Chapter 20: Ugly Girl, Your Godfather Is Calling

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How did this turn into an argument? Liu Jing was somewhat bewildered. I haven’t been home much this past year; shouldn’t you two be getting along better? The young couple was inseparable, sweet as honey, and that was the usual state of affairs. But now, it was like a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest spark.

The guests exchanged glances, wondering if they should say something. Wang Jing’s eyes urged Zhang Min, who just shrugged, signaling that neither knew where to begin. Family disputes are hard to judge, especially for outsiders like them. The elderly woman in the kitchen looked torn—this time she sided with her daughter-in-law but didn’t want to go against her son.

Over thirty million yuan! Though the An family was well-off, they weren’t that wealthy. In this era, families with ten thousand yuan in assets were rare. Teacher An’s monthly salary was only a few hundred yuan, and his annual income barely reached a few thousand. Housing prices in Yandu city hovered just above a thousand yuan per square meter. Thirty million was a staggering sum for the elderly woman.

The younger aunt and Xixi exchanged looks and shrugged—it was a familiar scene; arguments would flare up but eventually die down. In the end, it was the younger aunt who took the initiative. “Ahem, sister, brother-in-law, why don’t we ask Wood for his opinion?”

Swish, swish, swish… Liu Jing, who was quietly observing, suddenly felt all eyes turn to him. It was as if a thousand needles pricked his back, a fishbone stuck in his throat, and he sat on pins and needles. “Uh, well, I think…” Liu Jing hesitated, still unsure and wavering.

“Speak properly,” Teacher An said impatiently.

“Aunt Liu, who are you trying to scare? Wood isn’t someone to be intimidated,” Aunt Liu responded, annoyed.

“You have to hold on to both hands, and both must be strong. I read this phrase in the paper the other day, and I think it’s quite fitting,” Liu Jing quickly shared his honest thoughts, hoping to avoid another quarrel. Making money was secondary; getting into the production team and earning some bubble income was the priority. But he also wanted to continue his studies. Teacher An was right—many lessons couldn’t be learned from books alone.

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Teacher An’s gaze was piercing as he scrutinized Liu Jing. “Have you really thought this through?”

Aunt Liu opened her mouth to speak but suddenly felt weak at heart and closed it again.

“Yes! I’m definitely going to study, and it will be here in the country. Foreign countries might be great, but they’re still barbaric lands at the end of the day. I’ll start elementary school next year, and filming will be scheduled during winter and summer vacations,” Liu Jing said without averting his eyes and then sought approval, “Uncle An, how do you feel about this arrangement?”

Suddenly, Teacher An smiled—a smile that left everyone puzzled but noticeably lightened the atmosphere. He pushed up his glasses and spread out the contract. “Director Wang, since he has made his decision, as his guardians, we will definitely support him. Besides what Liu Jing just said, I think there are some unreasonable points in the contract that need to be revised or supplemented.”

Fat Wang was delighted, clapping his hands and laughing. “Professor An is a man of culture. If you say so, there must be oversights in the contract.” He dared to offer Liu Jing thirty million because he was confident Liu Jing could earn them several times that amount. Whether Liu Jing would be worth that price five years later was another matter. If he truly became a superstar like Li Lianjie or Cheng Long, no contract could hold him back. But if he didn’t rise within a few years, they wouldn’t renew the contract, and the company could afford to lose tens of millions.

Still, Wang was full of doubts. He felt the boss treated Liu Jing’s case unusually.

“The signing fee can be lowered, but the child’s studies cannot be neglected, and the work must not involve gambling, pornography, violence, or gore…”

“Professor An, cooperation is impossible under such restrictions. What attraction does Hong Kong cinema have without these elements? I can only guarantee that we will comply fully with censorship rules and won’t have the child act in any nonsense. I understand your concerns—I’m a father of two children myself. My youngest is a daughter, only three years old this year,” Fat Wang shrugged. He didn’t want to make such films either and preferred prestigious productions, but the market wasn’t there.

