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

"Even if I told you not to speak, you'd still be like a loudspeaker, spouting nonsense everywhere!?"

Cheng Xuemin's voice wasn't loud, but each word was like a nail hardened with ice, carrying a heavy weight, as it pounded into the East Depot's office, where Li Lianjie's exaggerated voice still echoed.

The room fell into a deathly silence!

Li Lianjie was sitting on a dilapidated desk, gesturing wildly and spitting as she talked about the most arrogant and crucial moment of the Japanese devils.

It was as if the whole person had been put on pause. The arm that was halfway through its swing froze in mid-air. The smugness, excitement, and elation on his face instantly vanished, leaving only a pale face filled with panic.

His neck seemed to have shortened, and he subconsciously shrank his shoulders. His eyes were wide open, staring straight at Cheng Xuemin, whose face was ashen at the door. His lips trembled, but he didn't make a sound!
Sitting opposite him, Ji Chunhua and Liu Xiaoli, who were listening intently, were also startled and turned their heads sharply.

Ji Chunhua's face, which was usually expressionless and even somewhat frightening due to its fierce appearance, was now blank.

The moment I saw Cheng Xuemin, I was overwhelmed with an indescribable excitement, and my eyes even reddened slightly.

Like a child who has been wronged and is finally seeing their parents, she opened her mouth, and a trembling voice rolled out: "Brother Cheng... Brother Cheng!"

Liu Xiaoli suddenly stood up from the stool, unsure of what to do with her hands and feet, a hint of guilt flashing across her face.

Although she was just listening, she had been so engrossed in listening that she now felt like an accomplice in spouting nonsense, nervously watching Cheng Xuemin.

Cheng Xuemin ignored the accountant Chunhua's choked cries and closed the door behind him, completely shutting out any noise that might drift in from outside.

The door hinges made a slight creaking sound, which sounded particularly jarring in the quiet room where you could hear dust falling.

He walked a few steps to the center of the room, his eyes like two brushes, first scrutinizing Li Lianjie, whose face was full of bewilderment and whose body was stiff, from head to toe.

Then the gaze swept over Ji Chunhua, who was both excited and a little uneasy, and finally landed on Liu Xiaoli, who seemed somewhat at a loss.

"Four hundred million? A Japanese bitch? Utterly arrogant?"

Cheng Xuemin repeated the words Li Lianjie had just shouted, his voice still steady, but the chill emanating from him made the room temperature drop several degrees. He continued:
“Li Lianjie, what did I tell you before I left? Repeat it to me word by word.”

Li Lianjie's Adam's apple bobbed as she swallowed a mouthful of saliva that wasn't even there, and cold sweat began to break out on her back.

Cheng Xuemin's calm questioning sent chills down his spine more than his angry shouts.

He moved his lips a few times, his voice barely audible, like a mosquito's hum: "Brother Cheng... said... about the bet he made in Cannes... is... is a state secret, the highest level... no one, under any circumstances, is allowed... is not allowed to divulge it... otherwise... otherwise..."

"Otherwise, proceed according to the law."

Cheng Xuemin said the last four words for him, his tone chilling, "Looks like you have a good memory, you still remember. So what were you doing just now? Hmm?"

"I...I..." Li Lianjie was so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead, her face flushed red and then turned pale. She subconsciously tried to explain, "Brother Cheng, I...I didn't tell any outsiders!"

"I...I just wanted to talk to Xiaoji and Sister Xiaoli. They...they're not outsiders, they're our own people! Our own people from the Eastern Depot!"

"I just... I just felt so relieved, I couldn't help... want to share it..."

His voice grew softer as he spoke, because Cheng Xuemin's gaze grew colder and colder, devoid of any understanding or tolerance, containing only icy scrutiny and suppressed anger.

"One of our own?" Cheng Xuemin took a step forward, closing the distance between them so close that Li Lianjie could see the suppressed ferocity in Cheng Xuemin's eyes. "Li Lianjie, listen to me carefully. What do you mean by 'top state secret'?"

"That means everyone except those with the authority to know is an outsider! Your parents are outsiders, your siblings are outsiders, your best friend is an outsider, Ji Chunhua is an outsider, and Liu Xiaoli is an outsider! Do you understand?"

Every outsider to him was like a heavy hammer blow to Li Lianjie's heart.

Li Lianjie's face was completely drained of color, and her lips were pale.

"Share? What right do you have to share?"

Cheng Xuemin's voice suddenly rose a little. Although he still controlled the volume, the oppressive feeling made Ji Chunhua and Liu Xiaoli next to him hold their breath.

