1982 Started from Hong Kong

Chapter 257: Up and Down
"The Yin people worshipped ghosts and gods, and lavish burials were popular at that time. By the Warring States Period, rituals and music had collapsed. When someone died in a commoner's family, they would just throw the body into a coffin and bury it without burying it. They couldn't even afford food, so why would they care about rituals? I don't care!"

Three days later, Zhai Yuan got Xu Kui's complete storyboard script for Mr. Vampire.

Sitting in the office, while enjoying the shoulder and neck massage from his young apprentice, he showed off to her the information he had read in various self-media in his previous life.

Although the fast-food knowledge only flowed through his mind once, he still remembered some of it, which was more than enough to fool his young apprentice.

"Confucians were deeply distressed when they saw the collapse of rituals and music, so they came up with a plan. Since you don't respect rituals, I will make up ghost stories to scare you. No funeral? Ghosts! No coffin? Resurrection!"

Zhai Yuan shook his head and said, "To use Xunzi's words, a gentleman would think it is the way of humanity, but the common people would think it is the work of ghosts~"

Zhou Huimin found what she heard very interesting, and coupled with the storyboard script in Zhai Yuan's hand that looked like a comic strip, she admired her talkative master even more.

She looked at the zombies in Qing Dynasty uniforms in the storyboard and said, "But there are indeed many places in Hong Kong that are reported to be haunted. The news has even reported them. They are so spooky and scary~"

Zhai Yuan smiled and said, “When our movie is released, there will be another zombie in urban legends.”

There are relatively few folk legends in Hong Kong now, because filmmakers have not yet discovered the influence of this track, so most of them ferment in tabloids and newspapers.

After a few years when horror movies became popular, in order to promote their own movies, a group of directors and actors began to tell the camera about their experiences of encountering ghosts on the set. Only then did this influence more people and various versions of the urban legend spread.

Zhai Yuan continued to show off, "In fact, the origin of ghost stories was also made up by intellectuals thousands of years ago to scare the common people. Those intellectuals invented the three-year mourning period. In order to get the common people to follow suit, they made up the story that when a person is buried in the ground, his soul will fly out and kill relatives and friends according to how close they are. Therefore, people have to wear white mourning clothes to disguise themselves. The closer the person is, the longer they need to disguise themselves to deceive the ghost."

Zhou Huimin had an expression of "I see," and smiled with narrowed eyes, "Master knows so much, no wonder the lyrics are so profound."

Girls of her age are naturally a bit literary, otherwise she would not have been deceived by the "little talent" Ni Zhen in the original timeline.

However, at this time in Hong Kong, even if the so-called four great talents were buried together, they were still suppressed by Zhai alone, ruling the world arbitrarily and sweeping away all the enemies of the world...

After spending some time together, the young girl fell in love with him without knowing it.

“In fact, there are many things that Master doesn’t understand either.”

Zhai Yuan was serious for less than a few minutes before he turned around and held his little apprentice on his lap, resting his head on her neck and saying, "For example, Huimin, what perfume do you use? It smells very unique."

Zhou Huimin blushed and her heart beat fast. She nervously grabbed his shoulders and said, "I don't wear perfume..."

"Really? What about the lipstick?" Zhai Yuan held her in his arms and changed his position. He lowered his head and kissed Zhou Huimin's lips, sobbing, "Let Master try what brand it is."

Zhou Huimin's whole body stiffened suddenly, her eyes widened, and then she closed them tightly, not daring to look at him.

Zhai Yuan pried open the girl's teeth and whispered in her ears for a while. He felt that he was getting more and more successful in taking advantage of her recently.

Naturally, he reached his hand into her skirt and started kneading it.

Zhou Huimin's breathing became more rapid, her struggles gradually became smaller, and she hummed softly.

Zhai Yuan took the time to look at the office door, which was locked tightly. His movements became more brazen, and he probed his fingers inside again, with a slightly surprised expression on his face.

Zhai Yuan's breathing also became heavier. He picked up Zhou Huimin and pressed her on the desk.

