Great Power Reclamation

Chapter 2887 The One Yuan Script

In the conference room of New Insight Observation in Beijing, Editor-in-Chief Xie was angrily reprimanding several editors.

"Why did you choose to publish so many articles that maliciously attack Mr. Ye, a person of such high moral standing? Don't you have anything better to do?"

A young man stared blankly at Xie: "Editor-in-chief, wasn't this at your behest?"

Xie slammed his hand on the table and roared, "Nonsense! That's a boss I respect very much. How could I possibly give such an instruction!"

An older editor tugged at the young man's sleeve, gesturing for him to sit down.

The young man shook him off, retorting defiantly, "Wumei was fired because she refused to write an article attacking President Ye. It's no use denying it!"

Xie pointed to the door: "Get out. From today onwards, you are suspended from your duties for self-reflection!"

The young man glared at him and said, “I’m going to report this to my superiors. You’re using your power to manipulate public opinion and retaliate against young people!”

Xie grabbed a magazine and threw it at the young man, yelling, "Get out of here!"
The door was pushed open, and two men in executive jackets walked in. Their faces were serious, and they exuded an aura that was intimidating.

One of the older men said to Xie:

"We are from the Discipline Inspection Commission. We need your cooperation in the investigation. Please come with us."

Mr. Xie slumped into the chair and was carried out. At this moment, his feelings could no longer be expressed as regret.

He's the CEO of a business magazine, a high-ranking position, and he went after Ye Yuze out of jealousy. The thing is, the two of them don't even know each other!
The result was that they were completely unharmed, while I was powerless to change the situation. I knew they were no ordinary person, but...

The new editor-in-chief was a middle-aged woman. She wasn't particularly beautiful, but she had a strong presence. The first thing she did upon taking office was to call Wu Mei and ask her to come back to work.

Although Wu Mei resigned, the formalities were not completed, meaning she is still a member of New Insight Observer.

Upon receiving the call, Wu Mei was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, never expecting things to develop this way.

She loved being a journalist, and although her career ended with her first interview, she still managed to write what she wanted to write.

Before leaving, she went to see Ye Yuze. Although she liked her current job, she felt that she still preferred writing.

Because that's her forte—to speak up for more people or things. The outcome isn't important; what matters is that someone has to do it.

Wu Mei stood beneath the towering office building of the Warrior Group and took a deep breath.

Sunlight streamed through the glass curtain wall, casting sharp shadows on the ground.

She was about to leave this place, to say goodbye to this unexpected yet unforgettable journey, and most importantly, to say goodbye to the man in the office whom she looked up to and who evoked complex emotions in her—Ye Yuze.

After gathering her thoughts, she pressed the elevator button for the top floor. The door to the CEO's office was ajar, and she knocked gently.

"Please come in." Ye Yuze's voice was as steady as ever, carrying a sense of composure as if he were in control of the whole situation.

Wu Mei pushed open the door and entered. Ye Yuze was standing in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the bustling city, the sunlight outlining his tall and slightly lonely profile.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around, a gentle smile appearing on his face:

"Little Wu, oh no, should I call you Reporter Wu now? Congratulations, you're back on track."

“President Ye,” Wu Mei tried to keep her voice calm:

"I've come to say goodbye. Thank you, thank you for your trust back then, and thank you... Warrior Group for giving me a safe haven when I was most lost."

Her gaze was sincere, yet carried a hint of barely perceptible affection.

Ye Yuze took a few steps closer and gestured for her to sit down.

"It's a blessing for New Insight to invite you back, and a good thing for the industry. That's where you can showcase your talents and realize your dreams."

He poured a glass of water for Wu Mei himself, his movements natural, yet carrying an invisible sense of distance.

"To be honest, I was surprised and impressed by the pressure you faced when you wrote that report. Not everyone has that kind of courage and perseverance."

"I just did what I thought a journalist should do."

Wu Mei took the water glass, feeling its warmth on her fingertips. She mustered her courage, raised her head, and looked directly into Ye Yuze's deep eyes:

"President Ye... My time at the Warrior Group, though short, was very special for me. I saw a very different world and met a very remarkable person."

Her voice gradually lowered, her cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes held a complex mix of emotions—gratitude, reverence, and a feeling that even she herself could not quite articulate.

