The Sea Queen of 1985

Chapter 488: Chapter 488: A Good Script

Staff members from the K-9 unit all flocked to see Lightning.

Lightning obediently accepted the treatment, seeming to have returned to a completely relaxed state.

A female handler was bawling. They all knew that police dogs could get injured on missions after leaving the K-9 unit, but it was usually broken bones. They had never seen anything like this, with half a dog’s head hacked off.

To save the little girl, Lightning had thrown himself into danger without a second thought.

The female handler’s sobs made everyone else feel sad as well.

Han Xiaorui comforted Zhou Min. ”I know everyone is upset, but what’s happened has happened, and we have to accept it. Even if it were to happen all over again, Lightning would still have saved that person without a moment’s hesitation.”

”Now that Lightning is back, we must give him the best treatment and focus on his recovery. If he’s able to return to the force, we’ll respect that. If not, he can retire here. He’s a hero and deserves to be treated well by us.”

The crowd deeply agreed. ”Chief Handler, we’ll remember your words.”

The staff at the K-9 unit gave Lightning meticulous care.

Zhang Yong didn’t return for the New Year. He spent a full half-month in Yun Province collecting all sorts of information.

Zhang Yong interviewed anyone who had ever interacted with Lightning, recording all their stories about the police dog.

Through these interviews, the image of Lightning in Zhang Yong’s mind became more three-dimensional, more interesting, and more vivid.

For example, he once stole his handler’s food, which had chili peppers in it. Although he didn’t swallow it and spat it right out, the spice still had him jumping around like crazy.

He once lost the trail of a drug dealer who jumped into a river and was so angry he ran in circles. When he got back, he hid away to sulk.

When an undercover officer was discovered, Lightning promptly got help and saved the officer.

While on patrol with an officer, he encountered a drowning child, grabbed a lifebuoy in his mouth, and dove fearlessly into the water.

...

While documenting Lightning’s deeds, Zhang Yong was often moved to tears.

In Zhang Yong’s heart, the police dog was a good cop.

Besides not being able to talk, he was just like a person—he understood everything!

After returning from Yun Province, Zhang Yong holed himself up for half a month and finally finished the script.

Learning that Han Xiaorui was at the K-9 unit, Zhang Yong rushed over.

Han Xiaorui was startled to see the scruffy, unshaven Zhang Yong. ”Zhang Yong, there’s no rush with the script. Don’t ruin your health over it.”

Zhang Yong rubbed his stubble and chuckled. ”I forgot to shave. I finished the script and couldn’t wait to hear your suggestions.”

Han Xiaorui put it in her bag. ”I’ll tell you what I think after I’ve read it.”

After all, it was dozens of pages long; she needed to take her time with it.

”Okay!” Zhang Yong agreed. ”By the way, can I go see Lightning? How is he doing?”

Han Xiaorui nodded. ”You can. His wound has healed, but half his head is gone. He’s undergoing physical therapy.”

Han Xiaorui took Zhang Yong to see Lightning.

At that moment, Lightning was training hard. Although his body was a little unsteady, he was trying to find a new sense of balance.

Even with only one eye, he could still see.

Even with only one ear, he could still hear.

Just like that, Lightning did his rehabilitation exercises again and again. Even when he was so tired his tongue was hanging out, he didn’t mind the exhaustion and kept persevering.

The handler, Zhou Min, was so heartbroken she started crying again.

She wanted to make Lightning stop, but he refused.

After watching the rehabilitation session, Zhang Yong immediately called a cameraman and told him to hurry over and film Lightning’s recovery training.

This was a testament to Lightning’s tenacious vitality; it could be used in the movie.

The colleagues at the K-9 unit were shocked to hear from Han Xiaorui that they were going to make a movie about Lightning.

They had heard before that Han Xiaorui invested in the movie *Anti-Japanese Treasure Hunter*. They all went to see it and thought it was excellent.

Not only did they see it, but they also took their kids to see it twice.

If Lightning’s story was made into a movie, they would definitely take their children to see it too.

Han Xiaorui stayed at the K-9 unit to coordinate with Zhang Yong’s filming and data collection. When she got off work, she went home.

Her older children weren’t home from school yet, and the little ones were still asleep, so Han Xiaorui focused on reading the script in the study.

She had to admit, Zhang Yong had poured his heart into it.

The script was delightful and witty, and the plot was arranged perfectly.

It had moments of joy and humor, as well as heroism and heart-wrenching emotion. It was a good script.

Han Xiaorui saw no need for changes; they could film it just as it was written.

Not only did Han Xiaorui read it, but she also gave the script to Ye Feng and Han Xiaoqing.

Ye Feng blinked, quite shocked. ”Is this the story of that police dog, Lightning, you were talking about?”

Han Xiaorui nodded. ”Yes. Zhang Yong spent half a month over there collecting information, then spent another half a month writing the script!”

”I think it’s very well written. What are your thoughts after reading it? Ye Feng, Xiaoqing, feel free to speak your minds!”

Ye Feng nodded. ”This Zhang Yong is a highly skilled scriptwriter. I don’t think this script needs any changes!”

Han Xiaoqing also nodded. ”The script is indeed very good, but I don’t think one movie can fully capture all of Lightning’s heroic deeds.”

”If it were up to me, I wouldn’t just make a movie; I’d make a TV series too. A series has more episodes, so you could structure the plot around individual cases. The pacing would be slower, but it would be more detailed, and I think it would also be very popular.”

Han Xiaorui’s eyes lit up when she heard this. ”That’s right! The police dogs here in Shencheng have solved so many cases! Do you remember that dismemberment case from before the New Year? With the help of a K-9, the police solved it in three days.”

Han Xiaoqing nodded repeatedly. ”Exactly! And that would be easy to film! You could give the dog a voice-over. The main characters would be a police officer and his dog, working together as partners. It would be very interesting.”

”And when the time comes to film, they’ll inevitably be able to film here in our Jinshan Bay, which would be another form of promotion! Of course, that’s just my suggestion!”

It was the spring of 1988, and the film and television industry was beginning to boom.

However, most productions were still state-run, with fewer private ones.

Ye Feng chimed in from the side, ”I think you should wait on a TV series. First, polishing the scripts would take time, and then there’s filming and everything else that needs to be prepared.”

”This isn’t like collaborating with a film studio on a movie, where you just have to provide the money. Not unless you can find a reliable team where you put up the cash and they do the work. But situations like that are rare. Don’t rush into it.”

Han Xiaorui took note. ”We’ll make the movie first. I won’t take any of the money this film earns. I’ll set up a foundation specifically for injured and retired police dogs.”

Han Xiaoqing gave her sister a thumbs-up. ”You’re amazing, sis!”

A faint smile touched Ye Feng’s eyes. His Xiao Rui always managed to spend her money on the most meaningful things.