The next morning, just as Chen Fusheng and Han Sanping finished breakfast in the Film Bureau cafeteria, Deputy Director Shi’s secretary brought them to his office.
“Comrade Siqin Gaowa went back last night, correct?”
“Yes, Director Shi.”
“Mm. And how did you two sleep last night?”
“Pretty well…”
After some brief pleasantries, Deputy Director Shi turned to Chen Fusheng:
“Comrade Fusheng, wait in the secretary’s office next door for a moment. I need to speak with Comrade Han Sanping alone. I’ll call you when we’re done.”
“…Alright, Director Shi.” Chen Fusheng nodded hesitantly.
At the same time, he thought to himself: Something’s off. This isn’t the first time. My sixth sense was warning me yesterday.
But for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what the leader was scheming.
Whatever it was, it couldn’t possibly be that the man saw his talent and wanted to transfer him to work at the film festival.
Well then, no choice but to follow the secretary and drink tea in the next office.
When he finished one cup, the secretary poured him another.
Then a third…
Chen Fusheng was so bored he started hearing Wu Bai narrating his song Sudden Self in his head. Finally, the secretary came in to tell him it was his turn.
“Old Han, what did Director Shi talk to you about?” On the way into the office, Chen Fusheng bumped into Han Sanping coming out. Seeing the man’s spectacular expression, he couldn’t help asking quietly.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Han Sanping gave a mysterious smile without revealing a single clue.
Chen Fusheng mouthed the words “not loyal” at him, then walked into Deputy Director Shi’s office with a smile.
“Director Shi.”
“Comrade Fusheng, come in. Please sit. Don’t be nervous. Just like last time, a casual chat.”
“Alright.”
Chen Fusheng wasn’t particularly nervous at this point, just curious.
The secretary brewed him another cup, despite knowing he’d already had three next door.
“After I got back yesterday afternoon, I was told to report to Zhongnanhai. Many of the leaders heard about your achievements in Venice, Comrade Fusheng, and they couldn’t praise you enough. Especially Elder Liao. He not only called you young and talented, full of promise, but also praised you as a pillar our nation’s arts and culture desperately needs. So, feeling proud?”
“Really?” Chen Fusheng felt it was all a bit unreal.
“Hmph, would I dare make up something like this?”
“That’s not what I meant. I’m just so thrilled. It’s overwhelming.”
Honestly, Deputy Director Shi was a bit envious of Chen Fusheng, having so many senior leaders remember his name at such a young age.
He also worried that achieving so much so young might go to the young man’s head, so he quickly added a warning.
“It’s normal to feel excited. But let me borrow a line from the Chairman: modesty helps one progress, while arrogance makes one fall behind. You’ve achieved some things, Comrade Fusheng, but you must never become conceited!”
“Don’t worry, Director Shi. I know where I stand.” Chen Fusheng was a time traveler after all. He wasn’t going to let a little success go to his head.
“That’s the best attitude to have.” Deputy Director Shi trusted Chen Fusheng reasonably well. Having spent over ten days with him, he’d gotten a decent read on the young man’s temperament. He knew Chen Fusheng possessed a maturity far beyond his years when it came to getting things done.
“Another thing: regarding the ten thousand dollars you earned from the Italian merchant.”
“Wasn’t that money handed over already?” Although Chen Fusheng was a bit reluctant, he didn’t resent it. The policies of this era were roughly like this; everyone dealt with it the same way, and he didn’t think he was special… as long as they didn’t come after the thousand he’d already spent.
“Normally, yes. But Elder Liao pointed out that you won an award and performed a great service in Venice. He proposed converting the ten thousand dollars into RMB and foreign exchange certificates as a reward for you. The leaders discussed it and had no objections. Finally, one of the leaders asked me to see what you think.”
Opinion? Chen Fusheng had no objections.
Sure, he’d been transmigrated to the 1980s, when this country’s economy was still weak, and he wanted to contribute to its development.
But he wouldn’t refuse a chance to give himself and his family a better life.
So if they were offering, he was taking!
Deputy Director Shi nodded slightly at Chen Fusheng’s answer without further comment.
Just when Chen Fusheng thought things were wrapping up, Deputy Director Shi suddenly changed tack and asked an unexpected question:
“What do you think of China’s film industry as it stands?”
“Director Shi, I’m just a foreign language teaching assistant. Aren’t you asking the wrong person such a big question?”
“Then let me rephrase. How many Chinese films today do you think could sell for a high price overseas, the way your Cowherd did?” Before Chen Fusheng could answer, Deputy Director Shi clarified what he meant by “high price”: “Not even a million. Even three or four hundred thousand, or two or three hundred thousand would do.”
Chen Fusheng thought for a moment: “Hasn’t China Film Group been doing exactly that?”
“Indeed. But they simply can’t sell. Even at fire-sale prices, nobody wants them. From your perspective, Comrade Fusheng, help me analyze why.”
“I think it’s because foreigners can’t understand our films.”
“Can’t understand?” Deputy Director Shi couldn’t quite grasp that phrase. He felt Chinese films were far more straightforward in their plots than many foreign films.
“Yes. Because from what I’ve observed, the films we produce at this stage are ideologically focused on promoting patriotism and collectivism, emphasizing social construction and the spirit of the times, and upholding traditional virtues and moral norms. Now, I’m not saying that’s wrong. But foreigners can’t relate. The cultural education and intellectual currents they grew up with actually conflict with these ideological themes our films highlight. So they don’t just fail to understand them; they actively resist them. That’s probably the core reason Chinese films can’t break out internationally.”
Chen Fusheng finished and, seeing Deputy Director Shi deep in thought across from him, quietly kicked himself.
Damn it. Looks like I said a bit too much.
Fortunately, Deputy Director Shi didn’t question how he knew all this. Instead, he dropped another bombshell:
“With special approval from the state, the Film Bureau will formally establish a Film Foreign Exchange Working Group after National Day. I will serve as the group leader. On behalf of the Film Foreign Exchange Working Group, I would like to invite Comrade Chen Fusheng to join. What is your stance? Or if you have any questions, feel free to ask now.”
It took Chen Fusheng a long moment to digest this.
See, I knew something was off.
So they were saving up this kind of big move.
No wonder Han Sanping had looked so odd when they bumped into each other at the door.
Now it was clear: he must have been invited too.
Phew.
Chen Fusheng gathered his racing thoughts and finally steadied himself.
Then he looked at Deputy Director Shi and asked:
“If I join this group, what happens to my employment?”
“Your employment will be transferred to the Film Bureau. And given your outstanding performance at the Venice International Film Festival, as well as your existing educational background and credentials, if you join, you’ll directly receive deputy section chief level benefits.”
“Such favorable terms?” Chen Fusheng hadn’t expected to actually be recruited into the Film Bureau, and starting at deputy section chief level. It felt a bit unreal.
“Good terms mean greater responsibility. So think it through carefully, Comrade Chen Fusheng.”
“I have one last question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Old Han, I mean, was Comrade Han Sanping invited too?”
“Yes.”
“And did he agree?”
“He already has.”
Deputy Director Shi was about to add a caution not to be influenced by him.
But before he could get the words out, Chen Fusheng declared: “Alright, I’m in!”
Chen Fusheng’s decision to join the Film Foreign Exchange Working Group had nothing to do with Han Sanping. He’d just grown close to Old Han and asked out of curiosity.
