Chapter 00254: Sister, I'm Back
# Sister, I'm Back
Chapter 254
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 254: Sister, I'm Back
"Teacher Li, Xiao Ji!"
After unveiling the plaque, Chen Qi called over the two from the film company for a chat.
"How are you? Settling in alright?"
"Absolutely, this place is great!" Ji Chunhua nodded.
"It really is nice—spacious rooms, beautiful scenery, and the people are so warm. Even better than the guesthouse. Though the young girls are a bit too energetic and chatty," Li Jianqun said with a laugh.
"I'll talk to them about it later. Even though you're all under the company, you're technically from different departments. If anything feels awkward to bring up, just let me know, and I'll handle it."
After chatting for a bit, Chen Qi hopped on his bike and headed to the Beijing Film Studio.
When he arrived at the main building, he went straight to the cramped little office of the Eastern Studio.
He had an appointment with the administrative director today.
Stepping inside, he saw the old man already waiting for him.
The man’s name was Li Mingfu, but Chen Qi always affectionately called him Uncle Li.
"Uncle Li!"
"Ah, Xiao Chen, you're back! Must’ve been a tough trip—gone for nearly half a year."
"Yeah, things in Hong Kong were chaotic. Exhausting, both physically and mentally."
After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Qi got to the point.
"I came to ask for your advice today. I’ll need to submit a report now that I’m back, and I’d appreciate your guidance on what to include and what to leave out. I don’t have much experience with this."
"No problem, that’s what I’m here for."
"There’s one more thing. I’m planning to recruit more people next year, but we don’t have enough housing. Do you think we could submit an application to the higher-ups to help resolve this?"
"Oh, housing is a massive headache everywhere!"
Li Mingfu shook his head and sighed.
"The whole country’s struggling with housing shortages. Every unit is fighting tooth and nail for space—people practically come to blows over a single apartment. How much are you asking for?"
"Not much. Just 10 square meters per person."
"Ten square meters?!"
The old man’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"The average in the entire capital is only 4.8 square meters per person, and you’re asking for double that? My family of five lives in barely over 20 square meters! You’ve gotten spoiled rotten after just one trip to Hong Kong!"
"Don’t get worked up, don’t get worked up! What I meant was, it doesn’t have to be residential space. Abandoned factories, courtyards, buildings—anything we can buy or rent and renovate ourselves. Would that work?"
"..."
Li Mingfu thought it over.
"That might actually be possible. Is this for long-term living?"
"No, just as a temporary measure. Ideally, I’d like to apply for a plot of land. We’ll have the funds next year, and we can build our own apartments—proper ones with flush toilets, not those cramped corridor-style units!"
The old man’s interest was instantly piqued.
After all, he was part of the company too—if housing was being allocated, he’d get a share!
An apartment with flush toilets? If he could secure one, his descendants would have a head start for at least a decade!
"Land applications take time—years, even. But let’s get the temporary housing sorted first. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it."
"Then I’ll leave it to you!"
Chen Qi then shared some of his experiences in Hong Kong, while Li Mingfu gave him pointers on drafting the report.
Having never worked within the system, Chen Qi really had no idea how to write one properly.
......
That afternoon, inside the soundstage.
*Mama, Love Me Once Again* was in the midst of filming.
The set was designed as a bedroom from the Republican era, complete with a wooden bed against the wall, draped with curtains.
Fang Chao lay under the covers while Gong Xue sat beside him.
Already naturally slender, Gong Xue had deliberately made herself look even more haggard and thin—her cheeks slightly sunken, her hair disheveled.
The set was utterly silent, with everyone moving about on tiptoe.
Director Wang Haowei waited patiently, full of anticipation, while Gong Xue remained silent, her gaze fixed intently on the child in bed—she was steeling her emotions.
After Chen Qi’s guidance and training, she had developed her own approach to acting.
No longer the passive rookie she once was, she now actively thought about her performance and even offered the director practical suggestions.
