Chapter 00146: Ready to Go
# Ready to Go
Chapter 146
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 146: Ready to Go
"It's a long story, but it's all thanks to a young comrade named Chen Qi, the screenwriter of *Love on Lushan Mountain*."
"Ah, *Love on Lushan Mountain* was well-made!"
Liao Gong, who was in charge of overseas Chinese affairs, smiled and said, "I watched it once myself and then organized a group viewing. The theme of overseas Chinese returning to contribute to the motherland was very well portrayed. Please, continue!"
Wang Yang didn’t take credit for himself and explained the situation honestly.
Liao Gong listened with great interest, occasionally asking a few questions.
"It seems your studio has produced an extraordinary young talent! This is a good sign. In this new era with new challenges, we need more young people like him to step forward... So, what brings you here today?"
"We want to introduce *Tai Chi* and invite the main creators to Hong Kong for the premiere. We hope you can approve a few more spots for us. We also want to organize some events—more people means more excitement."
"When is the premiere?"
"Around the Spring Festival."
"That’s a great time! With the quality of this film, it might just turn things around for you and help you regain momentum..."
Liao Gong paced around the room for a while before decisively saying, "Since you’re going to do it, let’s make it grand. Submit the list of names, no more than ten people. Consider it a cultural exchange between the two regions. You’ve got me excited too. I wish you great success!"
"Thank you for your support!"
Wang Yang and Fu Qi were overjoyed.
They had come specifically to ask for more spots, as too few people would make the event seem lackluster.
Just as they were about to leave, Liao Gong waved his hand and said, "Wait, wait, leave the tape here. I’ll watch it again when I have time."
After they left, Liao Gong returned to his office.
He seemed to hesitate for a moment, then suddenly ordered, "Bring me a basin of water!"
His subordinates thought he wanted to wash his face, so they brought him hot water.
Liao Gong tested the temperature, found it a bit too hot, and mixed it with cold water to make it warm.
He then shooed everyone out of the room and, like countless young boys, began to stir the water...
He was a martial arts enthusiast himself, having learned martial arts from Sun Yat-sen’s bodyguard, Ma Xiang.
He had a soft spot for martial arts films, but domestic productions were disappointing, so he often turned to Hong Kong films.
His favorite was Bruce Lee’s *Fist of Fury*.
There were many high-ranking leaders like him—veterans who had seen battle and were skilled in martial arts.
"Oh, this idea is quite unique!"
After stirring the water for a while, Liao Gong felt satisfied.
He picked up the phone and called Zhao Yimin—a fellow revolutionary, martial artist, and someone whose position was too sensitive to mention.
"Old Zhao, come over and watch a movie with me when you have time... It’s fantastic, absolutely fantastic!"
"If it weren’t for Xu Shifu being in Nanjing, I’d have invited him too... Haha, alright, it’s a deal!"
He knew that no one had seen *Tai Chi* yet and was eager to invite his old comrades to enjoy it together.
He even considered sending it to the higher-ups but thought better of it, deciding to wait until Wang Yang and the others achieved some success.
…………
China Film Corporation had no involvement in *Tai Chi*'s activities in Hong Kong—it was beyond their jurisdiction.
By the time they reached Berlin, Fang Yurong would join them, but her focus would be on *The Return of Swallows*, leaving little attention for *Tai Chi*.
This was exactly what Chen Qi wanted—otherwise, how could he act first and report later?
The list of ten people going to Hong Kong was finalized: Li Wenhua, Chen Qi, Gong Xue, Li Lianjie, Wang Qun, Yu Hai, Yu Chenghui, Ge Chunyan, Ji Chunhua, and Xiong Xinxin.
These people gradually arrived from Zhejiang and stayed at the Beijing Film Studio’s guesthouse.
Li Lianjie, thinking he understood Chen Qi’s intentions, actively sought to join the studio, frequently showing up in front of Li Wenhua.
Traveling abroad was extremely complicated at the time, requiring various checks and procedures.
