Chapter 23

（Thank you to 'Qingfeng Qinyuan' and 'The Person Under the Umbrella' for your support, thank you! Also, please give me a vote and some support!）

In late October, Wu Cheng wrote the storyboard for "Five Lucky Stars," and Zhao Yazhi successfully arranged a meeting with Hong Jinbao for him.

At this time, Hong Jinbao was not yet the big boss of the future. Although he was already a famous action choreographer, he had not yet directed a film, so his current presence could not compare to the 1980s and 1990s.

However, in the film industry, his connections were naturally far beyond what Wu Cheng could match.

Hong Jinbao himself was also puzzled, as he was not very familiar with Zhao Yazhi. When Zhao Yazhi arranged the meeting through a friend at TVB, he found it a bit strange.

Of course, he did not think that a beauty like Zhao Yazhi would be interested in him. But subconsciously, he still dressed up carefully, who knew if a good opportunity might fall from the sky!

However, when he saw Zhao Yazhi enter the teahouse with a young boy, he knew he had misunderstood. If it were as he thought, Zhao Yazhi would not have brought anyone else.

But when he saw Zhao Yazhi come in, he still stood up and gestured.

Looking at the carefully dressed Hong Jinbao, Wu Cheng couldn't help but chuckle, because at this time, Hong Jinbao's hairstyle was very similar to the watermelon head he had in his films.

The current Hong Jinbao was already starting to gain weight, and the gap in his lips was also visible.

"Miss Zhao, please!" Hong Jinbao smiled and gestured to Zhao Yazhi.

"Thank you!" Zhao Yazhi politely replied and introduced Wu Cheng to Hong Jinbao: "Big Brother Hong, this is my younger brother Wu Cheng. Actually, the one who really invited you today is him, not me!"

Hong Jinbao looked at Wu Cheng curiously, gestured for everyone to sit down, and smiled: "That makes me even more curious! Young Brother Wu, hello! I'm Hong Jinbao, you can also call me Sanmao, it's more intimate, my brothers all call me that."

He paused for a moment and continued: "I wonder what Young Brother Wu needs from me?"

Wu Cheng did not sit down but extended his hand and smiled: "Hello, Sanmao, let me introduce myself formally, I'm Wu Cheng, the Wu Cheng who wrote 'Return to Ming.' You might not have read 'Return to Ming,' but I'm sure you've heard of it! You can call me Chengzi or Xiao Cheng."

Hong Jinbao was taken aback and smiled: "To be honest, 'Return to Ming' is a novel I've heard a lot about. Although I haven't read it, my wife follows it every day..."

He looked Wu Cheng up and down and said: "I didn't expect the author of that novel to be so young. How old are you, Chengzi?"

Hong Jinbao did not think Wu Cheng was lying, after all, Zhao Yazhi was sitting right in front of him. Unless Wu Cheng had also deceived Zhao Yazhi, which seemed unlikely. Such a thing might fool someone for a while, but not forever, and it would eventually be exposed.

Wu Cheng cleared his throat, picked up the teapot, and poured tea for Zhao Yazhi and Hong Jinbao, smiling: "I'm fifteen this year, just a bit late in development, but no need to worry, I've started growing, and in the past two months, I've grown almost ten centimeters. Sanmao, please have some tea!"

Seeing Wu Cheng's hand flick, the teacup spun in front of him, but the tea inside did not spill at all, which made Hong Jinbao's eyes widen.

"Chengzi, that's not something an ordinary person can do!" Hong Jinbao, regaining his composure, sighed and then asked with a smile: "I wonder who your master is?"

"I came from the mainland!" Wu Cheng smiled slightly, not revealing his master, and then said: "The reason I invited Sanmao today is actually to ask you to direct a film!"

After seeing the shock on Hong Jinbao's face, Wu Cheng directly stated his purpose.

"Ask me to direct a film?" Hong Jinbao was a bit confused.

Wu Cheng nodded and handed over the script: "The script is here. The lead role in this film actually has five people, and you, Sanmao, are one of them. And Sister Zhao is the female lead."

Zhao Yazhi had already read the script and found it absolutely "exciting," but she felt that the role of "Xiao Mei" was a small challenge.

Hong Jinbao read the script very carefully, and he ended up reading it for two hours. Especially when he read the action scenes, he felt that the actions were designed to his taste.

When he came to his senses, he found that only Wu Cheng was sitting in front of him.

"Where is Miss Zhao?" Hong Jinbao asked politely and then said: "Chengzi, your script is really well-written and detailed. I think, in all of Hong Kong, there's no one who writes scripts like you. No matter who directs this script, it can be done, but the set design is a bit complicated. By the way, who do you plan to have direct it? How much investment do you have?"

