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

Seeing the rekindled look in Li Lianjie's eyes, a mixture of tears and resolute flames, the old factory director's face showed a satisfied expression.

He knew that the purpose of the conversation had been achieved.

What he needs is not Li Lianjie's fear and trepidation, but the awareness to learn from shame and the determination to fight to the death!

"Good!" The old factory director nodded, took a pen and paper from the side, and pushed them in front of Li Lianjie. "Talk is not enough. Write down your determination and your guarantee!"

"This isn't written for the organization, it's written for yourself! Constantly remind yourself how this opportunity came about, and what responsibilities you bear!"

"Yes, old factory director!" Li Lianjie took the pen and spread out the paper without hesitation.

He calmed his agitated emotions slightly, then sat down at his desk and began writing furiously.

Without a draft, the words churning in my heart transformed into ink flowing from the tip of my pen.

He wrote about his mistakes and reflections during his trip to Hong Kong, his gratitude to Cheng Xuemin and the organization, his understanding and determination regarding this trip to Cannes, and how he would strictly adhere to discipline and give his all...

The handwriting was a bit messy at first, but it became more and more neat and powerful as it went on, as if each character was making a declaration to something!

The office quieted down, with only the scratching of pens on paper and the occasional soft sip of tea from the old factory director.

The setting sun outside the window bathed the room in a warm orange-red hue, outlining Li Lianjie's unusually focused, even somewhat solemn, profile as she bent over her writing!

Li Lianjie wrote three large sheets of paper, densely packed with words, before finally putting down her pen.

He looked at it carefully, and then solemnly signed his name and wrote the date.

Then, he held the pages of paper, which were covered with dense writing, in both hands and handed them to the old factory director!
The old factory director took it, put on his reading glasses, and began to examine it carefully.

He read very slowly, his expression gradually shifting from serious to relaxed, and finally, a barely perceptible smile even appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He saw genuine remorse, a clear understanding, and, more importantly, a do-or-die determination.

For a young man who is not yet twenty, he is still a child.

Having this kind of awareness is enough!
After reading it, the old factory director took off his glasses, gently placed the few pages on the coffee table, looked at Li Lianjie, nodded, and showed a genuine, encouraging smile, saying, "Well written, insightful, and with great determination!"

"Xiao Li, remember every word you wrote today. The organization believes in you, and Comrade Cheng Xuemin believes in you even more!"
This time, let's go all out and showcase the brilliance of "Shaolin Temple" and the spirit of Chinese youth to the world!

"Yes! Thank you, old factory director!" Li Lianjie snapped to attention, gave a slightly off but very forceful salute, her eyes shining brightly!

"Go ahead and prepare well!" The old factory director waved his hand.

Li Lianjie turned around and strode out of the factory director's office.

The door closed behind him, and the light in the corridor was dim, but his heart was bright.

It felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and as if a brand new, more solid power had been injected into it!
Watching Li Lianjie's upright figure as she walked away, the old factory director picked up his slightly cooled tea, took a sip, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face. He muttered to himself, "This young man is teachable... Xuemin didn't misjudge him this time!"

The setting sun outside the window sank into the outline of the distant mountains, and night was about to fall in Yanjing.

The team heading to Cannes, after a period of mental and practical refinement, is now fully prepared and ready to go!

The day before departure, the Yan Film Studio was filled with a special atmosphere of excitement and nervousness, just before the trip.

The sounds of suitcases being dragged down the corridor, the whispers of checking each other's documents, and the focused expressions of people checking the checklist one last time constituted the main theme.

In his office, Cheng Xuemin was putting the finishing touches on his work, locking all the important documents he needed to carry with him into the black briefcase with a combination lock.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in!" Cheng Xuemin said without even looking up.

The door opened, and a familiar figure walked in—it was director Xie Jin.

Old Xie wore his usual gentle yet somewhat scholarly smile, holding a brown paper document bag in his hand.

"Xuemin, busy?" Old Xie walked up to the desk and asked.
"Director Xie? What brings you here? Please have a seat!" Cheng Xuemin looked up, somewhat surprised, and quickly greeted him.

Old Xie is an old acquaintance; he's worked with Cheng Xuemin quite a bit before.

"I'm not sitting down anymore, I just want to say a few words!" Xie Jin waved his hand, placed the file bag in his hand on the table, and took out a few beautifully printed movie tickets from it.

The ticket features a movie poster and screening information for "Mom, Love Me Again".

His smile deepened, carrying a sense of relief and a hint of anticipation, as he said, "Xuemin, the film is set! It will officially premiere tonight at the Capital Cinema!"

