Chapter 288: At Odds with Li Zhi

Dai Tielang is fifty-one this year. Born in Singapore, he only moved to the Magic City with his family at the age of ten.

His primary role at the Shanghai Animation Er Yingchang is animation design; he served as the animation designer for *Little Tadpoles Looking for Mama*, *The Shepherd's Whistle*, and *After School*.

Aside from directing a short film early in his career, his true tenure as a director at the studio only began two years ago with *The Hen Moves House*. Last year, he had another film, *My Friend Little Dolphin*, but his fame was not particularly widespread.

His newly completed work, *The Nine-Colored Deer*, has yet to be broadcast; only after it airs will his abilities be truly recognized.

From the subject matter of these three works, one can see that he loves small animals and enjoys novel gadgets. Despite his age, he often buys remote-controlled toy cars, taking them apart and putting them back together, much like an old child.

Therefore, after Te Wei reviewed all the directors in the studio, he chose him.

Upon entering the studio director's office, Te Wei did not immediately discuss business, but instead asked Dai Tielang, "Little Dai, do you keep a cat at home?"

"No, but I do have a dog. Traditional rural cats aren't as domesticated as dogs, and our place is too small for one to roam. However, the cats downstairs have become quite familiar with me."

Speaking of these cats and dogs, Dai Tielang was eloquent. An old man who loves to play and possesses a childlike heart surely wouldn't be too bad to small animals.

Hearing this, Te Wei felt reassured. He asked, "Then, do you know *Black Cat Detective*?"

"The one with eyes wide like copper bells, the Black Cat Detective who shoots lightning-like shrewdness?" Dai Tielang sat opposite Director Te Wei, his spirits lifting.

"Where did you get those lines?" Te Wei chuckled.

"I didn't make them up. In last month's *Children's Literature*, One-Ear specifically wrote a song of praise for the detective to deal with him, hoping to dismantle the detective's will through flattery."

It turned out Dai Tielang was also a fan of Wei Shenme, following every issue. He spoke of Black Cat Detective with great insight: "If you ask me, One-Ear's move is brilliant. Moreover, with the Reform and Opening-up, officials' power is growing, which we need to guard against in real life. But I have to say, the song One-Ear composed is actually quite good."

Because there was no sheet music, Dai Tielang could only recite the lyrics. Te Wei laughed heartily after hearing them: "Since you like *Black Cat Detective* so much, this project is yours."

"Ah, are we going to film *Black Cat Detective*?"

"And it will be a serialized television animation, something you proposed before," Te Wei said seriously.

Because of his experience living overseas and his remaining overseas connections, Dai Tielang's vision was very international. He felt the Shanghai Animation Er Yingchang needed to produce serialized animations, like Disney in the US or Osamu Tezuka in Japan, otherwise, the domestic television animation sector would be occupied by foreign works.

Unfortunately, television's influence wasn't significant enough at the time, and Dai Tielang's voice carried little weight, so the studio never approved it.

Recently, after meetings and communication with higher-level departments, the studio leadership finally made the decision to film serialized animations to enrich television content.

However, the manpower and funding allocated to this project team were meager, with less investment per unit of time compared to other short film projects, so few veteran directors were willing to take it on.

Te Wei did not hide anything, explaining the situation to Dai Tielang candidly: "Since it's our first time doing something like this, we need to cross the river by feeling the stones. You can only pull a team together from those who are currently idle."

"How long is each episode, and how many episodes in total?" Dai Tielang asked two key questions.

Te Wei replied, "Each episode will be no longer than 20 minutes. Let's start by making two episodes to test the waters. If the response is good, we'll continue."

Dai Tielang estimated that the character designs in *Children's Literature* could be used with slight modifications, and he even knew one of the designers, Liu Rulong.

"Give me one year. Within a year, I will lead the team to film these two episodes."

"Good, one year it is!" Te Wei added, "Also, Wei Shenme is in the Magic City. If you want to meet him, I can contact him."

"Oh, really? I would love to meet him; I've missed him a few times before," Dai Tielang smiled.

He was also very keen on researching the latest technology, often paying out of his own pocket to subscribe to foreign tech magazines. He was very interested in the sci-fi elements Wei Shenme created in his novels.

Last night, Wei Ming had finished with Zhu Lin and sent her back to the Shanghai Er Yingchang, but early this morning, she came looking for him herself.

"We aren't filming today, I'm so bored."

"Then we can go out and play. I'll take you around the Magic City properly."

