Traveling back to 1966, starting by living in a cowshed.

Chapter 135 Cherie Chung

Zhang Manli placed the neatly arranged letter of intent from her bag on the table, turned to leave, but was stopped by Lin Zhou.

His fingers tapped lightly on the agreement as he looked up at her, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"Manager Zhang, thank you for your hard work these past few days."

However, there's one more thing I need to trouble you to do again.

Zhang Manli paused, turned around, and looked excited.

However, he quickly disappeared from the scene, his tone remaining respectful as he spoke:

"Mr. Lin, it's my duty to give your instructions."

Several days of running around had left faint dark circles under her eyes, but as soon as she heard that there were still things to be done for her, she immediately perked up.

Lin Zhou was satisfied with her attitude, so he took out another folded piece of white paper from the drawer of his desk.

There were fewer names on this piece of paper than last time, but each one was one he had specially circled.

He stepped forward and handed the paper to Zhang Manli, his tone resolute.

"Some people were missing from the last list. This time, focus on contacting Cherie Chung, and also visit the other people on this list."

Lin Zhou thought to himself, "These are all actresses who will one day be able to hold up half the sky in the Hong Kong film and television industry."

Zhang Manli took the paper and examined it closely under the light. The three characters "Cherie Chung" at the very top made her pause slightly.

She had heard of that name before; Chung Chor-hung had recently participated in the Miss Hong Kong pageant.

Although she didn't win the championship, her bright and charming appearance left a deep impression on the audience.

Now is the time when the lotus is just beginning to show its tender shoots.

Further down the list, names like Cecilia Yip, Carina Lau, and Chingmy Yau become quite unfamiliar.

"Mr. Lin, this Cherie Chung is already quite famous, I'm afraid she is..."

Zhang Manli hesitated before speaking, recalling the scene a few days ago when several well-known artists had refused her offer, and she couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive.

Having been a Miss Hong Kong, her standards are probably even higher than those of Chow Yun-fat and Andy Lau. The current platform of RTV may not be up to her standards.

Lin Zhou waved his hand, a knowing smile in his eyes.

"It's alright, just go and give it a try."

Same old rule as always: come if you want, no pressure if you don't. Just remember to leave a good impression.

He paused, then, remembering the information about Cherie Chung on his computer, added.

"Ms. Cherie Chung is straightforward and doesn't like beating around the bush. When you talk to her, just be honest with her."

As for the others, they are probably still struggling to make a living.

If you find them and clearly explain our conditions, there shouldn't be any major problems.

"I see."

Zhang Manli carefully put the paper into her bag, placing it together with the previous list, and then left the office.

She went to her office first, took out the address book, and called many people to inquire.

That's how we found Cherie Chung's address...

It's just an ordinary apartment building in Causeway Bay, and it seems that he still lives there with his family.

The car stopped downstairs at the apartment building. Zhang Manli got out of the car and straightened her business suit.

She took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Arriving at Cherie Chung's house according to the address, she reached out and rang the doorbell.

The person who opened the door was a young girl wearing a white dress, whose thick curly hair made her face look exceptionally bright.

With her large, watery eyes and a touch of innocent naiveté, she was none other than Cherie Chung.

"Who are you looking for?"

Chung Chu-hung blinked, looking at the unfamiliar Zhang Manli outside the door, her tone tinged with doubt.

Zhang Manli smiled as she handed over her business card and spoke gently.

"Hello, miss, I'm Zhang Manli from RTV. I apologize for bothering you."

"Rediffusion Television?"

Chung Chor-hung paused for a moment, took the business card and looked at it, then stepped aside to let her in.

"Please come in, the house is a bit messy, please don't mind."

The living room is not big, with a long sofa, two single sofas, a coffee table, and a TV cabinet with a color TV on it.

There were also several fashion magazines on the sofa, which she probably read on a regular basis.

