1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

The next morning, Cheng Xuemin was still asleep when he was woken up by a series of urgent knocks on the door.

He rubbed his eyes and opened the door. His wife, Feng Jiayou, who had already gone to school in pain, had returned, running in with a newspaper, her face beaming with excitement. She called out:
"Xuemin! Look! The People's Daily reported it! It's on the front page!"

Cheng Xuemin took the newspaper, and saw that the headline on the front page read:

"Comrade Cheng Xuemin achieved outstanding results at the Bolin Film Festival, earning the country 20.9 million US dollars in foreign exchange!"

The author of the article was none other than Mr. Wu.

"Was this article written by Mr. Wu himself?"

Cheng Xuemin was stunned for a moment, then realized that Mr. Wu wanted to use this article to clear his name and at the same time announce to the whole country that a new era of Chinese cinema had arrived.

Feng Jiayou's face was full of pride as she said, "Xuemin, you're amazing! The whole country knows about your deeds!"

When Feng's mother arrived at her workplace, the October magazine, her colleagues and editor-in-chief Liu Xinwu congratulated her, saying, "Teacher Gu, Xuemin has really brought us great honor this time!"

"More than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange!"

"That's over twenty million US dollars! No one in the Chinese literary world has ever made such a great contribution to the country!"

Wang Meng, then editor-in-chief of Yenching Literature and Art Publishing House, looked at the People's Daily in his hand and exclaimed with his colleagues in amazement: "Comrade Xuemin, this time we have opened up a new path for Chinese culture to go global."

"More than twenty million US dollars, that's more than twenty million US dollars!!"

The same exclamations of surprise echoed throughout the streets and alleys of Yanjing.

In the alleyway outside Cheng Xuemin's house, several elderly people who were doing their morning exercise were arguing over a newspaper, and their voices could be heard through the wall.

"Look, look! Comrade Cheng Xuemin, that young man from our alley, the one handpicked by the higher authorities to be a pioneer of reform and opening up, he earned more than 20 million US dollars for the country in Bolin!"

"More than twenty million? In US dollars? Old Li, is this for real?"

"It was reported on the front page of the People's Daily, how could it be false?"

"Isn't it written clearly and plainly above? His movie is called 'Tai Chi,' and it recently participated in the Bolin International Film Festival, where it sold over 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange!"

"Incredible! Truly remarkable! These young people are a force to be reckoned with!"

"More than twenty million US dollars? That sounds like a lot, but how much exactly?"

"Let me put it this way! Do you know about the neighboring province of Hebrew? Last year, the entire province of Hebrew only earned 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange for the whole country. Do you think that's a lot?"

"Nonsense! Does that mean it's equivalent to the entire province's annual foreign exchange earnings in US dollars? That's... that's a lot! It definitely deserves front-page news!"

……

Hearing the heated discussion outside, Cheng Xuemin didn't dare to show his face. Just now, his grandmother had asked him to go out and buy some breakfast to eat!

It now seems that the old lady didn't really want to eat fried dough sticks and soy milk, but rather wanted her grandson-in-law to go out and receive the praise from the neighbors!

Feng Jiayou took his arm, genuinely proud and reluctant to part, but still said with lingering affection, "Xuemin, wait for me to come back at noon. I have to hurry to school. I'm sure a lot of people will ask me about 'Tai Chi' today."

Cheng Xuemin nodded, straightened her scarf, and said, "Okay, honey, you go to school first. I'll take this opportunity to catch a nap. You were exhausted last night!"

"You still dare to talk back? Have you no shame!" Feng Jiayou glared at him fiercely, wondering who had acted like an animal last night!
Anyway, Feng Jiayou is still scared. Can a man really be that strong?
Anyway, she really couldn't take it anymore, she really couldn't take it anymore!
Sometimes, she really thinks... if only someone could share the burden, she would wholeheartedly agree.

Of course, I only thought that way when I really couldn't take it anymore!
"How about I drive you there?" Cheng Xuemin smiled awkwardly, then offered with concern.

"You're kidding me!"

"Do you believe that before your car even enters the gates of Yanda University, it will be so crowded that we'll have a hard time getting out?"

Feng Jiayou rolled her eyes at him again, then hurriedly left with the newspaper in her hand.

Actually, there's no need to bring newspapers at all, because the People's Daily is everywhere at Yenching University now.

Cheng Xuemin didn't go to Yenching University because he was afraid of becoming the center of attention and being unable to get anything done.

His wife had no choice but to endure the pain and ride her bicycle to school by herself. But before she could leave for long, guests arrived at their home!
Director Yang from the Chinese Department of Yenching University next door and Old Chen from the library, both held newspapers in their hands, their faces full of excitement.

