Chapter 297: You Must Do Something for Your Hometown

At night, by Weiminghu.

Li Ye and Wen Leyu walked hand in hand, strolling lazily under the moonlight.

As they walked, Wen Leyu suddenly let out a soft sigh.

"Why didn't you just agree to play Chu Fei back then? It's a movie! Imagine us going to the cinema to watch you in it—how wonderful would that be?"

Li Ye smiled and said, "What's my status now? You want me to play Chu Fei? Don't make me laugh."

Wen Leyu tilted her head at Li Ye and asked, "What status? Why can't you act in a movie?"

Li Ye chuckled, "If I played Chu Fei, people might start saying, Look, that girl from the Wen family married some pretty-boy actor."

Chu Fei's character in "The Lonely Garrison of Wangxiang" is a spoiled nobleman stranded in the Western Regions, oozing pretentiousness, who only transforms into a true warrior after being stirred by the blood of soldiers during his journey back to Changancheng.

This character is essentially a direct copy of Zhao Mengsheng from "Hills Below the Mountain."

Li Ye didn't much care about the insult of "pretty-boy actor," but if he ended up with Wen Leyu, someone might slap him with the label "bottle," and that would be utterly nauseating.

In certain matters, men and women are the same: take Zhang Moutian—net assets sixty billion—but mention her, and everyone immediately thinks of Dongge.

Mention Tang Sanzang, and everyone instantly thinks of some female tycoon.

Wen Leyu marrying a classmate she walked through hardship with is a fine tale.

But if she married a movie star?

Oh, it's a downgrade.

If you have ability, why rely on your looks to make a living?

Li Ye's words made Wen Leyu's face flush red within two seconds.

"What are you talking about? Who in our family cares about some pretty-boy actor? My mom likes you just like this, and so do my dad and brother."

"Then you might be disappointed," Li Ye said lazily, "I'm only like this for a few years. A few years from now, I'll look just like your dad—bearded, weathered, rugged."

「」

"I—I still like you."

Wen Leyu wrapped her arm around Li Ye's, and finally whispered those words.

Li Ye slipped his arm around Wen Leyu's waist; her soft waist swayed gently, rippling in time with his heartbeat.

Li Ye and Wen Leyu's daily life was blissfully comfortable, but the people from both film studios were in an uproar.

"Director, we met Mr. Pei today—he does have intentions to build a film city, but he hasn't decided where yet."

"Director, you said the money wasn't guaranteed, but he'll definitely send over a cost oversight team. But we have no intention of swindling foreign guests! What can he even do by overseeing?"

Both studios sent another delegation to Jingcheng—not just film staff, because this was no longer about making movies; it was a major overseas investment, a chance to bring glory to the region.

But when the delegations from Changancheng and Hushi arrived, they discovered Jingcheng was also trying to snatch the project.

Pei Wencong had become a hot commodity.

Before National Day, Pei Wencong had been hesitant about investing in a film city, but after National Day, he suddenly saw the light.

If this wasn't about quick cash and leaving, why not build something rooted in the mainland?

Loans here were easy to get; just put up half—or even less than half—the U. . dollars, and the job could be done.

After learning about the mainland's labor costs, Pei Wencong also saw potential.

After all, East Asia and Southeast Asia had market demand for costume and historical dramas, and the mainland had advantages in every aspect.

Hong Kong had built up its kung fu and crime films—why couldn't the mainland try cultivating a generation of fans obsessed with this historical civilization?

Whether we make big or small profits, first come listen to the stories of Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, Li Shimin, and Yue Fei.

Li Ye and Pei Wencong had agreed that the film city would be built wherever offered the best terms—but suddenly, a group appeared and caught Li Ye off guard.

"Grandpa, why are you here?"

Li Ye was in class when someone said someone was looking for him—he stepped out and saw Li Zhongfa.

Li Zhongfa looked at Li Ye and said, "I came with some city officials. I heard you know that Mr. Pei from Hong Kong?"

Li Ye then turned to the people beside Li Zhongfa, took a closer look—and damn, he'd seen them on the city TV station.

"This is Uncle Qi Dazhong, and this is the city's—"

Li Zhongfa introduced each one, and Li Ye greeted each one in turn.

Only then did they state their purpose.

Their hometown wanted to lure the film city to Qingshui County.

Li Ye laughed bitterly. "Grandpa, all you uncles, what are we building a film city for in our place? We don't have the conditions."

"How don't we have the conditions? Make the conditions! How can you not support your hometown? You've been away only a few years and already forgotten your roots!"

"If it weren't for my war comrade in Jingcheng telling me, I wouldn't even know about your dealings with Hong Kong!"

「」

Li Ye looked at Qi Dazhong, who carried himself like an elder, and felt uneasy.

If you've got the conditions, why come to me?

And you only found out because your war comrade told you? So it's all thanks to you?

