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

Spring is gradually arriving in Yanjing, and willow catkins are beginning to drift in the air.

After resting for two days in Yanjing, washing away the dust and fatigue from Mount Song, Cheng Xuemin and his group set off for Mount Lu again!
Before that, there was another important matter to attend to: bidding farewell to the brothers Yuan Heping and Yuan Changren.

At the entrance of the factory's guesthouse, the Yuan brothers' luggage had already been loaded onto a jeep bound for the airport.

Cheng Xuemin grasped Yuan Heping's hand and shook it vigorously: "Master Yuan, thank you and Master Changren for your hard work during the filming in Songshan! Without you two, the action scenes wouldn't have had the right feel."

Yuan Heping, speaking in Mandarin with a Cantonese accent, patted Cheng Xuemin's arm with a smile: "Teacher Cheng, you're too kind! Working with you is a pleasure! Real fighting, very theatrical! Much more exciting than those fancy scenes in Hong Kong!"

He paused, then lowered his voice, "Our film 'The Thousand Faces of Dunjia' is going to be released next month, and I'm a little nervous about it."

Cheng Xuemin immediately chimed in, his tone confident: "Don't worry, Master Yuan, it'll definitely sell like hotcakes! We're waiting for your good news!"

He glanced at Yuan Changren beside him and continued, "We've also agreed to meet in Hong Kong at the end of May!"
"I'll bring my new film 'Shaolin Temple' with me then, and we'll meet up to discuss the subsequent distribution and promotion!"

"Okay! It's a deal! See you in Hong Kong!" The Yuan brothers both smiled expectantly and nodded vigorously.

They got into the jeep, waved goodbye from the window, and the car drove out of the factory gate, merged into the main road of Beijing, and headed towards the airport.

Cheng Xuemin stood at the door until the car disappeared from sight before turning back to the factory.

Cooperation with Hong Kong is a key part of the Eastern Depot's foreign exchange earning strategy, and he must hold on to it firmly.

As soon as I returned to the East Depot office, I heard a suppressed commotion of excitement coming from the actors' group next door.

Cheng Xuemin pushed open the door and entered. He saw Zhu Lin holding an official invitation letter with the red letterhead of the Hundred Flowers Awards Organizing Committee in her hand. Her cheeks were flushed and her fingers were trembling slightly. She was surrounded by several actresses she knew.

"Sister Zhu Lin! Take a look! What does the invitation say? Is there... is there a special arrangement?" A young, angelic mother, Liu Xiaoli, asked anxiously.

Zhu Lin took a deep breath, trying to calm her excited emotions, and unfolded the invitation, her voice trembling slightly:

"They said... I was invited to attend the awards ceremony, and... to speak on behalf of all the actresses..."

"Wow!"

"Speaking on behalf of actresses?!"

"This...this means..." The onlookers instantly erupted in a frenzy, their eyes filled with envy and an almost certain guess.

In an award like the Hundred Flowers Awards, which is decided by audience votes, being invited by the organizing committee to speak on stage as a representative of the actors is almost a self-evident signal.

The Best Actress award is almost certainly going to Zhu Lin!
Zhu Lin was clearly also taken aback by this huge surprise, and looked up at Cheng Xuemin, who had just entered, her eyes filled with pleading and disbelief.
"Xuemin... this... this is asking me to speak? I... I've never spoken in a situation like this before? What should I say?"

Seeing her excited yet apprehensive expression, Cheng Xuemin smiled and comforted her, "What's there to be nervous about, Sister Lin? This is the organizing committee's affirmation and trust in you."

Let me just talk about my feelings about filming, and thank the audience for their support. Be simple and sincere. The audience loves your portrayals of Li Xiuzhi and Chen Shaoqi; that's the biggest source of your confidence."

Despite saying that, Cheng Xuemin knew in his heart that this arrangement was basically equivalent to an official announcement.

Thinking that the glory that should have belonged to Liu Xiaoqing or Zhang Yu in their previous lives had now fallen on Zhu Lin, he couldn't help but feel a little sentimental that the times made heroes.

Compared to Zhu Lin's smugness, Li Lianjie seemed somewhat anxious.

He practically strained his ears to find out anything about the male actors' speeches, and he would go to the factory office several times a day to see if he had any invitations.

But he waited and waited, and before he was about to leave, he still hadn't received the invitation to speak that he was looking forward to.

Leonardo DiCaprio couldn't hide his disappointment, and he seemed somewhat distracted during training. Privately, he muttered to Cheng Xuemin, "Brother Cheng, who do you think... will be the male actor representative? Could it be... not me?"

Cheng Xuemin patted him on the shoulder, unable to say it outright but still wanting to encourage him: "Little Li, don't think too much. The audience's eyes are discerning."