"It won't affect your creative work, will it?" Sister Lin said with a tea-like, pretentious air; no one knew who she had learned that from.

"Not in the slightest. Let's go."

Once they were out, Zhu Lin suggested, "I heard there's a new movie playing. Let's go watch a movie this morning."

"Alright." Wei Ming had also been wanting to find someone to watch a movie with.

However, upon entering the cinema, Zhu Lin pointed at the poster for *Midnight*: "Let's watch this. It's a work by Mr. Mao Dun."

Uh...

Fine. Wei Ming pretended he had nothing to hide and bought tickets to go in. Even on a weekday morning, there were quite a few people, with an occupancy rate exceeding 50%.

This film focused mainly on two middle-aged men; Gong Ying's screen time was not extensive, as she played a female worker.

"Oh, isn't that Gong Ying? She's in this movie too?" Zhu Lin whispered into Wei Ming's ear.

"Yeah, I hadn't heard that either." Wei Ming's heart rate quickened slightly.

Zhu Lin smiled lightly and continued watching the movie.

She was quite engrossed, while Wei Ming watched critically. The director of this film was Sang Hu, whose status at the Shanghai Er Yingchang was equivalent to the Four Great Commanders at the Beijing Er Yingchang.

From an aesthetic standpoint, Sang Hu's *Midnight* had a slight edge over Director Shui Hua's *Regret for the Past*, but limited by the era, it didn't quite suit Wei Ming's taste.

However, when the movie ended and they walked out of the theater, Wei Ming and Zhu Lin heard many male audience members marveling at Gong Ying's beauty, feeling as though they had come to the movie specifically for her.

It seemed Sister Ying already had a loyal following of fans who admired her looks.

Zhu Lin complained, "The Shanghai Er Yingchang is so good to Gong Ying, giving her so many roles. The audience in the Magic City likes her more too. Why does she insist on going to the Beijing Er Yingchang? Can they provide the same level of support?"

The key was that she had reached her own territory; the enemy was at the gates!

Wei Ming hailed a pedicab and smiled, "I don't think it will have much impact. If the Shanghai Er Yingchang has suitable roles, they will still look for her. I saw Xie Dao Jin two days ago, and he still wants Gong Ying to star in his new film, *Qiu Jin*."

"Ah!" Zhu Lin couldn't help but feel a bit envious. The Shanghai Er Yingchang was too doting on her.

Besides, she didn't feel she was a perfect fit for the heroine Qiu Jin either.

In truth, with Zhu Lin's height and heroic spirit, she was more suited for "Qiu Jin" than Gong Ying. But because this was a film destined to struggle, Wei Ming didn't recommend her. After *Happy Reunion*, Sister Lin's career would inevitably enter the fast lane; Wei Ming had his own arrangements for her career.

Next, the pedicab took them to the Bund, where Wei Ming introduced her to the sights, and they had lunch at the Peace Hotel.

Although it wasn't the best value for money, Sister Lin had never eaten there before, so there was no need to overthink it.

In the afternoon, they strolled through Jing Garden, and when they felt they still had some energy left, they decisively headed home, spending their last bit of strength on a delightful form of exercise.

"Your yoga posture isn't standard. You'll have to practice more in the future."

Zhu Lin was too shy to speak. Who practices yoga without wearing clothes?

And were you really trying to practice yoga~

Wei Ming found his courage growing ever larger; today he even brought Sister Lin to the second floor, though they stayed in the room where Little Hong had previously lived.

Today, Zhu Lin had accompanied Wei Ming thoroughly and completely; tomorrow, they would officially start filming.

And the next day, Wei Ming accelerated his pace, completing a 50,000-word manuscript and sending it to the *Harvest* editorial department.

As soon as he entered, he heard the editors congratulating him on winning the First National Excellent Novella Award.

With the publication of *People's Literature* in April, this news had already spread across the country. Wei Ming winning was no surprise; in the two years of '79 and '80, he was the most prominent and prolific novella writer.

The only suspense was which work had won, and whether it was the top prize or a secondary one.

Moreover, this issue of *People's Literature* also published Wei Ming's article mourning Mr. Mao Dun, revealing that the master had written a preface for his novel.

This was the most enviable part; the discussion this news sparked within the circle even exceeded the novel *Humanity's Righteous Path is Vicissitudes* itself.

This was the final article written by the current leader of the domestic literary scene before his passing, and it was written while he was critically ill.

