1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 156 Cinema and Birthday

"This actor looks a lot like Di Long."

In Zhao's editing room, Zhai Yuan met the Hong Kong film industry overlord, Mr. Zhao Yifu, for the second time.

The last time was on the stage of the Academy Awards, and this time we were really up close.

It is said that he has three major hobbies: martial arts, health preservation and looking at beautiful women. I wonder if the secret to longevity is hidden in these.

In short, although he is in his seventies, he looks like he is in his forties, with a long nose and a pointed head, and a martial spirit.

But the words he said had a sarcastic tone.

Zhai Yuan understood it immediately, and most likely thought that Di Long had taken private work without consulting the company.

So he smiled and explained: "It is indeed Brother Long. My company has just opened and there are too few artists. We can only borrow from outside. We have a contract with Zhao's Performance Department."

Zhao Yifu finally understood and nodded, then asked curiously, "How much did you pay him?"

Zhai Yuan answered truthfully: "150,000 per movie, I signed a contract with Brother Long for two movies."

Zhao Yifu looked at him in surprise, thinking that his own performance department was pretty good. I was about to fire Di Long, but it could still be sold at such a high price.

The old man nodded without saying anything else and continued to focus on the screen.

The movie gradually enters the main feature.

Zhao Yifu pointed and said, "This actor also looks familiar."

Zhai Yuan replied: "Wan Ziliang, transferred from Asia Television to Zhao's, and now I have signed him."

Zhao Yifu asked, "And Liang Xiaolong?"

Zhai Yuan nodded: "Yes, he was banned in Taiwan just like me, and I invited him to Jiuyi when he was about to return to the mainland."

After watching a movie, Zhao Yifu focused most of his topics on familiar actors, and would suddenly ask Zhai Yuan some sensitive questions. Zhai Yuan stood firm and answered them neither humbly nor arrogantly.

By the way, he also cursed the Freedom Association that banned him.

Cai Lan smiled apologetically and broke out in a cold sweat as she listened. After all, the Freedom Association was originally established in Hong Kong, and it was Zhao Yifu who funded the building they built.

"The Freedom Association is developing in a somewhat extreme way now, which is not in line with the original purpose of its establishment."

Zhao Yifu smiled without commenting, and then continued, "I went back to the mainland this time, and I am also preparing to resign from the position of honorary president."

Zhai Yuan knew very well that the boss should have learned more about the situation during his trip to the north.

"I set a rule for myself to watch a movie every day, and today I think I've completed my task."

As the end credits of "A Better Tomorrow" appeared on the screen, Zhao Yifu stood up from his chair and stretched his muscles briefly.

He said it simply: "The film is well made. We will try to show it during the Lunar New Year holiday first, and the specific screening schedule will be adjusted based on the attendance."

Zhai Yuan exhaled: "Thank you, Sixth Uncle."

Zhao Yifu nodded, looked at Zhai Yuan twice, said "I look forward to your performance in the Lunar New Year film", and then walked out of the editing room.

Cai Lan hurriedly followed behind and walked out of the door side by side with Zhao Yifu.

Zhao Yifu turned his head and whispered a few words to Cai Lan, then looked back at Zhai Yuan, nodded, and immediately got into a Rolls-Royce outside and drove away.

"Wow, that was really scary. I held my dung chest the whole time, afraid you would say something wrong."

Cai Lan returned to the editing room again, sat down on the chair, patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

If he knew that the actors used by Zhai Yuan were all veterans and new recruits of the Zhao family, he would definitely reconsider bringing him to meet Zhao Yifu, but fortunately, his sixth uncle didn't seem to care too much about it.

Cai Lan said: "In short, every time I sit down with him and watch a movie, the pressure is very great."

Zhai Yuan didn't feel too much pressure. It was all normal market behavior. A big boss like Zhao Yifu wouldn't make things difficult for him.

He was still concerned about the scheduling of the film, so he asked, "What does Uncle Six think of this film?"

