Chapter 00252: The Plague God Has Left
# The Plague God Has Left
Chapter 252
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 252: The Plague God Has Left
"I came to Hong Kong for a mission. Once it's done, I'll naturally leave."
"Then, then, can't you leave a bit later? At least stay until after we put up the Spring Festival couplets!"
"I've already stayed for several months—that's long enough. If I don't return on time, something bad will happen..."
Seeing her genuine emotions, her little face streaked with tears, Chen Qi felt a pang of sympathy.
After some coaxing and cajoling, he finally managed to calm her down.
Qiu Shuzhen seemed to channel her sorrow into appetite, devouring both portions of food and polishing off two steaks by herself.
Patting her full belly, she sighed, "Master, I want to talk to you about something."
"What is it?"
"I don’t want to go to school anymore. Sitting in class for even a minute makes me miserable—I can’t absorb anything. My grades are terrible anyway. I want to join the company and start acting right away. What do you think?"
"No, you must study!"
"Why?"
"You can act during holidays, but you must finish your education—at least complete Form 5. Ah Zhen, you can’t be an illiterate fool. If you can’t even read a script or understand a character, how will you become a big star?"
"But I want to start earning money early!" she pouted.
"Is your family in urgent need of money? Your pay isn’t high, but it’s enough to support your household. You’ll only be seventeen or eighteen after finishing Form 5—why the rush?"
Chen Qi rapped his knuckles on the table.
"I’m speaking seriously here. You must study!"
"Oh!"
Not daring to defy him, Qiu Shuzhen reluctantly agreed.
Chen Qi smiled.
"How about this—if you finish Form 5, I’ll arrange a major role for you."
"You’re dangling such a distant carrot—do you think I’m a kid?"
"So, do you agree or not?"
"I agree! How could I dare not agree?!"
Tch!
Chen Qi roughly ruffled her hair.
This brat was getting more and more familiar—and cheeky.
After the meal, he walked her home one last time.
"Master, come back soon! Preferably next week! I’ll be waiting for you!"
Qiu Shuzhen waved vigorously, sniffling a few times before reluctantly stepping inside.
The cramped space, the worn-out furniture, her exhausted parents returning from work, her siblings, and her tiny bed—all of it suddenly felt like the only reality.
She was terrified that when she woke up the next day, everything else would have been a dream.
"Ah Zhen, have you eaten?"
"Yes, Master took me out before he left for the mainland."
"He’s leaving?"
Her mother suddenly leaned in.
"Did he arrange another film for you?"
"No!"
"Then will you still get roles?"
"How should I know? I’m back in school now—I have to study!"
Huh?
Her mother’s expression twisted. *You, a hopeless student, studying what nonsense?* Ignoring them, Qiu Shuzhen climbed onto her bed, drew the curtain, and declared, "Yes, yes, I’m going to finish Form 5!"
…………
Chen Qi had arrived in this world too early, so he had many "little sisters."
On the mainland, there were Jiang Shan, He Qing, Tao Huimin, and Huang Qiuyan.
In Hong Kong, there were Qiu Shuzhen, Fu Mingxian, and others yet to come.
But his true "good sister" was only one.
The longer he stayed in Hong Kong, the more he felt its fast pace, decay, and twisted nature—and the more he missed Gong Xue’s gentle warmth.
A man needed a harbor.
"Big Brother!"
At Kai Tak Airport, Fu Qi, Shi Hui, and their family came to see him off.
Fu Mingxian clung to his leg, sulking.
Chen Qi had to coax her again: "You can write me letters. Besides, I’ll be back soon, and we’ll meet again."
After some time, he finally placated her.
He hugged Shi Hui and Fu Qi sincerely.
"Thank you, Uncle and Aunt. With you here, I could focus entirely on my work in Hong Kong without any worries."
"Why be so formal? We’ve long considered you family!" Shi Hui laughed.
