Exciting 1979!

Chapter 411 From a Couple to a Family of Three
"The Shepherd's Spring" is certainly not a pure children's story; it would be more accurate to call it "scar literature." However, several important characters in the novel are indeed children, and it tells a story of mutual redemption between teachers and students. Nursery rhymes are also a very important element of the novel.

This is a story that both adults and children can enjoy. Director Yu believes it could even compete for awards. It seems that the Children's Film Studio has been isolated from awards since its inception. People think that things for children can have any intellectual depth, but "The Shepherd's Spring" has great potential.

Wei Ming hesitated for a moment and said, "Director Yu, actually, Director Xie Jin from Shanghai Film Studio had considered adapting this novel before, but I did not agree."

If it were any other writer, probably no one would disagree, and they would even prefer to be the screenwriter themselves, because the script fee is so considerable, a one-time payment equivalent to a year's or even several years' salary, but Wei Mingzhen doesn't care about that.

Yu Lan: "I've heard about this, and I can understand it. This novel is your most influential representative work among your novellas, so it's inevitable that you would be cautious about adapting it into a film or television series. Director Xie said that you don't think he's a suitable director. Do you have a suitable candidate in mind?"

"Can I just decide who should direct?"

Factory Director Yu said earnestly, "As long as he is willing, and his company is willing to release him, I have absolutely no problem with that."

This is Director Yu's respect for the richest man in the Chinese literary world. There are too few directors at the Children's Film Studio. She can even go to Beijing Film Studio, Shanghai Film Studio, and Changchun Film Studio to help Wei Ming find people. This is nothing. But are there any directors in this era who can surpass Xie Jin?

Since they've said that, their sincerity is too great. Wei Ming thought for a moment and said, "Let's talk about the director later. How about I work out a script first, and if the Children's Film Studio has no problem with it, then we can discuss the director's selection."

“Sure,” Director Yu said, knowing that Wei Ming’s agreement to write the script was almost a done deal. “Then let Xiao Liang be your editor. It’s not like you’ve worked together before.”

Wei Ming had no problem with it, and Liang Xiaosheng was even happier. Being by Wei Ming's side meant he could discuss literature with him. As the saying goes, "The accomplished are teachers," and he could learn from him.

Because Wei Ming was invited to the Children's Film Studio, he was delayed for a short while. When he came out, he happened to run into Gong Xue, who was riding his bicycle back from outside.

The two greeted each other like ordinary friends, then exchanged some winks. Gong Xue understood and said, "Let's not meet in the evening, see you at noon."

So, shortly after Wei Ming left, Gong Xue also rode his bicycle straight to Tuanjiehu.

Upon opening the door upstairs, Wei Ming found the curtains already drawn. He grabbed Xue Jie in his arms and carried her lightly to the sofa.

"When did you get back?" Wei Ming asked.

"I've been back for three or four days now, how about you?"

"I came back yesterday, but no one answered my phone, so I came to the Beijing Film Studio today."

“I went to a meeting at CCTV this morning,” Gong Xue explained to him, “a meeting about Journey to the West.”

"Oh, what did they talk about?"

Gong Xue said, "They just talked about the filming plan, but it doesn't really concern me. I just happened to have some free time, so I went to take a look. The director and the others have traveled all over China these past few months and have already selected the important locations. They're going to start filming the pilot episode next month. It doesn't really concern me; I only have one episode."

Have you decided what role you'll be playing?

"Hmm, Xuanzang's mother, Yin Wenjiao, I feel like I'm becoming a professional 'mother' now." Gong Xue pouted helplessly, and Wei Ming couldn't help but give her a kiss.

The original version of this role was played by Yu Qiuyu's wife, Ma Lan, who was also a beautiful woman.

Gong Xue added, "At this meeting, I also saw the actors who played Tang Sanzang and his disciples. I know Tang Sanzang, and Sun Wukong is from Shaoxing. I have heard of his father's name."

It seems to be Teacher Liu. Although he is very young and has concealed his severe myopia, his acting talent is truly remarkable. He was a bit awkward at first, but he got better and better as he acted. In addition to Sun Wukong, he also created many other classic roles in later generations.

"Teacher Wang Xizhong also went to the meeting with me today. They discussed the makeup plan, which sounded quite difficult, especially for Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie," Gong Xue added.

Wei Ming smiled and said, "I'll go over and give you some guidance when I have time."

The makeup and styling in the test shoot were indeed not very good, and were much stiffer than in the later official shoot. This was also an important reason why the test shoot was not used in the official shoot. Although Wei Ming is not a professional special effects makeup artist, he still has some advanced experience to share.

Gong Xue thought Xiao Wei was in a hurry to do that thing, so he asked him to come back at noon, but judging from his appearance, he didn't seem to be in a hurry.

I'm so lucky. He didn't rush over to me, and I'm actually a little disappointed.

Wei Ming said, "Let's go somewhere."

"Oh, it's already this late? Aren't you going to take a nap?" she hinted, knowing that Wei Ming had a habit of taking naps.

"It's not too late to sleep once we get there."