"Didn't he say it was a good film? Don't worry, this is already a very high rating, otherwise you wouldn't have been given a preview during the Lunar New Year holiday."

Cai Lan understood Zhao Yifu's temperament thoroughly and told Zhai Yuan that although he watched a movie every day, he basically remained silent after watching them, and the occasional ones he received praise were all popular blockbusters that were quite successful.

"Uncle Six asked me to ask you before he got in the car, are you interested in taking over Zhao's cinema chain?"

The two chatted for a few words when Cai Lan suddenly dropped a bombshell.

Zhai Yuan was stunned. Is Zhao Yifu planning to sell his theater so soon?
But on second thought, it seems to be about this time.

Soon after Chiu gave up the film industry and the production department stopped production, Dickson Poon, Sam Sham and Hung Hsin-po founded Debao Company, which rented cinemas from Chiu.

After all, after stopping producing movies, the cinema chain consisting of so many theaters of the Zhao family has become a huge burden that cannot be eliminated.

The theater's annual maintenance costs are tens of millions.

There are not many independent producers like Zhai Yuan in Hong Kong who can make hit movies. They are basically backed by Jiahe and Silver Princess cinema chains and will not provide too much share to Zhao's Cinemas.

"What's the price?" Zhai Yuan became interested.

Cai Lan narrowed her eyes and said jokingly, "He didn't say, but I think a theater costs at least 20 million. The price of Longtou Theater is double that. If you're interested, you'll have to prepare 10 or 80 million~"

Zhai Yuan rolled his eyes and said, "Okay, I'll find a paper-making shop to burn them for you when I have time."

Cai Lan said unhappily, "Good luck! Good luck!"

Just talking about the sale of theaters, the Zhao family's theaters are about the same price because they all have good geographical locations, especially the leading theaters. In the 1970s, Zhao Yifu spent 20 to 30 million to buy each one. Although the land price has fallen sharply this year, it is not a problem to double it.

Zhai Yuan thought for a moment and said to Cai Lan, "Please ask Uncle Six what price he can give me if I want to rent the four theaters, Feicui, Huangjin, Baosheng and Wenhua."

The four theaters he mentioned are all the leading theaters of Zhao’s Cinema Chain.

Jade is in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island, Golden is in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Po Sing is in Yue Man Square, Kwun Tong, and Mandarin is on Portland Street, Mong Kok.

All are leading theatres located in this area.

Cai Lan couldn't help but glance at him again when she heard this, and lowered her voice unconsciously: "Such a big deal?"

Zhai Yuan smiled noncommittally and asked, "Since I have made this deal with Uncle Six, can Zhao's over 100 theaters in Singapore, Malaysia and Borneo give me priority in scheduling films?"

Cai Lan shook his head. A business worth tens of millions was beyond his business scope.

He said, "I'll find a chance to go to Uncle Six's house for dinner tonight and ask him what he thinks. Do you want to come along?"

Zhai Yuan also shook his head and said with a smile: "I have a date with a pretty girl tonight, so I won't go to see the old man."

Cai Lan was a little confused and began to wonder if Zhai Yuan was kidding her when he said about renting a theater. What level of beauty could compare to a business worth tens of millions?
Zhai Yuan blinked and said, "I'll introduce you to her next time. Remember to tell her about this then."

Cai Lan gave him a thumbs up, thinking that young people are still very cunning. Wouldn’t the beautiful girl be so moved after hearing these words?
…………

The pretty girl who made Zhai Yuan turn down the opportunity to have dinner with Zhao Yifu was sitting in a restaurant box, pursing her lips and keeping her head down without saying a word.

"Hai Mei, it's your birthday today, why do you seem unhappy?"

At the Jinhaige Restaurant in Tuen Mun, classmates from the Cantonese Federation Middle School celebrated Zhou Haimei’s birthday.

Students often attach great importance to such gatherings, as if they can integrate into the adult world by attending them once.

