1978: Female educated youth, don’t want an illiterate husband

Putting aside his busy official duties for the time being, Cheng Xuemin returned home.

"Shumin is back!"

When he first entered, it was his sister-in-law Ke Yumei's mother who greeted him!

Cheng Xuemin quickly greeted her, smiling as he said, "Auntie, you're back! The little guy didn't cause much trouble today, did he?"

"No, no! Xiaohua has been very well-behaved today!" Her mother coaxed the little one in her arms, waving her little hand to Cheng Xuemin, "Say hello to your uncle, call him uncle!"

But this little guy is only a month old, how could he possibly call out to people!

This little guy!

Back when Cheng Xuemin was filming "Shaolin Temple" in Songshan, during the most intense period of his career, good news came from his family.

On the second day of the second lunar month, the day the dragon raises its head, the wife of Feng Jiazhao's brother-in-law, Ke Yumei, gave birth to a healthy baby boy weighing eight pounds.

The addition of a new member to the Feng family is naturally a major event.

At the time, Cheng Xuemin only expressed his congratulations over the phone and was unable to go back to visit.

Now that they're back in Yanjing, the little guy is quite clingy to his uncle, just like a little squirrel.

Everyone in the family says that it was his uncle who helped bring the little guy into the family, so he's bound to be attached to him and love him dearly!
"Alright! Let's go see what your little squirrel brother is up to!"

Cheng Xuemin picked up the little guy in his arms and followed him to the main room. The little squirrel was already a year old and was now crawling and running all over the room.

No one knows when, but the little guy suddenly learned to walk, and Cheng Xuemin, the father, hadn't even noticed.

See Cheng Xuemin come back!

While playing with the children, Feng's mother pulled Cheng Xuemin and Feng Jiayou aside and said, "Xuemin, Jiayou, I want to discuss something with you."

"Yu Mei's mother, my in-law's mother, just let her son take over her job and retired early, didn't she?"

Now that I'm at home, I might as well be idle anyway.

I noticed she seemed quite healthy and considerate. I was thinking, with two young children at home now, your dad and I are both working and can't help take care of them!

Your maternal grandparents are getting old, and they can't take care of everything.

Or... my idea is to have Yumei's mother come over and help take care of the child, just like hiring a nanny.

We'll give you a monthly salary and food and meat coupons, what do you think?

Cheng Xuemin and Feng Jiayou exchanged a glance and both thought it was a good idea.

One of them has to work, and the other is busy with school; they're both very busy!
Cheng Xuemin, in particular, is now so busy that he lives directly in the dormitory of Yanying Film Studio and often can't take care of his family.

The grandparents are getting old, and taking care of a mischievous little squirrel is already difficult enough. Adding a newborn to the mix makes it even more challenging.

If you don't trust outsiders, it's most suitable to ask your in-laws, whom you know well, for help.

"Mom, this is a great idea!" Feng Jiayou was the first to speak up. "We're completely at ease with our sister-in-law's mother coming to help! We'll pay for her wages and food rations!"

Cheng Xuemin nodded, "Yes, Mom, let's do it your way. As for her salary... let's keep the same amount she earned at her previous workplace! Or maybe we can just give her fifty, we can't let her suffer a loss."

We have plenty of grain and meat coupons here, so ours will suffice.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Feng's face lit up with a smile: "Great! Fifty yuan is plenty! My daughter-in-law's mother will definitely be happy! I'll go and tell Yumei and her mother right away!"

Things were settled as soon as it was mentioned.

Ke Yumei and her mother were naturally willing to accept this; they could take care of their daughter and grandson while also having a stable income—it was exactly what they wanted.

Thus, another busy and happy member joined the family in the courtyard, making the family atmosphere even more harmonious and lively.

It was late at night, and only a dim bedside lamp was lit in the bedroom of the Overseas Chinese Apartment.

Outside the window, the spring night in Yanjing was quiet, with the occasional sound of a train whistle in the distance.

The air still carried a faint, ambiguous atmosphere left over from their intense lovemaking.

Feng Jiayou nestled in Cheng Xuemin's arms, her cheek pressed against his sweaty chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on his chest.

After the initial excitement subsided, a languid and satisfied weariness enveloped her, but deep in her heart, a trace of sorrow and longing for parting had begun to quietly grow.

Cheng Xuemin put his arm around his wife, gently stroking her back with his palm, feeling the smoothness and warmth of her skin.

He was silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice, his tone hoarse from the event: "Wife, there's something... I need to tell you."

Feng Jiayou hummed in response, raised her head, and looked at his sharply defined jawline in the dim light. Her heart skipped a beat, and she had a premonition.