"These are tickets for the premiere. I reserved them especially for you; they're the best seats!"

Cheng Xuemin took the ticket and looked at it.

Cheng Xuemin certainly paid close attention to the movie "Mom, Love Me Again". Not only did he write the original screenplay, but he also personally went to the General Political Department's Art Troupe to borrow the female lead, Gong Xue.

The young male actor, needless to say, is Cheng Xuemin's nephew and his brother-in-law's son, Feng Liwen.

Previously, as soon as Cheng Xuemin returned home, the little guy Feng Liwen was overjoyed and eagerly anticipated being invited by his uncle Cheng Xuemin to go see the premiere.

At the time, Cheng Xuemin readily agreed to take the little guy to see the movie when it was released.

It really happened to be released today without us even realizing it.

If they had arrived a day later, they would already be on a plane to Cannes, France!

"Congratulations, Director Xie! You're finally going to meet everyone!" Cheng Xuemin said sincerely. "This film wasn't easy to make, thank you for your hard work!"

"It's not hard work, I've just been looking forward to this day!" Xie Jin sighed, his eyes filled with emotion. "I'm not sure if this kind of subject matter and this kind of filming style will be accepted by the audience."

"So I really hope you can come to the premiere and give me your feedback. You have a keen eye, and this is an original work, so your opinion is very important to me!" he said, his eyes revealing sincere anticipation.

Cheng Xuemin looked at the ticket in his hand, then at the itinerary and flight reservation spread out on the table, and apologetically pushed the movie ticket back to Xie Jin: "Director Xie, I'm really sorry. I'm afraid I won't be able to attend the premiere."

Xie Jin was taken aback: "What? Is there a plan?"

"It's not official business!" Cheng Xuemin smiled, his tone tinged with a hint of helplessness but mostly warmth. "It's a family matter!"

"I promised my partner and the kids at home that I would go to the movies with them tonight."

"The tickets... my wife bought them a long time ago, seats together. My son Liwen played Xiaoqiang in the movie, and the little guy is so excited!"

But he counted down the days, hoping that one day he could sit in the movie theater with me, his uncle, and watch him.

If I left them behind and came to the premiere alone, my little devil at home would throw a huge tantrum!

As Xie Jin listened, a fleeting look of disappointment crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by understanding and a smile.

He patted his forehead: "Look at me! I was so focused on asking you to oversee the performance that I forgot about this!" "Liwen's acting was really good, he's got talent! The whole family should watch it together and give him a boost! Okay, then you watch it with your family! Let me know your thoughts after you've seen it! We can keep in touch anytime!"

"Definitely!" Cheng Xuemin nodded.

Xie Jin seemed to remember something, his smile fading as his tone became more serious: "Xuemin, you're leaving tomorrow. The situation in Cannes is complicated, and the competition is fierce!"

"But I know your abilities! 'Redemption' and 'Shaolin Temple' are both great films. Go out and bring glory to the country. I, Lao Xie, am waiting for your good news! I wish you a triumphant return!"

"Thank you for your kind words, Director Xie!" Cheng Xuemin extended his hand and shook hands firmly with Xie Jin.

After seeing Xie Jin off, Cheng Xuemin continued packing his things.

Just as I put the last document into the box, there was another soft, hesitant knock at the door.

"Please come in!" Cheng Xuemin assumed it was Liu Xiaoli or another staff member.

The door was pushed open a crack, and Gong Xue poked his head in.

She wore a simple floral shirt today, her hair was styled in a simple ponytail, and she seemed to have applied a little makeup.

But there was a hint of barely perceptible tension and anticipation in his eyes.

Seeing Cheng Xuemin there, she gently pushed the door open and closed it behind her.

"Xuemin..." Gong Xue's voice was softer than usual, with a hint of caution.

“Gong Xue? Is something the matter? Sit down!” Cheng Xuemin pointed to the chair opposite him.

His feelings toward Gong Xue were more complicated.

She is the lead actress in "Redemption," and is outstanding in both acting and appearance. She was also an important member of the team at Cannes.

But there always seemed to be a thin veil between the two of them, a veil created by certain subtle moments in the past.

Cheng Xuemin has always been careful to maintain an appropriate working distance.

Gong Xue didn't sit down. She walked to the desk, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes, her gaze falling on the movie tickets lined up side by side on Cheng Xuemin's desk.

The movie tickets were ones Xie Jin hadn't taken back earlier, and now that Gong Xue had seen them, she bit her lower lip, as if gathering her courage, before looking up at Cheng Xuemin and saying:

"Xuemin, Director Xie... are you here to give us tickets to the premiere of 'Mom, Love Me Again'?"

