Chapter 4: The Agent

As they docked, fishmongers who had spotted Zhang Jiacong's boat earlier jumped aboard, hurriedly picking their favorite and most desired items. This was the "seafood rush" Zhang Weihao had mentioned to Chen Jin: quick hands get the goods, slow hands miss out. The prices were generally predetermined, and any significant increase would have been announced earlier, ensuring fair collaboration.

The sea crabs were indeed a favorite, quickly snapped up by the fishmongers. Once the hustle settled and the goods were divided, the fishmongers finally had time to chat with Zhang Jiacong. "Boss Zhang, you've got quite a haul today!" one said.

Another pointed at Chen Jin, "Did you see he's got help now?" A slightly older man added, "You've been collaborating for nearly twenty years, Boss Zhang. It's time you took a break and let the young ones handle the hard work."

Zhang Jiacong and Zhang Weihao smiled and responded, while Chen Jin stood aside quietly.

After everyone left, Zhang Jiacong and Zhang Weihao turned back, inviting Chen Jin into the cabin. Zhang Jiacong took out two hundred Hong Kong dollars and handed them to Chen Jin, "This is for you!" Chen Jin hesitated and did not accept the money, frowning, "Uncle Zhang, what are you doing? Are you trying to send me away?"

Zhang Jiacong chuckled and shook his head, "No, this is your wage." Chen Jin refused, "Uncle Zhang, I haven't even thanked you for saving my life, not to mention you've been hosting me..."

"Saving you is just human nature!" Zhang Jiacong explained. "Besides, you're rootless here; you might need some money for emergencies."

Zhang Weihao joined in, "Ah Jin, you know my dad is getting old. Thanks to your help today, we cast the nets several extra times and caught much more than usual... This is what you deserve, so don't be shy."

Chen Jin thought for a moment and accepted one hundred dollars, smiling, "Thank you, Uncle Zhang. Let's consider the rest as payment for food and lodging."

Zhang Jiacong still insisted on giving Chen Jin the full amount, "I've already deducted the cost of food and lodging. This is what's left..." But Chen Jin remained firm, "Then keep it for me, Uncle Zhang. I'm young and might spend it carelessly."

After a moment of contemplation and seeing Chen Jin's insistence, Zhang Jiacong didn't press further. He instructed Zhang Weihao and Chen Jin to tidy up and return home, addressing Chen Jin as 'Ah Jin' instead of his full name.

Once everything was packed, Zhang Jiacong had other errands to attend to and instructed Zhang Weihao to take Chen Jin straight home without wandering off.

Zhang Weihao knew the current situation and obediently drove Chen Jin home. However, their plan was thwarted when four tough-looking men stopped them at the village entrance.

The leader, a burly man with a scar on his face, grabbed Zhang Weihao's bicycle, addressing the towel-covered Chen Jin, "Illegal immigrant, do you know where you are? You should've come to pay respects at my place first."

Zhang Weihao didn't seem intimidated, "Hui Zi, what's your deal? He's staying at my place; does he need to pay respects to you too?" Hui Zi, real name Zhang Guohui, smacked Zhang Weihao, cursing, "Kid, you should call me Brother Hui. Who are you to call me Hui Zi?"

Realizing Zhang Guohui was aware of his situation, Chen Jin didn't hide anything and certainly didn't want to cause any conflict. Removing the towel, he greeted Zhang Guohui with a smile, "Brother Hui, I apologize for not knowing the customs. Please be generous!"

Zhang Guohui teased, "Oh, you're quite handsome! No wonder you covered your face with a towel – afraid of tempting the local women, eh?" He then inquired about Chen Jin's background.

Chen Jin, facing a stronger situation, introduced himself, "I'm Chen Jin, from the mainland. Life wasn't good there, so I came here looking for work. Please look after me, Brother Hui."

Zhang Guohui nodded but remained sarcastic, "You're lucky to have drifted here." Zhang Weihao, growing impatient, said, "Brother Hui, can you wrap this up? My dad is waiting for us."

Zhang Guohui reached out to hit Zhang Weihao again, "Hey, kid, trying to use your dad to pressure me?" But Zhang Weihao blocked his hand, "It's not like that, Brother Hui. We really have things to do."

Zhang Guohui glared at him and finally waved them off, "Alright, I'll let it slide for your dad's sake." He then warned Chen Jin, "Kid, stay sharp and don't cause trouble here."

As they left, Chen Jin watched Zhang Guohui swagger away with his entourage and commented with a smile, "He's quite a character." Zhang Weihao chuckled, "He's only easy-going with people he knows. If it weren't for my dad, he would have given you a hard time."

At lunchtime, Zhang Jiacong returned and informed Chen Jin, "I called my second son. He'll be back tomorrow afternoon."

Chen Jin quickly thanked him but also understood that if he hadn't been honest, hardworking, and ungreedy, Zhang Jiacong's attitude might have been different, perhaps even refusing to host him any longer.

