Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 543: Wu Tianmin in Despair
Historically, this TV series was directed by Zheng Xiaolong and Feng Xiaogang, and starred by Jiang Wen and Wang Ji.

Now, it is hard to say whether Jiang Wen and Wang Ji will shoot this TV series, but the original two directors will not shoot it.

Of course it's impossible for Zheng Xiaolong. Now the Yanjing Television Art Center and Shengshi Film and Television are in conflict. How could Zheng Xiaolong agree to it?
Feng Xiaogang? Impossible. This guy is an employee of the Art Center and a member of the Seahorse Studio. He only follows Wang Shuo's lead. How dare he disobey Wang Shuo?

Zhang Yimou is busy preparing for his "Raise the Red Lantern", who is suitable to find?
In the evening, Song Tangtang came back and talked about this matter with Fang Minghua. Song Tangtang also looked worried.

"I think it's better to cooperate with Xi'an Film Studio." Song Tangtang expressed his opinion:
"After all, I'm familiar with Xi'an Film Studio. Director Liu is a man who won't ask you about what you shoot as long as you pay him and don't affect his official position. But you need a good director."

Fang Minghua pondered, and suddenly thought of someone, and said, "What do you think of Wu Tianmin?"

"Who?"

"Wu Tianmin, former director of Xi'an Film Studio."

"Isn't he still in the United States? How can it be filmed?" Song Tangtang was very surprised, but suddenly understood: "You mean, this TV series is filmed in the United States?!"

"Of course, the story is originally about America. You can't set up a personal set to shoot in China? It would be inappropriate." Fang Minghua said with a smile.

"According to your idea, Wu Tianmin is very suitable for this drama. Although he has never acted in a TV series, his directing skills are there!" Song Tangtang became more and more excited. "Besides, I heard that he is quite poor in the United States and is very willing to act in a drama!"

With this idea in mind, the couple sat on the sofa and began to discuss it.

If Wu Tianmin becomes the director, there will be a great advantage in using the production team of Xi'an Film Studio. Wu Tianmin is the former director and they are all familiar with each other. Although Wu Tianmin has left Xi'an Film Studio now, his prestige remains.

"Now, the biggest problems are: first, how to convince Director Liu to mobilize the production team of Xi'an Film Studio to cooperate with Wu Tianmin; second, how to contact Wu Tianmin," Fang Minghua concluded.

"I'll go look for Director Liu," said Song Tangtang.

"Zhang Yimou and Wu Tianmin know each other's specific address in the United States through correspondence. I called Sun Lizhe or Lili to help find it." Fang Minghua said.

After the two of them finished speaking, they looked at each other and smiled.

Having made up their minds, the couple took action separately. Fang Minghua called Zhang Yimou the next day to explain her idea and learned that Wu Tianmin was currently in Los Angeles, California.

"Minghua, Director Zhang wrote me a letter during the Chinese New Year. He was originally hired as a visiting professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, but his contract expired at the end of last year, so he is now living at home with his daughter."

Zhang Yimou's voice was a little low on the phone: "His daughter Wu Yanyan is still studying at UCLA, and it costs a lot. I guess Director Wu is not in a good condition now."

Fang Minghua understood what he meant.

My daughter is in college and my father has lost his job, and they are both wandering in a foreign country. How good can the situation be?
"Minghua, if your friend can contact Director Wu, please give him my regards. If you need my help during the filming, just let me know. I know people at the Xiying Studio quite well."

"Okay, I'll definitely bring it to you."

Now that he knew Wu Tianmin's address, Fang Minghua did not hesitate. At one o'clock in the afternoon, he made an international long-distance call to Li Li.

It should be nine o'clock in the evening in San Francisco now, and Li Li should be at home.

Sure enough, a familiar voice came from the phone, but it was in English: "Who are you?"

"Lili, I am Minghua."

"Brother-in-law." Li Li's voice immediately became enthusiastic: "Where is my cousin?"

"I'm going to work, Lili, I need your help with something."

