Back to 80: My literary life.

Chapter 839 Liu Yifei's Birthday Party
I.
Fang Minghua was suddenly speechless.

In the evening, Li Li was indeed several times more enthusiastic than usual.

After the roadshow of "Hero" ended, it was released simultaneously in major theaters in the United States and Canada on July 7. As expected, the box office was a big hit, creating a miracle of 18 million US dollars in the first week, becoming the best performance of a Chinese film in North America.

At the same time, the film was also released in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Europe, with good news coming in one after another.

Especially in Japan, the box office in the first week reached 15.5 billion yen, equivalent to 1100 million US dollars, exceeding the North American box office.

Shengshi Film and Television was naturally delighted. Fang Minghua could imagine Zhang Yimou's face full of wrinkles when he grinned.

After living there for half a month, Liu Xiaoli returned to New York with her daughter. Before leaving, she called Fang Minghua and said that the things in the villa were basically ready. Now she was going back to New York to pack her luggage, deal with the real estate there, and ship the two cars over.

"Minghua, I plan to move to Los Angeles before Xixi starts school. You are welcome to visit my home after you move into the new home." Liu Xiaoli said on the phone.

"Okay, I'll come over when I have time."

Without any mess, Fang Minghua focused on writing and finally completed the sixth Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, in mid-August, and then handed it to Li Li for translation.

According to the plan, it will be officially published at the beginning of next year, and Demi is already urging us to do so.

After finishing this book, Fang Minghua felt relaxed and could finally take a rest.

To be honest, I no longer have the same passion for writing as I did back then.

Is it because of the 8 billion US dollars in wealth?

There is this factor.

But more importantly, the current domestic literary scene is lifeless and has long lost the vitality of the 1980s and 1990s.

Literature has been helplessly marginalized.

At noon that day, Fang Minghua had lunch as usual, and then got up from a nap. The phone on the bedside table rang, and the caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.

After thinking about it, I decided to answer the call.

Then a little girl's voice came from inside: "Godfather, I'm Xixi, this is my cell phone number, you have to remember it."

Fang Minghua was a little surprised. Liu Yifei had never called her on her own initiative. At most, they would chat for a few minutes after her mother finished speaking.

"Okay, Xixi, is there anything wrong?" Fang Minghua asked.

"August 8th is my birthday, godfather, can you come to Los Angeles to celebrate my birthday?"

This one
Fang Minghua agreed after hesitation.

Forget about adults’ birthdays, as each time you celebrate one year older, so Fang Minghua never celebrates his birthday.

It’s nice to have a birthday party for kids.

"That's great, godfather, look, my mother wants to tell you." Liu Yifei's happy voice came from the other end of the phone.

Soon, Liu Xiaoli's pleasant voice came from the other end of the microphone.

"It's like this. This year is Sissi's 13th birthday, which has special significance. I want to give her a big birthday party. In addition to you, I also invited Mr. Wu, Director Chen, Director Spielberg, two young actors who acted with her, and leaders from Warner Bros. Pictures and Shengshi Pictures to celebrate. Oh, and I also invited several Chinese actors."

They invited so many people?!
I celebrated my two children's birthdays by myself. At first, my grandparents and others came to give their blessings. Later, when the children grew up, it became a family of four, and we never invited outsiders.

However, Liu Yifei has now become a household name in the United States and a public figure, and her birthday is also a platform for communication.

"Yeah, that's good. How's the preparation going?"

"You know my house is a little small, so I was going to contact a hotel, but I haven't booked it yet."

"No need to contact the hotel, just do it at my manor, it's a big place." Fang Minghua said generously.

"Thank you so much."

"You're welcome. I'll call the manor's steward and tell him about this. If you need anything, just contact him directly."

"Ok."

After Fang Minghua hung up the phone, he called the housekeeper York and said a few words, and finally specifically reminded him: "Don't let the media reporters in!" "Don't worry, I will contact Ms. Liu and arrange everything."

In the afternoon, when Li Li came home from school, Fang Minghua talked about this matter.

"Li Li, you and I will go to Xixi's birthday party, and bring Xinxin with you."

Li Li glanced at him and said, "They invited you but not me."

"Look at what you said." Fang Minghua said with a smile, "She is celebrating her birthday at our house! It's reasonable for you to go!"

Li Li was a little excited, but after thinking about it, she decided to refuse.

"There are so many people here, it's not convenient for me to go, what if others ask about our relationship?"

"I just said that you are my woman and Xinxin is my child."

"Forget it. I don't mind if there are too many people talking. I'm just worried that my cousin will be affected if the news gets out to China."

"We'll know sooner or later."

"Then try to wait until later."

Li Li didn't want to go, and Fang Minghua had no choice but to go alone.

Since he had to give a gift, Fang Minghua didn't know what to buy, so he just bought a FurryVille plush family big bear to take with him.

Early in the morning of August 8, Fang Minghua boarded a plane to Los Angeles and arrived at the airport two hours later. Naturally, the housekeeper York sent someone to pick her up.

When he arrived at Amber Villa in his Audi A8, Liu Xiaoli and her daughter were already there and were very happy to see Fang Minghua.

"Thank you, godfather." Liu Yifei happily accepted the gift.

"Godfather, I'll take you to see my part." The girl happily took Fang Minghua's hand and went to the east hall on the first floor.

The entire hall was decorated with lights and was arranged completely in the style of a Western cocktail party. The table was filled with all kinds of wine, drinks, and fruit plates.

The accompanying butler York told Fang Minghua that the original owner often held cocktail parties here to entertain guests.

"Mr. Fang, according to etiquette, you are Miss Liu's godfather. When the time comes, you should wear a formal suit and entertain guests with Ms. Liu." York reminded.

Ah?
I was originally invited to the birthday party as a guest, but now I have become the host entertaining the guests?

Being a godfather is not an easy job.

Well, do as the Romans do.

After six o'clock in the evening, the usually quiet Amber Villa became lively. Luxury cars entered the manor one after another and were guided by staff to park in the parking lot.

Fang Minghua was wearing a suit and a black bow tie - this American Ralph Lauren brand suit was bought temporarily in the city. When he came, he was wearing a T-shirt and casual pants, which were not suitable for today's occasion.

Originally, butler York suggested that someone of Fang Minghua's status should wear Italian Kiton brand suits.

However, this brand must be customized and requires an appointment and queue. It would take several weeks to go back, so I had to give up.

Liu Xiaoli wore a black sleeveless dress today with a pearl necklace hanging around her snow-white neck, looking dignified yet charming. Liu Yifei wore a white pleated miniskirt, looking youthful, lively and a little sexy.

The three of them entertained the guests at the party, and the first to come were Wu Tianmin's family.

Wu Tianmin has moved his family to Los Angeles and brought his wife over. His daughter Wu Yanyan has graduated and is now preparing to enter the film and television industry.

When he saw Fang Minghua, he was very affectionate and kept calling him "Uncle Fang, Uncle Fang".

I seem to be only a few years older than you?

After hearing Wu Yanyan's name, Fang Minghua didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he just let her call him that.

I have been friends with Wu Tianmin for twenty years, and we both speak very casually. But today, Wu Tianmin looked at me strangely.

He looked at Fang Minghua for a while, then looked at Liu Xiaoli who was chatting and laughing with Wu Yanyan, and it was unknown what he was thinking.

(End of this chapter)