Against the Current Hong Kong 1979

Chapter 130 It's only touching when real couples play the role of cuckolds (4 updates, please subscribe)

That's not what I meant.

Xie Xian quickly waved his hand and smiled awkwardly: "I just said it casually, don't take it to heart."

"

Wearing only a bathrobe, Dibona poured a cup of tea for Xie Xian and Zhang Shuai'an: "You two continue chatting, I'm going to sleep now."

Xie Xian pulled Di Bona aside and said forcefully, "Why are you sleeping so early? Sit down and chat with the guests."

"You need to let me change my clothes," Debona said, actually feeling that something was getting loose. "Are you expecting me to chat here in my pajamas?"

Xie Xian noticed that Di Bona's clothes were indeed somewhat inappropriate, and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, go ahead."

Then he noticed something was off: "Why are you wearing pajamas when guests are coming?"

Debona felt a sticky sensation on her thighs and became somewhat irritated. She snapped, "Why are you so nosy? I'm dressed so scantily to seduce people, are you satisfied now?"

"You got angry over just one word I said. I admit I was wrong, okay?" Xie Xian was actually quite relieved to hear this, since he had rushed back to appease his wife.

"Men are all the same," Debona sneered, and quickly went upstairs.

Immediately, he rushed into the bathroom, cleaned himself up, and then quickly took a shower.

They also collected the damp sheets and put them in the washing machine, then took out new sheets of the same size and put them back on.

Downstairs living room.

Xie Xian continued chatting with Zhang Shuai'an.

"That's right, I wrote a screenplay for an art film, specifically aiming to compete for awards at the three major European film festivals."

Zhang Shuai'an's expression was quite serious, without a trace of joking or frivolity: "I just finished talking with Mr. Zou Wenhuai, and he suggested that you play one of the roles."

I was so excited that I took a taxi right away, but I didn't expect you to be here, only my sister-in-law was. I was just about to say hello and leave when I realized you were back, Fourth Brother.

"Oh dear, I missed her so much when I got home," Xie Xian explained with a smile. "I finished filming the scenes in Taiwan in a rush and then bought a plane ticket and flew back."

Then, he asked, "I've acted in art films too, but I don't act in just any film. I have to read the script and understand what kind of role it is."

Zhang Shuai'an pretended to ponder for a few seconds, then said softly, "How about this, Brother Xie, come to my company tomorrow, and we can discuss the script in person, okay?"

"Okay." Xie Xian nodded, then went straight to the question he cared about most: "How much can you offer for the role?"

"Fourth Brother, how much are you expecting for the role?" Zhang Shuai'an knew that Xie Xian's status should be quite high now, after all, he was a male star who became popular in the 1950s and 60s. Although he is no longer at his peak, his acting skills and fame are still there, and the audience still buys into his act.

"I signed a contract with Shaw Brothers for ten films in advance to buy a house for my wedding."

Xie Xian didn't answer directly, but instead explained his predicament: "If I'm not offered a high price, I probably won't be interested in filming outside projects. How about this, I'll take the role if the fee is 800,000."

Zhang Shuai'an chuckled and said to Xie Xian, "If I remember correctly, Ti Lung's salary was only 80,000 yuan. He only made 700,000 yuan when he went to Taiwan to earn extra money. Fourth Brother, you're clearly lying to me."

Xie Xian was not angry when he saw that his weak momentum had been exposed. Instead, he said somewhat matter-of-factly, "Ti Lung is just a young man. When I was famous, he was still a kid."

"Talking about the past is like eating shit," Zhang Shuai'an said bluntly. "Fourth Brother, you were indeed famous before, and you're still as popular as you were back then. But you've been making TV dramas in recent years and haven't made many movies. And this is an art film, so I don't have that kind of big budget."

Xie Xian said with some disappointment, "I heard that your movie 'Chasing Girls' made over 20 million at the box office, why are you complaining about being poor?"

Zhang Shuai'an retorted, "Box office revenue is box office revenue, but the actual amount received is not that much. Fourth Brother, you should know this very well."

"Alright, alright, how about this?" Xie Xian said with a smile, "I'll give you a 40% discount, 480,000, is that generous enough?"

Zhang Shuai'an began to consider whether the salary was worth it. Xie Xian was indeed poached by TVB for a high price to film TV series back then, reportedly 6 to 8 per episode.

