Chapter 311 Maxim
The next day after receiving Arthur Miller's letter, Lin Weimin took the time to write him a letter back.
In addition to thanking Lao Mi for his efforts in the drama "The Intouchables", the letter also rejected Lao Mi again, saying that he did not have time to go to the United States, which disappointed Comrade Lao Mi who was waiting anxiously on the other side of the ocean.
After the letter was written, it was sent out. The next communication would probably be when the performance share would arrive, and Lin Weimin was looking forward to it.
I went to attend Wang Shuo’s wedding on the weekend.
Wang Shuo had not been doing well in the past year and did not have much money for his wedding.
The invitation was very formal, but the wedding was very simple, held in the courtyard of the bungalow they rented.
Lin Weimin gave away 200 yuan worth of foreign exchange coupons, which attracted the attention of the guests.
A group of young men from wealthy families came to the wedding. Lin Weimin didn't fit in with them and the only one he knew was Xie Jing.
After some conversation, I found out that this guy had been in jail for half a year and was just released in the spring. He was in a very depressed state.
"This can be considered a blessing in disguise. If we had been chosen a few months later, Shuozi and I would have been in trouble." Xie Jing said this with lingering fear.
The peak of its popularity has passed now, but its influence is still there, and a lot of bullets have been expended this year.
Xie Jing spoke a few words to Lin Weimin and took the initiative to introduce several people sitting at the same table to Lin Weimin.
When Lin Weimin sat down just now, he saw a familiar young man. Xie Jing pulled him aside and introduced him, "This is Zheng Xiaolong, who works in a TV studio. He is in the same industry as you, and is also an editor."
When Xie Jing was speaking, he specifically asked Zheng Xiaolong a question, and Zheng Xiaolong just nodded.
Zheng Xiaolong took the initiative to shake hands with Lin Weimin, "Teacher Lin, I have heard a lot about you!"
Lin Weimin smiled and said, "Yanjing Television Studio, you guys shot the movie Four Generations Under One Roof, right? It's pretty good."
Zheng Xiaolong just joined the TV drama production center in 1982 and is still a junior. When he heard Lin Weimin's praise, his face was a little excited, "Thank you for your encouragement."
The big names in the film and television industry in later generations are now a group of young people.
When seeing Zheng Xiaolong, Lin Weimin couldn't help but think of Feng Kuazi. He didn't know what this guy was doing now.
Lin Weimin became Wang Shuo's witness without knowing it, and Wang Shuo insisted on pulling him up to say a few words.
Most of these kids from the big courtyards have no future, and even those who do have a future are relying on connections to make a living.
As soon as Lin Weimin arrived, he became the most outstanding one among Wang Shuo's friends.
When the guests heard Wang Shuo introduce Lin Weimin's name, there was a burst of noise.
In the past two years, everyone in Yanjing City knows Lin Weimin's name.
This person was reported in the newspaper last month, saying that he donated 100,000 yuan to the Writers Association to set up a foundation.
The guests all stretched their necks forward, wanting to get a glimpse of this "rich thief Sun" as Wang Shuo called him.
"Wang Shuo had to pull me up here. Tell me, you are the groom today. If he pulls me up here, isn't that stealing your limelight?"
Lin Weimin turned around and teased the groom, causing laughter from the audience and Wang Shuo also showed a silly smile on his face.
"But now that you're here, you have to say a few words. What should you say?
Shuozi and I met at the skating rink. I was skating with my friends and ran into a scoundrel. From a distance, I saw a cool and unrestrained figure skating towards me. After he stopped, I realized that he was a fat man with a round face..."
There was another burst of laughter from below.
"...He is a person who is not very courageous, but he likes to meddle in other people's affairs. This kind of personality is not good, and it is easy to get yourself into trouble. But I like this kind of personality. There are people who will clear the uneven roads and take care of the unfair things. Only then can there be justice in this society.
Sorry for going off topic, let's get back to the point. Today is the wedding of Comrade Wang Shuo and Comrade Shen Xujia, and I am honored to be a guest. Of course, my attendance was not in vain, as I also contributed money..."
When Lin Weimin was speaking, there was constant laughter from the audience.
The best witness' speech was turned into a stand-up comedy by him.
