Exciting 1979!

Chapter 332 Wei Ming's Reach for the Heavens, the Imperial Edict and the Iron Certificate

Zhou Huimin had realized that Amin had changed his route; this was neither the way home nor the bus to kindergarten!
The young girl, just coming of age, was inevitably excited, apprehensive, expectant, and a little scared. However, thinking about that little square, she felt it should be safe, after all, it was a big brand.

The car passed through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and arrived in Kowloon. The two remained silent the entire way.

However, when she saw the hotel in front of her, Vivian Chow was clearly taken aback. This place seems wrong, doesn't it?
Wei Ming: "You've never stayed in a hotel before, right? It's getting a bit late, so why don't you stay here for the night?"

Before them stood one of Hong Kong’s most famous luxury hotels, the Peninsula Hotel, owned by the Kadoorie family.

Under the gossipy gaze of the receptionist, Wei Ming led the little girl upstairs. This room was on the same floor as Melinda's room and was considered a high-end room.

Even though it was just a single room, Amin felt it was bigger than her entire house.

Wei Ming said, "Call home first to let them know you're safe and sound, and get some rest. If there are any problems, go to room 330 and find Melinda."

"how about you?"

Wei Ming: "I'm going back to my hotel."

"But it's so late~" Amin muttered softly, her head down.

Wei Ming: "Then I'll stay in Melinda's room for the night?"

"Can't!"

Wei Ming chuckled and poked her head: "Don't think such nonsense at such a young age. I'll go say hello to Melinda and leave after I say a few words."

After he left, Zhou Huimin was worried and secretly watched the corridor through the crack in the door.

Wei Ming knocked on Melinda's door, but didn't go in.

"Why are you so late? I was about to fall asleep." Melinda yawned, still half-asleep, wearing pajamas, exuding a charming allure.

Wei Ming stood at the door: "It's too late, I won't go in. I have to go to Xinhua News Agency tomorrow."

"Is it because of that little girl?" Melinda laughed. "That Amin."

Wei Ming pinched her chin: "To help you recover, I'll keep you company tomorrow night, until we're both exhausted."

Today was really tiring. I stood for almost the whole day, and my mind was on edge the whole time.

"Okay." Melinda opened her arms and asked Wei Ming for a hug.

Wei Ming: "Amin lives in room 315. It's too late for her to go home. If she doesn't understand anything, please remember to help her."

Melinda was taken aback. What did it mean to put him next to me?

“The Governor of Hong Kong invited Sarah and me to his home tomorrow, and he even asked us to invite you along.” Melinda remembered something else.

Wei Ming: "I'll be free this afternoon."

"Then this afternoon."

Seeing that Amin had left Melinda's door and headed for the elevator, Amin smiled, closed the door, and made a phone call home.

"Hello, is this Amin? Why isn't she back yet?" Zhou's mother asked anxiously; she hadn't slept.

Zhou Huimin: "Mom, I'm not going home to sleep tonight, it's too late. I'll stay at the hotel for the night."

"What? Staying in a hotel? Where's A-Ming?" Zhou's mother immediately straightened her face. "Let him answer the phone."

Zhou Huimin knew her mother had misunderstood, so she said, "Ah Ming dropped me off at the hotel and left. He arranged for me to stay at the Peninsula Hotel, which I guess was a reward for me, but he doesn't stay at this hotel."

"Really?" Zhou's mother was still a little uneasy.

Zhou Huimin looked out the window: "Amin has already driven away. His hotel should be about a ten-minute drive from here. I can give you the hotel's name and phone number. You can go and ask him in twenty minutes."

Seeing that her daughter had said that, Zhou's mother snorted: "Come home early tomorrow."

“Okay, Mom. The rooms here are big and the beds are soft. I’ll definitely make sure you can live in a house like this someday,” Amin said.

