A widower's entertainment

Xinghua Hutong, Beijing.

Lin Zhaoman plans to apply for a military academy next year, and even if he doesn't get into a military academy, he still plans to join the army.

This wasn't just something Lin Youcheng knew; his older siblings, like Lin Zhaomei, also knew, because they had all asked Lin Zhaoman which university he planned to apply to, and Lin Zhaoman would clearly give his choice directly.

People like Lin Zhaoxi, Lin Zhaoqing, and Lin Zhaomei undoubtedly support Lin Zhaoman.

Just as Lin Zhaoxi chose to study medicine and Lin Zhaomei chose to become a director, Lin Zhaoqing, although he didn't have a particularly clear idea, also chose to attend the sports teacher training college. Naturally, they would all support their younger brother Lin Zhaoman's choice now.

"Dad, if Zhaoman really joins the army next year, can you rest assured?"

Lin Zhaomei looked at her father, Lin Youcheng, with some curiosity, wanting to ask for his opinion.

Lin Youcheng glanced at Lin Zhaomei and asked, "If I didn't let you study directing, would you agree?"

"Of course I disagree."

"That's settled then. What's the use of me worrying? You all have your own paths to walk."

Lin Zhaomei's eyes flashed when she heard Lin Youcheng's words. She knew that her father treated all of them equally and tried to be fair in many things. Of course, because of his daughters, her father would sometimes pay more attention to them.

This is completely different from other families that favor sons over daughters.

Lin Zhaomei was well aware that if Lin Zhaoman wanted to become a director, his father Lin Youcheng would also support him in directing and making films.

Thinking of this, Lin Zhaomei was deeply moved and said with a smile, "I knew Dad was the best to us."

Hearing Lin Zhaomei's words, Lin Youcheng couldn't help but laugh and asked, "Where do you plan to send your film next year?"

Upon hearing Lin Youcheng ask this question, Lin Zhaomei replied very seriously, "The film is still in post-production, and I plan to submit it to the Cannes Film Festival next year."

Upon hearing this answer, Lin Youcheng nodded without saying anything more, as he naturally respected Lin Zhaomei's opinion.

However, he also felt that it would be good for Lin Zhaomei to submit the film to the Cannes Film Festival.

Of course, Lin Youcheng did not tell Lin Zhaomei the reason, because he felt it was unnecessary. He only talked to Lin Zhaomei about the progress of the film's post-production.

Whether Lin Zhaomei's film is submitted to the Cannes Film Festival or Lin Zhaoman takes the college entrance examination next year, these are all things to consider next year.

However, it's almost 1998.

The TV series "Bright Sword" is still airing and is extremely popular. People like Lin Zhaoman have been watching it all along.

Of course, the TV series version of "Bright Sword" will not film the later plots, although this also means that the series will only go up to the National Day military parade and the awarding of ranks, which can be considered a good ending.

For literary workers, such an ending might be a great loss, but for viewers of the TV series, they are more interested in the series itself and don't particularly care about the content that wasn't aired. That's precisely why the series is so popular.

Director Kong Sheng is undoubtedly very happy, because the ratings are soaring and the media and newspapers are praising the TV series "Bright Sword," which proves that he did not ruin Lin Youcheng's novel.

"Other TV stations are also interested in airing this TV series a second time."

Lin Youcheng smiled and nodded when he heard Kong Sheng's words, saying, "If a TV series is well-made, TV stations will naturally compete to broadcast it."

Hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Kong Sheng felt a little embarrassed and said modestly, "Brother Lin, your novel is really well written."

Now that Kong Sheng and Lin Youcheng are old acquaintances, they are naturally not as distant and polite as before. He also knows very well that the original novel is wonderful.

Lin Youcheng smiled when he heard Kong Sheng's words, but didn't say anything more.

When this TV series aired, not only did the actors become famous, but director Kong Sheng also naturally became famous. He would also participate in the program to promote the TV series. However, it is clear that Kong Sheng still knows that it was Lin Youcheng who gave him the opportunity to film two TV series, "The Great Song Dynasty Forensic Examiner" and the current "Bright Sword". He has always had great respect for Lin Youcheng.

Of course, it should be said that everyone in this circle has the utmost respect for a senior figure like Lin Youcheng.

