Huayu: Reborn in 97, transferring to the Central Academy of Drama's star-studded class

In its early days, the Sun Yee On triad was roughly equivalent to a combination of Hung Hing and Tung Sing.

Xiang Huaqiang was the person in charge, the heir apparent. This big shot's most farsighted move was successfully laundering a triad organization into legitimate business.

Johnnie To, Wang Jing, Tsui Hark, Lien-kit Lee, Anita Mui, Andy Lau, and so many others are either under his command, have deep collaborations with him, or have benefited greatly from his kindness.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they control half of Hong Kong's entertainment industry.

As the saying goes, fame brings trouble, and this law applies to the entertainment industry as well, even to Stephen Chow, who is known as Master Xing.

Is offending Hong Kong and Taiwan capital, as well as mainland capital, a matter of his character? No.

Everyone knows that a movie with Stephen Chow's name on it is bound to be a box office hit, so they will exploit him as much as possible and try to hold him firmly in their hands.

This is the capital that allows them to devour people without spitting out the bones.

In Hong Kong, a place so small and isolated, any news can spread very quickly.

The news that Stephen Chow has confirmed his attendance at "Skyfall" spread like wildfire, and Hong Kong media outlets are saying that the big boss simply can't control Stephen Chow. How could the big boss, as an industry giant, tolerate this?

So they asked Mrs. Heung to question Andy Lau, but he didn't say anything and gave a vague answer.

Seeing this, Mrs. Xiang did not press the matter further, as the two sides still had a long-term cooperative relationship and it was not good to break off relations. However, Mrs. Xiang knew that this was definitely not Andy Lau's idea, so she continued to inquire from various sources.

Finally, attention turned to Yibao Pictures, the company that invested in Skyscreen.

What is this thing? I've never even heard of it. Are these small companies in mainland China overstepping their bounds?

After making some further inquiries, it turned out that Jiang Zhiqiang, the head of Anle, had a connection with the company. Mrs. Xiang went directly to Jiang Zhiqiang and asked him to pass on a message to Yibao Film Industry.

"You mean, the other party told me not to get involved in their affairs, or I'd have to bear the consequences?"

Jiang Lai tilted his head, holding his phone between his shoulder and his arm, fiddling with the large, bulky computer in front of him.

On the other end of the phone was Jiang Zhiqiang, his voice filled with worry, "Lai Zai, if you want to develop your career in Hong Kong, you'd better not offend the Xiang family, they..."

"Boss Jiang," Jiang Lai interrupted him, straightening up and dusting his hands, "I do whatever I feel like, I don't care whether I go to Hong Kong to develop my career, and besides..."

"Besides, things are different now, Mr. Jiang. Don't dwell on past glories."

Jiang Zhiqiang fell silent.

"Alright, Lai Zai, since you put it that way, I won't try to persuade you anymore. Don't worry, I support you."

Jiang Lai smiled and said, "Thanks, Boss Jiang. I'll treat you to tea sometime."

"Then I'll have to make you pay for this."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two hung up the phone. Jiang Lai put his phone back in his pocket and continued fiddling with the computer.

The computer was newly bought, mainly for Zhang Ziyi to use to relieve boredom. He took Zhang Ziyi's words to heart and cleaned up one of the houses for Zhang Ziyi to live in.

Zhang Ziyi was initially unwilling, saying she would have to pay rent, otherwise she wouldn't feel at ease living there. Jiang said it was her own place anyway, and it would be empty anyway, so she reluctantly agreed.

He was squatting under the desk, struggling with a bunch of messy loose threads.

Who was that just now?

Zhang Ziyi walked over carrying a plate of fruit.

"Nobody." Jiang Lai crawled out from under the table, smoothed his hair, and pointed to the computer on the table. "It's installed for you, want to try it out?"

"I don't really understand this either, as long as it works, it's fine." Zhang Ziyi broke off a segment of orange and fed it to Jiang Lai.