Mrs. Zhou was a little touched, but still retorted, "I'm the one who put you in a house like this. Holiland's new store is about to open, so just wait and see if you can become your fast food princess."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Huimin looked around the room with curiosity. The bathroom was so big, and there was even a bathtub!

However, she was too tired, so she just took a quick shower and went to sleep.

This was the first time she had ever slept in such a big bed. It must have been more than two meters wide. She turned over several times but couldn't fall off. It felt like three people could fit in, and four people could barely sleep in it.

Wei Ming didn't even take a shower. He was a little distracted while driving back. When he got to his room, he only had time to take off his shoes before collapsing into bed.

Actually, it wasn't just today; in the past few days, he had stayed up late several times composing music or discussing arrangement and performance issues with Lai Siu-tin and others. He could only sleep four or five hours a day for the past week.

Starting today, I can finally get a full night's sleep.

Wei Ming didn't know how long he had slept, but when he woke up the next day and glanced at the watch on his wrist, he suddenly froze. Oh no!

This isn't Melinda's watch; it's the Japanese digital watch that Sister Lin gave me!
I was too busy to pay attention to the details.

Wei Ming took off his watch; it was past eight o'clock. He was indeed a diligent person; he hadn't gone to bed until two o'clock yesterday and hadn't even slept until noon.

He couldn't fall asleep no matter how hard he tried. After getting up, he turned on the TV, which happened to be on ATV, and then he saw a replay of yesterday's charity concert!

Switching to TVB, well, they're replaying it too, and they've just gotten to the song "You'll Only Win If You Fight Hard".

It seems this concert will leave a lasting impression on the people of Hong Kong.

Last night, Run Run Shaw invited Wei Ming to record a program at TVB, but Wei Ming declined. He plans to return to Beijing tomorrow, and the production and distribution of the album will be handled by professionals. He wants to enjoy his remaining vacation time.

After school started in September, he really wanted to work hard and focus on his creative work.

As soon as he went downstairs, the receptionist immediately said to him, "Mr. Wei, someone is looking for you."

When she first checked in, she was cold to Wei Ming, but now her eyes seem to be sparkling with affection when she looks at him.

Two foreigners immediately stood up in the lobby, one tall and one short, the shorter one holding a camera.

"Mr. Why, hello, I'm Clark Parker, a reporter from the BBC, and this is my partner, Peter Kent." The taller man spoke Cantonese, clearly a Hong Kong enthusiast.

Wei Ming shook hands with them.

Clark said, "Last night's charity concert was truly unique and rare even on an international scale. My colleagues and I watched the whole thing, but unfortunately we weren't invited by the organizers."

"Oh dear, our organizers were so careless," Wei Ming said with a regretful expression.

“It’s okay, it’s very clear on TV, and we can also buy records, we’ll support it,” Clark added. “Can you do an interview with us? We want to tell the British audience about this and also to promote ‘The Legend of the Heavenly Book’.”

Wei Ming has a collaboration with the BBC on "The Legend of the Heavenly Book," so it seems that Clark was instructed by London, and Wei Ming readily agreed.

"However, I need to go to the Xinhua branch, and I have limited time." Wei Ming glanced at the clock.

“Then let’s talk on the way, Peter, you drive.”

Peter drove while Wei Ming and Clark sat in the back and conducted an interview, discussing the creation of "Only Time," the situation of the Sichuan floods, and the motivation and preparation process for this charity concert.

"The economic losses caused by the Sichuan floods have reached 20 billion RMB. This donation from the people of Hong Kong can alleviate the urgent needs of the victims. At the same time, I also appeal to international humanitarian organizations to extend a helping hand to China." This was Wei Ming's final concluding statement.

In most cases, donations certainly cannot make up for the losses caused by a disaster, but every little bit helps.

After getting off the car, Wei Ming walked into the branch office compound. There was no need to verify his identity. After last night, there shouldn't be many people in Hong Kong who didn't know Wei Ming. The two young guards on duty had watched the live broadcast last night and admired him very much.

