Chapter 00279: The White Dragon King of Hong Kong
# The White Dragon King of Hong Kong
Chapter 279
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 279: The White Dragon King of Hong Kong
The Shaws’ stinginess ran deep in their blood.
Back when they were making films in Shanghai, they had already pulled the despicable trick of making a starlet famous, then refusing to raise her pay—instead, they’d just marry her off as a concubine to avoid paying her altogether…
Fong Yim-wah had originally been a singer in Singapore.
In the late 1960s, she followed Run Run Shaw to Hong Kong as his concubine, starting as a lowly clerk and eventually climbing her way up to a high-ranking position where she practically held the power of life and death over Shaw Brothers.
In 1988, when TVB merged with Shaw Brothers, Fong Yim-wah also joined the TVB board of directors.
Many people mocked her.
While she might not have been the most innovative, she was absolutely capable of safeguarding the family business.
She inherited Run Run Shaw’s style—for instance, if they needed to hire a hundred extras, she would actually count them one by one during film reviews to make sure there were indeed a hundred.
She even kept tabs on whether the company’s toilet paper was being wasted…
At this moment, hearing that Chen Qi had arrived, she panicked.
What did this jinx want now?
But then she thought, since he hadn’t sent a life-or-death talisman and was visiting privately, he probably didn’t mean any harm.
So she opened the door to greet him.
When Chen Qi stepped into the office, he saw Fong Yim-wah—nearly fifty, her beauty fading—wearing a women’s blazer and a pair of slender black-framed glasses.
She stood up first. “Mr. Chen!”
“Manager Fong!”
“It’s an honor to have you visit us, though I fear my welcome is lacking…”
This was Fong Yim-wah’s first time meeting him, and she was startled by his exaggerated youthfulness.
Then she glanced at Xiao Mo and smiled. “This friend of yours wouldn’t happen to be a reporter, would he?”
“This is my personal attendant! Our two families are neighbors, and though I’ve visited Hong Kong many times, I’ve never paid a visit. Please forgive my oversight.”
Talking to someone who grew up in the Republican era was exhausting—sometimes you had to lace your words with classical flair.
Chen Qi played the part, while Xiao Mo shot him a sidelong glance. *Attendant? You’re the attendant! Your whole family are attendants!*
“As long as he’s not a reporter. Don’t blame me for being cautious—Hong Kong is on edge because of you right now.”
“Ah, that’s all just misunderstanding. I’m actually quite amiable.”
Chen Qi exchanged a few pleasantries before getting to the point. “I’ve come today for a film. I’d like to borrow one of your actors.”
“Who might that be?”
“Cherie Chung!”
“Oh?”
Fong Yim-wah’s mind quickly flashed through the actress’s profile.
Cherie Chung, 22 years old, had participated in the 1979 Miss Hong Kong pageant.
Because she couldn’t walk in high heels, she stumbled on stage and ended up placing fourth.
TVB had initially wanted her, but when she went to film, she couldn’t even remember her lines and was chased off set by the director.
Fortunately, Damian Lau took a liking to her and cast her in *The Secret of the Dirk*, after which she signed with Shaw Brothers.
Last year, her film *The Story of Woo Viet* had received good reviews, giving her a bit of fame and elevating her to the status of a rising star.
But actresses like her were a dime a dozen at Shaw Brothers.
She couldn’t understand why Chen Qi had singled her out.
Of course, that wasn’t the important part.
Shaw Brothers would never lend actors to leftists.
Fong Yim-wah shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t agree to that. Given the current climate, you and I both know how things stand. If it were a director, I might consider letting them help you under a pseudonym. But actors are front and center—I can’t let Shaw Brothers take that risk.”
“Shaw Brothers is a mighty enterprise, and Sir Run Run is a man of great virtue and prestige. Surely you’re not afraid of the General Chamber?” Chen Qi chuckled.
“Mr. Chen, don’t try to provoke me. This matter isn’t up for discussion.”
Fong Yim-wah’s stance was firm. “We’re neighbors. If you’re here as a guest, you’re welcome. But if it’s about cooperation, forget it.”
“Oh, I see…”
Chen Qi nodded, picked up his cup, and took a sip of tea, falling silent for a moment.
Fong Yim-wah also stayed quiet, waiting to see what other tricks he had up his sleeve.
She even studied Xiao Mo, who stood behind Chen Qi like a stone statue.
