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

The next day, a message quietly spread within a small circle of Cannes' highest levels: the final awards for this year's film festival would be announced in a sealed box at the closing ceremony.

This is undoubtedly the most direct and powerful response to the recent rampant rumors about the betting deal.

This instantly brought the suspense and anticipation surrounding the closing ceremony to its peak!
On the eve of the closing ceremony, when everything seemed to be on the verge of a storm, Nako Tsuchino made her move once again!

This time, instead of intercepting him in public, she formally invited Cheng Xuemin to meet through the official channels of the Cannes Film Festival. The meeting was to be held in a small VIP room at the Palais des Festivals, at 8 p.m.
The invitation was formally worded, stating that the purpose was to conduct friendly consultations on film art and cultural exchange.

But everyone knows what the negotiations are about!
"Xuemin, don't go!" Feng Jiayou was the first to object, her face full of worry. "This is definitely a trap! She has no good intentions!"

"The closing ceremony is tomorrow; she's trying to push you one last time!"

“Yes, Xuemin, we’ve left her hanging for so many days, what’s one last night?” Huang Jianzhong also advised.

Fu Qi pondered for a moment and said, "Going is fine, but we must be fully prepared. I'll go with you, and we'll bring Ms. Gu as our translator. We'll also have the embassy..."

“No need!” Cheng Xuemin interrupted them. He picked up the beautifully crafted invitation, his fingertips lightly tracing the gold-embossed Cannes logo, his eyes calm and unwavering. “Since she has officially invited me through official channels, I will go!”

"I'll go alone!"

"Xuemin!" Everyone exclaimed anxiously.

"Don't worry!" Cheng Xuemin folded the invitation in half and put it in his suit pocket, a very faint, inscrutable smile playing on his lips. "She was more anxious than I was the night before the closing ceremony!"

"This play has to come to an end. I'll go see what she's trying to say in this final act!"

At 8 p.m., in the elegantly decorated VIP room of the cinema palace.

Naoko Tsuchimino was already waiting there!
She unusually opted not to wear a business suit today, but instead opted for a well-tailored deep purple velvet evening gown.

Her hair was pulled back, and she wore a pair of pearl earrings. She looked less sharp during the day and more elegant at the evening banquet, but the sharpness in her eyes and her lingering cold and hard temperament were still very clear!
There were only the two of them in the room!
A classic crystal chandelier casts a soft glow, and the air is filled with the faint scent of cedarwood.

"Cheng-san, please sit down!" Tsuchiya Naoko pointed to the sofa opposite her and sat down first, her posture elegant, as if she were truly hosting a friendly cultural exchange.

Cheng Xuemin sat down opposite her without saying a word, simply looking at her calmly.

Naoko Tsuchino took an opened bottle of champagne from the ice bucket next to her, poured a little less than half a glass, and pushed it toward Cheng Xuemin. She then picked up another glass and gently swirled the golden liquid inside.

"Cheng-san, the closing ceremony is tomorrow!"

She began, her voice sounding somewhat ethereal in the quiet room, and continued, "During this time in Cannes, we had some interesting interactions!"

"I think we should have an open and honest conversation before all of this comes to an end."

Cheng Xuemin didn't touch the champagne, but simply nodded: "Miss Naoko, please speak!"

Naoko Tsuchino took a sip of champagne, her gaze scrutinizing Cheng Xuemin through the rim of her glass: "Cheng-san, you're a smart man, and a talented filmmaker!"

"Redemption is a good movie, I admit, it even moved me in some ways. But compared to a masterpiece like Shadow Warrior, its chances of winning are slim. I believe you know that too."

Cheng Xuemin neither agreed nor disagreed.
"About the bet!" Tsuchimiya Naoko put down her glass, leaned forward slightly, and spoke with a hint of coaxing and a final ultimatum. "I know you have concerns and pressure. But since things have come to this, why not let it end here?"

"I can promise that, regardless of tomorrow's outcome, Hitachi Heavy Industries will continue to fulfill that technology transfer contract with your country on the most favorable terms. Consider the bet as adding a touch of...legend. Your signature will be a dignified gesture for both of us!"

I could even personally offer financial and networking support to Cheng Sang's future film projects. In the film industry, having more friends is always better than having more enemies, isn't it?

This time, she changed her strategy, no longer just using coercion, but also adding inducements, and extending an olive branch of respectability and future cooperation.

