Chapter Twenty-Seven: I Love You, Dearest Mother

At this point in the film, tears streamed down the faces of everyone in the screening room, yet the story dug ever deeper. News arrived, and Zhang Shangwu was engulfed by overwhelming grief. But now, he had to face the most terrifying fourth surge of the flood.

“Company Commander Zhang Shangwu! The position you’re holding isn’t the most dangerous one. Do you know why I didn’t send you to the most critical spot? It’s not because you’re my son, but because I don’t trust you! I can’t entrust the most vital position to someone who was absent from his post at a crucial moment! That would be grossly irresponsible to the nation and the people! I don’t have heavy machinery, nor do I have additional troops to reinforce you! If you can’t even hold this line, then don’t bother coming back to see me!”

That was the reply Zhang Shangwu received when he requested machinery and more men from his superiors. His only response was, “I will complete the mission, no matter what!”

“Comrades! If the dike stands, we live! If the dike falls, we die! We must not take a single step back!”

Zhang Shangwu and his company began another round of sandbagging, determined to raise the dike ever higher. But just at that moment—

A thunderous roar shook the earth—the dike had burst!

With both the dike and the water at such great heights, only extraordinary measures could stop the flood. With a loud splash, a military truck was pushed into the breach, but it wasn’t enough!

“Comrades! Can we let this flood wash over us? Can we let the people behind us suffer? Comrades! Liu Xiangqun has sacrificed himself! What do we lack compared to him?!”

“Nothing!”

“Even if it means dying, we’ll block this flood!”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Zhang Shangwu threw himself into the raging torrent, clutching the few remaining wooden stakes with all his might.

“Ah! Ah!…” The soldiers began leaping into the water, one after another, fearless, determined to use their own bodies to plug the breach.

Just then, the background music swelled.

“I love you, China! My beloved mother! I weep for you, and I am proud of you!…”

It was Wang Feng’s song, performed by him—yet now, this song had been specially gifted for the film by Wu Xiang. It was a clever touch, but Wu Xiang felt this song was simply perfect for this moment, beyond compare.

“I love, I love you, China!…” Wang Feng’s hoarse voice shook the entire hall.

“I love you, China, my beloved mother! I weep for you, and I am proud of you!…” The entire audience joined in chorus.

On the screen, the human dam grew taller and tighter, the floodwaters gradually subsiding.

“Incredible!…”

“Long live! Long live our country! Long live the People’s Liberation Army!…”

Many students shouted out, tears streaming down their faces. The soldiers who had taken part in the film were weeping as well.

Huang Yi was crying again. Though she had seen the film before, the music now made its emotional impact even more powerful.

Wu Xiang had achieved exactly the effect he wanted—not just the audience, but he himself was moved to tears. He had wanted to drop a tearjerker, a mighty tearjerker, and everyone in the theater had been struck by it!

Still, the light flickered on the screen. The flood was held back, the dawn slowly rose, its reflection on the water as red as fresh blood. At that moment, a child and his father approached the dike. The boy pointed at the soldiers and asked,

“Dad, can people really stop a flood?”

His father lifted him in his arms and replied, “They’re telling you, yes, they can!”

Thunderous applause erupted.

“Amazing! Amazing!”

“This is the best film I’ve ever seen!”

“Those people are so admirable, it’s incredible!” …

The film ended and only the credits rolled, but now the full version of “I Love You, China” began to play. Wang Feng’s voice, rich and magnetic, was utterly moving.

It was time to go. Wu Xiang and his Studio 307, along with the entire creative team, stepped onto the stage to receive the audience’s enthusiastic applause.

“Thank you, thank you all!” Wu Xiang had prepared many words, but standing there, he found himself speechless. In the end, he could only bow deeply, feeling his eyes well with warmth.

Applause thundered through the hall.

Next, it was Colonel Huang’s turn to speak. He was far more experienced on stage than Wu Xiang.

“When I first received the script for this film, I knew it would be a good one. Although there are still some areas that could be better given the limitations, it’s already a tremendous success. I’m honored to have contributed to such a project. Thank you all very much.”

Then, everyone took turns sharing their thoughts. Director Zhai bluntly admitted he’d seen many new things in this production, which would benefit his future work. The atmosphere in the screening room was electric.

“Teacher, this is truly a remarkable film.” Han Sanping, in the audience, was deeply shaken by what he’d just seen.

“Hahaha, I may be old, but I still have a good eye. It’s up to you now to decide what to do with this film, hahaha.” The veteran teacher was overjoyed, though his eyes shone with tears.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll go find Colonel Huang right away.” Han Sanping was ready to act.

But the old teacher quickly stopped him, asking, “Who are you going to find?”

“Colonel Huang, right? Isn’t he the producer?” As an industry insider, Han Sanping naturally knew who could make decisions on a film.

“Hahaha, you still don’t know? This film was made by that young man. Colonel Huang may be a producer, but he mostly just lent a hand. Don’t get your wires crossed.” The teacher laughed heartily.

“What?!” Han Sanping was stunned. That director, though young, must be some genius from the Film Academy—yet he’d never imagined this young man was not just a talent, but someone who could invest in a film like this at only twenty-something.

How could that be? Where had the funding come from?

“Could he be the son of some powerful figure?” Han Sanping thought that must be the answer.

He decided to put the question aside for now. Meanwhile, Huang Sanshi quietly approached the old teacher and said, “Teacher Han, do you think we should…”

The teacher chuckled and replied, “I can’t make this decision alone. Ask Old Zheng what he thinks.”

Huang Sanshi smiled, “Teacher Han, Mr. Zheng sent me to ask you. He left already, said he was so moved he might cry.”

“Hahaha, well then, if everyone agrees, you just need to find out if the young man is willing. What if he declines?” The teacher laughed so hard his stomach hurt.

“How could he turn down such an opportunity? Just wait and see.”

At this moment, Wu Xiang remained unaware that he’d already become the object of others’ plans. Overall, the little premiere could be called an immense success.

“Kun, you know there was a scene where you acted all sissy—I didn’t say anything, just to save your face.”

“I’ll smack you, I swear!”

The members of Studio 307 were already fooling around when Han Sanping walked over.

“Excuse me, are you Director Wu Xiang?” Han Sanping was quite polite.

“That’s me. And you are…?” Wu Xiang was a bit confused.

The two men were amusing: in fact, they both knew who the other was, but each pretended not to.

“I’m Han Sanping. Here’s my card.” Han Sanping, a giant of the film industry, actually offered his business card with both hands!

Seeing the respect in Han’s gesture, Wu Xiang couldn’t help but marvel—what an honor!