Chapter 8: Running Just a Little Bit Faster

The filming plan for Shark Beach was progressing smoothly. Occasionally, there were waves caused either by Pang Bing’s poor surfing skills or by weather issues.

Most of the small crew spent their days visiting deserted islands nearby and returned to the hotel at night. On the morning of September 23, a week after filming began, Li Wenyu noticed a new one-point attribute had appeared. After some thought, he decided not to add it yet and saved it for later.

He had already boosted his fitness to 86 out of 100, becoming an expert in swimming and water rescue on the national team. While his technique still had room for improvement, his physical condition was outstanding.

Yesterday’s one-point attribute had been given to Pang Bing, raising her acting skill to 72. Though still lagging behind the provincial-level acting instructors, as long as she was given opportunities and kept refining her craft, she could gradually feel her growth.

Li Wenyu stepped out of the guest room and saw Pang Bing warmly chatting with Li Bingbing, exchanging compliments. When she noticed him, Pang Bing hurried over, first delivering a confident, eloquent line before turning to smile and say, “Director, let me introduce you to another big star from Huayi. You’ve seen her work, right?”

“My role in ‘Young Justice Bao II’ was actually a lucky break from Sister Bingbing. She and Sister Hua came to visit the set and are still networking with some Hong Kong Island film resources. Director, once you make it big, you have to look out for Sister Bingbing.”

Li Wenyu was speechless.

He wanted to rate Pang Bing a six. Everyone was still new in the industry, so where did she get this big-sister aura? And how did she manage to say “look out for” with such a pitiful tone?

Who gave her the courage? Well... probably Shark Beach.

And also “Tsuen Wan by the Sea”!

The biggest development these days was that “Tsuen Wan by the Sea,” which had wrapped a month ago, had finished post-production. Two nights ago, Zhang Guorong and Er Dongsheng took him and Pang Bing to watch the completed film.

If it weren’t for aiming at the Berlin or Cannes festivals, the movie would already be in marketing and scheduling for release. Even if it never made it to theaters, after watching “Tsuen Wan by the Sea” twice, Li Wenyu’s screenwriting talent was firmly established in the art film realm.

That night, the sunglasses-wearing King—called over by Zhang Guorong to give feedback—gave Brother Rong plenty of encouragement and confidence. The Hong Kong Island film industry was definitely banding together to tackle the three major European film festivals.

Contacts would be exchanged, and while nominations were based on quality and foundation, winning awards was a game of who had more friends and money.

The local Hong Kong Film Awards had a long queue for points and favors. That day, the Sunglasses King even laughed and told Li Wenyu that although the Berlin International Film Festival didn’t have Best Screenplay or Best Writing awards yet, if they managed to run operations smoothly there...

Even if Berlin didn’t nominate or award him, the Hong Kong Film Awards would definitely give it to Brother A-Yu.

---

Despite his occasional tricks, the Sunglasses King had an impressive track record! He was the jury president at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.

The previously underground project “Tsuen Wan by the Sea” was gradually coming into the spotlight. Pang Bing felt assured that at least a Hong Kong Film Award was guaranteed. In the art film category, this was a significant achievement. For the box office, there was Shark Beach, regarded by insiders as a solid to excellent commercial blockbuster—a popcorn movie.

Two steps forward: Li Wenyu’s first two moves after debuting were this smooth? Even Sister Hua, his agent, privately said he should seize the opportunity. Perhaps this was the new generation version of Chen Hong and the little poetry prodigy.

At first, it was about seizing a great chance. The other party was talented and handsome without asking for money; discussions about kissing scenes were mutually beneficial. What started as growing familiarity from swimming together daily has now evolved into a situation where he must learn to endure being the “other woman” to climb up? Wait, Old Li from Beijing Film Academy was single! And Pang Bing was no third party!

Isn’t this the best age and the strongest him? They were all around 20. She hadn’t fallen into the predicament Chen Hong once faced as a third party.

During her time as the young Bao, she cooperated with the crew to stir up rumors, was pursued by President Wang from Huayi, and was persuaded by Director Feng, but she never fell into the trap. She had come to Huayi with Sister Hua.

