Preparation Before Chapter 0002

A week later, Shen Long received the documents as scheduled. The prop master was quite professional and even added a weathering process. At least from the outside, it looked exactly the same as what Shen Long found online, with no discernible differences.

"Come on, let's go to the back and take a photo first, then come back next week to pick it up." After finishing, a number was announced, which made Shen Long's teeth ache; he didn't expect this thing to be quite expensive.

First, one needs to find someone to forge a set of documents that can be used from 1988, then find collectors of currency to exchange for some old banknotes, and also think about what kind of identity to use to contact Liao Jie

There are also cheaper options, which look no different from a distance; as long as close-ups are not required, this type can be completed in three days, and the price is only one-third.

Shen Long conducted a thorough study and searched online, eventually finding information about the first chef competition. However, it seems that this competition was held later and is not the same as the one depicted in the film

The film does not reveal what Lin Chang does or which hospital she visited. I can only start by approaching Liao Jie. Fortunately, the film specifically mentions the restaurant where Liao Jie works, so I just need to go to Huadu Yangzhou Lou to find him. Even if he is not there, I can ask the staff at Yangzhou Lou.

The film begins with the finals of the 19th Chef Competition, where Liao Jie from Huadu Yangzhou Restaurant faces off against Long Kunbao from Xiangjiang Luyulou. The competition is divided into three segments

However, new problems have arisen. He cannot speak Cantonese and does not have the necessary identification from that time. Social mobility was far worse back then than it is now. If he lacks both of these, he might very well be arrested by the police upon appearing.

Information about Momoe Yamaguchi has become much easier to gather, and he quickly found several instances of her visits to Canada during the 1980s and 1990s. Among these, her longest visit was in 1993, which closely coincides with the filming period of the movie, making it highly likely that this was around the time the movie officially began.

Shen Long took a nap and went out for a meal. Last night, he remembered that he had an acquaintance who worked in a film crew, so he immediately called him. The other party introduced him to an expert who specializes in creating various film and television props

Therefore, the place he is going to is basically determined to be Huadu in 1988, which Shen Long has confirmed.

After Lin Chang's departure, Liao Jie fell into despair for five years, so the 19th Chef Competition must have been held in 1988

In the second round of the competition, Long Kunbao carved an ice sculpture of the Great Wall that could focus light, while Liao Jie made a comeback with the long-lost art of tofu carving

We don't do this very often, but it's not a problem; we can manage it with some research. How many copies do you need? When do you need them? These are all expired documents, but the props master didn't suspect anything and agreed right away

In the first round of cooking rice, Long Kunbao's rice carried a hint of ginseng aroma, securing an early victory.

In the end, he gave up the competition and rushed to the hospital, only to find an empty operating table. The doctor informed him that his wife, Lin Shang, had suffered a miscarriage due to an accident and felt disappointed that he had not been there to accompany her, leaving behind a letter before departing.

Then it can only be inferred from other details. Shen Long recalled a line spoken by Leslie Cheung's character in the film, "My girlfriend, the bookish Yamaguchi Momoe, has gone to Canada, and I am going to Canada to find her"

Liao Jie originally planned to prepare steamed yellow croaker, but unexpectedly received a phone call before the competition, informing him that his pregnant wife had been in an accident and was taken to the hospital, urgently needing his companionship and care. Caught between the competition and his wife, Liao Jie found himself in a dilemma

At the same time, the 1980s had just begun to open up, and resources were relatively scarce. Holding a renowned chef competition in the capital, a place with an extremely strong political atmosphere, seemed rather inappropriate. Instead, it would be more suitable to host such a competition in Huadu, known as a frontier of openness and a city famous for its cuisine.

Then forget it, let's go with what I just said. Just kidding, I'm not making a movie here, I definitely wouldn't dare to cut corners.

Having paid the money, he turned around and went to the gathering place of collectors in the capital. It is much easier to find old banknotes than counterfeit certificates; as long as one is willing to spend money, they can be purchased. However, the price is giving Shen Long a headache, as he has spent several months' salary for this task

This task does not seem too difficult; as long as we find Liao Jie’s wife before the accident occurs, ensuring her safety or getting her to the hospital in time will suffice. The only question is how to determine the time and place of this event.

Thus, the answer became apparent. Although the film initially featured scenes of the Forbidden City, the actual venue for the competition was in Huadu

The third match is the most crucial; whoever wins will become the champion of the competition. This round involves preparing fish, and Long Kunbao created a dish called Sea Dragon Pearl using sea fish, which received high praise from the judges

The beginning of the film ends here, and the subsequent plot is not closely related to this task

Tomorrow happens to be Sunday, and there is no need to go to work. Shen Long lies in bed, holding his phone, and seriously watches "The Bund" several times. After watching, he gains a preliminary understanding of the plot

This aligns closely with the final results of the competition, where the two chefs who made it to the finals were one from Huadu and the other from Xianggang. If the competition were held in the capital, it would be a different story, as the capital has historically favored Shandong cuisine since the Qing Dynasty, and it would be impossible for the finals to lack the presence of a Shandong chef.

Upon returning home, he closed the door securely, changed his clothes, and gathered his identification, wallet, and other items he had prepared over the past few days. Shen Long took a deep breath, raised his hand, and opened the time-space portal, diving right in.

Therefore, in order to complete the task, it is necessary to first resolve the issues of identity and language. By the way, money cannot be overlooked either, as this time I might have to stay in Huadu for a few days, and both food and accommodation will require expenditure

After changing subways twice, I found the other party's store and mentioned my friend's name. "Our film crew is about to shoot a television series set in the 1980s and we need some small props. I wonder if you can help with that?" Then I specified the type of documents I wanted to produce, saying, "These documents must be identical to the real ones, and there must be absolutely no errors."

As long as these few issues can be resolved, the risks associated with this task should be minimal

Let's first make a set to see how it goes. If there are no issues, I will then contact you for large-scale production. Well, for the first piece, let's use my photo on it. Shen Long was afraid that the other party would not be attentive, and was tempted by the prospect of future business.

As for the venue, it should be in the city where Liao Jie and Lin Shang live, because he quickly rushed to the hospital after withdrawing from the competition, and at that time, travel was inconvenient. It is unlikely that he would take his wife, who was about to give birth, to participate in a competition in another location.