Chapter 00291: Big and Little Red Beans
# Big and Little Red Beans
Chapter 291
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 291: Big and Little Red Beans
"Boss, that guy's coming over!"
Hong Jinbao was focused on eating a piece of meat when his underling suddenly tapped him.
He quickly wiped his mouth and turned around to see Chen Qi striding straight toward him.
As a man of the martial world, face was everything, so he took a few steps forward to meet him.
"Mr. Hong!"
Chen Qi stretched out his hand before even getting close, his enthusiasm overwhelming, as if their previous newspaper feud had never happened.
He grinned, "I’ve been wanting to chat with you for a long time. It’s only today that we finally get the chance."
"I’ve long heard of your reputation, Mr. Chen. Unfortunately, I have absolutely no interest in talking to you."
"Don’t be so quick to dismiss me. There are things I’m sure you’d be interested in."
"Could it be that nonsense you spouted on stage about breaking into Europe and America? I know my own limits—I have no such ambitions. I won’t waste my time with you."
Hong Jinbao wanted nothing to do with him and turned to leave, his hefty frame swaying.
But then, a slow, deliberate voice came from behind:
"New Art City has been beating you down so badly. Don’t you want to crush them?"
His steps halted.
He turned back.
"What do you mean?"
"I want to crush New Art City too. Let’s discuss it together!"
Chen Qi held out a business card between his fingers.
Hong Jinbao instinctively took a step back—was this a Life-Death Talisman?!
"Don’t be nervous. This is a private invitation—just you, Jackie Chan, and me. The three of us will talk."
He stuffed the card into Hong’s hand and walked away with a smile.
Hong Jinbao hesitated but ultimately pocketed the card.
Dislike aside, Hong Kong’s local filmmakers had a clear understanding of Chen Qi’s skills and foresight.
Despite all the noise he made in the papers, no one had ever managed to prove him wrong.
He had no more interest in staying.
He quickly slipped away to find Jackie Chan.
---
Jackie Chan was reading a script titled *Mini Force*, directed by Zhu Yanping, one of the few in Taiwan who knew how to make commercial films, famous for his *Kung Fu Kids* series.
Generally, Hong Kong stars only acted in Taiwanese films for two reasons: political factors—like propaganda war films starring Hong Kong actors—or because they were forced by the triads and had no choice.
Suddenly, Hong Jinbao arrived.
As the eldest of the Seven Little Fortunes, he had debuted the earliest and had led his younger brothers in making a living.
Jackie Chan had followed him early in his career.
Though they were competitors, their bond remained strong.
"I just came back from the Golden Bauhinia Awards. Look at me—those reporters’ flashbulbs were like bombs. Who knows what nonsense they’ll write about me tomorrow."
After a few words about the ceremony, Hong Jinbao shifted the topic.
"I ran into Chen Qi—that guy from the mainland!"
He placed the business card on the table.
"He wants to meet us privately. Says he wants to take down New Art City. What do you think?"
Jackie Chan was stunned.
He had been wanting to meet Chen Qi himself—what a coincidence! But he was also hesitant.
"This guy’s methods are… unusual. Should we inform Mr. Chow first, just to be safe?"
"Sure. Let’s ask Mr. Chow to arrange a secure location. Otherwise, we might get photographed by reporters without even realizing it!"
Chen Qi’s reputation for eccentricity had already begun spreading in Hong Kong.
They didn’t consider themselves saints, but this guy was on another level.
---
Over at the Arts Centre, the event had wrapped up by 10 PM.
The reporters were thrilled—today’s scoop would keep them busy for a week.
Shu Qi and Chan Pak-sing were also satisfied; the results had far exceeded their expectations.
The only downside was having government officials present the awards—that had been unpleasant.
"Goodbye!"
"I’ll take them home first. See you tomorrow!"
Chen Qi stuck his head out of the Gundam and waved at Andy Lau and Tony Leung before driving off, leaving the two to miserably split a cab fare.
