Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 445 Find a new way
Let's go back to Zhang Yan.

He went to the fourth floor to get his car keys. Becoming famous has its advantages and disadvantages. Before, when he drove his Toyota Crown all over the streets, few people could recognize him, but now it's different.

So when I need to run personal errands, I have to switch cars temporarily.

Sitting in the long-unseen Xiali car, the familiar cramped feeling immediately returned. Two and a half years have passed since the beginning of 92, but the newly manufactured Xiali doesn't seem to be much different from the old model.

He drove the car to a nearby back street and parked it in an open space next to the field ridge.

Although the film and television city has boosted the development of the surrounding area, its impact is currently limited; it extends to the countryside in about two streets.

However, an even larger land grab is also underway, so the villagers nearby are particularly enthusiastic about planting trees. Newly planted saplings and even specially transplanted fruit trees can be seen everywhere.

Just as I was admiring the vibrant scene of life bursting forth through the car window, the passenger door was opened, and Gong Li, wearing a mask and sunglasses, got in. She said in a deliberately indifferent tone, "What is it? Speak!"

After thinking about it for a while, Zhang Yan decided to talk to Gong Li, since he needed to find out her true thoughts before he could address the problem effectively.

Gong Li's attendance at the meeting actually proved Chen Hong's speculation.

So Zhang Yan went straight to the point and asked, "What are your plans for your future development?"

"Get married."

Gong Li's answer was concise and to the point.

"Marrying into a wealthy family?"

Zhang Yan pressed further on this answer: "To be a caged bird, devoted to her husband and children?"

Gong Li frowned. If it weren't for Chen Hong, she would most likely have chosen this path, since the ultimate goal of so many female stars in Hong Kong is to marry into a wealthy family.

But with Chen Hong as a point of reference, this path seems less appealing.

Although Yuanmeng is not considered a wealthy family in mainland China, it is rapidly becoming a powerful force. Chen Hong, who has been with Zhang Yan all along, possesses power that those female celebrities who marry into wealthy families can only dream of.

If I can successfully marry Zhang Yimou, perhaps I can also...

Gong Li dismissed the idea and coldly retorted, "What else? I've won almost every honor an actor can get. If I cut off my collaboration with Zhang Yimou and continue down this path, it will only be a downward spiral."

Zhang Yan couldn't refute this.

Of course, he could make some empty promises, but what would be the point? Even if he managed to coax Gong Li into fulfilling her dream temporarily, they would definitely fall out later, and it might even cause some trouble.

However, he had called Gong Li over beforehand, so he immediately suggested, "Have you ever thought about starting your own business?"

"My own career?"

Gong Li scoffed, took off her sunglasses, and looked at Zhang Yan: "I've given my youth to acting. Besides acting, I have no other skills. What else can I use to build a career?"

Zhang Yan met her gaze: "I heard you've been teaching Wang Yan quite a bit lately. I wonder if you're interested in pursuing a career in education?"

To be honest, Zhang Yan has racked his brains these past few days trying to find a way to retain Gong Li. His final conclusion is that simply using film and television resources to make grand promises won't work; he needs to find another way.

"The education industry? You want me to become a teacher?"

Gong Li found it ridiculous. If she wanted to be a teacher, the Central Academy of Drama would definitely give her the green light, but becoming a teacher was not part of her future plans.

"No, I meant the principal or dean."

Zhang Yan corrected, "With the establishment of the film and television base in Tianjin and the resulting boost to the surrounding commercial development, the city is paying more and more attention to the film and television industry, and the previously established film and television technology college is no longer sufficient."

Currently, the city has two ideas: one is to strive to upgrade the technical college, and the other is to merge it into a key university as a secondary college, relying on the resources of the key university for rapid development.

Whether it's the former or the latter, the school needs someone who can keep things in check, and ideally, someone who can help the school quickly make a name for itself—I think you're perfect for that role.

Gong Li was stunned for a long time after hearing Zhang Yan's words.

