Chapter 00149: His Heavy Hand
# His Heavy Hand
Chapter 149
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 149: His Heavy Hand
"Xiao Chen, why are you dressed like that?" The official accompanying staff frowned, about to reprimand him, but Chen Qi spoke up first: "I checked the regulations on attire for official events. It clearly states that suits and Zhongshan suits are allowed. It's written in black and white. I bought this outfit myself, didn’t use public funds, so I’m not breaking any rules, right?"
"You!"
Fu Qi, ever the peacemaker, chimed in: "He looks great, stylish and handsome. We don’t want the people in Hong Kong to think the mainland is all backward and outdated. I’m wearing a suit too—am I breaking the rules?"
"It’s different for you, but he… ah, forget it, let’s just get on the bus!"
Everyone boarded a minibus, with Chen Qi sitting among a group of people wearing tracksuits, clearly standing out like a sore thumb.
"Qi-ge, if you stuck a flower on your chest, you could get married right now!"
"Look at those shiny shoes! A fly would slip right off them!"
"And that hair, slicked back with oil—wow, what a smell!"
"Shut it! Are you all just jealous?"
Chen Qi stood up, spreading his arms wide.
"If you want to wear a suit, you’d need the face and the charm to pull it off! Ji Chunhua, you’d look like a hitman in a suit! Xiong Xinxin, don’t laugh, you’d be hitman number two! Besides, I don’t know martial arts, so dressing formally is only natural. Now, quiet down, all of you!"
After sitting back down, he turned his head and asked, "Don’t I look handsome?"
"Pfft!"
"Don’t laugh, I’m asking seriously!"
Gong Xue couldn’t stop laughing, waving her hand dismissively.
Ge Chunyan added, "Qi-ge, you do look handsome, but the way you asked makes it hilarious."
"It’s my first time experiencing modern life, so I’m a bit excited, okay?"
Chen Qi really was excited.
Last night, he finally got to use a flush toilet and toilet paper! There were even TV shows, and he caught a rerun of *The Bund*—Zhao Yazhi wasn’t even 30 yet! The feeling of returning to modern life was hard to describe.
He adjusted his non-prescription glasses, feeling confident in his outfit.
In modern terms, he was going for the "scholarly rogue" look, ready to outshine even Leon Lai and Louis Koo—a true Hong Kong heartthrob.
The bus started, heading to the South China Theatre.
Along the way, they passed towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, foreigners everywhere, stylish young men and women, double-decker buses, red taxis, and flashy nightclub signs.
All of it left the group in awe.
Even though they were just observing from the bus, the phrase "dazzling and decadent" now had a tangible meaning.
Gong Xue couldn’t take her eyes off the scene, murmuring, "Is this what a capitalist society is like?"
"No, this is a semi-feudal, semi-colonial society," Chen Qi explained.
"Hong Kong only abolished polygamy in 1971. It’s dressed in modern civilization, but deep down, it’s still stuck in the late Qing and early Republic era."
"Wait, that was only nine years ago?"
Ge Chunyan chimed in, "Hong Kong always allowed polygamy? Wow, we’ve had women holding up half the sky for a long time now."
The group arrived at the South China Theatre in Mong Kok, the heart of the city.
Chen Qi stepped inside, marveling at the spaciousness.
The lower level had over 800 seats, the upper level over 400, totaling more than 1,200 seats.
The stage was massive, and the lighting was top-notch.
Fu Qi and Xu Dunle accompanied them, explaining, "The reporters will be here soon. Today, we’ll have both our own media and local Hong Kong newspapers. They can be quite aggressive, asking sharp questions, but don’t worry, we’ll handle it. Let me introduce two martial arts masters: Master Liao and Master Luo. Both run martial arts schools and are skilled in real kung fu. They’re here to support us, so let’s thank them!"
The 70s and 80s were the golden age of martial arts schools in Hong Kong, with over 400 schools.
The two masters were broad-faced, with dark skin and sturdy, compact builds.
They shook hands with everyone, polite but with a hint of condescension.
They were only here for the media exposure; otherwise, they wouldn’t have bothered.
"Let’s rehearse a bit first!"
"We’ll watch the movie first, then everyone will go on stage for interviews and Q&A, followed by a friendly martial arts exchange. Xiao Chen, who’s representing your side?"
"Yu Chenghui and Yu Hai will perform, and Jet Li will do a solo!"
"Alright, let’s run through the moves. You’re all seasoned practitioners, so I don’t need to explain much."
Yu Chenghui sparred with Master Liao, who specialized in White Eyebrow style, while Yu Hai faced off against Master Luo, a Hung Gar practitioner.
Both pairs began rehearsing their moves for the upcoming performance.
This was routine for them—running martial arts schools required publicity, and teaching students often involved choreographed routines.
After they finished, Chen Qi suddenly approached Master Luo, whispering, "Master Luo, there’s something I need to mention."
"What is it?"
"During your practice with Coach Yu, he felt his hand was a bit heavy and was worried you might not handle it. He didn’t want to say it directly, so he asked me to suggest that you wear some protective gear during the actual performance."
"Protective gear?"
Master Luo raised an eyebrow, his voice gruff.
"Are the mainland martial artists that confident? Wearing protective gear for a performance? If word gets out, how will I maintain my reputation?"
"It’s just for safety."
"No need to mention it again! I won’t wear any protective gear. He’s the one who should wear it!"
"This is really dangerous…"
Chen Qi walked away, looking worried, then approached Yu Hai, whispering, "Coach, the Hong Kong martial artists are looking down on you! Master Luo just told me your hand is too light, and his is heavy. He suggested you wear protective gear during the performance to avoid accidental injuries."
"What? That’s outrageous!"
Yu Hai’s expression turned stern.
As a master of Mantis Fist, he felt his dignity had been insulted.
"Tell him to wear the gear. My hand is the heavy one!"
"Got it!"
Chen Qi walked away, looking concerned, then went to Yu Chenghui and Master Liao, stirring the pot some more.
Finally, he returned to his seat, crossing his legs.
"I’m just trying to make the show more exciting. It’s not easy, you know!"
…………
Around 10 a.m., the reporters arrived.
The local media was curious.
The leftist faction had been quiet for years, but last year’s *Deadly Curve* had caused a stir, and now this premiere seemed like a sign of revival.
Without much ado, the movie began.
The 108-minute version was in Mandarin, which they understood—though later generations of Hong Kongers would pretend not to, as English was considered first-class, and Cantonese second.
"..."
When *Tai Chi* ended, the reporters were stunned.
They had expected an old-fashioned martial arts film, like those from a decade ago, but this was fresh and innovative, even more creative than current Hong Kong martial arts films.
And it was good—no, it was *very* good!
Still processing their thoughts, the event moved on.
A row of chairs was set up on stage.
Yu Chenghui, Yu Hai, Jet Li, and others, now dressed in martial arts uniforms, sat down in unison.
The aura of mainland martial arts masters was palpable.
Ji Chunhua and Xiong Xinxin stood on either side, like gate guardians.
Chen Qi sat on a side chair with the host.
The reporters didn’t recognize him, assuming from his suit that he was either a leftist or a mainland official.
The host warmed up the crowd and introduced the Q&A session.
The leftist newspapers asked a few questions first, then it was the local tabloids’ turn.
One reporter asked a pointed question: "I heard most of you are visiting Hong Kong for the first time. Coming from the mainland, what are your thoughts on Hong Kong’s prosperity?"
(To be continued…
Are there any books with a "Only I Am the Law" or "Shadowy Mastermind" theme?)
(End of Chapter)