Wei Ming took Gong Xue to a courtyard house in Nanluoguxiang. After entering, Wei Ming gave her the key he had.

"Keep this safe, it's your house key."

This was the first house Wei Ming bought for Gong Xue in Yanjing. After it was renovated, it was very beautiful, quiet and exquisite, so much so that Gong Xue didn't know where to begin looking at it.

After passing through the outer courtyard and entering the inner courtyard, Gong Xue first saw the swimming pool.

Wei Ming laughed and said, "I can't wait for summer to come, then I'll teach you two how to doggy paddle."

"You should just doggy paddle yourself, I can swim," Sister Xue said proudly.

Wei Ming held her hand and led her to see each room, explaining their functions.

When Gong Xue arrived at the study, the first thing he noticed was the computer.

Sister Xue asked, "Why does this TV look so strange, and why is it in the study?"

Wei Ming pressed the power button on the main unit: "This isn't a TV, it's much more expensive than a TV."

He gave a brief introduction to computers and boldly predicted their future importance.

"Once Peking University develops the Chinese character card, you and Sister Lin can both learn how to use it," Wei Ming suggested.

At their age, by the time their children grow up, the internet will be booming, and they can watch dramas and browse posts online, making their lives much more fulfilling.

When I reach the age of taking care of my grandchildren, I'll still be able to catch up with the smartphone era, and I'll have to teach them myself then.

"What can it do?" Gong Xue asked earnestly.

Wei Ming: "The current functions are still relatively limited. Programmers can use it to program, and I can use it to write novels, but currently it can only be used to write English novels. Let me demonstrate it for you."

He opened a document and wrote a paragraph on it. He had already tried it when he was in the United States, and now his feel for it had returned to a lot.

"I'll ask my friend in the US to get me a printer later. Once I connect it to the computer, I can print out the manuscript directly."

Watching Wei Ming effortlessly create English works on the keyboard as if using his native language, Gong Xue looked at her husband with even more admiration.

Although she is learning English, she is far from reaching that level, which is only the level of being able to have simple conversations.

Because the "Marco Polo" crew was staying at the Beijing Film Studio's guesthouse, Gong Xue tried to communicate with the foreigners, but they couldn't communicate at all. Later, she learned that those people were speaking Italian or Italian-accented English, and everyone had an accent.

"Tell me more about America, will you?" Gong Xue asked curiously.

Wei Ming: "Perfect timing, come with me."

He pulled Gong Xue into the darkroom, and the two developed the photos while talking about them.

"This is at a Chinese film festival at UCLA Northridge. Guess who I ran into there?"

"Who?"

Wei Ming showed her the developed photos.

"Ah, Chen Chong!" Gong Xue was surprised, and at the same time a little worried. She had met Chen Chong before. Regardless of what he looked like, he was really young, the same age as Xiao Wei.

Wei Ming then introduced, "This is Cheng Long, do you remember him?"

"Oh, he acted in 'Drunken Master'?" Gong Xue had a vague impression, having seen the videotape Wei Ming brought back. "He seems to be a very famous star from Hong Kong, right?"

Wei Ming whispered to Sister Xue, "There's a number one internationally too. One morning I saw Chen Chong come out of Cheng Long's room."

"Huh?!" Gong Xue covered his mouth in surprise. Although he had also had premarital sex, he was already quite old. He never expected that Chen Chong, such a young girl, would also... and a Hong Kong star at that!
Then Wei Ming showed Gong Xue the photos he had taken at the Grammy Gala.

"The trophy is in the Overseas Chinese Apartment, you can't touch it now, but you can touch other trophies." Wei Ming began to make sexual innuendos.

"Stop fooling around, don't ruin the photos," Gong Xue told Xiao Wei to be serious.

Next came photos taken at her great-aunt's house in San Francisco, which shocked Gong Xue even more. Was this still a place for humans to live?
Wei Ming said, "When Xiao Hong goes to study abroad next year, she'll have someone to look after her, and then I can rest assured."

Being able to rest assured means that she doesn't need to accompany her throughout her studies abroad; her great-aunt will definitely treat Xiaohong the same way she treated her aunt back then.

However, I will definitely have to accompany them at the beginning, and I don't know if the Shi family's few pieces of material will have any thoughts.

Following that, there were Central Park and the Twin Towers in New York, and Disney World in Orlando, all of which posed a significant challenge to Gong Xue.

Wei Ming was very clever; he used his aunt's camera to take photos of Melinda, as well as photos of himself and Melinda together, which were not on this roll of film.

The photos were developed, and now it was time to get down to business. Wei Ming told Xue Jie to lie down properly.

"We haven't seen the bedroom yet, let's go take a look at the bedroom."

"What's so interesting about bedrooms? They're all pretty much the same." Wei Ming pinched her waist, which was thinner than an A4 sheet of paper.

However, the two eventually went into the bedroom.

An hour later, Wei Ming took a blanket from the bedroom, wrapped the exhausted Xue Jie in it, carried her inside, and began the second round.

The bedroom is quite comfortable, and there's even a bathroom where you can take a hot shower. The sun has already warmed up the hot water bottle on the roof.

