Hong Kong Movie: At the beginning, Big Boss B asked me to draw the death lottery

Chapter 213, Part 4: Sister-in-law

"Huizhen, don't work today. China Star Cinema has invited you to do an exclusive interview!"

Inside TVB's newsroom, the editor-in-chief pushed open an office door and called out to Lok Wai-ching, who was writing a report.

"Wait a minute, editor-in-chief, let me finish organizing the manuscripts I have first!"

Le Huizhen glanced at the editor-in-chief and continued writing.

The editor-in-chief smiled and shook his head: "You really love journalism, don't push yourself so hard!"

Even if you lie in the office all day in air conditioning, no one will dare to teach you how to do things.

"Hey, let Mr. He buy the TV station and give it to you!"

"What nonsense are you spouting, editor-in-chief!"

Lok Wai-ching pretended to be angry and threw down the pen in her hand.

The elderly editor-in-chief just smiled and waved his hand: "The opportunity is right in front of you, so cherish it. You have no idea how many girls want this opportunity but can't get it."

"Hey, I'm not teaching you how to climb the social ladder. I'm just worried you'll miss out and regret it for the rest of your life. Rich people turn their backs on you very quickly!"

"Nonsense, I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"If you don't know, just go to Huaxing Cinema and arrange an exclusive interview. Mrs. Xu paid a lot of deposit, so hurry up and go!"

At 2:30 p.m., Lok Wai-ching arrived at a villa in Kowloon Tong as agreed.

This is the residence of Xu Jiaqiang, the owner of China Star Film Company.

The person who invited Yue Huizhen over was Chen Lan, the proprietress of Zhu Run Yu Yuan.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Xu!"

Upon meeting Mrs. Hui, Lok Wai-ching simply greeted her politely, but Mrs. Hui displayed great enthusiasm.

"Oh! Huizhen is here, come and sit down!"

"Wait a moment, I'll make you some tea!"

In the living room of the Kowloon Tong villa, sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the Persian carpet.

Chen Lan walked over carrying two cups of iced lemon tea. The jade bracelet on her wrist swayed gently with her movements, reflecting a warm light.

"Try this. I made it myself. You journalists all need to stay in shape."

Mrs. Xu pushed the teacup in front of Yue Huizhen, and the fine lines at the corners of her eyes smoothed out with a smile.

Lok Wai-ching took the cup with both hands, her fingertips touching the water droplets condensed on the cup's surface.

"Thank you, Mrs. Xu."

She took a sip, and the tartness of the lemon perfectly balanced the richness of the black tea, making it better than the average cold drink from a street-side shop.

It's hard to imagine that such a refreshing lemon tea was made by such a wealthy woman.

"Just call me Sister Lan."

Chen Lan moved closer to the sofa and started to strike up a conversation: "When I was young, I also worked as a script supervisor at TVB, and that's how I met Ka-Keung."

In a way, we're practically in the same industry.

Lok Wai-ching's eyes lit up: "Sister Lan also worked in the news?"

"It's not the news department, it's the TV drama production team."

Chen Lan's gaze drifted out the window, as if looking back through time at her younger self.

"Back then, I followed the film crew to location shoots every day and got so tanned I looked like a Malay girl."

But back then, I didn't even know what the word "tired" meant; I was just giving it my all!

She turned her gaze back and suddenly asked, "Huizhen, do you know about the 'Seven Fairies' of the Shaw Brothers back then?"

Le Huizhen nodded: "Li Jing and He Lili were both very popular movie stars at the time."

“Last year, He Lili was photographed in Vancouver buying discounted vegetables at a supermarket.”

Chen Lan gently swirled her teacup, the ice cubes making a crisp clinking sound: "When I was young, I was incredibly successful. The salary from one movie could buy a house halfway up the mountain."

And now? Her husband is bankrupt, her son is a drug addict, and she has breast cancer and can't even afford the surgery.

Lok Wai-ching's grip on the cup tightened slightly, and her furrowed brows were reflected on the surface of the tea.

“Hong Kong Island has no shortage of beautiful faces.”

Chen Lan suddenly lowered her voice: "But those who can stay beautiful for a lifetime are the smart ones who know how to turn their beauty into real money."

The antique grandfather clock in the reception room struck three. Only then did Lok Wai-ching realize that the interview microphone was still in her bag, and their conversation had long since strayed from the film industry.

"Sister Lan, what's today's interview?"

"No hurries."

Seeing that Lok Wai-ching intended to change the subject, Chan Lan immediately waved her hand: "Ka-keung went to Macau to discuss business, so the interview will be rescheduled."

The reason I invited you here today is to discuss Mr. He's matter.

Lok Wai-ching's ears burned, and she nearly dropped the teacup.

"He Sheng and I are just..."

"Just what?"

Chen Lan smiled meaningfully: "Miss Le, this isn't a taboo topic. We're all women, so you can be more frank with me!"

Lok Wai-ching stared down at her teacup, where a lemon slice lay at the bottom, like a crescent moon.

"I... am not good enough for him, I've always felt... inferior in front of him..."

