1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 174 Return to Hong Kong
Zhu Jiasheng, who was 30 years old at the time, returned to Hong Kong from the United States and worked in the advertising industry in Hong Kong.

In the past two years, his business has skyrocketed, and he opened his own advertising company. It is said that his net worth has exceeded 10 million.

And he is pursuing Zhong Chuhong.

"Mr. Zhu seems to look down on people in our film industry?"

Regardless of how far the other party pursues Zhong Chuhong, if we don’t deal with him today, it will be difficult to bring Hong Gu into the crew.

Zhai Yuan dug a small trap, but unfortunately Zhu Jiasheng was not stupid either. He was about to open his mouth to ridicule him, but he glanced at Zhong Chuhong beside him and swallowed his words back.

“I just look down on the creators in your circle who produce low-quality content.”

Zhu Jiasheng exudes an artistic atmosphere and said in English: "The films I watched overseas were "Zabriskie Point", "Last Tango in Paris" and "The Goodbye Girl". This is what can be called film art."

After that, he said to Zhong Chuhong: "Ah Hong, I think you should also take more dramas of this type. Unfortunately, most of the directors in Hong Kong are not very good. I will introduce some foreign directors to you if there is a chance."

Before Zhai Yuan could say anything, Wu Yusen, who was following behind him, broke down first, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

"Thank you, Mr. Zhu."

After hearing what Zhu Jiasheng said, Zhong Chuhong gave a formulaic polite smile.

This talented man in the advertising industry had known her for two months and pursued her for two months.

Zhong Chuhong has neither a good nor a bad impression of the other party. Because of their advertising business cooperation, she now only regards him as a colleague.

However, in her opinion, Zhu Jiasheng was too idealistic, perhaps because of his wealthy family. In any case, Zhong Chuhong, who currently lives in Bashu Building, couldn't get along with him.

At this time, Zhong Chuhong's main job is still a gem identification clerk in a jewelry company in Tsim Sha Tsui, which is also her biggest hobby.

Movies are her way of making a living. Whether she is working as a part-time TVB artist, shooting commercials, or accepting film contracts from major companies, it is all for a living.

Whether it is art or not is far less important than letting her move into a western-style house and have her own jewelry display cabinet.

"Mr. Zhai, if word gets out about this temporary role change, it will have a huge negative impact on me. I hope you can consider it carefully."

Zhong Chuhong still cares about her commercial value, so she looked at Zhai Yuan very seriously.

Zhai Yuan smiled and made a statement, then turned to ask Huang Ziming, the advertiser of Tissot watches: "Mr. Huang, your company is sponsoring the sequel of our "A Better Tomorrow". In addition to showcasing your watch brand in the movie, I would like to add another slogan and let Sister Hong say it in it. What do you think?"

Huang Ziming's eyes lit up: "Okay, if the film is finished and the head office approves it, I can help you apply for a sponsorship fee."

Zhong Chuhong was startled when he heard this.

Let yourself speak the advertising slogan in the sequel of "A Better Tomorrow".

She turned this sentence over in her head twice, and suddenly realized it. She said in surprise and joy, "Mr. Zhai wants me to act in the sequel of A Better Tomorrow?"

Zhai Yuan smiled and said, "That's right. After careful consideration, I think God of Gamblers is just Sanhe's first practice work. A sequel to A Better Tomorrow is more suitable for an actor like you, Hong Jie, who is good at acting. I wonder if this arrangement will have a negative impact on you?"

Zhong Chuhong felt her face getting a little hot, and smiled awkwardly: "Sorry, I was a little hasty when I spoke just now."

Of course, ordinary role changes have negative effects, but when changing from the heroine of a weak film to the heroine of a fierce film, there are only positive effects.

"A Better Tomorrow" is now the hottest IP. Movie-related products are selling like hotcakes, people in video rental stores are asking every day when the genuine cassettes will be released, and even kids on the street can say a few lines from the movie.

Zhong Chuhong felt that if she finished filming the sequel, it would definitely be more well-known than all her previous films combined.