This is the last chance, and also the last trap.

Signing it would be tantamount to admitting that "Redemption" is inferior to "Shadow Warrior," and it would also put that technology in danger; if she didn't sign it, in her view, Cheng Xuemin would completely lose this opportunity to save face, and he would be even more embarrassed when the award results were announced tomorrow!

Cheng Xuemin stared at her quietly for a full ten seconds, then suddenly chuckled softly.

The laughter was soft, yet exceptionally clear in the quiet VIP room, carrying a subtle, all-knowing mockery.

“Miss Naoko,” he began slowly, his voice steady yet clear, each word like a drop of ice hitting a polished floor, “you seem to still believe, even now, that I came to Cannes to compete with you, or with ‘Kagemusha’, for a victory or defeat.”

"You seem to believe that the value of film and the dignity of art can be placed on a gambling table and measured with chips!"

He shook his head, his eyes showing no anger or agitation, only a deep, unfathomable calm and a trace of indescribable pity.

"You are wrong!"

“I came to Cannes so that the story of ‘Redemption’ could be seen and heard by the world. It is so that the voices of those who have never given up hope in the darkness can be heard.”

"As for awards, they are icing on the cake, a reflection of the judges' shared understanding of the film. To receive one is an honor; to not receive one does not diminish the power of the story itself in the slightest."

"As for the bet you've repeatedly mentioned, and these...good intentions you've made tonight!"

Cheng Xuemin stood up, looking down at Tsuchiya Naoko, whose face was gradually darkening. His tone was resolute and unwavering:
"I'll say it one last time: I'm not interested, and I will never agree!"

"Tomorrow, at the closing ceremony, whatever the result, that's what it is. We accept and respect all decisions made by the Cannes Film Festival and the jury."

"Excuse me, Ms. Naoko. Good night, and goodnight, and goodnight, and goodnight, and goodnight, and goodnight, 'Kagemusha'!"

After saying that, he stopped looking at Tsuchino Naoko's face, which had instantly lost all color and was twisted by extreme shock, anger, and some deeper unease.

He then turned around, opened the heavy wooden door of the VIP room, and walked out with steady steps, leaving behind the icy, frozen air and the Japanese woman sitting stiffly on the sofa, her fingers gripping the wine glass so tightly she almost crushed it.

The corridor was warmly lit, and faint music from celebrations in other parts of the cinema could be heard in the distance.

Tomorrow, everything will be revealed!
Cheng Xuemin raised his head and looked out at the deep night sky of Cannes at the end of the corridor, where countless stars twinkled like silent, watching eyes.

He let out a soft breath, and the burden in his chest vanished.

Everything that needed to be done has been done.

All that's left is to wait for tomorrow's final push. Getting him to sign a performance-based agreement now is definitely out of the question!

After all, there's still one night left, and there are still too many variables! Following this, Cheng Xuemin made a stern refusal, stating that he would not gamble with his films and would not sell his personal integrity, and he also made a statement that he completely separated film art from commercial bets, elevating it to the level of artistic purity.

Like a drop of ice water thrown into boiling oil, it quickly exploded and spread in the tense and delicate atmosphere of the Cannes Film Festival in its final moments.

This time, the public reaction was subtly but significantly different from the overwhelming ridicule of the previous few days.

Serious film critics, film scholars, and many filmmakers who were already disgusted by the betting rumors all expressed their appreciation for Cheng Xuemin's stance!

A senior editor at the French film magazine Cahiers du Cinéma wrote in his column:
"Amid the clamor of money and scheming attempting to tarnish the temple of art, a clear and firm voice was finally heard: the value of film lies in itself, not in the chips on the gambling table. This young Chinese man has upheld the bottom line of creators."

A German film director remarked in a private conversation, "He's right!"

"Cannes awards should be the crown jewels of cinematic art, not footnotes to any off-field competition. Regardless of whether 'Redemption' ultimately wins an award, this attitude itself deserves respect."

Even some industry insiders who previously disregarded Cheng Xuemin have softened their stance.

“At least he still has the backbone of an artist,” an American producer shrugged. “Saying ‘no’ to the temptation of four hundred million dollars takes courage, or foolishness. But either way, it makes him seem less like a pure opportunist!”

Of course, voices of doubt and ridicule still exist, especially from those who are close to Japan or who are prejudiced against Cheng Xuemin.

