[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rising-in-1979":3,"chapter-rising-in-1979-rising-in-1979-chapter-489":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Rising in 1979",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2261197,4412,"Chapter 489: This Is a Notice, Not a Discussion—Who Called You Auntie?","rising-in-1979-chapter-489",489,"\u003Cp>When it came to Zhou Hui’s new songs, Xu Ke and Teddy Robin were both eager to talk; she had already released “Moon Over the West Tower” and “Bodhisattva Mantra,” with “Moon Over the West Tower” drawing the strongest response, and the MV was being prepared specifically for this song.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They planned to start shooting the day after tomorrow, on the weekend, and Xu Ke needed to finish it before “The Best of the Best 3.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So who’s been chosen for the male lead?” Wei Ming asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anita Mui in male drag,” Xu Ke said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over there, Huang Baiming suddenly cheered—he had just seen the scene where the young protagonist is left alone at home; Wei Ming had written it excellently, absurd yet strangely plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A child left alone at home was bound to spark great anticipation; the story seemed fascinating—so the little boy was the ghost all along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I take out a notebook and jot down some ideas?” Huang Baiming asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teddy Robin teased: “You’re not trying to steal his ideas, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Baiming: “What do you take me for? I just think some lines could be funnier—use them if you like, ignore them if you don’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming smiled: “Go ahead and write—I trust the talent of Hong Kong’s number one screenwriter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Hong Kong comedy films, “Home Alone” was somewhat slow to warm up; it only truly picked up pace after the one-third mark, when the two bumbling burglars began their heist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming was worried this American box-office champion might not resonate locally, so he invited Huang Baiming, the genius screenwriter, to personally guide the project—effectively hiring him as a screenwriter—to help the cast and crew infuse more elements Hong Kong audiences would love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet after reading the script, Huang Baiming still hesitated about taking the 1 million project, since he was a shareholder of Cinema City, holding 9% of the company, and had to personally review every script—his workload was already heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But “Home Alone” clearly had real potential; he hadn’t stopped smiling during the second half—it was funny yet warm, and might actually deliver solid box office returns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming had also adapted the story by studying classic Hong Kong comedies, and personally felt the gags were denser than the original.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Baiming first asked: “The male lead is an eight- or nine-year-old elementary student—he’s practically carrying the whole film. Casting him won’t be easy; it could make or break the movie.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him ask this, Wei Ming knew he was interested: “We already have someone in mind—my cousin Wei Xi. Do you know him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The little guy from ‘Mom, Love Me One More Time’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That film had been released in Hong Kong and earned over 3 million in box office—a standout result among mainland films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing it was Wei Xi, Huang Baiming grew even more uneasy; Wei Xi’s acting was unquestionable, and his lines could be dubbed—but the key issue was he was from the mainland, a famous child star, and a mainland actor’s film would be instantly barred from the Taiwanese market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The director might even suffer collateral damage, harassed by the Freedom Association.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Huang Baiming hesitate, Wei Ming asked: “Do you have concerns?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m a Cinema City shareholder. Skipping our own productions to work on another studio’s film doesn’t seem appropriate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Ke laughed heartily: “What’s inappropriate? I’ve made films for Shaw Brothers too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Baiming thought: How could that be the same? I’m a shareholder; you’re just an employee—but he couldn’t say that aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teddy Robin goaded: “So you think the script’s garbage and not worth your time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Baiming quickly waved his hands: “No, no, it’s just that this film features a mainland actor—I’m worried, worried…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming knew exactly what Huang Baiming feared; he smiled: “Fortune favors the bold. Andy Lau earned a Golden Horse nomination for ‘The Runaway,’ and now he’s starred in several TVB dramas as lead. I’m even planning to cast him in my next film. You filmmakers don’t want to get tangled in politics—I understand—but you should be flexible, hedge your bets. The Sino-British negotiations are still ongoing; no one knows who’ll truly control Hong Kong in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Huang Baiming suddenly snapped to attention; recent news on the Sino-British talks had faded, and he’d nearly forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes—they were just ordinary businesspeople. They didn’t need to please anyone, but they certainly couldn’t offend anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the negotiations took that direction, today’s collaboration with Wei Ming might become a ticket to the mainland market!