Against the Current Hong Kong 1979

"Ding-dong!"

The doorbell rang.

He Jiatong went to open the door and saw that it was Ling Zhijian: "Brother Jian, you're here really early."

"Are you eating instant noodles?"

Ling Zhijian was carrying a bunch of things, all of which were useful daily necessities.

He smelled the aroma as soon as he entered and said with a smile, "There are plenty of restaurants and eateries nearby, you can just order delivery."

Zhang Shuai'an said with some surprise, "These days, you don't even have cell phones, yet you already have food delivery?"

"What are you talking about?" Ling Zhijian looked at Zhang Shuai'an in confusion. "The restaurant has a contact number. Just write it down, call them, and have them deliver the food. What's this cell phone you're talking about?"

"It's nothing!" Zhang Shuai'an slapped his forehead. His brain had been tamed by his phone, and he subconsciously thought that food delivery was a product of the smartphone era.

What many don't know is that China already had food delivery services during the Song Dynasty. Customers would typically order food and a delivery time from a restaurant in advance. Once the time arrived, the restaurant would send a waiter with the food container to deliver it to their door.

These days, many restaurants also offer delivery services. You can simply call to order, and if you have a good relationship with the restaurant, you can even postpone the meal payment until the end of the month.

Ling Zhijian added, "You can negotiate a price with a restaurant and have them deliver your food at a set time every day. There's no need to end up eating instant noodles like that."

"Brother Jian, why didn't you say so sooner?" He Jiatong replied speechlessly.

Ling Zhijian laughed and said, "I didn't know you guys didn't even know this."

"Alright, alright." Zhang Shuai'an waved his hand. "Brother Jian, you've come at the right time. Let's discuss something together."

Ling Zhijian put down what he was holding, picked out a chair, and sat down closer. "Go on," he said.

He Jiatong quickly scrambled the leftovers in her bowl, then tilted her head back and drank the noodle soup. She put down her bowl and chopsticks and sat down.

"I've been thinking about this seriously these past few days."

Zhang Shuai'an said seriously, "Whether it's signing with TVB, RTV, or Golden Harvest under Jackie Chan, in the end, we're just working for others. All we get is soup and water."

He looked Ling Zhijian into the eyes: "If you want to get rich and make big money, you still have to start your own company, develop projects, attract investment, and make movies!"

"Anzai, do you really want to start a company?" Although Ling Zhijian had expected this, he hesitated when he heard it. "You need to think this through. Making movies isn't that simple. It's completely different from making TV dramas. Many big shots have gone bankrupt after starting companies."

Zhang Shuai'an nodded: "Of course, starting a company involves risks, but the greater the risk, the higher the potential return, isn't that right?"

Ling Zhijian said, "Then why not try investing in stocks, or even betting on horses?"

"No, no, no." Zhang Shuai'an has always avoided things with a gambling element. "I have plenty of scripts and ideas in my head... I just lacked fame and funding before."

"Things are different now. I already have fame, and if I take on one or two more films and sell some novel scripts... the money I earn will be enough to make one or two movies."

Ling Zhijian couldn't help but think of the news he had seen that morning: Zhang Shuai'an had asked Shao Yifu for two million, but was flatly rejected.

He knew the story about being kicked out was a lie.

But he had already inquired with Fatty Wang about the asking price of two million, and it was indeed true.

With that kind of courage, there is indeed a chance of success.

"Brother Jian, you've been working at TVB for over ten years and you've only managed to become a production assistant, earning a fixed salary of less than two thousand a month."

Zhang Shuai'an stared intently at Ling Zhijian, his tone laced with seductive allure: "Even if you stay at TVB for another ten years, how much will your salary increase? Will you have any hope of promotion?"

Ling Zhijian gave a bitter smile. Given his qualifications and background, it would be difficult for him to get promoted even if he worked for another ten or twenty years.

"I run a company and I really need talented people. Once you join, you'll be a founding member of the company, and the position of production manager will be yours."

Zhang Shuai'an immediately painted a rosy picture for Ling Zhijian: "Back then, you could gather some talented brothers who were also struggling at TVB and build your own team. Wouldn't that be much better than working at Shaw Brothers Studio with free meals every day?"

Ling Zhijian was still somewhat hesitant. It was true that his salary at TVB was low, but it was stable. He also had a wife and children to support, so he really had to consider everything carefully.

Zhang Shuai'an continued to persuade him, "Brother Jian, think it through. You're not even forty yet. Have you completely lost your drive? You and your wife are probably going to have children, right? When they grow up, will you be able to live on that meager salary?"

