Against the Current Hong Kong 1979

Zhang Shuai'an strolled around the streets outside Chungking Mansions twice, then squatted down at a newsstand.

The man looking at the newsstand was an old man in his fifties, wearing flip-flops, reclining in a deck chair, listening to a Marseille report on a radio.

Zhang Shuai'an had only heard that Hong Kong people liked horse racing and betting before, but he never imagined it would become so widespread that even a newspaper vendor would keep up with the latest news.

However, this had nothing to do with Zhang Shuai'an; there were two or three young men squatting nearby reading newspapers and magazines.

Under normal circumstances, newsstand owners won't interfere with people browsing the newsstands, as long as they don't linger too long and disrupt their business.

"Sir, could you tell me which newspapers are selling best these days?"

Zhang Shuai'an glanced at the twenty different newspapers and magazines on the stall and felt a bit overwhelmed, so he asked for more information.

The old man squinted slightly, and without even lifting his eyelids when he heard the question, he slowly replied, "It's all here. If it's there, it's there; if it's not, it's not."

Zhang Shuai'an touched a needle that was neither too soft nor too hard, smiled awkwardly, and casually picked up a newspaper to read.

After glancing through it a couple of times, I realized this newspaper was really poorly made.

The news articles are boring, and the serialized novels are boring too; it's a waste of my time.

I flipped through it again and found Ming Pao, published by Jin Yong. It was quite good, with both news reports and editorials being quite insightful. The novel serialized there was Ni Kuang's Wesley series.

This series is probably Ni Kuang's most well-known novel. The name Wesley is said to be inspired by Wesley Village in Wan Chai District, Hong Kong. The first novel was "Diamond Flower" published in 1963, and the chapter currently being serialized is called "Toy".

Zhang Shuai'an spent some time reading it quickly and found it rambling. Ni Kuang was also a master at making money from manuscripts. In this era, he was undoubtedly the highest-paid writer in Hong Kong.

As for Jin Yong, he stopped writing many years ago, and he only writes for his own newspaper without taking any payment. He just wants to boost the newspaper's sales.

Zhang Shuai'an then flipped through newspapers such as Wenhui Daily and Xinmin Evening News, where the literary supplements were of varying quality.

He had no choice but to patiently ask the old man at the newsstand, "Excuse me, sir, which of these newspapers and magazines pays the most for articles?"

The old man didn't even look up, his attention completely on the radio: "It's all here. If it's there, it's there; if it's not, it's not. Find it yourself. Don't stop me from listening to Marseille."

Zhang Shuai'an had given up and was even too lazy to waste time at the stall.

"Want to make money by writing novels?"

Just then, a rather childish voice rang out from the side: "If you want to make quick money with your pen, then pick up 'Spring on Spring' and 'Peerless Beauty'! The erotic books in those books sell incredibly well. I heard that one erotic author has made so much money that he could almost buy a house."

Hearing the sound, Zhang Shuai'an turned his head and saw a boy in a security guard uniform. He was thin but had a large head and looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old.

He was leaning against the wall, flipping through a magazine, occasionally adjusting his ladle, giving off a rather "mature and composed" vibe.

"Forget about erotic books." Zhang Shuai'an smiled and said seriously, "I'm planning to write a serious novel. Do you have any good recommendations?"

The young security guard put down his magazine, sized up Zhang Shuai'an, who did indeed seem like a refined gentleman, and said, "If you want to write traditional novels, then copy *Contemporary Literature*, *Hong Kong Literature*, and *Wen Wei Po*; if you want to write romance novels, then choose *Xinbao*, *Sing Pao*, and *Kung Shui Daily*; if you want to write martial arts novels, then choose *Ming Pao Weekly*, *Xin Wan Pao*, and *Martial Arts World*; if you want to publish comics, then choose…"

This kid really knows what he's talking about, he sounds like a real expert.

"Young hero, what's your name?" Zhang Shuai'an couldn't help but become curious about him. "How do you know so much?"

The young security guard bowed slightly to Zhang Shuai'an with a touch of arrogance: "My surname is Luo, and my given name is Zhaohui. I am a security guard at Chungking Mansions. As for why I know so much, it's naturally because I am exceptionally intelligent and have keen ears."

Luo Zhaohui?

This name sounds familiar.

After a moment's thought, Zhang Shuai'an quickly thought of someone: the "real estate prodigy" who was famous and sensational in the port city in the 1980s and 90s.

He looked the other man up and down; his appearance vaguely resembled that of the arrogant middle-aged man in the newspaper.