Time passed by unnoticed. Whether it was the hit movie "Strange Tales of the Human World" or the popular TV series "Bright Sword", it was all related to Lin Youcheng, or even because of the stories he wrote.

Lin Youcheng is now also thinking of writing other stories.

Lin Youcheng thought about Lin Zhaoman going to take the military academy entrance exam and join the army, and he thought of a story, a story about soldiers, a story about never abandoning or giving up.

Although Lin Youcheng knew very well that his son Lin Zhaoman did not need to read this story, because he had already made up his mind to join the army, Lin Youcheng still felt that the story should be written down.

That story of never giving up will be loved by the people, and it will also be loved by his son, Lin Zhaoman. Military stories are not only from the past, but also from the present.

Lin Youcheng thought to himself that if he really chose to embark on that path next year, perhaps he could give this novel to Lin Zhaoman as a gift.

After all, no matter where you go, you should have that spirit of never giving up.

Lin Youcheng knew very well that this story was the same as the story of "Soldiers Sortie," which tells the story of Xu Sanduo, an ordinary soldier from a rural background, who grows up without giving up and eventually becomes an outstanding reconnaissance soldier.

The TV series "Soldiers Sortie" was also adapted from a stage play and a novel. It was later broadcast on Yanjing TV and achieved amazing ratings, becoming the ratings champion of the year. It then won the three major awards for outstanding TV series: the Magnolia Award, the Flying Apsaras Award, and the Golden Eagle Award.

The story is about the dull-witted Xu Sanduo who came from the countryside. Before even joining the army, he "surrendered" when he saw a tank, which aroused the dislike of Gao Cheng, the company commander of the "Steel Seventh Company" who was famous throughout the regiment for his "never abandon, never give up" spirit. After joining the army, his squad leader Shi Jin became his support, while his deputy squad leader, Wu Liuyi, who was also from the same hometown, regarded him as a thorn in his side because of his clumsiness.

After basic training, Xu Sanduo was assigned to the fifth squad of the remote and arduous logistics pipeline maintenance team, while Cheng Cai, a fellow villager who came to the army with him, went to the Seventh Steel Company.
Devastated by reality, Old Ma, the squad leader of the Fifth Platoon, casually uttered a single sentence, which Xu Sanduo took as an order. With his honest and stubborn nature, he completed a task that everyone thought impossible in six months, moving the entire Fifth Platoon and giving them a completely new outlook. This led to Xu Sanduo's transfer to the Steel Seventh Company and a reunion with his squad leader, Shi Jin. After the initial joy, seemingly insurmountable obstacles began to appear before him. During this process, he learned a great deal from Shi Jin, Wu Liuyi, Gao Cheng, Old A's Yuan Lang, and Wu Zhe, transforming from a "bad soldier" into a "good soldier."

It can be said that the appearance of Xu Sanduo marked a true turning point for realistic military dramas. Before "Soldiers Sortie," most of the soldiers in military dramas had college degrees or had even studied abroad. However, Xu Sanduo in "Soldiers Sortie" is a country boy. A sudden factor led him to join the army, which needed young people as intelligent and skillful as Cheng Cai, and also pushed Xu Sanduo into a life-threatening situation.

Of course, in a true sense, Xu Sanduo's character has transcended the general meaning of military dramas and entered the realm of inspirational themes. Xu Sanduo's line, "Live well and do meaningful things," gives the story and the character of Xu Sanduo a more universal meaning, setting a benchmark and standard for men—standing tall and upright, clear-cut, handling heavy tasks with ease, and always keeping a childlike heart.

Lin Youcheng was also well aware that "Soldiers Sortie" was not just about Xu Sanduo's story; there were other characters as well, all of whom were quite brilliant and vivid.

Take Gao Cheng, for example. As the son of an army commander, he comes from a prestigious family, but he never relies on his family background. He establishes his authority through his own efforts. Gao Cheng is resolute and decisive, strict in leading his troops, and has a deep affection for the Steel Seventh Company. He has the company motto of "Never abandon, never give up" ingrained in his blood.

The story not only focuses on Xu Sanduo's growth, but also on Gao Cheng's remarkable development and transformation. From initially looking down on Xu Sanduo to later deeply admiring him, this shift is something many fail to see. Xu Sanduo is like a guiding light in Gao Cheng's life. When Gao Cheng faced the uncertainty of the Steel Seventh Company's reorganization, Xu Sanduo's appearance allowed him to see the legacy of his predecessors. Gao Cheng's every gesture and demeanor truly embodies the image of a soldier.

