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

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" Brian couldn't help but give a thumbs up, his face full of admiration, and said, "This way, the initiative is partially back in your hands!"

"Besides, some Japanese are interested in this smokescreen. Won't those film companies be fighting tooth and nail for it tomorrow? Prices will definitely skyrocket! Cheng, you're a genius! No, a devil!"

"So, Brian, will you help me with this little favor?" Cheng Xuemin asked with a smile.

“Help! Of course I’ll help!” Brian said without hesitation. “It’s good for me too! The more sought-after ‘Redemption’ is, the greater my chances of getting it in the end, even if it costs more money!”

"What's more, being able to participate in such a wonderful duel and watch those arrogant Japanese get their comeuppance, haha, just thinking about it is exciting!"

"I'll get on it right away. I guarantee that within an hour, everyone in Cannes who needs to know will know!"

Brian was a man of action; after saying that, he immediately grabbed his briefcase and sunglasses and left the coffee shop in a flurry.

Cheng Xuemin was left alone on the terrace again. He picked up the slightly cooled espresso and drank it all in one gulp.

The bitter liquid slid down his throat, but it only made his mind clearer.

The following day, the public discourse at the Cannes Film Festival quietly shifted due to "Redemption" and the looming rumors of a bet.

First, rumors about the upcoming bidding for the global distribution rights of "Redemption" spread like wildfire among film distributors, media, and industry insiders.

Immediately afterwards, even more explosive rumors began to circulate!
Representatives from Japan's Hitachi Heavy Industries are paying close attention to this Chinese film and may even be competing for it!

The news was a mix of truth and falsehood, making it difficult to distinguish between the real and the fake, but it successfully shrouded "Redemption" in a mysterious and alluring veil, arousing the curiosity of countless people!
The following afternoon, the luxurious conference room at the Carlton Hotel, overlooking the Bay of Cannes, was bustling with people and filled with a lively atmosphere.

Representatives from major film companies, independent film distributors, and even some media reporters who had caught wind of the news crowded the not-so-large space.

The air was filled with perfume, cigars, and a restless scent called opportunity.

Cheng Xuemin arrived on time with Fu Qi, Feng Jiazhao, and his aunt Gu Qiuna, who temporarily acted as translator and assistant.

He did not give a lengthy speech, but simply thanked everyone for coming, reiterated the artistic pursuit of "Redemption", and then indicated that preliminary informal exchanges could begin.

What happened next left even the well-informed Fu Qi speechless with astonishment.

Those film producers who were usually arrogant and haughty were now like sharks smelling blood, rushing around to offer their business cards, flattering him, and eagerly expressing their intention to cooperate.

The offer price kept climbing during the trial period, from the initial million-dollar buyout to a ten-million-dollar revenue-sharing guarantee plus a large upfront payment.

Everyone seemed afraid of falling behind and being outmaneuvered by that mysterious Japanese competitor.

Cheng Xuemin handled the situation appropriately, always wearing a humble yet appropriately distant smile. He neither agreed nor disagreed with any specific quote, only emphasizing that a comprehensive evaluation would take time.

This wait-and-see attitude only further aroused the nerves of the competitors.

Just as the atmosphere of the reception reached its climax, there was a light knock on the conference room door, which was then pushed open.

Naoko Tsuchino appeared at the door with two attendants.

She was still wearing that navy blue suit, and her gaze behind her gold-rimmed glasses calmly swept across the noisy crowd in the room, finally landing precisely on Cheng Xuemin, who was surrounded by the crowd.

Her appearance instantly silenced the noisy conference room for several seconds!

Everyone stopped talking and turned their gazes toward the door, a subtle yet tense sense of anticipation filling the air.

It's really coming!

That rumored Japanese woman!

A representative of Hitachi Heavy Industries!
What's she doing here? Trying to cause trouble? Or is she really trying to steal the copyright?

Cheng Xuemin sneered inwardly, but his face betrayed a perfectly timed hint of surprise. Across the crowd, he gave a slight nod to Tsuchiya Naoko.
"Miss Naoko? I didn't expect you to be interested in film copyright transactions. Please come in!"

Naoko Tsuchino didn't come in immediately. She stood at the door, her gaze sweeping over the faces of the film distributors inside—some surprised, some scrutinizing, some watching with amusement—and a barely perceptible smirk appeared on her lips.

It was an expression that mixed contempt and knowingness!

Then, she stepped in, the sound of her high heels clicking on the marble floor particularly clear in the suddenly quiet room!
She didn't approach Cheng Xuemin, nor did she exchange pleasantries with anyone. Instead, she walked to a relatively empty spot by the window, stood with her arms crossed, and adopted a detached, indifferent attitude.

But her very presence there was a silent declaration and a source of pressure!
The originally heated bidding atmosphere cooled down significantly after she appeared.