On the surface, this was an elder intentionally cultivating a newcomer; deeply, did it mean Mr. Mao Dun believed this youth would be the future leader of the literary scene?

This was too thought-provoking.

Wei Ming didn't want his peers to overthink it, or for rumors to spread, so he simply wrote an article disclosing the matter himself, telling it like it was to prevent others from creating secondary interpretations.

Wei Ming exchanged a few humble words with the editors who came to congratulate him, then went to Editor Li to discuss the revisions.

This part was considered passed, and then Li Xiaolin mentioned the preface.

"Father thinks that article is exceptionally well-written and wants to release it when the full volume of *Humanity's Righteous Path is Vicissitudes* is published."

"I'll listen to Ba Lao on this; I have no objections." Wei Ming had already read it and wasn't in a hurry, though everyone else in the circle wanted a sneak peek. This would likely have to wait until the second half of the year.

Finally, Editor Li didn't forget to relay the call from Director Te Wei of the Shanghai Animation Er Yingchang.

"He's inviting you to the studio to discuss business."

Wei Ming guessed it must be about *Black Cat Detective*. Originally, they weren't going to film it this year, but they would have done it next year anyway. Moving it up by just a year shouldn't meet much resistance.

That afternoon, Wei Ming made a trip to the Shanghai Animation Er Yingchang and met Dai Dao Tielang.

The two hit it off immediately, their thoughts on the adaptation strategy aligning perfectly.

Come to think of it, Wei Ming's version of *Black Cat Detective* imitated the animation version more than the novel version, especially the "one science fact per episode" model, which was something Dai Tielang himself had summarized and created.

He loved new things and the latest technology; many of the high-tech gadgets in the animation were added by him.

His contribution as both director and chief screenwriter to *Black Cat Detective* was immense.

So, when Director Te Wei habitually asked Wei Ming to create the script, Wei Ming pushed the script work to Dai Dao Tielang, believing Dai Dao wouldn't do any worse than himself.

The key was that he wasn't short on that bit of money now; two episodes of scripts would only amount to a thousand yuan or so. Better to let Dai Dao, whose life was a bit tight, earn that money.

However, Wei Ming requested final approval over the script; if any settings or plot points conflicted with his subsequent arrangements in the novel, he would propose changes.

Once agreed, Dai Tielang could begin the script adaptation. This work wasn't difficult; he started directly from the first and second chapters of the novel.

As for Wei Ming, he went home to continue revising manuscripts and writing novels.

It had been two days, and Sister Lin must have been busy filming, with no time to see him.

So, on the third day, Wei Ming went to the Shanghai Er Yingchang to visit the set.

"Old Mao, I've come to visit you on set. How is it? You're getting used to it, right?" Wei Ming's arrival left Zhu Shimao feeling both flattered and anxious. He thought to himself, *Why are you so hot and cold toward me? You're going to make me catch a cold like this. *

After greeting Zhu Shimao first, Wei Ming waved to Sister Lin.

At this wave, Zhu Lin knew that her innocence for the day was not going to be preserved.

Later, since the others still had to continue filming, Wei Ming went to find Xie Dao, and then Xie Dao informed him of something.

"You know about the Golden Rooster Awards, right?"

He knew them; that was the "chicken" that frequently laid double-yolk eggs.

Xie Jin said: "This is an award established just this year. The Hundred Flowers Award is a popular vote, while the Golden Rooster Award is positioned as an expert award. This year, it will be held together with the Hundred Flowers Award next month in Hangzhou. The *Herdsmen* crew has received several important nominations, including you, the screenwriter. If you have time, please head south to Hangzhou with us then."

"So, did both the lead actor and actress get nominated?" he asked.

Xie Jin nodded.

Wei Ming smiled and agreed: "I love Hangzhou. There is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below; Hangzhou cuisine is the best in the world, and West Lake vinegar fish is delicious."

Xie Jin shook his head, wearing an expression that said, *Young man, you are still too young. *

After taking Zhu Lin away from the Shanghai Animation Er Yingchang, Wei Ming took her to stroll along Nanjing Road, spent some Foreign Exchange Certificates at the Shanghai Friendship Store, and finally went home to have some fun.

Wei Ming didn't have many days left in Shanghai, so he enjoyed every moment he could. Zhu Lin always tried her best to satisfy him, but the young man was truly too young and always had endless energy.

Sometimes Zhu Lin would even think, *If Gong Xue were here... * Oh my, what was she thinking about? She blushed for no reason and secretly scolded herself for having a problematic mindset—a big problem.

