1991: The Era of Hong Kong Dramas

"Screenwriter Huo, I'd like to propose a toast to you too."

When it comes to toasting, once you agree to the first toast, you've opened the floodgates.

Huo Sheng could only drink endlessly.

Not only that, but they also had to deal with their advances.

Some girls are more direct; they wink, move a few inches to his side, and say with a smile, "I'm your fan! I'm so glad to meet you today."

"Uh, the show hasn't even started yet."

"I'm a fan of your previous works!"

"This is my first film."

"..."

The girl covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "To be on TVB Anniversary Awards for your first drama, screenwriter Huo is amazing. I'll toast you again."

Huo Sheng wasn't one to be pretentious; he would try to drink a glass whenever someone offered him a toast. He didn't usually drink, but he didn't want to stand out on such a festive occasion.

But there were too many people, and even the god of wine couldn't handle them all.

The girl was still talking nonstop when suddenly a hand reached out and handed a glass of wine to Huo Sheng.

"Try this."

Vivian Chow approached at some point and smiled.

Huo Sheng was just worrying when he took the cup, took a sip, and almost spat it out.

Rice vinegar diluted with water!

But no matter how bad it tastes, it's still much better than alcohol.

He ate bite by bite, and even seemed to want to eat dumplings.

Seeing that Huo Sheng was very cooperative, Zhou Huimin became bolder. When she saw that he didn't want to talk, she took the initiative to speak. With just a few words, she shut down all the girls' words, leaving them no choice but to retreat and choose another target.

The place quickly quieted down. Huo Sheng, quite curious, chuckled, "I never realized you were so eloquent."

Vivian Chow smiled slightly and said, "I'm used to it. Actually, there are a lot of unsavory things between artists, all kinds of exclusion and bickering are commonplace."

She paused, then lowered her head: "Actually, arguing is good. Someone even put shards of glass in my water. After suffering losses so many times, I naturally learned a lot."

Huo Sheng was taken aback, losing his joking mood. "When did this happen?"

"It had been a long time since I first debuted in the competition."

"..."

Huo Sheng remained silent for a moment.

She came from a poor family and entered the entertainment industry on her own at the age of eighteen, without telling her family. She endured a lot of rumors and gossip from Hong Kong media at such a young age, and the hardships she went through are beyond words.

After Zhou Huimin finished speaking, she looked up and saw Huo Sheng's serious expression. She immediately realized that it was inappropriate and put on her innocent smile, saying, "Let's not talk about these unhappy things. Today is the wrap party, and I want to congratulate you."

"Congratulations to you too! What are your plans for the future?"

"Um……"

Vivian Chow counted on her fingers, "There are still four movies to film."

"So many?"

"Yes," she nodded, "while people still like me, I need to work harder."

She paused here, then asked, "...Huo Sheng, what do you think of my recent performances?"

This was the first time she had called him by his name.

"Not bad, most of them were done in one take."

"real?"

"Of course it's true. Your current level is much better than when I first met you."

"Am I even an actress?" she asked, still lacking confidence.

"Yes, a very good actor," Huo Sheng said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Vivian Chow pursed her lips, her eyes brightening slightly, and asked, "Then, if there's a chance, could I act in one of your films again?"

Given her current status, she doesn't lack acting opportunities and doesn't need to actively seek them out. The fact that she took the initiative to say this shows a level of trust.

"Okay."

Huo Sheng smiled and said, "You'll have to lower the pay a bit then."

Vivian Chow's eyes lit up, and she smiled genuinely, a rare occurrence. "Then it's settled."

The two chatted for a long time. This usually gentle and kind sect leader, fueled by alcohol and excitement, spoke quite a bit. Huo Sheng also recounted many of his hardships at the Golden Sparrow Tower, where he ate oatmeal soaked in a kettle for three meals a day in that dilapidated building.

The wrap party started before 7 p.m. and was still going on three hours later.

Most people had entered the final stage, huddling together in twos and threes to argue. Several staff members were drunk, shouting and yelling, one started dancing inexplicably, and another simply slumped into a chair and fell asleep.

And that wasn't the end of it. Groups of three or five would shout that they wanted to continue drinking, with an attitude of "live for today, drink to the fullest, and let one person die if necessary."

Huo Sheng decided not to join in the fun; at this point, he was actually the most clear-headed person.

Seeing that those who could still walk on their own went to continue the party, these people forcibly took away quite a few unconscious guys, put the already drunk Yuan Yingming and Lin Yufen into a taxi, and then accompanied Zhou Huimin downstairs.

The agent, Sister Wang, was already waiting; nothing dramatic or messy happened, like being drunk and getting into a fight while being taken home.

Before getting into the car, Vivian Chow turned around and waved to him very gently.

Huo Sheng turned and went upstairs, preparing to see Liu Qingyun off as well.

Liu Qingyun was in particularly high spirits tonight, swaying back and forth. She suddenly grabbed his hand, and after a long silence, said forcefully, "Ah Sheng, thank you!"

He tried to pull his hand away but couldn't, so he could only laugh and say, "You're drunk. I'll call you a car, you should go home right away."

"I'm not drunk!" Lau Ching-wan emphasized forcefully, then remained silent for a long while before organizing his thoughts, but still repeated what he had said before, "Thank you, Ah Sheng."

"It's nothing, anyone would have given you a ride." Huo Sheng wanted to call a taxi, but couldn't free his hand, so he could only advise, "We can talk about it tomorrow."

"I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about what happened before." Liu Qingyun still wouldn't let go, insisting, "Do you remember... uh, do you remember the first time we met?"

"Of course I remember," Huo Sheng said helplessly.

Lau Ching-wan shook his head: "You gave me the opportunity, Ah Sheng, thank you... You gave me the opportunity to prove myself. I can really play a role well, and no one can look down on me anymore."

Alcohol made his speech incoherent and illogical, essentially rendering him unable to think logically.

Taking advantage of Liu Qingyun's distraction while he was talking, Huo Sheng freed his hand, waved for a taxi, and said with a smile, "Qingyun, we're friends, don't be so polite... Okay, we'll talk about this later, you go home and get a good night's sleep."

Liu Qingyun didn't resist anymore and obediently let himself be put into the taxi.

In the end, only Wei Jiahui remained as the only drunkard to be accommodated. He had never been a good drinker; he had been struggling to maintain order earlier, but now he was completely passed out, his eyes unfocused, clinging desperately to Huo Sheng.

Another lesson learned: it turns out the one who doesn't get drunk at the dinner party is the most unlucky one, having to clean up the messes of all the drunks.

He grumbled on and on, supporting Wai Ka-fai as they hailed a taxi back to TVB. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but he relaxed for once, leaning back in his chair and gazing absently out the window. He watched as Victoria Harbour, its white and orange lights gleaming in the distance, suddenly disappeared into the night sky.

It's midnight. A new day, a new beginning, is about to begin.