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

"At least fifty million US dollars!"

Cheng Xuemin's voice was not loud, even a little flat, as if he were saying that the moonlight was nice tonight!

But to Counselor Li, it was like a thunderclap, making his eardrums ring and causing the teacup he had just picked up to shake. A few drops of scalding tea splashed onto the back of his hand, but he didn't even notice!

"How much...how much?!"

Counselor Li turned his head sharply, staring wide-eyed at Cheng Xuemin, almost doubting that he had misheard.

He subconsciously picked at his ear, then asked again, "Xuemin, you just said... what was the bottom price?"

“Fifty million US dollars, guaranteed!” Cheng Xuemin turned around, leaned against the windowsill, put his hands in his pockets, and didn’t have any special expression on his face.

He simply looked back at Counselor Li's shock with a calm gaze and said, "This is just my initial price range!"

"How much we can ultimately negotiate depends on how things develop over the next few days, and how crazy the offers from those sharks... oh, I mean, those international publishers are!"

Counselor Li opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but then became speechless, feeling his throat go dry!
Fifty million US dollars!
That's just the guaranteed buyout price for the global distribution rights!

This is not just an astronomical figure, it's... a number that is completely unimaginable for an official of Counselor Li's rank!

He quickly calculated in his mind how much fifty million US dollars would be in RMB.

How much equipment can you buy?

How much technology can be introduced?
How much of the foreign exchange deficit can be resolved?
If we could get this money back, what a huge achievement that would be!

Various thoughts raced through Counselor Li's mind, causing him to momentarily lose his composure!
He subconsciously picked up the teacup and took a big gulp. The cold tea calmed the turmoil in his heart.

He looked at Cheng Xuemin, who was still standing there calmly, with a faint smile on his lips, as if he had just said five thousand dollars instead of fifty million US dollars.

“Xuemin… this, is this going to work?” Counselor Li put down his teacup, his voice a little dry. “I know that ‘Redemption’ is currently enjoying tremendous momentum. With the Palme d’Or and that bet, the global attention it’s receiving is unprecedented!”

"But a minimum guarantee of fifty million US dollars... isn't that a bit... too risky?"

"What if those publishers think the asking price is too high and get scared away? Brian just offered 30 million, which is already a record-breaking astronomical price!"

Cheng Xuemin gently shook his head, walked to the sofa and sat down, picked up the heavy Palme d'Or trophy, and ran his fingers along the smooth leaves.

His movements were slow, conveying a sense of appreciation and a calm scrutiny.

“Counselor Li, this figure is not something I’m asking for on a whim or trying to raise the price!”

Cheng Xuemin's voice was steady and clear, echoing in the quiet suite, as he continued:

"It's based on a judgment of the intrinsic value of the film 'Redemption' and an assessment of its future market potential!"

"You could even say it's a somewhat conservative estimate!"

"Conservative?" Counselor Li was even more confused. Fifty million US dollars and he was still being conservative?

“Yes, conservative!” Cheng Xuemin raised his head, looking directly at Counselor Li with sharp and clear eyes. “You know, before coming to Cannes, and even after the film was finished and in post-production, I had an internal estimate of its box office performance!”

"At that time, without any awards or off-screen bets, based solely on the quality of the film itself, the story, the emotional power, and my judgment of the tastes of global audiences, I believed that the global box office potential of 'Redemption' was at least this number!"

As he spoke, Cheng Xuemin held up one finger!
"One...one hundred million US dollars?" Counselor Li asked tentatively, feeling his heart could barely take it.

A Chinese film grossed $100 million worldwide?
This is simply unbelievable!
It's important to know that very few films can gross over $100 million at the global box office each year, and Hollywood almost monopolizes the market!

"Yes, at least one hundred million US dollars!" Cheng Xuemin nodded firmly, his tone devoid of any exaggeration. "This is not just wishful thinking!"

"Counselor Li, film has its own inherent artistic and market rules."

"More importantly, *The Redemption* is now more than just a good movie. The Palme d'Or is the highest honor for art films worldwide; it attracts the most discerning critics and seasoned film buffs, and it also sparks the curiosity of ordinary viewers who don't usually watch foreign films!"

