Thinking back to the year when he and Tao Yushu first came to Hong Kong, they were thrust into the spotlight because of a casual statement after the Academy Awards, and no one supported them.

Today, the past is no longer the same.

Of course, Lin Chaoyang didn't do nothing.

For example, he wrote a special letter to Lin Haiyin, in which he wrote:

"——It is deeply regrettable that the exchange on the island cannot take place. The government is prepared to prevent our compatriots from doing this, which is heartbreaking. Fortunately, we have the support of literary friends on the island.

I hope WDZF will wake up soon and open the door to cultural exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and the three places instead of deliberately creating barriers.

Please, Ms. Haiyin, say hello to all of you literary friends on my behalf, and to the dear and lovely WD readers.”

Lin Chaoyang's letter is not long, only three to four hundred words.

He directly drew Lin Haiyin and other island writers and readers to his side, and established WDZF as everyone's common enemy, highlighting a "tea talk".

After obtaining his consent, Lin Haiyin sent the letter to the "United Daily News".

It immediately aroused a heated discussion in the WD literary circle and reader group, making these people angry at the ZF's shamelessness and even more looking forward to Lin Chaoyang's early visit to WD.

After a lot of public outcry, Lin Chaoyang did not go to WID.

However, his reputation in WD has greatly increased, and the influence and sales of his works have also increased day by day.

It was only after mid-December that the impact of the whole incident was completely subsided.

The annual Christmas season of the Xiangjiang Film Market has arrived. At this time in previous years, the major film companies have already prepared their films to be released, and are about to hit the earth.

This year is still the case. Films from various large and medium-sized film companies in Hong Kong, such as Golden Harvest, New Art City, and Media Asia, have appeared one after another, and the casts of the films are not weak.

For example, New Art City's "Lucky Star Gongzhao" starring Chow Yun-fat and Sylvia Chang.

However, the movie's box office performance was only acceptable, but not outstanding.

Xinyi City had a major internal fight at the end of last year. The three giants not only fought on their own, but also brought other competitors into the game. It was no longer dignified.

New Art City, which has completely lost its reputation, saw its production volume drop sharply in 1989. One of the hegemons in the Hong Kong film industry at that time is now in a state of survival.

With the release of several competitors' films, Lam Pictures' Christmas highlight film has also officially debuted, the film is "The Dragon Back to School" starring Stephen Chow.

Since "The Gambler" came out, Stephen Chow has been out of control, "The Gambler"

""The Tricky Expert" has become a hit one after another.

After Xu Guanwen pursued his career as an artist and never returned, Stephen Chow has become the new generation comedy king in the Hong Kong film industry.

This time in "Fighting Back to School", even Andy Lau, his old partner, is gone. It is Stephen Chow who takes the lead, but no one from the various film companies dares to underestimate it.

Sure enough, "Fighting Back to School" did not disappoint everyone after its release.

During the first week of its release, it broke most box office records including "Midnight Show in Hong Kong", "Four O'clock Show in Hong Kong", "First Day of Opening", "Saturday", "Sunday" and "First Week of Release".

The box office revenue in the first week was HK$19.64 million.

The momentum is unprecedented.

The movie market is a typical zero-sum game. The big fish eats the small fish. If someone eats more, someone will eat less, or even not.

Being released in the same period as "Fighting Back to School", this batch of films is unlucky. Except for this masterpiece, the box office of other films was much lower than expected.

"Fight Back to School" hit the Christmas season, and Lin once again won against his competitors, but the atmosphere in the company was very calm and helpless. Everyone has been used to this kind of victory in the past two years.

If one day you hear that a film produced by Lin has suffered a box office failure, you might be surprised.

"Brother Xing!"

"Hello, Brother Xing!"

The moment Stephen Chow stepped onto the 10th floor of the Yulang Building, he received a lot of warm smiles and greetings. He waved hello to everyone with a slightly reserved look.

He asked Wu Meizhen: "Azhen, is Mrs. Lin here?"

"Mrs. Lin is on a business trip and won't be back until next week."

Stephen Chow is a little surprised. He spends most of his time filming and doesn't come to the company often.

He has been promoting "Fight Back to School" for the past few days, and today just after New Year's Day, he came to the company to give Tao Yushu some roast meat made by his mother, and he didn't know about Tao Yushu's business trip.

"So long? Are you going back to the mainland?" Stephen Chow asked.

"No, America."

Stephen Chow became interested after hearing this, "America? Is it for the movie that I invested in before?"

As early as April, he heard that the company was cooperating with Columbia Pictures in the United States to invest in movies.

"For this reason, "Parasite" is going to be submitted for an Academy Award."

"Oscar!"

Xiangjiang filmmakers have a somewhat complicated view of American movies, or Hollywood.

