1977: The beginning of the blind date with the daughter of the king

Chapter 642 The Final Choice!
Having determined the main line of thought, Li Changhe, having nothing else to do in the afternoon, started writing in his study.

When Li Changhe came out of the study, it was already getting dark outside.

It had been a long time since he had been so fully immersed in his creative work, and after writing for an afternoon, he was still quite absorbed in it.

However, he only managed to write a first draft in one afternoon. There were many problems with the plot. Li Changhe was considering writing out the general framework first and then gradually adjusting the details.

"Finished writing?"

In the living room, Zhu Lin was sitting there reading a newspaper. When she saw Li Changhe come out, she immediately put down the newspaper.

"Are you off work?"

How does it feel to be at CCTV?

Li Changhe followed her and sat down beside her, asking curiously.

"It's alright, much busier than at school. I'm currently in the arts department, helping the teachers with some work!"

Zhu Lin said softly.

For her, working at CCTV was quite a novel experience. Although she had worked odd jobs at CCTV with Yang Jie before going to school, she was not unfamiliar with CCTV.

But now, three years later, when she went to CCTV again, she could clearly feel the difference; there were more and more departments and more and more business.

This was a familiar yet unfamiliar field for her, bringing her a sense of novelty.

"We didn't give you a separate filming assignment. You're a Golden Rooster Award-winning director now, CCTV has to entrust you with important responsibilities!"

Li Changhe then chuckled and joked.

The resume he created for his wife was quite impressive; she won the Golden Rooster Award for Best Director while still in school. For CCTV, she was a talent that seemed to have fallen from the sky.

After all, these days, within the arts and culture circle, writers have the highest status, followed by film, and then television.

Film directors like Zhu Lin, who won awards while still in school, are normally highly sought-after by major film studios and generally wouldn't get a role with CCTV.

CCTV only realized they had gotten a great deal after Yang Jie formally proposed to her superiors that Zhu Lin wanted to come for an internship.

"Even if we pay more attention, it won't change anything. There aren't any filming assignments at the station right now, and I'm not going to the news post."

"However, I recently heard that the station is very likely to produce a long-running TV series, and it is very likely that it will start with the Four Great Classical Novels!"

Zhu Lin said softly at this moment.

"Are you going to film the Four Great Classical Novels?"

Li Changhe wasn't too surprised after hearing this.

Because he remembers very clearly that "Journey to the West" started filming in 82, and "Dream of the Red Chamber" started preparations in 83.

"Yeah, it's not the Japanese side yet."

"They filmed 'Journey to the West' a couple of years ago, but it was a mess. The Tang Monk in it was a woman, and she even kissed Sun Wukong and healed his wounds. It was a complete mess and it was nothing like our original literary work."

"When the higher-ups found out, they felt that this was a distortion of our traditional literature, and they were reportedly very angry."

"So now there are rumors in the station that the station may produce our own TV series, most likely starting with the Four Great Classical Novels."

Zhu Lin told Li Changhe what she had heard.

After listening, Li Changhe nodded thoughtfully: "So that's why."

He really didn't know that the reason CCTV was planning to film Journey to the West was because they were forced by the Japanese devils, who were ruining our traditional culture.

"Sister Linlin, Changhe, dinner's ready!"

Just then, Gong Xue, who was busy in the kitchen, came out and called out softly to the two of them.

"Let's go eat first!"

The two then got up, went to the restaurant, and began to eat.

The next morning, the three of them got up very early.

"You can keep the car, I'll take the bus to work!"

Now that Li Changhe has returned, Zhu Lin naturally intends to leave the van to him.

Li Changhe waved his hand: "I'll take you there later, I'll go with you!"

"I have to meet with Mr. Liao today."

"Xiaoxue, what about you? Are you going to the Beijing Film Studio?"

At this moment, Li Changhe asked Gong Xue again.

Gong Xue shook her head: "I'm not going to the Beijing Film Studio today. I don't have any filming assignments, so it's fine if I go."

"After you leave, I'll tidy up the house a bit more."

"By the way, Changhe, are you coming back for lunch?"

"You should come back. Don't rush to do it yet, wait until I get back!"

Li Changhe gave Gong Xue some instructions, then took Zhu Lin and left.

After the two drove off, Li Changhe said to Zhu Lin as he drove, "Wife, I think it's time to transfer Xiaoxue away!"

"Hmm? Transferred? What, you're looking down on her?"

Zhu Lin didn't react for a moment, staring at Li Changhe with an unfriendly expression.

Is this jerk tired of his old flame?

