Chapter 405: Shining at the Grammys, Arriving in San Francisco (Part 1)

The film and television industry in the Holy Valley began in the 1970s and was already thriving by the 1980s; ninety percent of all American productions were made and filmed here, with far greater openness than Japanese works.

The San Fernando Valley also has another nickname, "Silicon Valley," because many of its female actors have silicone implants—a bilingual pun.

Silicon Valley: siliconvalley.

Silicone Valley: siliconevalley.

The University of California, North Ridge Campus is located here, making it the second-largest university in California, after UCLA.

Professor Zhou, surrounded by a group of young people—mostly Chinese and the main organizers of the North Ridge Chinese Film Festival—also had with him Chen Chong, the Best Actress from China's top film award, the Hundred Flowers Award, whom he had invited from New York; her film "Little Flower" would be screened at this festival.

Chen Chong, twenty-one, came to the State University of New York at New Paltz for studies last year; six months later, she was still primarily learning the language and adapting to American customs, which differed greatly from China's.

Just last month, she went to the campus clinic because of a rash on her arm, and the examination required her to strip completely, down to nothing.

When she heard she had to remove all her clothes, her mind went blank for an instant, but since she was new here, she assumed that in America's openness, this must be standard procedure.

Besides, the doctor was very professional—he even brought in a male doctor to accompany the exam, to avoid any awkwardness between a lone man and woman; though she felt uneasy, she had no choice but to go along with local customs.

Estimating the time was right, Professor Zhou said, "I'm afraid Mr. Wei Ming might have trouble finding the place. Xiao Tang, Xiao Song, go meet him at the campus gate."

"Professor Zhou, I'm worried they won't recognize him—I'll go with you," Chen Chong suddenly said, still dazed.

Professor Zhou initially thought it inappropriate—Chen Chong was his honored guest—but then remembered that both she and Wei Ming were from the mainland; perhaps they were old acquaintances.

"Alright then, thank you, Miss Chen."

Chen Chong knew Wei Ming would come, and her mind kept returning to the letter she'd recently received from Zhang Yu.

In it, Zhang Yu described attending Gong Yu's sister's wedding, saying the bride married a Hong Kong man and held the banquet at the Peace Hotel, with the wedding car—a Peace Hotel sedan—coming to fetch the bride.

To Chen Chong, this seemed childish; riding in a sedan? She'd done it several times back in China, and in America, sedans were everywhere—even if she worked hard, she could afford a used one.

But when she read the end, she learned Wei Ming had given his friend a ten-thousand-dollar check as a wedding gift, and that genuinely moved her.

Zhang Yu cheekily asked: "Chong, how long would you have to work in America to earn ten thousand dollars? It seems like Teacher Wei is so casual about it."

Of course he was casual—since arriving in America, the English songs Chen Chong heard most often were the two Wei Ming wrote for Sarah Brightman, and even "I Do" occasionally played.

She'd asked friends in the music industry, and learned that Wei Ming's three songs, besides selling massively, had enormous commercial value—each could earn him at least a million dollars!

A million dollars!

Several million dollars!

This was her first time in America; her mother, working part-time in the U. ., had given her two hundred dollars and told her to be frugal—that was the limit of what her mother could spare.

As she thought about it, Chen Chong stopped walking; she hadn't reached the gate yet, but she already recognized Wei Ming ahead.

The two students recognized not Wei Ming first, but Cheng Long beside him.

They even got Cheng Long to come—Professor Zhou's connections are incredible!

Although Cheng Long had not yet broken into the European and American markets, these two students—one from Hong Kong, one from Taiwan—knew his kung fu films were wildly popular there; his face was practically universally recognized.

"Mr. Cheng Long, how did you come to attend our Chinese Film Festival?"

Cheng Long: "Oh, I came with a friend—this is my friend, the famous writer Wei Ming."

"Teacher Wei, hello, I'm Chen Chong."

Before the two Hong Kong and Taiwan students could react, Chen Chong had already extended her hand to Wei Ming.

"Oh, Comrade Chen Chong, hello," Wei Ming said coolly, showing no excitement at meeting a fellow countryman.

This disappointed Chen Chong; she didn't understand how she was inferior to Gong Yu—in age or figure, he shouldn't be so indifferent!

Wei Ming had no interest in her, but Cheng Long's small eyes lingered on Chen Chong—he saw a hint of Li Zhi in her, though her rustic charm was even stronger, and her figure wasn't as exceptional.

