Against the Current Hong Kong 1979

Chapter 132 My Fourth Sister-in-Law is Like My Own Sister-in-Law (2nd Update, Please Subscribe)

"Oh, what did you say, Sister La?"

Zhang Shuai'an looked at Di Bona with feigned confusion.

"You're still pretending!"

Debona glanced at Xie Xian subconsciously and found that he was engrossed in reading the script and not paying attention to them. So she pinched Zhang Shuai'an and said, "The character you're setting in this movie is clearly a veiled reference to... "

"I didn't," Zhang Shuai'an quickly shook his head in denial. "I showed the script to Mr. Zou as soon as it was finished, and he recommended your husband for the role. As for you, it was Fourth Brother who recommended me personally; it has absolutely nothing to do with me."

Deborah clearly didn't believe these excuses: "Then why did you take the role yourself?"

"Even though it's an art film, we still have to consider its commercial value."

Zhang Shuai'an explained earnestly, "I still have some appeal. With me in the cast, I can at least guarantee some box office success."

Deborah agreed with this assessment; indeed, the only role in the entire film that was suitable for Zhang Shi'an to play was Lei Li.

Moreover, only someone as handsome as Zhang Shuai'an could make Aisha's infidelity seem more reasonable.

More than half an hour later, Xie Xian finished reading "The King of Gamblers," though he only skimmed through it.

Even so, he was still amazed by the incredible plot.

"I really don't know how your brain works; how could you write a script like this!"

Xie Xian put down the script, his face beaming with excitement: "The role of Luo Sihai is absolutely tailor-made for me. Anzai, you're my confidant!"

"Fourth Brother, you flatter me!" Zhang Shuai'an replied with a smile. "Who doesn't know that Fourth Brother was handsome and dashing in his youth, and possessed amazing gambling skills!"

"You're wrong!" Xie Xian said smugly, "I love gambling, and I've won a lot of money. It's just that then I met Xiao—"

At this point, he glanced at Deborah and, seeing that she didn't react much, continued, "I met Xiao Fangfang, and she forced me to quit gambling. Actually, I've always gambled in small amounts for fun, and I often win money, so I'm not addicted. What's there to quit? It's just playing a few rounds with friends."

Then, Xie Xian added with a displeased look, "Women are just so immature, so I dumped her later."

Upon hearing this, Debona smiled slightly but said nothing.

She then handed him the copy of "Blood Simple": "Then Fourth Brother, take another look at this movie script."

Xie Xian didn't think much of it and casually took the script and started flipping through it.

He had only read a few pages when he suddenly frowned, closed the script, and glanced at the movie's title on the cover.

He didn't glean anything from the movie's title, so he flipped back to read the script.

This time he finished reading it in just over ten minutes.

"Great script!"

Xie Xian closed the script, shaking his head as he exclaimed, "It's truly a great script. No screenwriter in Hong Kong could write one like this."

Debona said with a smile, "Anzai wrote it down."

"So he's not from Hong Kong." Xie Xian answered directly: "Such a script is either something that has been accumulated through life experiences and flows naturally, or something that has been refined from the wisdom of predecessors after watching countless films."

He remarked with a sigh, "Few Hong Kong filmmakers today have that kind of courage, nor do they want to spend time researching what kind of film to make. They just want to cobble together a few scenes, finish filming quickly, release it as soon as possible, and make a quick buck."

Dibona also came to her senses. The newspaper said that Zhang Shuai'an had swum over from the mainland, and it seemed that it had been less than half a year.

In less than half a year, he has achieved what he has today. I have to say, this kid is a genius!

"This script is good; it certainly has the potential to win awards."

Although Xie Xian felt that something was off about the plot, he thought back to the scripts from Europe and America, which were even more outrageous than this one, so he let it go.

Debona asked, "When will filming begin?"

Xie Xian was also quite concerned about this issue, as his primary job at present was still filming television dramas. If he had to choose between the two scripts, he would obviously prefer to film "The King of Gamblers".