"What are you thinking? I mean, she's not suitable to continue living with you."

"Think about it, once you get pregnant, your parents will definitely come to take care of you. At that time, will Xiaoxue still be able to live with us every day?"

"Wouldn't that immediately expose our deception?"

"Furthermore, if you're pregnant and she isn't, wouldn't that be a kind of stimulation for her, watching you take care of your pregnancy every day?"

Li Changhe said helplessly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lin agreed. If she was indeed pregnant, it wouldn't be appropriate for them to live together anymore.

"And look, she's at the Beijing Film Studio now, which is honestly not very interesting. She doesn't want to take on big roles, and she only takes on small ones out of personal favors. I think if this continues, those directors will definitely have a lot of complaints about her."

"Originally, you thought you would go to the Beijing Film Studio to protect her, but now that you're not going there anymore, I don't think it matters whether she's there or not."

“As I mentioned last night, I’m currently writing the script that Shanghai Film Studio wants for her. I think we should take this opportunity to transfer Xiaoxue to Shanghai Film Studio, and then the next step, I’ll see, is to transfer her to Hong Kong Island and give her official status.”

"At her age, we can't delay any longer!"

Li Changhe said softly.

Gong Xue is only one year younger than Zhu Lin, and she's 28 this year.

"What you said makes sense. It's time to give Xiaoxue a proper status."

"And this is good too. Giving her a legitimate status means you'll have a legitimate reason to return to the mainland, and your identity will be a bit safer."

"This way you won't be able to have any more affairs in Hong Kong."

Zhu Lin thought about it for a moment, but instead of getting angry, she analyzed the matter rationally.

After all, the relationship between the three of them had deteriorated to this point, and she had long since come to terms with it.

Now that I'm pregnant, there are some things I need to arrange for the next step.

"Well, getting married is a troublesome matter for me in Hong Kong right now. There are a lot of people watching. When the time comes, I'll announce the news of my marriage to the public, which will save me a lot of trouble."

Li Changhe nodded at this moment.

Why doesn't he like to attend those parties, including some so-called charity galas? He's too lazy to go.

Firstly, he reduces his public appearances; secondly, if his name appears at a banquet, many women will flock to him, including heiresses from wealthy families.

"Another advantage of Xiaoxue going there is that I'll be transferring some resources over there later. It'll be convenient to get them through her, and then they'll legitimately end up in your hands." "So you're trying to get me into business?"

Zhu Lin asked Li Changhe with some surprise after hearing his words.

Li Changhe smiled and nodded: "In less than two years, the country will open up to private enterprises, and there won't be so many state-owned enterprises anymore. At that time, you can take charge of some companies."

"Putting everything else aside, I think you should set up an accounting firm. You'll be responsible for auditing our assets from now on!"

“Overseas finance companies are likely to have dealings with my group, so I think you, as the boss’s wife, could work for one and manage our family’s accounts!”

At this moment, Li Changhe spoke earnestly to Zhu Lin.

He will definitely want to use his wife to control some of the resources, and then in turn supervise some of his businesses, such as financial auditing.

"I don't understand finance, are you sure you want me to manage this?"

Zhu Lin felt a sweet warmth in her heart upon hearing Li Changhe's words. Sure enough, she was still the one who had to manage this business.

She doesn't understand these financial concepts, so how will she manage things?
"You don't need to worry about that. I'll find someone to help you, including manpower and everything else. You just need to manage the people and be a figurehead."

There will be plenty of finance staff in Beijing by then. There are also quite a few people with management skills in the economics department of Peking University, so there will be a lot of vacancies available.

Well, I'll try to arrange things for some of my classmates in a few years.

Li Changhe already had a plan in mind. Many of his classmates went to top-tier companies this time, but for some, their future was determined by their initial job positions, and there was nothing that could be done about it.

"Alright then, just do whatever you want, I'll listen to you."

"What about Xiaoxue?"

Zhu Lin had no objections when she heard that Li Changhe had already made arrangements.

"I'll talk to Xiaoxue about it this afternoon."

Li Changhe felt it was more appropriate for him to handle this matter.

"Then you should try to appease her this afternoon. She's a sensitive person, so you'll have to make things clear to her."

Zhu Lin gave Li Changhe a suggestion; having spent so much time together, she knew Gong Xue quite well.

"Okay, leave it to me!"

Li Changhe smiled and agreed, then took Zhu Lin to the courtyard where she kept her bicycle, and drove his car in as well.

"You're not driving anymore?"

Zhu Lin was somewhat surprised to see Li Changhe put the car down.

