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

Cheng Xuemin finally stepped onto the stage!
The spotlight's halo intensified, and the temperature seemed to rise slightly.

He could see the sea of ​​heads below the stage, countless faces with varying expressions, and he could feel the burning passion, envy, jealousy, and curiosity in those eyes, as well as...

The resentment that came from the direction of the Japanese delegation was almost solidified into a tangible form!

The film festival chairman, a white-haired French man, was already standing in the center of the stage, holding the heavy, beautifully designed Palme d'Or trophy, waiting for him!
The old man's face showed satisfaction, appreciation, and a hint of relief that was barely perceptible!

The pressure this elderly man is under is probably no less than anyone else's!
He ensured that this controversial and money-driven bet did not tarnish the purity of Cannes' art judgment, and that truly moving works received the highest honors. He succeeded!

"Mr. Cheng!" the film festival chairman said in clear, strong English with an accent, handing the trophy to Cheng Xuemin. "Congratulations to you and your team!"

"Redemption is a great film that touches the most common part of the human soul: the yearning for freedom, the perseverance of hope, and the undying brilliance of humanity in the face of adversity."

"This Palme d'Or is well-deserved. Cannes is honored to have discovered and celebrated such a work!"

Cheng Xuemin accepted the trophy with both hands; it felt slightly heavy in his hands!

The cool touch of the metal travels through the palm of your hand, and the palm leaf patterns on it are clear and full of life.

Under the spotlight, golden light shimmered, dazzling the eyes!
He bowed slightly and responded in fluent French, his voice carrying clearly throughout the hall through a miniature microphone clipped to his collar: "Thank you, Mr. Chairman!"

"Thank you to the Cannes Film Festival, and thank you to every member of the jury for their professionalism and courage!"

"This trophy does not belong to me personally. It belongs to every filmmaker who poured their heart and soul into 'Redemption,' to all the people in that story who never gave up hope, and to... all the souls who were moved by this story and drew strength from it."

His voice was calm and steady, without the usual excitement and choking up of award winners, nor a lengthy list of thanks.

Yet it possessed a calming power that gradually quieted down the originally noisy and bustling hall.

Everyone wanted to hear what this young Chinese man, who had just made history by winning a $400 million bet, would have to say.

Cheng Xuemin paused for a moment, his gaze slowly sweeping across the audience.

He saw Brian waving excitedly, other international film distributors with complicated expressions, and many film industry colleagues who had once doubted him and "Redemption" but now had to applaud him.

Finally, his gaze, almost imperceptibly, swept once more over the deathly silent area of ​​the Japanese delegation.

"Film is the art of creating dreams, and also a mirror reflecting reality!"

"Redemption" tells a story about darkness and light, imprisonment and freedom, despair and hope.

We brought it to Cannes, to the world, not to compete for anything, or to prove anything, but simply to share this story about people.

We believe that good stories can transcend language, national borders, and cultural barriers, reaching right into people's hearts!

He paused, then raised his voice slightly:
"We also believe that the temple of art should maintain its due purity and dignity. The judgment of a film should be based on its own artistic value, intellectual depth and emotional power, rather than any off-site factors, calculations or gambles."

He spoke the words "final bet" lightly, but combined with the outcome of that earth-shattering wager, they struck everyone's hearts like a heavy hammer!
Many people in the audience nodded in agreement, especially serious filmmakers who were disgusted by the rumors of the bet.

Cheng Xuemin's words undoubtedly provided the best explanation for this controversy and for Cannes' final decision!

Art triumphed over calculation, and purity won over noise!
"This Palme d'Or!" Cheng Xuemin raised the trophy slightly, the golden light illuminating his calm profile, and said:
"This is an affirmation of the artistic value of 'The Redemption' and a tribute to the power of film itself. It reminds us that no matter what reality is like, hope always exists, freedom is precious, and the brilliance of humanity will eventually pierce through the deepest darkness!"

"thank you all!"

He bowed slightly again, concluding his extremely brief acceptance speech.

There was no mention of the bet, no boasting of the victory, and not even a second glance at the loser.

But every word he uttered was like the most powerful and elegant rebuttal to that high-stakes gamble that had just ended!
You tarnish art with money and scheming, while I, through art itself, have won money, and more importantly, I have won dignity!
The applause erupted again like a tsunami, even more enthusiastic and longer than before, filled with heartfelt admiration and respect.

Many people stood up and applauded, paying tribute to this young and unfathomable Chinese filmmaker!
Holding the trophy, Cheng Xuemin turned and stepped off the stage amidst applause and admiring glances.

