Chapter 6

After giving his instructions, Bao Ya Bing slipped away first. He knew his actions were despicable and didn't want to be cursed by people to his ancestors.

Sure enough, when Xia Tian relayed Bao Ya Bing's request for an all-night shoot, it immediately sparked a chorus of curses from the crew members.

It was already bad enough to be reduced to making such a low-budget film, but even worse, they were still being exploited by the boss, which was like adding insult to injury, or shitting in the snow.

"Director, we're all exhausted after a full day. How about you talk to Brother Bing and ask him to be merciful and let us go home?" A Ming, the script supervisor, pleaded with Xia Tian.

"Yeah, yeah, Director, you can see how hard we've worked today. We really can't go on. Please help us out," Luo Qinghao, the lead actor, added.

He was the most famous person in the crew, having starred in two not-so-successful films and now playing minor roles in TVB dramas.

"No wonder he was so generous with the midnight snack. It turns out he had this in mind. I knew he couldn't be that generous," Chen Yixin sneered, hitting the nail on the head.

Hearing this, the crew members, who had been grateful to Bao Ya Bing for the boxed meals, now felt a bit nauseous.

"Alright, just keep quiet," Xia Tian poked Chen Yixin, not wanting him to get into more trouble. "How about this: I'll take the initiative and let everyone rest for an hour. Then I'll speed up the shooting to get everyone home earlier."

Everyone knew that although Xia Tian was nominally the director, he was like a servant girl with the key—having the title but no power. It was already a rare thing for him to squeeze out an hour for rest. They all nodded and found places to rest.

Seeing the exhausted extras lying on the floor, Xia Tian felt a pang of sorrow. This was the entertainment industry, where top stars could earn millions per film and be treated like royalty, while fourth-rate actors like them earned only a few dozen dollars a day and were treated like cattle.

"Damn it, I have to become famous, I have to make money!" he muttered to himself.

"Brother Tian, what are you mumbling about?" Chen Yixin asked curiously.

"Nothing, just a bit reflective," Xia Tian waved his hand.

"Alright, stop being reflective. Your boxed meal is getting cold. You'd better eat quickly, or you won't last through the night," Chen Yixin reminded him.

Xia Tian nodded and started eating his meal. He was indeed very hungry after being busy all day.

"Brother Tian, I heard today that Boss Shao might be closing the company..." Chen Yixin said mysteriously.

Xia Tian was taken aback but then nodded.

He knew that the Shaw Brothers Studio would basically cease production in 1985, and the Shaw cinemas would be leased to D&B Films. Most of the staff, except for a few who would join TVB, would face unemployment.

Even people like Chang Cheh, Ti Lung, David Chiang, and Chu Yuan, who had once been very popular and had made significant contributions to the Shaw Brothers, would be mercilessly kicked out.

"Why aren't you surprised at all?" Chen Yixin asked, puzzled by Xia Tian's calm reaction.

"What's there to be surprised about? Everyone can see that the Shaw Brothers have been declining year by year. Almost every film they make is a loss, and they've been completely overshadowed by Cinema City and Golden Harvest. There's no hope of a comeback. Why wouldn't they close down?" Xia Tian shook his head.

"Moreover, in recent years, Sir Run Run Shaw has been working mostly at TVB, indicating that he has shifted his focus to television. TVB has also been very successful, earning a lot of money for Sir Run Run and firmly outpacing ATV. If you were in his shoes, would you choose a company that's barely surviving or one that's thriving?" Xia Tian asked.

Chen Yixin found his analysis reasonable, suggesting that the news might have some basis.

"Is there really no other way besides closing down?" he asked, his face darkening.

Chen Yixin had grown up on the Shaw Brothers' sets. His father was an employee of Shaw Brothers, and his family had served the company for over twenty years, developing a deep affection for it. He had planned to continue working at the Shaw Brothers after completing his apprenticeship. Now, hearing that the company might close, he felt as if the sky was falling.

"There's no other way. The Shaw Brothers are facing internal and external problems, and the company is in a dire state. If Sir Run Run Shaw were twenty years younger and still had the ambition, he might have been able to make significant changes. But he's in his seventies now. Even if he had the will, he doesn't have the energy," Xia Tian sighed.

