dkrc Chapter 95 Miss Hong Kong Pageant Begins
Chapter 95 Miss Hong Kong Pageant Begins
Chapter 95 Miss Hong Kong Pageant Begins
North Point, King's Road.
Early in the morning, Qin Han arrived at the Ming Pao Building and walked into Ni Kuang's office, greeted by the strong smell of ink.
At this moment, Ni Kuang had two huge dark circles under his eyes, clearly having stayed up all night again to finish his manuscript.
He yawned, placed a lab report on the coffee table, and casually pulled a cigarette from a drawer, lighting it. "Qin Sheng, aren't you being a little too paranoid?"
He took a deep drag of his cigarette, pointed at the report, and said dismissively, "I owed that old fogey at the lab a big drinking session for this. And what did I get? It's just an ordinary herbal tea ingredient list."
Qin Han picked up the report, his eyes quickly scanning the list of herbal names before finally settling on a line circled in red.
"Monoamine oxidase inhibitor?" Qin Han uttered the name, his brow furrowing slightly. "What's that?"
"I asked too." Ni Kuang exhaled a smoke ring and explained casually, "It's an ingredient in a psychotropic drug used to treat depression."
"I'm not sure of the specifics, but it seems to inhibit the activity of some kind of enzyme, thereby making people feel happy."
Relax your mind.
At this point, the talented scholar chuckled and said, "To put it bluntly, it's a drug that 'makes people happy.' It's non-toxic and harmless to the human body; it might just cause a little drowsiness."
"Qin Sheng, you know how business people operate. To attract repeat customers, what tricks won't they use?"
"Some people add poppy shells to wonton noodles, and others add medicine to herbal tea to make customers feel cooler," it's probably just a Japanese business trying to use this tactic to open up the market.
In Ni Kuang's view, this matter was quite ordinary.
In 1970s Hong Kong, food safety regulation was practically nonexistent. There were countless "secret recipes" circulating in the streets and alleys. As long as it didn't kill anyone, who would bother to find out what was actually added to it?
However, Qin Han's expression did not soften in the slightest after this explanation.
Because this morning, the information provided by the system matched up with this inexplicably appearing extra information!
Today's intelligence has been updated.
The Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital is conducting pharmacological studies on antidepressants.
Normally, Qin Han would pay extra attention whenever the system provided information that seemed to have nothing to do with Hollywood.
Now, he is almost certain that there is a conspiracy behind the Japanese adding this so-called "harmless" drug to herbal tea.
Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital is the most prestigious private hospital in Hong Kong, a place that caters exclusively to the wealthiest individuals.
It's impossible for a Japanese trading company that sells sushi and herbal tea to have any direct connection with the research at the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. To find out the truth, we need to start from the source.
"Qin Sheng? Qin Sheng?" Ni Kuang's voice pulled Qin Han back from his reverie.
He looked at Qin Han's unpredictable expression, somewhat puzzled: "What? Is there really something seriously wrong with this medicine?"
Qin Han folded the report and put it in his pocket, smiling as he said, "Mr. Ni, you have a wide network of contacts in Hong Kong. Do you know any doctors at the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital? I'd like to inquire about the details of this medication."
"Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital?" Ni Kuang scratched his messy hair and said self-deprecatingly, "That's a place for the wealthy. How could a writer like me afford to go? But—"
"Jin Yong's personal physician, Chen Cunren, holds a temporary position as a consultant at the Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital and has an excellent relationship with the hospital's director!"
"Furthermore, he also has a health and wellness column in our Ming Pao newspaper; we're all old acquaintances!"
Chen Cunren! Qin Han's eyes lit up.
He had heard of this name in his previous life. He was a famous doctor in Shanghai in the 1930s and 40s. Later, he went south to Hong Kong and became a leading figure in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.
If we can get involved in this project at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital through him, it will definitely be much more efficient.
"Could you please contact Mr. Jin Yong for me? I would like to ask him to introduce me to this Dr. Chen," Qin Han said immediately.
