The literary era since 1979

The next day, the sun shone on the clothes hanging on the clothesline, and they fluttered gently in the breeze.

Fangyan faced the mirror, put on his suit and tie, and said, "I may not be back until very late today, so you don't have to wait for me in the evening."

Gong Xing was very curious and couldn't help asking about the schedule of the exchange groups between the two countries today.

"First of all, we will have a drama exchange seminar with the Haiyouza Theater in the morning."

According to Fangyan, the whole day is divided into two halves. In the first half, the Japanese Haiyuza Theater Company performs new plays, and in the second half, it is the turn of plays launched by the Chinese drama industry. In short, one party will perform and the other will take the stage. During this period, premiere exchange seminars will be held to share experiences and exchange ideas.

"When will the play based on Quanjude, which you and Mr. Wan co-wrote, be premiered?"

There was a hint of anticipation in Gong Xing's tone.

"This afternoon."

Fang Yan noticed her expression and smiled, "How about it, do you want to go and see it in person?"

Gong Xing was surprised and delighted: "Okay!"

"Why not? I'll write you a note. Go to the People's Art Theatre early and give it to Dean Yu."

Fangyan believed that Yu Shizhi would not fail to give him face.

"That's great! I really want to read your novel 'The World's No.1 Restaurant'!"

Gong Xing happily went out with Fang Yan, then drove to the post office and sent the package containing the first draft of "The Three-Body Problem" to the Science Fiction World Publishing House along with the letter, and then drove to the door of the cultural department building.

"Then we'll meet at the People's Art Theatre this afternoon."

"Okay, I'll go first!"

"be careful on the road."

After waving goodbye to Fangyan, Gong Xing moved from the passenger seat to the driver's seat, and then drove steadily towards Beijing Film Academy.

I went to class as usual, and soon my further study journey in the directing department of Beijing Film Academy would come to an end.

But before graduation, the entire advanced class of students must work in teams to complete a short film that meets the school's requirements.

Of course, Gong Xing could have regarded "Baby Smart Star", which was released on Children's Day, as her graduation work. After all, she was also an assistant director who contributed a lot. However, she did not do so. Instead, she participated in it and discussed the shooting subject matter with Ye Daying and others.

Time passed unknowingly and it was noon. After lunch, Gong Xing hurried to the People's Art Theater.

The security guard confirmed that she was Fangyan's lover, let her in immediately, and took the initiative to take her to find Yu Shizhi.

On one side of the corridor are dressing rooms where the actors from the National Theatre of China performing in "The World's Number One Restaurant" are busy putting on makeup, changing into costumes, and rehearsing. You can even see people who have forgotten to eat because of rehearsing, and only remember to eat when reminded.

"That guy is Mr. Lin Liankun, who plays the role of Chang Gui in this play."

The security guard introduced Gong Xing skillfully as they walked.

Gong Xing was extremely surprised. Lin Liankun was a senior who was as famous as Lan Tianye, Yu Shizhi and other drama masters, but even he could only play a supporting role.

"Please stay. Dean Yu is in this room."

The security guard pointed and saw Yu Shizhi, the "Shopkeeper Wang" in "Tea House", who was now playing the role of "Lu Mengshi".

Yu Shizhi was not arrogant and said with a smile: "Comrade Gong Xing, welcome!"

Gong Xing simply stated his purpose, and then handed over the note written in Fang Yan, "I'm really sorry for the trouble you've taken."

"No, you're too polite."

Yu Shizhi raised his hand and said, "This big show put on by the People's Art Theatre today is really thanks to your teacher."

"Don't ever say that."

Gong Xing said: "Yanzi told me that The No.1 Restaurant in the World is the result of the hard work of everyone, and he just contributed a little. During the creation process of the whole play, he received a lot of guidance from you, Teacher Lan, and Mr. Wan. Otherwise, it would be impossible to write such a big play."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was laughter, and the house was suddenly filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Yu Shizhi said that there were a number of seats reserved for the staff of the People's Art Theatre, and then called Wang Ji to take Gong Xing to the auditorium. The seats were relatively far back, and the front and back rows were reserved for news media, drama units, and art institutions.