Zhou Haimei's parents didn't care. What kind of birthday would a little girl celebrate? At most, they would just cook a bowl of longevity noodles and call it a day.

"No." After hearing the question from the girl sitting next to her, Zhou Haimei raised her head and smiled, "Thank you so much for celebrating for me."

The female student chuckled and said, "Are you touched?"

Zhou Haimei immediately pursed her lips and made an expression as if she was about to cry. She hugged her female classmate and said coquettishly, "No one paid any attention to me today. You are the only ones who remembered my birthday~"

The other girls in the box also started to clamor for a hug from her, and the group of little girls were having a great time.

Zhou Haimei played with them for a while, looked at the dishes on the table, and sighed softly.

Maybe he was very busy, making movies and running a theater, so it's normal that he couldn't remember such a small thing.

Or maybe he didn't know when my birthday was? But he didn't attend last year, and I even mentioned it to him once afterwards.

Zhou Haimei thought absentmindedly.

"Hai Mei, tell me the truth. Last time, the golden-haired boy from the next class gave you flowers and you said you had a boyfriend, was that true or false?"

A female classmate suddenly brought up an incident that happened in school before and asked about it with a gossipy look on her face.

Zhou Haimei was stunned for two seconds, and said uncertainly: "It should be true."

Several female classmates were surprised when they heard this answer. What did they mean by "should"? "If they don't confess, then they can't be considered boyfriend and girlfriend?"

Zhou Haimei thought about it and asked her classmates and friends with curiosity.

"Playing ambiguously? Of course not!"

The experienced students responded immediately.

Zhou Haimei said "oh", puffed up her cheeks and didn't say anything else, but clenched her fists under the table.

My bones are itching and I have the urge to hit someone.

Her attitude was quickly noticed by others.

"Did you meet a jerk?"

A classmate who was on good terms with her came up to her and asked.

Zhou Haimei shook her head repeatedly when she heard this and said to her with some displeasure, "Don't talk nonsense."

Although she felt disappointed today, Zhai Yuan's image in her heart was still quite great and upright. She would not accept anyone making false accusations against him, even if it was just a good friend.

Seeing this, several female classmates immediately started to jeer and accused Zhou Haimei of being inhumane towards the opposite sex.

"Then have you ever..."

A girl asked half of the question in a gossipy tone, but left the second half unsaid. She put her left thumb and index finger together to make a circle, and moved her right index finger in and out of the circle.

She asked, “Is that so?”

The girls' booing became even louder.

Middle school students aged 17 or 18 have basic common sense and understand the meaning of this gesture.

Seeing this, Zhou Haimei, who was at the center of the vortex, face suddenly turned red and she screamed and rushed towards the female classmate.

Amid the noise, there was a knock on the box door.

The restaurant manager took a look inside and asked with a smile, "Excuse me, is there a Miss Zhou Haimei here?"

"It's me." Zhou Haimei quickly stood up, tidied her hair that was messy during the fight, and asked the manager what was the matter.

"Please wait." The manager smiled at her, and soon returned with a wireless landline phone: "A Mr. Zhai wants to see you."

Your last name is Zhai?

Zhou Haimei's heart skipped a beat and she took a short, nervous breath. Without bothering to pay attention to the girls around her, she quickly answered the phone.

"cousin?"

"Wow cousin, I finally found you. Glad I didn't give up~"

Sure enough, a familiar strange voice came from the other end of the phone.

Zhou Haimei smiled with her eyes narrowed, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but rise.

But then I thought about the conversation I had just had with my friend and suddenly became alert.

No, I can't be nice to him. He just remembered to call me now, and he still refuses to confess his feelings!
"you……"

Zhou Haimei took a deep breath and tried to make her voice sound a little colder.

However, just as she said a word, Zhai Yuan's voice continued to come.

Zhai Yuan changed the subject and added a hint of blame, "Jinhaige Restaurant, right? I've almost asked all the restaurants in Tuen Mun. I've been running around for a whole day. Why did you go so far? Why aren't you at home? Are you avoiding me on purpose?"

