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

The color drained from Feng Jiazhao's face. His finger trembled as he pointed at Cheng Xuemin, his lips quivering, and it took him a long time to utter a sound:

"Xue...Xuemin! Are you...are you crazy?! Didn't you just refuse?! How come now...now you want to ask for permission to gamble with them?!"

"Four hundred million US dollars! Do you think that's so easy to get?! What if we lose?! That would mean giving away our technology to the Japanese for free! Do you even know what you're saying?!"

Huang Jianzhong also panicked, his voice changing tone: "Xuemin! Calm down! Please calm down! We can't gamble on this! We can't afford to lose!"

"That's 'Kagemusha'... that's Akira Kurosawa! It's aiming for the Palme d'Or! Our film is good, but who can guarantee we'll win? The stakes are too high! Too high!"

Fu Qi and Shi Hui were also so frightened that their faces turned pale, and they shook their heads repeatedly!
Aunt Gu Qiuna frowned, looking at her nephew-in-law with shock and incomprehension in her eyes!

Feng Jiayou felt dizzy and rushed over to grab Cheng Xuemin's arm. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice was filled with sobs and pleading.
"Xuemin! Don't scare me! Let's not gamble, okay? It's so much money, can't we just give it up? Let's just enjoy the movie, okay? I'm begging you!"

Cheng Xuemin let Feng Jiayou hold him, but his gaze was unusually firm, even carrying an almost obsessive light.

Looking at the agitated crowd, he was about to speak, to reiterate his resentment, his fervent passion, and his desire for the enormous benefits the country might gain.

Trying to persuade them, or rather, to convince myself of the necessity of this decision.

Just at this moment!

hum!
A very familiar, slight tremor, as if from the depths of his soul, suddenly exploded in the depths of his mind!

It wasn't intense, but it was exceptionally clear, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples in circles!

Immediately following, not with specific words or images, but with a powerful, indescribable sense of perception and information flow, like a thawing spring tide, surging into his consciousness!

That wasn't a prophecy; it was more like a deduction that was completed instantly based on a massive amount of existing information and transcended logic!
This sudden, enlightening realization caused Cheng Xuemin to freeze in his tracks, unable to utter the words he was about to say!

His expression froze, his eyes widened suddenly, and his pupils contracted, as if he had seen something utterly unbelievable!
The hand gripping Feng Jiayou's arm tightened unconsciously, causing Feng Jiayou to feel pain!
"Xuemin? Xuemin! What's wrong with you?!" Feng Jiayou was startled by her husband's sudden change in behavior. Forgetting about crying, she quickly shook him!
The others in the room also noticed Cheng Xuemin's momentary lapse in concentration and dramatic change in expression, and they were all stunned!
The arguing and attempts to dissuade him stopped abruptly, and they stared at him with surprise and uncertainty!
Cheng Xuemin did not answer immediately!
He closed his eyes, trying to sort out the overwhelming flow of information flooding his mind.

When he opened his eyes again, all the hesitation, struggle, and deliberation in his eyes had disappeared!
Instead, there was an unprecedented, almost burning, sharp light!
He stopped looking at Feng Jiayou, and at Huang Jianzhong and his wife, and suddenly turned to Feng Jiazhao, saying in an unquestionable manner:
"Brother! Stop asking! Now, immediately, send a telegram! Send it exactly as I just said! Not a single word changed!"

Fu Qi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his voice trembling: "Xuemin, this is terrifying, four hundred million US dollars... if this..."

“Mr. Fu!” Cheng Xuemin turned around, his face now calm as usual, but the fire in his eyes still flickered. He said, “Please, you and Sister Shi Hui, use all your media connections in Cannes and Europe!”

"Starting tomorrow with the premiere of 'Redemption,' we will closely monitor all reports, reviews, and audience reactions regarding our film!"

"Especially those influential international media outlets, such as Screen, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, as well as major French newspapers and film critic columns."

I need to know the most authentic and immediate public opinion on "Redemption" as soon as possible!

Fu Qi was taken aback by the seriousness and unquestionable tone in his voice, and subconsciously nodded: "Okay, don't worry, I'll arrange it right away!"

“Auntie!” Cheng Xuemin then looked at Gu Qiuna, “You have extensive connections in the North American and European cultural circles, so please help keep an eye out for them!”