This guy is truly a legendary figure. He dropped out of school at the age of 14 and entered the workforce, doing all sorts of jobs. In fact, he worked odd jobs and as a security guard at Chungking Mansions until he was 16. There, he met many people who made their fortunes in real estate, so at the age of 17, he boldly switched careers to become a real estate agent. In just a few years, he went from a nobody earning 900 yuan a month to a real estate tycoon with a net worth of hundreds of millions, which is why he was called "Prodigy Hui".

Unfortunately, his system doesn't work with men, so he can't get much out of this guy. But he can give him his money to invest when he has it later.

Zhang Shuai'an said casually, "Do you have any more detailed information? If I make a fortune writing novels, I'll invest in your small business and help you take off too."

Luo Zhaohui is indeed quite remarkable; at such a young age, he already knows how to monetize information: "Information is very valuable. You're just asking me for it without even asking?"

Zhang Shuai'an asked, "Then what do you want? I don't have much money right now, so thinking too much won't help."

"A roast chicken?" Luo Zhaohui asked tentatively.

Zhang Shuai'an nodded: "That's acceptable."

"Then let's talk about it after I get off work." Luo Zhaohui blinked excitedly. "I get off work at nine o'clock. Come to the security room on the first floor of the building then. Don't forget the roast chicken and beer too."

"What kind of alcohol can a minor drink?" Zhang Shuai'an flatly refused. "How about a can of cola?"

"Okay." Luo Zhaohui didn't haggle and nodded in agreement. "Alright, I have to go back to work now. We'll talk again tonight."

With that, he turned and went back into the building.

But just before entering the building, he paused for two seconds and said, "The highest-paying newspaper is the Oriental Daily News because it also has the highest circulation. Ming Pao is owned by Jin Yong. He's rather stingy and pays the least, but he's very famous. If you write well, he might personally recommend you and you'll become famous."

These words were very helpful to Zhang Shuai'an, at least saving him the trouble of blindly submitting articles.

Zhang Shuai'an read a few more newspapers. He didn't have a watch, but he guessed that Aunt He had probably finished shopping and returned by now.

So he casually bought Ming Pao Weekly, Oriental Daily News, and Wuxia World. After hesitating for a moment, he also bought Spring on Spring and sandwiched it among these newspapers and magazines.

He went to a nearby store and bought towels, toothbrushes, and other daily necessities, as well as some snacks and candies. He packed everything in a plastic bag and returned to Aunt He's house.

As soon as I reached the sixth floor, I heard the clanging and clattering sounds of cooking coming from the kitchen.

In the living room, He Jiatong was nowhere to be seen; only a boy and a girl were watching TV, clearly Aunt He's children.

"Handsome, could you please open the door?"

As soon as Zhang Shuai'an reached the door, he made eye contact with the little boy and said with a smile.

"Who are you?" The little boy looked about twelve or thirteen years old, his eyes full of curiosity.

"Qiang, don't be rude."

Aunt He was busy in the kitchen when she heard the noise and peeked out. "This is your cousin's good friend, Zhang Shuai'an. Shuai'an, this is my son, A-Qiang, and my daughter, Xiao-Jing."

A-Qiang was very obedient and went forward to open the door for Zhang Shuai'an.

Zhang Shuai'an casually slipped a candy into his hand and patted his head, saying, "Good boy."

Xiao Mei looked to be around fifteen years old, with delicate features, and her gaze towards Zhang Shuai'an held a different meaning.

Zhang Shuai'an naturally walked into the kitchen to help Aunt He prepare the ingredients, and casually asked, "What does Uncle do for a living? Why are you still working so late?"

Aunt He's husband is named Li Shuisheng, and he's just 45 years old this year. He used to be a carpenter, a bamboo weaver, and a taxi driver. Later, he was introduced to the industry as a scaffolder. After injuring his back, he couldn't do strenuous work and had been wanting to change careers. Coincidentally, someone he knew from before got a job as a set designer at Shaw Brothers Studio, so he recruited him as well.

The two children are named Li Yongmei, nicknamed Xiaomei, who is fifteen years old and in junior high school. Xiaoqiang's real name is Li Yongqiang, and he is still in elementary school.

Aunt He couldn't help but start scolding him: "He used to be a scaffolder, but he injured his back and never fully recovered, so he can't scaffold anymore. Recently, Shaw Brothers said they were going to make some kind of movie about scaffolding and invited him to be some kind of consultant. I don't know what they're up to. He's out early and back late, but I haven't seen him earn any money."

A movie set up in a makeshift theater?

Zhang Shuai'an was taken aback: Could it be Liu Jialiang's "Shaolin Tent Master"?