My happy life in a courtyard house with triplets.

Chapter 479: Meeting Chingmy Yau

Zhang Lei was incredulous. Was Hong Kong really that small? He'd bumped into a celebrity so easily. But judging from Chingmy Yau's experience, she probably hadn't even debuted yet.

Seeing Zhang Lei and Qiu Shuzhen standing together, a group of blond-haired thugs shouted, "What are you doing? Hand them over!"

Chingmy Yau was so frightened that she hid behind Zhang Lei.

Zhang Lei looked at her and said, "They're looking for you?"

Chingmy Yau nodded and said fearfully, "They told me to sign a contract to act in movies, but they actually wanted me to act in those kinds of movies. I didn't want to, so they came after me."

Hearing Chingmy Yau's hesitant words, Zhang Lei instantly understood. Hong Kong is so chaotic now; which early artist hadn't been persecuted by these triads? And it wasn't just the triads; weren't all those upper-class, so-called high-class figures wolves in sheep's clothing?

Zhang Lei waved to one of his bodyguards.

In 10 seconds, all the people on the other side were lying on the ground.

Chingmy Yau stared in astonishment at everything before her.

Zhang Lei looked at her and said, "You want to act in movies?"

Chingmy Yau nodded.

Zhang Lei asked, "Why?"

"My mother is seriously ill and needs money," Chingmy Yau said helplessly.

Suddenly, a scene flashed through Zhang Lei's mind: a gambling father, a sick mother, a younger brother who had dropped out of school, and her helpless self.

However, after hesitating for three seconds, Zhang Lei said directly, "I'm planning to start a film company. Why don't you come and sign with me as an artist? I'll offer you the same terms as a top-tier star, what do you say?"

Chingmy Yau couldn't believe that the person in front of her was treating her so generously.

Instantly, Chingmy Yau pulled her clothes closer together.

Seeing her like this, Zhang Lei smiled and said, "Don't be afraid. If I really wanted to do something to you, you couldn't resist, could you?"

Chiu Shu-chen nodded in agreement. Indeed, if this man really wanted to do something to her, she would have no chance of resisting.

Zhang Lei looked at Qiu Shuzhen, who was still in a daze, and said, "Follow me."

Inside the jewelry store, Zhang Lei frowned slightly as he looked at the jewelry before him. There weren't as many diverse styles as in later generations; perhaps these styles were more fashionable now, but Zhang Lei didn't find them appealing.

Suddenly thinking of Chingmy Yau in front of him, he said, "You help me choose. Pick 15 sets. Don't worry about the price, just make sure they look good to you."

Choose 15 sets? Chingmy Yau paused for a moment, then said nervously, "I can't choose well."

Zhang Lei smiled and said, "It's alright, I trust your judgment."

Under Zhang Lei's imposing presence, Qiu Shuzhen slowly began to make her selections. Zhang Lei, however, was in no hurry, still considering his earlier suggestion.

After all, although the film company was just a spur-of-the-moment suggestion, he thought about how the Hong Kong actresses of this era were all stunning beauties. Their looks, poise, and abilities far surpassed those of future internet celebrities. He certainly couldn't miss out on these beauties, such as Michelle Reis, Ng Kwan-lai, Angie Chiu, Rosamund Kwan, Cherie Chung, Vivian Chow, Joey Wong, and Brigitte Lin, since he was here.

Not only these beautiful women, but also those he used to admire, such as Chow Yun-fat, Lam Ching-ying who played zombies, and Leslie Cheung, Zhang Lei even thought about playing a role in a movie and experiencing the thrill of being an actor.

When talking about actors, we can't forget about directors. We can't overlook big names like John Woo, Michael Mak, and Wong Jing.

Soon, Zhang Lei conceived a framework in his mind.

While Zhang Lei was thinking, Qiu Shuzhen came up to him and whispered, "Boss, you've made your choices."

Zhang Lei nodded and said, "That's fine, pay and leave."

One of the bodyguards stepped forward and went directly to pay the bill.

Looking at Zhang Lei making someone pay, Qiu Shuzhen wondered: Isn't he going to try to negotiate the price?

Seeing Qiu Shuzhen looking at him, Zhang Lei assumed she wanted something, so he said, "Oh, right, thank you for your hard work. You should also pick something out as a thank you gift for helping me choose something."

Chiu Shu-chen looked at Zhang Lei and said doubtfully, "I can choose too?"

Zhang Lei nodded.

Chingmy Yau looked at the items in the cabinet, thought for a moment, and then asked, "Can I get cash instead?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lei laughed and said, "Okay."

Seeing Qiu Shuzhen's hesitant expression, Zhang Lei asked, "How much does your mother's illness cost?"

Chingmy Yau held up five fingers.

Zhang Lei nodded: "50, right?"

Chingmy Yau quickly shook her head and waved her hands, saying, "No, no, no, 5."

Zhang Lei looked at Chingmy Yau and said, "Alright, get in the car and come with me."

When Qiu Shuzhen saw Zhang Lei trying to get her into the car, she was so frightened that she didn't dare to move. She thought to herself: What should I do? What if this man tries to force himself on me? But this man looks quite handsome. If he really does force himself on me, I'll just consider it a mosquito bite.

Zhang Lei had no idea what Qiu Shuzhen was thinking right now; if he did, he would definitely be both amused and exasperated.

Zhang Lei looked at Qiu Shuzhen, who was not moving, and said, "Come on, tell me which hospital your mother is in, and we'll go pay her bills."

Upon hearing that it was for her mother's expenses, Qiu Shuzhen calmed down and quickly got into the car with Zhang Lei.

Sitting in the car, Chingmy Yau looked around at the luxurious vehicle and couldn't help but glance at Zhang Lei.

Zhang Lei said to Zhang Zhiqiang in front of him, "Take this down. We're opening a film and television company and looking for some promising artists to train. Have your people give me a schedule outlining the specifics: director, script, location, and actor contracts. Also, let me review all the actors later."

At that moment, Zhang Lei suddenly remembered Chingmy Yau standing next to him and said, "Oh, right, her, Chingmy Yau, right?"

Chingmy Yau nodded.

"She was our company's first artist, and we treated her according to the standards of a top-tier star."

The group arrived at the hospital quickly. Zhang Lei had his men buy some fruit.

Holding the 5 yuan in her hand, Chingmy Yau could hardly believe it was real. She never expected that someone she met by chance would be so generous as to sign her a contract and give her 5 yuan to treat her mother's illness.

Chingmy Yau looked at Zhang Lei with eyes full of gratitude.

Looking at Qiu Shuzhen's mother on the hospital bed, Zhang Lei couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion. It seemed that she had been tormented by illness for a long time.

Zhang Lei approached the attending physician and said, "This person in the hospital bed needs the best medicine; money is not an issue."

The attending physician looked at Zhang Lei, then at the bodyguard behind him, and said with great joy, "Don't worry, we will definitely give this patient the best medicine and arrange the best nurses to take care of him."

Zhang Lei nodded and looked at Qiu Shuzhen, saying, "Take good care of your mother. Call me if anything happens."

After Zhang Lei left, Qiu Shuzhen's mother, seeing Qiu Shuzhen lost in thought, coughed twice and asked, "Daughter, who is he? Your new boyfriend?"

Upon hearing her mother's question, Chingmy Yau blushed deeply and said, "Mom, what nonsense are you talking about? He's a big boss, how could he possibly be interested in me?"

Chingmy Yau's mother asked, puzzled, "Then what is he doing...?"

Chingmy Yau quickly said, "Mom, he said he wants to sign me as an artist under their company."