The three led the group to the festival venue; Lin Zhengyi said he'd stay to watch the car—he probably feared Taiwanese students on campus might recognize him.

Among the Chinese students here, most were from Hong Kong or Taiwan, or second- or third-generation immigrants; those from mainland China were rare.

Hong Kong's university resources were notoriously scarce, so studying abroad was common; Zhang Guorong and Chen Baixiang, whom Wei Ming knew, were both overseas students.

When these Hong Kong and Taiwan students saw Cheng Long, Wei Ming and Chen Chong were instantly ignored; unfortunately, Professor Zhou hadn't prepared any of Cheng Long's films, so when he took the stage, he could only perform some martial arts moves and briefly mention his new film collaboration with Wei Ming.

Chen Chong's heart stirred—Wei Ming had written a new script, and was collaborating directly with a Hong Kong star!

The students were clearly very interested in the new film, asking many questions, but Cheng Long, to maintain mystery, only hinted at details before pulling Wei Ming onstage.

Later, Wei Ming spoke about the filming of "The Herdsman," and introduced the young actor playing the son as his cousin.

"He's now the second most popular male star on the mainland, after Li Lianjie; recently, he starred in the mainland film 'Mom, Please Love Me Once More.'"

When mentioning Li Lianjie, Wei Ming winked at Cheng Long.

Since "Mom, Please Love Me Once More" was a new film and unavailable here, the students could only watch "The Herdsman"; Wei Ming and Li Aiguo had already seen it, but Cheng Long was watching it for the first time—he was struck by the vast grasslands and breathtaking scenery, feeling as if his chest had been suddenly opened wide.

This was something you couldn't see in Hong Kong, or even Taiwan.

At that moment, he understood why Hong Kong audiences adored "Shaolin Temple"—the real mainland locations were truly awe-inspiring; he even felt like traveling to the mainland himself.

Wei Ming watched Cheng Long's expression—he probably didn't know he had two older brothers back on the mainland; he really wanted to spoil it!

In fact, his father had been secretly contacting both sons and sending them money, but Cheng Long knew nothing of it.

After the film ended, the Chinese audience's moods varied; most couldn't agree with the male lead's decision to stay in China and build the motherland, but they still admired this man with his bold features.

Next, Chen Chong took the stage to recount her experience filming "Little Flower," followed by the screening of "Little Flower"; Wei Ming had already seen it, and since it was already late, he didn't wait for the end—he excused himself from Professor Zhou; someone was waiting for him at the hotel.

Chen Chong hesitated, then ran after him, wanting to ask where they were staying.

Before Wei Ming could speak, Cheng Long named the hotel—Chen Chong instantly knew it must be expensive.

On the way back, Wei Ming asked Cheng Long when he planned to return to Hong Kong.

"I won't leave until I've seen you win your Grammy."

Wei Ming: "Alright, I'll get one more ticket for you to get into the venue."

Cheng Long: "Great! Where to now? How about finding a bar on Sunset Boulevard!"

He still wasn't tired—this guy had incredible energy.

Li Aiguo laughed: "If you want to go, I'll keep you company—he's got someone waiting for him."

"Oh, your aunt, right?"

Wei Ming: "Not an aunt—a girl."

When Wei Ming knocked on his door, someone quickly opened it—he was pulled inside; the main light was off, only a few mood lamps glowing.

Wei Ming and Melinda pressed against the wall and kissed, then she leapt onto his waist; he lifted her hips onto the bed.

Melinda had clearly rested well; by the small hours, they finally fell silent.

"How's your English novel coming? It's been half a year," Melinda asked about work.

"English isn't my native language—I'm still finishing the last part; I'll submit it next month."

Melinda said: "Good, then treat this novel as your final one for Macmillan."

Wei Ming had given her 5% of DreamWorks shares, and DreamWorks held 50% of Langning Toy Factory; Melinda was eager to build their own business.

"This time, no translation hassle—probably available in English-speaking countries by mid-year."

Melinda: "No problem, but can you write a few more novels for our publishing company this year?"

"More? Melinda, you're greedy."

"New companies need performance—you can write in Chinese, I'll just hire more translators."

Wei Ming thought: "No need—I'll stick to English. I've got a new idea for a novella."

"One more thing—my aunt's in Los Angeles. Get in touch with her; when we negotiate rights with MGM, bring her along."

If she didn't come, Wei Ming would have to ask Li Aiguo's father.

"Do you know where she's staying?"