The literary era since 1979

Chongwenmen West Street, Maxim's Restaurant.

Fang Yan and Gong Xing walked up the stairs and entered the hall, where maple leaf-shaped chandeliers and wall lamps came into view.

On the walls with gilded vine patterns are decorative murals from the Forbidden City, the Louvre and other places. Surrounding them are countless crystal glass mirrors and stained glass windows. It can be regarded as one of the most fashionable places in Beijing these days.

This is almost a small concert hall with a dedicated small stage in the front.

There are piano, fashion and even rock performances every night.

At that time in Yanjing, there was a saying that was always circulating: "Rock and roll is not close to the people, it is only close to Maxim."

Therefore, Maxim's Restaurant and the later Diplomats Club are known as the two holy places of Chinese rock music.

At this moment, there is a 7-member band performing on the small stage.

There are guitars, basses, saxophones, as well as guzheng, suona and flute. It is a perfect combination of Chinese and Western instruments, and it is really fun to play.

Fangyan looked carefully and actually found a familiar face among the crowd.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind, "Teacher Fang! Teacher Gong! Welcome, welcome!"

Gong Xing looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman in a floor-length black evening gown slowly walking down the spiral staircase. Upon closer inspection, he saw that her back was exposed, and at the bottom of the V-shaped back was a huge dark pink bow.

"This...this is too bold!"

"No, we turned off the lights."

"Nonsense!"

Gong Xing blushed and secretly twisted Fang Yan's waist.

Fang Yan remained calm and raised his eyebrows at the woman who had her hair tied up high on the back of her head:
"You know us?"

"Who in Yanjing doesn't know dialect and Gong Xing?"

Song Huaigui introduced himself as the chief representative of Pierre Cardin in China and also the current manager of the restaurant.

"Mr. Pierre Cardin has a unique vision and hired the right person. No wonder the restaurant is so popular and it's almost impossible to get a seat."

Fangyan half-jokingly asked, "Is there any seat left?"

Song Huaigui smiled and said, "Of course! Both of you follow me!"

"There are four of us in total, and two more are on their way."

Fangyan talked as he walked, his eyes inadvertently cast at the rock band that was singing at the top of their lungs.

Song Huaigui noticed this keenly, "Teacher Fang is interested in rock music?"

“I’m more interested in this rock band than just rock music.”

Fang Yan smiled and said, "So far, this is the first time I've seen a rock band with Chinese faces."

Song Huaigui introduced it briefly, "This is a band that has just emerged in Yanjing recently, called 'Qiheban'. All the members are from the Yanjing Song and Dance Troupe. They can play and sing, and their best music is European and American rock music..."

Fangyan casually asked, "What's the name of the lead singer who plays guitar?"

"His name is 'Cui Jian'. He is not only good at playing guitar, but also trumpet."

Song Huaigui said: "They are now singing European and American pop songs. What do you think?"

Fang Yan said: "Not bad."

"If Cui Jian and the others could hear the comments from a lyricist like Mr. Fang, they would be very happy."

Song Huaigui led them to a secluded and private four-person seat, and then took the initiative to act as a waiter.

Gong Xing flipped through the menu and was shocked to see that a cup of coffee cost 5 yuan.

Including service charges, a meal would cost at least a hundred yuan, which is almost as much as two months' salary.

When their eyes met, Fang Yan ordered the food confidently and looked at his watch. "Serve us when everyone is here."

Song Huaigui said, "I'll serve you two some drinks and wine first, what do you think?"

"it is good!"

Fangyan crossed his arms, "You guys should also have a wine delivery service here, right?"

Song Huaigui nodded, "Who are you sending it to?"

"Them." Fang Yan pointed at Cui Jian and the others, "As for what kind of wine to serve, it's up to you. I'll put it on my account."

Song Huaigui was greatly surprised, but he did not delve into the reason for sending the wine. Instead, he did it promptly and delivered the wine personally.

When Cui Jian saw the “noble person” who took the initiative to provide the band with a concert venue, he called out respectfully, “Sister Song!”

The rest of the band also said respectfully, "Sister Song!"

"Here, this is the wine for you." Song Huaigui put down the tray with wine bottles and glasses.

Everyone was shocked. Cui Jian smiled bitterly and said, "Sister Song, please stop trying to make us happy. We can't afford this wine!"