She originally intended to use the resources from the Dream Fulfillment Ceremony to continue her career on the big screen, but she didn't expect Zhang Yan to propose a different idea.

After a moment, she subconsciously questioned, "But the film and television base seems to have encountered some trouble recently." "They're all minor issues."

Zhang Yan waved his hand with an air of dominance: "The film and television base is one of the foundations for realizing my dream, and I cannot let it rot away."

Gong Li fell silent again.

Besides the support from the film and television base and Tianjin, the most important factor in Zhang Yan's proposal is whether Yuanmeng can provide sufficient resources.

If Yuanmeng can maintain its current rapid development and is willing to support its own graduates from Tianjin Film Academy, then even if the academy cannot rival the top three film academies in the future, it will certainly have a considerable influence in the industry.

This certainly holds considerable appeal for Gong Li.

After all, this is a momentous event, the founding of a new school of thought, and a cause one can dedicate their entire life to.

but……

She questioned again, "From establishing a film academy to achieving results, it will probably take at least five or six years, right? If we're unlucky, it could take ten years!"

How many decades are there in life?
Even if Gong Li was tempted, betting ten years of her life on this was still a bit much...

"It won't take that long."

Zhang Yan shook his head and said, "Have you forgotten about the one-year refresher course? We can directly select young actors who are not from professional backgrounds for training. As long as we can find a few hidden gems and invest enough film and television resources, we can see results in three years at most!"

three years?

Gong Li was genuinely tempted this time, but she still subconsciously nitpicked, "You make it sound so easy, but where are you going to find a gem like that?"

"I'm confident in my eyes." Zhang Yan casually boasted, but in reality, he was planning to insert some future big stars he knew into the lens—like a certain baby-faced guy.

Gong Li chuckled and said, "What, you, the music industry's talent scout, also want to find a few promising talents in the film and television industry?"

Although she was joking, she didn't actually think Zhang Yan's words were exaggerated. After all, the training class selects talent from people who are already in the industry, so it's definitely easier to tell whether someone has the potential to succeed than someone who has never acted before.

Moreover, as someone who has been tied to Zhang Yimou for seven years, she fully understands the importance of resources and connections—especially on the small screen.

So she quickly added, "Let me think about it."

"No rush, just make up your mind before the end of the year. There are some things that will happen in a while, which may strengthen your confidence in realizing your dream. But if you agree, you must sign the agency contract with Yuanmeng."

This was, of course, to fulfill Chen Hong's wish.

"Is there anything else?"

Gong Li didn't seem to care. Since she was going to use Yuanmeng's resources, she would definitely have to be 'restrained' by Yuanmeng.

"That's all."

As Zhang Yan was speaking, seeing Gong Li about to push open the door and get out of the car, he quickly added, "But since we're already here, why don't we go for a drive to clear our heads?"

Gong Li hesitated for a moment, then finally withdrew her hand from the car door, which was considered an acceptance of Zhang Yan's suggestion.

So the Xiali slowly started and began heading towards the city—which obviously did not fit the suggestion of a drive, but Gong Li did not question it at all.

Once the car entered the city, its speed slowed down significantly, but Gong Li's mood became somewhat chaotic, and she appeared very agitated.

Although the weather in Tianjin was clear and crisp in late September, she still rolled down the car window, trying to use the cold wind to suppress the turmoil and restlessness in her heart.

Just then, a song suddenly drifted over from inside the park wall: "Going to steal pleasure alone, I refuse your supervision, saying goodbye to your side, I'm lonely and looking for companionship..."

This is Andy Lau's "Going to Steal Some Fun Alone," released in 1992. I didn't feel anything when I listened to it before, but now Gong Li finds it very jarring.

She rolled up the car window forcefully and suddenly asked, "Is this also part of the collaboration?"

Although she didn't say it explicitly, Zhang Yan immediately understood and shrugged, saying, "I don't care, it's up to you."

(End of this chapter)