Chapter Eighty-One: The Film Set in Taiwan

A suitcase was brought in, and when it was opened, it was filled to the brim with cash. Although a check could have been written, a suitcase full of cash had an impact that a check simply couldn't match.

“This is a million. It’s for you. I know that now, just one of your scripts is worth more than this, but our company has expanded quite a bit, and if we offered more, it would be a bit of a stretch,” Mr. Liu said, pushing the suitcase toward Yan Xu.

After three hit scripts, Yan Xu’s standing in the screenwriting industry was considerable. The million New Taiwan dollars in front of him, with the current exchange rate of five to one between Hong Kong dollars and NT dollars, would only be about two hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars—not quite in line with his popularity. Nowadays, he could easily sell a script for half a million Hong Kong dollars.

“In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony.” Yan Xu reached out, closed the suitcase, and pushed it to one side.

Yan Xu was never shy about money, especially when he earned it through his own skills. He had thought this job might be for nothing, so he was pleasantly surprised to receive payment. Having lived in a later era where money was king, he was always eager for more.

As for the script, Yan Xu had plenty stored in his mind. The films for Dayong couldn't be big productions, and at that time in Taiwan, apart from art films, the market was dominated by comedies and gambling movies. Yan Xu could only work from these two angles.

“Before I leave Taiwan, I’ll give you the script.” Considering Dayong’s scale and financial constraints, Yan Xu quickly formed a rough idea in his mind.

“Excellent!” Hearing that Yan Xu could deliver the script so soon, Mr. Liu slapped his thigh and stood up in the hot spring, his whole body steaming. “Since you’re so straightforward, I won’t be stingy either. Ten percent of the film’s profits after release will go to you.”

They controlled their own theaters, so when a film was released, their company could expect to receive at least seventy percent of the total profits. Giving ten percent away wasn’t much.

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Unlike Zhou Huimin’s tightly packed schedule in Taiwan, Yan Xu only needed to attend the premiere of “Taxi Judge” there. All matters regarding Zhou Huimin’s album promotion had already been arranged with the Taiwanese company by Lo Koon-Ting, so Yan Xu had nothing to worry about.

Unfamiliar with Taiwan, Yan Xu’s itinerary was arranged entirely by Dayong. Ah Can had become his de facto personal guide, providing an all-in-one service for dining, entertainment, and sightseeing. Wherever they went, a few men in black suits and sunglasses acted as bodyguards, making Yan Xu feel quite imposing.

Today, Yan Xu didn’t continue his tour of indulgence, but instead requested to visit Taiwan’s film industry. As a filmmaker, he was curious about Taiwanese cinema during this era.

Although, in the Taiwanese market, apart from their own art films, Hong Kong movies dominated, other genres were gradually developing as well.

On his second day in Taiwan, Yan Xu saw large posters for “The Brave Boys” hanging outside some cinemas. This was a film deeply imprinted in his memory; back in elementary and middle school, he’d watched the “Brave Boys” series over and over in video parlors. The series had as many as ten movies and featured numerous future stars from Taiwan’s television, film, and hosting circles. The tenth installment even starred the wildly popular Little Tigers band.

Dayong was filming a movie called “Temptation.” From the title, it sounded like a romance or an art film, but the first scene Yan Xu witnessed on set left him shocked.

Ah Can led Yan Xu to a villa on a hillside, which served as the set. In Yan Xu’s experience, film sets were usually hectic and chaotic, but inside this villa, there was none of that. Instead, Ah Can wore a sheepish smile as he guided Yan Xu in.

Upstairs, the atmosphere was completely different. At the door to one room, people were packed in layers, peering intently inside as if watching some extraordinary spectacle. Their chests heaved, their breathing quickened, but their eyes—burning with excitement—never blinked.

Ah Can led Yan Xu through the crowd and into the room. For Yan Xu, this was his first time witnessing such a raw performance. Unlike Hong Kong films, where the set was cleared for certain scenes, here almost the entire crew was present. The actors performing inside, surrounded by so many onlookers, must have had extraordinary powers of concentration.

Yan Xu himself had acted in some passionate scenes during the filming of “Rainy Night Butcher.” He had performed shirtless, using camera angles to fake intimacy, and had minimal contact with the actress. Only the essential crew—camera, lighting, and so on—were present.

Even so, Yan Xu had required several takes to get through it; being watched, even when faking, felt deeply uncomfortable.

But what he saw now was entirely real. The male actor, stripped to the waist, was entwined with the actress. He wore a black hood, revealing only his eyes, suggesting his role was that of a kidnapper or a predator.

The actress showed no signs of struggle; on the contrary, she moved in rhythm with the man’s motions. Her face was heavily made up: black eyeshadow, blood-red lips, thick foundation that concealed her age, and under the lights, she looked as pale as a ghost. On her face was a look of exaggerated pleasure—clearly performed. Her tongue, in accordance with the conventions of adult films of the era, flicked out to circle her lips from time to time.

“What do you think? You won’t see scenes like this in Hong Kong,” Ah Can whispered to Yan Xu, noticing his stunned expression.

“Where do they find these actresses? Are they really willing to do this?” Yan Xu turned to ask. He’d seen Taiwanese “real action” films before, but had assumed the actresses were coerced. Now, though, the woman’s expression showed no reluctance at all.

“Women like this will do anything for money. And this is nothing—you should see the beef shows tonight. The performances there are far more intense: smoking, balloon tricks, dart throwing, opening bottles, drinking, peeling grapes... any kind of woman you want—mature, sexy, schoolgirls, housewives, even virgins on offer,” Ah Can replied in a low voice.

Yan Xu had heard much about Taiwan’s beef shows; their acts were said to be even more outrageous than American striptease performances.

“I’d like to see that.” Since he was in Taiwan, it was worth broadening his horizons. The fact that beef shows had survived for so long under strict official scrutiny meant they must have something unique.

“Cut! That’s a wrap for this scene. Body double, get ready for the next shot.” The male actor shuddered on the woman’s body a few times, then, after catching his breath, suddenly stood up, removed his hood, and started giving instructions to the crew.

It turned out he was the director. Witnessing this, Yan Xu couldn’t help but laugh. Clearly, no matter the era or the place, the unspoken rules of this industry remained the same. This director was bold indeed, awarding himself a little extra “benefit” in front of everyone.