When we negotiate the pay again, I can double the price and make more money to buy buildings and jewelry. It would be best if I could buy the jewelry company I work for now.

Zhong Chuhong fell into a state of fantasy, with an unconscious smile on her face.

Zhu Jiasheng on the side didn't look too good.

But before he could say anything, Huang Ziming, the advertiser beside him, smiled and urged: "Mr. Zhu, you also heard that we are going to add advertising slogans to the movie. Are you ready to provide Mr. Zhai with a few backup slogans first?"

Zhu Jiasheng frowned: "The slogan is the core of the brand, I still need time to create it."

He had actually designed several advertising slogans, but was not satisfied with any of them, so he simply rejected Huang Ziming.

Zhai Yuan smiled.

I am not talented, Mr. Zhai, but I have some knowledge of advertising.

"Forget it. I think we should not embarrass Mr. Zhu too much. Let low-quality filmmakers like us write the slogan for Tissot watches."

Zhai Yuan spoke loudly, purely in a provocative manner.

As expected, Zhu Jiasheng immediately mocked him: "You? Do you know the three elements of advertising? How many classic cases have you analyzed? Have you read "Confessions of an Advertising Man"? "

The mocking voice made Zhai Yuan breathe a sigh of relief, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise.

Damn it! No one in the film industry dares to mess with me since the beginning of the year. I have no chance to show off even if I want to. I have to show off even if I cross over today.

If you don’t pretend to accumulate Yang virtue for one day, you will still accumulate Yang virtue for two days.

Zhai Yuan turned around and asked Wu Yusen: "Director, in our play, is there a scene where Li Wen gives Ruan Wenti a watch when he is young?"

Wu Yusen nodded. This was a scene specially added for the product placement of Tisdaq. Counterfeit money expert Li Wen used a fake painting to exchange money to buy a watch as the first gift for Ruan Wen.

Zhai Yuan nodded and briefly explained to Huang Ziming and the others the relationship between Li Wen and Ruan Wen. The star-crossed couple finally parted ways.

Just this short segment was enough to make Zhong Chuhong's eyes sparkle.

But I was not attracted by the plot, but I could hear that in this sequel, the heroine's role was obviously more important than the vase Michiko Nishiwaki in the previous film.

"If there is such a short story, how do you think we should design the advertising slogan, Mr. Zhu?"

Zhai Yuan raised an eyebrow at Zhu Jiasheng.

Zhu Jiasheng frowned for a moment, and several different sentences already came up with his mind, but none of them were satisfactory.

Under Zhai Yuan's provocation, he gritted his teeth and said, "Tissot watches, true love lingers all the time."

Huang Ziming and Zhong Chuhong thought about it and felt that it seemed okay, fitting the emotional theme, and the word "time" and watch elements were included in it.

"Director, write this down."

Zhai Yuan did not comment on the quality of his advertising slogan, but winked at Wu Yusen and said, "When we shoot the scene where Li Wen gives Ruan Wen a watch, let him tell Ruan Wen the symbolic meaning of the watch, and let Ruan Wen call back at the end. In other words, it doesn't matter how long it lasts, it only matters that you once had it."

Emotions need to be laid.

If this slogan is spoken without reason, its effect will be greatly reduced.

But with the emotional entanglement between the two characters Li Wen and Ruan Wen, and the contrast with Zhu Jiasheng's orthodox advertising slogan, several people on the scene were touched when they heard Zhai Yuan's slogan.

Don’t care about forever, only care about having it once?
Huang Ziming thought of his first love.

Zhong Chuhong thought of the gemstones she had appraised.

Wu Yusen thought about the success of his film.

The three of them looked at Zhai Yuan with shining eyes.

Mr. Zhai, do you have something?

Zhai Yuan felt everyone's gazes and knew that he had succeeded.

Zhu Jiasheng stood there in a daze. Judging from his experience, Zhai Yuan's advertising slogan was undoubtedly the best copywriting in the Chinese-speaking world, just like Huang Zhan's "Once Remy Martin is opened, good luck will come naturally".

