Chapter 00226: If I Call You Comrade, Would You Dare Answer
# If I Call You Comrade, Would You Dare Answer?
Chapter 226
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 226: If I Call You Comrade, Would You Dare Answer?
Nine o'clock the next morning.
A sleek sedan pulled up steadily at the foot of Shichuang Building—borrowed from Fu Qi, with Xiao Geng driving and Xiao Mo riding in the back.
It had to be said, these two were professionals through and through.
Hong Kong drove on the right, but after just a few days of practice, they had it down pat, even memorizing the entire map.
Chen Qi was thoroughly impressed.
Given this connection, he figured he'd base the characters in The Bodyguard from Beijing on these two!
"Let's go, upstairs!"
Xiao Geng stayed with the car while Chen Qi took Xiao Mo up to Room 606.
"Hello, sir. Do you have an appointment?"
"I'm here to see Mr. Mak!"
In his past life, Chen Qi had spent time in Hengdian and met many industry folks from Hong Kong, picking up some Cantonese along the way.
Though not fluent, he could manage basic conversation.
The receptionist took one look at him and immediately pegged him as the person her boss had warned her about.
"Apologies, but the boss isn't in today. He has other business."
"Is Shi Tian here?"
"Also not in."
"What about Raymond Wong?"
"Unfortunately, all three bosses are occupied today. Would you like to leave a message?"
"Oh, never mind then..."
He made as if to leave but suddenly spun around, pretending to force his way in.
The receptionist jolted in alarm and quickly blocked him with her body.
Chen Qi chuckled and nodded.
"No need to panic. I'll come back another day."
Once he was truly gone, the receptionist hurried inside and knocked on the office door.
"Boss, that man left!"
"Did he say anything?"
"No, just asked if you were here and said he'd return another day."
"Alright, you can go."
Mak scratched his bald head.
What exactly was this guy after? Hopefully, it was just a passing whim—a spur-of-the-moment visit.
Inside the elevator, Chen Qi grinned at Xiao Mo.
"If I had forced my way in just now, could you have gotten me through?"
"Shouldn't be a problem. Those people are just regular office workers—no real combat ability."
"That skilled? How many could you take on by yourself?"
"Three or four unarmed opponents, no issue. If weapons are involved, just give me a military dagger. Xiao Geng and I could carve a path through a whole street for you..."
Xiao Mo boasted confidently.
Chen Qi thought he was full of it—not like he had a military dagger handy anyway.
Downstairs, back in the car, Xiao Geng started the engine.
"Qi-ge, where to now?"
"The newspaper office. Uncle Fu Qi introduced me to a reporter. Time to make his acquaintance."
---
The day passed uneventfully.
The next morning, Mak arrived at the company as usual, carrying a stack of fresh newspapers into his office.
He brewed himself a coffee and leisurely flipped through the pages.
"New Art City's All the Wrong Clues premiered in July and closed yesterday, raking in 7.47 million at the box office—ranking third for the year. Second place still belongs to Golden Harvest's Security Unlimited, while The Tai Chi Master remains firmly in first. Who knows when that record will be broken..."
"Hmph!"
"Just wait until Aces Go Places comes out—that record will shatter!"
Mak smirked, brimming with confidence in this film. Aces Go Places was a localized take on 007, starring Samuel Hui, Sylvia Chang, and himself.
What made it even more interesting was that in the Hong Kong release, he spoke Taishanese, while in the Taiwan version, he used a Shandong accent—Taiwan had a large Shandongese population.
As for All the Wrong Clues, the director was none other than Tsui Hark.
Mak knew Tsui Hark came from the New Wave movement—avant-garde, bold, fond of making eccentric films.
But now that he was part of New Art City, he had to play by their rules.
Movies were meant to make money—what was the point of experimental art?
He continued flipping through the papers until he reached Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao.