The success of "Tai Chi" is largely due to you and Zhu Lin. Awards are a result, but not the only one. Keep a calm mindset; what's meant to be yours will come to you.

Just as Li Lianjie was feeling uneasy about this, Cheng Xuemin himself also received an invitation that was quite unusual.

The letters were delivered directly to the East Depot's office, and the envelopes were thicker and the paper was more sturdy.

He opened it and took a look; the contents made him raise an eyebrow slightly.

The invitation was extended not only by the Hundred Flowers Awards Organizing Committee, but also by higher-level cultural authorities.

The letter clearly stated: "...Comrade Cheng Xuemin is specially invited to sit on the stage at the awards ceremony as a representative of the film industry and to deliver a speech on the topics of film creation and cultural exchange."

This treatment is almost on par with that of Wang Yang, the former director of Yanying Film Studio!

Cheng Xuemin held the invitation letter, paused for a moment, and then understood.

Come to think of it, he is now the head of the Eastern Depot, a pioneering young man who generates tens of millions in foreign exchange, and even has a seat at the highest literary and art congress.

So it seems... only natural that he has a place on the stage at this grand film event?

He chuckled self-deprecatingly and carefully put the invitation away.

This speech is not easy to prepare; you have to be very precise in your wording.

The departure date arrived in the blink of an eye, and Yan Film Studio boasted a truly stellar lineup this time.

The crew of "Tai Chi" was led by Cheng Xuemin, with Huang Jianzhong, Zhu Lin, Li Lianjie and other core creators accompanying them.

Meanwhile, the crew of "Little Flower" had already traveled south to Lushan a few days earlier, led by director Zhang Zheng and the male and female leads Liu Xiaoqing and Tang Guoqiang.

Xie Jin and Gong Xue, representing the "Romance on Lushan Mountain" crew, also went along, but they would first meet up with the delegation from Shanghai Film Studio at Lushan Mountain.

It was another long journey.

The train roared southward, and the scenery outside the window gradually changed from the monotony of the North China Plain to the lush greenery of the Jiangnan water towns.

Three days later, the train slowly pulled into Jiujiang Station.

As soon as the group exited the station, staff members arranged by the Hundred Flowers Awards organizing committee and local officials came to greet them.

We boarded the arranged bus and headed towards Mount Lu along the winding mountain road.

The mountains are steep, shrouded in mist, and the air becomes moist and fresh.

When Cheng Xuemin returned to Lushan, his state of mind was different from when he visited the set of "Lushan Love" last time.

The novelty of exploration has diminished, replaced by a sense of weighty responsibility.

The convoy arrived at the reception station in Xingzi County at the foot of Mount Lu. Just as everyone had settled in and was preparing to rest, the person in charge of the reception station hurriedly approached Cheng Xuemin, his face showing a mixture of surprise and respect:
"Professor Cheng, there are some comrades outside who want to see you. They say they are leaders from Ruichang next door and have come here specifically for this purpose."

Cheng Xuemin was somewhat surprised, "From Ruichang!"

Those are all old acquaintances!

Huang Jianzhong and the others were immediately led to the reception room by the person in charge.

There were several men dressed in Zhongshan suits, looking like cadres who had traveled a long way, waiting there. The one in the lead was about fifty years old, with a dark face and a simple smile.

Who else could it be but Secretary Chen from their county?

Accompanying him was He Fuxian, the deputy county magistrate, with whom he had become acquainted through a misunderstanding.

Upon seeing Cheng Xuemin, Secretary Chen and the others quickly stood up, came forward to shake hands and greet him: "Oh my! Teacher Cheng, Teacher Cheng, I didn't expect to see you again so soon! Welcome, welcome!"

"Hello, Secretary Chen, thank you so much! We've come to your esteemed place again to chat!" Cheng Xuemin greeted him warmly with a handshake.

Then he greeted Deputy County Chief Ke next to him, "Hello, County Chief Ke! We're here to bother you again!"

"You flatter me, you flatter me! Teacher Cheng, we warmly welcome you, we really warmly welcome you!" Deputy County Magistrate Ke also greeted him repeatedly, feeling flattered.

After another round of pleasantries, Secretary Chen said with utmost seriousness and excitement, "Teacher Cheng, we've come specifically to thank you! Thank you for the movie 'Tai Chi'!"

"Thank us?" Cheng Xuemin asked, his face filled with doubt.

"Yes, yes!" Secretary Chen nodded vigorously and continued, "Teacher Cheng, the Tai Chi movie you filmed in Chenjiagou was so beautiful! We've already organized all the county's residents and team members to watch it!"

We really didn't expect that the movie you filmed in Chenjiagou, Teacher Cheng, would be so good on the big screen!

Now everyone in the country knows about Chenjiagou!
People come from all over the country every day, saying they want to visit the birthplace of Tai Chi and learn from a master! Our county is bustling with activity now! It's all thanks to your movie!