These words were practically squeezed out through gritted teeth. The sharp-tongued reporter at the press conference now resembled a schoolchild who had done something wrong.

Chen Lan suddenly leaned forward, her jade earrings swaying gently.

"I understand, especially someone like you who has received higher education, you must have a lot of thoughts in your mind."

You worry that rich men have multiple wives and concubines, and you worry that you can't keep Mr. He's heart. But Huizhen, evolution is the real sociology.

Regardless of gender, outstanding people will always have many admirers. I don't think you should have too many concerns!

Lok Wai-ching gritted her teeth and lowered her head.

She had asked herself more than once whether she was in love with Ho Yiu-chung.

The answer is obvious. Putting aside He Yaozong's background and character, his handsome appearance alone is exactly what I had always dreamed of.

How many women could resist a man like that?
But as Mrs. Xu said, she worried that she was just a plaything that could be discarded at any time, and that the other party was just going through the motions with her...

"Silly girl, a man doesn't need you to be good enough for him, he just needs you to know how to be his woman."

Mrs. Xu saw through Lok Wai-ching's thoughts as she fidgeted with her nail polished fingers.

“Listen to me, even if you don’t win Mr. He’s heart, at least you will always have a place in his heart.”

As the eldest sister-in-law, firstly, you must always give him face in front of outsiders;

Second, remember all his likes and dislikes;
Third, play dumb when you need to, and be shrewd when you need to be!

After a pause, she added, "The most important thing is to get him used to having you around."

Lok Wai-ching looked up, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes: "Isn't this just being a maid?"

"wrong!"

Chen Lan slapped the coffee table: "The servants get paid, and the eldest sister-in-law gets a share of the family property. Look at Jiaqiang, now I even have to pick out the buttons on his shirts myself."

She proudly raised her chin: "The words may be crude, but the meaning is sound. I don't have your level of knowledge, but you understand what I mean!"

Lok Wai-ching shook her head blankly: "I don't want to take a share of his estate. I also know that Mr. Ho is no ordinary person. If he doesn't want to, no one can take away his estate!"

"Huizhen, you're much more insightful than I imagined!"

Mrs. Xu smiled and then said, "Let me put it simply for you. There's one very important thing about being the eldest sister-in-law."

You need to learn how to wear high heels!

"What does it mean?"

"It's meaningless. If you really don't want to be a so-called maid, then wear a pair of high heels before you go to see him!"
Let him know that when you come, he can make time to give you a chance to explain.

……

As the sun began to set, Yue Huizhen walked out of the villa. Chen Lan's last words echoed in her ears—

"You can be a journalist for a lifetime, but the opportunity to change your destiny may only come once in a lifetime."

That evening, Lok Wai-ching stood in front of the mansion on Beacon Hill and rang the doorbell.

She was wearing a beige suit, her hair was neatly tied back, and she was holding a resume in her hand.

After the security team led Lok Wai-ching to the door of her bedroom on the second floor, Ho Yiu-chung opened the door, clearly having just taken a shower, with water still dripping from his hair.

He raised an eyebrow at the documents in Yue Huizhen's hand: "Huizhen, what is this...?" "Mr. He, I would like to apply for the position of your personal secretary."

Lok Wai-ching spoke calmly, as if she were announcing the news: "This is my resume and work plan."

He Yaozong paused for two seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter.

He stepped aside to make way: "What the hell are you doing? Why did you think of applying for a personal secretary position?"

"Come in quickly, Miss Secretary, let's get through the first round of interviews first!"

……

Lok Wai-ching's "probationary period" officially began on the second day.

She arrived at the He residence at six o'clock, bringing morning tea bought from Lu Yu Tea House. When He Yaozong returned from his morning run, shrimp dumplings, char siu buns, and Pu'er tea were already laid out on the table.

"I remember you don't eat cilantro."

She handed over a towel: "That's why it wasn't put in the rice noodle rolls."

He Yaozong paused in wiping his sweat, but didn't say anything more.

Xiao Hui once mentioned that his life lacked a bit of warmth and everyday life.

After Yue Huizhen arrived, his life didn't become much more mundane, but it certainly seemed to have become more colorful.

In the days that followed, Lok Wai-ching put her journalistic observation skills to the extreme.

She discovered that Ho Yiu-chung liked to add three ice cubes to his whiskey, used a Montblanc pen when reading documents, and even paid close attention to things like the size of his suits.

She wrote down all these trivial details in a small notebook.

One late night, Ho Yiu-chung was handling a merger and acquisition case in his study.

Lok Wai-ching brought over a late-night snack, which was a bowl of wonton noodles.

How did you know I wanted to eat this?

He Yaozong put down the documents.

Lok Wai-ching smiled and said, "When you answered the phone this afternoon, you said you missed the wonton noodles in Sham Shui Po, so I went out of my way to buy some from the old brand."

He Yaozong picked up a wonton and suddenly asked, "Who taught you all these things?"

Lok Wai-ching gently put down her chopsticks. Moonlight filtered through the gauze curtain, casting a soft shadow on Ho Yiu-chung's resolute profile.

