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

When Li Jiangbo arrived at TVB headquarters, it was right after get off work.

He leaned against the streetlight, his gaze fixed on the building's exit.

A short while later, Zhao Yazhi, wearing a white wool coat and high heels, walked towards the parking lot with a beaming smile.

Li Jiangbo's eyes lit up, and he quickly ran towards Zhao Yazhi.

But he slowed down halfway through the run.

He watched helplessly as a young man in a suit, holding flowers, blocked Zhao Yazhi's path.

Li Jiangbo shrugged, taking it for granted. After all, Zhao Yazhi had been named the "Most Dream Girl of Hong Kong Men" by the media for ten consecutive years, so it wasn't surprising that she had suitors.

But what intrigued him was, whose subordinate was this man? So brave! Chasing after a married woman?

He looked the young man up and down, and only then did he realize from his eyebrows that this man was none other than Huang Yuanshen, who later became a sensation in Southeast Asia with the TV series "The Legendary Fok Yuan-gap".

This guy is 6 years older than Zhao Yazhi; it's like an old cow wanting to eat young grass.

Just then, Li Jiangbo realized that the two had already separated.

He hurriedly chased after Zhao Yazhi in the direction she had gone, even brushing past Huang Yuanshen.

Huang Yuanshen watched Li Jiangbo's departing figure and felt a sense of familiarity. Suddenly remembering something, he hurriedly chased after Li Jiangbo's retreating figure.

"Sister Zhi! Wait a minute."

Zhao Yazhi turned around and saw Li Jiangbo running towards her from a distance.

"Who are you?"

Li Jiangbo patted his chest to catch his breath. "Hello, Sister Zhi. I'm Li Jiangbo, a director at Shaw Brothers. I'd like to invite you to act in a film."

Zhao Yazhi looked at the handsome boy in front of her and found it a little funny. She thought that this young man was not old, but he was very arrogant, calling himself a director!

She chuckled lightly, "Little brother, how old are you? And you're already a director?"

Just as Li Jiangbo was about to explain, a piercing voice came from behind him.

"How old? Only 19 years old, and he's only made four erotic films."

Li Jiangbo turned around at the sound and saw Huang Yuanshen walking towards the two of them.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yazhi frowned, and the way she looked at Li Jiangbo changed.

Li Jiangbo smiled slightly, "I wondered who it was? It turns out to be Director Huang. I've heard so much about you."

Huang Yuanshen ignored Li Jiangbo and looked at Zhao Yazhi with deep affection, "Zhizhi..."

Zhao Yazhi rolled her eyes at Huang Yuanshen. "Please call me by my full name. We're not familiar with each other."

Huang Yuanshen gave an awkward smile and was about to say something when Li Jiangbo interrupted him without any politeness.

"Director Huang, what does my discussion with Ms. Zhao about scheduling have to do with you?"

Huang Yuanshen wasn't one to back down easily, and immediately retorted sarcastically, "Oh! Schedule, huh? You're a director who makes erotic films, you wouldn't want Miss Zhao to act in one, would you? Let me tell you, Miss Zhao will never do that kind of film, forget about it!"

Zhao Yazhi had previously disliked Li Jiangbo, thinking that such a handsome young man with delicate features and fair skin was actually making those kinds of films!

But as soon as Huang Yuanshen spoke, her expression turned ugly.

"Mr. Huang, my affairs are none of your business. We're not acquainted. You can leave now!"

Huang Yuanshen was about to say something when Li Jiangbo interrupted him, "What? Didn't you hear? Miss Zhao is telling you to leave!"

Seeing Zhao Yazhi's farewell look, Huang Yuanshen could only leave helplessly.

After watching Huang Yuanshen leave, Zhao Yazhi frowned and asked, "Director Li, you're not going to cast me in an erotic film, are you? If so, you can leave now."

Li Jiangbo chuckled, "Sister Zhizhi, please let me finish. I'm planning to film a TV series, directed and produced by Wang Tianlin, about Shanghai during the Republican era. I wonder if you'd be interested?"

