Hidden Treasures

Film art director CHEUK LAM goes to Apliu Street to do a research for her film director boyfriend WAI KA-MING. There she meets KWOK LAI-KAM, the owner of a second-hand store, and TAI SIU-LEUNG, who sells high-class audio-visual equipment. Apliu Street has been the TAIS’ base since two generations ago. LEUNG’s father used to sell second-hand electric appliances but now LEUNG is already able to set up his own shop to sell first class audio equipment. LEUNG has been living with his mother YUE SHUK-HAN and his sisters SIU-MEI and SIU-LAI since the death of his father. LEUNG is a nice, helpful bloke. His endearing personality has not only made him popular in Apliu Street but also won him the title of “Chairman of the Traders’ Association”. After the opening of his shop, LEUNG decides to leave his friend KWAN PING-YAN to run his second-hand stall. PANG KA-KEI, the Vice Chairman of the Traders’ Association, is a cunning, ambitious hypocrite.… ...

LEUNG is beaten in the election and feels very disappointed. KEI has obviously changed his friendly attitude towards LEUNG now that he has risen to become the new Chairman. LEUNG comes to know what kind of person KEI really is. KEI sets up a new shop next to LEUNG’s also to sell high-class audio equipment, thus becoming one of LEUNG’s competitors. KEI offers MR. CHAN, the authorized agent for audio speakers, a very attractive package in order to replace LEUNG as the sole agent for the products. To retain his status as the sole agent, LEUNG promises MR. CHAN that he will try his very best to maximize the sales of speakers within the time specified. MING and LAM arrive at Apliu Street to prepare for the filming. They find KEI’s shop an ideal site for shooting and are willing to offer KEI a certain amount of money as rent.… ...

To beat LEUNG, KEI means to sell his products at prices well below production costs, which has largely affected LEUNG’s business. KEI’s sister PANG KA-YAN works as a secretary at a properties agency and has been secretly in love with the District Manager SHING TAI-CHI. CHI has been suffering from negative assets since the Asian Financial Turmoil. He ends up with a much lower income and gets moved to Sham Shui Po branch office from an office situated in the high-class residential area. MING has started filming and a large number of stall owners, including MADAM TAI SHING and MASTER COACH of Apliu Street, take part in the shooting as extras. Thinking that MADAM TAI SHING gets bullied, LEUNG tries to stand up for her and thus falls into a quarrel with the filming crew. He later finds out that it is just a misunderstanding. KEI, believing that LEUNG means to cause trouble, gives him a good telling-off for making such a mess.… ...

LAI’s husband LEE MAN-KEUNG is an obscure film scriptwriter who has been waiting for his chance. By stratagem, KEI manages to become the sole agent for the audio speakers, which has come as quite a blow to LEUNG. KAM and YAN offer some words of comfort to LEUNG in the hope of cheering him up. KAM has fancied LEUNG for ages but is too shy to let him know. KA-YAN encourages KAM to take a step further to prove her love. An accident occurs during the filming, which has caused MADAM TAI SHING’s injury and resulted in a serious power blackout in Apliu Street. A couple called MOK KA-CHOI and CHEUNG PAK-CHI who run a Chinese cafe in Apliu Street, as well as a large number of stall owners nearby are all affected in a big way. To make his apologies, MING has taken an amount of money from the production budget to compensate them for the inconvenience caused.… ...

LEUNG is shocked and upset to hear that the former film star CHEUK NING has died in an accident. LEUNG and NING used to be lovers. NING was a pop singer. She met LEUNG by chance and soon fell in love with him. But she was too desperate for fame and money that she finally deserted LEUNG and chose to be the secret lover of TSEUNG SAI-KONG, a local tycoon. Though they have been separated for many years, LEUNG still can’t get NING off his mind. LAM and NING are sisters. NING’s death comes as a real shock to LAM. LAM manages to reach her mother YUEN WAI-CHING, and is relieved to know that both NING and CHING are all right. CHI decides to let his high-class apartment so as to help reduce his financial burden. LEUNG is a good friend of CHI. He sympathizes with CHI and offers to rent his rooftop to CHI and YAN.… ...

