Hong Kong Entertainment 1979: A Beating Up the Manager at the Start

When Li Jiangbo returned to his seat, his excitement gradually subsided.

Leslie Cheung, who didn't win an award, held Li Jiangbo's Best Director trophy with obvious delight.

The awards ceremony continued.

The Best Film award was won by "Good Morning Taipei," starring Lin Fengjiao.

At this year's Golden Horse Awards, "A Better Tomorrow" reaped a great harvest, winning only two awards, but the awards were of high quality.

The most interesting part was the competition for Best Actress, with the three nominated actresses being Xu Feng, Lin Qingxia, and Zhang Aijia.

Everyone thought the award belonged to Lin Ching-hsia, but surprisingly, the Best Actress award was ultimately won by Hsu Feng.

There was also an award for outstanding feature films, with five films ultimately winning: "The Madman", "Tales of the Six Dynasties", "The Prodigal Son Wu Xianghui", "The Blood of Yellow Flowers", and "The Countryman".

These were the so-called consolation prizes. Li Jiangbo felt that the group of people standing on the stage looked a bit like elementary school students receiving awards.

Li Jiangbo couldn't help but laugh out loud, but fortunately no one noticed him.

After the awards ceremony, there was no reception or banquet like in later times; everyone simply left and went home.

Li Jiangbo and Xu Ke had only taken a few steps when Xu Feng caught up with them.

"Director Li, please wait a moment."

Li Jiangbo turned around and saw that it was Xu Feng, who had greeted him on the red carpet earlier.

Li Jiangbo extended his hand. "Ms. Xu, congratulations!"

Xu Feng grasped Li Jiangbo's hand and said with a smile, "Thank you. I wonder if Director Li has time tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner, have a chat, and get to know each other."

Li Jiangbo was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Miss Xu, you're too kind. I should be the one treating you."

Xu Feng waved his hand, "Director Li, please don't refuse. How can you let your guests treat you when you're in Taiwan? If you feel bad about it, just invite them back when I come to Hong Kong."

Li Jiangbo thought for a moment, "I wonder if Miss Xu would mind if a few more people came along?"

Xu Feng paused for a moment, then said generously, "Of course, Director Li's friends are my friends."

A group of people walked out of Zhongshan Hall chatting and laughing. As soon as they stepped out the door, they heard someone calling Li Jiangbo's name from behind.

"Director Li! Director Li!"

Everyone stopped and looked behind them.

Then Lin Qingxia, lifting her skirt, came running over with Lin Fengjiao's help.

Lin Qingxia came to the front of the group and immediately spotted Xu Feng.

The two didn't actually have much interaction; they were just nodding acquaintances.

She greeted Xu Feng first, then her gaze settled on Li Jiangbo.

"Director Li, do you have time tonight? I'd like to invite you to dinner to express my gratitude for your help earlier."

Xu Feng chuckled and joked, "Director Li, you're so popular! If I hadn't arrived early, you would have been snatched up by someone else."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qingxia knew that Li Jiangbo had an appointment, so she quickly said, "Director Li, you have an appointment? Then I'll make an appointment with you another day."

Li Jiangbo laughed heartily, then turned to Xu Feng, "Miss Xu, why not share the joy instead of enjoying it alone? How about we invite Miss Lin to join us?"

Lin Qingxia quickly waved her hand and said, "How could I possibly accept that?"

Xu Feng was very generous; she simply wanted to get to know Li Jiangbo and had no other intentions, so she said frankly, "Qingxia, let's go together! Besides, I've invited other people too."

Seeing that Lin Qingxia was still trying to refuse, Li Jiangbo said, "Let's go together, it'll be more fun with more people."

The group boarded the car to Yongfu Restaurant in batches.

Yongfulou is a long-established Jiangzhe cuisine restaurant, not far from Zhongshan Hall, only a five or six-minute walk away.

Xu Feng booked the largest private room, which could accommodate more than twenty people.

Li Jiangbo and his group were the first to arrive. Xu Feng arranged for Li Jiangbo and the others to sit down and served them tea before going to the door to wait for the others.