Jiang Lai smiled, walked to the window, pointed outside, and said, "How is it? This neighborhood is nice, isn't it? It's the top-floor apartment at Gongyuan No. 6, close to the school. The landscaping is excellent. Look at the trees, the flower beds, and..."

"Will you come and live with us?" Zhang Ziyi suddenly interrupted him.

Jiang Lai scratched his head. "Well... I can come occasionally, but my family is very strict."

He looked a little guilty after he finished speaking, and his eyes drifted to the window.

Zhang Ziyi stared at him for a few seconds, then smirked. "Fine, occasionally it is."

Jiang Lai breathed a sigh of relief and quickly changed the subject, "By the way, do you want to come to Hong Kong with me at the end of the month?"

Zhang Ziyi looked up, blinked, and said, "Director Zhang Yimou said he's going to the Berlin Film Festival, didn't he tell you?"

Jiang Lai was taken aback for a moment, "No."

He frowned, picked up his phone, found Zhang Yi's number, and dialed it.

"Hey, Xiao Jiang?"

"Director Zhang, I heard you're going to Berlin?"

"Yeah, we're leaving at the end of the month. Didn't Ziyi tell you?" Zhang Yi's voice was laced with laughter. "Xiao Jiang, you two aren't getting along well."

Jiang Lai coughed lightly, not responding to the question, "Is 'My Father and Mother' participating in the exhibition?"

"Yes, the main competition unit."

"Alright, when are you leaving?"

"I need to go there earlier at the end of the month; there are still some things to coordinate over there."

Jiang Lai thought for a moment, "Then let Ziyi go. I won't go. I have to go to Hong Kong at the end of the month."

"You're not coming?" Zhang Yi was a little surprised. "This is the Berlin Film Festival. What if you win an award? It would be such a great opportunity to get exposure."

"Then you should let Ziyi show his face more often," Jiang Lai said with a smile.

"Alright, you go ahead with your work. Leave Ziyi to me, don't worry."

"Okay, thank you, Director Zhang."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Lai turned around, and Zhang Ziyi fed him another segment of orange.

"Really not coming along? Like Director Zhang said, what if we win an award?"

Jiang Lai reached out and pinched her cheek. "If you win an award, you'll stand on the stage and let the whole world see you. How glamorous that would be!"

Zhang Ziyi slapped his hand away, pouted, and said, "Then I'll go by myself."

After saying that, he turned and walked out.

"Where are you going?"

"I'll go buy groceries and cook for you." Zhang Ziyi picked up her bag.

"Shall I go with you?"

"No need, you can continue tidying up." Zhang Ziyi waved her hand, then turned back at the door, "By the way, what do you want to eat?"

"Anything is fine," Jiang Lai smiled.

Zhang Ziyi rolled her eyes at him, "Anything is fine, but that's the hardest thing to do."

After saying that, he went out the door.

Jiang Lai listened to her footsteps disappear into the corridor, then turned around and sat down on the sofa.

He lit a cigarette, took a puff, and leaned back into the sofa.

The situation in Hong Kong is not over yet.

But Jiang Lai was not afraid.

This is no longer the golden age of Hong Kong cinema, and the Heung family's influence is not what it used to be.

He took out his phone, found a number, and dialed it.

"Hey, Third Master, busy?"

Han Sanping's voice on the other end of the phone sounded a little surprised, "Xiao Jiang? It's rare for you to call me, what's up?"

"Third Master, I have something to ask you." Jiang Lai flicked his cigarette ash. "For Hong Kong films to be imported to the mainland, do they need your approval?"

"What, you have ideas?"

"I was just asking," Jiang Lai said with a smile.

"This matter is neither particularly difficult nor particularly easy." Han Sanping paused, "It depends on what kind of film, what kind of company, and who is negotiating with."

Jiang Lai understood the meaning behind his words, "Alright, Third Master, I'll come to see you later and we can talk in person."

"Sure, you're welcome anytime."

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Lai smiled. Did they really think he was an easy target?

He then dialed another number.

"Hey, Ying-jie, I have a question for you. Can you really influence public relations for film festivals?"