Chapter 00089: The Tai Chi Training Class (Seeking First Subscription)
# The "Tai Chi" Training Class (Seeking First Subscription)
Chapter 89
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 89: The "Tai Chi" Training Class (Seeking First Subscription)
Nighttime, Room 302.
Chen Qi counted a small stack of money twice, then placed it on the table in front of Liang Xiaosheng with the air of a capitalist.
"Here's the payment for the second half of 'Invincible Mandarin Duck Legs.' The total fee is 175. We agreed to split it half and half, so here's 88 for you, a lucky number!"
"Wait, 88 yuan just like that?"
Liang Xiaosheng was both surprised and a bit embarrassed.
Chen Qi stuffed the money into his pocket and laughed, "Take it. Even brothers should settle accounts clearly. This is what you deserve!"
"Sigh, I never knew writing popular novels could be so profitable!"
He sighed, then shook his head.
"No, no, it's your popular novels that make money. I heard 'Story Magazine' has a circulation of over 400,000, so they're willing to pay top rates."
Liang Xiaosheng had spent about 20 days writing this piece, not using much brainpower but mostly tiring his hands.
In the end, he earned two months' worth of salary.
When he wrote serious literature, he racked his brains for a year to produce one piece, which at most earned him two or three hundred yuan.
The efficiency was just not the same.
"You know I've been really busy lately, but I managed to squeeze out an outline and character settings. If you don't mind, let's collaborate on another piece."
"No problem, no problem!"
Liang Xiaosheng took a look.
The title was "Wudang."
Surprisingly, the protagonist was a woman.
The story was set in the late Qing Dynasty, where a Japanese martial artist set up a challenge arena.
The female protagonist's father stepped up to fight but was ambushed and killed.
The heroine went through countless hardships, learned the secret techniques of Wudang, and avenged her father by defeating the Japanese villain.
After the 1980s, when "Shaolin Temple" sparked a martial arts film craze, a wave of similar films emerged.
"Wudang" was one of them, produced by Changchun Film Studio.
It performed very well at the time but didn't leave a strong impression, and few people mention it nowadays.
Chen Qi, aiming to earn more writing fees, planned to adapt all these martial arts films until he could start his own magazine.
When the martial arts film craze hit, he could also sell scripts in bulk to film studios nationwide, making another profit.
This was called killing two birds with one stone.
"Old Liang, now that you have some extra income, don't send all the money home. Keep some for yourself, maybe for a future wife."
"A future wife? I'm already 31. Do you think I can still get married?"
Liang Xiaosheng sighed and left.
A man, unless he's hung on the wall, will always think about women at every stage of his life, especially an old bachelor like him.
The older he gets, the more restless he becomes.
In some rural areas, there are even cases of old bachelors living together.
Chen Qi chuckled, remembering that Liang Xiaosheng was actually married with children.
His wife was virtuous and beautiful, and good days were ahead for him.
Not long after Liang Xiaosheng left, Li Wenhua came in, also sighing.
"The actors at the studio refuse to teach. Some say they don't have time, others say they're not capable, and some just don't want to come. It's true that a tall tree catches the wind."
"What about hiring teachers from the Beijing Film Academy?"
"That's expensive and troublesome. We should save where we can."
"Maybe I can give it a try. I've read some miscellaneous books and know a bit about acting."
"You?"
Li Wenhua looked at him skeptically but finally said, "Alright, let's try it for a day. If it doesn't work, I'll find someone else."
"Let's divide the work then. You take the morning, and I'll take the afternoon. I'll prepare the lesson tonight."
...
The next morning.
The canteen at the Beijing Film Studio was, as usual, the liveliest place.
Crew members and single young people came every day, chatting and eating enthusiastically, discussing the latest reforms in the film industry.
With the new policy, the budget for a single film could go up to 1.08 million yuan.
Which director wouldn't want more money? They were all rushing to apply.
"Creak!"
As the door opened, the noise inside suddenly died down, and then it became completely silent.
Countless eyes turned to the entrance, as if witnessing something unbelievable.
Chen Qi and Li Wenhua stood in the center, flanked by Yu Hai, Yu Chenghui, Wang Qun, and Li Lianjie, with Sun Jiankui, Hu Jianqiang, and others behind them.
There was even a fierce-looking Inner Mongolian strongman at the back.
Each of them had a sharp, imposing aura.
What kind of thugs, shady merchants, and petty thieves were these? It seemed like all the oddities produced over thousands of years were gathered here.
"..."
Everyone stared dumbfounded as the group entered, lined up to get their food, and couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"Is this the 'Tai Chi' crew? What a bunch of misfits!"
"Look at that guy with the big beard and half his head bald. Does he think he's some ancient wandering swordsman?"
"And that little black guy, did he just crawl out of a coal mine?"
Suddenly, everyone fell silent again as Ji Chunhua rushed in.
His appearance was striking—bald, no eyebrows, with fierce triangular eyes that seemed to kill with a glance.
His brow bones protruded, and his face was full of rough, menacing features.
Compared to him, the others looked like normal humans.
"Xiao Ji, why are you so late?"
"I got a bit lost. Sorry, sorry!"
"Be on time next time. Don't fall behind."
Chen Qi, who was a year older, patted Ji Chunhua's bald head.
Ji Chunhua grinned widely, chuckling.
The crowd was stunned.
Damn, he actually dared to pat his head!
Chen Qi got his food, scanned the room, and spotted Gong Xue.
He walked over and sat down.
"You should come to the training too. Even though you're an experienced actor in the group, you should still participate in group activities."
"I didn't say I wouldn't go. Are you teaching today?"
"In the afternoon."
"Then I'll definitely listen carefully. I love hearing you talk about acting."
After Gong Xue got the lead role, she became even closer to him.
It wasn't just about chasing profit—who doesn't pursue their interests? But when chasing a woman, you have to invest a bit.
It's all about technique.
If you spend just the right amount, you're a master.
If you spend too much and write "voluntary gift" in the transfer notes, you're just a fool, listening to your crush being with someone else and even telling the guy to be gentle...
...
A temporarily unused studio served as the training ground.
Li Wenhua had some skills.
He brought in a camera and placed it next to everyone, its dark lens pointing at them.
It wasn't turned on, but it was there to help them get used to it.
The first problem with non-professional actors is that they can't help but look at the camera.
He set up a small blackboard and taught them about positioning, lighting, and the general filming process.
Li Lianjie even took notes, looking studious.
In the blink of an eye, it was afternoon—Chen Qi's turn to teach.
Li Wenhua sat in the audience, and Zhang Xinyan also came specifically to see if this kid was all talk.
"Let me formally introduce myself..."
Chen Qi stood at the front, calm and composed, exuding a strong sense of confidence from within.
"I'm the screenwriter and planner for 'Tai Chi.' What does a planner do? It means I can get involved in everything. I'm here to teach you acting, to help you master the most basic skills in the shortest time possible."
As soon as he said this, skeptical looks filled the room.
The group didn't know much about this young man, only that he was always busy, seen everywhere.
Now he was teaching acting? He's only 20, and he's going to be our teacher?
The older ones were more reserved, keeping their doubts to themselves.
But Li Lianjie had no filter and immediately spoke up.
"Teacher Chen, have you ever acted before?"
"Nope!"
"Then how are you going to teach us? What if you can't?"
"Well, then I'll need your cooperation. Come on up here..."
Chen Qi waved him over.
Li Lianjie wasn't afraid.
He straightened his clothes and eagerly walked up.
(End of Chapter)