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mr. Wei, I love the ‘Home Alone’ script. I’ll take the director’s role—but since I’ve never directed before and have my day job, I’d like to bring on an assistant to handle the specifics. We’ll both be credited as directors, and we’ll split the 1 million fee.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming asked: “Who do you have in mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He replied: “He’s sort of my apprentice—his name is Gao Zhisen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Zhisen was only 25, had been in the industry for three years, and under Huang Baiming’s guidance, had written excellent scripts like “Lemon Cola,” “Scared Stiff,” and “Yin Yang Mistake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, with Huang Baiming’s support, he directed his first film, “Happy Ghost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Zhisen excelled at comedy, later directing “Chicken and Duck Talk,” “The Lucky Family,” and “Flower of Love,” producing many acclaimed works in the 80s and 90s, and mentoring a protégé named Ku Te-chao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Ke laughed: “Didn’t Xiao Gao never direct before either?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teddy Robin added: “Are you two a reliable team?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming declared: “Fine, it’s settled. I’ll give you the 1 million—you can decide how much to give your apprentice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Baiming’s face flushed; oh dear, saying this in front of everyone… “I’d never shortchange my own apprentice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shouldn’t you consult with Michael Hui first?” Wei Ming asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Baiming was cautious and deliberate, with a broad perspective—but since he’d already agreed, there was no turning back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to consult. Tomorrow I’ll bring Xiao Gao to meet you, discuss filming, sign the contract, then notify Michael Hui—it’s a notice, not a discussion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming said: “Then meet me tomorrow at Langning Toys.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “Langning Toys is the film’s investor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Baiming suddenly understood: “No wonder—I kept noticing toys used against the burglars, and the house had a claw machine. So all those were Langning’s products!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming smiled: “That’s why we’re using this vinegar to make dumplings—Langning is flush with cash, no pressure to recoup costs. Go all out and make it top quality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Baiming asked again: “The two bumbling burglars are crucial too—anyone in mind?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too bad Michael Hui probably won’t agree—if he would, I’d love to cast him,” Wei Ming joked, “but tomorrow I’ll bring both burglars over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the two burglars, Wei Ming wanted one aggressive, one clueless—the classic combo of grumpy and dim-witted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grumpy one was already set: Xu Jinjiang—close friends, he’d naturally be considered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clueless one was chosen as Le Gok, Chen Baixiang—he had the potential to become a top supporting actor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Baixiang agreed immediately, didn’t even read the script, only asked about the shooting schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Jinjiang, however, ran into trouble—he’d just broken up with his girlfriend and was feeling low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming had Long arrange to meet Xu Jinjiang; after finalizing things with Huang Baiming, he went to Maniac Comics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long had invited Xu Jinjiang to the company, hoping to cheer him up alongside Wei Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, Liang Jiahui and Andy Lau were also there—the four were waiting for Wei Ming, with wine and food on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Jiahui looked energetic, as if he could beat Cheng Long to a pulp; after finishing Li Hanxiang’s two films, he became famous in Hong Kong. The Freedom Association demanded a public apology—he refused, and now no one dares hire him, so Long invited him to help at the magazine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Learning Liang Jiahui had studied graphic design in college and once ran a fashion magazine, Long wanted to bring him onto the “Yes!” project.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming sat between Liang Jiahui and Andy Lau; Liang Jiahui naturally draped his arm over Wei Ming’s shoulder, while Andy Lau poured wine for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red energy nourishes; Andy Lau now had real star aura—three consecutive TVB lead roles in “Hawk,” “Running Toward the Sun,” and “Old Cave,” and he’s currently filming Yang Guo in “The Return of the Condor Heroes.” Think of how popular “The Legend of the Condor Heroes” was last year—his future is brilliantly bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn’t truly happy; his TVB income was dismal. He was grateful that film offers still came his way, and he was glad he’d taken the risk starring in “The Runaway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sitting down, Wei Ming asked curiously: “Jiang, who broke your heart this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1465,"2026-06-19T16:30:59.356Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7867408d7e845149866d6bdceaba038ff1ac4a5273cce8b3d3aed1a13b660d8e","rising-in-1979-chapter-490","rising-in-1979-chapter-488",509,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frising-in-1979-cover.jpg"]