CHI’s subordinate WONG MEI-KIU takes a nap at CHI’s home. Suddenly the phone rings and KIU manages to get the call, which is from YAN’s girlfriend FUK YING-YING. This, however, makes YING suspect that YAN has cheated on her. LEUNG learns from LAM that the film production company has not taken any legal action against the shop owners. He is even more surprised to discover that KEI has gobbled up the money that should have been paid to the shop owners as compensation. LEUNG reveals to the storeowners what KEI has done and manages to remove him from the position of Chairman. KAM’s father KWOK TAI-HOI is a heavy gambler who once lost a huge amount of money at one go. To make it up to KAM, he has made a promise to give up gambling. However, he is not able to fulfil his promise completely – every now and then he would indulge in a little gambling without letting KAM know.… ...

YING is a university student from mainland China, so YAN has to frequently travel between China and Hong Kong so as to keep their relationship alive. YAN and KAM bicker a lot over trivial things, bringing loads of fun to the people living in and around Apliu Street. YAN is going to buy YING a new dress. He plans on asking KAM to try the dress on so that he can see how well it fits. LEUNG then offers to ask KAM out for him. LAM gives LEUNG an autographed photo of NING, which thrills him to the heart. CHING has suffered a great loss in the investment market, which has pulled herself in deep debt. To help her out of her financial difficulty, NING decides to sell her properties in Hong Kong through the properties agency for which CHI works. LEUNG reveals to CHI the love story between NING and himself, which makes CHI realize LEUNG is still in love with NING.… ...

KIU, who is accompanied by her boyfriend, has announced their marriage in front of her colleagues. KA-YAN comes to know she has misunderstood CHI. She declares her love for CHI but CHI points out that he only regards her as his little sister. LAM notices that LEUNG shows great concern for NING whom he seems to know well, which confuses her a lot. When asked about her relationship with LEUNG, NING finally reveals to LAM the truth. NING plans on meeting LEUNG so that she may convince him to forget the past and encourages him to go on with his life. Though NING has moved overseas for years and hasn’t seen KONG over these days, KONG is still willing to offer her financial support. YAN has told YING that he runs an audio-visual equipment shop in Hong Kong. Now that YING is coming to visit him, he has no choice but to continue lying in order to maintain his image. He asks for LEUNG’s consent to temporarily take charge of his shop.… ...

KA-YAN is thrown into despair after she has been rejected by CHI. She is so devastated that she has almost lost control of herself. She shouts at her supervisor LAM OI-FA and offers her resignation right away. KAM has unintentionally exposed the lies YAN has been telling. YING is extremely furious to learn about the truth. She blames YAN for cheating her and returns to China without delay. LEUNG gets a bit down for not having seen NING. After some consideration, he decides to go overseas to find her. NING doesn’t want LEUNG to stay stuck in a hopeless relationship and finally offers to see him before leaving Hong Kong. She claims she tends to opt for a simple life without being disturbed. LEUNG shows understanding and can finally get over her. He resolves to forget the past and look to the future. Now his goal is to expand his business as best as he can. The properties agency has become a mess after KA-YAN’s departure.… ...

Since there is a surplus of audio speakers, KEI plans to smuggle the goods into mainland China for sale. NING is going to hold a mini-concert for official fan club members. To show his support for NING, LEUNG has purchased a massive pile of tickets. NING’s fan club, which is under great financial pressure, cannot afford the high rent asked by the landlord and is going to close down. LEUNG cannot bear to see the fan club disappear. To get it out of the crisis, he offers to rent a flat nearby as its new office. MING has finished filming. The film distributor, MR. CHAN, is willing to bring the movie to American and European audiences on condition that MING agrees to re-shoot certain scenes to fit the Western market. MING has no objection to his suggestion. LEUNG asks for LAM’s help in decorating the new office of the fan club.… ...