"

Zhang Shi'an said patiently, "Tianxia Film Studio is still small and can't produce two films at the same time. Therefore, filming for 'Blood Simple' is not expected to begin until October."

"There are still two or three months left." Xie Xian immediately felt relieved, patted the script of "The King of Gamblers", and said, "I'll show this script to Uncle Shao first, and film it. Two months should be enough."

"Okay." Zhang Shuai'an nodded.

Xie Xian was in a great mood and got up to hug Zhang Shuai'an: "Anzai, you are really my lucky star. Thank you so much this time. If you need any help in the future, just ask. I won't charge you a penny for any scenes other than the lead role."

That's a good favor. Xie Xian's villainous roles are quite interesting, like in *Shaolin Soccer*.

The strong man in the story is quite intimidating.

Before long, Xie Xian and Di Bona signed a contract with Zhang Shuai'an's Tianxia Film Industry.

Although Xie Xian had previously said he didn't want any money, Zhang Shuai'an still couldn't refuse, so he set a friendly price of HK$180,000. Deborah's previous salary for "Chasing Girls" was HK$66,000, but this time it rose to HK$98,000, just one step away from HK$100,000, which is already considered one of the highest salaries for actresses these days.

"Come visit me anytime!"

As Xie Xian was saying goodbye, he said to Zhang Shuai'an, "While I'm gone, please take care of my wife and find her to act in some plays or something."

Zhang Shuai'an looked at Di Bona and smiled sincerely: "Of course. Fourth Sister-in-law is like my own sister-in-law, I will definitely take good care of her."

Dibona's mind conjured up some unpleasant images, and her pretty face immediately flushed red. Taking advantage of Xie Xian's inattention, she glared fiercely at Zhang Shuai'an.

A few more days passed.

Zhang Shuai'an arrived at the Qingshuiwan film set in Ling Zhijian's car.

Today is the day of the blessing ceremony for the start of filming of "Thirty-Six Strategies for Chasing Girls," and he, as the boss, will definitely come to show his support.

The people at Shaw Brothers Studio were quite astonished. Zhang Shuai'an's movies had already been shown in Golden Harvest theaters, yet he dared to film his new movie in Clearwater Bay.

Everyone at Shaw Brothers knew how much Boss Shaw hated Chow Wen-huai. Originally, the Golden Harvest crew preferred to film on the streets rather than come to Clearwater Bay to shoot movies.

However, both Zhang Shuai'an and Fatty Wang had close ties with Shao Yifu, and no one dared to stop them from coming.

When the subordinates reported this to Shao Yifu, Boss Shao simply waved his hand, telling them to leave it alone.

He had just received the script for "The King of Gamblers," and his liking for Zhang Shuai'an had increased significantly.

Shao Yifu also specifically instructed the cinema manager: "From now on, when Zhang Shuai'an's people come over, there's no need to report. They can do whatever they want."

This film is the first movie that Wang Pangzi has directed on his own. He was very nervous, and even invited his father, Wang Tianlin, to attend the opening ceremony.

Many former employees of Shaw Brothers and TVB also came to show their support. For example, Chiu Chun-keung, Fok Yiu-leung, To Kei-fung, and so on—almost everyone who had worked with Fatty Wong was there.

The filming officially began only after Zhang Shi'an arrived.

Zhang Shuai'an stood in the front row, holding three incense sticks. Wang Pangzi and Chen Xunqi followed closely behind, offering incense and paying their respects to Guan Yu.

Finally, Zhang Shuai'an announced loudly, "I hereby declare '36 Strategies for Chasing Girls' officially in production! Wishing the filming great success and a box office smash!"

Upon hearing this, He Jiatong immediately set off firecrackers.

Not far away, Wang Tianlin beamed with joy, feeling immensely gratified. His simple-minded son had finally chosen the right person to follow.