Of course, an advertising campaign cannot be successful just by relying on slogans, but classic slogans can be passed down for a long time and bring long-term brand effects.

The most classic example is the magical advertisement of not accepting gifts during the holidays this year. Even if Melatonin is discontinued, this advertisement can still be spread for decades.

Zhai Yuan raised his eyebrows at Zhu Jiasheng: Are you surprised?
Zhu Jiasheng's mouth twitched and he didn't say anything.

Huang Ziming added another blow at the perfect time.

He looked at Zhu Jiasheng seriously and said, "Mr. Zhu, I think you need to stick to Mr. Zhai's slogan for the next ad shoot. Even if you have a better idea, you have to finish this one first."

Zhu Jiasheng clenched his fist, nodded slightly, turned around and left with a sullen face.

When passing by Zhong Chuhong, the young talent couldn't help but stop.

In fact, after what happened just now, he no longer wanted to help Tissot shoot the commercial, but in order to be able to get in touch with Chung Chu-hung during the filming, he swallowed his anger.

Zhu Jiasheng forced a smile at Zhong Chuhong: "Ah Hong, I will pick you up downstairs of your house tomorrow morning."

Zhong Chuhong quickly waved her hand and refused: "No need, Mr. Zhu, if you need to shoot, just call me anytime."

Zhu Jiasheng said very gentlemanly: "It's okay, it's settled, I'll go first."

After saying this, he left quickly without even looking at anyone else.

Zhong Chuhong glanced at his back, pouted and sighed helplessly.

Zhai Yuan asked: "Sister Hong, is he harassing you?"

Zhong Chuhong shook his head and said no.

She felt that it was not as serious as harassment, but the advertising talent's recent fierce pursuit did make her feel a little stressed, especially since he parked his car downstairs of her house every morning, which had caused a lot of misunderstandings.

Zhai Yuan said with a smile: "If you don't like it, I can help you get it."

Zhong Chuhong wrapped his windbreaker around himself and said with a smile, "How can we do that? Are you going to blow up his tire?"

Zhai Yuan thought to himself, then you don’t have to worry about it.

Starting from tomorrow, let Mr. Zhu give up.

It was not that Mr. Zhai had any interest in Zhong Chuhong, but he just wanted to show some concern for the heroine who was about to star in his own movie. Zhai Yuan asked, "Has Sister Hong signed a contract with a film company now?"

Zhong Chuhong shook her head and said: "I had a temporary agreement with TVB before, and promised them to record an episode of "Happy Tonight" every week, but later I found out that they had to shoot four days of location shooting for one episode, which conflicted too much with my work schedule, so after negotiation, I terminated the contract."

Zhai Yuan understood and took the initiative to invite him, "Why don't you come to Jiuyi and try it?"

Zhong Chuhong was a little hesitant. She didn't want to be tied down by the contract, but it was not easy for her to refuse directly.

So she smiled sweetly and said ambiguously, "Let me think about it. Why don't we talk about the script for the sequel to A Better Tomorrow first? What if I don't even pass the audition? Wouldn't that disappoint Mr. Zhai?"

Zhai Yuan said yes, thinking that Zhong Chuhong should be the first actor to reject his invitation?

Haha, woman, you successfully caught my attention.

…………

The complex role of the real and fake Ruan Wen in "Wushuang" is very attractive to Zhong Chuhong.

Especially in this era when female stars are only fit to be vases.

Unless it is an art film, the top-tier Lin Qingxia can only be a background board.

Coming out of the restaurant at Golden Mile Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui.

When Zhai Yuan sent Zhong Chuhong to the Bashu Building where she lived, the woman was still recalling the triple identities of the character Ruan Wen in the script.

She asked with great interest: "Mr. Zhai, is Ruan Wen a real painter?"

Zhai Yuan made two versions of the ending of "Wushuang".

The first version imitated the ending of "The Usual Suspects", where Li Wen walked out of the police station in a cool and confident manner and left with the help of his accomplices.