The Gundam cruised through Hong Kong’s neon-lit streets, bustling with life.
Nightclubs lined the roads, each with luxury cars parked outside, occasionally spilling out flashy hostesses clinging to men’s arms…
Xiao Geng drove while Xiao Mo rode shotgun.
In the backseat, Cherie Chung, Chingmy Yau, and Chen Qi sat in that arrangement.
With outsiders present, Xiao Mo was tactful.
"Such a grand display today—everyone in suits. Isn’t that a bit extravagant?"
"This emperor only has eight sets of regular attire for the seasons. How is that extravagant?"
Chen Qi knew he was hinting at bourgeois excess.
He chuckled, "This is all necessary packaging—it serves a purpose. To conquer Hong Kong, you have to play by Hong Kong’s rules. Don’t you trust my principles?"
"..."
Xiao Mo glanced at the "big and little red beans" in the rearview mirror and snorted.
Chen Qi remained unbothered—what did he have to fear with his upright character?
He turned to ask, "Ah Zhen, what do you want to eat?"
"There’s a new stall selling fishball noodles up ahead. I want to try it."
"Then fishball noodles it is."
They arrived shortly after.
The Gundam pulled over by the roadside, where a husband-and-wife duo had set up a cart with a few tables and chairs at the intersection.
Chen Qi scanned the menu—only fishball noodles were available.
"Five servings, please!"
He sat at a table with the two red beans, while Xiao Mo, despite his earlier complaints, eagerly joined Xiao Geng at another table.
The first bowl arrived, and Chen Qi pushed it toward Chingmy Yau.
The girl dug in without hesitation, praising the taste between bites.
Cherie Chung laughed at the sight.
"You really dote on Ah Zhen!"
"She calls me 'Master.' A teacher for a day is a father for life... Oh, boss, pack four more to-go!"
Chen Qi called out before explaining, "She’s the fifth of seven siblings at home—two younger ones below her."
"Seven kids? My family has four—two younger sisters and a brother."
"Being the eldest must’ve been tough, huh?" Chingmy Yau asked.
"Not too bad. I couldn’t cook, so I couldn’t take care of them that way. My job was fighting—if anyone bullied them, I’d beat them up!"
Cherie Chung flexed her biceps just as the noodles arrived.
She took a bite and immediately bonded with Chingmy Yau over the taste.
"Wow, these noodles are amazing!"
"Right? I knew this place wouldn’t disappoint!"
The two ate heartily.
Cherie Chung, still in her tight evening gown, slurped happily, her curvaceous figure straining against the dress, her hips perfectly outlined on the bench.
"Ah Zhen has a real talent for food—she just doesn’t seem to gain any weight. Still so tiny," Chen Qi remarked.
"I’m only 14! I can still grow taller!"
"Not necessarily. I stopped growing in my teens—I’m only 5'5" (~165 cm),"Cherie Chung interjected. Chingmy Yau suddenly looked worried, but Chen Qi reassured her,"5'5"is plenty tall. How much taller do you want to be? Remember Zhu Yin from your training group? She’s the real short one."
"Oh, Yin Yin! And that little delinquent!"
Chingmy Yau suddenly recalled her sworn nemesis—Anita Yuen.
They hadn’t seen each other in ages, but the feud remained.
Cherie Chung didn’t understand, so Chen Qi explained.
The three chatted and laughed, the atmosphere warm and lively.
"Xiao Mo, Comrade Chen Qi is completely corrupted!"
Xiao Geng stared at the man happily sandwiched between the two red beans and couldn’t help but mutter.
"For now, let’s observe. His political stance is still firm. Besides, there’s still that one back on the mainland."
Given their line of work, they had thoroughly investigated Chen Qi.
Through their interactions, Xiao Mo was confident in his political reliability.
As for his romantic entanglements? Tch! He brought it on himself.
If things went south, he’d have no one to blame.
(End...)
(Chapter complete)