Cheng Xuemin then suddenly realized!
The movie "Tai Chi" was a huge hit, and Chenjiagou, the filming location, also benefited from the popularity, attracting a large number of martial arts enthusiasts.

This was actually somewhat expected, after all, the global popularity of "Shaolin Temple" in another timeline brought the dilapidated Shaolin Temple to its peak!

Therefore, with Tai Chi being so popular nationwide, it would be difficult for Chenjiagou not to become popular as well! And this is just the beginning!
After it is released and becomes a hit in various parts of the world, it will attract many foreigners from all over the world.

Arriving at the location of Chenjiagou, a place with the name Shiguang, will allow foreigners to contribute a considerable amount of US dollars.

Therefore, if Secretary Chen and his team manage it well, Chenjiagou will undoubtedly become a 5A-level scenic spot.

Furthermore, because it is located near the famous historical site of Mount Lu, visitors to Mount Lu will definitely visit Chenjiagou, the source of Tai Chi.

But that's all for the future!

Now, after hearing what Secretary Chen and the others said, Cheng Xuemin quickly and modestly replied:

"Secretary Chen, you're too kind. It's a good thing that the movie can be of some help to the local area. The main thing is that our traditional martial arts culture is so appealing."

"Teacher Cheng, please don't be modest!" Secretary Chen held Cheng Xuemin's hand tightly. "You are a great contributor to Ruichang!"

We heard you were in Lushan for the Hundred Flowers Awards, and we absolutely had to come and thank you in person! We welcome you to visit Ruichang and Chenjiagou often to offer your guidance!

After seeing off the profusely grateful leaders from Ruichang, Cheng Xuemin returned to his room and couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

The impact of this film is truly ubiquitous. It has also made him more acutely aware of the responsibilities on his shoulders.

The next morning, before the mist had completely dissipated, the open space in front of the Guling Town Commune in Lushan was already bustling with people.

Several buses came to a stop, panting heavily. The doors opened, and Cheng Xuemin and the crew of "Tai Chi" stepped off the buses.

A wave of heat, a mixture of mountain dampness, earthy fragrance, and... countless scorching gazes, rushed towards me.

"Director Cheng! Director Cheng and the others have arrived!"

"Look! That's Cheng Xuemin, the director of 'Tai Chi'!"

"The pioneers of foreign exchange earnings have arrived!"

Someone shouted first, and the artists from all over the country, who had been chatting in twos and threes, suddenly swarmed around as if drawn by a magnet.

Men and women, young and old, dressed in various Zhongshan suits, Lenin suits, and even military uniforms, instantly surrounded Cheng Xuemin and his group.

Various accents of Mandarin rose and fell, filled with urgency and enthusiasm:
"Director Cheng! I've heard so much about you! I'm Wang Lishu from Changchun Film Studio. May I ask you about overseas distribution?"

"Director Cheng! Director Cheng! I'm a screenwriter from Emei Film Studio. The structure of your script for 'Tai Chi' is absolutely brilliant. How did you come up with such a wonderful combination of kung fu and plot?"

"Comrade Xuemin! I'm Old Zhang from Xi'an Film Studio. Does your East Film Studio need any more people? We have a few promising talents!"

Countless hands reached out to shake his hand, and countless business cards and letters of introduction were stuffed into his hands.

Zhu Lin and Li Lianjie were instantly pushed to the outside. Huang Jianzhong tried his best to help Cheng Xuemin, but he couldn't squeeze in at all.

Cheng Xuemin felt as if he had fallen into a pot of boiling water, his ears were ringing, and all he could see were swaying faces and eager eyes.

He forced a polite smile, mechanically shaking hands as he struggled to move forward, inwardly groaning.

This setup is even more exhausting than filming on Mount Song!

Only then did he truly realize how much of a ripple effect the success of "Tai Chi" in generating foreign exchange had stirred in the hearts of his peers.

In the past, when people made movies, they thought more about artistic expression and political tasks, and at most, how many copies they sold domestically.

But now? !
Cheng Xuemin painstakingly forged a path to earning hard currency, the US dollar!
It's like suddenly finding a spring on a dry riverbed. Who wouldn't want to come over, soak up some moisture, and learn some well-digging skills?
With great difficulty, and with the help of the organizing committee staff and Huang Jianzhong, Li Lianjie and others, Cheng Xuemin managed to break through the encirclement and was led to the Guling Town Guesthouse.

However, the trouble had only just begun.

The lobby of the guesthouse was also crowded with people checking in, and the air was filled with a damp, musty smell and a cacophony of voices.

The staff in charge of reception were sweating profusely and their voices were hoarse from shouting: "Quiet! Quiet! Line up by your unit! Rooms are in short supply, please bear with us!"

Cheng Xuemin was led directly to the door of a relatively spacious suite on the second floor.