Once inside, President Wang first introduced Wei Ming to several heads of major state-owned enterprises in Hong Kong. Each of them was of a high rank, and even Uncle Ping An would shake hands with both hands with them.

Wei Ming behaved with neither arrogance nor servility, maintaining the integrity of an artist, and it is unlikely that he will pursue a career in government.

Once you're in that system, no matter how talented or influential you are, or how great your books are, if you're just a section chief, you have to bow down to the department head; if you're a department head, you have to smile obsequiously at the bureau chief. They can call you mentally ill if they want, it's pointless.

However, China is a country with a strong emphasis on officialdom. If one does not pursue a career in government, then international influence is the best weapon to protect oneself in such situations. For example, Jackie Chan at his peak in the future will be a national icon.

Wei Ming is not out of the question; he could start with The Times and the BBC.

Having gotten to know these connections that might be useful in the future, President Wang then told him about the results of last night's concert.

"Including donations from the wealthy, donations from ordinary viewers, and ticket revenue, a total of HK$1.45 million was raised for charity. Xiao Wei, you have done a great service!"

……

"How much? How much do you want?!"

In Yanjing, at the Hong Kong Office, Mr. Liao received news from Hong Kong this morning regarding yesterday's charity concert.

“HK$1.45 million! That’s roughly equivalent to RMB 5000 million, and that doesn’t even include the revenue from the subsequent record sales. The profits from that will also be part of the donation!” The secretary was also quite excited.

"Good, good, good!" Liao Gonglian said three times. This achievement far exceeded his expectations. What does this show? It shows that the two sides of the strait are one family. Decades of separation have not made the compatriots in Hong Kong and the people on the mainland feel alienated.

Of course, Xiao Wei also deserves credit; he came up with the idea, invited the singer, and wrote the song.

"Is there a detailed list of donors?" Mr. Liao asked again.

"Yes." The secretary handed over a fax. Robert Kuok, Henry Fok, Li Ka-shing, and others were all names that Mr. Liao was very familiar with.

This list is even more detailed, including a valuable watch owned by Hong Kong star Jackie Chan. Old Liao said, "I'll go report to that person who's been concerned about the disaster in their hometown."

Just as he was about to leave, he asked again, "Do you have any recordings of the concert?"

The secretary said, "Yes, they said it would be delivered on this morning's flight, but it hasn't arrived yet."

Liao Gong sat down again: "Then let's wait a little longer, and bring the videotape with us when we go."

Then Liao Gong pressed the recorder on the table, and the melody of the Mandarin version of "Tomorrow Will Be Better" started playing. This time, it was little Lele who sang "Gently knock on the sleeping soul, slowly open your eyes~".

This cassette tape is called "Tomorrow Will Be Better". In addition to the title track, it also includes representative works by several well-known singers, such as "Hometown Love", "On the Hopeful Fields" and "Young Friends Come to Meet". It can be considered a compilation album.

Liao Gong received the cassette tape immediately, and singers such as Zhu Lin and Gong Xue also received the tape in recent days. It was officially released nationwide today.

At Zhu Lin's home in Tuanjiehu, she and Gong Xue were doing yoga while listening to music.

Gong Xue was very engrossed, but Zhu Lin always felt that this thing was not serious, and her mind was also on that brat in Hong Kong.

After Gong Xue finished completing a full cycle of yoga, he looked at Zhu Lin with a frown and said, "Yoga is something you're supposed to learn, but you're not concentrating on it now. Forget it, I won't come tomorrow."

"No, I have to leave now. He won't be coming back. Won't you stay with me?"

"Oh, are you leaving so soon?"

“Yes, Changchun Film Studio has already urged me, saying that filming will start at the end of the month and they want me to go over and read the script with the other actors,” Zhu Lin sighed. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to wait until he comes back.”

Gong Xue: "Don't worry, if he doesn't get to see you, he'll go to the Northeast to see you. You can always write a letter and act cute, right?"

