Chapter 395: Now That They

But Zou Wenhuai wasn't without options—he could pick faults when Wei Ming submitted the manuscript and squeeze the terms lower.

By then he'd already written it, tailored specifically for Cheng Long—he'd have to sell it whether he liked it or not.

That day, another event with far-reaching consequences occurred in Hong Kong's film industry: Film Weekly announced it would launch and award a prestigious film prize this year—the Golden Horse Award—to encourage Hong Kong cinema and filmmakers.

But at the time, hardly anyone paid attention—wasn't a film successful if it made box office? Prizes? Could prizes be eaten?

Not yet, at least.

Though responses were sparse, Shu Qi and others still actively prepared, tentatively setting the award ceremony for March.

On January 21, the Lunar New Year atmosphere in Hong Kong grew heavier; three major new films premiered simultaneously, with the most hyped being Golden Harvest's Dragon Boy, starring Cheng Long, another republican-era kung fu boy film.

Then came Shaw Brothers' Eighteen Martial Arts, directed by and starring Liu Jialiang, with Fu Sheng, Hui Yinghong, Liu Jiahui, and others.

Finally, there was Shaolin Temple, produced by Zhongyuan Film Company, a new leftist consortium; director Zhang Xinyan was still somewhat known in Hong Kong—he had adapted several of Liang Yusheng's masterpieces like Clouds and Jade Bow and The White-Haired Witch onto the screen.

As for the leads—Li Lianjie, Yu Hai, Ding Lan, Yu Chenghui—who were these people? No one had ever heard of them.

But they soon would.

Meanwhile, Xinyicheng's The Best of the Best, which had rushed into the Lunar New Year slot, officially announced its box office had surpassed ten million!

"Ten million? That's impressive? After watching Shaolin Temple, I'll definitely go check it out." Old Wei was dragging Xu Shufen to see Shaolin Temple—it was Biaozi's brother's film, they'd heard about it already, they had to come support it.

Plus, this was the flagship cinema of the Shuangnan circuit; rumors said the lead actors would appear before the screening to perform.

Sure enough, before the movie began, Li Lianjie appeared—his appearance alone won the audience's favor, then he performed a set of Shaolin fists, both graceful and fierce, earning thunderous applause.

After Li Lianjie stepped down, the film began; beside him, a young monk said: "Brother Li, do you think Hong Kong people will like our film?"

"Young Monk Yongxin, we poured our hearts into this film—everyone will love it. Now, let's head back to the hotel."

To promote this major film personally arranged by Liao Gong, the mainland side took two approaches—one cultural, one martial.

The martial route was Li Lianjie; the cultural route was Abbot Xingzheng of Shaolin Temple, who engaged with Hong Kong's Buddhist circles; the seventeen-year-old boy beside Li Lianjie was Xingzheng's fat disciple.

Returning to the hotel with the mainland comrades, Li Lianjie rested his chin on his hand, gazing out the window—how wonderful if he could meet Xiao Li again; he wondered how she was doing.

Shaolin Temple did not disappoint Old Wei and Xu Shufen—like Zi Gu Ying Xiong, it showcased vast stretches of mainland China's beautiful landscapes, greatly satisfying Hong Kong audiences' curiosity about the mainland.

Second, the fight scenes were brilliant; though less brutal than Zi Gu Ying Xiong, they were more visually compelling.

Most crucially, the male lead wasn't a child—he was a graceful young man; Li Lianjie's appearance was simply charming.

After leaving the cinema, Old Wei still excitedly discussed with Xu Shufen the stories he'd read in comic books about Shaolin warrior monks.

This somewhat eased their longing for their homeland and children.

They had no choice but to spend the New Year in Hong Kong; compared to other zookeepers, they were lucky—they still had Old Gui and Lingling as family, and Zhou Ma, Liu Bin, Yang Laoshi, Ah Long as friends.

Oh, no—Liu Bin's family had returned to the mainland; no one knew when they'd come back.

While Wei Ming was still writing in the old Western-style house, he received a call from Gong Ying from near her home.

"Good news! Good news!"

"What? Are you pregnant?"

"Get lost—it's Ying, Ying and her family are back from Hong Kong!"

At this moment, the Liu family was visiting the Gong household, and the Liu family had also reserved a private room at the Peace Hotel to host the Gongs and discuss the wedding date; Gong's mother had asked Gong Pu to call her elder sister and brother-in-law's family, and she'd remembered Wei Ming.

Wei Ming chuckled: "Why not invite both the second and third daughters to meet at once?"

"What do you mean?"

Wei Ming: "I'm a millionaire—having dinner at the Peace Hotel isn't a problem, is it?"

After a pause, Gong Pu said: "Then go. Eat plenty, say little."

"Got it!"

Gong Pu: "Leave a note for Lin Jie—can't hide this from her."

"I know."

Gong Pu: "Then go now—we won't stay long at home; the place is too small, we can barely move around."

After hanging up, Gong Pu turned and saw Gong Ying walking toward her.

"Second sister, let's just hail a taxi at the alley entrance—they're coming down now."

"Mm." Gong Pu couldn't take her eyes off her sister, "You've changed so much—your outfit looks amazing."

Gong Ying laughed: "I sent you Hong Kong fashion before—if you wore it, what would be left for me?"

