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

The turmoil in Haizi subsided for the time being, and Cheng Xuemin returned to Yan Film Studio, where he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the preparation of "Shaolin Temple".

The training in the martial arts group became increasingly intense. Yu Chenghui's Wang Renzhe's arrogance grew stronger and stronger, and the veins on Ji Chunhua's bald head throbbed with each exertion.

Young martial arts instructors like Hu Jianqiang and Xiong Xinxin practiced until their clothes were soaked with sweat.

The factory area was filled with shouts and the constant clanging of weapons, drawing frequent glances from other film crews.

Cheng Xuemin was also very satisfied with their martial arts training, so he left work first and made a quick exit.

Just got home!

"Xuemin's back?" His mother-in-law, Teacher Gu, and the others had already returned from get off work. Seeing him enter, they looked surprised and asked tentatively, "Isn't the factory busy today?"

"I just finished one section and am now waiting for the martial arts instructors from Hong Kong to arrive!" Cheng Xuemin took off his coat and hung it up, feeling that the atmosphere in the house was a bit heavy.

Father-in-law Feng cleared his throat, put down his newspaper, pointed to the sofa next to him, and beckoned to Cheng Xuemin, saying, "Xuemin, sit down. There's something I'd like to talk to you about."

Cheng Xuemin felt a jolt in his heart, knowing that what was bound to happen would eventually come.

He sat down as instructed and accepted the hot tea handed to him by his mother-in-law, Mrs. Feng.

"Xuemin!" Father-in-law Feng carefully chose his words. "The other day, didn't President Zhou from Peking University come to see you? And even made a scene at the higher-ups?"

"Yes, it's about a research project." Cheng Xuemin nodded, knowing that he couldn't hide it anymore.

“See, see, I told you so!” Feng’s mother couldn’t help but interject, her tone filled with heartache and confusion. “Xuemin, it’s not that I’m criticizing you, but making movies is certainly a good thing, and it’s also an honor to generate foreign exchange for the country.”

But... but that's artistic work after all. Now even the president of Yenching University and the top leader in charge of science and technology have come to see you personally.

This shows that the computer thing you're working on is the real big deal, the important thing!
It's a monumental contribution that will go down in history! Why... why are you so stubborn and insist on making a movie?

Grandpa also spoke slowly, his voice hoarse with the weight of years: "Xuemin, your mother's words may be rough, but they make sense. As the ancients said, 'Mastering both literary and martial arts is the way to serve the emperor.'"

With your skills, you could use them for scientific research, which would be the right path to benefit the country and its people.

Movies... well, they're ultimately just for entertainment, a minor art. For Principal Zhou to personally invite us—that's quite an honor! A rare opportunity indeed.

Even his brother-in-law Feng Jiacheng, who had always supported his pursuit of art, sided with his parents this time, saying, "Xuemin, Dad, Mom and Grandpa are right."

This incident has caused quite a stir. I think you should talk to the factory about handing over your work and going back to Yenching University. After all, that's where you're rooted, and where you can better utilize your talents.”

Faced with his family's attempts to persuade him to quit, Cheng Xuemin knew he had to make things clear.

He sat up straight, his gaze sweeping over each family member present, his tone calm yet firm:
“Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Second Brother, I understand what you mean, you all mean well. But over there in Haizi, the leaders have already made their decision.”

He paused, and seeing that his family members were listening intently, he continued, "The leaders affirmed the necessity of my current work at Yanying Film Studio."

The "Shaolin Temple" project is not only about generating foreign exchange, but also part of the national cultural strategy. I made a solemn pledge in Haizi that I cannot give up halfway.

As for the research at Yenching University, the leadership has agreed that I will provide remote assistance, so it won't delay the progress.

"Once 'Shaolin Temple' is a success and the foreign exchange earnings pilot program is stable, then we'll see about organizational arrangements."

After he said this, his father-in-law and mother-in-law looked at each other in bewilderment, and his grandfather nodded slightly, saying nothing more.

The decision made by Hai Zi was the highest directive, and as family members, they naturally couldn't say anything more.

Just then, a commotion came from the next room; it was Feng Liqin and her brother Feng Liwen.

“I want to be Yang Yuqian! Li Lianjie’s portrayal of Yang Yuqian is the most handsome!” This was Feng Liwen’s shrill voice.

"Pah! You can't even read properly, and you call yourself Yang Yuqian! I am Yang Yuqian! I can dress up as a man like Chen Shaoqi!" Feng Liqin retorted without backing down.

"I don't want to go to school! I want to be a movie star like my uncle!" Feng Liwen started to act spoiled.