Ni Kuang raised his wrist to look at his watch, a troubled expression on his face: "Now? I'm afraid it's a bit difficult. Old Cha left very early this morning; he didn't even come to the newspaper office."
Where did he go?
"Broadcast Drive, Wutaishan." Ni Kuang pointed out the window towards Kowloon Tong: "TVB's Miss Hong Kong pageant is holding its preliminary rounds today. Boss Li Xiaohe personally sent out invitations, asking Lao Cha to attend."
"A beauty pageant?" Qin Han recalled the information the system had previously given him.
Although he knew there was going to be a beauty pageant, he didn't expect the event to start so soon.
This matter cannot be delayed. Since the Japanese companies have already started taking action, they won't stop at just this one move.
"Mr. Ni, could you find a way to get me to the scene to find Mr. Jin Yong? This is indeed quite urgent."
"This—" Ni Kuang hesitated, "That's a TVB venue, and today is the first day of the auditions. The scene is bound to be chaotic. Without an invitation, I'm afraid we won't even be able to get through the gate."
"Let me think—that's it! We can ask Old Cai!" He slapped his forehead. "When it comes to attracting female attention, no one in Hong Kong knows better than him. He'll definitely be there for this kind of occasion."
Half an hour later, a black Mercedes-Benz sped along Waterloo Road, heading towards Broadcast Drive, which is known as "Wutaishan".
It's called Wutai Mountain because this hill, less than one kilometer in circumference, is home to Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK),
Five broadcasting and television organizations: Commercial Radio, RTV, TVB, and CTV.
This is truly the heart of Hong Kong's television media.
Before the car even reached the entrance of the TVB building, it was blocked by a traffic jam and a large number of people.
Looking out the car window, Qin Han, even though he was used to the grand scenes of Hollywood, couldn't help but be amazed by the sight before him.
The plaza outside the building was already packed with people.
Countless young girls with dreams of becoming stars dressed up in their finest clothes and lined up in long queues under the scorching sun.
Hong Kong fashion in this era is at a juncture of intense collision between East and West.
Some girls wore conservative dresses and traditional braids, hiding shyly behind their parents;
Some were heavily influenced by the hippie trend in Europe and America, wearing exaggerated bell-bottoms, sporting afro hairstyles, and heavy eyeshadow, and generously blowing kisses to passing cameras.
The air was filled with the scents of perfume, hairspray, and the unique body odor of young girls, which fermented under the scorching sun into a scent called "desire."
"Tsk tsk tsk, what a dazzling array of beauties!" Ni Kuang leaned against the car window, looking at the youthful faces outside, and couldn't help but sigh, "Old Cha, he usually seems so serious, but he never misses a chance to admire these pretty girls."
.
Qin Han smiled and opened the car door: "Let's go, Mr. Cai is already waiting for us at the side door."
The two squeezed through the noisy crowd and arrived at the employee entrance on the side of the building. Cai Lan, dressed in a light-colored suit and fanning himself with a folding fan, was indeed waiting for a long time.
"Qin Sheng, Brother Ni, you've come at the perfect time!" Cai Lan was beaming, clearly enjoying the occasion. As he led the two inside, he chuckled in a low voice, "The scene inside is even more exciting. The judges almost came to blows over the audition standards."
"Is Mr. Jin Yong in there too?" Qin Han asked.
"Yes, he's having tea with Li Xiao and the boss in the VIP room." Cai Lan closed his folding fan and pointed upstairs: "By the way, Uncle Liu is very interested in your Han's Film Company's 'Jin Yong drama' project. As long as you get Old Cha on board, Shaw Brothers is willing to cooperate deeply with Han's."
Qin Han nodded slightly, it seemed that Run Run Shaw also understood the transformative impact of the "package" model on the film and television industry.
Changing the mind of this stubborn old man is no easy task.
The three walked through the busy studio.
In the corridor, countless beauties waiting to go on stage were touching up their makeup. Qin Han's gaze swept quickly across them, trying to find among these youthful faces any names that would one day dominate the Hong Kong film industry.
Unfortunately, there were just too many people; their tense yet excited faces were so numerous that it was difficult to distinguish them.