The staff member wiped his sweat, looking apologetic: "Director Cheng, I'm so sorry! The number of people who came this time far exceeded our expectations, and we really couldn't allocate enough rooms."

This room was originally a single room, but two beds were temporarily added. You, Director Huang, Comrade Li Lianjie, and... Comrade Tang Guoqiang from the August First Film Studio will be sharing a room.

"Tang Guoqiang?" Cheng Xuemin was taken aback; he was very familiar with that name.

"Yes, Comrade Tang Guoqiang came with the August First Film Studio delegation. They also had a shortage of rooms in their factory, so they arranged for him to stay here with you," the staff member explained.

Cheng Xuemin nodded, indicating his understanding.

Pushing open the door, an even stronger musty smell hit me.

The room was indeed quite large, but the furnishings were simple. In addition to the original double bed, two more cots were crammed in, making it feel very crowded.

The windows weren't closed tightly, and the mountain breeze, carrying moisture, seeped in bit by bit.

They had just put down their luggage and hadn't even caught their breath when there was a knock on the door.

Huang Jianzhong went to open the door and saw several more eager colleagues standing outside, holding notebooks and smiling broadly.
"Director Cheng, excuse me for bothering you, but I have a few small questions to ask..."

Cheng Xuemin sighed inwardly, knowing that peace and quiet was out of the question.

Sure enough, from that afternoon to that evening, his temporary dormitory practically became the "Cheng Xuemin's Experience Exchange Meeting on Foreign Exchange Creation".

A wave of people came knocking on the door, some genuinely seeking advice on scriptwriting and overseas market analysis, others subtly probing the Eastern Depot's next move and looking for collaboration.

Some even volunteered themselves, wanting to work for the Eastern Depot.

Cheng Xuemin was exhausted from talking so much that his voice was almost hoarse, and he didn't even have time to drink some water.

Zhu Lin and Li Lianjie wanted to visit, but when they saw this scene, they were too scared to come in.

The crowd of visitors gradually dispersed around 9 p.m.

Cheng Xuemin slumped into a chair, feeling even more tired than carrying a camera all day on Mount Song.

Huang Jianzhong poured him a glass of water with a wry smile, jokingly saying, "Xuemin, you're quite the hot commodity now, everyone wants a bite."

Just then, there was another knock on the door.

Huang Jianzhong reluctantly got up and opened the door. This time, a tall, handsome young man stood outside the door, none other than Tang Guoqiang.

He carried simple luggage, a gentle and apologetic smile on his face: "Director Huang, Factory Director Cheng, Comrade Lian Jie, I'm sorry I'm late. I hope I haven't disturbed your rest?"

"Comrade Guoqiang, please come in!" Cheng Xuemin quickly stood up to greet him.

Li Lianjie also stood up, her eyes filled with curiosity and a subtle scrutiny.

Tang Guoqiang walked in, put down his luggage, and took the initiative to shake hands with everyone.

His hands were warm and strong, and his speech and manner exuded a calmness and scholarly air, which was completely different from Li Lianjie's heroic and sharp demeanor.

Cheng Xuemin sized up this future prime minister of all time. At this moment, Tang Guoqiang still had some of the youthful handsomeness of a young actor, but his composure was already beginning to show.

"Comrade Guoqiang, you've come with two films, 'Little Flower' and 'Peacock Princess,' right?" Cheng Xuemin asked with a smile, changing the subject and breaking the slightly awkward atmosphere.

"Yes, Director Cheng." Tang Guoqiang nodded, his tone humble. "It's all thanks to the good guidance from the factory and the directors. I just did my best to fulfill the role."

Li Lianjie, standing nearby, couldn't help but chime in, with a touch of youthful frankness: "Comrade Tang, you played Prince Zhaoshutun in 'The Peacock Princess' so handsomely! My sister has watched it several times and talks about it every day!"

Tang Guoqiang smiled somewhat embarrassedly: "Comrade Lian Jie, you flatter me. Your Yang Yuqian is truly skilled; he fought beautifully. Many people in our factory admire him greatly."

Cheng Xuemin watched the interaction between the two, and he understood everything perfectly.

After its release last year, Tang Guoqiang's "The Peacock Princess" captivated countless viewers, especially female viewers, with its beautiful visuals and Tang Guoqiang's handsome and affectionate image, earning it the title of a "friend of women and a killer of housewives."

This widespread audience appeal and approachability is something that Li Lianjie's hard-hitting, martial arts-playing image is currently difficult to match.

In the selection of the Best Actor at the Hundred Flowers Awards, audience votes play an absolutely dominant role, and Tang Guoqiang is highly favored due to the dual influence of "The Peacock Princess" and "Little Flower".

This is probably why Li Lianjie did not receive the invitation to speak on behalf of the male actors.

……

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