radicalducati Chapter 155 Regret
Chapter 155 Regret
Chung Chor-hung sat alone on the sofa in the living room, her back slightly hunched, as if all her strength had been drained away.
Her gaze was fixed on the television screen in front of her, her eyes vacant yet carrying an indescribable stubbornness, as if she wanted to etch the images on the screen into her very being.
The TV was replaying last night's episode of "A Step into the Past," specifically the scene where Xiang Shaolong and Wu Tingfang were playing around under the peach blossom tree.
As the spring breeze blows, pink petals flutter down from the sky. Maggie Cheung, playing Wu Tingfang, wears a pale yellow silk dress, her eyebrows curved, and her smile is as bright as the warmest light in spring.
The crisp laughter came through the speakers, sounding particularly abrupt in the quiet living room.
Carina Lau, who plays Qin Qing, is dressed in a plain white long gown, holding a book, standing under the pavilion shaded by peach branches, watching the two playfully fighting. A faint, gentle smile plays on her lips, and her gentle elegance is in no way inferior to Wu Tingfang's charming and lively nature.
The camera pans across their faces, and in close-ups, Maggie Cheung's dimples are shallow, and Carina Lau's eyes are clear; both are in their prime, radiating beauty.
In her hand, Cherie Chung tightly gripped a black remote control. Her knuckles were slightly white from the excessive force, and the veins on her wrists were faintly bulging.
A mix of emotions welled up inside her, like a spilled spice jar. Sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty all rushed into her mind, making her feel as if something was tightly gripping her internal organs, causing a suffocating pain.
She remembered that day a few months ago.
She remembers it clearly: that day she was bored at home with nothing to do when a capable-looking woman came to her door.
That woman was Zhang Manli, the manager of the artist department at Yuan Li's television station.
Zhang Manli introduced herself with a smile on her face, her tone so sincere that it was impossible to refuse.
She said at the time that RTV was preparing a big-budget television series called "A Step into the Past".
It was also said that Lin Zhou was attracted to Cherie Chung's bright yet somewhat stubborn temperament and wanted to invite her to play one of the female leads, Wu Tingfang, in the drama.
Zhang Manli looked into her eyes and said, word by word:
"I can assure you that as long as you are willing to sign with RTV, the role of Wu Tingfang in 'A Step into the Past' will definitely be yours."
Moreover, the TV station will use all its resources to promote you—publicity, acting, endorsements, everything. We want to make you the brightest new star of the year.
At that time, RTV was struggling to breathe under the pressure of TVB.
With its several dramas and a host of veteran artists, TVB firmly occupies half of the Hong Kong television industry.
RTV, on the other hand, has been rather quiet, having not produced any decent works for a long time since the TV series "The Legendary Fok Yuan-gap" aired.
Faced with Zhang Manli's offer, Cherie Chung shook her head almost without hesitation and politely declined.
"Manager Zhang, I'm so sorry," she said, her tone apologetic yet unwavering.
"My family all feel that the platform of wireless is bigger and offers more opportunities, and that there is a better future if we follow wireless."
"Li... I think it might not suit me."
She remembered that when she heard her rejection, Zhang Manli's smile froze for a moment, then slowly relaxed, but her eyes, which were originally full of expectation, quickly filled with regret.
Zhang Manli didn't say anything more, just nodded slightly, handed her a business card, and then left after saying that they could cooperate again in the future.
At that time, she was completely focused on signing a contract with TVB and felt that rejecting ATV was the wisest choice.
She believed that only a large, wireless platform could give her the glittering future she desired.
But who could have imagined that things would turn out so unpredictably?
Since Zhonghua TV started airing the drama series, it has managed to turn a period drama into a phenomenal masterpiece.
The role of Wu Tingfang, which she had initially rejected, ended up with the relatively unknown Maggie Cheung.
With this charming, lively, and passionate character, Maggie Cheung became an overnight sensation and rose to become one of Hong Kong's most sought-after leading actresses.
GG is inundated with endorsement deals, and wherever he goes, he's surrounded by fans and paparazzi.
Even Carina Lau, who played Qin Qing, gained popularity and joined the ranks of popular young actresses thanks to the success of this drama.
What's even more astonishing is that, with the popularity of "A Step into the Past", the GG fee of Zhonghua TV has soared, snatching a large share of the market from TVB, and now it is even showing signs of overtaking TVB.
Zhonghua TV, once ignored by everyone, has now become a coveted spot for countless aspiring stars who are desperate to get in.
And what about herself?
After declining the invitation, she signed a contract with TVB as she wished, but then encountered setbacks one after another at the TVB station.
Either the role is too small, with pitifully few scenes, making it no different from an extra.
If you fail the audition, you won't even have the chance to participate.
After several months of ups and downs, she was still just a minor actress who could only play supporting roles in some dramas, earning a meager salary, watching others stand in the spotlight and enjoy all the adoration.
On the television screen, Xiang Shaolong's lines remained witty and humorous, making viewers outside the television screen unable to help but smile.
But Cherie Chung couldn't laugh. She felt that the laughter was like tiny needles, pricking her heart so hard that she could hardly breathe.
She slowly leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes wearily. Her mind replayed the scene of rejecting Zhang Manli over and over again, like a movie playing in her head.
She recalled Zhang Manli's sincere eyes, the words "We will use all our resources to support you," her own unwavering refusal, and her family's constant reminders that "TVB is the best platform."
regret.
Endless regret.
Like a tidal wave, it surged and engulfed her.
I regret my shortsightedness back then; I only saw the downfall of Lih, but I failed to see the potential hidden behind it.
She regretted her past ignorance; she had felt a slight attraction to the character of Wu Tingfang, but gave up easily because of a few words from her family.
She regretted missing the opportunity to change her fate and the role that could have put her in the spotlight.
If she had agreed to play Wu Tingfang for Zhang Manli back then, would she be the one standing in front of the camera now, smiling brightly and being adored by countless movie fans?
Once the thought popped into her head, it was like a vine that had taken root, spreading wildly in her heart, entwining her soul, and suffocating her.
She could even imagine herself becoming a sensation in Hong Kong, being chased by reporters' flashing lights, and basking in the envious gazes of others.
But imagination is ultimately just imagination.
She sighed softly, a sigh filled with endless loneliness and resentment.
She reached out, picked up the water glass on the coffee table, and took a sip of the slightly cool water. The coolness slid down her throat, but it did nothing to cool the burning resentment and regret in her heart.
But in this world, there's no going back.
What's missed is missed.
Some opportunities, once slipped through your fingers, are gone forever.
On the television screen, the ending theme song of "A Step into the Past" slowly began to play, its melodious tune echoing throughout the living room. The subtitles scrolled slowly, finally settling on the words "Produced with pride by Zhonghua Television."
Today, Chung Wah Television shines brightly, like a rising star illuminating Hong Kong's television industry.
The hit TV series "A Step into the Past" was like a storm sweeping through Hong Kong, changing the fate of many people.
It made Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, and Carina Lau famous overnight, brought fame to Zhonghua TV, and turned those missed opportunities into deep-seated, unforgettable regrets...
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