Chapter 00275: Forced onto the Path of No Return
# Forced onto the Path of No Return
Chapter 275
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 275: Forced onto the Path of No Return
Hong Kong, a tiny speck of land, boasted nearly a hundred newspapers in both Chinese and English.
Publications like *The Sing Pao*, *Hong Kong Daily News*, *Ming Pao*, *Oriental Daily News*, and *Sing Tao Daily* were the most popular among locals, who voraciously consumed stories about local murders, car accidents, scandals, stock markets, property prices, horse racing tips, and celebrity gossip.
International news and mainland affairs, however, rarely caught their attention.
Left-leaning newspapers, thick with political undertones, had always struggled with circulation—until Chen Qi arrived.
His frequent contributions to the *Wen Wei Po*’s supplement section sent sales soaring.
He had also cultivated a habit in Hong Kong’s film industry:
Whenever *Wen Wei Po* published his articles, it meant he had arrived.
Previously, his critiques had targeted established veterans of the silver screen.
This time, however, he set his sights on a newcomer, leaving the public hungry for more juicy details.
*Thud! Thud! Thud!*
The sound of leather shoes striking the floor echoed through the first-floor corridor of TVB’s headquarters, loud enough to punch holes through the tiles.
Jiang Fengqi’s face was dark as storm clouds, his strides wide and furious.
In the blink of an eye, he barged into an office without knocking.
"Mr. Jiang!"
Xiao Guowei jolted to his feet, hastily saying, "Please let me explain—this matter is actually—"
"No explanations needed!"
Jiang Fengqi glared at him across the desk, his voice sharp as a blade.
"You were the one who came begging for leniency, saying Andy Lau was just a rookie who’d repent privately. We gave you that face—yet you had the gall to spit on it!"
"No sooner had he written his letter of repentance than he turned around and colluded with the leftists, even letting them publish it in the papers! You’re slapping Chairman Tong across the face, mocking the Bureau of Information, and showing utter contempt for the Party!"
"Mr. Jiang, this is a misunderstanding! They set us up! Our loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon!"
"Set you up? For what? For some worthless nobody? Do the leftists have nothing better to do? Chairman Tong was right—we’ve been too lenient with you lot. If letters of repentance are just jokes now, anyone can write one whenever they please..."
Jiang Fengqi cut him off coldly.
"This must be punished severely. From now on, Andy Lau’s films, TV dramas, music, and any cultural works are banned in Taiwan!"
His piercing gaze remained fixed on Xiao Guowei.
Xiao Guowei’s chest tightened with frustration.
This was the higher-ups’ decision.
If he wanted to appease them, he had to offer something in return.
Reluctantly, he said, "Mr. Jiang, rest assured—we won’t employ him either. He won’t appear in any productions by TVB or Shaw Brothers. Another day, I’ll host a banquet to make amends. I hope you’ll honor us with your presence."
Only after much pleading did Jiang Fengqi finally leave.
Xiao Guowei slumped into his chair, stewing in silent fury.
Technically, Andy Lau could still act in TVB dramas—just not those sold to Taiwan.
But provoking the right-wing further wasn’t worth it.
If the actor in question had been a big star, Xiao would’ve fought to keep him.
But Andy Lau was just a rookie.
No matter how talented, rookies were expendable.
He had no choice but to sacrifice him.
---
On the set of *Drunken Master*:
A scene was in full swing, with Chow Yun-fat striking exaggerated martial arts poses while Andy Lau watched from the sidelines.
Suddenly, someone hurried over to the director and whispered into his ear.
The director’s brow furrowed, and he immediately turned to consult the producer.
TVB often filmed series while simultaneously airing them, adjusting scripts based on audience feedback.
If ratings tanked, shows were axed mid-run—like 1980’s *The Bund*, originally planned for 80 episodes but canceled after just 22.
"Replace him? But we’ve already aired several episodes! His role is crucial!"
"No choice. Orders from above."
"This is such a pain!"
The producer’s eyes gleamed with a sudden idea.
"Here’s what we’ll do—halt today’s shoot. Arrange a fight scene where he gets killed off. Then introduce a new character, his younger brother, and transfer his plotlines over."
The director clapped his hands.
"Cut! Everyone, listen up!"
