Chapter 00018: The Eternal Maiden
# The Eternal Maiden
Chapter 18
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 18: The Eternal Maiden
"This cultivation technique of yours is quite something. At first, I was sweating and panting, but now I’m getting used to it. It really feels good," Chen Qi said with a smile.
The morning sun was bright, and Chen Qi and Liang Xiaosheng had just finished their secret practice session in the guesthouse room.
They felt refreshed as they headed downstairs.
Liang Xiaosheng was eleven years older than Chen Qi, but there was no generational gap between them.
Since Liang was unmarried and had nothing better to do, he often came over to hang out.
"The key is persistence. If you keep at it for a year or so, you’ll truly feel the benefits—loosened tendons, strengthened bones, and improved health," Chen Qi said cheerfully.
He had been staying at the guesthouse for a few days now, pretending to work hard on revising his manuscript while occasionally seeking advice from the teachers, playing the role of a diligent and humble young man.
Since the Beijing Film Studio had many film crews and single young people, the canteen provided three meals a day, which was quite a perk.
The two of them went to the canteen and lined up for food.
Chen Qi ordered three liang of buns and a bowl of fried liver, while Liang Xiaosheng hesitated and only asked for a single fried dough stick.
"Why so little?" Chen Qi asked.
"Not very hungry today. Just grabbing a bite," Liang replied.
Chen Qi glanced at him but didn’t say anything.
They found a seat, and Liang asked, "How’s the manuscript revision going? Any difficulties?"
"Not bad. I’m getting into the groove. The teachers are very patient. I’ll go ask for more advice later."
"You should look for Director Jiang. Teacher Shi isn’t here today."
"What happened to her?"
"It’s her son again…"
Liang paused, as if feeling it wasn’t right to gossip.
But Chen Qi wasn’t about to let it go.
"Everyone talks about others behind their backs. I’ll keep it confidential," he urged.
"Teacher Shi has a son who’s 22 and still unemployed. The old couple is worried sick."
"Is he a sent-down youth too?"
"Sort of. He went to Changping to work on a pig farm. I met him once—unremarkable, timid, and soft-spoken. After returning to the city, he tried to get into school but failed. Then he tried for a theater troupe, but no luck either. The old couple has been pulling strings everywhere. They’re out today trying to arrange something."
"Isn’t her husband Ge Cunzhuang? With his connections, can’t he find a job?"
"Connections mean nothing at the Beijing Film Studio. I’ve been here for a few years and seen it all. In Beijing, anyone with a name has sky-high connections. Take you, for example. Your parents have such good jobs. I can’t even begin to envy you."
Liang sighed with emotion.
Ge Cunzhuang was quite famous, but in the arts world, his credentials weren’t enough.
Take Chen Qiang, for instance, another Beijing Film Studio figure.
Chen Qiang was one of the "22 Great Film Stars of New China," a top-tier figure.
Chen Peisi, Chen Qiang’s son, also went to the countryside and was so starved he barely looked human.
When he wanted to return to the city, Chen Qiang had to swallow his pride and beg Tian Hua, who played Xi’er in The White-Haired Girl, while Chen Qiang played the villain Huang Shiren.
Tian Hua helped get Chen Peisi into the August First Film Studio.
They looked at his profile and said they needed actors to play thugs and ruffians.
If he was willing, he could join.
And so, this once-in-a-millennium talent ended up at the August First Studio.
Ge You’s situation was similar.
He wasn’t particularly talented, and his family background wasn’t top-tier.
He was still unemployed.
"Teacher Liang!"
While they were chatting, a voice called out.
Liang looked up.
"Xiao Liu! What are you doing here? Got another role?"
"Nope, just here to freeload some food. Oh, and I moved into the guesthouse today!"
A lively face with thick eyebrows and bright eyes appeared beside Chen Qi.
Her cheeks were rosy, a sign of good health and vitality.
She smiled and asked, "Who’s this?"
Liang quickly introduced them.