Chung Chor-hung poured Zhang Manli a cup of tea, sat on the single sofa opposite her, and looked at her curiously.

"Miss Zhang, is there something you need from me?"

I recently signed with a small agency, and I haven't officially started acting yet.

Her tone was very frank, without any beating around the bush, exactly the same as what Lin Zhou said.

Zhang Manli's initial nervousness dissipated, and she got straight to the point, explaining her purpose.

"That's right, our RTV recently acquired the adaptation rights to 'A Step into the Past' and is preparing to produce a TV series."

Therefore, Mr. Lin Zhou specifically instructed me to contact you, hoping to invite you to join RTV.

"Lin Zhou?" Chung Chu-hung's eyes lit up suddenly, her tone full of surprise.

"Is that Mr. Lin Zhou, the author of 'A Step into the Past'? I love reading his novels!"

Seeing her reaction, Zhang Manli felt a little relieved and nodded with a smile.

"It's him. Mr. Lin said that your image and temperament are very suitable for several dramas that our station is about to start filming."

"If you're willing to come, we can offer the highest compensation in the industry, and we'll tailor-make a script just for you, making you a superstar in Hong Kong."

Chung Chor-hung paused slightly in her teacup, the surprise on her face gradually fading, replaced by a hint of hesitation.

She lowered her head, took a sip of tea, and said softly:

"Ms. Zhang, to be honest, I participated in the Miss Hong Kong pageant some time ago, although I didn't win the championship."

However, they also received many offers, including from TVB.

They offered very good terms, and TVB's platform is much larger than Rediffusion's. My family all want me to sign with TVB.

Sure enough, I encountered this problem.

Zhang Manli sighed inwardly, but maintained her smile and said sincerely:

"I understand your concerns. With Mr. Shao joining the company and its current momentum, TVB is indeed more powerful than RTV."

But now we have Mr. Lin Zhou joining us, and RTV is rising in popularity. We have many novels like "A Step into the Past".

When it's adapted into a TV series, we'll have enough resources to promote every promising actor.

If you're willing to come, we can give you absolute star treatment; you won't have to start as a supporting character or have to be subservient to others.

Chung Chor-hung fell silent, her fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of the teacup.

She longed to rise to the top in one fell swoop, and she knew that Lin Zhou had many wildly popular novels, but whether anyone would watch them if they were adapted into TV series was still uncertain.

But TVB's reputation speaks for itself; it's a place that countless people who want to become stars would fight tooth and nail to get into.

She bit her lip, looked up at Zhang Manli, and her eyes were filled with apology.

"Ms. Zhang, thank you so much for your high regard."

However, I have already signed a short-term contract with that agency, and if I breach the contract, I'm afraid I'll have to pay a lot of money.

And... my parents also prefer that I choose wireless.

Having said that, Zhang Manli knew that further persuasion would be futile.

She didn't make any excuses; she simply took a business card out of her bag and gently placed it on the coffee table.

"It's alright, Mr. Lin already gave instructions that forced relationships are never sweet."

This is my business card. If you change your mind in the future, or if you would like to work with RTV on a film, please feel free to contact me.

Looking at the business card, Cherie Chung felt a little guilty and quickly said:

"Ms. Zhang, I'm so sorry."

I know Mr. Lin Zhou is a very talented writer, and I'm sure that RTV's production of the TV series "A Step into the Past" will be a huge hit.

I...I'm really sorry.

No need to apologize.

Zhang Manli stood up, smiled, and patted her on the shoulder.

"I'm already very happy to have been able to chat with you for so long."

"If the opportunity arises in the future, we will certainly have the possibility of cooperating again."

After leaving Cherie Chung's home, we arrived at her car downstairs.

Zhang Manli took out the list and crossed out Chung Chor-hung's name, but she wasn't too disappointed.

At least, Cherie Chung's attitude was sincere enough, without any perfunctory attitude, which can be considered as leaving a good impression.