Wu Cheng slowly sipped his tea and smiled: "Sister Zhao had something to do and went back first. I didn't want to disturb you when I saw how engrossed you were, so she asked me to apologize on her behalf."

"No problem, no problem!" Hong Jinbao waved his hand and smiled: "I was too engrossed!"

Wu Cheng smiled: "Only someone as engrossed as Sanmao can succeed!"

"It's because your script is so well-written, Chengzi!"

After some mutual flattery, Wu Cheng smiled: "As for the director, I think Sanmao is the best choice. What do you think, Sanmao?"

"I..." Hong Jinbao thought carefully and asked suspiciously: "Really me?"

Wu Cheng nodded and said seriously: "When I was writing this script, I already had the director in mind. I think in all of Hong Kong, you, Sanmao, are the most suitable to direct this film!"

"A man will die for those who understand him! Since you look up to me, Chengzi, I'll take it on!" Hong Jinbao said solemnly: "Rest assured, I won't mess it up."

"Having Sanmao on board, I'm very reassured!" Wu Cheng smiled and then said: "Sanmao, have you ever thought about starting your own company?"

Hong Jinbao was taken aback by Wu Cheng's words. He didn't expect this young guy, who was not very old but had many ideas, to have such ambition.

To want to start a film company at such a young age, he was really daring and determined!

In comparison, he felt that his own drive in this area was somewhat lacking. At just fifteen, he had such ambition, and Hong Jinbao couldn't help but wonder about his future.

With a slightly trembling hand, he picked up the teacup, calmed himself, and then said seriously: "Cheng, what are you thinking?"

At this moment, Hong Jinbao no longer treated Wu Cheng as a child but as an equal. This was evident from his sudden change in address.

He wasn't unaware that Wu Cheng might be exaggerating, but could someone who could write such a brilliant script be just a child who knew nothing?

Even if Wu Cheng was exaggerating, he didn't mind listening to his ideas first.

Wu Cheng smiled: "My idea is simple. I see potential in Sanmao and in the future of Hong Kong cinema, so I want to get involved. If Sanmao is interested, I welcome you to join. I'll handle the scripts, and you'll handle the filming... As for the shares, we can discuss that later. What do you think, Sanmao? Are you interested?"

Hong Jinbao nodded and then said seriously: "Cheng, have you thought about the fact that starting a film company is not a joke? If it's just a shell company, I'm not interested. But if it's a real film company, the investment required is not a small amount. Are you sure you're serious about this?"

Wu Cheng smiled slightly and nodded: "Sanmao, I know what I'm doing. I also know that my current strength is still very weak. For a film company to independently distribute films, there's a long way to go. Even to independently produce films, it's not easy, and I can't even afford some expensive camera equipment... But these difficulties are not reasons to stop our dreams from taking flight." He paused and then chuckled: "Even if we fail, so what?"

Hong Jinbao was taken aback again. He heard Wu Cheng continue: "Even if we fail, I'll just go back to being an author, continue writing novels and scripts, and you'll go back to being a director, actor, or action choreographer. What's the loss?"

Hong Jinbao's eyes lit up, and he slapped the table and shouted: "Let's do it!"

However, Hong Jinbao's action drew many disapproving looks, making him blush. But Wu Cheng felt that his blush was more due to excitement.

Hong Jinbao stood up and pulled Wu Cheng, saying: "Let's go to my place! I'll call my brothers, and we'll have dinner at my place tonight and discuss the company in detail."

Wu Cheng quickly followed and smiled: "Didn't you say Sanmao likes to go to nightclubs?"

Hong Jinbao laughed: "I'd like to go, but can you?"

Wu Cheng was embarrassed by his young age.

Hong Jinbao's wife was Korean, and their first son, Hong Tianming, was already over a year old. Watching the little guy crawl clumsily, Wu Cheng was amused.

While Wu Cheng was playing with little Tianming, a few figures entered the apartment with Hong Jinbao. Wu Cheng recognized them, especially the two young men with big noses and a large mole on one of their noses, including the thin Yuan Hua and the landlady Yuan Qiu...

However, these people were not yet as they would be in the future. The landlady was not yet so fat and was in her prime, and Yuan Biao was still a young boy.

Hong Jinbao came in and said to Wu Cheng, who was playing with his son: "Cheng, come over and meet my brothers. Everyone, be quiet..." He pointed to Wu Cheng, who was holding little Tianming, and said: "This is Wu Cheng, you can call him Cheng. Cheng, these are my brothers: Shenglong, Yuan Biao, Yuan Hua, Yuan Qiu, Yuan Kui..."

Seeing Hong Jinbao introduce Wu Cheng so formally, the Seven Little Fortunes all looked at him curiously. Shenglong, who was quick to speak, said: "Master, why are you being so formal? I thought it was an important guest! It's just a kid, ha..."