yushu, but also took into account Tao Yushu's possible hidden identity. It can be said that he was very thoughtful.

Tao Yushu smiled politely, while Zhang Cuiying smiled boldly, which attracted the attention of people around them, including the heroine Maggie Cheung.

(End of this chapter)