For the next month, everyone waited, even with Liao Gong’s special approval.
Room 302.
The heating was excellent.
As usual, Chen Qi took off his shoes and warmed his feet while flipping through a copy of *China Youth Daily*.
There was a news item: "Shanghai Television Station has launched an innovative initiative, openly soliciting opinions from local residents to organize the *1981 Spring Festival TV Variety Show*... Residents can request programs via phone or mail, and Shanghai TV will record a special show to air on New Year’s Eve..."
"If it weren’t for me, my sister Gong Xue would probably be appearing on this show, performing a duet with Zhang Yu."
"Isn’t this the precursor to the Spring Festival Gala?"
"Shanghai is truly ahead of its time."
Chen Qi muttered to himself.
CCTV would hold its first official Spring Festival Gala in 1983, but before that, it was just a simple tea party.
He remembered that the hosts of the 1983 Gala were Ma Ji, Jiang Kun, Wang Jingyu, and Liu Xiaoqing.
The first two were comedians with great stage presence, Wang Jingyu was a theater actor, and Liu Xiaoqing was already a star.
"This is what I call effective planning. Forget *Judge Bao*—getting on the Spring Festival Gala is the real deal."
"Launch two more films—one for box office success, one for awards. Preferably, win an award overseas. Then my golden touch in promoting talent will be complete. By then, actresses will be flocking to me, and those young girls will have grown up..."
Chen Qi was always thinking several steps ahead, planning everything down to the last detail.
"Knock, knock!"
At that moment, Ji Chunhua pushed the door open and said, "Brother Qi, Sister Xue is looking for you!"
"Oh!"
He got up and went downstairs.
Gong Xue was waiting below, bundled up in a thick coat, wearing a woolen hat, scarf, and gloves, completely wrapped up.
Although she could have come up to his room during the day, she never did, always sending someone to call him instead.
"It’s so cold out here. What’s the matter?"
"..."
She seemed a bit shy and gestured toward the usual path they took for their walks.
Chen Qi, puzzled, followed her.
There was no one around.
Gong Xue bit her lip and said, "The costumes have arrived. I tried mine on, and it looks quite nice... I wanted to show you."
"Huh?"
Before Chen Qi could react, she unbuttoned her coat, revealing a black high-necked dress.
The style was still conservative, covering her arms and legs, elegant and dignified.
But she was still wearing her winter boots, which made the whole look both beautiful and a bit comical.
He couldn’t help but laugh.
"Does it not look good?" she asked anxiously.
"No, no, it looks great! It’s just the shoes—they don’t match. A pair of high heels would make it even better!"
"I thought so too. I should wear high heels."
"Alright, alright, button up now. It’s freezing out here..."
Chen Qi helped her adjust her coat, noticing how she was shivering.
He sighed, "You’re such a silly girl. You could’ve just waited until we got to Hong Kong to show me."
"It’s not the same. Okay, I’m heading back now!"
Gong Xue wrapped herself back up in her coat, returning to her previous bundled-up appearance.
She waved and then ran back upstairs.
"Ah, what a wonderful big sister!"
Chen Qi sighed and went back upstairs, only to find a group of people making a fuss.
Ji Chunhua was among them, saying, "Brother Qi, our costumes have arrived!"
"Oh, go ahead and try them on!"
"Aren’t you going to try yours?"
"I, uh, prepared my own!"
"Ugh!"
Everyone turned to look at him with disdain.
Going abroad for an exchange was considered an official diplomatic activity, and there were dress codes.
Some outfits were provided, while others had to be prepared by the individuals themselves.
These people were all a bit rustic, with no decent clothes to speak of.
Fortunately, Great Wall Studio had recently made some money and was generous enough to cover the costs for everyone.
Chen Qi had declined the offer, choosing to buy his own clothes.
He was quite excited—finally, he’d get to dress up properly for once.
(End of chapter...
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(Chapter complete)