Yu Shihua had no mood to meet Uncle Six.
What would be the point – to watch Du Zhaohui help Luna break into the Hong Kong market?
Yu Shihua had a headache.
‘Like father, like son’ wasn’t just a saying – Du Zhaohui truly resembled Du Chengrong in certain ways, which explained why Du Chengrong chose to groom him as his successor.
Du Chengrong had been a playboy all his life, and Du Zhaohui hadn’t been far behind in the past.
Now that Du Zhaohui had gained power, had he reformed his ways regarding women?
This was the Hong Kong version of a reformed playboy.
The reform was so dramatic that in Yu Shihua’s eyes, he seemed almost like a lackey – despite being the acting chairman of Chengrong Group, she could understand him making connections for Luna, but personally arranging dinner with TVB’s Uncle Six?!
Was Chairman Du’s time so worthless?
Or was anything related to Xia Xiaolan especially important to Du Zhaohui?
Yu Shihua couldn’t help but remind him: “Zhaohui, you know Miss Xia is married, right? Though the ceremony was low-key, it’s true.”
“Of course, I know! Though I couldn’t attend to congratulate them, I sent a sports car as a wedding gift – Aunt Yu, what does this have to do with me meeting Uncle Shao?”
The connection was obvious.
But Du Zhaohui’s casual indifference made Yu Shihua speechless.
She found it almost amusing.
Growing up in the Du family, Du Zhaohui had to compete with many people from childhood, working hard to reach his current position.
Though not yet 28, his life experiences exceeded those of men at 38 or even 48. For such a Du Zhaohui to sacrifice everything for a woman out of “love” – that would be the plot of a romance novel meant to deceive young girls.
Compared to marriage, relationships built on mutual interests were more solid.
So Du Zhaohui would support whatever Xia Xiaolan did because supporting her meant supporting himself… Even if Luna’s business seemed unrelated to Du Zhaohui, it might be connected to other ventures that would ultimately benefit him!
Understanding this, Yu Shihua immediately knew her visit was futile.
“Well then, good luck with your meeting with Uncle Six!”
Du Zhaohui watched Yu Shihua’s departing figure in silence.
Even today, he wasn’t sure whether Yu Shihua was his mother’s friend or a piece placed by his old man.
But it didn’t matter – he never fully trusted anyone around him, which was key to his survival.
Except for a very few individuals.
Hmph, Yu Shihua was so tactless, emphasizing Xia Xiaolan’s marriage in front of him.
So what if she was married?
Marriages could end in divorce, or widowhood… Du Zhaohui examined himself, repeated these thoughts several times, and then left in high spirits.
He was going to meet TVB’s Uncle Six and introduce Chen Xiliang to him.
After all, it was Chen Xiliang who wanted to sell the drama to TVB.
In 1988, TVB hadn’t yet monopolized Hong Kong television, still competing with ATV. The two stations were evenly matched, producing excellent dramas under this competition. It would be quite challenging for Chen Xiliang to sell their drama back to Hong Kong.
Since 1983, when the first Hong Kong TV drama “Wong Fei Hung” aired in mainland China, Hong Kong dramas have been very popular there.
At this time, Hong Kong exported media not just to the mainland but throughout Asia.
Otherwise, how could Hong Kong stars be so popular in mainland China?
Zhang Xiao, already famous in the mainland, was overjoyed when invited by a Hong Kong director to make a film – though she’d made plenty of films in mainland China!
But mainland fame was just actor-level fame; in Hong Kong, one received superstar treatment, and fame easily spread throughout Asia!
Du Zhaohui previously only knew about actresses, having no interest in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry. This time, he was meeting with TVB’s big boss.
Chen Xiliang brought his wife Zhang Xiao along.
Unexpectedly, Uncle Six also brought a young woman into the company.
“A new signee at the station, Ye Jiawen.”
Ye Jiawen sat beside Uncle Six, combining charm with innocence, looking at Du Zhaohui somewhat nervously.
Chen Xiliang wasn’t stupid – he could see what was happening.
The TVB boss’s reason for bringing this new starlet was obvious.
He hadn’t expected Chairman Du to have such a face.
Instead of pursuing actresses himself, they were being presented to him.
Zhang Xiao stepped on Chen Xiliang’s foot under the table, warning him not to show any reaction.
Du Zhaohui did give Ye Jiawen a few extra glances.
But that was all – there was no further display.
Today’s meeting with Uncle Six was mainly about the drama.
Being a mainland TV drama, broadcasting on TVB wouldn’t be difficult – they just needed to dub it… The issue was selling it to TVB and getting licensing fees from them.
“Why doesn’t Chairman Du try asking ATV?” was Uncle Six’s response.
Neither TVB nor ATV lacked dramas – they had plenty of their own productions, so why spend money importing more?
Uncle Six had watched a few episodes of “Luna’s Story” and admitted it was well-made, though uncertain if Hong Kong audiences would like it. The seamlessly integrated brand advertising interested him.
That’s why he came to meet Chen Xiliang.
While Du Zhaohui’s presence counted for something, Uncle Six was more interested in Chen Xiliang’s ideas.
This was another way to make money.
Though not every drama could be done this way, modern dramas could reference “Luna’s Story.”
But appreciating Chen Xiliang was one thing; regarding importing “Luna’s Story,” Uncle Six wouldn’t budge. There was no way TVB would pay to buy the drama – if they wanted it broadcast on TVB, Luna would have to pay TVB!
“This would be Luna’s advertising fee to TVB!”
Damn!
This Uncle Six was truly shrewd.
Though sharing the surname Shao, his business empire in Hong Kong showed intelligence that easily outmatched Shao Guangrong!
With the meeting not going well, the conversation naturally turned to romantic matters. Uncle Six praised Ye Jiawen’s acting skills – everyone could see she was going to be promoted by TVB.
Zhang Xiao wasn’t particularly envious. Hong Kong’s entertainment circle was chaotic. She now had a family and a good life; her acting career could develop steadily without rushing to the top like young girls making those “sacrifices.”
For this Ye Jiawen – TVB’s boss talked about promoting her while arranging dinners with wealthy men like Chairman Du.
The dinner was a pretext; matchmaking was the real purpose.
If Du Zhaohui took a liking to Ye Jiawen, he might spend his own money to promote TVB’s new talent.
Du Zhaohui did seem to show special interest in Ye Jiawen.
After dinner, he immediately invited her for late-night supper.
Uncle Six didn’t stop them.
Chen Xiliang was dumbfounded, but Zhang Xiao pulled him away.
“…I thought he liked Xiaolan!”
Zhang Xiao gave him a look, “Even if he did, Xiaolan’s married. Does that mean he can’t be interested in other women?”
That wasn’t the point – wasn’t Hong Kong’s culture too open? Meeting once at dinner and immediately arranging “late-night supper”? Chen Xiliang thought he was overthinking it; supper might just be supper, yes, definitely just that.