Some film producers began whispering among themselves, their eyes darting around.

Clearly, the Japanese woman's intimidating presence and the potentially enormous capital behind her have made many people uneasy.

Cheng Xuemin took it all in; this was exactly the effect he wanted!
As expected, Tsuchino Nako couldn't hold back and came in person.

She might have come to find out the truth, or to put pressure on him, or perhaps she just wanted to see what tricks Cheng Xuemin was up to.

Regardless, her appearance confirmed the rumors of Japanese interest and successfully propelled the popularity and buzz surrounding "Redemption" to new heights!
Now, everyone knows that this Chinese film involves not only art and commerce, but also a behind-the-scenes battle involving huge sums of money and technology!

Cheng Xuemin ignored Tsuchiya Naoko and turned to the somewhat hesitant film distributors. His smile became more relaxed, and his voice rose slightly as he clearly spoke in English:

"It seems that the enthusiasm for 'Redemption' has exceeded my expectations. It's a film about hope, freedom, and human dignity!"

“I believe its value lies not only in the applause at Cannes, but also in its ability to touch the hearts of audiences worldwide and in the dual artistic and commercial returns it can bring to all its partners.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, lingering particularly on Tsuchino Naoko for half a second, before his tone suddenly took on a sharp and confident edge:

"As for some irrelevant noise and interference, I think they are insignificant in the face of true artistic value and market potential!"

"We at the Eastern Depot have absolute confidence in our work. We will only choose partners who truly understand and appreciate the value of this film and have the ability to bring it to audiences worldwide!"

The party continued, but the atmosphere was completely different. Cheng Xuemin firmly controlled the pace and the conversation!

Naoko Tsuchino stood by the window for about ten minutes, during which time she made almost no movement except for occasionally whispering a few words to her attendant.

She watched as Cheng Xuemin handled various film distributors with ease;

Watching those competitors who had briefly backed down because of her appearance regain their courage and step forward to make offers;

Watching Cheng Xuemin effortlessly defuse the pressure she brought with his words and gestures, and even use her presence to raise the value of "Redemption"... Her exquisitely made-up face was expressionless, but the eyes behind her gold-rimmed glasses grew colder and colder.

In the end, she didn't say a word or make any move, but simply looked at Cheng Xuemin deeply once more.

Her gaze was complex and unreadable. Then she turned around, and with her entourage, quietly left the conference room, just as abruptly as she had arrived.

Her departure didn't cause much of a stir, but everyone knew that in this silent contest, Cheng Xuemin had the upper hand in the first round.

He not only successfully promoted "Redemption" and increased its commercial value, but also demonstrated the calm and confident attitude of the Chinese side in front of Naoko Tsuchino and everyone else.

After the party, Cheng Xuemin did not immediately decide who to sell the copyright to.

He asked Gu Qiuna to compile all the intentions and quotes, indicating that he needed to consider them comprehensively.

This made the film producers even more eager to produce their films!
However, two days later, with the grand premiere of "Kagemusha," public opinion shifted dramatically, almost unanimously.

July 12, afternoon, Lumière Hall!
The premiere of Akira Kurosawa's "Kagemusha" was far more grand and received more attention than that of "The Redemption".

The red carpet in front of the Palais des Festivals was packed with stars, and the flashes of light illuminated the evening sky!

Film celebrities, critics, and media from all over the world flocked to the scene.

Japan went all out with its publicity, hyping up the film in various media outlets even before the festival began, hailing "Kagemusha" as the pinnacle of Akira Kurosawa's epics, a gem of Eastern cinema, and the undisputed winner of this year's Palme d'Or.

The film lasts for two and a half hours!
The grand war scenes, the ingenious narrative structure, the profound human character portrayal, and the philosophical reflections on the Bushido spirit, loyalty and betrayal, history and destiny have deeply impressed all viewers!
After the screening, the applause was equally enthusiastic and prolonged. Many film critics stood up to pay their respects, and reporters in the media area quickly wrote down their praises!

Almost overnight, public opinion at Cannes completely sided with "Kagemusha"!
The praise and attention previously given to "Redemption" seem niche and emotional in comparison to "Kagemusha," a universally acclaimed masterpiece.

Professional film critics began writing articles, analyzing the greatness of "Kagemusha" from various angles and predicting that it would win the Palme d'Or!
When discussing "Redemption," while there were still positive reviews, the tone carried a hint that while it was good, it was not as good as "Kagemusha."

More importantly, the rumor about the bet between China and Japan has begun to be seen by many as a joke and China's overestimation of its own capabilities, given the overwhelming success of "Kagemusha"!
Some pro-Japanese media outlets even began to make sarcastic remarks, implying that Cheng Xuemin's previous silence and waiting for a higher price were just a wise retreat in the face of the formidable challenge of "Shadow Warrior"!
The pressure, like dark clouds gathering over the Mediterranean, weighed heavily on Cheng Xuemin and his team!
The atmosphere in the hotel room was somewhat oppressive!

