Chapter 00188: Finally, the Long Awaited Moment Arrives
# Finally, the Long-Awaited Moment Arrives
Chapter 188
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 188: Finally, the Long-Awaited Moment Arrives
The spring rain fell like oil, its cool droplets washing away the traces of the sandstorm from days past.
The trees in the factory area grew even more lush, and the weeds downstairs sprouted tender shoots.
Chen Qi, holding an umbrella and carrying a kraft paper bag in his arms, strolled leisurely toward the tube-shaped apartment building.
The door to Gong Xue's dormitory was slightly ajar, and the sound of women's laughter could be heard inside.
He knocked three times and pushed the door open.
Li Jianqun and Gong Ying were both there.
He smiled and asked, "Why aren’t you filming today?"
"Today’s a day off. What are you here for?" Gong Ying asked.
"I’m here to discuss some serious business. Unlike you all, who are just idling around, you don’t even have the courtesy to pour me a glass of water when I arrive."
"Tsk! You really think you’re a guest, huh?"
Gong Ying wasn’t afraid of him at all.
Li Jianqun, who wasn’t as familiar with him, just smiled without saying much, seeming a bit reserved.
Gong Xue noticed the kraft paper bag in his hand and realized he was indeed here for business.
She said, "You two can head back first. Come over again tonight."
The two of them left.
Gong Xue poured him a glass of water and then pulled out a sketchbook, smiling as she said, "That Li Jianqun is really something. She’s much better than me. This is her sketchbook. She’s truly a professional."
Chen Qi casually flipped through it and then tossed it aside.
"The script for *Tai Chi 2* is finished. You should familiarize yourself with it first. We’ll start filming in the second half of the year. Your role is a bit smaller than in the first one, but it’s necessary for the story. Don’t take it personally."
"It’s fine. I really like *Tai Chi*. It’s great to be part of the sequel."
Gong Xue happily picked up the script and began flipping through it.
Chen Qi then asked, "By the way, you’ve been at the Beijing Film Studio for a while now. Hasn’t any director approached you?"
"Of course! Right after I joined last year, directors like Wang Haowei for *The Hidden Web*, Shui Hua for *Regret*, and Xie Tieli for *Soulmate* all approached me. They even wanted me to play the role of Xiao Fengxian!"
"So why didn’t you take the roles?"
"What do you think!"
Gong Xue shot him a glare.
"Ah, you’re acting like such a fool! When opportunities come, you have to seize them! Don’t always wait for me. My plans aren’t set in stone."
"What do you mean by ‘fool’? That’s a term for men. Women aren’t called that."
"Then what are women called?"
"I’m not telling you!"
She snorted, then paused and said sincerely, "I’m not just trying to flatter you, but after acting in your films, I find it hard to, well, you know…"
"Look down on others?"
"I didn’t say that!"
"You’re really putting pressure on me now. If I don’t give you a good film, I’d feel like I’m letting you down…"
"Hey!"
Gong Xue suddenly reached out her small hand and covered his mouth, speaking softly, "First, I genuinely think your films are great. Other scripts always seem to fall short. Second, when I act in your films, I get to be with you. I don’t want to be apart from you for too long. Don’t feel burdened. If you do, then I’d feel like I’m the one letting you down."
"……"
Chen Qi didn’t know what to say for a moment.
He just hugged her, and after chatting for a while, he got up to leave.
But after taking two steps, he paused.
"What’s wrong, fool?" Gong Xue blinked and smiled.
"Don’t call me a fool!"
"Alright then, fool!"
"You’re getting cheekier by the day… What I wanted to say was, *Tai Chi 2* will start filming in the second half of the year. If you’re not afraid of being overworked, I’ll see if I can write another script. How about filming two movies this year?"
"Sure! When have you ever seen me complain about being tired?"
"Alright then, I’ll start brainstorming."
Chen Qi didn’t explain further, just smiled and left.
Gong Xue thought he meant she’d play a regular female lead, like in *Tai Chi*.
But what Chen Qi actually meant was that he wanted to create a film tailored specifically for her.
And so, his workload increased again.
He had to write scripts for the Yuan brothers, for Gong Xue, think about submissions for the American market, and consider special releases for North America… Thankfully, he was young and full of energy, or else he’d have been downing tiger penis wine by now.