"Is that something you can brag about, show off, or use to satisfy your vanity?!"

"That's a top-secret matter involving national diplomatic strategy, huge amounts of foreign exchange, and could even affect the direction of international relations!"

You think you can brag to the whole world just because you won a cricket fight in the alley?!

"I..." Li Lianjie was speechless after being scolded, cold sweat streaming down her temples.

Only then did he belatedly realize the seriousness of the problem!
When Cheng Xuemin gave him instructions, he thought it was a very important matter that needed to be kept secret, but deep down, he also felt a sense of superiority and a desire to share that he knew a shocking secret!
Especially when facing Ji Chunhua and Liu Xiaoli, two of his own people, the urge to confide in them was even more difficult to suppress.

But now that Cheng Xuemin has exposed his lies without mercy and made a big deal out of it, he feels a chilling fear!
"Are you still trying to deny it?" Cheng Xuemin stared at him, his eyes sharp as knives. "Do you think that just because I wasn't there, I can't control you?"

"Do you still think that once you win an award and go out to see the world, you can get all high and mighty and stop following the rules?"

"No! Brother Cheng, I really didn't!" Li Lianjie waved her hands repeatedly, her voice trembling with tears. "I was wrong! Brother Cheng, I really know I was wrong!"

"I just... I just blurted things out and couldn't control myself! I promise, there will never be a next time! I swear! I swear to God!"

He raised his right hand as if to swear an oath, his face showing both fear and regret.

Cheng Xuemin stared at him for a few seconds, his gaze heavy and oppressive, making Li Lianjie feel almost breathless.

Finally, Cheng Xuemin looked away and stopped looking at him, but the tense atmosphere did not ease.

"This is a one-time exception!" Cheng Xuemin's voice returned to calm, but the warning in it was no less. "Li Lianjie, you remember this: some lines can never be crossed."

"This is your first offense, and I'll let it slide since you did a pretty good job at Cannes!"

But let me tell you this: if the same thing happens again, no matter who you are or what merits you have, the Eastern Depot, and even the Yan Ying Studio, will not tolerate you. You'll be sent wherever you're due. Do you understand?!

"Understood! Understood! Brother Cheng, I've got it! I'd never dare to do it again, even if you killed me!" Li Lianjie nodded vigorously, the back of her shirt already soaked with cold sweat, clinging to her skin, feeling icy cold.

He was truly terrified at that moment, and he was completely sober!
Cheng Xuemin is usually easygoing, but once his principles are touched, his unquestionable authority and iron fist terrify him!
Cheng Xuemin ignored him and turned to Ji Chunhua, who was staring at him with excited eyes, and Liu Xiaoli, who was standing straight and looking nervous.

"Xiao Ji, Xiao Li!" Cheng Xuemin spoke, his tone much gentler, but still serious. "You two should keep every word Li Lianjie said to yourselves."

"Forget not only what you heard, but also the fact that someone said something they shouldn't have. From this moment on, it never happened, understand?!"

Ji Chunhua nodded emphatically. He was honest and straightforward, and always listened to Cheng Xuemin without question. Now he said even more forcefully, "Don't worry, Brother Cheng! I, Ji Chunhua, am very tight-lipped! I'll pretend I didn't hear anything today!"

He patted his chest and assured them, his fierce appearance paired with his serious expression making him look somewhat comical, but the sincerity in his eyes was undeniable.

Liu Xiaoli quickly added, "Teacher Cheng, I understand the importance of this."

"Today, Comrade Li Lianjie just chatted with us about the local customs and culture of Cannes, and didn't say anything else. I promise to keep it a secret."

She was thoughtful and gave a more comprehensive answer, directly denying the nature of the previous private conversation.

Cheng Xuemin nodded, his expression softening slightly.

He walked to the old desk in the middle of the room, pulled up a chair and sat down, gesturing for them to sit as well.

Li Lianjie felt as if she had been granted a pardon. She quickly slid off the table, found a stool, sat down next to it, and hung her head, not daring to utter another word.

Ji Chunhua and Liu Xiaoli also sat down, their eyes both focused on Cheng Xuemin.

"Xiao Ji!" Cheng Xuemin looked at Ji Chunhua, his tone softening. "When you came in just now, I noticed your eyes were red. What happened? Did you suffer some grievances at the factory?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Chunhua's nose tingled, and she almost couldn't hold back her tears again.

He quickly sniffed and said in a muffled voice, "Brother Cheng, I'm not really aggrieved. It's just... I miss our Eastern Depot and I want to film with you."