Xie Xian also felt that making money from TV dramas was easier than making movies, so from 1978 onwards he prioritized making TV dramas and only made cameo appearances in one or two movies.

Zhang Shuai'an stated his price: "180,000."

"You're something else!" Xie Xian's expression immediately changed, feeling that Zhang Shuai'an was insulting him: "Handsome, I'm only giving you face because you're popular lately. Do you really think I, Xie Laosi, am made of dough?"

Zhang Shuai'an continued, "At the same time, I can sell a script to TVB and then appoint you as the male lead."

You should know how popular my TV scripts are.

Xie Xian knew all too well that the TV series "Young Detective Bao Qingtian" had become a hit from Hong Kong to Taiwan. He was invited to Taiwan to film a TV series because of the influence of Zhang Shuai'an's series.

Not to mention the later series "Shanghai Bund," which is said to have become a hit throughout Southeast Asia, with several countries reportedly vying to import it.

Xie Xian, who currently earns money by filming TV dramas, immediately perked up upon hearing this, a cigarette between his fingers: "Are you serious?"

"Of course." Zhang Shuai'an had already lit up "King of Gamblers" long ago, and it was time to put it out and make some money.

He's not filming TV dramas anymore, so he can sell his work to TVB to earn some pocket money.

Xie Xian asked with some curiosity, "Will this drama you're talking about be as popular as 'Shanghai Bund'?"

Zhang Shuai'an said, "They should be evenly matched, and the male lead in the drama might even become one of your classic roles, Fourth Brother!"

Xie Xian considered for a moment, then slammed his hand on the table and said, "If it's really that popular, I won't ask for a salary for this movie!"

"Fourth Brother, is this really true?" Zhang Shuai'an hadn't expected him to be so individualistic!

"Of course." Xie Xian said to Zhang Shuai'an while smoking, "I'm tired of making movies. I'll focus on TV series from now on. Making good movies doesn't benefit me much, and I don't get any royalties."

"Once the TV series is finished filming, I can ask Uncle Shaw for a raise."

Zhang Shuai'an knew that Xie Xian's situation was indeed like this; he did earn more from filming TV series than from filming movies.

The main reason is that Xie Xian is getting old, and there aren't many suitable roles for him in the film industry anymore. However, his fame in television dramas can last for at least another ten years, enough for him to earn a living.

Xie Xian asked, "Let's talk about the TV series first. What's your script about? Is it something like 'Shanghai Bund'?"

Zhang Shuai'an immediately gave a brief summary of the plot of "The King of Gamblers" and also briefly mentioned the main character settings of the male protagonist "Luo Sihai".

Xie Xian's eyes lit up as he listened, and he clapped his hands, exclaiming, "This role was born for me!"

Indeed, this is true; the character was originally adapted based on Xie Xian's personality.

Xie Xian was the fourth child in his family, so those close to him called him Fourth Brother.

Later, because "The King of Gamblers" became so popular, the character "Luo Sihai" became deeply ingrained in people's minds, and the nickname "Fourth Brother" spread like wildfire, with even people outside the entertainment industry starting to call him that.

"Tell me more about your movie!" Xie Xian casually asked, "What's the male lead like?"

Zhang Shuai'an originally wanted to wait until Xie Xian came to talk to him tomorrow before discussing it, but when Xie Xian urged him, he explained the character of Madian in "Blood Simple".

Xie Xian frowned after hearing this.

He got married last year, and the newlyweds were inseparable.

A while ago, Debona went to Taiwan and caught him cheating. Although there was some danger, he didn't think it was a big deal and that he could just appease her.

But if this movie is made, won't people start to see themselves in it?

"Fourth Brother, if you don't want to participate, then I'll have to find someone else."

Seeing his expression, Zhang Shuai'an sighed softly, "We'll have to find someone else to play the male lead in 'The King of Gamblers'."

"No!"

Xie Xian immediately shouted, "I'm taking this role. This Madian is made for me!"

He continued, "Let's not cast anyone else for Madian's wife. Let my wife play the role, and we'll both be in it! A real couple playing a cuckolded character is much more touching! But we can't skimp on her salary!"

1

"make a deal!"

That was Zhang Shuai'an's plan from the beginning.

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