"They'll want to know, what kind of movie could beat so many strong European and American films to win the top award? That's the first layer of halo and attraction!"

“And the victory in the $400 million bet,” Cheng Xuemin’s voice rose slightly, carrying a confident tone born of calm analysis, “gave it a second, even more explosive, attribute: legendary!”

"This is no longer just watching a movie; it's witnessing history, participating in a globally watched, underdog victory in both business and culture!"

"How many people will actually go to the cinema just to see what this $400 million movie looks like?"

"This number may far exceed our imagination. This is free, incredibly powerful global advertising, the effect of which is unmatched by any commercial promotion!"

As Counselor Li listened, he unconsciously sat up straight, and the shock on his face was slowly replaced by deep thought.

He suddenly realized that Cheng Xuemin's perspective on issues was different from his, a diplomat, or rather, from that of the vast majority of people!
He not only saw the surface excitement and honor, but also clearly analyzed the enormous, tangible energy behind it that could be converted into real money!

"The pinnacle of artistic reputation, coupled with the massive traffic generated by a legendary event!" Cheng Xuemin summarized, "The combined effect of these two factors is multiplicative, not additive!"

"The box office potential of 'Redemption' is likely to be much higher than my initial estimate of $100 million. It's even possible that it could reach an even higher number!"

He put down the trophy, leaned forward, and looked at Counselor Li: "Bryan offered a minimum of 30 million US dollars, based on his assessment of the original value of 'Redemption,' plus the premium brought by the Palme d'Or and the hype surrounding the bet."

"This price, before tonight, might be considered fair, or even generous!"

"But after tonight, especially when the global media hypes up this victory to its peak, and when everyone's curiosity and expectations for the film are at their highest, $30 million will be far from enough!" "Because it didn't fully calculate the extra box office impact and long-term value that the legendary status brings to 'The Redemption'!"

"My asking for 50 million isn't out of greed, but based on a reasonable assessment of the film's legendary value. I want the value of 'Redemption' to be fully realized!"

Cheng Xuemin's voice was not loud, but every sentence was clear and logical, like a precise scalpel dissecting the core of business beneath the complex surface!
What a joke!
Cheng Xuemin knew that "The Shawshank Redemption" was a phenomenal work in the 1980s!

Upon its release, although it did not win an international award like the Palme d'Or, it still grossed over 90 million US dollars worldwide.

This was without any additional support, and it almost broke 100 million in this era!
So Cheng Xuemin not only has the Palme d'Or this time, but also the legendary $400 million in peripheral revenue. Breaking $100 million at the box office is just a matter of time, isn't it?!
Counselor Li listened intently, and his doubts and worries were gradually replaced by admiration and a subtle excitement.

He suddenly understood why Liao Gong dared to grant Cheng Xuemin full authority to make decisions on such an important matter!

This young man is not only bold and decisive, but also possesses an extraordinary, frighteningly clear mind and a precise grasp of the situation!

"I understand!" Counselor Li slowly exhaled, a bitter smile mixed with relief on his face. "No wonder you dared to let Brian let the bullets fly a little longer!"

"You're not waiting for a higher price; you're waiting for the legendary value to be fully recognized and acknowledged by the world. You're waiting for a higher price that everyone has to admit!"

“That’s right!” Cheng Xuemin smiled. “The hype will fade, but the legend will not!”

"I want to lock in a price for 'Redemption' that truly matches its historical significance and commercial potential when it's at its peak of popularity and when its legendary status is most recognized!"

"This is not only a sign of respect for my hard work and that of the entire creative team, but also a way to set a benchmark for more Chinese films to go global in the future!"

"Our good works deserve this price, or even more!"

Counselor Li nodded emphatically, his gaze towards Cheng Xuemin now carrying not only admiration but also profound respect.

"So what are you planning to do next? Just wait for them to come to us in Cannes?"

"No!" Cheng Xuemin shook his head, walked to the window, and looked at the reporters downstairs who were gradually thinning out but still unwilling to leave. A shrewd glint flashed in his eyes. "We can't wait here!"

"This is Cannes, the home of the film festival, but it's also the home of international distributors!"

"Negotiations here put us at a disadvantage; we're the ones being hunted. We need to change locations, to places we're more familiar with and where we have a psychological advantage!"