"Change of plans—today, we’re filming a fight scene!"
"Where’s Michael Miu? Get him here! Andy, come over!"
The director pulled Andy aside.
"Later, you’ll fight Michael. He kills you, and then you’re done for the day."
"B-But Director! Why am I getting killed off?"
"Script changes!"
"What about my scenes after this?"
"Not your concern anymore. Now hurry up and prepare—no slacking!"
Andy stood there, utterly baffled.
One moment, he was fine; the next, he was being written out.
But he didn’t dare argue with the production team.
Michael Miu arrived, equally confused since he hadn’t been scheduled to film today.
And so, with zero logic or buildup, an impromptu fight scene unfolded.
Andy let out a dramatic cry as he collapsed, muttered some last words to Chow Yun-fat, then coughed up blood and died.
Don’t assume Hong Kong TV was any more professional than its films—both operated like slapdash workshops.
Hong Kong churned out 200 movies a year, while TVB produced over 20 series annually.
Most were trash.
What mainland audiences saw were merely the rare gems that survived the sifting.
Once the scene wrapped, filming resumed.
Andy packed up his things, frustration simmering.
After much hesitation, he finally mustered the courage to approach the producer.
"Is there... another project lined up for me?"
"How should I know?"
"Then... can I still keep acting?"
"Stop bothering me. Ask someone else!"
"..."
Powerless against anyone, Andy left the set in dejection, deciding to seek answers at the company.
---
*Ring! Ring!*
The shrill telephone shattered the office’s silence.
Xiao Guowei snatched it up.
"Hello? Who’s this?"
"Manager Xiao."
A male voice answered.
Xiao stiffened before his tone turned icy.
"You?!"
"We just met yesterday—already so distant? I’m calling because my film’s in pre-production. I need Andy Lau to join the crew immediately. When will you release him?"
The voice was light, almost teasing—or maybe not.
But in Xiao’s agitated state, he was convinced the other man was mocking him.
Truthfully, Andy Lau himself wasn’t the issue.
What infuriated Xiao was the feeling of being played.
"Mr. Chen, I treated you with respect and followed the rules. I agreed to release him—but you broke the agreement first! Let me make this clear: Even if Andy Lau rots at TVB, I won’t let him act in a single one of your films!"
"..."
Xiao’s rapid-fire Cantonese left a brief silence on the line before the voice returned, colder now.
"What gives you the right to lecture me about rules? You’re just a mid-level TV station manager. The fact that I visited you in person was already the highest form of respect."
"You—!"
Xiao choked on his retort.
"Fine, keep Andy from acting. But our contract states clearly—you’ll pay违约金 for breach of agreement. We can settle this in court. Given how stingy Sir Run Run Shaw is, I wonder who he’ll fire first—Andy, or you?"
"Release him tomorrow. Don’t waste my time."
*Click.* The line went dead.
"Damn mainlander!"
Xiao hurled curses, but anxiety gnawed at him.
This mess had spiraled beyond his control.
If he didn’t report it now, his superiors would come asking—and he’d be in even deeper trouble.
He rushed to a senior executive’s office and laid out the entire saga, then suggested, "We could let Andy go film for them first, then blacklist him afterward. That way, we avoid paying违约金."
"Are you an idiot?!"
The executive tore into him without mercy.
"The higher-ups explicitly ordered his blacklisting, and you want to keep him on payroll? What’s the point of shelving a nobody? Paying him to sit around every month? God, you’re beyond hopeless!"
"Then... what should I do?"
"Terminate his contract! Why keep a troublemaker? Cut him loose and let him fend for himself!"
Thoroughly chastised, Xiao slunk back to his office.
Not long after, a knock came at his door.
It was Andy Lau himself.
Nervous, the young man asked, "Manager Xiao, I wanted to ask why I was taken off *Drunken Master*..."
"Enough!"
Xiao cut him off.
"It doesn’t matter now. Since you’re here, I’ll announce the company’s decision: Due to your unilateral misconduct, which has severely damaged TVB’s reputation, all artist contracts with you are hereby terminated. You are no longer a TVB artist."
(That's all!
Early in the month, I usually take it easy to rest my back.
Updates will resume tomorrow.)
(End of chapter.)