Return to Hong Kong Island for a Century

Chapter 356 An Encounter (First Update)
Li Song liked Ah Ling's attitude very much. In fact, many of those who talked about friendship were opportunists who wanted to use this method to get the attention of their superiors.

Since we'd be unknown anyway, we might as well take a gamble; of course, there's also the potential profit involved.

Just as Li Song needed to find people like Nick to open up overseas markets, foreign companies also need to find locals to open up domestic markets.

It goes without saying how these locals will choose to act once they have benefited.

“Gong Xue and the others don’t want to film anymore,” Ah Ling said again.

"Okay." The script for Dream of the Red Chamber isn't even fully finished yet. Because of the large investment, everyone involved has to be careful, so that it won't be filmed and criticized by others.

Journey to the West, Dream of the Red Chamber, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms are all classics, so everyone wanted to do their best when filming them.

If the film is well-made, one's fame will soar; if it's poorly made, one will be a pillar of shame and be criticized behind one's back.

"Let's go to Badaling early the day after tomorrow," Zhu Ling said.

"Ok!"

Tourist attractions around Kyoto have existed for a long time. In the past, many people would go to these tourist attractions on Sundays and holidays.

Many of the attractions were later restored and then fenced off to charge admission.

What you see now is pretty much the original, authentic tourist attraction.

Of course, the facilities at the attractions now are definitely not as good as those in the later ones.

Have you ever thought about filming in Hong Kong?

“I think you’re also very good at directing modern urban dramas,” Li Song asked again.

"..." Zhu Ling was still very curious about Hong Kong Island because she had met many people from Hong Kong Island through co-producing a TV series with Phoenix TV.

Many people's impression of Hong Kong Island comes from these people: a monthly salary of a few thousand dollars, endorsement fees of millions, and a movie investment of millions or even hundreds of millions.

Of course, prices are also very high; a bowl of noodles costs several yuan, and a house costs hundreds of thousands.

"Let's forget about it and talk about it in a few years." Zhu Ling shook her head because she was afraid.

Zhu Ling could probably guess that a wealthy man like Li Song might have several women in Hong Kong, because actors from Hong Kong said that wealthy men in Hong Kong all have several girlfriends.

Although this was just her own speculation, Zhu Ling dared not face it, because she couldn't ask Li Song to do anything because of her status.

Moreover, Li Song has already given himself more than enough.

"OK then."

"In a few years, we'll be able to travel abroad more. It will be very convenient to take a private jet then." Li Song himself can't travel around, but his woman can.

On April 19, 1981, the fifteenth day of the third lunar month, a Sunday, Li Song drove Zhu Ling to the entrance of Beijing Film Studio early in the morning to pick up Zhang Liwei and Gong Xue.

There are many foreigners at Badaling, and many foreign organizations in Kyoto, so these people often bring their families to travel around Kyoto on Sundays.

Badaling began receiving foreign tourists in 58 and is still a special economic zone. Because it is very famous abroad, it receives many foreign tourists every year.

It is also the most famous section of the Ming Great Wall.

The road to Badaling is well-maintained; it's all paved.

There are more cars on the road on Sundays, and because foreigners often come here, the area is very safe.

Li Song was dressed casually, in a beige jacket suit with a white shirt underneath and sneakers.

Zhu Ling was wearing white sneakers, black pants, and a white jacket, which looked like a matching outfit with Li Song's.

Zhang Liwei was wearing black casual pants, a white shirt, a gray blazer, and flat casual shoes.

Gong Xue was wearing a white knitted cardigan over a white crew-neck T-shirt, gray pants, and white flat casual shoes.

Li Song looked at the three beauties; they were all authentic and each had their own unique beauty, unlike in 2080, where the aesthetics of big spenders prevailed, and many actors looked like they were born from the same mother.

Although Li Song and his group tried to keep a low profile, their attire was still quite different from that of the others around them. Most people from the mainland were wearing Zhongshan suits, in blue, green, or gray, or blue shirts or black trousers, and many carried a shoulder bag.

A small number of people were wearing suits.

There were also quite a few foreigners, and they were all carrying cameras.

Li Song discovered that there is very little vegetation outside Badaling now, mostly just shrubs and the like.

In the 80s, most people in China needed firewood, so many mountains were barren.

Later, the ecology improved, electricity was installed in homes, and it was convenient. In addition, industrialization and urbanization attracted a large number of agricultural workers.

There's nothing we can do about it, because our country's population density is too high, and farmers can never expect to live a good life.

Therefore, urbanization and industrialization are inevitable.

Just look at the third-in-command next door. They have several harvests a year and produce a lot of grain every year, but what is their standard of living like?

So some people bring up urbanization and industrialization, but these people have never thought about how to feed over a billion people.

Li Song, tall and handsome, attracted attention wherever he went with three beautiful women.

Li Song also carried a camera and a backpack, as shopping wasn't as convenient back then.