The two of them were up until five o'clock.

Wei Ming said to Sister Xue, "I'll go buy you some food first. Uncle Ping An invited Xiao Hong and me to dinner tonight."

"No need, I can go out to eat by myself after a while." Xuejie rubbed her face against Wei Ming's arm.

"It's alright, I'm faster on a motorcycle, so don't go out tonight," Wei Ming said firmly.

Xuejie stopped saying anything after that, and finally said, "Oh, Linjie said she can come back next week too."

"Great! The three of us can celebrate your birthday together!"

Last year, she celebrated her birthday with Wei Ming, just the two of them. This year, it's a family of three. Gong Xue was both amused and exasperated.

Wei Ming rode his motorcycle to the vicinity of the Central Academy of Drama, where he remembered a newly opened private restaurant.

Because of its geographical advantage, students from the Central Academy of Drama can often be seen here. For example, at this moment, Jiang Wen is having dinner with his classmates Liu Xiaoning, Liu Bin, and other male students.

Wei Ming ordered one meat dish and one vegetable dish, as well as two steamed buns, intending to pack them in a lunchbox to take away.

He didn't even notice the young men, but Jiang Wen recognized him at a glance.

"Excuse me, are you Professor Wei Ming from Peking University?"

Jiang Wen is only 19 years old, two years younger than Wei Ming, but looking at his face, well, Wei Ming would call him "brother" because he looks so mature.

Wei Ming nodded: "You're students from the Central Academy of Drama, right?"

“Yes, we are from the 80 class of the Performing Arts Department.” Several of Jiang Wen’s classmates also stood up, looking at Wei Ming with some admiration.

Looking at these people, Wei Ming remarked that the Central Academy of Drama really doesn't judge people by their looks.

Jiang Wen shook hands with Wei Ming, expressing his appreciation for Wei Ming's works.

"Especially that 'In the Heat of the Sun,' I just couldn't understand how it could be written so well. It was so real, so true to life..."

He couldn't think of a satisfactory analogy for a moment, so Wei Ming said, "It's like I once spied on your life?"

"Yes, yes, yes, that's it! It's just right!" Old Jiang exclaimed as if he had found a kindred spirit.

Wei Ming laughed and said, "I have a friend named Mei Wenhua. I think you two will definitely have something to talk about."

"The prototype of this novel?"

"That's it."

"I should get to know him if I have the chance; he's an extraordinary person!" Old Jiang exclaimed in praise.

Wei Ming: "There's a clothing store called Oriental Plaza on Xidan Street. He's the owner there. If you go there, just say you know me and ask him to give you a discount."

"Oh my, I know this shop! It's really famous!" Jiang Wen exclaimed. "What an amazing person!"

Wei Ming: "Alright, I'm not going to waste any more time with you guys. Keep eating, I'm off now."

Watching Wei Ming ride away on his motorcycle with a dashing air, Jiang Wen felt incredibly melancholy. He actually had a lot he wanted to say to him, but unfortunately, the important man was too busy, and he didn't know if he would ever have the chance to see him again.

When Wei Ming returned, Xue Jie was already asleep because she was too tired. Wei Ming put the lunchbox on the low table in the bedroom so that she could smell it when she woke up.

~
When Wei Ming arrived at Uncle Ping'an's house, Xiao Hong was already playing with Xi Zi and Le Le.

When Wei Hong saw him, she quickly said, "Brother, have the photos been developed yet? Auntie and the others also want to see what America looks like!"

Wei Ming pulled a bulging envelope out of his bag.

"They're all here, still warm."

While watching, Wei Ming also had to provide commentary: "This is Los Angeles...this is San Francisco...this is New York...this is Stanford..."

Upon seeing her great-aunt's estate, even a high-ranking official like Lü Xiaoyan couldn't help but click her tongue in amazement.

"So the man I married came from such a high social class."

Wei Ping'an glanced at her with a heavy heart: "What's so great about her? She's just a cousin."

He didn't ask about the photo in front of his wife and children.

Wei Hong found photos of Stanford University, including one of Wei Ming and Bu Suanzi. Looking at the skyscrapers of New York and her great-aunt's estate, she couldn't help but feel even more excited about her life studying in the United States.

"Big brother, did you bring back any foreign songs?" Lele tugged at Wei Ming's sleeve.

“I brought a few cassette tapes,” Wei Ming said, rummaging through his bag again. “But you’re probably too young to understand them. You can give them to your teacher to study.”

"okay."

"Big brother, what about me!" Xizi also reached out for a gift.

Wei Ming clapped his little hand: "I've already let you play Red Boy, what more gift do you want!"

"Red Boy? I want to play Sun Wukong! I can even wield a staff now!" Xizi said, giving a demonstration.

Wei Ming clapped his hands: "Well done, here, this is for you."

He pulled a toy gun out of his bag.

"Xiao Ming, come with me~" After dinner, Uncle Ping An called Wei Ming downstairs and then took out the old photo. "Do you know who this person is in here?"

……

(Yesterday's guaranteed minimum)
(End of this chapter)