"I've figured it out myself, Mr. He. I... I really like you and don't want to miss out on you..."

This time, without the aid of alcohol, Lok Wai-ching spoke these words frankly and without any shyness.

"If you like me, you'll transform yourself into someone completely different?"
You still won't address me by my first name, Mr. He, Mr. He. Why? Are you being overly polite?!

He Yaozong put down his chopsticks, looked directly at Le Huizhen, and then spoke.

"No matter who it is, I only have one requirement for the people around me—that is, honesty!"

Huizhen, do you prefer to listen to others, or to me?

Lok Wai-ching bit her lip and involuntarily lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, Yao-ge, I..."

Lok Wai-ching's fingers twisted together unconsciously, her nails almost digging into her palms.

"It was Mrs. Xu who taught me..."

"Which Mrs. Xu?"

"Chen Lan..."

She looked up and met He Yaozong's deep eyes: "Sister Lan, do you think this will help you get used to having me around?"

He Yaozong suddenly smiled, but did not ask any further questions.

"Remember, don't live like an empty puppet in front of me."

"Damn it, I'm only in my twenties. Do you think dating you will make me feel like I'm in my seventies or eighties?"

"I'm sorry, I thought..."

"What do you think?"

He Yaozong walked back to her side and gently lifted her chin: "Just be yourself. If I like you, it's because you are you, not because you can remember how many ice cubes I add to my whiskey!"

……

The next morning, Ho Yiu-chung met an old acquaintance in Central.

In a medium-sized reception room, sitting opposite was Xu Jiayan, the head of Xinji.

The newly appointed head of the company had fine beads of sweat on his forehead and his fingers were tapping nervously on the mahogany table.

"Mr. He, I really didn't know anything about this."

Xu Jiayan's voice was unusually tense: "Damn it! Jiaqiang is such a good-for-nothing, he can't even control his own wife!"

He Yaozong sipped his tea slowly and deliberately, his face revealing no emotion.

"Mr. Xu, I have always respected your Xu family."

But the misunderstanding about my sister-in-law touching me is not pleasant. Why? Is she trying to groom my girlfriend into a socialite?

"I understand, I understand!"

Xu Jiayan nodded repeatedly; He Yaozong's words were truly terrifying.

"Jiaqiang is currently in Haojiang. I will immediately call him back to give you an explanation."

He Yaozong put down his teacup, stood up, and straightened his suit cuffs.

"I don't need his explanation, I just hope that something like this will never happen again."

Ms. Yue is a media professional; her independence and credibility are very important to her. I hope that one day I can cultivate her into a media mogul, which is also her preferred direction!

"sure!"

Xu Jiayan also stood up: "Don't worry, Mr. He, I will handle the family matters."

"If this happens again, Mr. Xu, I won't notify you separately!"

……

That afternoon, Xu Jiaqiang rushed back to Hong Kong from Macau. As soon as he entered the house, he saw his wife, Chen Lan, sitting in the living room with a pale face, while his elder brother, Xu Jiayan, was standing by the window with a gloomy face.

"Brother, what happened?" Xu Jiaqiang asked cautiously.

Xu Jiayan turned around, his eyes blazing with fury.

"What a mess your wife has made! Going to teach He Yaozong's woman how to please men? Who do you think you are? A socialite?!"

Chen Lan trembled with fear: "Big brother, I was just trying to be kind..."

"Kindness?!"

Xu Jiayan slammed his hand on the coffee table, making the teacups jump.

"Who is He Yaozong? Does he need you to teach his woman how to do things?"
Chen Lan, do you think your husband is too idle, or is our Sun Kee company just too peaceful on Hong Kong Island?!

Xu Jiaqiang, who was completely bewildered, only now has a general understanding of the cause and effect of the matter.

He felt a chill run from his heels to the top of his head, and he lost control of his emotions—a rare occurrence for him: "You old hag! How dare you interfere in He Sheng's affairs?!"

"I...I just thought that girl was too naive..."

I'm doing this for Mr. Ho and that girl's own good..."

Chen Lan's voice grew softer and softer, but Xu Jiaqiang's anger grew stronger and stronger.

"enough!"

A slap landed on his face. Xu Jiaqiang glanced at his elder brother and then angrily rebuked him.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You just want to use He Sheng's girlfriend to climb the social ladder. Do you think others won't see through your petty scheme?!"

"Alright, stop hitting me!"

Xu Jiayan stopped his younger brother and looked at his sister-in-law, speaking coldly: "From now on, you are not allowed to go near that Le Huizhen anymore, do you hear me?"

If I find out you're meddling in other people's business again, you can forget about doing any more movie business!

"Big brother, I...I know..."

"Look at you, you can't even be a proper sister-in-law yourself, how dare you teach others to be one?"
"You think you can teach Mr. He's woman? You're out of your mind. Find some time to sort this out yourself. If this happens again, even my influence won't help!"

Xu Jiayan uttered these words and then strode away.

After Xu Jiayan left, Chen Lan slumped onto the sofa.

His face was filled with fear and unease as he looked at Xu Jiaqiang, unable to utter a sound for a long time...

(End of this chapter)