[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rising-in-1979":3,"chapter-rising-in-1979-rising-in-1979-chapter-485":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Rising in 1979",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2261193,4412,"Chapter 485: The Secret of the Auntie","rising-in-1979-chapter-485",485,"\u003Cp>Wei Ming saw that this company was called New Line Cinema, founded in 1967 by Robert Shaye (also known as Bob Shay), primarily distributing European art films and low-budget horror movies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t until 1979 that the Hollywood film market revived, and New Line began entering production, but its works over those years were mediocre—low-budget, sometimes losing money, sometimes making a profit, but never gaining major fame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming had some knowledge of this company; he knew it rose to prominence after distributing the live-action American-Hong Kong co-production of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, then scored a huge success by betting big on The Lord of the Rings, making it a mid-tier film company with real clout, eventually acquired by Turner and merged into Warner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this point, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic hadn’t been published yet, and the rights to The Lord of the Rings weren’t in New Line’s hands; Wei Ming felt the company’s greatest asset was its founder, Robert Shaye, who had pulled shady moves before but was undeniably talented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out the company’s dossier separately; he could talk to them later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for other companies, many hadn’t even survived into the 1990s, and Wei Ming had never heard of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, notable mid-sized companies like Lionsgate and Summit hadn’t been founded yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, are you interested in this company?” Auntie asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “It might suit our current financial situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d wanted to buy one of the Big Eight outright, but his resources didn’t allow it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they talked, Li Zhi arrived with a fruit platter containing lychees; Wei Ming noticed she had changed clothes and was now wearing a qipao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Li Zhi’s figure, the qipao looked overly exaggerated, as if something inside might burst free, making the viewer feel flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingling said: “Should we call a conference with Melinda? This isn’t a small matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming nodded: “But we can sound them out first—let Langning handle the game company, and DreamWorks handle the film company, how about that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingling: “That’s exactly what I was thinking. Atari may be weak now, but it was once a giant with deep roots; DreamWorks can’t swallow it whole—I’ll take charge of that part.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can we make an international call from here?” Wei Ming asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving an affirmative answer, they immediately called Melinda in London; she had just gotten home from work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Buying a film company? How much would that cost?” Melinda didn’t object; on the contrary, having seen The Class of the Cows shine at Cannes, she believed the film industry held great potential and could integrate well with publishing and media.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’re going to do it, do it big—publishing and film already form the embryonic shape of a media empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming thought about New Line’s data: “It shouldn’t exceed ten million dollars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem, no loan needed,” Melinda said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, DreamWorks’ cash flow had come entirely from Wei Ming’s novels and songs, accumulated over years to an astonishing sum; now, with the publishing company established for a year, besides Wei Ming’s own hits, they’d signed several promising authors and had already turned profitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, we must keep enough funds for the publishing company’s expansion—I have money in my Hong Kong account, and Auntie runs a bank, so borrowing is easy,” Wei Ming asked, “Did you get that song?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I received the new novel and the song; today I met David Bowie—he praised the song endlessly and even sang two lines himself. I loved it,” Melinda said, “And I loved the novel—it’s got punch!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. I’ll handle things here; come over once there’s a result.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingling snatched the phone: “I’ll talk to Melinda for a bit—you two go out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “Talking behind my back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Out, out,” Wei Lingling signaled Li Zhi to pull him out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi immediately hooked Wei Ming’s arm and led him out; once outside, Wei Ming stood firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>International calls were expensive—three dollars per minute—but Wei Lingling waited until they were fully gone before asking: “In the past half-month, any progress?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melinda sighed: “None.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingling: “Come on, you’re at that age, he’s at that age, no precautions taken—it should be easy to succeed. Is it your problem or his?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melinda: “I’ve been checked. My body is perfectly fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then is it our little Ming’s problem?” Wei Lingling hesitated, “He looks healthy enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s definitely good—anyone who’s tried knows,” Melinda fully agreed on that point, but her belly showed no reaction; she didn’t know if the seed itself was flawed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingling said: “When you come to the U.S. next time, try harder—you’ve got to hurry. Our little assistant is already eager to take action.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melinda shrugged: “Let her take action then—he’s not my boyfriend, just an ex.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she cared about such things, thinking of her two sisters on the mainland and her sister in Hong Kong, Melinda might as well quit working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope you’ll be the first to give birth—eldest son, eldest grandson—that’s different. In ancient times, that would be like a Shutaizi ,” Wei Lingling tempted Melinda with the idea of the crown prince’s position; Britain was a constitutional monarchy, so she understood these things well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Li Zhi released Wei Ming and said: “Now that we’ll both be studying in San Francisco, we can see each other often.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “Not necessarily—I might not even be in school most of the time, or even in San Francisco.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then take me with you wherever you go, okay? You need someone to help you by your side.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming looked at Li Zhi seriously: “Since you’re coming here for university, your studies must come first...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Li Zhi looked disappointed; Wei Ming added: “But on weekends or holidays, I can take you out for some practical experience.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi’s face immediately lit up with a big smile; she felt her persistence had finally paid off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, she wanted to link her arm through his again, but at that moment the butler approached, saying the lady had to go out and would return for dinner with everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, okay, then we’ll eat out for lunch too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Auntie finished her call, Wei Ming went to wake up Xiao Hong; the four of them went out together to a modified Chinese restaurant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meal left Wei Hong looking uncomfortable: “Not as good as Mom’s.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still disliked the sweet-and-salty flavor, and the sweetness was excessive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingling laughed: “Today we’re trying Western-style Chinese food; later you can choose McDonald’s or go to Chinatown. Same for Xiao Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi elegantly wiped her lips: “I’m fine—I can handle it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, they wandered through Chinatown; it felt more like Hong Kong to Wei Hong, rich with traditional Chinese style, and most people spoke Cantonese or Minnan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many restaurants here made your mouth water just from standing outside, but tonight they had to return home to dine with Auntie, so they’d have to wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking she’d live in this city for at least two more years, Wei Hong wasn’t in a rush; she took the new camera her brother bought her and snapped photos along Grant Avenue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Wei Hong pointed at a car ahead: “That’s Auntie’s car.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming looked at the car: “How do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Hong: “I saw it when we entered the courtyard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming had no memory of it; Wei Lingling said: “It’s definitely Auntie’s car—is she here on business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhi asked: “Should we go over and say hello?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingling glanced at the sign on the building: “No need. Let’s go somewhere else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About half an hour later, Wei Lindi was escorted out by the president of the Fujian Chamber of Commerce here, accompanied by Shi Jiawang, her late husband’s nephew, head bowed and shoulders slumped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lindi showed no smile; Shi Jiawang tried to get into her car, but her driver and bodyguard blocked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lindi snorted: “Take a taxi and go home. Also, I paid off your gambling debt today—but it’ll be deducted from your monthly allowance until it’s fully repaid.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1351,"2026-06-19T16:30:59.356Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c7e7995580932113352b632a0c87296ee3cadd8500fa76de1e4126b3bbd48d4b","rising-in-1979-chapter-486","rising-in-1979-chapter-484",509,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frising-in-1979-cover.jpg"]