And just as he was buried in his work, *Tai Chi* was finally about to meet its domestic audience.
…………
The printing of *Tai Chi* film reels was being done around the clock.
In the past, they’d print a batch and then distribute it.
But now, they were practically distributing each reel as soon as it was printed.
Representatives from various provinces were stationed at the printing factory, each trying to grab as many reels as they could.
Two places managed to get their hands on the reels first.
One was the Beijing Film Company, which had the advantage of being close and having connections.
The other was the Henan Film Company, whose representative was so determined that he seemed ready to fight to the death if anyone tried to take his share.
And so, *Tai Chi* premiered in these two places first.
In truth, waiting for the summer season would have been better for the film’s performance, but they couldn’t wait any longer.
Releasing it now and keeping it running until the summer would have the same effect.
Zhengzhou.
It was a day off, and Liu Xiaowen, a middle school student, was thrilled.
He got up early, had breakfast, got dressed, and followed his parents and younger brother out to watch the movie.
*Tai Chi* had been advertised in newspapers and *Popular Cinema* countless times.
He might not have understood what a "milestone" was, but he knew this was a martial arts film!
Good heavens!
There was actually a martial arts film in the country!
Not just him, even his father was excited, and so was his younger brother.
The only one who didn’t seem to care was his mother.
"So many people?"
"Wow, can we even get tickets?"
"Hurry up and grab them!"
When the family of four arrived at the cinema, they were shocked by the frenzied crowd.
The father, decisive as ever, rolled up his sleeves and charged in.
After a long while, he emerged, looking disheveled.
"I almost lost half my life, but I got the tickets!"
"What’s the big deal? It’s just a movie with some fighting. Is it really worth all this?" the mother couldn’t understand.
"Weren’t you the same when we watched *Romance on Lushan Mountain* last year?"
Before the mother could get angry, the father quickly dragged his two sons into the theater.
The massive cinema, which could hold over a thousand people, was packed.
Everyone was incredibly curious—what kind of movie could conquer those big-nosed foreigners?
Soon, the movie began.
And it did not disappoint.
The three males of the Liu family stared wide-eyed, their minds blown by the film’s groundbreaking action sequences.
Their breathing quickened with the rise and fall of the plot, and soon the entire audience was in sync—gasps of "Ah!" and "Oh!" echoed in unison.
The movie, this dream-making machine, had achieved its highest glory at that moment.
"Fight! Beat that scoundrel!"
"Hit him! Hit him!"
"Oh my god, this is amazing!"
When Yang Yuqian finally defeated Prince Duan and walked away with a flourish, the entire theater erupted in cheers and applause.
Liu Xiaowen clapped until his hands turned red, his face flushed with excitement.
This was the best movie he had ever seen in his short life.
Even after the movie ended, everyone was still buzzing with excitement.
Liu Xiaowen and his younger brother chattered nonstop, though the younger one, being just an elementary school student, couldn’t quite keep up.
Liu Xiaowen couldn’t wait to go back and share the experience with his friends.
…
"Ah!"
"Don’t you dare run! I’m going to beat you to death today!"
By evening, the courtyard was lively again.
Liu Xiaowen was being chased around by his mother, who was wielding a shoe sole.
She looked both furious and heartbroken as she scolded, "You little brat! Don’t you know we only have one water jar? What were you thinking, messing around with it? And not only that, you had to bang it against the wall! Do you know how much a new jar costs?"
"I was practicing my moves! You don’t understand anything!"
"Still talking back? Come here, I’ll beat you to death!"
Liu Xiaowen took off running, only to bump into another kid from the courtyard, one of his playmates.
This kid, however, was less brave, crying as he ran, "Mom! Mom! I won’t do it again, I promise! I’ll never play with the ball again!"
Behind him, another woman was in hot pursuit.
The two boys ran into each other and then took off together, their mothers chasing after them.
Neighbors came out with their bowls of food to watch the commotion.
"What’s going on now?"
"They’ve caused trouble again. One broke the water jar, and the other broke a window. All because of that movie!"
"What movie could cause such a ruckus?"
"A martial arts film! It’s wild!"
(End of Chapter)