Hong Kong variety show: The mastermind behind the scenes is emerging.

Sunday, June 23, 1983.

This day was destined to be a sleepless night for all seven million citizens of Hong Kong.

The food stall owners had closed up shop early, taxi drivers parked their cars on the roadside, and the tea restaurant was packed with diners who had only ordered one cup of milk tea but had been sitting there all night. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the television hanging on the wall.

Tonight is the final showdown between TVB and ATV.

7:55 PM.

Radio television station, control room.

Uncle Shao sat in front of the monitor, a cigar between his fingers, his expression tense. Fang Yihua, Wang Tianlin, and other high-ranking officials beside him also dared not utter a sound.

"What are the ratings?" Uncle Liu asked in a deep voice.

"Reporting to Uncle Liu! It's already climbed to 68%! And it's still rising!"

The technicians shouted excitedly, "All the TVs in Hong Kong are switching channels! Everyone's waiting for 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'!"

It's exactly eight o'clock.

As Roman Tam and Jenny Tseng's stirring prelude to "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" began, a magnificent scene of desolate desert and archery appeared on the screen.

"A vague dream seems to have occurred before, stirring up waves in my heart..."

Guo Jing's honesty and Huang Rong's beauty, combined with the cinematic quality brought by the real-life filming, instantly captured the hearts of countless viewers.

"It's a sure thing! This time it's definitely a sure thing!"

In the wireless control room, Uncle Shao watched the soaring ratings curve on the monitor, a long-lost smile appearing on his face. "Fifteen minutes after the broadcast started, the ratings are still rising!"

"Sixth Uncle is brilliant! Jin Yong dramas are indeed a ratings panacea!" Wang Tianlin and Fang Yihua, who were standing next to him, also celebrated.

At that time, ATV was broadcasting a preview of the finale of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," and the ratings were once compressed to below 30%.

At the same time.

Kowloon Tong, Broadcast Drive, Asia Television (ATV) Building.

Compared to the tension and celebration on the TVB side, the atmosphere in the ATV general manager's office was strangely... leisurely.

In front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, Lu Chen was sitting on the sofa, holding a glass of red wine and gently swirling it.

Across from him, General Manager Huang Xizhao was sitting with his legs crossed, even leisurely trimming his cigar.

"Boss, the data is here." The general manager's secretary, Xiao Li, walked in somewhat nervously with the report in her voice. "Because of the premiere of TVB's 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes,' our ratings... have dropped below 30%."

Xiao Li had expected to see the boss and general manager looking gloomy or extremely anxious.

However, it did not.

"Oh, I see," Lu Chen replied casually, without even lifting his eyelids. "Only dropped to 30%? Looks like there are still quite a few die-hard fans of 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'."

"Haha, yes." Huang Xizhao laughed and lit his cigar, took a deep drag, and said with a nonchalant expression, "Uncle Shao really went all out this time, with a production cost of six million. If it doesn't even make a sound, I'll feel sorry for him."

Lu Chen exhaled a puff of smoke and glanced at the clock on the wall.

The clock has just struck 8:15.

"Let the bullets fly a little longer."

As the leaders of ATV, they knew better than anyone the power of the card they held. No matter how good a TV series is, it's still a fictional story. Besides, Huang Rong and Guo Jing have been portrayed for so many years; everyone's getting a bit tired of it. But *Who Wants to Be a Millionaire*… that's naked human nature, the lure of real money.

"The current drop is just a prelude to building momentum for a rebound later."

Lu Chen took a sip of red wine, a hunter's gleam of light flashing in his eyes as he watched his prey fall into the trap.

"Notify the control room that everything is proceeding as planned."

"At 8:30, let Uncle Jim (Wong Jim) appear on time. We want to teach Uncle Shaw a lesson: In this world, nothing is more insane than getting rich overnight."

……

8:30.

ATV's signal source suddenly stopped working.

A rapid, suspenseful, and extremely captivating heartbeat echoed through the living rooms of thousands of homes across Hong Kong.

The screen was completely black.

Immediately afterwards, a spotlight shone down.

In the center of the stage, there is a transparent crystal table and two bar stools.

In the center of the crystal table, there were neither flowers nor trophies.

It's a pyramid built entirely of Hong Kong dollars!

That's a whole million in cash!

Under the light, the banknotes gleamed with a captivating and almost frenzied luster.

Welcome to—Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?!