"Xuemin! You're really capable!" Director Yang said as soon as he entered the room, shaking Cheng Xuemin's hand. "Back then, when you were seconded to Yanying Film Studio to make movies, we were puzzled. You were writing manuscripts and teaching classes at Yanying University, so why did you suddenly have to go to Yanying Film Studio to make movies?"

"I really didn't expect this. Xuemin, you've only been at Yan Film Studio for a semester, right?"

Old Chen nodded repeatedly, saying, "It's exactly one semester. Xuemin was transferred to Yanying Film Studio in September!"

"Yes, yes! In just one semester, you've managed to get us such a huge sum?" Old Yang patted the newspaper in his hand and said repeatedly, "More than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange! Xuemin, more than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange!"

"Do you know what this means? Do you know how much the total foreign exchange earnings of all provinces in the country in the first half of the year are, according to our statistics?"

Old Yang was extremely excited and shared the latest foreign exchange earnings of each province in the first half of the year with Cheng Xuemin, saying repeatedly, "The national total in the first half of the year was less than 200 million US dollars, and even the highest three northeastern provinces combined only reached 20 million US dollars!"

"Xuemin, you've got something else going for you! One Tai Chi movie is worth more than the entire six months' worth of revenue from the three northeastern provinces!"

Old Yang was extremely excited, and when he couldn't speak properly, Old Chen followed suit, saying:

"Yes, Xuemin, your atomic bomb this time was truly shocking! The former principal praised you during the morning assembly and over the school's loudspeaker, saying you brought honor to our Yanda University!"

He continued, "I also just went back to the library and saw a lot of students looking for information about the Bolin Film Festival."

Some people even asked if the script for "Tai Chi" had been published, eager to read it!

Cheng Xuemin was truly overwhelmed and didn't know how to respond, so he could only wait until they finished speaking before asking them to sit down.

Then, after making them tea, I finally had a chance to say, "Director Yang, Old Chen, thank you. I just did what I was supposed to do; I didn't expect it to cause such a big reaction."

"This is no small matter!" Director Yang put down his teacup, pointed to the newspaper report, and said, "Old Wu personally wrote the article, and it's on the front page. Not everyone gets this kind of treatment."

You've made a great start for Chinese culture to go global!

The three had been chatting for a short while when the phone rang for Cheng Xuemin.

This telephone was installed in our courtyard house by the higher-ups after my father-in-law went to the lake.

It is evident that although the father-in-law was a section chief in Haizi, not a high-ranking official, he held a very influential position.

Therefore, you need to be able to find and contact your father-in-law at any time.

The phone calls for Cheng Xuemin today have all come here. The number he originally gave to others was the one from the Overseas Chinese Apartment. "It's from your Yan Film Studio!" The old man answered the phone and whispered to Cheng Xuemin.

Is it from Yanying Film Studio?

Cheng Xuemin nodded and took the phone. Sure enough, it was the old factory director, Wang Yang, calling.

It is said that the entrance to Yanying Film Studio was crowded with reporters and the public, not because they wanted to interview him, but because they wanted to see the true face of this man who has earned more than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange for the country.

Instead of telling Cheng Xuemin to hurry back to the factory, they told him not to go back for the time being and to stay home to avoid trouble.

Cheng Xuemin hung up the phone and smiled helplessly.

He originally wanted to rest at home for a day, but he didn't expect the outside world to have become so chaotic.

Little did he know, his wife, Feng Jiayou, was in an even bigger uproar!
Feng Jiayou was riding his bicycle with newspapers in his schoolbag, and was about to enter Yenching University when he was surrounded at the gate.

Several classmates who knew her and knew that her husband was Cheng Xuemin rushed up and surrounded her, asking questions all at once:
"Feng Jiayou! Tell me quickly, how exactly did Professor Xuemin make 'Tai Chi'? Did he really earn more than 20 million US dollars?"

"Yes, yes, Feng Jiayou, the front page of the newspapers is all about how Teacher Cheng went to Bolin and earned more than 20 million US dollars in foreign exchange for the country. As Teacher Cheng's wife, can you tell us about it?"

"Feng Jiayou, can you tell us when Teacher Cheng's Tai Chi movie will be released in China?!"

"Yeah, yeah! When will Tai Chi be released? Can we have it during winter break? Can we have it during Chinese New Year?"

Feng Jiayou's cheeks flushed as she was asked the question. She kept pushing her way out, saying repeatedly, "Classmates, please make way! Classmates, please make way! I'm going to be late!"

"I don't know the specifics either; he just gave me a general overview. You'll find out when the movie is released and you go to the cinema to see for yourself."