Based on her experience, this was definitely a security officer assigned by the mainland—some kind of imperial guard who had trained in the *Sunflower Manual*.
After a short while, Chen Qi spoke again. “You say you don’t want Shaw Brothers to take risks, but Shaw Brothers is already in danger.”
“Mr. Chen, are you trying to play the ancient strategist with me? Telling me disaster looms, that only you can save me, and then offering me three strategies—superior, middle, and inferior?” Fong Yim-wah wasn’t fazed and even cracked a joke.
“Superior, middle, inferior—that’s all nonsense. I only have one strategy!”
Chen Qi paused, then suddenly asked, “You’re preparing *Buddha’s Palm*, aren’t you?”
“You—!”
Fong Yim-wah’s expression changed.
She barely managed to swallow the words *How do you know?* and stared at him in shock.
*Buddha’s Palm* was a film from the 1960s, with four installments that had been wildly popular—incidentally, many elements in Stephen Chow’s movies were “borrowed” from old Hong Kong films and foreign flicks…
Shaw Brothers was currently preparing a remake, with the cast already set: Derek Yee, Alex Man, Isabella Yuen, and Kara Hui.
But the key question was—how did Chen Qi know?!
“You want to use *Buddha’s Palm* to compete with Cinema City in the summer blockbuster season. You even plan to share theater lines with Golden Harvest’s *The Dead and the Deadly*. Let me save you the trouble—even if you two join forces, you’ll lose. *Buddha’s Palm* is ancient history. You think a remake will win over audiences? I’ve said it before—Hong Kong’s moviegoers are changing, yet you’re still clinging to the old ways. You might as well close up shop now. Cinema City’s summer release is *It Takes Two*. They’ve got an all-star cast—fresh and exciting. Crushing you two will be effortless!”
“…”
A chill crept up Fong Yim-wah’s spine, her scalp tingling.
It was as if she stood naked before him, every thought laid bare.
One question kept echoing in her mind:
*How does he know?!*
There had been cases in Hong Kong’s film industry where information leaked early, allowing rivals to rush out a similar film and steal the market.
But those were rare exceptions.
Who else could be like Chen Qi, possessing such precise intel on all three companies?
And he had been saying for a while now that Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest should team up—he’d been saying it since last year.
Now, without realizing it, the two companies had started moving in that direction… Then there were all his wild claims in the newspapers, every single one of which seemed to come true.
Fong Yim-wah suddenly felt a twinge of fear.
She even began to think like Jackie Chan—was this man truly some mystic sent by the mainland to unite them?
Chen Qi observed her expression and sneered inwardly. *Hmph! If I can’t play the prophet on the mainland, I’ll do it in Hong Kong! I’m the White Dragon King of Hong Kong—my words shape reality, and starlets line up for my blessings!*
Of course, he couldn’t rely solely on mysticism.
Everything had to be grounded in reality.
“Manager Fong, are we enemies?”
“No, but we’re not exactly friends either.”
Her answer was cautious.
“Exactly. In business, you fight me, I fight you, then we team up against someone else—it’s all routine. Me, Shaw Brothers, Golden Harvest—we all want to take down Cinema City. The two of you can’t do it, but I can. And what if I told you I want to dismantle Cinema City?”
“How would you do that?” Fong Yim-wah’s heart skipped a beat.
“Break up their ‘Seven Samurai.’ Their internal conflicts are glaring. I’ve said as much in the papers—what have you two been doing? *Wow*, I’ve been waiting for you to gang up on them, but there’s been no movement at all. Do you love Cinema City that much? Can’t even kick a man when he’s down?”
Chen Qi shook his head repeatedly, the very picture of a man saddled with useless allies.
Fong Yim-wah’s face flushed.
She really hadn’t thought of that.
“I’ve said my piece. Think it over and give me an answer soon. I won’t take up any more of your time.”
“Mr. Chen, let me see you out!”
Fong Yim-wah personally escorted him all the way to the main building’s entrance before turning back.
She paced around her office a few times.
If the leftists could really take down Cinema City, that wouldn’t be a bad thing.
Shaw Brothers stood to lose nothing.
Besides, she knew Run Run Shaw was gradually shifting his focus to TVB—Shaw Brothers would close sooner or later anyway.
As for Cherie Chung?
She shared the same mindset as TVB had with Andy Lau—just another newcomer.
Sacrificing her was no big deal.
“Bring Cherie Chung to me!”
(End of Chapter)