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

The Peninsula Hotel banquet hall, December 25th.

At 4 p.m., Time Group employees began to arrive.

Among them were employees of Time Pictures, employees of Time Newspaper (which hadn't yet changed its name), and even Zhao Dong, who was away on business, came to the scene.

Li Jiangbo arranged for Lin Wei, the entertainment editor-in-chief, to send reporters to conduct interviews and take photos at the hotel entrance.

Although he did not invite reporters from other Hong Kong newspapers, these reporters still followed his lead and came to the Peninsula Hotel.

The reporters, standing at the entrance, watched as employees in ordinary clothes or white-collar workers in suits came and went from the Peninsula Hotel, and immediately lost interest.

Most reporters left after a while, except for reporters from Oriental Daily and Time Daily who remained at the entrance.

It wasn't until artists signed with Time Pictures, such as Rosamund Kwan, Cherie Chung, Zhu Lin, and Lawrence Ng, dressed in evening gowns, walked the red carpet, smiled and waved to reporters, and gave brief interviews about the evening's event, that they entered the hotel.

The reporter from Oriental Daily News exclaimed that the hour-long wait was worthwhile! By the time reporters from other newspapers rushed back after hearing the news, the artists from Time Film and Television had already gone inside.

The reporters who missed it were filled with regret, lamenting that they hadn't waited longer!

Then I made up my mind to wait until the party ended and get some valuable information before leaving.

After taking the photos, the reporter from Time News followed the others into the hotel. Other reporters wanted to follow, but were firmly stopped by the security guards at the entrance.

At 5 p.m., Li Jiangbo stepped onto the makeshift stage and picked up the microphone.

"Good evening, everyone! Tonight is the first reunion dinner for Time Pictures, Time Media, and all our affiliated companies. Before we begin, I'd like to say a few words."

The audience fell silent.

Li Jiangbo's gaze swept across the room. "A year ago, I was just a small-time director of erotic films. More than half a year ago, Time Pictures was just established. Now, we have Time Newspaper as well. So, I won't waste any more time. From now on, we will get better and better! I want everyone to know that following me, Li Jiangbo, will bring you rewards! So, the first thing today is to distribute bonuses."

A staff member pushed up a small cart piled high with envelopes.

Chung Chor-hung, who was standing to the side, picked up the microphone and began to read out the names, while Li Jiangbo presented the awards to everyone.

"Annual Contribution Award, prize money HK$5,000 – Director of Photography Lam Nai-choi!"

The room erupted in uproar. That was five thousand Hong Kong dollars, equivalent to a month's salary for a white-collar worker.

Lan Naicai was stunned for a few seconds before she reacted and went on stage amidst the cheers of her colleagues.

"Best Newcomer Award, prize money HK$5,000—Director Wong Jing!"

Wang Jing ran up to the stage with a cheerful smile, waving to the audience as he took the envelope, which drew laughter from everyone.

"Special Contribution Award, prize money HK$3,000 – Chen Guohua, Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper!"

"Business Development Award, HKD 10,000 – Zhao Dong!"

……

A total of twelve awards were presented, with a total prize money of over HK$40,000.

Each time a name was read out, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.

Li Jiangbo also set up red envelopes for the annual meeting, each containing HK$1,000, which were given to everyone present.

There was also a lucky draw, where everyone went up on stage to draw prizes as a department.

Li Jiangbo set a total of twenty third prizes, each with a watch; ten second prizes, each with a radio; five first prizes, each with a color TV; and one grand prize, each with a car.

Everyone drew prizes on the spot, and Li Jiangbo handed out the prizes on the spot. In the end, Li Jiangbo was too busy to handle everything, so he had to ask Zhao Yazhi to come on stage to help.

Guan Zhilin, sitting in the audience, looked at Zhao Yazhi standing next to Li Jiangbo with envy, jealousy and resentment!

She'll be eighteen in six months, and she's so beautiful, yet she can't compare to Zhao Yazhi, who's almost thirty on stage?

She did try to hint at it to Director Li, but he was too resolute and wouldn't fall for it.

After thinking about this, Rosamund Kwan made a decision in her heart: she must improve herself.

After all the activities were over, the dinner officially began.

Li Jiangbo sat down with key personnel from Time Film & Television, Time Newspaper, and Time Trading.

"Guohua! After the Lunar New Year, Entertainment Daily is going to do a series of reports—a review of Hong Kong films in 1979. It needs to include data and analysis, not just generalities."

"Understood, boss."

Wang Jing, who was standing nearby, put down his chopsticks. "Director Li, I heard that 'Chasing Girls' is scheduled until after the Lunar New Year?"

Li Jiangbo nodded. "Yes! Shaw Brothers will definitely not let go of such a good time slot. No rush, good things come to those who wait."

Zhu Lin sat next to Chung Chu-hung. She was a little reserved. In all her time in mainland China, she had never seen a company reward its employees like this.

Today, she felt that her 19-year-old boss was incredibly charming.

......

The company annual meeting organized by Li Jiangbo made the front page of various Hong Kong newspapers the very next day.

Ordinary people are very envious of the people in Li Jiangbo's company and all want to work for him.

Meanwhile, the business owners secretly cursed Li Jiangbo, saying he was mentally ill, like an idiot, and had too much money to spend!

Li Jiangbo wanted this kind of exposure, so that he could attract more talent, make the company bigger and stronger, and create new glories!

However, he has been having some troubles lately.

After the annual meeting, Rosamund Kwan would frequently visit his office under various pretexts.

Each time, she wore a carefully chosen dress, and the scent of her perfume could be faintly smelled from the corridor.

Li Jiangbo wasn't looking down on Guan Zhilin, but she was too young, and he couldn't bring himself to do it. He decided to wait until she was older.

Today, Li Jiangbo is writing a script in his office.

As if it were a news report, Rosamund Kwan knocked on Li Jiangbo's office door precisely at 2 PM.

Li Jiangbo slapped his forehead. "Come in!"

Rosamund Kwan walked in with a notebook. "Director Li, I don't know how to sing the songs you assigned!"

Li Jiangbo sighed, rubbing his forehead, "Jiahui! What's the point of coming to me if you don't ask Arong to sing with you?"

Rosamund Kwan pleaded in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Director Li, please teach me!"

While speaking, he casually traced his finger across Li Jiangbo's table.

Li Jiangbo was very annoyed. After all, Guan Zhilin was wearing a light yellow knitted sweater with a neckline that was just right, neither too revealing nor too revealing, and she was also wearing black stockings.

What normal man could stand this? Although Director Li was still interested in women older than himself, or rather, young married women.

However, it must be said that Rosamund Kwan's outfit hit a nerve with Director Lee.

Li Jiangbo gave a wry smile. "Fine! What can't you sing?"

Rosamund Kwan walked around to the side of the desk, placed the lyrics in her hand in front of Li Jiangbo, pointed to the lyrics, and said, "This is the line."

This gesture made Rosamund Kwan's legs appear very long, allowing Li Jiangbo to clearly smell her unique fragrance.

Li Jiangbo quickly stood up and squeezed past Rosamund Kwan.

Because the aisle is narrow, the two people will inevitably come into contact.

When Li Jiangbo touched Guan Zhilin's body, he had an indescribable feeling; his heart was pounding in his chest.

"Jiahui, I have to go out for a bit. Why don't you go study with Arong?"

After saying that, he strode out of the office. Guan Zhilin stared blankly at Li Jiangbo's departing figure, stomped her foot hard, and left Li Jiangbo's office with cat-like steps.