Mixed in 1980

Chapter 73: The experience of being wrapped in a bath towel

"Commercialization!" Chen Fan added.

"Yes, that's what I mean. Let's sit inside and chat."

Li Hongying followed in, put the manuscript on the table, and teased, "I thought a writer like you would pay more attention to artistic pursuits."

“I have always felt that when you want to make money, you should not think about art, and when you want art, you should not think about making money. You can’t have it all.”

Chen Fan wrote the script just to repay favors.

How can I repay the favor? Make a movie, make money, and that's it.

If you want to make money, you have to make commercial films. Only when you have a big brain will you make art films.

No matter what era, the risk of shooting art films is too high. It is a foolish dream to think that you can succeed with a good script.

Investment, director, leading actor, supporting actor, publicity... even the influence of social environment can lead to the failure of an art film and make the investor lose everything.

If you really want to use the story of an art film, that's not called repaying a favor, that's called cheating!

Commercial films are good, and everyone can make money together. In this regard, Chen Fan particularly admires the fat director Wang, who is truly sober.

The story written by Chen Fan is called: God of Gamblers!

He is Gao Jin, the mysterious and cool guy who wears a black windbreaker, eats chocolate, has amazing gambling skills!
This movie was originally released in 89 and was a huge success, with the box office in Hong Kong alone reaching HK$3620 million.

"You're right to think so. That's how filmmaking works. Making money is the core. No wonder the editorials you write can see through the essence of things at a glance."

Li Hongying picked up the manuscript and pondered for a while: "I will find a screenwriter in a few days to come over and finish the script first, and then I will find a few investors to finalize this matter."

"As for your royalties?"

Li Hongying pondered for a while and said, "I will talk to the investors and I will definitely get you a reasonable level of remuneration."

In fact, Li Hongying could have taken the script down herself, but that would not have been appropriate.

If I make the offer now, if I offer too low I'll seem stingy, but if I offer too high I'm afraid Chen Fan will feel pressured. It's better to push it away. It's a fair and impartial matter and everyone will be more likely to accept it.

"Then I'll leave this matter to Sister Ying." Chen Fan agreed with a smile.

It is necessary to repay favors, but the money that should be earned still needs to be earned. The story of "God of Gamblers" is already very complete, and as long as the director does not mess around, making money is almost inevitable.

Li Hongying stood up with the manuscript paper in her hand: "That's it for now. I won't disturb you guys to rest."

After sending Li Hongying out and closing the door, Chen Fan turned around and hugged his wife: "See, it's another income. When we return to Beijing, we will buy a yard and move out of the compound."

Xu Jinqiu rolled her eyes at him.

Isn't it clear why this person is in a hurry to buy a yard?
It's just a big beast!
However, Xu Jinqiu was very happy at the thought of having her own yard. Who doesn't want to have a yard of their own? The slum was still too noisy.

A ray of golden light shines in from the window.

It's already evening.

Xu Jinqiu stood by the window, looking at the afterglow of the setting sun pouring down like a burning sea, with a hint of longing in her expression.

"Go out for a walk?" Chen Fan smiled. This girl really likes the sea.

Xu Jinqiu nodded, turned around and walked out. When she went downstairs, she did not forget to say hello to the servants so that Li Hongying and the others would not be lost.

The two of them didn't walk far. About a hundred meters from the door they reached the beach.

Since they had to go out later, they didn't go down to the beach to play, but just strolled on the side of the road. After walking about three or four hundred meters, they went back.

"Get up early tomorrow and go to the beach with me to pick up shells."

Hearing this, Chen Fan smiled.

Nowadays, many inland people who go to the beach to play have this idea: picking up some shells to take back home can also be a good souvenir.

It can even be given as a gift.

When Chen Fan went to the beach for the first time in his previous life, he picked up a lot of shells and brought them back. Chen Yi liked them very much and made those shells into wind chimes and hung them by the window.

"Can you get up?" Chen Fan joked.

"I'm not Yuanyuan, who likes to stay in bed."

Xu Jinqiu rolled her eyes at him, then reacted and pinched him angrily: "Behave yourself tonight and don't touch me, you big beast!"

After playing around, they returned to Li's house.

Everyone was already there, and Li Hongying arranged two cars to go directly to the Repulse Bay Hotel.