Song Huaigui chuckled, "Okay, I won't tease you anymore. This wine is actually given to you by the guests."

"Guest? Who is it?"

They looked at each other in bewilderment, wondering where this great man came from and why he was so generous?

Song Huaigui said: "Teacher Fang in dialect."

"Teacher Fang!?"

"Teacher Fang is here at Maxim's today too?"

The band members were surprised and happy, especially Cui Jian, who felt flattered.

"Sister Song, why did Teacher Fang send us wine?"

"He didn't say anything. Maybe he likes rock music and thinks you played well." Song Huaigui said, "Don't ask. Teacher Fang gave me some wine for a reason." He poured the wine and said, "Try it. Don't let his kindness go to waste."

"Yeah!"

Cui Jian invited Liu Yuan and others to raise their glasses and drink.

Liu Yuan said: "Brothers, shall we go and pay our respects to Teacher Fang?"

"Don't be so superfluous. Teacher Fang is probably talking about something. Let's not disturb him."

Cui Jian looked towards where Fang Yan was, and saw a man and a woman walking over. "Come on, let's have another drink."

Liu Yuan said: "But no merit, no reward. How about this, after we finish drinking, let's sing another song for Teacher Fang?"

"What are you singing?"

"Hotel California?"

"Pink Floyd? Or Queen?"

Faced with so many suggestions, Cui Jian did not accept any of them, showing a mysterious smile: "We are a Chinese rock band, of course we have to play a powerful Chinese rock song for Teacher Fang. Brothers, how about playing the song we just rehearsed a few days ago?"

…………

French cuisine was served on the table one after another.

Han Yuemin looked at the knife and fork at hand and said with embarrassment: "Yanzi, why did you choose such a place?"

"The environment here is good and private, perfect for discussing things."

Fang Yan smiled and said, "Besides, when you do business in the future, you will have to deal with these things sooner or later. Brother-in-law, you have to adapt to it slowly."

Han Yuemin thought for a moment, "Yes, when I was in eastern Guangdong, someone invited me to a Western restaurant and I almost made a fool of myself." "So, I have to learn!" Fang Yan said, "When we eat together as a family, we don't have to worry about making a fool of ourselves."

"Yanzi is right. Your brother-in-law and I will have a meal of Western food today."

Fang Hong took the initiative to ask Gong Xian for advice, and the two of them chatted and laughed, leaving the men aside.

"Brother-in-law, how did the negotiations go at the counter at Wangfujing Department Store?" Fang Yan took a sip of wine.

“It went very well.”

Han Yuemin grinned like a lotus: "The department store's leaders were already very troubled by the losses and had been thinking about what to do. I caught up with them and gave them the golden idea of ​​'bringing factories into stores'! It's really better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early."

Fang Yan said: "What is the final result?"

Han Yuemin held up three fingers and said, "The department store will first let me take over three counters as a pilot. If the effect is good, we will use our counters as a model and promote it in the department store. Then we will summarize a series of experiences and report to the higher-ups."

"They are using the 'bringing factories into stores' model to take credit and give us three counters?"

Fang Yan frowned: "Why, do we still need to thank them?"

"No, no, no. They said that if the deal really goes through, they would be willing to rent a few more counters from us." Han Yuemin waved his hand.

"There are also shops." Fangyan reminded.

"Yes, there are shops!"

Han Yuemin changed the subject and said, "But Yanzi, aren't we having too many counters and stores?"

Fangyan asked, "How can there be surplus?"

"Really? Really? I haven't figured out how to use these three counters yet."

Han Yuemin said that he could only sell women's clothing, men's clothing and socks separately in order to make use of all three counters.

“And agents.”

Fang Yan pointed at Song Huaigui who was not far away and said, "Brother-in-law, can you tell what brand the clothes he is wearing are?"

Fang Hong blurted out, "Pierre Cardin! I saw this evening dress at the Pierre Cardin fashion exhibition!"

Han Yuemin was startled, "Yanzi, do you want us to be the clothing agent of Pierre Cardin?"

Fang Yan did not comment: "That Manager Song is Pierre Cardin's representative in China. Maybe we can find a chance to talk to him."

Fang Hong suddenly realized, "No wonder you invited us to have dinner here, it turns out you're not just here to eat!"

"Not at all."

Gong Xing noticed that when Fang Yan said this, he was staring at him with a smile and was not surprised.

