"Qingxia, it's been a long time."
Brigitte Lin, with her long hair draped over her shoulders, stood tall and graceful. She looked just as beautiful as the last time they met.
"Mr. Lin," she greeted politely.
"Qingxia, like LiJun, you can just call me BaoCheng," Lin said, inviting her to his office. Brigitte did not refuse.
Once seated, Lin asked: "Qingxia, may I ask — you must currently have a contract, right?"
"Yes," she nodded. "But it's a short‑term contract. I only need to make two films a year for the company."
"Qingxia, let me be direct. At Starshine Pictures, actors with long‑term contracts receive more resources. Short‑term contracts are fine, but the resources and pay won't be as good."
Lin didn't flatter her excessively. He knew she was entangled in emotional troubles. If she thought he had ulterior motives, not only would friendship be impossible, but cooperation too.
"That's fine. I understand. As long as your company is willing to sign me on short‑term, that's enough," Brigitte replied. She knew the difference in treatment. But she wanted to leave Taiwan for a while and develop in Hong Kong. As long as the pay wasn't too low, she didn't mind.
"You're a superstar in Taiwan. If you're willing to work with Starshine, how could I refuse?" Lin smiled. "Your short‑term contract will be two films a year. Let's sign for two years. How does that sound?"
"I'll go with what you say, Mr. Lin," Brigitte agreed readily, without bargaining.
As they spoke, secretary Qin Lan entered with tea. Lin asked her to prepare the contract. The terms for Brigitte were actually quite generous.
While Qin went to arrange it, Lin asked: "Qingxia, where are you living now? Did you buy or rent?"
"I'm in Kowloon City. I just bought an apartment recently," she said. Though she had been acting since 1973, her early pay was low. Only in the past two years had her fees risen. Most of her money went to her family, leaving little for herself. After buying the apartment, she had little left. Fortunately, housing prices weren't too high yet, so she could afford it.
"Since you already have a place, I won't interfere," Lin nodded. If she hadn't, he would have offered her a residence.
Soon, Qin returned with the contract. Brigitte reviewed it, found no issues, and signed.
Afterward, Lin invited her: "Qingxia, I'm heading to Asia Television. One of our films is shooting there. Would you like to come along?"
"Sure," she agreed. If he had invited her to dinner alone, she might have hesitated. But visiting a film set was fine.
Lin, Qin, and Brigitte left together. He intended to say goodbye to Wu SiYuan, but learned Wu was also going to the set. As producer of Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, Wu visited daily.
They rode in Lin's cars. He always traveled with four vehicles and ten bodyguards. It looked ostentatious and provoked envy, but he didn't care. Safety was paramount.
At Asia Television, they headed straight to the set. Two bodyguards stayed close, while the others followed at a distance, per Lin's instructions.
"Mr. Lin, you've returned from America," staff and actors greeted from afar. Few dared approach directly.
"It's ZhaoXiong. Yes, I came back yesterday," Lin replied. The man was Li ZhaoXiong, a senior executive at Asia Television. Lin introduced him to Brigitte.
Li said: "Mr. Lin, we're filming nearby. Would you like to take a look?"
"Of course," Lin nodded, following him to the set.
Filming continued without pause. From the set design, it was clearly a modern drama.
Li explained: "This series is called Chameleon. Filming has just begun. It will follow Jaws, currently airing. The story is about three brothers who turn from friends to enemies. The second male lead, Cheng QiCong, is played by Chow Yun‑Fat."
He mentioned Chow because Lin had specifically asked the station to cultivate Chow Yun‑Fat and Cheung Kwok‑Wing.
"How is his acting? You're not forcing him into roles prematurely, are you?" Lin asked. He wanted them nurtured, but not ruined. He admired their later films deeply.
"Chow started acting in 1974, in both TV and film. He just hasn't become famous yet. His acting is fine," Li assured. With so many actors, they wouldn't cast him if he lacked skill — unless Lin insisted.
"Good, as long as his acting is solid," Lin nodded.