After all, saving him was an act of Zhang Jiacong's good nature, a great favor to Chen Jin. But to host a ruffian and an illegal immigrant in his house – even though he was the village head and could protect him for a while – was always a concern. Why bother, indeed!

Chen Jin waited for Zhang Weixiong's return. Although he didn't believe that this pride of the University of Hong Kong could really help him much, he had no other options and had to bide his time, first integrating himself into Lamma Island's community.

The next morning, they went fishing again. Although Chen Jin and Zhang Weihao had suggested Zhang Jiacong rest at home, he still accompanied them. Chen Jin had become skilled at casting and hauling nets. He mainly sat inside the boat, resting and sorting out unwanted catches. During this time, Zhang Jiacong praised him: hard work and willingness to learn always lead to success.

In the late afternoon, Zhang Jiacong's pride, Zhang Weixiong, returned from the University of Hong Kong. Upon seeing Chen Jin, his eyes widened in surprise, "Wow, Ah Jin, you're quite a looker! I thought I was the second most handsome guy on Lamma Island, just a bit behind Chow Yun-fat. Now I guess I'm third."

Zhang Weixiong wasn't particularly handsome – tall and thin, with a complexion much fairer than his father and brother, not the weather-beaten tan of a fisherman. He wore glasses, giving him a scholarly appearance.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Weixiong was quite humorous and didn't show any prejudice towards Chen Jin. Perhaps this was due to a reminder from Zhang Jiacong, which eased Chen Jin's mind. He smiled and replied, "Weixiong, actually, I think you're a tad more handsome than Chow Yun-fat."

A clever response in the same style as Zhang Weixiong, flattering him without belittling himself. Zhang Weixiong laughed and patted Chen Jin's shoulder. He was twenty-one, a bit older than Chen Jin, "I wouldn't dare compare myself to Chow Yun-fat. His fans would tear me apart."

Chow Yun-fat had become a universally praised big shot after starring in "A Better Tomorrow" in 1986, securing his place as a megastar, as famous as Stephen Chow and Jackie Chan, with an incomparably passionate fan base.

As they spoke, they walked inside. Chen Jin was staying in a guest room at Zhang Jiacong's house, but they went to Zhang Weixiong's room this time. Surprisingly, the room was not filled with books, but with movie star posters, music and movie cassettes, and the like, covering every inch of the room.

Chen Jin, pointing at everything, asked in astonishment, "Weixiong, Uncle Zhang must know about this, right? Doesn't he say anything?"

Zhang Weihao, seemingly annoyed, huffed, "Dad spoils him the most, lets him get away with everything." Zhang Weixiong chuckled, "Big bro, you should say it's because I always do well in school."

As long as the grades are good, everything else seems tolerable – a priority for parents and teachers. Chen Jin could imagine Zhang Jiacong's initial reaction to this scene, but ultimately, Zhang Weixiong's impressive academic performance probably dissuaded any objections. Maybe it even convinced his father of his son's intelligence.

In Zhang Weixiong's room with only one chair, Zhang Weixiong unceremoniously flopped onto the bed and looked at Chen Jin, raising an eyebrow, "I heard from my dad that you want a Hong Kong ID card?"

Chen Jin nodded. Before he could speak, Zhang Weixiong continued, "So, what do you want to do here? You surely won't be content staying in our remote fishing village forever, right?"

Chen Jin had spent the past two days familiarizing himself with his body's capabilities after acquiring martial arts skills, but he hadn't started practicing singing or acting yet, so he couldn't boast about his skills. He thoughtfully replied, "I think I should first learn the language, then secure an ID, and consider other things after that."

Zhang Weixiong shook his head, gesturing dismissively, "No, no, no, you can't be without a long-term plan. Let me tell you, getting a fake identity is easy. Haven't you seen those movies? As long as you're willing to pay, even getting a fake passport to pass through customs is doable. A small thing like an ID card is no problem. And later, once you make it big, you can find someone influential to sponsor you, get an exemption, and then you'll be a real Hongkonger."

Chen Jin sensed an underlying meaning and looked at him questioningly, "But I barely know anything right now, and even my language skills aren't very fluent. It would be obvious once I go out."

Zhang Weixiong shook his head again, "Language is not a problem at all. I heard you've only been here for three days, but look at your ability to express yourself now – it's already great. You just haven't grasped some colloquialisms, idioms, and habits, and your tone is slightly off. But I think in a month or so, you should be fully adapted..."

Chen Jin smiled slightly, asking pointedly, "I really don't have many ideas yet. Do you have any good suggestions, Weixiong?"

Seeing that Chen Jin had caught on, Zhang Weixiong grinned, "Ah Jin, just look at yourself. I dare say you're a standout among the handsome. If you just stand at the entrance of TVB, loads of scouts will find you. That's surely better than hanging around in the village."

Then, he revealed his true intention, "But, when that time comes, can I be your agent?" Worried his proposal might not be convincing enough, he quickly added, "Don't worry, I major in law and also study business. Plus, I'm familiar with the entertainment industry. I just need to get an agent qualification certificate, and it'll be all set."