In the novel "Love in a Fallen City" written by Eileen Chang, the hero and heroine Bai Liusu and Fan Liuyuan had their first encounter here.

Many movies such as "Love in Time" and "Return of Glory" were also filmed here.

As soon as the car stopped, a waiter came to open the door and politely asked the guests to get out of the car. Xu Jinqiu carefully noticed that Li Hongbing took out his wallet from his pocket and handed a 50 Hong Kong dollar bill to the waiter who opened the door.

Li Hongying, who got off another car, did the same and gave 50 Hong Kong dollars.

"This is a tip, a service charge."

Seeing her puzzled look, Chen Fan whispered an explanation in her ear.

Xu Jinqiu suddenly didn't want to talk anymore.

Just to open a car door, you have to pay fifty Hong Kong dollars, which is equivalent to ten days to half a month's salary for an ordinary worker in Beijing.

This is too...

Corrupt capitalist society!

At this moment, Xu Jinqiu wanted to take the money back to Beijing. Even though Chen Fan had nearly 40,000 Hong Kong dollars on him, with such expenses, even double the amount would not be enough.

After the dishes were served, Li Hongying gave another tip.

Xu Jinqiu felt heartbroken watching this.

But here, tipping has become a culture or a customary rule.

But in Chen Fan's opinion, this matter is nonsense. The waiter is an employee of the hotel owner and should be paid by the boss. What does it have to do with the customers?
So, I come to your house for dinner, take care of your business, and directly help you pay your employees? What the hell, it doesn't make sense.

"Welcome Xiaofan and Xiaoqiu to Xiangjiang. Let's meet first."

Li Hongying raised her red wine glass and clinked it with it before asking everyone to start eating. She kept picking up food for Xu Jinqiu, fearing that the young girl would be too polite.

After chatting about family matters and eating and drinking, it was already past nine o'clock in the evening.

Although Hong Kong's nightlife had just begun at this time, Chen Fan and Xu Jinqiu both looked tired, so Li Hongying did not arrange any other programs.

After returning home and making a cup of tea, everyone went back to their rooms.

Soon, a servant brought in a few sets of pajamas: "Mr. Chen, Miss Xu, these are prepared for you by Madam. They are all new and were specially washed yesterday."

"Thank you!"

Chen Fan took the pajamas. There were three sets for each person. Li Hongying was really thoughtful.

"I won't disturb your rest. If you have anything, just call me directly." The servant responded and turned around and went downstairs.

Chen Fan put down his pajamas and hugged his wife: "Wife, let's take a shower together?"

"Comrade Chen Fan, please be serious."

Xu Jinqiu blushed and quickly pushed him away: "Go wash first, quickly, don't have any bad ideas, you are so dishonest every day."

Chen Fan smiled. This girl is still shy.

He didn't delay though, as after being reborn for so long, he finally got to use the shower again.

After taking a shower, Chen Fan was muttering that after buying the yard, he must decorate a bathroom, build a shower room, and then build a small bathhouse.

Water heaters are also available in mainland China.

The Yuhuan Water Heater Factory in Jinling had already developed gas water heaters in 1979.

"Qiu'er, it's your turn to wash."

Chen Fan called Xu Jinqiu over and taught her how to use the water heater: "Wife, do you want me to wash with you again?"

Xu Jinqiu glared at him, then pulled and pushed him out.

Chen Fan smiled, walked to the window, looked at the night view to calm his restless mind, and thought about finding some way to make money.

"Hong Kong Magazine" wants to commission an article, and that can be negotiated. The remuneration is 500 Hong Kong dollars per thousand words, which is already a very high fee, but generally not much, only one or two articles a month.

The script should also make some money.

However, the remuneration for screenwriters in Hong Kong is not very high, so they cannot make a lot of money.

Adding all the money together, it would be more than enough to buy a small courtyard house, but Chen Fan thought that since he had finally come to Hong Kong, he must make more money to bring back.

Buy a bigger yard.

"Chen Fan!"

Chen Fan came to his senses when he heard Xu Jinqiu's voice. He turned around and his eyes widened. He couldn't help swallowing.

The girl came out wrapped in a bath towel.

She bit her lip, blushed, and looked at him timidly.

PS: I have a cold and have been feeling dizzy all day. I’ll go get some medicine after uploading this!
(End of this chapter)