After Xu Feng left, Rosamund Kwan whispered, "Boss, you seem to be quite popular!"

Li Jiangbo remained silent, but Zhang Guorong, who was standing to the side, said, "Jiahui, don't you even look at what award Li Jiangbo won? It's the Best Director Award."

Rosamund Kwan blinked her big eyes, puzzled, and asked, "What about the Best Director award?"

Chung Chu-hung, standing to the side, helplessly rubbed her forehead; Jia Hui was still as clueless and ignorant as ever.

She sighed and began to explain to Rosamund Kwan in a low voice.

Just as everyone was chatting, the door to the private room opened.

Xu Feng led Xu Anhua, Tan Jiaming, Yan Hao, and others into the private room.

Everyone stood up to welcome the group and help them sit down. After settling them in, Xu Feng went out again.

Xu Anhua laughed and said, "Old Xu, you're really something now!"

Xu Ke laughed heartily, "Me, better? You think I'm better than you? You've already won the photography and editing awards!"

Xu Anhua, quick to retort, immediately said, "Then you also won the Best Screenplay award!"

Yan Hao exclaimed, "If we're talking about who's really good, Director Li is the best! He won two of the most prestigious trophies with just one move."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Li Jiangbo laughed and said, "It's just luck, nothing more than luck."

And so, the group quickly got into a lively conversation.

After a while, the door to the private room opened again, and this time Xu Feng brought a girl wearing a white dress.

The girl was visibly taken aback when she entered the private room and saw so many people. She quickly introduced herself.

"Hello everyone, my name is Hu Huizhong..."

Before she could finish speaking, Xu Feng pushed her to sit down.

"We're just having a get-together, there aren't that many rules."

Everyone chimed in agreement.

Hu Huizhong then sat down with peace of mind.

Once everyone was present, Xu Feng called the waiter to serve the dishes and opened a few bottles of fine wine.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Li Jiangbo and Xu Feng, who was standing next to him, were chatting about movies.

Lin Qingxia, holding a wine glass, walked around a few seats and came to Li Jiangbo's side.

Lin Qingxia raised her glass. "Director Li, I'd like to toast you. Thank you so much for what happened this afternoon. If it weren't for your people's help, I don't know how I would have gotten out of this situation."

Li Jiangbo picked up his wine glass, stood up, and clinked it against hers.

"Miss Lin, you're too kind! Anyone would have helped in that situation."

Lin Qingxia shook her head and gave a wry smile, "Not everyone dares to help, those reporters..."

She paused, then didn't continue, instead tilting her head back and downing the wine in one gulp.

Xu Feng, standing to the side, comforted her, "Qingxia, don't worry, that's just how those people are."

Li Jiangbo finished his drink and, after putting down his glass, asked:

"Ms. Lin, have you ever considered developing your career in a different location?"

Lin Qingxia was stunned, not quite understanding what Li Jiangbo meant.

Li Jiangbo continued, "There are more opportunities in Hong Kong, and the environment is more relaxed. If you're willing to come, the doors of Time Pictures are always open for you."

After a few seconds of silence, Lin Qingxia said, "Director Li, my... my situation is a bit complicated right now."

Li Jiangbo nodded. "I know, which is why we should move to a different place to develop our business."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Director Li. I'll think about it some more."

Li Jiangbo took out a business card and handed it to Lin Qingxia.

"No problem, call me after you've thought it through."

Lin Qingxia did not refuse. After accepting the business card, she thanked him and turned back to her seat.

As soon as she sat down, Lin Fengjiao leaned over and whispered to her, but Lin Qingxia just shook her head and didn't say anything more.

After a while, Hu Huizhong came over with a wine glass in her hand.

"Director Li, I...I'd also like to toast you."

Li Jiangbo picked up his wine glass and clinked it against hers.

"Director Li, it's a pleasure to meet you today."

"Nice to meet you too."

After the two clinked glasses again, Li Jiangbo took out a business card and handed it to her.

Hu Huizhong took the business card as if it were a treasure and returned to her seat.