"Exactly, no need for sentimentality. If anyone’s reluctant, it’s *Wen Wei Po*—their sales dropped again. If you could stay longer, they’d beg you to write a column," Fu Qi chuckled.
"Hahaha, I left them one last interview!"
As he passed through security, Chen Qi carried a small bag, waving as he walked backward before finally turning away.
Xiao Mo, Xiao Geng, and an unnamed company staff member followed—four when they arrived, four when they left.
"Alright, let’s go home."
Only after Chen Qi disappeared from sight did Fu Qi lead his wife and daughter back to their car.
Shi Hui asked, "When will Xiao Chen return?"
"Early next year. He gave me a new script, *Ghost*, and wants an actor from *Boat People* for the lead. Once that’s done, he’ll probably come back."
On the same day...
Since Chen Qi stopped his scathing critiques, *Wen Wei Po*’s sales had plummeted.
But now, they finally published his piece again:
"This year’s Hong Kong box office results are largely set. Humbly speaking, *Tai Chi*, after months of extended screenings, broke the 20 million mark, becoming Hong Kong’s first film to do so. But personally, I find this unremarkable—real success is instant explosion. The fourth-ranked *Somewhere in Time* is the real shameless one, staying in theaters for 200 days to scrape together 9.38 million. Second place: *007*, 11 million. Third: *Chasing Girls*, 9.46 million. Of the top ten, Golden Harvest holds one spot, Shaw Brothers two, and Cinema City claims three. Jackie Chan’s *Dragon Lord* will surely dominate the Lunar New Year slot. But I’ve long maintained that period martial arts films are outdated—so is Jackie’s shtick. This film will cap at 10 million. Jackie, you’d do better joining the leftists—we’ll help you reinvent yourself, break into Hollywood, and shock the Americans. Shaw Brothers is a sinking ship. Rather than cling to a lost cause, they should shutter their film division and focus on TVB, where they can still reign. Their actors should disperse to other studios—a whale’s death nourishes all. After two decades of dominance, let Shaw make one final contribution to Hong Kong cinema. Shaw’s new screenwriter, Wong Jing, shows promise. He should join the leftists. There’s also actress Cherie Chung—she’s got potential. Given time, she could outshine all in Hong Kong. Cinema City has cemented its power. *Aces Go Places* will dominate the New Year slot—*Dragon Lord* can’t compete. My advice to Golden Harvest and Shaw: combine forces, share theaters. Even if you still lose, at least it won’t be as humiliating. Rumor has it *Aces Go Places*’ director, Eric Tsang, might only get a paltry red envelope... Overall, Hong Kong cinema’s localization is complete. I predict no foreign film will crack next year’s top ten, and total box office will surge—crossing 10 million won’t be the struggle it once was. Lastly, I hear *City Entertainment* plans to launch the Hong Kong Film Awards. I’ll be watching closely..."
Chen Qi’s newspaper ramblings were often chaotic, devoid of coherent themes—just pure madness.
Yet, they mysteriously boosted sales.
The public loved the drama.
He’d announced his arrival; now, even as he left, he couldn’t resist stirring the pot with bold predictions.
On the mainland, he restrained himself—but in Hong Kong, he cut loose.
Jackie Chan’s veins bulged. *What nonsense! How dare he say Dragon Lord will only make 10 million? This is my masterpiece!*
Golden Harvest, Shaw Brothers, Cinema City—all cursed him.
Eric Tsang: "Ermmm..."
Wong Jing broke into a cold sweat. *Sure, my dad once used a pseudonym to direct for the leftists, but did you have to name-drop me like this? How am I supposed to keep working now?*
Cherie Chung was baffled—and scared.
"Why drag me into this? I’m just a small-time actress—leave me alone!"
For a while, Chen Qi had been scattering "Life-Death Talismans" like a plague god, leaving everyone on edge.
Though he’d since focused on filming, the psychological scars remained.
When word spread that he’d left Hong Kong, a collective sigh of relief swept through the industry.
The plague god was finally gone!
(End of Chapter)