So what if I work with celebrities?

The mainstream world can be roughly divided into two areas: school and society.

Songs from the "Gathering of Stars" are quite popular in society, such as "A Cup Full of Bitter Wine" and "I'm Not Going Home Today," but these songs don't resonate with students.

Students naturally yearn for things that are more advanced, more refined, and more unique. It was against this backdrop that Western music became popular in Taiwan.

Besides learning about Western music by purchasing the latest European and American records at the Ximending Chung Hwa Department Store, another way is through radio stations.

In the 1970s, there were two hosts who dominated Western music programs in Taiwan: Tao Xiaoqing from China Broadcasting Corporation and She Guang from Police Broadcasting Corporation.

Tao Xiaoqing's "Hot Music" is a top performer, because China Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) broadcasts 45 rpm single records directly imported from the United States. Therefore, it plays Billboard songs even faster than pirated versions.

From Monday to Saturday, around 6 p.m., many young people turn on the radio to listen to "Popular Music".

"Good evening, listeners. This is China Broadcasting Corporation's 'Hot Music,' and I'm your host, Tao Xiaoqing."

Tao Xiaoqing's voice, as always, was broadcast to every corner of Taiwan.

During the program, she introduced popular songs from Europe and America, especially those that had recently climbed to the top of various charts, and talked about the current situation of the singers.

After introducing three Western songs, Tao Xiaoqing glanced at the director, and the two of them made up their minds at that moment.

When Xu Zan and his group came, they asked if they could broadcast a concert of modern Chinese folk songs on the radio. Tao Xiaoqing was naturally interested, but the radio program wasn't something she could decide on her own.

They need to consider listenership; if they rashly play Mandarin songs on Western music programs and it causes audience backlash, none of them can bear the consequences.

Tao Xiaoqing discussed with the director about inserting concert songs between Western songs, which meant that only a few concert songs could be selected.

"Dear listeners, I listened to many songs at Yang Xian's 'Modern Folk Song Concert' yesterday, and I was very moved. These are our own songs, singing our own poems. Next, please enjoy 'Four Rhymes of Nostalgia,' composed by Yang Xian, with lyrics by Yu Guangzhong, and sung by Yang Xian."

After finishing her script, Tao Xiaoqing grabbed the microphone and breathed a sigh of relief. She had just made a decision that would have a huge impact on her, which might lead to criticism from her superiors at the station or even cost her her job as a host.

But it seems so worthwhile; Chinese people should listen to "Our Song"!

At a hospital in Taipei, Luo Dayou had just finished a CT scan for a patient and returned to his office to turn on the radio.

During what was supposed to be a familiar English song segment, a Mandarin song was played instead.

"Give me a ladle of Yangtze River water, Yangtze River water, Yangtze River water as fine as wine..." The song instantly captured his heart.

At that moment, he really wanted to quit his job to pursue his love of music, but when he thought of his father and the family tradition, he sighed heavily.

With the airing of "Hot Music," young people across the island heard three Mandarin songs.

"Four Rhymes of Nostalgia", "Folk Singer", and "Olive Tree".

The song was like a bolt from the blue, leaving the young people of Taiwan stunned. It turns out that Mandarin songs don't have to be decadent.

Meanwhile, they remembered a piece of information: a movie called "Joyful Encounters" was being shown in Taipei Cathay and other cinemas on July 15.

……

After the broadcast of "Hot Music", Xu Zan received contact from several cinemas, hoping to release "Joyful Face" on July 15.

These days, he has to rush to produce copies of "Joyful Face".

A film copy represents the screening rights for movies and is also a source of revenue for film companies.

However, for a new director like him, the price of a copy of his film is not expensive. A theater can get about 50,000 to 80,000 yuan. So, all things considered, he has already received 300,000 yuan even before the film has been released.

The revenue share for films from the three cinema chains in Taipei is 35%, with the cinema chains taking the lion's share, which also includes so-called publicity and distribution fees.

Cinemas in southern cities receive a larger share of the profits, up to 40%.

In addition to making copies of the film, Hsu Tsan mobilized her social circle, informing almost everyone she knew and hoping they would offer their support.