On the one hand, they acknowledge the strength of the American film industry and Xiangjiang Film often imitates its example. On the other hand, they believe that they are Asian Hollywood and there is no need to take the Oscars too seriously.

Of course, the more critical reason is that Xiangjiang movies are too commercial and are not suitable for this kind of awards activity.

From the late 1950s to the mid-1960s, Hong Kong films were superstitious about the evaluation of foreign film festivals and awards.

Later, the bosses discovered that the probability of winning awards for Xiangjiang films was too low, and participating in film festivals or awards events was mostly a waste of time and money, so they slowly gave up on the matter.

Since the 1980s, only "Homecoming" produced by Yan Hao of Xiangjiang Films has been nominated for the Oscar.

I originally wanted to take part in "The Truman Show" in 1986, but the relationship between Lin and Jiahe happened to be on bad terms at that time, so I regretted missing it.

This year "Parasite" won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and received support from the Hong Kong Government's Film, Television and Entertainment Licensing Office, allowing it to apply for the Academy Awards.

"Mrs. Lin takes this matter very seriously!"

"Yes. Mrs. Lin attaches great importance to overseas business now. After all, Xiangjiang is too small. If we can enter the US market, the company can definitely develop even more in the future."

Stephen Chow nodded.

Ng Meizhen smiled again and said: "By the way, Ah Xing, I haven't congratulated you yet. It looks like "The Dragon Back to School" will break the 40 million box office mark again. It's just luck." Stephen Chow said it modestly, but the smile on his lips was

Can't hide it.

Wu Meizhen looked around and moved closer to Stephen Chow, "There is good news!"

Stephen Chow immediately cheered up, "What's the good news?"

"Mrs. Lin said that you should be your own boss from now on!"

"I'm my own boss? What do you mean?"

"You know what you're asking. Of course Mrs. Lin wants to support you in starting a company. You have the final say on how to make movies in the future."

Hearing this, Stephen Chow's eyes flashed with excitement.

After "The Gambling Man", he has collaborated with a different director in each of his films. The director of "Fighting Back to School" is Chen Jiashang.

A big reason why the company made this arrangement is that Stephen Chow has too many ideas about the movie, which has interfered with the director's creation.

Since the rise of Jiahe, more and more movie stars in Hong Kong have started their own companies, and most of them have the support of their bosses, such as Cheng Long, Sammo Hung, and Xu Guanwen.

Stephen Chow has not been in the industry for a long time, but his box office appeal in his local area is three points stronger than that of Cheng Long. It is not surprising that Lin supported him in starting his own film company.

Be your own boss?

Stephen Chow imagined that kind of scene in his mind. It would be great to be more involved in film production, but when he thought about having to worry about things other than movies, he felt a little unsure.

Wu Meizhen listened to his thoughts and said with a smile: "What are you afraid of? There are companies to protect you in investment and distribution. All you have to do is make a good movie. Which one of Cheng Long and Sammo Hung is not like this?"

"

Stephen Chow nodded convinced, thinking what she said made sense and it would be better for him.

"Thank you, Azhen!" Stephen Chow handed the roast pork in his hand to Wu Meizhen, "Mrs. Lin is not here, you can take it back and try it."

Wu Meizhen took the things without any burden, thanked her, and watched Stephen Chow leave the company briskly.

With half a month left before the Chinese New Year, Tao Yushu returned to Villa No. 75, Deep Water Bay, looking tired.

After resting at home for a night, she appeared on the top floor of Yulang Building full of energy early the next morning.

"Mrs. Lin!"

"Mrs. Lin!"

Tao Yushu nodded and responded to the greetings of the employees one by one, with a serious expression and a strong aura.

After entering the office, Wu Meizhen quickly handed over hot tea, and then reported in detail the major and minor events that occurred in the company during Tao Yushu's departure from Hong Kong.

After listening for a few minutes, Tao Yushu interrupted Wu Meizhen and asked: "How is Ah Xing's performance recently?"

"Fighting Back to School" has only been released for half a month, and the box office has already reached 32 million. It looks like it will become another film with a box office of over 40 million in the local area.

Stephen Chow is very popular in the Hong Kong film industry. He is now one of Lin's signatures. Tao Yushu naturally needs to pay attention to and understand his thoughts and trends.

"I have already revealed to him the news that you are going to open a company for him, and he seems very happy. Recently, Yongsheng and Media Asia have been contacting him, but he doesn't seem to have any reaction."

Tao Yushu nodded slightly, "I took care of the satellite company matters a few years ago. He became his own boss, so he can be more stable."

"Yes." Wu Meizhen responded, and then asked: "Mrs. Lin, over there in the United States——"
To be continued...