Especially when he said that it was thanks to my reminder, I was even more puzzled, but fortunately the answer was soon revealed.

"You remember that the Olympics are going to be held this year, right?"

"How could I not remember? It was the Los Angeles Olympics!"

After Fang Hong finished speaking, Han Yuemin went on to say that this was the first Olympic Games that China would participate in after regaining its legitimate seat in the International Olympic Committee.

Fangyan smiled and asked, have you ever thought about making a fortune in Olympic clothing sponsorship?
"Yanzi, I have thought about this before, but it is difficult to do."

Han Yuemin was in a dilemma. "The sportswear for the Olympics will definitely be from the Plum brand, the sports shoes will be from Huili, and even the socks may be from some state-owned enterprise. How can we get them?"

Fang Yan asked, "Where are the dresses for the opening and closing ceremonies?"

Han Yuemin, Gong Xing and the others were shocked. "Dress?!"

Just like the movie costumes for "Lush Mountain Love" had to be imported from Hong Kong, Fangyan vaguely remembered that the costumes for this year's Olympics were also designed by Hong Kong designers. The top was blue and the bottom was white. In comparison, it was definitely not as good as the red and white that was commonly used in later generations.

"No, no, this Olympic dress symbolizes the face of the country. If we get it wrong, we will become sinners!"

Fang Hong was stunned and shook her head repeatedly.

“There is a review process for this.”

Fang Yan couldn't help but laugh, "You can draw a design first, make a set of samples for men and women, and then sign up for review."

Han Yuemin's eyes lit up, and he turned to look at Fang Hong, "Why don't we give it a try?"

"Why not? Our national flag was not designed by any artist. We should believe in the power of ordinary people."

Fangyan had already imagined a series of Olympic dress styles.

"Then give it a try!" Fang Hong said eagerly.

The four of them ate and chatted, clinking their glasses from time to time. At the same time, the sound of guitar rang out on the stage again.

Fang Yan said: "So, brother-in-law, do you still think these three counters are too many?"

"After a careful calculation, it's really not much, not much at all. It would be nice if there were a few more."

Han Yuemin said: "Even if it is not used, the worst that can happen is to sublet it. I believe there will be many people vying for the contract."

Fangyan smiled. He didn't expect that his brother-in-law had learned how to answer questions quickly.

Han Yuemin said: "If there is an opportunity in the future, we can build a department store ourselves and rent out all the stores and counters inside. Then we don't have to work so hard. Just collecting rent will be enough!"

Seeing that his brother-in-law had learned from his experience, Fangyan poured him a glass of wine and said, "That will be a long, long time later."

"The most urgent matter is the affiliation."

Han Yuemin said: "Yanzi, I have thought about it for a long time, and there is a reliable one called Modern Science and Education Instrument Exhibition and Sales Center."

Fangyan said "oh", feeling that the name sounded familiar, but couldn't remember where he had heard it.

"The general manager of this center is an acquaintance of mine. Those VCRs and videotapes came from him."

Han Yuemin said: "His name is Wang Shi. He is a very powerful person. It is said that he made millions by reselling corn..."

Vanke is the king!
Fangyan was very surprised and knocked on the table.

Han Yuemin asked him to consult with the affiliated unit, and it would be best if he could personally accompany him on his next trip to eastern Guangdong to pick out some fabrics for making Olympic dress samples.

"That will take a while. Someone may come to Beijing to see me in the next few days."

Fang Yan and Gong Xing looked at each other with a faint smile on their faces.

At this moment, waves of drum beats began to sound.

Cui Jian sang "It's Not That I Don't Understand" with all his might in his hoarse voice:
"I didn't know what broad-mindedness was before,"

"I didn't know there were many strange things in the world before,"

"The future I imagined in the past is not the present,"

"It seems clear now what the future is,"

"Oh ho~~"

“…It’s not that I don’t understand!”

"It's not that I don't understand, the world changes so fast!"

Gong Xing didn’t know how fast the world was changing, but time passed very quickly.

Before I knew it, five days had passed, and instead of Xu Ke and Shi Nansheng showing up, the postman took the initiative to deliver the package.

The package was very heavy, and contained more than a dozen one-meter-long magazines, all of which were sample issues of "Science Fiction World".

The latest serial of "The Ring" is still on the front page, but the difference is that "Artificial Intelligence" has officially been published... (End of this chapter)