Chapter 60

California, with its typical Mediterranean climate, is usually dry and receives little rain, with warm winters and cool summers. Despite the scorching sun in summer, it quickly becomes cool once you step into the shade. Conversely, in winter, although the lowest temperature can reach 4 degrees Celsius, walking in the sun feels warm.

Compared to the subtropical north and tropical south of Taiwan, which are humid and rainy, California is much better, which is why many Taiwanese immigrants choose to live there.

The only problem is probably the earthquakes. Being on the Cascadia subduction zone, there are not many high-rise buildings, and it can shake slightly at any time. Japanese immigrants might adapt quickly, but other immigrants find it hard to feel at ease when experiencing frequent minor tremors.

"This is your temporary residence for now. As you may already know, I just had my coming-of-age ceremony at the end of May and the villa I bought is under renovation. It might take some time before it can be used," Li Xu said, raising his coffee cup while sitting at a small table in the garden.

This was another villa owned by his father in the Bay Area, about 16,000 square feet, or around 1,500 square meters in metric, currently unoccupied, and Li Xu had arranged for Lin Fengjiao and Lin Qingxia to stay here.

"If you need anything, just let Thomas know. I've instructed him to meet all your requirements," Li Xu then pointed to the butler directing the servants inside, whose forehead was still shiny despite being bald.

"Um." Lin Fengjiao and Lin Qingxia exchanged a glance and responded in unison.

They couldn't resist in Taiwan, and after the experience in Japan and coming to America, they had even less ability to resist. Especially Lin Qingxia, who, after days of resentment, finally adjusted. Even if she still couldn't accept it in her heart, she could suppress it and not show it on her face.

"Brigitte, I know your sister is also in San Francisco. If you want, you can go see her, or even stay at her place for a few days," Li Xu added, "Of course, you need to let me know in advance. If you can't reach me, tell Fengjiao. But you must set a time and return on time, understood?"

Lin Qingxia pursed her lips and finally nodded.

"Very good. If you plan to go soon, remember to tell your brother-in-law. He will be promoted to assistant in the sales department in two weeks," Li Xu said casually.

Lin Qingxia's eyes widened, and she almost put her cup in the wrong place. Even if she had retreated into her shell, she knew what this meant.

Li Xu still had that indifferent look, turning to Lin Fengjiao, "Let's talk about your future, Fengjiao. You currently have no film commitments. Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"

"What to do?" Lin Fengjiao, stirring her coffee with a spoon, looked somewhat lost.

Since she entered the entertainment industry at 18 with "The Angry Man of Chaozhou," she has been acting for nearly ten years, with over sixty films, averaging at least six films per year.

Lin Qingxia was slightly behind, with over fifty films, averaging at least five films per year, as she started two years later than Lin Fengjiao.

In other words, they basically dominated the literary romance films of Taiwan in the 1970s, earning them the nickname "Two Lins."

From another perspective, during these ten years, apart from eating, sleeping, and taking breaks, they were either filming or promoting movies. So... they really didn't know how to do anything else.

Oh, Lin Fengjiao might know a bit of dance, having been a dancer, but it was of little help. If she didn't act, if she did something else, she really didn't know what to do.

"People always need to do something to make life more meaningful. Even if you want to be a canary, you still need to pass the time," Li Xu said with a smile, but his words were somewhat harsh.

Lin Fengjiao's face turned slightly red, "I don't know..."

"Alright, do you want to hear my arrangements?" Li Xu asked immediately and continued without waiting for a response, "First, as I said in Japan, I will find you language teachers for English, Japanese, and Cantonese. These three languages are essential. The latter two can be more relaxed, as long as you can communicate smoothly, but the former must be able to read a passage from Shakespeare with emotion."

He paused, looked at Lin Fengjiao, and then at Lin Qingxia, continuing, "After you pass the basic English communication test, I will arrange for you to attend some reputable but basic acting classes to receive systematic training. You can also try to organize the acting techniques you've learned over the past ten years."

He paused again, seeing that they didn't interrupt, and shrugged, "After your studies meet the experts' requirements, I will send you to USC for further education, but not in acting. Instead, you will learn how to be a film producer."