"I won't drive it. The license plate on this car isn't suitable for driving to Liao Lao's house. I'll see if I can take the bus there later."

"Then I'll give you the bicycle. You can walk me to the door and then ride the bicycle to your destination. I don't think it's far."

Zhu Lin thought for a moment and then spoke to Li Changhe.

This courtyard house is actually very close to the CCTV building; it only takes a short bike ride to get there. Moreover, it's located in the city center, less than three kilometers from the Forbidden City. Zhu Lin estimated that it wasn't too far from Liao Lao's residence either.

"Okay, let's go then. I'll take you to work first!"

Li Changhe thought Zhu Lin's suggestion was alright; it was still morning and the weather wasn't too hot.

Li Changhe first dropped Zhu Lin off near the CCTV gate, then stopped.

"Alright, you can go this way. I can walk this short distance."

Zhu Lin didn't let Li Changhe see her to the door. She knew her husband was a celebrity. Not to mention his overseas status, his identity in Beijing was also very famous, and many people on CCTV knew him.

She was afraid that if Li Changhe arrived at the door, it would cause another commotion, so she decided to say goodbye here.

"Okay, I'll drive over and pick you up this afternoon."

"Let's just go to the yard. I'll have a colleague take me there, and I'll wait for you there!"

After Zhu Lin finished speaking, she waved to Li Changhe and then walked towards CCTV.

Li Changhe then rode his bicycle and headed towards Liao Lao's home.

He already called last night and will visit Mr. Liao's house today.

Soon, they arrived at the Liao family's house. Inside, Old Liao was looking at documents at his desk. When he saw Li Changhe come in, he waved to him, gesturing for him to sit down first.

After reading the documents, Old Liao looked at Li Changhe and said gently, "You're back?"

"Yes, Mr. Liao, Lin Yuan told me you were looking for me? Is there something you need?"

Upon hearing Li Changhe's question, Old Liao smiled and then gestured for him to sit down on the sofa.

"Changhe, according to the timeline, you should graduate after the New Year."

"You have one last chance to choose. Do you want to come back to work?"

Li Changhe and his classmates from the class of '77 graduated in February '82, at which time their files would be finalized.

"Why are you asking again? Wasn't everything arranged before? Besides, given my current situation, I can't come back!"

Li Changhe asked curiously at this moment.

Old Liao shook his head: "Yes, it was all arranged beforehand, but you are just too outstanding, and we have some regrets."

"Moreover, we feel that you have done enough in the past two years, helping the country overcome many difficulties, and I believe that your current assets can also provide continuous assistance to the country."

"So we think that if you want to come back, you can come back. At worst, we can fake an accident, and your assets will still be managed by someone you arrange. Your business in China will not be affected."

"So? Do you want to come back?"

"Old Liao asked earnestly."

Li Changhe shook his head: "I can't come back. I'm already in contact with both the Rockefeller and Rothschild families. Even if I come back, it will be difficult to get entangled with them unless I stay in China and never see them again."

"I think that would be a waste of all our efforts. Putting aside everything else, the Rockefeller family's oil and energy resources and the Rothschild family's influence in the iron ore industry are things that our country needs for its future development."

"I feel that if I come back now, all the efforts I've made in the past two years will have been in vain!"

Li Changhe gently shook his head and said.

Seeing this, Old Liao stared intently at Li Changhe: "Have you thought it through?"

"Well, I've thought about it!"

Li Changhe nodded and said solemnly.

Old Liao then said seriously, "In that case, Comrade Changhe, I will transfer your file for the rest of the time!"

"At that time, we will transfer your file to a top-secret agency, which means that from now on, Li Changhe will be working in a secret unit."

"But that's not all. Later, the higher-ups will find an opportunity to erase all your personnel files, which means that you will no longer have any public office or cadre status in China."

"This is also for your future safety. Can you accept this?"

Li Changhe was somewhat surprised after hearing what Liao Lao said. This meant that he would lose his cadre status in the future.

"So I've lost my membership in the Writers' Association and all that?"

Li Changhe asked curiously.

Old Liao smiled and said, "No, some of your social connections will be retained. I'm referring to your workplace. To put it simply, your future personnel file will most likely show that due to a serious work error, you will only be able to work as an ordinary writer and will not hold any position or work in any official department."

"Hmm, the Federation of Literary and Art Circles might be a good place for you then."

"Changhe, there's a reason why we're doing all this."

"Since you've already made your choice, I might as well tell you."

After saying that, Liao Lao explained to Li Changhe.

(End of this chapter)