Huayi was far from the powerful, forcing-people-to-jump-ship company it would become in later years. Their strength came from successes like “Cell Phone,” “A World Without Thieves,” and “Baby’s Plan,” combined with the advantage of being able to arrange supporting roles for top-tier Hong Kong stars. That’s what made them increasingly dominant.

Before this, TV projects had built her popularity through roles like “Little Flying Dagger,” under the wing of Jin Suoyu and Auntie Qiong, all professionally managed by her agent.

Li Wenyu greeted Li Bingbing politely, and Pang Bing, also articulate and high EQ, responded pleasantly. After the formalities, they went downstairs for breakfast, where Sister Hua joined them. Both were surprised by how much Li Wenyu ate.

Such a small matter was inconsequential. They learned that Li Wenyu had been Pang Bing’s dedicated rescue expert and that they often spent hours soaking and swimming together daily.

This was now a habit.

During the polite exchange, Sister Hua learned that Shark Beach’s filming was going well. She witnessed Li Wenyu easily finishing a large plate of fried noodles and smiled, saying, “Director Li, Shark Beach filming will only keep you busy for two or three months. After that, will you return to school to relax, or...?”

Li Wenyu paused. Sister Hua laughed and explained, “I heard from Bingbing that you haven’t signed with a company yet. With your outstanding talent, you might consider Huayi. They certainly won’t let you down.”

He hadn’t signed a long-term contract because he had met Zhang Guorong, a mentor at this stage who wasn’t interested in money or power, allowing him to remain so relaxed.

Li Wenyu shook his head. “I’m not thinking that far ahead for now. As long as Shark Beach doesn’t lose money, and Brother Rong is willing to invest, there might be new ideas to try.”

He didn’t want to become a mere filmmaking machine. This rebirth was too commercial. Without the first pot of gold—or if it was insufficient—he would miss too many opportunities. This year, he had profited 140 times by taking advantage of the pig farm.

---

That profit came from the listing of Penguin.

In June 2004, Penguin shares were 3.7 Hong Kong dollars each. Buying 1% would mean waiting for the 4-trillion-yuan group 23 years later—a capital giant’s era of effortless victory. But 1% was not easy; in 2004, its market value was over 7 billion HKD, so 1% required more than 70 million HKD.

Yet 70 million would appreciate to 39.5 billion in 2024!

If you owned 2%, that’s 150 million becoming 79 billion. Master these two rhythms, and the era of internet capital manipulating the entertainment industry could turn into capital itself.

Of course, the new project was not yet decided, and rushing headlong wasn’t necessary. If missed, there was still the bottom-fishing opportunity in 2008.

From 2004 to early 2008, Penguin’s market value grew from over 7 billion to more than 80 billion, a 1100% profit in four years—just a bit faster than banks.

Pang Bing exclaimed, “Your inspiration is so explosive! You’re not trying to conquer me with talent, are you?”

In front of Sister Hua and Li Bingbing, she wasn’t foolish enough to want the role—but she was good at flattery.

Her words and expression showed top-notch acting skills far beyond her 72 acting attribute, nearly making the watching Li Bingbing choke on her own blood.

Li Wenyu ate breakfast and joked, “I think I know why no one in the crew—from assistant director to production assistant—has ever complained about you. You’ve charmed everyone.”

The Shark Beach crew was so harmonious inside and out. Besides the need for many to work and support their families, Zhang Guorong’s influence and reputation helped. Pang Bing often paid out of her own pocket to buy snacks and fruit, add extra meals, and was respectful even to the lowest-ranking workers, showing no airs.

Since learning to swim, she had always shown genuine respect for everyone—regardless of fame or obscurity, lead or supporting roles, extras, or behind-the-scenes staff. Whether it was acting or simply how she carried herself, everyone knew she was earnest.

Everyone was working hard to prove they weren’t destined to be mere servants forever.

After the joke, he explained, “Maybe the crime film aiming for box office success will or won’t take off. It’s a male ensemble with few female roles, still undecided and under consideration.”

He was referring to the urban crime series.