Entertainment Era: My Good Sister Is All Over the World

"Since we've brought up 'Let the Bullets Fly,' as the director, let me say a few words!"

Chen Huaikai wore a cold smile, not even bothering to look at the people who had spoken earlier, and simply said to Zhou Yunyi, who was chairing the meeting, "Shouldn't I have the right to speak?"

"Of course, everyone can speak freely today."

Zhou Yunyi nodded.

Chen Huaikai's gaze was cold and his tone was very serious: "Regarding Comrade Xiang Jiexin's views on the script and actors of 'Let the Bullets Fly,' I have only one opinion."

Xiang Jiexin knew that Chen Huaikai had a problem with him, and asked with a smile, "What problem?"

"Fuck you!"

Chen Huaikai, who is usually a refined and cultured person, couldn't hold back and swore in public today.

Chen Huaikai was thoroughly fed up with these people, who always seized on a few words to start a struggle, which went on and on.

Even though the literary and art congress had just ended, they remained unchanged!

They even used the guidelines set forth at the National Congress of Literary and Art Circles as a pretext to try to control the discourse power in the literary and art circles in the future.

His heart is wicked, and he deserves to be punished!

In the past, when he was making opera films, he was often harassed by Xiang Jiexin and others.

Now he wants to make a work that will be remembered by posterity, but they actually resort to these underhanded tricks again. He can't hold back his anger any longer!

He felt nauseous and wanted to vomit if he said another word to these people, so he decided to just vent!

Xiang Jiexin immediately flew into a rage, stood up, pointed at Chen Huaikai, and shouted, "Chen Huaikai, what do you mean by this! Are you swearing?!"

Then, he turned to Zhou Yunyi and said, "Chairman Zhou, you saw it too, he's launching a personal attack against me!"

"Ahem, Comrade Chen Huaikai, your expression is indeed somewhat inappropriate!" Zhou Yunyi didn't expect that Chen Huaikai, who was always so gentle and refined, would swear, especially in such a formal setting.

After finishing his tirade, Chen Huaikai felt much better and said with a smile, "I'm willing to accept the punishment, but he deserved to be scolded!"

"The punishment is over, it's just a word." Zhou Yunyi casually absolved Chen Huaikai of responsibility. "You didn't mean it, and I don't think Comrade Jiexin will hold a grudge over such a joke."

Xiang Jiexin was immediately speechless. The chairman of the literary association had already ruled it as unintentional. If he continued to press the matter, it would be that he was being unreasonable.

He simply sat down, still feeling indignant.

"Director Chen, this is a seminar; it's clearly inappropriate for you to speak like this!"

While others might not be allowed to criticize Chen Huaikai, Gan Wudong, as the secretary-general of the Federation of Literary and Art Circles, was certainly qualified. However, he glanced at Zhou Yunyi and suppressed his anger: "This is a one-time exception. Otherwise, if you start cursing in meetings from now on, what kind of behavior is that!"

After a period of respite, Li Qingquan quickly adjusted his thinking and said, "I think that Comrade Xiang Jiexin and Comrade Chen Yupeng's criticisms of Huang Wenbin's work are wrong; they are neither realistic nor objective."

"The Heart-Shaped Stone is set in the Republican era and satirizes the extravagance and bizarre scenes of that time, exposing the corrupt and decadent nature of the bourgeoisie."

"This is a superb piece of work, a perfect propaganda tool. Vice President Chen was just taking things out of context; it's not what he said at all."

Next, Li Qingquan explained his understanding of Huang Wenbin's novels one by one. As a creator himself and an editor for decades, his interpretations were very profound and insightful.

Many people listened and nodded frequently, as if they were drinking fine wine.

"This writer is not even twenty years old, yet he already possesses such a magnificent imagination, such precise writing style, and such astonishing insight into reality..."

"Given time, his achievements will be immeasurable, and he may even lead our country's literature to the world stage."

"..."