"Well, brother-in-law, go ahead."

Fang Minghua briefly told Wu Tianmin about his plan to film "A Native of Yenching in New York".

"Ah? Wu Tianmin is in Los Angeles and can't return home? Well, I've seen his movies "Life" and "Old Well", especially "Life", which I like very much. I watched it several times when I was still studying at Western University."

The girl immediately started talking: "Liu Qiaozhen is such a good girl, why didn't Gao Jialin cherish her? I was so angry when I saw it, why are all men like this?" Fang Minghua smiled bitterly after hearing this.

You won't kill all the men in the world with one stick, right?
And please, my lady, international calls are expensive!

However, Fang Minghua did not interrupt much, but listened quietly.

Maybe she is lonely in a foreign country.

Li Li talked for more than ten minutes before she stopped. Suddenly she realized that she had gone off topic and apologized on the phone, "Brother-in-law, I'm sorry. I talked too much today. You don't blame me, do you?"

"It's okay, Lili, come back and visit your parents during the holidays. Tangtang misses you too." Fang Minghua said gently.

"I want to come back, but my mom will definitely ask me questions after I come back. How should I answer? Sister Tangtang probably told you about my affairs, eh."

"Get a divorce. What's the difference between a marriage like this and a grave? You are still young and can find a better one." Fang Minghua advised.

"Divorce? I've thought about it, but I think it's good now. We live in our own places now and don't interfere with each other. My life now is no different from before, which is good."

But this isn't a long-term thing.
Fang Minghua sighed slightly.

"Okay, brother-in-law, I won't talk about this anymore. I'm going to Los Angeles tomorrow!"

Hilgrad Avenue, Los Angeles.

This place is located to the east of the University of California, Los Angeles. Although there is no bus to the school and transportation is a bit inconvenient, the rent here is very cheap, which still attracts many students to rent a house here.

Wu Tianmin's daughter Wu Yanyan rents a house here, and lives with her is her father Wu Tianmin.

Now, while his daughter rides her bicycle to school, Wu Tianmin is also busy, continuing his day's business - renting videotapes.

Unable to return home, and without a source of income after their contract with UCLA expired, the father and daughter suddenly fell into a difficult situation.

They started out making money by making and delivering dumplings to local Chinese, but later they thought it was not a big deal, so on February 2th of this year, Valentine's Day in the West, the father and daughter braved the heavy snow and brought back two truckloads of videotapes. They then made a living by renting out the videotapes in their apartment.

This day is Chinese New Year's Eve.

The father and daughter barely made ends meet by renting videotapes.

Life in the United States is monotonous. Wu Tianmin has nothing to do all day, so he kills time by watching videotapes. He watches everything from very famous art films such as "Roman Holiday", "Gone with the Wind" and "Dead Poets Society" to Hollywood blockbusters such as "Terminator" and "Blade Runner", just to see what the movies are about and how Americans make movies.

He even watched "The Bridges of Madison County" and "Ghost", which were adapted from Fang Minghua's novels.

I sighed in my heart. I didn't expect that Fang Minghua could write such a touching love novel.

Of course, he has done something that makes him very proud. Since there is no bus service here, his daughter has to walk a long way to school every day. Not long ago, she muttered, "If only I had a bicycle."

Wu Tianmin kept his daughter's words in mind.

What if I don't have money?
So he thought of a way, to go into the casino!
It was the first time for me to come to these places, so I was naturally a little timid, but I was lucky and actually helped my daughter win enough money to buy a bicycle.

He was so happy when his daughter rode the brand new bicycle he bought.

It was past three in the afternoon. Students were in class and not many people were renting tapes. Wu Tianmin was just about to watch the latest movie "The Godfather 3" when suddenly a beautiful oriental girl with black hair and black eyes appeared at his door.

The girl looked at him and spoke in Mandarin Chinese with a slight Wu accent!

"Hello, are you Director Wu Tianmin?"

director
Wu Tianmin's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

It's been a long time since anyone called themselves that!
(End of this chapter)