Chapter 00037: Off to Mount Lu
# Off to Mount Lu
Chapter 37
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 37: Off to Mount Lu
The Beijing Film Studio, deeply rooted in the capital, held more prestige than other film studios.
With a bit of maneuvering, the General Political Department Drama Troupe released their actors.
Thus, Fang Shu and Zhou Lijing, along with Gong Xue and Tang Guoqiang, officially moved into the guesthouse.
This was the guesthouse's true purpose—to provide services for the film crew, unlike a few freeloaders who took advantage of it.
Not long after, the costumes from Hong Kong arrived.
Historically, Love on Mount Lu had provided Zhang Yu with 43 outfits, each appearance a new look that dazzled the nation's youth, earning widespread admiration.
For now, the preparation was more modest, with Fang Shu and Gong Xue each receiving three outfits.
Morning.
It was midsummer, and the sky brightened early.
The chefs at the Beijing Film Studio canteen were top-notch, skilled in all kinds of dishes, even roasting ducks.
With summer in full swing, they specially offered sour plum soup and mung bean soup, one bowl per person.
"There's a seat here, sit with us!"
"Okay."
Fang Shu got her meal and found a spot by the window.
Gong Xue smiled and nodded, letting her arrange things.
For some reason, they had been assigned to share a room.
Though four years apart in age—one a bold Beijing girl, the other a delicate Jiangnan beauty—they made a pleasing pair when seated together.
"We're going to try on the costumes later. I heard they're all from Hong Kong. I can't wait!"
Fang Shu tugged at her short-sleeved shirt, frowning.
"Look at our clothes. They could pass for men's or women's. I've never worn anything truly feminine in my life."
"You look good in anything."
"I know that, and so do you. I think you're really pretty too."
"Thank you."
"Can you stop speaking in such short phrases? Even though we're competitors, we can still be good friends!"
Fang Shu didn't think much of her classmates but had taken a liking to Gong Xue.
However, Gong Xue's soft-spoken, gentle nature made it hard for Fang Shu to connect with her.
This girl was always bold in love and life, marrying Tu Honggang, who was ten years her junior, and even bearing him a daughter, only to be abandoned by the scoundrel.
"Ah, what a sight for sore eyes, truly a feast for the eyes!"
On the other side, Ge You was gazing from a distance, looking rather listless.
Chen Qi nudged him.
"Don't look so creepy!"
"I'm just looking. I wouldn't dare talk to them."
Ge You glanced around and lowered his voice.
"Honestly, the studio has its three golden flowers, but their beauty and elegance are lost on us common folk. These two are different. Look at everyone else—they're not even close."
"What are you two whispering about?"
Just then, Tang Guoqiang arrived with his meal.
Chen Qi casually replied, "We were talking about the costume fitting later. The ladies get to wear pretty clothes, but you don't. Seems unfair, doesn't it?"
"Clothes are just superficial!"
Tang Guoqiang thumped his chest, his deep, magnetic voice resonating.
"A real man stands tall and upright, relying on his character, not on external things."
"A man born between heaven and earth cannot remain subservient forever... right?" Chen Qi quipped.
"Ah, well said, Xiao Chen! You truly are a talent!"
"Indeed, indeed. That's what Lü Fengxian said. He also lamented drifting through life, never finding a worthy master..."
Tang Guoqiang sipped his mung bean soup and shared some insider news.
"I talked to Director Wang. Once the roles are finalized, we'll head to Mount Lu to experience the setting firsthand. We'll shoot on location and return to build the indoor sets at the studio. We need to capture the beauty of the scenery, so winter is out of the question."
"You seem quite confident?"
"I wouldn't dare boast, but honestly, I do have a fair bit of experience."
"Of course, who else but you?"
Chen Qi smirked and glanced back at Zhou Lijing.
The guy was sitting alone, eating without any intention of chatting or mingling.
Zhou Lijing had been a star in the 1980s, but in 1994, while he was away filming, his wife was murdered by laborers hired to renovate their home.
