1994: I Became a Literary Master in America

Chapter 87 An Encounter

"Vivian, you're back so late."

"Brother-in-law, you're going out so late?"

"Your sister Xue wants to drink, so I went downstairs to buy some."

"Perfect timing! Your sister Xue just made smoked fish and steamed buns today. Why don't you come and have some too?"

"This isn't a good idea."

"What's wrong with that? We're all neighbors, and we're all from China. It's a good thing to get together often."

You wouldn't believe it, back when we were in Texas, everyone around us was a foreigner. Your sister Xue couldn't find anyone to talk to. It was the same in New Jersey, and things only got a little better after we moved to New York.

Ever since you moved in as our neighbor, your sister Xue has been overjoyed.

"Zhang Xun, is Vivian back?"

"yes!"

Before he could finish speaking, Gong Xue appeared at the door.

She waved to Zhou Wenqiong and said with a smile, "Vivian, come over here quickly, I made Nanxiang steamed buns today, come and have a taste!"

This beautiful woman, who never lifts a finger in the country.

After arriving in the United States, he became proficient in all kinds of cooking methods, including frying, stir-frying, and deep-frying.

That's why they say the environment shapes a person!

The man speaking to Vivian is Gong Xue's husband, Zhang Xun.

Ten years later, he was recruited by Li Nangua to become a senior executive of Cheung Kong Holdings. It was around that time that Gong Xue returned to China with him.

However, Gong Xue has kept a low profile since returning to China.

He didn't try to make money, nor did he make a comeback in the film industry, and he rarely interacts with people in the industry.

"Why are you back so late?"

Jeffrey once said it would be a very relaxed job.

"It's around this time. Danny is going to Paris soon, and he needs to get the film crew set up and everything in order before he leaves, so this is what happened. But it's good, I feel like I've learned a lot during this time."

"What did you learn?"

Zhou Wenqiong tilted her head and thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I've learned how to deal with Americans."

"Tell me about it?"

Gong Xue pulled Zhou Wenqiong to sit down and poured her a glass of beer.

"We have wine, why did you ask your brother-in-law to buy it?"

"I don't like the taste of beer, but the Chinese supermarket downstairs just got a batch of Shaoxing wine, and I want to drink that."

"Hoho, your brother-in-law is so good to you."

Zhou Wenqiong looked envious.

"So? Have you found someone you like yet?"

"No way... I don't like any of the people in the crew."

But honestly, Jeffrey doesn't seem like a nineteen-year-old at all; even the most seasoned veterans are completely subservient to him.

"Vivian, have you noticed that you've been mentioning Jeffrey more and more lately?"

"Is there?"

Zhou Wenqiong thought about it and realized that it was indeed true.

"What a pity, you were born when I was already old..."

She used hand gestures to sing a section of Suzhou Pingtan (a type of storytelling and ballad singing).

After coming to the United States, I became much more open about relationships, no longer hiding from others.

Often, she can talk about her marriage in a joking manner without being too shy.

"Yo yo yo!"

Gong Xue couldn't help but laugh.

"But that kid is really outstanding. Jessica and I have been helping him with the trust fund process these past few days."

You know, Jessica's law firm is ABC's client firm, and I heard his book, *Buffett*, is already going through the process with ABC. $150,000…tsk tsk tsk, this guy's money-making skills are really something.”

"What skills do you have for making money?"

Zhang Xun carried a net bag full of Shaoxing wine into the house.

Alice was already asleep, so there was nothing to worry about.

He took out the prepared ice pot, poured Shaoxing wine into it, and then put it into the ice pot to chill.

Gong Xue then found three bayberries and put them into the wine pot to enhance the flavor of the Shaoxing wine.

"Xiao Xu is Vivian's boss."

That kid made $400,000 in less than two months, from July until now.

"That amazing?"

"That's right!" Gong Xue picked up a piece of smoked fish, elegantly tore off a piece of fish meat, and placed it on the plate in front of Zhang Xun.

Zhang Xun opened a bottle of beer, clinked glasses with Zhou Wenqiong, and then took a big gulp.

"That's really impressive. He's only nineteen, I think."

"Yes."

Zhou Wenqiong didn't stand on ceremony; she picked up a fried peanut with her slender fingers and popped it into her mouth.

