A grand feast for the Chinese entertainment industry

Chapter 20 Sect Prodigies
April 5th, the agreed-upon day to depart for Ganggang.

But when everyone met at the airport, Lin Jianlu was a little overwhelmed—excluding himself, there were as many as seven people in the group, making it seem like a particularly large and impressive entourage.

Lin Jianlu originally thought that only Xue Zhongding, the elder brother, would accompany him.

After all, within Rolling Stone, he was essentially his own manager, specifically responsible for his own affairs.

Considering it's their first time going to Hong Kong, their agent, Ge Fuhong, might accompany them.

As it turned out, not only did Lao Duan and Duan Zhongtan appear in the group, but Zhang Aijia also came at the same time. Ge Fuhong and Zhang Aijia each brought an assistant. Then, Ge Fuhong pushed a stunningly beautiful woman in front of Lin Jianlu, saying, "This is Lin Xilei. You've seen her picture. Her filming has already finished, and she's currently in Taiwan without any work. I'll arrange for her to be your assistant for a while. I'll pay her salary."

But Lin Jianlu couldn't care less about this beautiful woman right now. He spread his hands and said, "Gentlemen, is such a grand gesture really necessary?"

The record company boss, along with two big-name agents, escorted him to Hong Kong, which made Lin Jianlu suddenly feel like a prodigy from a sect—but is it really that bad?
Old Duan smiled but didn't say anything. Ge Fuhong also smiled but only said, "It's necessary."

Finally, Sylvia Chang took the initiative to explain, saying, "Hong Kong is not like Taiwan. In the last ten years or so, there hasn't really been an entertainment industry in Taiwan. The film industry has long since died out, and all that's left is a bit of the record industry, a few TV stations that make some TV dramas, or maybe some variety shows. But Hong Kong is different. Hong Kong's movies, TV dramas, records, media, and even newspapers and magazines are incredibly prosperous. In the last twenty years, so many people have made a living in Hong Kong's entertainment industry, all sorts of people from all walks of life!"

Okay, got it.

Therefore, I am indeed the sect's prodigy.

As one of the three major record companies in the Chinese music scene, Rock Records has always been powerful and has an excellent reputation. Even in Hong Kong, Duan Qirui still has influence. Anyone in the record industry or music scene has to give him some face. Not to mention, Luo Da came to Hong Kong a long time ago and opened a subsidiary of Rock Records. Therefore, Rock Records has long since penetrated Hong Kong and has its own base and influence there.

Both Leslie Cheung and Aaron Kwok signed their singer contracts with Rock Records.

Zhang Aijia needs no introduction. She has close relationships with many big names in the Hong Kong film industry, including Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung, Chow Yun-fat, Wong Jing, Wong Pak-ming, and Tsui Hark.

Ge Fuhong was even more of a big name than the two mentioned above. Lin Jianlu recently inquired about a lot of information and learned that as early as the mid-1980s, when the Hong Kong film industry was booming, some triads also opened companies to make movies. Naturally, some disgusting things, such as kidnapping actors to film sets and not paying them after filming, began to appear one after another. Most actors did not dare to resist in front of triads. But at that time, Ge Fuhong was already someone who dared to openly confront triads and managed to snatch her own artists back.

Why? Because she is backed by Taiwan's Era Group, and because although Taiwan's own film industry has collapsed, it has always been an important market for Hong Kong films. Her man can make a fuss in Taiwan's media industry, and even Hong Kong's film industry will be shaken. Not to mention, many so-called triads in Hong Kong have Taiwan's shadow behind them, just the remnants of the Kuomintang!

So, with these three big shots stepping in together to protect the sect's prodigies, any potential dangers in Hong Kong can be eliminated without a trace.

"Actually, I don't have much luggage, I can carry it myself!"

"It's okay, Brother Lu. I'm your assistant now, so of course I'll help you with your luggage."

Oh dear, 21-year-old Lin Xilei stood before him. Although she was only wearing canvas shoes, not making full use of her already tall 167cm advantage, her posture was graceful, her figure tall and hot, coupled with her charming yet delicate face, making Lin Jianlu feel somewhat awkward for a moment. It wasn't that she wasn't attractive, but having such a beautiful woman as his assistant just didn't fit his established strategy of quietly making some money and then leaving to retire in the capital.

But he understood Ge Fuhong's intentions. Now that he was famous, those around him would be big shots with connections and resources in the Hong Kong entertainment industry. For a newcomer like Lin Xilei, who had just played a small role in a Taiwanese drama, her next opportunity might come if someone just glanced at her or if Lin Jianlu said something opportune.

That's why there's the saying, "I'll pay your salary!"
It wouldn't be good to refuse her.

After signing the agency contract, they could be considered fellow students. A little help was something that someone who became famous first should do. Moreover, although it was only for a few days, Lin Jianlu was very satisfied with Ge Fuhong, the agent, from her skills and abilities to her words and actions.

Since it's free, I'll just use it for now!
While waiting for her flight, Lin Jianlu noticed a shop selling hats near the terminal, so she got up, went over, bought a baseball cap, and put it directly on Lin Xilei's head, pressing the brim down. "It's for you!"

…………

This is my second time visiting Hong Kong, but this is my first time actually landing here.

These days, Hong Kong is still using Kai Tak Airport, and every takeoff and landing is quite thrilling.

After leaving the airport, I went straight to the hotel, and surprisingly, my treatment was upgraded. I was moved to a suite, which had a standard one-bedroom apartment with a living room and a small kitchenette. The whole room felt like it was 70 or 80 square meters! And it was a sea-view room.

After a simple lunch at the hotel, the group went to Lin Jianlu's room and held a brief meeting in the living room. The meeting was mainly attended by the head of publicity and distribution for Rock Records in Hong Kong, who explained the upcoming schedule to Lin Jianlu. Of course, the two agents also gave their feedback.

The other side immediately presented an eleven-day promotional schedule, several pages long. While Lin Jianlu was still looking at it, Ge Fuhong had already picked up a pen and started deleting from the schedule. Lao Duan didn't say anything, but the person in charge of publicity tried to speak several times. In the end, Ge Fuhong wasn't finished after deleting everything; she handed it to Zhang Aijia. Zhang Aijia took it, looked it over, and didn't delete anything more, but she did explain, "First, it's too packed. Hong Kong isn't that big to begin with, so there's no need to schedule it so frequently. Second, we don't participate in every event; we definitely won't go to bars!"

After finishing speaking, I handed the schedule back.

The publicity manager turned to look at Duan Zhongtan, who waved his hand, not even bothering to see what Ge Fuhong had just deleted, and said directly, "Do it this way!"

So, of course, that's how it was decided.

As everyone gradually got up to leave, Ge Fuhong deliberately stayed a little longer. Her assistant, holding some kind of device, had been scanning the room while everyone was discussing matters. The assistant told her, "No problem, very clean." Ge Fuhong nodded, walked over, and smiled, "Taiwan has been number one in sales for four weeks, and even increased in the fourth week, with total sales reaching 66 copies. Hong Kong has also been number one for two weeks, with total sales of 24 copies. Ah Lu, you are now the biggest star in the entire Chinese music scene. Don't bow down to anyone except your fans!"

Lin Jianlu pursed her lips, then smiled. To Ge Fuhong's surprise, she suddenly opened her arms and gently hugged her before saying, "OK! Thanks, Sister Ge!"

(End of this chapter)