"If the Shaw Brothers really close down, what will we do? Brother Tian, do you have any plans?" Chen Yixin asked worriedly.

"Yixin, have you ever thought about starting our own company, making movies, and making big money?" Xia Tian asked instead of answering.

Chen Yixin shook his head vigorously. "Brother Tian, don't joke. Even the cheapest movie now costs hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars. We're broke, where would we get the money to make a movie?"

Xia Tian smiled. "Don't worry about the money; I'll figure it out. I just want to know, are you willing to work with me?"

"Of course! Whatever you say, Brother Tian, I'll do it. Even if we have no money, I'll follow you," Chen Yixin nodded without hesitation.

"Good brother!" Xia Tian patted his shoulder, satisfied.

Chen Yixin also smiled. "Brother Tian, how do you plan to raise the money?" he asked curiously.

"I plan to..." Just as Xia Tian was about to reveal his grand plan, Ah Hua walked over. "Hey! Brat, what are you dawdling about? Why haven't you started shooting yet? How long do you plan to delay?"

"I've already decided to let them rest for an hour before starting," Xia Tian explained, looking up.

"You decided?! What gives you the right to decide?" Ah Hua was furious.

Before leaving, Bao Ya Bing had entrusted the crew to Ah Hua, giving him the authority to make decisions. He was outraged that Xia Tian had acted on his own, clearly not respecting him.

"Because I'm the director of this film," Xia Tian said firmly.

"Holding a chicken feather as a command! I'm telling you, start shooting now, or else..." Ah Hua threatened.

"Or else what?!" Xia Tian stood up abruptly, his gaze sharp.

He knew that people like Ah Hua were typically all bark and no bite. If you stood up to them, they would back down. So Xia Tian was not afraid of him.

Ah Hua, who had already been intimidated by Xia Tian before, was now even more afraid and took a few steps back.

"Ha!" Chen Yixin couldn't help but laugh at his pathetic appearance.

Seeing him laugh, Ah Hua's face turned red with embarrassment and anger. He wanted to punch Xia Tian and Chen Yixin, but he knew he wasn't a match for them in a one-on-one fight. Moreover, the boss had taken most of his henchmen with him, leaving only a few. Even if they ganged up, they would still lose.

"Damn it!" Ah Hua, realizing he couldn't win, cursed and turned away, feeling extremely frustrated.

Seeing the crew members resting on the ground, he felt even more annoyed. "Damn it, I haven't even rested, and you're all lying around like corpses. Get up and start shooting!"

Unable to take out his frustration on Xia Tian, Ah Hua vented his anger on the crew members. He cursed and kicked them, herding them like cattle.

"You bastard!" Chen Yixin, seeing his arrogance and lack of respect, jumped up from the ground, ready to fight.

Xia Tian, worried that Chen Yixin would cause trouble, quickly followed.

"What are you doing? Brother Tian already explained that he decided to let everyone rest for an hour. It's not even time yet, so why are you herding them up?" Chen Yixin shouted at Ah Hua.

The crew members, who had initially been upset with Xia Tian for not keeping his word, now directed their anger at Ah Hua upon hearing Chen Yixin's words.

"Brother Tian's word is nothing but hot air, holding a chicken feather as a command, and talking big!" Ah Hua shouted.

"As long as I'm the director, my word is final! I said they can rest for an hour, so they will rest for an hour. If anything goes wrong, I'll take the responsibility," Xia Tian said, standing tall.

"So what if you're the director? Bao Ya Bing entrusted the crew to me before he left. I'm the one in charge, and I decide when we shoot," Ah Hua said arrogantly, then pointed at the crew and threatened, "Start working now, or I'll dock your pay!"

"Damn it, I quit." A Ming, the script supervisor, threw down his clapperboard and cursed, "I only earn a few dozen dollars a day, and I'm not even treated like a human. Whoever wants this lousy job can have it; I'm done!" He stormed out of the studio.

A Ming, who did the most work but earned the least, was already on the verge of exploding. Ah Hua's provocation was the final straw.

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