With a signature loud laugh, the "genius" James Wong, dressed in a black tuxedo and wearing black-rimmed glasses, jumped onto the stage like a rock star.

"I am tonight's 'God of Wealth,' Wong Jim!"

"Enough with the nonsense! The money's right here! Whoever has a brain can take it!!"

This simple and direct opening instantly grabbed the attention of all viewers who were changing channels.

"Holy crap! They really set aside a million?!"

"Has ATV gone mad? They're really giving it to them?"

"Quick, quick, quick! Forget about Shooting the Eagle! Watch ATV!!"

In just five minutes, the ratings curve began to show a strange "V"-shaped reversal.

The first challenger has taken the stage.

He was a middle school teacher who wore glasses.

The first two questions were very simple.

Question 1 (HKD 1000): Which is the highest mountain on Hong Kong Island? A. Victoria Peak B. Tsz Wan Shan C. Tai Mo Shan D. Lantau Peak.

"C! Tai Mo Shan!"

Congratulations! You've received 1,000 yuan!

But the sixth question, a question about an obscure history topic, stumped him.

"Unfortunately! Challenge failed! Prize money is zero!"

Wong Jim waved his hand without hesitation, the lights turned red, and the teacher left dejectedly.

This brutality kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

Next, the second challenger took the stage.

She was an auntie who sold fish balls.

No one expected that this seemingly ordinary auntie was actually a hidden "encyclopedia of life." She passed through the challenges head-on and even answered the first seven questions correctly!

"Question eight: a correct answer means HK$30,000! A wrong answer means losing everything," Wong Jim stared at the auntie. "What do you choose?"

"I...I'm not playing anymore! I'll take the money!" the auntie said excitedly, looking at the pile of money.

"Okay! Take the money!"

With a wave of his hand, Wong Jim sent a hostess over with a tray bearing a neat stack of 15,000 Hong Kong dollars.

When that auntie held 15,000 yuan in cash, she cried and kissed the banknotes.

The whole of Hong Kong was in an uproar.

"You really are giving it to me?!"

"My God! I earned 15,000 in just a few minutes?! How long do I have to work?!"

"I want to go too! I want to sign up too!!"

At that moment, TVB's ratings began to plummet. No matter how cute Huang Rong was, it couldn't compare to the shock of that bright red cash.

ATV's ratings soared to 55%, surpassing TVB!

……

"Next up, please welcome our third challenger for tonight!"

Wong Jim's voice rang out again.

The lights were focused on the athletes' tunnel.

A figure slowly walked out.

He wore an ill-fitting, faded old suit, his tie askew. He wore thick-rimmed black glasses, his hair was messy, and he exuded an undeniable weariness and world-weariness.

Gao Tianli.

He walked to the center of the stage and bowed somewhat awkwardly to the camera.

"Hello everyone, my name is Gao Tianli, and I am unemployed."

Gao Tianli's voice was very soft, even trembling slightly.

"Unemployed?" Wong Jim glanced at the information card in his hand, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Mr. Gao seems to have quite a story... Are you ready?"

"Ready." Gao Tianli took a deep breath and pushed up his glasses.

Begin answering the questions.

Gao Tianli answered the first five questions extremely quickly. Although he was an accountant, his greatest hobby was reading books and newspapers. Those basic questions about geography and literature were practically free points for him.

Question 6.

Question 7... The difficulty of the questions gradually increases.

Which of the following is NOT a painting school during the Renaissance? A. Florentine School B. Venetian School C. Baroque School D. Roman School.

The entire audience held their breath.

Gao Tianli closed his eyes, as if recalling something, and then firmly gave the answer.

"C. Baroque School."

"Answer - Correct!!"

Wong Jim shouted, and rousing music began.

"Mr. Gao! You have answered nine questions correctly! The current prize money is—HKD 150,000!"

"If you continue, the next question is worth 250,000! But if you answer incorrectly, you'll lose everything!"

Tell me, what is your choice?

The spotlight shone on Gao Tianli's sweat-covered face.

150,000 is a huge sum of money for him right now, enough to solve his immediate problem.

But... the cost of my daughter's ICU is a bottomless pit. The doctor said we need to prepare at least 200,000 yuan.

"I'll continue."

Gao Tianli opened his eyes, his gaze revealing a desperate resolve. "I need money. A lot of money."

"Great! I admire your courage!"

Just as James Wong was about to call on the next question, the director's voice suddenly came through his earpiece.

