Chapter 23: The Boy Guided by Si, Qin Feng’s Vehicle

Chapter 23: Spielberg’s Youth and Qin Feng’s New Ride

The atmosphere on set was electric. Amidst the cheers, everyone enjoyed cake and champagne, capping off the day with a group photo. The wrap ceremony was simple; many actors had already finished their parts back in Hawaii, so not everyone was present. Spielberg hugged several actors warmly, bidding them a temporary farewell.

"Fantastic! I love you all!"

"Director, we love you too! Thank you for all your hard work!"

Sam Neill and others boarded the shuttle to Los Angeles to head home. By the next day, the crew had begun returning to the corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, leaving only the set design and service teams behind to handle the final cleanup.

Qin Feng rode in Spielberg’s private car. The director was in high spirits, chatting away with Qin Feng.

"Time flies so fast. I didn't expect the actors to have finished their parts already."

"Indeed, Director. We are actually ahead of schedule."

"Ha, it went smoother than I imagined. It goes to show that sci-fi films must embrace an industrial approach. We have taken the most important step." Spielberg leaned back, then added, "Qin Feng, you know?"

"When I was a boy in school, I was often bullied, but I didn't let it break me. I loved film and fantasized countless times about capturing those dreamlike images on screen. When I was twelve, I shot a short film about World War II, *The Last Gunfight*, and made other amateur shorts after that."

Qin Feng listened with intense focus, like a student attending a lecture. Spielberg looked out the window, a faint smile on his lips and his voice softening as memories flooded back.

"In high school, with my father’s help and his old camera, I made my first independent film, *Firelight*. It was my first sci-fi adventure. It only played in our local theater for one night—just one night."

Qin Feng felt a jolt in his heart. Hearing the director’s past was truly moving. A student, deeply in love with filmmaking, creating his vision only to have it play for a single night in his hometown—how that era had nurtured such a great director!

"Qin Feng... ever since I was twelve, I’ve experienced so many years of failure, starting over, and countless experiments. I’ve always been exploring, never slacking." Spielberg turned to look into Qin Feng’s eyes. "So, to us directors... what is film, exactly?"

Qin Feng took a deep breath, meeting his gaze. Spielberg’s hair and beard were white. For a moment, he felt like he was looking at a wise teacher.

"It is a dream, it is life, and it is something we must complete," Qin Feng replied.

Spielberg nodded with a smile. "Excellent! A very apt summary. I hope you will always hold onto these feelings when you approach your films."

"I will, sir."

...

At the Universal Pictures headquarters, producer Kathleen Kennedy was delighted. The preparation and filming had taken two months less than anticipated. Now, the focus shifted to post-production, putting the pressure on Industrial Light & Magic and two other firms. Spielberg had been overseeing the post-production process from the very beginning, and the filmed footage had already been dispatched.

Before leaving for the day, Spielberg stopped Qin Feng. "Qin, you’ve worked hard these days. Take tomorrow off. The day after, go with Dr. Jack Horner to ILM to check on the dinosaur effects. Reach out to me if there are any issues. I’ll be focused on the other two companies, plus the color grading and sound design."

"Understood, Director."

...

Back at his apartment, Qin Feng realized he had a problem. With the $150,000 in royalties he had already received, his daily expenses were covered, but he lacked a way to get around. Public transportation in the U.S. wasn't well-developed, and a car was essential. Since he already had his driver's license, he decided it was time to buy one.

He turned on his desk lamp, opened his computer, and began researching. While many in the U.S. drove Japanese cars, he decided to stick with an American brand. After some searching, he found a Ford Mustang that looked great in both style and performance. It should cost around $100,000. He located a nearby Ford dealership and planned to visit the next morning.

The following day, bag in hand and documents ready, Qin Feng arrived at the dealership. It was a weekday, so it wasn't crowded. A beautiful salesperson immediately approached him.

"Sir, are you here to look at cars?"

"Yes."

She caught sight of the handsome, long-haired young man in his twenties with the charm of an Easterner. She couldn't help but smile captivatingly. "Of course. Is there a specific model you're interested in? Would you like me to show you around?"

"I'd like to see the Ford Mustang," Qin Feng said.

"Certainly. It's over there. Please, follow me."

They walked to the back of the showroom. Qin Feng was immediately drawn to a cool blue sports car—a two-door coupe with a bold front end and a sleek, aerodynamic body. He liked the logo, too: a galloping horse, which felt perfectly suited to his current state of mind.

"You have a great eye, sir! As a sports car, the Mustang offers incredible value," she said. "This is our latest automatic model. It features a panoramic sunroof and utilizes Ford’s newest racing technology, delivering 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque."

Qin Feng, whose mind was usually occupied by film, didn't know much about cars, but he liked what he saw. He opened the door and sat in the driver's seat; the interior had a great texture, and the steering wheel featured the same galloping horse logo. Although it was a four-seater, it was best for two, perfect for a drive. He thought about taking Scarlett for a spin and couldn't help but smile.

"Do you have this blue model in stock?"

"We do. If you like it, you can take it home today."

He stepped out and walked around the car once more. "It's great. What’s the price?"

"For this high-spec model you're looking at, it comes to just over $100,000."

Qin Feng nodded. It was about what he expected. It would take two-thirds of his current savings, but money could be earned again, and it wasn't every day he found a car he truly loved.

"Alright, I'll take it. I want the blue one."

"Excellent, sir. Please have a seat." The salesperson beamed and hurried off to handle the paperwork.

Qin Feng stood in the lounge area, but instead of sitting, he circled the Mustang, admiring it more with every glance. Just then, someone walked through the main entrance, heading toward the lounge.

"Wow, that's a nice car!" the person exclaimed.

"It is," Qin Feng replied casually, glancing over. As he saw who it was, he froze.