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

The banquet hall was filled with a lively atmosphere and bright lights. Long tables were adorned with flowers and champagne towers, and waiters carried trays through the crowd.

They actually call them waiters here, but Jiang Lai thinks it's easier to call them waiters.

A group of celebrities and bigwigs gathered together, laughing and chatting. If a brick were thrown, who knows how many Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director would be hit.

Yes, he deserves the best director award.

Jiang Lai sat in the corner, watching all of this, and suddenly realized that the Hong Kong entertainment circle was actually quite small.

It's always the same people, no matter where they go.

A commotion broke out in the room. Jiang Lai turned his head and saw that Anita Mui had changed into a bright red dress and gracefully entered the room, just like her name, outshining all the other beauties.

The cameras of the reporters on the sidelines were flashing so brightly it was almost blinding.

"Hey, why do you guys have to change your clothes halfway through?" Jiang Lai turned his head away, his eyes still fixed on what was ahead.

Zhang Manyu, who was standing next to him, rolled her eyes at him, too lazy to explain.

This corner is purely for finding peace and quiet. On the other side is a kind-hearted citizen, Mr. Liu, also known as Liu Qingyun.

After greeting the people he knew, he also came over, nodded to Jiang Lai and Zhang Manyu, and then quietly sat down to one side, like a withdrawn child.

"Wow! Lai Zai, I'm so busy, and you're just relaxing here!"

Andy Lau ran over, covered in sweat, nodded to the other two, picked up the teapot, poured himself a cup of tea, drank it all in one gulp, and kept fanning his clothes.

"Brother Hua, sit down and rest for a while." Jiang Lai patted the empty seat on the sofa.

"No, I have other things to do. Lai Zai, I'm thinking of letting you..."

Another commotion broke out, and Liu Dehua's words were interrupted. Jiang Lai thought it was another female star trying to outshine him.

He looked up.

Stephen Chow walked in.

He was dressed in a black Zhongshan suit, his hair neatly combed, making him stand out from the other people in suits and ties.

He walked with a steady gait and a calm expression, revealing no emotion.

The scene fell silent for a moment, then returned to its lively atmosphere, but everyone's eyes were fixed on him.

Zhou Xingchi looked around and spotted Jiang Lai, who was also wearing a Zhongshan suit, in the corner.

Jiang Lai stood up and raised the teacup in his hand.

Stephen Chow smiled and walked towards him.

"Stephen Chow." Maggie Cheung stood up.

"No, no, I don't deserve it," Stephen Chow quickly waved his hand, smiling modestly. "Just call me Sing-jai."

Andy Lau stood up with a smile, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Come on, let me introduce you."

He turned to the side and pointed to Jiang Lai, "This is Jiang Lai, the boss of Yibao Film Industry in mainland China, and also our partner at Skyfilm."

Then he pointed to Stephen Chow, "Lai Zai, I don't need to introduce him, right?"

"No need," Jiang Lai said excitedly, extending his hand. "Hello, Mr. Stephen Chow! I'm a huge fan!"

Maggie Cheung, standing to the side, pouted.

Stephen Chow firmly grasped Jiang Lai's hand. "Mr. Jiang, you're too kind. Thank you for your help this time. Now someone is willing to invest in my movie."

After they sat down, Jiang Lai laughed and said, "Just because of your name, Stephen Chow, even without me, your movies would still have investors."

Stephen Chow smiled shyly.

"By the way, what kind of movie are you going to make?" Jiang Lai asked.

"The current tentative title is 'Shaolin Soccer'," Stephen Chow said. "The script has been in preparation for quite some time, but we haven't had the chance to film it yet."

Jiang Lai nodded, about to say something, when a staff member jogged over, "Brother Hua, there's been a bit of a problem over there, you need to go take a look."

Andy Lau frowned, stood up, nodded to the group, and said, "You guys chat first, I'll go get back to work."

After saying that, he hurriedly left with the staff.

The remaining few people huddled in a corner and started chatting.

Perhaps because it was Andy Lau's home turf, the conversation mainly revolved around him. Jiang Lai could tell that Stephen Chow and Andy Lau had always had a good relationship in private.

The reason why the two rarely cooperate can be summed up in four words: "Kings don't meet."

In the film "God of Gamblers II" that they collaborated on, Stephen Chow's strong personal style turned a supporting role into a leading one. Although they collaborated on several films afterward, the pressure of pay and screen time issues made it difficult for directors and investors to handle.

This is the case for most movies; once they have one big star, they rarely cast another.

