Aside from John Woo, who had already left, Lin BaoCheng had lunch with the others before they all departed the Mandarin Hotel.
Since Raymond Wong Pak‑Ming and Tsang Chi‑Wai had agreed to join Starshine Films, they left together with Wu SiYuan, who wanted to speak further with them and take them to Starshine's offices.
The Hui brothers left together.
Mak Ka and Sammo Hung Kam‑Bo had known each other for years and were close friends. They had even co‑founded Garbo Films, though with little capital. The company had only produced two films, neither very successful, barely breaking even.
The company hadn't formally dissolved, but each had gone his own way — effectively the same as dissolution. Their friendship, however, remained intact.
Mak Ka and Sammo shared a taxi.
Sitting in the back, Mak Ka asked: "Fatty, tell me what you're thinking."
Sammo didn't hide it: "Lin's offer is very good. I'm tempted. But I've done well at Golden Harvest these past years. They've supported me. To suddenly leave, and take my juniors with me, feels like betraying Uncle Zou."
"What's there to feel guilty about?" Mak Ka scoffed. "Don't forget, Mr. Zou himself left Shaw Brothers. If he could do it, so can you. Honestly, do you want to stay at Golden Harvest forever, never start your own company, never earn more? Fatty, don't tell me that — I'd never believe it."
"You're right. Even I don't believe that," Sammo admitted, nodding.
"If you didn't want to be your own boss, you wouldn't have started a company with me years ago," Mak Ka said, patting his shoulder. "As your friend, I advise you to cooperate with Starshine, in whatever form. Lin is a true heavyweight — worth tens of billions. He's building a film company and a cinema chain. His ambition is huge. He wants Starshine to become Hong Kong's number one."
"He has deep capital. He won't lack money for films or talent. Even if you refuse, many others will join him. I'm certain Starshine will become one of Hong Kong's biggest film companies. Working with them won't hurt you."
"I know all this," Sammo nodded. He wasn't foolish.
"Go discuss with your juniors. Decide soon. If you won't leave Golden Harvest, then quickly show loyalty to Mr. Zou. Since John Woo refused Lin, Zou will soon know we were invited. Better to declare loyalty early than be suspected of betrayal."
Mak Ka reminded him. As a freelancer, Zou knowing about his invitation meant little. But for Sammo, still at Golden Harvest, it mattered.
Sammo nodded: "Thanks for the reminder. I understand."
With that, Mak Ka said no more, pondering how best to cooperate with Starshine, and whether to find partners to start another company.
The taxi dropped Mak Ka off first. Sammo then gathered his juniors that evening at his home.
The "Seven Little Fortunes" was originally a Peking Opera troupe, the name for Yu Jim‑Yuen's disciples. Though the name suggested seven, in truth there were fourteen including Sammo. Only seven became famous in the 1980s–90s, so the public remembered them as the "Seven Little Fortunes," forgetting the rest.
Now, Sammo's juniors had joined his Hung Family Stunt Team, which included others like Lam Ching‑Ying, Bruce Lee's former martial arts choreographer. Sammo notified them all.
That evening, after Sammo explained, debate broke out.
Some felt leaving Golden Harvest to form a company and cooperate with Starshine would be more profitable.
Others felt they were doing fine at Golden Harvest, and switching might risk their income.
Among them, Jackie Chan (Cheng Long) decided fastest.
He wasn't yet with Golden Harvest, but contracted to Lo Wei Motion Pictures. He said if Starshine bought out his contract and promoted him, he'd gladly join. Otherwise, he couldn't leave — he lacked money to buy himself out, and freedom without backing meant nothing.
Lin hadn't mentioned Jackie specifically, assuming he was already part of the Hung Family and thus with Golden Harvest. He thought if Sammo brought Hung Family over, Jackie would follow.
Jackie was one of the few to break into Hollywood. Though not yet top‑tier there, he was a superstar in Asia, well worth Lin's investment.
Sammo and his team debated, but no consensus emerged. Finally, they agreed: those who wanted to stay at Golden Harvest would stay; those who wanted to leave would leave. Their futures would depend on luck.
Sammo himself decided to leave. If he stayed, those inclined to leave would follow his lead and stay too.
In truth, Sammo had ambition. He wanted to be a boss, to grow a film company into a major power — not remain an actor and director forever.