Zhou Huimin suddenly woke up from her intoxication, held Zhai Yuan's hand and pleaded with her eyes: "Master, I joined the church, and I can't do this before I get married..."

Zhai Yuan thought to himself, screw Jesus, what a shitty rule.

"It doesn't matter. We Chinese don't believe in the gods of foreigners."

As he said this he pressed on her and kissed her twice more.

Zhou Huimin had a complicated expression.

Her voice was as low as a mosquito's, "Can we not be here?"

Zhai Yuan put his forehead against hers and said, "Then I'll get a room at the Peninsula. Can you not go back tonight?"

Zhou Huimin's eyes hesitated and struggled for a moment, but she didn't say anything. She just bit her lip and turned her face away.

understood!

Zhai Yuan stood up, straightened his clothes, took out a tissue to wipe his hands, picked up the phone and dialed a number in front of Zhou Huimin: "Hey, please help me book a room at the Peninsula Hotel..."

Zhou Huimin lowered her head and adjusted the hem of her skirt. Her ears turned red as she listened to Zhai Yuan booking a room.

It was still early before dark.

Waiting time is always awkward.

Zhai Yuan chatted with Zhou Huimin for a few more words. The little apprentice looked absent-minded the whole time, with his head down, playing with his fingers.

"Hui Min, can I tell you a story about why zombies wear Qing Dynasty official uniforms?"

"..."

"I found a few kids to harmonize with you for 'Ghost Bride'. How's your practice going?"

"..."

"The most expensive room at the Peninsula Hotel costs several hundred dollars. If you don't go tonight, the money will be deducted from your salary!"

"what?"

Zhai Yuan looked at his watch and lamented that time passed so slowly.

Just when I was considering whether to take her to a hotel first to cultivate their relationship.

Shi Nansheng knocked on the door to break the awkward situation in the room.

"Mr. Zhai, Mr. Zunlong has come back from America. Would it be convenient for you to chat for a while?"

Zhai Yuan responded and came in, motioning Zhou Huimin to open the door.

Shi Nansheng walked in and saw Zhou Huimin smiling and nodding at her. It was just a casual greeting, but Zhou Huimin was preoccupied at the moment, and she thought everyone was teasing her, so her face turned red again.

"Mr. Zhai, this is Mr. Zunlong who came back from America."

Shi Nansheng glanced at Zhou Huimin curiously, let the man behind him in, and leaned over to Zhai Yuan and whispered, "Hey, it turns out you're really handsome."

Zhai Yuan looked up and took the initiative to stand up and greet Zun Long.

He then said to Shi Nansheng: "Don't be a flower-crazy person who has never seen the world!"

Whether you are handsome or not depends on who you compare yourself with.

Although John Lone is a few months older than Lam Ching-ying, he looks like his younger generation. After all, Uncle Ying is dark and old and can't be described as a handsome guy.

But if compared with Zhang Guorong, the two are equally good, and Rong Shao even looks more like a creamy boy now.

However, Zhai Yuan felt that these two were still a little inferior to himself.

It seemed that Zhou Huimin, who was standing next to him, only looked up at Zun Long and then looked away indifferently.

He didn't even need to ask, "Who is more handsome, me or Mr. Xu in the north of the city?"

"Brother Liang is back, sit wherever you want." Zhai Yuan invited Zunlong to sit on the sofa, took Zhou Huimin's hand and said, "Go wait for me outside first, remember not to run away, otherwise your salary will be deducted."

Zhou Huimin made a sound of grievance, lowered her head and ran out in small steps.

Only then did Zhai Yuan turn his gaze back to Zun Long, looking him up and down, and nodded secretly in his heart.

Judging from his image alone, Zun Long is undoubtedly suitable for the role of Qiu Sheng. He is more handsome than Qian Xiaohao, and at the age of thirty-something, he has a bit of nobility and already has the temperament he would later have when he played the last emperor Puyi.

As for why not follow the original film and use Qian Xiaohao?

First, the series needs a box office-strengthening leading actor, and Zun Long’s face would be more suitable.