"Okay, enough joking. I wish the two newlyweds a long and happy marriage and a son soon. Finally, as a friend, I'd like to give Shuozi a piece of advice.
You are a person who easily drifts away. But you should never forget the woman who has been with you through thick and thin. Don’t forget or break your promise to grow old together!”
After Lin Weimin finished speaking, everyone felt his heartfelt blessings to the newlyweds and clapped loudly.
After dinner, Lin Weimin left directly.
Wang Shuo got married recently and his back is not in good condition, so he probably can’t write any decent articles. Teacher Lin doesn’t plan to waste time on him.
A few days later, the writers' conference was about to begin and half of the editorial department was empty.
The afternoon before leaving, Tong Zhonggui seemed particularly excited.
Lin Weimin specifically talked to him and said to Tong Zhonggui earnestly, "The task of this writers' conference is now entrusted to you. Do you have the confidence to complete the task assigned to you by the organization with both quality and quantity?"
"Yes!" Tong Zhonggui answered loudly.
Teacher Lin nodded with satisfaction, saying that this student is teachable.
Young people need to shoulder more responsibilities so that they can grow faster.
Teacher Lin, you have good intentions!
The next day after the editorial team left, Teacher Lin ran to the train station and picked up his girlfriend.
Tao Huimin wore a red dress today, her skin was fair and graceful, and she looked gentle and charming.
The young couple gave each other a warm hug in public, attracting the attention of passers-by.
After a few words, Lin Weimin took Tao Huimin back to the Shichahai courtyard.
Tao Huimin came to the Shichahai courtyard again after half a year. She was looking at the plants and trees in the courtyard and sighing when she felt someone hugging her from behind.
"I haven't seen you for half a year. You've grown up!" Teacher Lin is always concerned about her health.
Tao Huimin looked shy and was about to speak when she felt her body suddenly lose balance.
The July rainstorm came very suddenly. The sky was clear just now, but now it is covered with dark clouds.
The wind blew the leaves, making a rustling sound and it was a little cool. The wind before the rain is always like this, not only cool but also a little strong, accidentally blowing open the corner of my skirt.
After a long while, raindrops fell, crackling on the tiles, walls, and glass, and finally slid to the ground, forming a wet area.
The rain in the capital is so heavy!
When it’s done, turn over and light a cigarette!
Teacher Lin performed the operation smoothly, holding his girlfriend in his arms and the two of them whispering to each other.
I rested in bed for more than an hour and looked at the time. It was already past four in the afternoon.
Teacher Lin picked up his girlfriend at ten o'clock in the morning and returned home at eleven o'clock. Before he knew it, time had passed so quickly!
It rained too heavily at noon and I didn't have time to eat. Now that I'm dressed, Teacher Lin is going to take his girlfriend out to eat something delicious and replenish their energy.
When Maxim's opened last September, Lin Weimin was thinking of taking Tao Huimin there for a meal.
The last time she came was winter. Lin Weimin had moved to Tuanjiehu Apartment and missed out on eating there. This time he made up for it.
I rode a motorcycle to No. 2 Chongwenmen West Street. Just by looking at the facade of Maxim's, I knew that this place was not cheap.
Going up the stairs, the maple leaf-shaped chandeliers and wall lamps in the restaurant emit a dim glow, reflecting the gilded vine patterns on the wall, which are decorative murals copied from the Louvre and the Forbidden City. Surrounded by countless crystal mirrors and colorful stained glass windows, this place is decorated as luxuriously as a palace.
Tao Huimin nervously held Lin Weimin's arm and said, "Weimin, it's expensive to eat here, right?"
Lin Weimin wanted to say that it was not expensive, but it seemed like he was pretending to be so.
Even though Maxim's has only been open for less than a year, it has already redefined "Western food" in the minds of Yanjing people.
A cup of coffee costs five dollars, and the average cost per person for a meal is one hundred and fifty dollars. This place even charges a service fee. It's such a corrupt capitalist habit.
Teacher Lin must be criticized today!
Since its opening in September last year, Maxim's business has been booming. A large proportion of the customers are foreign guests, while the number of Chinese people is relatively small.
When Lin Weimin entered the restaurant, he saw mostly foreigners. There were a few Chinese people, all dressed very formally. The men generally wore suits, while the women wore short tops and black miniskirts, looking particularly deliberate.
