Chapter 155: The Chen Sisters

Chen Qianhui seemed to see right through Liu Qingshan’s thoughts, her playful smile deepening.

Looking around, she said, "I didn't expect I'd figure you out so well. But don't flatter yourself—this young lady hasn't fallen for you!"

Liu Qingshan chuckled and said, "Then I'm relieved! It's not that I'm overthinking, but I already have someone back home. I'm most afraid of other women getting ideas about me, otherwise it wouldn't be easy to explain when I get back!"

Chen Qianhui's expression flickered slightly. "It seems I'm the one flattering myself instead? Is that person Jin Xishan?"

"You're not nearly as endearing as when we first met. Is being aggressively sharp your true face?"

"Think whatever you like. Earlier I was just curious what kind of songs a martial arts expert like you could write, and now I finally have my answer!"

"Did you stay just for that answer?"

"No, I promised Uncle. During your stay in Hong Kong, I'm to take care of some matters for you, such as dealing with the troublemakers from that Three Friends Film Company!"

"Even these things Boss Yang told you? I truly believe you're his real niece now."

"Tsk, I knew that Lou Huiguang was running his mouth."

"Didn't you just blurt it out yourself? Don't blame my friend, or I won't have the patience to deal with you!"

"Aren't you afraid Three Friends Film Company will cause you trouble? Although your personal abilities are strong, don't forget this is Hong Kong. The omnipresence of the triads will make your filming far from smooth!"

"If you think this is what I need you for, then please go where you ought to be. I don't need you meddling in my affairs here; I will explain it to Boss Yang myself."

"Damn it, are you casting aside the donkey after—uh, well, I suppose I haven't really helped with anything yet. Your temper is quite short, aren't you chasing me away just like that?"

Liu Qingshan helplessly spread his hands. "I made it very clear just now: do not harass my friend, it's as simple as that! Boss Yang didn't send you here to bother my friend!"

"Oh my, did I say something wrong? Or should this young lady just let people talk trash about her?"

"Miss Chen, let's leave it at that. You should go busy yourself with your own matters. I don't need you here for the time being, and I'll call you when I need you!"

Chen Qianhui stood up angrily, looking as if she were about to fly into a rage, but suddenly she thought of something and smiled knowingly.

"Ha, I won't fall for your trick! Want to shake me off? In your dreams! I won't go looking for Lou Huiguang for now, but you have to agree—I'm sticking with you for this period!"

***

Liu Qingshan was utterly speechless yet helpless, so he simply ignored her and walked straight over to where Sammo Hung was.

"Shanzi, you've come at the right time. Aidi says you want to take Ah Jie back to the Mainland? That's actually for the best. The kid is almost thirty, lingering around here won't get him anywhere."

"You know Ah Jie too?"

Liu Qingshan was a bit surprised. As far as he knew, Ah Jie wasn't doing well at all; all these years, no record company had been willing to sign him, and usually he only showed up briefly at music festivals, having very few friends in the industry.

"Wing-kwong mentioned him. I drop by here occasionally, so I see him often enough."

"Ah Jie's voice is only suited for rock, and his development here is limited anyway. Besides, my side really lacks people."

Sammo Hung had already called Ah Jie over. "Have you discussed it with your band yet? Following this brother of mine is definitely the right move. His influence in the Mainland is much stronger than you imagine."

"How long have I even been in this industry? Don't listen to Big Brother Sammo, you should discuss it seriously with the brothers. This concerns your future development and cannot be taken lightly!"

He had never explicitly said he would personally craft songs for him, precisely to test Ah Jie's true intentions.

"Mr. Liu, I have no problem with it. At my age, lingering on here is too meaningless, I want to do something real!"

Ever since Liu Qingshan offered to take him in, Ah Jie had been extremely respectful toward him.

"Tell Leon and the others that although you will be debuting in the Mainland in your individual name for now, the Checkerboard Band will still participate in all your recordings and performances. When appropriate, you can also perform under the band's name, and you'll sing that song 'Pursuing the Dreamer's Heart'."

"Our band can have the performance rights to 'Pursuing the Dreamer's Heart'?"

"Why else do you think he asked you to sing it earlier?" Aidi laughed from the side.

"However, once you get to the Mainland, you must tell Leon and the others to tone it down. Management over there is very strict, so whatever habits you picked up performing in nightclubs, drop them if you can!" Aidi changed the subject and immediately reminded them.

The Checkerboard Band came here mostly to make some quick cash, and their primary income came from nightclub performances.

Frequently entering such environments naturally left them with more or less of the undesirable habits found there.

Ah Jie nodded sincerely. "We understand all of this, and we certainly won't cause trouble for Mr. Liu."

***

Liu Qingshan didn't dwell on the topic. "Uncle Aidi, Big Brother Sammo, shall we all attend the banquet together at noon?"

Sammo Hung readily agreed, but Aidi shook his head as expected. "That's a welcoming banquet prepared for you; that kind of occasion isn't really suitable for me. You can come find me for a few drinks after you're done filming in the future!"

Liu Qingshan didn't press him and turned his gaze to Chen Qianhui not far away. "Big Brother Sammo, what is that woman's background anyway?"

Sammo Hung shrugged and pointed at Aidi. "Don't ask me, Aidi should know more than I do!"

Twirling his short mustache, Aidi smiled and explained.

"Judging by Lou Huiguang's sneaky look just now, he must have told you most of it. But I can remind you that those two sisters' past wasn't as unbearable as the rumors suggested. Besides, I said words to this effect several years ago—just look at them now, do they bear any resemblance to what people said before?"

"Uncle Aidi means to say they have other backing behind them, and not just Boss Yang alone?"

"Haha, a teachable student! Exactly. But that's just my guess. I even suspect they might not be Boss Yang's real nieces; it's very likely just a front!"

"Oh? At most it's just a family background stronger than Boss Yang's, is there any need to hide it?"

"That's not something I could know. Anyway, having her around is sometimes truly more convenient than Boss Yang showing up in person."

"Mm, Shanzi, since it was personally arranged by Boss Yang, there must be his reasons. You just need to follow the local customs as the guest, you won't be staying in Hong Kong for very long anyway!"

Sammo Hung was acting as a peacemaker in the middle.

Liu Qingshan nodded. "I was quite annoyed by that woman's relentless pestering just now, but thinking about it now, it's after all Boss Yang's good intentions. I'll have to put on a pleasant face for her from now on!"

"What, you lost your temper at her just now? You've got guts, Shanzi. Those two sisters are so thorny that even Jackie Chan gets a headache when he sees them!"

Liu Qingshan laughed self-deprecatingly. "I just didn't know the stakes. I'll steer clear of her in the future; dealing with that kind of woman is the most exasperating thing!"