"If we're going to condemn a writer with such potential based on some unfounded clues, then I think the literary and artistic circles are beyond saving!"

"Openness should mean inclusiveness and diversity, not paranoia!"

"This aligns with the spirit of the Fourth National Congress of Literary and Art Workers!"

This time, Li Qingquan didn't resort to any roundabout tactics. Instead, he expressed his thoughts directly, completely and passionately.

Many people nodded in agreement as they listened.

With him taking the lead, others quickly followed suit and expressed their own opinions.

They may not necessarily support Huang Wenbin, but they must ensure that Huang Wenbin's works remain safe and sound, because they are the spark of the literary and artistic world and a signal of openness.

Just like the nude oil painting hanging in an airport during that era, Hong Kong businessmen only needed to see it still hanging there to know that the policy hadn't changed, and they could instantly feel at ease.

Li Ji naturally also voiced his support for Li Qingquan and his group, consistently using the spirit of the literary and art congress as a weapon to refute the naive views of Xiang Jiexin and others.

However, Gan Wudong and his group were not to be trifled with, and they kept focusing on some clues revealed in Huang Wenbin's works.

Huang Wenbin was, after all, a soul that had traveled from a later era, and he bore the imprint of that era.

Therefore, even though he thought he had integrated into this era, he would still inadvertently incorporate a little bit of the mentality of later generations into his novels.

Even this small thing could have caused a huge upheaval at any time in the 1970s.

Huang Wenbin's good fortune lies in the fact that he was reborn into the era of reform and opening up.

At this time, the prevailing thoughts were a mix of openness and closedness, generosity and sensitivity... People embraced the new era with great enthusiasm, but at the same time, they had not yet swept away the dust of the old era.

Unintentionally, Huang Wenbin pushed the door to this new era a little bit further.

After several rounds of debate, the two sides remained deadlocked.

"Also, I have a question," Chen Yupeng spoke up again, this time intending to use "Hibiscus Town" as a starting point. "This work is incredibly rich in details of daily life; only someone who has experienced it firsthand could write it. Huang Wenbin is only nineteen years old; how could he possibly write such a work!"

This is practically a direct accusation that Huang Wenbin plagiarized.

"I think that's wrong!" Li Qingquan immediately retorted. "According to you, Feng Jicai was able to write the novel 'The Boxer Rebellion' only after experiencing the Boxer Rebellion?"

Huang Wenbin was indeed young and perhaps inexperienced, but he happened to live during that period, and his hometown was not far from Furong Town. In fact, he had relatives in the village who lived in Furong Town.

He was a child prodigy, emotionally rich, and intellectually sharp. You've read his works before "Hibiscus Town," so of course he could write something like that.

Chen Yupeng retorted without hesitation, "I think you're just protecting your fellow villager!"

Li Qingquan is also a player from Jiangxi.

"Are you resorting to regional attacks?" Li Qingquan retorted without flinching. "If you want to accuse him of plagiarism, then produce the evidence. Don't try to make him prove it himself!"

Zhou Yunyi was also having a headache. At this moment, he suddenly noticed that the director of Beijing Film Studio was actually smiling the whole time, so he couldn't help but ask directly: "Comrade Wang Yang, why are you not saying a word? Huang Wenbin has been staying at your Beijing Film Studio's guesthouse for a while now. You must have had some contact with him and know him, right?"

Factory Director Wang nodded: "Yes, I've met this young man and had in-depth conversations with him."

"Then why don't you share your opinion?" Zhou Yunyi asked, somewhat puzzled.

Factory Director Wang laughed again: "Precisely because I've had dealings with them, I know that some people's words are utter nonsense. Besides, if I were to speak, I could basically end this meeting. Wouldn't that just leave those comrades feeling bored?"

"What kind of attitude is this!" Gan Wudong frowned and scolded unhappily, "No wonder Huang Wenbin is so undisciplined and insensitive; I think it's because you spoiled him!"

"I don't want to argue about anything."