"The paperwork from the factory and the ministry is almost approved," Cheng Xuemin said, carefully choosing his words. "The post-production of 'Shaolin Temple' and the preparation for new projects all require going to Hong Kong."

I estimate... I'll have to leave in mid-to-late April.

Feng Jiayou's heart sank. Although she was mentally prepared, she couldn't help but tighten her arms around him when she heard the exact time.

She buried her face in his chest and asked reluctantly, "How long... will it take?"

"There's a lot going on this time," Cheng Xuemin said frankly. "The post-production special effects and sound effects for 'Shaolin Temple,' coordinating with the Great Wall Film Company, and preparing for the new film... If all goes well, it'll take a month or two."

If the new project is approved quickly and can be started locally, it might take... two or three months.

"Two or three months..." Feng Jiayou repeated softly, her voice filled with undisguised disappointment and longing.

The last time he went to Songshan to film, he was gone for more than two months. Although we often exchanged telegrams and phone calls, nothing felt as reassuring as having him by my side.

The child is still young, and there are many things to do at home!
Cheng Xuemin sensed her emotions, tightened his grip on her arm, and nuzzled her head with his chin, trying to change the subject and lighten the atmosphere: "By the way, I plan to bring my older brother along this time."

"Big brother?" Feng Jiayou's attention was indeed drawn. She looked up, somewhat surprised. "Are you taking my brother with you?"

"Hmm." Cheng Xuemin nodded and said, "Isn't Big Brother always writing new scripts? He has a lot of ideas."

This trip to Hong Kong is a rare opportunity. Their film industry is more advanced than ours. Seeing it will be beneficial for my creative work.

I'm planning to give him a role as a second screenwriter and on-set producer. He'll learn a lot from working with the crew.

He paused, looked into his wife's eyes, and said earnestly, "Brother has talent, but what he lacks is the opportunity to put it into practice and broaden his horizons."

Come with me to gain experience, so you can be independent in the future and help the factory with more work.

Feng Jiayou's eyes lit up instantly, and a delighted smile spread across her face: "Really? That's wonderful! My brother will be overjoyed!"

She understood her brother; although he didn't say it, he harbored a strong desire to follow in Cheng Xuemin's footsteps, just like Xie Jin and Huang Jianzhong, and make a name for himself.

His brother-in-law's initiative this time was a real lifesaver!

But amidst her joy, she quickly thought of another problem and frowned slightly: "But... my sister-in-law just gave birth and hasn't finished her postpartum confinement yet."

My brother will be gone for two or three months... wouldn't that be a bit... inappropriate? Would my sister-in-law agree?

Cheng Xuemin sighed: "I've also considered this issue. That's why I wanted to discuss it with you first. If you find it inconvenient, or if your sister-in-law is having difficulties, then forget it; there will be other opportunities in the future."

“What’s inconvenient about it!” Feng Jiayou immediately shook her head, her tone firm. “I’ll go talk to my sister-in-law tomorrow!”

My sister-in-law is very understanding; she'd definitely love for my brother to go out and broaden his horizons with you!

With my grandparents, my mom, my sister-in-law's mom helping out, and me looking after things, what problems could there be? This is a rare opportunity; I can't let my brother's family responsibilities ruin my future!

She became more and more excited as she spoke, as if she could already see her brother Feng Jiazhao making great strides in Hong Kong.

Seeing her joyful expression, Cheng Xuemin felt relieved and a sense of warmth welled up inside him.

He knew that bringing his brother-in-law along was not only about nurturing talent, but also about giving his wife peace of mind.

See, I've brought your own brother with me, so you can finally rest assured, honey?

Sure enough, the next morning, Feng Jiayou excitedly ran back to the courtyard house!

They went directly to the west wing where the eldest brother, Feng Jiazhao, and his sister-in-law, Ke Yumei, lived.

At this moment, the eldest sister-in-law, Ke Yumei, was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) breastfeeding her child. She still looked somewhat weak after childbirth, but her spirits were good.

Feng Jiazhao, meanwhile, was engrossed in writing at his desk, clearly working on his new script.

When Feng Jiayou mentioned that her husband planned to take her older brother to Hong Kong, Ke Yumei was stunned for a moment, but then her face showed undisguised joy and excitement.

"Really? Xuemin is taking Jiazhao to Hong Kong? And he's even arranged a job for him?" Ke Yumei's voice rose eight octaves as she nudged her still-stunned husband. "Jiazhao! Did you hear that? Your brother-in-law is taking you out to see the world!"