Ye Yuze was incredibly perceptive; he noticed the unusual glint in Wu Mei's eyes.

He paused slightly, his smile remaining gentle, but he subtly took a half-step back, returning to the window and gazing at the bustling construction site outside.

There, the massive new factory of Warrior Steel is rising from the ground.

“Warrior Group,” Ye Yuze’s voice rang out steadily, as if stating an objective fact, cleverly avoiding the deeper meaning implied in Wu Mei’s words.

"It's a platform, a place that brings together people with common goals. Everyone who has worked here, regardless of the length of time, is a comrade-in-arms."

He turned around, his gaze calmly falling on Wumei. His eyes held appreciation and the care of an elder, but none of the excitement Wumei had hoped for.

"Reporter Wu, remember this: as long as you've ever been a member of the Warriors Group, you'll always be one. No matter what difficulties you encounter in the future, whether at work or... in life,"

He paused, then added, "Anywhere you need help, just ask. The doors of the Warrior Group are always open to you."

These words are both a promise and an invisible boundary.

He affirmed Wu Mei's value and expressed his support and protection for her, but used neutral and grand terms like "comrade-in-arms" and "a member of the warrior group" to gently but firmly push her budding, tentative feelings back to a safe distance.

Wu Mei's heart felt as if it had been gently squeezed by an invisible hand, a mix of bitterness and disappointment, but mostly a sense of expected relief.

She should have known long ago that the man before her was like a silent and steadfast mountain. His world was too vast, his responsibilities too heavy, and his romantic feelings were perhaps buried deep in some unknown corner of his heart.

She pursed her lips and tried to put on a polite smile:

"Thank you, Mr. Ye. Your words give me even more confidence. I will continue to work hard to be a good journalist."

"I believe you." Ye Yuze nodded and extended his hand. "I wish you a bright future, Comrade Wu Mei."

The word "comrade" brought this one-sided, budding affection to a complete end.

Ume reached out and shook hands with his strong, dry hand, conveying a pure, powerful support that had nothing to do with romance.

Stepping out of the Warriors Building, the afternoon sun was a bit too bright.

Wu Mei glanced back at the towering glass curtain wall, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

There was disappointment, but more than that, there was a sense of relief and determination.

Ye Yuze is right. She belongs to the pen, to the news scene, and to the battlefield where more people can have their voices heard.

She took a deep breath, carefully folded away that hazy feeling, placed it deep in her heart, and strode confidently toward her new journey—the capital city.

Back at New Insight, with the decisive support of the new female editor-in-chief, Wu Mei quickly regained her form.

Her in-depth reports received a warm response. Her reportage about the military reclamation city, the steel soldiers, that special era, and those special people, after being carefully polished, also caused quite a stir in the industry.

The characters she portrays—Ye Yuze, Yang Geyong, Wei Yuxiang, Ma Quanyi, the old company commander, and others—are no longer distant symbols of entrepreneurs, but rather vivid individuals with flesh and blood, laughter and tears, struggling against the tides of the times.

That day, Wu Mei was revising a manuscript in her office when the receptionist called, her voice tinged with a mixture of doubt and excitement:

"Reporter Wu, two gentlemen are looking for you. They say they're from 'Brothers Films' and want to discuss your reportage. One's surname is Wei, and the other is Ma." Brothers Films? Wu Mei was taken aback. This was once a renowned company in the domestic film and television industry. Although it had become much more low-key in recent years because its CEO, Yuan Fang, had moved to Hollywood, its foundation remained. She put down her pen:
"Please invite them to the reception room, I'll be right there."

Pushing open the door to the reception room, Wu Mei saw two men with completely different styles. One was tall and muscular, wearing a flashy Hawaiian-style short-sleeved shirt, with slicked-back hair and a confident smile that seemed to say "I'm the best in the world." He was sitting casually on the sofa with his legs crossed.

The other one appeared much thinner and more capable, dressed in a relatively formal polo shirt, holding a small notebook in his hand, like a secretary ready to take notes at any time.

Standing next to the big guy, he had an almost devout... worshipful smile on his face, and his eyes were filled with the light of "Mr. Wei is right".

"Ukrainian journalist, I've heard so much about you!"

The tall man in the floral shirt immediately stood up upon seeing Wu Mei, extended his hand enthusiastically, and spoke in a loud voice:
"My name is Wei Jiang, the current chairman of 'Brothers Films'! This is my vice president and special assistant, Ma Lu! We've come here because we've heard so much about you!"