"Time's up! Time to kill! (Surprise!)"

Wong Jim paused for a moment, then revealed his signature wicked grin.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Will Mr. Gao be able to take away 250,000? Or even 1 million?! Or will he lose everything...?"

"Unfortunately, time's up! To find out what happens next, please watch 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' tomorrow night at the same time!!"

"cut--!!"

Millions of regretful sighs came from in front of the television.

But it's not over yet.

Although the program has ended, there is still a "behind-the-scenes interview".

The camera then switched to the backstage lounge.

James Wong, holding a microphone, sat next to Ko Tin-lap and handed him a bottle of water.

"Mr. Gao, you were very composed on stage just now. To be honest, I admire your erudition."

Wong Jim abruptly changed the subject, his eyes sharpening, "However... I feel like you look familiar."

"I've read the newspapers and watched ATV's 'Today's Talk' these past few days. If I'm not mistaken... you're the person involved in that sensational 'KMB robbery of five million' that shocked Hong Kong a few days ago?"

The moment those words were spoken, all the viewers in front of their television sets were stunned.

The seemingly refined and learned man on stage was actually the suspect in the robbery.

Gao Tianli gave a bitter smile, unscrewed the water bottle, took a sip, and his hands were still trembling slightly.

"Yes, Mr. Huang. I'm the unlucky one."

"You unlucky guy?" Wong Jim asked, feigning ignorance. "Didn't the police say you were the mole?"

"A mole?" Gao Tianli suddenly became agitated. He abruptly raised his head, his eyes red-rimmed. "If I were the mole, would I come onto television for a few tens of thousands of yuan in reward money?!"

"If I robbed five million, would I still be unable to afford my wife's funeral expenses?!"

Wong Jim's expression turned serious. He abandoned his usual playful demeanor and leaned forward.

"Mr. Ko, could you take this opportunity to explain to the people of Hong Kong what exactly happened?"

The next five minutes became Gao Tianli's one-man accusation session.

"...I worked at KMB for seven years! I was diligent and conscientious! I never dared to take a single day off. That day, I just had an upset stomach and went to the toilet! Lei X-kun! Boss Lei! Just because he suspected me, he not only fired me, but also didn't give me a single penny of my provident fund or my severance pay, which totaled HK$230,000!"

"My wife...my wife was so shocked by this that she went into premature labor and died..."

At this point, Gao Tianli broke down in tears, "My daughter is still in the ICU, and every minute we spend is costing us money. When I went to ask my boss for more money, the security guards threw me out like a dog!"

"And there are police too!"

Gao Tianli suddenly lifted his shirt and rolled up his trouser legs.

hiss--

A collective gasp of astonishment rippled through the audience in front of the television.

His waist and inner thighs were covered with purplish-blue bruises, and there were even cigarette burn scars.

"This was done by Officer Chen Sen, the officer in charge of the case!"

Gao Tianli pointed to his wound, gritting his teeth, "They locked me in a small, dark room, without food or water, and wouldn't even let me use the toilet! Just to force me to confess that I was a robber!"

"I'm just an accountant! I'm just a father trying to earn money to save my daughter's life!!"

"Is there any justice left in this world?!"

Gao Tianli's angry roar was transmitted throughout Hong Kong via ATV's signal.

……

ATV Control Room.

After a deathly silence, thunderous applause erupted.

"Perfect."

Huang Xizhao looked at the man crying his heart out on the monitor, a satisfied smile curving his lips.

"This is the explosive moment we're looking for."

The director standing nearby was also shocked: "Manager, this...this is like a nuclear bomb! Boss Lei and the police force are going to be furious this time."

Huang Xizhao finally understood why Lu Chen insisted on letting Gao Tianli cut in line to enter the first episode... With this scene, it would be hard for the ratings not to explode!

"They deserve it," Huang Xizhao said coldly. "Our ATV has long planned to get involved in the film and television industry. Lei Juekun is the boss of Golden Princess and is our future rival. As for the police force, scum like Chen Sen should have been cleaned up long ago. We can be considered to have rid the people of a scourge."

"Make Gao Tianli a 'perfect victim'," Huang Xizhao instructed his subordinates. "Tomorrow's newspapers should be filled with discussions about this throughout Hong Kong!"

"Also, notify the finance department to advance medical expenses for Gao Tianli's daughter. If we're going to do it, we'll do it properly."