Chapter 00280: Cherie Chung
# Cherie Chung
Chapter 280
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 280: Cherie Chung
Cherie Chung had just finished filming *The Postman Strikes Back*.
The movie was shot in South Korea—partly because production costs were cheaper there, and partly because there was snow.
Real snow.
At a time when audiences had grown tired of Shaw Brothers’ fake snow, any film crew with a bit of ambition sought out real locations.
But looking around the region, mainland China was off-limits, Taiwan didn’t get snow, Japan was too expensive, and Southeast Asia was out of the question.
South Korea was the only place with decent snowfall, making it one of Hong Kong cinema’s primary filming locations.
She had gone during winter and had only just returned, resting at home, when she was inexplicably summoned to Shaw Brothers.
"..."
Mona Fong was curious about the person Chen Qi had specifically requested.
She scrutinized Cherie up and down.
Her skin was slightly dark, her face a bit broad, her figure full and voluptuous.
Her hair was messy, and she wore a unisex-style jacket with jeans.
Her eyebrows were thick and bold, her features large—big eyes, a big mouth—none of which were conventionally beautiful on their own, but together, they created a striking harmony.
When she smiled, her white teeth and two dimples stood out.
*Not a beauty in the traditional sense, but she has a unique charm,* Mona thought to herself before asking, "Are you currently tied up with any projects?"
"I just finished filming and am helping with some post-production work. I don’t have any assignments lined up yet."
Cherie’s heart leaped. *Could this mean a new role for me? Ms. Fong must think highly of me!*
Sure enough, Mona spoke—but the words left Cherie stunned.
"The leftist faction has a film they want you to star in. I’ve already agreed. Once you’re done here, you’ll go over."
"Leftist? Me? But—"
Cherie was dumbfounded.
She pointed at herself.
"Why did you agree to let me act in a leftist film?"
"This involves company strategy. You don’t need to know the details."
"But what about the union? What if—"
"We’re Shaw Brothers. What are you afraid of? Just go and don’t worry about it."
Cherie had no choice but to comply.
Dejected, she returned to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Her family lived in a rather infamous place: Chungking Mansions!
Chungking Mansions housed both residents and businesses.
When it was first built, it was a high-end establishment frequented by British officers and local celebrities.
Over time, however, it deteriorated, becoming dominated by Indian and Pakistani immigrants, with worsening security.
Her father worked in renovations, while her mother sold clothes.
She had three younger siblings at home.
"Ah-Hung!"
When she arrived at her mother’s small stall, her mother took one look at her and asked, "What did they call you in for? Why the long face?"
"They want me to act in a film!"
"Isn’t that a good thing?"
"They want me to act in a *leftist* film! If I do it, I might get blacklisted. Ms. Fong says they’ll protect me, but who knows what’ll happen? I don’t understand why she agreed to this."
"Can’t you refuse?"
"I don’t have the leverage to negotiate. If they tell me to go, I go. Worst case, I’ll come back and help you sell clothes!"
"Ah, don’t think like that. Just follow the company’s arrangements. They know better than you do—it’ll be fine. You’ve always been stubborn and hot-tempered. In that industry, you need to be more flexible."
"I know, I know! I’m going upstairs."
Cherie entered their cramped apartment, where her own bed was little more than a narrow cot.
She flopped onto the bed, listless, her mind swirling with the situation.
Suddenly, she bolted upright.
"Wait—last year! I remember now! You mentioned me last year!"
It came back to her.
The leftist faction’s Mr. Chen had once mentioned her in a newspaper article, saying something like, *Given time, she could outshine all of Hong Kong and stand alone in her brilliance.*
"*Dai lou*, we don’t even know each other! Why’d you have to bring me up? And now you want me in your film? I just want to earn a stable living!"
Cherie tugged at her hair, her impression of the unseen Mr. Chen souring instantly.
......