Then there's Squad Leader Shi Jin, who is definitely one of the warmest characters in "Soldiers Sortie." As Xu Sanduo's mentor, he changed Xu Sanduo's destiny. He led his troops strictly yet with warmth, deeply understanding the true meaning of "never abandoning, never giving up." His farewell upon leaving the army is one of the most tear-jerking scenes in the series, and it also marks the beginning of Xu Sanduo's independent growth.

Then there's Wu Liuyi, the toughest member of the Seventh Steel Company, the most tragic character, and the most thorough practitioner of the "never give up, never abandon" spirit. Born into a poor rural family, Wu Liuyi has an indomitable spirit. His second-place finish in the five-kilometer cross-country race in the entire division proves his military skills. But he also has an unyielding backbone. Even when faced with the merciless blows of fate, he will never give up his dignity and principles.

There's also Yuan Lang from Old A, Wu Zhe with a calm mind, and Lao Ma and Gan Xiaoning...

Of course, there is also the very important aspect of becoming successful.

Cheng Cai is the most complex character in "Soldiers Sortie". As Xu Sanduo's fellow villager and contrasting figure, Cheng Cai's growth path is tortuous and profound, from a calculating egoist to a mature soldier who finds his way back to his roots.

It could even be said that Cheng Cai and Xu Sanduo are two sides of the same coin. As Yuan Lang clearly pointed out, Cheng Cai and Xu Sanduo are essentially the same kind of people. These two fellow villagers are actually two sides of the same person's psychology. Xu Sanduo represents the introverted, conservative, and persistent side of people's hearts, while Cheng Cai represents the superficial maturity, competitiveness, and individualism of people.

Lin Youcheng had a plan to write this story, but he knew he couldn't rush it. He needed to do thorough research before writing it properly.

Although the era is similar, and it is now close to 1998, nearing the millennium, there are still some things he needs to know about the military in order to truly write a good inspirational story like "Soldiers' Assault".

Of course, although it is an inspirational story, "Soldiers Sortie" is completely different.

The reason inspirational stories and success philosophies are so tiresome is because they're all the same. Everyone starts from humble beginnings, has a tragic childhood, lacks parents, is bullied at school, encounters a benefactor after misfortune, and after that benefactor inevitably faces trouble. Without their benefactor or support, everyone experiences a low point, followed by a high, then arrogance, which inevitably leads to a downfall, followed by a profound awakening, and finally, success…

In fact, in Lin Youcheng's view, success is a difficult concept to grasp, requiring many conditions to define it. If those conditions are removed, so-called success is nothing more than isolated facts. There is a line in "Soldiers Sortie" that says it well: "People are lived, not made."

If you remain unclear about your own heart, and only believe, through the encouragement and guidance of others, that "living well means doing many meaningful things" is a creed applicable to everyone, and therefore applicable to yourself as well, and use a broad and abstract "meaningful" to replace your inner confusion and uncertainty, then even if you succeed, it will only be a symbol of success, passing through the trajectory of success once, nothing more.

Often, it's not about necessarily succeeding, but about not knowing what else to do besides trying. Not backing down is simply because there's no other way out.

Lin Youcheng also hopes that Lin Zhaoman can truly live life like Xu Sanduo.

Lin Youcheng thought about the story of the soldiers in "Soldiers' Sortie," and also about the classic lines in the story. Besides "Living well is doing meaningful things, and doing meaningful things is living well," there was also—

"There are two words between wanting and getting: doing."

"If you're just coasting through life now, be careful that life doesn't coast through you in the future."

"Don't think that just because I've only been in the Seventh Company for a few days, I can't grow up to be a member of the Seventh Company!"

"Eating rats makes you feel sick for an hour, but eating this will make you feel sick for a lifetime. Cheng Cai, let me tell you, cheating and shirking will not get you anywhere."

Of course, there are also those six most important words—

"Never abandon, never give up!"

Thinking of those lines, Lin Youcheng's expression remained calm, but he was also quite moved. He turned to look out the window and saw that it had already begun to snow. (End of Chapter)