"Producer?" Lin Fengjiao finally spoke, with a hint of surprise.

"Yes," Li Xu nodded, "To be honest, over the past ten years, although you have dozens of works, the ones that leave a deep impression or that the audience can remember are probably just the mute girl in 'A Small Town Story.'"

"There's also 'A Boat in the Ocean'..." Lin Fengjiao couldn't help but mutter.

"The standout in that film was Qin Han, not you," Li Xu commented, and Lin Qingxia, hearing the familiar name, involuntarily shuddered.

"I want you to study acting, organize your acting techniques and methods, so that you can create one or two classic roles in the future," Li Xu said without looking at her, "I want you to learn to be a producer so that you can supervise when I invest in films in Hong Kong."

"You're going to invest in films in Hong Kong?" Lin Fengjiao's eyes widened.

"Yes, I really like movies," Li Xu smiled, "I remember telling you and Brigitte that I invested in 'Star Wars.' Besides, if I wasn't interested in movies, how would I have recognized you immediately?"

"But..." Lin Fengjiao found it hard to believe.

"Hong Kong has good movies too. I have studied Chinese culture and am very curious about Chinese-language films," Li Xu raised his hands and pointed to Lin Qingxia, "To be honest, Fengjiao, as an actress, you are actually not as good as Brigitte."

Although Lin Fengjiao was rather indifferent and not very ambitious, she still cared about her achievements, which is why she had interjected earlier.

Now, being told this by Li Xu, she was definitely不服气 (unconvinced), having won the Golden Horse Award for Best Actress.

"Why?" Lin Fengjiao finally asked, considering Lin Qingxia's feelings.

"Simple, the literary romance films in Taiwan have hit a dead end. From the information I've gathered, Qiong Yao's Giant Star Company will likely close soon," Li Xu said confidently, "So, if you want to continue acting, you need to find a way to transition, but that's not easy, especially for you..."

He reached out and brushed the hair from her ear, his fingers sliding down her delicate cheek, making Lin Fengjiao tense up and look at him nervously.

"You look too delicate, Fengjiao, too much like the heroine of a literary romance film," Li Xu said, hooking her chin and examining her, then looking at Lin Qingxia.

Lin Qingxia also tensed up, but when Li Xu's hand moved over, she only slightly leaned back, her chin still being held.

"Brigitte has a similar aura, but with a bit of makeup to highlight her spirit, she can give a different impression. With a good script and role, and some guidance from a good director, she can shed the aura of a literary romance film heroine," Li Xu said, "But for Fengjiao, it would take more than just a good script and role."

Lin Fengjiao frowned, clearly not entirely convinced, while Lin Qingxia suddenly burst out, "Why do you always call me by my English name? Is my Chinese name that ugly?!"

Her words stunned not only her but also Lin Fengjiao. Lin Qingxia, who had been silently resisting from Taiwan to Japan to San Francisco, actually said this, sounding angry but actually pouting, which was quite shocking.

But Li Xu just smiled lightly, "Alright, Qingxia—anyway, my point is, Fengjiao can transition to behind the scenes but not completely give up acting. When there's a good role, an interesting role, she can try it. Otherwise, she can work as a producer and take breaks when needed."

He raised his hands again, somewhat exaggeratedly, "To be honest, I still can't believe that you two managed to make over 100 films in ten years. In Hollywood, even for low-budget romance films, a properly registered film company needs at least a month for shooting, and even longer with post-production. I can't imagine how you managed to make five or six films a year."

He paused and sighed lightly, "But I know it must have been exhausting, and you probably didn't enjoy the process of making movies. So, I hope you can take it easier."

"Like Li Jun?" Lin Fengjiao blurted out.

"Yes, like Teresa," Li Xu nodded, "Teresa needs to rebuild her popularity and help the government with some publicity, so she has non-stop concerts and is preparing a new album. After this period, once she stabilizes, she can take a more relaxed approach to music."

Lin Fengjiao pursed her lips, and Lin Qingxia seemed to want to say something but didn't.

"Alright," Li Xu stopped the topic, "This isn't urgent. You can take your time to consider it, but language learning should start soon. Don't worry, they have taught Teresa and are very experienced."