Pushing open the door to the VIP room on the second floor, a refreshing blast of air hits you.
Standing before the large French windows, Jin Yong held a teacup, his brow furrowed as he looked down at the crowd in the square below.
Sitting opposite him was an elderly man with gray hair and gold-rimmed glasses, who was none other than Li Xiaohe, one of the founders of TVB.
"Mr. Cha, Mr. Li, they've arrived." Cai Lan stepped forward and greeted the two men.
Li Xiaohe turned his head, his gaze falling on Qin Han, and smiled kindly, "This must be Mr. Qin? You are indeed a handsome man. I've heard a lot about you in the industry lately."
"Mr. Li, you flatter me." Qin Han quickly nodded in acknowledgment.
Jin Yong put down his teacup, his worried expression still lingering: "Qin Sheng, you've come at the right time. Li Sheng just mentioned an idea that's giving me a real headache. You're full of clever ideas, why don't you give me some advice?"
"Oh? I wonder what kind of problem could stump Master Cha?"
Li Xiaohe laughed and pointed to the girls queuing outside the window: "Qin Sheng, you know, this is the first time TVB has held the Miss Hong Kong pageant. If we're going to do it, we have to make it a sensation, something unprecedented."
"Therefore, I made a very bold innovation in the competition format."
At this point, the media mogul added with a touch of pride, "I plan to add a swimsuit segment to the final round."
Ni Kuang whistled, his eyes lighting up instantly: "Mr. Li is really going all out! If this really works out, the ratings will explode! Every man in Hong Kong will probably be glued to their TVs."
But Jin Yong's brows furrowed even more: "However, I feel that the social atmosphere in Hong Kong is still predominantly conservative."
"Having a group of well-bred young ladies walk around on TV in swimsuits would likely draw criticism from moralists and might even deter many outstanding girls."
This is why Jin Yong was invited today.
Li Xiaohe hopes to leverage Ming Pao's enormous influence among intellectuals and the middle class to publish several editorials in advance, from the perspectives of "aesthetics," "health," and "modern women," to generate buzz and lay the groundwork for this bold competition format.
But for Jin Yong, who cherished his reputation, this was undoubtedly a hot potato.
If I support it, I'm afraid I'll be criticized for being immoral; if I oppose it, I'll seem old-fashioned and might even displease my old friends.
"Qin Sheng, what do you think?" Li Xiaohe turned his gaze to Qin Han.
Qin Han knew, of course, that this beauty pageant was actually a microcosm of the transformation of social values in Hong Kong.
This bold attempt made Miss Hong Kong a trendsetter in Hong Kong's fashion industry.
"Mr. Cha, I understand your concerns." He recalled the various media comments on the Miss Hong Kong pageant in later years: "Actually, swimwear is not synonymous with pornography and vulgarity; the key lies in how we define beauty."
He looked down at the vibrant young figures below: "If you reinforce the link between swimwear and voyeurism, then it naturally seems vulgar. But what if we define it as showcasing women's confidence, health, and vitality?"
"Mr. Cha, for example, in your novels, Huang Rong swims in the sea, and Xiaolongnu and Yang Guo practice their martial arts among the flowers. Where is there even a hint of lewdness?"
Jin Yong's eyes flickered slightly.
Qin Han then turned to Li Xiaohe and continued, "Mr. Li, since you're also worried about public opinion, why not elevate the scale of this performance a bit more?"
"We can add a Q&A session before the swimsuit segment, where the contestants, wearing swimsuits, answer questions about society and their life ideals."
"When the audience discovers that these scantily clad girls not only possess beautiful bodies, but also intelligent minds and independent thoughts, doesn't that elevate the overall atmosphere?"
"Beauty and intelligence go hand in hand," he concluded, emphasizing each word. "That's the true essence of Miss Hong Kong."
"Wonderful!" Li Xiaohe couldn't help but applaud. "No wonder Qin Sheng's reputation has been so high lately; he really does have some real skills!"
"Mr. Cha, now you shouldn't have to worry about Ming Pao's editorials being falsely accused, right?"
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