"Oh, it seems you're quite the expert, Xiaoxue," Zhu Lin said with a smile.

"I didn't mean anything by it, I was just giving you advice." Gong Xue lowered her head, feeling like she was acting strangely, suggesting her boyfriend go see his other girlfriend—we're clearly in competition!
She had almost forgotten that she and Zhu Lin had a three-year agreement.

By then, "Tomorrow Will Be Better" had finished playing, and Zhu Lin turned off the tape recorder: "Why don't we go see a movie?"

"Watching 'Heroes Have Emerged Since Ancient Times' again?" Gong Xue pleaded, "Even if it's good, you can't watch it like this."

In the days that Wei Ming and his sister were away, Gong Xue had accompanied Zhu Lin to see the show three times. The last time was the day before yesterday, and the show was still packed every time.

Zhu Lin: "Not that one. Liu Xiaoqing's 'The Mysterious Buddha' was recently released, let's go see that one."

"Oh, that's fine, wait a minute," Gong Xue glanced out the window, "The sun is too strong, let me apply some sunscreen."

Zhu Lin: "Oh dear, I only have a little sunscreen left, so please use it sparingly!"

Gong Xue pulled out a bottle of cosmetics with English writing on it. The two of them were using foreign cosmetics, which Wei Ming had bought from the Friendship Store with foreign exchange certificates. These were cosmetics that even mainland celebrities had never seen before.

Liu Xiaoqing found it strange that her face and arms had darkened a shade in the summer, while Gong Xue and Zhu Lin remained fair-skinned, and she had never seen them use umbrellas when they went out.

What puzzled Liu Xiaoqing even more was why Wei Ming hadn't returned yet; she was waiting to discuss her research and views on the role of Empress Dowager Cixi with him.

Because she was in such a hurry, Liu Xiaoqing had previously visited Wei Jiefang, but Wei said his son had gone to Hong Kong on official business and didn't say what it was about.

Some time ago, Liu Xiaoqing saw in the newspaper that Wei Ming wrote a song for the wedding of the British Crown Prince, and that the British Princess was very grateful to him. It is said that the song is very popular abroad.

Has Teacher Wei gone abroad? Is he not planning to come back like Chen Chong?
People on the mainland don't know what Wei Ming is doing in Hong Kong, and there are no reports about the charity concert yet. However, the news has already spread in the Pearl River Delta region, including Shenzhen.

Because this area is very close to Hong Kong, you can watch RTV and TVB programs by setting up a fishbone antenna. Although the signal is not very good, it is better than nothing.

Did you watch TVB yesterday?

"No, the signal wasn't very good yesterday."

"Oh dear, why didn't you watch it? What a pity!"

"What program was on yesterday? Was it the Miss Hong Kong pageant?"

"This is way better than Miss Hong Kong wearing swimsuits. It's the 'Tomorrow Will Be Better' charity concert. If you don't hear it, it will be the biggest regret of your life!"

At this moment, a third person came over and said, "I didn't watch it yesterday either, but I watched the replay today. Three parts are destined by fate, seven parts depend on hard work."

Chorus: "Only by striving can you win."

These two people, who had both been to the concert, started singing back and forth, as if exchanging secret codes.

Although I only watched it once and couldn't sing all the songs, I could sing a few lines of the climax of almost every song.

As for the one who hadn't seen the concert, he immediately went home and told his second uncle, who was in the smuggling tape business, about it.

The two came to the conclusion: "If we could get a batch of tapes from this concert, they would definitely sell like hotcakes!"

~
At this moment, Wei Ming was visiting the Governor's House with Melinda and Sarah; it was his first time there.

I passed by here when I traveled to Hong Kong in my previous life. It was called Government House back then, but I couldn't go in because it wasn't open. It's a group of gray-roofed, white-walled buildings that are 130 years old.

The dinner party mainly focused on music and literature, avoiding politics, which suited Wei Ming's wishes perfectly.

