One day, I received a phone call from a man with an American accent who claimed to be the son of Dr. Welsh. He said he had come to Shanghai to visit me and collect patent fees on behalf of his "father".
Upon hearing Shi Zhongming's explanation, Jin Xiaofeng immediately understood: "Logically speaking, this foreign scoundrel could be handed over to the authorities for investigation and accused of fraud. However, doing so would be tantamount to openly selling 'savage heads'."
Shi Zhongming was also in a dilemma:
“If we really admit it, then we’ll have a legitimate reason to rip us off.”
“I’ve got it, Zhongming. Arrange a meeting with him for me.”
As soon as the foreign youth, Little Wales, arrived, Jin Xiaofeng took the initiative:
“Your father was a good friend of mine. He lived in Shanghai for many years, and he insisted on giving me this secret recipe. I didn’t want it for nothing, so I gave him ten thousand US dollars.”
Shi Zhongming immediately produced the receipt. Besides his signature, the bottom of the receipt read, "This payment is settled in full, with no further complications." Before the blond-haired boy, Little Wales, could utter a single word, he was already feeling utterly deflated, caught in a dilemma. Seeing this, Jin Xiaofeng quickly said with concern, "Shanghai is a nice place. I'll have my men take care of you and let you travel around. Here's only five hundred yuan, it's nothing, just for pocket money."
He had no choice but to accept the check. Fine.
Jin Xiaofeng, not one to back down once he gained power, added:
"When are you planning to return to China? Please let me know, and I will have someone send you your return ticket. I'm here now to serve as your witness."
Shi Zhongming presented an interview transcript about Little Wales' visit to Mr. Jin, confirming that Mr. Jin had indeed legally purchased the manufacturing license for the secret formula. The manuscript was already written, awaiting only his signature. Little Wales, having received five hundred yuan, signed his name with a fountain pen. Shi Zhongming snapped a frame, and someone brought in a camera, taking three photos of Mr. Jin and Little Wales.
Before I knew it, the interview appeared in the newspaper again, making Welshman even more famous.
He himself never drank that stuff. When he became a human again, he was truly happy; his eyes would light up, his desire for conquest satisfied. But what would come next? How many challenges would he face? He already possessed too much; in the still of the night, alone, he looked old. He always promised himself: he would live to be a hundred.
No one knew he possessed a strange secret to longevity. In his mansion, he kept a lizard, a rattlesnake, and a venomous spider supposedly from Yunnan—he would talk to them at night, telling them about his day's activities and insights, finding great comfort in them. When no women were around, his pets listened to everything he said. Duan Pingting? He told them:
"She is no match for Xiaoman at all, but she is not without her merits."
When he missed this slut, her snow-white, alabaster skin would appear before his eyes. —How could she be so white? He could almost see through the fine network of veins beneath.
He became inexplicably agitated; one little girl after another had been played with by him, yet he was not their man.
They all found another man of their own. Where would Jin Xiaofeng find a foothold? They used his money to support their own beloved men. This started with Xiaoman.
Tang Huaiyu, I wonder what abilities this kid has?
Just a few days later, the news appeared in the newspapers. The *Li Bao* newspaper was naturally pulled from circulation, but the news caused quite a stir in the city:
"China's first sound film, 'The Peach Blossom Spring,' is about to begin filming. This marks the beginning of a new era for silent films, moving towards sound films."
The promotional slogan in the newspaper was:
One is Duan Pingting, a leading actress who has won acclaim in Southeast Asia and is renowned beyond the Great Wall; the other is Tang Linyu, a popular martial arts actor who has caused a sensation in Beijing and Tianjin and captivated audiences in Beijing and Shanghai.
One took time out of their busy schedule; the other recuperated after a minor injury, creating an unprecedented fusion of film and traditional Chinese culture, a play within a play, a story within a story, with sound effects from a wax disc, making it vivid and engaging.
The film hasn't even started shooting yet, but it's already captivating.
Everyone was puzzled. Silent films were being converted into sound films? Did the Chinese do it themselves?
Since the American Tefolina sound short film was first shown at the Baixin Grand Theater a few years ago and caused a sensation, many domestic film companies have also tried to catch up. However, the development of wax discs is actually similar to recording records, but the sound must be synchronized with the action, and the production process is far more complicated. If it is not done well, both parties have to start from scratch.
It goes without saying how Duan Pingting became the female lead in this play. On the contrary, the big boss who invested 120,000 yuan did not cast a vote of confidence in Tang Huaiyu.
Miss Duan said:
"I want the male lead. I want this play to be a love story between a singing girl and a martial arts actor. I want to include a few scenes from Peking Opera in the middle. —If the performance fails, I'm willing to compensate for any financial losses!"
With her protecting him like this, Boss Huang, out of consideration for her box office success, also gave him a good boost. Moreover, after meeting Tang Huaiyu, he felt that he was different from the usual slick-haired young men, handsome and outstanding, so he boldly gave him a position.
Huaiyu felt that this was his "new era".
At the same time as the news was published, Master Hong's troupe disbanded.
Tang Huaiyu stayed in Shanghai, Wei Jinbao stayed in Shanghai, and Li Shengtian returned to Beiping. After this trip, they weathered the storms, the truth came to light, and they went their separate ways.
Huaiyu delivered Dandan early in the morning.
He said:
"You shouldn't stay in Shanghai. Shanghai is not a good place." When he said this, he wasn't being insincere.
"Why?" Dandan asked, knowing the tide had turned. "You'll go astray. I won't allow you to go astray. I'm doing this for your own good. If you turn back, there's still Zhigao."
Huaiyu paused, then said, "Zhigao is giving you travel expenses because he really wants you to come back."
"And you?"
Huaiyu shook her head.
Dandan said very firmly:
"Give me a hug."
Huaiyu remained unmoved. Dandan continued:
Give me a kiss.
Huaiyu stood like a black-tasseled silver spear on the weapon rack, unmoved. Even a slight breeze would cause the tassel to sway, but he remained composed and restrained. He refused to—he simply couldn't bear it. It was best to do nothing at all, to be heartless.
He was frozen in place, his heart filled with sorrowful yet passionate memories, fermenting and overflowing, making him intolerant of anyone or anything—especially since he was already so wicked.
“No,” he said calmly. “I’m doing this for your own good. —Besides, I already have someone.”
He wasn't doing this for my own good; he has someone else! Dandan's last remaining hope hardened, her heart turned to stone, colder than death: "Fine. I'm leaving."