"Oh, so you’re Chen Qi! I heard there’s a 19-year-old prodigy at the studio. So it’s you!"
"Hello, I’m Liu Xiaoqing!"
She extended her hand, and Chen Qi shook it, blinking.
"Hello, hello! I’ve heard so much about you!"
"Heard so much?"
"Not many people haven’t seen your movies."
"Haha, you’re quite the charmer. I’ll go grab some food now!"
She laughed heartily.
Her style was unique—she wore an old pair of leather shoes without socks, the heels barely hanging on as she walked.
Her presence in the canteen naturally drew everyone’s attention, though the looks were mostly curious, teasing, or just there for the spectacle.
Yes, this was the eternal maiden, the legendary Liu Xiaoqing, who at 70 was still playing teenage roles—truly a legend among legends!
"She’s so carefree, so different from others."
"I’d advise you to keep your distance from her!"
"Why?"
Liang hesitated, then whispered very cautiously, "She has some… issues with her conduct."
Oh!
Chen Qi’s eyes lit up.
Now this was interesting!
He pressed Liang for details, but Liang, with some semblance of decency, refused to elaborate.
Chen Qi’s impression of Liu Xiaoqing was vague—just that she had an affair with Jiang Wen, evaded taxes, and loved playing young roles.
But he also knew she was one of the most formidable actresses in the country.
Zhang Ziyi was tough, right?
Compared to Liu Xiaoqing, she was nothing.
After a few days at the Beijing Film Studio, Chen Qi had met many big and small celebrities and was getting used to it.
He ate until he was half-full, then pushed the remaining two buns toward Liang.
"I can’t finish these. If you don’t mind, help me out."
"No, no, I’m full too!" Liang waved his hands.
"Come on, don’t waste food. It’s not good to waste!"
"You… can’t even finish two liang of buns? I’ve seen guys your size eat a whole jin in one sitting…"
Liang finally gave in, picking up a bun with his chopsticks and stuffing it into his mouth.
Of course, he wasn’t full.
How could one fried dough stick be enough?
But his family was struggling.
…………
Back at the guesthouse.
Chen Qi continued pretending to revise his manuscript, gluing pieces of paper together.
Many at the Beijing Film Studio knew about him—he was young, only 19, and writing a love story.
The combination was enough to make people curious.
Everyone was waiting to see how the script would turn out.
With a daily allowance of two yuan, he had already pocketed ten yuan without spending a dime.
He knew Liang was struggling, likely sending his salary back home.
He wanted to help but was afraid of hurting Liang’s pride.
Talking about money directly might not work—maybe he should start ordering four liang of buns next time.
Liang was his assigned editor and didn’t have much to do.
After breakfast, he came over again, and the two played chess.
As they were playing, someone knocked on the door.
"Is Xiao Chen here?"
"Liu Xiaoqing?"
Chen Qi was surprised.
He opened the door, and sure enough, it was her.
She smiled.
"Oh, Teacher Liang’s here too. Perfect. Can I come in?"
"Sure, come in!"
She walked in confidently, glanced around, and sat down on the bed as if she owned the place.
Liang shuddered, too scared to close the door.
In fact, he left it wide open.
In those days, men and women chatting alone in a room had to keep the door open—like a green-light massage parlor.
Conduct issues were a big deal!
"I heard you wrote a love story. I’m very curious. Can you tell me about it?"
"Are you interested in playing the role?"
"Yes, as long as the script is good, I don’t want to miss any opportunity," she said without hesitation.
"I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you…"
Chen Qi didn’t particularly like or dislike her.
He was neutral.
"The female lead is a 20-year-old girl, just discovering love, raised in America. Your age and image don’t quite fit."
"I see. That’s a shame. But I’d still like to hear your story. You…"
Before Liu Xiaoqing could finish, her expression suddenly changed.
From the hallway outside came the sound of hurried footsteps, accompanied by a man’s shout: "Xiaoqing? Xiaoqing?"
(To be continued…)