These two were the leading leftist newspapers, and today, both carried the same interview with Chen Qi:
"Hong Kong cinema's prosperity didn't happen without reason. I've always judged things objectively—praising strengths and criticizing weaknesses. I'm not targeting anyone... If mainland cinema wants to develop, it must learn from advanced experience. I hope to engage in friendly exchanges with our Hong Kong counterparts—New Art City, Golden Harvest, Shaw Brothers, and others..."
"What does he want?!"
Mak's heart skipped a beat, a deep sense of foreboding washing over him.
"Boss!"
Just then, an employee rushed in.
"That man sent another calling card!"
He slid a red envelope across the desk.
Mak opened it—identical to the last one, not a single word changed.
He stared at it for a long moment before standing up to find his partners.
Shi Tian wasn't around, so he went straight to Raymond Wong.
"If you're uneasy, just meet him and ask what he wants. No point letting your imagination run wild."
"What if the Free Society finds out?"
"Keep it private! Not at the office—too many ears. Pick some out-of-the-way diner, sit down for a quick chat, and that's it. It's not like we'll ever collaborate with the leftists anyway."
"So... we meet him?"
"Meet him. I'll go with you. Sending one letter after another like he's some big shot—even I can't stand it!"
---
Another day passed.
The two of them really did pick a remote little eatery.
Raymond Wong sipped his iced lemon tea and teased, "When you meet him, are you gonna call him 'comrade'? I hear that's what they all call each other over there."
"Pfft! I came to Hong Kong in '58, and my whole family moved to New York. Why the hell would I call anyone 'comrade'?"
"Then your convictions aren't very strong!"
Raymond shrugged.
After a short wait, the door swung open.
Two young men walked in—the one in front unmistakably Chen Qi.
Dressed in a well-tailored suit, glasses perched on his nose, no tie but exuding effortless style.
This was Raymond's first time seeing Chen Qi, and he couldn't detect even a hint of "mainlander" about him.
If anything, he looked like he'd grown up in the States.
Raymond greeted him with a "Mr. Chen," then waited with amusement to see how he'd respond.
"Boss Mak! Boss Wong!"
"A pleasure to finally meet you both!"
Raymond's eyebrows shot up as he shook hands, chuckling.
"Mr. Chen, you've got quite the Jianghu flair. Not what I expected."
"Oh? What did you imagine I'd be like?"
"A mainlander's stereotype, of course!"
"The mainland has opened up. Don't judge by old standards. Let's sit..."
Chen Qi smiled genially as the three took their seats.
Mak cut straight to the chase.
"Mr. Chen, we've had no dealings before. Why insist on this meeting?"
"To be frank, I have a favor to ask. As I mentioned in the papers, I'm preparing a co-production with Great Wall, but we lack a suitable director. I've heard your company has a Tsui Hark—unique style, bold techniques. I'd like to invite him to helm the project."
"Hah!"
Raymond couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head.
"Mr. Chen, you're new here, so perhaps you don't realize how deep the waters in Hong Kong run?"
"I'm aware. That's why I propose Tsui Hark participates under a pseudonym."
"A pseudonym?"
The two exchanged glances.
Mak spoke firmly, "Sorry, but even a pseudonym is out of the question. We don't engage in any form of collaboration."
"That's just your stance. Director Tsui might be willing?"
"Impossible. We brothers stand united—same principles."
"Exactly. We want no entanglements with your side. Meeting privately today is already giving you face. Don't push it," Raymond added.
"Truly no room for discussion?"
"Let's not waste time. Order something if you'd like—this meal's on us."
"..."
Chen Qi studied them for a moment before slowly rising with a sigh.
"Fine, I won't force it. I've criticized your company in the papers, but truthfully, I greatly admire your talents. Looking forward to our next meeting... Comrade Mak."
Mak's face turned green.
What did he just say?! WHAT DID HE JUST SAY?!
Having moved from the mainland at 14, he knew exactly the weight of that title.
In that instant, he felt like he was facing the Golden Horn Great King's gourd—his very soul trembling with dread, his heart leaping into his throat.
By the time he snapped out of it, the man had already strode out the door.
(End of Chapter)
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