Having finally escaped the encirclement of her classmates, she had just reached the entrance of the teaching building when she saw her best friends Huang Beijia and Cha Jianying running towards her.

Huang Beijia hugged her tightly and said excitedly, "Jiayou! You're amazing! Now all the girls in the school are envious of you, saying you acted so fast and managed to snag such a great teacher as Cheng Xuemin!"

Cha Jianying laughed and said, "That's right! I just heard someone in the cafeteria say, 'If I had met Teacher Xuemin earlier, Feng Jiayou wouldn't have had a chance.' You're practically the 'public enemy' of all the girls in the school now!"

Feng Jiayou was both angry and amused: "Don't talk nonsense. Xuemin and I are in a normal relationship. What do you mean by 'bringing him home'?"

"Okay, okay, it's a normal relationship!" Huang Beijia said with a mix of envy and jealousy. "But seriously, your Xuemin really made Yanda University proud this time."

Just now, the former principal made an unprecedented announcement over the loudspeaker, praising and commending your son, Xuemin, to the entire school!

They encouraged and urged us to study hard and learn from your family's students!

As the three were talking, they suddenly heard a murmur behind them.

When Feng Jiayou turned around, she saw several girls staring at her with eyes full of envy and jealousy.

Huang Beijia patted Feng Jiayou on the shoulder: "See? She's the enemy of all the girls in the school. We weren't wrong, were we?"

Cha Jianying nodded in agreement: "That's right! If we weren't so familiar with Jiayou, we would definitely join them no matter what!"

It's clear they were just as envious and jealous, but what could they do when Feng Jiayou was their best friend?

Now, all I can do is envy my best friend!
……

Meanwhile, Feng Jiamo, the sister-in-law, also became a popular figure at school.

As soon as she entered the classroom, she was surrounded by her classmates, who kept calling out, "Jiamo! Have you read today's People's Daily?"

"The front page headline reported that Professor Cheng's brother-in-law earned more than 20 million US dollars for the country at the Bolin Film Festival!"

"Yes, Jiamo, your brother-in-law, Teacher Cheng, is really amazing! Can you tell us what kind of movie he directed, 'Tai Chi'?"

"Yes, yes, Jiamo, can you tell me about it?"

Feng Jiamo proudly raised his chin, took out the People's Daily from his schoolbag, waved it in front of his classmates, and said, "Of course I read it a long time ago!!"

"This is the front page headline of the People's Daily, an article personally written by Mr. Wu!"

"Do you know who Old Wu is? I'd tell you, but you wouldn't know anyway. All you need to know is that he's a high-ranking leader, just like our old principal!"

"Moreover, my brother-in-law is one of his men. Before practicing Tai Chi, he made a solemn pledge to Master Wu!"

Feng Jiamo's words reignited everyone's excitement, because she mentioned a military order that had not been reported in the newspapers!

Behind the movie Tai Chi's more than 20 million US dollars in revenue, there is such a big secret, and his brother-in-law even made a pledge.

"What? Jiamo, you said there's a military order? What exactly is this military order? Can you explain it to us in detail?"

"Yeah, yeah! What kind of military order is it?"

Feng Jiamo was already very proud of himself and was about to blurt out the news about the military order!
But whether it was due to her quick thinking or a sudden flash of inspiration, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

After all, someone with the intelligence to get into Peking University knows what to say to show off and what to say that should never be said!

After quickly stopping himself, he kept saying, "Ahhh, no, no, I was just bragging, just talking nonsense!"

"I don't think you were exaggerating, Jiamo, but it's probably hard to say for sure. After all, it's a military order, and you can't just say anything casually in the military, right??"

“Yes, yes, that’s absolutely right!” Feng Jiamo quickly agreed, nodding repeatedly.

"When will 'Tai Chi' be released? I really want to see what kind of movie it is that can earn more than 20 million US dollars."

"Yes, yes, Jiamo, when will the Tai Chi movie be released in China? Can your brother-in-law, Teacher Cheng, get an internal copy like Wrangler and bring it back for an early screening at Yenching University?"

"Yeah, yeah?! Jiamo, could you show us Tai Chi before we go home for winter break?"

"It'll be here soon!" Feng Jiamo waved his hand, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense, and said, "My brother-in-law said that we'll arrange for the film to be released as soon as we're done with this busy period."

I'm sure I'll get premiere tickets. If you guys want to see it, I can talk to my brother-in-law and ask him to reserve a few extra.

"No, let's just bring the copy back and show it in the auditorium every night, just like the Wrangler did!"

Upon hearing this, the students excitedly gathered even closer together.

……

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