Chapter 00095: Transfer
# Transfer
Chapter 95
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 95: Transfer
"Knock, knock, knock!"
"Come in!"
Early that morning, Chen Qi knocked on the door of the factory director's office.
Wang Yang was in high spirits and greeted him with, "Xiao Chen, 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' has passed the review!"
"Xia Yan himself gave the word, saying our ideology is correct, which essentially sets the tone for the film. Don't underestimate this; he represents the main direction of the entire Literary Federation, and the Literary Federation represents the highest level of policy development."
I’m not underestimating it!
I know Xia Yan is a big deal, and I also know that in any reform, the arts always lead the way.
Otherwise, why do you think 'scar literature' became so popular?
Chen Qi muttered to himself but smiled and said, "That's great! When can 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' be released?"
"At the earliest, it will be in July. China Film Group needs to hold the second-quarter film screening first."
Wang Yang also explained the film screening process, saying, "According to the new policy, this screening is directly related to us. How many copies of 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' we can sell will determine how much money we can make."
"At most, it's only 1.08 million!" Chen Qi scoffed.
"That's already squeezing it out of China Film Group's mouth. The film industry is the livelihood of millions of people, and any small change can affect the entire system. Reform doesn't happen overnight, you know?"
Wang Yang was very clear-headed, but unfortunately, he couldn't foresee the future.
Chen Qi knew the future.
China Film Group had lost 60 million in four years, forcing a second round of reforms.
All film studios had to be self-sufficient, and in order to make money, the 1980s saw a bizarre boom, giving rise to a bunch of strange commercial films, almost bordering on softcore.
Right now, he was just a small fry, unable to do much, and he didn’t want to either.
When pushed to the brink, even a rabbit will jump over a wall, and a person will do anything.
Only under the immense pressure of survival could he climb step by step to the top, and only then would he have the right to burn green prayers to the heavens!
Wang Yang also asked about the progress of 'Tai Chi' and nodded, "Good, as long as it's going smoothly. The martial arts choreographer from Hong Kong, Great Wall Company helped out. You should find a chance to thank them."
"I understand!"
"Oh, and that actress named Gong Xue, I think she's quite good. I've already asked Wang Haowei to coordinate her transfer."
Huh?
Chen Qi was taken aback.
He hadn’t heard about this.
Recently, he had been solely focused on the review of 'Romance on Lushan Mountain,' and Gong Xue hadn’t mentioned it to him either.
Maybe she thought it wasn’t confirmed yet and didn’t want to make a fuss.
He left the office and headed to the studio.
The training had been going on for half a month, with a plan for 20 days, so it was almost over.
The training had progressed from simple to complex, from individual to pairs to group exercises.
Chen Qi even thought about having them create a group skit as a "graduation keepsake."
"Alright, that's it for today. Everyone did well."
"In a few days, the training will end, and you’ll have two days off. Locals can go home, and those from out of town can explore the city. Haven’t seen Beijing yet? Perfect time for a little trip. When we regroup, the martial arts choreographer from Hong Kong should be here, and we’ll officially start filming."
The day’s session passed in a blink, and by evening, Chen Qi called Gong Xue aside.
Gong Xue seemed a bit off, clearly anxious about the whole situation.
She whispered, "I didn’t tell you because it wasn’t confirmed yet. Why would I bring it up?"
"Didn’t you talk to Director Wang?"
"He’s been swamped with the review. How could I bother him with my personal issues? And with all the fuss around 'Romance on Lushan Mountain,' I’m worried it might fall through."
"On the contrary, think about it. Precisely because 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' is causing so much trouble, your unit will find it a headache, and your transfer won’t be too difficult. Once 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' becomes a nationwide hit, and you become a big star, your unit might not even let you go!"
"That’s not how it works, becoming a big star…"
Gong Xue chuckled, pursing her lips, "You sure know how to talk!"
"Now that 'Romance on Lushan Mountain' has passed the review, come on, I’ll go with you to see Director Wang!"
"Wait, Xiao Chen!"
Gong Xue was startled by his sudden decisiveness and was dragged along to see Wang Haowei, who was cooking in his apartment.
He warmly invited them to stay for dinner.
Chen Qi didn’t stand on ceremony and dug in with his chopsticks, explaining the situation.
"Oh! I completely forgot!"
Wang Haowei slapped his thigh, apologetic, "It’s all because of the review. Don’t worry, Xiao Gong, I’ll go with you to your unit tomorrow."
"Thank you, Director Wang!" Gong Xue nodded.
"Is your personnel file with the drama troupe?"
"Yes, it started in the place where I was sent to work in the countryside, then transferred to the cultural troupe, and later to the drama troupe."
"That’s quite a journey. If you transfer in, it’ll have to go to Beijing Film Studio, and we’ll be colleagues… and Xiao Chen too, we’ll all be colleagues!"
"I’m not, I’m just a tea seller!"
Chen Qi was quite attached to this persona.
"Who doesn’t know you’ll end up here eventually, unless you don’t want to, playing hard to get!" Wang Haowei scolded him.
They mooched a meal off Director Wang.
It was night again, and the two strolled back to the guesthouse.
The weather was getting warmer, not as harsh as winter, and many employees were out for evening walks, all noticing the two walking side by side.
Gong Xue, under the weight of various gazes, lowered her head but then raised it again.
"If you transfer, you’ll really be settling down in Beijing?"
"I’ve discussed it with my parents, and they support my decision… From now on, when I introduce myself, I’ll have to say I’m from Beijing, with ancestral roots in Shanghai."
She sighed softly, a hint of melancholy in her voice.
What’s there to be melancholy about? From a Shanghai native to a Beijing local, with property prices at 100,000+ per square meter.
Chen Qi was mentally吐槽ing when Gong Xue added, "By the way, there’s something I want to tell you. If I don’t say it well, don’t laugh at me… I feel like Chen Shaomei, if she only knows theoretical knowledge, her character seems a bit thin. Could we add something to her?"
"Add what?"
"Could she practice throwing darts or slingshots, something like that? She needs to know something."
"She looks delicate, darts and slingshots are too rough, it wouldn’t match her image. Let me think…"
She rarely made suggestions, so Chen Qi took it seriously.
After a moment of thought, he said, "Chen Shaomei often visits a small river, collecting pretty stones from the water, carrying them with her, and has developed a decent skill in throwing stones. Not much strength, but very accurate. When she’s teaching Yang Yuqian, she has him blindfolded, and she uses the stones to help him locate sounds… Hey, that could really work, not bad!"
"You came up with that just now?"
Gong Xue’s eyes widened.
"Easy peasy! Do you think my nickname 'The Genius of Dashilan' is for nothing?"
"One compliment and you’re already full of yourself. You don’t know the meaning of humility."
Gong Xue shook her head, laughing and sighing.
As they approached the guesthouse, she added, "You’ve given me this role, and I promise I’ll do it justice. I’ll head up first!"
With that, she waved and ran off.
"See you tomorrow, Sister Xue!"
That rascal called out from behind, and she turned to glare at him, her face flushing red as she hurried upstairs.
"Ah, what a great big sister!"
Chen Qi sighed.
Lao She once said: True sincerity is rare in this world.
A woman’s blush is worth more than a long monologue, but later, with the advent of rouge, it became hard to tell sincerity from pretense.
Though Lao She’s own love life was quite colorful, his words still ring true.
(End of Chapter)