"I just want people to ignore me when I go out—I dare not wear anything so flashy."

"I know, I know—you're a big star now, right? In Hong Kong, you'd be like…" Gong Ying racked her brain but couldn't think of a Hong Kong actress who could match her second sister—Hong Kong's film industry was entirely a man's world.

"Like who?"

"Zhao Yazi—maybe you don't know The Magic City Beach, but it's huge in Hong Kong." She could only think of Zhao Yazi.

"I know—I've seen it."

"Huh?"

"Wei Ming brought back a VHS tape from Hong Kong—Feng Chengcheng is truly beautiful."

Gong Ying lowered her voice: "Second sister, tell me honestly—has Wei Ming ever been unfaithful to you?"

Gong Pu's heart skipped—did she know about Lin Jie?

"No, why do you ask?"

"Nothing—he's wildly popular in Hong Kong, a famous writer, a famous musician, and rich—even the pandas were brought to Hong Kong because of him."

Gong Pu smiled: "What does it matter if Hong Kong people like him? His roots are on the mainland."

As they walked to the alley entrance, neighbors stared at the two sisters with envious eyes.

Everyone thought Gong Pu becoming a big star was impressive enough, but now the Gong family's third daughter was even more remarkable—she'd married into a Hong Kong wealthy family, even a rich man's foolish son, apparently—what fortune! Now the entire Gong family would never lack for anything.

Ah Long: "F***, I swear I just heard someone gossiping about me."

Wei Ming acted quickly—he arrived before either family, so he wandered the lobby; luckily, as a celebrity and regular, no one rushed him.

Finally, as Wei Ming strolled, he spotted a group entering—he quickly sat at a table and picked up the menu, pretending to order.

Then came Ah Long's delighted voice: "Ah Ming!"

He ran over.

Gong Pu feigned surprise, but Gong Ying saw right through it—they must have planned this!

Then Liu Bin and Yang Laoshi also came over to greet Wei Ming—they genuinely thought it was a coincidence.

After warmly greeting the Liu family, Wei Ming went over to greet: "Xue Jie, Ying, Uncle, Auntie, hello."

Gong Yuandong and Zhu Che nodded—they knew Wei Ming had collaborated many times with their second daughter, and they usually called each other brother and sister; but our Ying is older than you—why don't you call her sister?

Ah Long now suggested: "Uncle, Auntie, why not let Ah Ming join us? We all know each other."

Gong Xu, Gong Pu's older brother, said: "I don't know him yet."

He eagerly shook Wei Ming's hand, expressing deep admiration for Teacher Wei, then his wife, then his son—all three were Wei Ming's fans; because of Gong Pu's relationship with Wei Ming, he'd even autographed books for them.

Liu Bin's family was staying at the Peace Hotel—given their income, it was no problem.

The private room table was large enough for twenty; after everyone sat, they chatted, waiting for the elder sister's family.

Wei Ming had met Gong Pu's mother Zhu Che before, but this was his first time meeting her father and elder brother's family.

Besides being curious about their third son-in-law Ah Long, they were also very interested in Wei Ming—his biggest recent news was the U. . music award nomination; they were keen to know if he'd go to America.

"If you have time, go—always thought reading ten thousand books is less than traveling ten thousand miles; I've read enough books, now it's time to see the world."

Gong Ying smiled and exchanged glances with her second sister—you just said his roots are on the mainland, now you want him to travel the world? Watch out—he might slip away.

Gong Pu's attention remained fixed on Wei Ming's interactions with the family; though this was Ying's in-laws meeting, she treated it as her own first time bringing her boyfriend home to meet parents.

About an hour later, the elder sister Gong Chen's family arrived; in that hour, Liu Bin had explained his Hong Kong business—briefly, he was one of three major shareholders of a famous fast-food chain.

His son Ah Long was the head of a comic publishing house, second-largest shareholder.

What a talented family!

Though all the big bosses were surnamed Wei.

After introductions, the elder sister said: "Guess who I ran into downstairs?"

"Who?"

Elder sister: "That Zhu Lin from the north—she must be here to eat; her family isn't poor."

Gong's mother Zhu Che said: "She's Xiao Xue's good friend."

Then Gong Pu looked at Wei Ming, then at Gong Ying.

The only true stars of this dinner were Gong Ying and Ah Long.

Gong Ying said: "Then invite her over—I'm curious about this big star who rivals my second sister."

Gong Pu immediately stood: "I'll go get her."

At this moment, Zhu Lin was pulling a thermos box from her cloth bag.

She knew Wei Ming loved the braised beef here; she thought besides pretending to run into acquaintances for dinner, she could pack some to take home—after all, Xiao Wei leaves tomorrow, and this should be his last good meal.

She'd just ordered and was waiting when she saw Gong Pu.

"Hey, what are you doing here? Are you two on a date?" Zhu Lin whispered.

"You didn't know we were here?"

"No, I came to order food to take home."

Gong Pu asked: "Already ordered?"

"Yes."

"Come on, tell the waiter to send it upstairs—we're dining here tonight."

Zhu Lin: "Family dinner? Is that appropriate?"

"He's here too."

Zhu Lin was stunned: "Have you both reached this level?!"

Gong Ying: "It's my sister and Long Ao's engagement banquet—you two are just part of the 'friends' category, here to eat and drink for free."

"Huh?"