He had just stepped down two steps, and before his feet had even left the stage's glow, a figure rushed over from the side passage, almost staggering, and blocked his way.

It's Counselor Li!

The diplomat's face was now a mixture of indescribable shock, ecstasy, lingering fear, and an almost exhausting excitement!
His hair was soaked with sweat and stuck to his forehead, and his usually well-fitting suit looked a little messy!
He looked at Cheng Xuemin, his lips trembling a few times before he managed to utter a sound, hoarse and hurried:

"Comrade Xuemin! Comrade Xuemin! This...this...the Palme d'Or! It really is the Palme d'Or! You...how could you...Oh my god!"

He was so excited that he was incoherent, reaching out as if to grab Cheng Xuemin's arm, or as if to confirm that what he was seeing was not a dream.

Four hundred million US dollars!

No, it's not just $400 million, it's the Palme d'Or!
This is an unprecedented pinnacle of honor for Chinese cinema!
All of this was actually achieved by this young man in such a crazy way!

Counselor Li felt his heart was still pounding wildly, and his blood was rushing to his eardrums, making a buzzing sound!
Cheng Xuemin smiled faintly as he looked at Counselor Li's excited expression.
He held the Palme d'Or trophy steadily in one hand, and gently patted Counselor Li's arm with the other, whispering, "Counselor Li, stay calm! This isn't over yet; even greater gains await us!"

His words, like a gentle reminder, brought Counselor Li back to his senses from the height of ecstasy.

Yes, the Palme d'Or is an honor, a huge victory in art!

But what is truly substantial and involves huge national interests is the $400 million bet whose ownership has just been decided!

That's the real tricky and crucial thing tonight, and for the foreseeable future!

Counselor Li took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, but his eyes were still incredibly bright. He lowered his voice and said, "Comrade Xuemin, don't worry! The embassy and the country will give their full support to ensure the smooth fulfillment of the bet!"

"On the Japanese side... I just saw that Naoko Tsuchino fainted, but the rest of their delegation is still there. Moreover, her fainting won't solve the problem; Hitachi Heavy Industries must step in!"

“I know!” Cheng Xuemin nodded, his gaze sweeping over the still-silent group of the Japanese delegation, and said, “They can’t run away, and they wouldn’t dare to!”

"This bet was made in front of the world's media, and the amount involved is so huge. If Hitachi Heavy Industries dares to renege on its promise, their reputation in the international business world will be completely ruined. Now, the initiative is in our hands!"

Cheng Xuemin had something else on his mind that he didn't say: those Japanese devils and their women wouldn't dare to renege on their debt.

Because the initiative in that technology transfer agreement still rests with Cheng Xuemin. If those Japanese devils displease Cheng Xuemin, they could simply expose the fatal flaw in Hitachi Heavy Industries' hot rolling mill!
In that case, it will be the Japanese devils and their Hitachi Heavy Industries that die!

So, with this in hand, you can live off those Japanese devils and their Hitachi Heavy Industries for the rest of your life!

“Yes! The initiative is in our hands!” Counselor Li nodded vigorously. He actually had no idea what the real contents of the technology transfer agreement were, and only thought it was a highly confidential technology agreement.

So after hearing Cheng Xuemin's words, I felt a surge of pride rise in my chest. All my previous worries, anxieties, and fears were swept away by this great victory.

Instead, there was a sense of triumphant excitement and responsibility, and he firmly stated:

"I suggest that, immediately after the closing ceremony, we should, in an official capacity, request an emergency consultation with the Japanese delegation to finalize the fulfillment of the bet! We cannot give them any breathing room or chance to play tricks!"

"That's exactly what I wanted!" Cheng Xuemin nodded and said, "However, there's no need to rush. Let them take their time and process this result!"

"We also need some time to...prepare. In ten minutes, in the small conference room on the second floor of the cinema, please have Counselor Li coordinate on behalf of the embassy, ​​saying it's a friendly consultation regarding follow-up cultural exchanges for the film festival!"

He emphasized the words "friendly consultation" with a hint of cold sharpness in the faint smile on his lips.

Counselor Li understood and immediately nodded: "Okay! I'll take care of it right away! Don't worry, I'll arrange the venue, witnesses, and necessary records!"

Cheng Xuemin said no more, held the trophy, and continued walking off the stage!
The team members who had been waiting below immediately rushed up and surrounded him.

Fu Qi was the first to rush forward, hugging him tightly and patting his back forcefully. Tears streamed down his face, and his voice was choked with sobs, unable to form complete sentences.

