Hong Kong Entertainment 1979: A Beating Up the Manager at the Start

Chapter 158 Handsome Guy and Pretty Girl

The song Li Jiangbo gave to Ye Qianwen wasn't a famous one, but it was still very important to Ye Qianwen's entire career; it was called "Midnight Ten".

This song was actually written by George Lam. It's like Warner Music was trying to poach Anita Mui from their own label! So Li Jiangbo wouldn't mind getting a song by George Lam for free.

It's all the same song anyway, so what difference does it make who gives it to it? It'll still be given to the same person, right, A-Xiang?

Mai Dangxiong has been with Time Pictures for two or three months now. He only saw Li Jiangbo on the day he signed the contract, and hasn't seen him since.

Today he was going to talk to Li Jiangbo. Actually, there was nothing else to talk about but his apprentice, Li Dawei.

When he first resigned from RTV, Lai Tai-wai approached him and gave him a script, saying he wanted to make it.

After reading the script, Mak Dang-hung patted Lai Tai-wai on the shoulder, indicating that he would definitely support him to the end.

In fact, before approaching Li Jiangbo, Mai Dangxiong had already approached many investors.

But when the investors saw that it was an art film, they left without saying more than a few words.

Mai Dangxiong was furious, thinking to himself that he, a dignified television manager, couldn't even attract investment.

But what could he do? Without money or investment, how could he start the project?

After being rejected so many times, even Raymond Chow of Golden Harvest didn't think much of the script. Michael Mak approached Li Jiangbo as a last resort.

When Mai Dangxiong arrived at Li Jiangbo's office, he heard bursts of English coming from inside.

Mai Dangxiong assumed Li Jiangbo was discussing business with foreigners, so he didn't dare knock on the door and go in.

He stood at the door, pondering how to phrase his words to move Li Jiangbo.

Then, a strange thing happened.

He straightened his clothes and smiled as he pretended to explain to Li Jiangbo, pointing to the bonsai tree beside him.

"Mr. Li, this is a newly acquired script. I hope..."

'

He couldn't continue speaking before he could finish.

This is an investment; it costs money, it's not child's play.

So many people are skeptical, and he's only been with the company for a short time. Does he really expect the boss to invest in him?

Then he shook his head and changed his wording.

"Mr. Li, this is a newly acquired script. Please take a look at it."

Passersby looked at Mai Dangxiong with strange eyes.

Mai Dangxiong didn't mind; if looks could devour people, he would have been swallowed whole by Shao Yifu long ago.

Back when he was going up against TVB, Shaw Yi-fu looked at him with murderous intent more than once, but what could he do to him?

Didn't he still lose to him? It's just a pity that Li Sheng isn't in charge of RTV yet. Otherwise, he wouldn't mind letting Shao Yifu lose again.

Just as he was lost in thought, someone patted him on the shoulder.

He turned around abruptly and saw that it was his former colleague, Shi Nansheng.

"Brother Xiong, what are you doing, talking to yourself outside the general manager's office?"

Mai Dangxiong quickly pulled Shi Nansheng aside, put his index finger to his lips, and gestured for her to speak softly.

Seeing Mai Dangxiong acting mysteriously, Shi Nansheng assumed he had stumbled upon something good happening to Li Jiangbo, and her gossipy nature ignited.

After looking around and making sure no one was around, Mak Dang-hung explained in a low voice, "Mr. Li is talking to a foreigner, so let's keep our voices down."

Upon hearing this, Shi Nansheng immediately rolled her eyes at Mai Dangxiong.

But Mak Dang-hung seemed oblivious to the expression on Shi Nan-sheng's face, and continued explaining to himself.

"I originally wanted to talk to Mr. Li about something. But as soon as I got here, I heard some foreign language coming from his office. So I didn't dare knock on the door and planned to wait until he finished his business before talking to him."

Shi Nansheng was speechless. How did this guy become so timid after leaving RTV?

This is not Shi Nansheng's fault. How long did she stay at Time Pictures, and how long did Mak Dang-hung stay?

Moreover, since Mak is there to attract investment, it's always better to be cautious.

