Chapter 00278: Paying a Visit
# Paying a Visit
Chapter 278
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 278: Paying a Visit
"......"
Xiao Fangfang lowered her head, silent.
Shi Hui didn’t speak either, instead dabbing at Fu Mingxian’s mouth with a handkerchief, her expression full of doting affection.
Fu Mingxian was utterly bewildered. *Mom! Am I not going to see tomorrow’s sun?*
After a long pause, Shi Hui finally continued, "You lack nothing now—you have a career, fame, wealth, a family, a husband who adores you, and an adorable daughter. It’s good that you want to further your studies. But have you considered this? You’re 35 now. By the time you finish your studies, you’ll be 37. At that age, there aren’t many roles left for actresses. Your transition into comedy has been brilliant, but quality comedies are hard to come by. This film of mine is absolutely the kind of work that can elevate you further. You’ve spent half your life listening to your mother, doing whatever she said. Can’t you make your own decisions now? Don’t you have any thoughts of your own?"
"But... but what about the right-wing faction..."
"If you’re worried about the right-wing faction causing trouble, that’s even more reason not to overthink it. You’re going abroad—are they going to chase you all the way to America? You won’t be back for two years. Who knows what changes will happen by then? China and Britain are even about to start negotiations!"
Shi Hui looked at her and finally said, "You’re here because I brought you in. If anyone truly gives you a hard time, I’ll fight tooth and nail to protect you."
"Sister Hui!"
Xiao Fangfang met her gaze.
Though her own life had been full of hardships, she still took pride in her achievements.
But compared to Shi Hui, they paled in significance.
Shi Hui had stood firm against the British Hong Kong government and even been imprisoned for it!
The mutual admiration between women—this wasn’t the shallow kind you’d find on social media...
"I... I’ll take a look at the script first!"
Xiao Fangfang finally relented.
Shi Hui smiled and pulled out the prepared script.
"*Ghost*? You want me to play a ghost?"
"You’re playing the psychic. Take it home and read it. Your character is incredibly fun!"
After that, the two chatted for a long while about everything under the sun—their husbands, their lives, shopping for clothes and cosmetics—before finally parting ways.
Fu Mingxian followed her mother out, still puzzled.
"Mom, why did you bring me along for your meeting today?"
"Because you’re important. And you’ve done a great service too. Come on, let’s get you some ice cream."
Shi Hui pinched her daughter’s cheek.
Fu Mingxian frowned. *I can earn merit just by eating?*
......
Clearwater Bay Film Studios.
In the office, Chen Qi was writing an article for *Wen Wei Po*.
He was paid for his writing—200 HKD per thousand words.
It wasn’t much, but it was enough to spoil Xiao Mo and Xiao Geng.
When Tony Leung was still selling goods at a street stall, *Wen Wei Po* had also lent him a hand by giving him a column called *Leung’s Pen at Work*.
Each piece was a few hundred words long.
Sometimes, when inspiration struck, he could write over a dozen in a single day—also at 200 HKD per thousand words.
He kept this up for over 20 years, only stopping when the editor who had invited him retired.
"The Lunar New Year box office is settled—*Aces Go Places* dominates Hong Kong!"
"Hong Kong society is changing, and the movie-going audience is getting younger. Cinema City’s films are stylish and innovative, while Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest cling to their outdated traditions, half-buried already. It’s no wonder audiences are turning away. I’ve been saying for ages that Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest should join forces, but they wouldn’t listen. After this disastrous Lunar New Year season, you’ll have no choice but to cooperate—sharing theaters, screening each other’s films. But it won’t make much difference. If your production philosophy doesn’t change, you’ll never beat Cinema City. At best, you’ll just lose a little less embarrassingly..."
Chen Qi finished the article, which would later be sent to *Wen Wei Po*.
He strolled downstairs and entered the post-production room next to the soundstage, where Tsui Hark was working.
Without a word, the two sat down and watched the rough cut of *Orphan* together.
The result was quite good—all the suspense was there, and the eerie atmosphere was well-executed.