"Especially the intellectual and cultural commentary circles may have discussions about 'Redemption.' This film may be more than just a film."

Gu Qiuna gave her nephew-in-law a deep look, nodded, and without asking any further questions, simply said, "I'll keep an eye on it!"

"Old Huang, wife, and all of you!" Cheng Xuemin's gaze swept over Gong Xue, Zhu Lin, Li Lianjie, and the others. His tone softened, but it still carried a tense strength as he said, "Get a good rest tonight, and don't think about anything!"

"Tomorrow, our film will face the world's most rigorous scrutiny. All we need to do is believe that we've made a good film, and then calmly await the results!"

"As for the bet..." He paused, gazing at the starry Cannes night sky outside the window, his voice so soft it was almost inaudible, yet heavy as a thunderbolt, "That's not something we can decide right now. Now, let's leave everything to the film itself, to time."

As everyone looked at his straight, pine-like back and felt the complex aura emanating from him, they were filled with mixed emotions.

But they all subconsciously chose to obey, along with a faint, infected expectation!
Late at night!

As night fell in Cannes, France, a new day was just beginning in Beijing, in the far east.

The director's office at Yanjing Film Studio.

As usual, former factory director Wang Yang arrived at his office early, brewed a strong cup of tea, and began reviewing documents.

Morning light streamed through the window and fell on the mahogany desk.

He was in a good mood. He had just received news yesterday that the screening of "Mom, Love Me Again" in the capital was a huge success, with tickets in high demand and the social response extremely enthusiastic.

As expected, Cheng Xuemin has stirred up a big commotion again.

I wonder if their trip to Cannes went smoothly...

boom!
The office door was suddenly pushed open, and the factory director, pale-faced and staggering, rushed in, clutching a telegram in his hand, without even knocking.

"Old Factory... Factory Director! Urgent! Urgent coded telegram! Sent from Cannes, France! It's from Comrade Cheng Xuemin and his team!"

The director's voice was trembling, and his forehead was covered in sweat; it was hard to tell whether he was running or scared!
Wang Yang frowned, his heart skipped a beat.

Urgent coded telegram? From Cannes? What happened? Is there a problem with the film? Or is someone in trouble?
He abruptly stood up and grabbed the telegram!
His gaze quickly swept over the telegram.

The first line, the second line... When he saw the words "betting agreement," "technology transfer contract," "unconditional and free permanent gift," and "four hundred million US dollars," all the color drained from Wang Yang's face!

Immediately afterward, the hand holding the telegram trembled violently, knocking over the teacup and spilling dark brown tea all over the table, soaking the documents, but he was completely unaware!

He stared wide-eyed at the telegram, as if trying to pierce through the thin piece of paper!
His lips trembled, as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out!
The veins on his forehead throbbed, and his heart felt like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, almost stopping!

crazy!

Cheng Xuemin has gone mad!

No, that Japanese woman has gone mad! They've all gone mad! Gambling a movie with a core technology transfer contract worth two hundred million US dollars?!

Losing means giving away the technology for free, winning means taking four hundred million US dollars?!

This... this is simply a fantasy!

It's appalling!
This is utterly lawless!
Wang Yang felt a sudden dizziness and his vision went black. He quickly braced himself on the table to keep from falling!
The factory office director was so frightened that he rushed forward to support him: "Old factory director! Old factory director, are you alright?!"

"Quick...quick!" Wang Yang gasped for breath, his finger trembling as he pointed to the door, his voice hoarse as if he had used up all his strength. "Prepare the car! Get to the ministry immediately!"

"No...go straight to...go to the lake! I need to see Elder Wu! Immediately! Right now!"

He grabbed the telegram, which felt like a hot potato, and held it tightly in his hand, his knuckles turning white, as if it were Cheng Xuemin's neck!

He didn't even bother to tidy up the messy table or change his clothes that were soaked with tea.

Supported by the factory office director, he rushed out of the office with unsteady yet unusually hurried steps, heading towards the car that was already waiting downstairs.

The car sped along the streets of Yanjing in the early morning, the scenery outside the window rushing past, but Wang Yang couldn't see anything.

His mind was buzzing, filled with the shocking words in the telegram.

Cheng Xuemin…how dare he?!

How dare he expose such a thing?!
And that Japanese woman, Nako Tsuchino... she actually followed him all the way to Cannes!

They even set up such a crazy and arrogant trap!

