Rebirth: My 80s

Chapter 1235 Extra: Superstar
At the foot of the imperial city, the Li residence.

On the lotus pond in the courtyard, the brother and sister, who hadn't been together for a long time, walked side by side.

The filming of "A Chinese Odyssey" took three years. During that time, Li Jiankun only saw his younger sister twice, and both times were in a hurry. Now that his younger sister has returned home, Li Jiankun suddenly realized that his younger sister has become somewhat different.

Shedding a layer of naivety, she also lost some of her liveliness.

A lot has undoubtedly happened in these three years.

"The lukewarm reception of 'A Chinese Odyssey' in mainland China was actually within my expectations. However, just because it hasn't become a huge hit yet doesn't mean it won't be one in the future," said Li Jiankun.

Li Yunmeng paused slightly, tilting her head. "Why?"

“There are many factors, but the main ones are the general environment and cultural stereotypes,” Li Jiankun explained. “First, let’s talk about the general environment. Currently, the movies that are popular in mainland China all have linear narrative structures and express relatively simple and straightforward emotions. The audience’s acceptance level is what it is. People are still finding it difficult to accept the complex narrative structure and almost absurd expression of A Chinese Odyssey.”

This version of "A Chinese Odyssey" is very different from the previous one. While retaining the essence, it has put a lot of effort into the details.

This includes, but is not limited to, refining the script, perfecting the structure, eliminating patchwork, using more exquisite sets, props, and costumes, and upgrading equipment to create the ultimate visual and auditory experience.

After its release in mainland China, no one questioned whether it was a grand production; it's just that most people didn't understand it.

“Then there’s cultural stereotype,” Li Jiankun continued. “In the eyes of mainlanders, the character of Sun Wukong has been fixed for many years, and it’s hard for people to accept that the Great Sage Equal to Heaven lives like a dog.”

Li Yunmeng asked thoughtfully, "Then why are the people from the port city able to understand it?"

Unlike in mainland China, "A Chinese Odyssey" became a huge hit after its simultaneous release in Hong Kong, and was even given titles such as "the strongest ever", "unsurpassable", and "a classic".

"Because in many ways, the port city is developing faster, and the people there are ahead of us and have experienced more."

In the past two years, Li Jiankun has often observed the changes of the 1990s from an outsider's perspective. One term that cannot be avoided is "worshiping foreign things and fawning on foreigners." Admittedly, such people do exist, but when the whole society is generally enthusiastic about foreign novelty, it is a kind of yearning for something better.

China has always been a very inclusive country, and its people are happy to accept new things. The idea of ​​closing the country off from the world has absolutely nothing to do with the general public; it was just wishful thinking on the part of the Qing government.

There's nothing wrong with yearning for beautiful things.

Years later, won't the trend of "Guochao" (national trend) and "Guochao" (national product) rise again? When people find that there is nothing new outside, when people find that we are no worse than others, our national self-confidence has never disappeared. It was just that it was quiet for a while when the country was weak, which made it easier to accept, absorb and digest the good things from abroad.

Li Jiankun looked at his younger sister and suddenly smiled meaningfully. "When I say 'experiences,' I don't mean the good ones. In fact, the happiness index in Hong Kong is far higher than on the mainland. The vast majority of Hong Kong citizens now seem to be wearing a tight headband, constantly nagged by teachers and bosses; the girls they like are forced to break up because they can't be together due to economic and career development issues; many people just want to live a simple life, enjoying the present moment, but they are forced to keep moving forward and shoulder the responsibilities of adulthood. Now that I've said this, you should understand who's more like the Monkey King, right?"

Li Yunmeng suddenly realized.

Li Jiankun added, "We will have this day in the future too."

"what?"

"This is an inevitable trend of the times. A perfect solution is often just wishful thinking. Material satisfaction and spiritual happiness are generally moving in the same direction."

Li Yunmeng was stunned. "Erguo, I understand less and less what you're saying."

Li Jiankun laughed heartily, "Let's not talk about me. Actually, what surprised me most about 'A Chinese Odyssey' wasn't the final result of the film, but the song in it. I really didn't expect you to sing 'A Lifetime of Love' so well. Don't you want to talk to me about it?"