"Making movies! Making movies! All you ever do is play around! I'm not going to tell Mom!" Feng Liqin used her trump card.

The children's noise broke the slightly dull atmosphere.

As Cheng Xuemin listened, a thought suddenly struck him.

He turned to look at his second sister-in-law, Sun Juan, who looked helpless, then glanced at his mother-in-law and said with a smile:

"Second sister-in-law, Mom, look at Liwen, he's quite interested in making movies."

Sun Juan sighed, "That's right. She's always making a fuss at home, refusing to read her textbooks, and just holding that little Tai Chi comic book and practicing, saying she wants to be a great hero. It's driving me crazy."

The comic book market is very active; even comic books based on the novel "Tai Chi" have been released.
But it seems that Cheng Xuemin has never authorized the copyright of the comic books, right?

Nobody mentioned this to him?

However, this was not what Cheng Xuemin was thinking about at the moment. Instead, he followed his second sister-in-law's words and said, "That's perfect. Our factory's Director Xie Jin has a new book called 'Mom, Love Me Once Again'."

It's a story about the bond between a mother and son, and they're currently looking for a child actor to play the son.

I think Liwen is quite clever; he might be able to do it. How about I take him to the factory for an audition tomorrow, since it's the weekend? Maybe Director Xie can take a look?

"Really?" Feng Liwen popped out from under the door at some point, his eyes wide open, and grabbed Cheng Xuemin's leg. "Uncle! Take me! Take me! I want to make a movie! I want to be a star!"

Sun Juan frowned: "Xuemin, this...is this going to work? Liwen is only in second grade, he can't even recognize all the characters yet. Going to make movies, isn't that neglecting his studies? Besides, what if it interferes with his schoolwork?"

Hearing the commotion, her brother-in-law Feng Jiazhao chimed in, "Hey, Juanzi, what are you saying? I've read Xie Jin's script, it's really good. The female lead is Gong Xue, playing a mother and son."

Let Liwen try out for the audition; it'll be good for him to broaden his horizons. Whether he gets selected is another matter. Anyway, with Xuemin and I in the factory, we won't let the kid suffer.

Listening to her brother-in-law's words and looking at her son's expectant face that was almost crying, Sun Juan felt a little more reassured.

She had witnessed Cheng Xuemin's success at the film studio and knew that this profession was no longer considered "low-class" as it used to be.

“But… filming requires going to other places, right? That would take several months, and my studies…” Sun Juan was still worried about her studies.

Cheng Xuemin quickly explained, "Second sister-in-law, don't worry, most of the scenes in this film are shot in Yanjing, so there's no need to travel far."

I estimate that if Li Wen's scenes are filmed intensively, it will only take a month or two to finish, and it won't interfere with too many classes.

"I'll just talk to the school teacher and catch up on my homework."

Feng Jiamo, the sister-in-law who hadn't said much until now, excitedly chimed in: "Brother-in-law! Are there any roles suitable for me? I want to act in movies too! I'm a better actor than Liwen!"

Cheng Xuemin, both amused and exasperated, pushed her away: "Go away, go away, why are you getting involved? Just focus on your studies."

Feng Jiamo pouted and shrank back with a displeased look on her face.

Sun Juan looked at her expectant son, then at her brother-in-law Cheng Xuemin, but still didn't give an immediate answer, hesitating all night.

The next morning, finally unable to resist Feng Liwen's persistent pleading from the moment she woke up, and with her husband Feng Jiacheng also subtly encouraging her, she finally relented.
"Alright, alright, Xuemin, then I'll trouble you to take him to try it out. But it's agreed that if Director Xie says it won't work, you have to send him back right away. You can't let him act up like this."

"Don't worry, Second Sister-in-law, I know what I'm doing." Cheng Xuemin smiled and patted Feng Liwen's head.

On Saturday morning, Cheng Xuemin drove his car, with Feng Liwen squirming excitedly in the seat, to Yan Film Studio.

They took him directly to Xie Jin's office.

Xie Jin was worried about finding a suitable young actor. It was hard to find a good boy; he needed to be clever but not too slick, and he also needed to be able to keep up with Gong Xue's acting style. When he saw Cheng Xuemin leading in a chubby-cheeked boy, he was taken aback.

"Old Xie, busy?" Cheng Xuemin greeted him, saying, "I'm bringing you a young actor to audition, my second brother-in-law's son, Feng Liwen."

Xie Jin felt a sense of goodwill towards Cheng Xuemin as soon as he saw that Cheng Xuemin was a relative.