Wang Yang slowly stood up. "I'm here to say only three things. After that, I won't say anything more, because it's pointless."

When the others heard him say this, they couldn't help but turn their gazes toward him.

"First, Huang Wenbin's works do not violate any principles. What he satirizes and targets are the unfair phenomena that exist in society, and pointing these out is beneficial to our country. The accusations against him, however, are all unfounded and have no factual basis."

"Secondly, Huang Wenbin's novels and screenplays can generate foreign exchange. His novel 'Shaolin Temple' has caught the eye of Hong Kong director Zhang Xinyan and should be filmed soon."

When the film is released in Hong Kong, it will undoubtedly greatly enhance my country's image and reputation. Moreover, just over ten days ago, director Li Hanxiang offered Huang Wenbin 20,000 yuan per script, which is unprecedented.

If we can give him strong support, could he one day write a screenplay that goes global, or a novel that gains international recognition?

I think that's possible!

"Third, Huang Wenbin's script was reviewed by the elders. Many directors were present at the time and can attest to this. Even Comrade Xiang Jiexin was there, but he never mentioned this point. I don't know what his reasoning was."

"Alright, I've finished speaking. Comrades, please make yourselves at home."

After saying that, Wang Yang sat down.

The room fell silent. This effectively killed the debate. Almost everyone turned their attention to Xiang Jiexin, hoping he could provide a reasonable explanation.

Although the screening was private and they were asked to keep it confidential.

However, since Xiang Jiexin has not mentioned this point yet, which raises questions about his intentions, as Huang Wenbin's work is currently being discussed.

Xiang Jiexin was sweating profusely; he hadn't really taken the movie screening that day seriously.

He thought that the old man met with tens of thousands of people every year, so how could he possibly remember an unknown nobody like Huang Wenbin?

Moreover, the film itself was dangerous. When he watched the sample, he felt extremely uncomfortable, as if he were sitting on pins and needles, as if he had been stripped naked.

"Hmph, Director Wang is clearly trying to change the subject and use the old man as a shield."

Xiang Jiexin stood up and roared angrily, "The old man was indeed present, but he didn't express any opinion. Are you trying to use the old man's reputation to shield this kid by bringing up this?!"

That would be a very serious offense.

Wang Yang's expression also changed.

Just then, the conference room door was pushed open.

A figure walked in, whispered a few words in Zhou Yunyi's ear, handed him something, and then left.

The others stopped arguing and all looked at him.

Zhou Yunyi looked at what was in her hand, and her eyes widened instantly.

It was just a photograph, a picture of an old man shaking hands with a young man.

On the back of the photo was a message.

To Huang Wenbin:

He was exceptionally talented and accomplished at a young age.

Go for it, there are no taboos.

The signature was the old man's surname.

Zhou Yunyi immediately stood up, her face flushed with excitement. Clearly, there was no need to continue this seminar.

He said nothing, but handed the photos to the people around him: "Send the photos to everyone to see. This meeting is over. Comrade Li Ji, please organize the meeting minutes, and then take the photos to the People's Daily. It will be published tomorrow."

He added, "When you're done with the photos, remember to deliver them to Comrade Huang Wenbin."

Li Ji immediately nodded: "Understood."

When Gan Wudong and the others saw the photo and the message on the back, their faces turned pale and they collapsed into their seats.

……

the other side.

The sky was somewhat gloomy, with dark clouds piling up, as if it were about to rain.

Huang Wenbin and Xu Xiaoming were both writing furiously in the room.

"It's too dark. It's really uncomfortable without electric lights."

Huang Wenbin rubbed his eyes. The guesthouse only had kerosene lamps, which were quite precious and not very bright, so he hadn't used them.

Just as he was grumbling, a ray of sunlight suddenly shone down and hit his face.

Huang Wenbin looked up and found that the sunlight had actually pierced through the layers of dark clouds.

Soon, the dark clouds gradually dissipated, and the sky returned to clear skies.