KAM asks YAN not to let anyone know that she fancies LEUNG, and YAN promises to keep it secret. VINCENT, the Facilities Manager of Ching Hong Ltd, has been collaborating with LEUNG on a number of projects. Ching Hong Ltd. is going to establish a new project and a contract for works will soon be put out to tender. VINCENT hints that LEUNG might be able to win the contract if he could get some advantages. LEUNG, however, turns down his offer. On the other hand, KEI has tried every possible way to please VINCENT, only for the purpose of winning the tender. CHI persuades KA-YAN to come back to the properties agency and she finally gives in to his request. LEUNG has accidentally ripped the tender that is to be submitted. He is however very lucky to have LAM to help him draft a new one. Upon receiving bribes from KEI, VINCENT means to throw LEUNG’s tender away.… ...

While believing that he himself is the one who is going to win the contract, KEI suddenly receives back all the presents that he gave VINCENT some time earlier. MR. YUE, the Chief Manager of Ching Hong Ltd., has decided to conduct an investigation after receiving LEUNG’s complaint. YUE happens to meet LEUNG and is very much impressed by the way he handles difficult situations. Having read LEUNG’s tender, YUE decides to offer him the contract. YUE has indicated that he wants a specific brand of audio speakers, which is managed by KEI. LEUNG goes to discuss with KEI the price of the speakers. Out of the blue, KEI requests an impossibly high price, which irks LEUNG beyond measure. KAM refuses to explain to the Apliu Street occupants why she offers to help YAN. Being left with no choice, KAM decides to pretend to be going out with YAN. FA is going overseas to further her studies.… ...

Renovation of the new fan club office has just finished. Chairman of the fan club TONY is very grateful to LEUNG for his support and subsequently invites him to join the club as its Deputy Chairman. TONY tries to convince NING to show up on the Fans’ Day, but in vain. LEUNG then turns to CHING for help, hoping that she can change NING’s mind. Having discovered the real relationship between LAM and NING, LEUNG comes to realize he has been deceived. MING has decided not to carry on with the re-shooting, which is very much supported by LAM. YING has arrived at Hong Kong a few days earlier than scheduled for a job interview. She sees YAN and KAM quarrel in the street, which causes her to assume that YAN has cheated on her. But having listened to KAM’s explanation, YING gets to know the truth and is willing to forgive YAN. Thinking that KAM has been dumped, LEUNG offers to comfort her.… ...

CHUN does not blame KA-YAN for her carelessness. Instead, he is much impressed by their first encounter and is quite attracted to her. Though busy with her own work, LAM can still spare some time assisting with the daily operation and management of NING’s fan club. NING once again refuses to appear on the Fans’ Day but promises to have a chat with the fans through teleconferencing. LEUNG asks KAM out for a date in order to cheer her up, during which they happen to meet LAM, who is celebrating MING’s birthday at a restaurant. This alerts LEUNG to the fact that LAM has been carrying on an affair with MING. LEUNG is happy to see that the project is progressing well and commission is paid to KWAI, WAH and PING as a token of appreciation. CHUN, who has successfully sold a number of high-class apartments, treats his colleagues to dinner as a celebration. CHUN’s huge success has made CHI realize his status is under threat.… ...

LAM is thrilled to hear that MING’s film has won a prestigious award at an overseas film festival. MING’s wife HA CHING-MAN rushes back to Hong Kong after discovering his secret affair with LAM. CHING-MAN shouts at LAM in front of others for seducing MING, and the whole scene has been recorded by journalists. Articles on the love triangle between MING, CHING-MAN and LAM appear on all local papers. MING has no choice but to ask LAM to stop working for a short period. LAM is closely followed by reporters and camera crews wherever she goes. To get away from the paparazzi, LAM couldn’t even go home. LEUNG sympathizes with her and offers to put her up at his house. CHI notices CHUN has been courting KA-YAN. He is a little upset but manages to conceal his feelings. CHUN has bought KA-YAN a doll which she has wanted for ages. KA-YAN is therefore very grateful to him.… ...