Second, the females are more numerous than the males in Jiuyi Entertainment, and Zhai is afraid that Qian Xiaohao will lose control and use his quirks on the women in the company...

Those who work for entertainment companies are most afraid that their artists have stains.

Zhang Guorong smokes, Li Lizhen goes to bars, Ng Man-tat is a gambler, Lam Ching-ying drinks and fights... These are all acceptable in this era, and can even be used to market an artist's characteristics, such as the prodigal son character created by Koo Tim-lok later.

But Qian Xiaohao's bad habit of taking secret photos is different. Once it is exposed, it cannot be washed away. It is pointless to bury a time bomb around him.

Later, before going to court, Qian Xiaohao privately seduced the female customer in the supermarket who he had secretly photographed. The other party did not appear in court to testify, but the trial record was still published in the news. The judge scolded him in court for being shameless and secretly photographing dozens of women's skirts. In the end, he was sentenced to two years of probation.

As soon as the news came out, Qian Xiaohao's career plummeted, calls for boycotts were endless, and the company also suffered misfortune.

"As the company grows bigger, the quality of the artists we sign varies. We have to prepare some temporary contracts in advance. If this happens, we have to cut them off as soon as possible."

Zhai Yuan stroked his chin with his thoughts flying. It was already difficult to control public opinion with negative news like Qian Xiaohao's. If he ran into a drug addict like Mo Shaocong, it would be a death sentence.

Until Shi Nansheng coughed lightly, interrupting his thoughts: "Boss, Mr. Zunlong wants to ask you a question."

Zhai Yuan came back to his senses: "Ah? I was thinking about something else just now. What did Brother Liang ask?"

"Mr. Zhai, just call me Aliang. Otherwise, I will call you Uncle Master."

Zun Long smiled and said, repeating the question just now: "I haven't met my brothers since I returned to Hong Kong. I heard that Mr. Zhai wants me and Brother Zhengying to co-star in this movie. Can I take a look at the script first?"

Zhai Yuan looked at Shi Nansheng in surprise: "Didn't I ask you to mail the script to America first?"

Shi Nansheng smiled and said, "It will take time to send it to America. Mr. Zun Long wanted to return to Hong Kong earlier, so he got on the plane before receiving the script."

Zhai Yuan looked at Zun Long and laughed, "You dare to return to China without even reading the script? Aren't you afraid that I will make a pornographic movie for you?"

Zun Long shrugged and said, "I don't care. It's normal to devote oneself to art."

"The actors who came back from America are really open-minded. Hey, this is called professionalism!"

Zhai Yuan turned his head and teased Shi Nansheng, then threw all the script and storyboard drawings of Mr. Vampire on the table to Zun Long: "You take a look at this story first, and we can communicate at any time if there is anything wrong... But I have something important to do today, so don't delay me for too long."

Zhai Yuan was obsessed with the Peninsula Hotel at this time. Not to mention Zunlong, even if Chen Shilong or Stallone came, he couldn't delay until the evening.

Zun Long looked at a pile of manuscripts and asked in surprise, "Is Hong Kong's film industry now formalized?"

Shi Nansheng knew what he was asking, and said with a smile: "At present, only our heavyweight films from Jiuyi Entertainment and Jiahe have such formal preparations in the early stages. Most of the other film companies are still flying paper."

At the end, he added, flattering his boss: "Mr. Zhai attaches great importance to this aspect."

Zun Long gave Zhai Yuan a look of approval: "Industrial products in America are indeed more suitable for making movies. I gradually realized the gap when I studied and taught there. I didn't expect that Mr. Zhai has already started to improve the environment."

"It's hard for a makeshift troupe to become something great." Zhai Yuan smiled and waved his hand: "You've studied abroad and taught before. I'm considering setting up a film class and letting you teach the company's artists."

Zun Long thought he was joking, smiled and said "OK", then lowered his head to read the script.

However, Zhai Yuan really has the idea of setting up a film club.