Zhao Yazhi frowned in thought. Li Jiangbo, a director of erotic films, was actually going to make a TV series? That didn't make sense!

However, if Wang Tianlin is the producer, it probably won't be an erotic drama. But her relationship with her husband is already in trouble. If she were to collaborate with this erotic film director now, wouldn't her family be in an uproar?

Just as she was hesitating, Li Jiangbo said, "The male lead has already been cast; Zhou Runfa will play the role. If you agree, you'll be the female lead!"

Zhou Runfa? Last year, she and Afa collaborated on a TV series called Struggle, which was a huge hit. It would be great if they collaborated on another one this year.

After making the decision, Zhao Yazhi said, "Okay, when do we start work?"

Li Jiangbo said, "Sister Zhi should write down her phone number by the end of the month, and I'll call you then."

Zhao Yazhi shook her head, "No need for a phone call. I don't have any film contracts for the time being. Just come to headquarters to find me when the time comes."

Li Jiangbo nodded. "Then I won't bother Sister Zhi any longer. I'll be going now."

After saying that, he prepared to leave, but then he heard Zhao Yazhi say, "Director Li, where do you live? Would you like a ride?"

Li Jiangbo chuckled, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. "Then I'll trouble you, Sister Zhi. I'll be staying at Chungking Mansions."

Zhao Yazhi was now embarrassed. She had only said that as a polite remark, but who knew this little brat would take it so seriously.

But since she had already said it, she couldn't refuse, so she got into the car with Li Jiangbo.

Zhao Yazhi's car is a white Ford. The car looks very clean, and it's clear that Zhao Yazhi likes this Ford very much.

Zhao Yazhi reluctantly started the car, while Li Jiangbo kept looking ahead, his gaze not lingering on Zhao Yazhi for even a second.

The atmosphere in the car was silent and awkward until Zhao Yazhi finally broke the silence.

"Director Li, you're so young, what brings you to making TV dramas?"

Li Jiangbo sighed, "This is just a product of compromise! But don't worry, now that I've taken the job, I'll definitely do my best to make the drama a success."

Zhao Yazhi was filled with questions. What kind of compromise was this? It seemed this young director had quite a story to tell!

"However, I remember Sister Zhi is already married..."

Zhao Yazhi quickly explained, "Director Li, Mr. Huang and I are just ordinary friends, it's not what you think."

Li Jiangbo nodded thoughtfully, "I see."

Seeing the expression on Li Jiangbo's face, Zhao Yazhi knew he didn't believe her, but the more she explained, the more confusing it became, so she had no choice but to change the subject.

"Director Li is 19 years old this year? Does he have a girlfriend?"

Li Jiangbo nodded, then shook his head, without saying a word.

Zhao Yazhi looked at Li Jiangbo in surprise. She hadn't expected such a handsome guy to be single, and asked him with some curiosity:

"Really? Oh, it's okay, I'll introduce you to a pretty girl another day."

Li Jiangbo smiled knowingly. "No, Sister Zhi, I'm still young and need to focus on my career."

Zhao Yazhi nodded thoughtfully. "It seems you're quite career-oriented! Unlike me, I got married too early. I wanted to work hard, but now I have a family to support!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jiangbo knew that this young goddess's marriage was in trouble.

Along the way, the two seemed to have opened a floodgate of conversation, chatting about this and that.

They soon arrived at Chungking Mansions. Li Jiangbo got out of the car and watched Zhao Yazhi drive away.

Suddenly someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and saw Wang Jing looking at him with a lewd expression.

"Still looking? It's all gone."

Li Jiangbo ignored the fat man and turned to walk into the building.

Wang Jing, who was standing nearby, quickly followed.

"Let me remind you! He's already married. If you want to find someone, go look for pretty girls in TVB's acting department!"

Li Jiangbo glanced back at Wang Jing. "You don't understand! Ah! Young men don't know the value of mature women, mistaking young girls for treasures!"

Wang Jing was dumbfounded. "Holy crap! You're serious?"