"You mean?" Counselor Li asked thoughtfully.

“Back to Hong Kong!” Cheng Xuemin turned around, his tone decisive. “Once the film festival’s closing ceremony is over, the noise here will quickly cool down, and filmmakers and media from all over the world will retreat like the tide!”

"We don't need to stay here and become the focus of attention and pursuit. Hong Kong is our territory, or at least the forefront of the Chinese cultural sphere!"

“There, we can attack or defend as we please; the environment is more familiar, and information is more readily available. More importantly…”

He paused, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "When those impatient publishers discover that I've already left Cannes for the far East, they'll have to chase after me if they want to negotiate!"

"This sends a signal in itself: I'm not in a hurry, they are! This will shift the initiative in the negotiations more towards us!"

"Moreover, in Hong Kong, we can better coordinate domestic resources to prepare for the more important and tough battle at the end of the month!"

Counselor Li's eyes lit up, and he slapped his thigh: "Brilliant! Xuemin, your mind is truly... meticulously planned and flawless!"

"It not only raised the price of the copyright, but also gave us the upper hand in the negotiations, and allowed us to step back and prepare for the major $400 million transaction! A triple win!"

"I'm just trying to think a few steps ahead!" Cheng Xuemin waved his hand, walked back to the sofa and sat down, his expression returning to calm. "Counselor Li, I need to trouble you with something else!"

"It's rare to have some free time, so before returning to China, I plan to arrange for Jiayou, Gong Xue, Zhu Lin, Lian Jie, and the others to have a short two-day trip in France tomorrow to relax and celebrate our success. Then we'll head back to Hong Kong!"

"If any publishers like Brian come to me to discuss copyright after I leave, please pass on a message for me."

"What did you say? Speak." Counselor Li immediately sat up straight, knowing this was crucial.

Cheng Xuemin said clearly, word by word, "Tell them that I will handle all global copyright matters for 'Redemption' in Hong Kong. Those who are interested, please come to Hong Kong to meet with me in person. I won't wait for you if you miss this opportunity!"

"No time wasters..." Counselor Li savored these four words, feeling the confidence, the self-assurance, and even a hint of arrogance contained within them, and couldn't help but smile!

"What a brilliant move! Xuemin, you're giving them absolutely no time to hesitate or coordinate, forcing them to chase after Hong Kong at top speed and with maximum efficiency!"

"Time is on our side now!" Cheng Xuemin smiled, a smile that showed the composure of someone in control of the game.

Over the next two days, the Cannes buzz did not subside with the closing of the film festival; instead, it reached a new climax due to the continued buzz surrounding "Redemption" winning the Palme d'Or and the $400 million bet!
Newspapers around the world, whether major newspapers or tabloids, almost all have their front pages dominated by keywords such as Chinese films, the Palme d'Or miracle, and the $400 million bet!

The photo of Cheng Xuemin calmly and confidently delivering his acceptance speech in fluent French and English at the awards ceremony was published alongside a photo of Tsuchino Naoko looking pale and hurriedly leaving the scene, creating a striking and narrative contrast!

Professional film critics have begun to set aside their curiosity and truly delve into the film "Redemption" itself!
Authoritative publications such as Cahiers du Cinéma and Sight & Sound published special articles overnight, praising Redemption as the greatest cinematic epic of the year from multiple perspectives, including narrative structure, cinematic language, acting depth, and philosophical connotation. They described it as a profound inquiry into humanity that touches the soul, and a perfect fusion of Eastern philosophy and universal values.

Ordinary viewers, on the other hand, were deeply captivated by this legendary tale, which was even more dramatic in reality than in the movies!

Countless people flocked to cinemas where the film was still being screened, hoping to catch a glimpse of "Redemption"!
Ticket sales at Cannes, which were nearing their end, have been reignited by the release of "Redemption," with tickets becoming extremely difficult to obtain!
Discussions about the plot, interpretations of the characters, and especially insights into the theme of hope in the film began to spread among the earliest film fans around the world!
Bullets are flying at an alarming speed to every corner of the globe, and the heated discussions and anticipation surrounding "Redemption" are snowballing!
Just as this global attention reached its first small peak, Cheng Xuemin quietly disappeared, just as he had planned.

……

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