“The child is still young; it’s better to avoid many of these elements,” Teacher An shook his head.

“Professor An, I think you’ve misunderstood—we’re not desperate to sign Wood. There are substitutes for Li Lianjie, and after all, he’s just a clever child,” Wang also shook his head.

“You’re right; there are many outstanding talents in China, including excellent children. I’m sure there are many more capable than Liu Jing in this vast land,” Teacher An prepared to conclude.

Wang smirked, “Professor An, why not ask your wife’s opinion?”

“I am Liu Jing’s legal guardian. Without my signature, this contract has no legal effect,” Teacher An said expressionlessly.

Negotiations hit a deadlock. Wang glanced at Aunt Liu, hoping she’d say something. But Aunt Liu was serene, her eyes fixed in meditation, surprisingly calm. Zhang Min, silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

“When I was eleven, I moved to Hong Kong with my parents to seek opportunities. Unfamiliar with the place and after the family business failed, I had to support the household while studying. After finishing middle school, I started working, which I always regretted. I worked as a tour guide, handed out flyers, and later was taken under Ms. Chen’s wing…”

Everyone was surprised by her sudden reminiscence, then listened as Zhang Min earnestly said, “Professor An, I assure you, what you fear will not happen. I also have a younger brother who was as adorable as Wood. Wood reminds me of him. To me, Wood is like my own brother. For these five years at the company, I will personally look after him as if he were family.”

Zhang Min’s sincerity moved Teacher An deeply. He knew many of her stories. At this moment, he understood the situation clearly—the real decision-maker was Zhang Min, not Wang Jing.

“I understand your feelings, Ms. Zhang, and appreciate your sincerity. Since you are so earnest, I will make a concession. I respect your creative work in film and television, but please respect the demands of a father. I have one bottom line: Liu Jing must not be exposed to certain elements in the Hong Kong film industry…”

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Teacher An adjusted his glasses again, calm and composed, listing his conditions one by one. As he spoke, Fat Wang took notes, inwardly groaning at the thought of returning to Hong Kong to face complaints.

But when the young lady of the house spoke, there was nothing he could do—not publicly, at least. Moreover, he studied these supplementary clauses carefully and found them reasonable, not mere nitpicking.

Liu Jing was also surprised and looked Teacher An up and down. He had misjudged him before. When the nice guy got serious, he was sharp and formidable.

Children couldn’t be compared to others’ children, and fathers couldn’t be compared with other fathers. Compared to Lü Buwei, Teacher An was on a completely different level—something Liu Jing had previously underestimated.

After all terms were added, Fat Wang smiled wryly. “Professor An, with all these conditions, I won’t be able to report back to my company easily. You’ve really given me a tough problem. As for the revenue split from commercial endorsements, I’m afraid we’ll have to change it to 60/40.”

He couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He had never signed such a contract before. Zhang Min was too protective of this child. Though he liked him too, this was sacrificing the company’s interests. For a moment, he developed some resentment toward Zhang Min.

“Fine, you take 60, we take 40,” Teacher An relented but added, “However, there must be a clause that if any advertising or endorsements are inappropriate, we have the right to refuse.”

“Agreed!” Fat Wang exclaimed, extending a hand of friendship. “Professor An, you’ve shown me what knowledge and culture really are. I believe that with you as Wood’s guardian, he will surely become a pillar of society.”

“Director Wang, you’ve also let me see a new side of Hong Kong people, and a new side of you,” Teacher An replied, shaking hands. They looked at each other and suddenly burst out laughing.

Riiing, riiing, riiing…

Aunt Liu shuddered, goosebumps rising on her arm.

Xixi, usually the fastest to answer the phone as the household’s dedicated operator, sat perfectly still this time, letting the phone ring on.

Seeing no one else willing to answer, Liu Jing took the initiative. He picked up the phone, listened to a couple of rings, then covered the receiver and shouted, “Ugly girl, your godfather is calling!”