Ling Zhi sighed softly and said, "Anzai, stop talking. I'll join. I'm really not willing to be buried in Shaw Brothers films for the rest of my life. I'll give it my all while I'm still young."

"That's right!" Zhang Shuai'an smiled and patted Ling Zhijian on the shoulder: "Keep an eye out for any good talent at TVB these next few days. Once the company is up and running, you can poach them all."

Ling Zhijian nodded, his mindset instantly changing, and then said softly, "If possible, I think it's necessary to poach Wang Jing."

"Oh, you think so too?" Zhang Shuai'an immediately became interested. "What are the chances of recruiting him?"

Ling Zhijian thought for a moment and said, "At least 70%."

"What do you mean?" Zhang Shuai'an asked with some doubt. "He's Wang Tianlin's son. He shouldn't lack opportunities at Shaw Brothers, right?"

"He has no shortage of opportunities, but he lacks money!" Ling Zhijian said with a smile. "This fat man is very shrewd and enjoys life. His salary from Shaw Brothers is not enough for him at all. However, he is also a cunning person. If he doesn't see any substantial benefits, he will carefully observe from the sidelines."

Zhang Shuai, understanding perfectly, said, "I understand. We have to produce some results before this fat guy will take the bait."

The three of them discussed the details of setting up the company, and before they knew it, it was three or four o'clock in the afternoon.

Zhang Shuai'an gathered his scattered thoughts and said, "It's almost time. Let's go to the Peninsula Hotel. We still need to have afternoon tea with Liren."

After resting for a while, the three of them went downstairs together.

We rode in Ling Zhijian's car and headed to the Peninsula Hotel.

Upon arriving at the Peninsula Hotel, Ling Zhijian parked the car on the side of the road and said, "Jiatong and I won't go in; we'll just find somewhere outside to stay."

"Okay." Zhang Shuai'an got out of the car and walked slowly towards the Peninsula Hotel.

This was his first time here, and everything seemed new and exciting.

I'd always heard that the tea and snacks here were quite good, and that Shaw Brothers often came here for tea. Later, many celebrities and filmmakers would wait for Boss Shaw here. Gradually, it became a popular spot for many celebrities. For example, Leslie Cheung, Cherie Chung, and Maggie Cheung became regulars here.

As he walked towards the tea restaurant, the waiter standing at the door asked, "Sir, do you have a reservation?"

Zhang Shuai'an said, "We didn't make a reservation, so just arrange a private room for us."

"Okay, come with me." The waiter looked at Zhang Shuai'an and felt that he looked familiar, but he maintained an appropriate social distance and led him to a private room.

"By the way, my name is Zhang Shuai'an."

After Zhang Shuai'an sat down, he casually ordered two or three tea snacks, a cup of coffee, and a pot of Longjing tea. He then instructed the waiter, "If any of my friends named McDonald Bear and Li Zhaoxiong come looking for me later, please bring them over."

"No problem." The waiter nodded.

Soon, coffee and tea were served.

Zhang Shuai'an leisurely enjoyed his tea and coffee while gazing at the beautiful scenery of Victoria Harbour.

There were indeed quite a few foreigners here, and I even saw two Indian men with their heads wrapped up.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

Zhang Shuai'an first caught a whiff of a young girl's fragrance, and then a soft moan rang in his ear.

He turned his head and was immediately met with a pair of bright, sparkling eyes.

The person who came was Rosamund Kwan.

Zhang Shuai'an greeted him casually, "It is indeed quite a coincidence!"

"The last time I met you, you were nobody. I never imagined that you would become a big star in just a few days."

Rosamund Kwan naturally smoothed out her skirt and sat down opposite Zhang Shuai'an: "No wonder the ancients said, 'A day apart feels like three autumns.'"

"That's not how you use that phrase," Zhang Shuai'an explained with a smile. "'A day apart feels like three autumns' means that not seeing someone for a day feels like three years. It's often used to describe how missing someone feels like an eternity."

Rosamund Kwan blinked her expressive eyes, a faint smile on her face: "Then I wasn't wrong."

This fairy is really good at flirting!

Most men simply couldn't resist her, no wonder she later became the favorite of so many wealthy men.

"Rosa, what are you doing here!"

Just as the two were getting into a somewhat ambiguous conversation, an untimely voice rang out.

The person who arrived was Peter Wen, whom I had met briefly at the nightclub before.