"During today's meeting, Leslie Rollins, the set designer on our set, was picking a fight and left us speechless... I've realized that his personality is actually quite suitable for this place. If we were back home..."

Zhou Wenqiong shook her head and laughed, "He said that China has been bureaucratic for two thousand years, and some outdated customs and habits cannot be changed overnight."

in the country, even if Stephen Hawking were to visit, he would have to drink three cups of wine as a form of self-punishment.

Gong Xue asked in confusion, "Who is Stephen Hawking?"

Zhang Xun burst out laughing.

"This kid has a really sharp tongue."

Stephen Hawking was a physicist, but he suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and now only his fingers can move. He created the theories of black hole radiation and time machines… and, well, he even knew Hawking.

"His knowledge is quite diverse."

One minute it's Buddhism, the next it's Catholicism, then Taoism, and it knows a lot about physics, astronomy, and all sorts of other things.

"That's truly a talented individual!"

At this time, Gong Xue's Shaoxing wine was also chilled.

She poured herself a drink and listened to Zhang Xun and Zhou Wenqiong chatting with great interest.

Zhang Xun suddenly seemed to remember something, got up and went into the study, and came out a moment later with a note.

"Vivian, your cousin called this afternoon and asked you to contact her when you have time."

"what?"

Zhou Wenqiong frowned and took the note.

She glanced at the number on it, and her expression changed slightly.

"What's wrong?"

"I reckon my cousin and her family have probably had a falling out!"

As Zhou Wenqiong spoke, she sighed softly, rubbing her forehead.

……

Saturday is a holiday.

The film crew is taking a break.

But Xu Shengjie still got up very early and drove to Vanessa's studio.

However, instead of going to his rented room, he opened the door to Vanessa's Studio and walked directly into the recording booth.

He needs to solve the problem of the background music.

There's no way around it, the budget is tight.

Finding a composer will be another major expense.

Even in 94, when things weren't as exaggerated as they are now, even hiring a second- or third-rate composer would cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Wouldn't it be better to use that money for filming?

Besides, Xu Shengjie also knows a bit about music, and he has information about the original soundtrack of "Run Lola Run" in his mind.

All he needed to do was organize this information and replicate it using his limited knowledge of music theory.

Of course, it's not easy.

Even if he could hum the key pieces of music, it would still take some effort to recreate them.

He had already spoken to Vanessa yesterday, asking to borrow her recording studio.

He sat in the room, humming the melody from memory while making notes on the sheet music.

The core of the soundtrack for Run Lola Run is the melody of Lola running across three different time periods.

The melody will be different in each timeline, so in the original soundtrack of the original timeline, there are three main melodies called running one, running two, and running three. These three melodies are also distinguished by a remix.

Xu Shengjie decided to create the basic melody first, and then find someone to adjust and modify it.

This would significantly reduce the cost; I estimate it would only cost around $50,000, saving a considerable amount of money…

Providing some benefits to the crew members might boost morale.

After all, this show... is a bit of a waste of time!

"Jeffrey, I've come to see you!"

Just as Xu Shengjie was humming and writing, occasionally frowning in deep thought, a beautiful figure ran in from outside.

"Tina?"

Xu Shengjie recognized the person who came and was somewhat surprised.

Christina Aguilera.

The last time Xu Shengjie saw her was in Manken's recording studio.

He then spoke with Manken by phone a few times, but did not go there again.

So, all things considered, it's been over a month since he and Christina last saw each other...

However, this little girl seems to be quite outgoing.

Xu Shengjie put down his guitar, stood up and was about to speak when a petite yet voluptuous figure suddenly blocked his way.

"Hey, are you Tina's boyfriend?"

"Brit!"

Christina blushed instantly, like a kitten whose fur had been ruffled, and said, "Don't talk nonsense, Jeffrey is my friend."

Xu Shengjie then realized that standing between him and Christina was a sweet-looking blonde girl.

"But you told me your boyfriend is of Chinese descent."

However, he is indeed very handsome, even more handsome than Justin. But Justin is still young; when he reaches his age, he will definitely be more handsome than him.

Xu Shengjie was a little confused.

Christina blushed and pulled the girl aside.

"She's my good friend, a good friend I met at the Mickey Mouse Club. Her name is Britney, Britney Spears, but you can also call her bit-bit, or Brit... or just Bubu, that's fine too."

"Tina, you traitor!"

The girl suddenly became angry!

……