At the end of April, Wei Ming finished writing *Jurassic Park* and mailed it to Brother Lao Wan of *Science Fiction World* in Sichuan. At the same time, he completed the revision of the final chapter of *The Human Path* and passed the review by editor Li Xiaolin.

Yesterday, he had already said goodbye to Sister Lin in the way that adults do. Today, Wei Ming slung his schoolbag over his shoulder and headed straight for the airport, carefree. Since he wasn't short on money, flying was naturally more comfortable.

He took the plane because it was comfortable, and he could afford it.

Some people took the plane for safety; after all, for a girl with such a stunning face and figure, traveling alone on a sleeper train for a day and a night was too dangerous.

Losing belongings was a small matter, but losing one's chastity would be impossible to recover.

Li Zhi, who was 20 years old by lunar reckoning this year and just over a month younger than Wei Ming, chose the plane as her mode of transport precisely out of safety considerations.

Just a short while ago, her father had finally persuaded her stepmother to agree to let her go to Hong Kong to live with them; otherwise, it would have been too difficult for her to find a job in Shanghai, which had hundreds of thousands of unemployed people.

So, she used the money her father gave her, had her grandmother pull some strings to buy a plane ticket to Guangzhou, and walked into the departure hall of Hongqiao Airport for the first time.

Although everyone taking the plane was a successful person or a foreign friend, and although many people were looking at her, Li Zhi didn't feel inferior. She even puffed out her chest, because she had the capital to be proud.

Some silly women in school always felt that being large there was a shameful thing, but Li Zhi knew that men loved it. This was clearly an advantage, so she wouldn't hunch her chest or back to hide her assets.

Especially as the weather turned hot, it was the perfect time to show off her advantages.

Even though Wei Ming was reading the interesting Shanghai spy stories in the newly released *Story Monthly* with great relish, as he read, his eyes drifted toward a certain direction involuntarily.

Wei Ming looked at the chest first, then at the face.

This girl looked somewhat familiar; it seemed he had seen her somewhere before.

He saw Li Zhi, and Li Zhi saw him too. Among the countless gazes cast toward her, only this person looked the best.

She instantly remembered: the man who had bought a house with Gong Xue at the Bai family's place that day!

So, amidst the gazes of many men who wished they were sitting next to her, Li Zhi decisively sat down beside Wei Ming.

She even took the initiative to strike up a conversation: "Do you still remember me?"

Wei Ming shook his head.

Li Zhi: "Once, I was playing at a classmate's house, and then you brought a lady and suddenly showed up to buy their house."

"Oh, I remember now." No wonder these breasts looked so familiar.

"My name is Li Zhi," the girl said, extending her hand directly, and asked, "Did you end up buying the house later?"

Wei Ming didn't answer the follow-up question; his mind was echoing with her first sentence: "My name is Li Zhi."

That's right, that's it!

Actually, he had felt she looked familiar the first time he saw her, and now he was certain—wasn't this Jet Li's second wife!

He had seen her movies, though her current attire and styling were still a bit rustic. However, her foundation was good—tall, large, and fair—and her face was also above average. No wonder she could win Miss Asia, and no wonder she could make Jet Li age before his time.

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Li Zhi interrupted Wei Ming's wandering thoughts.

Wei Ming: "I was thinking your name is really nice—'naturally beautiful' (tian sheng li zhi)."

Li Zhi, who was complimented on being pretty, giggled: "It's not that 'li zhi' (beauty), it's the 'zhi' (wisdom) from wisdom."

"Then that means you're both beautiful and smart." Wei Ming instinctively said a few complimentary words, which made Li Zhi's heart bloom with joy, and her face turned red.

Li Zhi didn't ask about the house topic again, but instead asked: "Are you also going to Guangzhou?"

"No, I'm going to Beijing. My home is in Beijing. It seems we aren't on the same flight."

A thought immediately popped into Li Zhi's mind: A second or third generation of a red family?

Then Wei Ming asked again: "You must be from Shanghai, right? Why are you going to Guangzhou?"

"It's not really Guangzhou; actually, I'm going to Hong Kong. My dad is in Hong Kong." Li Zhi's statement also had the intention of gilding her own lily; Hong Kong was now the human paradise that the mainland envied, and she would be considered a Hong Konger in the future.

Wei Ming had a rough understanding of Li Zhi's life experience: first going to Hong Kong to work, then returning to the mainland to study hard and go abroad.