Upon hearing Cheng Xuemin's response, Director Su of the Jinma Bureau scoffed even more:

"What are you pretending to be so high and mighty for? You're just trying to save face because you know you can't win and you're afraid of losing everything! If you had any backbone, you would have just started betting. Even if you lose, you can still have honor!"

However, it cannot be denied that Cheng Xuemin's argument for the purity of art successfully won him and the film "Redemption" some positive impressions and moral sympathy at the last minute.

At least, in the eyes of many, he tried to preserve a relatively clean territory belonging to film in this farce tainted by money and commercial ambition.

However, everyone believed that this was the only dignified but helpless final choice Cheng Xuemin could make under immense pressure.

He refused the bet, upheld the dignity of an artist, and silently accepted the reality that "Kagemusha" would most likely win, while "Redemption" might fail.

The news that the Cannes Film Festival committee decided to seal the awards results further reinforced this perception that the outcome was already decided.

To many, this was a solemn move by Cannes to defend its own impartiality, but it also effectively put a temporary pause on this Sino-Japanese showdown.

Since the results are sealed and no external factors can influence them, the existence of the bet is irrelevant to the award itself.

Cheng Xuemin's refusal seemed more like an acceptance of this inevitable outcome.

The last night before the closing ceremony was spent in this eerie calm that seemed to have settled down, yet was also fraught with undercurrents.

The following day, July 15, was the closing day of the Cannes Film Festival.

As evening falls, the setting sun casts a dazzling golden glow over the azure Mediterranean Sea and the white buildings.

The red carpet was laid out again in front of the Palais des Festivals, but the atmosphere was different from when it opened.

There was less excitement of exploration and anticipation, and more tension and restlessness of revelation.

The stars still shone brightly, but everyone's attention was now focused on the upcoming awards ceremony!

Filmmakers, celebrities, producers, and media reporters from various countries entered the venue one after another.

The Japanese delegation was large and full of confidence. Nako Tsuchino changed into a gorgeous modified kimono dress, with exquisite makeup and a reserved yet confident smile. She chatted with the congratulators around her, looking every bit the queen who had victory in her grasp.

In contrast, Cheng Xuemin's East Depot team appeared much more low-key. They were still dressed in their proper dark suits, with calm expressions. They simply nodded to the familiar filmmakers before preparing to enter the venue.

However, just as Cheng Xuemin was about to step onto the red carpet steps and countless cameras were pointed at him, he suddenly stopped.

He turned around, his gaze calmly sweeping over the densely packed media area on both sides of the red carpet, over the reporters who were craning their necks and holding up cameras and recorders.

Finally, his gaze settled precisely on Naoko Tsuchino, who was surrounded by several Japanese reporters and film distributors not far away.

Time seemed to stretch out and freeze at this moment.

The commotion on the red carpet seemed to quiet down for a moment, and everyone's eyes subconsciously followed Cheng Xuemin's gaze, focusing on Tsuchino Naoko.

Naoko Tsuchino also noticed the gaze. Her smile froze slightly, and her eyes behind her gold-rimmed glasses narrowed, looking back with wariness and scrutiny.

Then, under the astonished, puzzled, and then rapidly fanatical gaze of all the media, amidst the sudden intensification of countless flashes, Cheng Xuemin whispered something to Feng Jiazhao beside him.

A look of disbelief and shock flashed across Feng Jiazhao's face, but looking into Cheng Xuemin's unquestionable eyes, he took a deep breath and nodded emphatically.

He then took out a thin, unmarked, light gray folder from his briefcase and handed it to Cheng Xuemin.

Cheng Xuemin took the folder but did not open it.

Holding it in one hand, he took a step forward, not heading towards the entrance of the cinema, but walking straight through the passage reserved in the center of the red carpet. Under the astonished gazes of everyone, including the rest of his team, he walked steadily and firmly towards Naoko Tsuchino!

His pace was not fast, but every step he took was firm and steady.

His sharp suit accentuated his tall and straight figure, and the afternoon sunlight outlined his clear profile, which was devoid of any expression, only as calm as the deep sea.

"What is he going to do?"

"That's... a contract?"

"My God! He walked right up to the representative of Hitachi Heavy Industries!"

"Didn't you say you wouldn't gamble anymore? What's going on here?!"

……

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