The story unfolded gradually, centered around Esther’s strange behavior and the wife’s investigation, culminating in the shocking revelation:
She was actually a mentally ill adult Japanese woman named Ishikawa Mio!
Ishikawa Mio was perfect!
After watching the rough cut, Chen Qi nodded in approval before adding, "Director Tsui, I’ve got another film. Want to give it a try?"
"......"
Tsui Hark rolled his eyes.
"Come on! I’m still a director at Cinema City. If you keep pulling me into project after project, how am I supposed to face my colleagues?"
"Since you’re already physically here but mentally elsewhere, what’s the difference between one film and two?"
Chen Qi leaned in closer, his tone devilishly tempting.
"Besides, this film has special effects—top-tier special effects!"
Tsui Hark shuddered.
"I’m even thinking of bringing in a Hollywood team. It might only be for a few seconds of footage, but don’t you want to try?"
Tsui Hark shuddered again.
Unable to resist, he asked, "What’s the film about?"
"A love story about a ghost. I’ve been racking my brain over how to shoot certain scenes—like when the ghost passes through solid objects. How do we make it look both natural and visually stunning? It’s maddening!"
As he spoke, he mimed the motion, as if his own body were phasing through something.
Tsui Hark was often seen as a director who only made period films, but that wasn’t true.
He was just as skilled with modern settings—*The Black Mask*, *The Chinese Feast*, *Twin Dragons*, and so on.
He was obsessed with special effects.
His heart had already drifted away from Cinema City, and he’d only stayed this long to see how *Orphan* would perform overseas.
Now, he thought, *Orphan* would debut in May.
Shooting one more film wouldn’t hurt.
If things went well, he could formally join Chen Qi’s team.
If not, they could part on good terms.
"What’s the general premise?" he asked.
Chen Qi gave him a brief rundown.
"Who’s playing the male lead?"
"Andy Lau or Tony Leung—both newcomers."
"What about the psychic? She’s crucial."
"Already settled—Xiao Fangfang!"
"Oh?"
Tsui Hark’s eyes lit up.
That was excellent casting.
"And the female lead?"
"I’m about to go find her."
"About to go find her?"
"Yeah, next door! You keep working. I’ll head out now."
With that, he left.
He called for Xiao Mo and Xiao Geng, and instead of taking a car, the three of them strolled out of the studio and headed north.
Soon, they arrived at Shaw Brothers’ territory.
A security guard stood at the gate.
From a distance, he spotted three odd figures ambling over.
When they got closer, he asked, "Can I help you, sir? This is a film set. No outsiders allowed."
"A neighbor isn’t an outsider, right?"
"Neighbor?"
"Next door! Is Mona Fong here?"
"Next—door—!"
The guard jolted in realization. *That’s the left-wing faction!*
"Sir, may I ask who you are?"
"Chen Qi!"
"One moment, please. I’ll check."
The guard stepped into his booth and made a call, glancing outside as he spoke.
Chen Qi waited idly. *This guy isn’t looking down on me or anything—no chance to slap his face.*
Before long, the guard returned and opened the gate wide.
"Mr. Chen, please come in!"
"Thanks!"
This was Chen Qi’s first time visiting his neighbor’s place.
He looked around curiously.
The area was much larger than the left-wing studio’s, with over a dozen soundstages neatly arranged.
The post-production area, main building, cafeteria, and dormitories were all well-organized, still bearing traces of the film empire’s former glory.
This kind of large-studio system shared similarities with mainland production studios—films were made according to an annual plan, salaries were fixed, and top directors had their own dedicated teams.
Everything, down to food and lodging, was taken care of.
The studio bustled with staff, and actors in period costumes darted to and fro.
Chen Qi reached the main building, where a receptionist was already waiting at the entrance to guide him upstairs.
He was led to an office where his female lead was sitting—*Wait, no, not her.*
Instead, it was the head of Shaw Brothers’ production department, Run Run Shaw’s concubine—*Well, not officially his wife yet.*
Mona Fong!
(End of chapter...)