Feng Jiazhao then snapped out of his reverie, his face instantly lighting up with unbelievable joy. He rubbed his hands together, somewhat incoherently:

"Xuemin...brother-in-law...is this...is this appropriate? Am I...can I handle this?"

“What’s wrong with that! My brother-in-law says you can do it, you definitely can!” Ke Yumei said quickly, her face beaming with joy. “Don’t worry about things at home! With Mom and the others taking care of things, I’ll be fine here!”
"I'll take care of the child! You just work hard with your brother-in-law and learn some skills!"

She turned her head, took Feng Jiayou's hand, and spoke with the shrewdness and感慨 of someone who had been through it all:
"Jiayou, it's not that I'm criticizing you, but your man is really something else! He's not just doing this to take care of your brother!"

Feng Jiayou blinked: "Huh? What else?"

Ke Yumei lowered her voice, a hint of teasing in her smile: "Think about it, once he goes to Hong Kong, it'll be at least a month or two. It's a glamorous world there, and he's such a popular guy..."

Bringing your own brother along is just a way of sending you messages, isn't it?

It means: "See? I brought my brother-in-law along. He'll definitely behave properly, so you can rest assured! This man is very thoughtful!"

Feng Jiayou was taken aback by her sister-in-law's teasing, then two blushes appeared on her face. Her heart felt as sweet as honey, but she scolded playfully:

"Sister-in-law! What are you saying! Xuemin is not that kind of person! I have complete faith in him! Even if my brother doesn't go, I still believe in him!"

"Oh my, so you're already protecting him?" Ke Yumei teased with a smile, "I know you two have a good relationship! But, it's rare to see a brother-in-law with such a heart!"

This shows he values ​​you and this family! You should be secretly happy!

The two women, sister-in-law and aunt, laughed and joked together, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere in the room. Feng Jiazhao watched from the side, smiling憨厚ly, his eyes filled with anticipation and gratitude for the future.

With the internal obstacles within the family successfully cleared, Cheng Xuemin waited patiently for the approval from above.

He knew that the crucial test lay within the ministry.

A few days later, the news finally arrived, but not through the usual document circulation; instead, it came from a phone call made directly to the director's office at Yanying Film Studio.

After receiving the call, former factory director Wang Yang's expression was complex, showing shock, relief, and above all, a sense of immense relief.

He immediately had his secretary summon Cheng Xuemin.

"Xuemin! It's approved!" The old factory director, Wang Yang, patted Cheng Xuemin forcefully on the shoulder as soon as he saw him, his voice filled with unbelievable excitement.

"I just received a call personally from Director Wu of the Ministry! Your 'Redemption' project has been approved!"

Cheng Xuemin's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm on the surface: "What did Elder Wu say?"

"Old Wu said that your report and your face-to-face presentation have attracted the attention of the higher-ups!" Former factory director Wang Yang said in a low voice, with a hint of reverence:

"It was Liao Gong, the cultural official, who made the decision directly! Liao Gong said eight words: 'Go ahead and film, I'll oversee it!'"

Liao Gong!

Cheng Xuemin was shocked.

This highly respected senior leader is known for his broad vision and willingness to take responsibility; his support is of great significance!
This is equivalent to providing the project with the strongest possible insurance.

"Liao Gong also instructed," the old factory director Wang Yang continued, "that we should fully trust Comrade Cheng Xuemin's artistic judgment and international vision, and not let old frameworks restrict his creation."

The filming location is set in Hong Kong; personnel and equipment must be fully guaranteed. Meanwhile, the ministry has specially approved twenty slots for work in Hong Kong, and you will be fully responsible for assembling the team!

Twenty spots available!
This far exceeded Cheng Xuemin's initial expectations!

This means that he can not only bring the core post-production team of "Shaolin Temple", but also assemble a fairly large production crew for "Redemption"!
"That's great!" Cheng Xuemin finally couldn't help but let out an excited smile.

With the imperial sword in hand, the road ahead will be much easier!
"Xuemin, you're really going into battle with a heavy responsibility now!" Old factory director Wang Yang said with emotion. "The pressure is even greater! With Liao Gonghe and the ministry supporting you so much, you can only succeed, failure is not an option!"

"Don't worry, old factory director, I will do my best!" Cheng Xuemin solemnly stated.

The news spread like wildfire, quickly reaching Yanying Film Studio and within small circles.

Cheng Xuemin is leading a team to Hong Kong to film a "special" movie with an all-foreign cast, personally approved by Liao Gong, with the goal of winning Cannes!

The news itself was legendary, making countless filmmakers both envious and secretly worried.