He paused, seemingly feeling that the reason was not sufficient, and added:

"You have no idea, these past few days you and Little Li have been in France, you've practically worn my doorstep down with all the footsteps, both at the factory and outside!"

"Oh?" Cheng Xuemin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Tell me in detail, what happened?"

Ji Chunhua rubbed his hands, which were large and calloused, with a conflicted expression on his face.

He seemed both annoyed and secretly pleased: "It's all because of 'Tai Chi' and 'Shaolin Temple'! As soon as these two films were released, wow, the whole country went crazy, everyone was obsessed with martial arts films! Every film studio wanted to make martial arts films, and every director wanted to hire me!"

He started counting on his fingers: "Our own Yanying Film Studio has two production teams that came to me, insisting that I play the number one villain, and the price they offered was not low."

"The Shanghai film studios sent three or four groups of people to plead for me, saying they had a script with a demonic cult leader in it, and I was the only one who could play the role."

"The Changchun factory went even further, sending a deputy factory director to stay at the factory's guesthouse for three days, just to wait for my availability. They said there was a ruthless and domineering bandit leader in their movie, and only I could portray that kind of character..."

He became more and more excited as he spoke, his face turning red: "And there's Xi'an Film Studio, Emei Film Studio... Just the scripts they brought over, if you piled them up, would be this high!"

He gestured an exaggerated height with his hand, "They all want me to play villains, either notorious bandits, martial arts scoundrels, or evil demons!"

"I...I'm practically a professional villain actor! I can't keep up with the roles, I just can't keep up, Brother Cheng!"

As he spoke, his tone became increasingly distressed, with a hint of helpless pride.

Liu Xiaoli, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but smile and added, "Teacher Cheng, what Xiao Ji said is not an exaggeration!"

"Now it's all over our film studio circle that people are saying that Ji Chunhua from the Eastern Depot has a natural villain face. He doesn't even need makeup to play bad guys; he just stands there and he has that kind of presence."

So many film crews are practically fighting over him. Zhang, the head of the production department at our factory, has been complaining to me these past few days, saying that Xiao Ji's schedule is booked until next fall, and turning down any offers would be inappropriate and offend people.

Cheng Xuemin listened with a blank expression, but his mind raced with thoughts.

The martial arts craze sparked by "Shaolin Temple" and "Tai Chi" was within his expectations, but it wasn't too surprising that Ji Chunhua became a sensation and a sought-after villain actor.

Ji Chunhua has a unique image and temperament, solid acting skills, and especially a fierce and unruly air about him. In the mainland film industry, which generally pursues the image of a perfect hero, he is truly unique and has a natural advantage in playing villains.

The market's reaction is the most direct form of recognition!
"What do you think?" Cheng Xuemin asked Ji Chunhua, looking at him calmly.

Ji Chunhua was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Cheng Xuemin to ask this.

He scratched his head, a rare look of naivety and confusion appearing on his fierce face: "I...I don't know either!"

"Having acting roles is definitely a good thing; it means people recognize my talent. Earning more money to send home is also good. But... Brother Cheng!"

He looked up at Cheng Xuemin, his eyes revealing a genuine sense of confusion. "I always play villains, bad guys, and it's always the same old thing: glaring, being fierce, killing and setting fires... I'm getting a little... a little tired of it."

Moreover, I'm also afraid that the audience will get tired of me, and that when they mention Ji Chunhua, they'll only think of villains, and they won't be able to play any other roles anymore.

He paused, his voice lowering, carrying a hint of barely perceptible grievance:

"Also, some production teams come specifically for my villainous face. The scripts are rough, the characters are one-dimensional, and I'm just a tool, evil for the sake of being evil."

I felt uneasy while acting. I still want to work with you, Brother Cheng. The scripts you write and the films you make are different.

Even if I play a villain, I'll make sure he's a flesh-and-blood villain, like the head eunuch in "Tai Chi"—that kind of character just comes across as compelling. Brother Cheng, I...I still want to follow you!

His words were somewhat hesitant, but the meaning was clearly expressed.

Ji Chunhua is not dissatisfied with the status quo; he is an actor with aspirations and confusion.

The market's enthusiasm delighted him, but also left him bewildered.

He craves recognition, cherishes his reputation, and misses the challenging and thought-provoking creative process he experienced under Cheng Xuemin's guidance.

After listening, Cheng Xuemin did not immediately express his opinion, but tapped his fingers lightly on his knee.

Li Lianjie, who was standing next to Cheng Xuemin, secretly glanced at him before quickly lowering her head, thinking to herself: This big oaf has some ideas.

Liu Xiaoli also looked at Cheng Xuemin, waiting for his reaction.

……

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