MING does not bother to visit LAM because he is unwilling to face the press. LAM comes to understand their relationship is nothing compared to his fame and reputation. After serious consideration, LAM decides to break up with MING. CHUN tries to look out for KA-YAN in every way, which makes CHI a little jealous. Apparently, CHI has fallen in love with KA-YAN. CHUN tries to impress KA-YAN by singing a lot of sweet ballads, which has thrilled her to pieces. CHI happens to overhear CHUN talking to his friend. He is angry yet astonished to discover that CHUN has been deceiving KA-YAN. LAM has fully recovered from the injury. NING decides to come back to pay LAM a visit and to attend the Fans’ Day. KEI has developed a deep hatred for LEUNG since he lost the contract with Ching Hong Ltd. To take revenge, KEI has ganged up with KAU to trick LEUNG into buying a batch of audio speakers which are of poor quality.… ...

CHI warns KA-YAN to beware of CHUN but this is misunderstood as his deliberate intention to speak ill of CHUN. CHUN tries to make CHI keep his secret by threatening to get him sacked. CHI cannot bear to lose his job and reluctantly agrees to CHUN’s request. NING’s death is a terrible blow to LEUNG. LEUNG is too depressed to concentrate on work. Even after hearing that there is something wrong with the project, he remains unconcerned. KWAI and WAH therefore have to deal with Ching Hong Ltd. alone. YAN helps to check the speakers and is shocked to discover that certain parts have been replaced. LEUNG has sunk in despair. To help him pull himself together, LAM reveals to him that NING, before she died, had expressed regret for giving him up. CHUN has sent CHI to mainland China for work, hoping that this will give himself a better chance to hang around with KA-YAN. Having discovered CHUN’s plot, CHI rushes back to Hong Kong without delay.… ...

The project is due for completion soon and LEUNG has no option but to ask MR. YUE to give him some more time so that he can replace all the problematic speakers. To get the project running, LEUNG decides to have a deal with KEI, who, however, has set an exceptionally high price for the goods. Though reluctant, LEUNG has finally accepted the deal. LEUNG has wasted a great deal of money in buying the wrong speakers. To compensate for the loss, he is resolved to earn as much money as he can. LAM brings HIN to KONG but KONG, who is desperate to keep his affair with NING secret, refuses to take the child back. In fact, HIN’s biological father is not KONG but LEUNG. It all began when NING found herself pregnant just after her separation from LEUNG. She realized that she probably could not raise the baby on her own and that she had to seek financial support for herself.… ...

LEUNG feels so guilty for losing the shop that was founded by his father. HAN, on the other hand, persuades him not to give up too easily. YING comes to Hong Kong for work and will be living in the accommodation provided by the company she works for. KAM is surprised to see YING with a man holding her tight. She tells YAN about that but YAN insists that couldn’t be YING. KEI cannot accept the fact that KA-YAN is going out with CHI. He is strongly opposed to the relationship, which upsets KA-YAN to a great extent. KEI realizes he has to respect KA-YAN’s decision and gives in finally. LAM decides to leave the film production company and start a new life. MING tries to convince her to stay, but doesn’t succeed. HIN has suffered from clinical depression since NING’s death. He becomes socially withdrawn and loves to isolate himself, which worries LAM greatly.… ...

Having spent some time with LEUNG, HIN seems to get better than before. LAM and KEI have bought LEUNG’s shops respectively. LAM offers to rent the shop to LEUNG so that he can continue to run his business. LEUNG is very grateful for her help and support. In order to help LEUNG out of his financial difficulty, KAM has sold her property in China. She feels extremely disappointed when she knows that LEUNG has raised enough money. YAN notices YING has become more aloof and starts to be less affectionate. This makes him suspect that she is going out with another suitor. YAN is shocked to learn that YING has been seeing her supervisor YIU KWAN. A lot of fiends from Apliu Street have attended the grand opening of KEI’s shop. They all come to give their greetings but none of them has done any shopping. On the other hand, they have bought a lot of stuff from LEUNG, which irks KEI immensely and makes him hate LEUNG even more.… ...

