Chapter 3: Shaw Brothers

Xiang Qian stepped out of his room and stood on the bustling street, his gaze sweeping across this familiar yet unfamiliar city. The buildings on either side of the road carried a strong sense of age, neon signs flickered with traditional Chinese characters, and the air was filled with the humid breath unique to Hong Kong Island. He drew a deep breath, and a swirl of complicated emotions welled up inside him.

"In another thirteen years, Hong Kong Island will return to the embrace of the motherland…" Xiang Qian murmured to himself, a note of sentiment in his tone.

He looked up into the distance, his thoughts drifting uncontrollably back to his previous life. Back then, he had worked himself to the bone to give his parents a better life, and on his deathbed, his one consolation was that he had left behind savings of nearly two million, enough for his parents to live out their remaining years in comfort.

"I wonder if Mom and Dad can bear it when they learn I'm gone…" Xiang Qian said softly, a flicker of gloom passing through his eyes.

He shook his head, temporarily casting those heavy memories aside. Since the heavens had given him a chance to live again, he had to cherish it well and live out a different life.

Just then, a flyer caught by the wind drifted to his feet. Xiang Qian bent down, picked it up, scanned its contents, and could not help raising an eyebrow.

"Shaw Brothers talent show, recruiting artistes…" he read aloud in a low voice, a spark of interest flashing in his eyes.

Xiang Qian was no stranger to Shaw Brothers. As a giant of Hong Kong Island's film industry, Shaw Brothers had once been in its glory days, but in recent years, because of Golden Harvest's aggressive rise, it had gradually slid into decline. The shrinking film market had forced Shaw Brothers to seek another way out, and the rise of TVB seemed to have become their new hope.

"The Shaw Brothers film era is already over, but TVB has only just begun…" Xiang Qian murmured to himself, a rapid succession of ideas flashing through his mind.

He stood on the street, carefully weighing the opportunity before him. Shaw Brothers' talent show was undoubtedly a perfect chance to break into the entertainment circle. If he could seize it, perhaps he could carve out a place for himself in Hong Kong Island's entertainment world.

"Perhaps this is my chance to live again…" Xiang Qian said softly, a glint of resolve flashing in his eyes.

He pocketed the flyer and decided to go back and thoroughly research the current state of Shaw Brothers and TVB, as well as the rules of the entertainment circle. Since he had chosen to walk this path, he had to be fully prepared.

Xiang Qian returned to his room, turned on the computer, and began looking up information on Shaw Brothers and TVB. He discovered that Shaw Brothers had indeed fallen into difficulties in recent years, with box-office takings declining year by year, while TVB, relying on television dramas and variety shows, had gradually risen to become a new force in Hong Kong Island's entertainment circle.

"It looks like Shaw Brothers plans to scout new talent through the talent show and inject fresh blood into TVB…" Xiang Qian said softly, a flash of understanding in his eyes.

He continued his research and found that TVB's artiste training system was extremely well-developed — from the talent show to signing a contract, then to training and debut, every step was laid out in meticulous detail. If he could get into TVB, he would not only have a chance to become a star, but would also receive systematic training and resource support.

"This really is a pretty good opportunity…" Xiang Qian said softly, a decision gradually forming in his heart.

He closed the computer, walked to the window, looked out at Hong Kong Island, and a surge of bold ambition welled up inside him. Since the heavens had given him a chance to live again, he had to seize every opportunity and live out a brilliant life.

"Since Shaw Brothers and TVB are my chance, I absolutely have to seize it." Xiang Qian said softly, a glint of resolve flashing in his eyes.

He turned back to the desk, picked up a pen, and began to draft his plan. He knew that breaking into the entertainment circle was no easy matter — he had to be fully prepared.

The original body's looks were outstanding, but to gain a foothold in the entertainment circle, good looks alone were not enough — one needed solid talent. Fortunately, in his previous life he had enjoyed listening to music.

"Since I've decided to walk this path, I have to go all out." Xiang Qian said softly, a glint of resolve flashing in his eyes.

He set down the pen, walked to the window, looked out at Hong Kong Island, and a surge of bold ambition welled up inside him. He knew the road ahead would not be smooth sailing, but as long as he worked hard, he would surely be able to carve out a place for himself in the entertainment circle.

"Hong Kong Island, here I come." Xiang Qian said softly, a confident smile curling at the corner of his lips.