Knowing Mai Dangxiong's predicament, Shi Nansheng neither mocked him nor mentioned that Li Jiangbo was learning English from Ye Qian, so as not to embarrass Mai Dangxiong.

"It's alright, the boss is very nice. I'll take you inside."

After saying that, she pulled Mai Dangxiong and knocked on the office door.

"Please come in."

Only after receiving permission did the two push open the door.

Upon entering, it became clear that Li Jiangbo wasn't discussing business with any foreigners, but rather learning English with Ye Qianwen.

After taking a clear look at the office, Mak Dang-hung was not embarrassed at all and calmly followed Shi Nan-sheng inside.

"Boss."

"Mr. Li."

Li Jiangbo nodded. "Sit down."

Mak Dang-hung obediently sat down on the sofa, while Shi Nan-sheng, clearly a regular customer, went straight over to pour two glasses of water for the two of them, handed them to Mak Dang-hung, and then sat down herself.

After the two were seated, Li Jiangbo asked with a smile, "Brother Xiong, is something the matter?"

Without beating around the bush, Mak Dang-hung took out a script from his briefcase and handed it to Li Jiangbo.

"Mr. Li, this is a new notebook I just received. Could you please take a look at it?"

Li Jiangbo took the notebook and glanced at it out of the corner of his eye. He saw three words written on the cover: "Pretty Girl".

Upon seeing this name, Li Jiangbo knew that Mai Dangxiong wasn't there to get his approval, but rather to seek investment.

He had heard of this film in his later years. It was Ah Xiong's first film after resigning from RTV, and it seemed to have made a pretty girl famous. As for the girl's name, he couldn't remember.

I can't remember the exact box office figures, but it was definitely in the top ten for the year.

Instead of immediately looking at the script, he asked, "Brother Xiong, do you think this kind of film has an audience in Hong Kong?"

Although Mak Dang-hung understood what Li Jiang-bo meant, what was the target audience? He'd never heard of it!

However, he didn't dwell on it and immediately explained, "Mr. Li, this film is based on the West German film 'The Debauchery,' but it completely adapts its historical background and characters' mentality to Hong Kong, thereby reflecting the real social situation in Hong Kong."

"I think the box office may not be high. But it has the advantage of serving as a warning to the world, and Hong Kong doesn't have this kind of film yet, so I think it's worth a try."

Li Jiangbo nodded, then opened the script.

The story is similar to that of later generations, both telling the tale of a troubled girl from a broken family who, for various reasons, ends up selling herself in the sex industry.

Li Jiangbo looked at it very carefully, drinking tea as he did so.

Meanwhile, Mak Tai-hung explained, "This script was bought by my apprentice, Lai Tai-wai, from screenwriter Manfred Wong. He wanted to make it, and I supported him. However, we approached several investors, but they all said they weren't interested in the script and wouldn't invest."

Ten minutes later, Li Jiangbo finished reading the script. After closing it, he looked at Mai Dangxiong and asked, "How many do you want?"

Mai Dangxiong's heart tightened; this was the prelude to investment!

"Five hundred thousand."

Li Jiangbo nodded. "I'll give you one million, with only one request."

"Please speak, Mr. Li."

"Be as realistic as possible; any dangerous filming must be done with the actors' consent."

Mai Dangxiong was prepared to be forced into a position, but unexpectedly, Li Jiangbo only had one request, and such a simple one at that.

He immediately nodded in agreement, "No problem, Mr. Li!"

Li Jiangbo handed the script to Mai Dangxiong, "Go ask President Zhao for the money."

After taking the notebook, Mai Dangxiong said, "Thank you, Mr. Li."

Li Jiangbo nodded without saying anything.

Mai Dangxiong put the script away and walked out of the general manager's office.

After Mai Dangxiong left, Li Jiangbo looked at Shi Nansheng and asked, "Did you need something from Sister Nansheng?"

Shi Nansheng shook her head. "It's nothing. I just saw that Xiong Ge was too scared to come in, so I brought him in."

"Oh?! Is this a den of dragons and tigers? You're still afraid to come in?"

After Shi Nansheng recounted what had just happened, the three of them burst into laughter.