Zhou sank into depression, his mental state deteriorating.
By the time he returned to acting, the industry had changed completely.
...
After the meal, everyone gathered in the studio.
In later years, film studios would become grand, filled with advanced equipment and sleek designs.
But now, the Beijing Film Studio's sets were housed in simple red-brick buildings.
The windows were old-fashioned, requiring hooks to keep them open.
Director Wang Haowei and others were already there.
Makeup artists were busy with Gong Xue and Fang Shu, while Chen Qi wandered around, inspecting the outfits.
One set was a fitted white suit, another a white blouse with purple floral patterns and puffed sleeves paired with red bell-bottoms, and the third was a sleeveless dress.
There were also accessories, hairpins, and high heels.
"Is this the latest fashion???"
"Bell-bottoms, truly a sign of the times."
To others, it looked trendy; to him, it was nostalgic.
"Alright!"
"Change into the costumes. Everyone else, step aside. Behave yourselves!"
A simple changing area was set up with black curtains, but the men still stepped out.
When they returned, they all let out a collective "Wow!"
Before them stood two radiant young women, dressed in the puffed-sleeve blouses and red bell-bottoms.
"Zhou Lijing, Tang Guoqiang, stand over there. Let's take some photos!"
The two pairs of actors posed, and the cameras clicked away.
"..."
Director Wang frowned, staring at Fang Shu.
In plain clothes with braids, she had a pure, innocent charm.
But with heavy makeup and Western attire, she suddenly looked mature and imposing, especially at 172 cm tall.
Wang Haowei recalled Chen Qi's description.
As for Gong Xue, her makeup seemed a bit off, but that could be adjusted.
Her overall vibe was better—delicate and charming, a rare combination.
"Next outfit!"
"Another one!"
After trying on all three outfits, Wang Haowei had made up her mind.
...
More meetings followed, and finally, the cast for Love on Mount Lu was decided:
Female lead: Gong Xue as Zhou Yun.
Male lead: Tang Guoqiang as Geng Hua.
Supporting actress: Zhang Jinling as Geng Ying, the male lead's sister.
Zhang Jinling, 28, was from the Beijing Film Studio, a year older than Tang Guoqiang.
She had a mature, hardworking demeanor, embodying the traditional woman.
The Beijing Film Studio's three golden flowers—Liu Xiaoqing, Li Xiuming, and Zhang Jinling—were all strong, bold women, in contrast to the delicate beauties of the Shanghai Film Studio.
Once the cast was set, Gong Xue was sent to the International Hotel for a week to immerse herself in the role.
It had to be said, filming in those days was a costly endeavor.
More meetings followed, and just as Chen Qi was about to lose his mind, the crew finally prepared to depart, rushing to capture Mount Lu's beauty before winter arrived.
The night before leaving, at home.
Another power outage.
A candle flickered on the table.
Candles were a luxury; rural families usually made do with homemade oil lamps—glass bottles with a hole, a cotton wick, and some kerosene.
Yu Xiuli packed his clothes, grumbling, "You just got back to the city, and now you're off again. I heard Jiangxi is full of educated youth sent to the countryside, and the dowries are high. Don't get stuck there!"
"I'm going with the Beijing Film Studio. How could I get stuck?"
"You never know which way the wind blows!"
To the right, obviously!
Chen Qi rolled his eyes, comforting his mother.
"I'll write to you. This is a national task. As the screenwriter, I have to go with the crew. There's no way around it."
"Take the tape recorder with you. Listen to Teresa Teng when you miss us," Chen Jianjun said.
"Such fatherly love!"
Chen Qi smiled, feeling a pang of sadness.
He had grown attached to his family.
"Mom, Dad, I've been at the Beijing Film Studio all year, and now I'm leaving again. I'm sorry I can't stay with you."
Oh no!
His words brought tears to their eyes, and for a moment, the family was filled with warmth and joy.
(End of Chapter)