1979 Golden Age

Chen Qi kept postponing his return to Hong Kong until the baby was one month old and Gong Xue was out of confinement. She was born thin, and she would regain her shape after some exercise and control her body shape, still with a small waist.

There was nothing important in Hong Kong, so he simply continued to accompany his wife and children.

So, people from the Beijing Film Studio often saw the couple walking around the factory with their children. His favorite place to go was the construction site of Rongning Mansion, which had already started with a lot of noise. He would watch for a long time, and I didn't know what he was thinking.

It was indeed imported wood, and several old trees were specially moved here. The mansion of the Duke of Guo naturally had old trees.

Chen Qi found a very interesting place. In this era, the film scenery would consider the factor of "making it old" to make the scene look more real. It was not like those film and television cities in later generations, where the streets were spotless, the buildings and costumes were all new, and they were so detached from the masses that they didn't even know where to patch the clothes...

The film and television base was a big deal.

The department cannot make the decision alone, and it has to report to the superiors. The superiors are very interested in this thing, and it is said that they are also discussing it enthusiastically. During this period, Director Ling Mei often came to see him, sometimes with her lover, who is the grandson of Qian Zhuangfei, a photographer at the Beijing Film Studio, but they do not live in the Beijing Film Studio.

Every time she came, she talked about all kinds of things in the film and television base, and she was very attentive, as if she had found a new road in life.

"Xiao Chen!"

"Hmm?"

He was squatting to watch the excitement, and suddenly someone called from behind, and he turned around: "Sister Ling Mei!"

"I guessed you were here, what is there to see in a construction site?"

"I am very interested in "Dream of Red Mansions", and I want to see how Rongning Mansion is built. Do you have nothing to do today?"

"Well, come and take a look!"

Chen Qi patted his butt and stood up. The two left the construction site and walked towards the direction of Dongfang Company.

Ling Mei came to him to discuss the film and television base. As expected, she said, "Recently, there has been a heated discussion. Some people think that your idea is a bit ahead of time and does not conform to the current situation of the domestic film and television industry. It is too eager for quick success and too ambitious."

"Can it still be done?"

"Most people still agree that this project will be of great benefit to promoting cooperation between the two places. But I am also a little worried. What if there are not many crews coming after it is built?"

"Do you think the film and television industry in the two places will continue to develop?"

"Of course!"

"That's fine! The film and television base is not a short-term thing. It would be good if the plan was passed this year. Even if it starts construction next year, it will take at least three years from the start of construction to the completion of the first phase of the project? It will be expanded in the future. It will take at least five or six years to build the base properly. By then, it will be the 1990s.

I dare not say about movies, but the TV drama industry will definitely be extremely prosperous."

Ling Mei thought about it and agreed.

Provincial and municipal TV stations across the country are blooming everywhere, and the output of TV dramas is increasing year by year, with strong support from the country. The basic condition for all this is that the sales volume of domestic TV sets is soaring every year. More and more people are watching TV, so the programs have to keep up, otherwise what to watch?

"Since the cycle is so long, will those people in Hong Kong wait?"

"Well... go in and have a cup of tea?"

The two strolled back to the bungalow of the Oriental Company. Chen Qi extended his hand and someone brought tea and water.

Then, he said: "You have to wait even if you can't wait. Invest 1 million today and make 500,000 tomorrow? How can it be so good? Hong Kong movies are too chaotic. Just leave a few powerful companies and don't worry about their life or death."

Chen Qi said very calmly, and Ling Mei drank a sip of water.

In the current environment, even with her family background, she looks up to Hong Kong. Historically, she later went to Hong Kong to do business, and it was quite unsuccessful.

So when these people came into contact with Chen Qi, the deepest feeling was his completely different attitude towards Hong Kong and overseas.

He never pretends to be aloof. He just flatters others. He asked, "Do you plan to make movies in the future?"

"I don't know what to make..."

Ling Mei sighed, "I like to make art films. The domestic environment is strict, and it's not easy to make entertainment films. I won't make them if I don't have inspiration."

"I saw your "Wilderness" in Hong Kong. You are really good at making art films. I would like to work with you if there is a chance." Chen Qi smiled.

"That's great! I am really enthusiastic when you say that."

Ling Mei is sincere. Who doesn't know that his script is unique? These directors are disdainful, but in fact, everyone wants to make a movie. Haven't you seen that Li Wenhua has become an international director by doing nothing?

"Ding-ling-ling!"

"Ding-ling-ling!"

While chatting, the phone in the office rang. An employee picked it up and said, "Mr. Chen, it's for you, Jianguo Hotel!"

"Jianguo Hotel?"

Chen Qi was puzzled and answered, "Hello?"

He first spoke in Chinese, then changed to English, and hung up after a few words.

Ling Mei knew some English and couldn't help asking, "Who is looking for you?"

"Someone from 20th Century Fox wants to talk to me about some business."

Chen Qi thought for a moment and invited, "The film and television base must be open to cooperation, and we have to deal with Americans. If you don't mind, please help me sit in charge. I will have a better idea if we meet each other together."

"Okay!"

Ling Mei thought about it and agreed. She was also very curious about Hollywood.

She was only in her early 40s, and her career ambition was aroused.

…………

"Dear Chen!"

The one who came was an old acquaintance, Roberts from 20th Century Fox. He appeared in the bungalow of the Oriental Company with a foreign face and complained: "I ran from the United States to Hong Kong, and then from Hong Kong to Beijing. Why are you hiding here?"

"This is my home. What do you mean by hiding?"

"Is this your home?"

Roberts ran out in shock, looked at the residential building outside, and ran back: "Don't you live in a big manor?"

"Who told you that I live in a big manor?" Chen Qi was also shocked.

"A lady named Gu Weili!"

"That's called a Siheyuan, which is... just think of it as a Chinese manor. I can take you to visit it."

Chen Qi was too lazy to explain, so he led him into the office and briefly introduced Ling Mei. Ling Mei didn't say much, and mainly played a bystander.

"Speaking of which, you are really not nice. We are the friends who have known each other for the longest time, but you wrote a script for Columbia." Roberts said.

"If you don't come to ask, why should I come to you? From your looks, does 50 First Dates perform well?"

"Hasn't Columbia given you good news yet? 50 First Dates has been released for a month and has already earned more than 60 million at the box office! Congratulations, you have also proved yourself in the commercial film market."

Roberts paused and said, "Chen! This is our fault. Murdoch... a very powerful media tycoon, he acquired Fox, and we have been busy with this. But I am coming to China now to show our sincerity and hope to continue cooperation."

"..."

Chen Qi looked at him and smiled, "Okay! You came at the right time, I just wrote one."

He asked someone to go upstairs and take down the English version of Speed. He wrote the Chinese version himself, and paid a teacher to translate it into English. They had to sign a contract to indicate that it was an employment relationship and did not involve copyright.

Because English writing is a very profound thing, he can't master it yet, but reading is good. After translating it into English, he has to sort it out himself to see if the content is biased.

Roberts was overjoyed. He didn't expect the other party to have a finished product.

There was no time to look at it carefully at this moment. Chen Qi verbally told him the story of "Speed". When he heard the setting of "the bus needs to run all the way, and it will explode if it is slower than a certain speed", he knew it was right.

When he listened to the whole story, he became more and more sure.

"Chen! We have great confidence in your creative ability, and we are willing to offer a sincere price."

Roberts said sincerely, "How about $600,000?"

Clang!

There was a crisp sound, but it was Ling Mei's hand shaking, causing the teacup lid to knock against the cup - these days are not like later, with trillions of wealth.

She rarely lost her composure: How much? !

(And...)