Ma Lu immediately bowed slightly, revealing a standard, slightly obsequious smile:

"Hello, reporter Wu, I'm Ma Lu, Mr. Wei's... uh, right-hand man!"

As he spoke, he kept pointing his small notebook in Wei Jiang's direction, as if recording Wei Jiang's wisdom and prowess.

Ume suppressed a laugh and shook hands with them:
"Mr. Wei, Mr. Ma, hello. Please have a seat. May I ask why you two are here...?"

"Let's get straight to the point!" Wei Jiang waved his hand, exuding an imposing aura.

"We read your reportage about the military reclamation city, the steel-willed soldiers, and Uncle Ye... uh, Mr. Ye Yuze and his generation, and we were absolutely blown away! It's so powerful! So full of the spirit of the times! It's so... so perfect for the big screen!"

Ma Lu immediately nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, yes! President Wei has a keen eye! After reading it, our President Wei was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night. He said that if this story wasn't filmed, it would be a disservice to the people of Junken City and to the hard work that Uncle Ye and the others put in!"

He addressed "Uncle Ye" with perfect naturalness.

Wu Mei's heart skipped a beat: "You two... know President Ye?"

"More than just knowing them!" Wei Jiang slapped his thigh, his face beaming with pride.

"Uncle Ye is my dad's old comrade-in-arms and brother! My dad, Wei Yuxiang, is a soldier of steel! I, Wei Jiang, am just a mud monkey who grew up in the military reclamation city!"

Ma Lu immediately added, his tone filled with pride:

"I grew up with General Manager Wei! Back in the military reclamation city, General Manager Wei was a big shot! He and Young Master Ye Mao were known as the 'Three Idiots of the Military Reclamation City'! They were famous far and wide!"

"Pfft..." Wu Mei couldn't help but burst out laughing. The Three Idiots of the Military Reclamation Area? That title... is way too down-to-earth!
Looking at the imposing "President Wei" in front of her, dressed in a floral shirt, she could hardly imagine how silly he had been as a child.

Wei Jiang was a little embarrassed by the laughter and glared at Ma Lu:
"Hey! Why bring up the past! The focus is on the present! Reporter Wu, our Brothers Film and Television wants to buy the film and television adaptation rights to your reportage! We want to make an epic blockbuster! To showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of our fathers! To showcase the glorious years of the military reclamation city!"

Looking at the two people in front of her, Wu Mei noticed that although Wei Jiang dressed extravagantly, the enthusiasm and pride in his eyes when he mentioned the military reclamation city and his father's generation were genuine.

Although Ma Lu was like a sycophant, his sense of belonging to Weijiang and Junken City was genuine.

A warm feeling welled up inside her, and she remembered Ye Yuze's words: the people of the Warrior Group…

“The copyright can be given to you,” Wu Mei said with a smile, her tone sincere.

Wei Jiang and Ma Lu's eyes lit up, and Wei Jiang said with great enthusiasm:

"Great! Reporter Wu, you're very straightforward! Don't worry, the price will definitely satisfy you! Our Brother Film and Television company has plenty of money!"

Wu Mei shook her head and held up one finger: "One yuan."

"A piece... what is that?"

Wei Jiang rubbed his ears, thinking he had misheard. Ma Lu was also stunned, forgetting to take notes in his notebook.

“One yuan,” Wu Mei repeated clearly. “Copyright fee, one yuan.”

Wei Jiang and Ma Lu looked at each other, both dumbfounded. Wei Jiang asked suspiciously:
"Ukrainian reporter, you...you're not kidding, are you? Do you think we can't afford the price? Don't worry..."

“No, Mr. Wei, Mr. Ma,” Wu Mei interrupted him, her eyes clear and firm.

"General Manager Ye once said that if you've worked for the Warriors Group for even a day, you're a member of the Warriors Group. This reportage tells the story of the military reclamation city, the story of the Warriors Group, and the story of your parents' generation."

In a sense, that's my story too. Giving it to you, to those of us who came from the military reclamation city, so that more people can see it, understand that passionate era, and learn about those ordinary yet extraordinary people—that's more important than any amount of money.