Looking at Feng Liwen again, although he was a little nervous, his big eyes were darting around, showing his cleverness, and his appearance was also decent, so I was already three points satisfied.

He thought to himself, even if his acting skills are a bit immature, for Xuemin's sake, he should at least be given a role as a classmate with lines.

"Come on, little one, don't be nervous." Xie Jin smiled and squatted down. "Uncle wants to ask you, do you like watching movies?" "Yes! I love watching my uncle's 'Tai Chi' the most!" Feng Liwen answered loudly, not at all nervous.

"Good! You have a good eye!" Xie Jin laughed and stood up to say to Cheng Xuemin, "Let's go to the rehearsal hall. Comrade Gong Xue is here today too. Let her practice and get a feel for the role."

The group arrived at a spacious but slightly old rehearsal hall, where the air was filled with the smell of dust and old wood.

Gong Xue, dressed in simple casual clothes, was rehearsing silently in a corner when she saw Cheng Xuemin and Xie Jin enter. She quickly stood up to greet them.

"Comrade Gong Xue, could you please cooperate and rehearse a scene with this child?" Xie Jin briefly explained the plot: it was a scene from a movie where a mother and son reunite and the son calls out to his mother.

When Gong Xue saw that it was actually Li Zi, the boy from Xue Min's family, she couldn't help but smile gently, squat down to greet Feng Liwen, and asked, "Liwen, do you still remember your aunt?"

“I remember, I remember! You’re Aunt Gong Xue. I’ve heard you and my uncle sing before, it was so beautiful!” Feng Liwen wasn’t shy at all, and he had indeed met Gong Xue before.

Gong Xue was amused and patted his head: "Good boy, you still remember your auntie!"

"Let's act it out now. Imagine I'm your mother. You haven't seen your mother in a long time, and you miss her a lot. How would you feel if you suddenly saw her?"

Feng Liwen tilted his head and thought for a moment, then looked into Gong Xue's gentle eyes, and somehow it clicked.

Perhaps it was because Gong Xue himself possessed a natural maternal glow, but his little mouth twitched, and with a sob in his voice, he blurted out, "Mommy!"

That single word, "Mom," was crisp and clear, carrying the unique dependence and grievance of a child. It was full of emotion, extremely natural, and completely without any trace of acting.

The rehearsal hall fell silent for a moment.

Xie Jin's eyes widened suddenly, and his hand holding the script froze in mid-air.

Cheng Xuemin also looked at his little nephew in surprise, not expecting him to have such talent.
Gong Xue was visibly shaken, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

She instinctively reached out and hugged Feng Liwen, her voice choked with emotion: "Oh...good boy..."

Now, the mood is completely right!

It was even better than expected!
Xie Jin slapped his thigh excitedly: "Great! That's the feeling! It's a pass! It's definitely a pass!"

He circled Feng Liwen twice, looking at him with increasing satisfaction, and said, "Clear eyes, genuine reactions, and natural emotional expression! A genius! Xuemin, your family truly produces talented people!"

In the following rehearsals, although Feng Liwen still stumbled over some words, his innocence and talent, as well as the inexplicable chemistry with Gong Xue, convinced Xie Jin to make the decision on the spot.

The young male lead in "Mom, Love Me Again" is Feng Liwen!
Cheng Xuemin brought the news home, and Sun Juan listened to Cheng Xuemin's description of the audition process, especially how her son's cry of "Mom" touched everyone.

Watching her son vividly and animatedly imitate her, she was both surprised and delighted.

Most of my original worries disappeared, leaving only a feeling of pride for my son.

Hearing that filming would mainly take place in Yanjing and would be completed in a month or two, she was completely relieved and began preparing things for her son to bring to the film set.

Feng Liwen successfully joined the crew of "Mom," which was a great relief for Xie Jin. The crew was soon officially established and filming was scheduled to begin.

Meanwhile, Cheng Xuemin's side also faced the most critical moment, as the Yuan brothers secretly headed north.

Without a grand welcoming ceremony, the Yuan brothers, Yuan Heping and Yuan Changren, arrived alone without any other martial arts instructors and quietly checked into the Yan Film Studio guesthouse.

Cheng Xuemin personally accompanied them, and the welcome banquet was held in the factory's small canteen. There were a few stir-fries and a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), and the atmosphere was practical and low-key.

At the dinner table, Cheng Xuemin also learned from the Yuan brothers that their film "The Thousand Faces of Dunjia" had finished filming and was now undergoing post-production editing.

It is expected to be released in Hong Kong's Golden Princess Cinemas in early April!
Cheng Xuemin was overjoyed to hear this, and repeatedly toasted the Yuan brothers, wishing their entrepreneurial film great success!