Then, she returned to Hong Kong with a brand-new spirit, entered the entertainment industry through the Miss Asia pageant, and also entered the sights of Macau tycoons.

Later, her hope of marrying into a wealthy family fell through, while Jet Li, who licked until the end, got everything, finally winning the beauty's heart.

Wei Ming smiled: "What a coincidence, I'm also going to Hong Kong in June."

"Ah!" Li Zhi covered her small mouth. This person must have great influence to be able to go to Hong Kong.

"What are you going to Hong Kong for?" she asked.

"I was invited."

"Invited to do what?" she even used the Cantonese she had just learned.

Wei Ming smiled: "I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Wei Ming, I write novels. Have you heard of me?"

How could she not have heard of him? That guy who made her grandmother spend over ten yuan on medicinal wine!

Wei Ming: "I wrote a screenplay that is being released in Hong Kong, so I was invited to go and have some fun."

So he was just a writer. Li Zhi was a bit disappointed, because she had also heard from friends about this legendary writer's background—actually, his family was from the countryside, and he had nothing to do with any red family. She had been happy for nothing.

If others heard Wei Ming was a great writer, they would probably be even more enthusiastic, but after knowing Wei Ming's identity, Li Zhi was instead a bit cold. After all, how much money could a writer make? Even a famous mainland writer couldn't compare to an ordinary worker in Hong Kong.

The profession of a writer had always been linked to "poverty," and she, Li Zhi, did not want to live a life of poverty.

She even felt that the house at Bai Mingzhu's place might really have been bought by Gong Xue; perhaps Gong Xue's family had some overseas background.

Wei Ming could clearly feel Li Zhi's enthusiasm waning, but he didn't care. He already had two beautiful lovers, and although they weren't as large as Li Zhi, he wasn't craving her anyway.

After Li Zhi stopped talking, Wei Ming also picked up the magazine and continued reading.

Wei Ming's flight was leaving first. He stood up, took his luggage, and said goodbye to Li Zhi.

Seeing Wei Ming stand up, tall and charming, Li Zhi felt a bit of regret. She felt that although this writer had no power or influence, he was good-looking and famous after all. She had been too utilitarian just now.

So she asked with a smile: "Comrade Wei Ming, what is the name of the screenplay you wrote? I will buy a ticket to support it in Hong Kong."

Wei Ming told her: "*Heroes Are Born of Youth*."

"Okay, I've remembered it. Goodbye."

An hour after Wei Ming left, it was Li Zhi's flight's turn. She was worried about being late, so she had come too early.

After Li Zhi flew to Guangzhou, her father was already waiting at the Guangzhou airport, and the two immediately set off for Hong Kong.

On the way, her father told Li Zhi that he only worked at a theater, his salary was limited, the place he lived wasn't spacious, she could only sleep in the living room for the time being, and she needed to find a job to support herself.

The two had only met when she was a child, and they had seen each other less after she grew up. Li Zhi wasn't surprised by her father's indifference; she had already prepared herself mentally to be self-reliant in Hong Kong.

Perhaps her income could easily crush the most famous young writer in the mainland.

At the same time, at Hong Kong's Blue Bird Film, Ann Hui met Ms. Xia Meng here.

Xia Meng had been waiting for Ann Hui for a long time, since last year.

She had a screenplay in her hand called *Boat People*, and she had always wanted the most famous female director of the Hong Kong New Wave, Ann Hui, to direct it.

It was just that Ann Hui had been busy filming *The Story of Woo Viet* with Chow Yun-fat and Cherie Chung. Now that the movie was released, Ann Hui finally had time.

When she finished reading the screenplay, she expressed that she liked the story very much, but there was one problem: "This screenplay needs to be filmed in Vietnam, but isn't there still a war going on there?"

"Yes, so we need a filming location with a climate similar to Vietnam. I don't know if you dare to go to Hainan—Hainan in the mainland."

Short-haired Ann Hui gave a simple smile: "It doesn't matter to me; it just depends on whether the actors dare to go. So, when can we film?"

Xia Meng smiled: "We are a small company, so we have to wait until our previous movie is released and the money is distributed. It can be released in June. Before that, Director Hui can do some preliminary preparation work."

After sending Ann Hui off, Xia Meng looked at the newly made poster for *Heroes Are Born of Youth* and wondered, *Can this movie really make money? *

(Minimum guaranteed today)

(End of chapter)