Many of his high school classmates readily agreed, and even said they would bring their families to watch it together.

Of course, there are also those who don't like it, thinking that how could a guy who only graduated from high school possibly know how to make movies, and that it's bound to be a terrible film.

"It's a 100% terrible movie. He's just a high school student. Does he even know anything about movies? He'll probably end up like those home appliance business owners who recklessly invested in movies back in the day. He'll lose everything."

"Yeah, even a big-name director like Li Hanxiang lost money and ran away, let alone him!"

Huge divisions also arose within the Lianzhuhui. Although the sailors were spending their own branch's money, there was no shortage of people in the gang who enjoyed watching the drama unfold.

He declared, "Making movies is a waste of our brothers' hard-earned money!"

Wang Chao and Mahan were furious and wanted to have a serious talk with them, but the sailors stopped them and told them to calm down.

"Don't listen to their nonsense. Do those people whose heads are full of samurai swords even know how to make money?"

Some magazines published articles about "Joyful Encounters," commenting that while it's uncertain whether the film will be a box office hit, its theme song, "Olive Tree," is undoubtedly a timeless masterpiece.

The day before the film's release, Xu Zan unexpectedly received a call from Brigitte Lin, who spoke very politely:

"Director Xu, I wish your film great success, and I hope we will have the opportunity to collaborate in the future."

Hsu Tsan certainly wanted to collaborate with Brigitte Lin, who was a box office guarantee for commercial art films.

"Thank you, Ms. Lin. If I have the chance, I'll definitely bring the script to you. What film are you shooting lately?"

"The movie 'Water and Clouds,' directed by Liu Lili and Song Chunshou, is currently in Taipei. If you have time..."

Just then, Xu Zan heard static on the other end of the phone, seemingly a man speaking, "Qingxia, who are you talking to on the phone?"

"Mind your own business! You should stay with your wife!" Lin Qingxia then whispered, "Director Xu, I'm sorry, it's a friend of mine. If there's a suitable film for me, please contact me!"

"Ha, no problem, we'll collaborate if the opportunity arises!"

Xu Zan knew that the person must be Qin Han, and wondered with some suspicion: Are all beautiful women hard to resist the temptation of love?

Hu Huizhong is like this, and so is Brigitte Lin.

I wonder if it's a problem with the feng shui of Taiwan!

That evening, Tang Chongsheng suddenly appeared, ran to Xu Zan's house, and brought a box of cigars.

"That's a true brother!" Xu Zan immediately lit one.

Cigars can be inhaled, but only if they are of very high quality and have been aged for a while. Otherwise, it's highly unlikely that they will be inhaled, otherwise, people can't handle it.

Tang Chongsheng has been working for the gang these days, fighting for territory and maintaining the security of the gang's entertainment venues.

"Have you been spending time with Hu Huizhong?"

"Are you possessed? Why are you making me spend so much time with her?"

"I feel more at ease leaving it to you; you have good character!"

"Damn it, my focus right now is on business. I want to get rich. I haven't thought about women yet!"

"Then you should plan ahead!"

"day!"

As Tang Chongsheng kept dragging his feet on this matter, July 15th finally arrived. However, on that day, a movie was suddenly released at the last minute, going head-to-head with "Joyful Face".

"What? 'Love Run'? Starring Brigitte Lin and Alan Tang?" Hsu Tsan said.

"That's right, I even found them through my older brother, but it turns out it was Deng Guangrong's idea," the sailor said helplessly.

"No, why is that, brother? I don't know Deng Guangrong either." Xu Zan's expression was somewhat unpleasant.

"In short, just think of it as a fight between brothers in the underworld!" The sailor shrugged, already prepared for his first film to lose money.

……

The next morning, a piercing telephone ring woke Xu Zan from her deep sleep.

"Damn it, if you don't tell me something that satisfies me, I'll have someone chop you up!"

"Huh? I'm a sailor! You're asleep so early? The first day's box office results are out!"

Xu Zan was wide awake. He sat up and looked at the watch on the bedside table. It was 2:30 in the morning. "Big brother, how much is the box office?"