"Scholar...Scholar! Great! Great! The Palme d'Or! Four hundred million US dollars! You...you really...you've really brought honor to the Chinese people! You've brought them so much honor!"

Huang Jianzhong squeezed in, tightly grasped Cheng Xuemin's hand, shook it vigorously, tears streaming silently down his face, and kept repeating:
"It was worth it! It was worth it! This life was worth it!"

Feng Jiayou, like a startled bird returning to its nest, rushed into Cheng Xuemin's arms, hugged his waist tightly, buried her face in his chest, and said nothing.

His shoulders kept shaking, releasing all the fear that had been building up before, and the indescribable ecstasy and excitement that was surging in at this moment!
Cheng Xuemin held the trophy in one hand and gently stroked his wife's hair with the other, soothing her in a low voice.

Gong Xue, Zhu Lin, Li Lianjie, and others gathered around, laughing and crying, excitedly hugging and high-fiving each other.

The surrounding cameras flashed wildly at them, capturing this historic moment.

Filmmakers from many other countries also stepped forward to express their congratulations and admiration in various languages.

But Cheng Xuemin only gave a brief response. His gaze had already passed over the noise in front of him and was fixed on the back of a Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff member who was hurriedly leaving to arrange the meeting room after Counselor Li gave him instructions in a low voice.

ten minutes later!

On the second floor of the Palais des Festivals, in an elegantly decorated meeting room overlooking the night view of the Bay of Cannes, the atmosphere was heavy at this moment.

On one side of the long, deep red conference table, Cheng Xuemin, Counselor Li, and two legal and financial advisors who had been urgently transferred from the embassy and were proficient in international commercial law and finance were already seated.

In front of Cheng Xuemin, besides the newly acquired Palme d'Or trophy that still attracted attention, there was also a document laid out.

It was the gambling contract that the Japanese devils and their wives had drafted and stamped, and then handed over to Cheng Xuemin so that he could sign and seal it at any time to make it effective!

Counselor Li's expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp.

The two consultants were completely focused, quickly flipping through the documents in their hands, making final preparations!

On the other side of the conference table, the chairs were still empty.

The second hand of the wall clock ticked away, making a clear and cold ticking sound.

About five minutes later, the meeting room door was gently pushed open.

Naoko Tsuchino walked in.

She changed out of her luxurious modified kimono dress and put on her signature dark gray business suit again. Her hair was also restyled and pulled back.

Behind the gold-rimmed glasses, the eyes, aside from the lingering bloodshot streaks and barely concealed fatigue, had forcibly regained their former coldness and composure.

However, her straight back, slightly tense jaw, and somewhat unsteady steps as she walked in still betrayed her true state at the moment!
It was a forced composure, a composure on the verge of collapse.

Behind her were two Japanese men with equally solemn expressions and sinister eyes. Judging from their demeanor and attire, they were clearly high-ranking personnel in the legal department of Hitachi Heavy Industries.

Tsuchino Naoko sat down opposite Cheng Xuemin, with two legal personnel sitting on either side of her.

She didn't look at Cheng Xuemin, but stared at the Palme d'Or trophy on the table, the one that had brought them such a crushing defeat!

"Cheng-san, Counselor Li!" Tsuchiya Naoko finally spoke, her voice dry and hoarse, but she tried her best to remain calm and polite.

She raised her eyelids, her gaze first falling on Counselor Li, and gave a slight bow. "I apologize for keeping you all waiting. Naoko was feeling a little unwell earlier, please forgive my rudeness!"

"Miss Naoko, you're too kind. Your health is the most important thing!" Counselor Li replied casually, his diplomatic language perfectly timed.

Tsuchiya Naoko then turned her gaze to Cheng Xuemin, her expression extremely complex!
There was lingering shock and resentment, deep humiliation and hatred, the chill of being driven to the brink, and a kind of... indescribable, almost resigned despair!

Her gaze lingered on Cheng Xuemin's face for about two seconds before quickly looking away, as if looking at him any longer would burn her.

She saw the faint, almost cruel smile on Cheng Xuemin's lips, and she also saw the betting contract laid out in front of him.

"Cheng Sang, congratulations!" She uttered these two words, her voice devoid of any congratulations, only cold and mechanical. "Redemption won the Palme d'Or, well deserved... Naoko is completely convinced of her defeat!"

These words were spoken with great difficulty, each one seemingly squeezed out of his throat.

Admitting defeat was nothing short of torture for someone as proud as her, who had just been so determined to win!
……

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