KAM suspects that LEUNG is going out with LAM. After several attempts to sound him out, KAM is relieved to learn that LEUNG only regards LAM as a friend. YAN tries everything he can think of to improve himself, hoping that this will help him win YING back. YING, nonetheless, is reluctant to see him give up so many things for her. KA-YAN claims that CHI has got his own property and is planning on tying the knot with her. KEI is now convinced that CHI is mature and reliable enough to be KA-YAN’s partner. MADAM TAI SHING and CHUENG PAK-CHI often come to buy things at LEUNG’s shop. LEUNG understands their intention and is very grateful for their support. KEI has successfully attracted a lot of customers from LEUNG by using tricks. LEUNG’s business is greatly affected although a series of promotional programs have been underway.… ...

KEI discovers that KA-YAN has taken out a mortgage to buy a home. He rebukes her for being deceived but KA-YAN insists that she is determined to marry CHI and start a family of their own. KA-YAN asks CHI to marry her but CHI has found a list of excuses to turn her down. The boss of a film production company MR. YING invites LAM to take charge of the design work for a new film, which gives LAM a great thrill. LAM is sexually harassed by MR. YING when she passes her sketch on to him. LAM manages to push him away and MR. YING, having been rejected, insists that she could not have achieved what she has now without MING. LAM is sad to know that MR. YING was only trying to take sexual advantages of her and has never appreciated her talents. As a friend, LEUNG cannot do anything but to give a few words of consolation to her. KEI means to steal LEUNG’s customers by offering a price reduction, which has a terrible impact on LEUNG’s business.… ...

To help LAM build up her confidence again, LEUNG disguises himself as a reporter and interviews certain members of the audience asking for their comments on the films in which LAM took part. Most of the people interviewed speak highly of the films and recognize LAM’s talents, which gives LAM a great deal of encouragement. Upon KWAI’s recommendation, LEUNG has purchased a batch of low-priced goods. These products sell quite well at the beginning but just days later LEUNG discovers that they are all stolen goods. Poor LEUNG has not only lost his money but is also likely to be put under accusation. KWAI’s son has been caught in trouble in China and is badly in need of money. Being left with no other alternatives, KWAI has hatched a plot with his friends to set LEUNG up. The incident has completely ruined LEUNG’s reputation and different suppliers have come one by one to ask for their money back.… ...

LEUNG’s shop is not making enough money, resulting in an operating deficit. His shop is bound to close down. This is really a great blow to LEUNG, which has plunged him into anguish and depression. LEUNG comes to know his real relationship with HIN and for his son’s sake, he decides to pull himself together. CHI has successfully secured the rights to manage a new housing estate. Under CHI’s management, the properties agency has beaten all other competitors to become the most profitable company in the field. KONG’s company is planning to invest in film industry, taking it as one of the best ways to enter the market in China. Knowing this, CHING immediately recommends LAM to KONG for the post of Art Director. LEUNG has been looking for a job but doesn’t seem to be having much luck so far. KAM is afraid that LEUNG will lose his confidence again if he continues to be unemployed. She has then thought of a way to help LEUNG.… ...

KONG recommends LAM to JOHN, who is the Director of the new film. LAM is surprised at JOHN’s invitation but is a little suspicious of his motives. Having learnt a lesson from her previous cooperation with MR. YING, LAM hesitates to accept the offer. But later when she finds out that KONG is the biggest boss who has the biggest say, LAM begins to put all her doubts aside. Second-hand electric appliances have miraculously given LEUNG some insight – he wonders if it is possible to make profits by selling second-hand electric appliances. LEUNG feels a little ashamed to sell second-hand stuff and is very much afraid that he will become a laughing-stock. This makes him somewhat reluctant to distribute handbills for his stall in the street. But when he sees how generous LAM has been in helping with the promotion, his heart melts and he finally manages to overcome his pride.… ...