The group chatted happily. Stephen Chow didn't say much, but every sentence he uttered was insightful, and he would occasionally throw out a dry joke, making Maggie Cheung cover her mouth and laugh.

Jiang Lai discovered that this person was not as difficult to get along with as the outside world had said; he was just a bit slow to warm up and needed time to get him talking.

Time flies, and it was already nine o'clock at night.

Andy Lau walked onto the stage and stood in front of the microphone, dressed in a sharp suit.

Good evening, distinguished guests and friends.

The entire room fell silent, and all eyes were on him.

"Thank you all for gracing us with your presence tonight at the Sky Curtain Reborn banquet. Sky Curtain has been through a lot of ups and downs over the years. I have thought about giving up, but in the end I was unwilling to do so."

He paused, his sincere gaze sweeping across the entire room.

"Because once you fall in love with movies, you can't quit."

A burst of good-natured laughter rang out from the audience.

Andy Lau continued, "Today, I officially announce that Teamwork Motion Pictures has completed its restructuring and is embarking on a new journey!"

"In the future, Sky Films will continue to invest in and produce films, and will continue to support new directors and actors, giving talented young people with dreams an opportunity."

"I know this road is difficult, but someone has to walk it."

The applause rang out, warm and sincere.

Next, Andy Lau introduced the business direction of Teamwork Entertainment and its subsequent filming plans. These were mainly for the media, in order to increase brand awareness.

Another round of applause erupted. After it subsided, Andy Lau said, "Finally, please allow me to invite my boss to the stage to give a speech."

Jiang Lai was sitting in the corner clapping, wondering if Andy Lau had a boss? Then he saw Andy Lau waving at him from the stage.

He paused for a moment, then pointed to himself.

Andy Lau nodded.

"Come on, son! Go up and say a few words!" Anita Mui was the first to speak up, her voice so loud that it could be heard throughout the entire banquet hall.

"Yeah, Mr. Jiang, say something!" Leslie Cheung chimed in.

Andy Lau waited for him on stage with a smile.

Jiang Lai stood up helplessly, straightened his collar, and walked onto the stage.

As he passed Andy Lau, he lowered his voice and said, "They didn't say I was supposed to give a speech."

"I was going to say that earlier, but I got interrupted," Andy Lau replied softly, patted his shoulder, and walked offstage.

Jiang Lai stood in front of the microphone, a huge crowd of people watching him from below the stage.

He suddenly realized that he didn't know what to say.

It wasn't that I was nervous, it was that I was unprepared. My mind was blank, and I couldn't come up with a single polite remark even after searching for a long time.

After a moment of silence, he spoke.

"Actually, I don't have much to say."

The audience was stunned.

"I wish everyone a good meal and drinks, and that you make a great movie!"

After a moment of silence, the whole room burst into laughter.

"Bravo!" Anita Mui led the applause, her voice still as loud as ever. "President Jiang is truly a man of character!"

The applause erupted, much more enthusiastic than before.

Jiang Lai smiled and stepped off the stage.

As he passed by Andy Lau, the latter gave him a thumbs-up.

Jiang Lai waved his hand and went back to sit down in the corner.

After the speeches, the atmosphere became noticeably more relaxed, the music changed to upbeat jazz, and it turned into a real party.

Jiang Lai remained huddled in that corner, and Zhou Xingchi was still there as well. The two chatted more and more congenially, as if they had known each other for a long time.

After finishing his work, Andy Lau finally had a chance to catch his breath. He walked over, unbuttoned his collar, and plopped down on the sofa.

"I'm exhausted." He shook his head and smiled.

Jiang Lai smiled and handed him a cup of tea.

Andy Lau took a sip, leaned back on the sofa, and let out a long sigh.

The three of them sat there, watching the lively atmosphere in the banquet hall and chatting casually.

As the conversation went on, the topic turned to movies again.

"The business is getting harder and harder these days. Many big bosses in Hong Kong are seeing their overseas assets shrink, and it's not easy to find investment for movies," Andy Lau sighed.

Stephen Chow nodded. "It's the same with my film 'Shaolin Soccer.' Someone is willing to talk to me, but there's still a significant gap in the supply."

"Then let Lai invest," Andy Lau said with a smile, looking at Jiang Lai. "Anyway, your movie is sure to make money."

Jiang Lai picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Sure, that works."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xingchi looked at Jiang Lai, and this glance made him take a closer look at the other person.

"Mr. Jiang?"

"you say."

"Could you possibly play a role in my movie?"

Jiang Lai blinked. "That works too."