Without a word, she subtly signaled with her hand.
Wang Haowei immediately gave the order to start rolling, and the camera focused on the two of them.
The scene depicted the child being taken away by his father’s side but later sneaking back, leading to a tearful reunion with his mother.
"Dongdong!"
"Mom!"
Gong Xue clutched Fang Chao tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"Cut! Good!"
"Next scene!"
The mother and son share a heart-to-heart.
The child talks about being sent to a modern school, receiving a contemporary education—including Western music—and learning a song he wants to sing for his mother.
*"Only mothers are the best in the world,* *A child with a mother is like a treasure,* *Snug in a mother’s embrace,* *Happiness knows no measure..."*
The song originated from the 1958 Hong Kong film *The Wandering Child*, starring Josephine Siao—the actress who played Fong Sai-Yuk’s mother.
A child star who began her career at Great Wall, she was poached by right-leaning studios for a high salary, leading her mother to tear up her contract and switch companies...
Fang Chao sang while gesturing along.
Gong Xue listened, watched, and soon tears began flowing uncontrollably again.
Her crying had become even more refined—each teardrop distinct, falling like tiny pearls.
Though she wept, the corners of her lips curled into a smile.
This had become her signature technique.
"Xiao Gong is really coming into her own now. She’s got the bearing of a true actress," Wang Haowei thought approvingly.
But just as Fang Chao finished the song and the mother and son embraced in tears again, Gong Xue delivered her line:
"Wuwuwu... Dongdong, my dear child... Wuwuwu—mm—pfft!"
"Xiao Gong!"
Wang Haowei slammed the table and stood up.
"What are you doing? You were crying perfectly fine—why did you suddenly laugh?!"
"Sorry, Director! My mistake!"
"What’s wrong with you? How do you go from crying to laughing... laughing... huh?"
Wang Haowei turned her head and snapped, "Xiao Chen, are you a ghost?! Where the hell did you pop out from?!"
"You’re in a foul mood. I just got back."
"What does you being back have to do with me? Don’t disrupt filming—get out, get out!"
Wang Haowei shooed him away, pushing him back at least three meters before resuming the shoot.
But Gong Xue was done for.
Her focus was completely shattered.
As she held the child, her eyes kept drifting toward Chen Qi, and her crying now carried an unmistakable joy—her upturned lips impossible to suppress, even with an AK-47.
"Cut!"
Wang Haowei had had enough.
She whipped her head around, ready to yell, only for her gaze to land on Chen Qi again.
"Why are you looking at me? I’ve already retreated to the doorway—where else am I supposed to hide?" Chen Qi called out.
"You little brat, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Don’t push me!"
"Wouldn’t dream of it! Fine, fine, I’ll leave!"
With that, Chen Qi turned and bolted.
He made his way to the corridor-style apartment building, fished out a spare key from beneath a cabinet by the door, and let himself in.
The place was still spotless and neatly arranged, carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance.
The two potted plants on the windowsill had withered, but their green leaves were still well-tended.
On the table lay a half-finished painting.
*"Where the heart finds peace, there lies home."*
He flopped onto the bed and closed his eyes to rest.
About an hour later, the jingling of keys sounded at the door, and Gong Xue burst in.
"Oh? You’re done already?"
"Director Wang couldn’t take it anymore. I just couldn’t cry properly."
She stood by the bed, gazing at him with a smile, her head tilted as if she couldn’t get enough of the sight.
"Is it really my silly little fool? You’re really back?"
"Come on, it’s only been a few months. You’re acting like it’s been years."
Chen Qi pulled her into his arms, and Gong Xue clung to him tightly, her eyes reddening.
"To me, it felt like lifetimes. You have no idea how much I missed you."
"Don’t cry, don’t cry. It’s alright—I’m back now."
"Mmm..."
(And that’s a wrap!
Damn this rain—it just keeps pouring nonstop! All the roads around the neighborhood are flooded!)
(End of Chapter.)