The car drove into the heavily guarded area.

Wang Yang almost staggered out of the car, showed his identification, and jogged all the way to the courtyard where Wu Lao's office was located, led by the staff.

Old Wu was leisurely practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard when he saw Wang Yang burst in looking distraught and disheveled. His brows immediately furrowed.

"Old Wang? What happened? Why are you in such a panic? What kind of behavior is this!"

"Old Wu! Something terrible has happened!" Wang Yang disregarded all formalities and rushed to Old Wu, his hands trembling as he handed him the somewhat crumpled telegram, his voice choked with sobs, "Please...please take a look!"

"An urgent coded telegram from Cheng Xuemin in Cannes! He...they're in big trouble! Huge trouble!"

Upon hearing this, Old Wu was startled. He quickly took the telegram, put on his reading glasses, and began to read it calmly.
At first, his brows were only slightly furrowed, but as he read on, the calm on his face was quickly broken, his brows furrowed more and more, and his breathing gradually became heavy.

When he saw that the four hundred million US dollars had been paid in a lump sum, his fingers, which were holding the telegram, trembled almost imperceptibly.

He slowly raised his head, took off his reading glasses, his gaze sharp as a knife, and looked at Wang Yang, whose face was pale and covered in sweat, and asked in a deep voice:

"Has this telegram been verified? Is it really from Cheng Xuemin? Is the content accurate?"

"It's been verified! It's an urgent coded telegram with a special password that only Cheng Xuemin knows! The content is exactly as described!" Wang Yang said urgently.

Old Wu remained silent for a moment, his face as solemn as the sky before a storm.

He gently placed the telegram on the stone table beside him, put his hands behind his back, and paced around the courtyard for a couple of steps.

The morning light shone on his gray hair and straight back, but it couldn't dispel the heavy pressure that had suddenly descended upon him.

"Nonsense!" Old Wu stopped abruptly, spitting out two words through gritted teeth. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a thunderous rage. "This is utterly lawless nonsense!"

"A film is a film, and technology is technology! How can you conflate the two?! And use it for a bet?! Has Cheng Xuemin lost his mind?!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Old Wu, you're right! This kid must have lost his mind!" Wang Yang quickly echoed, but he breathed a slight sigh of relief. It seemed that Old Wu was also firmly against it.

“That Japanese woman, Naoko Tsuchimino!” Old Wu said, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"Haven't they suffered enough in Shanghai? They actually went to Cannes to stir up trouble! And they even dared to propose such an absurd and malicious bet! Their intentions are despicable!"

He paused, took a deep breath, seemingly suppressing his anger and regaining his composure as a decision-maker, and said:
"However, Cheng Xuemin said in the telegram that he had already firmly refused on the spot. He did the right thing. Individuals have no right to dispose of national interests; this is a principle!"

“Yes, yes, yes! He refused! He refused!” Wang Yang nodded repeatedly.

“But…” Old Wu changed the subject, his gaze returning to the telegram!
"What exactly is this kid trying to say?" Old Wu asked, as if he were asking Wang Yang, or perhaps himself.

He fell silent again, his brows furrowed, lost in deep thought.

Wang Yang stood aside, barely daring to breathe, feeling as if time was passing incredibly slowly, each second an agony.

After a long while, Old Wu raised his head again, his eyes now filled with a resolute clarity, but his solemnity remained undiminished.

"Old Wang, this matter is too big. It's beyond the authority of our cultural department, and it's also beyond my personal decision-making scope."

Mr. Wu said in a deep voice, "This is not just a matter of film and cultural exchange; it involves hundreds of millions of US dollars in vital national interests, as well as technological cooperation and diplomatic maneuvering with Japan. We must report this to our superiors immediately and let them make a decision!"

He paused, then spoke with absolute certainty:
"And contact the Economic Commission immediately! Have Xiao Luo, who's in charge of this technology transfer project, and the relevant ministry officials come here right now! Hold an emergency meeting! It has to be quick!"

"Yes! I'll take care of it right away!" Secretary Yang nodded as she entered and then quickly went to make the contact.
"Old Wang, tell me, what a huge problem this kid has created for us and the country this time..."

Looking at Wang Yang, who was also sitting idly beside him, Old Wu became increasingly anxious. He then took the telegram and gestured for the old factory director to follow him, urging him to report the matter first.

……

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