"Whoosh—whoosh—"
The gas-powered water heater in Great Wall’s dormitory roared as Andy Lau, holding the showerhead in one hand, carefully lathered his hair with the other before rinsing it thoroughly.
"Mr. Chen, I’m ready!"
"Take a seat here."
"Okay!"
Chen Qi sat before a mirror as a barber’s cape was swiftly tied around him.
Andy picked up scissors and a comb, adopting the practiced motions of a professional hairdresser.
"You’re pretty skilled!"
"I was an apprentice once—I can do a bit of everything. If I hadn’t gotten into acting, my dream was to open a salon. Audrey Hepburn’s hairstyle is my specialty."
*Audrey Hepburn...*
Chen Qi internally scoffed at Hong Kong’s bizarre name translations.
"Forget her. She wasn’t a good person."
"Huh? Everyone says she was an angel who fell to earth. I’ve seen *Roman Holiday*," Andy said, puzzled.
"Let me tell you, Hollywood has two big misconceptions—Hepburn was an angel, and Monroe was a slut. Don’t assume what you see is the truth. Their reputations should be reversed."
Chen Qi tossed out the remark before changing the subject.
"How’s your life experience going?"
"It’s good!"
"Be honest."
"Uh... it’s boring. I just sit in the bank all day with nothing to do."
"Have you written your character study?"
"Working on it!"
"Tony Leung already handed his in. I’ve given you all several lessons. You have twenty more days to learn and improve. If you don’t meet my standards, you’re off the project."
*Gulp.*
Andy swallowed hard and didn’t dare say another word.
His contract was already signed—for eight years!
The first year’s base salary was $800 a month, the second $1,200, the third $1,800... increasing yearly.
But with dormitory housing provided and a canteen on set, his living costs had plummeted.
Filming came with additional pay—$10,000 as the baseline.
If the movie won awards or did well at the box office, there’d be bonuses.
Future raises would depend on future negotiations.
Great Wall now had money, and conditions were much better than before.
In Shi Hui’s era, for instance, lesser actresses earned tens of thousands per film while she only got a few thousand.
Once the haircut was done, Chen Qi rinsed it again.
He examined himself in the mirror.
Andy’s skills were indeed solid, accentuating his handsome, capable appearance.
*Knock knock knock!*
Someone rapped at the door.
Andy went to answer it—it was Shi Hui.
"I brought you a set of clothes. Try them on!"
She opened the bag and pulled out a gray suit, a red tie, a white dress shirt, and a pair of leather shoes.
Andy stared blankly at the items until Chen Qi nudged him.
"Go change inside. What are you standing around for?"
"Oh! Right!"
He hurried into the inner room and emerged moments later.
"You’ve obviously never worn a suit before. It’s all crooked, and you can’t even tie a tie properly. Come here!"
Shi Hui adjusted his clothes herself and fixed his tie.
Andy lifted his chin stiffly, eyes squeezed shut, his ears turning red.
Noticing his discomfort, she gave him a light smack.
"You’re a Great Wall actor now. I’m the head of the talent department—I oversee all of you. If you ever have any issues, personal or professional, you can come to me. I’m happy to listen."
"Y-yes, ma’am!"
"Such a shy kid. I’m old enough to be your mother. Alright, I’m off."
Shi Hui turned and left.
Chen Qi watched with amusement.
Shi Hui, a veteran of revolutionary struggles, had a knack for handling young people.
As the company’s talent pool grew, her role would become indispensable.
After a moment’s thought, he asked, "Andy, are you interested in singing?"
"Sort of?"
"Great Wall has vocal coaches. You could train and eventually branch into music alongside acting. More avenues mean more opportunities."
"Oh. Then I’ll learn!"
Andy scratched his head.
His future was a blur—he’d just follow whatever was arranged.
Eager to impress, he had come early to give Chen Qi a haircut.
With time to spare, he ate breakfast, then headed downstairs in his new outfit, making his way to Central’s banking district.
(End of Chapter)