Gu Qiuna helped Feng Jiayou and the others read the newspaper, translating the articles that praised "Shadow Warrior" and subtly belittled "Redemption," which made them so angry that their eyes turned red!
Huang Jianzhong smoked silently, while Feng Jiazhao frowned deeply!
The news brought by Fu Qi and Shi Hui was not optimistic either. Some European film critics and film selectors they contacted privately also favored "Shadow Warrior"!
Even Counselor Li privately approached Cheng Xuemin again to convey the latest and final instructions from within the country:

After further evaluation, especially after seeing the huge response to the premiere of "Kagemusha", the domestic authorities concluded that the bet was extremely risky and the chances of winning were slim.

Liao Gonghe's meaning was clear: "Comrade Xuemin, do not act impulsively, safety first. It's better not to accept that bet. The two hundred million US dollars in technology is already ours; there's no need to take any more risks. Your task remains to do your best to achieve the best results for 'Redemption,' nothing else is necessary!"

This is a clear message telling him to stop gambling!

However, Cheng Xuemin's reaction to the final instructions from the domestic authorities conveyed by Counselor Li, the almost unanimous pessimism from the outside world, and the anxiety permeating the team was unexpected by everyone.

He showed no anger, offered no explanation, and did not even hold a meeting to boost morale.

He simply locked himself in his room for most of the day, and when he came out, he gave everyone a simple yet almost eerie instruction:
"Starting today, all promotional and public relations activities related to 'Redemption' are suspended!"

"Our people, do not proactively contact any media outlets, and do not make any comments regarding 'Kagemusha' or the bet!"

"We will participate in the film festival's remaining activities as normal, but will maintain a low profile. Copyright sales are also temporarily frozen; all inquiries will be responded to as 'under consideration.'"

"Xuemin, what's wrong with you...?" Feng Jiazhao asked, puzzled.

"I have my own plans!" Cheng Xuemin waved his hand, his face expressionless, and said:

"Anything we say or do now will be futile under the shadow of 'Shadow Warrior,' and may even backfire. It's better to wait and see!"

So, while "Shadow Warrior" was a huge success at its premiere and the media was buzzing, Cheng Xuemin and the "Redemption" team he represented suddenly went quiet and almost disappeared from the noisy Cannes media scene!
They did not refute the pessimistic comments, did not continue to hype up the copyright, and did not even react to any possible new moves by Naoko Tsuchino.

This silence, in the eyes of outsiders, is undoubtedly a sign of admitting defeat and cowardice.

Immediately, all sorts of speculation and ridicule arose.

"The Chinese are indeed afraid!"

"In the face of true masterpieces, there is no use in trying to outsmart them."

"It seems that the bet has completely fallen through; the Chinese dare not accept it."

“Cheng Xuemin was just bluffing before, but now his true colors have been revealed.”

These discussions naturally reached the ears of Hong Kong filmmakers attending the film festival.

Among them, the woman from the Golden Horse Film Bureau, who also brought her work to the exhibition, reacted the most strongly.

She was in her forties, dressed fashionably, and had a sharp tongue. She always considered herself orthodox and had many criticisms of the mainland's cultural policies. She was very influential among the old right-wing forces in the Hong Kong film industry.

Previously, Cheng Xuemin enjoyed immense success in Hong Kong, which she envied greatly, yet she was unable to take any effective measures to curb his power!

Now that Cheng Xuemin has run into trouble in Cannes and is being suppressed by the Japanese and public opinion, her mind immediately becomes active, and she is jumping around and extremely lively!
At an Asian film exchange reception hosted by the film festival, this head of the Golden Horse Film Bureau deliberately held a glass of champagne, swayed his hips, and amidst a group of Hong Kong and Golden Horse filmmakers, made a feigned sigh and comment in a voice just loud enough for those around him to hear:

"Sigh, that's why making movies still requires real talent and solid skills. Using crooked methods and sensational bets to grab attention is ultimately just a mirage, easily punctured!"

"Look at Akira Kurosawa, he was a true film artist who let his works speak for themselves!"

"Some of us are just too ambitious, thinking that if we succeed twice in Hong Kong, we can challenge the masters on the international stage? We're really overestimating ourselves and just making ourselves a laughing stock!"

Her words were a veiled attack, directly targeting Cheng Xuemin!
Some filmmakers around him, who had long harbored resentment towards Cheng Xuemin, this mainlander, for making a big splash in Hong Kong, echoed his sentiments and let out low sneers.

"That's right, Director Su is right! Films should return to their essence as art!"

"Some people are just too impetuous and want to take shortcuts!"

"Now look what's happened! He's shown his true colors in Cannes, hasn't he? Let's see how arrogant he can be now!"

……

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