Rebirth 96: Begin the life of a monster from kindergarten

At 2008:8 p.m. on August 8, 8, huge footprints made up of fireworks moved step by step towards the Bird's Nest, and the Beijing Olympics, which the people of the whole country had been looking forward to, opened on time.

At 20:12, everyone stood up, the national anthem played, and the five-star red flag rose slowly.

In my previous life, I watched this grand event on TV. Now I am fortunate enough to stand in the Bird's Nest and witness this historic moment with my own eyes.

Next to Zhang and his entourage stood Zhang Xiuxiu, Zhao Jinmai, Liu Bo and other friends, who sang the national anthem excitedly. The singing of the entire audience gathered above the Bird's Nest, deafening.

Forever young, always with tears in eyes!
After watching the opening ceremony of the Olympics and two days of competition, Zhang and his entourage separated from their friends and left Beijing.

Xie Jin suddenly called and wanted to meet him again, which made Zhang Yixing a little puzzled at first.

They originally wanted to postpone the meeting until after the Olympics, but when they heard Xie Jin say on the phone, "Xiao Zhang, can you do it sooner? I'm worried I can't wait until then!" Zhang and his party agreed.

After a long journey, we returned to Yueshan City that night.

The next morning, Xie Jin arrived.

When Zhang and his group welcomed him out of the car, they almost failed to recognize the old man.

Compared to the first time they met, Xie Jin is now much thinner and looks exhausted, but his eyes are frighteningly bright.

The clothes wrapped around his dry body stuck to his body when the wind blew, making him look empty, and there was a rotten smell lingering around him.

"Xiao Zhang, I'm sorry for delaying your watching the Olympics!" Xie Jin murmured his apologies, patting Zhang Yihang's hands.

Zhang Yixing also shook his hand vigorously and said nonchalantly, "It's nothing. I can watch the replay online later!"

"I am too selfish after all!" Xie Jin sighed, looked up at Zhang Yixing, and smiled softly, "But I dare not wait any longer. I am sleeping now, and I am worried that I will not be able to open my eyes the next day! If I had not had to prepare for my son's funeral, I would have died long ago!"

Listening to Xie Jin saying these words with a smile, Zhang Yixing felt mixed emotions.

Putting aside all of Xie Jin's identities, he is now just an old man, over eighty years old, waiting for the elderly to see the young off.

Zhang Yihang got the news from Huang Lei that Xie Jin's son was already preparing for his funeral, and the doctor determined that it would happen this month.

"Please accept my condolences!" Faced with this situation, Zhang Yixing didn't know what to say and could only comfort her in vain.

Xie Jin waved his hands and sighed, "Life and death, when people are about to die, they become more open-minded! The only thing they can't let go of is some unfulfilled wishes!"

At this point, Xie Jin shook Zhang Yihang's hand and said, "Xiao Zhang, I heard that you have built several studios here, and the equipment inside is all provided by Cameron. It's world-class. Is it true?"

Seeing Xie Jin's expectant look, Zhang Yixing nodded and said, "It's true. I'll take you to see it!"

Xie Jin stared into Zhang and his group's eyes, then suddenly shook his head and said, "Forget it, let's not look at it anymore. Those technologies are for you young people. I, who am about to die, can't understand them!" Rejecting the proposal to visit the studio, Xie Jin followed Zhang and his group to the DreamWeaver Culture Office.

Behind the two men, Bao Fang was pulling a trolley case, the wheels of which made a squeaking sound as they rolled on the ground.

When they arrived at the office, Xie Jin sat on the sofa, pulled Zhang Yihang to sit next to him, and muttered:
"I have been watching you for the past few years, especially since we first met, and you have surprised me time and time again. I really regret it now. Even if I had to pester you back then, I should have accepted you as my last disciple!"

"But if you let me choose again now, I think you are right not to agree to my request, and even right not to apply for the film school! For artists, anyone who is capable can be a teacher! I see that you have been constantly importing technology and equipment from Japan over the years, and even sent people to learn about film production experience from Hollywood and Bollywood. Xiao Bao said that you are a rat, and you always want to move good things to your own nest!"

Bao Fang was sitting nearby. When he heard the teacher mention him, he smiled awkwardly at Zhang Yixing.

Xie Jin also smiled, then suddenly frowned again and said in a deep voice:
"But, Xiao Zhang, movies are actually a big deal!"

"It is not simply a way of providing people with entertainment. It is an important part of cultural construction. On a larger scale, it is an important undertaking for a country's people to forge their souls and gather their strength. It is even more powerful than words! But where is our soul?"

Seeing Xie Jin staring at him, looking for an answer, Zhang Yihang frowned and thought for a moment, then replied, "In history!"

Hearing Zhang Yixing's answer, Xie Jin clapped his hands and smiled, his eyes seemed to be brighter, he nodded and said: "Yes, the soul of our Chinese nation is hidden in history! Especially in those periods of humiliation in history, those backbones that stood up with difficulty, melted together, are the spirit of the Chinese nation, and are the soul of the Chinese people! Ahem~Ahem~"

After a violent cough, Xie Jin's face turned red. He took a few sips of the tea handed over by Zhang Yixing and murmured, "Watching you make great success in the film industry over the years, I am really happy for you and for Chinese films! But, Xiao Zhang, just think of me as taking advantage of my seniority and make a request to you!"

Zhang Yixing nodded, "You go ahead!"

Xie Jin took a breath and continued, "During the Sino-Japanese War of 1894, if the navy's shells were not filled with sand, perhaps the war would have been won! Cultural undertakings are a war of national cultural soft power to the outside world, and the same is true internally! As artists, we not only have to forge advanced artillery, but also prevent our own people from filling them with sand!"

Hearing Xie Jin's serious remarks, Zhang Yihang couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

He knew what Xie Jin meant by filling with sand.

Just like the Harvard girl who appeared on TV with Han Han a few years ago, now she has gone to the Ugly Country;
Just like many girls are proud to have a foreign boyfriend and think that Chinese men are not worthy of them;
Just like the two most prestigious universities in China, they became the talent pool for the Ugly Country;

Just like there is always a group of people on the Internet who lament that the air abroad is sweeter.

Seeing Zhang Yihang remained silent, Xie Jin winked at Bao Fang and said to Zhang Yihang, "Xiao Zhang, the main purpose of my visit this time is to give you some things as a souvenir. I originally wanted to leave these things to my apprentice, but after thinking about it, I think you are the most suitable!"

Bao Fang squatted down and opened the suitcase next to him, then took out piles of notebooks and diaries from it.

Pointing to a pile of things on the table, Xie Jin explained: "These are some notes I made when I was filming the movie. They are not valuable. I hope you don't mind!"

Zhang Yixing shook his head and picked up the black leather book on top. There was a label on the cover with the words "Opium War" written on it.

It's just a notebook, but at this moment it feels as heavy as a thousand pounds! (End of this chapter)