Tao Huimin's eyes were always a little nervous, and it was only after Lin Weimin said a few jokes to her that she gradually adapted to the environment here.
The table next to Lin Weimin was occupied by two Chinese women and one man, who were chatting casually. The man kept introducing Maxim to the two women.
The decoration was done by the Nihong Engineering Team. The decorations were all imported from France and Italy. The tableware was made of pure silver. The chefs and waiters were all sent to France for further studies.
The young man in a suit was talking about some plausible rumors with a certain smugness on his face, as if this matter had something to do with him.
Tao Huimin whispered to Lin Weimin: "Is what he said true or false?"
Lin Weimin nodded, "Really."
Maxim has been one of the hottest topics in Yanjing City in the second half of last year, and the decoration alone cost 3.5 million dollars.
Pierre Cardin invested so much money, of course, not only hoping to make a profit from the restaurant, but also to establish his own reputation in China.
With the fashion show at the Yanjing Hotel in 1981 and the opening of Maxim's Western Restaurant in 1983, Pierre Cardin became the most famous foreigner in China. With his fame, his business became much easier. Facts have proved that Pierre Cardin is indeed a marketing genius.
The waiter handed Lin Weimin and Tao Huimin a menu each. Tao Huimin glanced at the menu and asked, "Why don't I have any prices?"
Lin Weimin knew the foreigner's tone, and before he could say anything, the waiter spoke proudly, "Madam, this is the ladies' menu, which has no prices. The men's menu has prices, which are clearly marked, including the price of the dishes and the service charge."
Lin Weimin was annoyed and said jokingly, "'Women hold up half the sky', why do you change the rules in your Maxim's?"
After he said this, the waiter's face changed instantly.
It has only been a few years since the storm, and people's nerves have just relaxed. Any sensitive topic will cause some stress response.
Apparently, Lin Weimin's words irritated the waiter. He trembled with his lips and said nothing more.
Lin Weimin shook his head and said, "If you have nothing to do, just stop PUAing customers. I won't provoke you."
After ordering the dishes and waiting for them to be served, the sound of piano came from the small stage at the innermost part of the restaurant. Many diners looked in that direction, wondering when a pianist appeared there.
Such an atmosphere is too lethal to women. Tao Huimin looks very happy.
After the dishes were served, while the two were eating, there was a sudden noise at the restaurant door.
Night falls and the lights come on.
Maxim's was lively, and the commotion at the door quickly spread into the restaurant.
"It's Liu Xiaoqing!" Several Chinese diners in the restaurant were a little excited, even the waiters were a little excited.
While everyone was talking, a middle-aged woman with heavy makeup, long black hair and wearing an evening dress walked into the restaurant hugging Liu Xiaoqing.
Liu Xiaoqing was a real superstar in China in the early 1980s, the kind that attracted crowds wherever she went.
"Liu Xiaoqing!"
"Liu Xiaoqing!"
The two women at the table next to them were a little excited, but the man looked as if he was used to it. He then explained, "What's Liu Xiaoqing? Did you see that woman next to Liu Xiaoqing? She's the manager of this restaurant, Madam Song. Isn't she fashionable?"
The two women looked at Madam Song with envy, "She's so stylish! She's wearing such a beautiful outfit."
Lin Weimin looked at the Madam Song they were talking about. Well, a vulgar person like Teacher Lin who only looks at the face cannot appreciate this kind of beauty.
Maxim made a great name for himself in Yanjing in just one year, largely due to his marketing skills.
Liu Xiaoqing is coming today, so of course we have to make some noise, so Madam Song went out to greet her personally, and it seems that she will also accompany her for dinner and take care of her all the way.
Liu Xiaoqing was almost escorted into the restaurant. Halfway through, she saw Lin Weimin and was slightly surprised. She asked with surprise, "Teacher Lin, why are you here?"
Lin Weimin stood up and said politely, "My girlfriend and I are here for dinner."
While the two were talking, Madam Song beside Liu Xiaoqing looked at Lin Weimin curiously, "Xiaoqing, who is this..."
"This is Mr. Lin Weimin!"
When Madam Song heard the name, her eyes suddenly lit up, she smiled brightly and extended her hand to Lin Weimin.
(End of this chapter)
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