Cheng Xuemin immediately entered a high-speed operation mode.

Selecting team members, handling exit procedures, and engaging in intensive communication with Great Wall Film Company in Hong Kong to refine the filming plan for "Redemption"...

Anyway, there are so many things to do, and time is of the essence.

The list of people going to Hong Kong, like a piece of juicy meat, instantly attracted countless eyes.

The threshold of Cheng Xuemin's office at Yan Film Studio was so high that it was almost worn out by the constant stream of visitors.

The first person to come to them was Liu Xiaoqing.

Instead of making a direct request, she walked in with a stack of her own stills and newspaper clippings, beaming with a smile: "Director Cheng, busy? I heard you're leading a team to Hong Kong? That's amazing!"

These are some photos from my recent stage plays, along with newspaper reviews. Take a look… If there are suitable roles in Hong Kong, even just guest appearances, I'd be happy to go and learn!

Her eyes were fervent, and her words revealed a determination not to be outdone.

Cheng Xuemin politely flipped through the photos a few times, put them down, and said in a calm but firm tone: "Comrade Xiaoqing, everyone recognizes your performance."

However, this trip to Hong Kong is mainly for post-production and technical exchanges related to "Shaolin Temple." My task is very focused, and no other actors have been assigned to the set for the time being. If there's an opportunity in the future, I'll definitely give you priority consideration.

Liu Xiaoqing's smile froze for a moment, then blossomed again: "I understand! Director Cheng, please go ahead with your work! I just came to report on my work!"

She packed her things, turned around and left, her lips pressed tightly together, and her steps were heavier than when she came.

Immediately after, Li Xiuming arrived, adopting an even more humble posture, with a hint of embarrassment:
"Director Xuemin, I... I just wanted to ask if they need any voice actors or production assistants in Hong Kong? Any odd jobs are fine! I just want to go and see for myself..."

Cheng Xuemin also declined, citing the same reason: the task was focused and the personnel had already been decided.

Even Chen Huai-kai, who was filming "The Legendary Fok Yuan-gap," came directly to his office after hearing the news, without beating around the bush.

"Xuemin, I won't stand on ceremony with you. You know my son, Chen Kaizi, he's just messing around at the film academy, all talk and no action!"

I was thinking of giving him to you, taking him to Hong Kong, letting him suffer a bit, and showing him what's what! He'd be fine as a script supervisor or someone to move equipment! You see…”

Cheng Xuemin quickly gestured for him to sit down and poured him tea: "Director Chen, you're exaggerating. Kai is talented, and it's good for him to build a solid foundation in school."

This trip to Hong Kong is a special case. The team is highly capable, and we have a lot of tasks to complete. We were worried that bringing a newcomer would cause delays or that we wouldn't be able to take good care of them.

"Next time there's a more suitable project, I'll definitely bring him along to gain experience."

After much persuasion, they finally managed to send the disappointed Old Chen away.

Other people in the factory with connections used all their skills to pull strings, pass notes, and some even directly stuffed local specialties into Cheng Xuemin's office.

Cheng Xuemin was so annoyed that he simply had Li Lianjie and Ji Chunhua stand guard at the door and not receive guests unless absolutely necessary.

He knew very well that these twenty spots were "ammunition" specially approved by Liao Gong, and they had to be used wisely and absolutely not turned into bargaining chips for personal favors.

The team must be lean, professional, reliable, and capable of fighting tough battles.

The screening process is in full swing.

Cheng Xuemin and director Huang Jianzhong repeatedly reviewed the factory's personnel files and project performance records.

The core martial arts, lighting, and cinematography personnel of "Shaolin Temple" were naturally given priority.

Several of the technical staff's best darlings, who are proficient in voice-over and recording, were also named.

Besides veteran photographer Lao Zhao, the photography team also needs someone who is down-to-earth, hardworking, has ideas, and can execute them.

At this moment, Cheng Xuemin remembered the young man who was always taciturn but could carry the camera the most steadily and was never ambiguous when finding the right angle on the edge of the cliff.

Zhang Mouzi, a 78 graduate of the Cinematography Department of the Beijing Film Academy.

During his time as assistant cinematographer on the sets of "Tai Chi" and "Shaolin Temple," he not only demonstrated solid technical skills and a willingness to endure hardship, but also had an almost obsessive pursuit of composition, often offering insightful and refreshing perspectives.

Although most of his suggestions were not adopted due to his lack of experience, Cheng Xuemin noticed his potential and his dedication to in-depth research.

Cheng Xuemin plans to bring Zhang Yimou along on this trip to Hong Kong!
……

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