LEUNG accompanies LAM to the countryside to look for inspiration for the new film. They do enjoy themselves and have a great day to remember. When back home, LEUNG still ponders over their outing. Delight is written all over his face, so even HAN and MEI can tell he is in a good mood. CHI’s supervisor MR. MA has decided to appoint him to the post of District Manager. Following his promotion, CHI is told that KA-YAN is found pregnant. CHI feels that he is the luckiest man in the world. The Estate Agents Authority discovers that CHI has hired a group of unlicensed salespersons, which is a breach of the law. To maintain the company’s reputation, MR. MA decides to dismiss CHI. LEUNG, LAM and HIN go to attend a school activity, where LEUNG and LAM are mistaken for HIN’s parents. This, however, has given the pair a great thrill. LEUNG, who is hoping to take a step further with LAM, invites her to HAN’s birthday party.… ...

During the dinner, MAN and LAI tease LAM about her relationship with LEUNG, which makes KAM slightly jealous. LEUNG declares his love for LAM and the pair start to fall in love. KAM expresses her love for LEUNG but is rejected. YAN has had a crush on KAM and cannot bear to see her sad and disappointed. CHI has been suspended from practicing as a real estate salesperson. He becomes very depressed and KA-YAN has tried her best to comfort him. CHING urges LAM to break up with LEUNG but LAM refuses to give in. LEUNG is so happy that he decides now is the time to reveal his relationship with LAM. HAN is very pleased to hear that LEUNG has finally found his Miss Right. Believing that the Third World has a high demand for second-hand electric appliances, CHI decides to invest in LEUNG’s and YAN’s store. KAM has been living in despair since she was rejected by LEUNG.… ...

CHI sells second-hand electric appliances on the Internet, through which he has made a new friend, who is a buyer called KAR TSAI. TSAI requests a huge stock of second-hand electric appliances that are to be imported into the Third World. LEUNG and CHI are therefore busy looking for the goods for him. MING appoints LAM to direct the film while he himself will take up the role of Producer as he will be busy directing another film at the same time. HIN gets teased at school for being an orphan, which makes him very unhappy. LEUNG wants to comfort him but ends up revealing their true relationship. KONG’s father is seriously ill. With the hope to inherit as much as possible from his father, KONG decides to get HIN back by applying to the court for parental rights. HOI has arranged a date for YAN and KAM by tricking them into going to a concert together. KAM flies into a rage and tears the ticket into two after knowing that she got cheated.… ...

Having read YAN’s declaration of love, all friends from Apliu Street go to offer their congratulations to KAM, which has completely messed her up. Having found out what is going on, KAM gets absolutely furious with YAN. LAM invites LEUNG to the celebration party for the film. For most of the time during the party, LAM and MING hang around together like a pair of lovers, which makes LEUNG a little envious and upset. LAM doesn’t like the way KONG treats HIN and refuses to let him bring HIN out. HIN turns to LEUNG and expresses his unwillingness to live with KONG. LEUNG finally plucks up enough courage to convey to KONG the fact that he himself is HIN’s biological father. This news has really shocked KONG to the core. KAM is in fact very fond of YAN. She keeps turning him down only because she enjoys being wooed and wants to hold this feeling for as long as she can.… ...

LEUNG has got fed up with KONG’s pestering and suggests having a DNA test in order to prove his relationship with HIN. MING is heading for Hollywood to work with an internationally renowned film director. He invites LAM to go with him and take part in the film, but LAM hesitates. KONG manages to bribe the laboratory staff to alter the DNA test result, thus successfully tricking LEUNG into believing that KONG is HIN’s natural father. The test result has come as a real shock to LEUNG. LAM doubts the accuracy of the test, and having investigated the matter further, she gets to discover it is KONG who has bribed the laboratory staff to make up a false report. LAM decides to bring the case to the police. LEUNG feels a deep sense of regret when he knows that LAM has given up on her dream for his own sake. LEUNG doesn’t want to hinder her career and encourages her to go overseas to look for her dream.… ...