The Badaling Great Wall is now in pretty good condition. A group of people pointed and talked along the way, and the three women took off their coats when taking pictures.

After climbing for a while, Li Song ended up with several satchels.

"Brother Li, you're really amazing." Zhang Liwei climbed up a watchtower, leaning against the city wall, panting. He looked at Li Song, who was carrying several bags, yet his face wasn't flushed or out of breath, and said. "I exercise regularly," Li Song explained.

Zhu Ling blushed inexplicably. Li Song's physique was not just good, to be precise, somewhat abnormal. However, since everyone had just climbed onto the enemy platform, his blushing was not noticeable.

"Hey, troublesome..." At this moment, four foreigners also climbed up to the watchtower and stood there, looking down at the winding Great Wall. They were very happy and prepared to take pictures.

Because taking photos here allows you to capture not only the view of the city wall you've climbed from, but also the view of the wall behind you that you haven't climbed, many people take photos here.

The foreigners noticed that Li Song and his group were dressed differently, and that Li Song was carrying a camera, so they came over and asked Li Song to take pictures for them.

"OK." Li Song nodded directly.

Then Li Song picked up his camera and, while taking pictures, asked the other person to pose in various ways in English.

Back then, it was still film cameras, so you had no idea how good the photos would turn out until they were developed.

The foreigners were surprised that Li Song could speak English, and with a perfect London accent at that.

"Sister Ling, I didn't expect Brother Li to speak such good English," Zhang Liwei asked Zhu Ling.

“Yes, I know some English, but it’s a bit difficult for me to understand what they’re saying.” Gong Xue nodded in agreement.

"Yes, I've heard that English also has an accent." Zhu Ling nodded.

Li Song had just finished taking photos for a few people and had just returned the camera to them.

Then a pair of older foreigners appeared; the man was wearing a black suit, and the woman was wearing a dress. They seemed to be people of some status.

"Mr. Li Song?" the foreigner asked Li Song uncertainly.

"Who are you?" Li Song looked at the middle-aged man.

“Kreida, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” the man, wearing glasses, said, extending his hand.

“So it’s Sir Kolida.” Li Song recognized him and reached out his hand.

“I didn’t expect Mr. Li to be even younger than he appears on TV and in the newspapers,” Kolida said, looking at Li Song.

Kolida never expected to meet the young man who was causing headaches for relevant departments in many Western countries.

Li Song is a figure who is causing headaches for relevant departments in many Western countries because he rose to power too quickly and his background is too simple.

But with such a simple background, how did he achieve what he has today?

Kolida naturally focused on Li Song, but Li Song's hometown was not open to the public, so there was no way to investigate further.

Li Song's record in Hong Kong Island is also completely clean.

When Kolida heard Li Song address him as "Sir," he knew this young man was no ordinary person.

For the people of the United Kingdom, official positions are nothing; titles are the most important.

"Thank you for the compliment, Sir," Li Song replied with a chuckle.

“I learned Chinese on Hong Kong Island in 1961. I love Hong Kong Island very much. I wonder what Mr. Li thinks of Hong Kong Island?” Clarida asked.

“I also like Hong Kong Island. It was Hong Kong Island that gave me a platform for development, and I believe it will develop better and better in the future.” Li Song didn’t know why this guy, Kelida, asked such a question, but he could just give a formal answer.

“Mr. Li, what are your thoughts on the ownership of Hong Kong Island?” Collida asked.

"contract!"

“It is the cornerstone of Western economic development. I believe both sides will respect the contract, and the United Kingdom, as a country with global influence, should respect the contract even more,” Li Song said.

“…Okay.” Kolida didn’t expect Li Song to bring up the spirit of contract so directly.

Does that mean I can disregard the spirit of contracts?

"Sorry, I have friends..." Li Song glanced at Zhu Ling and the other two who were waiting for him in the distance. The three of them had climbed up first after seeing him taking pictures of foreigners.

“Mr. Li, do you have some time…?” Kolida asked.

"Sorry, I've been quite busy lately." Li Song refused outright. These politicians were all old foxes; who knew what rumors would spread after having dinner with him?

Because sometimes rumors can ruin a person, Li Song seemed to remember that Gong Xue went abroad because of rumors.

Because no one will believe your denials, and the past few years have been a crucial time for negotiations between the two sides.

"Who is he?" the woman who had been with Kolida asked.

“Li Song, the famous science fiction writer,” Kelida began.

"I didn't expect him to be so young."

"Yes."

“This young man is quite famous in the West lately,” the woman said.

"Well, on the contrary, he is very low-key in the East, and you can hardly see his photos in newspapers and the media."

“This man is intelligent,” Kolida said with a shrug.

"You think so highly of him?" The woman was surprised that in such a short time, Kolida had such a high opinion of Li Song.

“Yes!” Kolida nodded.

(End of this chapter)