The second version was designed to pass review in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and other regions, and used the ending of the original film where Li Wen was brought to justice.

In overseas markets such as Malaysia, since there is no ratings system, pornographic scenes in the film must be cut out in one sentence, bad guys must not have a happy ending, and ghosts must be explained scientifically. Therefore, there is a long tradition of Hong Kong films making two versions in order to sell well overseas.

For example, in the later "Young and Dangerous" series, the Singapore and Malaysia versions reshot a lot of scenes of Chen Haonan reporting on his work in the police station. The whole film is his memories, and he tells his superiors intermittently about his experience as an undercover agent in Hongxing.

The script of "Wushuang" that Zhong Chuhong just read was the second version, so she had this doubt.

Zhai Yuan smiled noncommittally: "If you think so, then it is, but there can only be one painter, because the movie is called Wushuang."

Zhong Chuhong seemed to be thinking about something. She looked up and smiled at Zhai Yuan: "Mr. Zhai, thank you for telling me such a good story. I will definitely try my best to do it well."

After saying that, he pointed to the Bashu Building standing in front of him and smiled shyly: "I live here, the place is too small, I won't invite you up~"

This 18-story building in front of us is often compared with Kowloon Walled City, and the environment is indeed very poor.

Cherie Chung starred in her first movie in 1980. Even until this year, she is still living in this building and has not moved out, which shows that her original pay was not high.

Zhai Yuan smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. After you finish filming "Wushuang", you can buy a house. You can hire me then."

Chen Lan offered her a salary of 100,000 yuan, which is already very high among today's actresses, and since she was not signed to any company, she could pocket all the money.

Zhong Chuhong nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go up first then."

The two said goodbye downstairs in the building. Zhai Yuan stood downstairs and did not leave. He watched Zhong Chuhong go up to the sixth floor, and waved to him again while standing on the balcony.

Zhai Yuan watched her enter a room and counted from left to right: "The seventh room. Okay, let's make Zhu Jiasheng retreat tomorrow morning."

…………

At seven o'clock the next morning, Zhu Jiasheng drove his Mercedes-Benz and arrived downstairs of Zhong Chuhong's house early.

After getting off the car to stretch his body, Zhu Jiasheng greeted the neighbors who got up early with a smile. In recent times, he has come to pick up and drop off Zhong Chuhong every day, and he has become familiar with many of them.

This is a very good start. Gradually everyone will assume that I am Ah Hong’s boyfriend. Although she has not agreed to me for the time being, it can also drive away many competitors.

Zhu Jiasheng was busy calculating, and with a smile he looked up at the door of Zhong Chuhong's house on the sixth floor.

Then the smile froze on his face.

Across the balcony, Zhu Jiasheng saw a familiar figure.

He pushed his glasses up in disbelief and stretched his neck forward subconsciously.

There is no doubt about it! It is the boy named Zhai Yuan from yesterday.

At this time, Zhai Yuan lowered his head, with a towel around his neck, wearing a vest and shorts, looking unethical. He was standing at the door of Zhong Chuhong's house, holding a toothbrush in his mouth and carefully brushing it.

As if he had noticed something, he raised his head and looked downstairs, meeting Zhu Jiasheng's dull eyes.

Zhai Yuan's mouth was full of foam and he was grinning.

In the morning sun, the teeth are white and the foam is colorful.

Zhu Jiasheng looked at Zhai Yuan brushing his teeth in front of Zhong Chuhong's house, feeling lost and as if he had lost something very important in his heart.

Zhai Yuan swished off the toothpaste and ran downstairs.

"Mr. Zhu, what a coincidence? Are you here to pick up Sister Hong to start work?"

Zhai Yuan greeted him warmly.

Zhu Jiasheng pursed his lips, glanced upstairs, and then looked at Zhai Yuan, who was wearing a vest and shorts in front of him, and said in a hoarse voice: "You... Ah Hong... you two?"

Zhai Yuan didn't say anything, just smiled shyly and patted his lower back.