When Li Jiankun gave this song to his younger sister to sing, he hesitated, fearing it would be a desecration of a classic.

However, the final result was quite unexpected. The younger sister actually sang it with great feeling. Li Jiankun would not believe that she hadn't suffered some great losses in the past three years.

Li Yunmeng lowered her head, and after a long while, she parted her red lips slightly and whispered, "I've fallen for a boy."

Li Jiankun stared wide-eyed. He hadn't known about such a big thing. But noticing his little sister's downcast mood, he still tried to ask softly, "It's impossible that he doesn't like you, right?" He could say with certainty that no man could possibly dislike his little sister.

With impeccable looks, a generous personality, a kind heart and a willingness to help others, and no arrogance or pretense, she doesn't like to show off with celebrities and prefers to eat skewers at roadside stalls with unknown actors... He has practically raised this girl up.

Li Yunmeng shook her head. "He said he was scared."

Li Jiankun's face turned cold. "If he is that kind of person, then he is right."

A crystal drop fell, spreading out as dark star-like spots on the ground.

Li Jiankun pulled his younger sister into his arms, gently patted her back, and whispered in her ear, "A person who doesn't even have the courage to love you isn't worth it. Little sister, everything has two sides. Our family has become like this, and you will also lose some things, just like you will inevitably lose some things now that you've become a star. What you gain, you will lose; with great power comes great responsibility. I promise you, if you fall in love with someone in the future, and he loves you too, even if he's a beggar, I will support you."

Li Yunmeng nestled in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Alright, alright, you've cried your eyes out. Since you've chosen this path, you have to walk it seriously. Your second brother can pave the way for you, but he can't force people to like you. You have to earn those things yourself. There's only one week left until the concert."

A week later, Li Yunmeng held a concert in Hong Kong. Riding on the wave of popularity of "A Chinese Odyssey" in Hong Kong, the theme song "A Lifetime of Love" also topped various charts. The top-notch team that Li Jiankun assembled for her would naturally not miss such a great opportunity.

After filming "A Chinese Odyssey", Li Yunmeng has been practicing singing, preparing for her first official appearance in Hong Kong.

Li Yunmeng wiped away her tears with her small hands and nodded vigorously, "Mmm!"

A week later, at the Hong Kong Coliseum in Hung Hom, in the evening.

The huge stadium was packed to capacity, filled with a lively atmosphere, and many spectators were holding up stills of Li Yunmeng from "A Chinese Odyssey".

After the concert began, Andy Lau, Guo Fucheng, Li Ming, and Zhang Xueyou took turns to warm up the audience, and finally sang "I Only Want to Love One Person in My Life" together.

As soon as the song ended, a commotion came from above the stage. Amid the gasps of the audience, Li Yunmeng, dressed in ancient costume, descended slowly from the sky like a fairy who had fallen to earth.

"Zixia—"

One of the guys suddenly yelled, and even his voice sounded like a squeaky note.

"The past, the present, are gone and will never return."

"Red, fallen leaves, buried deep in the dust."
"The beginning and the end are always the same, nothing has changed..."

A clear yet melancholic voice rang out, and the scene erupted like a pot of boiling water, with the enthusiastic audience screaming incessantly.

There were also relatively rational people at the scene, but even they were left speechless after watching the performances.

Wang Jie, Kuang Meiyun, Leslie Cheung, Alan Tam, Li Keqin, Mui Yim Fong... all took to the stage to sing. It seems that only the top singers of the moment are qualified to appear.

The audience was treated to a feast for both the ears and the eyes, praising the high cost-performance ratio, as they could hear all the popular singers for the price of just one concert.

Afterwards, a music critic remarked with considerable emotion that the entire Hong Kong entertainment industry was welcoming the arrival of a princess. However, they also acknowledged that Li Yunmeng truly sang exceptionally well; her heavenly voice was a gift from the gods.

Moreover, this girl can not only sing, but also dance and act.

They are witnessing the birth of a superstar.

(End of this chapter)