After a simple welcome-home banquet, the Yuan brothers quickly got into the swing of things.

Cheng Xuemin also revealed the final version of the script for "Shaolin Temple" and the martial arts design ideas.

As the Yuan brothers read the script, their eyes grew brighter and brighter, as they looked at the fight scenes that blended solid martial arts skills with dramatic tension.

They've traveled all over the country and seen many scripts, but someone like Cheng Xuemin, who understands both martial arts and film language, is truly rare.

"Teacher Cheng, your script is excellent!" Yuan Heping said, speaking in Mandarin with a Cantonese accent, patting the script. "It's realistic and theatrical! Much better than those fabricated, showy plays from Hong Kong!"

"Moreover, I've also read the first draft of the script from the Great Wall side, and compared to yours, it's simply... how should I put it?"

They deserved it; the first draft they shot was a disaster!

Yuan Heping's words truly showed no respect for the Great Wall side, and were also genuinely praising Cheng Xuemin.

"Master Yuan, you flatter me. The specific choreography will still require the skillful hands of you two," Cheng Xuemin said modestly. "Our actors here, Li Lianjie, Yu Chenghui, Yu Hai, and Ji Chunhua, are all people you've worked with before. They're the original Tai Chi team, so I'm sure you'll find it easy to use them, Master Yuan!"

"It's so easy! Right now, you can't find a single martial arts actor in all of Hong Kong who's as easy to work with as Mr. Cheng!"

"And Mr. Cheng, you may not know this, but right now in Hong Kong, they're going crazy looking for young martial arts actors like Ah Jie!"

"Everyone wants to ride the wave of 'Tai Chi' and rush to make a few martial arts films to make a quick buck!"

Yuan Changren was more outgoing, and in just a few words, he revealed the true situation of the market in Hong Kong to Cheng Xuemin!
The speaker meant no harm, but the listener took it to heart. Cheng Xuemin smiled and nodded repeatedly.
In the following days, the Yuan brothers immersed themselves in the rehearsal hall, working with Yu Chenghui and others to refine their movements.

Cheng Xuemin followed the entire process, occasionally offering his ideas on camera angles and pacing.

everything's ready.

On a chilly spring morning, in the largest studio at Yan Film Studio, wisps of smoke curled from the incense burner.

The camera was covered with a red cloth, and pig's head and melons were placed on the table.

Cheng Xuemin led the entire creative team in a simple yet solemn opening ceremony before the case was filed.

As Cheng Xuemin announced, "Shaolin Temple, filming begins!" the red cloth was unveiled, and the camera lens was pointed at the set of the Shaolin Temple gate.

"Scene one, shot one, action!"

With a crisp click of the clapperboard, the filming of "Shaolin Temple" officially began.

Cheng Xuemin stood behind the monitor, his gaze calm, but the words the Yuan brothers had spoken a couple of days ago about Hong Kong being all about making martial arts films were still echoing in his mind!

Will Shaolin Temple be ruined by those cheap, low-quality films from Hong Kong that try to capitalize on trends and make quick money?
After all, after the first "Shaolin Temple" movie became a global sensation, it seems like there hasn't been a second one.

Even though there were some minor hits later on, very few could surpass the heights of "Shaolin Temple"!

Therefore, the main reason why Shaolin Temple achieved such outstanding success is that it secured multiple "firsts"!

The first fast-paced martial arts film in China, and also the first fast-paced martial arts film in Hong Kong!

This allowed Shaolin Temple to fill the void in martial arts films after Bruce Lee, which is why it achieved unexpected success internationally.

But the problem now is!
The benefits of Shaolin Temple's many firsts have already been reaped by its own "Tai Chi"!
If we add Shaolin Temple or Tai Chi 2 to the cast, can we still reach the same level as the first film?

In fact, Cheng Xuemin already had the answer in his heart!
If we sell it using the same old methods as "Tai Chi", it definitely won't fetch the same high prices in US dollars!

Therefore, Cheng Xuemin made preparations in advance, sending his aunt Gu Qiuna to the United States to set up our own cinema chain.

If "Shaolin Temple" were to adopt a box office revenue-sharing model, it might earn more US dollars than "Tai Chi"!

and!

Cheng Xuemin couldn't possibly bet everything on "Shaolin Temple," the first film produced after the Eastern Depot was established!

He plans to use a two-pronged approach!
He then created another script and personally produced and filmed it.

With the experience gained from the previous Tai Chi experience, the Shaolin Temple could be completely handed over to director Huang Jianzhong and the Yuan brothers to handle!
…………

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