As luck would have it, not far from the front row, Su Ya, Lu Xiaowei and Zheng Xiaolong attended the event as representatives of the Yenching Television Art Center.

"Xiaoya, why are you here too?"

"How can I not come if you say that?"

Su Ya said that the Yanjing Television Art Center was going to shoot a TV series called "The World's Number One Restaurant", so naturally they had to draw inspiration from the drama.

"You guys, your appetites are really getting bigger and bigger."

Gong Xing shook his head and laughed, "I haven't even finished watching the TV series 'The Judge Advocate of the Song Dynasty', and I'm already thinking about 'The Best Restaurant in the World'."

"Hehe, to be honest, the funding for "The Great Song Dynasty Chief Justice" is almost in place."

Su Ya said: "Now everything is ready, we just need the right time. You and Zhu Lin can get ready, and we will be able to join the crew to film soon."

Gong Wei said quietly: "I haven't seen Zhu Lin for a long time..."

While the two were chatting, more and more audiences came in, and soon the lobby was packed with people and extremely lively.

However, the first two rows were still empty, obviously the most important guests had not yet appeared.

"Just hearing the name, I know I've come to the right place today! No. 1 Restaurant Under Heaven, what kind of drama can be called 'No. 1 Restaurant Under Heaven'?"

"I heard that this play was co-written by Mr. Fang and Mr. Wan, right?"

"That's right! That's why I tried every possible means to get tickets to the premiere!"

"........."

"That's not the case. I heard from the people in the People's Art Theatre that The Best Restaurant in the World is different from Shang Yang. In Shang Yang, Mr. Wan wrote the main story, and Teacher Fang participated in it. But this time it's the other way around. Teacher Fang wrote The Best Restaurant in the World, and Mr. Wan provided guidance."

"Hiss, Mr. Fang is the main writer? If I remember correctly, Mr. Fang seems to seldom write plays, right?"

"If you say so, then I'm looking forward to it even more!"

"It's definitely worth looking forward to. It is said that when the People's Art Theatre was rehearsing internally, Wan Gong, Mr. Wang, and Mr. Ding watched it four or five times!"

Everyone was talking about it, but it soon stopped because the Japanese exchange group, led by Wan Jiabao and others, walked into the lobby one after another. Fang Yan walked at the front of the team, and in front of him was the kind-looking Wang Zengqi. The two of them whispered to each other as they walked.

"Yanzi, you always come up with something new for us. How did you write "The World's No. 1 Restaurant"?"

“Naturally it is written with a pen.”

"You little rascal."

Wang Zengqi grinned and said, "You look so young, how can you look so old?"

"Some people look old, some look young but are old at heart, and I am the mature one at a young age."

Fangyan half-jokingly asked, "What do you think of this "The World's No. 1 Restaurant"?

"Great! I didn't expect that at your age, you could write about the rise and fall of a building so well!"

Wang Zengqi was amazed and said that when he watched the rehearsal, he was in a trance for a moment and seemed to see some shadows of "Tea House".

Fang Yan said: "You are too kind. Comparing me with Mr. Lao She is really flattering me."

"You said that, but you're actually very happy in your heart, right?"

Wang Zengqi said: "But no matter what, your trip to Quanjude was not in vain, and the Peking duck you ate was not in vain. Otherwise, you would not be able to write "The World's Number One Restaurant" with such a strong Beijing flavor and the vicissitudes of time." He then said playfully that he would arrange for the Japanese exchange group to go to Quanjude to eat Peking duck in the evening.

"We have to prepare more. Otherwise, how can we eat so little? If the Japanese next door see us, they will think we can't afford it!"

Fang Yan couldn't help but joked, "At least we have to get another one, preferably one for each of us!"

Wang Zengqi burst into laughter: "You, you don't feel sick of eating like this!" (End of this chapter)