Huayu 1999: Starting with nothing but getting something for nothing

The two were a little confused. They were indeed free agents, but they were also making a living by working for Liu Weiqiang, Wen Jun, and Wang Jing. However, after exchanging a glance, they nodded.

Alan Mak's idea was that as long as "Infernal Affairs" could be made, the boss would do whatever made him happy.

Felix Chong thinks more deeply. He firmly believes that the future of Chinese-language films lies in mainland China. And this guy, putting aside all those relationships, is there any boss in mainland China who understands the business better and is more willing to spend money?

No matter how you look at it, there's no harm in it.

And so the matter was settled just like that.

"The company is named 'Shang Qiu' (商秋). Today is the tenth day of the seventh lunar month. The Book of Rites records: 'The first month of autumn is called Shang,' which is exactly Shang Qiu. The three of us are here to talk about the future of Hong Kong films. As the saying goes, 'Strive for a prosperous Shang Qiu and make the most of your youth. As long as you work hard, you will eventually reap the rewards.' It couldn't be more fitting."

Both of them were quite upset. You weren't so formal when you previously mentioned your mainland company was called "Sticky Rice Dumplings"...

And so the matter was settled quickly once again.

General Manager Felix Chong and Creative Director Alan Mak... just the two of them.

Zhuang Wenqiang is a director (legal representative in mainland China) and holds 100% of Yang Che's shares on his behalf. The company registration fee was HK$800, which Yang Che asked Zhuang Wenqiang to pay in advance.

The two of them symbolically receive HK$5000 a month, which is indeed symbolic, considering that supermarket clerks in Hong Kong now earn around HK$11000 a month, even after the general salary reduction following the financial crisis.

Well... it's understandable that celebrities' salaries can easily reach several million.

After discussing these matters, Mak and Zhuang wanted to talk to Yang Che about the film's cast, but Yang Che yawned, said he would revise the script first, and then took his leave to return to Baosong Garden.

After entering the house and changing into a pair of shorts, Liu Dehua called, already knowing what had happened that morning.

"I was shocked when they told me that you changed the lines just by flipping through the script, but I was really surprised when they told me what you changed."

"When it's time to prepare, Brother Hua, you need to take the lead."

Liu Dehua laughed loudly, "Of course, I will definitely follow General Manager Yang's instructions."

"........."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Che sent Wang Fei a text message saying that he had returned home before going to bed.

After waking up from my afternoon nap, I found a missed call from Wang Jing on my phone.

After returning, she invited him to dinner.

Yang Che chuckled and said, "There's no need for dinner, we already have plans. Director Wang, just say what you need, and I'll do my best to help."

"Alright, then I'll just say it directly. Boss Yang from Emperor Entertainment Group wants me to make a movie called 'My Savage Classmate.' I'll let you know."

"That's a terrible name. Director Wang, did you write the script?"

"Yes, it's a school action movie."

Yang Che chuckled: "I wasn't talking about the movie title, I was talking about the company name. It sounds so colonial."

"Well..."

Wang Jing was speechless for a moment.

Yang Che laughed and said, "Director Wang, don't worry about it. Everything that exists has its reason. I was just joking."

"Hehe, yeah, yeah."

...........

The next day arrived in the blink of an eye.

Yang Che and Wang Fei, along with her team, boarded a plane to Shanghai in the morning. Her Ningbo concert is on August 12th, which is two days later, and there is another concert in Jinan on August 18th.

Yang Che was obviously unable to accompany him throughout the entire trip. After attending the concert on the 12th, he would fly to Bincheng to make a guest appearance in "Happy Times".

Wang Fei especially loves holding hands. She held her boyfriend's hand after leaving Baosongyuan, and she did the same all the way to the airport waiting room.

Correspondingly, paparazzi were taking photos from the waiting room to the first-class cabin.

Yang Che was particularly curious, and despite Wang Fei's disapproving look, he walked over to the paparazzi's seat.

The paparazzi chuckled obsequiously, "Mr. Yang..."

Yang Che waved his hand and smiled, "Did you follow along and film all the way, or was it just a coincidence? Tell the truth."

Seeing this, the paparazzi said to the bachelor, "We've been following you and taking pictures of you in mainland China and Taiwan many times, haha."

Yang Che gave a thumbs up and grinned, "You're quite dedicated, even able to afford first class. But I have to say, you guys can take your pictures, but try not to talk nonsense or bother us. You know, the mainland isn't like Hong Kong, it's full of bandits and highwaymen, haha, just kidding."

Upon hearing this, the male and female paparazzi's mouths twitched uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, two middle-aged and elderly passengers in white shirts on the other side had strange expressions on their faces, as if they were trying not to laugh.

Back in his seat, Wang Fei was both amused and exasperated: "Aren't you afraid people will call you a gangster?"

"I didn't say anything. By the way, sister, I heard that concert song selections need to be approved in advance. How could you sing 'You Exist in My Song'?"

Wang Fei didn't want to answer this kind of scientific question at all, but if he didn't answer, he could keep bothering her. So he said very quickly, "Every time I report, I sing more than I actually do. Even if I don't report, it's okay to sing one or two songs. Besides, I'm just singing along with the piano."

Yang Che held her hand and kissed it: "Then thank you. Actually, I'd rather you sang 'Legend,' looking at me with deep affection."

Wang Fei tilted her head playfully and said, "Sister Kuan won't allow it."

"The title track from the new album, right?"

"The title track is the five songs that we wrote together."

"You'll see, the most widely circulated song is still 'Legend,' even more so than 'Fleeting Years' from the previous album."

Wang Fei nodded, but didn't say anything; he didn't want to.

Yang Che looked like he suddenly realized something: "Oh right, I'm going to invest in a Hong Kong film. How about I ask you to make a cameo appearance as the male lead's ex-girlfriend? Hmm... most likely Tony Leung."

Wang Fei asked in surprise, "You're asking him to act?"

Yang Che nodded: "And Liu Dehua too."

Wang Fei glanced at him sideways: "Weren't you talking about 'The Missing Gun' yesterday?"

"You're efficient, aren't you? I was going to tell you this last night, but you shut me up as soon as you saw me... Ouch!"

Yang Che suddenly felt a pain in his waist.

But Wang Fei's cheeks flushed red, and she pinched him in a fit of embarrassment and anger.

Sure enough, Qiu Likuan on the side and Chen Jiaying behind her felt uncomfortable watching the two bickering. These two were on an airplane, not at home.

Of course, after a while, once the plane took off, Yang Che raised the armrest of his seat, and Wang Fei, holding his hand and wearing an eye mask, leaned against him to catch up on sleep, completely ignoring the stares of the flight attendants and other passengers.

I got home late yesterday, stayed up even later, and got up early. It's only 9:15 now, so Wang Fei fell asleep quickly.

Under such circumstances, Yang Che couldn't do much. He read for a while and then dozed off.