Currently, there are only two TV stations in Hong Kong engaged in this industry, TVB and ATV. It goes without saying that TVB supplies a large number of talents to the film and television circles every year, and even ATV has promoted new stars such as Ho K-Ching, Anthony Wong and Vincent Yin.

Instead of spending money to poach talents from others, it is better to produce and sell them by ourselves, and also offer some cultural courses and Mandarin classes to improve the quality of these artists.

I'll start selling it once I make money from the CDs!
When the time comes, we’ll send dozens of scouts out to parade the streets!
I'm going to monopolize this industry from the root!

Just when Zhai Yuan was planning his grand ambitions.

Zun Long has finished reading the script in his hand.

He closed his eyes and thought for a moment, then opened them and asked thoughtfully, "Mr. Zhai, I see that Senior Brother Zhengying should be the male lead in the script, but I have a lot of roles as well, and there is also a separate plot line with the female ghost..."

Zhai Yuan understood and said, "Two male protagonists. This series is not yet complete. We plan to shoot three dramas set in the early Republic of China. These three dramas will mainly portray the images of Lin Zhengying and you. When the plot enters the modern city, you two can be the male protagonists separately."

He briefly told Zunlong about the story line that had taken place in recent times, for which he provided the outline and the company's creative team compiled it.

The first part is about the master and apprentice fighting zombies, the second part incorporates the plot of "Uncle Zombie" to introduce the Maoshan setting, and the third part is the drama of the master and apprentice fighting against the eldest senior brother in "Supreme Zombie".

Zun Long listened with great interest and analyzed from a professional perspective: "I think it's good. The three zombie movies in the early Republic of China have almost exhausted the value of this series. When the plot returns to the modern city, it's a pity to use new gimmicks to continue to attract audiences."

Zhai Yuan thought that it was also necessary to prevent copycat works from disrupting the market. The authentic zombie films directed by Liu Guanwei could be counted on one hand, but at that time there were already hundreds of copycat zombie films on the market with varying quality, which made this theme a household name and no one watched it.

Fortunately, Jiuyi Entertainment has its own cinema chain, and if anyone follows suit, his films will not be allowed to be released, which can barely curb the situation.

Zun Long smiled and said, "After reading the script as a whole, I'd still give the role to Senior Brother Zhengying."

Zhai Yuan shook his head and said, "Not necessarily. You have your own plot line, so don't worry about stealing his role."

The difference between the top and bottom roles is equivalent to the difference between the main role and the supporting role. For example, Zhou Xingchi is the undisputed top role. When he plays with Liu Dehua, who is also a top role, the two seem extremely out of place. However, if they are replaced with Wu Mengda or Chen Baixiang, the effect is immediate. Similarly, if two actors who are also bottom roles play together, there is still a sense of disharmony. For example, Ge Minghui, who Wang Jin wanted to promote to replace Zhou Xingchi, could only barely pass the test when he was with Wu Mengda, a golden supporting role.

Zun Long thought for a moment and said, "I have been a playboy in Hollywood for many years, so I should be able to match up with Senior Brother Zhengying."

"Are there any problems with the fighting moves?"

"I have never neglected my training in America, so I can do some somersaults easily."

Zhai Yuan nodded and smiled as he got to the point: "When are we going to sign the contract?"

Zun Long joked: "How do you want to sign, uncle?"

Zhai Yuan said: "Why not sign ten dramas at once at the price of 120 million?"

Zun Long raised his eyebrows. He had no father or mother. He got married once in the 1970s and divorced hastily. He made up his mind not to marry again and have children in this life, so he was not so eager for the film pay.

He lowered his head and smiled, then Zun Long sighed and said, "It seems that I will have to stay in Hong Kong for a long time..."

It was already afternoon when the three of them came out of the office.

Shi Nansheng took Zunlong to sign the contract.

Zhai Yuan walked quickly to the hall and hushed twice from a distance in the direction of Zhou Huimin's workstation.

Zhou Huimin looked up blankly, feeling a little embarrassed.

Zhai Yuan waved at her impatiently: "Elbow!"

(End of this chapter)