Shu Jing enjoys considerable fame within Hong Kong's entertainment industry.
She debuted at a young age and shot to overnight stardom. Her first album became a massive hit, achieving double-platinum sales, earning her the title of a "Little Heavenly Queen" in the music world. Then, at the peak of her career, she suddenly stepped away from the spotlight, marrying into a wealthy family and becoming a high-society socialite, an outcome that made her the idol of countless female celebrities.
After her marriage, Shu Jing withdrew completely from the entertainment industry, yet her influence within the circle never disappeared. In particular, the "Happy Angel Charity Foundation" she established received strong support from many stars and entertainers.
A few years ago, Shu Jing's divorce lawsuit with the eldest son of that powerful wealthy family caused a sensation across Hong Kong. After becoming single again, she returned to the music scene. Although she no longer enjoyed the same level of glory as before, her connections and reputation within the show business community remained firmly intact.
Shu Jing frequently hosted charity galas to raise funds for her Happy Angel Charity Foundation. Those invited were invariably prominent figures from Hong Kong's upper class and top celebrities from the entertainment industry. Minor singers or small-time artists wouldn't stand a chance of getting in, no matter how hard they tried.
Lu Chen had only just arrived in Hong Kong, yet Shu Jing had personally sent someone to deliver him an invitation. This made Li Zhen reassess the true depth of her boss's background and influence.
She asked thoughtfully, "Boss, did you bring any formalwear for the banquet this time? Should I send it to the dry cleaners for pressing?"
Lu Chen smiled. "No, good thing you reminded me. I'll go buy a couple of outfits today."
He had traveled to Hong Kong light, carrying only a few sets of casual clothes for daily wear. He genuinely hadn't brought anything suitable for Shu Jing's charity gala. If Li Zhen hadn't reminded him, it wouldn't even have crossed his mind.
By now, Li Zhen had fully slipped into the role of private assistant and secretary. She suggested considerately,
"If you want something custom-made now, it's already too late. The master tailors I know usually require reservations one or two months in advance. Boss, what clothing brands do you prefer?"
Since custom tailoring wasn't possible, ready-made clothing was the only option. After thinking for a moment, Lu Chen said, "Armani."
Armani suits and coats were his favorites, and he wore them often back on the mainland.
Li Zhen clapped her hands. "The Armani flagship store in Hong Kong is right in Central. I know exactly where it is."
Lu Chen laughed. "Perfect. Let's go together. We'll buy the cars first, then the clothes!"
Li Zhen was startled. "Boss, you're buying cars?"
Lu Chen nodded. "I'll get a BMW each for Director Wan and Uncle Qiang so they can get around. They really need them."
Li Zhen was momentarily speechless.
She had worked under several bosses before and met all kinds of employers while trying to make a living.
But bosses as generous and straightforward as Lu Chen were truly rare.
In the entertainment industry, stingy celebrities were everywhere. Some stars were so miserly they wouldn't even pay for a boxed meal for their assistants, hardly news anymore.
Lu Chen had just arrived in Hong Kong, yet he casually decided to buy two BMWs for the workshop's managers as commuting vehicles, speaking about it as lightly as if he were buying a couple of shirts. It left Li Zhen secretly astonished.
Were mainland celebrities really making money that easily?
As Li Zhen looked at Lu Chen, her eyes practically sparkled like stars in the sky. Not only was he generous, but he was also young, handsome, and talented,
Simply put, a true diamond bachelor of the entertainment industry.
He would surely be incredibly sought after in the future!
Li Zhen didn't think that just because Lu Chen already had a Heavenly Queen–level girlfriend, others no longer stood a chance, after all, this was Hong Kong.
Of course, she knew she herself definitely had no chance, the gap between them was simply too great.
Lu Chen had no idea that a single remark from him had already sent countless thoughts spinning through his little secretary's mind. He called over Wan Xiaoquan and Chen Wenqiang, intending to finish all the necessary errands in one day.
The business van once again carried five people. If anyone's emotions were the most complicated, it was Chen Wenqiang.
Compared to Li Zhen, Chen Wenqiang's life experience was far richer, and far more difficult. Having long witnessed the coldness of human relationships and the harsh realities of society, he had forged a hardened heart and was not someone easily moved.
Even so, Lu Chen's generosity and trust still gave him the feeling that this time, he had chosen the right person to follow.
Chen Wenqiang wouldn't voice tearful words of gratitude, nor would he show excessive emotion. He simply kept it in his heart, planning to repay it through his work in the future.
With Lu Chen personally leading the group, they first went to Hong Kong's BMW flagship store to order two cars. After that, they headed to Armani's main store to buy clothing. Finally, they rushed to the Hong Kong Commerce and Economic Development Bureau to take identification photos, notarize documents, and sign paperwork, completing all the final registration procedures for the workshop.
At this point, Lu Chen's Film and Television Workshop was officially established in Hong Kong and now possessed legal operating qualifications.
At the same time, Lu Chen, on behalf of the workshop, submitted an application to the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau for the Local Film and Television Support Program.
Once approved, films and television productions shot by the workshop would not only receive tax incentives and government funding support, but could also enjoy a "green channel," allowing simultaneous broadcast and theatrical release in both Hong Kong and the Mainland.
This was the fundamental reason Lu Chen had come south to Hong Kong to begin his film career.
In fact, quite a number of mainland film and television companies were also investing in Hong Kong. In the foreseeable future, Hong Kong cinema, which had nearly become stagnant, was bound to surge back to life, bringing intense competition.
…
A black Mercedes business van pulled smoothly to a stop in front of the Shangri-La Grand Restaurant.
The sliding door opened silently, and a man dressed in a dark gray Armani suit stepped out, planting himself steadily on the red carpet. Flashbulbs immediately began popping from the surrounding corners.
Lu Chen couldn't help frowning. He hadn't expected that even a charity gala would attract so many paparazzi.
Hong Kong's paparazzi were notoriously famous. Skilled at tracking celebrities and digging into private lives, they were considered the greatest headache for stars and entertainers. Wherever celebrities appeared, paparazzi were never far behind.
Some people once said that Hong Kong's entertainment newspapers and magazines were practically supported by paparazzi. Without them, the entertainment scene would be far quieter, they were an indispensable presence.
Precisely because of this sense of impunity, Hong Kong paparazzi had once been exceptionally bold, even arrogant, resorting to deception and manipulation just to obtain news. Their behavior eventually provoked widespread anger within the entertainment industry and strong backlash, forcing them in recent years to restrain themselves somewhat and stop fabricating stories or taking reckless photos as freely as before.
Even so, to Lu Chen, Hong Kong paparazzi were people he absolutely had to guard against; they possessed far fewer professional scruples than their mainland counterparts.
Before coming to Hong Kong, Chen Fei'er had even specifically warned him about this.
While Lu Chen was thinking about staying vigilant against paparazzi, the paparazzi lying in ambush near the hotel were completely baffled,
'Huh? Who's this guy? Why have we never seen him before?'
(End of Chapter)
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