Zhu Jiasheng's mentality collapsed.

At this moment, the door of the sixth floor opened from the inside, and Zhong Chu walked out with fluffy red hair. She was stretching on the balcony in pajamas, with a graceful figure.

"Sister Hong!"

Zhai Yuan waved at her vigorously with a bright smile.

Zhong Chuhong still had a sleepy look on her face. When she saw the two men downstairs, she let out a soft cry, hurriedly pulled up the collar of her pajamas, and then gestured to the two men downstairs to go in and change their clothes.

When returning to the room, Cherie Chung was still wondering why Zhai Yuan was dressed so strangely today?
"Mr. Zhu, how about you go first, and I'll take Sister Hong to the set after breakfast?"

Downstairs, Zhai Yuan asked Zhu Jiasheng for his opinion with a smile.

"No need." Zhu Jiasheng took a deep breath, stared at Zhai Yuan for a few seconds, slowly closed his eyes and said, "I have accepted advertising planning from other companies, and will terminate the contract with Tidashi later. Please tell Miss Zhong for me that I will not shoot her commercial again."

Zhai Yuan sighed regretfully: "Okay, goodbye."

Zhu Jiasheng is gone.

Zhai Yuan watched the Mercedes-Benz sedan slowly drive out of the building. Under the partial sunlight, the paint on the car glowed green.

He silently took out his phone and called Huang Ziming: "Mr. Huang, I heard that Zhu Jiasheng wants to terminate the contract with your company. It doesn't matter if you haven't heard about it. He will notify you immediately. What I mean is that Jiuyi has just established an advertising department. We can take over this business, and the heroine will continue to use Miss Zhong Chuhong..."

In just a short moment, Zhai Yuan negotiated a deal worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

At this time, Zhong Chuhong also came down.

Zhong Chuhong looked around and asked curiously, "Where is Mr. Zhu?"

Zhai Yuan said, "I said yesterday that I would help you deal with him. I'll keep my word. He won't come again. Also, Jiuyi will take over the filming of your watch commercial."

Zhong Chuhong was surprised: "How... did you do that?"

Zhai Yuan took off the towel hanging around his neck and wiped his face, saying, "It's a commercial secret. It involves a lot of interests. It won't do you any good to tell you. I can only say that the water is very deep. Don't ask."

…………

In early April, box office data for "A Better Tomorrow" in Japan, South Korea, North America and other regions were released one after another.

Pang Chia-yin said on the phone: "What a pity, the final statistics of the North American box office are only 976 million US dollars, which is almost enough to break million."

Zhai Yuan asked, "Is the movie being released now?"

Peng Jiayan said: "There is only one day left, but the increase is very small now. I estimate that at most another 100,000 yuan will be collected."

The difference between a box office of 10 million and 9 million may not sound big, but the meaning is different.

Zhai Yuan thought for a moment and said, "It's not that far off. So, you can go find a theater and book a few more theaters, and go to places like Chinatown to hand out free movie tickets. It doesn't matter if anyone comes to watch the movie. The key is that after the box office exceeds 10 million, it will be convenient for me to promote the movie in Hong Kong."

Peng Jiayan was stunned and asked, "Is this possible?"

Zhai Yuan said: "Okay, let the theater owner make the accounts look better."

Peng Jiayan said, “Then I’ll give it a try.”

Zhai Yuan asked: "When will you return to Hong Kong?"

Pang Ka Yin said, "I'm going to watch the Oscars with Michelle Pfeiffer in mid-April. You don't want me to do hard labor again, do you?"

Zhai Yuan smiled and said, "No, I mean if you are not in a hurry, I will take Xu Ke over there later. I have written a science fiction script for Michelle Pfeiffer, and we can watch it together then."

hang up the phone.

Zhai Yuan was about to start counting the box office in Japan and South Korea.

Guan Weiming called again: "Boss, I need 165 million yen. Once the money arrives, I can bring three Japanese people back to Hong Kong from Sony tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)