"Yes, they just left!" Cheng Xuemin nodded.

Gong Xue's eyes lit up, a faint blush rose to her cheeks, and her voice lowered, carrying an undisguised anticipation and trepidation: "Then... will you... go see it? Tonight!"

Cheng Xuemin paused slightly as he looked at the pleading glint in her eyes.

He could almost guess what Gong Xue was going to say next.

He spoke calmly, his tone businesslike and gentle: "Director Xie invited me to the premiere, but I have some personal matters to attend tonight and cannot attend the premiere!"

The light in Gong Xue's eyes dimmed instantly, a clear disappointment flashed across her face, and the blush quickly faded, leaving her looking somewhat pale.

She lowered her head, staring at her toes, her voice barely audible: "Oh...I see..."

Seeing her disappointed expression, Cheng Xuemin smiled again and explained, "It's like this, I promised my wife and Liwen at home that I would go with them. It's a family activity, so it's not easy to change it!"

He saw Gong Xue's shoulders slump slightly, and his fingers tightened the hem of his clothes.

He paused, then added in a suggestive tone, "Actually, you could ask Zhu Lin, or other close colleagues at the factory, like Liu Xiaoli and the others, to go and take a look together!"

"It's good that everyone encourages each other and exchanges ideas. Now that the film is finished, it's up to the audience. Trust Director Tse, trust yourself, and trust the audience's judgment!"

Gong Xue stood there in a daze, all color drained from his face, his lips pressed into a pale line.

Cheng Xuemin's words were like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the tiny flame of expectation in her heart that she was so cautious about, one that she dared not even delve into.

She felt a stinging embarrassment, but more than that, she felt a hollow disappointment and self-mockery.

Yes, he only cares about his work and his family. What does he care about himself?
He's just a colleague in our work relationship, maybe... not even a regular colleague!
She suddenly raised her head, forcing a smile onto her face, but the smile was stiff and strained, while a hint of stubbornness and resentment, as well as the embarrassment of having her thoughts exposed, flashed in her eyes.

She straightened her back, her voice regaining its usual coolness, even carrying a hint of deliberate distance: "Director Cheng is right. It was my oversight that disturbed your work. I'll go find Sister Zhu Lin and the others. You're busy, I'll be going now!"

After saying that, she stopped looking at Cheng Xuemin, turned around and walked quickly out of the office. The door closed gently behind her with a soft click that was particularly clear in the quiet room.

Cheng Xuemin stared at the closed door for a few seconds, then shook his head and continued to organize his briefcase.

……

By the time I got home, it was already getting dark.

The aroma of food wafted from the courtyard, but the atmosphere today was different from usual; the air was filled with an irrepressible, joyful anticipation.

The whole family had gathered in the main room.

Feng Jiayou changed into a clean floral dress, her hair was neatly combed, and she had a gentle smile on her face. She was putting things into a cloth bag: a handkerchief, oranges, a few fruit candies, and a small water bottle for her son.

Ms. Gu, Mr. Feng's mother, had also changed into a nearly new gray Lenin suit. Her hair was neatly combed. Although she tried her best to remain calm, her slightly gleaming eyes and the way she kept glancing at the clock betrayed her inner turmoil.

The eldest sister-in-law, Ke Yumei, and the second sister-in-law, Sun Juan, were also neatly dressed, smiling, and talking in hushed tones.

Grandma sat in a wicker chair, smiling as she watched the busy crowd.

The eldest brother, Feng Jiazhao, had already started the car and honked the horn twice outside the gate.

"Everything's ready? Shall we set off?" Cheng Xuemin, holding the little squirrel, looked around.

"Let's go! Don't be late! I heard these movie tickets are hard to get!" Mrs. Feng urged, standing up first.

The whole family went out the door in a large group and squeezed into the Shanghai-brand sedan driven by Feng Jiazhao.

The entrance to the Capital Cinema was already packed with people.

A huge poster for "Mom, Love Me Again" hangs above the door. In the poster, Gong Xue, who plays the mother, tightly hugs her young son Xiaoqiang, played by Feng Liwen. The mother and son embrace each other, their eyes filled with sorrow and love, which is very impactful.

Upon seeing the poster, Feng Liwen broke free from his sister-in-law's grasp, pointed at himself in the picture, and excitedly exclaimed, "Uncle, Uncle, look! That's me! That's me! That's Xiaoqiang, the character I played!"

……

Please vote with monthly tickets and subscribe to the full movie! Thank you! Thank you! My mom said this was her first time seeing a movie in a theater, organized by her school. The tickets were only two yuan, and it was an absolute tearjerker! (End of Chapter)