"Huh?" Zhou Haimei's smile froze on her face, and her brain short-circuited.

She hesitated and said, "I have been at home the whole time. I have been waiting for your call for a long time. I just came out with my classmates..."

"Then why didn't you call me in advance and let me look for so long?"

Zhai Yuan's unreasonable voice came again: "I knew it was your birthday, and I prepared all night long, just wanting to give you a surprise. But I came to Tuen Mun and couldn't see you. Do you know how worried I was?"

Zhou Haimei felt dizzy.

I just stayed at home for a day and had just gone out. Is it really my problem?

She subconsciously blamed herself and said, "I was afraid you were too busy, so I didn't call to disturb you..."

Suddenly he came to his senses and asked, "Did you really go to my house to look for me?"

"Of course I have been there. No one is home. I knocked on the door for a long time and the phone call was unanswered!"

Zhai Yuan said angrily, "It's the seventh floor of Block 14, Aixin Building, Yau Oi Estate, Tuen Mun!"

When Zhou Haimei heard his angry voice, she was stunned for two seconds and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

This silly cousin went to my house for the first time and he even got the wrong address. The seventh floor is correct, but it's the 15th Aiyi Building~
No wonder he didn't find me at home.

Alas, he is so stupid, it is better not to tell him the truth.

Zhou Haimei felt regretful but also a little excited. Although her cousin had found the wrong floor, it at least showed that he cared about her very much and even went door to door in the restaurants in Tuen Mun to ask questions.

Thinking about it, I couldn't help but laugh.

"You're still laughing! I'm almost dying of exhaustion just to see you!"

"I'm sorry, cousin."

"Do you know you're wrong?"

"understood."

"Okay, wait for me at the restaurant, I'll come pick you up right away."

Zhai Yuan said this last time and hung up the phone.

Listening to the beeping sound in the receiver, Zhou Haimei smiled foolishly and returned the phone to the restaurant manager.

When he turned around, the female classmates in the box were staring at him with strange eyes.

"What's the matter?" She wiped her face subconsciously.

Several girls shook their heads and sighed.

"Nothing, I just saw a young girl fall in love. I'm afraid we can't save her even if we want to."

"Why would she need your help? This kind of woman is incurable. If you stretch out a bamboo pole to pull her, she'll break the pole tip and blame you for meddling."

"Makes sense!"

Amid the chatter, Zhou Haimei bared her teeth at them in a threatening manner.

As if they had discussed it beforehand, several girls said in a cheesy voice: "Cousin~"

The noise in the box started again.

…………

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! Clean up the VIP theater in Room 1024 and decorate it like a birthday party! Then prepare a few birthday gifts, a cell phone and some jewelry. Of course, it's for a woman, is there any doubt? Make sure the packaging is pretty!"

Zhai Yuan came out of Zhao's Clearwater Bay Studios and quickly called Qian Maosheng to give him instructions.

"Boss, the VIP room has been rented out."

"Just give them a bigger refund and an apology, and at most give them a few movie tickets. I'm in a hurry, so could you please just get this done quickly? That's all!"

After hanging up the phone, Zhai Yuan stepped on the accelerator and drove towards Tuen Mun.

Sai Kung is a little far from Tuen Mun. It takes at least half an hour to drive there even if there is no traffic jam. I'll make up a new excuse after I see Zhou Haimei.

The phone rang again.

"Hey, Aunt Ling, I found the Jinhai Pavilion Restaurant. Thank you very much."

Zhai Yuan eased off the accelerator, tilted his head to hold his eldest brother's phone, and said to Zhou Haimei's mother on the other end, "Also, I contacted you to inquire about Haimei's whereabouts. You must keep this a secret for me. I want to give Haimei a surprise. Okay, okay, I'll visit you after Haimei's birthday."

PS: I updated 20 words in May, and will continue to work towards 30 in June, but today I will only update words because I am away on holiday...

(End of this chapter)