She smiled and said, "Besides, you're Ye Mao's childhood friends. One yuan is just a token, to prove that I've paid for the copyright."

Wei Jiang stared at Wu Mei with his mouth agape, remaining silent for a long while. The nonchalant expression on his face vanished, replaced by a look of deep emotion.

Ma Lu's eyes were a little red, and she muttered to herself:
"President Wei, Reporter Wu...you're so loyal! Just like Uncle Ye!"

"Good!" Wei Jiang slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, making the teacup jump. "One yuan it is! Reporter Wu, I, Wei Jiang, am determined to be your friend! Our Brothers Film and Television team will do everything in our power to make this movie a success! We'll make it powerful and spirited!"

He rubbed his hands excitedly, "By the way! Do you know who our Brothers Film and Television used to be the boss? Yuan Fang! Ye Feng's wife! Now she's a big shot in Hollywood!"

"If it weren't for her back then, how could Ye Mao's superstitious mythological dramas have ever gone international? How could the Jin sisters have become international film queens? They're all our own people!"

Ma Lu quickly added, "Yes, yes! The Jin sisters are now shareholders in our company! They said that as long as President Wei's project starts, they will definitely come back to act! The pay is negotiable! This is our own story from Junken City!"

Ume was deeply moved. This whole thing had come full circle, ultimately returning to those same group of people.

Although Ye Mao has entered politics and holds a high position, no longer involved in film and television, his influence, his confidantes, and his brother Ye Feng's wife (Yuan Fang) still radiate enormous energy in this field.

The two fools, Wei Jiang and Ma Lu, are here to unite these forces into one.

"That's wonderful!" Ume exclaimed with genuine joy. "With internationally renowned actresses like the Kim sisters joining the cast, and with your dedication, this film is sure to be a success!"

"That's a must!" Wei Jiang said confidently.

"I'll go back and approve the project right away! Ma Lu! Write this down! First, immediately contact Aunt Jin Hua and Aunt Yin Hua and tell them that the Military Reclamation City is calling them back home to film!"

"Second, contact Sister Yuanfang in Hollywood and ask if she knows any good international distribution channels! Third... oh right, Reporter Wu, you have to be our consultant! You have to oversee the script adaptation! You're the expert in that area!"

Ma Lu quickly jotted it down in his notebook, muttering to himself:

"President Wei is brilliant! President Wei has great foresight! Contact the Jin family... contact President Yuanfang... ask Advisor Wu..."

Looking at this pair of lovable goofballs—the ambitious yet somewhat reckless "second fool" Wei Jiang in his floral shirt, and the "third fool" Ma Lu who follows him like a shadow, always ready to record Wei Jiang's "golden words" and flatter him—

Wu Mei couldn't help but laugh again. The scene was full of dramatic contrasts, yet it also exuded a unique, rugged, and sincere enthusiasm characteristic of the military reclamation city.

As they parted, Wei Jiang solemnly took a shiny one-yuan coin from the pocket of his floral shirt and placed it in Wu Mei's palm as if awarding her a medal.
"Advisor Wu, here's the copyright fee! This is the seed money for our 'Epic of Military Reclamation' project! It's of great significance!"

Ma Lu nodded seriously from the side: "Yes! It has historical significance! I suggest framing it!"

Holding the one-yuan coin that still carried Wei Jiang's warmth (or perhaps it was just warmed by the floral shirt), Wu Mei felt a warm glow in her heart, filled with anticipation.

She seemed to already see that in the near future, this "two fools of the military reclamation" would lead the way, with the former "three fools" sycophants assisting.

The internationally acclaimed actresses, the Kim sisters, deliver a captivating performance, further enhanced by the unseen charisma of Hollywood mogul Yuan Fang and international film star Ye Mao.

A film about the pioneering spirit of a military reclamation city, its soldiers, and a group of tough men is about to begin.

This process will likely be filled with Wei Jiang's carefree attitude and Ma Lu's exaggerated flattery, but it will also be filled with the burning passion and camaraderie unique to the military reclamation city.

And she, Wu Mei, with a pen and a symbolic one-yuan coin, became a participant and witness to this new chapter of legend.

This feels so good. She looked down at the pen in her hand, then looked up into the distance.

This pen will eventually return to where it belongs, to write more truths, and that mountain-like man and the world he represents will forever be the most profound and worthy page in her story.

coming