Then why did you bring my grandpa along?

"Don't think about it anymore—just contact them right away! One step behind and you're behind forever. If you're late, you'll miss everything!"

"Think back to when you were a kid, starving, barely enough to eat—wasn't it us uncles and uncles who helped your grandpa get through it? Now it's your turn to step up."

In situations like this, the city's big shots wouldn't speak—they were lucky just to meet Li Ye.

So Qi Dazhong became the messenger.

Though Qi Dazhong spoke with a smile, his meaning was clear: as a native of Qingshui, you must serve your hometown. When such an opportunity arises, even if you have to strain every last ounce of strength, you must pull it into your own bowl.

But in 1983, with these transportation conditions, building a film city in Qingshui County was pure madness.

Li Ye didn't know how to respond. In this era, there were many "elders" like Qi Dazhong who spoke like giving orders—if you openly defied them, rumors would spiral out of control.

Unfilial, heartless, ungrateful wolf.

Damn, if only the city's big shots weren't here—Li Ye truly wanted to reclaim his "dumb fool" reputation, flip the table, and be done with it.

"Cough~"

Li Zhongfa cleared his throat and said, "We didn't come to debate whether you have the conditions. Can you quickly contact Mr. Pei so we can talk to him?"

Li Ye said, "I only know he's staying at the Beijing Hotel, and I know his room phone number—I can't guarantee I'll reach him."

Qi Dazhong immediately said, "Then hurry and go call him with us. Is there a post office nearby?"

Li Ye nodded. "Yes, there's a post and telecommunications office at Jingda."

The group went to the post office, but the call was impossible—the phone in Pei Wencong's room had been disconnected, and he'd already moved out. Otherwise, how could he have endured these days?

After leaving the post office, Qi Dazhong still wanted to lecture Li Ye, urging him to do more for his hometown.

But the city's big shot gently said, "I've never visited Jingda before. Let's tour it ourselves, and give Old Li and Xiao Li some time to catch up."

No wonder he was a big shot—he'd already figured out who was expendable in one glance.

Qi Dazhong had indeed held Li Ye as a child, and they had indeed huddled together for warmth during hard times—but clearly, Li Ye didn't treat him as anything special.

So don't stand here causing trouble—just step aside, and let them be free of your presence.

When only Li Zhongfa and Li Ye remained, Li Ye asked, "Grandpa, what's really going on?"

Li Zhongfa said, "Qi Dazhong heard your novel was being made into a movie, so he made a suggestion to higher-ups, and they came to me."

Li Ye nodded. "And what's your opinion, Grandpa?"

Li Zhongfa thought for a moment. "If you truly believe there are no conditions, then let it go. The Li family won't do anything dishonest. Hong Kong people are our kin—but if there's real possibility—"

"No possibility," Li Ye said helplessly. "Grandpa, this investment includes our family's money. If you want to throw our money into the Qingshui River just to hear a splash, then fine—I'll do it as filial piety."

「」

Li Zhongfa froze, then angrily said, "Why didn't you tell me sooner? If you had, I wouldn't have come to Jingcheng! You show-off little brat—why are you squandering money now? Why not just stick to your clothing business?"

Li Zhongfa ranted, then waved his hand. "Fine, I get it. Pretend we never came."

"Wait—hold on!"

Li Ye quickly called out to Li Zhongfa. "Grandpa, what did they promise you to get you to come find me?"

Li Zhongfa glared. "What promise? What are you imagining now?"

"Oh, oh—I misunderstood."

Li Ye smiled and didn't argue with Li Zhongfa.

But knowing Li Zhongfa as he did, if there hadn't been some promise, he'd have found a way to warn Li Ye before rushing here—he wanted this thing done too.

Li Ye said, "Grandpa, here's an idea: the film city can never be built in Qingshui—but what about setting up a instant noodle production line?"

「」

Li Zhongfa stared for several seconds, glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then whispered, "You have connections? Those lines need foreign exchange, right?"

Li Ye said, "I'll connect you with Mr. Pei from Hong Kong—you negotiate with him. But Grandpa, you're retiring next year, right? Planting trees for others to enjoy shade—wouldn't that be—"

Li Zhongfa was nearly sixty, so Li Ye guessed that if the film city landed in Qingshui County, it might have been offered as some kind of reward for him.

Better to go for the instant noodle factory—it's manufacturing, and if developed well, it might even become an industry giant.

Li Zhongfa said, "Don't talk about that yet—when can you contact the Hong Kong side?"

Li Ye said, "Anytime—he's staying at Jin Peng's sihe Academy now."

「」

Li Zhongfa blinked twice, finally realizing: his grandson was deeply connected to the Hong Kong side.

"Don't rush to contact them yet. Wait until I've gotten rid of Qi Dazhong."

"Understood, Grandpa is brilliant."