When discussing music, we naturally have to talk about "Moonlight Shadow" and "Only Time," while when discussing literature, we inevitably have to talk about "The Lion King," which has a connection to Shakespeare.

This children's book is also highly praised in the British literary world. The theory of "life cycle" in the book makes it not only loved by children, but also by adults.

Wei Ming also brought an English picture book of "The Lion King" as a gift today, along with his autograph.

When they heard that The Lion King was going to be adapted into a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, the MacLehose couple were very excited and said they would take their grandson to see it.

Wei Ming and his two companions had afternoon tea at the Governor's Mansion. When they came out, it was still dark, so he took care of the two women, serving them some Chinese food and watching a horse race. Only after dark did he send them back to the Peninsula Hotel.

As for Vivian Chow, her mother took a taxi early in the morning and picked her up safely.

That evening, while Wei Ming and Melinda were enjoying blissful time in their hotel room, Liao Gong from Yanjing emerged from his office under the stars, carrying a calligraphy scroll.

This was given to little Wei Ming. Even Liao Gong didn't expect that the boy would receive such an honor and praise.

Liao Gong planned to have it framed and give it to Xiao Wei when he returned.

~
The next day, Wei Ming prepared to set off.

He first went to the Holiland store to say goodbye to Lao Gui.

I've been here for over half a month, but because I've been busy with work, I haven't had a chance to spend time with my father properly. It's truly a dilemma between loyalty to the emperor and filial piety.

Old Ghost: "Stop giving me that nonsense. What were you thinking, taking Amin to a hotel!"

Wei Ming: "She said she wanted to stay in a hotel, so I let her experience it. I didn't stay with her."

"Luckily you didn't live together, otherwise her mother would have fought you to the death. Even if you had any ideas, you would have to wait at least two years."

Wei Ming remained silent without refuting, because he certainly had his own ideas, about Bai Kemin, but wasn't waiting two years a bit too risky?

Old Ghost added, "Before you leave, do you want to go see her? That girl didn't go to class today."

Wei Ming asked, "Is Zhou's mother not home?"

"She's at the new store."

"Okay, I'll go check it out right away."

Wei Ming's flight was in the afternoon, and he had already given Amin time, not even enough time for Madman Comics.

Upon seeing Wei Ming arrive, Amin quickly pulled him inside: "Did no one see you?"

"what happened?"

“We’re celebrities now, so we have to be careful about our privacy. Yesterday, when I went out, I was surrounded by people asking if I was the girl who sang ‘Tomorrow Will Be Better’.”

Wei Ming said with a smile, "I was recognized by the staff at Holiland when I went there just now. It seems I need to change my style in the future."

He wants to be a celebrity, but not one whose face everyone can recognize. Showing up and singing yesterday was a huge sacrifice for him.

Amin pulled out a large stack of newspapers: "Even if you hadn't come, I was planning to see you off at the airport. Keep these for yourself."

"What is this?" Wei Ming saw that it was the latest edition of Ming Pao.

"These are all reports about the charity concert that I found at newsstands. Look, even the right-wing newspapers praised you and said you should choose to stay in Hong Kong."

If we stay and break with the North, wouldn't we become one of their own?

Wei Ming glanced at the newspapers. Amin had marked all the articles about him and the concert, indicating that she had been doing this before he arrived.

The little girl is quite good at flirting. Wei Ming was a little touched, and this time when they parted, he took the initiative to hug Amin.

The sudden intimacy made Amin feel as refreshed as if she had eaten ice cream at noon, and she hugged Amin back, reluctant to let go.

~
At the same time, Liao Gong's secretary brought the calligraphy to Rongbaozhai and asked the most professional master craftsman there to frame it.

The experienced craftsman was stunned when he saw the name of the person who signed it.

Looking at the five large characters "Heroes emerge from among the young," he felt that the four characters "Ironclad Certificate" were hidden between the lines!
(End of this chapter)